A firm offering specialist services in land procurement and development opportunities has launched in Birmingham, enabling landowners, investors, builders and developers to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the city and beyond, as the development landscape looks to be ramping up after a pandemic-induced dip. Atlas Land & Planning, based
The Faculty of Construction Crafts at Leeds College of Building recently held its first-ever Institute of Carpenters (IOC) City Hub Event. The virtual session exposed students to the varied career opportunities available to qualified carpenters and joiners. Using Microsoft Teams, the College’s Level 2 Bench Joinery & Shopfitting group met
Living spaces have been getting smaller over the years. We can’t overlook the perks of this growing trend. For instance, it’s a great way to start if you’re passionate about adopting a minimalist lifestyle. More so, it can help you reduce your carbon footprint. A lot of homeowners with tiny
• Politicians in Planning will enable better sharing of best practice and access to information • Network to be launched at free online event next week • Launch event will feature Jackie Weaver and Housing Minister Christopher Pincher A new network will be launched next week by the Royal Town
Construction works to build a new Urgent Treatment Centre at a Lincolnshire hospital – an emergency-funded project which was fast-tracked to help ease COVID-19 pressure – has now been completed by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson. The £2.4m project involved the construction of a single storey extension at Lincoln County
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson is hosting an online event for small and medium sized businesses in the East Midlands to demonstrate just how simple it is to register an interest in joining HS2’s supply chain. Construction of the first phase of Britain’s new railway, between Birmingham and London, is expected
Pure Polyurea is a new fast-track waterproofing system from TN International. A next-generation, solvent-free roof waterproofing system with excellent crack-bridging performance has been launched by global waterproofing specialists TN International (TNi). Pure Polyurea is the latest enhancement to TNi’s DacoShield PU cost-effective range of liquid roofing and waterproofing systems which
Nottinghamshire and London-based landscape architect Influence has bolstered its team with the appointment of Olli Wheeler as senior landscape architect. Influence provides specialist landscape architecture, urban design, environment planning and expert witness – and alongside the Wildlife Trust – is the practice behind the bold green vision for Nottingham’s now
The Internet has become a necessity among people. Technology is taking over the world not only in offices but also in agricultural practices. Today, you can sprinkle water on your lawns and kitchen garden using a sprinkler with a wifi hose timer. It’s a new technology that is intended to help
You will have read a lot about modern methods of construction (MMC). You may have even investigated where you can incorporate it into your plans. But if you haven’t introduced it to any of your projects yet, now’s the time, thanks to a significant development in government policy, says John
A firm offering specialist services in land procurement and development opportunities has launched in Birmingham, enabling landowners, investors, builders and developers to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the city and beyond, as the development landscape looks to be ramping up after a pandemic-induced dip. Atlas Land & Planning, based on Cornwall Street in the heart of Birmingham’s finance district, offers a personal, exclusive and highly efficient approach to every stage of land disposal and development planning. Its portfolio of potential buyers, with whom the firm has built strong relationships over many years, benefit from the fact Atlas is part of a wider network of specialists providing access to finance, tax advice and specialist risk and insurance services. Headed up by Phil Roberts – an expert in land procurement who has worked in the industry for almost a decade – including at Fine and Country Land and New Homes – Atlas offers a personalised service to clients, from smaller developers through to national house builders, PLC organisations and national registered providers of affordable housing. Phil explained: “The pandemic has brought many challenges to the development landscape, including furloughed staff causing delays in development or planning application progress, and a shortage of building materials causing a price hike and impacting profit margins – also exacerbated by Brexit. At the same time, as restrictions now ease, the development opportunities are soaring as land becomes available again. “Land that was earmarked for office development is now likely to be re-purposed for residential use, while property such as disused office space as a result of the remote working scenario will also be ripe for redevelopment. Additionally, with the plans around HS2, city living will become a much more attractive prospect. There is also of course a real housing shortage, and we work closely with providers of affordable housing. All of this is great news for developers and we think there is a rapidly growing appetite and that the market is set to accelerate again,” he added. Atlas prides itself on dealing exclusively with a landowner, working with them to manage expectations around land worth – all off market to avoid de-valuing the land – and can choose the best buyers based on the firm’s connections. Atlas works proactively, rather than waiting for buyers, and works all at risk as it does not command any up-front fees. This ensures transactions are seamless, efficient and fast – all important factors in this industry. Atlas is part of the ARMCo group, which combines specialist lending, corporate support and insurance services, so can arrange for funding to be in place if needed by the developer – as well as tax advice or specialist risk insurance. ARMCo founder Russell Martin commented: “Atlas Land & Planning is a great addition to our group, and significantly aids our clients who benefit from this central services approach. The opportunities in the property and development market are currently there to be capitalised on, and we are confident that our offering is the best solution to the specific needs of this sector – regionally and nationally.”
