Latest News

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

Sunley teams up with Mowlem

July 1, 2003

Sunley Homes has struck a partnership with Mowlem to share experience, skills and resources with the contractor. Sunley staff will work directly for Mowlem to create a new construction team building a variety of bespoke housing schemes.

Fast-tracked bill hits Royal buffer

July 1, 2003

Government plans to fast-track the Planning Bill are in tatters following the announcement that fundamental changes to the Bill will see the legislation pushed into the next session of parliament. This could hold up progress by six months.

In brief

July 1, 2003

<b>Falling costs</b> The cost of innovative housing projects is falling, eliminating the price difference between these schemes and standard new build homes according to new DTI figures.

[MMC-IMG=112-A=Left] Reshuffle keeps housing feet on the ground

July 1, 2003

It’s been rather good fun watching housebuilding being elevated to the position of the key industry in Britain’s economic evolution. Chancellor Gordon Brown’s “let’s wait and see” euro speech clearly laid the blame for his hesitation at the feet of the ho

Persimmon bags Merewood

July 1, 2003

Persimmon has bought Merewood for £22.6 million. The firm operates as Merewood Homes and Crowther Homes in Cumbria and Lancashire, but all branches will now be rebranded as Persimmon.

Hill climbs aboard to steer housing

July 1, 2003

[MMC-IMG=86-A=Right] Streatham MP Keith Hill has taken over as minister for planning and housing succeeding Jeff Rooker who has been moved on, to the disappointment of much of the industry.

Govt Part L review gets underway

July 1, 2003

The government has already begun its new review of Part L of the Building Regulations covering thermal insulation. Despite the rules being upgraded just three years ago, the new Energy Performance Directive and the recent Energy White Paper have prompted

Cherry picked for honours

July 1, 2003

Alan Cherry, chairman of Countryside Properties, has been awarded the CBE for services to urban regeneration and the housebuilding industry in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

Prices rising but visitors stay away

July 1, 2003

Visitors and reservations stubbornly refuse to pick up this year according to latest figures in the HBF survey. But still most builders expect higher sales and see higher prices each month.

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July 1, 2003

[MMC-IMG=85-A=Right] Taylor Woodrow is developing what may be the most environmentally friendly residential building in Britain at Macintosh village in Manchester.