Making homes fit for the future

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), explores a potential, more sustainable future for housebuilding in the UK. This summer’s floods – and last year’s heatwaves – remind us of the importance of future-proofing Britain’s homes. Ventilation... View Article

Solving the car conundrum

Carl Pittam, development director at Ubeeqo, discusses the benefits of including shared transport facilities in new build developments to address eco goals. There is no question that tackling long-term environmental impact is a big challenge for housebuilders. And this is... View Article

An MMC revolution?

Graham Edward, managing director at Edward Architecture, answers some of the industry’s most pressing questions around modular housing, as the MMC revolution gathers pace. We are finding that local authorities and housing associations represent the core of the modular client... View Article

From the Editor

Following a secret Unesco ballot at a UN committee in China, Liverpool has been stripped of its World Heritage Status. The city had been previously warned that new developments around the city’s waterfront had resulted in a “serious deterioration” of... View Article

Making the journey to net zero

Progress towards net zero carbon 2050 is gathering pace with the Government reinforcing commitments to a series of sustainability pledges. Tom Murray of Baxi Heating discusses the latest developments, and what housebuilders and developers need to consider right now. The... View Article

Short supply

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), explores how the shortage of construction materials is constraining small builders’ ability to ‘build back better.’ Since the coronavirus pandemic, many small to medium-sized (SME) construction firms have struggled to... View Article
James Parker, Housebuilder & Developer

From the Editor

How are you finding timber sourcing currently? The humble timber roofing batten is currently under the spotlight, with firms joining forces to raise the alarm on supplies. As our news feature on page 8 details, the trade body for roofing... View Article

The housing stats don’t stack up

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance asks, do the Government’s numbers for how many homes with planning permission have not been built stack up? There is a strange and mysterious coincidence about housing statistics... View Article

The importance of green spaces

Paul Cassidy of Meadfleet explores how green space in housebuilding projects is crucial for the sake of residents’ health and their environment, and the role open space management specialists play here. If the last year has taught us anything, it... View Article

Hanover gets the green light

A pioneering project by housing association Hanover (Scotland) to provide 15 Passivhaus social homes near Loch Lomond, on the site of the developer ’s first ever scheme, has been given the go -ahead. Jack Wooler speaks to the people behind... View Article

Counting down to SAP10

With a return to normality comes a realisation that a new SAP method for assessing houses’ energy use is imminent. Harry Hinchliffe of C80 solutions outlines the impact that SAP10 will have. Having faced unprecedented challenges over the past year,... View Article

Support needed for SMEs to build greener

Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) explores why SMEs should be at the heart of the government’s plans for green construction to help them conquer obstacles This year, the UK will host the United Nations Climate Change... View Article

Has the church found a solution to the housing shortage?

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance discusses the recent moves by the Church of England to unlock its land for housing developments. In a dramatic change of policy, the Church of England has signposted... View Article

A difficult picture for SMEs

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) takes a look at the challenges facing smaller builders this year, and what the Government can do to help. As the lockdown gradually lifts, and a semblance of normal life... View Article

Why is MMC not more common?

A new NHBC report on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) has just been released which looks at the benefits to industry, as well as current reluctance to adoption. The organisation’s head of standards, research and innovation, Richard Smith, explains. Prefabricated... View Article

Has Covid-19 been a catalyst for modular?

Lockdown and all the subsequent restrictions have seen greater emphasis placed on the utilisation of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Wayne Oakes, director at engineering consultancy firm Dice, looks at how this is breaking the stigma that still persists. The... View Article

Material change needed in 2021

The FMB’s Brian Berry takes a look at the changes that must be seen in Government policy to allow SME builders to thrive in these uncertain times. 2021 has started on a positive note. Only a matter of hours into... View Article

New roofing concept achieves prestigious verification

Ultrapanel Technologies has become the first ‘room in the roof’ specialist in the UK to secure both BBA Certification and the prestigious NHBC Accepts mark for its offsite manufactured Ultrapanel® roofing system. Ultrapanel is a totally new precision engineered patented concept in roofing... View Article

2020 sees rise in demand for UK furniture

With every economic crisis, there tends to be some winners among the many losers, and with the coronavirus pandemic being so unique in nature, there have been some unique winners to come with it. One of the major beneficiaries of... View Article