Research from Build to Rent specialists, Ascend Properties, has revealed how the sector is poised to gain further momentum due to the number of units currently under construction. Previous research by Ascend found that where pandemic completions across the BTR sector were concerned, London had seen a 28% uplift, while
Prime Bellshill site set to be transformed into 245,000 sq ft state-of-the-art logistics facility Knight Property Group has submitted a full planning application to South Lanarkshire Council to develop a brand new £ 50 million logistics park in Bellshill, south east of Glasgow city centre. The development, which will be
Finning UK & Ireland receives RoSPA Engineering Services Sector Award for health and safety achievements Finning UK & Ireland, the exclusive distributor for Caterpillar® products, is celebrating after landing an internationally recognised award for demonstrating high health and safety standards. The company is now in the running for the highest
The risk of injury – or even death – within the rail industry can unfortunately be stark. According to the Office of Rail and Road’s annual statistical release, from 2019-2020 there were 5,099 minor workforce injuries, 130 major incidents and, tragically, three fatalities. While major and minor injuries were at
Kawneer introduces an enhanced +/- 5mm expansion joint to its high-performance AA®110 SSG system. One of the main complexities in designing a glazed façade is the accommodation of slab movement/deflection, and due to the extension of structural spans seen in contemporary building designs, slab deflection is increasing. This places additional demands on a façade design team to accommodate movement between slab
An iconic gateway development in Clifton Village is now complete and homes are available to buy and move into immediately in a newly restored Grade II listed rectory building complete with executive properties in its grounds. Works on the highly-anticipated Rectory Mews development began last year, led by Tomlinson Homes, a
Top ten national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes has signed an Armed Forces Covenant in a virtual ceremony – it is a commitment from the Doncaster-based company to support former and current serving military personnel in the workplace. The Armed Forces Covenant was signed with the Head of Reserve, Commodore Martin Quinns
Making your name for yourself in any industry is hard- making a name for yourself as a freelancer is even harder! To become an effective freelancer, you’ve got to have a wide variety of skills, and this means that you’ve got to have the right skills in place, while also
While many businesses have experienced a downturn over the past 18 months, plumbers have found themselves in a spot of luck. This Is Money has highlighted the impressive year that Pimlico Plumbers had in 2020-21, and how this has been indicative of a wider market boom. The boom, partly due to a
Research from Build to Rent specialists, Ascend Properties, has revealed how the sector is poised to gain further momentum due to the number of units currently under construction. Previous research by Ascend found that where pandemic completions across the BTR sector were concerned, London had seen a 28% uplift, while elsewhere across the UK completions were down -33%. However, when analysing sector data on the number of BTR units currently under construction, the opposite is true. The latest data shows that across the UK, 36,054 BTR units are currently in the pipeline, a -1.8% drop year on year. In London, there are 16,227 BTR units currently under construction in 2021, a year on year decline of -8.2%. However, elsewhere across the UK, the number of BTR units currently in the process of delivery has climbed by 4.1% in 2021 when compared to the previous year. Ascend also analysed the Build to Rent pipeline In terms of the sheer value of bricks and mortar it will be bringing to market as a result. In total, the 36,054 UK wide BTR units currently under construction are estimated to add £10.9bn in value to the Build to Rent market. With new build property values higher in London, Ascend estimates those units currently under construction to add an additional £8.1bn in market value. While higher than the rest of the UK, this does equate to a -7.5% drop in the total value of the capital’s BTR pipeline on a year to year basis. In contrast, the BTR pipeline across the rest of the UK is estimated to be worth £5.7bn and while it trails London, this is an impressive 9% uplift on an annual basis. Managing Director of Ascend Properties, Ged McPartlin, commented: “The strength of the build to rent sector goes beyond the number of units being delivered to market and so it’s important that we also consider those currently under construction as an indicator of future sector performance. In this respect, the strength of the sector is pretty evident as despite the uncertainty posed by the pandemic, build to rent construction is down less than two per cent in 2021 when compared to the same time last year just as Covid was taking hold. While London is leading the way in terms of pandemic completions and the overall potential value of the build to rent pipeline, the rest of the UK is steaming ahead in terms of an increase in the number of units under construction and their year on year value growth. So there are positive signs across the board that the build to rent sector continues to build momentum and it’s also important to note that this is based on the Q1 pipeline only, with these figures only likely to grow as the year progresses.” BtR units under construction Location 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 Change 2020 Q1 to 2021 Q1 London 17,672 16,227 -8.2% Regions 19,040 19,827 4.1% Total (UK) 36,712 36,054 -1.8% Data sourced from BPF.org BtR units under construction est total values Location 2020 Q1 2021 Q1 Change 2020 Q1 to 2021 Q1 London £8,765,352,072 £8,112,222,335 -7.5% Regions £5,239,677,609 £5,710,379,764 9.0% Total (UK) £10,606,015,560 £10,922,786,332 3.0% Values based on quarterly new build values and pipeline delivery for each quarter
