Flat City
Applications for new build flats are now growing at a faster rate than houses after the recent swing towards family homes. Steve Menary breaks down the figures
Will Pickles buckle?
Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultancy PPS Group, wonders whether the government will buckle under pressure to amend draft planning policy
Developers line up for Get Britain Building Fund
A Glenigan survey for Housebuilder shows that 69,000 homes are stalled in Great Britain. Steve Menary looks at the details of the Get Britain Building Fund which has been launched by the government to get these schemes moving again
Public land release for new homes
We have had initiatives to release public land for housing development before, and they came to nothing. What is different about the latest plans and will they work? Mark Smulian reports
Fever pitch
After highlighting the increased number of claims caused by pitch roof defects earlier this year, NHBC has now overhauled the content of its Standards Chapter 7.2 on pitched roofs. Housebuilder looks at the important changes, coming into effect on January 1.
Hydro activity
Hydro Properties is the first UK company to offer a solution to building on flood plains. Suzie Mayes learns about the technology and the proposed scheme in Surbiton which if approved, could open up sites for housing.
Design reviews– getting it right
All new schemes could soon face "design review" before approval. David Birkbeck, chief executive of Design for Homes and a design reviewer, urges housebuilders to back a variant designed for them.
Riverside reflections
Barking Riverside is a big joint venture with interesting angles and opportunities. Suzie Mayes pays a visit to the multifaceted scheme.
Merry Christmas Mr Pickles
Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultancy PPS Group, sends festive greetings to the communities secretary – but wishes he was acting quicker on planning reform.
"We all live in a Fred Story house".
Carlisle based Story Homes is looking to double its housebuilding programme in the next three years. Ben Roskrow meets the charismatic Fred Story, engineer, housebuilder and one time owner of Carlisle United FC.
