LEADING digital procurement platform The Build Chain has reinforced its plan for rapid growth through two senior level appointments, bolstering its approach of providing solutions for the trade from experts within the industry. The Build Chain, developed to revolutionise the construction procurement process, is an online platform that connects contractors
PlanRadar’s integration with QR Codes set to improve on-site documentation and information PlanRadar, one of Europe’s leading digital construction, real estate and facilities management platforms, has enhanced its site data management by including QR code functionality. PlanRadar’s integration with QR Codes continues to elevate the platform as a preferred on-site
A UK developer has used Elon Musk company’s technology to deploy 98MW/196MWh storage system near grid-connection point for world’s largest wind at sea project. This makes it the largest facility of its kind in the UK and, indeed, in all of Europe. Harmony Energy confirmed last Monday that the Pillswood
A funding partnership has been established to support the acquisition and development of a landmark scheme of 347 homes in Ilfracombe, North Devon. Independent West Country house builder Devonshire Homes has joined forces with social impact investor, Housing Growth Partnership (HGP) to bring forward the 50-acre site, as part of
THE POST-pandemic office needs to be people-centric with businesses creating the best environments for their teams to thrive, according to a panel of industry experts. Speaking at a roundtable discussion hosted by GT3 Architects, the group discussed ways in which their organisations are creating a positive working environment for their teams, and how
Stoford has submitted a planning application for a new 42,500 sq ft industrial/warehouse development at Exeter Logistics Park in East Devon. Stoford is lead developer for Exeter Logistics Park and has a long-term site wide agreement with the Church Commissioners for England that will deliver c.500,000 sq ft of high quality
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has been praised by Ofsted for creating an inclusive learning environment, which allows apprentices to “develop and flourish.” Inspectors who visited the TICA training facilities over three days during October rated it as ‘good’ across all five areas: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour
HS2 Ltd’s CEO Mark Thurston hosted Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt and Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street at HS2’s Interchange Station construction site in Solihull. The Chancellor’s visit follows last week’s Autumn Statement in which he committed to investment in infrastructure and to continue building HS2 to
According to a research study from Jason Rowley LTD, the construction sector is responsible for the most fatal workplace injuries in Britain in 2021/22. Based on annual statistics from HSE on work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain, a total of 123 workers were killed in work-related accidents in Great Britain
Changes to the levelling up and regeneration bill allowing councils to withhold planning consent to developers slow to build on a site are counterproductive, claims the industry. They argue that land banking is a myth and that developers are keen to build on sites as soon as possible to gain
LEADING digital procurement platform The Build Chain has reinforced its plan for rapid growth through two senior level appointments, bolstering its approach of providing solutions for the trade from experts within the industry. The Build Chain, developed to revolutionise the construction procurement process, is an online platform that connects contractors nationally to suppliers locally. It helps its users to solve long-standing supply chain issues by giving instant competitive quotes for hire equipment or purchased building materials. The appointment of Keith Wright as non-executive director, and Phil Sheldon as sales director, further strengthens the growing team with a combined industry experience of more than 65 years. Keith said: “I love the business model and ethos of The Build Chain, as well as the energy and enthusiasm of the team for the product they’re offering. It felt like an exciting prospect just to hear about the solution they’ve created, let alone being a part of its direction. It’s important to help to continue modernising the way the construction industry works, allowing contractors and merchants to become more efficient and streamlined in the digital era of doing business. I’m excited to have a hand in establishing The Build Chain as a leading digital procurement platform.” Phil Sheldon has more than 35-years’ experience at previous roles at leading contractors, major manufacturers, and national merchants. Phil said: “Despite significant progress in recent years, the construction industry continues to lag when it comes to digital solutions. This role presents a fantastic opportunity to help solve that industry-wide challenge. Over the next year my focus will be on building a solid and sustainable base for the business while bringing procurement into the modern digital world. Beyond that, I want The Build Chain to become a heavyweight name in the industry, and to expand upon its digital offering into areas that will enhance the customer experience even further.” Matthew McClune, co-founder of The Build Chain, added: “These two key appointments mark a step change for the company’s growth plans and progression. We’re really excited about Keith and Phil joining the team at this pivotal time – they both bring fantastic experience to the team, and the ideas they have brought to the table are avenues we’re excited to explore.” To learn more about The Build Chain visit its website here: www.thebuildchain.