Research by DevComms has provided data on Reform UK’s approach to planning, development and economic growth.

The stakeholder engagement consultancy and Thames Tap partner conducted a survey of more than 800 Reform UK councillors, alongside having conversations with central party organisers and new council administrations, to understand their views on challenges and opportunities in the built environment sector.

With the party overtaking both Labour and the Conservatives in national polling, some calculate the chances of Reform UK forming the next Government as high as 83 per cent if an election were held tomorrow.

The survey revealed that despite Reform UK councillors being an ‘unknown quantity’ to many, when it comes to development, they consider themselves open to partnership and engagement.

Furthermore, their views on development are more nuanced than some of the narrative coming from their Parliamentary colleagues, media and other commentators may suggest.

Sixty-four per cent of those surveyed said their top priority for planning and development was economic growth and employment – with many highlighting a strong appetite for development potential, especially when linked to infrastructure and local benefits.

Consequently Reform councillors’ biggest frustration with planning is insufficient infrastructure (55 per cent), closely followed by the lack of affordable housing (48 per cent) and inadequate community involvement (48 per cent).

And, while Reform UK opposes net zero as national policy, the results showed 57 per cent of its members are in favour of the inclusion of renewables and sustainable energy provisions in built developments.

Rob Allaway, DevComms chief executive, said: “As Reform’s momentum continues to build, following breakthrough local election gains in May, and a series of recent by-election wins, with more urban elections coming next year, it’s clear to see that the political landscape is being reshaped.

“And, as many experienced councillors have been replaced by new Reform representatives, there’s a local level of uncertainty and flux.

“We’re keen to get ahead of the politics and are helping our clients to have a seat at the table, both nationally and within new Reform administrations locally.

“Our early interactions have shown a ‘trust-led’ approach to engagement, highlighting the importance of careful, thoughtful communications and being on the front foot in establishing trusted relationships with new local leaders. An approach that we, at DevComms, always take with all our stakeholders.

“We strongly believe developers have a real opportunity now to engage constructively, as Reform UK councillors are still forming their policy positions — making this the right time to work with them on their aspirations.”

To find out more about the outcomes of the survey and what it means for your organisation, DevComms is offering free online webinars. To find out more or to book a slot email info@devcomms.co.uk

Image: Owain.davies, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons.

© Thames Tap (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).

Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.