An overhaul of the planning system is seen as an important first step, but industry experts have said housebuilders still face major hindrances when it comes to building more new homes quickly. Only a quarter of English councils have up-to-date plans Planning departments are insufficiently resourced Statutory consultees could still prove a major delay Major obstacles still face developers in delivering new homes on a grand scale Housebuilders still face significant hurdles in delivering 1.5m new homes despite the Government’s [...]

SME builders order books could receive a welcome boost as councils exert their new powers to tackle the problem of empty high street premises. Properties empty for more than a year to go under the hammer  Leases of one to five years on offer One in seven high street shops are vacant Empty shop refurbs to create pipeline of work for SME builders SME builders are hoping for a boost in refurbishments now that councils can force landlords of [...]

The construction industry is calling on the Government to rethink its £1m inheritance relief tax cap if it wants to avoid seeing thousands of family-run businesses close. Private assets above £1m will be taxed at 20 per cent Thousands of family-run businesses will close 1.5m new homes target is at risk without the SME builder Family-run construction firms doomed due to tighter inheritance relief cap Smaller family-owned housebuilders will close putting the government’s target of building 1.5m new homes in [...]

Economic experts have said that if the Government wants to achieve its 1.5m housebuilding target it will have to tempt smaller housebuilders back into the sector. Reforms to planning and potential subsidies will be needed claim experts in Glenigan’s latest construction industry forecast. Housing starts predicted to increase by13 per cent in 2025 and 15 per cent in 2026 New housing affordability targets of 40 to 50 per cent will be hard to meet Office refurbishments predicted to rise to [...]

The construction industry is calling on the Government to rethink its £1m inheritance relief tax cap if it wants to avoid seeing thousands of family-run businesses close. Private assets above £1m will be taxed at 20 per cent Thousands of family-run businesses will close 1.5m new homes target is at risk without the SME builder Family-run construction firms doomed due to tighter inheritance relief cap Smaller family-owned housebuilders will close putting the government’s target of building 1.5m new homes in [...]

Councils’ new powersto force short-term leaseauctions of empty high street properties could boost local builders’ business, claim finance lenders. One in seven high street shops are vacant Properties empty for more than a year to go under the hammer Short-term leases of one to five years on offer Councils gain power to force landlords to lease empty high street premises Landlords sitting on empty properties for more than a year will be forced to rent them out on short leases [...]

Housebuilders will need to plan over predicted increased demand for materials and talk to suppliers now to avoid pinch points next year, the Construction Leadership Council has warned. Manufacturers have reduced capacity over the last 18 months Skilled workforcedecline and closure of old facilities pose a threat Demand expected to surge in the second half of 2025 Lack of materials could inhibit housebuilders’ next year A shortage of materials could be the biggest hurdle for housebuilders stepping up their activity [...]

A proposed urban garden village of 1,600 low carbon homes on the site of former gas works in Birkenhead has received a major boost of £29m from Homes England. £51m pledged for site remediation Former railway to be turned into a linear park 1,600 low carbon homes set to be built Derelict former gas site gets £29m to pave the way for 1,600 new homes Birkenhead’s former gasworks havemoved closer to being transformed into an urban garden village with the [...]

Energy and net zero secretary Ed Millibandhas pledged that rented homes should be warmer and free from mould by 2030. The announcement is likely to be a significant boost for SME builders. Estimated 5.7m rented homes need to be upgraded 71 per cent of homes built before 1950 are D grade or lower All rented homes should have a C grade or higher by 2030 Promise to make rented homes warmer lights up SME builders’ future Smaller builders’ pipeline of [...]