Friday, 18th December 2009 (Please note that this will be the final Weekly News Summary of 2009. We will report again on January 8 next year.) Top stories this week John Healey announces Kickstart 2 funding shortlist.....read more Consultation on the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Energy Efficiency standard for Zero Carbon Homes launched.....read more Wakefield v Barratt Homes: affordable housing policy.....read more CITB-ConstructionSkills writes to employers over changes to the Levy-Grant Scheme.....read more CLG: House price index - October 2009 .....read more Quick LinksWales news Government and political news Industry news Economic news Housing market news Events Wales news Barratt Homes wins case over sewerage connections The Supreme Court has ruled that a sewerage company cannot decide where it will require a developer to connect new properties to the public sewers. Its ruling came in a case brought by house builder Barratt against Welsh Water over the sewer connections for 98 new homes and a school at Llanfoist, near Abergavenny. Welsh Water argued that a connection at the nearest point to the development would overload the sewers and that it could require Barratt to connect further away where this problem would be avoided. But the court said section 106 of the Water Industry Act 1991 gave sewerage undertakers little power to direct where connections should occur. http://www.planningresource.co.uk/news/ByDiscipline/Development-Control/973893/Supreme-Court-rules-sewerage-wrangle/" target="_blank">Read more... to top First Minister Attends Climate Change Talks The new First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, has reaffirmed his commitment to fighting climate change by attending the global talks in Copenhagen. The First Minister said: “Despite the attempts of the sceptics and those opposed to this agenda, the world must not fail in its duty to come to a meaningful deal that will protect us all from runaway climate change. Together we must take action now if we are to have any chance of limiting the damage that Climate Change will cause.” http://wales.gov.uk/news/latest/091214climatechange/;jsessionid=01f1LqMcMLQ1BmGSsnpfFRDvLLQGLh0XVGhtTLGn4GvwxyQ4CSCy!-1718541967?lang=en" target="_blank">Read more... to top Final Copenhagen text must include regional governments says Welsh Environment Minster At the end of the first week of the Copenhagen Climate Change talks, Welsh Environment Minister Jane Davidson said the text of any new deal must recognise regional governments. The Minister is attending the talks representing Wales and also regions from all over the world in her role as Co-Chair of the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4SD). The group highlights the role that regional governments play in sustainable development. http://wales.gov.uk/news/latest/091210copenhagen/;jsessionid=01f1LqMcMLQ1BmGSsnpfFRDvLLQGLh0XVGhtTLGn4GvwxyQ4CSCy!-1718541967?lang=en" target="_blank">Read more... to top Delivering the Welsh Planning - Research Agenda RTPI Cymru and the RTPI Planning Education and Research Network (PERN) are holding a free one day seminar to discuss the research agenda to support planning policy in Wales. The seminar aims to bring together research and practice interests to identify the main tasks that lie ahead for Welsh policy, identify priority topics for research attention, and consider how to disseminate research findings to inform Welsh planning practice most effectively. The day will also include a discussion session to consider the capacity to deliver the research agenda to support Welsh planning policy, any gaps in evidence, and discuss future opportunities. For bookings and more information please visit the RTPI website at http://www.rtpi.org.uk/rtpi_cymru" target="_blank">www.rtpi.org.uk/rtpi_cymru or contact Georgina Roberts at - e-mail: mailto:wales@rtpi.org.uk" target="_blank">wales@rtpi.org.uk or telephone: 029 2049 8215 to top Government and political news John Healey announces Kickstart 2 funding shortlist Housing Minister John Healey this week announced a further 265 stalled housing developments shortlisted for a share of up to £550m to help get building work on over 22,400 homes back on track and support up to 12,000 jobs - including 1,000 apprentices. His announcement concerned the second round of Kickstart funding and follows £450m already released to build 11,500 homes, with the first of nearly 10,000 workers already back on site. Projects in every region could benefit from the latest funding. Terms for funding include 50 per cent of funding being recoverable by Government and developers providing schemes for local labour and apprenticeships. All the shortlisted projects will now go through a rigorous final assessment by the Homes and Communities Agency to determine which will get the green light. Mr Healey has made it clear that one of the key factors in the assessment will be the ability to complete building work by March 2012. http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1414699" target="_blank">Read more to top Consultation on the Code for Sustainable Homes and the Energy Efficiency standard for Zero Carbon Homes launched CLG launched an important new consultation on 15th December concerning revision of the Code for Sustainable Homes and the proposed energy efficiency standard under the zero carbon homes policy. This runs until 24th March 2010. The consultation covers both policy and technical changes that are being considered for the Code for Sustainable Homes. The most significant of these proposed changes are within the energy section of the Code. There are, however, proposed changes to credit scores relating to lifetime homes, home security, surface run-off and waste. Also being considered are issues concerning the possible future evolution of the Code. The consultation also seeks views on the proposed energy efficiency performance standard to be incorporated in the definition of