Features

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

Attitude shift

May 1, 2008 Feature

The success of the government’s 2016 zero carbon homes agenda will largely depend on its acceptance by the industry and consumers alike. Satvinder Sahota reports on highlights of an NHBC Foundation study of attitudes to the target

Skilling up

May 1, 2008 Feature

A construction and built environment diploma is due to be introduced for 14 to 19-year olds in September. ConstructionSkills’ Nick Gooderson tells Suzie Mayes about the scheme’s progress

Work smarter

May 1, 2008 Feature

If modern methods of construction are the future of the industry, then its future workforce will need some radically different skill sets. Stephen Hoare reports on the EU-funded SmartLife training centre, which aims to provide just that

Choppy waters

May 1, 2008 Feature

Steve Menary analyses listed and private housebuilders’ latest results and the challenging outlook for the coming months

Code green

April 1, 2008 Feature

From May 1, all new homes will be assessed under the code for sustainable homes and issued a code rating certificate. NHBC’s Satvinder Sahota tells developers how the changes will affect water consumption, and how best to prepare

Not waving, drowning

April 1, 2008 Feature

The battle lines have been drawn after the Environment Agency rejected Taylor Wimpey’s plans to build on Lincoln’s flood prone western growth corridor. Chris Webb opens the floodgates on the matter

A different approach to zero

April 1, 2008 Feature

While English housebuilders prepare to hit zero carbon standards by 2016, the Scottish industry may tread a different path, proposing challenging increases in standards but arriving at a later zero carbon date, as Brian Baker finds out

A lifetime of woe?

April 1, 2008 Feature

A new regulatory requirement has come out of the blue in the shape of lifetime homes standards for all homes. Mark Smulian talks to overstretched housebuilders about how they expect to fund age-friendly specifications

May the best mayor win

April 1, 2008 Feature

The heat is on in the run-up to the London mayoral elections on May 1. Stephen Hoare examines the candidates’ housing policies and talks to the developers awaiting the results

Quango man

April 1, 2008 Feature

Sir Bob Kerslake, head of the new Homes and Communities Agency, has much to do in his new role within the mega agency, set to be up and running next year. Fortunately he is a doer, Allison Heller discovers