Top stories this week
RICS Construction Market Survey Q4 2009.....read more
ONS: New orders in the construction industry, December 2009.....read more
The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010.....read more
Bank cautious about economic outlook.....read more
RICS: House prices rise again but weather depresses activity.....read more
John Healey: Over £60m to lay green foundations of eco-towns.....read more
Conservatives' planning green paper.....read more
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Wales news
Industry news
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Events
Wales Economic Summit
The HBF was invited to take part in the first all-Wales Economic Summit of 2010 on Thursday 11th February, to discuss the present financial crisis and its impact on the Welsh economy.
The meeting was held in Llanelli and was chaired by First Minister Carwyn Jones and attended by Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones with responsibility for the Economy and Transport plus Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain MP.
The Summit was provided with presentations from the Chief Economist from the WAG and also from members of the banking community. The Summit was also informed of a new Assembly initiative called ‘Tell Us', which will allow the business community to work closely with WAG Ministers, in order to identify what steps need to be made in order to ensure Wales makes a full and swift recovery from the recession.
Cardiff city's green space battle
The future of two of Cardiff's last areas of unprotected green space has become the subject of an angry turf war between the city council and Assembly planning experts.
Fields to the west of the city by Fairwater and north of Llanishen reservoir between Pontprennau and Lisvane may have to be released for family housing developments of up to 4,000 homes each - against the wishes of the local authority and neighbouring residents.
Assembly planning inspectors have indicated they agree with business leaders and academics who say releasing greenfield sites is the only way Cardiff can provide for low and middle-income families who struggle to find an affordable home.
Rodney Berman, the leader of Cardiff council, told the Echo he was demanding a meeting with planning minister Jane Davidson to push the council's case for restricting development to previously built-on brownfield sites in the city.
He said "If they want to push us down the road of allocating significant greenfield land for housing they should tell us where it should go."
The council's planning officials are meeting with the Assembly's inspectorate to discuss the Local Development Plan, which guides the growth of the city until 2021, on 25th February.
In notes provided to the local authority ahead of that meeting, the inspectors said they had "serious reservations" about the plan.
They cited the need to deliver an expected 27,442 new homes before 2021 and argued that many of the flat developments Cardiff had been banking on when the draft LDP was developed in the boom years might not ever be built. Even if they were, they would not provide much-needed family homes.
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First Minister and Deputy First Minister welcome historic Assembly decision on referendum
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister have welcomed the backing of the National Assembly for a referendum on further powers.
The First Minister, Carwyn Jones, will now formally write to the Secretary of State requesting a referendum.
The First Minister said:
"This is an important day for the future governance of Wales. I am grateful for the cross party support we have received today, which will enable us to take the next step in bringing decision-making closer to the people.
"I believe this Assembly has shown - and this government has shown - that we can handle legislation responsibly. We have shown that we can deliver quality Welsh laws that can make a real difference to people's lives in Wales. Today's vote seeks to build on the real and tangible benefits that devolution has delivered for the people of Wales over the last decade."
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Politicians back Welsh drive to control right to buy
A National Assembly for Wales committee has backed the Welsh Government's drive to suspend the right to buy in parts of the country.
The Welsh Assembly Government is looking to get powers transferred from Westminster that would allow it to suspend the right to buy in areas where there is a shortage of housing, and give it more authority over the regulation of social landlords and tackling homelessness.
Deputy Housing Minister Jocelyn Davies laid the legislative competence order - which the Welsh Government must draft to ask for powers from the UK government - before the assembly at the end of last year.
A National Assembly legislation committee has now approved the plans.
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RICS Construction Market Survey Q4 2009
Key points from the RICS Construction Market Survey Q4 2009 include:
Total workloads continue to fall in Q4 2009 and at a slightly faster pace than in Q3 2009;
All sectors recorded declines in workloads, but there was considerable sectoral variation with the public sector faring relatively better than the private sector;
Workload expectations deteriorate but remain positive, while profit and employment expectations remain negative.
