October 20, 2021

Support for Heat Pumps Will Boost Confidence and Drive Growth

The Heat Pump Association warmly welcomes the launch of the UK’s Heat and Buildings Strategy today in the hope that it will encourage exceptional market growth over the next few years. The Heat and Buildings Strategy published today (Tuesday 19th October) has unveiled phased out dates for the installation of

Read More »
Burrington Estate Launch New Collection of Homes

Burrington Estates Launch New Collection of Homes

Demand for family homes more than doubled in August 2021 when compared to the average levels seen during the same period between 2017 and 2019, rising by 114%. As demand for family homes continues to grow, Burrington Estates launched its stunning new collection of properties at Highwood Gardens in the

Read More »
Jones Digital Launch Exclusive Range of Video Marketing Services

Jones Digital Launch Exclusive Range of Video Marketing Services

Jones Digital, the UK’s fastest growing digital powerhouse for the KBB, interior design and new build sectors is proud to launch an exclusive range of Video Marketing Services: four custom digital media packages, designed to support the UK retailer with excellent cost-benefit ratio. “We felt it was the right time

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 324 : Jan 2025

October 20, 2021

Bellway to provide more than 1,000 new homes across Kent and Essex

Bellway is set to deliver 1,134 new homes at four new sites across the south-east of England as the company focuses on the provision of new housing in the Thames Gateway area. Plans are in the pipeline for three new developments in Kent – at Maidstone, Greenhithe and Northfleet – and a further site in Essex, at Fobbing. Bellway Thames Gateway already has planning permission for 532 homes at Harbour Village at Ebbsfleet Garden City in Northfleet, 258 properties at Crossways Quarter in Greenhithe and 168 homes at Maple Creek in Fobbing, while detailed plans are pending consideration for 176 homes for the Bellway at Rosewood development in Langley, Maidstone. Tom Sherriff, Managing Director of Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “We as a company are fully committed to this extensive building schedule which represents a huge commitment by Bellway to the south-east of England. “The need for new housing in this part of the country is widely documented and we are in the process of trying to meet some of that demand. “These developments are four key sites that will help us build on our already extensive portfolio in the Thames Gateway region. These sites will see us create more brand-new communities and provide neighbourhoods where people want to live and put down roots. “The developments differ in size but between them they offer a comprehensive mix of housing, from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses, which will appeal to a wide range of purchasers from first-time buyers to growing families and down-sizers. “We are set to deliver 966 new homes in Kent and 168 new properties in Essex and are proud to be part of the growing success of both of these counties.” The developer has started construction work on a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments at the Crossways Quarter site – a five-acre site off St Mary’s Road and Crossways Boulevard in Greenhithe. Groundworks have also begun at Harbour Village on the south bank of the Thames as part of the Ebbsfleet Garden City regeneration zone. The Bellway development will include a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to four-bedroom houses on the former Northfleet cement works. The housebuilder is preparing to start work at Maple Creek, which will comprise a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses, and one and two-bedroom apartments on a 24-acre site off High Road in Fobbing. Meanwhile, detailed plans have been submitted for the Bellway at Rosewood development in Langley, Maidstone, after outline planning permission was granted by Maidstone Borough Council. The plans are for a range of one to five-bedroom homes, including houses and apartments, with a third of the 10-acre site to be provided as public open space. For more information about homes currently being built by Bellway Thames Gateway, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway.

Read More »

Support for Heat Pumps Will Boost Confidence and Drive Growth

The Heat Pump Association warmly welcomes the launch of the UK’s Heat and Buildings Strategy today in the hope that it will encourage exceptional market growth over the next few years. The Heat and Buildings Strategy published today (Tuesday 19th October) has unveiled phased out dates for the installation of fossil fuel heating, increased funding support for households purchasing heat pumps, and the rebalancing of environmental levies on electricity, all of which will be vital to growing the heat pump market and reducing emissions from our homes.   Chair of the Heat Pump Association, Phil Hurley said: “The heat pump industry warmly welcomes these bold steps forward.  The industry in the best shape it has ever been, with sales this year already double those seen ever before. “This announcement is timed perfectly to take advantage of the Heat Pump Association’s recently launched training course, with the industry now ready to retrain the UK’s army of installers with the capacity to train up to 40,000 per year, to ensure consumers can find a suitably trained and skilled heat pump installer when they need one. “Today’s announcement will give industry and installers a huge confidence boost that now is the time to scale-up and retrain in preparation for the mass roll out of heat pumps, as well as making heat pumps more affordable, so all consumers can soon access and enjoy the benefits of reliable low carbon heating that stands the test of time.” Key highlights for the heat pump industry include: The extension of the Clean Heat Grant scheme. Going beyond earlier proposals, the scheme will now run for three years from April 2022 with an increased funding pot of £450 million. Consumers will receive government grants of up to £5,000 for the purchase of heat pumps. The rebalancing of the environmental levies on electricity and gas. This will help to reduce fuel bills for consumers switching to heat pumps and is likely to further stimulate demand. Phase out dates for fossil fuel heating. Regulation is vital for instilling confidence in industry and commitment to phase out fossil fuel systems by 2035 is a major milestone for the low carbon heating market

