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News

Lords’ amendments could stifle delivery of new homes

News /

House of Lords amendments to the Housing and Planning Bill, which would target small development sites for expensive affordable housing contributions and increase regulations and taxes on small builders, will stifle the supply of new homes at a time when they are needed most, according to the chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders. Brian Berry, chief executive of the FMB, said, “We understand the need for more affordable homes in rural areas and Government policy must address this need but the intention to hit all small scale housing developments will be counterproductive. Up until relatively recently, including under a Labour Government, we had a national threshold for affordable housing requirements set at 15 units. This was part of a longstanding recognition […]

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Regeneration of stations set to deliver thousands of new properties

News /

A massive programme of development of railway stations and surrounding land will deliver thousands of new homes and jobs and significantly boost local growth, according to a media statement from communities secretary Greg Clark. A new agreement between Network Rail and the Homes and Communities Agency will see them working with local councils to trailblaze development opportunities across England’s railway stations for housing and businesses, the statement said. The ambitious initiative could deliver up to 10,000 new properties on sites around stations in the coming years. Government wants to hear from at least 20 local authorities to take the scheme forward. York, Taunton and Swindon councils have come forward with proposals to spearhead the new initiative and have identified railway sites that

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driverless cars

Driverless cars could unlock 20 per cent more developable land

News /

According to a new report by consultancy WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff and architects Farrells, Making better places: Autonomous vehicles and future opportunities, parking requirements will be vastly reduced once Britain has access to shared autonomous vehicles (AVs) for everyday journeys. Able to operate without a driver on board, AVs will pick up and drop off passengers before moving on to collect others in the same way, significantly reducing the need for parking. The report states: 8 million parking spaces take up 16% of London’s streets, equivalent to 8,000 hectares; In the UK our cars are parked for 96% of the time (80% at home and 16% elsewhere); New developable land in the UK is worth £1-4 million per hectare and considerably more in city centres

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construction workers

SME builders agree to five per cent pay rise over two years

Career Advice & News, Finance, News /

The announcement follows the successful conclusion of negotiations between the Federation of Master Builders, on behalf of SME construction employers, and Unite the union, on behalf of operatives. Under the terms of the deal, workers will receive a 2.5% pay rise this year and a further 2.5% increase in 2017. The rise will be across the board, with the exception of hourly rates for lower paid general operatives, which will get a bigger boost of 4% this year, followed by 2.5% next year. In order to provide employees with a greater degree of security, the Agreement includes a commitment that the 2017 rise will be inflation-proofed – if inflation in early 2017 is higher than 2.5%, then the 2017 pay rise will match

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