Features

Rich pickings

Ken Lake established his first housing business by taking an opportunistic approach to the turmoil of the early 90s downturn. He talks to Steve Menary about the plans for his latest success story, Southamptonbased Orchard Homes

Eco pounds

The ecotowns debate has been muddied by opposition scaremongering, argues Antony Calvert of Green Issues Communications

Town and country

The ecotowns initiative began with promise but has become associated with high profile banner-waving protestors and threatened legal challenges. Suzie Mayes questions the outcry and how the government is trying to keep the vision alive

Policy paralysis

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, tells Allison Heller why the government must act now to restore confidence in the housing market. If it fails to, its policies may fail too

Development of the Month

Sherfield Park near Basingstoke is a 1,000-home scheme, architecturally inspired by classic Georgian design. Steve Menary takes a look around Kent-based Croudace’s stylish development

Online assessment

NHBC has introduced an easy-to-use online home information pack service, to help developers comply with new legislative requirements. Christine Smith reports

Homes of the brave

The US housing market has been in freefall since last year’s subprime market collapse and is hard hit by an oversupply of new homes. Steve Menary assesses the situation

Social housing sales

Regional snapshot – North

In the first quarter of the year new home starts slumped by 19%, the biggest fall of any UK region. Steve Menary considers the impact on local builders

Face to face – Lee Allcock, RPA Architecture

RPA Architecture director LEE ALLCOCK has been appointed to lead on negotiating clients’planning consents as the firm enters a new phase of growth