Hertfordshire hero
Suzie Mayes talks to two housebuilders with growth plans who – while different to each other – share a love for design-led housing and are headed by passionate, hands-on bosses. On this page, Heronslea ceo Jason Rishover talks about his two-year mission in the affluent outer London area. And on page 33, Mar City has designs on the middle to lower end of the market
Legislating against empties
Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultancy PPS, says that there is no easy solution to the problem of investors leaving new apartments in London empty
Party time
In just a year, the general election will take place. The battle for No.10 is well underway but what should the parties do to win the industry's vote, and how could the opposition win its fight? Suzie Mayes finds out
Have a HUG
NHBC's new Home User Guide lets home owners access all the information they need to run their new home, with everything now online. From next month, NHBC will run workshops to show how HUGs can benefit both housebuilder and home owner
Getting better
Site safety has had a lot of press but less has been publicised about occupational health and illness in the construction sector. Michelle Aldous, ceo of Constructing Better Health, looks at the figures and how CBH can help improve them
Early blows struck in 2015 election fight
The general election campaign is well underway if the performances of housing minister Kris Hopkins and shadow housing minister Emma Reynolds at last month's HBF Policy conference are anything to go by. Ben Roskrow reports on the opening exchanges and the other conference highlights
Politicians and the greenbelt
Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultancy PPS, argues that planners should be left alone to make decisions on the greenbelt, to overcome the "idiocy" of the current policy
You've got a deal
It may be an improving market, but that does not necessarily mean that selling a new home has become any easier for housebuilders. However, continuing our finance special, Chris Windle finds out how part exchange and incentive deals can move things along
Lenders assess the finance market
As the finance market begins to awaken again, Housebuilder asks key players in the lending sector for their assessment of the present situation
Think small
The housing market may be continuing its recovery, but the funding world remains a rather hostile environment for smaller developers. In the first part of Housebuilder’s finance special, Chris Windle reports on housebuilders’ experiences when sourcing development finance and the lenders that can help
