Episode three: Why SME housebuilders are key to a greener future
As the UK looks toward the 2027 Future Homes Standard and rising expectations for sustainable development, SME housebuilders will play a pivotal role in shaping how the next generation of homes are delivered.
In this episode of Shaping a Greener Tomorrow, host and UPOWA Managing Director Paul Terry is joined by Mark White, Managing Director of Bargate Homes and board member of both the Future Homes Hub and the Home Builders Federation. Together, they explore how SME developers are navigating changing regulation, workforce pressures, planning challenges, and growing demand for high-quality, sustainable homes.
From the strengths that set SMEs apart to the policy shifts and innovations defining the decade ahead, this conversation offers a practical and forward-looking perspective on the role of small and medium housebuilders in accelerating the transition to low-carbon, energy-efficient housing.
Key topics include:
The role of SME housebuilders – Why smaller developers are essential to meeting the UK’s housing and sustainability targets, and the unique value they bring through design quality, agility, and local insight.
Challenges and opportunities ahead of FHS 2027 – How planning delays, evolving building regulations, and resource pressures impact SME delivery — and where the biggest opportunities lie in new technologies, design approaches, and modern construction methods.
Policy influence and industry leadership – Insights into Mark’s work with the Future Homes Hub and HBF, and how SMEs are helping shape a more collaborative and supportive regulatory landscape.
Skills, supply chain and collaboration – The importance of local supply chains, skilled labour, and strong partnerships in building sustainable homes at scale.
Designing for sustainability and affordability – How Bargate is preparing for the Future Homes Standard, balancing energy efficiency with cost pressures, and integrating clean energy technologies such as solar PV, batteries, ASHPs, and EV charging.
The impact of the Solar Mandate – What the 2027 requirement for rooftop solar means for SME developers and future site design.
What’s next for UK housebuilding – The innovations and industry trends set to shape the next decade, from smart energy systems and fabric-first principles to the growing role of digitally enabled construction.
Guest: Mark White, Managing Director, Bargate Homes
Resources & mentions:
Bargate Homes
Future Homes Hub
HBF
Future Homes Standard
Brickability Group PLC
UPOWA
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