Never the twain
Deterring beaurocracy
Planning reforms inevitably founder in process; timescales must be ruthlessly enforced
The least worst option
The debate about the government’s proposed planning gain supplement (PGS) calls to mind Churchill’s famous comment on democracy: “No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”
Customers come first
Whatever design, technical or construction solutions are devised to produce zero carbon homes, the government’s target of 200,000 zero carbon homes by 2016 will only be achieved if home buyers and occupiers are prepared to live with the solutions
Policy plea
Going green
There is no doubt the threat of global warming has captured the nation’s consciousness
Housebuilding milestones
December 2006 sees a number of major policy milestones on a journey that began almost five years ago
Barker envy
Mix master
Green light
The major political parties are now focused on sustainability and will undoubtedly increase their demands on housebuilders
