Watkin Jones, the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential for rent, is pleased to announce that the Group recently practically completed on a 335-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme called The Brook, situated in Lower Bristol Road in Bath. This milestone marks the completion of the final development in
Casa by Moda has launched a preliminary wave of homes at its first two developments in Yorkshire. The two single-family homes (SFH) neighbourhoods in Leeds and Doncaster mark a continuation of the Casa by Moda growth story, and are expected to redefine the local rental market. Once complete, the neighbourhoods
Project-starts, planning approvals and contract wins all down as construction industry braces for impact Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the September 2024 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of August 2024, covering all major
With a strong focus on sustainability at this year’s UK Construction Week Birmingham show (NEC, October 1st to 3rd), the organisers has announced a brand new Net Zero Trail which will highlight the latest eco innovations and ideas driving the construction industry towards a net zero future, which visitors can
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Supply Chain Sustainability School have today published a groundbreaking report aimed at addressing the housing crisis through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The report lays out key policy recommendations designed to accelerate the adoption of MMC and deliver high-quality, affordable homes at scale.
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has released research highlighting the significant strides being made by commercial landlords in the East of England[1] and across the UK toward embracing public electric vehicle (EV) charging. The survey, which included responses from 500 commercial landlords aged 18 and
The Crown Estate has announced the acquisition of The Dissington Estate in Northumberland. The estate, located eight miles northwest of Newcastle Upon Tyne, consists of five principal holdings and five residential properties, set across 2,552 acres of largely arable land, pasture and woodland. This marks The Crown Estate’s first acquisition
Bringing together industry leaders, innovators and professionals across the property and construction sectors, the Liverpool City Region Sustainable Property Group is hosting the second-annual conference to debate the sustainability challenges facing the built environment on 26th September. The event is bigger and better for its second year, and with over
A housing association-led partnership has transformed two college classrooms into cutting-edge workshops, designed to inspire students to join the construction sector. Hartlepool College of Further Education unveiled its new construction workshops to students on Tuesday, following its transformation by be:ONE partners. The be:ONE partnership was launched in April by believe
The total market size of the construction and property development sector is forecast to bounce back strongly in 2025 after suffering the third consecutive year of declines in 2024. Following a tough three years for the property development and construction industry that has seen both dwellings starts and lending decline,
Watkin Jones, the UK’s leading developer and manager of residential for rent, is pleased to announce that the Group recently practically completed on a 335-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme called The Brook, situated in Lower Bristol Road in Bath. This milestone marks the completion of the final development in a portfolio of three PBSA schemes located in Swansea, Nottingham, and Bath. These schemes were sold by Watkin Jones to EQT Exeter in 2022 as part of a larger transaction, which represented EQT Exeter’s first venture into the UK PBSA market. Part of a major mixed-use project, The Brook is a two-building development that has 215 cluster flats and 120 studios which are now ready for incoming students for the 2024/25 academic year. The scheme will be managed by Fresh, the Group’s specialist accommodation management business. The scheme offers 335 sq m of indoor and outdoor amenity space, featuring a private courtyard and gardens. Located within a 15-minute walk from the historic city centre, The Brook provides excellent sustainable transport options, including the nearby National Route Four cycling route, local buses, and Bath Spa train station. Built on a former car park, the development will help address Bath’s growing demand for student accommodation. The University of Bath, a top 10 UK university, remains a prime destination for higher education students and accommodation in the city is stretched across both PBSA and build-to-rent (‘BTR’). The Brook is designed with sustainability in mind, delivering a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. Offering a WiredScore Platinum rating, the development ensures a top-tier living experience delivered through technology-enabled amenities. Furthermore, 170 secure cycle parking spaces are available for student use. Richard Harris, Managing Director – Group Delivery at Watkin Jones, said: “This is another milestone for Watkin Jones, and