<b><b>Leading the way</b></b><br> Not many months ago the chattering classes were far too focused on the &amp;“green and pleasant land&amp;” to worry about the pleas of the housebuilding lobby. But how things change. Pick up a serious newspaper and you discover eminent leader columns discuss little else these days.<p></p><p>One leading M25-based builder declared in amazement the other day: &amp;“I have just had the main leader in The Times today copied and sent to all senior staff.&amp;”</p><p>That particular piece urged: &amp;“The pressure from housebuilders should not be ignored. They are right to want streamlined planning regulations and particularly a speedier response to applications....The HBF is an effective lobby making serious arguments. Some of them should be accepted.&amp;”</p><p>Clearly HBF spin doctor Pierre Williams is earning himself a few brownie points. </p><p><b><b>Cash Kier</b></b><br> Which builder employs the happiest workforce in the housebuilding industry? Step forward Colin Busby, Kier supremo, who may now be employing nearly as many millionaires as Goldman Sachs.</p><p><i>Greenfield&amp;’s</i> notes confirm that when Kier floated, at a mere 170p in December 1996, no less than 80.9% of the company was retained by existing staff, former employees and their families, as the company demerged from Hanson. Ironically, Kier was briefly part of …