Latest News

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

McAlpine initiative makes demo debut

April 1, 2001

Alfred McAlpine Homes' procurement initiative has been included in the latest round of Housing Forum demonstration projects.

Report supports PVC use

April 1, 2001

PVC does affect the environment, according to a new government research. But its impacts are not excessive relative to commonly-used alternatives which have im…

New home completions hit 75-year low

April 1, 2001

New home completions last year were the lowest in peacetime Britain since 1924. And government stats have revealed that completions have started the year at th…

Prescott delivers tough ultimatum on safety

April 1, 2001

Deputy prime minister John Prescott has called on all sides of the construction industry to deliver tough new safety plans and targets to cut deaths, injuries …

Raynsford warns of life under the Tories

April 1, 2001

Housing minister Nick Raynsford has warned the industry that despite the challenges of new tough planning rules, the outlook under a Conservative government wo…

Industry relieved at Part L's u-turn on U-value

April 1, 2001

Housebuilders and suppliers of traditional building materials are claiming a significant success following the revelation that new thermal insulation values fo…

HBF points finger at Ken

April 1, 2001

The number of affordable houses being built for key workers in London is far short of that required because of Mayor Ken Livingstone's stance on the issue, say…

Is safety your top prority?

April 1, 2001

Three construction workers died from falls in three days last month - just a couple of weeks after John Prescott hosted his Construction Safety Summit in Londo…

Stealth planning guidance

March 1, 2001

Joshua Risso-Gill of law firm Denton Wilde Sapte looks at last year's Barratt/Tower Hamlets ruling on affordable housing requirements and finds it shows that c…

Former glory

March 1, 2001

The modern housebuilding market requires developers to learn new skills in refurb and restoration. HouseBuilder reports on Prowting's first foray into this str…