Victoria Line concrete clean up “nearly done”, says TfL January 23, 2014 After the Victoria Line has suffered from some concrete related problems with its signalling equipment (it's not cement, that's just an ingredient in concrete) – the fun is nearly over. Transport for London have said that cleaning of the fast-setting stuff is nearly done, with testing and fixing of equipment to follow. For now the [...]
Tower furnished with high hopes January 16, 2014 West London has a new sky-scraper. Designer Paul Dawson discusses his inspirations LAST month, interior designer Paul Dawson looked out over south west London from a building he had been building in his mind’s eye for nine years. Dawson and his 12-strong team at Honky Interiors, which caters for private clients as well as major [...]
Rises in completions and orders build Taylor Wimpey’s confidence January 15, 2014 TAYLOR Wimpey yesterday became the latest housing firm to report a jump in the number of properties it built in the last year, buoyed by rising prices and the government’s Help to Buy policy. Total home completions increased by seven per cent to 11,696, of which 18 per cent were affordable housing completions. “We saw [...]
Housing recovery helps Barratt sales rise more than two thirds January 14, 2014 BARRATT Developments said total home sales grew 71 per cent in the first half of its financial year thanks to government measures and a recovery in the housing market across all regions. Britain’s largest housebuilder by volume said yesterday that total forward sales, excluding joint ventures, jumped to £1.27bn in the six months to 31 [...]
UK house prices growth continues forward march January 14, 2014 House prices increased 5.4 per cent in the 12 months to November 2013 – down from the 5.5 per cent increase seen from October 2012 to 2013 but still showing growth gaining momentum across the country, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. England saw 5.6 per cent growth in the 12 months, [...]
Barratt reports bumper sales as Help to Buy kicks in January 14, 2014 Britain's largest housebuilder, Barratt Developments, has reported a whopping 71 per cent rise in forward sales. The company also reported a 37 per cent rise in reservations as the government's controversial Help to Buy scheme continues to stoke up consumer demand. Mark Clare group chief executive, commented: As a result of the continued recovery of [...]
London Report: Retailers reveal where tills rang for Christmas January 12, 2014 RETAILERS are expected to reveal where UK shoppers showed their Christmas cheer, with a round of results in contrast to last week’s gloomy December tidings. Figures out this week from retailers such as Argos, Asos, Dixons, Ocado and Primark are expected to show increased sales. The successes are in contrast to the sales dips seen [...]
Housebuilders pledge to end advance sales of homes overseas December 18, 2013 A TOTAL of 11 housing developers have signed a pledge to market their properties to UK buyers first, or at the same time, as marketing abroad. Concerns about properties being sold to foreign investors who then choose not to live in them have led to claims that many London streets are unoccupied while demand in [...]
Labour’s land grab will only exacerbate our housing crisis. Here’s why December 16, 2013 Ed Miliband is set announce details of how a Labour government would intervene in the housing market to boost supply. A Labour government would give local councils the power to purchase land or charge fees to believe developers are hoarding land. The Labour leader will say in a speech on Monday: We will back home [...]
Carillion lands Sunderland contract worth a potential £800m November 29, 2013 Construction services company Carillion has been selected by Sunderland city council to form a strategic partnership and deliver a range of property services for the city's regeneration plan. The contract will focus on the redevelopment of sites across the city, worth £100m in the first eight years and potentially £800m over the next 20 years. [...]