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PlanRadar’s integration with QR Codes set to improve on-site documentation and information PlanRadar, one of Europe’s leading digital construction, real estate and facilities management platforms, has enhanced its site data management by including QR code functionality. PlanRadar’s integration with QR Codes continues to elevate the platform as a preferred on-site documentation product, allowing users to simplify workflows and save time. QR Codes can be placed around a site to track location-specific issues or assets. The improvements will deliver greater flexibility to PlanRadar’s customer base, merging their existing work processes with the platform’s award-winning functionality, to help save time, improve work rate and accuracy whilst avoiding performance-damaging data silos. Users scan the QR code with their camera or the PlanRadar Mobile App and the linked Ticket (task/asset information) opens automatically. This makes it fast and simple to reference specific details while at a construction site or when maintaining facilities. PlanRadar currently supports a similar integration and workflow using near field technology, with the ability to link NFC tags to Tickets. With the addition of QR codes, users can now select their preferred technology to work on-site with PlanRadar. Chief Product Officer, Clemens Hammerl stated, “We strive to give our customers the best on-site experience, making it simple to get their day-to-day work done efficiently and correctly. Linking PlanRadar to QR codes is a natural fit – reducing the time it takes to retrieve information on a project site and ensuring everything is properly documented at the precise location. QR codes and NFC tags can both be used to make a wide variety of information accessible in real-time, and users can choose which format they capture and share information.” The new functionality makes it faster and easier to share information critical to a project’s success and can also drive greater levels of communication and collaboration between teams, creating a water-tight audit trail of decision-making in the process. Combined with PlanRadar’s flexible platform that allows users to decide the format they capture and report information, QR codes can be used for a variety of on-site workflows, including sharing key information on construction sites, tracking equipment, health and safety inspections, managing modular build deliveries, recurring maintenance and aligning fire stopping elements in ongoing checks. Co-CEO Ibrahim Imam added: “QR codes and the PlanRadar app are easy to use and do not require any prior knowledge or training. All you need is a mobile device. The result is a simple and cost-effective way to provide the most updated information – removing the need to replace signs on the entire construction site or in a building.” The new functionality neatly aligns with PlanRadar’s existing features. Using offline mode, users may scan QR codes and capture information even in places without internet access. At the same time, all information is stored in accordance with the highest standards of data protection and data security according to GDPR. PlanRadar continues to expand its feature set, following the start-ups successful $69 million ‘Series B’ investment round in January 2022. This year they launched integration solution ‘PlanRadar Connect’ and a Schedule feature to visualise projects phases and Tickets in Gantt-charts, among a multitude of other improvements to enhance customer’s experience. To find out more about PlanRadar’s new QR code feature and the wider platform, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A UK developer has used Elon Musk company’s technology to deploy 98MW/196MWh storage system near grid-connection point for world’s largest wind at sea project. This makes it the largest facility of its kind in the UK and, indeed, in all of Europe. Harmony Energy confirmed last Monday that the Pillswood project had been successfully operationalised. It is located in the village of Cottingham, adjacent to the National Grid’s electricity substation at Creyde Beck. Construction has been managed by Tesla, whose Megapack battery products make up the array. The substation where Pillswood is based is the proposed connection point for the first two phases of the Dogger Bank wind farm. This facility will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm once completed, at 3.6GW. It will consist of three 1.2GW phases and the first is set to come online in 2023. The battery storage facility will be crucial to maximizing the efficiency of Dogger Bank. Due to the