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27th February 2015
Boris Johnson has pledged £5m to help Londoners build their own homes. The money will support the construction of around 150 homes on disused sites. Would-be self-builders are encouraged to bid for a slice of the funding. If successful, the scheme could be expanded to deliver 10,000 new self-build homes over the next decade.
Evening Standard (23/02/15)
27th February 2015
George Osborne and Boris Johnson have outlined an ambitious housebuilding and infrastructure programme for London over the next 15 years. The chancellor pledged to boost the capital's economy by £6.4bn by 2030, create 500,000 extra jobs, build 400,000 homes and invest £10bn in transport. The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry broadly welcomed the spending announcements; Colin Stanbridge, chief executive, said: "The measures to boost house building 'and' address the chronic housing shortage in London are particularly welcome".
Financial Times (21/02/15)
27th February 2015
Figures from the Office for National Statistics last week showed house prices rose 9.8% in the year to December. However, the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) expects a 0.6% fall in average house prices this year, and a sharper drop of 3.3% in the capital. It predicts the Bank rate will not rise until February 2016 because of continued low inflation.
The Sunday Times (22/02/15)
20th February 2015
The Evening Standard takes a look at the various environmentally friendly housing schemes evolving in London. Royal Wharf in Docklands leads the way with 3,385 homes being built to a design by Glenn Howells, based on Georgian designs such as Bloomsbury’s Bedford Estate with homes built around squares, public gardens and parks. Prices begin at £695,000, going all the way up to £1.1m for a four-bedroom house with up to 2,457sq ft of space. The first homes are due to be ready for 2016. Also highlighted is East Village in Stratford, which is part of the QEII park, and where rents for a four-bedroom town house begin at £600 a week.
Evening Standard, Homes & Property (18/02/15)
20th February 2015
A number of new homes have along East London’s extensive canal network have come to market, offering waterside views at prices starting from just £250,000. A new scheme of 90 homes at Royal Quay overlooking Limehouse Cut features apartments set behind original warehouse facades, with exposed brickwork and high ceilings, set in a quiet, car-free environment with excellent transport links to both Canary Wharf and Central London.
Evening Standard, Homes & Property (20/02/15)
20th February 2015
The Halifax has found that a mortgage on a first home is now £742 cheaper than renting a similar property. Five years ago, renters paid around £15 less each month than those buying their own home, but now they pay £62 more. In London, the differential grew to £112 a month, the biggest UK-wide in cash terms.
The Guardian (14/02/15)