Sector growth predictions downgraded

Growth predictions have been downgraded for the UK’s construction sector in 2019, amid concerns around Brexit uncertainty and ongoing delays in the delivery of major infrastructure projects. The Construction Products Association’s (CPA) Autumn Forecasts anticipate growth will remain flat in... View Article

Persimmon CEO to step down

The CEO of Persimmon is to leave his role following criticisms of his £75m bonus. According to the housebuilder’s statement, the “distraction” around Jeff Fairburn’s pay award was having a negative impact on the company’s reputation, and so the decision... View Article

Funding released to remove high-rise cladding

An estimated £400m to remove and replace unsafe aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding systems on social sector high-rise housing has been released by the Government. In total, 12 local authorities and 31 housing associations in England have been told that... View Article

Government proposes restrictions on new leaseholds

Proposals suggest the majority of new build houses should be sold as freehold, with new leases capped at £10. While leasehold generally applies to flats with shared spaces, a number of developers have increasingly been selling houses on these terms,... View Article

From the Editor

At the end of 2017, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced he was “ripping up planning rules” in order to tackle the housing crisis in the capital. Enshrined in the new London Plan, this included the GLA asking housing developers to... View Article

Shared ground loop arrays and split ownership

It is widely recognised that ground source heat pumps offer ultra-low running costs, maintenance costs and carbon emissions compared to fossil fuelled heating systems and other sources of renewable energy. However, ground source has been looked upon unfavourably by housebuilders... View Article

Letwin Review: SMEs are crucial to solving the housing crisis

The Letwin Review rejects criticisms of landbanking and welcomes calls from industry bodies to diversify the housing market and speed up house building on large sites. Small and medium-sized (SME) house builders have previously told the Government on repeated occasions... View Article

Upsizing the downsizing market

While the lack of affordable new homes for first time buyers often makes the headlines, at the other end of the market there is a similar crisis which gets far less publicity. Yet solving the problems for this older demographic... View Article

Highest new home registrations in 11 years, reports NHBC

UK builders registered more than 43,500 new homes during the third quarter of 2018, according to NHBC’s latest new home registration statistics – making it the highest quarter since 2007. 43,578 new homes were registered during the period July –... View Article

Budget 2018: industry reactions

After Chancellor Phillip Hammond made several announcements of increased investment in housing and construction in his Budget speech, industry leaders have been quick to comment. With more positive spending news than many had expected, the commentary was largely favourable, though... View Article

Bonfire of the planning rules?

Will the London Mayor’s promise to tear up planning help tackle the housing crisis and what does this mean for population density? James Parker investigates. At the end of 2017, London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced he was “ripping up planning... View Article

Yorkshire housebuilder wins national industry award

Leeds-based housebuilder, Park Lane Homes, is celebrating a major industry accolade after winning Single Unit Development of the Year at the Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards. The company’s Providence House detached property in Collingham, near Wetherby, won the award ahead of... View Article