we are proud to hand over the keys to The Brook in time for the 2024/25 academic year. “We have worked closely with EQT Exeter on this project to strengthen the availability of much-needed student accommodation in Bath, a city renowned for its excellent higher education, attracting both domestic and international students. Fresh will manage The Brook, ensuring it meets the very highest standards for student living and wellbeing. “Watkin Jones remains committed to investing in the South West, to consistently delivering high-quality, sustainable student accommodation that provides a comfortable home for students.” Sam Scott, Managing Director at Fresh, added: ‘We are thrilled to manage The Brook, a development that perfectly aligns with our commitment to creating vibrant, sustainable communities. At Fresh, we understand the importance of providing students with not just a place to live, but a space where they can thrive. With its modern amenities and focus on wellbeing, The Brook is set to become a standout residence in Bath, offering an exceptional student experience from day one.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Casa by Moda has launched a preliminary wave of homes at its first two developments in Yorkshire. The two single-family homes (SFH) neighbourhoods in Leeds and Doncaster mark a continuation of the Casa by Moda growth story, and are expected to redefine the local rental market. Once complete, the neighbourhoods will provide 323 one, two, three and four-bedroom houses and apartments, with resident move-ins commencing this month for the first 40 units. The Leeds neighbourhood, known as Casa, Abbey Court, is located in Kirkstall, one of the city’s most accessible fringe locations. Casa at Westmoor Grange is located within the desirable suburban village of Armthorpe in Doncaster. Both locations were selected based on proximity to local amenity, namely transport network and good schools, which makes the neighbourhoods ideal for couples, families, sharers and key workers. Ahead of first residents moving in across both neighbourhoods this month, Casa launched their show homes in both Leeds and Doncaster, showcasing the high-quality product offered by Casa by Moda, which is the SFH arm of market-leading rental living business Moda Group. The ambition for the new neighbourhoods is to follow on from the success of Casa, Vista Park in Glasgow, which fully let across its first three phases, with fourth phase move-ins commencing this month. SFH is a significant driver for institutional flow of capital to the private rented sector, which has historically been controlled by individual private landlords. Recent research by Knight Frank reported that institutional investors spent a record £1.9 billion acquiring or funding SFH in the UK in 2023. This has marked a fivefold increase in investment levels, attributed to elevated mortgage rates and a shifting tax and regulatory landscape. SFH offers a viable alternative to home ownership through secure, long-term leases – the expectation is that high-quality SFH will experience robust and sticky tenant demand aligning with current data illustrating that one-third of UK renters have resided at their current address for more than five years. All Casa by Moda neighbourhoods offer deposit-alternative, pet-friendly living which places service, technology, wellbeing, and sustainability at the heart of its rental communities. Rental packages include superfast broadband, renewable energy sources and smart technology such as home security systems, smart doorbells and environmental sensors from Casa by Moda’s technology partner Utopi. The smart home sensors enable renters to monitor everything from room temperature to air quality, assisting in cultivating a higher quality of life for tenants and creating energy efficiency through real-time data on energy usage. Residents have access to the bespoke MyCasa app, which allows residents to communicate 24/7 with resident maintenance services. The app also supports the wider resident community, allowing residents to connect with their neighbours, form chats and clubs and engage with seasonal events run by Casa. Matt Townson, Director of Development and Projects at Casa by Moda, said: “Having opened our first neighbourhood in Glasgow last year, it’s very exciting to be opening the next two in Casa by Moda’s home county of Yorkshire. The success of Casa, Vista Park in Glasgow has shown there is a demand for high quality rental homes which offer more than just bricks and mortar. “As a business, we’re focused on setting the bar for next generation rental living in the UK, enabling our residents to live securely, happily and healthily, whilst offering a unique rental living experience.” Sarah Nelson, Director of Operations at Casa by Moda adds: “It’s about creating a sense of community and offering a level of service not typically seen in the private rental market. From initial enquiry to the day residents move in and beyond – we’re there each step of the way. “At Casa, we provide a market-leading digital service and connect with our communities 24/7 via the MyCasa app, reassuring residents that they have a direct point of contact to the Casa team at all times for anything they need, and likewise helping us connect with them.