Queen’s Speech and the State Opening of Parliament Comments

Lindsay Whitelaw (CEO of URICA) comments on Business Secretary Sajid Javid’s announcement that there will be an establishment of a small business conciliation. “The announcement of a small business conciliation is both positive and exciting news for British business. It... 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

BINDT’s CPS scheme replaced

ATTMA Registered Testers Scheme has replaced BINDT’s CPS scheme, Barry Cope, ATTMA Registered Testers Scheme Manager along with David Pickavance, Chair of the ATTMA Board of Directors explain. ATTMA has successfully taken the reigns from BINDT to run the authorised... View Article

Designing homes for mental disability

When it comes to creating residences for people with dementia it helps to look at things through the eyes of those with the condition, says Dominic Waters, Development Director at Waters Homes Open the property pages in any national newspaper... View Article

Architects have family lives too

To remain successful, architectural practices need to be able to retain their talent. That means keeping on top of new employment legislation and thinking harder about how they can support hard-working staff who are also carers and busy parents outside... 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

Mortgage Advice Bureau comments on the ONS House Price Index

Brian Murphy, Head of Lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), comments: “House prices have experienced a slight slowdown in recent months, with seasonal variations as well as tighter mortgage regulation reining in property prices. However, average prices are still well... 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