Development business support programme for micro and small construction industry businesses

Background The Epping Forest District Local Plan adopted on the 6th March 2023 proposes to build 11,400 new dwellings in the EFDC area by 2033 a growth in households of about 21%. However, the sector is struggling to meet the pace at which it needs to build housing. This is despite the construction sector being the largest sector of the local economy and the largest employer, employing almost 9,000 people. From insight gathered locally, we know the district has a limited number of large housing developers and construction companies, with the majority of businesses in the district being small or micro enterprise (fewer than 50 employees). We also know that the biggest barriers to growth fo…