United Kingdom Industry News

25/05/2012

SME House Builders Can Help Tackle Housing Crisis, Says FMB Wales

SME House Builders could help tackle the housing crisis says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Wales in response to the Welsh Assembly Government's Housing White Paper.

Richard Jenkins, Director of FMB Wales, said: "The scale of the housing problem is now so enormous in Wales that we need to double the supply of new homes over the next 20 years, if we are to meet rising demand. If the Welsh Assembly Government is serious about dealing with the housing crisis it is going to have to take bold and decisive action to get small house builders back into the market."

Mr Jenkins continued: "Since the 1980s the number of small and medium-sized house builders has been steadily decreasing and yet they are often best placed to deliver choice in the types of homes built in local communities. Small builders are also the most prolific in Wales, with 94% of firms employing no more than 14 people. Research from the London School of Economics (LSE) also suggests that there are sufficient micro sites within our existing towns and cities to satisfy our housing need. However, to exploit these, a healthy SME house building sector is required. The problem is that FMB research also shows that these sites are around 70% more expensive to build on than larger developments. The procurement strategies and land release policies of most local authorities and other public sector organisations in Wales are geared towards the large contractors."

- - - - - - Advertisement - - - - - -

Mr Jenkins added: "The Government’s proposed introduction of a new scheme to provide 95% mortgages for first-time buyers of new-build homes is a welcome step as availability of mortgage finance is a key issue killing off housing demand. Typically a mortgage now requires a 20%-25% deposit with the result that the average first time buyer is now aged 37. Last year only 15% of mortgages required a 10% deposit as compared to 40% before 2008."

(CD)

Bookmark and Share

Top Stories
17/05/2013
Lovell Awarded Development Frameworks
17/05/2013
Bromley Museum Plans Take A Step Forward
17/05/2013
Willmott Dixon Awarded £4.5m Projects
17/05/2013
Balfour Beatty Joins Launch Of 'Creating Britain's Future' Campaign
17/05/2013
Carillion Launches Annual Sustainability Report
17/05/2013
Pupils Get Involved In Restoration Project
17/05/2013
M2 Global Investments Reach Agreement With HCA
17/05/2013
Pinewood Planning Application Rejected
17/05/2013
Chauncey's Oak Flooring in Selfridges New Wine Shop
17/05/2013
RoSPA Judges Present Instarmac With The Rare Gold Award
Construction News Archive
Submit News Story
Editorial Staff
Lovell Awarded Development Frameworks
Bromley Museum Plans Take A Step Forward
Willmott Dixon Awarded £4.5m Projects
Balfour Beatty Joins Launch Of 'Creating Britain's Future' Campaign
Carillion Launches Annual Sustainability Report
Pupils Get Involved In Restoration Project
M2 Global Investments Reach Agreement With HCA
Pinewood Planning Application Rejected
Chauncey's Oak Flooring in Selfridges New Wine Shop
RoSPA Judges Present Instarmac With The Rare Gold Award
First Phase OF HS2 Moves Forward
Vauxhall Tube Station To Be Transformed

69-Year-Old Woman Avoids Jail Over Manslaughter Charge
Govt Marks International Day Against Homophobia
IPCC Ask North Yorkshire Police For Savile Review
Poll Suggests 'Unhealthy' Drinking Culture In Parliament
Headteachers Union Sets Up Ofstead Rival
New Courts To Hear Minor Traffic Offences
1,400 More Jobs To Be Cut At RBS
NAO "Unclear" On Benefits of HS2 Project
Altruistic Organ Donations Rising
MoJ Seek To Cut Expert Witness Legal Aid Cost
Oxford Abuse Scandal: Criticised Officials Not Stepping Down
New Tougher Dog Laws 'Do Not Go far Enough'
Amazon Pay 0.1% Corporation Tax In 2012
Other News In Brief
download the build app from the app store
ppa.co.uk
Flagship Media Group Ltd
Unit C3, 6 Westbank Drive, Belfast,
BT3 9LA, Northern Ireland
Tel (+44) 28 9031 9008
Contact : Click here

keycons003 / keycons003x21 19/05/2013 14:28:46 / A6 / B5 / 0.015625, 54.234.231.49 / BOT1

SME House Builders Can Help Tackle Housing Crisis, Says FMB Wales - SME House Builders could help tackle the housing crisis says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Wales in response to the Welsh Assembly Government's Housing White Paper.
Test