The Q4 RICS Construction Market Survey showed more surveyors seeing a decline rather than an increase in total workloads. Indeed, the net balance fell to -12% in the final three months of the year from -6% in Q3, which marks the seventh consecutive quarter of contraction.
Two common themes identified by surveyors that are hampering activity are general election uncertainty and a continued lack of development finance. All of the sectors covered in the survey recorded a contraction in workloads (the first time since Q1 2009).
However, there still was considerable sectoral variation, with private industrial and private housing workloads contracting at a relatively sharper pace compared to public housing and other public works. Indeed, in the former cases, the net balances were -19 and -17 respectively, whereas in the latter, they were -1 and -5.
There was also some variation between the regions covered in the survey during Q4. Wales was the only region where workloads increased, with a net balance of +20, but in all other regions, they contracted. The majority of the regions covered in the survey experienced moderate contractions in workloads.
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ONS: New orders in the construction industry, December 2009
Orders in the three months to December 2009 were unchanged compared with the previous three month period. Orders in the 12 months to December 2009 fell by 13% compared with the previous 12 months, but orders in the three months to December 2009 rose by 5% compared with the same period a year earlier. All orders figures quoted are seasonally adjusted and in constant (2005) prices.
Private housing orders in the three months to December 2009 rose by 41% compared with the previous three month period and rose by 20 per cent compared with the same three month period a year earlier. However, private housing orders in the year to December 2009 fell by 27% compared with those in the previous 12 months.
Public housing and housing association orders in the three months to December 2009 fell by 19% compared with the previous three month period, but rose by 38% when compared with the same three month period a year earlier. Public housing and housing association orders rose by 5% in the 12 months to December 2009 compared with the previous 12 months. All comparisons in this sector are affected by large variations due to its relatively small size.
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The Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010
These draft Regulations published earlier this week set out the detailed provisions enabling local authorities in England and Wales to introduce a Community Infrastructure Levy in their areas, and also how the levy would operate if they did so. The levy would apply to new buildings above a certain size and the revenue from the levy must be applied to infrastructure needed to support the development of the area. The Regulations also provide for the reform of the current system of developer contributions towards infrastructure (‘planning obligations') so that the two regimes operate effectively alongside each other.
Download a copy of the Regulations
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CIL - Public/private consortium pleased that Government has listened
A unique consortium comprising key public and private sector organisations this week welcomed the amended regulations for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The group, which includes the HBF, has worked closely with Government over the last two years to ensure that the regulations provide a pragmatic and flexible way forward to the implementation of CIL.
However, the consortium has made it clear to Government that the Regulations are only the start of the process. The associated guidance, still to be produced, will be critical to ensuring a smooth transition to CIL from the current Section 106 process.
All members of the consortium have pledged to work together with Government to enable a realistic and pragmatic approach towards the setting, charging and paying of CIL.
Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Liz Peace, Chief Executive of the British Property Federation said:
"We have all worked extremely hard with the Government to steer the regulations in the right direction. Whilst they are far from perfect they look a lot better than the original proposals. The key now is to ensure that if CIL is implemented it is done in a sensible manner which encourages development rather than hinders it."
Andrew Whitaker, Planning Director for The Home Builders Federation added:
"A new approach requires new minds and ideas. All parties are going to have to work together if the potential benefits of CIL are to be realised. We all believe that CIL should make a real improvement to the approach to funding and, more importantly, delivery, of community infrastructure whilst providing the development we know this country needs."
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NHF: House building to hit lowest levels since 1923 as housing waiting lists hit record high
The National Housing Federation has forecast that just 122,700 homes are on course to be built between April 2009-March 2010, 18,000 fewer than were built over the previous financial year, as a result of private developers scaling back developments following the onset of the recession.