Read More »

Construction begins on Moda Living’s regeneration of Sackville Road Trading Estate in Hove

Work underway to deliver 824-home neighbourhood, breathing new life into a disused trading estate in Hove Construction has begun at Moda Living’s Sackville Road regeneration project, which will deliver a thriving intergenerational neighbourhood of more than 800 state of the art homes in the heart of Hove. The project at the Sackville Road Trading Estate is set to deliver 564 high-quality build-to-rent homes and 260 care community homes, as well as extensive public gardens and a main boulevard leading to a large public square, office accommodation, workspaces, shops and cafes. The nine-acre brownfield site is on the former trading estate which is conveniently located next to Hove Station and is just a few minutes’ walk from the seafront. Funding for the site purchase was provided by Apache Capital Partners. Midgard has been appointed lead contractor on the project, with completion targeted for early 2024.  The construction phase of the project is set to create more than 560 jobs, with many workers at the site based in the local and surrounding area. Moda Living, the UK’s leading family-owned developer and operator of build-to-rent homes, designed the neighbourhood with an intergenerational focus, an emphasis on public amenity spaces and social infrastructure for residents and the wider community. The neighbourhood will offer a variety of homes ideal for families and individuals with secure long-term tenancies for up to three years, helping to address the area’s housing shortage. Approximately 70% of the site will be curated into new public spaces, including landscaped areas and an abundance of green space with newly planted trees and gardens.  The plans also include communal lounges for events and wellbeing workshops, private dining areas, restaurants, shops, 50,000 sq ft of office and co-working space, and five communal roof terraces. As part of its commitment to the area, Moda Living has signed the largest planning contributions deal Hove has seen from a private company in more than a decade. The business will contribute more than £10 million to local investment in infrastructure, public realm, education, public art and supporting the local community. Additionally, 10% of the 564 rental homes have been allocated as affordable housing. Following a formal event attended by officials including Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle, Moda celebrated the occasion with a community barbeque in Hove Park. More than 70 local residents of all ages enjoyed an afternoon of delicious food and drink with live entertainment, all provided by local businesses and artists. James Blakey, Planning Director at Moda, said: “We are thrilled that construction work has begun on this regeneration project to transform a rundown brownfield site in Hove into a multi-generational community, providing high quality rental homes and hundreds of jobs, both during construction and on completion. “We are also excited to integrate Moda Living into Hove’s vibrant wider community and are looking forward to investing £10m into local projects spanning education, public realm, employment, sport, public art and green spaces.” Sean O’Driscoll, Operations Director at Midgard, said: “We’ve been working with the Moda team on the project for several months and we’re excited to have reached the stage where construction works are finally commencing. “We’re looking forward to working closely with all stakeholders to deliver a successful project.” John Dunkerley, CEO and co-founder of Apache Capital Partners, said: “Our Hove site with Moda is one of our largest and most ambitious projects to date, and the construction phase will create local jobs and ultimately see this former brownfield site turned into a modern, intergenerational community replete with amenities that is underpinned by high-quality homes for rent. “Institutional capital wanting to access resilient, long-term income streams to match their liabilities continues to be attracted to the UK build-to-rent sector as it is structurally supported by long-term demographic growth drivers and a demand-supply imbalance, with a lack of high quality, professionally managed, purpose-built properties set against a growing number of privately renting households and an ageing population.” Hove and Portslade MP Peter Kyle said: “Whenever I walk around Hove, I look at the beautiful Regency architecture we are fortunate to have, and I say thank you to the people who built it all those years ago. “I want any new development in Hove to be something that people will say thank you for, long after we’re gone. That’s exactly what we have with Moda’s redevelopment of the Sackville Road Trading Estate.” Leader of Brighton and Hove City Council Phélim Mac Cafferty said: “Sackville Trading Estate was identified as a key site for development in our City Plan to help address the city’s chronic housing shortage. “This development will bring this largely underused and derelict land back into use to provide hundreds of new homes as well as jobs, community facilities and public gardens.” For more information, please visit: https://modaliving.com/live/location/brighton-hove