The Faculty of Construction Crafts at Leeds College of Building recently held its first-ever Institute of Carpenters (IOC) City Hub Event. The virtual session exposed students to the varied career opportunities available to qualified carpenters and joiners. Using Microsoft Teams, the College’s Level 2 Bench Joinery & Shopfitting group met industry innovators and heard from employers about the latest techniques and materials. Speakers included representatives from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Historic England, Structural Timber Association (STA), MEDITE SMARTPLY, IOC, Trussed Rafter Association, and Timber Trade Federation (TTF). The event kicked off with a welcome by Derek Whitehead, Leeds College of Building Principal, and an introduction by Geoff Rhodes, IOC President. This was followed by a range of 20-minute seminars from other carpentry and manufacturing experts. Programme topics covered: national career opportunities in the construction-related sector; specialist handcraft-skills; working as a builder in the heritage sector; the Housing and roofing sector and innovative new materials; ground-breaking MDF and OSB panel products; sustainability, renewables and certification; and TTF statistics covering the scale of the global timber industry. This virtual event is just one of the latest IOC enhancements to the student experience at Leeds College of Building. Through the partnership, Carpentry and Joinery students now have free membership to the IOC. The affiliation lasts for the duration of their studies and for a year after graduation. The IOC showcases the industry as a modern and exciting route into trades. It supports innovative new construction methods, including research into waterproof timber structure at a molecular level. Geoff Rhodes, IOC President, said: “For two years now, we have been developing and rolling out our national programme of IOC City Hub meetings with FE colleges across the UK in order to add meaningful value to the learning experience of all student learners. The partnership with Leeds College of Building is another great example of seeing this reality in action.” Derek Whitehead, Leeds College of Building Principal, said: “Leeds College of Building was delighted to host this first virtual IOC City Hub; our students greatly benefitted from the collective knowledge shared by all the industry experts who contributed. The students gave very positive feedback about the training session, as did the presenters who benefitted from networking themselves. I’d like to express enormous appreciation to the IOC for creating this initiative and the fantastic support shown to the College. We look forward to more initiatives like this in the future.” Michael Martin, Leeds College of Building Curriculum Manager added: “I’m thrilled this event came to fruition after nearly a year of planning and being stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic. What was meant to be a fair of industry stallholders and specialist seminars instead became a virtual event of experts across diverse fields. “This event was a fantastic opportunity for our learners to find out more about the wider industry and global career opportunities before they progress to Level 3 in September. We now have solid foundations to build upon and next year we intend to have a face-to-face event. The hope is to bring carpentry and joinery professionals together with the next generation of craftspeople.”
