Transforming the industry for the better

Sarah McMonagle of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), explains the organisation’s three point plan to reform the construction sector’s approach to quality, in the wake of Grenfell. Let’s be honest, the construction industry does not have the greatest image... View Article

Bespoke fireplace designs: What’s next?

Andrew Munro, MD of CVO Fire, offers his predictions and advice for 2016 fires and fireplace trends Trends The two main predicted trends in interior design for 2016 are high efficiency and bespoke fireplace designs for special developments, where a... View Article
water

Managing water in a wetter world

Michael White, business development director of Alumasc Water Management Solutions, says climate change, increased urbanisation and more extreme weather is causing problems for our built environment. Incorporating high capacity steel rainwater systems into our buildings is an effective and affordable... View Article

One million recruits needed to beat housing crisis

According to a white paper produced by EC Harris, construction companies will need to recruit one million new recruits by 2020 if the industry is to build more homes and beat the housing crisis. The paper, ‘People and money –... View Article

Autumn Statement reforms stamp duty

Housing commentators had to wait until almost the end of the government’s Autumn Statement before George Osborne announced major reforms to stamp duty. Before he detailed the changes to the threshold payments the Chancellor explained: “I am introducing today a... View Article

Abode – urban living in a rural setting

Joint winner of the Sunday Times British Homes Awards’ Development of the Year (with more than 100 homes) Countryside’s Abode community proves that volume housing does not have to look and feel like a faceless executive estate This exemplary development,... View Article

More than just child’s play

For homebuilders targeting family property purchasers with young children, the addition of a play area to a new housing development can be a contentious issue. Make the right decision and a developer can create a high quality, attractive and stimulating... View Article

Crest do the double

Crest Nicholson has been crowned as large Housebuilder of the Year at the 2014 Housebuilder Awards and scooped the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year title and Best regeneration scheme for its Park Central community in Birmingham. This impressive award haul... View Article

Jury out on need for further housing standards

It was confirmed at the recent Housing Standards Review briefing that the government would consider implementing further standards or regulations in the future if the review process identifies the need. The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) head of... View Article

Small builders face barriers to growth

Small housebuilders and developers in the UK face serious barriers to growth, with planning, access to finance and land availability highlighted as the biggest challenges for small companies. Research by the NHBC Foundation shows that there has been a significant... View Article