Read More »

Comment from Carl Arntzen, CEO of Worcester Bosch, on Heat and Buildings Strategy

“Although the Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy does look like a clear indication of ongoing investment, it doesn’t go far enough. “When considering a heat pump there are many factors to assess which are not considered here, such as the property’s suitability. A home may need to be adapted to accommodate a heat pump, such as resizing radiators and making space for hot water cylinders, which carry cost implications. Therefore, the proposed grants may help with the cost to purchase a heat pump, but there will still be costly investment required from homeowners in existing properties. “As for boilers, the strategy does not refer to any legislation behind a boiler ban, so it’s not surprising that there is confusion among installers and homeowners. “Whilst it is encouraging to see that hydrogen is still on the agenda and is referred to within the Strategy, it is a shame to see that a decision around hydrogen won’t be made until five years from now. With hydrogen-ready boilers already successfully trialled, they could be a strong alternative to fossil fuel boilers on the market today – yet this strategy seems to omit them. “We are committed to the decarbonisation of heating and hot water in the UK and will continue to work with Government and industry to offer a technology agnostic future, while educating and inspiring homeowners to make greener choices for home heating.”

Read More »

Johnson Controls reaction – The unintended benefits of a UK carbon-zero economy

Mark Bouldin, Clean Air Expert, Johnson Controls UK&I “With COP26 round the corner, now is our chance to work collectively and set the standard for others to follow. “Thankfully, technologies already exist that can help us get to grips with many of the issues at hand. 40% of the world’s carbon is generated by buildings so we must look to innovation to put us solidly on the pathway to Net Zero. Smart technologies are no longer a gimmick or a flash in the pan initiative and must instead be recognised as a significant vehicle to make a positive impact and advance our sustainability efforts. “But what governments and businesses don’t realise is that improving energy efficiency has more than just a good effect on the planet. Research has found that, in buildings with clean air technology, productivity can increase by 11%, with cognitive scores increasing by 101%. That’s a business gain that can only be achieved by exceeding current regulations. “When it comes to tackling climate change, we don’t have the luxury of time. Technology is the place to start, sooner rather than later.”

Read More »

Construction workers, are you ready for your Self Assessment?

The majority of Self Assessment customers will have been affected in some way by the pandemic last year, which is why your tax return for the 2020/21 tax year may seem a bit different than in previous years. Whether you are new to Self Assessment or have been completing your tax return for many years, preparing your paperwork now can help avoid the unnecessary stress of leaving it until the last minute and will prevent you making mistakes or forgetting to include your allowances. If you’re self-employed and have earned more than £1,000 between 6 April 2020 and 5 April 2021, you will need to file your paper tax return by 31 October 2021 or 31 January 2022 for online returns.   If you’re new to Self Assessment, you must ensure you leave enough time to register for Self Assessment first via GOV.UK in order to receive your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) and activate your account. Self-employed individuals must also register for Class 2 National Insurance. By registering early, you’ll be able to access guidance to help you to understand your tax obligations such as record keeping, filing and payments deadlines, and the potential for a first tax payment to include a payment on account. Thousands of people chose to get ahead of the game this year – more than 63,500 customers filed their tax return on 6 April 2021, the first day of the tax year. Filing early means you know what tax you owe. The sooner you file, the more time you have to plan and budget for the tax you need to pay. And it doesn’t mean you have to pay your tax any earlier, you still have until the deadline on 31 January 2022 to pay your tax. For those worried about paying their tax bill, make sure you access the support and advice that’s available to you as we may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan. Visit GOV.UK and search ‘time to pay’. If you have been affected by COVID-19 and reached out for financial support, it is important to remember that you will have to declare any grants or payments you received from COVID-19 support schemes up to 5 April as these are taxable. This includes: Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) Other COVID-19 grants and support payments such as self-isolation payments, local authority grants and Eat Out to Help Out However, the £500 one off payment for working households receiving tax credits does not need to be reported in your Self Assessment. To find out which COVID-19 grant or support payments to include on your tax return, you can visit Reporting coronavirus (COVID-19) grants and support payments on GOV.UK for more information. So, start preparing for your Self Assessment now and leave yourself enough time to get the relevant documents together. Check your information is correct and set aside time to enter your details. The easiest way to file your tax return is online. You can do it at a time that suits you and it doesn’t even have to be completed all in one sitting. You can work around your busy schedule and your business by saving your progress in stages and coming back to it again and again. To find out more visit Self Assessment on GOV.UK.

