Extend help-to-buy deadline, urge builders

Housebuilders are calling on the government to push back the deadline for help-to-buy in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown. They said while the chancellor Rishi Sunak´s changes in stamp duty would help the market in the short-term a key stimulus to get things going would be ease of getting a loan. Redrow chief executive Matthew Pratt told Construction Index: “Despite the home building industry coming to a standstill for the best part of the last three months, the help-to-buy clock [...]

Energy efficiency vouchers get building industry´s thumbs up

Vouchers of up to £5,000 for homeowners to make their properties energy efficient will encourage more builders to go green, claim leading figures in the industry. The chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced a £2bn grant scheme, as part of a wider a £3bn plan to cut emissions, which the treasury claims could support more than 100,000 jobs. Construction trade bodies have welcomed the grants for retrofits such as insulation, double-glazing and heat pumps. They are optimistic this will encourage more [...]

By |2021-11-13T09:16:26+00:00July 7, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Business, Finance News, News, Projects|0 Comments

More time to get shovels in the ground for affordable housing

The deadline for making a start on an affordable housing scheme has been pushed back to March 2023, the government has announced. Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said the original deadline of March 2022 will be extended by 12 months to give housing associations and councils more flexibility. “Building the homes´ the country needs is central to the mission of this government as we prioritise uniting and levelling up the country,” he said. It´s estimated the building of 53,000 affordable homes [...]

By |2021-11-13T09:16:34+00:00July 6, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Business, Finance News, News, Projects|0 Comments

Lockdown fuels interest in new homes and refurbs

More than 55 per cent of respondents in a national survey said they valued their home space more than ever due to the lockdown. Two out of five said they would prioritise space for an office if they were searching for a new home, according to a poll of 2000 adults across the UK. Home Builders Federationexecutive chairman Stewart Baseley said: “Lockdown has been an extremely testing time, during which people have spent much more time than usual in their [...]

By |2021-11-13T09:16:39+00:00July 3, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Finance News, News, Projects|0 Comments

Builders can get closer onsite and food is back on the table

Builders can get closer onsite and food is back on the table Builders have the flexibility of working one-metre apart with carewhere two-metres is not viable and on-site canteens are now allowed. The latest version of the Construction Leadership Council’s site operating procedures asks construction firms to consider increasing the size or number of eating facilities. “Canteens that have been closed or offered a restricted service may now open,” said the guidelines which contain a checklist of measures. These include [...]

By |2021-11-13T09:16:44+00:00July 1, 2020|Finance News, Blog, Business, News, Planning News, Projects|0 Comments

First flatpack homes to be built in Bristol

Property Loans News:- Housing developer BoKlok has gained unanimous approval from Bristol city councillors to build 173 family homes on 5.17 ha of land along Airport Road in Knowle West. The developer, owned by Skanska and Ikea, will use modern methods of construction to build the homes off-site with the project expected to be finished by 2021. BoKlok UK managing director Graeme Culliton said: “Throughout the evolution of this project we have partnered with the local community, Bristol city council, [...]

By |2024-06-26T07:33:04+00:00June 29, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Business, Finance News, News, Projects|0 Comments

Major constructors´ output nearly back to normal

Bridging Finance News:- Productivity on construction sites is back up to 80 percent of levels before the pandemic, according to a panel of leading design and construction consultants. The latest data from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors building cost information service, BCIS, shows resilience among contractors. The BCIS panel attributes this to contractors growing familiarity with government site operating procedures, longer site opening hours and fewer noise restrictions. Product Max LTV Up to 50% LTV 50.01 – 65.00% LTV [...]

By |2024-06-26T07:33:51+00:00June 26, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Finance News, Projects|0 Comments

Builders calls for LAs to speed up signing-off of planning conditions

Bridging Loan News:- Builders about to go on-site or finish up projects are facing delays as many councils are failing to sign-off planning conditions within the statutory period. The National Federation of Builders, NFB, head of housing and planning policy Rico Wojtulewicz said: “This is causing industry real problems as it means current projects are unable to start, or complete. “We are raising this with the government, who need to work with the industry and local planning authorities to solve [...]

By |2024-06-26T07:38:35+00:00June 24, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Finance News, Projects|0 Comments

Plans for a £770m south London riverside development lodged

Commercial Loans News:- Plans to build 1,500 homes on Greenwich Peninsula have been submitted to Greenwich council by regeneration developer U+I. The mixed-use scheme lies on 19 acres of land to the south-west of the O2 Arena which was home to a large sweetener refinery and is one London´s last riverside sites available for regeneration. U+I chief development officer Richard Upton said: "This riverfront scheme will deliver a distinctive, green, mixed-use neighbourhood while driving growth and employment and delivering much-needed new [...]

By |2024-06-26T07:39:03+00:00June 22, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Finance News, Projects|0 Comments

First female government chief planner appointed

Property Funding News:- Joanna Averley will be the first woman chief planner when she joins the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in September. She is replacing Steven Quartermain who stepped down at the end of March after 12 years in the role. Housing minister Chris Pincher said on Twitter: “Joanna’s experience and fresh thinking will help to ensure the planning system delivers the homes we need, now and in the future.” Ms Averley said planners had a vital [...]

By |2024-06-26T07:39:16+00:00June 17, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Finance News, Projects|0 Comments

New £125m scheme to build 300 homes in East London takes shape

Bridging Loans News:- Regenerating three parcels of land around Lea Bridge station in East London to build 300 new homes, community facilities and working space for businesses have moved a step closer. The London Borough of Waltham Forest has chosen developers London Square Partners and One Housing to deliver the project where half the homes will be affordable. Cabinet member for economic growth and housing development, Cllr Simon Miller, said: “This proposed development will bring much needed jobs and housing for [...]

By |2024-06-26T07:45:31+00:00June 15, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Finance News, Projects|0 Comments

Scotland extends help-to-buy as housebuilding starts again

Property Development News:- More than 2,000 Scottish households will be able to buy new-build homes with the extension of the help-to-buy scheme to March 2022, claims the government. Scottish housing minister Kevin Stewart has pledged £55m for 2021-22, in a bid to help housebuilders recover business over the coming year. The news coincides with first minister Nicola Sturgeon´s announcement yesterday of a soft start to re-opening housebuilding sites on Monday, June 15. Mr Stewart said: “A strong and growing house-building [...]

By |2024-06-26T07:45:57+00:00June 12, 2020|Planning News, Blog, Finance News, Projects|0 Comments