Trade body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has expressed its concern at latest Scottish Government housing statistics which show marked drops in housing association completions and approvals. HFS Director of Policy Fionna Kell said: “Whilst overall levels of housing delivery are up on last year’s figures, it is extremely concerning to
Home building body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has announced the shortlist for its 2022 awards programme as it plans for a return to the largest annual gathering of its kind where winners will be announced. With a focus on “going the extra mile” to deliver developments or practices which stand
Too many people in housing need in Scotland are not being counted, MSPs have been told (today). Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee as it scrutinises the draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive of trade body Homes for Scotland, said:
The Scottish home building industry today called on the Scottish Government to issue a clear statement of intent on the need to deliver 25,000 new homes of all tenures each year and to mandate public agencies to work in partnership with developers across sectors to achieve this. According to trade
The home building industry has warmly welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that construction can move to Phase 2 of its restart plan which will see sites begin to open up again with workers following strict social distancing and hygiene controls. Providing further confidence for both prospective customers and builders, the
Trade body Homes for Scotland has refreshed its brand, reflecting the overarching purpose of its new five-year strategy and the organisation’s clear call to action of delivering more homes for Scotland. Unveiled at its recent Annual Lunch in Edinburgh in front of a crowd of 1100 senior industry representatives and
Official statistics have been released regarding Scotland’s home builders, showing a 3% increase in new house building for 2017-18 (17,731) compared with the previous year (17,293) but highlighted a mixed picture in the detail of the figures, with 16% fewer (532) private sector-led homes completed in Q1 2018 compared with
Most recently, Homes for Scotland’s shortlist has recently been announced for Scotland’s premier industry awards, coming at a time when the organisation is in preparation of its biggest celebratory event yet and highlighting great achievement within the sector. As a reflection of the vast range of organisation archetypes maintained within
Trade body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has expressed its concern at latest Scottish Government housing statistics which show marked drops in housing association completions and approvals. HFS Director of Policy Fionna Kell said: “Whilst overall levels of housing delivery are up on last year’s figures, it is extremely concerning to see that housing association completions have dropped by 17 per cent (620 homes) and quite staggering that approvals have fallen by 54 per cent (3090 homes). “Unfortunately, this chimes with what our members have been telling us. Highlighting the interconnectedness of the whole housing system, rising costs have hit those delivering homes to both the public and private sectors extremely hard. Grant funding levels must be reviewed, as a matter of urgency, to reflect these exceptional circumstances and arrest this decline otherwise we will see ever decreasing numbers of affordable homes coming through the pipeline.” Kell’s comments follow a recent HFS report highlighting that Scotland’s cumulative housing shortfall since the global financial crisis is now approaching 100,000 homes.
Home building body Homes for Scotland (HFS) has announced the shortlist for its 2022 awards programme as it plans for a return to the largest annual gathering of its kind where winners will be announced. With a focus on “going the extra mile” to deliver developments or practices which stand out from the crowd, those companies making the judges’ first cut are: Development of the Year – large (100+ units) sponsored by Hacking and Paterson Barratt and David Wilson HomesThe Strand, Edinburgh CCG (with South Lanarkshire Council hub South West)Whitlawburn Regeneration, Glasgow Link Group & McTaggart ConstructionRiverside Dalmarnock, Glasgow Places for PeopleChapelton, Aberdeenshire Springfield PropertiesBertha Park, Perth Stewart Milne GroupDunnottar Park, Stonehaven Development of the Year – medium (26-99 units)sponsored by VELUX CALA Homes (East)Boroughmuir Phase 2, Edinburgh CCG (with City of Edinburgh Council)Bingham Avenue, Edinburgh Cruden Homes (East)Bonnington Mill, Edinburgh Lovell PartnershipsClaish Farm, Stirlingshire Westpoint HomesOne Hyndland Avenue, Glasgow Whiteburn ProjectsCaerlee Mill Phase 2, Innerleithen Development of the Year – small (up to 25 units)sponsored by Openreach Cruden Homes (East)Muirwood Gardens Phase 1, Kinross Hadden HomesGlenluie Green, Perthshire Panacea HomesThe Primary, GlasgowRural RenaissanceDarnick Green, Melrose Innovation of the Year (Transition to Net Zero)sponsored by Shoosmiths Barratt DevelopmentsThe Z House PixelOnline selection systems Stewart Milne Group with Barratt Developments and Forster GroupAIMCH Project Associate Member of the Yearsponsored by Anderson Strathern Winner announced at the HFS Annual Lunch, with no prior shortlist released With last year seeing an amalgamated 2020/21 shortlist and virtual awards showcase due to restrictions caused by the pandemic, updates to 2022 categories include a focus on the transition to net zero within the Innovation of the Year category – designed to showcase examples of real innovation within the sector as it contributes to a national commitment of net zero emissions by 2045. In a further change, no prior shortlist has been released for the Associate Member of the Year category, with members of the HFS senior management team asked to nominate candidates