Housebuilding in 2011: The year that was – and what’s in store for new homes development in 2012

This year has been a significant one for the house building industry, with headline-grabbing challenges and changes happening throughout the year. It was a busy one for the NHBC Foundation too, as we published a range of reports to help and inform the house building industry both today, in some of the most testing circumstances, and into the future. We’ll recap some of those later, but first, a look back at some of the year’s key house building news.

Housing Supply

Despite hopeful signs of improvement early in 2011, there has been no real growth in the housing market this year, and according to some commentators the UK is on the brink – if not already experiencing – a housing crisis.

In part to tackle this lack of supply into the housing market, as well as increase affordability and access to finance, the Government launched its Housing Strategy for England in November. The Strategy offers, “support to deliver new homes and support aspiration”, through a variety of measures, including a new build mortgage indemnity scheme and a £400 million investment fund to support small and medium builders. The strategy was cautiously welcomed by much of the house building industry, with a sense that the devil will be in the detail and in implementation.

The Housing Strategy was published some months after the draft National Planning Policy Framework, which came out in the summer. The Framework sets out, “the Government’s vision of sustainable development, which should be interpreted and applied locally to meet local aspirations”. It met a mixed response, with very vocal support from some camps, and criticism from others. And, the NPPF has this week come under the spotlight again as a CLG committee report called for parts of the policy to be re-written.

Sustainability and Zero Carbon Homes

The topic of Zero Carbon Homes has been high on the agenda for much of this year. In March, the Government launched its draft Carbon Plan, reaffirming its commitment to, “ensuring that new-build homes are zero carbon by 2016.” However, once the Budget was unveiled later that month, it was announced that, “from 2016, new homes will no longer have to make a net addition of zero to the carbon footprint of the UK’s overall housing stock.”

Following the budget announcement, the Government pushed forth with its Energy Act, culminating in the publication of the Green Deal consultation in November. The Government’s plan is to incentivise the installation of energy saving measures in buildings at no upfront cost to consumers, via a financing system. This plan has been much-debated throughout the year, with critics saying that take-up will be limited. This scepticism was further fuelled in November, when the Government announced a 50% cut in subsidies for solar power through Feed in Tariffs; a move that was this week found to be legally flawed by the high court.

Our work

 Among a number of policies, reports and strategies coming from Government and the housing industry, we at the NHBC Foundation have been busy producing a range of reports and guides to address key issues and challenges in house building. We’ve looked at a range of topics, from how occupants behave and interact with their homes, to energy saving in homes across the globe and from roof-mounted microgeneration technologies to the detail around changes to Part L and Part F.

Looking forward to 2012

2012 is shaping up to be equally busy and we already have the following reports planned for the New Year:

• Housing Supply: future of the Housebuilding industry

• User interface design and occupant behaviour in low carbon homes

• Energy efficient appliances and controls

• Building homes at speed: risks and rewards

• Review of overheating in highly insulated homes

• Microgeneration technologies in new housing: technological trajectories and user experiences

• Changing attitudes to zero carbon homes among occupiers, Housebuilders and Housing Associations

So, looking to the year ahead, all that is left to do is wish you all a merry Christmas and best wishes for 2012.