Kenneth Booth

The New Homes Index reveals that new home buyer demand across Britain has reached an all-time peak

Data release today in the New Homes Index reveals that new home buyer demand across Britain has reached an all-time peak as a record-breaking total of 153,472 buyer searches are recorded during May.  A sign that, as we emerge from COVID restrictions and flexible working patterns are confirmed as here to stay, home buyers are looking to upgrade to meet their changing space and lifestyle requirements.        National average price of new

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EDMOND SHIPWAY TO SUPPORT CENTER PARCS’ €85M IRISH EXPANSION

LEADING construction consultancy Edmond Shipway has been appointed to provide project management, cost consultancy and mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy services for the proposed €85m expansion of Center Parcs’ Longford Forest resort. Building on the success of the resort since opening in July 2019, Center Parcs has recently announced its

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Home Renovations to Improve the Saleability of Your Property

Not all home renovations are considered equal when it comes to the saleability of your property – picking the right improvements to increase the value of your home is vital. Some home improvements can be incredibly costly, but you might not necessarily see a return on your investment. These home

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Housing association set to transform former pub site

Work is underway on a landmark housing project that will provide much needed homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in the heart of a popular Shropshire market town. Planning permission for nine new homes on the site of the former Beehive pub in Shifnal was granted in March and

Read More »

Building Demolition: How To Know Which Excavator To Use

Winning the bid for a demolition project might’ve been a lot of work. But deciding on the best type of payload for the job is another process that you need to get right. An excavator is a staple in any demolition job. They’re invaluable pieces of machinery, and they come

Read More »

McDonald’s reveals its plans for new outlets

McDonald’s is to recruit 20,000 more people and open 50 new restaurants in the UK and Ireland, it has announced. The fast food chain will look to employ additional staff and set up new franchises across the country over the next 12 months. It comes in anticipation of increased crew

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Planning application submitted for new neighbourhood

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation has submitted a planning application to redevelop an area of land into a new neighbourhood. The EDC is seeking to turn the land, in Grove Road in Northfleet, into a quality new neighbourhood of up to 320 new homes with commercial and community space. The proposed development

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Latest Issue
Issue 344 : Sep 2026

Kenneth Booth

The New Homes Index reveals that new home buyer demand across Britain has reached an all-time peak

Data release today in the New Homes Index reveals that new home buyer demand across Britain has reached an all-time peak as a record-breaking total of 153,472 buyer searches are recorded during May.  A sign that, as we emerge from COVID restrictions and flexible working patterns are confirmed as here to stay, home buyers are looking to upgrade to meet their changing space and lifestyle requirements.        National average price of new home property coming to market is £326,660 – a slight drop from £330,463 in April (-1%).          May resulted in a record-breaking total of 153,472 national new home buyer searches.  During the first two months of Q2 total new home buyer searches demonstrate an increase of 58,598 (+62.7%) on Q1, with June remaining.        Top three new home demand areas during May:       South East of England has demonstrated the most buyer demand during May 2021, achieving 28,920 new home buyer searches during May 2021.        London maintains its place in the top three for new home buyer demand, dropping from first place in April.  During May London received 19,340 new home buyer searches.         West Midlands achieved 19,295 new home buyer searches during May 2021, placing it in the top three for the first time in 2021.   Daniel Hill, Managing Director, WhatHouse? comments:  “Q2 is on track to break new home demand records as we track 153,472 buyer demand searches during May, already up 62.7% on Q1 combined.  When we consider that nearly all of Britain’s top firms have announced they’re planning a flexible work-from-home model following the Covid lockdown it’s no surprise that changing space requirements continue to drive momentum.  The growth in demand for new homes, in particular luxury new homes, in the South East of England points to commuters stretching the ‘commute comfort zone’, now that a two or three day office week has become the norm.   We are seeing a strong desire amongst new home buyers to move to bigger properties.  Britain’s more northerly regions are also experiencing a surge as the West Midlands secures its place in the top three new home demand areas during May with 19,295 searches and a 7% increase in demand for luxury new homes”.  Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman, House Builders Federation said:  “Demand for new build homes continues to remain extremely strong as it has done since the sales market reopened post lock down last Spring.  Even with a lower proportion of homes being purchased with Help to Buy, builders in all price brackets are reporting very high levels of interest from consumers, demonstrating confidence in the product and the industry with consumers increasingly recognising the benefits of new homes over older properties.  Many sites are forward sold with builders focussed on completing homes to meet the high demand levels.  Decision makers in central and local government need to continue to work with the industry if supply is to meet demand and housing targets are to be met”. 

