Richard McCarthy
CommentIt’s time to talk about Britain’s infrastructure much more boldly
We are great at building infrastructure, but we need a revolution to make the UK the most internet-connected country
CommentNot just any old homes
Simply building more homes won’t help if they’re of the wrong type, in the wrong places – and built to inadequate standards
CommentPeak performance
The smart elements of high-performing buildings are often not fully used when the scheme is occupied. How can occupiers and landlords get the best out of these features?
Comment2017: Uncertain times
After a confusing and sometimes troubling year, the construction industry must press forward and build the houses that the government and public wants to see
CommentWhat we can do for Brexit
The best way to bolster the UK’s negotiating position in Brexit is to have a strong and growing economy. The construction industry needs pull together to show the government how it can help that to happen
CommentFeeding into the industrial strategy
The construction and development industries have a special part to play in the government’s industrial strategy. We have to optimise how we approach infrastructure and asset-use to make sure it is a success
CommentBudget 2017: A curate’s egg
Philip Hammond’s Budget was unremarkable and failed to mention housing but a number of measures could have profoundly positive knock-on effects for local development. Let’s make the best of it
CommentWe need a boring Budget
Next week the chancellor will unveil his spring Budget, let’s hope he uses it to strengthen existing policies and provide certainty rather than unleash any big surprises
Comment2017 – the fear of the unknown
After what we went through last year, who would feel confident predicting what will happen this year to the property industry? But hell, why not try?
CommentFast forward housebuilding
The government is putting both funding and policy in place to get new housing delivered more quickly and encourage small and specialist developers. Now it’s up to all parts of the industry to get a move on and build more homes
CommentCampuses are in need of a makeover
University and college campuses up and down the country need to up their game if they’re going to beat the competition in attracting top students
CommentNew homes: Time to crack on
A sense of urgency and a healthy dose of ambition is needed if there is any chance of unlocking the potential of public land across the UK and hitting the target of 1 million new homes by 2020
CommentBuild to rent: The home straight
Build to rent housing has come on in leaps and bounds and now represents a great opportunity for the construction industry, says Richard McCarthy, but we have to get it right, which means a strong commitment to a positive renter experience
CommentOlympic effort
With the Rio Olympics almost upon us, it’s worth remembering that the London Games were a shining example of British planning and development teams pulling together on a huge scale. It’s a spirit that needs to be rekindled on future projects
CommentDear minister...
As the festive season draws to a close it’s time to look at the big challenges for 2016. What would our columnist say to a new built environment minister about the year that lies ahead for the construction industry?
CommentGet Britain planning
If the government is to effectively revamp the country’s planning system, it must have local authorities at its core
CommentNew kids on the block
The shift away from local authority control of education brings its own challenges, but it also gives developers the chance to work with academies and free schools to meet community needs
CommentHousing: Use your imagination
In the quest to create more homes, we need to help and incentivise local authorities to think outside the box to identify sites for development, and perhaps even more critically, redevelopment
CommentCommitment issues
Commercial landlords know to keep their buildings looking smart and working well. But when financial pressures intrude, other sectors should follow this lead and plan to invest over the whole life of a building
CommentFinding true North
For the northern powerhouse to narrow the economic divide with the South, dynamic planning and investment on governance and transport will be needed from the get-go