Comments from Claire Petricca-Riding, Head of Planning & Environment at Irwin Mitchell Planning: We expect there to be immediate changes to the planning system which will allow for some flexibility at an early stage in the first year. This includes changes to the NPPF and NPPG. We expect to see
CIBSE has launched a groundbreaking initiative titled Building Performance Reimagined, a visionary project aimed at transforming the landscape of building engineering and sustainability. Commissioned by CIBSE and researched by Arup, the Building Performance Reimagined project diverges from conventional engineering paradigms. Rather than focusing solely on system sizing, maintenance or controls,
A £28.7m, 11-storey apartment scheme delivered by Clegg Construction in Sheffield has won an award at the Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards. The Ironworks took the title of Regional New Build Project of the Year at the awards ceremony, held in Leeds. Featuring 229 one and two-bedroom apartments, the scheme includes
“The UK wakes up to a new government today after 14 years of Conservative rule. For the built environment, Labour’s return will be met with wary anticipation. While its manifesto pledges made a good read for a sector that has experienced ongoing skills shortages, rising costs and lacklustre growth, delivering
Passive fire protection specialist Promat, as part of the Etex group, has signed up to the Science-Based Targets initiative to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. The pledge will see the company work towards cutting carbon emissions across its operations to support a net zero economy in line with the 2015
The inaugural Planning Portal Market Index has found that more than a million homes granted planning permission since 2015 have not yet been built, equating to around a third of the total given the green light over the period. The figures cast doubt on the near-exclusive focus of the major
Commenting on the latest Health and Safety Executive data, showing a rise in work-related deaths in Great Britain for the second consecutive year, Dr Julie Riggs, Director of Education and Membership, British Safety Council, said: “The rise in work-related fatalities, as reported by the Health and Safety Executive, serves as a
A brand new £10m care home in Haxby, approximately four miles north of York city centre, is now open and has welcomed its first residents after Yorkshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, completed work on the development. Haxby Hall offers 63 en-suite bedrooms alongside first-class amenities and has been developed
Derek Horrocks is chair of the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) and owner of Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS). “Despite a change in political power, the task at hand when it comes to housing decarbonisation is one that spans party borders, so the NHDG is looking forward to continuing
BDP and the University of Cambridge have unveiled ambitious plans to restore the Grade II listed History Faculty Building, which is also the home of the Seeley Library. This landmark project will restore and revitalise one of the iconic ‘Red Trilogy’ – the triumvirate of highly significant university buildings designed
Comments from Claire Petricca-Riding, Head of Planning & Environment at Irwin Mitchell Planning: We expect there to be immediate changes to the planning system which will allow for some flexibility at an early stage in the first year. This includes changes to the NPPF and NPPG. We expect to see the re-introduction to mandatory housing targets which will enable confidence in the market and contribute to the 1.5 million homes which are said to be developed in the next parliament. There will be amendments to the green belt policy which could see the easing of VSC and exceptional circumstances requirements for those areas which were previous developed and considered the “grey belt.” It is hoped there will be additional funding for local planning authorities to bring forward local plans and developments – funding more planning officers to unlock the current constraints in the planning system. Long term there could be a reintroduction of regional spatial planning – whether this be at a broad regional level (North West, North East, Midlands etc as before) or the introduction of combined authorities where plans will incorporate development on a county wide level. In the immediate term there are a significant number of infrastructure and renewable energy schemes which are awaiting approval from the secretary of state – these would be easy wins for the SoS for DNEZ (assuming this will still be Ed Miliband) given his ambition for the England and the whole of the UK to be a global leader in achieving net zero and mitigating the effects of climate change. Environment: There will be a lot of focus on environmental issues with the introduction of GB Energy – providing clean renewable energy as a way of providing energy security for all for decades to come. There should be the removal of the current moratorium for onshore wind in England – paving the way for this sector to realise its potential once again. There too will be a relaxed approach to nuclear energy but a hardening of old and gas with no new oil and gas licences in the medium to long term. There will be a fresh look at the Environment Act 2021 and how the UK and business can meet the desired targets – especially on air quality and waste management – focusing on the circular economy to prevent and re-use waste materials. There will be more focus on habitat protection and making ELM’s work for both the agricultural sector and the