Addressing the shortage of four and five bedroom family homes should be prioritised, says housebuilder
Political focus on affordable housing and first time buyers is 鈥渄isproportionate and misguided when placed in a wider market context鈥�, according to upmarket housebuilder Cala Homes.
In a trading statement, the Edinburgh-based group, which operates in the south of England, the Midlands and in parts of Scotland, said that while support for affordable housing and first time buyers was important, 鈥渁ddressing the shortage of four and five bedroom family homes should be prioritised in order to encourage movement further up the housing ladder鈥�.
Focusing more on providing homes through the life cycle for home buyers, versus an approach which prioritises one level of housing, 鈥渟hould effectively enhance the volume of housing transactions up and down the UK housing ladder鈥�, Cala said.
Reform of the UK鈥檚 planning environment was urgently required, the group added, with 鈥渄elays in the process, most notably in the signing of section 106 and 278 agreements, the clearing of pre-start conditions and unnecessary planning appeals despite officer support鈥� undermining its ability to 鈥渂uild the family homes the country so badly needs鈥�.
Cala鈥檚 comments came as it said it expected to post turnover in excess of 拢700m for the year to the end of June, versus 拢587.1m in 2015/16.
The business saw 34 new sites 鈥� 3,199 plots 鈥� contracted during the year with a potential gross development value of 拢1.3bn. It said its average selling price fell to 拢497,000 鈥� down from 拢538,000 a year earlier 鈥� which the firm attributed to a continued shift away from the 拢1m-plus market.
No comments yet