The Federation said house building figures for 2009/10 would be the lowest total since 1923/4, when just 86,000 homes were built, if the war years are excluded. It will be the second successive year that numbers have fallen significantly, after 2008/9 saw only 140,950 homes built, compared to 176,660 the year before.
Housing associations are set to build over 45,000 homes in England in the current financial year - with the aid of record levels of public investment and more flexible government grants via the Home and Communities Agency. This will be the highest total achieved by the affordable housing sector for a decade.
Federation Chief Executive David Orr said:
"With record housing waiting lists and overcrowding reaching epidemic proportions in many places across the country, the need for more affordable housing has never been greater.
"The three main political parties must demonstrate their commitment to helping the millions of Britons in desperate need of an affordable home by pledging to safeguard investment in housing - and giving it the same priority as health, education and policing."
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CPA: Construction continues to decline
The UK construction industry continued to decline during the final quarter of 2009 despite the wider economy returning to growth, according to the latest Construction Trade Survey published this week. Furthermore, with rising material costs and increasing fuel and energy prices, coupled with decreasing orders and enquiries, the environment for construction throughout 2010 is likely to deteriorate even further, delaying any recovery in the sector for at least another twelve months.
Commenting on the survey Stephen Ratcliffe, Director UKCG, said:
"These survey results confirm that the industry continues to face tough trading conditions, which could get worse before they get better. The amount of public spending on construction following the election is going to be crucial in saving jobs in the industry. However, we have still got a lot of work to do to convince the politicians that spending on infrastructure investment is the best way to stimulate the economy despite the recent LEK Consulting report which highlighted that for every £1 spent on construction, the economy benefits by £2.84. Getting this message across and acted upon remains UKCG's top priority. We urge everybody in the industry to join us in this."
Julia Evans, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders added:
"As with previous recessions, construction is still experiencing falls in output as the rest of the economy shows signs of growth. While we can only hope for the government to maintain capital spending at a level that will encourage sector growth, moves to make fair payment a contractual requirement to secure money already earned are very welcome."
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New Chair Appointed to CITB-ConstructionSkills
James Wates has been appointed as the new chairman of the Construction Industry's Training Board (CITB-ConstructionSkills), the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills announced this week.
James Wates has been a CITB-ConstructionSkills board member for seven years and will take over the role from the current chair, Sir Michael Latham, at the end of March.
Skills Minister Kevin Brennan, said:
"I am very pleased to confirm James Wates' appointment as the chair of CITB-ConstructionSkills. His prior experience of working on the board and with other skills organisations means he is well placed to lead the training board.
"The construction industry has struggled during the downturn, but we are seeing the first signs of recovery within the sector, and we must support this by providing the right training and skills opportunities to allow for growth and to secure the industry's future."
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ATLAS launches stalled project guidance
A series of practice notes for planning in the economic downturn has been launched by the Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS). "Responsive Planning Practices for Changing Economic Times" is aimed at local authorities and public or private sector partners involved with stalled projects.
The notes cover subjects including strategies for managing stalled schemes, using financial appraisals and viability in planning, and identifying and testing potential solutions. Head of ATLAS Simon Leask said:
"We are very aware of the impact that the economic downturn has had on schemes, with many stalling at different stages in the planning and delivery process.
"Whilst we recognise that it will not be possible to find an acceptable solution in every case, we believe that better understanding of the issues underlying stalled schemes, promotion of a collaborative approach and understanding of the range of planning tools available to deliver solutions can help local authorities and others identify potential solutions to unblock stalled schemes."
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CBI State of Trade survey
The CBI's quarterly State of Trade survey compiled from responses by trade associations indicates that the key priority issues industry sectors have in common include skills, the regulatory burden and issues around the energy, climate change regulation and sustainability agenda.
On the performance of the economy, the CBI expects GDP growth in early 2010 to be weaker than Q4 2009 because of current headwinds, with growth gradually gathering pace from the second half of the year. It does not, however, expect the sharp above-trend growth rates that have historically been associated with recoveries from recession.
