The call comes ahead of May’s crucial elections, with the latest polling predictions given by renowned expert, Professor Sir John Curtice, showing the SNP most likely to remain in government, albeit in a minority administration.

The SPF argues that the next government will face a pivotal moment in dealing with a subdued economy and sluggish delivery rates of new homes. While progress has been made, most notably the creation of More Homes Scotland, major challenges remain around viability and investor confidence following the election.

This sentiment was echoed during the political panel discussion, with delegates urging those political representatives not to repeat the mistakes of recent years, which have seen the delivery of thousands of homes frustrated and the potential investment of £3 billion lost or delayed.

Furthermore, it was stressed that the progress made more recently risks being undermined with the introduction of policies such as the Building Safety Levy without some form of recognition of the viability challenges the industry faces, including the potential economic impact of the Middle East crisis.

Left unaddressed, the SPF has warned that housing delivery and wider commercial development, which have a key role to play in facilitating Scottish urban regeneration, may experience further declines as developers struggle with rising costs that are creating a viability gap for development projects.

With nearly 400 key industry representatives in attendance, the conference also provided an opportunity to focus on the successful collaborative regeneration and investment projects planned, or already underway, across Scotland, with proposals from Aberdeen Council, Dundee City Council, Glasgow City Council and South Lanarkshire Council being discussed.

The conference also featured a range of speakers, including cabinet secretary for housing Mairi McAllan MSP, Sir John Curtice, leading figures from across Scottish local government, and key industry representatives.

Jonathan Guthrie, chair, Scottish Property Federation, said: “At our conference, we are yet again highlighting the critical role the real estate industry has to play in growing the Scottish economy and attracting investment into Scotland. But that can only reach its full potential if the next government continues to work in partnership and collaborates with us.

“We have seen significant positive movement here and a sense that the government is listening, as acknowledged by the Cabinet Secretary in her address. We must learn the lessons of this Parliament though and avoid costly policy errors that have lost or stagnated over £3bn of investment in new homes.

“As the focus turns now to May and the outcome of the Scottish elections, the next government needs to prioritise tackling the viability challenge our industry faces if we are to get the homes we need build, regenerate our town and city centres, and capitalise on the growing tech and AI revolution. Certainly, the creation of More Homes Scotland is a strong step in the right direction but much work to do. We stand ready post 7th May to assist in that spirit of collaboration and partnership.”