Building Better, the National Housing Federation-backed alliance of housing associations and councils set up to increase the use of modern methods of construction (MMC) in social housing, is hunting for dozens of local, traditional build principal contractors for a new MMC framework. Procurement for Housing (PfH) is working with Building
69 low carbon homes for social rent have now been completed and residents have been welcomed to their new homes on Silk Street in north Manchester. The long-term brownfield site overlooking the Rochdale Canal has been developed and brought back into use by the Council delivering 36 one-bedroom apartments, 12
Southwark Council, Ledbury Estate residents and the council’s development partner Higgins Partnerships celebrated the start of the first phase of building works at Ledbury Estate at a ground breaking ceremony on Monday 5 February 2024. The first phase of construction works is taking place on the site of the former
In response to the Halifax’s latest House Price Index, Nathan Emerson CEO at Propertymark comments: “It is positive to see that house prices have gone up gradually, especially as borrowing costs are being affected by higher interest rates on mortgage affordability. Before 2023 ended, the Bank of England’s decision to
Blues teenage football sensation Layla Banaras yesterday spoke of her pride after netting the role of youth ambassador at Birmingham Housing Week which also started yesterday. The Birmingham football star, who at the age of 16, became the first woman from a South Asian background to play for the Birmingham
Oldham Council has pledged to get 500 new social homes built in the borough over the next five years. The announcement was made at the council’s inaugural Housing Roundtable, which took place at Oldham Civic Centre on Thursday 1 February and was led by Leader of the Council, Cllr Arooj
A leading construction and fit-out company has captured the dramatic transformation of a major estate in a three-minute timelapse film showcasing the incredible rejuvenation of the 1960s-built neighbourhood. The film from Willmott Dixon shows remarkable footage of Barking’s Gascoigne East regeneration that sees a tired and outdated estate disappear to
A former office building in the heart of Milton Keynes, that has been transformed into a new 200-unit residential development, has been refinanced following a £35m residential investment loan from Secure Trust Bank (STB) Real Estate Finance Located directly above Milton Keynes Central station, Station House is the result of
Leep Utilities has been appointed as a partner of Persimmon Homes New Appointments and Variants (NAV) adoption framework. The UK leading owner and operator of last-mile utility networks will now own, maintain and operate the clean and wastewater networks for the housebuilder’s new developments across England. By introducing the new framework, Persimmon Homes
Kimpton, a leading provider of mechanical and electrical services for Built-to-Rent (BTR) and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) markets, has identified significant trends shaping the BTR landscape in the UK and globally. 1. Growing Demand for Rental Housing: A noticeable shift towards renting rather than homeownership is evident, driven by
Building Better, the National Housing Federation-backed alliance of housing associations and councils set up to increase the use of modern methods of construction (MMC) in social housing, is hunting for dozens of local, traditional build principal contractors for a new MMC framework. Procurement for Housing (PfH) is working with Building Better to develop the £800m framework which will run over four years. Traditional construction firms in 10 different regions of England and Wales will be appointed, offering their services as lead contractor on MMC projects. The ‘Integrated Traditional Build & MMC framework’ is being designed in response to calls from social housing providers for a compliant way of involving trusted, local contractors on MMC projects, where elements of traditional construction are often still needed. With a growing number of MMC manufacturers supplying only their systems – rather than taking the principal contractor role – housing providers want to bring in local, trusted construction firms who can lead offsite projects. This will also allow housing associations and local authorities to continue investing in local contractors. To shape the framework, PfH and Building Better have spoken to SME building firms across the country, gathering feedback on how an agreement would best work, including ways to make the procurement process more straightforward and to develop the most effective contracting environment. The framework will cover the construction of housing, apartments, and extra care homes and there will be a regional lot structure. A contract notice will be issued in March 2024, with successful bidders appointed in the summer. Tony Woods, Technical Manager – Construction & Sustainability for PfH said: “We’ve been talking to traditional contractors to find out how they’d want to work on MMC schemes and, interestingly, many of their requests are the same as those from offsite manufacturers. Both want to be engaged early in the process, before set designs are in place. Both want a more transparent way of working with wider use of ‘pain and gain’ agreements and a simpler, more collaborative contracting environment. This feedback is now being used to design our integrated framework.” Trina Chakravarti, Director of Building Better said: “Increasingly, our members want a blend of different construction methods on their MMC projects. Traditional SME construction firms have a huge amount of expertise, and we’re keen to harness this through the framework. Using a collaborative approach means that manufacturers can concentrate on delivering their product, traditional firms can take control of the building process and we can offer housing associations and councils a wide range of construction solutions.” For further information about this procurement opportunity contact Tony Woods at Procurement for Housing (PfH) twoods@pfh.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