within the HFS membership who have gone the extra mile, engaging with the organisation’s work and providing vital support to other members over the course of the year. Reflecting the programme’s ongoing robust judging process, the independent panel will be undertaking site visits to all those shortlisted in the Development of the Year categories alongside corresponding online interviews to determine who will take one of three headline Home Builder of the Year awards. Those shortlisted under the Innovation of the Year (Transition to Net Zero) category will also be invited to an online interview. Winners will be revealed at the Homes for Scotland Annual Lunch (sponsored by Burness Paull) at the EICC on Friday 20 May which will be hosted by impressionist and comedian Jon Culshaw. Over 900 senior industry representatives and guests are already confirmed to attend what remains the date in the Scottish home building industry calendar. Chair of the independent judging panel David Knight, former Managing Director at Avant Homes said: “I was delighted to be asked to Chair this year’s refreshed judging panel and have been hugely impressed by the demonstrations of “going above and beyond” which have been evident throughout the entries received. “Whether that be examples of innovation, diversity, sustainability measures or meeting customer needs, HFS members have shown their commitment to delivering high quality places for people to live during what remain difficult circumstances. “With the judges now set to embark on the site visit and interview stage of the process, I am very much looking forward to seeing these submissions come to life and to the difficult task of deciding upon the winners.”
Too many people in housing need in Scotland are not being counted, MSPs have been told (today). Giving evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee as it scrutinises the draft National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), Nicola Barclay, Chief Executive of trade body Homes for Scotland, said: “The national dataset on housing need takes a very limited view of what constitutes housing need, with only two very acute forms actually counted: homeless households in temporary accommodation and overcrowded households that include at least one concealed family. “But there are many groups that are not included. For example, overcrowded households, say a family with two children, a boy and a girl, but only two bedrooms; they are not counted. Neither are single person households such as adults living together in a shared flat or a single adult returning to live with their parents. “So there is a huge sector of the population that is being overlooked, they are not in the houses they want to be and are unable to live their lives to the full, starting relationships, having families etc because we are not counting them in the first place.” Whilst draft NPF4 refers to the climate emergency and nature crisis, Barclay highlighted that the document completely disregarded the housing crisis, which she described as being of equal importance and “the third leg of the stool”. She concluded: “The way NPF4 is drafted at the moment, housing will not be delivered to the people that need it and that is a fundamental concern.”
The Scottish home building industry today called on the Scottish Government to issue a clear statement of intent on the need to deliver 25,000 new homes of all tenures each year and to mandate public agencies to work in partnership with developers across sectors to achieve this. According to trade body Homes for Scotland (HFS), this would generate greater investment confidence, helping to boost the wider economy as well as providing much needed homes across the country. The call is part of a package of measures submitted to the Scottish Government to ensure the longer-term sustainability of the home building sector as it strives to recover from the impact of the Coronavirus. HFS Chief Executive Nicola Barclay said: “As the First Minister acknowledged during her Programme for Government announcement, investment in housing will make a crucial contribution to Scotland’s recovery. “A number of notable steps have already been taken to assist in ongoing housing delivery (such as the lifeline £100m emergency liquidity fund for SME home builders), but further longer-term action is required if we are to ensure we can provide the homes of all tenures that Scotland needs, with all the wide-ranging benefits this brings in terms of employment, social outcomes and economic growth. “Whilst builders may have returned to work, it is far from business as usual. Regardless of whether the properties being built are for private sale or social rent, required Covid-related measures (such as social distancing and hygiene controls) mean that fewer operatives can be on site at any one time. This in turn means that the construction of much needed homes of all tenures is taking longer and costing more. “This compounds the significant upfront expenditure incurred by developers to acquire land and complete construction, with cost recovery very often only achieved when the last properties are occupied. “Our members are doing all they can to meet pent-up demand whilst market conditions remain stable, but this is against a backdrop of never before seen levels of uncertainty for both businesses and individuals. That is why our calls are set out across the immediate and medium to longer term, encompassing private and social housing.” Barclay added: “Given its fundamental importance and strong multiplier effect, housing can be the springboard for a Scotland-wide recovery. “With the appropriate Scottish Government support, we can minimise the effects of the Coronavirus on housing delivery, SME builders, jobs and the economy. “As the First Minister herself has said, we now have an opportunity to address many of the deep-seated challenges our country faces. Let’s make getting housing sorted once and for all our top priority.”
