Hill and Homes England buy 10,000 home Cambridge site
The Hill Group and Homes England, backed by its National Housing Bank, have bought the 700 acre Cambridge East site which is set to support the delivery of more than 10,000 new homes, at least 3 million sq ft of commercial space and around 9,000 jobs.
One month delay to planning committee reforms
The government has delayed the introduction of its national scheme of delegation by a month. The scheme, as part of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)’s reforms to planning committees, will see certain applications passing to officers and others committees. In its response to a consultation on draft regulations and guidance on planning committee reform, MHCLG said it had “pushed back” the implementation date of the changes, including the national scheme of delegation, from September 30 to October 31 2026 “to allow local authorities further time to make the necessary arrangements”.
June edition of Housebuilder magazine out now
The June edition of Housebuilder is now out and available to read on the www.house-builder.co.uk website. Georgina Livesey, managing director of PJ Livesey, talks to Suzie Mayes about joining the family business after a successful career in the health club industry, converting historic buildings and why heritage is the key to unlocking housing. Laura Markus, HBF’s policy and external affairs manager, looks at why the viability crisis is one of the greatest threats to increasing housing supply.
Viability testing key to delivering 1.5 million homes – Lichfields
Robust viability testing is key to housing delivery, with build and policy costs rising against gross development values (GDV), according to Lichfields. The planning and development consultancy’s second edition of Fine Margins has revealed the above from a review of 144 viability assessments prepared since 2016. Lichfield examined how local authorities, developers and inspectors had assessed the financial viability of housing schemes across England and Wales.
Council tax on unoccupied and unsold homes adds to SME pressures
A new report published today (May 28) reveals that almost half (45%) of local authorities are charging developers full council tax on newly built homes awaiting sale or occupation, adding to viability problems for new home sites.
HBF discusses viability and affordability at UKREiiF
Some proposals in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) are concerning in the current challenging environment, according to Jennie Daly, chief executive of Taylor Wimpey. Speaking at the Home Builders Federation’s conference session at UKREiiF in Leeds, Daly said she was pleased with the government’s first revisions of the NPPF in 2024, including the reintroduction of five-year housing land supply. “The [introduction of] of greybelt was like a hallelujah moment.” But Daly added that she was “more concerned about things in the recent [NPPF] consultation”, which closed in March. “I wouldn’t be so concerned if the environment wasn’t challenging. Viability is a genuine challenge.”
Crest delays half year results
Crest Nicholson has delayed its half year results as it continues discussions with lenders to seek a temporary covenant relaxation. In its trading update of April 21, the housebuilder said it was in early talks with lenders on relaxing its covenant due to “lower expected profitability” driven by the Middle East conflict. Crest also said in its update of last month that volumes were expected to be lower for its financial year ending in October, set to total 1,400 to 1,500 units instead of the originally anticipated 1,550 to 1,700.
CEC/HBF report shows skills challenge and opportunities
Young people are becoming increasingly interested in construction careers, but the sector faces a growing challenge in converting that interest into sustained employment, according to a new report. The report, published today (May 14) by The Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), in collaboration with the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and industry partners across England, reveals that, based on responses from more than 330,000 young people, construction sits among the top five career interests. It is also, according to the report, one of the few sectors where interest increases through secondary school.
