The Intermediary – February 2026 - Flipbook - Page 16
SPECIALIST FINANCE
In focus
er a year of
extensive planning
reforms, I’m hopeful
that 2026 will bring
the beginning of a
long-awaited sea
change for small to medium-sized
(SME) housebuilders. Housing
delivery figures in recent months
have been particularly concerning,
but the Government’s direction of
travel is encouraging with some
reassuring signals of support for
smaller developers.
A
The Government’s most recent
overhaul of the planning system,
announced late last year, focuses
on two main aims: fast tracking
approvals and prioritising small and
medium sites. Updates to the National
Planning Policy Framework (NPPF),
if the proposals pass Parliament,
will introduce a “default yes” for
development near transport hubs
and minimum density requirements
around stations. Once enacted,
these changes would allow more
small to medium developments to
NEAL MOY
is managing director at
Paragon Development Finance