Living spaces have been getting smaller over the years. We can’t overlook the perks of this growing trend. For instance, it’s a great way to start if you’re passionate about adopting a minimalist lifestyle. More so, it can help you reduce your carbon footprint. A lot of homeowners with tiny apartments often look for space-saving furniture that will complement other home décor elements. This type of furniture is the key to keeping your home organized and will make your stuff easily accessible. Fortunately, brands like Furco.co.uk are proactive about providing functional solutions for small spaces. It’s imperative to invest in the furniture pieces we’ve listed below. 1. Sofa beds Sofa beds are both practical and comfortable. They are now a favorite piece for small apartments and families of all sizes. A sofa bed will offer a 3-in-1 function comprising of a bed, sofa, and storage option. The creative storage solution is useful for storing your bedding and other items. Corner sofa beds are versatile and will come in handy when you’re alone or in the company of your family or guests. 2. Floating desk A floating deck is a practical, convenient, and cost-effective solution for reading and working. Some wall-mounted models feature storage sections. The good thing is that this piece of furniture will only take minimal space in your home. You can install a floating desk in your living room, bedroom, or home office. It comes in different variations, so it’s best to assess your needs and the space you can spare before making a purchase. In case you’re planning to use it for work, go for an option that is large enough for your PC and a few supplies. 3. Wardrobes Built-in wardrobes remain one of the top modern living ideas. You can incorporate double hanging to maximize your space. Another space-saving hack is to place storage baskets on top of the wardrobe for storing accessories. Install hooks on the inside of your wardrobe door to keep jewelry and other accessories. It’s ideal to use the floor space in your wardrobe creatively too. Try decluttering your wardrobe from time to time. This will save you time and space. 4. Wall-mounted ironing board We usually pass a message to others with our choice of clothing. Clothes that are crispy and wrinkle-free will boost your confidence, thereby making you irresistible. This type of ironing board is a must if space is at a premium in your laundry room. Install a quality one in the right spot, and remember to fold it once you’re through with ironing. New models of wall-mounted ironing boards have features such as flexible board, adjustable height, built-in hanger, and can even double as a mirror. 5. Murphy bed A murphy bed will ensure that you have enough space to entertain your guests and sleep comfortably. This furniture piece relies on a smooth mechanism that enables it to emerge and retract seamlessly. It’s suitable for individuals who want to use their guest room as office space without trading one for the other. Most murphy beds come with features like shelves, drawers, and desk flaps.
• Politicians in Planning will enable better sharing of best practice and access to information • Network to be launched at free online event next week • Launch event will feature Jackie Weaver and Housing Minister Christopher Pincher A new network will be launched next week by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) to bring together politicians involved in planning and planning decisions. The RTPI’s Politicians in Planning network will enable local authority and parliamentary politicians across all UK and Ireland planning systems to share best practice, access information and receive a regular newsletter on planning matters free of charge. RTPI Chief Executive Victoria Hills said: “Local politicians play a pivotal role in ensuring the communities they represent have the access to the right homes and infrastructure for their needs. “Through this new network, we’ll seek to bridge the gap between planning professionals and politicians to support shared ambitions for vibrant, healthy and sustainable places for communities to live and work in, particularly as we start to recover from the global pandemic.” The network will be officially launched at a special free online event on 14 June, organised in partnership with communications agency Cratus. The keynote speech at the event will be given by viral Zoom star Jackie Weaver from the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, with other speakers including Housing Minister Christopher Pincher and councillors Anna Richardson, Linda Haysey and Angeliki Stogia. Jackie Weaver said: “Planning is and always has been central to the cohesion and development of every community. Planning is much more than plans and building materials. Good planning enhances the quality of life for people living in those communities and bad planning helps create environments and situations that we all then try to dig our way out of. So planning for our communities has to be a partnership between the planners, developers and the elected members of those communities. This conversation is part of that partnership.” Other leading figures from the planning community have also given the launch their support. Former England Chief Planner Steve Quartermain said: “Planning is about people and places but it is also about politics. The best planning authorities strike a balance between all three and work as a team to deliver outcomes that make peoples’ lives better. That’s why the RTPI’s Politicians in Planning network will be so important in providing support and training, tailored to the needs of elected members.” Brendan Walsh, former Executive Director of Regeneration, Economic Development and Environment at London Borough of Hounslow, said: “I’m really excited to hear about this new network. Politicians often face challenging decisions, having to balance the needs and wants of their local community against the merits or otherwise of new development. Having others to talk to will undoubtedly help improve the quality and timeliness of their decisions.” Cratus Chief Executive Nick Kilby said: “Cratus is thrilled to be working in partnership with RTPI to help launch Politicians in Planning. It is an initiative that will deliver real value for local government, both supporting and upskilling politicians. “As a specialist local government communications agency with a national reach, we know first-hand the power that planning has to change the lives of those in the local community. Working directly with developers, residents, and councils, we believe that it is vitally importance for planning committees to have the necessary knowledge and expertise to carry out their role. “Both RTPI and Cratus believe passionately in empowering and supporting local government and I am incredibly proud of our partnership.”
