Top stories this week *CLG announces review of the planning application process....read more *CBI predicts prolonged financial market freeze .....read more Friday, 28 March 2008Top stories this weekCLG announces review of the planning application process....read moreCBI predicts prolonged financial market freeze .....read moreQuick LinksWales NewsGovernment NewsEconomic NewsHousing Market NewsIndustry NewsEventsWales News Action to improve the Park Authority's planning serviceMembers of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority and Jane Davidson, AM, Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, have met to discuss action the National Park Authority must take to secure sustained improvements in the planning development control service.Read moreHome-buying help for key workers ‘abandoned'Calls have been made for teachers, nurses and key workers on low wages to receive help to buy their first homes.The Welsh Liberal Democrats claim that the Assembly Government's HomeBuy scheme will no longer support most first-time buyers and no funding has been specifically allocated to support it for 2008-09.Read moreQuestion Time with Vincent KaneSustainability 2011 - Achievable or just Wishful ThinkingConstructing Excellence in Wales is holding an event to debate the Welsh Assembly's aspirations for sustainability in Wales. The event is free and will be held at the Futures Inn, Cardiff on Tuesday 15th April at 4pm.The event will look at what issues and barriers are facing the industry, how can they be addressed and whether the Assembly is just chasing the impossible. The panel will include representatives from across the built environment and will be chaired by Vincent Kane.There is no charge for the event, but you must register in advance by sending your details to CEWalesEvents@constructingexcellencewales.org.ukConstructing Excellence in Wales:3 Bay ChambersWest Bute StreetCardiff BayCF10 5BBTel: +44 (0) 2920 493322Fax: +44 (0) 2920 493233to topGovernment NewsCLG announces review of the planning application processCommunities Secretary Hazel Blears has announced a new review of the planning application process - to be jointly carried out by HBF Board member and Chairman of the New Homes Marketing Board, David Pretty, and Joanna Killian, Chief Executive of Essex County Council.The review - entitled "Planning Applications: a faster and more responsive system" - will report to Housing and Planning Minister, Caroline Flint, and Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Minister, Baroness Vadera, by the autumn.Full details of the review and its proposed means for gathering evidence and ideas from stakeholders have not yet been published, but it is understood it will be an "end-to end review" encompassing the pre-application stage through to the clearing of planning conditions.Areas the Government has indicated will be looked at include case studies to identify where delays and bottlenecks occur, how e-planning and technology might improve process, varying the supporting information required according to the likely impact of a development and bringing in statutory consultees at an earlier stage of the application process.HBF will be working with members to submit evidence and develop proposals for the review and we will be back in contact with you about this once the full details of the review are available.The CLG press release on the reviewHBF has issued a press statement welcoming the review As part of the announcement, the Government has also said that Planning Aid funding is being doubled to £3.2 million this year and that consultants ERM have published a working draft of practice guidance to help planners and others implement the policies in the new PPS on Climate Change. Draft practice guidanceto topCLG trends in housing supplyCLG has released statistics for the net supply of housing for England and the regions up to 2006-07 Over the short term, housing supply in England reached 199,200 net additional dwellings in 2006-07, an 8 per cent increase on the 2005-06 level. Housing supply has increased steadily from around 130,500 net additions in 2001-02, a rise of 53 per cent over the period. The net supply in 2006-07 was the highest level since 1988.Over the longer term, at the end of the 1960s housing supply peaked at around 260,000 net additional dwellings. Over the 1970s supply declined but maintained levels above 170,000 net additions. In the early 1980s supply fell back to 150,000 but then recovered to reach a peak of 206,000 net additions in 1988. Supply then dropped sharply between 1988 and 1990 to a levels of 166,000 (a decline of 19 per cent). Following this down turn, housing supply remained broadly stable during the 1990s, but fell back to around 130,500 net additions in 2001-02.More Onlineto topEconomic NewsCBI predicts prolonged financial market The CBI has downgraded its 2008 outlook for UK GDP growth by 0.2% to 1.8%, and forecasts even slower growth in 2009 at 1.7%, due to continued troubles in the credit markets, rising commodity prices and weak domestic and global demand. The CPI rate of inflation is expected to peak at 3.2% in Q3 of 2008, forcing the Governor of the Bank of England to write a second letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, before inflation comes down in the longer term as a result of the slowing economy. The CBI believes that this will give the Bank of England room to cut interest rates in the second and fourth quarters of this year, with one more reduction early next year. This would bring interest rates down to 4.5% by early 2009.The CBI also reported that retail activity remained subdued in March. According to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey, high street stores reported flat year-on-year sales volumes. The outlook for April is also subdued. Lending criteria continue to tightenThe press have reported this week that an increasing number of lenders are withdrawing their best deals including 100% deals causing buyers to have to find at least a 10% deposit to secure a mortgage. Mervyn King, Governor of the Bank of England made reference to the housing market and credit conditions in his opening statement at the Inflation Report Hearing this week. He said:"Surveys suggest that