Old car parts, radiators and shopping trolleys are being given a new lease of life in the construction of Britain’s new railway – HS2. The UK recycled steel initiative, which is helping HS2 to cut carbon in construction, is also supporting hundreds of jobs in South Wales, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
St James Quarter has announced that the latest phase of the development will reach completion this November as W Edinburgh is set to open its doors at the new lifestyle district in Scotland’s capital. Located in the eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre, St James Quarter first opened to the
Research by the debt advisory specialists, Sirius Property Finance, reveals that 42% of UK consumers rarely, if ever, take a trip to their local high street, as commercial developers are urged to find ways of tempting shoppers to return and, in doing so, help local communities and economies thrive. The
The gap between leaving university and starting out in industry can seem a daunting one for many graduates. But for 23-year-old Josh Steadman, from Faversham in Kent, the process from a construction management degree to graduate trainee with Bellway was plain sailing. Josh, who is currently working on site at
Following a £500,000 investment to redevelop the 18th-century Brookfield House in Leeds, tailored office providers, WorkWell, has celebrated 50% occupancy pre-let. Purchased by the Corrigan family in 2002, Brookfield House has been the home to Leeds-based businesses for the last 21 years. Currently undergoing an extensive renovation, the office space
In an era marked by a growing emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, WSW Refurbishments has emerged as a trailblazer in the commercial property sector. Specialising in innovative refurbishment projects, WSW Refurbishments has executed a series of solar panel installations across London and the South East, signalling a significant step
HMG Paints, the Manchester based independent paint manufacturer, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest innovation, HydroPro Floor Paint. This cutting-edge water-based floor paint is designed to transform floor finishing with its cross-linking formulation that ensures exceptional durability and a superior finish for both internal and external applications.
In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become an essential part of every industry’s marketing playbook – and the construction sector is no exception. However, your social media approach determines whether or not you stand out in this cluttered marketplace. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or diving into
The latest research by Woods Hardwick, the independent architecture, engineering, planning and surveying consultants, has shown that England’s green belt covers 12.5% of the nation’s total land area and could facilitate the construction of over 73.7m new-build plots – with just 1.4% of green belt land required to deliver the
Old car parts, radiators and shopping trolleys are being given a new lease of life in the construction of Britain’s new railway – HS2. The UK recycled steel initiative, which is helping HS2 to cut carbon in construction, is also supporting hundreds of jobs in South Wales, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. Over the last two years, the UK steel industry has benefitted from a pipeline of orders worth over £170m from HS2’s construction partners building the first phase of the high-speed railway linking London and the West Midlands. As the backbone to HS2’s two-decade construction programme, over one million tonnes of steel are forecast to be needed for standard construction materials, a further 200,000 tonnes for steel rail, switches and slabtrack, and an additional 15,000 tonnes for rolling stock. Visiting CELSA Steel UK’s Cardiff headquarters, a UK steel provider to HS2, Ruth Todd Chief Commercial Officer at HS2 Ltd said: “HS2’s vast demand for steel over the next 20 years, as we extend Britain’s new railway to Manchester and the East Midlands, is a lifeline for this vital UK industry and stimulates future growth potential. “As I’ve seen here today, HS2’s supplier contracts with CELSA Steel UK are already supporting hundreds of jobs in Cardiff, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire. Furthermore, the recyclable and retraceable products they supply aligns to our commitment to cut carbon in construction, as we strive to ensure HS2 is one of the most environmentally responsible infrastructure projects ever delivered in the UK.” CELSA Steel UK is the UK’s largest manufacturer of steel reinforcement and a driving force behind new sustainability standards for the industry. 