environment. It is also clear that there will be a review of the water industry and whilst many would like to see this sector once again nationalised, in the short-term holding water companies to account and reducing pollution incidents are stated goals. Conclusion “What I want to see is properly funded local planning authorities and the Environment Agency so they can function correctly. Planning fees should be ring fenced for the planning department with any surplus going back to the funds of that council (currently they are not so they go directly to the central funds). I also want some pace over perfection – we could have some easy wins which help the sector, but we should have continuous improvements instead of delayed perfection – this is what is required to get Britain building again. All improvements should have climate change and sustainability at the heart of those decisions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CIBSE has launched a groundbreaking initiative titled Building Performance Reimagined, a visionary project aimed at transforming the landscape of building engineering and sustainability. Commissioned by CIBSE and researched by Arup, the Building Performance Reimagined project diverges from conventional engineering paradigms. Rather than focusing solely on system sizing, maintenance or controls, the initiative takes a holistic, future-oriented perspective on building performance. At its core, Building Performance Reimagined seeks to redefine the parameters of traditional engineering practices and equip CIBSE members with the tools to meet future challenges head-on. The project explores the dynamic and evolving nature of building performance, going beyond energy efficiency and carbon reduction to consider broader forms of value within the built environment. The theme of “Building Performance Reimagined” was also central to the Presidential Address of CIBSE’s new President, Fiona Cousins. In her address, President Cousins emphasised the importance of embracing future-focused approaches and reimagining building performance to meet evolving societal and environmental needs. The report introduces four pivotal performance metrics designed to guide the industry towards enhanced health and resilience: Variety: Optimising building services to promote space efficiency, adaptability and user diversity. Readiness: Enhancing building services to anticipate and mitigate risks, ensuring resilience against unforeseen threats. Connectedness: Integrating building services with local and wider systems, enhancing responsiveness to the environment and its contents. Emergence: Enabling building services to contribute positively over time, learning and adapting as structures age. Building Performance Reimagined expands the role of building services engineers beyond traditional boundaries. Engineers are now tasked with enhancing all aspects of life within and around buildings, fostering biodiversity, promoting social equity through design decisions and influencing urban contexts to harmonise with local and city infrastructures. CIBSE invites industry professionals to embark on this transformative journey, leveraging futures and systems thinking methodologies to anticipate evolving needs, explore potential futures, and identify opportunities to shape a sustainable built environment. This forward-thinking approach aims to redefine “high performance” in buildings by emphasising collective social value and multi-species stakeholder interests. The Building Performance Reimagined report is available for free download at https://www.cibse.org/policy-insight/key-policy-areas/building-performance-reimagined. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A £28.7m, 11-storey apartment scheme delivered by Clegg Construction in Sheffield has won an award at the Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards. The Ironworks took the title of Regional New Build Project of the Year at the awards ceremony, held in Leeds. Featuring 229 one and two-bedroom apartments, the scheme includes a range of sustainability features such as a biomass energy centre providing hot water and heating throughout the building, with the intention to connect to the city’s district heating system in due course and use hot water from energy generated from the city’s Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plant. Each apartment has a central thermostat that is linked to an app on the resident’s phone, allowing the heating to be carefully and remotely controlled. The flow rates and temperature of water going into and leaving every apartment are monitored daily and a monthly report provides data on areas where the efficiency of the system can be improved. Completed by Clegg Construction last year for Rise Homes, the scheme also includes flow rate restrictors, electric vehicle charging, Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR), bat boxes, and automatic light movement sensors. Michael Sims, managing director at Clegg Construction, said: “The Ironworks was a fantastic project to deliver for Rise Homes and we are delighted that it has been named as Regional New Build Project of the Year at the Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards. “It is truly deserving of this title, as the development includes an array of sustainability features which are helping to reduce impact on the environment and enable residents to live in a greener, more environmentally friendly, way. Congratulations to all involved in delivering The Ironworks, and to all those who won Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards at the recent awards ceremony.” The Ironworks has also been shortlisted for an Insider Property Dinner South Yorkshire award, having been named a finalist in the Sustainable Development of the Year Award. Nigel Rawlings, CEO of Rise Homes, said: “The Ironworks is an attractive private rented scheme that Sheffield, and everyone involved in delivering it, can be very proud of. For it to now win the title of Regional New Build Project of the Year at the Yorkshire Energy Efficiency Awards is a brilliant accomplishment and a great endorsement of our commitment to sustainability.” Clegg Construction is a Midlands, East Anglia, and Yorkshire-based construction firm specialising in the delivery of public and private sector projects. The company works with organisations of all sizes and specialities across a range of different sectors. For more information visit www.cleggconstruction.