Read More »
Burrington Estate Launch New Collection of Homes

Burrington Estates Launch New Collection of Homes

Demand for family homes more than doubled in August 2021 when compared to the average levels seen during the same period between 2017 and 2019, rising by 114%. As demand for family homes continues to grow, Burrington Estates launched its stunning new collection of properties at Highwood Gardens in the picturesque Devon town of Tiverton on 30 September. Offering a selection of homes ranging from two to five-bedrooms, properties at Highwood Gardens are a great option for those wanting a home that will grow with their lifestyles. Natalie Tucker, Sales & Marketing Director for the South West region at Burrington Estates, comments: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our latest development, Highwood Gardens, in Tiverton. With a diverse range of homes on offer, this will be the ideal place for buyers to find a home to suit their needs – whether they are a growing family moving into one of the five-bedroom properties, or those looking to downsize to a three-bedroom home. The local area could not be better suited to meet the needs of our buyers, with excellent schools, stunning scenery and a thriving town centre on the doorstep. We expect the properties at Highwood Gardens to be very popular and would advise prospective purchasers to book their viewing, whether it’s in person or virtually, as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.” Each home at Highwood Gardens will enjoy quality contemporary interiors and traditional vernacular architecture. Careful consideration has been taken over the design and finish of each property, ensuring a luxurious quality that demonstrates Burrington Estates excellent craftmanship. With a range of layouts and property sizes, there will be a home suitable for every buyer. The local area provides a hive of amenities for residents, as well as Tiverton being a beautiful town seeping with history and heritage. Both Tiverton and Bickleigh Castles are located nearby, while children will love learning about the local area at the Tiverton Museum of Mid-Devon Life. Perfect for families, Highwood Gardens enjoys close proximity to Blundells, an independent day and boarding school for students aged 3 to 18, as well as Uffculme School which is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted. Tiverton town centre is just a short drive from Highwood Gardens and hosts a post-office and a range of high street stores including New Look, WH Smiths and Boots. There is also a range of independent retailers, as well as a Tesco Superstore and a range of restaurants, cafes and bars. For those hoping to explore the wonders of Devon’s stunning countryside, Exmoor National Park, the Blackdown Hills and the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can all be reached in under an hour’s drive, providing plenty of options for keen walkers to ramble around. Avid golfers should also note that Tiverton Golf Club is just down the road, offering an 18-hole course accompanied by spectacular views. With beautiful beaches to the north and the south such as Sidmouth Beach and Sandy Bay, Highwood Gardens is ideally located for summer days at the seaside. Tiverton is well connected by road and rail. The M5 motorway is around 10 minutes away and offers easy access to destinations such as Exeter, Bristol and Birmingham. Alternatively, from nearby Tiverton Parkway train station, direct services to London Paddington take just under 2 hours, while train links from Exeter St Davids station can be reached in as little as 14 minutes. Exeter Airport is also only 30-minutes away, offering a range of domestic and international flights to popular European destinations including Rhodes and Malaga.

Read More »
Jones Digital Launch Exclusive Range of Video Marketing Services

Jones Digital Launch Exclusive Range of Video Marketing Services

Jones Digital, the UK’s fastest growing digital powerhouse for the KBB, interior design and new build sectors is proud to launch an exclusive range of Video Marketing Services: four custom digital media packages, designed to support the UK retailer with excellent cost-benefit ratio. “We felt it was the right time to build on the momentum gained with the launch of Jones Digital and respective 360° showroom tours by introducing a new menu of user-friendly digital marketing packages, which are designed to elevate and empower specialist KBB retailers and interior design studios across the UK,” said Founder and Managing Director, Peter Jones. “Already known for providing first class multi-media brand solutions and engaging content online, we felt it important to continue to expand and define our business offering so that new and existing customers have the option to build our digital solutions into their ongoing marketing strategy, as needed.” Working in partnership with Virtual 360° Tours Glos, Jones Digital has been able to respond to the ever-changing consumer landscape and ecommerce trends that are generating online sales leads for the independent to convert. We already know that serious customers will visit a virtual showroom up to 7 or 8 times, so retailers need to make sure they can engage with self-selecting clients who are keen to spend with them. These types of bolt-on digital solutions offer an excellent ROI, as they will increase dwell time on a website and encourage customers to spend more time exploring their options with tags, links and videos of products for a more inclusive showroom experience from the outset. Now available for retail customers across the UK, you can choose from the following custom Video Marketing Packages to keep your brand agile and support your customer’s journey: SHOWCASE COLLECTION: 90-second feature video, a 30 second sharable video and five 10 second bite-sized clips. These videos showcase your showroom and all of the leading brands and products available. The video reel will be inter-spliced with interview footage from a brand representative or business owner, providing you with a prime platform to discuss your brand story and company values direct to the customer. Priced from £1,500 +vat. SHOWROOM DISCOVERY VIDEO: 60-second feature video showcasing your showroom and all of the leading brands and products available, inter-spliced with interview footage from a brand representative or business owner, as outlined in Package 1. Priced from £1,250 +vat. EXAMPLE COOKING DEMO: 3-minute feature video, made up of short clips showcasing an industry expert demonstrating on nominated equipment while highlighting key features and benefits to the end user. Priced from £1,660 +vat, and note the fee excludes hiring a home economist/brand champion/chef, food and equipment, if required. EXAMPLE EVENT VIDEOGRAPHY: 90-second feature video showcasing the buzz and excitement following a real-time showroom event. Including interview statements from brand representatives, vox pop interviews that capture key information about the event and all of the products being showcased and/or announced. Priced from £1,300 +vat. “We have enjoyed phenomenal success in our partnership with Scott Currie and Virtual 360 Tours Glos, which is why we have launched these video marketing services to respond to the overwhelming demand and continue to work with some of the most well-known brands and charismatic figures inside (and outside) of the kbb industry.”

