Latest News

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

NFB launches lobby group

Jan. 1, 2006

The National Federation of Builders has launched the House Builders Association as a lobby group aimed at representing the interests of the NFB’s 800 small to …

Higgins to head up ODA

Jan. 1, 2006

David Higgins is leaving his three-year role as English Partnerships’ chief executive to head up the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Incentives use slows in October

Jan. 1, 2006

HBF’s monthly survey shows a slight increase in the number of site visitors during October, and net reservations up on the previous month. Housebuilders’ use o…

Cala shifts out of apartments market to maintain record profits

Jan. 1, 2006

Cala Homes’ \"radical\" decision to buck government policy and pull back on its apartment building programme has contributed to its achieving record results in…

Draft PPS3 must not avoid political taboos

Jan. 1, 2006

The industry must seek to ensure that the government’s consultation draft of planning policy statement 3 (PPS3) on housing contains reasonable standards on car…

Westbury acquisition pushes Persimmon into FTSE 100

Jan. 1, 2006

The year is drawing to a close with a fresh round of industry mergers and takeovers as challenging market conditions continue. Persimmon is acquiring Westbury …

\"Triple-headed\" team to take on Telford

Jan. 1, 2006

When the industry’s three biggest players decided to bid for the right to develop an English Partnerships-owned former coalmine in Telford, some expected the s…

HBF ceo resigns

Jan. 1, 2006

Home Builders Federation chief executive Rob Ashmead has resigned, following four years in the role.

Design of new housing slammed by CABE and Rogers’ urban taskforce

Jan. 1, 2006

Housebuilders have faced a two-pronged attack in recent weeks as both CABE and Lord Richard Rogers’ urban taskforce have criticised the standard of new housing…

Barratt Elektron towers

Jan. 1, 2006

Barratt is planning to develop a series of towers alongside Canary Wharf in London Docklands – its tallest buildings to date