Construction of 229-bedroom Premier Inn on Rochdale Road to the north of the Northern Quarter is anticipated to commence in Sept 2024 Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, has appointed GMI Construction Group as principal contractor for its latest development in Manchester City Centre.
London Councils has welcomed the Spending Review announced by the Chancellor as an opportunity to bring “desperately needed” stability to council finances. Responding to the Chancellor’s speech, the cross-party group said that a stable financial footing will “strengthen boroughs’ role as drivers of local growth”. Boroughs are making the case
Blackley is set to get a brand-new community fire station following demolition of the former station on Rochdale Road. The development is part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s (GMFRS) programme of improvements as outlined in its four-year Fire Plan in 2021, as the service continues to protect its communities. Marking
Leading offsite manufacturer McAvoy has recently delivered a new temporary classroom facility at The Bromfords Secondary School in Wickford, which was awarded through the Offsite Construction Solutions framework. It marks the latest in a series of projects aimed at addressing emergency school closures due to the prevalence of Reinforced Autoclaved
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced today that it will start Consensus engagement with the construction industry on Levy proposals for 2026-29 in September 2024. Consensus is a process that CITB usually undertakes every three years to ask construction employers for their views on its plans for generating
A resounding 88% of the UK’s top universities believe that higher and degree apprenticeships hold the key to the newly elected Labour government driving economic growth and addressing the talent needs across the construction sector. The survey by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) of its university members, explores what
Southwark Council officially opened its brand new homes development in south Bermondsey on Tuesday 23 July 2024. The development is named Folajimi Apartments, to commemorate the life and bravery of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole (Jimi), who tragically drowned in the River Thames in April 2021 after jumping in to rescue another person
More than 100 keen golfers across 25 teams descended on Worsley Park for the Algeco Manchester Golf Day – raising a magnificent £55,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK in the process. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK was established in 1989 and there are now 14 facilities close to specialist
11 strategies are highlighted as crucial to reach up to 80% reduction in emissions, with integrated energy management playing a more substantial role than classic retrofits. The World Economic Forum has released a report proposing a £1.4 trillion global market opportunity through the decarbonization of buildings by 2030. The report
Michael Holmes, property expert for the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show and Vice Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), says: 1. High VAT Costs for London home improvements Ensure your contractor is VAT-registered and can apply the reduced rate for eligible works. Take advantage of the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Construction of 229-bedroom Premier Inn on Rochdale Road to the north of the Northern Quarter is anticipated to commence in Sept 2024 Whitbread PLC, the UK’s largest hotel business and owner of Premier Inn, has appointed GMI Construction Group as principal contractor for its latest development in Manchester City Centre. GMI will lead the construction of Whitbread’s development site on Rochdale Road on the edge of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The location has planning permission for a 229-bedroom Premier Inn hotel set over ten storeys with an integrated restaurant, bar, and check-in area on the ground floor. Whitbread acquired the site from Premcor in February 2024 as part of the company’s ongoing strategy of investing in strategic locations across Manchester. The company intends to bring its very latest bedroom product to the Rochdale Road hotel including its popular Premier Plus rooms. Will Steward, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread, said: “Whitbread acquired the Rochdale Road development site in February 2024 with the premise of bringing about a speedy transformation of the location into a latest format Premier Inn hotel. Appointing GMI as principal contractor continues this positive momentum, and we hope to break ground and start building our latest Manchester hotel this autumn.” Rochdale Road is the latest investment by Whitbread in Central Manchester in recent years. In May 2021 the company opened a 157-bedroom Premier Inn at Princess Street to the south of the city centre. The opening paved the way for the redevelopment of the Premier Inn Manchester City Centre (Deansgate Locks) hotel a short distance away which served the same catchment. The Deansgate Locks location was subsequently sold to Student Roost for redevelopment into a purpose-built student accommodation development of more than 1,000 student beds in July 2024. Anthony Judge, Regional director for GMI Construction, said: “Following on from GMI and Whitbread’s collaboration in delivery of the nationally recognised and impressive Premier Inn development in Keswick, its brilliant to see our partnership go from strength to strength. “This latest development in the iconic Northern Quarter of Manchester will be a striking new addition to the skyline with its remarkable brickwork façade. We are delighted to be a part of this major project and greatly look forward to progressing with this scheme.” On opening, the Premier Inn at Rochdale Road will be Whitbread’s seventh hotel in central Manchester and one of its largest in the city. As it continues to expand, the business is currently focused on fulfilling its network target to the east of the city and at Manchester Airport. