The UK residential market in 2015 - triumph or disaster?
Matt Fleming, co-founder and chairman of Aylesworth Fleming, the UK's biggest residential specialist advertising agency, shares with Housebuilder his annual - and somewhat brave - venture into forecasting next year's housing market
On the march
This month Persimmon launched its incentive to recruit hundreds of ex-servicemen into its business to address the skills shortage. Suzie Mayes talks to group ceo Jeff Fairburn about the programme and the company's other measures to increase housebuilding
Improving sustainability with the Internet of Things
Electrolux's national contracts manager, Mark Armstrong, looks at the issues surrounding appliances and sustainability and describes how his firm is collaborating with others to improve the energy efficiency of its products
Academic excellence
In 2013 NHBC re-opened the doors of its Operations Academy to new recruits for the first time since the economic crisis of 2007. Academy manager Neil Herries explains the robust, six month learning programme that trainees must undertake in order to become qualified building inspectors
Downsizing
Over the past sixteen years, the number of small housebuilders and developers has been in rapid decline. NHBC Foundation’s latest research reveals the challenges that small companies currently face and what should be done to help them overcome these barriers
Heading for the hill
Walnut Trees Hill is nestled within the idyllic village of Ashbury in Oxfordshire. Suzie Mayes looks at these ten faithfully designed properties, each with their own special features, and finds out how Redcliffe Homes is enticing people to them
A walk in the park
Suzie Mayes visits two schemes of different sizes - the large regeneration project of Heyford Park and a small ten-home development, Walnut Trees Hill. But both schemes in rural Oxfordshire share an interpretation of the Arts and Crafts movement and a keen interest in communities. Over the next two pages Suzie Mayes talks to Paul Silver, ceo of Dorchester Living, about the vast, historical Heyford Park
Housing zones - an opportunity, but with issues
Mark Smulian looks at what is meant by housing zones and finds out whether they are a true opportunity to deliver increased numbers of new homes
Underground oversights
Basement projects have become popular in certain areas over the past 13 years. But they have raised various concerns about poor workmanship and health and safety. Marc Separovic, NHBC's technical projects manager, looks at how standards can be raised
It's a Living thing
In July, Kier announced its decision to launch a new unified national housing division - Kier Living. Suzie Mayes meets executive md John Anderson to hear about the plans, the challenges ahead and what Kier Living stands for
