Features

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

Partnerships push

Feb. 1, 2008 Feature

Government has come up with a new way to get high risk urban regeneration projects off the ground: joint ventures between local authorities and developers. Mark Smulian looks into the first 14 authorities who are piloting “local housing companies”

What goes up…

Feb. 1, 2008 Feature

Housebuilder’s annual exclusive planning survey reveals a dramatic fall in applications for homes of all types occurred in 2007. Steve Menary reports

The Eco Experience

Feb. 1, 2008 Feature

Urban Splash has experienced the highs and lows of large scale urban regeneration at its New Islington scheme in Manchester, and Nick Johnson offers some timely advice for ecotown developers

Eco Town Reality Check

Feb. 1, 2008 Feature

Commentators from public affairs consultancy Green Issues – Kelly Edwards along with three active local politicians – assess the obstacles the ecotowns proposals are likely to face

21st Century Towns

Feb. 1, 2008 Feature

Suzie Mayes investigates the progress planned for the government’s ecotowns initiative this year, as successful bidders are due to be announced later this month

A Gothic masterpiece

Dec. 1, 2007 Feature

A Gothic Venetian building opposite the Bank of England was falling into disrepair until the City of London was persuaded to hand it over for residential development to a joint venture between Tigerwater and Marldon. Steve Menary takes a trip to the stunning City apartments at 7 Lothbury

Certified performance

Dec. 1, 2007 Feature

The delayed introduction of energy performance certificates, which has now been put back to April 2008, gives the industry time to properly prepare, NHBC’s Christine Smith contends

Table tops

Dec. 1, 2007 Feature

The latest league tables of the most prolific housebuilders across the regions appears to confirm the government’s fears that the latest mergers and acquisitions have led to a drop-back in production among companies involved, reports Steve Menary

New Year, new opportunities

Dec. 1, 2007 Feature

Housebuilders facing a tightening market would do well to take note of the advice offered by a range of high level commentators on how the most successful businesses will operate in 2008

Vision of the future

Dec. 1, 2007 Feature

John Calluctt has delivered his review of housebuilding delivery to government and the industry, recommending a number of measures aimed at maximising future regeneration opportunities through partnerships. Allison Heller gets the low-down