Housing Delivery Momentum Builds: Insights from UKREiiF 2026
This year’s UKREiiF conference painted a picture of a sector united on growth but divided on delivery. Here are the key takeaways shaping planning conversations this week.
• Developer intent remains strong Planning Portal’s Q1 2026 Planning Application Index shows sustained increases in new home applications, building on a standout 2025. Developer appetite for housing delivery continues to rise.
• Housing starts up 24% Housing Secretary Steve Reed highlighted a 24% rise in housing starts in Q4 2025 — a sign that recent reforms may be beginning to translate into real‑world delivery.
• Committees seeing more consents SEC Newgate’s National Planning Barometer found around one‑third of planning committee members have seen increases in housing consents following government reforms.
• Delivery challenges remain Despite optimism, viability, infrastructure funding and stalled delivery were recurring themes. A roundtable of senior leaders asked the key question: how do we turn rising developer intent into homes on the ground?
The sector is optimistic — but the next challenge is converting applications into completed homes.