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
“The UK wakes up to a new government today after 14 years of Conservative rule. For the built environment, Labour’s return will be met with wary anticipation. While its manifesto pledges made a good read for a sector that has experienced ongoing skills shortages, rising costs and lacklustre growth, delivering on them will be another matter. Just think back to the success of the Conservatives “New Deal” promise to “Build, Build, Build”… “Labour’s vowed rollout of a 10-year infrastructure strategy to “end the chaos” of the UK’s “crumbling infrastructure” has some interesting, though not necessarily revolutionary, ideas. Delivering 1.5 million new homes in England sounds impressive, but there is already a backlog of 4.3 million homes. Regardless, it is a good starting point if Labour can overcome the challenges faced by previous governments. “Housebuilding has long been stifled by planning policy, However Labour’s promise to slash red tape and give combined authorities much needed new powers are to be welcomed, though have yet to be tested by locals and environmentalists, furious about green belt land being redesignated for development. “To meet its housing target, Labour must help the construction industry get back on its feet. Its first step will be addressing the ongoing skills crisis. The Apprenticeship Levy, for example, has not been fit for purpose for some time. Apprenticeship starts have severely declined and completion rates have plummeted. “It’s replacement, the Growth and Skills Levy, will certainly prove very attractive for employers, who have long complained they cannot spend their levy payments on apprenticeships. Given that UK employee investment has been falling, this levy, combined with the creation of the new “Skills UK” body, could be instrumental for the long-term health of the sector, attracting and retaining much needed new talent. “Labour has created a rod for their own back with promises to “hit the ground running”. They have inherited a very difficult challenge and must deliver, but if their ambitions are supported, our sector, the build environment, may experience the green shoots of recovery, sooner rather than later.” Robbie Blackhurst, Founder and Director of Black Capital Group Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Passive fire protection specialist Promat, as part of the Etex group, has signed up to the Science-Based Targets initiative to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability. The pledge will see the company work towards cutting carbon emissions across its operations to support a net zero economy in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement. To support this the group will develop a target-driven action plan setting out its aims to cut scope 1, 2 and 3 carbon emissions. Promat has already set a target of reducing its scope 1 and 2 ‘direct’ emissions by 35 per cent by 2030. The SBTi is a global scheme set up to support companies worldwide to establish clear, evidenced targets to demonstrate a commitment to change to work towards a net-zero economy. The commitment will build on initiatives and targets set out in Promat’s ClearChange sustainability strategy, which focuses on six key pillars: Product design, decarbonisation, delivery and assembly, energy savings, durability and recycling. Within this the company outlines its commitment to cutting carbon emissions in its operations, lower embodied carbon in its products through the use of alternative energy, creating recyclable packaging, ensuring long product lifecycles, supporting sustainable building design, and reducing waste. Duncan Gardiner, Promat Platform Sustainability and Communications Manager, said: “Promat is dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting a more circular economy by running our operations and designing products with sustainability in mind. “While we recognise the challenges in prioritising safety and the journey to adapting to more sustainable solutions, Promat is committed to making changes to support sustainability wherever we can. “Thermal processes are integral to the creation of many of our products, so decarbonisation is a key target for Promat. Setting clear targets to make operational changes demonstrates the company’s commitment to supporting a better future and making changes wherever we can. Promat is keen to build a future that is both safe and sustainable. “Signing up to the letter of commitment to the SBTi, marks a pivotal moment in our sustainability journey, furthering our efforts outlined in our Road to Sustainability 2030 strategy.” For more information on Promat’s ClearChange strategy, visit: https://www.promat.com/en/sustainability/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The inaugural Planning Portal Market Index has found that more than