The home building industry has warmly welcomed the First Minister’s announcement that construction can move to Phase 2 of its restart plan which will see sites begin to open up again with workers following strict social distancing and hygiene controls. Providing further confidence for both prospective customers and builders, the First Minister also confirmed the extension of the highly successful Help to Buy scheme for a further year until March 2022. Chief Executive of industry body Homes for Scotland Nicola Barclay said: “To get confirmation that home builders can now commence the re-opening of their sites is great news that hasn’t come a moment too soon given the robust safety plans that the industry has developed and put in place. With pent-up housing demand having increased with every day that has passed, we look forward to finishing off the many homes that are already largely complete and that families are desperate to move into as well as starting to get the new homes that are so desperately needed out of the ground. “Having the extension of the Help to Buy scheme announced at the same time is also a much required confidence booster for the housing market that will help ensure even more younger Scots can benefit from this hugely successful initiative and realise their aspirations of owning their own home. “The First Minister paid tribute to the very responsible approach that has been adopted by the industry during the lockdown, and this is a sentiment I wish to echo loudly. Home builders have stepped up to the plate supporting their customers, employees and local communities, and this will continue as we look forward to working closely with government and other stakeholders to rebuild Scotland’s economy.”
Trade body Homes for Scotland has refreshed its brand, reflecting the overarching purpose of its new five-year strategy and the organisation’s clear call to action of delivering more homes for Scotland. Unveiled at its recent Annual Lunch in Edinburgh in front of a crowd of 1100 senior industry representatives and guests, the refresh provides a strong new identity which clearly reflects the organisation’s main purpose to its members as well as consumers and wider stakeholders. Chief Executive Nicola Barclay said: “This bold new logo perfectly complements our organisation’s key objectives and core values as set out in our strategy. These include improving the understanding and image of the industry, influencing stakeholders and supporting a growing membership. “It adds further strength to our voice and credibility as we engage with all those who have an interest in increasing vital housing supply and bolsters our commitment to delivering more high-quality homes that meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Scotland.” Homes for Scotland’s strategy sets out the direction and prioritisation of our objectives until 2023. Our wish is that everyone with an interest in increasing housing supply can unify around our primary purpose which is: to deliver more homes. The strategy is can be accessed here.
Official statistics have been released regarding Scotland’s home builders, showing a 3% increase in new house building for 2017-18 (17,731) compared with the previous year (17,293) but highlighted a mixed picture in the detail of the figures, with 16% fewer (532) private sector-led homes completed in Q1 2018 compared with the same quarter in 2017. With the private sector playing a key role in assisting the Scottish Government to meet its ambitious affordable housing targets, Chief Executive at representative body Homes for Scotland (HFS) Nicola Barclay commented: “We are encouraged to note these latest statistics indicate a positive overall picture for affordable housing approvals as well as the wider sector. Whilst the extreme weather conditions earlier in the year made delivery challenging, it is essential that we are not complacent when it comes to our efforts to increase supply across all tenures. “As well as enabling increased activity from smaller builders, sustained confidence from investors is essential to support growth from medium to larger builders within a competitive UK environment. It is also crucial that the labour market is geared up across the sector, with skills shortages already creating challenges on sites across Scotland. “In addition to the above, the Planning (Scotland) Bill represents a key opportunity to recalibrate our planning system so it can deliver what the people of Scotland need: enough high-quality homes in the right places to meet need and demand. HFS is working hard to persuade politicians and communities that a good system is one in which we collaborate effectively in order that precious time, resource and funds can be channeled into the development of vibrant places and the delivery of more homes.”
Most recently, Homes for Scotland’s shortlist has recently been announced for Scotland’s premier industry awards, coming at a time when the organisation is in preparation of its biggest celebratory event yet and highlighting great achievement within the sector. As a reflection of the vast range of organisation archetypes maintained within the Homes for Scotland membership portfolio, this year’s awards feature a realignment of the categories so as best to highlight the core membership activity – the building of homes to tie in with a range of differing needs, aspirations and requirements. As such, the event is far more targeted and relevant to the interests and operations of the member base than ever before. Of all those entries shortlisted this year, the entirely revamped programme is to involve site-visits for all those shortlisted within the Private and Affordable Housing Development award categories. This will be done by a wholly independent judging panel. Additionally, those in the shortlist for the Private “Development of the Year” category are also to be put up for consideration for the “Home Builder of the Year” award, which will also incorporate interviews and a great deal of scrutiny to best ensure that the winner truly does represent the best in the industry. Those wishing to keep a close eye on the winners of the awards are advised that winners are to be announced on the 20th of May, at the Homes for Scotland Annual Lunch. The event will be at the EICC and will, in fact, be hosted by Hugh Dennis, renowned comedian and actor. Now enjoying a 14th year in operation, this year’s event is expected to build upon the last, with the event thus far achieving yearly growth. In fact, for this year’s event, it has already been reported that greater than 1000 guests, all key industry representatives, have confirmed attendance for the upcoming event.
