Tag: Green Belt
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Green Belt Gold? Developers Could Build 1.5 million Homes on Just 3% of Protected Land
The UK’s housing crisis is reaching boiling point, and everyone’s looking for solutions. But what about the Green Belt? Is it really off-limits, or could it be the key to unlocking a massive housing boom? New analysis from property consultancy Carter Jonas has revealed that using a tiny proportion of the Green Belt could provide…
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House Prices Bouncing Back – Is Now the Time to Buy?
The property market is showing strong signs of recovery, with house prices steadily climbing back up. The latest Acadata/esurv House Price Index reveals that house prices are only 1.6% lower than this time last year. This means the average house price in England and Wales is now a healthy £360,175. So, what’s behind this positive…
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Labour’s Housing Plans Send Housebuilder Shares Soaring!
With Labour’s election victory, housebuilders are celebrating! The party’s ambitious plans for 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, coupled with a shake-up of planning rules, are seen as a major boost for the sector. Green Belt Blues Gone? Labour’s plans go beyond simply building more homes. They’re aiming to tackle the “grey…
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Mortgage Misery Set to Ease for Homeowners
Good news for homeowners as mortgage misery is predicted to ease in the coming months, according to Halifax, the UK’s biggest mortgage lender. While mortgage costs remain a top concern for those buying a home or coming off fixed-rate deals, there are signs of hope on the horizon. Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Halifax,…
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Builders Demand Action: Planning System Needs a Tune-Up
The British Property Federation (BPF) is calling on the next government to give the UK’s planning system a much-needed overhaul. They’re saying: “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!” – no radical rewrites, just a few key changes that will get things moving again. The BPF argues that the current system is holding back…
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Dream Home Dilemma – Can You Extend Your Green Belt Cottage?
In the heart of Hertfordshire lies a quaint cottage, the recent purchase of a couple with five children. Their dream was simple: extend their home to make space for their growing family. Unfortunately, their aspirations hit a wall when the local council denied their planning application. The reason? The cottage is situated within the green…
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New Plan Aims to Tackle UK’s Housing Crisis for First-Time Buyers
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is being asked to consider allowing first-time homebuyers to use their pension savings to fund a deposit on a house. This bold suggestion is part of a comprehensive package proposed by the Housing and Finance Institute (HFI), a cross-party organisation, aiming to bring the dream of homeownership within reach for thousands of…
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Tackling the UK Housing Crisis: A New Life for Old Offices?
City centres in the UK have started to echo with an unusual quiet, especially noticeable on Friday afternoons. The once-bustling hubs of business and commerce are feeling the impact of a cultural shift towards hybrid working. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, an astonishing amount of office space—equivalent to 487 football pitches—was removed from…
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UK Property Industry Responds Optimistically to Labour Party’s Ambitious Housing Initiatives
Leading figures in the UK property industry have responded warmly to the ambitious housing pledges proposed by Sir Keir Starmer, Labour party leader. In a bid to address the UK’s housing crisis, Sir Starmer presented his vision at the Labour Party’s annual conference. His long-term strategy, expecting to span two terms in power if elected,…
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English Housing is Most Expensive in the Developed World
The Home Builders Federation (HBF), a significant voice for private housebuilders, recently unveiled some concerning figures. They suggest that when it comes to vacant homes per person, England trails behind every other country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This international body comprises 38 countries, including EU nations, the US, Japan, and…