Focused Construction News’ Post

Landspeed is projecting a 300% increase in the overall volume of affordable home ownership units that it will deliver during 2025; with 16 contracted plots already reserved and a further 65 presently available for sale and occupation during the year. A further 50 units have already been agreed on schemes for delivery in 2025 and 2026. The increase in volume is due in part to Landspeed Homes ambition to increase the scale of its delivery and also that of the the RP sector pulling away from the acquisition of new Section 106 schemes. As such Landspeed is well positioned to step into this void to assist both developers and local authorities to fulfill their respective affordable housing obligations. Landspeed have always sought to ensure that the delivery of on site affordable housing is not lost to the sector, either by securing tenure variations to deliver affordable home ownership tenures or by working with local authorities to deliver both ownership and rented tenures in partnership with the local authority directly, or their associated housing companies. Landspeed continues to successfully deliver on both counts. To date the company have delivered mixed tenure schemes alongside Arun District Council, Brighton & Hove City Council, Guildford Borough Council, Horsham District Council, Waverley BC and Wealden District Council and will happily entertain discussions with other local authorities to ensure critical affordable housing continues to be delivered. #affordablehousing #landspeedhomes #westsussex #eastsussex #surrey #newhome #newhomes #newbuildhouse #affordablehomes

Avant submits plans for housing schemes in Coventry and Barnsley: Pair of schemes will deliver 60 and 300 homes, respectively #ukhousing #housing

The Government has set an ambitious target to build 1.5 million new homes. This will take a monumental effort to achieve and will require all sectors of the housing industry working together in all sorts of ways, to get anywhere near those numbers. Is the target achievable? Who knows but……… Hot on the heels of our announcement last week of Edenstone Group entering into contract for a major mixed tenure JV project with a Registered Provider in Exeter, this week we are delighted to celebrate entering into contract with Stonewater to complete 120 homes in Hereford for affordable housing. This has been a complex project to bring to contract and congratulations and thanks go to the whole Edenstone team especially Christopher Edge Steve Barley and Helen Thomas Also thanks to Matthew Crucefix and the team at Stonewater, and their solicitor Lore Millward of Clarke Willmot who were all so helpful in making things happen. Thanks also to Employers Agent Matthew Hunt. Hopefully the first of more to come between the two organisations. Edenstone Group continues to roll out our new 5 year business plan. The plan will see the business grow across all 3 of our operating areas, being South Midlands, Wales & West and the South West. We will be operating on a mixed tenure business model which will see us providing homes for market sale, and in partnership with Housing Associations and PRS providers. This expansion will see us requiring new team members and sub-contractors alike across those areas. Interested parties should drop us a line as below: Career opportunities - LNorman@edenstonegroup.com Sub-contract opportunities - newbusiness@edenstonegroup.com #affordablehousing #housebuilding #southmidlands #newhomes #mixedtenure #housing

Can this be part of the solution for the Housing Crisis? ‘There always seemed to be no land available for affordable housing’ Bill Dunster OBE Sound familiar! The idea of building over council carparks is getting traction in both the UK and the US. The image shows a concept by Bill Dunster OBE of ZED factory in the UK. "The best plan seemed to be to find large areas already tarmacked with excellent public transport connections to city centres. Park and rides or existing neighbourhood shopping centres are a good start.” In Australia, public car parks would work equally well and we generally have at least one in every suburb. In the case of Oxford City (shown in image) the proposal is for: -        Tiny homes that could sell for A$100K, or -        Rented as one bed homes for around $1500 per month This model would work equally well for higher density living. Could this work in Australia? Would love to hear what you think. https://lnkd.in/g65ADxhj

Sensible though still innovative and yes bold stuff from the Victorian Government Big Build statement. They intend buying unsold stock meant for the private market from developers to become social lettings - as I've always argued for. We did this via the Homes and Communities Agencu (now Homes England in 2009/10 when lots of developers were struggling to sell their homes). I like :- The Government will : 'Buy off-the-plan to boost social housing stock. Developers need a certain level of apartment pre-sales before a housing project can commence construction – which can often add delays to new projects kicking off. We’ll explore opportunities to buy pre-sale off-the-plan apartments in medium and high density developments to boost Victoria’s social housing stock. We’ll consult with industry on opportunities to buy at scale through spot purchasing. And we’ll buy directly from project proponents, making sure we don’t reduce stock in the market. Also, the Government may headlease leftover apartments :'When a development project is finished, there are often a small number of units that don’t end up being sold or leased. This means there could be as many as several thousand apartments left empty right now that could make a home for someone. Industry feedback suggests there may be opportunities for long-term headleases of these leftover apartments at social housing rental rates to support families who need social and affordable housing. We’ll call for expressions of interest to test market appetite to add some of these apartments to our supply of social and affordable housing and help reduce the waiting list'. #housing Patrick Fensham Scott Langford