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Project-starts, planning approvals and contract wins all down as construction industry braces for impact Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the September 2024 edition of its Construction Review. The Review focuses on the three months to the end of August 2024, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. Averaging £9,751 million per month, work commencing on-site dipped 7% against the preceding three months to stand flat compared to a year ago. This decline was attributed to a significant drop in major project-starts which fell back 23% against the preceding three months, despite increasing 13% compared to 2023. Conversely, underlying project-starts were down on the previous year despite inching up (+7%) on the preceding three months. Main contract awards also faltered on the preceding three months’ performance, declining 21% in the three months to August to stand 7% lower than the same time last year. Detailed planning approvals plummeted 37% against the previous year, as well as falling back 11% against the preceding quarter. Commenting on the Review, Glenigan’s Senior Economist, Yuliana Ivanykovych, says, “The UK construction industry is showing signs of recovery, with a rise in private housing and infrastructure starts underpinning a 7% starts increase compared to the preceding three months. Confidence is returning to the private residential market, which will come as good news for investors and developers alike. However, we must be mindful of the sluggish growth of the national economy, with recent flatlining GDP figures indicating that market caution still reigns supreme.” She continues, “The recent strong spell for infrastructure may not last, especially as we’ve registered a slowdown in major projects, despite their value growing year-on-year. This may be caused by short-term sector trepidation as contractors await clarity from the Government’s Autumn Budget.” The sector-specific and regional index, which measures underlying project performance, saw modest growth during the three months to the end of August 2024. Taking a closer look at the highlights… Residential construction maintains growth Residential construction remained a bright spot, with underlying project-starts increasing 22% on the preceding three months, despite an 8% dip year-on-year. Private housing developments saw a robust 30% rise as investor confidence improved, although these figures still lag 4% behind last year’s numbers. Meanwhile, social housing starts remained sluggish, down 4% against the preceding three months to stand 21% below last year. Strong civils performance Civils work starting on-site experienced a particularly healthy period, posting impressive performance scores, rising 18% against the preceding three months and standing 9% up on the previous year. This growth was largely attributed to impressive performance in the infrastructure vertical, with starts up by 31% against the preceding three months and by 36% compared with a year ago. A key contributor to this growth was the commencement of the new HS2 station at Old Oak Common in London. These positive scores were tempered by sluggish utility starts, which decreased by 3% against the preceding three months to finish 23% down against the previous year. Regional Outlook The East Midlands experienced a welcome 65% rise in starts against the preceding three months, standing 16% up against the previous year. The South West and Northern Ireland also posted strong growth, with starts rising 20% and 32%, respectively, against the preceding three months, standing 6% and 36% up against the previous year. Starts in Northern Ireland were boosted by the commencement of a £150m industrial project in Antrim, Enkalon Business Park. Scotland experienced a 20% increase against the preceding three months but remained 13% down on the previous year. Likewise, London saw a 10% increase against the Index period but was 8% down against 2023 levels. Elsewhere, regional performance was poor. The value of starts in Yorkshire and the Humber and Wales declined by 19% and 6% during the three months to August and were 12% and 46% down respectively on a year earlier. The East of England experienced a mixed period, increasing 18% against the preceding three months to stand 13% down on the previous year. The North East and the North West performed poorly, declining by 35% and 15% respectively against the previous three months, and standing 29% and 12% down against the previous year. