Published by Blakes for more
than a quarter of a century
than a quarter of a century
King Sturge Residential
NOT JUST BUZZ WORDS OR JARGON
The growth of the social housing sector has been exponential since the late 1990s when King Sturge was involved in the early large-scale voluntary transfers. They have continued their involvement, embracing initiatives instigated either locally or at central government level.
The current Government has been active in seeking a sea change in some of the approaches and understandings within the housing sector generally and the social housing sector in particular. The Government is committed to introducing licensing for houses in multiple occupation and a new health and safety rating system to replace the current fitness standard. These proposed changes follow initiatives to improve the buying and selling process and a provision to aid the homeless and the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. Reforming the planning system to ease the paths of planning application, even those that are seen as most controversial, is coming to fruition. Working behind the scene, King Sturge has been involved in a lot of this work either in the form of raw or in direct or indirect implementation.
The general drive to improve the application of resources started with a comprehensive review and consultation culminating in the publishing in April 2000 of "Quality and Choice - a decent home for all". Such a major report naturally received great attention. The Government, after analysing the response to its Green Paper, announced a spending review on housing which sought to deliver the resources to implement proposals.
A wider range of landlords is proposed for social housing and local authorities are to receive additional investment to improve their stock and establish arms length management organisations (ALMO). King Sturge is and has been involved in some larger schemes where ALMO will be established.
The transfer of council housing to non-profit making registered social landlords has continued where tenants have balloted positively. The skills of King Sturge valuers have been applied to these large pieces of work.
The Private Finance Initiative has been used to bring private sector money into housing situations to solve particular issues. King Sturge has carried research to inform the start of the process and participated in the final solution.
The planning system has been bemoaned by many as requiring review because it no longer addressed the needs of landowners, developers or others with vested interest. In 2001 a Green Paper was published indicating a fundamental change to the system bringing in Regional Planning Bodies and Spatial Strategy. Additionally the Green Paper, now a Bill, includes changes to the Compulsory Purchase rules. Overall King Sturge supports the changes that came into force in summer 2004.
Throughout, the press, almost on a daily basis, and in common parlance for those who work in or are connected in some way to the housing sector, key words and phrases continually reappear. Sustainability, bed & breakfast and sustainable communities are examples of such words and phrases. Although their meaning may be obvious to the casual observer, a more fundamental and profound change is under way.
It seems only a short while ago since John Egan espoused his principles in accelerating the house building system in order to render it more efficient and thereby lower the cost of construction to ultimately make dwellings more affordable. In the world of rapidly accelerating house prices such principles have been swallowed up but they have no less an impact.
A large number of initiatives are happening but taking over from the principles of John Egan are the issues of sustainability, bed & breakfast accommodation and the creation of sustainable communities. King Sturge is at the sharp end of the issue being involved and being willing to be involved to push these laudable principles forward.
Sustainability is a buzzword adopted by most leading developers, who see the marketing potential of demonstrating their eco-friendly credentials. At its crudest, sustainability means ensuring homes are fully insulated. The truth is insulation is only the tip of the iceberg. Sustainability is almost a religion for some and as is the way with these things, all will not experience Damascus-type conversions. Change will be a gradual process rather than an overnight event.
The mistake should not be made in thinking this is 'pie in the sky' as a head of steam is being created. King Sturge is working in bringing non-traditional forms of construction to the UK. Teething troubles aside, alternative construction forms may result in faster build times and the lowering of the cost base to provide general acceptability by the occupying public.
A few developers are taking sustainability as far as technology now will permit. The BEDZED scheme at Beddington was merely the first incarnation of 'future' thinking. Grey water recycling, combined heat and power plants and reed beds are the start of the future. King Sturge has been talking to some of those in the forefront of this work, which will see the use in some building designs of wind-power for electricity generation on a small scale.
Sustainability is not restricted to the physical elements and the technical performance of structure. Although important one should not forget that structures are put in place for people coming together to build communities. Disjointing of communities has become another major issue. The lack of community cohesion leads to increasing urban isolation and climbing crime rates. King Sturge is seeing a change in estate design, which now incorporates community buildings, creches and live/work dwellings to act as a counter to this dysfunction. King Sturge supports this approach to design.
Those less fortunate than most find themselves shunted from pillar to post on the infamous bed & breakfast round. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is forcing the pace on change to this practice acting on the Government pledge to minimise homelessness and rough sleeping.