intermittent nature of renewable electricity, it is beneficial to be able to store electricity in case supply is low at times of high demand. Similarly, there may be high supply at times of low demand, forcing the curtailment of energy. Originally, half of the Pillswood project’s capacity was set to become operational this side of the new year, with the other half due to come online in March 2023. The timetable has been accelerated on National Grid’s request, to help build in more energy security and flexibility this winter amid record-high wholesale energy prices. Harmony Energy’s director Perer Kavanagh said that “all stakeholders have recognised the importance of achieving energisation for this project ahead of winter” despite “a very challenging geopolitical and global supply chain environment”. Kavanagh added: “Battery energy storage systems are essential to unlocking the full potential of renewable energy in the UK, and we hope this particular one highlights Yorkshire as a leader in green energy solutions. “These projects are not supported by taxpayer subsidy and will play a major role in contributing to the net-zero transition, as well as ensuring the future security of the UK’s energy supply and reduced reliance on foreign gas imports.” A rapidly growing sector Harmony Energy is planning to bring five other utility-scale battery energy storage projects online within the next year. It is far from the only company looking to scale its battery storage portfolio in the UK. Back in April, trade body RenewableUK revealed that the UK’s energy storage pipeline had doubled within less than a year, surpassing 32GW. The UK Government’s Energy Security Strategy, published in April, is headlined with an ambition for 95% of the UK’s electricity generation to be low-carbon by 2030. Unabated fossil-fuelled electricity generation should then come offline by 2035. The Conservative Party’s approach prioritises growing nuclear and offshore wind to meet these goals. RenewableUK believes that, as well as the UK Government’s increased support for renewable electricity in the main, the growth of the energy storage pipeline is attributable to a decision to relax planning rules, first announced in summer 2020 and enacted in December 2020. The change enabled local planning authorities to make decisions on larger projects, lifting the previous 50MW cap for England and the previous 250MW cap for Wales, after which point Government intervention was previously needed. We are expecting further major policy changes to be made to support long-duration, large-scale energy storage by 2024. These changes will primarily impact technologies which don’t rely on batteries, such as pumped hydro. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A funding partnership has been established to support the acquisition and development of a landmark scheme of 347 homes in Ilfracombe, North Devon. Independent West Country house builder Devonshire Homes has joined forces with social impact investor, Housing Growth Partnership (HGP) to bring forward the 50-acre site, as part of Devonshire Homes’ ambitious growth strategy. Located off Old Barnstaple Road, the land with spectacular views across the Bristol Channel sea and stunning open countryside, has a Reserved Matters Planning Consent for 309 open market homes and 38 affordable homes. The homes comprise a full range of properties, from one and two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom houses. The new Ilfracombe scheme is the fourth site acquired under the joint venture arrangements between the Tiverton-headquartered house builder and HGP in the last six years. It is also an important strategic milestone for Devonshire Homes as the 30-year old residential home developer drives its ambitious five-year growth plan forward. Angus Cook, Managing Director at Devonshire Homes, commented: “The purchase of this sought-after Ilfracombe site cements further our exciting partnership with HGP and long-term relationship with our funders, Lloyds Bank. It demonstrates the success of our partnership model and the confidence in our robust growth plans to build more high quality, sustainable communities across the region.” Construction at Ilfracombe is due to start in early 2023. Devonshire Homes will be responsible for all aspects of the development process. Working with Thrive Architects, the award-winning housebuilder intends to deliver homes with an exciting and aspirational coastal aesthetic design that sits well within the topography of the elevated site, maximising the stunning outlook and coastal views. Angus continued: “Lying close to the amenities of Ilfracombe and offering easy access to the A39 and A361, the site has the exciting potential to offer customers all of the convenience of this desirable location with the high-quality homes that Devonshire Homes is recognised for. “This fantastic site represents a significant step change in Devonshire Home’s expansion. The acquisition is consistent with our active growth strategy and underpins our ability to identify and secure opportunities in the best locations to deliver high-quality homes that people want to live in.” HGP, established by Lloyds Banking Group and Homes England to provide assistance