Hometrack's monthly survey for December shows that in 2010 overall house prices fell by 1.6%. They are projecting a further fall of 2% in 2011 as a result of weak demand, falling supply and a lack of mortgage finance. The RICS Housing Market Forecast supports this, also expecting a 2% fall in 2011. A new report, New Housing Pipeline published by the Home Builders Federation shows that planning approvals in quarter 3 of 2010 were at their lowest level for five years.

Details of 2010 performance are now starting to come through. Miller Group said sales were down 16% with 1,915 completions. Bovis also announced that they had completed on 1,901 homes in 2010, but this was up 5% on 2009.

In the commercial office sector, DTZ state that a significant degree of confidence has returned to the Central London leasing market. Availability has fallen nearly 25% since its peak in mid-2009. Nearly 85% of lettings have been in newly built or refurbished space. This has reflected the appetite of occupiers to upgrade the quality of their premises while rents were still low and incentives high.

DTZ predicts that occupiers looking for large grade A space requirements post-2012, particularly in the City and Docklands markets, will actively look to negotiate pre-letting agreements in 2011. More occupiers will also be forced to consider refurbished or good quality second-hand buildings. This view is supported by Capita Symonds who in their January report say that 2010 overall has been a year in which Central London markets have recovered strongly. The outlook outside London is less encouraging, particularly in the north - where little new development is evident and rents generally remain stagnant. "We are likely to see the gap widen still further in 2011, particularly given that demand for office space in other regions will be more heavily constrained by public sector cuts and rising unemployment," says Alan Dornford, director, Capita Symonds' real estate division.

Finally, Glenigan have just published their review of construction prospects for 2011 which is available for download.

CLG have not been idle in recent weeks announcing various initiatives linked to Localism. Communities minister Andrew Stunell has announced plans to get empty properties back into use as part of Supporting Communities and Neighbourhoods in Planning initiative. It is estimated that there are 300,000 long term empty properties across the UK. To encourage local councils to tackle the problem the government is pledging to match the council tax raised for every property brought back into use.

Just before Christmas Andrew Stunell also announced that changes will be made to the Building Regulations to reduce the regulatory burden on builders, making it easier and cheaper for them to comply. The programme results from an exercise that asked the industry to identify the changes that really needed to be made, either to the technical standards themselves or the regime more generally to secure compliance. He also set out plans to examine a number of regulations, including Part P, where there may be an opportunity to not only reduce the cost to business, but also improve compliance.

Opportunities for Self Builders can expect to improve, with Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, stating that "Barriers that stand in people's way will be torn down - including a complex and bureaucratic planning system, regulatory burdens, and lack of access to land and finance." The government will work with the National Self Build Association to find ways to make it easier for self builders.

During 2010 the Homes & Communities Agency ran a consultation on Design and Sustainability Standards. Although they will not now progress these standards, they have published a report summarising the findings. They will now have an enabling role, working with local authorities to help ensure that design and sustainability are considered alongside other priorities for housing in each area.

Listed below are some forthcoming events that might be of interest, three of them happening on 10th February. A chance to get full value from a visit to London if you live outside the capital:

Communicating with Architects

10^th February: 14.00 - 17.00 at the Building Centre

Crossrail Briefing

10^th February: from 9.30 at Canary Wharf London

Countdown to Zero

10^th February: 9.00 - 13.00 at the Building Centre

Construction Industry Overview

8^th March: 9.00 - 16.00 at the Building Centre

Effective Specification Selling

15^th March: 9.00 - 16.00 at the Building Centre

Key Account Management

22^nd March: 9.00 - 16.00 at the Building Centre

For information on more events see the Competitive Advantage website.