McCarthy and Stone’s chief executive takes a look at what 2016 might have in store for housebuilders

What are the challenges, key developments and government policies that look set to shape 2016? Building asked key industry insiders to make a call on what they think will become the major talking points of the next 12 months. McCarthy and Stone’s chief executive Clive Fenton considers the year ahead from a housebuilder’s perspective.

Clive Fenton

Big challenge:

“While we have exciting growth plans, there’s much more potential in the retirement housing sector that won’t be met without policy support from government.  Housing is not all about starter homes. We’d like to see much more attention on the housing needs of older people, particularly as 60% of all household growth over the next 20 years will be by those in later life.”

Big story:

“The candidate who will win the London elections next May will be the one with the best housing policies. Lack of supply in the capital is a major issue, and this will be the key battleground.”

Big project:

“We will open our flagship development of 2016 at Poundbury, HRH Prince Charles’ urban extension in Dorset. It meets the architectural principles advocated by the Prince and shows how we are exploring innovative design principles, pushing the boundaries of retirement living.”