Social housing has come of age and indeed, is driving forward new ways of thought and innovative development. King Sturge has grown with this vital sector and leads the way on many of these initiatives, seeing past the bandwagon of jargon and buzzwords.
The current Government has been active in seeking a sea change in some of the approaches and understandings within the housing sector generally and the social housing sector in particular. The Government is committed to introducing licensing for houses in multiple occupation and a new health and safety rating system to replace the current fitness standard. These proposed changes follow initiatives to improve the buying and selling process and a provision to aid the homeless and the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. Reforming the planning system to ease the paths of planning application, even those that are seen as most controversial, is coming to fruition. Working behind the scene, King Sturge has been involved in a lot of this work either in the form of raw or in direct or indirect implementation.
The general drive to improve the application of resources started with a comprehensive review and consultation culminating in the publishing in April 2000 of "Quality and Choice - a decent home for all". Such a major report naturally received great attention. The Government, after analysing the response to its Green Paper, announced a spending review on housing which sought to deliver the resources to implement proposals.
A wider range of landlords is proposed for social housing and local authorities are to receive additional investment to improve their stock and establish arms length management organisations (ALMO). King Sturge is and has been involved in some larger schemes where ALMO will be established.
The transfer of council housing to non-profit making registered social landlords has continued where tenants have balloted positively. The skills of King Sturge valuers have been applied to these large pieces of work.
The Private Finance Initiative has been used to bring private sector money into housing situations to solve particular issues. King Sturge has carried research to inform the start of the process and participated in the final solution.
The planning system has been bemoaned by many as requiring review because it no longer addressed the needs of landowners, developers or others with vested interest. In 2001 a Green Paper was published indicating a fundamental change to the system bringing in Regional Planning Bodies and Spatial Strategy. Additionally the Green Paper, now a Bill, includes changes to the Compulsory Purchase rules. Overall King Sturge supports the changes that came into force in summer 2004.
Throughout, the press, almost on a daily basis, and in common parlance for those who work in or are connected in some way to the housing sector, key words and phrases continually reappear. Sustainability, bed & breakfast and sustainable communities are examples of such words and phrases. Although their meaning may be obvious to the casual observer, a more fundamental and profound change is under way.
It seems only a short while ago since John Egan espoused his principles in accelerating the house building system in order to render it more efficient and thereby lower the cost of construction to ultimately make dwellings more affordable. In the world of rapidly accelerating house prices such principles have been swallowed up but they have no less an impact.
A large number of initiatives are happening but taking over from the principles of John Egan are the issues of sustainability, bed & breakfast accommodation and the creation of sustainable communities. King Sturge is at the sharp end of the issue being involved and being willing to be involved to push these laudable principles forward.
Sustainability is a buzzword adopted by most leading developers, who see the marketing potential of demonstrating their eco-friendly credentials. At its crudest, sustainability means ensuring homes are fully insulated. The truth is insulation is only the tip of the iceberg. Sustainability is almost a religion for some and as is the way with these things, all will not experience Damascus-type conversions. Change will be a gradual process rather than an overnight event.
The mistake should not be made in thinking this is 'pie in the sky' as a head of steam is being created. King Sturge is working in bringing non-traditional forms of construction to the UK. Teething troubles aside, alternative construction forms may result in faster build times and the lowering of the cost base to provide general acceptability by the occupying public.
A few developers are taking sustainability as far as technology now will permit. The BEDZED scheme at Beddington was merely the first incarnation of 'future' thinking. Grey water recycling, combined heat and power plants and reed beds are the start of the future. King Sturge has been talking to some of those in the forefront of this work, which will see the use in some building designs of wind-power for electricity generation on a small scale.
Sustainability is not restricted to the physical elements and the technical performance of structure. Although important one should not forget that structures are put in place for people coming together to build communities. Disjointing of communities has become another major issue. The lack of community cohesion leads to increasing urban isolation and climbing crime rates. King Sturge is seeing a change in estate design, which now incorporates community buildings, creches and live/work dwellings to act as a counter to this dysfunction. King Sturge supports this approach to design.
Those less fortunate than most find themselves shunted from pillar to post on the infamous bed & breakfast round. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is forcing the pace on change to this practice acting on the Government pledge to minimise homelessness and rough sleeping.
Social housing has come of age and indeed, is driving forward new ways of thought and innovative development. King Sturge has grown with this vital sector and leads the way on many of these initiatives, seeing past the bandwagon of jargon and buzzwords.
Nigel Bennett, Partner, King Sturge Residential
Copyright © 2006 Blake.