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HMR (Housing Market Report) Lite
Posted on: 27 September 2012
By: mackene
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The National House Building Council (NHBC) has launched a new free publication which contains the headlines from the Housing Market Report, providing you with a snapshot of the housing market every month. The first issue is available now and contains the latest August data for starts, completions, reservations and site visitors. If you would like receive it each month, direct to your inbox, please register your details.
SWOT survey of housebuilders
Posted on: 27 September 2012
By: mackene
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The September 2012 issue of the journal Housebuilder contains an analysis of the annual survey undertaken by the journal to determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) facing house builders at present as voted for by a panel of experts.
Managing mixed use developments
Posted on: 26 September 2012
By: mackene
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This guidance addresses the issue of managing mixed use buildings and estates, i.e. those with a mix of commercial and residential units; most specifically, long leasehold residential flats. Relevant to properties in England and Wales, this document is based upon two previous RICS papers: Managing mixed use developments (2009) and Apportionment of service charges in mixed use developments (2009). However, the content has been expanded significantly and encompasses the following: Core principles; Lease structures; Administration, communication and consultation; Financial controls and competencies; Dispute resolution; Anticipated future expenditure ; Health and safety; Sustainability; Other residential legal rights.
Social Housing Lettings & Sales in England, 2011/12
Posted on: 24 September 2012
By: mackene
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This Statistical Release presents official statistics on new lettings and sales of existing social housing stock in England for 2011/12. Statistics on new lettings in England are given for both local authorities and private registered social housing providers; and on sales of social housing in England for private registered providers. Information about the tenancy or sale, the tenants or buyers, and the property, are collected each time there is a new letting or sale transaction. Lets of general needs and supported social housing are collected, and, from 2011/12, providers have also been asked to report on affordable lettings. Social housing sales include sales under Right to Buy, Preserved Right to Buy, Right to Acquire, Social HomeBuy, other outright or shared equity sales to tenants, and sales of existing stock to the private sector.
National Statistician’s Review of Official Housing Market Statistics
Posted on: 20 September 2012
By: mackene
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The National Statistician has carried out a review of official housing market statistics to ensure that users’ needs are met as effectively as possible. The report of the first stage of the review, on house prices, was published in December 2010 concluded that there should be one headline official house price index which meets key user needs. This should be accompanied by a regular official statistics report, presenting and analysing the official house price measures and their relationship to non-official sources and the wider housing market indicators. The second stage of the review, published in September 2012, builds on the first stage review by examining the wider official housing market statistics currently available.
Building for Life 12
Posted on: 20 September 2012
By: mackene
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Building for Life is the industry standard, endorsed by Government, for well-designed homes and neighbourhoods that local communities, local authorities and developers are invited to use to stimulate conversations about creating good places to live. The guide is led by three partners: Cabe at the Design Council, Design for Homes and the Home Builders Federation, supported by Nottingham Trent University. The redesigned guide is based on the new National Planning Policy Framework and the Government’s commitment to build more homes, better homes and involve local communities in planning. It contains 12 questions, designed to help structure discussions between local communities, the local planning authority, the developer of a proposed scheme and other stakeholders. The guide is also designed to help local planning authorities assess the quality of proposed and completed developments; and as a point of reference in the preparation of local design policies.
Unpublished research reports: Planning, building and the environment
Posted on: 18 September 2012
By: mackene
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Department for Communities and Local Government is publishing the thirteenth group of reports presenting the findings from research projects commissioned by the previous administration. The present administration inherited a significant backlog of unpublished reports that were commissioned by the previous government which are now being published in groups themed on a particular topic. The reports are:
Evaluation of minerals policy statements: This report by the British Geological Survey considered the implementation of a number of the Minerals Policy Statements and Minerals Policy Guidance notes, and evaluated the impacts of the policy’s implementation.
Investigating the influence of settlement pattern and morphology on the sterilisation of shallow coal resources: This report by the British Geological Survey assessed the impact on shallow coal resources of using separation zones around urban areas.
Research to understand the rural impacts of Regional Spatial Strategies: This report by Land Use Consultants noted that the Regional Strategies were not rural proofed, had an urban-centred approach and planned housing provision in rural areas was on a declining trend.
A quality local development management service: The last Government’s Killian Pretty Report recommended that Government should review the then existing national planning indicator (National Indicator 157) on timeliness for progressing planning applications and proposed a new satisfaction with the planning application service indicator. There was concern from applicants, local planning authorities and others that the performance regime focused on the 8 and 13 week timescale targets had unintended effects on behaviours and outcomes. In response the Department commissioned research into alternatives. The research report by Addison & Associates with Arup recommended monitoring 37 different indicators.
