Helping to solve the UK’s housing crisis

It is widely acknowledged that more homes need to be built in the UK. The government has been issuing (and revising) targets since 2015, and although numbers have increased during that period, the fact is the industry is still not... View Article

Housebuilder unveils plans for Greenan site

CALA Homes (West) has submitted a joint planning application for a proposed new housing development at Greenan in Ayr. The homebuilder seeks to create a high quality development of 62 homes, off Dunure Road, within the previously consented Greenan, Ayr... View Article

Blog: insulate the installation for energy efficiency

As house builders are told by the UK government’s climate change adviser to be ‘ashamed’ of their efforts to tackle global warming, Andy Swift, national sales manager at ISO-CHEMIE, says that new foam sealant technology can improve the energy efficiency... View Article

Court case highlights spec change dangers

A recent Northern Ireland High Court case has highlighted challenges that can be faced when a specification is changed. The court heard how new-build apartments in Newtonards, Northern Ireland, had been specified with a BBA-approved full tanking solution with an... View Article

Cut to the chase

A new community is to be ‘unlocked’ in Nottinghamshire by Keepmoat Homes, with the creation of a large access road. Andrew Mason, divisional chairman at the firm explains to Jack Wooler how the housebuilder’s commitment to funding infrastructure helped them... View Article

BRE announces first Home Quality Mark certified home

The first Home Quality Mark (HQM) residence has been certified by the BRE. In what has been described as a ‘landmark seal of approval’, the HQM was awarded to Lancaster Grange in Hertfordshire, a 100 unit development by Crest Nicholson.... View Article

Permission in principle: thumbs up (in principle)

Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) explores the advantages of the new ‘Permission in Principle’ route to planning permission. You may not yet be aware, but since June 2018 a new route to planning permission – ‘Permission... View Article

From the Editor

Depending on your point of view, this Government’s promise to “end rough sleeping by 2027” may either be an insultingly insincere soundbite, or a commendably ambitious promise. As always, Ministers responsible for putting their names to this pledge (including halving... View Article

Construction’s tale of two quarters

The latest data release from the ONS, published today, shows that construction output rose 0.9% in the second quarter. This follows a 0.8% fall in Q1, in which activity was disrupted by severe weather conditions. Compared to a year earlier,... View Article

Blog: A brave new (planning) world?

The revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s policies for planning and directs local authorities on matters around granting permission for developments. Sam Dewar, a planning expert and director of DPA Planning, gives his assessment of a... View Article