Channel 4's Dispatches highlights SME developers are the lifeblood of the housebuilding industry

It is no coincidence that as we see a steep decline in housebuilding, it is matched closely by the sustained attrition of small and medium sized-developers in the market. Smaller builders are the lifeblood of the industry, often completing projects that larger developers would not touch, in a shorter time frame.

Last night’s Dispatches programme, entitled Britain’s home-building scandal, highlighted the critical importance of supporting the SME developer to add to the nation’s housing stock. Access to land, finance and skills are three significant challenges for small scale developers, and only when access is improved in all three areas, can they put more streets on British homes.

LendInvest champions the SME developer, providing bridging and development finance to small-scale house-builders and investors. We’re also keen to upskill the industry and recently launched the LendInvest Property Development Academy, with a view to arm property entrepreneurs with the tools to build development projects from the ground up.

We look forward to the Housing White Paper announced by the Communities and Local Government Secretary, Sajid Javid MP and his commitment to introduce measures to revitalise the housebuilding sector by supporting the SME developer.