More Comment – Page 22
-
CommentGove’s cladding deal - what does it mean for the sector?
With negotiations on a housebuilder pledge to pay for fire safety repairs close to finalising, Joey Gardiner looks at what the likely shape of the deal says about how far the housing secretary has been able to get his way on cladding
-
CommentFinancial resilience is key to associations clearing the inflationary hurdle
Rampant inflation means affordable homes programme grant will cover a smaller proportion of construction costs than previously expected and it is up to housing associations to respond, writes Paul Hackett.
-
CommentNutrient neutrality rules may hit delivery at first, but they offer opportunity too
The government’s proposed expansion of nutrient neutrality rules may help councils, developers and landowners find nature-based solutions through planning, argues Andrew Watson
-
CommentWhy are there are so many badly designed edge-of-town housing schemes?
Planners and architects must engage more with developers to ensure plans are of good design and provide connectivity with other developments, argues Jerry Tate
-
CommentThe housing delivery conundrum really isn’t that difficult
If the government really wants to see more new homes delivered, all they have to do is plan for it, argues Paul Smith
-
CommentThe UK must follow Ireland’s lead on retrofitting homes
The Irish government last month announced a national retrofitting scheme. Anthony Coumidis argues UK ministers should follow suit and fund a retrofitting revolution rather than relying on heat pumps
-
CommentThe death of planning reform has been exaggerated
Changes to the system can still be made, even without a standalone planning bill, argues Paul Smith
-
CommentNew subsidised housing is needed for Ukrainian refugees
History shows us we should be wary of relying on short-term fixes to house refugees, writes Derek Long
-
CommentWe should stop seeing the green belt as sacrosanct
Misunderstanding of the purpose of the green belt is leading to too many applications being determined at appeal, writes David Churchill
-
CommentA mixed approach and better project management are key to hitting housing targets
Neither traditional construction nor modern methods of construction should be heralded over the other in housing, instead a diverse approach is needed to build resilience, argues Professor Adam Boddison and Phil Cox
-
CommentEncouraging colleagues to share experiences can help drive for inclusivity
On International Women’s Day, Savinder Bhamra of Abri argues inclusivity should not be a one-off project but a permanent duty woven into all we do, with ‘allyship’ having a huge role to play.
-
CommentThe end of the planning bill is nigh – but what does it mean for housing development?
The widely expected dropping of the government’s planning legislation will make it harder to build 300,000 homes a year, warns Colin Brown
-
CommentGetting regulation wrong has consequences
Regulation is crucial for society’s safety, but it needs to be clear, consistent and targeted, argues David Orr
-
CommentThe government’s plan for tackling fuel poverty is short-sighted
We have the coldest and leakiest homes in Europe, but the long-term solutions have been known for decades, writes Chris Brown
-
CommentGove’s cladding remediation fund: what are the rights of housebuilders now?
Construction lawyer Martha Mordecai explains where Gove’s proposed cladding fund legislation leaves housebuilders legally
-
CommentThe latest housing delivery test figures show our planning system isn’t working
Annual government figures showing homes delivered by local authority reveal some of the key barriers to delivery and it is time for change, argues Paul Smith
-
CommentIt should not be so hard to build quality, affordable homes
Working together and applying basic principles can help us improve development, even when using old-fashioned build methods, writes Ben Derbyshire
-
CommentCaution is needed when procuring bricks in a difficult environment
Low brick levels may make finding bricks more difficult, but housebuilders must ensure their bricks are ethically sourced, writes Keith Aldis, of the Brick Development Association
-
CommentWe need a new ‘fit for purpose’ procurement process
Procurement is often too process-driven and costly, its time for a new approach, argues Richard Jones
-
CommentOn levelling up, ministers must not ignore London or the need for investment
The ‘postcode lottery’ language of the levelling up white paper is divisive, writes former head of the civil service Lord Bob Kerslake