Latest News

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

Planning reforms on track – Hill

July 1, 2004

Housebuilders suffering the slings and arrows of an outrageously slow planning system should not fear, according to planning minister Keith Hill. He has reiterated that the government is pressing ahead with planning reform following the Planning and Compu

New CABE chief announced

July 1, 2004

Richard Simmons, director of development and the environment at Medway Council, is the new chief executive of CABE. He replaces Jon Rouse who has taken the helm at the Housing Corporation.

Housing sector sets pace for improvement

July 1, 2004

<MMC-CAPTION 210 align=left> [MMC-IMG=701-A=Left] C&&M boss Stephen Wicks: confident of affordable housing success in the south </MMC-CAPTION>Housebuilders have this year set an “impressive” pace of improvement across a range of categories, including clie

Housing sector sets pace for improvement

July 1, 2004

Housebuilders have this year set an “impressive” pace of improvement across a range of categories, including client satisfaction, cost predictability and profitability according to Constructing Excellence, the industry body charged with promoting best pra

May sees drop in site visitors

July 1, 2004

May’s survey of housebuilders shows that visitors dropped away in the month, but reservations still stood higher than the same month a year ago.

Innovation workshops from BSRIA

July 1, 2004

Research body BSRIA is holding a programme of workshops on <i>Barriers to innovation in housing </i>following the completion of a research programme into the subject. The project identified a risk-averse culture as the greatest barrier to innovation, and

Swan Hill land sale

July 1, 2004

Housebuilders are expecting chunks of Swan Hill’s land bank to be sold off in coming months after attempts to sell the Middlesex-based firm to British Land broke down.

in the pipeline

July 1, 2004

<b>George Wimpey West Scotland </b>has recently submitted amended plans to North Lanarkshire Council to build 17 houses. The £1 million project is expected to start on site at Bellside Road, Airdrie early in 2005.

Ben Roskrow - Cracking the codes

July 1, 2004

[MMC-IMG=699-A=Left] I had my doubts when I first heard about design codes. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I have a natural aversion to people being too prescriptive, too demanding, too regimental maybe. I had visions of design codes stifling initiativ

Sixty shortlisted for revamped Housing Design Awards

July 1, 2004

Sixty developments – including those by firms such as Copthorn, Bellway, Linden, Barratt and David Wilson – have been shortlisted for the government-backed 2004 Housing Design Awards. This year’s winners will be announced on September 7 at Housebuilding 2