The UK Government has announced a substantial £22 billion investment in carbon capture and storage projects, aimed at cutting emissions while driving economic growth. This major funding boost is set to support two significant “carbon capture clusters” in Merseyside and Teesside over the next 25 years, creating thousands of jobs
Liverpool City Council is set to seek a development partner to help transform a prime waterfront spot into Liverpool’s newest residential community. A report to Cabinet on Tuesday, 10 September, is recommending the Council embarks on a competitive procurement exercise to appoint a high calibre development partner to lead on
M&G Real Estate Finance has announced £200 million in prime refinancing deals across the resilient UK logistics and retail warehousing sectors. The company is capitalising on robust tenant and investor demand, driven by constrained supply in key markets. One of the deals includes a £50 million construction loan (72.5% LTV)
Considerate Constructors Scheme, the independent champion for change in construction, has partnered with compliance and risk management leader Veriforce CHAS to broaden its inspection monitoring services across the UK. As public and government scrutiny on build quality intensifies, the collaboration marks a major step forward in both organisations’ missions to
Cable Services Group, the UK’s leading supplier of specialist electrical equipment, proudly announces its appointment as the official custom kitting partner for 3M, a global leader in innovation and high-performance materials. This prestigious partnership will see Cable Services delivering sustainable, customised solutions for medium-voltage projects. 3M has specifically developed custom
Central Co-op is thrilled to announce that it has taken home the title for Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards 2024. This award, presented at one of retail’s most esteemed events, recognises Central Co-op’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. The Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of
In October, FSi Promat will launch a reformulated PyroPro HPE sealant to support healthier working practices in the construction industry. As part of a company-wide initiative to reduce chemicals that could pose a risk to health, FSi Promat has modified the formula of its PyroPro HPE fire stopping sealant to
Greggs, the UK’s much-loved bakery chain, is on track for an impressive year of growth, with plans to open between 140 and 160 net new stores by the end of 2024. The company, which operated 2,559 locations as of the end of September, has already opened 152 new stores this
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has topped out Lisbon Street in Leeds, a 24-storey Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) project. To mark the occasion, a celebration was held with Winvic’s client
A new report, The Economic Footprint of Home Building, produced in association with United Trust Bank, shows that last year home building in England and Wales generated £53.3bn of economic output and supported 834,000 jobs, underlining the economic potential of delivering the homes the country needs. Hitting the new Government’s
The UK Government has announced a substantial £22 billion investment in carbon capture and storage projects, aimed at cutting emissions while driving economic growth. This major funding boost is set to support two significant “carbon capture clusters” in Merseyside and Teesside over the next 25 years, creating thousands of jobs and attracting private investment, all while helping the UK meet its climate targets. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, alongside Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, highlighted the initiative as a means of “reigniting our industrial heartlands by investing in the industry of the future.” Carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technology traps emissions produced by energy generation and industrial processes, such as cement manufacturing, and stores them underground in geological formations like disused oil fields beneath the sea. Experts, including the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Climate Change Committee, consider CCUS vital to achieving the greenhouse gas reductions needed to combat climate change. The Government’s £22 billion commitment will fund carbon capture initiatives in Teesside and Merseyside, focusing on projects that capture emissions from hydrogen production, gas power plants, and energy-from-waste facilities. This investment is set to generate around 4,000 direct jobs and support up to 50,000 jobs long-term. Additionally, it will help the UK remove 8.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually, with the first carbon being stored as early as 2028. These projects are expected to serve as a catalyst for the UK’s first large-scale hydrogen production plant, while also helping the oil and gas industry transition to greener energy sources. The move has been widely welcomed, with David Grier of Verdant Regeneration stating, “This funding provides industry with the confidence to invest in groundbreaking technology that will create jobs, spur growth, and help meet the UK’s climate ambitions.” The initiative is predicted to attract £8 billion in private sector investment. CCUS technology is also key to the development of “blue” hydrogen, which is produced from natural gas with carbon emissions captured and stored. However, environmentalists, including Greenpeace, have raised concerns that blue hydrogen still relies on fossil fuels, potentially locking the UK into what they call “second-rate solutions.” Prime Minister Starmer defended the plan, stating: “For the past 14 years, business has been held back by a dysfunctional government. Today’s announcement provides the certainty needed to deliver jobs, drive growth, and set the UK on a path to a cleaner, greener future.” Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who first announced plans for carbon capture projects back in 2009, said, “This investment paves the way for a clean energy revolution that will revitalise Britain’s industrial heartlands.” Businesses involved in the carbon capture clusters, including those focused on hydrogen and industrial production, have welcomed the Government’s commitment. Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of Energy UK, described CCUS as “a vital tool in our arsenal to decarbonise industries that cannot yet rely on clean electricity, unlocking significant investment in the process.” However, Greenpeace UK’s policy director, Doug Parr, warned that the £22 billion investment risks extending the lifespan of the oil and gas industry. He called for a greater focus on truly green jobs in sectors like offshore wind or nationwide home insulation programmes to reduce energy bills. The Government’s investment in carbon capture is seen by many as a bold step forward for UK industry and climate action, but its success will depend on balancing economic growth with genuine long-term sustainability. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council is set to seek a development partner to help transform a prime waterfront spot into Liverpool’s newest residential community. A report to Cabinet on Tuesday, 10 September, is recommending the Council embarks on a competitive procurement exercise to appoint a high calibre development partner to lead on creating a new neighbourhood as part of the city’s famous International Festival Gardens site, which was originally opened in May 1984. The ambition is to significantly boost the city’s housing supply with a diverse range and mix of housing types, including affordable properties, together with local amenities, creating a thriving new community in this prime south Liverpool location, which is well connected and within 10-minutes of the city centre. The scheme, which is a flagship project outlined in the city’s draft housing strategy, will connect with and enhance its natural surroundings and biodiversity and provide a high standard of desirable and multi-generational living for all. Significant remediation and enabling works were recently completed in January 2024 to enable development, and since that time a team of experts have been curating an ambitious, and deliverable development brief which will provide an essential framework to market the site. Clear objectives are outlined which state the council’s intentions to make the 28-acre site a sustainable, healthy and inclusive neighbourhood which has a strong identity and high design quality. If the report is given the green light, the initial phase of the procurement process will begin in October, with a view to securing a partner towards the middle of next year. The development brief will form the central part of a procurement process, seeking viable expressions of interest from developers with a proven, successful track record in delivering transformative schemes at pace, which are built on strong community engagement. Montagu Evans will be running the procurement process on behalf of the Council. It is expected that the contract with the successful development partner will be finalised in Autumn 2025 once thorough due diligence has been undertaken. • You can read the full Cabinet report here. THE REMEDIATION : Remediating the Festival Gardens site has been a three-year project, which began in 2021. It was a mammoth excavation programme, moving almost 450,000 cubic metres of soil and waste of which more than 95 per cent was recycled, including 100,000 cubic metres of earth being used to create the city’s newest park – the Southern Grasslands which opened in August 2023. The remediation won a national brownfield award in recognition of the complex and sustainable nature of activity which was carried out to ensure the viability of the next phase in the transformation of Festival Gardens. Additional works have also been carried out which include laying drainage and constructing a substation to provide a power supply for the future development. This 28-acre site includes a unique 8-acre area of landscaped amenity space, with the other 20 acres now primed and ready for development. The remediation was led by the Council’s principal contractor VINCI Building. The improvement works to the site that are integral to enabling this exciting development to progress were made possible through a combination of Liverpool City Council, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Homes England grant funding. Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Liam Robinson, said: “This is a major milestone moment in the evolution of the Festival Gardens site. “The appointment of a development partner will see the completion of the International Garden Festival initiative and marks the final chapter in a 40-year story of a site which originally covered 250 acres. It will also ensure that the UK’s only remaining Festival Gardens are preserved and enhanced for future generations to enjoy. “We know how well-loved this area is and want to make sure that we are doing as much as we can to ensure this prime waterfront land has the potential to be a flagship development that sets the standard for sustainable housing in the UK. “The extensive remediation work is another piece in the puzzle, and we’re now in a position to go out to the market and invite developers to share with us their viable vision which will be transformative for the area and the city as a whole. “It’s an incredibly exciting time and is the next step in making this in-demand, thriving community a reality.” Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said: “This is another milestone on the journey to transforming Festival Gardens into a vibrant, inclusive community that will be cherished by generations to come. This isn’t just about building units; it’s about building desirable homes, where families can put down roots, where nature and urban living coexist in harmony, and where the community spirit that defines our region can thrive. “Working with the city council we have done much of the hard graft on remediating the contaminated land, and we’re now ready to work with a partner who shares our vision to turn this prime waterfront site into a beacon of sustainable living. Together, we’ll make sure that this development is something we can all be proud of.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
M&G Real Estate Finance has announced £200 million in prime refinancing deals across the resilient UK logistics and retail warehousing sectors. The company is capitalising on robust tenant and investor demand, driven by constrained supply in key markets. One of the deals includes a £50 million construction loan (72.5% LTV) to PineBridge Benson Elliot, aimed at developing two prime logistics assets in Woodford and Enfield, North London. Both sites have received planning consent for seven warehouse units, delivering 175,000 sq ft of high-quality speculative space with strong environmental credentials. Completion is expected within 18 months. London continues to experience a shortage of Grade A logistics space, with vacancy rates currently at 5%, highlighting the strong demand for premium assets that meet modern market standards. In a separate deal, M&G is providing MetroBox—a joint venture between Delancey and Tritax—with a £150 million refinancing loan (53% LTV) to replace an existing debt facility. This loan is secured against four prime retail warehouses in Guildford, Crawley, Luton, and Solihull, all of which are fully let to prominent tenants such as Next, B&Q, and Marks & Spencer. The retail warehousing sector is also experiencing record-low vacancy rates, with the current rate at around 4.6% nationwide and 4.4% recorded in July—the lowest since 2017. These deals highlight M&G’s ability to originate large-scale loans independently, without relying on third-party syndication. The assets secured by these loans showcase M&G’s expertise in underwriting investment-grade properties with positive credit profiles and growth potential. Dan Riches, Head of Real Estate Finance at M&G Real Estate, commented: “We remain committed to financing prime logistics and retail warehousing assets in strategic UK and European locations that meet the evolving needs of modern businesses. With e-commerce and manufacturing growth driving demand for Grade A logistics space, we continue to invest on behalf of our clients in well-located, high-quality assets.” George MacKinnon, Managing Director at PineBridge, added: “We are thrilled to have secured this financing with M&G, which enables the development of two sustainable, high-quality urban logistics assets in key London sub-markets where such facilities are in high demand.” A spokesperson from MetroBox also remarked: “Despite uncertainties in the debt market, we saw significant lender interest during this refinancing exercise. It’s been a pleasure working with M&G, whose competitive terms reflect the strong asset management success of our joint venture with Delancey and Tritax.” M&G’s £73 billion Private Markets division, which includes one of the world’s largest real estate investors, manages more than £40 billion in assets. Established in 2009, M&G’s Real Estate Finance team has deployed over £13 billion across the UK and Europe, investing on behalf of over 100 institutional investors globally. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Considerate Constructors Scheme, the independent champion for change in construction, has partnered with compliance and risk management leader Veriforce CHAS to broaden its inspection monitoring services across the UK. As public and government scrutiny on build quality intensifies, the collaboration marks a major step forward in both organisations’ missions to raise standards in the construction industry. The Considerate Constructors monitoring service assesses members’ adherence to the Code of Considerate Practice, helping identify opportunities for improvement. This service, conducted by Considerate Constructors’ expert Monitors, is now strengthened by the partnership with Veriforce CHAS. Benefits of the partnership include: Amit Oberoi, Executive Chairman for Considerate Constructors, said: “Veriforce CHAS leverages its business expertise and investments in technology to consistently deliver high quality services across the UK’s built environment. Our partnership enables us to streamline our operations, scale faster and more impactfully and enhance overall efficiency for contractors and developer partners.” Alex Minett, Head of Products & Markets for Veriforce CHAS, added: “Partnering with CCS reinforces Veriforce CHAS’s dedication to making the UK construction sector safer, higher quality and more successful. We’re excited to collaborate and broaden our impact.