When developers want to build, it is becoming imperative that they talk with local communities - and then talk some more.

Matt Baldwin, of Coast Communications, who works with developers, planners and lawyers, looks at the increasingly talkative face of the home-building industry.

The governmentâ's localism bill is progressing through parliament and is expected to become law in the autumn.

It will have a major impact on house builders and the communities affected by development.

In theory, communities will be able to shape their immediate environment but they are unlikely to have it all their own way.

There is a chronic shortage of housing which the government is taking steps to address with a pro-growth planning agenda, particularly through the publication of its National Planning Policy Framework and a presumption in favour of sustainable development.

The government hopes to achieve a position where the default answer to proposed sustainable development is 'yes'. So where does this leave localism and the wishes of local communities and neighbourhoods?

House builders are generally very good at selling homes to buyers once those properties are built. However, they are not so good at selling proposed development.

This is perhaps where localism will have its biggest impact. House builders will struggle to secure planning permissions for new developments if they cannot show meaningful engagement with local communities.

This does not just mean a few exhibition boards in the village hall showing drawings of happy families in an idyllic residential street.

Residents affected by proposed developments are not necessarily opposed to all development but they do want their opinions heard before a development gets to the drawing board.

And that is where the challenge in localism lies; developers and communities talking and working together to deliver much-needed new homes.