A tool to assess the Impact of EU Directives on UK Sub National Planning Policies: This research by Ove Arup aimed to develop a tool to assess the impact of future EU directives on national planning policies.
Mapping the standard of existing stock and its turnover: This report by Building Research Establishment considered the work to develop a model of the existing housing stock in England and Wales, which could be used in assessing the impact of current and future policy in relation to energy use, carbon emissions and water consumption.
Case studies of change of use of dwellings: This report by Faber Maunsell looked at achieving satisfactory acoustic performance for buildings to be converted from industry or commercial use to residential use. Although sound insulation was the main concern of this project, all other relevant requirements of the Building Regulations were to be considered and methods of compliance outlined.
Lessons from Stamford Brook: Understanding the gap between designed and real performance: This report by Leeds Metropolitan University conveyed the results of a research designed to evaluate the extent to which low carbon housing standards could be achieved in a large commercial housing development and incorporated into future Building Regulations.
Investigation of real fires: This report by the Building Research Establishment provided feedback on the performance of real buildings in real fires. The findings noted the overall effectiveness of the Building Regulations in providing for the safety of life in the event of fire and most of the significant issues that have been identified during this study fell outside the scope of these regulations.
Modelling the current and potential accessibility of the housing stock: This report by Building Research Establishment considered the accessibility of the existing housing stock in England with particular reference to its utility for older and disabled people. The report uses data from the English Housing Condition Survey to identify the frequency and suitability of a range of built features within homes to arrive at an overall assessment of their accessibility and future adaptability.
Future administration of the Energy Performance Buildings Directive Quality Assurance regime: The objective of the work was to set the long term standards and quality assurance arrangements for the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (regime and infrastructure, including Accreditation Schemes (and energy assessors, to ensure that robust, repeatable and accurate Energy Performance Certificates, Display Energy Certificates and Air Conditioning Reports were produced in a consistent manner.
Review of the impact of the draft European Basic safety standard Directive on Building Regulations; This report by the Building Research Establishment examines the implications of the proposed European ionising radiation Basic Safety Standard Directive for Building Regulations.
Glazing under abnormal loads: This report by Buro Happold and the Building Research Establishment addressed the issue of abnormal loads on glazing and the response of glazing systems. The research was commissioned in particular to examine the role of building regulations in mitigating the risks involved from abnormal loads on glazing. It reviewed structural assessment methods currently used to design buildings with glazed systems and assess their adequacy in the area of abnormal loadings.
Safety of Masonry Parapets: The overall aim of this project was to determine and analyse the most common structural problems associated with masonry parapets and the potential hazards and dangers that may arise. Having identified the problems, conclusions and recommendations require to be made regarding measures that ought to be taken in the specification, design, construction and maintenance of masonry parapets to ensure that they remained safe and structurally sound over the service life of the building.
Radon: Current and future performance of radon protective measures. This report by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) reviews the performance of radon protective measures in new buildings. The research notes that radon protection measures installed 20 years continue to provide a high degree of radon protection, and were not adversely affected by improvements such as extensions, conservatories, double glazing or insulation.
Why aren’t we building enough attractive homes: Myths, misunderstandings and solutions
Posted on: 17 September 2012
By: mackene
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The Policy Exchange has published a paper which suggests that large developers are ‘playing’ an outdated planning system and fooling the government into potentially wasting taxpayers’ money propping up land prices. The report recommends wholesale changes to the planning system to end ‘land banking’, give local people planning control and get more good new homes built.
Housing Health Cost Calculator
Posted on: 17 September 2012
By: mackene
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BRE has launched a new tool which measures the impact of poor housing on the health of homeowners. The Housing Health Cost Calculator has been developed in partnership with environmental health specialists RHE to provide local authorities with the information they need to drive up public health standards and reduce costs. It demonstrates the relationship between health and hazards in the home, measuring the cost savings to the NHS and wider society gained through the implementation of home improvement strategies.
Social hearts, business heads: New thinking on VFM for housing associations
Posted on: 13 September 2012
By: mackene
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A joint publication from National Housing Federation and HouseMark offers new thinking on value for money for housing associations. It outlines a comprehensive new approach to value for money that goes beyond the narrow requirements of the regulator to offer the sector an approach that will help boards and senior managers run effective, efficient and tightly focused social businesses. A number of sector chief executives have contributed their ideas and experience.
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