Cut to the chase

A new community is to be ‘unlocked’ in Nottinghamshire by Keepmoat Homes, with the creation of a large access road. Andrew Mason, divisional chairman at the firm explains to Jack Wooler how the housebuilder’s commitment to funding infrastructure helped them... View Article

BRE announces first Home Quality Mark certified home

The first Home Quality Mark (HQM) residence has been certified by the BRE. In what has been described as a ‘landmark seal of approval’, the HQM was awarded to Lancaster Grange in Hertfordshire, a 100 unit development by Crest Nicholson.... View Article

Permission in principle: thumbs up (in principle)

Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) explores the advantages of the new ‘Permission in Principle’ route to planning permission. You may not yet be aware, but since June 2018 a new route to planning permission – ‘Permission... View Article

From the Editor

Depending on your point of view, this Government’s promise to “end rough sleeping by 2027” may either be an insultingly insincere soundbite, or a commendably ambitious promise. As always, Ministers responsible for putting their names to this pledge (including halving... View Article

Construction’s tale of two quarters

The latest data release from the ONS, published today, shows that construction output rose 0.9% in the second quarter. This follows a 0.8% fall in Q1, in which activity was disrupted by severe weather conditions. Compared to a year earlier,... View Article

Blog: A brave new (planning) world?

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s policies for planning and directs local authorities on matters around granting permission for developments. Sam Dewar, a planning expert and director of DPA Planning, gives his assessment of a... View Article

Green Belt ‘being eroded at an alarming rate’

The Green Belt remains under severe pressure, despite government commitments to its protection, according to a new report from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). CPRE’s annual State of the Green Belt report highlights that there are currently 460,000 homes... View Article

SDLT receipts down by almost £1/3 billion: LCP Report

LCP has analysed HMRC’s Quarterly Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Statistics for Q2 2018 released this week. In conjunction with the Quarterly Land Transaction Tax Statistical Release from the Welsh Revenue Authority, this reveals: Tax receipts in Q2 2018 are down 13.8%... View Article

Taylor Wimpey – half year results 2018

Taylor Wimpey has announced its 2018 half year results. Pete Redfern, Chief Executive, commented: “As employment prospects remain positive and mortgage availability is good, customer demand for our homes has been strong in spite of some wider macroeconomic uncertainty. With a strong order... View Article