69 low carbon homes for social rent have now been completed and residents have been welcomed to their new homes on Silk Street in north Manchester. The long-term brownfield site overlooking the Rochdale Canal has been developed and brought back into use by the Council delivering 36 one-bedroom apartments, 12 two-bedroom apartments, 17 two storey, three-bedroom houses; and 4 three storey, four-bedroom houses. 16 of the apartments will be made available to people over the age of 55, who are right-sizing from larger council properties in Newton Heath, and across north Manchester. Each of the townhouses feature solar panels, a new kitchen and bathroom, generous gardens and private driveways with electric charging points. Each of the apartments have a balcony alongside shared outdoor space – and the building will be greened through living walls and living green roofs. The properties will make use of Ground Source Heat Pumps and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to keep utility costs down for residents. The apartments have been built to HAPPI design principles that provide larger internal space as standard, which accommodate someone using a wheelchair, along with extra storage space. This means they can also be adapted to meet the needs of the tenants. Meet the neighbourhood Christine Durber – video case study available below Christine moved into her apartment in Chiffon House in September. She had lived in her four-bedroom home in Clayton for 27 years, and it was perfect for bringing up her three children. Now the kids have moved on, Christine was starting to feel uneasy living in such a big property on her own. This is where the Council’s right-sizing officer was able to help. Christine was shown a new apartment, and she was offered extra help with the move. “I fell in love with it,” Christine said. “The Council arranged the removal company for me, and I was given some money to help with the extra costs. It paid for new blinds and flooring. It was great to get that bit of help, it really took the hassle out of the move.” Christine’s apartment has been built to low carbon specifications, there is no gas supply to the property and her electric comes from a ground source heat pump. “The flat’s lovely and warm and the bills are great,” she said, “I was paying £160 a month in my old house and I’m now paying around £58, and this will come down even more in the summer because I won’t need the heating on.” Christine’s apartment was one of 16 set aside for people aged over 55 who are rightsizing into a more manageable home and the move has brought her so many benefits. “I feel very content here. I sleep better, I love the views and I can’t wait to see how they change when the summer comes. I used to rely on my kids to take me shopping, but now with so many shops on my doorstep I can do my own, I’m getting out most days and feeling more independent.” Donna Smith Donna moved into her ground floor apartment in November 2023. Donna and her husband have five grown-up children but as they moved out, their larger three-bedroom homes in Newton Heath became too much for them. Donna has suffered with arthritis for many years and the condition is worsening as she gets older. The stairs had become a daily challenge, and the large garden was too much for her to manage. The Council was able to step in and offered them a new ground floor two-bedroom apartment in the development. “I was delighted to be offered an apartment on one level. We have so much space and everything is so much easier for me.” Donna said. With everything on one level Donna no longer has stairs to worry about and the bathroom is a fully accessible wet room so that Donna no longer has to struggle to get in and out of the bath. The use of local labour, apprentices, and local suppliers has contributed to the overall impact of the scheme. A close relationship was also built with site neighbours including Bright Futures nursery with help provided towards improving outdoor spaces and equipment together with VIP visits for the nursery children. This investment is part of Manchester City Council’s commitment to build 36,000 new homes through to 2032 – part of the city’s ambitious housing strategy. 10,000 of these homes will be genuinely affordable to Manchester people, supporting our residents to live safe, happy and prosperous lives. Leader of the Council Cllr Bev Craig, said: “We are investing in our communities across the Manchester with a real focus on our district centres and affordable housing investment to meet the needs of our residents in their local areas. “Through our housing strategy we have committed to help build 36,000 new homes across the city in the next decade – and at least 10,000 of these will be genuinely affordable for Manchester people. “At this development, using Council-owned land, we have made sure that every house is available at social rent to help meet demand for high-quality affordable homes in this area – and ensure that as many people as possible can access these properties.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and employment, said: “I have followed this development from day one – through planning and I was onsite when the first diggers arrived. This development is a great example of what we want from our affordable housing investment. “Not only are we delivering new social housing for our residents and supporting them to move from larger homes into properties that better suit their needs – we have also brought a long-term brownfield piece of public land back into use. “These low carbon homes are also cheap to run, well insulated and heated through ground source heat pumps – supporting these residents to spend less on their energy during the cost-of-living crisis. “But most importantly, we aren’t just building property