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London Councils has welcomed the Spending Review announced by the Chancellor as an opportunity to bring “desperately needed” stability to council finances. Responding to the Chancellor’s speech, the cross-party group said that a stable financial footing will “strengthen boroughs’ role as drivers of local growth”. Boroughs are making the case for action to stabilise the local government funding system. Priorities include: Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils, said: “We welcome this Spending Review as an opportunity to bring desperately needed stability to town hall budgets and strengthen our role as drivers of local growth. “Turning the tide on the council finance crisis is crucial for tackling so many of the UK’s most pressing challenges. Whether boosting housebuilding, making faster progress on net zero targets, or arranging social care support that keeps people out of hospital, councils and the services we provide for residents and businesses are essential. “Insufficient and unpredictable funding has resulted in unsustainable pressures on council finances, as London’s population has grown and demand for services – particularly social care and homelessness support – has skyrocketed. “Restoring stability to boroughs’ finances will put us in a much stronger position to work in partnership with the government on our shared priorities and help make a positive contribution to its national missions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Blackley is set to get a brand-new community fire station following demolition of the former station on Rochdale Road. The development is part of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s (GMFRS) programme of improvements as outlined in its four-year Fire Plan in 2021, as the service continues to protect its communities. Marking a key-milestone in the new station’s development, a beam-signing ceremony and site tour took place on Friday 26 July 2024. Attendees included the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green, Chief Fire Officer Dave Russel, and firefighters from Blackley. Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “It was great to see the brilliant progress up close at the construction site for Blackley Community Fire Station. After a site tour you can really see how this station will come together to serve the community and protect the generations of the future. “I’m proud see my signature on the steel beam that forms part of the structure of the new fire station, marking a significant moment in the history of this fantastic service that protects its communities and saves lives.” The new station is on track to be in operation for summer 2025 and will boast improved facilities for GMFRS’s workforce and communities, as well as reduced carbon footprint; supporting Greater Manchester’s target to become carbon-neutral by 2038. Dave Russel, Chief Fire Officer at GMFRS, said: “I feel immensely proud to see the first of our new community fire stations really starting to take shape. “Thanks again to residents and our staff members, who had their say to shape the new station – a true example of how we work together and invest in our people, Greater Manchester and its residents while striving to become a modern, environmentally friendly, flexible and resilient fire and rescue service.” The development work in Blackley, which is being carried out by ISG, forms as part of GMFRS’s 16-year Estates Improvements Programme, which saw £38m announced by the former Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester in July 2021 for the first phase of the programme, which runs until 2026. This multi-million-pound investment will provide modern and environmentally friendly stations with a reduced carbon footprint. The plans for each station include the installation of sustainable heating and lighting systems. Mike Kennedy-Gill, Framework Manager at ISG, said: “This significant construction milestone demonstrates real progress on the realisation of Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s investment masterplan. Delivering new state-of-the-art community facilities will further enhance the service’s capabilities, while a core focus on carbon reduction and energy efficiency measures will mitigate the environmental impact and reduce running costs for these new assets.” Along with the new build in Blackley, the first phase of GMFRS’s programme will see brand new stations built in other areas of Greater Manchester. Next in the pipeline is Whitefield with preparation work underway. Smaller scale upgrades are also being made to stations across the city-region as part of a station refresh programme. For further information about the programme, visit: Blackley Community Fire Station, Manchester – Greater