Persimmon CEO to step down

The CEO of Persimmon is to leave his role following criticisms of his £75m bonus. According to the housebuilder’s statement, the “distraction” around Jeff Fairburn’s pay award was having a negative impact on the company’s reputation, and so the decision... View Article

Funding released to remove high-rise cladding

An estimated £400m to remove and replace unsafe aluminium composite material (ACM) cladding systems on social sector high-rise housing has been released by the Government. In total, 12 local authorities and 31 housing associations in England have been told that... View Article

Government proposes restrictions on new leaseholds

Proposals suggest the majority of new build houses should be sold as freehold, with new leases capped at £10. While leasehold generally applies to flats with shared spaces, a number of developers have increasingly been selling houses on these terms,... View Article

Residents need their voices heard in social housing

The fire at Grenfell Tower in June 2017 led many commentators and residents to question whether social housing residents are adequately involved in decisions which affect their homes. The government published a green paper in August which it says aims... View Article

Thurrock Council gains ground in ‘gigabit borough’ rollout

More than 1,400 social housing tenants in Thurrock will very soon have access to ultrafast gigabit broadband, with thousands more set to follow. Last year, Thurrock Council agreed a pioneering partnership with Hyperoptic – the UK’s largest gigabit broadband provider – to... View Article

Construction company supports community initiatives

A national construction company is working with a unique social value-led business to support charity programmes and provide thousands of free meals across the North of England. Recycling Lives has been providing waste management services to 19 United Living sites... View Article

Letwin Review: SMEs are crucial to solving the housing crisis

The Letwin Review rejects criticisms of landbanking and welcomes calls from industry bodies to diversify the housing market and speed up house building on large sites. Small and medium-sized (SME) house builders have previously told the Government on repeated occasions... View Article

Evolving modular design

Architect James Walsh gives his views on the merits of a component-based approach concept for modular buildings, which could shift them away from their former stigma As the move to modular construction gathers pace, what are the key design drivers... View Article

Keyte Gardens scoops National Green Award

Keyte Gardens, Warwickshire Rural Housing Association (WRHA)’s innovative new development in Wootton Wawen, is officially the Best Green Scheme in the UK! The ground-breaking scheme, which was opened by HRH The Princess Royal in September, scooped the title in the... View Article

Homes England confirms new wave of strategic partners

Seven more strategic partnerships with housing associations across England are confirmed by Homes England today, which will deliver an additional 13,475 affordable homes by March 2022. The partnerships, which were announced as part of the Budget 2018, will secure a... View Article

200 take flight for official launch of DesignBrighton

More than 200 local business people attended the official launch of DesignBrighton, a new festival celebrating the city’s urban environment. Attendees were treated to a flight on the BAi360 for a stunning view of Brighton’s architectural landscape by sunset. Among... View Article

Highest new home registrations in 11 years, reports NHBC

UK builders registered more than 43,500 new homes during the third quarter of 2018, according to NHBC’s latest new home registration statistics – making it the highest quarter since 2007. 43,578 new homes were registered during the period July –... View Article