Southwark Council, Ledbury Estate residents and the council’s development partner Higgins Partnerships celebrated the start of the first phase of building works at Ledbury Estate at a ground breaking ceremony on Monday 5 February 2024. The first phase of construction works is taking place on the site of the former Bromyard House and will provide 80 new homes across two blocks, made up of 45 council homes, 15 shared ownership homes and 20 homes for private sale. The new council homes will be prioritised for former residents who had to vacate their previous homes due to safety issues, and the shared ownership homes will be designated for leaseholders of the Ledbury towers. The start of these building works marks a key milestone in the redevelopment of the whole of Ledbury Estate, which the council has been working closely with local residents on for many years. The redevelopment was proposed after four towers on the estate, built in the 1960s, were identified as having serious structural and fire safety issues. Following extensive consultation Ledbury Estate residents voted in favour of demolishing the four blocks and providing modern high-quality new homes and a range of other improvements to the estate. Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said, “I’m so thrilled to see works get underway on this estate – it’s a really exciting marker in the long journey we have been on with residents to replace the previous homes in the towers with the fire safe, high-quality new homes our residents deserve. “Today we can celebrate being one step closer to Ledbury residents moving back onto the estate they know and love and bringing this wonderfully tight-knit community back together. “Thank you to all the residents who have worked so closely with us on this and helped to co-design a wonderful redevelopment which will transform the lives of everyone on this estate”. Dominic Higgins, Chief Operating Officer for Higgins Group comments, “We are delighted to be marking this important milestone on site with residents and Southwark Council. “As well as delivering these high quality new homes for local residents, we are committed to delivering community engagement and social value and ensuring we leave a lasting legacy for generations to come. “As work progresses, we will be working with the local community to provide training and employment opportunities as well supporting social value opportunities and providing volunteering hours to community projects.” In total, the Ledbury Estate redevelopment will provide 340 new homes, 224 of which will be council homes to replace those from the old towers. The council will also build an additional 36 new council homes, taking the total to 260 council homes, as well as 15 shared ownership homes and 75 homes for private sale. The wider neighbourhood will also benefit from landscaping and new outdoor communal areas with a large, multi-purpose garden courtyard with space for community growing, a play area and tree-lined paths creating new pedestrian and cycle friendly connections between the Old Kent Road, Pencraig Way and Bird in Bush Park to the south-west. The first phase of building works is expected to complete in spring 2026 and the entire Ledbury Estate redevelopment is expected to be finished by 2030. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In response to the Halifax’s latest House Price Index, Nathan Emerson CEO at Propertymark comments: “It is positive to see that house prices have gone up gradually, especially as borrowing costs are being affected by higher interest rates on mortgage affordability. Before 2023 ended, the Bank of England’s decision to maintain interest rates should be providing further confidence to buyers looking to make their next or first home move in 2024. We would now hope that the the Bank of England gradually starts slashing interest rates in order to further to stimulate growth in the housing market.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Blues teenage football sensation Layla Banaras yesterday spoke of her pride after netting the role of youth ambassador at Birmingham Housing Week which also started yesterday. The Birmingham football star, who at the age of 16, became the first woman from a South Asian background to play for the Birmingham City Football Club, will share her experiences and encourage young people to get involved in the conversation around housing during Next Generation workshops being held at Birmingham Housing Week. Running from February 5th-9th Birmingham Housing Week will inform young people and communities on the scale of public and private investment in existing housing stock and large-scale housing regeneration schemes happening across the City and the vast amount of opportunities on offer to them; invite them to get involved in the conversation and have a voice and inspire them to join the movement. The week is a private sector initiative, powered by national housebuilder Lovell