affordablehousingnews
15% jump in social housing planning approvals
Planning permissions approved for new social homes have risen by 15% in the space of a year. Recent figures published by the Home Builders Federation show there were 7,109 applications for new social homes approved in the third quarter of 2013, compared with 6,171 in the same period last year.
Overall housing planning permissions increased by a third, from 36,525 in the third quarter of 2012 to 48,728 for the same period this year – the highest number of sites approved since the second quarter of 2008. HBF executive chairman Stewart Baseley said: “This is the latest indicator to show how the industry is looking to quickly increase output. We have already seen evidence of a rise in new homes starts and these figures show the industry’s intent to increase and sustain that over the next few years. Developers
are building out current sites more quickly and are now looking to invest in new sites and begin development sooner than previously planned. The figures reflect the positive principles of the new planning system. They are also a clear demonstration that builders are looking to increase supply as a result of increased market confidence generated by the Help to Buy Equity loan scheme. “But if we are to see the required increase in supply continue we need to see all local authorities playing their part. Increasingly we are seeing onerous conditions being attached to permissions that unnecessarily delay work starting on new sites. There are now tens of thousands of plots with permission but which housebuilders cannot start. This is a situation that local government – and ministers – need to urgently address if we are to see recent homebuilding increases sustained.”
Regenda wins Stock Exchange plaudits
Regenda Homes, a subsidiary of housing association Regenda Group, has been named as one of Britain’s “most inspiring” companies by the London Stock Exchange Group.
Regenda Group, which manages 13,000 homes across the north of England, was listed in the Stock Exchange’s report 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain.
The report is a list of what the authors describe as 1,000 of “the most exciting and dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises”. To qualify, companies must be based in the UK, have had a turnover of between £6m and £250m in the past 12 months and have operated for at least three years. Regenda Homes’ director, Graham Bennett, said: “We may only be a relatively small team but we have big plans for the future. Regenda Homes is committed to solid, continuing growth and expansion into new business areas.” Xavier Rolet, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, said: “The UK has some of the most inspiring growth businesses in the world. Our report showcases some of these fast-growing and dynamic companies; the type of companies we believe will help fuel the long-term growth of the UK economy.”
Scotland on track to hit 30,000 affordable home target
The Scottish government says it is set to achieve its target of delivering 30,000 new affordable homes by 2016, having seen 16,000 built since 2011. Its statistics show that for the year to the end of June 2013 there were 13,478 new-build completions, down 14% on the previous year. Social sector starts were up 2% at the end of September 2013 compared to the previous year. Housing minister Margaret Burgess said: “Today’s statistics show we are on track to delivering our commitment of 30,000 affordable homes during the lifetime of this parliament. However, they also underline the continued negative impact that challenging global economic conditions and Westminster’s cuts to our capital budget have had on housebuilding activity in Scotland. “For this government, housing is and will remain a priority. We have boosted our budgets for new affordable homes considerably and, in the three- year period between April 2012 and March 2015, plan to invest £970m in affordable housing. This
will increase the supply of affordable homes and deliver vital support for construction and housebuilding companies throughout Scotland.” Burgess was speaking at the launch of housing association Castle Rock Edinvar’s (CRE) 1,000 new homes for Edinburgh initiative. She said: “Housing initiatives such as CRE’s 1,000 homes for Edinburgh, which, in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, is making use of the Scottish government’s housing association grant recycling pilot, are crucial in providing mixed- tenure homes for Edinburgh residents, while also supporting the construction industry and creating more local jobs. We are doing all we can to facilitate the industry’s recovery, deliver more affordable homes for people across Scotland and protect and create jobs. In particular, our Help to Buy (Scotland) shared equity scheme and our support for MI New Home is helping households get onto or move up the property ladder, while our National
Housing Trust initiative and Housebuilding Infrastructure Loan Fund are also supporting the construction of much-needed new homes.”
90| January 2014 showhouse
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116