Zero Carbon Homes from 2016 and whether this should be introduced into building regulations at an intermediate level from 2013. This follows the recommendations from the work undertaken by the Zero Carbon Hub on the proposed standard which John Healey said he accepted as a basis for consultation in his recent statement on the zero carbon policy. HBF will be holding a meeting/workshop in the New Year either in Birmingham or London to discuss all of the issues raised in the consultation and develop an industry response. If you wish to take part in this response process please contact Rosie Hinchliffe on mailto:rosie.hinchliffe@hbf.co.uk" target="_blank">rosie.hinchliffe@hbf.co.uk http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/1415525.pdf" target="_blank">View the consultation to top South East Regional Committee look into Housing in the South East The House of Commons Select Committee for the South East announced a new inquiry this week into Housing in the South East and is seeking written evidence. The inquiry is seeking views on a wide range of topics covering the numbers of new homes required, tenure, sustainability issues, the implications of a shortfall in supply, and the role of regional and other bodies. Written submissions should be made by 27th January 2010. http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/se/sepn161209.cfm" target="_blank">Click here to read further details of the inquiry to top Further members of the Infrastructure Planning Commission announced More members of the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) were appointed this week. The three additional Commissioners appointed were Gideon Amos, Katherine Bryan and Emrys Parry. Their appointment is designed to ensure that the IPC can hit the ground running when it starts to take applications from 1st March 2010. The Commissioners will act as the decision-makers, either individually or sitting on panels, on nationally significant infrastructure projects. The IPC will be a one stop development consent process for major infrastructure projects such as large wind farms, power stations and railways. The new Commission will be critical to the Government’s efforts to improve the UK's infrastructure now and in the future. http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/1414451" target="_blank">Read more to top Industry news Wakefield v Barratt Homes: affordable housing policy The High Court has ruled that Wakefield’s Core Strategy 30% affordable housing policy is sound. Barratt Homes had drawn attention to the Council’s own consultant’s report that had demonstrated that the 30% policy would only be viable in much improved market conditions and even then it would be very difficult to achieve the 30% except in high-to-mid value areas. However, the Court accepted the Council’s argument that since market conditions would improve over the twenty year life-span of the plan it was necessary to set a policy that could apply to the whole period. It was also reasoned that the policy provided flexibility by serving as a basis for negotiation, taking into account viability and other relevant matters. http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2009/3208.html" target="_blank">Click here for a copy of the judgment; to top HCA consults on proposals to directly recover grant linked to value The Homes and Communities Agency has launched a consultation around options for the recovery and recycling of grant funding that would make it an investor in affordable housing, sharing risk with providers but also benefitting when property values rise. Such a move – allowable under new powers contained within the Housing and Regeneration Act and due to come into force from April next year – could see part of the Agency’s National Affordable Housing Programme allocated to housing associations as an investment rather than grant, resulting in a future return direct to the Agency which would be re-invested in affordable housing where it is needed most. It would also align the rules governing housing associations with those applied to private developers and ALMOs. The consultation paper, Investing in Affordable Housing: Principles for Recovery of Social Housing Assistance, outlines how the Agency would make the approach more uniform for all Partners, setting out three options for future recovery: Option 1 – To retain the current system of recovery and recycling for the housing association sector, and for other providers through contractual agreements. The HCA would still allocate some NAHP funding as investment, but on a specifically agreed contractual basis Option 2 – To link recovery and recycling to uplifts (or falls) in value, but retain the current responsibility Associations have for recycling through the RCGF Option 3 – To link recovery and recycling to uplifts (or falls) in value and for funding to be recovered directly by the HCA. The document also seeks Partners’ views on the potential effects for them on their business plans, and outlines possible ways in which a link to value could be determined, acknowledging that under all three options there would still be a need for Associations to retain a proportion of the receipts. The outcome of the consultation – due to run until 15th March 2010 – will result in a new General Determination on recovery, to be applied in the future not retrospectively; and in respect of homes for intermediate rent and low cost home ownership only. There is no current proposal to change the recycling arrangements which apply to homes for social rent. http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/hca-consults-proposals-recover-grant-linked-value?p=0&f=0" target="_blank">Read more to top CITB-ConstructionSkills writes to employers over changes to the Levy-Grant Scheme Following decisions taken at its recent Board meeting, CITB-ConstructionSkills has informed us that it is writing to employers to explain changes to be made to the CITB Levy-Grant scheme. The