Public land release for new homes
We have had initiatives to release public land for housing development before, and they came to nothing. What is different about the latest plans and will they work? Mark Smulian reports
Fever pitch
After highlighting the increased number of claims caused by pitch roof defects earlier this year, NHBC has now overhauled the content of its Standards Chapter 7.2 on pitched roofs. Housebuilder looks at the important changes, coming into effect on January 1.
Hydro activity
Hydro Properties is the first UK company to offer a solution to building on flood plains. Suzie Mayes learns about the technology and the proposed scheme in Surbiton which if approved, could open up sites for housing.
Design reviews– getting it right
All new schemes could soon face "design review" before approval. David Birkbeck, chief executive of Design for Homes and a design reviewer, urges housebuilders to back a variant designed for them.
Riverside reflections
Barking Riverside is a big joint venture with interesting angles and opportunities. Suzie Mayes pays a visit to the multifaceted scheme.
Merry Christmas Mr Pickles
Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultancy PPS Group, sends festive greetings to the communities secretary – but wishes he was acting quicker on planning reform.
"We all live in a Fred Story house".
Carlisle based Story Homes is looking to double its housebuilding programme in the next three years. Ben Roskrow meets the charismatic Fred Story, engineer, housebuilder and one time owner of Carlisle United FC.
The weakest link?
According to the NHBC, increasing solar PV installations are leading to more problems with leaking roofs. Redland’s head of marketing and business development Richard Hartley suggests a reason why
Steady applications
Steve Menary looks at the latest planning league tables for the year to September 2011 which show who is planning to build and where. Applications are up in six out of nine English regions as well as in Scotland
Housebuilder awards 2011
Housebuilder presents the winners and runners up of its prestigious Awards, created for the industry by the industry, which showcase the most imaginative schemes, products and initiatives housebuilding has to offer
