When it comes to addressing the housing crisis, we often hear about ambitious large-scale developments, urban extensions, and new settlements. But it’s important to remember that not all solutions need to be vast in scale. Sometimes, small really is mighty.
The government has estimated that more than 300,000 new homes need to be built every year to meet demand. That figure is daunting, but it will never be delivered by large projects alone. In reality, those huge numbers are made up of thousands of much smaller contributions, sites that may otherwise be overlooked but still play a vital role in delivering the homes people need.
Supporting Small-Scale Developers
We are currently working with a small, agile developer in Greater Manchester who shares this vision. Their focus is on identifying and bringing forward smaller sites that others might dismiss, but which can, collectively, make a real difference to housing supply.
Our role is to provide early-stage planning advice to help shape these opportunities before significant investment is made. This includes:
- Assessing how likely a site is to achieve planning permission.
- Identifying the factors that decision-makers, both technical and political, will consider important.
- Advising on the potential implications of the government’s emerging “grey belt” policies, and whether these could make the development more acceptable in planning terms.
Why Early Advice Matters
Carrying out this kind of assessment at the outset is crucial. It reduces the risk of:
- Abortive work where proposals are unlikely to succeed.
- Unnecessary costs associated with preparing full applications that may not be viable.
- Disappointment and delay if an application is ultimately refused.
By investing time in understanding the planning context early, developers can make better-informed decisions, manage risk, and move forward with greater confidence.
Unlocking Hidden Potential
Many sites are “waiting to be discovered”, underused plots of land, smaller infill opportunities, or overlooked spaces that could form the foundation for new homes and, ultimately, new lives.
We can help you explore whether a site has real potential, guiding you through the complexities of planning policy and helping you present proposals that are more likely to gain approval.
Could Your Site Be Next?
If you have a site that you think might be suitable for housing development, no matter how small, why not take the first step and explore its possibilities?
Get in touch with our team today to discuss how we can help you unlock its potential.