750 staff work at the two Cardiff-based sites where recycled scrap metal is melted in an electric arc furnace to produce 80% less carbon emissions than basic oxygen steelmaking. The molten steel is then turned in to billets and rolled to make reinforcing bar (rebar) for use on HS2 construction sites. CELSA Steel UK transports high volumes of its materials and products by rail, not road, for the bulk of their journeys, including the scrap metal collected from its scrapyards in Cardiff, Swansea, Rotherham, Bristol and Sunderland. Gabriella Nizam, Head of Sustainability and Strategy at CELSA UK said: “HS2 recognise the value of CELSA Steel UK’s low carbon steel, and we’re delighted our products are supporting the construction of a railway that will deliver zero carbon journeys for millions of people. “Our steel is produced in an Electric Arc Furnace, with 98% of our raw material being UK sourced scrap metal. Our commitment to circularity combined with our sustainable production process, establishes us as a leader in environmentally friendly steel production in the UK. While our steel is already low carbon, we are striving to reduce our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 and becoming a net positive company by 2050.” The rebar, manufactured in Cardiff, is transported to UK sites managed by British firm ROM GROUP, part of the CELSA GROUP, where it is cut, shaped, and bent to meet the bespoke requirements set by HS2’s construction partners. Over the last two years, almost 20,000 tonnes of ROM/CELSA’s recycled British steel has helped to build HS2, and the orders keep coming. A 2,000-tonne order is a ‘big deal’ for the 100-strong team working at ROM Ltd.’s Sheffield factory, and around 140,000 tonnes of future orders are already in the pipeline from just one of HS2’s four civils construction partners. The current scale of demand means ROM Ltd.’s Sheffield Brightside facility is almost exclusively supplying rebar for HS2. The potential to deliver a further 140,000 tonnes from the site, for just one HS2 contractor, would account for around 80% of the site’s total output over the next three years. Brian Traynor, Managing Director of ROM GROUP said: “HS2 brought some much needed demand for ROM GROUP during the pandemic, as the orders kept on coming. We’ve subsequently invested over £2million in new equipment at our Sheffield facility to ensure we can maintain demand and sustain future growth. “There’s a great sense of pride in seeing the steel our workforce has precision cut and bent being used to build the railway, and we hope that continues into the next decade and beyond as HS2 heads north.” The boost in HS2 orders is also being felt at ROMTECH’s prefabrication facility in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. To date, more than 8,000 tonnes of rebar, manufactured at CELSA’s Cardiff mill, has been welded by a team of 40 specialists to create bespoke prefabricated piling cages each weighing up to ten tonnes and spanning two metre widths. From the East Midlands factory, each piling cage is labelled and shipped to HS2 construction sites where they are used to strengthen the ground ready for the construction of bridges, viaducts, and tunnels along the route linking London and the West Midlands. Gareth Stace, Director General of UK Steel, said: “We are proud that UK-made steel is being used to build HS2. With the potential for two decades more orders, HS2’s investment in UK recycled steel should be emulated by many other major infrastructure projects. “By buying UK-made steel, HS2 boosts supply chains and jobs across the country, from Wales to Yorkshire. Choosing domestic steel also means HS2 hits corporate social responsibility obligations and cuts even more carbon emissions by transporting the recycled steel by rail. “HS2 is core to the fabric of the UK steel industry, which has around 40,000 employees and feeds into an extra 50,000 supply chain and community jobs.” To date, over 3,000 UK-based businesses have won work on HS2 and £23 billion has been contracted into the supply chain. A workforce of nearly 30,000 are in jobs supporting HS2’s vast construction programme, and thousands more are employed in offices and factories across the UK supplying the materials, products and services needed. HS2’s construction programme is a shot in the arm for UK plc, and the Government’s commitment to extend the railway to the north provides a promising future for British industry and future
St James Quarter has announced that the latest phase of the development will reach completion this November as W Edinburgh is set to open its doors at the new lifestyle district in Scotland’s capital. Located in the eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre, St James Quarter first opened to the public in 2021 and is being delivered by Nuveen Real Estate. The 1.7 million sq foot development is a masterplan in urban placemaking and comprises of world-class retail, dining and leisure destinations as well as 152 New Eidyn residential apartments by Native Land; in addition to delivering nine new public squares and 1,600 car parking spaces. The launch of W Edinburgh marks an important milestone for the development as it is the centrepiece of St James Quarter and will complete the renewal of this eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre. W Edinburgh encompasses three buildings including the Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk and the Quarter House. Each of its 199 rooms and 45 suites, many with outdoor terraces, offer a new perspective on the city. The hotel’s top floors will bring energy and flair to Edinburgh’s lively social scene. Highlights include W Lounge, SUSHISAMBA restaurant, Joao’s Place cocktail bar and terrace, chef’s table and outdoor terrace. The unique rooftop W deck also offers the finest unfettered 360-degree views of Edinburgh and beyond. Ed Webb, Director of Development Management at Nuveen, said: “We are excited for the launch of W Edinburgh at St James Quarter as it is the centrepiece of the development and completes the renewal of this eastern part of the city centre. “W Edinburgh will be the second hotel to open at St James Quarter and will add to a number of fantastic retail, dining and leisure destinations already on offer. The addition of SUSHISAMBA within the hotel will also further enhance the experience for all who visit. “We’re proud to be a part of the city’s growth and look forward to seeing W Edinburgh become a vibrant hub for both visitors and locals alike.