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EDMOND SHIPWAY TO SUPPORT CENTER PARCS’ €85M IRISH EXPANSION

LEADING construction consultancy Edmond Shipway has been appointed to provide project management, cost consultancy and mechanical and electrical engineering consultancy services for the proposed €85m expansion of Center Parcs’ Longford Forest resort. Building on the success of the resort since opening in July 2019, Center Parcs has recently announced its intention to submit a planning application for a significant investment to further develop its Longford Forest resort, which is set in around 400 acres of woodland located five kilometres from Ballymahon. The plans include the addition of 200 new lodges, including four of Center Parcs’ most luxurious accommodation – Treehouses. Hidden within the forest, each Treehouse sleeps up to eight people and comes complete with a games den, outdoor hot tub, private parking, and a dedicated Treehouse Host for the duration of the break. Alongside increasing the number of lodges, the development also proposes to extend existing facilities, including leisure facilities, restaurants, and cafes, back of house facilities, the Subtropical Swimming Paradise and Aqua Sana Spa. The development will remain within the existing site boundary. David Stevenson, managing director at Edmond Shipway, said: “We have a relationship with Center Parcs that spans decades, so we are really pleased to be continuing to support its latest ventures. We provided services for the delivery of the initial Longford Forest scheme, which is one of the biggest tourism investments Ireland has ever seen and brought the high-quality resort facilities that Center Parcs is renowned for to the country. “We look forward to working closely with the team, supporting the planning application for these expansion plans and to hopefully leading on the delivery of more exceptional facilities for the Irish resort.” Martin Dalby, CEO at Center Parcs, said: “We are thrilled to be developing the next chapter for Longford Forest, reaffirming our confidence in our product and the Irish market. We are delighted to be working once more with Edmond Shipway, who I’m sure will deliver for us once again.” The development, which will remain within the existing site boundary, is driven by a great confidence in the business and the Irish domestic tourism market and will create 250 permanent jobs, along with a further 300 jobs during construction. Edmond Shipway’s four core services – cost consultancy, project management, M&E and sustainability consultancy – allow the practice to add value to all of its projects, and its specialist teams focus on individual markets to deliver industry-leading expertise and maximise efficiencies and results for clients. For more information about Edmond Shipway, please visit https://www.edmondshipway.com/

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Home Renovations to Improve the Saleability of Your Property

