Latest News

The latest news, features, comment and analysis of the UK housebuilding market covering policy, regulation, planning, technology, new developments and products

Crest completions up as takeover rumours circulate

Nov. 16, 2006

Crest Nicholson has announced a 22% increase in housing completions as takeover speculation continues to dog the housebuilder.

Queen’s Speech flags planning and environmental reforms

Nov. 15, 2006

The Queen’s Speech has this morning highlighted the government’s plans to introduce further changes to the planning system and to focus on tackling climate cha…

Flat inflation eases fears of further rate rise

Nov. 14, 2006

Inflation remained flat in October, easing fears of further interest rate hikes in the New Year.

Housing starts down in third quarter - NHBC

Nov. 13, 2006

Housing starts across England in the third quarter of the year fell by 4.7% to 6,848, according to latest statistics from the NHBC. But the figures also show a…

Crest faces fresh takeover bid as Ronson sells his stake

Nov. 13, 2006

The Crest Nicholson board has reportedly rejected a £660 million takeover offer from an HBOS-led consortium – the same consortium that purchased McCarthy & Sto…

Manorlane turns over £5.14 million in first year

Nov. 13, 2006

Scottish housebuilder Manorlane has turned over £5.14 million during its first year of trading, to April 30.

Incentives needed to boost Scots planning performance - Mickel

Nov. 13, 2006

Andrew Mickel, director of Scottish housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel, has called for local authority planners to be paid performance-related bonuses to help im…

Morris acquires north west housebuilder

Nov. 9, 2006

Morris has acquired Badger Homes, a north west-based housebuilder, for an undisclosed sum.

Interest rates hit 5%

Nov. 9, 2006

The base interest rate now stands at 5% following the Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee’s decision in favour of another quarter point rise.

Nine buyers for every home, says agent

Nov. 7, 2006

Latest research from CB Richard Ellis Hamptons International confirms the extent of the UK\'s housing crisis, finding that there are now, on average, nine buy…