Cutting Red Tape Review hopes to speed up building process

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A review of rules and regulations is being undertaken in a bid to reduce the barriers that get in the way of house-builders developing more homes.

The Cutting Red Tape review, which was launched on December 2, will seek the views of all firms, whether they are SMEs or larger organisations.

Following on from the Housing Implementation Task Force, it will examine the experiences of all those involved in building homes, from developers to planners and trade associations.

Launching the review, Business Secretary Sajid Javid said the initiative would aim to uncover overly complex rules – or rules that are not enforced properly – and increase the rate at which new homes are built.

“This review will give house-builders and smaller construction businesses a powerful voice as part of our £10 billion deregulation drive,” he said.

“Where rules are too complicated, ineffective or poorly enforced, I want to hear about it and the Government will take action. Together we can cut red tape and get Britain building.”

Issues to be put in the spotlight include roads and infrastructure rules, and rules that affect utilities such as electricity, gas, water and broadband infrastructure.

Environmental requirements will also be considered, as will recent changes made to the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Regulations.

The CDM rules were altered in April this year to place a bigger responsibility on clients for health and safety.

It follows the reforms implemented in the wake of the Housing and Construction Red Tape Challenge, which saw a review of local housing standards by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis called on all construction firms involved in the house-building sector to put forward their views.

“We are determined to remove barriers faced by house-builders to ensure we continue to keep Britain building as quickly and safely as possible,” he said.

“We want to hear the views of firms big and small so we can remove unnecessary red tape and help house-builders do what they do best, building the homes we need.”