Not all home renovations are considered equal when it comes to the saleability of your property – picking the right improvements to increase the value of your home is vital. Some home improvements can be incredibly costly, but you might not necessarily see a return on your investment. These home renovations can help to improve the value and saleability of your property.  Bathroom suites Bathrooms are one of the most-used areas of the home, and it’s common for them to look worse for wear over time as a result. But it’s also an area of the property that buyers pay close attention to, so making improvements before you put your home on the market can help you during the selling process. Depending on how much you want to invest and the time you want to put into it, bathroom upgrades can be anything from minor refreshing through hardware and changing out the shower curtain, to a full suite renovation that can add anywhere up to over 60% in returns. Aim to create a spa-like experience in the bathroom, as this will appeal to potential buyers.  Garage  Garages are desirable for buyers as they offer a secure place to store vehicles and can be used as additional storage for belongings too, which can be scarce in some homes. Your garage door is important for adding kerb appeal to your home, but it is also crucial in ensuring that the garage is safe and secure, so an upgrade can help to improve the look of your home for buyers and guarantees security. Once you’ve checked your garage door is free from faults and damage, refinishing it can help to improve the aesthetic appeal it provides for a great first impression.  Kitchen A popular home upgrade, kitchen renovations are often the first port of call for people looking to increase the value of their home. But how much can you really make from this home improvement project? Kitchen renovations typically do pay off in the long-run, especially if your kitchen is very dated. Even just changing the cabinetry and updating the taps can add between 2 and 3% in returns, while a full overhaul could increase your home’s value by as much as 10%. Since the average kitchen upgrade costs in the region of £10,000, this can be a significant profit overall.  Loft conversion A study by Halifax found that a loft conversion offers excellent value for money in terms of saleability, adding 15% in value. What’s more, it can significantly increase the floor space of your home by up to 30%, which can be a real selling point for potential buyers. The average for a loft conversion is between £16,000 and £20,000, so it’s more of an upfront investment than some other home improvement projects, but it can offer great returns long-term.  Landscaping Landscaping the outdoor spaces isn’t something that you immediately think of when it comes to renovating your home, but it can make a big difference. Gardens are sought-after, so having a beautiful lawn or pretty container plants can really boost your home’s appeal. In fact, just a bit of work could increase the value of your property by as much as 15% on average, topping out at over 40% in profit if you spend in the region of £4,000. The return you’ll see depends on how much you invest in your landscaping, but even minor upgrades and tidying can really do wonders for saleability.  Flooring Flooring can do wonders for the overall feel and look of a property, and it can boost the value too. If the carpet is stained and worn, or the laminate is starting to lift, it can make your property look drab, even if other areas of the home have been refreshed. It’s one of the simplest upgrades you can make but it has an instant impact and can completely transform the look of your home. Go for something that’s easy to maintain and neutral to appeal to a broader range of buyers.  Final thoughts You might be planning to move in the near future or you could be looking to make upgrades that your family can enjoy but that will pay off in the future. Whatever your situation, being thoughtful and considered in your approach to home renovations can really pay off further down the line when you put your home on the market. From the minor improvements that can work brilliantly in improving the aesthetic appeal of your home to the bigger renovation projects that can add thousands to the overall market price, think about the needs of a future buyer when you’re making changes to the property. 

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GMI awarded contract to build new £30M build to rent residential scheme within new Becketwell development in Derby

The scheme, which is being developed by St James Securities, will feature 259 apartments over 11 storeys in a mix of one and two bed units. GMI Construction, a leading main contractor to a growing portfolio of public and private clients throughout the UK, has today announced that it has been awarded a contract worth £30M by St James Securities to construct a 259-unit build to rent (BTR) apartment block within the major Becketwell mixed-use regeneration project in Derby city centre. The development, which will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom units over 11 storeys, has been sold to Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord. Construction began during May, with the building expected to be completed by March 2023. In addition to working on the construction of the apartment block, GMI will also undertake works on the new public square that will serve as the focal point for the regeneration of Becketwell. Commenting on the project, GMI Group Managing Director Andy Bruce said: “We are thrilled that the St James Securities team has once again put its trust in GMI to deliver this high-profile apartment block within the Becketwell development.  We have worked together several times before at sites across the UK and GMI’s relationship with SJS serves as a long-term partnership stretching back several years. We are looking forward to working with the full project team and seeing this development come out of the ground and at the heart of the regeneration of Becketwell. Also talking about the project, Oliver Quarmby, Managing Director of St James Securities said:  “We are delighted to be continuing our long-standing relationship with GMI Construction on what is a hugely significant regeneration project for the City of Derby. “GMI has a track record of working on award-winning projects for an extensive portfolio of developers, public sector clients and blue-chip companies across a broad range of sectors and we are delighted to have them on-board. “Construction is progressing well, and we anticipate handing the keys over to Grainger at the start of 2023.”

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Rental incomes climb by as much as 68% since the last financial downturn

