Local sensitivity

Roseanne Field reports on a high-end nine house development in a small village in Kent, built by an SME developer that prides itself on its local knowledge and respectful approach to schemes. Situated just outside Maidstone in Kent, the village... View Article

Clearing the path to timber

The Government’s roadmap for increasing timber use in construction is here, but how is the industry tackling the obstacles? James Parker spoke to Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of the Structural Timber Association. How can structural timber, the ultimate sustainable material... View Article

Show of strength

25-27 June NEC, Birmingham InstallerSHOW, the UK’s biggest event focusing on the sustainable delivery of heat, water, air and energy for all those responsible for decarbonising our built environment, returns to the NEC, Birmingham from 25-27 June, bigger and better... View Article

Bespoke gardens for bigger margins

With 2024 likely to continue being a challenging year for sales, Ben Warren of Marshalls explains why bespoke and ‘templated’ gardens will help housebuilders unlock extra income from their developments  It’s the question so many in the industry are asking:... View Article

LVT installation needs a flawless finish

Neil Sanders of F. Ball & Co explains the steps to ensure a flawless finish when installing this ever-popular choice of floorcovering. The increasing quality and variety of luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) and their suitability for a wide range of... View Article

Navigating the path to buy-to-rent financing

Peter Wade of specialist development finance lender BLG sheds light on what developers need to know when looking to access buy-to-rent financing. Build to Rent (BtR) is increasing with record growth last year despite the economic headwinds. In part, this... View Article

Raising the standard for roofing in 2025

Lisa Grosse of Cedral discuss the impact the Future Homes Standard could have on current facade and roofing trends when introduced next year Discussions around sustainability, futureproofing and a fabric first approach, which have been taking place across construction generally,... View Article
Paddy Mooney

Economic benefit

Patrick Mooney, housing consultant and news editor of Housing, Management & Maintenance magazine says the social housing market is in the doldrums, after a Budget which missed the opportunity for wider economic stimulus. The domestic housing market is a notoriously... View Article

The importance of backing apprenticeships

As the sector battles an unprecedented shortfall in skilled workers, Tom Dwyer, group production director at Keepmoat discusses how apprenticeships are being embraced to fill the current gap, which amounts to an 30,000 extra construction professionals needed by 2026. I began... View Article

Roof windows help create quieter homes

The best house developers aim to create quality homes that are quiet, as well as secure and energy-efficient. Success in this area starts with the roof windows, as Altaterra’s Mhairi McDougall explains. There are various elements that reduce the possibility... View Article

Setting up base

An ambitious project in Gosport demonstrates how utilising modern methods of construction is possible for all kinds of developments, as VerdeGO Living’s David Craddock explains to Roseanne Field Portsmouth is a city known for its naval history. Since the 15th... View Article

Part S: Charged with the responsibility

Part S provides clear challenges as well as opportunities for the car charging industry, however while the solutions are available, the requirements for major housing developments remain somewhat mysterious. James Parker spoke to specialist charging firm Fortis EV to find... View Article

A busy start to 2024 & concerns for what’s ahead

Brian Berry, CEO of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), summarises the last few months for SMEs and looks towards future challenges lying before firms this year A tepid Spring Budget, a bold, if not detailed direction for housing from Labour,... View Article

Best practice for home life safety

When it comes to Home Life Safety, it is vital that systems specified for domestic properties are as reliable as possible. Here, Phoebe Beddows of Aico details best practice for achieving fire protection in developments. Choosing the right fire detection... View Article

Permeable retrofit is a way forward for SuDS

A new era for SuDS management begins this year, so says Jamie Gledhill of Brett Landscaping. Here he explains why permeable paving is key for futureproofing high-risk developments, and what developers and housebuilders need to know. There is wide consensus... View Article

Radiators are much more than appliances

Offering a wide range of designs and features, radiators can have a major role as part of the decor, rather than simply heating. Stelrad’s Chris Harvey says take a closer look at the options available to specifiers. Until maybe a... View Article