changes include: Reducing the Training Plan day rate to £17.50 (applicable to all plans started during the 2009/2010 Grants Scheme Year and effective for all training carried out since 1 August 2009), Increasing the minimum duration of training acceptable within a Training Plan from 30 minutes to three hours (applicable to all plans started on or after 1 January 2010), Limiting entitlement to the Training and Development Plan per capita grant (£7.50 per head with a minimum of £375 payable) to the first Training Plan only (effective for plans started on or after 1 January 2010) and; Reducing all other grants by 15%, with the exception of grants for apprenticeships and undergraduates, on grant claims paid after 1January 2010 irrespective of when the achievement was gained or when the training took place. This is so that we can learn lessons from past recessions and limit widening skills gaps. The CITB-ConstructionSkills Board has taken these decisions against the background of a significant increase in grant claims which is now exceeding the capacity provided by Levy income. to top DBIS: New review of consents for development A new review, and a call for evidence, to identify and address barriers to investment created by consents for development, other than planning permission, was announced this week by Business Minister, Ian Lucas. The independent review, which will look at consents for development made alongside or after planning permission for all sizes of projects, will be headed up by Adrian Penfold, and is part of the Government’s wider programme to improve the planning system and development process. It is intended that it will report as part of the Budget in 2010, making recommendations on areas such as improving co-operation between agencies, removing bottlenecks in the process and improving the experience for the investor. The call for evidence is aimed at all those with an interest in improving the operation of consents. The responses will provide evidence to enable the review team to gain a full and representative understanding of the consents environment, highlight key issues and to develop its overall analysis. Evidence should be submitted by 10th February 2010. http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.aspx?NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=409618&SubjectId=2" target="_blank">Read more to top Government to consult on possible change to village green rules The Government has said it intends to consult next spring on possible reform of the rules relating to the registration of village greens. In a Parliamentary answer from DEFRA minister Huw Irranca-Davies, on 14 December 2009 the Government said: "DEFRA recently received the final report of research into the registration of new town or village greens: Study of registered town and village greens and the attitudes towards applications. "The findings of the research, as well as feedback from local authorities and others, lead me to conclude that there is sufficient evidence to justify a review of the existing system, with a view to exploring possible changes. Therefore, DEFRA plans to consult in spring 2010 on whether there is a need for reform of the registration system, and the options for reform that exist." "The fact that the CML figures on arrears fell faster than the FSA's may indicate that regulated and buy-to-let arrears are improving more quickly than arrears on secured loans which are not regulated in the same way." to top NHBC supports the UK’s first virtual reality training centre for site managers. NHBC has provided the technical knowledge to help create the UK's first virtual reality training centre for site managers. The centre is based on the model of a successful existing virtual training facility in the Netherlands. The computer generated construction simulator has been developed by Dutch company ACT-UK using thousands of photographs taken during the construction of two NHBC registered sites. The hi-tech training experience is supported by role play scenarios based on NHBC Standards. The training focuses on the 'softer' skills that site managers need in order to deal with issues and disputes on site. http://www.nhbc.co.uk/NewsandComment/Name,39533,en.html" target="_blank">Read more to top Economic news CML comments on FSA third quarter mortgage statistics The latest mortgage statistics from the FSA show that the proportion of mortgages with arrears of more than 1.5% of the balance have decreased slightly in the third quarter to 2.57% from 2.63%, with possessions slightly up from 13,600 to 14,000. Figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders released last month show a larger decrease in arrears - down from 2.80% to 2.61% in the first mortgage market. The FSA statistics cover a large proportion of second charge lending, which is excluded from the CML's equivalent figures (11,400 to 11,700 in the last quarter), and for this reason FSA possessions figures will always be substantially higher than the CML's. According to the FSA, 60% of outstanding mortgages are on variable rates, compared to 51% one year ago. This demonstrates partly how popular tracker rates are now, but also - given the low volumes of new business over the past year - that those leaving fixed rates are staying on standard variable rates because they are currently attractive. Commenting on the data, CML director general Michael Coogan said: "The FSA data reflects what our numbers have already portrayed. Arrears and possessions are lower than expected earlier in the year, and the majority of the population have been choosing to stay on their SVRs or move to trackers, rather than take out fixed rate mortgages. to top CML – November gross mortgage lending figures Gross mortgage lending totalled an estimated £12 billion in November, a 10% drop from £13.3 billion in October and down 14% from £13.9 billion in November of last year, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. A