The more we can de-risk the development process by ‘bringing planning forward’ and creating a pattern book of pre-approved street and building types the more we can unlock and empower small and medium builders and self-builders. Britain is dangerously unique in its over-reliance on a small number of large developers. The new town programme can help change this by de-risking the process.

A pattern book of pre-approved house types is like a recipe book for homes. They were especially common in the 18th century and supported housing booms by allowing builders and landowners to rapidly build homes. Such an approach could be used today to de-risk planning and allow SMEs to compete.