More planning means less housing
Taking part recently in a blue skies discussion about the planning system, John Stewart was forced to ask some fundamental questions. Why do we have a planning system? Why do we have the one we have? Could we have a better one?
Clegg speech suggests coalition is in for the long haul
Deputy pm Nick Clegg's speech to the NHBC annual lunch suggests that the Liberal Democrats have changed their attitude towards housebuilding, says Ben Roskrow
Conflicting views of a challenging market
There is no easy answer to the classic question: "So, how's the housing market going?" Some may say it's going well, says Ben Roskrow, others call it grim. It depends who you are, what you do and where you operate
Fine margins from listed housebuilders
Steve Menary rounds up the recent batch of housebuilders' results and suggests that some are shy of trumpeting their recent profitable performance.
Zooming in on the industry's hot topics
Richard Jones, head of residential and regeneration at EC Harris, says that the government is abandoning its scattergun approach to housing delivery and focusing on the hot topics facing the sector.
Hopeful signs from the conference season
HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley reports that the attitude to housebuilding from politicians and local authorities at the recent party conferences provides encouragement for the industry.
Home building at centre of economic recovery strategy
Before the 2010 general election, private home building looked set to be a victim of localism under a Conservative government. Today home building is centre stage in the coalition government's strategy for economic recovery. John Stewart charts the change in government attitude to the industry.
Nobody said it was going to be easy
Ben Roskrow argues that it is difficult to assess how the industry is currently doing. But challenging times could bring exciting opportunities.
HMI charts the vagaries of the industry
The Housing Market Intelligence conference on October 3 was the tenth staging of the housebuilding industry's favourite event. Ben Roskrow notes how the themes of each previous conference allow us to chart the fortunes of the industry at a glance
Tough calls on dividend payments
Barratt's share price fell on the day it announced profits were up 159%. Steve Menary looks at how decisions on dividends can affect housebuilders' stocks.