to the most ambitious regional housebuilders in the UK, invests alongside housebuilders to support the delivery of new homes. Arnaud de Blay, Investment Director at HGP, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Devonshire Homes to bring forward this locally significant scheme at Ilfracombe. We recognise that this scheme plays a large part in the ambitious growth plans for Devonshire Homes “HGP’s investment in the Ilfracombe development represents a deepening of an already hugely successful partnership and the next step in our respective growth journey. This deal reflects HGP’s ability and willingness to invest significant money into large and complex sites along with the right partners.” Paul Collings, Relationship Director at Lloyds Bank, commented: “Securing our future affordable housing supply and ensuring stock can stand the test of time is vital in the current cost of living crisis. “It’s fantastic to continue our support for Devonshire Homes as it looks to tackle the shortage of quality housing in the South West and deliver its ambitious growth strategy. We will continue to be by the side of local businesses to help them take advantage of growth opportunities in these challenging economic times.” A range of community benefits are planned under the Section 106 agreement which will see Devonshire Homes contributing to the local community in the following ways: providing sports pitches, a MUGA (multi-use games area), LEAP (local equipment area for play), LAPS (local area for play) and open space. Land will also be provided for a school and community facility to be built. The overall Section 106 financial contributions to be made for the scheme will total over £2,000,000 after indexation and are to be used for the following The Devonshire Homes team has decades of experience in building new communities across the West Country with current developments including: The Grange, Bideford; Tarka View, Crediton; Longston Cross, Bovey Tracey; Applegate Park, Kingsbridge; Gwallon Keas, St. Austell; Five Lanes Close, Altarnun and The Sun Houses, Yelland. To find out more about Devonshire Homes, visit www.devonshirehomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE POST-pandemic office needs to be people-centric with businesses creating the best environments for their teams to thrive, according to a panel of industry experts. Speaking at a roundtable discussion hosted by GT3 Architects, the group discussed ways in which their organisations are creating a positive working environment for their teams, and how the increasing demand for high-calibre individuals is establishing a renewed need to look at how the workplace functions. The panel agreed that flexibility and choice are key considerations for both current and prospective employees, as well as having a defined culture that is understood throughout all levels of the business. Michael Simpson, associate director and workplace consultant at GT3 Architects, said: “We can’t rely on data from the pandemic as working from home was enforced, so we’re just now beginning to see trends emerge through our work with businesses looking at their office space. “We’ve seen that people highly value flexibility, not just in terms of working from home versus the office, but also when and how they do that work. The strongest and clearest conclusion is that people want the choice – they don’t want to be told they can or can’t come in.” One underrated benefit of working from the office discussed by the panel, was the so-called “osmosis effect”, where team members share knowledge and experience simply by being around each other and overhearing conversations. Adam Tarleton, head of construction and procurement at Macildowie Recruitment, said: “Being in the office is particularly beneficial for more junior members of the team, but we’re seeing a lot of candidates that list being able to work largely or exclusively from home as their top priority. “While there are benefits to this, I think it is maybe a little lost on them that you learn so much just from sitting near other people, absorbing how they interact with each other and simply gaining a better understanding how the business works.” There was cross-panel consensus on the office being the best, and sometimes only, way to ensure effective collaboration and creative thinking, as working from home is often productive but also causes teams to work in silo. James Garment, director at engineering consultancy Hexa, said: “There’s a bit of a fallacy that just because you’re working from home and ticking off everything on your to-do list, you’re being productive, but when you’re in the office having meetings and talking with the team, you’re not achieving as much as you would like. “The reality is that those in-person meetings and conversations are every bit as valuable as completing everything off your task list, so it’s about that balance and understanding that the perception of “being productive” can be a little bit skewed by traditional thinking.” The location of offices was also identified by the group as a key consideration for staff, with many businesses looking to migrate back into city centres following the pandemic. Mark Tomlinson, director at commercial