Covering the whole UK housing sector
www.housingspecification.co.uk
MARCH/APRIL 2015
Housin g Specification
IN THIS ISSUE:
PLANNING PERMISSIONS CLOSE TO 200,000 NEW HOMES A YEAR figures released last month showing the number of new homes started in 2014 was up 36% on 2012. Whilst the increases are positive, they can only be translated into desperately needed new homes if local authorities ensure their planning departments have the capacity to process these permissions to the stage that they can actually be built. Too many sites are ‘stuck’ in the planning system, with an estimated 150,000 plots at ‘outline permission’ stage awaiting full sign off by local authorities.
Figures released in HBF and Glenigan’s latest Housing Pipeline report show that permissions in principle for over 195,000 new homes in England were granted in 2014, up 12% on the previous
year and 39% on 2012 - the number of permissions for private homes was up 23%. The homes identified in this latest report will, once they have
CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE WOMEN INTO HOUSE BUILDING The NHBC Foundation is calling for a new industry-wide campaign to boost the numbers of young women in house building as new research reveals that just one in ten are interested in building and construction careers. New research by the NHBC Foundation reveals that while a third of boys and young men (37%) are interested in building and construction, only one in ten girls and young women (11%) are interested, the lowest level of interest of any other job sector included in the study.
The organisation has pledged its support for UK Employment Minister Esther McVey’s #notjustforboys campaign encouraging more women to consider careers in maledominated industries. It is now planning to host a summit of leading industry representatives to discuss next steps to recruiting more young women. Mike Quinton, NHBC’s CEO, said “We want to see more young people – including girls – actively considering a career in our industry to ensure we have a strong and balanced workforce”
navigated the remainder of the planning process, in the main be completed over the next 2-3 years. Over the past 18 months, house building activity has increased significantly, with
Figures in the latest report show that more permissions were granted in 2014 that in any year since 2008. But Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the HBF, said: “We are still only building around half the number of new homes the
NEW HOME QUALITY MARK PUTS CONSUMERS FIRST Leading building science centre BRE has introduced a national quality mark for new housing that will transform the way consumers choose the homes they buy and rent and allow house builders to differentiate themselves in the marketplace at a time of rapid growth. Using a simple 5-star rating, the Home Quality Mark will give home buyers and renters a clear indication of the quality and performance of a new home. It will illustrate the home’s overall running costs at
a time when average energy bills top £1000. It will show the impact of the home on the occupant’s health and wellbeing as homes become more airtight, respiratory conditions rise and our population gets older. It will also demonstrate the home’s environmental footprint and its resilience to flooding and overheating in a changing climate. Additionally the mark will evaluate the digital connectivity and performance of the home as our reliance on
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country needs. Getting the required number of permissions, in a timely manner, is absolutely key to the industry’s ability to deliver. “If we are to meet housing demand it is imperative that the planning system continues to evolve such that it delivers planning permissions at the rate required to address our housing crisis.” Commenting on the latest data Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilén, said: “The 20% rise in planning approvals in the final quarter of 2014 was driven by an increase in private sector projects and reflects developers’ confidence at prospects for the housing market during the year ahead. Furthermore , the rise in approvals has been broadly based across Britain, pointing to widespread strengthening in housing market activity."
new technology becomes ever more critical.
NEWS Pg 3-5
SUSTAINABILITY & ENERGY EFFICIENCY Pg 6-7
INNOVATIONS Pg 9
The Home Quality Mark comes in the absence of any third party approval stamp covering these issues that consumers can use when making the most significant investment of their lifetime. Currently the mark is being trialled by building products manufacturer Wienerberger on a new project called the E4 brick house which is under construction on the BRE Innovation Park in Watford.
NEW BUILD & AFFORDABLE HOMES Pg 10
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