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With a strong focus on sustainability at this year’s UK Construction Week Birmingham show (NEC, October 1st to 3rd), the organisers has announced a brand new Net Zero Trail which will highlight the latest eco innovations and ideas driving the construction industry towards a net zero future, which visitors can seek out across the UKCW show floor. The new trail will guide visitors through the show to exhibitors including JCB, Niftylift, Celsa Steel UK, Fischer Future Heat and Makita, who are championing cutting-edge technologies, materials and solutions that are paving the way for the construction industry’s transition to net zero emissions. Also making its first appearance at the show is the Net Zero Hub. Sponsored by Reconomy, the new show area will be partnering with National Retrofit Hub, a non-profit collaborative organisation working with the industry to enable the delivery of housing retrofit across the UK, which has curated the entire seminar programme on Day Two (Wednesday October 2nd). Talks at the Net Zero Hub include: Jamie Roberts, Divisional Director for Construction, Housing and Infrastructure at Reconomy Commented – “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the Net Zero Hub this year and bring a fantastic range of content to the show. It’s been a challenging year for the construction and housebuilding sector, but it’s encouraging to have so many businesses approaching us and looking for ways to operate more sustainably. That’s why the Net Zero Hub is so crucial to this year’s show.” “Visitors can expect to gain valuable insights from the likes of Balfour Beatty on how they’re driving a more circular construction sector, and also hear from Reconomy’s Head of External Affairs on upcoming legislation that will impact all of us.” After being officially opened by architect and Channel 4 presenter, George Clarke, the show will open up to opportunities to meet with innovative exhibitors, attend expert-led seminars, experience live demonstrations and get involved in interactive learnings across the show’s other main hubs, which include: Sam Patel, Divisional Director – Construction, commented: “Our new Net Zero Trail will highlight the steps that the UK construction industry is taking to contribute towards a greener future – essential to not only conform to government legislation and targets, but also to be competitive with their international counterparts.” UKCW has also announced a newly launched VIP ticket for the Birmingham show, which gives visitors not only VIP parking close to the show halls, but entry into the VIP Lounge and complimentary refreshments – ideal for one-to-one networking and meetings away from the busy show floor. The one-day passes are available for a limited time price of £99. With this year’s theme of ‘Growth’, UKCW Birmingham will examine a wide range of topics over three days of insight, innovation and inspiration across its number of hubs and areas. To find out more about the Net Zero Trail, visit https://www.ukconstructionweek.com/ukcw-net-zero-trail To find out more and register for UKCW Birmingham for free, visit https://ukcw-birmingham-2024.reg.buzz/cabpr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and the Supply Chain Sustainability School have today published a groundbreaking report aimed at addressing the housing crisis through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The report lays out key policy recommendations designed to accelerate the adoption of MMC and deliver high-quality, affordable homes at scale. The report’s development was led by the CLC Housing Working Group’s Smart Construction Sub-Group, which includes representatives from: The report proposes a series of long-term policy goals for the Labour Government to consider, including the creation of a dedicated MMC Taskforce. This taskforce, once convened, would be responsible for developing a comprehensive MMC strategy within six months. The strategy would focus on: Addressing the Housing and Skills Crisis The report identifies MMC as a key solution to the UK’s housing shortage, proposing that the adoption of MMC could counter the current 225,000-person skills gap in construction. With the ability to rapidly scale up housing delivery to meet demand for 300,000 – 500,000 homes annually, MMC offers a pathway to reversing decades of stagnation in the sector, which has seen construction productivity lag behind most other UK industries. Global Lessons and High-Level Targets Drawing on international case studies from countries including Australia, China and Japan, the report emphasises the need for high-level, published MMC targets that link both quantity and quality outcomes. It calls on the UK Government to implement clear, achievable goals that provide the construction industry with the certainty it needs to invest in MMC innovation and growth. The report also supports the National Housing Federation’s call for new towns and settlements to include a mix of housing tenures, with MMC prioritised for its ability to rapidly deliver high-quality, sustainable homes. A Clear Call to Action The CLC is urging the Government to adopt their recommendations, particularly the creation of the MMC Taskforce, as a matter of urgency. By doing so, the UK can tackle its housing shortage, address the construction skills crisis, and deliver environmentally sustainable housing at scale. Rory Bergin, Partner at Sustainable Futures said: “To meet the Government’s target of delivering 1.5 million new homes by 2029, we need to double housing output and remove barriers that limit productivity. MMC is a key part of this strategy, and the sector has invested heavily in it. Now is the time to build on that progress, modernise housing delivery, and release the benefits of increased productivity, sustainability, and quality.” Access the full report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Osprey Charging, the UK’s