Research from Build to Rent specialists, Ascend Properties, has revealed which areas of the English rental market have performed the strongest since the 2008/09 recession where the growth in average rental income is concerned. Ascend analysed rental market values during the last property market crash and found that the average rent in England fell from £699 per month in 2008 to £678 in 2009. However, since the end of the recession, rental market values have climbed by 20% to £814 per month during 2020, despite the problems posed to the sector as a result of the pandemic. However, this rental market revival has been far stronger in some regions and none more so than the London market. The average rent across the capital sat at £977 per month in the wake of the last economic downturn. However, today, the average rental income in London has climbed by 68% to £1,638. The South East has seen the second-largest increase in monthly rental values, climbing 39% since 2009, with the West Midlands (25%) and East Midlands (23%) also seeing above-average growth. But even in the North East where this rate of growth is at its lowest, the average rental property is still commanding 10% per month more (£607) when compared to 2009. Yorkshire (11%), the South West (17%), the North West (17%) and East of England (19%) have also seen a considerable increase. Managing Director of Ascend Properties, Ged McPartlin, commented: “It’s fair to say that pandemic uncertainty may have caused hesitation for some when looking to invest within the rental market, particularly in areas such as London where demand has dropped due to the enforced trend of working from home. However, while Covid uncertainty has created a tricky landscape in some respects, we remain a world away from the financial crisis of 2008 and many remain reliant on the rental sector in order to live. It also remains clear, that much like the wider housing market, any periods of instability are relatively short-lived and we’ve seen strong and consistent growth across the board as a result. For the professional investor who may be worried about a potential bump in the road, the build-to-rent space could be the best route to help mitigate any concerns. Not only does the sector provide a higher rental premium to begin with, but the lifestyle offering it provides attracts those with a longer-term view to renting. As a result, residents often rent for far longer terms than the traditional 12 months, providing a more stable stream of income and fewer void periods.” Location Average rent – 2008 Average rent – 2009 Average rent – 2020 Nominal change since pre market crash 2008-09 London £969 £977 £1,638 68% South East £826 £775 £1,078 39% West Midlands region £621 £624 £780 25% East Midlands £589 £556 £685 23% East of England £717 £692 £821 19% North West £581 £564 £662 17% South West £704 £696 £811 17% Yorkshire and the Humber £603 £613 £682 11% North East £560 £552 £607 10% England £699 £678 £814 20%

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Industry innovation: UK construction companies increase R&D spend by £70 million

Construction firms spent £1.36 billion on research and development in the first part of 2018/19 – more than in the whole of 2017/18  The average construction R&D claim is now worth over £70,000  London and South-East England are home to the most innovative construction companies  UK construction companies are increasing their investment in innovation, with research and development (R&D) expenditure rising by £70 million, according to new figures released by HMRC[1].  Analysis by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has revealed that in the first part of 2018/19, construction firms spent £1.36 billion on qualifying projects. Even though many claims have yet to be submitted for that financial year, this is already 5.4% more than the whole of 2017/18 (£1.29 billion).  Using the government’s R&D Tax Credit Scheme, companies can claim back up to 33p for every pound spent on R&D activity. This includes any project that aims to advance the industry by researching or developing a new process, product or service, or improving an existing one[2].  For such work completed during 2018/19, construction companies have already claimed £235 million of Corporation Tax relief.   More companies in the sector are starting to take advantage of the scheme, as the latest data shows overall number of claims is also on the rise. So far, construction businesses have made 3,340 claims for R&D funding, which is a year-on-year increase of 1.8% (60). The industry now represents 5.7% of all R&D claims in the UK.  The majority of the construction-related R&D projects are classed as ‘specialised construction activities’. These account for two-thirds (66%) of the sector’s claims, way ahead of ‘construction of buildings’ in second place (21%).  However, the most valuable construction R&D claims are those labelled as ‘civil engineering’. Across the whole industry, the average R&D claim in 2018/19 was worth £70,359 – almost 5% higher (£3,286) than the year before (£67,073) – but the figure is far greater for civil engineering projects. The typical amount of tax relief awarded to such work is £129,412.  The totals also vary significantly across the UK. The most innovative area is London, with more claims made in the capital than any other part of the nation (455).   But it is Northern Ireland where construction represents the greatest percentage of a region’s total R&D claims. More than one in ten (11%) of the country’s qualifying projects fall within the industry (180/1,605).  Despite only making the fourth highest number of claims, construction firms in the North-West of England are investing the most money in innovation. Its businesses have already registered £145 million of R&D spend for 2018/19 – more than any other area.  The regions which have made the most and least claims for construction R&D funding for 2018/19, so far, are:  1) London – 455 claims (£55m)  2) South East – 425 (£85m)  3) East of England – 400 (£5m)  4) North West – 375 (£145m)  5) West Midlands – 295 (£10m)  6) Yorkshire and the Humber – 255 (£85m)  7) South West – 250 (£10m)  8) East Midlands – 215 (£10m)  9) Northern Ireland – 180 (<£5m)  10) North East – 165 (£40m)  11) Scotland – 165 (£10m)  12) Wales – 155 (<£5m)  Dominick Sandford, Director and Head of Merchandising & Marketing at IronmongeryDirect, said: “It’s encouraging to see that so many UK construction companies are taking advantage of the R&D Tax Credit scheme. Our businesses are world-leaders for innovation and the HMRC initiative is designed to reward them for their pioneering work.  “The tax relief can provide a welcome boost for construction firms and any money saved can even be reinvested to finance further research.”  For expert advice about R&D tax relief, including whether your company is eligible, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/industry-innovation 