Manchester Fire Rescue Service Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading offsite manufacturer McAvoy has recently delivered a new temporary classroom facility at The Bromfords Secondary School in Wickford, which was awarded through the Offsite Construction Solutions framework. It marks the latest in a series of projects aimed at addressing emergency school closures due to the prevalence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). Using advanced offsite manufacturing capabilities and featuring its innovative temporary SmartClass® solution, McAvoy delivered a comprehensive solution to meet the school’s urgent need for classroom space. Within eight weeks, the temporary classroom facility was installed and handed over, offering a sustainable, adaptable, and safe environment for students and staff. McAvoy manufactured 42 SmartClass® modules at its 70,000 sq ft, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, with a significant proportion of the work being completed offsite. All 42 modules were installed over the course of five days. The two-storey facility, comprising six classrooms, two offices, shower and changing rooms and WCs on the ground floor, along with an additional eight classrooms and three offices on the second floor, was designed to meet the educational needs of the students and staff. Navigating the challenges posed by the school’s location within a residential area with narrow streets, McAvoy implemented a robust traffic control system to facilitate the swift and disruption-free installation of the modules. As the site was within the grounds of the existing school, McAvoy created a separate site entrance to further minimise disruption. Given the urgency from the closure of classrooms due to RAAC, McAvoy’s expedited manufacturing and installation process paved the way for the quick execution of the project. In addition to The Bromfords School project, McAvoy has recently delivered similar temporary SmartClass® solutions at educational settings across the UK, including Kingsdown School in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, Parks Primary School in Leicester, and Hockley Primary School in Essex. These projects, commissioned by the Department for Education, were instrumental in providing interim accommodation for staff and students during emergency closures due to RAAC. Glen Busby, Director of Modular Rental & Sales at McAvoy, commented, “Delivering swift and reliable temporary space solutions for schools facing emergency closures is key to ensuring the continuity of education and the safety of students and staff. Our commitment to using advanced offsite manufacturing techniques, exemplified by projects like The Bromfords School, allows us to respond quickly to challenges like these. We are proud to support educational institutions across the UK with adaptable temporary and permanent modular solutions that meet their evolving needs.” Chris King, Trust Business Manager at The Bromfords School, said: “We were impressed with McAvoy’s whole site management and excellent communication to keep us updated throughout. The use of modular construction benefited this project due to the speed of completion, and we were also able to continue with our teaching and learning while the project was underway. Any challenges were quickly resolved, and the team planned well around our normal school day to limit disruption. This included arranging deliveries around quieter periods, to reflect that the use of the main entrance needed to be used by both construction workers and our students. The overall impression of the temporary classroom facility is that it will benefit our students with its large, spacious and bright areas.” For more information on McAvoy Group, please visit: www.mcavoygroup.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has announced today that it will start Consensus engagement with the construction industry on Levy proposals for 2026-29 in September 2024. Consensus is a process that CITB usually undertakes every three years to ask construction employers for their views on its plans for generating Levy and the skills and training this will deliver to the industry. CITB’s core focus for the proposals being shared in September is to ensure that the exemptions and reductions stay current and appropriate. During the autumn consultation period, CITB will host a series of webinars to inform employers of the 2026-29 proposals and gather their opinions. CITB will also seek views on the skills and training outcomes it has delivered for industry over the past three years by way of the latest Levy. The feedback will be collated for the Levy Strategy Committee – an independent group of industry representatives and external specialists – which will provide guidance and recommendations to the CITB Board before it submits the final Levy proposals to Government. In doing so, CITB has to demonstrate that it has representative agreement on the proposals from the employers who pay the resulting Levy assessments. Levy is fundamental to CITB’s support for the British construction industry in developing the skilled workforce needed now and in the future. Earlier this year, CITB released figures through its annual CSN report stating that the UK will require over 250,000 extra construction workers by 2028 to meet current demand. With such a pressing need for growth, CITB’s role is vital in helping the industry – through upskilling and training – create a workforce that holds the necessary knowledge and experience to deliver the highest standards of work. Tim Balcon, Chief Executive of CITB, said: “Reaching industry agreement on the Levy through Consensus is critical for British construction. CITB can only provide the skills system that the industry desperately needs with their input and support, so it’s important that we hear from employers and prescribed organisations to help shape our proposals. With the industry set to grow over the coming years, bolstered by a new Government committed to getting Britain building again, ensuring our workforce has the skills and training required to take advantage of this opportunity is essential. “We look forward to sharing our Levy proposals with employers across the industry and gathering their feedback so that we can develop a robust roadmap providing high-quality apprenticeships and funded training to deliver the skills needed throughout the industry.” Measuring Consensus is a sample-based process, so there is no expectation that all Levy payers will be asked to provide their views. However, the sample is designed to be representative of the Levy paying population and of a large enough size to report reliable results. All employers can have a say during the consultation phase of Consensus. Views can be provided at a dedicated online consultation channel, Citizen Space, available from mid-September 2024. To find out more about Consensus, please visit: https://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grants-and-funding/industry-consultation-consensus/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A resounding 88% of the UK’s top universities believe that higher and degree apprenticeships hold the key to the newly elected Labour government driving economic growth and addressing the talent needs across the construction sector. The survey by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) of its university members, explores what policy commitments and funding support the new government should make to ensure higher and degree apprenticeships meet the sector’s skills gap. Those surveyed are of the firm belief that Labour should continue the progress made across higher and degree apprenticeships under the previous government, with 84% urging Labour to support their continued growth. From a financial perspective, 64% believe the new government should commit to helping universities meet the cost challenges of delivering higher and degree apprenticeships in partnership with construction employers and help them diversify their provision to meet the needs of more business sectors. With attention now fixed on how building firms will contribute to funding apprenticeships, the research explored the impact Labour’s Growth and Skills Levy will have when it replaces the Conservative’s Apprenticeship Levy, which is financed by a 0.5% compulsory contribution by employers with payroll costs of over £3m. Despite being met with concerns especially from levy-paying organisations and regarded as another form of business taxation, 60% of universities felt the Apprenticeship Levy better supported the delivery of apprenticeships across all levels, ages and occupations when compared to Labour’s new funding solution. However, in a boost to construction firms paying the current levy, 28% felt that apprenticeship provision for 16-18 year olds should be paid for by general taxation in same way as A levels, T levels and Applied Generals. Over three quarters (77%) of respondents are concerned that Labour’s Growth and Skills Levy could allow construction employers to spend up to 50% of their payments on non-apprenticeship training which could hinder the volume of top talent entering the sector via apprenticeships. Those in favour of the creation of the future Growth and Skills Levy believe it will drive improvements within the sector, with 45% believing it will offer a fairer apprenticeship deal to both large and small employers. Around a third (32%) feel it will provide more funding to higher and degree apprenticeships than the previous government and 36% believe it will increase social mobility in relation to apprenticeship delivery. One of the big issues under the previous government was the approximate 20% of its annual apprenticeship budget being pledged to degree apprenticeships, with 77% of universities believing that was not enough under the Conservatives to meet the needs of the construction sector. Dr. Mandy Crawford-Lee, chief executive for UVAC commented: “Given that there is still some uncertainly around Labour’s skills policy and how it will meet its manifesto pledges, we were keen to gauge the mood of universities delivering higher and degree apprenticeships in partnership with construction employers of all sizes. “Our members clearly feel it’s vital that Labour continues to safeguard the future of apprenticeships and makes them available to people of all ages and across all qualification and skill levels, so that a change in government doesn’t stifle their growth. Any risk to the funding of higher and degree apprenticeships seems unthinkable when you consider how critical they are to promoting social inclusion, bolstering the wider UK economy and addressing the skills gap across the sector. “Our survey is a real eye-opener into what the higher and degree apprenticeship landscape could look like under the newly elected government and we’d urge Labour to take on board our findings and the views of both universities and employers responsible for their provision.” To find out more information on how UVAC is helping universities and employers support the delivery of higher and degree apprenticeships, please visit www.uvac.ac.