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Bank cautious about economic outlook
The Bank of England believes "a period of gradual expansion is in prospect", according to its latest Inflation Report, but it warns that the strength of the recovery is highly uncertain. It does not expect UK economic output "to return to a level consistent with its pre-crisis trend for a considerable time".
Launching the report, Governor Mervyn King was even more cautious: "A gradual recovery in output may now be in prospect".
The Bank has not yet released its precise forecasts, but the Financial Times reported that the Bank's central projections for GDP growth had been cut to about 1.3% for 2010, from 2.2% in its November forecasts, and 3.3% for 2011, down from 4.1% in November.
The Bank expects a temporary spike in inflation, but says that it is likely to remain below the 2% target "for much of the forecast period", signalling that there is no immediate prospect of a rise in interest rates.
The Bank expects credit conditions to remain restrictive "for some time", and warns that "a significant fiscal consolidation is in prospect", both of which will dampen the pace of recovery.
The Bank has announced a pause to its £200 billion programme of asset purchases, but the Governor said "it is too soon to conclude that no more purchases will be needed".
The Governor has categorically ruled out any extension of the Special Liquidity Scheme. In response to CML concerns about the banks' need to refinance £300 billion of mortgage funding currently supported by the SLS and the Government's credit guarantee scheme by 2015, King said the banks would have to raise capital in the market, plough back retained earnings "rather than distributing it as bonuses and compensation", and issue longer-term debt securities. "The SLS will not be extended", he concluded.
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CML: Mortgage arrears and possessions declined in fourth quarter of 2009
Mortgage lenders took 10,200 properties into possession in the fourth quarter of 2009 - 13% lower than in the third quarter, and 2% down on the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders. This figure reflects the number of possessions taken by first charge lenders on both home-owner and buy-to-let mortgages.
In 2009 as a whole, this brought the total number of possessions to 46,000. This was lower than the CML's most recent forecast of 48,000, and significantly fewer than the 75,000 forecast at the start of the year, but still 15% higher than the 40,000 in 2008.
In terms of payment difficulties, 188,300 mortgages ended the year with arrears equivalent to at least 2.5% of the outstanding mortgage balance (for example, £2,500 or more arrears on a £100,000 mortgage balance). This was lower than the 195,000 the CML had anticipated, and 3% lower than at the end of the third quarter - but still 3% higher than at the end of 2008.
Within the total number of arrears cases, there is a different picture in terms of what seems to be happening among households with lower levels of arrears (where the numbers are improving), and higher levels of arrears (where the numbers are little changed). This suggests that at present some borrowers facing only modest difficulties are being helped by low interest rates to get back out of trouble, whereas those with more severe problems may be stabilising their arrears but not recovering from them, and lender forbearance is likely to be a significant factor keeping them in their homes.
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RICS: House prices rise again but weather depresses activity
House prices rose again in January, but buyer interest and new instructions to sell property fell as bad weather hit activity in the market, says RICS latest UK Housing Market survey.
In January, 32% more chartered surveyors reported a rise than a fall in house prices up from 30% in December. However, the net balance of surveyors reported that buyer enquiries fell for the first time in 14 months while new instructions dropped for the first time in seven months.
20% more chartered surveyors reported a fall than a rise in new buyer enquiries down from a positive reading of 18% while a net balance of five percent of surveyors saw a decline in new instructions which compares with a positive balance of 15% in December. The bad weather clearly had a negative effect upon business with newly agreed sales also falling for the first time in ten months.
However, surveyors are optimistic that these negative signs are a reflection of the extreme weather conditions experienced in the early part of the month. The number of surveyors expecting house prices to rise increased from 12% to 24% while the number of surveyors expecting sales to pick up over the next three months rose from seven percent to 24% in January.
