Government delight as builders build
<p>The government has pinned its colours to increasing housebuilding - so it will be delighted, says Ben Roskrow, that the new Housing Market Intelligence Report launched on October 9 reveals the top builders are building more</p>
Summertime news
The good news from housebuilders is continuing to impress the City. Steve Menary looks at the summer’s results
Cost increases drive the return of MMC
Richard Jones, group head of regeneration and growth at EC Harris, says that material and labour shortages will increase costs and once again open the door for modern methods of construction in housebuilding
A welcome contribution to planning
HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley welcomes new planning guidance emanating from the Taylor Review and calls for consistency and certainty in building standards
No room for local standards
There is no justification for local authorities setting building performance standards. The government’s Housing Standards Review must conclude that standards should be set in Building Regulations only, argues John Stewart
The calm ahead of a key general election
There is a feeling that we are in a period of relative calm and certainty which should continue up until the general election in May 2015
The sun's shining - make hay
Ben Roskrow, risking a role as a forecaster against his better judgment, says that the period up to the next election will be an excellent one for the housing market. After that though....
Private investigations
Steve Menary checks the temperature of the top privately-owned housebuilders and finds that most are currently in good shape.
Planning key to delivery again
Richard Jones, group head of regeneration and growth at EC Harris, says that for housebuilders the debate about delivery of new homes is once again focusing on planning.
Help to Buy starts with a bang
HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley says that Help to Buy is increasing output and is unlikely to produce a housing bubble – but planning remains a concern