Investing in property in Northampton offers a strong combination of affordability, capital growth potential, and strong rental yields. The towns economic growth, excellent transport links, ongoing regeneration, and variety of housing types make it an attractive destination for investors seeking both short-term returns and long-term capital appreciation. The towns growth as a commuter hub, coupled with the rise in demand for housing driven by population growth, makes it a compelling choice for real estate investors. #propertyinnorthampton #investinnorthampton #realestate #northampton

As a Regional Land Developer I see the Victorian Housing Supply Crisis which Makes This The Perfect Time for Investors to Build the Future. Victoria is currently experiencing a significant housing supply crisis, with demand for homes far outstripping the available supply. The state’s population is growing rapidly, but housing construction hasn't kept pace, leading to skyrocketing property prices and rental costs. This shortage presents a unique opportunity for investors looking to secure their financial future by entering the market now. The key issue lies in a limited supply of land for development, exacerbated by planning restrictions, zoning laws, and increasing construction costs. As Victoria's cities become more congested, areas on the outskirts or in emerging suburbs are experiencing rapid growth. This trend is creating pockets of opportunity for savvy investors who can recognize the long-term potential of these areas before prices surge even further. For those with the right vision and strategy, this crisis can be a golden opportunity. Property investment in regions where land supply is constrained and housing demand is high can yield substantial returns. With housing affordability a growing concern, government initiatives, such as first-home buyer grants and infrastructure developments, can further boost property values in these underserved areas. Furthermore, the increased demand for rental properties as more people struggle to buy homes presents another avenue for profit. Investors who focus on quality, affordable rental properties will attract long-term tenants and ensure consistent cash flow. Ultimately, the current housing supply shortage in Victoria is a call to action for investors. Those who take advantage of this market gap now can not only secure a foothold in the growing property sector but also help shape the future of housing in the state. Investing in land and housing today is not just a financial decision—it’s an investment in the future of Victoria itself. #land #developer #regional #build #builders #homes #investment #depreciation #equity #growth

New Lichfields UK blog from Leah Pickup and me with some analysis on what is happening to recent draft housing requirements in emerging local plans, taking into account the changes to the national policy that crystallised in the December 2023 NPPF. https://lnkd.in/eqCGwBF8 In total, these 25 plans are proposing just under 20,900 homes a year against a housing need of around 25,000 homes per year, so are undershooting the Government’s measure of housing need by 17%. 10 of the 25 Local Plans are proposing not to meet their Standard Method local housing need figure. Only four are proposing to exceed its LHN by >50 per annum. Of the 15 plans preceded by a draft with a comparable target, 11 are reducing their requirement, a total reduction of 10%. These are all draft plans, yet to be examined or adopted, so are subject to change. In combination, they are proposing an increase compared to recent build rates in those areas, which some might say supports the Government's contention that areas with up to date plans provide for more homes than those without. However, in aggregate, the scale of provision does not indicate that the 300,000 per annum ambition will be met. This analysis informed the article in The Times from Friday 3rd May: https://lnkd.in/e6Zz2FAq (£)

📈 Leicester's Housing Market and Its Unstoppable Growth Economic forces are at work in Leicester, making its housing market one to watch. Ex-council estates, filled with durable and affordable homes, form the backbone of this growing demand. ✔️ More Buyers, Fewer Homes – Supply can’t keep up with Leicester’s rising population, keeping competition high. ✔️ Solid Investments – Brick-built, family-friendly homes are holding their value and yielding strong returns. ✔️ Economic Powerhouse – Leicester’s diverse and booming economy, supported by decades of immigration, makes it a magnet for new residents. Rising rent prices not only drive investor interest but also reinforce higher property valuations. From Braunstone to Thurby Lodge and beyond, these homes are central to the market’s dynamism. Could this sustained growth signal an opportunity for long-term investments? Let’s explore what Leicester has to offer. #LeicesterHousingMarket #PropertyTrends #InvestSmartly #EconomicDevelopment

The Association for Rental Living very much welcomed the release of the Radix Big Tent Housing Commission Report – October 2024 yesterday, a detailed and trustworthy document for all those committed to solving the UK’s housing crisis.   We were encouraged to see that the role that Build to Rent is and can play was recognised by the Report as well as the recommendations to recognise the importance of rental tenures to the wider housing mix and support the broadest range of tenures and delivery models and recognise the critical role of institutional investment in housing.   It is clear that a holistic, multi tenure approach to delivering the 1000 homes per day, as outlined by the Report, is required. Now all we need is for the politicians, across all parties, to buy into these recommendations.    To read the full report, click here: https://lnkd.in/dM7kGUxk