JANUARY However, the Chancellor
announced that the first-time buyer stamp concession will terminate onMarch 24th. Although the concession was only introduced as a temporary measure, the housing industry anticipated an extension of the relief in light of the current condition of the market. The CML said of this
decision: "It is disappointing to see the government withdrawing the stamp duty concession that currently benefits first-time buyers. While the concession may not have stimulated additional demand, it was a significant help to home- owners entering the market and its removal runs counter to the new Housing Strategy. It is likely that we will see a bunching of eligible first- time buyer transactions early nextMarch to beat the
concession’s expiry date."
Million pound plus properties increase
dates Jan - March 2012
Research commissioned by Investec Specialist Private Bank has revealed that there were 21,982 residential properties on the market for £1 million or more during the third quarter of 2011, which is 11 per cent higher than the same period in 2010. Collectively, they were worth
over £48.7 billion, which equates to £2.22 million per property. For the same period in 2010, the corresponding figures were £46.46 billion and £2.34 million. Looking at the ten regions in
the UK that have the highest number of million pound plus properties, nine saw an increase
in the number of these homes for sale in Q3 of this year when compared to the same period in 2010. Hampshire saw the biggest increase of 45 per cent, whilst only Berkshire saw a decline (-6 per cent). 44 per cent of the million
pound plus properties for sale were in London - the biggest share of any region. Second to the Capital was Surrey, who had just a 10 per cent share. In terms of the value of multi-million pound homes on the market, 6,738 (31 per cent) were valued at £2 million or more, whilst 1,211 (5.45 per cent) were valued at £5 million or more.
Portas’ plans for high streets
sufficient to offset the extent of public sector falls. Says Francis: “Private housing output in Octoberwas 1 per cent lower than in September and 6 per cent lower than one year ago, and although output in the commercial sectorwas 1.5 per cent higher in October than a year ago, thiswas still 2.4 per cent lower than in September, reflecting rising economic uncertainty.”
In a landmark review of Britain’s high streets and town centres, retail expert Mary Portas has questioned the impact of the government’s controversial planning reforms on the long-term viability of town centres. In the report, commissioned by Prime Minister David Cameron, Portas writes: “I am worried that the guidance has been softened to the point where far too much out-of-town development may be possible,” and that “if anything, the presumption in favour of ‘sustainable development’ may make edge- of-town and out-of-town developments more likely.” In reaction, Graeme Willis,
from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), said: “We welcome this report, which gives the government a perfect opportunity to make improvements to its proposed changes to planning policy. “This approach will lead to
more out of town mega stores and supermarkets that suck the life out of town centres.” Mr Cameron said of the
review: "The high street should be at the very heart of every community, bringing people together, providing essential services and creating jobs and investment." The government’s official response was to be published just as British Builder & Developer went to press.
26 JANUARY RICS Housing Conference
www.rics.org CALEDONIAN CLUB, LONDON RICS invites you to the annual RICS Housing Conference, which will examine the development and delivery of homes across both the social and private rented sector. This conference will be a unique opportunity for you to hear the insights of leading experts in this complex and volatile area.
6MARCH NHBC’s Building for Tomorrow
www.nhbc.co.uk CAMBRIDGE BELFRY, CAMBOURNE Now in its 21st year, Building for Tomorrow continues to inform the industry on relevant topics that directly impact on today’s housebuilders. The event looks at topics such as the NPPF, local standards and zero carbon building.
20-22MARCH Ecobuild
www.ecobuild.co.uk EXCEL, LONDON Ecobuild is the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK’s largest construction event of any kind.Whilst the exhibition floor will cover the latest products and materials available for sustainable building, the Ecobuild conference programme will focus on new thinking and challenging ideas as well as the issues affecting government policy and the construction sector.
To publicise your event, please send details via email to
rebecca.hubbard@
onecoms.co.uk diary
BritishBuilder.co.uk | British Builder & Developer | 5
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