New town locations confirmed “by end of year” - Pennycook
The government will confirm the final locations of its new towns programme by the end of this year, according to housing minister Matthew Pennycook. At a House of Lords Built Environment Committee session on new towns, Pennycook answered questions on progress with the programme, following a consultation on a draft version which closed in May. The Committee also quizzed the housing minister on a possible “loss of momentum” with the initiative due to a change of prime minister and the announcement of other housing policies.
September issue of Housebuilder magazine out now
The September edition of Housebuilder is now out and available to read on the www.house-builder.co.uk website. The latest issue features Housebuilder’s annual SWOT analysis - the views of an expert panel on the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats currently facing the industry. This year’s SWOT exposes the desperate state of some in the sector as consumer confidence nosedives and viability issues overwhelm.
Crest warns on profit and revises completions
Crest Nicholson has revised down its full-year completions and is expecting a loss before earnings of around £10 million, as it experiences “more subdued than expected” market conditions and protracted talks with lenders. Issuing a trading update today (September 3), the housebuilder said it expected its completions to be in the range of 1,350 to 1,400 after previous guidance of 1,400 to 1,500 homes.
Govt publishes industry section 106 guidance
The government has endorsed and published new guidance on section 106 affordable housing engagement, developed by industry bodies including the Home Builders Federation (HBF). The publication, National section 106 affordable housing engagement guidance, states a shared commitment by housebuilders, local authorities and housing associations to work together to ensure early engagement and transparency with the section 106 process, to deliver social and affordable homes.
Katie Lam appointed shadow housing secretary
Katie Lam has become shadow housing secretary following a shadow cabinet reshuffle and the departure of predecessor James Cleverly. Lam, a relative newcomer, is the first ever MP for the Weald of Kent, a new constituency created in the July 2024 election when Lam entered parliament. Before becoming shadow housing secretary, she was shadow home office minister and opposition assistant whip.
Planning staff shortages worsen – HBF/Paragon Bank
Nine in ten local authority planning departments (LPAs) in England and Wales are understaffed, delaying planning decisions over new homes and compromising the government’s homes target, according to research from the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and Paragon Bank. The companies’ Planning on Empty report, based on a Freedom of Information (FoI) survey of local authorities across England and Wales, also reveals that planning departments are working at an average of only 80% of the staffing levels they say they need. On average
First tranche of SAHP announced
The government has announced the first tranche of the £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP), with almost £10 billion allocated to deliver more than 70,000 social and affordable homes across England. The first wave will go to 33 strategic partners outside London, including councils, housing associations and other providers. Partners include Cambridge City Council, Eastleigh Borough Council, Orbit Group and Vistry. Around 60% of the homes will be built for social rent.
Govt launches mayoral planning powers consultation
The government has launched a consultation on planning powers for mayors in England, including a proposal to grant mayors outside London “call in” powers on certain schemes, determining their outcome under “applications of potential strategic importance”. The consultation. which seeks to enact elements of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026, proposes that mayors “take over key planning applications which impact on local growth", including schemes of more than 150 homes and any building more than 30 metres or taller.
Home building generates £60bn of community investment – HBF
Building new homes in England and Wales generated more than £60 billion of community investment between 2024 and 2026, according to the latest research from the Home Builders Federation. HBF is calling on the government to ensure local authorities have the capacity to manage section 106 contributions which help fund, for example, affordable housing, schools and parks. HBF’s new statistics highlight the “often-unseen benefits” that are a by-product of new housing development through section 106 agreements. Across England and Wales, according to the research, new homes built last year funded 42,000 new school places, more than 1,640 football pitches worth of community space and more than £9 billion in affordable housing.
