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He forecasted house-price growth of 4% in 2020, despite the wider economic gloom, and anticipated that activity would continue strongly into 2021 before flattening, with further growth to come as the economy reverts to pre-Covid levels by 2023.
Planning reform, the repurposing of surplus retail space, and sustainability would all impact supply, while limited mortgage availability would increasingly push first-time buyers towards help-to-buy, shared ownership, and renting, he said.
When the minister arrived, he reassured delegates that housebuilding and construction would lie at the centre of the UK’s economic recovery.
Having failed to mention build-to-rent in his recently published planning-reform white paper, he risked compounding the offence by also neglecting to mention it in his speech.
But under questioning from event chair Mark Easton, he insisted the government did indeed “strongly support build-to-rent” and was “working very closely with institutional investors to encourage more of those homes in all parts of the country.”
Government action had kept the housing market moving, he said, with its temporary SDLT cut seeing 40,000 more buyers rush to meet the chancellor’s SDLT deadline, and mortgage applications surging to a 12-month high.
In the following session, Rob Perrins, CEO of Berkeley Group, said this – alongside the unwinding of help-to-buy – left housebuilders “worried about a cliff edge in March 2021”, and argued that market stimuli should be extended.
Geeta Nanda, CEO of housing association Metropolitan Thames Valley, welcomed the government’s focus on housing supply, but said: “We need the grants, we need the land and we need the planning reform to be able to deliver affordable housing for all.”
Social impact was the focus of the following session, outlining how businesses could bring climate and ESG policy from the business periphery to its heart.
Instinctif Partners’ Mike Barry advised companies to respond to these challenges now in order to “win big” in the 2020s, while Barratt Developments’ Bukky Bird outlined how sustainability was increasingly key to its stakeholders.
After lunch, panelists debated an old RESI favourite: planning reform. New zonal land allocations had the potential to “turbocharge” local plans and engage communities, said Victoria Hills, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute.
“Let’s bring together the key players with money to spend in education, health, [and] infrastructure at a city/regional sub-level, align investment strategies and effectively fast-track building projects,” she said.
During the afternoon’s keynote speech, Vicky Pryce, chief economic advisor at the Centre for Economics and Business Research, stressed that “uncertainty remains the key message underlining the economic outlook”, due to Brexit and Covid and their knock-on impact on employment and consumer confidence.
Paul Bashir of Harrison Street and Richard Jackson of Apache Capital – who together are funding seven Moda Living developments as part of their build-to-rent platform – both saw macro-economic and demographic trends driving investor interest into the living sectors.
Richard Jackson added: “Post-first lockdown, we’ve seen an acceleration of lettings – now averaging 10 a week – and are ahead of underwriting” at Angel Gardens, Apache Capital’s flagship scheme with Moda in Manchester.
Another target of investor interest was modern methods of construction (MMC), with panelists on a later session in agreement that 25% of homes would incorporate MMC by the end of this decade, although still below the 40% seen today in Nordic countries.
Dave Sheridan, executive chairman at ilke Homes, said growth was driven by production cost, product satisfaction, and the need to build to net-zero, which ilke Homes now offers as a mass-market solution for clients.
This was echoed by Caroline Dove, partner at HTA Design, who said the post-Covid home of the future would be “beautiful, high-quality, green and mainly modular”.
Smart technology and the internet of things will support the transition to sustainable, post-Covid living in build-to-rent, the day’s final session heard.
Moda board director of Brand, Oscar Brooks, said: “By integrating tech properly, we can drive convenience for the end-user so they have more time to spend doing things they enjoy.”
A sentiment that applied just as neatly to this year’s online-only RESI conference itself. More
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The Wonderful Barn in Leixlip, Co Kildare, provides the perfect backdrop to the stunning Barnhall Meadows development by Glenveagh Homes.
Situated on the edge of Castletown House estate, formerly belonging to the Conolly family, the corkscrew-shaped building – which was built in 1743 – sits in front of these new architecturally designed, 2 and 3 bed homes which have prices starting from €320,000.
The Wonderful Barn overlooks Barnhall Meadows in Leixlip, Co Kildare
As well as providing a protected 4 acre parkland area right beside these fabulous new homes, the enchanting Wonderful Barn also forms part of the scenic 16km Arthur’s Way Heritage Trail which provides a superb walking, running or cycling route for local residents.
Barnhall Meadows takes its name from The Wonderful Barn and is further evidence of developers’ Glenveagh’s appreciation of the past. They might be a young company but they appreciate their history and even the brochures for this new development have been designed in such a way as to encapsulate the inside of the barn.
The Wonderful Barn is described as a fairy tale-style building and you can create your own wonderful story in Barnhall Meadows – a development which truly blends the best of town and country. The aforementioned walk and scenery brings peace and tranquility while Leixlip with its wide range of services and amenities – including two railway stations with regular links to the capital and further afield – has all you could ever need on your doorstep.
Following the hugely successful previous launch in Barnhall Meadows, Glenveagh Homes have now released new 2 and 3 bed semi-detached and detached houses to the market.
The living room of The Juniper 3 bed detached house
Barnhall Meadows offers the discerning purchaser spacious accommodation, stylish, contemporary kitchens & bathrooms, a maintenance free exterior finish & an ‘A3’ energy rating as standard, thanks to high levels of insulation and state-of-the-art heat pump systems.
The development also boasts one of the best buyer incentive packages on the market today with all appliances and flooring are included subject to the purchaser signing and returning contracts within 21 days.
One of the bedrooms in The Juniper 3 bed detached house
In terms of location, Barnhall Meadows is unrivalled with the N4/M4 & M50 all within close proximity. For those doing the daily commute to Dublin, the City Centre is under 30 minutes away by car. Dublin Bus also provides a regular service (No 66) as does Irish Rail with Louisa Bridge & Confey train stations close by.
The Poplar 3 bed end of terrace/semi-detached house
For families with school-age children, there are quite a few creches, as well as Scoil Mhuire and Leixlip Educate Together primary schools. For older kids, Confey College, Leixlip Community School, and Colaiste Chiarain offer secondary educational opportunities. Additionally, Maynooth University is only 15 minutes away.
The living room in The Poplar 3 bed end of terrace/semi-detached house
Leixlip town has plenty to offer residents of all ages with local athletics, including GAA, soccer, rugby and basketball clubs. Leixlip Reservoir and the River Liffey allow for canoeing, fishing, and other water sports. Whether you’re walking around the Wonderful Barn, or taking a jaunt down to Leixlip Castle, you’ll have a wide array of historical spots to visit, adding some culture to your weekends.
The kitchen of The Poplar 3 bed end of terrace/semi-detached house
Weekends can be filled with shopping, dining out or taking in the local scenery with Leixlip & its surrounds offering a wide variety of boutiques, restaurants, bars & natural features including, the aforementioned ‘Wonderful Barn’, Leixlip Castle & the Arthurs Way heritage trail.
Glenveagh Homes are synonymous with quality, precision & a strong focus on providing the highest standard of finish from construction right through to landscaping.
The bedroom of The Poplar 3 bed end of terrace/semi-detached house
Through joint agents Savills New Homes and Coonan New Homes, Glenveagh Homes are releasing a number of 2 and 3 bedroom houses to the market. Find out more now at www.myhome.ie/4373808 or visit www.barnhallmeadows.ie
The Barnhall Meadows price list winter 2020 More