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cable Services Group, the UK’s leading supplier of specialist electrical equipment, proudly announces its appointment as the official custom kitting partner for 3M, a global leader in innovation and high-performance materials. This prestigious partnership will see Cable Services delivering sustainable, customised solutions for medium-voltage projects. 3M has specifically developed custom kits for medium-voltage jointing and termination applications. Now, through Cable Services’ nationwide distribution network, electrical installers operating throughout the UK can quickly access and customise kits to exact project specifications. This highly responsive and flexible solution not only integrates seamlessly with project deadlines but also reduces waste and delivers exceptional cost savings. Renowned for its customer-centric approach, Cable Services operates five strategically located branches across the UK, allowing for rapid delivery and localised technical support. Unlike traditional, one-size-fits-all solutions, this partnership brings flexibility and precision to the industry. Installers of medium-voltage applications can build kits to an exact specification, reducing unnecessary waste and driving sustainability across the electrical installation sector. Jason Bostock, the Managing Director of Cable Services Group, commented on this exciting partnership. He said: “The ability to customise kits will be a game changer for many of our customers. At Cable Services Group, we understand that no two projects are alike, and by providing tailored solutions, we ensure that our customers receive exactly what they need when they need it. This approach not only drives cost efficiency but significantly reduces material waste, an increasingly important priority in today’s environmentally conscious world. Our commitment to delivering sustainable solutions is evident in the success of our cable cutting service. The synergy between our efforts and 3M’s custom kits further strengthens our ability to meet our customers’ evolving needs.” The dynamic, flexible and responsive service provided by Cable Services will allow 3M to focus on high-volume production of its performance products. Reflecting on the partnership, 3M’s Jenny Swindells – Regional Division Leader, Northern Europe said: “We are delighted to welcome Cable Services as our new kitting partner and look forward to continued success and growth together. The kitting partnership enables us to provide tailored solutions for our end customers, allowing us to meet specific demands and respond more swiftly to dynamic timeframes.” This strategic partnership with 3M further enhances Cable Services’ ability to deliver value-added solutions to customers and deepens its commitment to sustainability. With over 50 years of industry expertise, Cable Services Group continues to set the standard for excellence and innovation in the sector. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Central Co-op is thrilled to announce that it has taken home the title for Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of the Year at the Retail Industry Awards 2024. This award, presented at one of retail’s most esteemed events, recognises Central Co-op’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainability. The Most Sustainable Retailer Initiative of the Year award recognises exceptional efforts in advancing environmental practices and celebrates Central Co-op’s groundbreaking work on its journey to becoming green-energy self-sufficient. The installation of solar panels across Central Co-op’s 182 retail and funeral locations plays a vital role in the retailer’s purpose: creating a sustainable Society for all. This initiative’s primary objectives are to enhance green energy self-sufficiency, reduce carbon emissions and create long-term cost-saving opportunities that can be reinvested in other sustainability measures and community projects. It is designed to reduce reliance on traditional, fossil fuel-based electricity by generating solar power on-site, addressing the dual challenges of the climate crisis and rising energy costs. In terms of environmental impact, the initiative has been significant. By generating 2,023,397 kWh of solar energy in 2023 alone, Central Co-op achieved 4% of its total energy consumption from renewable sources, reducing carbon emissions by 487,806 tonnes. This reduction is equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting approximately 22,479 trees annually. As well as the award win, Central Co-op was also named as finalists in the Best Use of Technology category, for its electronic shelf edge label rollout; Store Manager of the Year, for Sundeep Stewart’s achievements at Central Co-op’s Kibworth Beauchamp store; as well as the prestigious Convenience Retailer of the Year. The Retail Industry Awards brings together the industry’s greatest to celebrate and reward the organisations, teams and individuals contributing to the advancement of retail. The award was judged by a distinguished panel of retailers, ex-retailers, industry experts, analysts and sector leaders. Their industry knowledge and keen scrutiny of all submissions make this award particularly meaningful, highlighting the real impact of our efforts on sustainability in the retail sector. For more information on Central Co-op’s initiatives, visit centralcoop.co.uk or find out more on socials. Details on becoming a Member can be found on membership.centralengland.coop/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In October, FSi Promat will launch a reformulated PyroPro HPE sealant to support healthier working practices in the construction industry. As part of a company-wide initiative to reduce chemicals that could pose a risk to health, FSi Promat has modified