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Southwark Council officially opened its brand new homes development in south Bermondsey on Tuesday 23 July 2024. The development is named Folajimi Apartments, to commemorate the life and bravery of Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole (Jimi), who tragically drowned in the River Thames in April 2021 after jumping in to rescue another person who had fallen in. The Folajimi Apartments development provides 56 new homes, made up of 26 council homes and 30 homes for private sale. Folajimi’s family attended the opening ceremony to celebrate the opening of the building and to remember Folajimi, alongside Southwark councillors and developer Higgins. Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said, “I’m delighted to see these fantastic new homes completed and ready to open their doors to residents. This is a high-quality, spacious new development which will provide wonderful new homes for the local community here. “I’m also incredibly proud to be here today with the Olubunmi-Adewole family to commemorate Jimi and the selfless act of bravery he displayed which is an inspiration to all of us, and which the name of this new building represents.” Ayodeji Olubunmi-Adewole, Jimi’s brother said, “Southwark and Bermondsey in particular was really significant to Jimi because he grew up in this area. This community was Jimi so when we heard that the building would be named after him we were full of joy as a family. “Seeing the building from the start to the finish today means a lot to us and when we are gone this development will still be here and be a testament to what Jimi has done. I know he will be smiling down on us today. We are really grateful and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.” Will Higgins, Group Executive Director from Higgins Group, said, “We are really proud of what has been accomplished here and are honoured that Jimi’s family could join us today to witness the naming of these new homes after him. “Alongside providing these much-needed new homes, we have actively engaged with the local community throughout the development process. This engagement includes delivering meaningful initiatives such as employment and training opportunities, volunteering with local charities, and engaging with schools.” As a family-owned business with over 60 years in the industry, Higgins is committed to building better, stronger, safer and more sustainable communities, that not only deliver high-quality homes for local residents, but also leave a legacy of positive impact. Through its partnership with organisations such as Joe Brennan Training, Southwark Construction Skills Centre, and Southwark Works, Higgins has provided employment and training opportunities, giving residents a foot in the door into the construction industry or the chance to return to it. This includes three local apprentices, seven long term unemployed residents into sustained jobs and training for eight local residents. The company has also engaged with 13 Southwark schools and colleges, achieving 127 school engagement hours. Working closely with partners like the Construction Youth Trust, Higgins has participated in a variety of beneficial employability events that support and prepare young people for the world of work. It has also given back to the local community and the wider borough by working with local charities and schools to deliver beneficial initiatives and offer our support to those in need, including supporting Southwark homeless charity Robes through financial and volunteering and providing additional support across the borough through 157 community and volunteering hours. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than 100 keen golfers across 25 teams descended on Worsley Park for the Algeco Manchester Golf Day – raising a magnificent £55,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities UK in the process. Ronald McDonald House Charities UK was established in 1989 and there are now 14 facilities close to specialist NHS children’s hospitals around the country. They are designed to be a ‘home away from home’ for the families of children staying at hospital, providing free accommodation and emotional support at what is often the toughest time for a family. Incredibly this week’s event raised enough for the equivalent of 1,571 nights of accommodation for families with children in hospital. Last year alone, the charity supported 8,415 families, who stayed for an average of 16 nights and were on average 68 miles away from their home. Algeco UK is a leading modular buildings, temporary accommodation and storage container provider, delivering construction expertise to diverse sectors including schools, hospitals, office locations and many more. The company is a longstanding partner of McDonald’s, who are the charity’s founding and forever partner. Since 1989, McDonald’s and its franchisees have raised more than £100 million for the charity, which goes towards the running and building of Ronald McDonald Houses across the UK. Algeco UK has provided McDonald’s with offsite build solutions since 2010 and has constructed more than 220 new stores using its modular retail construction