a million homes granted planning permission since 2015 have not yet been built, equating to around a third of the total given the green light over the period. The figures cast doubt on the near-exclusive focus of the major parties on boosting housebuilding numbers by tweaking the planning system. At the same time, planning applications over the first five months of 2024 are at the lowest level since 2020, calling into question the scope for housebuilding numbers to recover in the coming years to meet ambitious manifesto targets. The Planning Portal Market Index report offers the most up to date statistics on planning applications in England and Wales, with data reflecting the state of play as recently as 31 May – two months later than the period covered by the most recent official statistics. The statistics are drawn from planning applications submitted to local authorities in England and Wales – more than 90% of which are made through the Planning Portal. Had all homes granted planning permission ultimately been built, the government’s target of building 300,000 new homes a year would have been achieved in eight of the last 10 years. Geoff Keal, CEO at TerraQuest, the operator of Planning Portal, said: “These figures suggest that the near-exclusive focus on the planning system in the political debate around housing is misplaced. Until recently, planning permission was being granted for enough new homes to meet the government’s targets. “While the planning system is by no means perfect, and those homes granted permission could be in the wrong places, this data strongly suggests that policymakers need to look more widely at the factors stifling the completion of homes for which planning permission has been granted.” The Planning Portal Market Index report highlighted the impact of high interest rates, skills shortages in the construction industry and materials shortages as possible culprits. Geoff added: “High interest rates have a double impact on the completion of new homes. By dampening the housing market in the short term, they limit the potential commercial rewards available to housebuilders for proceeding with projects. At the same time, the high cost of borrowing to finance projects in the first place pushes up costs and eats into developer profits. “This is compounded by the well-publicised challenges facing the construction sector in overcoming skills shortages that have left its headcount more than a quarter of million short of the number needed to meet projected demand. Meanwhile, the supply of fundamental construction supplies of bricks and blocks are down by 4.3% and 9.8% over the year to April, according to official statistics. “Our analysis shows just how profound the challenges are for policymakers in ensuring enough new homes are built to meet the needs of a growing population. Rosalind Andrews, Partner, Head of Planning, Highways and Environment at HCR Law, added: “The findings from the Planning Portal Application Index June 2024 report highlight the multifaceted challenges faced by the housebuilding sector. Increasing the delivery of much-needed homes across the UK is incredibly complex, with the number of residential planning permissions granted being only one aspect of the issue. “Project viability is also a concern, given the increases in material costs and lending rates, as well as the new expenses associated with BNG requirements. Housebuilders are eager to commence construction and break ground. “To meet the ambitious target of delivering 300,000 homes a year, it is crucial to address the industry’s capacity in terms of skilled labour. With the right support and training initiatives, the housebuilding sector can rise to this challenge and achieve these goals.” The first Planning Portal Market Index report is available to download here: https://blog.planningportal.co.uk/2024/06/26/gain-early-market-insight-direct-from-the-application-source/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commenting on the latest Health and Safety Executive data, showing a rise in work-related deaths in Great Britain for the second consecutive year, Dr Julie Riggs, Director of Education and Membership, British Safety Council, said: “The rise in work-related fatalities, as reported by the Health and Safety Executive, serves as a stark reminder that we cannot become complacent about the health and safety of workers. Put simply, the consequences of poor health and safety are too great a price to pay. “For 50 years, the general direction of travel has seen safer workplaces with falling numbers of workplace deaths and non-fatal injuries; that for a second year this trend has reversed is cause for concern. It sends a message that we need to prioritise worker health and safety, understand the causes of rising fatalities, and take targeted action to return to falling figures and safer workplaces for all.