Miller chases growth
<p>Miller Group plans to increase its volumes to more than 2,000 units per annum over the next three years, on the back of an improved performance within its housing division in the past year.</p> <p> </p>
Lack of retirement homes "next housing crisis" - Demos/HBF
<p>The lack of housing for older people is the UK’s next housing crisis, a report on retirement housing launched today (September 12) reveals.</p> <p><br />Top of the Ladder, compiled by Demos, shows that 3.5 million people aged over 60 wish to buy retirement property, but only 100,000 suitable homes exist.</p> <p><br />Demos said that building more retirement housing would free up more than 3 million homes and help people lower down the housing ladder. The older generation is also sitting on some considerable wealth, with over 60s in England alone owning £1.28 trillion in housing equity.</p> <p><br />The report also found that downsizing had a positive effect on people’s wellbeing, making them less reliant on care services.</p> <p><br />The Home Builders Federation (HBF) used the publication of the report to launch its Campaign for Housing in Late Life, headed by TV personality Esther Rantzen. The campaign calls upon the government to remove the policy barriers that make building retirement homes difficult, and improve housing choices for older people.</p> <p><br />HBF’s campaign also asks local councils to include older people’s housing needs in its local housing policies to help combat loneliness and bring security and companionship to the older generation.</p> <p><br />“Social isolation is normally a punishment for a crime – it should not be the price for growing old,” Esther Rantzen said. “Yet when [older people] come to move, they find their options are severely limited.”</p> <p><br />Shadow housing minister Jack Dromey said that there had not been a clear policy focus on retirement housing from any government. He added: “If we already have a housing crisis, the Demos report reveals that we have a hidden crisis with retirement housing. <br />“We need more housing options for older people, and there are wider societal benefits to doing this. Focusing on retirement housing is a no-brainer.”</p>
Housebuilders pledge to build more homes
<p>Major housebuilders last week met with housing minister Mark Prisk to stress that government initiatives on mortgage support - such as Help to Buy - are working and will lead directly to more homes being built.</p> <p>The meeting took place as it was revealed that 12,500 reservations have been made through Help to Buy up to the end of August and the scheme is on target to deliver the 74,000 homes intended over the next years.</p> <p>Home Builders Federation executive chairman Stewart Baseley, who was at the meeting, said that Help to Buy has been an "unqualified success". "All the signs are that the next couple of months will see a significant number of people realising their ambition of home ownership."</p> <p>Barratt ceo Mark Clare said: "Customer interest in Help to Buy has been very strong. We are now preparing for further growth and have committed £1 billion to land investment for new homes and we're also expanding the business by taking on 600 new apprentices and graduates."</p> <p>Jeff Fairburn, Persimmon ceo, endorsed this view saying his firm has increased build activity while Taylor Wimpey boss Pete Redfern said the increase in demand "enables us to build more homes on the sites we have already got open and gives us more confidence about investing in future sales."</p> <p>Housing minister Mark Prisk welcomed these views: "I'm delighted that developers have pledged to use this momentum to increase output and get Britain building again."</p> <p>Baseley struck a note of caution though, saying that if this improvement is going to lead to a significant and sustained increase in housing supply then "ministers still need to act on the other constraints on supply - a lack of land and excessive regulatory costs."</p>
Skanksa quits UK housebuilding market
<p>Skanska UK has announced today (September 5) that it will no longer build its own residential schemes.</p> <p> </p>
A breath of fresh air with Rhinoplast
Knauf grows ready-mixed and spray range with Sheetrock
Industry SWOT analysis reveals cautious confidence
Gladedale becomes AvantHomes
McStone secures refinancing deal
Housebuilders enjoy better market
News Alerts
Don't miss out on another important news story get important news alerts right to your inbox.
