Latest News

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

The last chance saloon for construction?

April 1, 2001

Sarah Hamilton looks at the impact John Prescott's Construction Safety Summit will have on housebuilders and reports on a new NHBC health and safety monitoring…

How green is your savvy

April 1, 2001

Robert Jones looks at the sensitive problem of the green belt and argues that a sequential approach to development may strike a balance between the preservatio…

Hitting an all-time low

April 1, 2001

John Stewart suspects Britain's politicians will not be telling you about last year's housebuilding record in the election run-up

Sound future

April 1, 2001

Although the proposed amendments to Building Regulations on sound insulation could influence floor construction, Andrew Leech finds that both timber and concre…

McAlpine initiative makes demo debut

April 1, 2001

Alfred McAlpine Homes' procurement initiative has been included in the latest round of Housing Forum demonstration projects.

Report supports PVC use

April 1, 2001

PVC does affect the environment, according to a new government research. But its impacts are not excessive relative to commonly-used alternatives which have im…

New home completions hit 75-year low

April 1, 2001

New home completions last year were the lowest in peacetime Britain since 1924. And government stats have revealed that completions have started the year at th…

Prescott delivers tough ultimatum on safety

April 1, 2001

Deputy prime minister John Prescott has called on all sides of the construction industry to deliver tough new safety plans and targets to cut deaths, injuries …

Raynsford warns of life under the Tories

April 1, 2001

Housing minister Nick Raynsford has warned the industry that despite the challenges of new tough planning rules, the outlook under a Conservative government wo…

Industry relieved at Part L's u-turn on U-value

April 1, 2001

Housebuilders and suppliers of traditional building materials are claiming a significant success following the revelation that new thermal insulation values fo…