Features

The latest news, features, comment and analysis of the UK housebuilding market covering policy, regulation, planning, technology, new developments and products

Housing Design Awards snapshot

June 1, 2010 Feature

Some of the best plans and projects will be recognised in this year’s Housing Design Awards. Design for Homes chief executive David Birkbeck gives a sneak preview of some of the shortlisted schemes

Long termview

June 1, 2010 Feature

Bellway is currently on site at City Peninsula, part of a major regeneration project for Greenwich, south east London. Suzie Mayes looks at a scheme that sold off-plan during a very grim time for housebuilding

It’s Part L time

June 1, 2010 Feature

Part L 2010 launched officially in April. Suzie Mayes reports on industry concern over what housebuilders must do to meet the new requirements

A new political landscape

June 1, 2010 Feature

Housebuilders have been concerned for some time about the effect on the industry of a new Conservative government.But no-one imagined that the Tory localism views would be bolstered by Liberal Democrat anti-development policies. Ben Roskrow sums up what we know so far, and – given the circumstances – welcomes Grant Shapps as the new housing minister

Burning questions

May 1, 2010 Feature

The past decade has seen the timber frame industry grow. Timber can help housebuilders considerably with sustainable building and construction speed, but lately its growth has been under threat by high profile fires on timber frame sites. How is it responding? Suzie Mayes reports

Brick fast menu

May 1, 2010 Feature

Kevin Stanley steps into the traditional masonry industry and asks the sector what products housebuilders should choose for speed, efficiency and boundary pushing, whilst keeping a keen eye on updated Building Regulations

The picture of health

May 1, 2010 Feature

NHBC’s new Health and Safety Awards, have reached shortlist stage. We look at the thinking behind the awards and who is in the running to win

Family’s fortunes

May 1, 2010 Feature

Georgina Newcombe is sales director at William Davis, and part of the third generation of the family that has run this East Midlands-based business for 75 years. She talks to Ben Roskrowabout how the company is striving to cope with a market that continues to drag its feet

Development of the month - First light

May 1, 2010 Feature

The Aurora in Lanarkshire, Scotland, is a Code level four home boasting timber frame, solar panels and a ground source heat pump. But the home will never be lived in as it is a prototype. Steve Menary explores the test house by accidental pioneers Dawn Homes

The Last Word - Facing facts

April 1, 2010 Feature

Stephen Byfield, managing director of communications consultant PPS, argues that while the housebuilding industry has much to learn from digital communication, face to face contact is still the key