Partnerships, with support from Birmingham City Council, STEAMhouse, Howells, Platform Housing Group, Shakespeare Martineau, Marrons and Birmingham Social Housing Partnership, with more set to be announced in due course. Today Birmingham Housing Week organisers were thrilled for Layla to be appointed as its youth ambassador to help inspire the next generation to get involved in the week-long event. One of the main focuses of the week is to promote inclusivity and collaboration with the younger generation around their expectations of the housing sector and inform them about the job opportunities available to bring their ideas to life. Delighted to accept the ambassador role, Layla, now 17, said “I think it’s really important to create opportunities for young people as it gives them a voice and allows them to feel heard.” Thanks to sponsors Platform, STEAMhouse and Howells, the Next Generation Workshops are taking place on February 6th and 8th respectively, to bring together local pupils from the following schools: Eden Boys, Lyndon Academy, Cockshut Hill and Nine Styles. STEAMhouse has invited Year 9 pupils to its interactive activities focused on raising awareness around the housing sector and the variety of career opportunities they can choose to be more involved. The workshop will also feature a Q&A session with both the council and industry professionals, to encourage an open discussion around the future of Birmingham for current and next generations. Patrick Bek, Head of Service Innovation and Experimentation at STEAMhouse, added: “A people-centred approach is definitely needed to innovate towards the best future for Birmingham’s housing sector. Listening to and co-creating with the younger generation is a great way to encourage a more collaborative approach and unlock a new regenerative era of the city.” Architecture and planning body, Howells, will host its programme of activities aimed at Year 10 & 11 students on the Tuesday and Thursday of housing week, to inform them of the ‘Our Future City’ project, an initiative led by the Birmingham Housing Council setting a strategic 2040 framework to achieve inclusive, sustainable and equal spaces for the city’s communities. This will also involve the pupils sharing their thoughts on what the framework should include and incorporate them into a design project accordingly. The students will also have the opportunity to talk to key professionals in the Modelmaking and VR technology sectors and see how the respective tools work and support the variety of job roles in the housing sector. The innovative side of the sector is a key component in involving the younger generation and showcasing its potential to achieve more sustainable infrastructure. Dav Bansal, Partner from Howells, commented: “Birmingham Housing Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness on the current initiatives of the council and how students can actively participate in this exchange of opinions thanks to the workshops and the wide array of career opportunities the sector offers. Howells is based in the industrial heart of the city, and we’re excited to meet local young people to get their input into the future of Birmingham.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Oldham Council has pledged to get 500 new social homes built in the borough over the next five years. The announcement was made at the council’s inaugural Housing Roundtable, which took place at Oldham Civic Centre on Thursday 1 February and was led by Leader of the Council, Cllr Arooj Shah. Senior representatives from all of of Oldham’s major social housing providers were at the event, along with private landlords, letting agents, developers and housebuilders, charities and more. Together with the Council, they discussed Oldham’s housing crisis and how partners can work together to tackle it. Cllr Shah, who is also Cabinet Member for Reform and Regeneration, said: “Nationally, there’s been a growing issue with housing for years and now places like Oldham are bearing the brunt of it. “Thousands of social homes have been sold under right to buy with no government policies in place to replace them. Wages haven’t kept up with house prices or private rents and the cost of living crisis has piled even more pressure on. “I hear from local people every day whose lives are being ruined by this broken housing system. “For me, a home is a place where memories are created, where children and parents are safe and where there is love. “But for far too many families in Oldham, this is not the reality. And we know from our own work in communities that the dire situation is getting worse. “There are more than 7,500 families on the council housing register and thousands of applications waiting to be processed. There are over 500 families in temporary accommodation – and among them are 500 children. That’s 500 kids without their own bed, a place to do their homework, living in places like hotels and B&Bs. It’s tragic. “This is why we have to do everything in our power to respond locally to this national crisis. “With the support of our housing providers, we’ll be building 500 new social homes over the next five years. We have to act now, and we are.” Issues under discussion included the national problems with housing supply, driven by factors such as the high costs of renting and home ownership, the lack of Government funding to invest in social homes, differences in the definition of truly “affordable” homes, and a reduction in the supply of social and affordable housing. Nationally, Government has stopped incentivising developers to build truly affordable homes, with funding provided through