CITB statement in response to today’s Queens speech

Steve Radley, Director of Policy at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), said: “It’s great to see the Government  setting out its ambition for three million more apprenticeships. Employers and Government now need to get together to work out how to... View Article

BPF Comments on Queen’s Speech

BPF urges EU Referendum certainty The British Property Federation (BPF) has commented on the impact that the European Union Referendum Bill, announced in today’s Queen’s Speech, could have on the real estate industry. Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British... View Article

New BIS Secretary right to tackle late payment, says FMB

Proposals by the New Business Secretary, Sajid Javid MP, to combat late payments to small firms have been cautiously welcomed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “Late payment has plagued the... View Article

Ladders – not such a simple piece of equipment

Ladders can seem like such a simple piece of equipment, but there is plenty of evidence that they are not used and understood properly by people within a surprising range of industries. Myths about ladder use are nothing new –... View Article

Development draws home heating direct from the Thames

Kingston Heights, a pioneering mixed-used development near Kingston-upon-Thames’ town centre has won the prestigious Best Green Scheme award at a national housing awards ceremony.  The awards ceremony organised by 24 Housing magazine took place in Birmingham and was attended by... View Article

Autumn Statement reforms stamp duty

Housing commentators had to wait until almost the end of the government’s Autumn Statement before George Osborne announced major reforms to stamp duty. Before he detailed the changes to the threshold payments the Chancellor explained: “I am introducing today a... View Article

Council planning budgets should be ring fenced, says FMB

Council planning departments should be treated as front line services and protected from local authority spending cuts, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Commenting on the recommendations of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee Report on the... View Article

Abode – urban living in a rural setting

Joint winner of the Sunday Times British Homes Awards’ Development of the Year (with more than 100 homes) Countryside’s Abode community proves that volume housing does not have to look and feel like a faceless executive estate This exemplary development,... View Article

More than just child’s play

For homebuilders targeting family property purchasers with young children, the addition of a play area to a new housing development can be a contentious issue. Make the right decision and a developer can create a high quality, attractive and stimulating... View Article

Crest do the double

Crest Nicholson has been crowned as large Housebuilder of the Year at the 2014 Housebuilder Awards and scooped the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year title and Best regeneration scheme for its Park Central community in Birmingham. This impressive award haul... View Article

Jury out on need for further housing standards

It was confirmed at the recent Housing Standards Review briefing that the government would consider implementing further standards or regulations in the future if the review process identifies the need. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) head of... View Article