leading and fastest-growing EV rapid-charging network, has released research highlighting the significant strides being made by commercial landlords in the East of England[1] and across the UK toward embracing public electric vehicle (EV) charging. The survey, which included responses from 500 commercial landlords aged 18 and over, emphasises a growing commitment to sustainability and future-proofing commercial spaces in the region. Polling 500 commercial landlords across the UK, Osprey found just under 1 in 5 (19%) commercial landlords surveyed currently offer public EV charging in 31-40% of their spaces. However, an impressive 94% of commercial landlords surveyed in the East of England said they plan to continue offering EV charging points over the next 1-2 years, demonstrating a strong regional commitment to supporting the transition to EVs. Osprey’s findings reflect that most UK commercial landlords surveyed agree on the commercial advantages of providing public EV charging at their sites. The data shows that nearly nine in ten UK commercial landlords surveyed feel that installing public EV charging at their sites is important for attracting new and retaining existing customers (86% and 87% respectively)[2]. Similarly, 85%2 of UK commercial landlords believe that EV charging is important for ensuring their site is an in-demand space in the future. Additionally, three-quarters (75%)[3] said that it leads to longer dwell times from visitors, and 72%3 think that it leads to increased total customer footfall. In terms of rental prospects, 84% of landlords surveyed believe that providing public EV charging increases the likelihood of renting their spaces to businesses. This notion is matched among landlords in the East of England, with 92% agreeing. The roll-out of public EV chargers is progressing rapidly, with the installation of charging stations at commercial spaces remaining a top priority for UK commercial landlords. Nearly three-quarters (72%) currently offer public EV charging at up to half of their spaces. Osprey’s award-winning network is at the forefront of this effort, with over 1,100 rapid and ultra-rapid chargers available in key locations across the UK. In the East of England region alone, Osprey boasts 168 high-powered rapid chargers across 45 sites, including 11 ultra-rapid charging hubs. Jake Goldby, Head of Acquisitions at Osprey Charging, said: “Installing public EV charging is becoming an essential requirement for UK commercial landlords who want to stay competitive and meet customer demands. From the financial benefits of higher customer footfall to greater future renting opportunities, this research has provided us with fascinating insights into why more and more are offering EV charging on their sites. The growing commitment in regions like the East of England is particularly encouraging, reflecting a strong regional drive toward sustainability. “Partnering with commercial landlords has been integral for Osprey in allowing us to increase the roll-out of our charging infrastructure, which now has over 1,100 public high-powered EV chargers in rural and urban locations across the UK. We’re delighted to see that this research shows that they remain committed to supporting the roll-out of public charging infrastructure across the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Crown Estate has announced the acquisition of The Dissington Estate in Northumberland. The estate, located eight miles northwest of Newcastle Upon Tyne, consists of five principal holdings and five residential properties, set across 2,552 acres of largely arable land, pasture and woodland. This marks The Crown Estate’s first acquisition of a rural estate since 2014, as it begins to put into practice its ambitious new rural strategy, creating long-term value for the industry and wider nation, while delivering on its aims around nature recovery, sustainable food production, net zero and the economy. The organisation’s rural portfolio extends to around 200,000 acres spread across 28 estates throughout England and Wales, including the Windsor Estate. Under its new rural strategy, The Crown estate aims to develop closer relationships with its farmers to work together to navigate the challenges facing the industry today, including the UK’s journey to net zero, the need to produce food sustainably and profitably, and the nature and biodiversity crisis. Paul Sedgwick LVO, Managing Director of Windsor & Rural at The Crown Estate said: “The acquisition of The Dissington Estate marks a key moment in the delivery of our new rural strategy. We are in a unique position to help our farmers prosper in a challenging environment and make a tangible, positive impact on the sustainable future of the sector in the UK. We hope this will be the first in a series of strategic acquisitions, allowing us to work in partnership with more farmers across the country.” Middleton Advisors, Carter Jonas and Burges Salmon acted on behalf of The Crown Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bringing together industry leaders, innovators and professionals across the property and construction sectors, the Liverpool City Region Sustainable Property Group is hosting the second-annual conference to debate the sustainability