Transaction levels fell slightly in January. The number of sales per surveying firm fell from 19 to 18 while the closely watched sales to stock ratio - a measure of market slack and a lead indicator of future prices- fell for the second successive month.
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CML: Buy-to-let lending in 2009
New buy-to-let lending increased for the second consecutive quarter in the last three months of 2009, according to figures released from the Council of Mortgage Lenders this week.
There were 25,800 new loans advanced in quarter four, up from 23,700 in the third quarter but down from 38,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008. The 2009 growth is from a very low base after a consistent decline through seven consecutive quarters. Gross advances totalled £2.4bn in the fourth quarter of last year, up £300m from the third quarter but down £1.6bn from the fourth quarter of 2008. Volumes remain comparatively low, both in absolute terms and as a percentage of overall lending.
For 2009 as a whole, there were 93,500 buy-to-let loans advanced. This is 58% down on the number advanced in 2008 (222,700) and is the lowest annual volume since 2001. Buy-to-let gross lending was £8.5bn, down from £27.2bn in 2008. Buy-to-let lending represented only 5.9% of all lending in 2009 (10.7% in 2008), but the total value of outstanding buy-to-let loans still represented around 11.8% of the mortgage market despite the recent shrinkage in new business.
Commenting on this latest buy-to-let data, the CML's Director General Michael Coogan said:
"The figures show that the buy-to-let market continued to improve, albeit slowly, throughout 2009, and we are encouraged by this recovery. The new business market remains well below previous levels though, and below the level of activity which is needed to enhance a vibrant private rental sector in the UK. We are concerned that future, wrongly directed, regulation may actually prevent buy-to-let playing its vital role in providing good quality homes and wider housing choices for people who cannot afford home ownership or do not qualify for social housing.
"Trends in arrears and possession, and the suggestion that there is potential for consumer detriment to arise from buy-to-let mortgages, are relevant to the current consultation by the Treasury on whether the FSA should be given power to regulate these transactions, and we will be responding on this shortly."
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NAEA: Buyers brave Britain's big freeze
The National Association of Estate Agent's market report for January suggests that despite some of the worst weather on record the number of houses sold by the average agent increased month on month.
The average agent sold six properties in January compared to five in December. The number of people registering with estate agents to buy property also increased, from 251 in December to 291 in January.
This also shows a 12-month improvement - the number of registered house hunters per agent in January 2009 was 242. In contrast the number of houses available for sale fell from 59 per branch in December to 55 per branch in January.
The percentage of sales made to first time buyers also increased from 19% in December 2009 to 23% last month. President of the NAEA, Gary Smith, said:
"Our figures suggest that concerns expressed about the prospects for the market in 2010 may prove unfounded.
"This appears to be confirmed by the increased level of sales, which given the awful weather conditions is quite amazing. The dwindling housing stock on our members' books reflected the increase in sales month on month, but this is a worrying trend that if continued will result in further upward pressure on prices.
"More encouragingly, the very important first time buyer section of the market now makes up almost one in four purchases. This confirms their confidence in the market as well as their ability to obtain attractive mortgage deals."
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CML: Stamp duty rush caused 2-year December high in first-time buyers
The number of loans to first-time buyers hit a two-year high in December 2009, driven by a rush to buy properties in the £125,000 - £175,000 bracket before the year-end stamp duty concession expired, according to figures released this week by the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
The CML has also published new analysis showing how affordability, especially for first-time buyers, is complicated by the effect of low interest rates when capital repayments are taken into account.
December saw 24,900 loans to first-time buyers, the highest number since November 2007. At £2.9 billion, first-time buyer loans rose 26% from November both by volume and value.
55% of house purchase loans were on properties costing under £175,000 and therefore exempt from stamp duty, up from 51% in November. 10,300 first-time buyers and 11,200 home movers bought a property of between £125,000 and £175,000 in December, up 63% from 6,300 and 49% from 7,500 respectively from November. This clearly indicates a rush to complete purchases before January, when stamp duty would have added an additional 1% of the purchase price onto the transaction costs.