the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) being slashed. Figures from charity Shelter show that around 39,500 new social houses were delivered nationally in 2010, compared to 6,600 a decade later. At the same time, demand for those homes is increasing, as people are affected by the cost of living crisis and are struggling with rising mortgage interest rates – meaning they may not be able to afford to pay, or get on the housing ladder at all. Among those discussing the reality of the crisis were three members of Oldham Poverty Truth Commission, who shared their own experience of navigating the social housing system. They included Simon Carrigan who said: “I owned my own home but I was cockooed and forced to sell my house and declare myself bankrupt to pay off the debts they said I owed them. I got a social home but they found me and the cuckooing started again. “I asked for help and the housing association tried – but they put bars on the windows and that just trapped me. I had to walk away again. “I’m 41 now and I’m still in poverty because of this. A good life starts with a good home. It’s so important.” Nadia Masood talked about her battles with mould and the lack of action from her landlord to keep up repairs saying: “I have a lot of health conditions and I’m living in a house covered in mould. “I’ve had to rip up the carpets and I’m now living with concrete floors. The buzzer doesn’t work so I never know if there’s someone at the door, the bath leaks and living on my own, I’m trying my best to deal with it, but it’s really hard. It gave me a really serious asthma attack. “I’ve been asking for help since last summer, I’ve done so much myself to try and sort it, but nothing ever happens.” Yaasmin Mughees told the roundtable about facing homelessness with three young children immediately after being granted right to stay in the UK. She said: “I was new to the system and I was scared, I experienced things I wouldn’t expect any human to experience. “I did get temporary accomodation for six months and it was good – but I know the quality of it was far better than where many other people are living. It really hurts to know so many people are living in these situations.” The roundtable discussed housing standards, demand and supply in Oldham and called on partners from across the room to make a commitment to building a local solution to a national crisis. This included: social and private landlords pledging to improve the quality of the homes we already have; letting and estate agents signing up to charters aimed at raising housing standards and developers working with the Council to get spades in the ground. Cllr Elaine Taylor, Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said: “We promised the housing roundtable would put firm plans in place to tackle the housing crisis. “Social housing changes lives, giving people a stable, affordable home – but there’s not enough social homes to go round. “That’s why we’re building more – with the support of our partners – I’m proud to say Oldham will have an additional 500 new social homes for local residents with the highest need. “It’s a huge step in the right direction and we’ll keep bringing people together to make sure Oldham fights its way out of this horrendous housing crisis as soon as possible.” For more information and support with
A leading construction and fit-out company has captured the dramatic transformation of a major estate in a three-minute timelapse film showcasing the incredible rejuvenation of the 1960s-built neighbourhood. The film from Willmott Dixon shows remarkable footage of Barking’s Gascoigne East regeneration that sees a tired and outdated estate disappear to be replaced by high quality, environmentally friendly homes and recreational space for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s direct delivery company Be First. Willmott Dixon director Steve Kitchen, who led the team behind the transformation, said: “The video is a testament to the huge amount of work that’s gone into transforming a large 1960s-era residential area into a beautiful and vibrant new community with green space and a bustling playground. It’s four years of hard work condensed into a fraction of the time, bringing the project to life in a truly impactful way.” The £164m phase two regeneration of Gascoigne East created 434 new homes and six retail units, as well as a large park and play area, a climbing wall and extensive planting and trees. The homes have been built around a landscaped internal courtyard and all properties have a balcony. With Willmott Dixon committed to active travel in the area, 300 cycle spaces have also been included in the full Gascoigne East development. Tim Porter, director of delivery at Be First, said: “This video brings to life the progress we’ve made across this phase of the Gascoigne neighbourhood since we began the regeneration project in 2019. When completed, over 2,800 homes will have been delivered across the entire neighbourhood. This project is part of our wider commitment to build 50,000 new homes by 2037 across the borough.” Further emphasising the project’s focus on placemaking, affordability and sustainability, Tim said: “Providing large green spaces, below market rent options, and helping residents reduce their carbon emissions and energy bills are core to our vision for Gascoigne neighbourhood.” Steve said: “This is the best way to capture for history what is happening across Gascoigne East, and the work to regenerate it into a modern, sustainable community that’s fit for the future, which we’re proud to be delivering in collaboration with Be First.” Throughout