Housing and Regeneration News October 2007

The Campaign to Protect Rural England has published research which shows 17 major developers have increased their banked land by 44% between 1998 and 2005. The research forms part of the campaign’s submission to the Office of Fair Trading’s inquiry into leading housebuilders sitting on land with planning permission.
A report by the Work Foundation claims that the future of the UK’s economy will come from the knowledge-based industries, which is presently a predominantly London and South-East phenomenon. The report shows that whilst 67% of all jobs in the South-East and London are knowledge-based, the North has a much lower percentage. The report’s author said, “The numbers of high-skill, high-pay, high-productivity jobs in London and the South-East have made the region the powerhouse of the national economy, and this means that other city regions must renew efforts to avoid being left behind.” For more details see the UK Competitiveness Index Commentary Paper.
According to a survey for the national skills body The Academy for Sustainable Communities, there will be a surplus of housing and neighbourhood renewal experts by 2012. The survey of 763 people also showed that there will be shortages of people in economic development, physical regeneration, planning, transport and sustainable development. For more information see www.ascskills.org.uk/pages/research/mind-the-skills-gap
Human Geographer Danny Dorlings has produced an ‘atlas of identity’ in Britain. The atlas looks at people living in each parliamentary constituency, particularly those who are classed as “core poor” or “breadline poor’. Core poor is defined as those who are materially deprived, and breadline poor as those who are financially excluded from the norms of society. 13 constituencies have an increase in the number of breadline poor of 10% or more between 1990 and 2000, seven of which were in London. For more details see Poverty, Wealth and Place in Britain 1968-2005 on our publications section
According to a study by property consultancy Savilles, Buy-to-Let investors are improving housing quality and reducing rents. The study also claims that a strong rented sector supports a mobile workforce that is vital for the region’s economy. For more details see The Buy to Let Market in the South-East.
A report by the British Chamber of Commerce claims that formalised partnerships between the private sector and local councils could help cities with their regeneration priorities. The report argues that devolving powers to a sub-regional level would encourage joint working between councils and businesses. Director General David Frost said “Cities all over the country are reaping the benefits of councils forming constructive relationships with business groups. Building on this through a more defined sub-regional development framework will sustain this”. For more details see A Tale of the Cities.
According to a survey on British gambling the number of adults gambling has fallen since 1999, while levels of problem gambling have remained the same. The number of people gambling has fallen from 72% to 68% since 1999, mainly because of a fall in the number of lottery ticket sales. The government will use the survey when reconsidering whether to allow the building of a Supercasino. The British Gambling Prevalence Survey can be found on our publications section.
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper has announced that the new body for co-ordinating the government’s plans for housing growth will be called the Homes and Communities Agency. The Department said the name “reflects its role in delivering new homes and in regenerating existing and creating new communities”.
English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation have published an urban design manual. The guide says that community involvement, adequate resources, built form, landscape, ecology and materials are all vital considerations. For more details see Urban Design Compendium 2.