Latest News

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

Fairview snaps up Rialto

March 1, 2004

The latest series of industry mergers has seen Fairview New Homes buy Hertfordshire-based Rialto for £60 million, and Allison Homes - part of the Kier Group - …

Housing Forum set to tackle skills crisis

March 1, 2004

The Housing Forum has taken up the challenge of the acute skills shortage in the housebuilding sector, tackling the issue in a major new report which recommend…

Persimmon spree

March 1, 2004

Persimmon Homes West Yorkshire has acquired a total of 31 acres across the region in a site-buying spree, which leaves them with four sites with a gross develo…

Site visitor numbers soar

March 1, 2004

Housebuilders will be cheered by the biggest boom in site visitors seen for some time with a balance of + 23% seeing an increase in Jan/Feb, according to the l…

Planning powers for regional assemblies

March 1, 2004

Elected regional assemblies have been given a power boost - they will now have authority to direct local authorities to refuse planning applications that are “…

in the pipeline

March 1, 2004

Gleeson Homes has been successful in its bid for further housing in Basingstoke. The company received detailed planning permission for a proposal of private an…

CABE boss quits to join Housing Corp

March 1, 2004

Jon Rouse has been appointed chief executive of the Housing Corporation and will step into the role from April, bringing to an end a high profile four-year rei…

Time to redouble efforts on customer care

March 1, 2004

The Housing Forum tried to put a positive spin on the disappointing results of its latest National Customer Satisfaction Survey (see pages 20-22). The press re…

in brief

March 1, 2004

Inspectorate slammed The Planning Inspectorate must improve its handling of complex cases and development plan inquiries and improve customer service according…

HBF warns of tax effect on supply

March 1, 2004

The House Builders Federation has called on the government not to impose new taxes on housebuilders which could risk slowing-up housing supply even further.