property agent FHP, said: “The pandemic has made many businesses reevaluate their location. If you look at ten or fifteen years ago, the trend was heavily toward out-of-town business parks, but as people reduce the amount of time they spend in the office, they want their trips there to be as useful as possible. “It feeds into the discussion about flexibility and choice – people want that work-life balance and a city centre location is part of that as it means you can easily head out for lunch, visit the shops and do everything in one place.” Wrapping up the roundtable, Simpson talked about the future of the office, agreeing that there is huge value in location, but that amenities will also play a considerable part in attracting and retaining staff. He said: “We are finding that when we’re working with clients to rethink how their spaces will work, there is generally a shift towards the flexibility of space we discussed earlier, but also towards smaller spaces that are fitted out to a higher specification. “I believe we will get to a point where going into the office will be like going to a high-end hotel, with all the associated amenities you’d expect.” Liz Clarke, associate director and head of people at GT3 Architects, added: “The pandemic accelerated a shift in how businesses operate, and the dynamic between employer and employee has changed significantly because of this. This is massively impacting how businesses attract, retain, and ultimately support their staff, and the conversation around the table today has illustrated the importance of the workplace offering in creating a team that works.” The roundtable was chaired by Liz Cartwright (Cartwright Communications) and also featured: Neil Harrison (Arup), Jenny Keen (Marrons Planning), Alex Jones (Chord Consult), Tom Huffsmith (The Island Quarter), Jerry Major (Willmott Dixon) and Geoff Tindsley (EDGE). GT3 Architects puts it people at the forefront of its projects, with this roundtable event helping to facilitate deeper conversations to influence the design process. By bringing together local leaders and business owners, GT3 hopes to create an opportunity to learn and inspire a different way of working. To be part of the conversation, register your interest at info@gt3architects.com to be notified of the next roundtable event. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stoford has submitted a planning application for a new 42,500 sq ft industrial/warehouse development at Exeter Logistics Park in East Devon. Stoford is lead developer for Exeter Logistics Park and has a long-term site wide agreement with the Church Commissioners for England that will deliver c.500,000 sq ft of high quality industrial/logistics accommodation. The leading commercial property developer proposes to build a new high specification unit on a 3.30-acre plot in Clyst Honiton. Known as DC9, the new unit will be built on behalf of an end user and will reflect the scheme’s already impressive sustainability credentials. Stoford will target BREEAM ‘very good’ and an EPC ‘A’ rating, as well as net zero carbon in construction. Features will include water and daylight saving controls, PV panels, electric vehicle charging provision and a sustainable urban drainage system, while occupiers will also benefit from onsite trim trail and outdoor gym areas, including bodyweight exercise equipment. The developer has already completed construction of four new developments, including a 90,000 sq ft distribution unit, a 415-space EV charging park for Amazon and DHL’s new 55,000 sq ft parcel distribution service centre. More recently, adhesive manufacturer Forgeway signed a 15-year lease on a 28,500 sq ft building that was speculatively developed by Stoford and Urban Logistics REIT. Stoford Director, Edward Peel said that Exeter Logistics Park has all of the attributes to become the South West’s leading distribution hub, south of Bristol. He said: “We are excited to submit plans for our next new development at Exeter Logistics Park. DC9 is a well designed building which offers a combination of high-quality internal and external spaces in an easily accessible location. “Exeter Logistics Park is based just a short distance from one of the fastest growing cities in the UK with a huge potential workforce on its doorstep. The scheme benefits from good local and national connections, including direct bus links and access to the motorway network, which makes it a perfect location for distribution.” Exeter Logistics Park is sited two miles from Jct 29 of the M5 and a mile from the A30, near Exeter Airport, with Exeter city centre lying just six miles to the west of the site. All enquiries regarding the scheme should be directed to the scheme’s retained agents, JLL and Cushman & Wakefield. