A weekly news summary covering all aspects of the housebuilding industry. Available to members only.
Government News
Yvette Cooper calls for more family-size homes
New planning guidance (PPS3), due to be introduced at the end of the year will set out the need for a mix of housing communities and demand higher standards from developers, in particular the need to build more family homes.
Speaking this week, Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said “New planning guidance will set out the need for local planners and developers to consider the mix of housing communities need – and will give local authorities the confidence to demand higher standards and more family homes in their areas.”
“We need to get a proper mix and build new homes for families too. In many of our cities there are areas where more family homes are badly needed and planners and developers need to do more to deliver larger homes”
Commenting on Housing Minister’s speech, Executive Chairman of the Home Builders Federation Stewart Baseley says:
“The Home Builders Federation welcomes Yvette Cooper’s emphasis on the need for more family-size homes. The current shortage of family homes is a direct result of a lack of land being brought forward for development. Between 1997 and 2003, the total amount of land developed annually in England actually fell by 10 per cent.”
“While recent increases in the number of apartments being built may show a better level of supply for this part of the market, many thousands of families are being denied appropriate housing opportunities and choices because of restrictions on land supply.”
“As the Government consults on a new Planning Policy Statement for Housing, it must seize this opportunity to create a more efficient and effective planning system to allow the industry the build the homes – across the market - that people both want and need.”
White Paper signals greater involvement for Local Government in housing
Communities & Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly has published the Local Government White Paper, which sets out the ways in which powers can be devolved from central to local Government.
The document sets out the areas in which it would like to see local authorities taking on more responsibilities, including practical suggestions for how this might take place.
With relation to housing, local development plans are emphasised, along with stronger powers for local authorities to implement measures to tackle climate change.
HBF will be responding on the relevant aspects that relate to housing in due course.
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Towns and cities to deliver new homes and jobs - successful new growth point bids confirmed by DCLG
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper has confirmed 45 towns and cities as New Growth Points, with the potential to deliver up to 100,000 extra new homes and many more new jobs over the next ten years than previously planned.
The proposals will deliver a substantial number of new homes to help first time buyers onto the property ladder and enable towns and cities to grow their economies by creating new jobs and encouraging business development. Norwich’s growth proposals for example contain plans for 36,000 new jobs, and over 130,000 new jobs are planned in the East and South West regions alone.
The successful bids put forward by over 70 local authorities with high housing demand contain a wide regional spread from Truro to Lincoln and include major cities like Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Birmingham and Bristol as well as large and small towns like Swindon, Reading and Ipswich, Grantham, Thetford and Maidstone.
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Defra publish guidelines on planning for climate change
Defra has published a guidance document entitled "Adapting to climate change impacts - a good practice guide for sustainable communities."
The document is intended to give developers & local authorities advice on how to incorporate measures to combat climate change into planning decisions.
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Regeneration agency takes well-designed car parking on the road
How housebuilders plan car parking can affect the lives of residents and have a significant impact on our public realm. “Car Parking: what works where”, published May 2006, is now the subject of a series of country-wide workshops being hosted by national regeneration agency English Partnerships on how to combine car parking with good urban design. Beginning on 9 November, the roadshows offer practical advice for anyone needing to improve the quality and efficiency of parking layouts while also creating a safe and attractive neighbourhood.
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HBF News
Government responds to HBF concerns over utility provision
Further to research carried out by HBF on performance of utility provision, which revealed that that it nationally takes an average of 25 weeks from making an application for provision of utility services to the first properties on the site being connected, Stewart Baseley wrote to Yvette Cooper on 20 September to raise the issue and the implications for new homes delivery. The Housing Minister has replied and is treating the matter seriously and following it up with the relevant authorities.
Workshops debate barriers to housing supply
At the invitation of Yvette Cooper, two workshops have been held in London to debate barriers to housing supply and good urban design. The workshops were attended by leading figures from the housebuilding industry and senior representatives of Local Authorities with the aim of gaining a better understanding of what needs to change if the Government is to meet its ambitious housing targets. Stewart Baseley, who attended both sessions will be following up with DCLG officials.
Housing Market
More buyers and bargain fixed rate mortgages propel housing market
A large new wave of homebuyers shrugged off the August interest rate increase and entered the home buying market in September and October according to Property Finder. In their October survey, 56% of home-buyers had been searching for a month or less - up 8% from 48% in July.
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CML reveals regional disparity for first-time buyers paying stamp duty
An article by the Council of Mortgage Lenders reveals huge regional differences in the payment of stamp duty by first-time buyers. In northern England, four out of five of first-time buyers (82%) escape paying the tax on their first home, but in London this figure is just one in 33 (3%).
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Economic News
Britain has the highest taxes in the world
Britain has the highest property taxes in the world, according to an international survey.
Soaring council taxes have sent the UK to the top of the league table compiled by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The figures show British households pay 64 % more in property duties than the French and seven times more than German homeowners.
Other News
Buyers will pay extra for homes that save energy
Research by Savills, the estate agency, has found buyers will pay extra for homes with good thermal insulation and energy-saving features because they know it will mean lower heating bills — but not for eco-friendly building materials or good public transport links that reduce reliance on the car.
“Energy efficiency is important to people, but it’s really all about saving money rather than the planet,” says Yolande Barnes, director of Savills Research. “Aspirations — a better property in a better neighbourhood with better schools — remain the biggest market driver, so eco-excellence has to go hand in hand with quality. It is not enough by itself.” (Sunday Times, 22 October 2006)
Find out how the Code for Sustainable Homes could affect your business..
Did you miss the technical briefings at Housebuilding 2006 earlier this month? Need to know more about the Code for Sustainable Homes and how it may affect your business? Confused about building regulations and how you will need to adapt to meet future requirements?
If the answer is ‘Yes’ to any of these then book your place at the HBF Technical Conference.
HBF Technical Conference
9 November 2006
Nottingham Belfry Hotel, Nottingham
To avoid disappointment book your place now
Contact events@hbmedia.co.uk or 020 7960 1646.
Register your place online
Consultation/Key Publication Dates
Code for Sustainable Homes Implementation Early 2007
Home Information Packs (HIPs) Regulations - Revised regulations published 14 June, further revisions required
HIPs Trials November 2006 onwards
HIPs Introduction 1 June 2007
Implementation of new DCLG structure went live 2 October
Housing and planning incentives To 17 October
Planning and Pollution Control Consultation Closes 6 December
Part B of Building Regs - Document Autumn
Implementation April 2007
Water Regulations Consultation Document Autumn
For details of HB Media events click here
For a full list of HBF events please visit HBF Events & Meetings
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Joanna Turner and John Slaughter