Prime Bellshill site set to be transformed into 245,000 sq ft state-of-the-art logistics facility Knight Property Group has submitted a full planning application to South Lanarkshire Council to develop a brand new £ 50 million logistics park in Bellshill, south east of Glasgow city centre. The development, which will be branded as Belgrave Logistics Park will be located on the site of the former Devro manufacturing facility, which was acquired by Knight in February this year and is currently undergoing demolition and site clearance works. Knight’s submission for the 14-acre site, which will be developed on a speculative basis, includes plans for five high-quality logistics units of 28,940 sq ft, 18,940 sq ft, 33,945 sq ft, 47,940 sq ft and 125,665 sq ft. If approved, the development has the potential to attract new businesses and bring employment opportunities to the area. Each unit will have a target EPC rating of A. Further green credentials include electric car charging points, solar photovoltaics panels to the roof, all electric heat recovery / air conditioning to offices and water management flow restriction to conserve water. Howard Crawshaw, managing director of Knight Property Group said: “We are hugely excited to have submitted our proposals for this significant development. It is fantastic to see the redevelopment of the site moving swiftly and gaining momentum and the lodging of the application after the consultation period takes us another step along the path. “We firmly believe the delivery of high quality logistics warehousing to the Scottish market will be well received and even more so given the location and multi access points to the motorway and road network that are accessible within minutes. Construction work should start later this year and the first units will be available in the second quarter of 2022.” Alan Gilkison, partner at Ryden added: “Knight has a strong track record of developing and delivering versatile and well-designed industrial and logistics units. Given the prime location and excellent connectivity, we anticipate positive demand from discerning logistics businesses. Belgrave Logistics Park is certain to be well-received.” Belgrave Logistics Park will be situated within the popular Bellshill Industrial Estate with excellent transport links and quick access to the A725 dual carriageway which provides direct access to the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh and also the M74 which is Scotland’s main road link south. Glasgow international airport is only 25 minutes drive west via the M8 motorway and Edinburgh International airport is only 40 minutes drive east. Ryden is agent for Knight Property Group at Belgrave Logistics Park. Further information on can be found at: https://knightpropertygroup.co.uk/developments/belgrave-logistics-park/
Finning UK & Ireland receives RoSPA Engineering Services Sector Award for health and safety achievements Finning UK & Ireland, the exclusive distributor for Caterpillar® products, is celebrating after landing an internationally recognised award for demonstrating high health and safety standards. The company is now in the running for the highest possible accolade in the health and safety awards from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). The Finning business revolves around extremely large and heavy equipment, from mining trucks that stand three stories high to hydraulic shovels that weigh in at hundreds of tons. Safety therefore is a central focus to ensure that staff, contractors and customers are free from significant risk of accidents. “Organisations receiving a RoSPA award are recognised as being world leaders in health and safety practices, so receiving the Engineering Services Sector Award is a fantastic achievement,” said Keith Oakes, Head of Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) at Finning. “I would like to extend my thanks to all employees for their ongoing commitment to health and safety. I would also like to recognise the work carried out by Martin Parker, Finning’s SHEQ Business Partner, who completes the substantial submission process every year by liaising with multiple departments to evidence our performance and achievements. “Everyone should feel incredibly proud of this accomplishment, which means we now go into the final evaluation process for the chance to be awarded the Sir George Earle Trophy. If we were to secure this prestigious accolade it would be the second time, following our win back in 2012.” Each year, applicants submit their entries to the internationally recognised health and safety awards for the chance to receive the highly coveted Sir George Earle Trophy — the highest occupational health and safety award in the world. Currently, around seven million people are directly impacted by the RoSPA awards but the scheme’s global influence is even wider, with over 2,000 organisations from 46 countries represented in 2021. “The RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, but it receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for health and safety worldwide” said Julia Small, RoSPA Achievements Director. “RoSPA is very proud of the achievements of its entrants, and with this award we recognise the best of the best, those organisations that have gone the extra mile, raising the bar for the delivery of safety in the workplace. “Employees, wherever they are, should be able to go to work safe in the knowledge that they will return home unharmed and healthy at the end of every day. Our RoSPA award winners are central to achieving this goal. By entering they are driving up standards and setting new safety benchmarks for organisations across the world.” For more information about Finning’s commitment to safety and how it upholds its high standards, visit the Finning UK & Ireland website.