Construction works to build a new Urgent Treatment Centre at a Lincolnshire hospital – an emergency-funded project which was fast-tracked to help ease COVID-19 pressure – has now been completed by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson. The £2.4m project involved the construction of a single storey extension at Lincoln County Hospital, expanding the facility’s existing accident and emergency department, to create an urgent treatment centre, which also includes a new entrance into the accident and emergency department. Secured through Pagabo’s National Framework for Medium Works, which covers schemes between the value of £1m-£5m in the Midlands – the project was completed over a period of 24 weeks following planning approval, with the official handover taking place at the end of April. United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust submitted plans to City of Lincoln Council last year, after receiving a £7million national funding boost from the Department of Health and Social Care, which is part of a £150million capital funding programme to expand and upgrade 25 A&Es across the UK, to reduce overcrowding and improve infection prevention control in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hospital remained operational while the Urgent Treatment Centre was being built and through further phased construction work which includes additional spaces and facilities, it is now able to increase its capacity and services. Further phased works across the department include; a bigger resus area with twice as many bays for the emergency patients, a new paediatrics area with its own dedicated waiting room, and treatment cubicles and a sensory area for the youngest patients and their families. Additional treatment rooms for mental health patients, and an ambulance drop-off point and new bays were also created outside the front of the department with entrances directly into the resus and major areas. The extra clinical space will ensure that the emergency department will be able to accept patients from ambulance crews with improved speed and safety. Given the urgent need for such a scheme, G F Tomlinson fast-tracked the project, carrying out the works seven days a week with extended hours to ensure completion was delivered on time. Under a variation of the contract, G F Tomlinson also undertook £1m infrastructure works at the hospital, for a new Specialist Respiratory Unit. The Derby-headquartered contractor provided value engineering and design services, which were also fast-tracked to assist with minimising timings and costs. Chris Flint, director at G F Tomlinson, said: “This was a vital project completed under Pagabo’s National Framework for Medium Works, to provide much-needed additional space at Lincoln County Hospital, in order to cope with the influx of patients requiring treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Ensuring that we worked as quickly, efficiently and safely as possible on site was our number one priority, given the challenges of working at an extremely busy hospital that remained fully operational whilst building works took place. We are delighted to have delivered this project within a very short space of time, to improve the services and capacity the hospital can offer patients.” Emma Hesbrook, regional relationship manager for the Midlands at Pagabo, said:“Due to the importance of the scheme, the Trust required a quick procurement route that also offered them full compliance. By procuring through our Medium Works Framework, they were able to appoint G F Tomlinson within days of making initial contact with Pagabo, which was hugely beneficial for them. “I’d like to say a massive well done to the whole delivery team involved who have gone above and beyond to ensure that the project was delivered on time.” United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s director of finance and digital, Paul Matthew, said: “These developments will help us to see and treat our patients more quickly and ensure that everyone is getting the level of care that they require. A massive thank you to G F Tomlinson who have completed this first phase on schedule, despite all of the challenges of a global pandemic. “Work will now begin on the next phases to make sure the department is not only fit for today, but also for the future.”
HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson is hosting an online event for small and medium sized businesses in the East Midlands to demonstrate just how simple it is to register an interest in joining HS2’s supply chain. Construction of the first phase of Britain’s new railway, between Birmingham and London, is expected to generate around 400,000 contract opportunities. And as part of the Government’s drive to build back better from the pandemic, it wants to see British businesses capitalise on the £25bn worth of opportunities that are expected to flow out into the wider supply chain over the coming years. The one-hour business webinar, which will be held on Tuesday, 22nd June at 3.00pm, will include an opening address from the Minister, as well as the opportunity to hear from local firms who are already working on the project. They will share their personal experiences of how HS2 has helped their business to grow, along with tips and advice on how to stand out as a winning bidder. HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “HS2 is at the heart of the Government’s commitments to build back better after the Covid-19 pandemic, level up communities and