17th May 2013
The Local Government Association (LGA) has claimed that the national housebuilding slump could be halted by a council-backed programme to build tens of thousands of new homes.
Council leaders are now urging chancellor George Osborne to help the construction industry in next month's spending round by removing "unnecessary" restrictions on council investment in new housing.
New government figures for the year's first quarter show that the number of completed new homes has continued to drop.
With 4...
16th May 2013
Great Places Housing Group is to build 114 new affordable homes in Breightmet, Bolton.
The £6.6 million development of 60 houses and ten bungalows – all for affordable rent - at Waggon Road, Winchester Way and Mobberley Road will be completed by late 2014.
Great Places has selected developers Seddon Construction to deliver the project.
The housing group has also picked Seddon to deliver 44 news homes for affordable rent at Milnthorpe Road, Breightmet.
The second scheme is worth £...
16th May 2013
A housing association has asked a tenant to dismantle his attic train set - so roofing timbers he removed can be reinstated.
Robert Burdock, 61, of Buckfastleigh, Devon took out supporting timbers from his social home's roof space and installed heating and electrics for his huge train set.
The work was carried out without the knowledge or permission of landlord Teign Housing, and only came to light during a routine inspection.
The tenant has now been told to remove his vast toy so Teign can c...
15th May 2013
Funds derived from London's stamp duty revenues have the potential to deliver a 91% increase in the amount of affordable homes built in the capital each year, a housing association has claimed.
Based on a new report from the London Finance Commission (LFC), Network Housing Group has calculated that the cost of building a new home in London is typically £170,000, thus annual stamp duty revenues of approximately £1.3 billion could fund the construction of an extra 7,647 affordable yearly.
...
15th May 2013
Human rights activists and the Guardian have turned on Prince Charles after his Foundation for Building Community charity signed a deal to give Bahrain advice on a 4,000-home development.
The deal gave "a green light to the government to continue human rights abuses," the Guardian quoted opponents as saying. Pro-democracy activists say 87 people, including 13 children, have died from maltreatment by Bahrain's security forces.
The foundation – which was involved in the construct...
15th May 2013
An energy-efficient development of 71 new affordable homes for rent, shared ownership and purchase has won a best affordable housing development award.
The LABC North West building excellence award was given to the Mill Brook development in south Liverpool. Developers Compendium Living – a partnership between Birkenhead-based affordable housing provider Lovell and housing association Riverside - and Liverpool City Council’s building control department combined forces for cost ...
13th May 2013
Around 160 homes will be developed after Chatham Waterfront in Medway, Kent, got £2.9 million from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership.
SE LEP’s investment in the ongoing regeneration of the Chatham Waterfront area will also help create over 260 new jobs. The funding will be used to improve flood defences in the area and carry out any necessary work to ensure the site is able to support the new development.
The business-led partnership - focusing on economic growth ...
13th May 2013
Gloucester-based Markey Construction has started work on a £1.7 million eco-friendly housing scheme. Built on behalf of Cottsway Housing Association, the development at Staunton in north Gloucestershire consists of 15 homes, most with two or three bedrooms.
Designed to meet the latest energy efficiency standards and scheduled for completion in November 2013, all properties will have rainwater harvesting and air source heat pumps that absorb heat from the outside air which is then used in r...
10th May 2013
The chief executive of the Co-operative Bank has stepped down, hours after the ratings agency Moody's downgraded the bank's credit rating from C- to E+.
Barry Tootell, who was brought in to oversee the bank's failed attempt to acquire over 600 Lloyds TSB branches, has been replaced by acting CEO Rod Bulmer.
In response to the downgrade, the bank said: “We are disappointed by the ratings downgrade announced by Moody’s.
"We have a strong funding profile and high levels of liqu...
9th May 2013
Essex-based housing association CHP is to develop over 160 affordable homes in Thurrock and Rochford.
Due for completion from 2014, the properties will be constructed to the level-three rating of the government's Code for Sustainable Homes.
Working with Rochford District Council and Thurrock Council, and constructors Barratt Homes and Persimmon Homes, the properties will offer local residents a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom properties and one and two-bedroom flats for shared ownership...
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