The risk of injury – or even death – within the rail industry can unfortunately be stark. According to the Office of Rail and Road’s annual statistical release, from 2019-2020 there were 5,099 minor workforce injuries, 130 major incidents and, tragically, three fatalities. While major and minor injuries were at their lowest since the current comparable data series began in 2007-08, these statistics demonstrate the need for continuous high-quality training and education. This is what Astutis, an industry-leading training provider, is offering through its newly upgraded IOSH Managing Safely online course for the rail industry. One of the world’s foremost health and safety certificates, this course is ideally suited to the demands and potential risks of the rail industry. Latest digital concepts combined with ‘on-the-job’ simulation Astutis’ Managing Safely online course – requiring 24 hours of study online – is a fully-accredited health and safety certificate for those in middle management positions within the rail industry. Tutor-led courses are three days long, while online learners have six months’ access to course materials and tutor support, which they can work through at their own pace. The course combines the latest digital learning concepts with a practical ‘on-the-job’ simulation to equip learners with an understanding of the importance of health and safety and how to implement best practice. In doing so, it aims to develop participants’ health and safety strategies, essential management skills, and greater confidence in their role. Learning through gamification To make the course more interesting, engaging and ‘real’, it includes simulation training using real-life workplace examples and elements of gamification. One element of Astutis’ ‘real-life’ simulation is budget control – an essential HSE management skill. Learners, acting as an HSE manager, are presented with a variety of scenarios and hazards and given a budget against which they must balance their decisions. This not only motivates participants but allows them to better apply their learnings to the real world, as Steve Terry, Astutis’ Managing Director, explains: “Quite simply, our aim is to raise health and safety training to a higher standard and continuously improve our learners’ experiences. Adopting elements of gamification in our simulation training certainly plays its part in helping us do that. We find that it helps challenge participants’ thinking and build motivation – two things we feel lead to better outcomes.” User experience is paramount “We care deeply about the overall experience of the individuals and organisations that work with us and take part in our courses,” continues Steve. “It’s why we make it easy for businesses to monitor the progress of their learners, by giving them all the data they need to make smart, actionable decisions. A clear training roadmap is provided at the start of all our online courses, and each one is designed to complement our other courses seamlessly. We also appoint learning designers, multimedia developers and graphic designers to give our learners the very best – and most engaging – experience possible.” Benefits for participants and their organisations Steve comments: “First and foremost, this course ensures that its participants – and their organisations – comply with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) legislation and meet their managerial responsibilities for safety in the workplace.” This includes (amongst other things): Recognising common workplace hazards and implementing appropriate control measures Estimating, evaluating and reducing risk by applying a hierarchy of risk control Carrying out structured risk assessments and accident investigations A ‘must-have’ for rail professionals As well as being well-suited for a variety of industries, Astutis’ IOSH Managing Safely course encapsulates the knowledge needed specifically for rail health and safety professionals. Completing the course syllabus prepares professionals to create and foster a safety-conscious workforce while avoiding high costs. Many of the UK’s leading rail organisations have benefitted from Asutis’s industry-leading course, including Merseyrail, for whom it’s vital that staff have a high level of health and safety knowledge. Daniel Dale, Competency Training Manager, Merseyrail comments: “We choose Astutis as our learning partner because they guarantee immediate access to a learning management system and provide the reporting and monitoring functionality we need. It’s also important for us – should we need it – to access customised content that’s both relevant and up-to-date. We have been happy with the training provided by Astutis which has proved invaluable in the support of implementing an effective H&S policy within Merseyrail”. For more information, including the course syllabus and how to register, visit astutis.com/iosh-courses/online, email enquiries@astutis.com, or call +44(0)345 241 3685.