challenges facing the built environment on 26th September. The event is bigger and better for its second year, and with over 280 registered attendees to date. The group was created by leading North West property company, The Momentum Group, following the successful delivery of the first ‘Building Sustainable City Beyond 2030’ last year, which The Momentum Group organised in partnership with 2030hub. Taking place in Liverpool’s landmark St Georges Hall, ‘Building Sustainable Cities Beyond 2030’ aims to ignite crucial discussions on embedding sustainability in the city region’s property sector, ensuring it plays a central role in driving positive change. The group aims to create a mutually supportive forum where property, construction and facilities management companies can understand their carbon footprint and design out fossil fuel related impacts to mitigate climate emergency and meet City decarbonisation targets. Confirmed speakers include: This year’s conference will feature four panel discussions: The conference is included in the UN’s calendar of events as world leaders gather in New York at the United Nations General Assembly, and, is part of Global Goals Week: Liverpool and Liverpool Climate Week, two locally adapted campaigns of debate, events, launches and action, coordinated by 2030hub as a UN partner, to support the only agreed blueprint for the planet – the Sustainable Development Goals (also called the Global Goals) – #GlobalGoalsLiverpool Karl Clawley, The Momentum Group’s Associate Director, said: “A key objective of last year’s conference, organised by Momentum and 2030hub, was to commit to tangible and ongoing action on sustainability in the Liverpool City Region’s property and construction sectors. We are proud to be a part of the Sustainable Property Group taskforce and to be helpting to create an even bigger and better conference this year. We look forward to robust discussions, knowledge exchange and actionable outcomes.” Simon Mansfield, Liverpool City Council’s Sustainability Manager, said: “To ignite change and make a positive sustainable impact, businesses must take ownership of their negative emissions and start actioning change from the ground up. It is brilliant to see such a large proportion of Liverpool’s property and construction sector come together like this. The Momentum Group continue to show leadership in this crucial area within the Liverpool City Region, and its creation of the Sustainable Property Group is a huge asset to our city.” Headline Sponsors of the conference include; The Momentum Group, Morgan Sindall Construction, CIR, The Consortia Group, Fleeetsolve, Steven A Hunt & Associates, Liverpool City Council and 2030hub. Register to join this event here. Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today for an inspiring day of learning and collaboration. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A housing association-led partnership has transformed two college classrooms into cutting-edge workshops, designed to inspire students to join the construction sector. Hartlepool College of Further Education unveiled its new construction workshops to students on Tuesday, following its transformation by be:ONE partners. The be:ONE partnership was launched in April by believe housing, with contractors Buston & Maughan Group, RE:GEN Group, Sendrig Construction Limited and Sunter Limited, to deliver improvements to around 5,600 of its homes by 2028. The collaboration sees the partners work together to improve customer experience, achieve significant savings, and maximise the impact of social value in communities. There is also a strong focus on supporting the local economy and employment and reducing their impact on the environment. To deliver its first significant social value project, partners and suppliers gave 635 hours and donated more than £8,000 of materials to refurbish the workshops, which are kitted out with fit-for-industry equipment. Ruth Dent, Director of Assets and Compliance at believe housing, said: “The college does a fantastic job of giving students the skills and knowledge they need to get ready for a career in construction; in roles that are increasingly vital for building the new homes we need, maintaining and decarbonising existing homes, and supporting the regional economy. “We wanted to help make its learning spaces even more inspiring, and the be:ONE partners have pulled out all the stops to transform the workshop into the bright, well-equipped facility they deserve. “I’m deeply grateful to the partners for their hard work and enthusiasm and to suppliers Jewson, JTC Kitchens and Brewers Decorating for generously donating materials to the project. “I’m honoured that the college has let us help shape the students’ time at college and look forward to continuing to support them; maybe in the not-too-distant future some of them will be working for believe housing or our construction partners, helping us maintain and improve customers’ homes and supporting the local economy and jobs. “Together, we’ve created workshops that will help many young people to realise their potential, to succeed in our competitive world, and open doors to careers they might have never thought possible. “The skills learnt here will not only