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals About St James Quarter St James Quarter is Edinburgh’s largest development in a generation – a new 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking. Comprising 850,000 sq ft of retail space, St James Quarter complements the city centre’s retail circuit with John Lewis, Zara, & Other Stories, LEGO, H Beauty, and Kurt Geiger to name a few, it is also home to an enticing mix of new restaurants, cafés and bars including Duck & Waffle and Gordon Ramsay Street Burger. St James Quarter also includes a boutique five-screen Everyman Cinema, a luxury aparthotel brand Roomzzz, comprising 75-rooms; and 152 New Eidyn residential apartments by Native Land; in addition to delivering nine new public squares and 1,600 car parking spaces.
Research by the debt advisory specialists, Sirius Property Finance, reveals that 42% of UK consumers rarely, if ever, take a trip to their local high street, as commercial developers are urged to find ways of tempting shoppers to return and, in doing so, help local communities and economies thrive. The survey of over 1,000 UK consumers, commissioned by Sirius Property Finance, asked consumers about their shopping habits and how frequently they headed to their local high street. When asked how often they visit, 32% stated that they rarely head to their high street, while a further 10% don’t visit at all. This reluctance to visit their bricks and mortar high street is largely a result of online retail options, with 54% saying they are likely to look to purchase something online before heading to their local retail outlets. And while 21% say that the internet is simply more convenient, other common reasons for avoiding the high street include limited parking availability (24%), a poor variety of shops (22%), and high prices (14%). These factors mean that the most common reason to visit the high street is not general retail, but instead supermarkets and grocery shopping, which 27% say is their main reason for visiting. 19% say they make the trip to take advantage of cafes, bars, and restaurants, while 15% say it’s for health and beauty services such as hairdressers and nail salons. A further 15% say they’re looking to make clothing and fashion purchases, 12% are in the hunt for home and decor outlets, 6% are visiting for entertainment such as cinemas, and 4% are shopping for electronics and technology products. This means that, in total, just 32% are visiting the local high street for retail purposes, while services and experiences account for the remaining 68%. When asked what would tempt them to visit the high street more often, general retail is once again trumped by other priorities. 21% say that more free parking areas would be a significant draw, while 17% say they’d like to see more local and artisan markets and craft stalls. 10% want more green spaces and gardens, and another 10% are looking for more in-store incentives and experiences. Other things that could tempt people to spend more time on their local high street include pop-up shops and temporary exhibitions (9%), outdoor seating and communal areas (9%), regular events like concerts or festivals (9%), pedestrian-only zones (8%), and interactive technology installations (1%). Head of Corporate Partnerships at Sirius Property Finance, Kimberley Gates, commented: “We’ve seen a substantial shift in consumer behaviour in recent times and so the decline of the high street is by no means the fault of property developers, nor is it exclusively their responsibility to try and breathe life back into physical, local retail districts, but they certainly have an important role to play in the rejuvenation. When looking to ensure the future good health of the high street, commercial developers can look towards the things that people say they want – improved infrastructure, attractive outdoor areas and a more diverse range of outlets. When the high street was born, it had no direct competition. But with the arrival of shopping centres and online shopping, the high street must now find a way to offer something that the internet cannot This means experiences, community, socialising, pride in the local area, and an understanding that today’s consumers have plenty of options. They need to be given a reason to frequently visit the high street and our commercial developers can play a big part in achieving this. When they do, the benefits for local communities and economies will be enormous.” Survey results Full survey results can be viewed online, here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The gap between leaving university and starting out in industry can seem a daunting one for many graduates. But for 23-year-old Josh Steadman, from Faversham in Kent, the process from a construction management degree to graduate trainee with Bellway was plain sailing. Josh, who is currently working on site at the Bellway at Rosewood development in Maidstone, joined the housebuilder’s Graduate Programme nine months ago straight after graduating from Leeds Beckett University. He had discovered the opportunity online while in his final year of study. He said: “It was a fairly