Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
UK Construction Directory
Search our 157,349 companies....

Construction News

13/05/2009

Housing Pathfinders Face Testing Time As Recession Bites

Places in the North and Midlands, where the government has spent billions attempting to revive the housing market, are being hit hard by the recession and may struggle to recover.

Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders were set up in 2003 to restore confidence in areas where demand had collapsed, homes were abandoned, shops boarded up and crime rife.

But because these areas are more vulnerable to the effects of the recession, progress made to lift local economies, rebuild communities and encourage developers to build new homes could be slowed.

An Audit Commission review into the progress of pathfinders, says that the recession could not have come at a worse time for them. Six years into what was envisaged to be a 10-15 year regeneration programme, there is still much to do to ensure pathfinders have a lasting impact and they can ill afford delays.
-- Advertisement --
hss



More than 7,000 homes were built or converted in pathfinder areas in 2007/08 - as many in one year as in the previous five. But as developers now retreat from high risk areas, pathfinders will have to work harder than most to convince them to stay.

Despite the challenges ahead, the Audit Commission says that there are opportunities for pathfinders. They can take advantage of lower land prices, put in place community and physical infrastructure and make sure they are poised to make the most of the eventual upturn.

Most pathfinders are considering their options and looking at a variety of ways to beat the recession. Some are switching their focus from new build to refurbishment, concentrating on providing high priority family homes over apartment blocks or accelerating land and demolition deals.

Audit Commission Chief Executive Steve Bundred said: "The recession will prove a very testing time for pathfinders. But they have built strong foundations over the last six years and are well placed to weather the economic storm. Pathfinders must work closely with developers, re-focus their targets and keep a watchful eye on efficiency and value for money if they are to limit any potential damage and make sure they are able to make the most of the post-recession world."

(CD/JM)

Latest Construction News

13/06/2025
A vital piece of Peak District railway infrastructure is set to receive a major upgrade this summer, as Network Rail announces a £7.5 million investment into one of Chapel Milton's iconic twin Victorian viaducts. The 160-year-old, 15-arch structure plays a critical role in the UK's freight network,
13/06/2025
Morgan Sindall Construction has revealed plans to expand its operations in South Yorkshire, building on its strong delivery record in West Yorkshire and aligning with the goals of the newly launched Great North initiative. Backed by northern regional mayors, the Great North initiative aims to unloc
13/06/2025
Construction has officially commenced on the new Children's Cancer Centre (CCC) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH). Led by long-term design partner BDP, the new centre is one of the most ambitious projects in GOSH's history. The firm is overseeing architecture, landscape, engineeri
13/06/2025
The developer behind the Redworthy Orchard scheme in Yatton has handed over the first homes to a local housing association as part of a wider plan to provide affordable housing in the area. Persimmon Homes Severn Valley has transferred four new properties to Alliance Homes, a move set to ease press
13/06/2025
Wynne Construction has been awarded two major design and build contracts worth over £20 million by Adra to deliver nearly 100 new social homes across North Wales. Construction is already underway at the first site on Berse Road, Wrexham, where Wynne began work in March on a £9 million, 47-home soci
13/06/2025
Great Places Housing Group has officially broken ground on its landmark £37 million LGBTQ+ majority Extra Care housing scheme in Whalley Range, marking the start of construction during Pride Month. The scheme, hailed as the UK's first purpose-built Extra Care development of its kind, is being deliv
13/06/2025
Henry Boot PLC has announced that its property investment and development arm, HBD, has completed the sale of TWO45, a multi-let industrial-led business park in Skelmersdale, to a European real estate developer for £9.5 million. Located on a 10-acre site just minutes from the M58 and M6 motorways,
13/06/2025
Clowes Developments has announced the successful letting of Unit 5A, a newly completed 27,000 sq ft industrial unit at Stud Brook Business Park, to Shawpak Ltd, a pioneering manufacturer of medical device packaging machinery. Founded in Derby in 2013, Shawpak Ltd designs and produces a unique range
13/06/2025
The Hill Group and Legal & General (L&G) have announced a new partnership to deliver 200 affordable homes as part of the first phase of the £450 million City Centre South regeneration scheme in Coventry. This marks the first time the two organisations have collaborated on a major residential devel
13/06/2025
The historic South Crofty tin mining project in Pool, Cornwall, is set to receive a significant boost after being awarded £4,190,500 through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme, marking the largest single private sector investment by the programme to date. Delivered by Cornwall C
Stuart CanvasLakeside HireEfco UK LtdAqua Direct LtdAccess & Lifting ServicesTuffshop (Top Brands in Workwear)Glass Block Installations LtdAFI RentalIntura Daylight Ltd.Nicholson Carpentry & Joinery Ltd