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Housing association set to transform former pub site

Work is underway on a landmark housing project that will provide much needed homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in the heart of a popular Shropshire market town. Planning permission for nine new homes on the site of the former Beehive pub in Shifnal was granted in March and the builder TC Homes, working in partnership with Housing Plus Group, has started on site. Kerry Bolister, Director of Development at Housing Plus Group explained: “Since it was closed in 2017, the pub and its car park have become something of an eyesore, attracting anti-social behaviour and many in the town will welcome the start of work to transform the site. “The scheme has also won the backing of councillors for providing homes in an area with very high demand for affordable accommodation.” TC Homes, which has worked with Housing Plus Group on previous projects and brought this development opportunity to the attention of the housing association, is the construction partner on the project that will see nine, three bedroomed houses built (six houses for affordable rent and three for shared ownership). Built as three terraces, they’re expected to be completed by May 2022 and Tim Charnley, TC Homes Director, commented: “We are excited to get started on our new project with the Housing Plus Group. The build will consist of nine affordable houses for the local community and will utilise a space that has sat dormant for some time. “With the country having such a large housing shortfall, we hope our contribution to the construction of affordable homes will benefit the surrounding community and provide opportunities to local sub-contractors and suppliers. “We appreciate that any kind of construction can cause some inconvenience to those directly affected but we hope with working in partnership with residents, schools and the wider community we can achieve another fantastic development.” The development is part of wider plans by Housing Plus Group to start 2,000 new homes across Shropshire and Staffordshire for rent, shared ownership and outright sale by 2023 as the organisation strives to make a positive difference to the homes, lives and communities it serves. 

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Building Demolition: How To Know Which Excavator To Use

