Features

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

Classic example

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Steve Menary takes a trip to Sheriff Court in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City, where Persimmon has added some quirky features to a refurbished neoclassical landmark

Heads up

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Building control officers were once preoccupied with defects, but today they work at the heart of design teams offering expert advice. NHBC’s Satvinder Sahota reports on the career opportunities now offered by the sector

Regional rises

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Planning applications are on the rise in the south east and across a number of other regions according to the results of our latest quarterly survey. Steve Menary reports

SPA system

1 Jun 2006 Feature

The Thames Basin Heaths special protection area (SPA) is causing headaches for local housebuilders. Tony Kitson and Clare Tyler of CMS Cameron McKenna offer a step-by-step guide to meeting the requirements of such designations

Making tracks

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Developers have long argued that buyers are not prepared to pay more for an environmentally sustainable home. But Steve Menary finds that growing awareness over climate change and rising oil prices is driving a shift

Funds to fit

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Smaller developers often face cashflow issues and funding must be tailored to their individual needs, advises Wolsey Securities chief executive Mike Ratcliffe

Niche one

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Small and medium sized developers struggle to compete with the big boys for land, but they continue to fulfil an important market niche. Chris Windle considers the challenges facing the smaller player as the industry consolidates

Social life

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Housing Corporation chief executive Jon Rouse on developers’ contribution to social housing and how he is getting on with the task at hand while the government considers the creation of a new delivery agency

UPDATE

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Your at-a-glance guide to key issues in the housebuilding industry

All change

1 Jun 2006 Feature

Chris Windle explores the implications of the recent cabinet reshuffle, which has seen the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expanded and rebranded the Department for Communities and Local Government