House purchase lending in general totalled 63,000 loans worth £8.5bn in December, up from 51,000 (£7.1bn) in November and from 33,000 (£4.4bn) in December 08. The number of loans for remortgage stayed the same as November at 28,000, with the value falling from £3.5bn to £3.4bn, and was down from 41,000 transactions (£5.7bn) in December 2008.
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John Healey: Over £60m to lay green foundations of eco-towns
Housing Minister John Healey has backed the green home building programme, with four areas sharing £60m cash to build over 600 new homes to the toughest ever environmental standards.
These new 'eco-show homes' will be built in and around the four eco-town locations, introducing nearly 2,000 people to green living. Nearly a third of these homes will be affordable.
Last year Mr Healey gave the go-ahead for the first wave of eco-town sites in Whitehill-Bordon in Hampshire, St Austell in Cornwall, Rackheath in Norfolk and North West Bicester in Oxfordshire.
By 2016, 10,000 eco homes will be built in the four areas. The new homes and new neighbourhoods will be designed, planned and built to world leading environmental standards.
People will see firsthand the latest technology like smart meters to track energy use, electric car charging points, properly insulated homes built to the toughest ever standards and systems for saving water and recycling or composting waste. Most of the eco-show homes will be available for sale so that hundreds of families can experience green living and get a feel for eco-homes of the future.
The funding also aims to improve existing transport links, including rapid routes for buses with real-time travel information, green travel hubs and facilities for electric cars and bikes. New energy projects will be set up so that residents take their energy from natural sources.
Funding will also be used for environmental education projects and boosting the energy efficiency of existing schools - including a new low carbon sixth form for the Cooper School in Bicester and retrofitting of primary schools and libraries in Whitehill-Bordon.
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Conservatives' planning green paper
Publication of the Conservative Party's green paper on planning, which had been expected earlier this week, has been delayed. The reasons for the delay are not known and it is not currently clear what the timetable for publication now is.
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Haiti earthquake appeal
Following the earthquake in Haiti, HBF launched an urgent appeal to the house building industry on behalf of its nominated charity Habitat for Humanity (HfH).
The earthquake decimated the country's infrastructure and thus its ability to cope with the devastating impacts. It is a catastrophe of major proportions with early estimates suggesting that up to three million people have been killed, injured or made homeless.
Habitat for Humanity has been present in Haiti, working with poor and low-income families in need of decent housing since 1981. It has a Disaster Risk Assessment Team on the ground, establishing a clear picture of the situation and providing specialist shelter provision and reconstruction assistance. Further information about this is available on their website http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk
Whilst appreciating the difficult economic climate in which members are operating it only seems appropriate that our industry should support a charity that specialises in shelter provision, housing repair and reconstruction.
How quickly we raise funds will directly affect Habitat for Humanity's ability to assist now, when their help really is needed. Please help by making a secure online donation today. http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk
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New Homes Marketing Board / Smith Institute: Pre-Election Housing Debate 2010: The Conservative Agenda
Tuesday 23rd February 2010
The New Homes Marketing Board and the Centre for Social Justice are hosting an event in association with the Smith Institute that will look at Conservative proposals for housing delivery should they win the next election.
Speakers will include the NMHB chair David Pretty (CBE); John Howell MP, Shadow Communities and Local Government team; Richard Blakeway, Housing Adviser to the Mayor of London, and Tim Montgomerie, editor, ConservativeHome.
It will be chaired by Gabriel Doctor, the Centre for Social Justice.
The event will run from 1800-1930 and will be followed by a drinks reception
Limited spaces available, to request a space please email housingdebatead@smith-institute.org.uk
HBF to host housing ‘Question Time' featuring Healey and Shapps
10th March, Westminster
The HBF's Policy conference will this year be a pre-election ‘Question Time' style debate featuring the main housing political heavyweights. Housing Minister John Healey and his Tory shadow Grant Shapps will take part in an open debate to be chaired by HBF Executive Chairman Stewart Baseley. The Lib-Dems are also expected to field a representative.