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A brand new £10m care home in Haxby, approximately four miles north of York city centre, is now open and has welcomed its first residents after Yorkshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, completed work on the development. Haxby Hall offers 63 en-suite bedrooms alongside first-class amenities and has been developed by Brough headquartered Yorkare, which now has 12 homes in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, with five more currently under construction. This latest development was the eighth project that Hobson & Porter has completed for Yorkare since 2015. Located in the heart of Haxby, close to all the town’s amenities, facilities at Haxby Hall include an in-house bar, restaurant standard dining rooms, full beauty salon and hairdressing suite, cinema and outdoor terraces on each floor. There are also large gardens and a bowling green for residents to enjoy. Nicola Anderson, marketing and community engagement manager from Yorkare, said: “We’re delighted to welcome our first residents into their new homes at Haxby Hall and everyone has been blown away by the facilities and overall quality that flows through the entire development. “Every bedroom is designed to be spacious with superb décor and exceptional interiors. All the ground-floor bedrooms have doors leading out to private patio areas and our premium suites have their own lounge areas and these are already proving popular with both couples and individuals. “Yorkare’s whole ethos is about combining safe and luxurious living environments alongside engaging social activities that are delivered by our dedicated care teams, activity co-ordinators and highly skilled chefs. Haxby Hall ticks all these boxes and more, and anyone wanting to find out about everything on offer should contact us now.” Mark Smee, from Hobson & Porter, said: “We’re very proud to complete our eighth project for Yorkare in less than 10 years. Every detail at Haxby Hall, from the grand water fountains in the landscaped gardens to the magnificent communal areas, has been impeccably designed and speaks volumes about the standard of the whole development. “It’s more akin to a five-star hotel than a care home and there’s no doubt it’s going to be a very special place for residents to live as they start the next chapter of their lives.” Haxby Hall sits next door to a local playground and is a short walk from a good range of amenities including a Co-op supermarket, Costa Coffee and Haxby Bakehouse. For more information about the development visit www.yorkarehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Derek Horrocks is chair of the National Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) and owner of Sustainable Building Services (UK) Ltd (SBS). “Despite a change in political power, the task at hand when it comes to housing decarbonisation is one that spans party borders, so the NHDG is looking forward to continuing our work with key government departments including DESNZ under the new Labour government. Our core aim will be to significantly build on the momentum developed over recent years in the retrofit decarbonisation sector, taking learnings and action forward from ongoing funding programmes and policies and applying them to the large-scale growth for the sector promised in Labours’ manifesto. “There is a huge number of homes in the UK that still require decarbonisation urgently to make a real difference to people up and down the country, so the power of partnerships will help ensure the journey stays on track. The Labour government will no doubt also have energy, cost of living, health and the climate on its agenda, and this sector has the impressive ability to support millions of people with all of the aforementioned challenges. “From our perspective, our mission remains the same, that is to ensure nobody is left behind. We are sure the new government matches our ambition and we will provide them with the insight and opportunities to create a stronger supply chain – which is required to make a widespread impact. We can’t take our foot off the pedal and are driven by helping the housing sector with its transition into a greener future.” To learn more about the NHDG, visit: www.nhdg.org Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BDP and the University of Cambridge have unveiled ambitious plans to restore the Grade II listed History Faculty Building, which is also the home of the Seeley Library. This landmark project will restore and revitalise one of the iconic ‘Red Trilogy’ – the triumvirate of highly significant university buildings designed in the 1960s by prominent, post-war architect, James Stirling. The project presents a once in a generation opportunity to provide a new range of enhanced learning and working environments at the heart of the University’s Sidgwick site while improving the building’s accessibility, safety and comfort and provide a new range of learning and working environments at the heart of the University’s Sidgwick site. The comprehensive refurbishment will safeguard the use and enjoyment of the building; repairing and upgrading building fabric and replacing services to improve thermal comfort, while introducing a range of carbon saving and climate resilient measures. The project has followed a meticulous conservation-led approach that embraces the value, significance and distinctive character of the building while recognising the need for change to meet contemporary requirements. After considering the multiple adaptations to the building, careful judgements have been made about the recovery and reinstatement of materials and details. In conjunction with an approach to new and repaired fabric, this project will breathe new life into the building, making its architectural value more tangible. A key driver for the project is to meet equality, diversity and inclusion goals. Critically, the project will significantly improve step-free access throughout the building, including external terraces, to ensure equitable entry and circulation for all users. Internal treatments will also provide a more comfortable range of environments, recognising the needs of a broader spectrum of people. Construction is due to start from 2025, subject to university approvals, including a Grace to Regent House, and planning and listed building consent approvals from Cambridge City Council. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
