BEYOND LIVE returns next March
Following another successful year for BEYOND LIVE, NHBC’s flagship conference returns to the CBS Arena, Coventry on March 4 2027 for everyone involved in the construction of new homes.
Housebuilder Awards 2026 finalists revealed
The finalists of The Housebuilder Awards 2026 have been announced with SME housebuilders featuring prominently, including the likes of Kingswood Homes, Lilyford and Pocket. Barratt Redrow leads the way with seven finalists including in Best design for three storeys or fewer and Best regeneration initiative. Bellway has six finalists including in Best sustainability initiative and The Housebuilder Star Award. Hill has five finalists including two in Best design for four storeys or more, while Lovell features in four categories.
Second SME sentiment survey shows decline in confidence
The Home Builders Federation’s second quarterly SME Developer Sentiment Survey shows a “sharp deterioration” in SME confidence since its first survey published in March, with expectations for land purchasing, housing starts and housing market conditions all weakening significantly. The survey in partnership with Quantum Development Finance (QDF) – the second of which was published today (June 30) - tracks changes in the confidence of smaller home builders - those building up to 500 homes - and the obstacles preventing them from expanding. According to the latest findings, more than nine in ten SME housebuilders said the Middle East conflict had made their business outlook for the next 12 months worse than expected. Only 1% disagreed, with more than 25% stating they had paused or reconsidered the acquisition of new development sites since the onset of the conflict.
Consumer case launched against seven housebuilders
A £4.5 billion legal claim has been launched on behalf of more than 700,000 people against seven housebuilders, alleging anti-competitive conduct. Mark McLaren, co-founder and director of Class Representatives Network, represented by competition law firms Geradin Partners and Hausfeld, is bringing the case for the homeowners against Barratt Redrow, Bellway, Berkeley Group, Bloor Homes, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group. They seek compensation for homeowners purchasing a new build home in Great Britain between October 2015 and June 24 2026. These buyers were allegedly impacted by information sharing, paying more for their new homes, they claimed.
Burnham to embark on biggest council housing drive since post-war period
Andy Burnham, the man widely expected to be prime minister in the next few weeks, has promised to embark on the biggest country-wide council housing programme since the post-war period.
New Barratt Redrow boss to start in September
Dean Banks, Barratt Redrow’s new group chief executive, will take up his role on September 21, the business announced today (June 26). Barratt Redrow named Banks, currently group chief executive of infrastructure services provider Ventia Pty, as David Thomas’ successor in March. Thomas, who has been group chief executive for 11 years and with Barratt Redrow for 17 years, will retire from the board as Banks begins his post. Banks also becomes executive director from September 21.
Berkeley seeks judicial review following refusal of Peckham scheme
Berkeley Group has applied for a judicial review of the Planning Inspectorate’s (PINS) decision to refuse planning permission for the regeneration of the Aylesham Centre in Peckham town centre, south east London. In May, PINS refused the housebuilder’s plans, including the redevelopment of a “rundown” shopping centre and more than 850 private and affordable homes, on heritage grounds. Today (June 26), Rob Perrins, Berkeley’s executive chair, said the decision was “clearly flawed and will undermine the government’s pro-homebuilding agenda unless it is swiftly quashed”.
Berkeley urges “decisive intervention” into London housing market
There is “no prospect of material improvement” in the London housing market unless the government shows “more decisive intervention”, Berkeley has warned. Reporting on its year end results, the housebuilder called for changes, including a reduction in the “excessive tax burden” and proper resourcing of regulators, including the Building Safety Regulator. Berkeley has paused buying new land as announced in April, pointing to "geopolitical events” and escalating taxes and costs. During the year ending April 30 2026, the company saw revenue drop 4.2 % year-on-year to £2.38 billion. Meanwhile, Berkeley completed 4,076 homes, slightly above 2025’s 4,047.
HBF’s Women into Home Building wins at Women in Housing Awards
The Home Builders Federation ‘s Women into Home Building programme has won an award at the Women in Housing and Housing Heroes Awards 2026. HBF claimed Career Development Initiative of the Year for its initiative at the Housing 2026 conference in Manchester. The annual awards recognise individuals, teams and organisations across the housing sector who have made a significant contribution to improving outcomes for customers and colleagues. They also celebrate innovation and best practice across the industry.
Industry reacts to PM resignation
The prime minister should be credited for his government’s ambition to increase housing supply, Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Home Builders Federation said today, (June 22), as the industry reacted to the news of Keir Starmer’s resignation. Starmer’s announcement of his departure has triggered a leadership contest to determine his successor. He will remain in office until the contest is complete. Nominations open on July 9, with a new leader expected to be in place before parliament returns in September.
