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Soft focus

[MMC-IMG=1140-A=Left] Peter Robertson, head of marketing at the Rydon Group, argues that brand building is the way to improve a housebuilder's reputation with the City and customers. A good brand, he says, is worth a fortune

the walrus

[MMC-IMG=1139-A=Left] A leaked draft of a highly prescriptive PPG3 is worrying the Walrus. He ponders whether housebuilders should start protesting - perhaps dangling from cranes dressed as Spiderman?

i:one to Southampton

When Alistair Baker left Prowting he had an idea to build homes that combined contemporary design and sustainable materials. But meeting Michael Wilde at Merlion resulted in him delivering his plan alongside an imaginative social housing operation. Steve

Social capital

As the lines between public and private housing delivery continue to blur, Housebuilder talks to two firms looking to enjoy the best of both worlds. Here Ben Roskrow meets the team behind the MBO of John Laing Partnership which is looking to rapidly build

Practical measures

[MMC-IMG=1134-A=Left] John Prescott is keen to see the industry reduce build costs by adopting modern methods of construction. But he needs to recognise the barriers housebuilders face in moving in this direction, including the degree to which local autho

Building a solid future

<MMC-CAPTION 100 align=left> [MMC-IMG=1132-A=Left] Youthbuilding UK - getting young people skilled up and on site </MMC-CAPTION>Youthbuilding UK is a new NHBC-sponsored programme to develop young people's construction skills. Melissa Blamey reports on how

Regions to be cheerful

[MMC-IMG=1115-A=Left] Steve Menary analyses the latest results of our quarterly survey of “who's building where” and finds firms forging ahead in many regions outside the capital

Why does it cost so much to build bloody houses in this country?

John Prescott's recent comments on the increasing cost of housebuilding, and his announcement of a new key worker scheme involving homes being sold for £60,000 have drawn much frustrated reaction from the industry. Allison Heller puts an ear to the ground

UPDATE

Cala Finance to fund new £5 million project

Cala Finance, the residential funding arm of the Cala group is funding a new £5 million housing scheme by Langstone Homes in Sutton Coldfield.