Features

Riders of the storm

What has it been like being a chief executive of one of the big housebuilders during the storm of the past 18 months? Ben Roskrow talks to the bosses of two of the biggest players – Mike Farley of Persimmon and Pete Redfern of Taylor Wimpey – to find out, and, on pages 22 and 24, hears their plans to build again

A year or two of living very dangerously indeed

Interbuild 2009

Interbuild, the building show comes to Birmingham a little earlier this year. Suzie Mayes looks at what the very-long running event has to offer everyone involved in the housebuilding process and what exhibition stands the industry should visit

Forum facts

The Housing Forum found out what housing challenges different UK regions face, through a series of workshops over the summer. Shelagh Grant, chief executive of the Housing Forum which this year formed a strategic partnership with NHBC, reveals the findings

Development of the month: Life’s a beach

Barratt went against the downturn to produce Honeycombe Beach, a development that benefits from a beach, Wayne Hemingway and some goats. Steve Menary reports

OSMosis

Rick Burgess (pictured) of PRP Architects argues that a failure to embrace off-site manufacture (OSM) will mean a failure to meet housing delivery targets. A recent seminar looked at the obstacles and issues surrounding OSM

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST HOUSEBUILDERS

Get your aircut

When making a dwelling airtight to prevent air leakage, it is important to also provide adequate ventilation: build tight – ventilate right

Variety club

The NHBC Foundation’s latest publication is a pioneering global research report that sets out international aims, aspirations and achievements of sustainability in housing. Neil Jefferson, chief executive of the Zero Carbon Hub, explains the report’s significance and findings

Community test

Conservative party proposals to shift the emphasis of planning to local communities are worrying housebuilders. But they can work, argues Mike Hardware of Chelgate, if the public can see demonstrable benefits to allowing development