the economy has slowed, but so far modestly. The world economy, particularly the United States, has weakened, but the recent fall in sterling should help to cushion the impact on exports. And the official data on retail sales show that spending has this year been surprisingly resilient. In contrast, both activity and prices in the housing and commercial property markets continue to weaken. That stems in part from the continued tightening of credit conditions reflecting the turmoil in financial markets."to topHousing Market NewsNo bounce in house prices this Easter according to NationwideThe latest House Price Report from Nationwide shows:House price growth slows to lowest level in twelve years Clear change in consumers' housing market sentiment Outlook more downbeat, but within forecast range MPC expected to bring rate cut forward to April Commenting on the figures Fionnuala Earley, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said:"House prices fell for the fifth consecutive month in March. The price of a typical house fell by 0.6% during the month, bringing the annual rate of house price growth down to 1.1% - its lowest rate since March 1996. A clear change in sentiment since the late summer has led to the sharp slowing in house price growth, even in the less volatile 3-month on 3-month series. Prices on this measure are now 1.5% lower than three months ago. The price of a typical house in the UK is now £179,110, only £2,027 more than this time last year. However, prices are still 11% higher than two years ago and 47% higher than five years ago - the equivalent of a price rise of more than £30 per day for the last five years. "For further information please see this month's full report (PDF 53KB).NAEA report a buyer's marketMembers of the National Association of Estate Agents have reported that at present the property market is dull as recent figures from the monthly housing market indicate that the plethora of external pressures on the market is causing buyers to be prudent.The number of house buyers on estate agents' books dropped from an average of 276 registered per agent in January to 243 in February 2008. NAEA members across the country reported an average of 74 properties for sale in February compared with 83 in January 2007.View the full releaseSellers should get smart as buyer choice grows according to RightmoveThe Rightmove house price index for March reports the following:Average asking prices rise by 0.8% (£1,799) to £239,655 as new sellers ignore market realitySmart pricing by sellers is required to avoid stagnationBuyer choice continues to grow as average unsold stock has never been higher at this time of yearThe Government, Bank of England and lenders must take urgent coordinated action to ease mortgage liquidityPrice increases are heading towards zero as the annual rate drops from 5.8% to 5.0%View full reportto topIndustry NewsWhich? investigation shows HIPs haven't made seller process easier A Which? investigation has found few signs that Home Information Packs (HIPs) are making it easier and cheaper to sell a property. Which? found that the cost of a HIP varies enormously and sometimes potential buyers can have great difficulty even getting their hands on one.They sent out researchers to act as prospective buyers in Eastbourne, Ipswich, Leicester and Rotherham. Out of 23 estate agents, 11 had properties with HIP reports, but researchers were given just two. When they called estate agents in England and Wales to ask how much a HIP would cost, the quotes ranged from £234 to £529.There are also doubts about how long the information in a HIP remains valid.Which? spokesman Bob Tolliday said: ‘At the moment, it's hard to see how HIPs have made the process of selling a house easier and less expensive. If much of the information in a pack goes out of date after four to six months then that doesn't represent very good value at all.'Which? will be showing their research to the Housing Minister.More on the Which? investigationto topHBF EventsThe Code for Sustainable Homes explainedHBF in association with The British Electrotechnical and Associated Manufacturers Association (BEAMA) are running some free seminars on the Code to look at practical methods for energy compliance within the Code for Sustainable Homes and guidance on how to reach Code levels 3 and 4. The dates and venues are as follows: 16th April Birmingham (Moor Hall Hotel) - few places remaining 23rd April London (Hilton Dartford Bridge) - fully booked 24th April Bristol (Redwood Hotel) - few places remaining 29th April Darlington (Aston Hotel) 30th April Manchester (Copthorne Hotel)Further detailsIf you wish to attend any of the seminars please email vera@beama.org.uk stating your name, job title, organisation, contact details and desired venueThe Future of Building Control ConferenceThursday 10 April 2008, Austin Court, BirminghamThis conference provides delegates with the unique opportunity to voice their opinion on the Building Control Consultation paper announced this week and question the panel of speakers on the subject.Speakers include: Paula Higgins, Communities and Local GovernmentDave Mitchell, HBFPaul Everall, LABCNeil Cooper, NHBCDave Baker, RDLJohn Tebbit, Construction Products AssociationFor a booking form please go to http://www.hbmedia.co.uk/ or alternatively contact a member of the HBMedia events team on 020 7960 1646. to topHBF Ball - 10% discount before July 18th* The Home Building Industry Ball, hosted by the HBF is the highlight of the industry's social calendar and will be held this year on Friday 5 December 2008 at the luxurious Marriot Grosvenor Square Hotel in Mayfair, situated in the heart of central London.The evening will commence with a champagne drinks reception at 7.30pm followed by an a la carte three course meal and live entertainment.Places are strictly limited - Book early to avoid disappointment.*10% discount is being offered on tables of 10/12 before July 18th.Download a booking form or alternatively contact the events team on 020 7960 1646 or email events@hbmedia.com For other HBF events visit the website http://www.hbf.co.uk/index.php?id=eventsandmeetingsFor HBM events visit http://www.hbmedia.co.uk/ to topJo WestonView Previous Weekly News Summary
