Housing association development is currently far from easy. With cost inflation hitting margins and interest cover, along with the need to spend money on improving existing stock, decarbonising and increasing building safety, it is no surprise that large registered providers including L&Q, Clarion, Notting Hill Genesis and Southern have all announced a scaling back of development.

One player in the housing association market caused a stir last month, however, by announcing its plan to do the opposite. Places for People (PfP) intends to ramp up development to 5,000 homes per year by 2028 with the help of a new strategic land division.