Questions will be taken from the assembled delegates on the key housing issues in what is sure to be a heated and fascinating debate with the General Election looming.
It will be followed by a debate featuring an expert panel of leading economists, including Citigroup's Michael Saunders and Capital Economics Ed Stansfield which will look at the prospects for both the housing market and the general economy.
Please click here to download a booking form
Please click here to visit the website and to book online
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Housing Lecture 2010: Labour's Agenda
Tuesday 23rd March 2010
The New Homes Marketing Board and the Centre for Social Justice are hosting an event in association with the Smith Institute that will look at Labour's housing policy proposals.
Speakers will include the NMHB chair David Pretty (CBE); Rt. Hon. John Healey MP, Housing Minister,
It will be chaired by Paul Hackett, Director, The Smith Institute.
The event will run from 1800-1930 and be followed by a drinks reception
Limited spaces available, to request a space please email housinglecturead@smith-institute.org.uk
HBF: Event diary dates
HBF has announced the return of three of its most popular social events for this year. The economic climate dictated that the HBF Ball, its North West Social dinner and its golf day have not taken place for the past two years, but member demand sees them return for 2010.
Please make a note of the dates for your diary and click on the event to download the booking form:
HBF Golf Day - Tuesday 13th July 2010 - Woburn Golf Course
HBF North West Social Dinner - Friday 10th September 2010 - The Midland Hotel, Manchester
HBF Ball - Friday 10th December 2010 - Marriott Grosvenor Square, London
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HBF AGM & lunch Wednesday 28th April - the Hyatt Regency Hotel - the Churchill
HBF can also confirm that the HBF AGM & Annual Industry Lunch will take place on Wednesday 28 April at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, London. The day will begin with the AGM and Open Council meeting and be followed a drinks reception and the annual lunch. The key note speaker will be announced shortly.
If you have any queries about any of the above please contact the events team on 020 7960 1646 and events@house-builder.co.uk
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Habitat for Humanity's Hope Challenge 11-13th June 2010
Habitat for Humanity, HBF's nominated charity will again be holding its Hope Challenge event in 2010. This unique and exciting outdoor challenge event will see teams;
Spending two days and two nights in the great outdoors
Sleeping in a self built shelter
Undertaking mental and physical team challenges
Last year's Hope Challenge was a huge success and had the competitors trekking around the Edale and Hope Valleys, with a base camp in the sheltered Vale of Edale. In 2010 HforH are planning a larger and more exciting event with walking routes encompassing the surrounding hills including the Skyline Ridge over Mam Tor and the lower reaches of Kinder Scout.
However this is no ordinary weekend of walking! Participating teams will also be tested on their initiative and teamwork... and by building, and sleeping out in, their very own shelter they will experience some of the challenges faced by those who live in poverty housing.
Think you can rise to the challenge? Want to join HforH in Hope Challenge 2010?
Find out more about Hope Challenge 2010
Register your team for Hope Challenge 2010.
Take a look at the photos and video of Hope Challenge 2009.
Contact HfH with any questions about Hope Challenge.
TSY: Delivering design quality skills training programme
Transform South Yorkshire have developed the delivering design quality skills training programme - a free programme providing practitioners from the private sector, RSLs and local authorities with training that meets all levels of expertise.
The programme's approach will be practical, and aims to give professionals the tools they need to continue developing their design skills when they leave the session. The case study is at the heart of the teaching approach.
Please click here for more information and details of how to book
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For other HBF events visit the website http://www.hbf.co.uk/index.php?id=eventsandmeetings
For HBM events visit http://www.hbmedia.co.uk/
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Rosie Hinchliffe
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