drive economic growth across the country. “The vast majority of contracts on HS2 have gone to British businesses, so I’d encourage businesses to get involved and take the opportunities offered by this once in a generation investment in our country’s transport infrastructure.” Sitting at the heart of the HS2 network, businesses in the Midlands are well placed to bid for work and secure their place in HS2’s supply chain, which already includes over 2,000 businesses – 97% of which are UK-based. The East Midlands is home to some of the UK’s most recognised talent pools and leads the way in the manufacturing, automotive and rolling stock sectors. But HS2’s supply chain team is eager to spread the word that the share of opportunity extends far beyond the products and services you might traditionally associate with major infrastructure projects. Robin Lapish, HS2’s supply chain manager explains: “The scale of work that will be delivered to construct HS2 into the next decade and beyond presents a vast opportunity. “In the current climate, local businesses are looking for confidence and assurance in the supply chain and a contract with HS2 provides that. My advice to small businesses is to invest an hour of your time – HS2 isn’t just about track and trains, and that’s exactly what this webinar will demonstrate.” The business webinar is free to attend. To register your attendance, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hs2-how-can-east-midlands-businesses-get-involved-tickets-158133486515
Pure Polyurea is a new fast-track waterproofing system from TN International. A next-generation, solvent-free roof waterproofing system with excellent crack-bridging performance has been launched by global waterproofing specialists TN International (TNi). Pure Polyurea is the latest enhancement to TNi’s DacoShield PU cost-effective range of liquid roofing and waterproofing systems which have recently been introduced into the manufacturer’s extensive portfolio. DacoShield Pure Polyurea is a two-component, extra fast-curing system that is applied by hot mechanical spraying equipment to waterproof concrete structures such as roofs, podiums, balconies and terraces. More than 800m2 can be applied in a single day, providing an extremely fast-track solution, even in areas difficult to access. The elastomeric membrane is BBA approved and has a Broof T4 fire classification, with a life expectancy of up to 60 years. As well as being solvent free and low-odour, it is also free of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). DacoShield PU liquid waterproofing systems have been specially designed to offer specifiers, contractors and clients a fast-curing, highly durable waterproofing solution for both new-build and refurbishment applications. With a choice of finishes and a full range of accessories, the DacoShield PU range provides a highly flexible, aesthetically pleasing waterproofing option for Modern Methods of Construction.
Nottinghamshire and London-based landscape architect Influence has bolstered its team with the appointment of Olli Wheeler as senior landscape architect. Influence provides specialist landscape architecture, urban design, environment planning and expert witness – and alongside the Wildlife Trust – is the practice behind the bold green vision for Nottingham’s now redundant Broadmarsh which was shared last year and achieved national acclaim. A chartered member of the Landscape Institute, Olli will work alongside the established team delivering landscape planning and design projects at the Newark practice and will undertake Landscape and Visual Impact Assessments (LVIA) and produce technical planning reports. Previously based at a large multi-disciplinary environmental planning consultancy, Olli brings seven years of industry experience to Influence, having started as a landscape designer in Sydney, Australia. Since then, he has completed an MA in Landscape Architecture, gained professional Chartership (CMLI) status and worked for several respected firms in the industry. At Influence, Olli will be delivering a wide range of projects from strategic land developments through to single dwellings in the countryside. Olli will increase Influence’s ability to deliver projects from pre-planning right through to construction and maintenance. On his new appointment, Olli said: “I’m really pleased to start my new role at Influence and have the opportunity to continue my career at such a well-respected and popular practice. “Its strong reputation locally and nationally appealed to me greatly and its healthy mix of public and private work was of interest as I enjoy the variety. “I look forward to bringing both my planning and design skillset to this very friendly, and skilled team and gain more experience within the Midlands.” Sara Boland, managing director at Influence, said: “It is a pleasure to welcome Olli to our team. His unique expertise and specialised knowledge make him a great asset to our practice. “Olli joins us at an exciting time and will work alongside myself and the senior team on landscape design and planning projects here in Nottinghamshire and around the country.” Influence covers a wide scope of services including tall building assessment work in London and has recently worked alongside teams of highly experienced industry professionals to bring about the Boston Barrier tidal flood risk management project in Lincolnshire and provide landscape and concept design services to the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone.