Read More »
Quintain Living’s Canada Gardens Shows off Family-Focused Rental Homes

Quintain Living’s Canada Gardens Shows off Family-Focused Rental Homes

There is a great demand for rental homes that have been designed to suit family life and a leading example of just such a development is Canada Gardens in Wembley Park. Operated by Quintain Living – the award-winning management company that is expertly looking after the rental of more than 3,000 homes – the pet-friendly apartments deliver family focused living in the heart of the exciting Wembley Park neighbourhood. For Canada Gardens resident Loide Azinheiro, who has lived in Canada Gardens with husband Joao and baby Benjamin since January 2021, it was the building’s family focus that was the attraction. Canada Gardens has something for everyone – there’s a pirate ship themed children’s play area and water feature, a beautiful indoor playroom, an acre of private podium gardens with outdoor kitchens and BBQs, a huge roof terrace and a serviced clubhouse for indoor relaxation. Loide and Joao have both enjoyed working from the clubhouse, while Loide has joined Pilates and yoga classes, art and painting lessons and baking classes with local artisan bakery Bread Ahead, all organised by the Quintain Living team through its dedicated app. The Wembley Park neighbourhood also has plenty to appeal to families. Loide loves all the new developments that are appearing, while the CCTV, on-site security and well-lit boulevards make her feel safe and confident when out and about. Working just outside Marylebone (when not home-based), the location is also ideal for her commute as the overground train reaches Marylebone in just nine minutes and both the Jubilee and Metropolitan lines run from Wembley Park station. And for little Benji, attending the local, bilingual (English/French) nursery is perfect. Working from home also played into the couple’s decision to move to Canada Gardens. They had lived in a two-bedroom apartment in Quintain Living’s Alameda development since April 2019, but with Benji now in tow and the pandemic likely resulting in long-term remote working, they switched to a three-bedroom home in Canada Gardens, using the third bedroom as a home office. For families in the same situation, Canada Gardens offers not just the clubhouse as a place to work but designer work-from-home sheds surrounded by greenery, a rooftop lounge and work from home area, study and a phone booth over the super-lobby. Meanwhile, families who want to get back to nature can hire allotment beds to grow their own fruit, flowers, herbs and vegetables. There’s a tool shed for storing pots and tools, with information on growing seasons. Quintain Living’s estates team is also on hand to provide expert advice on planting and nurturing. Children growing up in Wembley Park have plenty of primary and secondary schooling options close by, including the Lycée International de Londres Winston Churchill, which is immensely popular. There are also all the on-site shops, theatre, cinema and playparks available at Wembley Park itself, including LDO and London’s largest Boxpark. There’s even a new public park next to Canada Garden’s entrance, complete with a children’s playground, paddling area, water features, a games area, and an outdoor gym. With a dog park and acres of greenery to come, it’s the icing on the cake in terms of local attractions for families. Available in one to three-bedroom layouts, Canada Gardens’ apartments can be rented furnished or unfurnished, to suit families’ varying needs. All homes provide free, superfast WiFi, which is set up ready to use the moment families move in. Utilities are also set up and ready to go, with one monthly bill that breaks everything out for total transparency, with families only paying for what they use. Co-designed with John Lewis & Partners and Samsung, with Kohler bathroom fittings, the apartments offer a high standard of contemporary comfort and style – perfectly for modern family life.

Read More »