Government consults on planning "shake up"
<p>The government is today (February 18) proposing a “shake up” to the planning process, in a consultation to encourage competition and offer fast track application services.</p>
Countryside shares rise on stock exchange debut
PPS planning survey
Fewer than 10% of planning committee members are actively encouraged to meet with developers, according to a survey by communications consultancy PPS. Double that number reported active discouragement.
UK's retirees are "Generation Stuck"
A lack of suitable properties is stopping the over 55s from downsizing according to a report commissioned by McCarthy and Stone.
Countryside to float
Countryside Properties has announced it is to float on the London stock exchange this month (February) to raise GBP 114 million to pay off debt and invest in its developments at Acton (London), Hazel End (Herts), Beaulieu and Rayleigh (both Essex).
Industry rebuts LGA landbanking claims
The Home Builders Federation has defended the industry's track record on landbanking in response to Local Government Association (LGA) research which claims that there are a "record" 475,647 homes in England with planning permission which are waiting to be built.
Strong trading continues for housebuilders
Housebuilders have continued to report strong performances ahead of announcing their results.
Housebuilding creates more than 100,000 jobs - HBF
More than 100,000 new jobs were generated in England in 2014/15, thanks to the industry's "big increase" in housing output, according to a report by the Home Builders Federation.
Government to directly commission new homes
The government has announced that it will "directly commission" thousands of new affordable homes, giving smaller housebuilders the chance to build them.
Experts highlight key issues for 2016
The housebuilding industry is anxious to receive the finer detail of the government's policies as soon as possible, housebuilders say.