Kawneer introduces an enhanced +/- 5mm expansion joint to its high-performance AA®110 SSG system. One of the main complexities in designing a glazed façade is the accommodation of slab movement/deflection, and due to the extension of structural spans seen in contemporary building designs, slab deflection is increasing. This places additional demands on a façade design team to accommodate movement between slab and façade. When building designs require glazed facades to withstand high slab deflections one solution is to incorporate unitised curtain wall systems like Kawneer’s AA®201 or AA®265 systems, which due to their construction, can provide greater movement allowance. However, unitised curtain walling usually comes at a cost premium and is generally more appropriate for very large facades and where there might be issues of site access. Traditional stick curtain wall is more readily used by most fabricators and installers in the UK, hence the development of a new expansion joint by Kawneer. This new development has now enabled Kawneer to offer an expansion joint for its AA®110 SSG system that can withstand a +/- 5mm amount of movement tolerance. The recent launch of the capped variation of the expansion joint for Kawneer’s AA®110 curtain wall system, which allows a +/- 15mm building tolerance, has now been successfully followed by the SSG (Structurally Silicone Sealed) variant. While a conventional SSG system would be limited in its movement capabilities due to the hidden clamping nature of the glass and toggle engagement requirements, the new Kawneer solution has re-designed glass clamping rails and a re-designed toggle system to allow for greater slab deflection and differential movement. The addition of the SSG expansion joint allows increased flexibility in architectural specification where the clean lines of a silicone glazed façade are desired, but without compromising the requirement for reduced slab sizes and cost. The new joint locates at each slab level and is therefore concealed by spandrel glass or panels. Its specialised engineered foam seals expand and contract with the movement of the structure. To ensure compliance with UK standards, the new enhancement has been rigorously tested during development to ensure high performance in all UK conditions. In consultation with the CWCT, an enhanced version of the ‘Standard for Systemised Building Envelope: Sequence B’ programme was developed. This included a series of performance tests while the new +/- 5mm SSG expansion joint was in its compression, extension and neutral positions. Alongside the new expansion joint enhancement, Kawneer has also increased the glazing weight capacity of the AA®110 system which will bring it in line with the current AA®100 system, providing glass weight capability of up to 600kg. The introduction of a 36mm thermal break provides enhanced thermal performance and increased glass thickness capability up to 50mm. Kawneer’s Technical Director Gary Ledger commented: “Glazing and cladding systems need to be designed to allow for building movement without compromising the performance or safety of the system. The consequences of failing to provide enough allowance for in-service building movement can range from a reduction in weather performance to glass breakage and significant system failure. “Our new +/- 5mm SSG expansion joint is a welcome addition to our AA®110 product offer and follows on from the popular capped expansion joint launched in 2019. This subsequently gives architects ultimate design freedom by providing a traditional stick curtain wall system that gives exceptional performance and tolerance of building movement.”
An iconic gateway development in Clifton Village is now complete and homes are available to buy and move into immediately in a newly restored Grade II listed rectory building complete with executive properties in its grounds. Works on the highly-anticipated Rectory Mews development began last year, led by Tomlinson Homes, a division of the G F Tomlinson Group, and construction involved the restoration and conversion of the previously derelict Old Rectory site, which dates back to the mid-1700s, transforming the historic building into a prominent gateway residential feature in the sought-after Clifton Village in Nottinghamshire. The Old Rectory, once home to the Rector of Clifton, is a typical Georgian style building with south-facing garden elevations, and the property still retains its original square stairwell with wooden cantilever stairs and large purpose-built rooms. Along with its boundary wall, it occupies a prime position in Clifton Village. The development comprises four luxury homes within the Old Rectory building, each with its own entrance, outdoor space and garden, and within the beautifully landscaped grounds – three new executive properties have been built with garden facing elevations which are accessed through a private gated driveway. Homes within the Old Rectory conversion include The Gatehouse – a three/four-bedroom property and The Cottage – a two-bedroom property, which are both sold and occupied. The Rectory – a five-bedroom property with reinstalled period features and views into the garden and The Lodge – a four-bedroom property, are both still available for purchase. Sat within the exclusive grounds – the three new executive detached homes include two five-bedroom properties – Beech House and Oak House, and Cedar House – a six-bedroom property, which is sold. Beech House and Cedar House are currently available for sale. The stunning new build properties boast ample living spaces, with garages, security gated access and sun lounges. Prices for the remaining available properties at Rectory Mews start at £550,000 and go up to £1million, and buyers can contact sole selling agent William H Browns in Nottingham on 0115 981 9828 to register interest. Working closely with the local community and Nottinghamshire County Council’s conservation team for all restoration works, Tomlinson Homes has ensured each property is fitted with stunning high specification fixtures and fittings including Burbidge kitchens sourced locally from Design Time in West Bridgford and bathrooms from Roca, and Villeroy and Boch. The location of the development and all new build properties have been inspired by the location and have been named after trees within the surrounding grounds. Located in a prime position, Rectory Mews is in close proximity to major employers including Experian, Boots and both Nottingham universities, with easy access to major travel routes including the M1, Beeston Station and Nottingham Parkway Station which has regular trains to London and East Midlands Airport.