simple transition from leaving university to being a Bellway graduate. I knew Bellway was a major employer in the industry, and after a friend of mine completed summer work experience and had a good experience, it made me want to choose Bellway.” During his degree, Josh learnt about the various aspects of what a career in construction management entails, from managing contracts to recognising the regulatory and economic environment the industry operates in.But it was only after getting his job at Bellway that he could apply his academic knowledge in the real world. He said: “In these nine months I have already learnt so much. My role requires me to manage projects and sub-contractors, order materials and enforce health and safety regulations on site. I really enjoy taking on this responsibility.” Josh has weekly catch-ups with his graduate mentor, Contracts Manager Mark Baldwin, who supports him with guidance about his job and his career progression. Although Josh has so far been based at solely at Rosewood, the scheme will give him the opportunity to rotate departments, gaining experience in commercial, technical, buying and more to get a better understanding on how the business as a whole functions. He said: “I feel like the scheme is well-rounded and I feel supported in my role. The team at Rosewood really appreciate my contribution, which is something that I feel particularly proud of.“One day I aspire to run a site on my own. I feel that the scheme makes this goal attainable and I feel grateful to Bellway for giving me this opportunity. “I would most definitely recommend the graduate scheme to friends and family and will always be thankful for Bellway for helping me start my career in the construction industry.” Bellway is part of the 5% club, a nationwide movement of employers committed to having five per cent of their workforce in ‘earn and learn’ positions, including apprentices and graduates on formal training programmes. Applications for Bellway’s 2023 graduate cohort has now closed, but for more information on other career opportunities with Bellway, visit https://www.bellwaycareers.co.uk/. Bellway is building a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes at Bellway at Rosewood, with more information available at https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/bellway-at-rosewood. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following a £500,000 investment to redevelop the 18th-century Brookfield House in Leeds, tailored office providers, WorkWell, has celebrated 50% occupancy pre-let. Purchased by the Corrigan family in 2002, Brookfield House has been the home to Leeds-based businesses for the last 21 years. Currently undergoing an extensive renovation, the office space is set to open in September 2023 and is already signing up new customers ahead of its launch. Located next to Brookfield Court on Selby Road, the renovation of Brookfield House will create access between the two impressive red-brick office buildings, and will feature new office space, an open plan kitchen, a new reception and additional meeting space including two new meeting rooms and a 16-person boardroom available to the public for corporate bookings. Oliver Corrigan, Managing Director at WorkWell, said: “Brookfield House has proudly been a part of the WorkWell portfolio for many years, and my family has personally farmed the area for 50 plus years, so we’re thrilled to be able to create a greater future for the building while respecting its incredible past. “At WorkWell we’re proud to offer a different way of working with Leeds businesses. Our approach is not just about offering an office space with four walls. Each office park within our portfolio perfectly balances aesthetics with functionality, to create a purpose-designed office space which aligns with our member’s company values and purpose.” Designed by northern-based creatives, Ekho Studio, the former manor house will combine impressive aesthetics with performance-enhancing technology and will feature 9,000 square feet of workable space set amongst 100 acres of accessible countryside. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In an era marked by a growing emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, WSW Refurbishments has emerged as a trailblazer in the commercial property sector. Specialising in innovative refurbishment projects, WSW Refurbishments has executed a series of solar panel installations across London and the South East, signalling a significant step towards energy-conscious commercial property use and valuation. Embracing Solar Power for Low Energy Costs and Ratings Sustainability lies at the heart of modern commercial property operations in the United Kingdom, and WSW Refurbishments has taken the initiative to integrate solar energy solutions into its commercial property refurbishment projects. By strategically installing solar panels, WSW Refurbishments empowers clients with reduced energy costs, higher energy efficiency ratings, and a cleaner energy supply. These installations contribute to cost savings and underscore WSW Refurbishments’ commitment to a greener future. Regulatory Compliance and Energy Efficiency Mandates As part of its proactive approach, WSW Refurbishments is keeping pace with evolving regulatory standards. Commencing 1 April 2023, new regulations dictate that commercial property landlords must not lease properties with energy performance ratings of “F” or “G” unless