In previous articles we have talked about local councils in London setting up their own development companies to create new housing. Newham Council created their own housing company in March, taking their total to three. The latest one, which does not yet have a name, will focus on purchasing properties from various developments and making them available for affordable rent. The homes will be offered at 40%, 60%, or 80% of market rent to cater for residents on different incomes. Continue reading →

At the end of April it was revealed that Clarion Housing Group, the largest of its type in the UK, would invest a huge £1 billion into the regeneration of the London Borough of Merton. The funds will pay for the development of the Eastfields, Ravensbury, and High Path estates, creating new homes and improving the areas. Continue reading →

Lambeth will become the newest home to Pocket housing this year, joining areas like Camden, Ealing, and Lewisham. The new one-bedroom flats will fit into spaces on the China Walk estate, including in a former garage and parking space. In total across the Borough there will be 126 of these new homes, all sold at less than market value. Continue reading →

Over the last year the price of a flat or maisonette has risen more than any other type of home according to data from Land Registry. While the value of a detached home rose by an average of 5.6% in that time the price of a flat is up by 7.2%. Semi-detached and terraced homes both grew by less than 5.6%. Continue reading →

Although growth in property prices has slowed recently, values still reached record highs in England and Wales according to data from Rightmove. In April the average value was £313,655, the best sales figure since 2007 before the credit crunch. In the month the price of properties coming to market was up 1.1% and 2.2% year on year. Continue reading →

Hackney Council is taking heed from other local authorities in the capital to help create more affordable homes in the Borough. They are planning to become a property developer, setting up a local housing company that will be focused on delivering homes. It will operate under regulations and with finances designed to enable building. Continue reading →

Meridian Home Start is the development company of Greenwich Council. The local authority is beginning to take on its own residential scheme with them, freeing up three initial sites for redevelopment. The space will be used to create affordable housing units for rent. Continue reading →

Enfield will trial new, ultra-basic naked homes that are designed to sell for an impressive 40% less than standard new build properties. How do they achieve this? The answer is by doing away with partition walls, flooring and wall finishes, and only featuring basic plumbing. The idea is that buyers will want to do much of the finishing themselves, saving them money and allowing them to personalise more of the property to suit their needs. Continue reading →

Croydon has grown to become a desirable location for property investment amongst a global audience. This was highlighted recently when R&F, a property developer based in Guangzhou, China, completed a £60 million land purchase. They took up one of the last remaining large development sites in the town. Continue reading →

Towards the end of March Westminster City Council launched an eight week long public consultation to ask local people their thoughts on the future of the area. As part of this the policy on tall buildings in the area will be open for discussion. So too will best ways to manage growth in the Borough in the future. Continue reading →