process. This includes McDonald’s Market Drayton, which was notably the UK’s first carbon net zero restaurant (using the UKGBC’s net zero carbon buildings framework) and the two-storey Drive-Thru restaurant in North Acton, London, also the first of its kind in the UK. As a key partner to McDonald’s, Algeco UK has grown to be a long-standing supporter of its house charity. Earlier this year, the marketing team from Algeco UK attended Ronald McDonald House Birmingham, donating their time to help keep the 65 bedrooms, communal kitchens and living room spaces clean for people with children in hospital. Now, the company has stepped up as head sponsor of the annual Manchester Golf fundraising event, having supported this for many years already. Other key names that joined as an event sponsor include Coca-Cola, Scania, True Refrigeration, EnviraClad, Trent Construction Services, BW Industries and RJ Coleman Electrical. Paul Beard, Senior Design Manager at Algeco, explained: “The work Ronald McDonald House Charities UK does is fantastic. Many of us have children and we know that if a child goes into hospital, it is important to have family close by. To Algeco it’s close to our hearts and we are delighted to support it in this way.” At the event Algeco entered eight teams in total – four featuring Algeco OSS staff, a further team with staff from Algeco Hire, and three more teams on behalf of partners and suppliers. Other entrants consisted of key McDonalds partner’s, suppliers and sub-contractors. Tony Morton, Director of Income Generation at Ronald McDonald House Charities UK, said: “Our huge thanks go to all at Algeco UK, for their support of an amazing day of golf and fundraising. Their significant contribution is greatly appreciated and the money raised will make such a difference to families going through the most difficult times imaginable.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
11 strategies are highlighted as crucial to reach up to 80% reduction in emissions, with integrated energy management playing a more substantial role than classic retrofits. The World Economic Forum has released a report proposing a £1.4 trillion global market opportunity through the decarbonization of buildings by 2030. The report identifies 11 strategies to reduce building emissions by 80%, emphasizing the crucial role of advanced technologies, including integrated energy management. “It was only a matter of time until we see AI-driven platforms highlighted in the most influential reports. They enable real-time optimization of building energy systems, managing data from thousands of sensors to ensure peak efficiency,” said Donatas Karčiauskas, CEO of Exergio, a leading company in the Baltics that focuses on AI-based building energy performance solutions. “This approach aligns perfectly with the WEF’s strategies, facilitating significant emission reductions and operational improvements.” The report identifies integrated energy management as a critical strategy for achieving a collective 80% reduction in emissions. For the first time, it was placed as more important than insulation or traditional renovations. Owners and investors are now encouraged to invest in digitalization to capture operational-cost savings, architects and engineers are urged to deploy energy management systems, and utilities and operators are advised to provide technology and services to generate new revenue streams and build synergy with renewable development. “As energy performance platform providers, we know that investing in digitalization and AI-based solutions is not just about cutting costs anymore; it’s about unlocking new revenue streams and creating long-term value,” Karčiauskas emphasized. “Achieving up to 20% in energy savings is a common practice for us, however, we also see increased user satisfaction in the buildings whose energy performance is controlled using AI solutions.” Alongside integrated energy management, key strategies highlighted in the report include upgrading heating and cooling systems, adopting sustainable building materials, green energy supply, decarbonization of traditional materials, and others. Exergio’s AI solutions are designed to address several issues raised in the report, providing real-time data analysis and actionable insights that lead to immediate and substantial energy savings of up to 20%. “The ability to continuously monitor and optimize building operations is what sets us apart,” Karčiauskas added. “AI tools adjust heating and cooling based on real-time occupancy and environmental data – some of the key factors important for non-residential buildings such as large offices and malls.” The report claims that the £1.4 trillion opportunity will arise from premiums, new market growth, and improved ESG performance. It also highlights China’s critical role, given its status as the world’s largest construction market, and showcases best practices from other emerging economies like the UAE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Michael Holmes, property expert for the London Homebuilding & Renovating Show and Vice Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA), says: 1. High VAT Costs for London home improvements Ensure your contractor is VAT-registered and can apply the reduced rate for eligible works. Take advantage of the 5% VAT rate for installing energy-saving materials like insulation, solar panels, and heat pumps. If converting a non-residential building into a home or renovating a property that has been empty for 2+ years, you may qualify for a reduced 5% VAT rate. Projects that increase or decrease the number of dwelling units, such as splitting a house into flats or vice versa, can attract a reduced 5% VAT rate. Renovating properties that have been empty for 10 years or more, or changing the use of a building, may also qualify for the reduced 5% VAT rate on all eligible labour and materials. 