specific exemptions apply. Non-compliance with these guidelines could result in penalties starting from £5,000 for single infractions lasting less than three months. Looking ahead, an even more ambitious target looms on the horizon. Beginning in 2025, all newly rented residential and commercial properties must achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of ‘C’ or higher. Existing rented properties are also not exempt, requiring an EPC rating of ‘C’ or above by 2028. WSW Refurbishments recognises the importance of aligning with these mandates to foster energy-efficient environments. Navigating the Electric Vehicle Revolution Amidst the evolving landscape of electric vehicle adoption, WSW Refurbishments remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation. Despite the unclear messaging from Government agencies surrounding electric vehicle charging points in the United Kingdom, WSW Refurbishments perseveres in its efforts to install car charging stations wherever possible. By proactively catering to the growing demand for electric vehicle infrastructure, WSW Refurbishments helps clients proactively embrace the future of transportation while ensuring compliance with impending energy efficiency and employee requirements. With the automotive industry poised for a comprehensive shift towards electric vehicles by 2030, WSW Refurbishments’ forward-thinking approach ensures that clients are well-prepared to embrace the changes. As WSW Refurbishments continues to lead the charge in energy and electric vehicle refurbishments, its dedication to sustainable practices paves the way for a brighter, cleaner, and more energy-efficient future in commercial warehousing. Established in 2008, WSW Refurbishments was created to set the standard in the refurbishment space. A family-owned private company that has strong values in ensuring a high standard of quality to provide all clients with a strong level of service. We believe that every space has the potential to inspire, and we are committed to helping out. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HMG Paints, the Manchester based independent paint manufacturer, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest innovation, HydroPro Floor Paint. This cutting-edge water-based floor paint is designed to transform floor finishing with its cross-linking formulation that ensures exceptional durability and a superior finish for both internal and external applications. HydroPro Floor Paint boasts a unique formula that combines the strength of cross-linking technology with the convenience of water-based application. This innovation results in a tough, hard-wearing mid-sheen finish that’s ideal for a variety of spaces, from domestic garages and workshops to light-industrial environments. Once cured, HydroPro Floor Paint becomes resistant to oils, grease, and light industrial traffic, providing a long-lasting solution for a number of areas. “We’re very excited by the launch of our new HydroPro Floor Paint with its superior drying and recoat times, this offers so many possibilities for the professional decorator and maintenance teams. A real alternative for solvent based floor paints,” commented James Burton of HMG Paints. “This is the first product that is part of a new portfolio we’ve been putting together for the professional decorator and light industrial market and we’re excited to reveal even more in the coming months.” One of the standout features of HydroPro Floor Paint is its remarkable fast drying times, allowing professionals to apply multiple coats within a single day. This not only expedites the painting process but also minimizes downtime, enabling quicker project completion. With HydroPro, efficiency and quality go hand in hand. Key Advantages of HydroPro Floor Paint: Available in a range of stock colours including Light Grey, Mid Grey, Dark Grey, Yellow, Tile Red, and Mid Blue. HydroPro Floor Paint lets you tailor the look of your floors to your specific preferences. Each colour is available in a convenient 5-litre size, ensuring you have ample coverage for your projects. HMG Paints’ HydroPro Floor Paint redefines the standard for floor finishes, offering a blend of durability, efficiency, and aesthetics. Whether you’re a professional contractor or a DIY enthusiast, HydroPro is the ultimate choice for achieving stunning and enduring floor surfaces. HydroPro Floor Paint is available directly from HMG via shop.hmgpaint.com or via their ever-expanding network of specifically chosen distributors. All of HMG Paints portfolio is Made in Britain certified and is produced entirely at its Riverside Works factory in Manchester. HMG has also launched a new Product Tester campaign where users can sign up to get early access to new HMG products you can sign up via.: https://shop.hmgpaint.com/product-tester-sign-up-page. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become an essential part of every industry’s marketing playbook – and the construction sector is no exception. However, your social media approach determines whether or not you stand out in this cluttered marketplace. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or diving into the realm of construction startups, stay tuned as we journey through practical steps to ramp up your social media strategy and transform your online presence into a beacon for potential clients. Identify Your Target Audience The initial and paramount step in crafting a social media strategy for your construction company is defining your target audience. Start by identifying who you want to reach, whether it is residential homeowners, commercial business owners, or perhaps real estate developers. Also, identify platforms they frequent and know the language that resonates with them. Understanding their preferences, online habits, pain points, and needs can significantly guide your content creation process. Polish Your Social Media Profiles Once you’ve established your target audience, it’s time to work on your social media profiles. Your profiles serve as the first point of contact for potential clients navigating from your social media posts to your business page. It’s essential that they find a good representation of the services you offer. Firstly, ensure uniformity in branding across all platforms, with similar logos, color schemes, and taglines. Include contact information and website links in the bio section. Next, leverage the ‘about’ sections effectively to articulate what sets your company apart from others in a brief yet engaging way. That way, you will create a professional image and construct trust with potential clientele. Craft Engaging Content and Employ Linkage Content is the cornerstone of your social media strategy. In order to make a memorable impact, it’s crucial to create and consistently share comprehensive, appealing posts that spark user interest. Utilize a mix of text-based posts, captivating images of your projects, insightful articles about construction, and behind-the-scenes footage from job sites. You may also use online tools to generate AI GIFs instantly, which you can share alongside your posts. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to link back to other relevant content you have online. For instance, suppose there’s a blog article on your website about home renovation tips. You could present snippets from this article on social media and then include a link leading viewers back to the full-length blog post on your site for more information. This method not only aids in driving traffic to other online resources but also helps position you as an authoritative industry figure while cultivating deeper client engagement. Leverage Construction Hashtags and Keywords Incorporating hashtags and keywords specific to your industry is another key tactic for broadening your social media reach. Construction-related hashtags can be particularly effective on platforms like Instagram and X, formerly Twitter. They can help increase the likelihood of your posts being discovered by individuals who are interested in or searching for construction content. Similar to hashtags, construction-focused keywords should be included within your content wherever possible. Use terms that reflect the kind of services you provide or the type of projects you undertake. This practice helps to improve search engine visibility, allowing clients who are actively seeking out specific types of construction work online to easily find and connect with your business. This, in turn, attracts new followers who have a keen interest in what you offer. Run Promotions for Followers Discounted services, referral bonuses, or gifting branded merchandise are perfect examples of promotions you can offer to stimulate engagement and grow your followers. You could also hold contests where the winning prize could be a free consultation or discount on a future project. This strategy not only rewards loyal customers but further encourages them to share their positive experiences with your company. This word-of-mouth marketing most often leads to an increase in visibility and potential new clients. It’s vital, though, to ensure that these promotions align with your business model, are feasible within your current budget, and are appealing enough to your target audience. Implement Targeted Advertising Campaigns While organic reach is essential, targeted advertising campaigns on social media platforms can significantly elevate your online presence. Such campaigns allow you to reach a broader audience or hone in on specific groups based on demographics, interests, or browsing behavior. This means your ads are more likely to appear before individuals who are most likely to be interested in your services. Platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn offer sophisticated targeting options that enable you to create ads specifically tailored for certain segments of your audience. Additionally, the data collected from these campaigns can provide critical insights to further refine future marketing efforts. The goal is to ensure you create striking and informative ad content that clearly nails down what sets you apart as a construction company. Foster Engagement With Your Audience Social media is not just about broadcasting; it’s about conversing. So, strive to respond promptly to comments, questions, or any direct messages on your posts, as it gives an impression of attentiveness and can help build trust with potential clients. Additionally, consider asking for followers’ opinions on aspects related to your industry or reactively commenting on posts relevant to you. Regular engagement such as this portrays a more personal side of your company and may result in higher follower loyalty. It can also provide valuable feedback and insight into your target audience’s behaviors, preferences, and needs, allowing you to refine your approach accordingly. Measure Success through Analytics It’s essential to gauge the effectiveness of your social media efforts. The good news is that most social media platforms provide insightful data about reach, engagement rates, follower demographics, and more. You can also invest in other tools to help you study other metrics, such as likes, shares, comments, and re-posts, as they offer direct feedback on how engaging your posts are. Track website traffic driven from social links, too; this can indicate whether followers are taking that next step toward becoming customers. Using this data, you can understand
