United Trust Bank (UTB) is proud to co-sponsor the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) newly updated ‘Guide to Becoming a Small Housing Developer’, launched to help and encourage more builders to confidently expand their activities to include principal development and to take on the UK’s housing challenge.
Produced in partnership with Openreach and backed by leading industry voices, the 2025 edition of the Developers’ Guide provides small builders with practical, up-to-date advice on turning their skills and experience into successful development businesses. The guide arrives at a crucial moment for the UK housing sector, as the country continues to fall behind on its goal of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029 — a level of output not seen since the 1960s.
UTB’s sponsorship of the guide reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting the SME developer community. By providing practical tools, clear information and access to specialist finance, UTB aims to help revitalise small-scale housebuilding and strengthen the diversity, quality and resilience of the UK’s housing market.
Supporting small developers to grow
Recent findings from the FMB’s House Builders’ Survey show that many smaller builders still face significant challenges when trying to enter or expand in the development market.
- Over half of SME builders say the planning system remains the biggest barrier to delivery.
- Access to land continues to be difficult, with 60% reporting limited availability of suitable small sites.
- Finance also remains a key issue, with 42% citing challenges in securing development funding.
Despite these obstacles, many SME builders express strong interest in diversifying into affordable, community-led, and sustainable housing if the barriers to growth can be reduced.
The updated Developers’ Guide has been designed to address these real-world challenges head-on. It provides step-by-step guidance through 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, helping small builders make informed, confident decisions.
Championing the next generation of local developers
Commenting on UTB’s support for the initiative, Adam Bovingdon, Head of Property Development at United Trust Bank, said:
“United Trust Bank is proud to sponsor this important guide, developed in partnership with the Federation of Master Builders, to help aspiring housebuilders take their first confident steps into residential development. In a market where just 9% of new homes are delivered by SME developers – down from around 40% three decades ago – we urgently need to rebalance the sector and empower smaller builders to thrive.
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.
“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. At UTB, we’ve built long-term partnerships with ambitious SMEs, backing them with responsive funding and specialist expertise. We’re committed to helping this vital part of the sector flourish and believe that with the right support and imagination, small developers can become the driving force behind the next wave of UK housebuilding.”
The FMB’s President, Chris Carr, echoed the importance of empowering smaller builders: “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