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) has been praised by Ofsted for creating an inclusive learning environment, which allows apprentices to “develop and flourish.” Inspectors who visited the TICA training facilities over three days during October rated it as ‘good’ across all five areas: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and apprenticeships. TICA, which formed in 1957, provides access to the best industry training for levy-funded apprentices throughout the UK at its National Training Centre in Darlington. At the time of the Ofsted inspection, it had 153 apprentices enrolled on its apprenticeship programmes – 43 on the Level 3 standard for industrial thermal insulation technicians, and 110 on the Level 2 standard for commercial industrial thermal insulation operatives. The report said that the training is conducted in “very well-resourced workshops” with trainers, many of whom are time-served thermal insulator technicians, while describing the level of practical work produced by apprentices as “very high.” It praised the trade member organisation for designing a “well-planned and sequenced curriculum” that ensures apprentices build up strong skills over time. The report added: “Leaders have achieved this by working closely with employers to devise bespoke training that meets the principles and requirements of the apprenticeship programme. “Employers benefit from and are right to value the training that their apprentices receive and recognise the positive contributions that apprentices make to the business.” Apprentices attend training on a residential basis for two weeks every three months which, the inspection team said, “allows them to be taught substantial new knowledge and skills while working on projects with like-minded committed apprentices.” It added that: “Trainers support apprentices well” and provide “effective feedback” on the quality of their work and should an apprentice be identified as struggling, they receive “effective additional support.” It concluded that the programme leaders have created “an inclusive environment in which all apprentices are able to develop and flourish.” Marion Marsland, chief executive of TICA, said: “I’m delighted that the inspectors acknowledged our high standards, excellent training facilities, and the effectiveness of our programmes that allow apprentices to quickly gain both practical skills and valuable technical knowledge. “It is also gratifying to note that TICA has developed an effective curriculum that promotes a positive and supported attitude to learning. I hope this Ofsted rating further highlights the exceptional training we provide and encourages more apprentices into the industry to help solve an historic skills shortage.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 Ltd’s CEO Mark Thurston hosted Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt and Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street at HS2’s Interchange Station construction site in Solihull. The Chancellor’s visit follows last week’s Autumn Statement in which he committed to investment in infrastructure and to continue building HS2 to Manchester. Mark Thurston hosted the Chancellor and Mayor Andy Street on a tour of the site to see construction progress, meet site engineers and apprentices, and hear about how HS2 is already driving economic benefits across the Midlands and wider to the whole UK, creating opportunities for jobs and businesses across the country. HS2 Ltd’s CEO Mark Thurston said: “It was a pleasure to host the Chancellor and the West Midlands Mayor on our busy Interchange Station site today, so they could see first-hand HS2’s construction progress in action, and to show them how HS2 is delivering for the government’s levelling-up agenda. “With almost 30,000 jobs supported by the project, and tens of thousands more throughout our UK-wide supply chain, we are delighted the Chancellor recognises the important part HS2 is playing in driving growth across the country today, and will do in the future.” On Twitter, after the visit Jeremy Hunt MP tweeted: Today I met skilled apprentices on the site of HS2’s new Interchange Station in #Solihull with the brilliant @andy4wm. We could have balanced the books with big cuts to capital projects, but better transport connections spread wealth & opportunity – so we are proud to BACK HS2. The Chancellor and Mayor met apprentices from HS2’s civils construction partner Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) to hear about the opportunities the project is providing for them and their future careers. Bethany Williamson, BBV Apprentice Civil Engineer from Birmingham said: “It was great to talk to the Chancellor, who was really interested in hearing about my apprenticeship and my role working on HS2. I told him that it really is a brilliant opportunity to work on such a huge construction project, and that I’m very excited about continuing my career with HS2.” The contract to build HS2’s eco-friendly Interchange Station in the West Midlands will support around 1,000 jobs over the next five years. This means there will are huge opportunities for people and businesses in the region right now, years before the station is open. Interchange Station is the catalyst for huge growth plans in Solihull, creating an economic transformation for the region. The plans, being led by the Urban Growth Company, will support 30,000 jobs, up to 3,000 new homes and 70,000m2 of commercial space. This forms part of the wider UK Central Hub area plans for 70,000 jobs, 8,000 new homes and 650,000m2 of commercial space, generating £6.2bn GVA per year and bringing 1.3m people to within a 45-minute public transport