benefit the students but will also benefit the businesses they go on to work for and the communities they return to.” John Cartwright, Head of Business Growth and Skills at Hartlepool College of Further Education, said: “Planning a further education curriculum that maps into the construction industry is extremely difficult due to the ever-changing industry landscape. “Creating an inspiring educational environment that will support and ‘transform students’ lives’ is also difficult, due to cuts in education budgets and a severe lack of funds. “Working with Ruth Dent and the huge team of be:ONE partners has been a brilliant experience for us. “The college has gained not just brilliant, high-end workshops, but we have also partnered with some of the best industry employers in the region which will provide rich information from the sector to support the growth of our learners’ knowledge, skills and behaviours. “We are very fortunate to be part of this partnership and close links between all members have already been forged. “Our learners and staff will cherish these facilities that have been designed and built by industry with them in mind. “We can’t wait for our learners to show off their new skills in these fantastic facilities and look forward to the start of what plans to be a fabulous partnership.” One student said: “I love what they’re doing at Hartlepool college. They’re giving me a real stepping stone to how it works in the real world when I get a job.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The total market size of the construction and property development sector is forecast to bounce back strongly in 2025 after suffering the third consecutive year of declines in 2024. Following a tough three years for the property development and construction industry that has seen both dwellings starts and lending decline, specialist lending expert, Rangewell, believes that there are already signs of a revival emerging, with 2025 looking to be a far better year for the sector – and specialist lenders already starting to show significantly increased appetite to lend – and at higher loan to value levels. The analysis by Rangewell shows that the sector has been struggling in recent years with economic headwinds dampening industry appetites causing lenders to be more selective in their lending appetite, but still keen for the right deals. In fact, outstanding lending across the construction sector has fallen for the past two years, by -7.2% in 2023 and -4.0% in 2022, with Rangewell estimating a third consecutive fall of -5.2% in 2024 before rebounding by “high single figures” in Q1 2025. This reduction in lending appetite has also impacted the number of dwelling starts seen across the sector, as there were 162,350 new dwellings in 2023-24, falling by -19.8% from the year before, a far more significant decline versus the drop of 2.6% seen in 2022/23. Rangewell estimates that, as a result of this decline in industry activity, 2024 is set to see the market size of the sector decline by 2.9% in 2024, the first reduction since 2021 following two consecutive years of increases, at 23.7% in 2022 and 7.2% in 2023. Whilst the current outlook is relatively gloomy for the UK construction sector, this trend seems unlikely to continue. The Bank of England cut the national interest rate by 0.25% to 5% in August, while another cut in November is expected by economists, which would further reduce the cost of finance. This should not only renew interest from the commercial sector, but as mortgage costs fall, a renewed level of consumer demand is expected to emerge, meaning a stronger market for the residential construction sector. It’s early days, but the new Labour government also seems ambitious in its moves to increase housing supply: installing a housing target of 1.5 million over the course of the parliament, vowing to loosen housing supply, as well as reclassifying some green belt land into ‘grey belt’. With there being such a strong political appetite, combined with more favourable economic conditions and an uplift in homebuyer appetites, the future is looking far brighter for the construction and property development sector and Rangewell has already noted an increase in the appetite for lending within the sector during H2 of this year. Alasdair McPherson, Head of Partnerships at Rangewell, commented: “The construction and property development industry is emerging from a very lean period over the last few years after being stymied by the economic uncertainty that has enveloped all regions of the UK and we expect the overall market size to contract in 2024 due to the downward trends seen both with respect to lending and new dwelling starts. “The good news is we’re already seeing improved confidence across the sector and appetites within the lending space have certainly improved during the second half of this year – and continue to grow. With a further cut to interest rates likely in the coming weeks and the market starting to build momentum, we expect significantly positive uplifts into 2025 – and are already seeing developers with good projects receiving significantly better lending terms than even three months ago.” Data Tables and Sources Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals