Produced in partnership with Openreach, the 2025 edition of the Developers’ Guide provides step-by-step guidance for every stage of development, from assessing a site’s potential to completing a successful build.

The guide aims to demystify complex areas such as planning, finance, and sustainability.

Adam Bovingdon, head of property development at United Trust Bank (pictured above), said: “The current housing crisis won’t be solved by relying solely on large housebuilders. We need a diverse ecosystem of developers, especially those rooted in their communities, who can deliver quality homes whilst providing meaningful employment and tax receipts.

“That means removing barriers — from reforming the planning system and streamlining regulations for smaller schemes, to introducing an SME-focused ‘Help to Buy’ initiative tailored to their needs.

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“This guide is a practical tool for builders ready to make the leap into development, and for those already on the journey, it offers insights to help them grow sustainably.”

FMB president, Chris Carr, added: “Back in the late 1980s, small builders delivered over 40% of new homes in this country. Today, that figure has fallen to less than 9%. That’s not just a statistic — it’s a sign that something has gone badly wrong.

“This guide has been created by small and micro developers for those looking to take their first steps into small-scale housing development. Written in plain English, it breaks the process down into clear, practical stages — from site finding and planning to construction and sales.”

You can download your copy of the updated guide here.