the formula of its PyroPro HPE fire stopping sealant to help protect contractors and installers – critically, whilst maintaining its fire performance so the new formula can be used in the same applications as before. A key product in the FSi Promat range of fire stopping solutions, PyroPro HPE is a high performing sealant that is used to reinstate fire resistance for service penetrations and is approved for use around CPVC pipes (as typically used in sprinkler systems), plastic pipes, cables and non-combustible insulated pipes. In the reformulated sealant, FSi Promat has successfully removed a raw material, which had recently been re-classified as potentially carcinogenic, whilst retaining the same level of fire performance which has been verified in third-party testing; so all of its existing certification remains unchanged. As a high-pressure expansion sealant, PyroPro HPE is an intumescent sealant that can expand up to 20 times and is used to reinstate fire resistant compartments where breaches have been made to allow for service penetrations, such as pipework and cables. Packaged in cartridges made from up to 50 percent recycled plastic, and also in foil packs, the move to reformulate the sealant is in line with FSi Promat’s commitment to make changes where possible that make their products less impactful on the environment and support improved standards in health and safety. FSi Marketing Manager Emma Taylor said: “FSi Promat prides itself on creating fire stopping solutions that are proven to perform, and wherever possible, we also want to make products that are safe for the people using them. “FSi Promat’s PyroPro HPE sealant is an important product in the marketplace as it is approved for use with CPVC, and in particular, sprinkler systems, making it a critical part of a fire protection system. “The sustainability challenge in our industry lies in making changes to established solutions such as this, whilst ensuring they still offer the performance needed to protect people and property. Changes to fire stopping formulations require extensive research and testing to ensure the product continues to perform at the highest standard. “Updating the HPE formula to remove chemicals that could cause a risk to health is a step forward and demonstrates FSi Promat’s commitment to making changes for the better, both in terms of creating a healthy working environment – and a more sustainable future.” FSi Promat is a leading manufacturer of passive fire protection products in the UK. Through a specialist research laboratory and testing facility at its headquarters in Measham, Leicestershire, FSi Promat continually develops high quality, innovative products to protect buildings across the world. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Greggs, the UK’s much-loved bakery chain, is on track for an impressive year of growth, with plans to open between 140 and 160 net new stores by the end of 2024. The company, which operated 2,559 locations as of the end of September, has already opened 152 new stores this year while closing 66, including 43 relocations. The expansion includes the growing popularity of Greggs’ drive-through outlets, with new sites recently launched at Abbeywood Retail Park and Harlequin Business Park in Bristol. In its third-quarter trading update, covering the 13 weeks ending 28 September, Greggs reported a 10.6% increase in total sales, bringing year-to-date growth to an impressive 12.7%. Like-for-like sales in company-managed stores were also strong, rising 5% compared to the same period in 2023. Innovation has been key to Greggs’ continued success. The bakery chain’s product development, including the launch of a popular over-ice drinks range, has contributed significantly to its sales surge. Currently available in 800 locations, the drinks line is expected to reach 1,000 shops by the end of the year. New additions to the Autumn menu, such as the All-Day Breakfast Baguette and Mexican Bean & Spicy Cheese Flatbread, are also expected to drive sales as the colder months approach. Extended trading hours and the expansion of digital sales channels have further bolstered Greggs’ performance. Despite the ongoing economic uncertainty, the company remains confident in its long-term growth prospects and maintains its outlook for the full year. In a bid to balance consumer costs, Greggs has also revised its inflation estimates, now anticipating that cost increases for 2024 will fall towards the lower end of its previous 4-5% projection. This is welcome news for customers, especially those who have voiced concerns over rising prices in recent years, including the iconic sausage roll. With a robust expansion strategy, menu innovation, and continued sales growth, Greggs is firmly on course for a landmark year, cementing its place as a staple of the British high street. