Latest News

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

Minister to intervene on failing planners

Aug. 1, 2003

Housing minister Keith Hill has delighted housebuilders with a forthright call for local authorities to deliver on planning applications.

Standard rewards top quality schemes

Aug. 1, 2003

Housebuilders and the government have launched the Building for Life Standard to help home buyers identify new housing projects that demonstrate a commitment to good design.

New homes website open to non-members

Aug. 1, 2003

HBF’s new homes for sale website - www.new-homes.co.uk - is being opened up to non-members for the first time allowing all new homes to be offered on the site - up from the 80% currently available. In June the site saw more than 10,000 new visitors and br

Prices rising but visitors stay away

Aug. 1, 2003

Although reservations are still down on a year ago, the rate of decline has slowed considerably since January.

Barker to headline conference

Aug. 1, 2003

Kate Barker is to speak at Housebuilder’s Housing Market Intelligence (HMI) conference on October 8.

Top economist slams nimbyism

Aug. 1, 2003

Kate Barker, the economist given the task by chancellor Gordon Brown of conducting an independent review of housing supply, has called on existing home owners to accept the need for new developments in their neighbourhoods.

In brief

Aug. 1, 2003

<b>Guinness launch</b> Guinness Trust is to launch a private sector housebuilder to help provide mixed-tenure developments for its residents. It will build a 24 flat scheme in north London and use the profits to develop the business further.

Product round up

July 1, 2003

<h2>Roofing</h2>

Material whirl

July 1, 2003

Roofing materials play a key role when it comes to the potential success of a planning application. Blending in with the surrounding area is the name of the game, and the roof specification is more often than not determined by the existing local vernacula

European drain brains

July 1, 2003

As the storm clouds gather Andrew Leech finds that drainage is in for some stringent measures, and that sustainable urban drainage systems (SUDS) could yet come to the fore. While in plumbing, plastics continue to gain ground.