A fascinating analysis of a challenged industry
Of the suggested opportunities, no one ranked the possibility that a new government will improve development opportunity in their top four, reflecting the fear that the likely incoming Tory administration is more of a threat than an opportunity
Taking AIM
Steve Menary looks at the state of play in the AIM market and finds it is not the happiest place to be
An economic rollercoaster towards recovery
Opinion remains divided on where the economy and the housing market stand in this extraordinary economic cycle, says Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris
Rental demand and supply
Britain lacks a professional, institutionally-funded private rented sector for the same reason it has a long-term affordability crisis: severe rationing of permissioned land for residential development. The solution to both lies in our planning system
HMI–reflecting the mood of the industry
Housing Market Intelligence is different. It recognises that if the government is serious about building the number of new homes that the UK needs, then only the private sector is equipped to deliver
Building confidence bit by bit
An entrepreneurial industry such as housebuilding can only be revived through building confidence - and this can be a complex process
Positive noises
Recent announcements from leading housebuilders give some hope that the sector is improving – but there is still reason for caution. Steve Menary reports
The re-emergence of the entrepreneurial spirit
Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris, takes time out to reflect on the state of the industry and finds that there are private and public sector reasons to be cheerful
Conservative housebuilding policies
The Conservatives want housebuilding to be higher under their leadership than under Labour. The higher levels achieved under the Conservatives from 1979 – 97 were entirely down to public housebuilding. So the challenge for a new Conservative government will be how to boost private sector housebuilding
Cautious realism is the way ahead
There may be setbacks –another wave of banking problems, another share slump, worse than expected unemployment figures or maybe the loss of a significant player from the market
