Housing
Leader threatens legal challenge over tunnel
Thurrock Council’s leader has threatened a judicial review of Highways England’s plan for a Lower Thames Crossing.
Brokenshire: 10,000 homes a year
Councils will be able to build up to 10,000 homes a year after prime minister Theresa May scrapped the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) borrowing cap, the housing secretary has said.
'Significant' rise in council commercialisation deals
Spending by English councils on trading services has ‘increased significantly’ over the last four years, according to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Modular homes offer hope
London's councils are working together to procure modular housing as high-quality temporary accommodation for homeless households. Cllr Darren Rodwell believes it is the first such collaboration in the UK
Let’s see the cap ‘gone for good’
The Prime Minister’s decision to scrap the housing borrowing cap gives councils a ‘huge opportunity’ to build homes, says Lord Porter. The Treasury needs to fulfil the promise ahead of the Budget
Strictly housing
Theresa May has lifted the cap on how much councils can borrow against their Housing Revenue Account assets – but more problems lie ahead, says Heather Jameson
Brokenshire writes: Lifting the barriers to building
Councils are the ‘sleeping giant’ of our housing system, as James Brokenshire explains, and now is the time to remove the barriers preventing them from delivering the homes their communities need.
Council housing borrowing cap axed
The cap on council borrowing for housebuilding will be scrapped, the Prime Minister has announced.
Shifting the foundations of social housing
The Social Housing Green Paper shows the Government is listening to the sector on some key issues – and as SOLACE spokesman Martin Swales reasons, councils should not feel constrained in their submissions to the consultations
soapbox
‘Brexit means Brexit’ may be memorable, but not in the way Mrs May would like, says Ben Page. Her 2017 election campaign saw her lose a commanding lead and a majority. But sometimes she gets it right.
Conservative conference: Brokenshire ban on cladding
Communities secretary James Brokeneshire has announced changes to building regulations banning the use of combustible materials for all new high rise buildings.
MHCLG figures show decline in new housebuilding
The number of new housing developments to get under way has continued to plummet, according to newly-released figures
Northern Powerhouse experiences ‘building boom’
Northern cities are leading a British ‘building boom’, according to a new study on where and in which sectors development is taking place.
Three, the magic number
Guy Robinson sings the praises of Hounslow LBC’s innovative three-stage commissioning model, and urges more authorities to follow
Is housing cash enough?
Prime Minister Theresa May’s announcement surrounding the £2bn long-term funding for social housing divided opinion within the sector. Some were positive, but many more cynical about what they thought were smoke and mirrors, says Rob Whiteman
Healey unveils council tax levy on holiday homes
Labour would double council tax on second homes to help families living in temporary accommodation, shadow housing secretary John Healey is expected to announce later today.
Measuring poverty to help solve the problem
We need to measure poverty to be able to hold the Government to account and to tackle the problem, argues Deven Ghelani.
Westminster brings 'failing' commercial venture in-house
Westminster City Council is to bring its arms-length housing company back under direct control following cultural and management failings.
May to announce £2bn for social housing
The Government is to announce a £2bn investment to increase the provision of affordable housing.
Stepping up to the housebuilding challenge
Mixed-use property is one of many approaches in Homes England’s housing arsenal. Its value in unlocking new homes and driving wider urban regeneration makes it an issue that should not be overlooked, writes Gareth Blacker.