Winning the bid for a demolition project might’ve been a lot of work. But deciding on the best type of payload for the job is another process that you need to get right. An excavator is a staple in any demolition job. They’re invaluable pieces of machinery, and they come in different kinds for different projects. Here, we’ll explore how you can best identify the type of excavator to use for a project.   1. Performance  The primary role of any construction equipment is to get the job done. And as an expert, you want to succeed in this project because it could mean more successful bids for your company’s future. Looking into the best excavator for the job means checking how much power it has to see the job through. Its hydraulic system must push for efficiency and allow the operator to be more productive. The right excavator will also be versatile, and can be utilized for various types of jobs.   If your operator is working at an area with hindrances like walls and other dig sites, you’d want an excavator with a zero-tail or zero house swing. These excavators are safer to maneuver and are less likely to cause an impact. With the zero-tail feature, it’s less likely to hit the front and the sides of the excavator while moving. It’s for demolishing structures that are surrounded by obstacles.   2. Budget  If you’re in the construction and demolition business, you will need to have enough money to acquire an excavator fit for the demolition job. But you need to know that there are other factors to consider when it comes to your budget.   For instance, do you need a brand-new excavator or a used one? While it may be tempting to buy new one, it may be more practical to buy a used or reconditioned SmartCast Equipment. They are refurbished to do the same job without being too expensive.   Money will cover maintenance and storage, targeted costs per hour, and operating costs. You also have the option to own or rent one.  An excavator dry hire company will be able to provide one if you choose to lease. Larger excavators are considerably more expensive. You need the right class of excavator if you need it for a demolition job. Whether a small or larger building or structure, an excavator with longer arms will do the job with minimal damages to the surrounding area.   3. Demolition Size  Excavators come in various sizes depending on the job. You don’t need a larger one that can take up space when you’re demolishing a small two-story building. High-level demolitions may need high-reach excavators with a large boom arm for buildings that are three stories and more. They are also for demolishing structures made of steel and concrete.   The demolition size will also tell you two things: how long it will take and how much it will cost you. Typically, it can take up to eight days to demolish a building depending on the size. If you own an excavator for the job, you will have no renting expense to pay. But cost efficiency will depend on how much fuel and power it will need for the job.   At times, the excavator type that you need will also depend on the area. If you need precision aiming and if the use of a wrecking ball is uncalled for, long-reach excavators are the best for the job. The size of the structure will also tell you if the excavator needs specific attachments to make the job easier.   4. Terrain Or Environment   Matching the type of excavator you need to the environment you’ll work on will help you decide which one can quickly get around the site. Excavators move around with either tire wheels or tracks.   Excavators with tracks are ideal for wide-open spaces. Other than demolition, they’re also suitable for construction and agriculture. The tracks are either made of rubber or steel.   Wheeled excavators are versatile and have a wide array of uses. Apart from demolition and construction, it’s also used for mining, landscaping, and pipeline installations. They’re fuel-efficient and easier to operate. If you have both types of excavators, you will need to train operators on the proper driving of and the policies in handling them. They will also need to get the proper licensing.   5. Excavator Size  There are three available sizes of excavators for demolition jobs: small, medium, and large excavators. Learning about these primary sizes will help you choose which one to use on a particular scale of the job at hand.    Small classes are also called compact excavators and are created for smaller or hard-to-reach areas. They usually don’t need a lot of power to operate. Medium excavators are mainly for construction and landscaping as they have a standard tail for medium construction projects. The largest classes are often categorized for demolition projects. They have the most extended arms to reach great heights of buildings. They are also heavier and harder to navigate.   6. Attachments   Does the structure have a pavement surrounding it? It will also help you decide what kind of attachment to use to dig through or destroy concrete material. The building will have pavements surrounding them, and a demolition excavator will need a hammer attachment to crush slabs of concrete. They are also helpful against rocks.   In Conclusion  The mentioned factors will help you decide which excavator to use. When you match its size and power to the demolition job, it will help you accomplish the project faster and save on operation costs. There are various types of excavators for different demolition jobs. It’s worth having them get as many jobs as you want.

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McDonald’s reveals its plans for new outlets

McDonald’s is to recruit 20,000 more people and open 50 new restaurants in the UK and Ireland, it has announced. The fast food chain will look to employ additional staff and set up new franchises across the country over the next 12 months. It comes in anticipation of increased crew capacity as part of changing Government coronavirus guidelines. The firm said the additions are not to replace the jobs lost throughout the pandemic, and are instead to prepare for the additional restaurants. Paul Pomroy, CEO, of McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: “It’s fantastic to be able to offer an additional 20,000 people an opportunity to work with us. “Our 1,400 restaurants are run by 200 local franchisees which means we have a personal stake in every one of our communities. “It’s a big responsibility, and the moves we’ve announced today reflect our commitment to continue to innovate and invest in the local communities and economies we serve.”

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Planning application submitted for new neighbourhood

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation has submitted a planning application to redevelop an area of land into a new neighbourhood. The EDC is seeking to turn the land, in Grove Road in Northfleet, into a quality new neighbourhood of up to 320 new homes with commercial and community space. The proposed development would provide affordable homes, homes for older people, new public spaces as well as a waterfront park with community facilities and shops and cafes. There will be improved pedestrian access and a public plaza as well as public transport links, with the area benefiting from Fastrack bus services. The area is part of the Northfleet Embankment West site and lies within 400 metres of Northfleet Railway Station providing easy access to central London. Ian Piper, Chief Executive of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, said: “We undertook a public consultation last year and those who took part came out in support of our proposals. “We want to turn this area into a new residential neighbourhood, and create a fantastic open space around the historic Harbour that is accessible to everyone.  The setting beside the Thames can be transformed into a great waterside destination with high quality and affordable homes.” The planning application is expected to go before a planning committee around September or later.

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