the Gascoigne East phase two development, Willmott Dixon has breathed new life into the area with: Beyond the physical transformation, Willmott Dixon made a significant impact on the local community through various initiatives: For more information on Willmott Dixon, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A former office building in the heart of Milton Keynes, that has been transformed into a new 200-unit residential development, has been refinanced following a £35m residential investment loan from Secure Trust Bank (STB) Real Estate Finance Located directly above Milton Keynes Central station, Station House is the result of a conversion of disused offices into 200 vibrant apartments across four floors. Developed by New York and Bahamas-based real estate specialist, Gold Wynn Group, the scheme is one of the latest property developments in an area predicted to see one of the highest long-term growth rates among UK cities outside London. Having topped the UK Competitive Index for 2023, the development will provide much needed housing at a time when demand is on the rise. The deal for the three-year residential investment loan, agreed at 59% loan to value (LTV), was led by Mike Feasey, Relationship Director at STB Real Estate Finance, alongside Matthew-Blaine Young, the bank’s Head of Origination. BBS Capital advised on and secured this facility for Gold Wynn, continuing its high level of activity in the refinancing space. Mike Feasey commented: “It was a pleasure to be able to deliver this transaction on behalf of Secure Trust Bank and showcase many of the bank’s strengths. Our hands on approach and team ethos, coupled with a strong working relationship with our professional partners, ensured we were able to deliver on a complex transaction in a relatively short period of time. The success of this deal shows what it truly means to be a relationship-led bank and I look forward to building on this success with Gold Wynn over the years to come.” Taking no longer than an hour to reach London from Milton Keynes Central station, the development is particularly ideal for commuters working, but not living, in the capital. Ben Friedland, President of Gold Wynn’s US & UK real estate divisions, said: “We’re delighted to have now opened the doors to Station House’s 200 stylish apartments. Milton Keynes is a thriving area on the rise and Station House is proof of this. As experts in property finance, the tailored approach provided by STB ensured that we were able to seal the deal against the clock, proving it to be one of the quickest refinances we have been involved in.” The bank’s longstanding relationship with BBS Capital, was crucial to completing the process within an allotted timeframe of three months, with it taking just six weeks from sanction to drawdown. Mark Geraghty, Director at BBS Capital said: “BBS Capital is pleased to have supported Gold Wynn on this key refinancing and build on its relationship with Secure Trust Bank. This was a notable transaction in the office-to-residential conversion space, demonstrating good liquidity in the marketplace for quality assets with robust business plans and credible sponsorship. The structured finance was arranged and executed over a short timeframe despite current market conditions, which is testament to all parties involved.” Matthew-Blaine Young added: “It was a pleasure to work alongside BBS Capital once again; this deal is the latest of several success stories we have achieved together. As a result, BBS Capital was confident of our ability to provide the necessary property investment finance and deliver on a significant deal associated with unique challenges.” Acting on behalf of the bank for this property finance loan was solicitors Shepherd & Wedderburn, while BNP Paribas was the appointed valuer for the deal. Both parties played a vital part in organising the deal, alongside Secure Trust Bank’s experienced Relationship Support Specialist, Julie Percy. Visit here to discover more about Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leep Utilities has been appointed as a partner of Persimmon Homes New Appointments and Variants (NAV) adoption framework. The UK leading owner and operator of last-mile utility networks will now own, maintain and operate the clean and wastewater networks for the housebuilder’s new developments across England. By introducing the new framework, Persimmon Homes will ensure that all its regional offices will work only with pre-approved partners to obtain asset values – ensuring consistency and transparency of offers and adherence to pre-agreed terms. Leep Utilities – the UK’s largest adoption-only NAV – has already been awarded multiple projects by housebuilder. The first scheme secured by Leep is The Hawthorns – a development of 350 two, three, four and five-bedroom new homes, part of the Persimmon Eco Range, located just outside Market Harborough, in Leicestershire. It’s being built in line with new Part L regulations and offers a 31% reduction in carbon emissions. After successfully submitting detailed applications to industry regulator Ofwat, Leep has already exceeded the recommended six-month timeframe set for insets to be granted – highlighting the firm’s proactivity, experience and agility during the tender process. Prior to being adopted by Leep, the firm will work in collaboration with Persimmon Homes-appointed Self-Lay Providers (SLPs) who will install the water networks. Leep Networks (Water) Ltd – a subsidiary of Leep Utilities – is already a water and sewerage undertaker for many prestigious UK developments including MediaCityUK, Liverpool International Business Park and Kent’s Chatham Waters. It provides safe and reliable water to 35,000 residential and commercial developments across the UK, managed from its Salford headquarters and Berkshire base. Gus Watt, Group Director of Energy Networks, at Persimmon Homes, said: “Persimmon prioritises engaging with progressive partners who are able to embrace our ambitions as a business. “The success of our communities depends on our approach to utilities management, with framework partners being integral to this through the support and expertise they give to our regional teams and supply chain.” Louise Manfredi, CEO of Leep, said of the partnership: “Working with NAVs brings many cost and service benefits to housebuilders and developers, whilst assisting the overall efficiency of development activity. And this is especially true when delivering multi-utility solutions. “It’s most encouraging to see the growing prevalence of Ofwat-regulated NAVs in the market, which is driving competition and at the same time enabling more efficient housing and commercial development and driving innovation. And what an enviable position we’re now in, operating at the forefront of the water industry and working nationally with a leading housebuilder to increase the UK’s housing supply. “As a recognised 5-Star Builder, by the House Builders’ Federation, Persimmon selects its partners very carefully. With our nationwide scope, we’re able to work collaboratively with all 29 of its UK offices, whilst bringing transparency, best practice and focus when delivering the very best customer journey. It’s all testament to our capabilities, experience and expertise and we look forward to working with Persimmon Homes on more of its developments over the next two years and hopefully beyond.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kimpton, a leading provider of mechanical and electrical services for Built-to-Rent (BTR) and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) markets, has identified significant trends shaping the BTR landscape in the UK and globally. 1. Growing Demand for Rental Housing: A noticeable shift towards renting rather than homeownership is evident, driven by factors such as higher interest rates and the desire for flexibility. Housing affordability, particularly in certain areas, is a significant challenge making rental housing an appealing and sometimes the only option. 2. Institutional Investment: Institutional investors, including pension funds and real estate investment trusts (REITs), are increasingly showing interest in BTR projects. The sector’s potential for long-term, stable returns makes it an attractive option for building a balanced investment portfolio. 3. Focus on Amenities and Community Spaces: BTR developments are prioritising high-quality amenities and communal spaces to attract tenants. Gyms, co-working spaces, communal lounges, and outdoor areas contribute to creating a desirable living environment, moving away from high-density accommodation blocks. 4. Technology Integration: The integration of smart home features and efficient property management using technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices and energy-efficient systems is becoming a standard in BTR developments. This aligns with the increasing prevalence of remote work, requiring adaptable designs for work-from-home spaces. 5. Sustainable and Green Practices: BTR developers are incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly practices, including energy-efficient designs and green building materials. The demand for green technology among environmentally conscious Gen Z and Millennials is evident. 6. Location and Connectivity: Proximity to transportation hubs, employment centres, and lifestyle amenities remains crucial in BTR development. Access to urban conveniences and connectivity, exemplified by Kimpton projects like the Conington Road BTR Scheme in Lewisham, enhances the appeal of such developments. 7. Sustainability and ESG Considerations: A growing emphasis on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors is driving BTR developers to adopt more sustainable practices. Compliance with evolving regulations, especially in relation to EPC ratings, is a priority for new developments. 8. Diversification of BTR Offerings: Developers are diversifying their BTR portfolios to include various unit types, catering to different demographics and lifestyle preferences. The inclusion of larger units accommodates families, reflecting shifts in household structures. 9. Demographic Changes: Population growth, urbanisation trends, and changes in household structures influence the demand for rental housing. The aging population and the rise of single-person households in the UK are shaping the types of properties and amenities being created. 10. Brownfield Takeover: The reshaping of city landscapes, including the conversion of empty retail units and downsized office spaces into BTR units, presents an opportunity for developers. Coordinated and sensitive planning is crucial for ensuring the future vibrancy of cities. Matt Breakwell, Business Development Manager at Kimpton said: “The BTR sector is experiencing substantial growth and will become an increasingly significant driver of the housing market. Kimpton recognise the opportunity for developers and investors to reshape cities, creating sustainable communities and create a genuine solution for individuals seeking long-term, flexible, high-quality living arrangements in a changing housing landscape. We are delighted to be continuing to play our part in the decarbonisation of the BTR sector.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