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has topped out Lisbon Street in Leeds, a 24-storey Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) project. To mark the occasion, a celebration was held with Winvic’s client CASL Lisbon Street and project fund CA Ventures on the twenty-fourth floor. Located on the corner of Lisbon Street and Castle Street in Leeds city centre, the project comprises 548 single occupancy, en-suite student bedrooms contained within a single tower block. When complete, the student residents will be able to enjoy a 1,593 sq ft first floor roof terrace and a range of shared amenity spaces, including cinema rooms, a fitness centre, a games room, and a TV lounge. As the construction of the concrete framed building has reached the twenty-fourth floor, the aluminium rain screen cladding, which fits in with the wider Lisbon Street development has been installed to the lower floors. Final decorations have been completed also on the lower floors and the Winvic team is currently installing partitions on level 17. Winvic has also been trialling an innovation to reduce the carbon associated with hot works, replacing gas fired boilers for roofing activities with electric boilers. Winvic has been promoting cross-contractor collaboration at the former International Swimming Pool site Lisbon Street, as the PBSA project is one part of a four-plot development also comprising Build-to-Rent apartments and commercial spaces. Winvic took over the Lisbon Street PBSA project in October 2023 and it is due to complete in August 2025. Winvic’s Managing Director for Multi-room, Mark Jones, commented: “The Lisbon Street project in the centre of Leeds has been progressing very well and it was great to celebrate the topping out milestone with our client and the scheme’s funders, CASL Lisbon Street and CA Ventures. With other projects also being constructed adjacent to ours, on the wider Lisbon Street site, there were challenges to consider, but the team’s collaborative skills have ensured that we’re right on programme for completion in summer next year. I’d like to thank the Winvic team for their ongoing hard work and to CASL Lisbon Street for putting their trust in us to complete their 548-bed development.” For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (formerly Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new report, The Economic Footprint of Home Building, produced in association with United Trust Bank, shows that last year home building in England and Wales generated £53.3bn of economic output and supported 834,000 jobs, underlining the economic potential of delivering the homes the country needs. Hitting the new Government’s 1.5m homes target could deliver £330bn to UKPLC and an extra 350,000 jobs a year The research carried out by Lichfields for the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and produced in association with United Trust Bank (UTB) found that last year, delivering 240k homes generated; And; The findings also demonstrate the huge boost to growth the new Government can release if it can hit its ambitious housing targets. If Labour were to meet its housing targets of 1.5 million homes built over the course of this Parliament, this could result in: Compared to the 1 million homes built under the last government, this equals an additional: The home building industry has largely welcomed the interventions Labour has made on planning, addressing the major barriers to land coming through the system. It is now urging Government to address the other constraints to delivery, particularly on the demand side and is also calling on the new Government to deliver on its commitment to find a solution to the ‘nutrition neutrality’ issue holding up an estimated 160,000 homes. Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive of the HBF said: “As well as addressing some of the major social issues the country faces, building more homes drives economic activity. The house building industry sustains hundreds of thousands of jobs, generates huge receipts for the exchequer and boosts investment in infrastructure and amenities across the country. “Delivering new developments provides energy-efficient, modern homes, and ploughs investment into new roads, schools and community facilities that benefit both new and existing residents. “If Government can deliver on its ambitious housing targets it will reap significant social and economic benefits. The industry welcomes the swift and decisive actions to address the constraints in the planning system, but more is needed to accelerate growth. The lack of affordable mortgage availability means more support for buyers is needed. Creating demand for new homes provides the confidence the industry needs to invest and deliver both private and affordable homes. “The upcoming budget provides an opportunity for the Government to take more positive steps to address the mounting housing crisis and to commit to their pledge to get Britain building again.” Adam Bovingdon, Head of Property Development at United Trust Bank, said: “This important report illustrates the huge contribution the housing industry makes to the UK economy and to the local areas surrounding new housing developments. UTB is a staunch advocate for regional housebuilders and entrepreneurial developers and the important contribution they make to delivering the UK’s housing needs. Our funding supports the completion of around 5600 new homes at any one time, bringing new jobs, new facilities and new money to areas where investment can make a big difference.” Richard Coburn, Senior Director at Lichfields, said: “We were delighted to be asked by the HBF to update our series of economic impact work which we started in 2015. Our research lands at an extremely important time for the house building industry with the new Government seemingly taking all reasonable policy measures to accelerate much-needed delivery of new homes. “Lichfields again has identified the very significant economic contribution made by house building and how boosting supply to achieve the Government’s confirmed aspiration of 300K homes per annum in England will not only help improve access to housing for people across the country but also deliver a significant economic and infrastructure dividend. “It is important that this contribution is properly recognised in planning and investment decisions across central and local government.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