The Internet has become a necessity among people. Technology is taking over the world not only in offices but also in agricultural practices. Today, you can sprinkle water on your lawns and kitchen garden using a sprinkler with a wifi hose timer. It’s a new technology that is intended to help you control your sprinkler automatically. You don’t have to be present and make adjustments. However, the gadget uses an internet connection which needs to be strong enough to cover the entire household. For efficiency, it’s necessary to look for a good internet service provider. The following are factors to consider. Internet Dependability Internet frustrations are common among people. You don’t want to experience such issues. It’s necessary to look for a dependable and consistent Internet that will serve you effectively. It will depend on the ISP you choose. You should inquire from reliable and trustworthy persons who can help select the most dependable ISP in your area to avoid such frustrations. Therefore, you will be assured of having an efficient internet connection throughout. Speed The super-fast Internet is everything. No one wants an internet that slows down operations. It means you have to search for the most efficient internet provider who can guarantee to provide high-speed Internet. As technology is improving and advancing, many internet providers are emerging and improving their services. Know those internet providers with the best offers. It will be a good chance for you to get the most convenient, super-fast internet connection you ever wanted. Customer care services Your internet service provider needs to be reliable and available to address clients’ problems. If the problem requires an expert to manage it manually, you needn’t wait for long until the service provider steps in. With the advancement in technology, the majority of the repair and maintenance is done automatically. Your internet service provider should have an effective program working 24/7 to address clients’ issues promptly. Low installation cost Today, there are many internet service providers. Each ISP is coming up with unique offers to outdo the opponents and get the attention of prospective clients. The high competition in the industry has helped to reduce the installation costs and other charges like bundle packages. Some ISPs will offer internet upgrading services free of charge, while others at a low cost. Therefore, search for an ISP with the best offers, reliable internet connection, and reasonable installation price. Internet efficiency It’s obvious that you’re changing your old internet connection due to its unreliability. Be at peace with an efficient internet that will make your work easy. Look for internet providers with the most appealing offers, like super-fast Internet, backup programs to ensure you have connected all along, and so on. Your ISP should be updated with better ways to improve the Internet to meet clients’ demands. Expertise and legit There is a need to consider an internet service provider with enough experience. Such an expert will have a vast knowledge of what you need in your home to meet your needs. You don’t need to worry that the internet connection will have issues thereafter since your ISP has all it takes to manage the task professionally. Additionally, make sure you confirm whether your internet service provider is operating on legal grounds. The installation should meet the set standards and regulations. Having an ISP with advanced knowledge also means they can guide you through newer connection types, such as the 5G home internet, which offers a wireless broadband alternative that can simplify installation and provide competitive speeds in areas with strong cellular coverage. This option is especially beneficial for those seeking a flexible setup without the need for traditional wired infrastructure. Internet offers and extras Technology is changing at a super-fast speed. Today’s new and advanced technologies are outdoing those that were invented yesterday. This means that everyone is going for the best offer the internet market is providing. With the high-speed Internet, it is easy to have better operations using the Internet without experiencing problems. Your service provider needs to provide offers that meet your needs by all means possible.
You will have read a lot about modern methods of construction (MMC). You may have even investigated where you can incorporate it into your plans. But if you haven’t introduced it to any of your projects yet, now’s the time, thanks to a significant development in government policy, says John Skivington, Group Director of LHC, the contracting authority for SWPA. As part of the Affordable Homes Programme, Homes England is currently seeking applications for strategic partnerships for the delivery of up to 130,000 homes. One of the requirements for successful bids is that 25% of projects must be delivered using MMC. All of this points to a big push for developers and housing providers to be using modular, panelised and other MMC solutions, as the economic, social and environmental benefits become more widely realised. However, the most interesting development has been the Government’s use of pre-manufactured value (PMV) calculations as part of the Affordable Homes Programme. This is a weighted calculation that rewards the proportion of a home that has been constructed offsite, measured as a percentage of the total. Under the programme, a building will only pass the MMC test if it has a PMV of 55% or more. The Government’s adoption of PMV for the programme is interesting. It gives a clear framework for measuring progress, and I suspect we will start to see its usage across more policy development in the future, perhaps akin to the way we see energy efficiency goals defined using EPC bandings. It’s therefore vital that housing providers start to get to grips with MMC and PMV now. At LHC we know from experience that a PMV of 55% is not hard to achieve. As mentioned, use of MMC is already growing across the country, and through our Offsite Construction of New Homes (NH2) and Offsite Project Integrator (OPI1) frameworks we’ve already been helping housing providers to deliver projects that would achieve up to 80% and more. The key is to start with structural systems, such as timber frame, steel frame, SIPS and panellised systems, or full-blown volumetric ‘pods’, and build up from there with a range of offsite-manufactured components. These solutions provide by far the highest PMV (take a look here to find out more about the different categories of MMC) and our NH2 framework gives access to suppliers that are experts in all of these options. The suppliers are also SMEs, helping to meet another of the Affordable Homes Programme requirements.