2. Substantial property taxes for London househunters First-time buyers can benefit from Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) relief on properties up to £500,000. If you are transferring equity (ownership) of a property, SDLT may only be payable on the portion being transferred. Purchasing a property that includes both residential and commercial elements can qualify for the non-residential SDLT rates (often lower than residential rates). If you are purchasing multiple properties in a single transaction, such as a house with an annex, you may qualify for Multiple Dwellings Relief, which can lower the SDLT payable. Try to negotiate the purchase price to fall just below an SDLT threshold to benefit from lower SDLT bands. If possible, structure the purchase agreement to include deferred payment arrangements, which can spread the SDLT liability over a longer period. When buying through a shared ownership scheme, you can choose to pay SDLT in stages based on the share you purchase, which can reduce the initial SDLT burden. 3. Air Pollution A mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system ensures a consistent supply of warm fresh air no matter the temperature outside. It also has filters to clean the incoming air of pollen, dust and other particles so it’s constantly replenishing your home with fresh, filtered air. 4. Climate Change Impact An architect using the Passivhaus design software will be able to predict how much overheating your home will experience in summer and advise on measures to bring this down. For example, external blinds can be very effective at reducing solar gain (which causes the temperature to rise in your home) by between 80 and 100%. The most effective systems should be fixed or need intervention to be effective such as brise soleil and overhangs. But shutters blinds or awnings can also be effective. Other useful measures include optimising the size of your windows, doors and rooflights, and deep window reveals. 5. Lack of skilled labour We have a real shortage of skilled labour in the UK Construction industry. However, there are still good trades and builders out there. You will have to wait for the good ones as they’re booked up, so do not be tempted to rush into using someone who can start on Monday. They aren’t busy for good reason. Use social media to follow their jobs, you can build a good understanding of their company without getting off your sofa. 6. Planning delays The current planning system is flawed and needs a radical overhaul to get London building again. If the new government looks at this as a matter of urgency it will hopefully reduce the delays homeowners are currently seeing with planning applications which means their build can start quicker and with less red tape. 7. Fitting an air source heat pump Due to the nature of London buildings which are close together and often have a high number of occupiers, a lot of the properties are not immediately suitable for heat pump installation procedures. Also, some of the permitted development rules and regulations can make it more difficult to fit new technology… One long-term effect will be that the ‘spark gap’ – the difference in price between the cost per kw of electricity and the cost per kw of gas, for heat – is getting bigger as gas gets harder to find. So, there will be a cost burden going forward, as we’ll have carbon emissions, but it’ll also be more expensive in the future to run gas. And it’ll be much more expensive than to do the conversion to a heat pump because, potentially, the boiler upgrade scheme grant won’t be there. If these could include hybrid systems (where you keep the boiler but have a heat pump as well), this might also become a solution for congested areas. 8. The cost and complexity of the energy efficiency upgrades As we’ve seen in the past with solar photovoltaic panels, the moment that you make it easier for people to get them, the turnover increases and the cost comes down. So, what we need to do is increase the adoption rate by making it simple for people to adopt new energy efficient technology. Then from that perspective, the cost comes down and more people can implement energy efficiency upgrades. And what starts as a snowball rolling down a hill becomes an avalanche of change. 9. Understanding what can be done without needing a full planning application Permitted development rights are what allow you to do things to your house without having to make a planning application. Each of these rights has a different set of criteria that your project needs to meet in order to qualify for the exemption. Many of these criteria are super complicated. Luckily the government has pushed out a technical document that explains them. Just put “Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance” into a search engine. Again, a planning consultant can advise on what it means, but the only way to obtain a legally binding confirmation that what you want to do doesn’t require a planning application is to get a lawful