commute of the station. The design of Interchange will make it one of the most sustainable stations anywhere in the world. Harnessing the latest green technology and designs will provide exciting jobs, training and supply chain opportunities, as we begin to build a world-class transport hub for the UK. The station site covers an area of 150 hectares within a triangle of land formed by the M42, A45 and A452. Significant progress has already been made on the site, including the construction of modular bridges over the M42 and A446 as part of a re-modelled road network in the area to facilitate access to the new station. In 2023, after an initial 12 month planning stage, Laing O’Rourke will start the detailed design. HS2’s Main Works Contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI are currently preparing the site, ready for construction to start in 2024. The station is due for completion in 2027 in advance of the railway opening between 2029 and 2033. There will be up to five trains per hour passing through the station in both directions, with an estimated total of 175,000 seats per day, making this one of the best-connected transport interchanges in the country. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
According to a research study from Jason Rowley LTD, the construction sector is responsible for the most fatal workplace injuries in Britain in 2021/22. Based on annual statistics from HSE on work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain, a total of 123 workers were killed in work-related accidents in Great Britain in 2021/22, a decrease of 22 fatalities from 2020/21. 30 of these workers died in construction in 2021/22, followed by 22 fatal injuries in agriculture and manufacturing. Between 2017 and 2022, the average workplace death in construction was 36 a year. However, if you consider the rate of fatal injuries in terms of the number of fatalities per 100,000 workers employed between 2017 and 2022, agriculture is the worst sector for workplace deaths. The rate of fatal injury to workers in the agriculture sector is 21 times higher than the other industries. Although there has been only one death in 2021/22 in the waste and recycling sector, they are also the second-highest sector for fatal injury rate, 11 times higher than the other industries. In contrast, the rate of fatal injury in construction is considerably less than that of the agriculture industry between 2017 and 2022. Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of annual fatalities each year had been broadly similar to one another, as seen below. Year Fatal injuries to workers in Great Britain 2016/17 135 2017/18 141 2018/19 149 2019/20 113 2020/21 145 2021/22 123 For information about health and safety, or to report inconsistencies or inaccuracies in this guidance, visit the HSE website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Changes to the levelling up and regeneration bill allowing councils to withhold planning consent to developers slow to build on a site are counterproductive, claims the industry. They argue that land banking is a myth and that developers are keen to build on sites as soon as possible to gain a return on investment. Home Builders Federation, HBF, planning director Sam Stafford told Construction News: “Repeated independent investigations have concluded that homebuilders do not land bank. “Builders are always keen to get on site as soon as possible and get a return on this investment, but there are many influences over how quickly a site can be built out.” Economic conditions, finance, labour, supply shortages and the new building safety requirements are among the factors affecting prompt delivery. The British Property Federation, BPF, has warned the government that the amendment to the bill could hamper future housebuilding. “I think the amendment means well, but could be counterproductive, in that developers will not want to apply for planning permission until they have all their ducks in a row,” said BPF policy director Ian Fletcher in an interview with Construction News. Councils guilty of land banking The National Federation of Builders, NFB, said local planning authorities often allocate sites with outline planning permission but delay giving full planning permission or signing off a site. “If there is so much concern about land banking, perhaps the government should force councils to give up their own copious amount of land, as under their own narrative, it is clearly being ‘banked’,” said NFB planning and policy head Rico Wojtulewicz. Property finance intermediary Hank Zarihs Associates said it would help SME developers if councils could speed up the planning process and create a small sites list available to smaller local builders. The brokerage added this would make it easier for a wider range of lenders to offer development finance to SMEs. The amendment to the levelling up and regeneration bill requires developers to report annually to councils on their progress. It also gives local authorities the power to block planning proposals from builders who have failed to deliver on the same land. The bill is set to have its third reading in parliament next week. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals