Development draws home heating direct from the Thames

Kingston Heights, a pioneering mixed-used development near Kingston-upon-Thames’ town centre has won the prestigious Best Green Scheme award at a national housing awards ceremony.  The awards ceremony organised by 24 Housing magazine took place in Birmingham and was attended by... View Article

Autumn Statement reforms stamp duty

Housing commentators had to wait until almost the end of the government’s Autumn Statement before George Osborne announced major reforms to stamp duty. Before he detailed the changes to the threshold payments the Chancellor explained: “I am introducing today a... View Article

Mortgage Advice Bureau comments on the ONS House Price Index

Brian Murphy, Head of Lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), comments on the ONS House Price Index: “House prices have experienced a slight slowdown in recent months, with seasonal variations as well as tighter mortgage regulation reining in property prices.... View Article

Council planning budgets should be ring fenced, says FMB

Council planning departments should be treated as front line services and protected from local authority spending cuts, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Commenting on the recommendations of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee Report on the... View Article

Handy Cross hub development

In Wycombe, proposals from the district council are heavily focused on retail and the authority is hoping that by taking control itself of the flagship £150 million Handy Cross development, that this will change perceptions of the Buckinghamshire town. By... View Article

Abode – urban living in a rural setting

Joint winner of the Sunday Times British Homes Awards’ Development of the Year (with more than 100 homes) Countryside’s Abode community proves that volume housing does not have to look and feel like a faceless executive estate This exemplary development,... View Article

More than just child’s play

For homebuilders targeting family property purchasers with young children, the addition of a play area to a new housing development can be a contentious issue. Make the right decision and a developer can create a high quality, attractive and stimulating... View Article

Crest do the double

Crest Nicholson has been crowned as large Housebuilder of the Year at the 2014 Housebuilder Awards and scooped the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year title and Best regeneration scheme for its Park Central community in Birmingham. This impressive award haul... View Article

Jury out on need for further housing standards

It was confirmed at the recent Housing Standards Review briefing that the government would consider implementing further standards or regulations in the future if the review process identifies the need. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) head of... View Article

Self-build property planning applications fall to six year low

Figures released by Barbour ABI today reveal that UK-wide self-build planning applications in 2014 have decreased by 28% compared to 2008. Barbour ABI, the chosen provider of the Government’s Construction and Infrastructure Pipeline, shows that 16,792 self-build planning applications were... View Article

Small builders face barriers to growth

Small housebuilders and developers in the UK face serious barriers to growth, with planning, access to finance and land availability highlighted as the biggest challenges for small companies. Research by the NHBC Foundation shows that there has been a significant... View Article