Top ten national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes has signed an Armed Forces Covenant in a virtual ceremony – it is a commitment from the Doncaster-based company to support former and current serving military personnel in the workplace. The Armed Forces Covenant was signed with the Head of Reserve, Commodore Martin Quinns and commits Keepmoat Homes to supporting all those who serve in the Royal Naval, the Army and the Royal Air Force, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families. The Covenant details an agreement that no member of the Armed Forces community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen, and consideration that in some circumstances special treatment may be appropriate. The agreement includes a clause in which Keepmoat Homes has agreed to provide service leavers with work placement experience with the intention of assisting them in gaining future employment upon completion, or when a vacancy becomes available, supporting the employment of veterans and recognising military skills and qualifications in their recruitment and selection processes, while working with the Career Transition Partnership to support the employment of service leavers. The national housebuilder has also committed to supporting employees who choose to become members of the Reserve Forces by providing additional leave to support their training and deployment, as well as offering flexibility in granting leave for, and supporting the employment of, Service spouses and partners by signing up to the Force Families Job Site. The final clause in the covenant details that Keepmoat Homes will support employees who are volunteer leaders in military cadet organisations, granting additional leave where appropriate and actively encouraging members of staff to become volunteer leaders in cadet organisations. Commodore Martin Quinn, Head of Reserves in the Ministry of Defence, said: “The Armed Forces Covenant is a commitment that those who serve, and who have served, and their families are treated fairly and are never disadvantaged in their lives because of military service. “The support of employers is vital and making a public pledge of support makes a statement to the Armed Forces community that they are valued by society, and it encourages other organisations to do the same. “Employers can reap real rewards from employing military personnel – the skills and training they bring to civilian employers includes nationally recognised business and technical qualifications, as well as leadership, teamworking and problem-solving skills proven in the most challenging of environments. “I’d like to thank everyone at Keepmoat Homes for being supportive of the armed Forces community and, in particular, two of the pledges you have made. The first, your support to employees who have chosen to be members of the Reserve Forces, allowing an extra ten days of paid leave to support their training and deployment. And also providing service leavers with work placement experience with the intention of assisting them in gaining future employment within Keepmoat. “On behalf of the Chief of the Defence Staff and everybody here at the Ministry of Defence, I thank you and your colleagues at Keepmoat Homes for signing the Armed Forces Covenant.”
Making your name for yourself in any industry is hard- making a name for yourself as a freelancer is even harder! To become an effective freelancer, you’ve got to have a wide variety of skills, and this means that you’ve got to have the right skills in place, while also ensuring that you can promote yourself effectively. Freelancing is great, but it is undoubtedly the hardest way to make a living, especially in an oversubscribed industry like construction. But if you are looking to make a significant impact in this industry, you can learn a number of effective tactics. Let’s show you how you can make a difference and a name for yourself in the construction industry. The Right Networking Tactics Networking is is something that everybody has to get under their belt. It’s a skill that we must recognise that forms a basis in every single industry. Whether you are creating an elevator pitch or a unique selling proposition, the benefits of networking are about advertising yourself. To make a name for yourself in construction, you must know how to promote yourself in the right ways. This means looking at the big wide world and understanding which tactic works best in any given situation. You could easily use printed square business cards to give out at every networking meeting, but this is where you have to embody a solid mix of promoting yourself in the real world as well as online. You can find many people on LinkedIn that are constantly networking by commenting on other people’s threads, but when you see them in real life, they are a shrinking violet. Remember that when you are networking, always put forward that same personality, regardless of the medium. Learning to Thrive as a Freelancer A freelancer in construction can work on different projects. We can look back to the recession in 2009, which provided a lot of people with a short sharp shock and they soon refused to enter the white-collar disciplines of the construction industry. This is where a freelancer can fill certain skills gaps. A freelancer can jump from project to project, but they have to learn how to thrive. We can do this by understanding how to conserve our finances, but also recognise the areas that are in demand. For example, quantity surveyors are in short supply at the moment, and freelancers can earn up to 40% more than their permanent working counterparts. But as a freelancer, it’s not just about the money, it’s about making sure