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HbD Editor’s comment James Parker


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As we approach the end of a turbulent year, the recent Autumn Statement, despite rumours that the Chancellor would tread very lightly given the clouds of uncertainty hanging over the UK economy, actually contained a surprise sack of gifts that were gratefully received by many in the industry.


Although Phillip Hammond made many of the prerequisite noises about attempting to reduce the national debt, he officially abandoned his predecessor’s plans to remove the UK’s budget deficit – trailed in the Autumn in the wake of the referendum vote. This admission, backed up by the OBR’s downgrading of economic forecasts, was presumably not only because of Brexit, but was also the key to enable him to invest some much-needed money into removing obstacles to housebuilding delivery – universally acknowledged as crucial to reducing the demand/supply gap.


As painful as it may be for our national debt, in order to succeed it is often essential to invest. Hammond is certainly doing that, promising £1.4bn for 40,000 affordable homes, and also £2.3bn for a Housing Infrastructure Fund to equip sites with the


ON THE COVER: Barratt Developments came away with a handful of trophies at the Sunday Times British Homes Awards. It bagged Homebuilder of the Year, and was commended in three categories including Apartment Building for Great West Quarter, a 900-apartment regeneration in Brentford, west London. Barratt was also commended for Renaissance, another major regeneration project in the capital, which was Development of the Year (over 100 homes).


respond online at www.hbdonline.co.uk


services to speed up house construction. And finally, £1.7bn to drive forward building on public sector land, and an increase in the London Affordable Homes programme by over half to £3.15bn. In our current economic climate, these are big numbers.


Owning a firm (Castlemead) which develops properties in the healthcare sector, perhaps Hammond is more acutely aware than most of what the construction industry needs, and its contribution to the economy. And with alarming headlines such as Arcadis’ recent report that curbing migration following Brexit could mean a drop in the construction workforce of 215,000, it’s helpful that someone with inside knowledge is in charge of finances. And the fact he’s making such a forceful intervention shows he’s aware of the scale of the problems.


The question is, following the money, does the Housing Minister need to take a more interventionist role to stop planning and NIMBYism having the final word?


Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year from the whole Housebuilder & Developer team!


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