Shaping housing reform opportunities

The Labour Government has signalled a strong commitment to housing and planning reform, particularly through changes to the development control system which aim to accelerate home construction across the UK. This shifting political landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for developers and stakeholders in the housing and wider development sector.

Meticulously planned projects, where development teams have invested significant resources can encounter unexpected roadblocks.
Navigating complex development landscapes

The Government’s revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) introduces rigorous requirements for local authorities to modernise their local plans, with a particular emphasis on demonstrating sustainable, long-term housing delivery targets. This new framework mandates that authorities must provide concrete evidence of viable multi-year housing supply strategies, creating both opportunities and challenges in local development landscapes.

DRD specialises in guiding housing developers through complex stakeholder landscapes to secure planning permissions and development consent. We recognise that even meticulously planned projects, where development teams have invested significant resources in feasibility studies and stakeholder engagement, can encounter unexpected roadblocks. Our expertise lies in unlocking these challenging situations through strategic stakeholder management and effective advocacy.

DRD works with leading national housebuilders, housing associations, and planning consultants to advance large-scale development initiatives throughout the UK. Our comprehensive support ranges from strategic messaging and evidence-based advocacy to integrated political and media engagement campaigns. We tailor our approach to each project’s unique challenges, ensuring development proposals resonate with key decision-makers and stakeholders.

While clients have often thoroughly developed the foundational public interest arguments for their developments, DRD adds strategic value by independently evaluating and refreshing these cases. We rigorously assess existing materials, strengthen key arguments, and ensure that the development’s benefits and rationale are compellingly presented to all stakeholders. Our expertise lies in transforming technical justifications into clear, persuasive narratives that resonate with decision-makers and communities alike.