that you can go into a sector that can yield a significant return over time. One of the biggest mistakes freelancers make is by working to fulfil a short-term need. This is great for the client, but not for the freelancer. Focus on Quality of Work Freelancers are given short shrift- they are deemed to be the type of people who are not committed to the bigger picture or end goal. This is why many construction companies try to bring on full-time workers because they think they can buy dedication. Freelance professionals are more than aware of the nature of the construction industry. This is why freelancers are always careful to guarantee a high-quality service. Because this doesn’t just help them and the client now, but secure future work. By bringing extra value to a project, it provides a fresh pair of eyes and a different way of working. Compare this to a full-time worker who has got into a rut and only works in a certain way. But this is not all. Employees hesitate because of the rates that freelancers command, however, one of the greatest advantages freelancers have is that they may charge a salary that goes beyond the basic amount, but we have to show clients the true cost to the permanent member of staff. When we consider commission, benefits and perks, as well as insurance, this will inflate the cost of a permanent member of staff. You should also recognise that when you are promoting yourself the cost of upskilling a permanent member of staff in something that you already know is going to save the client money. The professional expertise you bring to the table shows a practical solution that fills in the gaps left by permanent members of staff. Consider yourself an extra resource to help a project across the finishing line. Navigating the Negativities of a Freelancer Freelancing can be lucrative, but there’s no holiday pay, healthcare, and ever company benefits. But this is why, as a freelancer, you have a higher daily rate. This reflects the higher risk. Because there is a lack of job security, you have to make sure you are selling yourself for the right amount. As a freelancer, you may work with clients for a certain amount of time during the year, but there are going to be fallow periods. There is that initial attractive paper packet, but you also have the benefit of leaving a project if there are any issues or delays. But this means you’ve got to consult legal specialists to ensure that any contract you put out there guarantees you are paid according to the work you complete. Is it Worth Being a Freelancer in the Construction Industry? The industry has a wide variety of construction roles, from senior surveyor to site manager, and everything in between- this means that if you are a flexible individual who knows how to work effectively, you will be able to reap the rewards. For many people, becoming a freelancer is the most effective way to earn a living in a competitive environment. As a freelancer, you can be a flexible individual, which means you can enjoy a variety of different projects so you get variety as the spice of life. However, you must remember that a freelancer life is about going where the money is. Think about yourself as a commodity, and make sure you’re not underselling yourself. But also realise what it takes to make
While many businesses have experienced a downturn over the past 18 months, plumbers have found themselves in a spot of luck. This Is Money has highlighted the impressive year that Pimlico Plumbers had in 2020-21, and how this has been indicative of a wider market boom. The boom, partly due to a greater number of emergency plumbing jobs in strained homes, also points to a wider malaise in the British water network – and work to be done. Water safety concerns Britain is well-known for the safety of its drinking waters; Europe as a whole has extremely high standards on what is considered safe to drink. This doesn’t mean that the average home has safe water, however, and increasing numbers of homes are turning to filtration systems to filter out harmful bacteria and poor quality taste – especially in the more mineral-laden waters in the south. There’s good reason for this: a recent Guardian report noted how current water testing standards are not up to par, with potentially harmful chemicals being completely missed in the screening process. A worsening system Higher amounts of time spent at home have exacerbated the plumbing issue. More time in the home means more time spent in the kitchen, and, as the Manchester Evening News highlights, that means more waste being put into the already delicate water systems of the country. This has a reflexive impact on plumbing systems and fresh water. With the water systems of the country being put under fresh strain, analysts have called for investment in the sector. Positive signs That investment may be forthcoming with the news of new international interest in Britain’s plumbing industry. American private equity has moved into the market, with supply chain experts Ferguson recently selling its plumbing arm for £308m. With new investment and new pressures, the plumbing industry can arguably experience a renaissance that should, hopefully, put British homes back into a positive state with regards to the quality of the plumbing at home and the water homeowners are using. This is good news, both in terms of cleanliness of water and the straightforward running of the home. This has bigger impacts on the wider UK commercial and residential network. Good quality water systems are an imperative for public health and sanitation. Finding new ways to tackle the pressures of modern living on those systems should be a key policy objective for planners in the future.
