Latest News

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

Joining the Part L fan club

1 Sep 2005

Chris Windle goes on site with BSRIA and Gleeson Homes for an airtightness test of the kind developers may be required to undertake if new Part L Building Regulations go ahead as expected

Designed to win

1 Sep 2005

Chris Windle considers a selection of the Design for Manufacture stage two winners

Market set to remain challenging – CML

1 Sep 2005

Housebuilders welcomed the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates by a quarter point early last month, but the market remains challenging. The CML is predicting a flat housing market over the next few years and recently halved its forecast for h

IN THE PIPELINE

1 Sep 2005

<b>Paul Westwood Homes</b> has received the green light to build 18 apartments in Wolverhampton. The £890,000 scheme has been designed by ID Architects and will be built at Lane Green Road, Codsall. Work is scheduled to commence late 2005. <b>George Wimp

Homebuy plan details released

1 Sep 2005

The government has released further details of its Homebuy proposals, aimed at boosting home ownership levels by a further 100,000 households by 2010 and tackling the fact that first time buyers are at an all time low.

Online consumer property sales "a matter of time"

1 Sep 2005

Almost two thirds of consumers use the internet to research a house purchase, and more than 20% would consider buying a home online, according to a survey by new homes website smartnewhomes.com. The survey questioned 545 consumers on their online shopping

Berkeley’s Tony Pidgely to launch social housing arm

1 Sep 2005

Berkeley Group chief executive Tony Pidgley is planning to launch a social housing business, which will enable the plc to retain ownership of the affordable housing elements of its developments. Berkeley’s existing social housebuilder, Berkeley First, bui