modest seasonal decline between October and November is typical, although the 10% fall is a little larger than normal. The underlying story, though, is one of market conditions holding steady and the CML does not expect this position to change much in the coming months. CML economist Paul Samter says: "There is little reason to expect much underlying change in the coming months. There could be a modest decline in underlying house buying activity in early 2010 due to the stamp duty holiday ending, with activity "bunching" over the last few months of 2009. But seasonal factors are likely to be the dominant driver over the next few months. "There has been a modest increase in the availability of mortgage credit recently, including some tentative signs of a few higher LTV products emerging. But there is no sign of a swift recovery in lending volumes, especially with remortgaging set to remain at subdued levels while low interest rates persist." http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/media/press/2503" target="_blank">Read more; to top Housing market news CLG: House price index - October 2009 The latest UK house price index statistics produced by Communities and Local Government were released this week. The latest statistics release includes data based on mortgage completions during the month of October 2009. The key points from the release are: UK house prices were 2.2% lower than in October 2008 but 0.5% higher than in September 2009 (seasonally adjusted); The mix-adjusted average house price in the UK stood at £198,450 in October 2009 (not seasonally adjusted); UK house prices rose by 2.3% in the quarter ending October 2009. This compares with a smaller rise of 2.0% for the quarter ending July 2009 (seasonally adjusted); Annual average house prices rose in Scotland (0.7%) but fell in England (-2.1%), Wales (-4.5%) and Northern Ireland (-14.8%); Annual average house prices paid by first time buyers in October 2009 were 0.1% lower than a year ago. By comparison average house prices paid by former owner occupiers were 3.0% lower; Annual average house prices paid for new properties in October 2009 were 0.7% lower than a year ago. By comparison average house prices paid on pre-owned dwellings were 2.2% lower. http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/1412398.pdf" target="_blank">Read more to top RICS: Increase in the supply of properties fails to halt rising prices RICS released the results of its November housing market survey this week, reporting that there had been a modest increase in the number of properties coming up for sale but that this is having little effect on the housing market, as prices continue to rise. For the sixth consecutive month, more Chartered Surveyors reported that the number of new instructions is increasing rather than falling. However, demand is still outstripping supply with 28% more surveyors stating that enquiries from potential purchasers are rising rather than falling. This figure is slightly down on previous months, but still indicates strong interest from buyers. The supply demand imbalance has been the main factor influencing prices and for the fourth month in a row the majority of surveyors are reporting rising rather than falling prices. A net balance of 35% of Chartered Surveyors agreed that prices were rising, up from 34% in October. Transaction levels remained broadly constant with sales per surveying firm hovering around 19 over the past three months. But with the inventory of property on the market falling, the closely watched sales to stock ratio - a measure of market slack and a lead indicator of future prices- has climbed a little further. It has now risen for the past 12 months and stands at 31%. Although the latest survey provides further evidence that key indicators are continuing to improve, the pace of these improvements does appear to be slowing. In particular, the number of respondents feeling positive about the outlook for prices dropped slightly. 28% of Chartered Surveyors believe that prices will continue to rise rather than fall over the next three months; this is slightly down from 31% the previous month. http://www.rics.org/site/scripts/press_article.aspx?pressreleaseID=168" target="_blank">Read more to top Events HBF 2010 event diary dates HBF is pleased to announce the return of three of its most popular social events for next 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 further details and ticket information will be issued in the new-year. 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 to top 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 early next year If you have any queries about any of the above please contact the events team on 020 7960 1646 and mailto:events@house-builder.co.uk" target="_blank">events@house-builder.co.uk to top 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? http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/hopeinfo.htm" target="_blank">Find out more about Hope Challenge 2010 . http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/hoperegister.htm" target="_blank">Register your team for Hope Challenge 2010. http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/hopephotos.htm" target="_blank">Take a look at the photos and video of Hope Challenge 2009. http://www.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/hopecontact.htm" target="_blank">Contact HfH with any questions about Hope Challenge. to top 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. http://www.ddq.org.uk/emailers/skillstraining/index.html" target="_blank">Please click here for more information and details of how to book to top For other HBF events visit the website http://www.hbf.co.uk/index.php?id=eventsandmeetings For'>www.hbf.co.uk">http://www.hbf.co.uk/index.php?id=eventsandmeetingsFor HBM events visit http://www.hbmedia.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.hbmedia.co.uk/ to top Rosie Hinchliffe View Previous Weekly News Summary