The latest research by Woods Hardwick, the independent architecture, engineering, planning and surveying consultants, has shown that England’s green belt covers 12.5% of the nation’s total land area and could facilitate the construction of over 73.7m new-build plots – with just 1.4% of green belt land required to deliver the government’s target of 1m homes by the next election. Woods Hardwick analysed the size of the green belt across each area of England, what this equates to as a percentage of the total land area and how many homes it could facilitate if fully utilised to address the housing crisis. The green belt is a spatial planning tool first introduced in the 1950s as a national policy with aims to to prevent urban sprawl and keep land permanently open back when the UK population was 51m. A common green belt misconception is that it is there to protect the countryside for its beauty or for ecological reasons such as areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). The research by Woods Hardwick shows that England’s green belt is estimated to cover 1.637m hectares (16.371bn sq m), equating to 12.5% of England’s total land area of 13.046m hectares (130.462bn sq m). Just 8.7% of England’s land area is of developed use, with just 10.5% being defined as ‘built-up’ – demonstrating how sizable the green belt is. England’s green belt could facilitate the construction of 73.743m new homes with the average new-build plot requiring being 222 sq m – according to ONS in 2021 there were around 24.8m homes in England & Wales. This means it would require building on just 1.4% of the green belt for the government to meet their target of one million new homes by the next election. Regionally, London is home to the smallest green belt at just 34,772 hectares, meaning it could also facilitate the smallest number of new homes at 1.566m. However, London’s green belt equates to 22.1% of the region’s total land area, the largest of all regions of England, demonstrating why building on the green belt is an important consideration in areas where space is already a hot commodity. Green belt land also covers over 20% of the West Midlands region and could facilitate the construction of 11.925m new homes, the second highest total of potential new homes of all regions. It’s the South East where green belt building could make the biggest impact on the housing crisis. The green belt stretches across 16% of the region and could deliver 13.751 new homes if fully developed. In each case only a modest release of green belt land would make a substantial contribution towards meeting housing needs. At local authority level, green belt land accounts for an enormous 93.9% of the total land area of Tandridge, enough to deliver over a million new homes. It also accounts for more than 90% of the total land areas of Epping Forest and Sevenoaks and over 80% of the total land area of West Lancashire, Bromsgrove, Brentwood, Guildford, York, Windsor and Maidenhead and St Albans. Building on the green belt could make the biggest impact in Northumberland, where it could facilitate 3.166m new homes despite accounting for just 14% of the area total land area. You can find green belt housebuilding data for your individual local authority here. Planning Director at Woods Hardwick, Russell Gray, commented: “Sensibly planning the release of green belt land will directly address the housing crisis and local property shortages. That doesn’t mean concreting over the entire countryside as many incorrectly assume and there are swathes of green belt that have been incorrectly classified and contribute little to the intended purposes of green belt in national policy. Green belt development has been continually rejected by politicians for landscape or habitat reasons when that should not be the case. Our research highlights just how much land is classified as green belt across England and how difficult this makes the delivery of much needed housing, particularly in areas where space is already finite. England’s entire green belt could deliver almost seventy four million new homes – three times as many homes we already have – and it would take reclassifying just 1.4% of green belt land for the government to meet its target of one million homes by the next general election. Instead, they’ve set their sights on brownfield redevelopment, a task that is far more complicated, costly and, quite frankly, doomed to fail due to there simply not being enough of such land. It also typically fails to provide the level of affordable housing we desperately need as a country. As a result, we expect that come the next general election, we will be hearing yet more excuses why we haven’t met or built the government’s one million new homes target to address the crippling housing crisis felt across the nation.” You can view the full data tables online here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
