A family-run homebuilder with sites across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, which has faced the challenges of labour shortages head on in recent years, has welcomed new plans for skilled migrant workers to support the UK construction industry. Fairgrove, established in 1995 in Nottingham, is currently building new homes in both Kimberley
The NHBC Foundation’s latest report, Hazardous ground gas – an essential guide for housebuilders, is available to download now. Compiled by experts in the field this comprehensive report offers guidance and insight for housebuilders covering everything from what constitutes a hazardous ground gas, initial investigations and assessment of ground gas
When Designer Contracts was asked to develop two very different show home interiors for a new development within striking distance of Edinburgh airport, the team passed the challenge with flying colours. The Barratt Homes development at West Craigs in eastern Scotland involved creating two unique show house schemes marketed toward
As a long established and well-respected manufacturer of high-quality cast stone, Haddonstone has built strong relationship with the UK’s housebuilders; embracing both the large national and smaller regional developers, tailoring its operational structure over the years to ensure their needs are fully met. Already with over a quarter century of
Independent housebuilder Dandara has officially launched its first national partnership with Lighthouse Club, a charity which provides mental health and wellbeing support to people working in the construction industry. Dandara was established in 1988, but for the last three years has achieved a period of unprecedented growth. With the creation
A brand new affordable housing development on the site of the former Lairdsland Primary School, Kirkintilloch, has welcomed its first tenants. The 38 affordable homes are situated in a mixture of three and four-storey buildings which contain one and two-bedroomed flats and will be used as council housing. The
Over 100 new council homes have been approved as part of Edinburgh’s major regeneration of Fountainbridge. Formerly the site of the Fountain Brewery, the huge number of new homes for social rent will feature in a 49,000 square metre redevelopment overlooking the Union Canal. The area will be transformed as
A ribbon-cutting ceremony has marked the opening of a brand-new show home in the historic market town of Holsworthy. The Raglan show home is part of the final phase at Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes’ Market Place development of 19 three and four-bedroom family homes. Paul Furner, Director of Sales and Marketing, performed the ribbon-cutting welcoming homebuyers
With the ‘Quarter of the Dancing Couples’ KCAP (urban design and architecture), Studio Vulkan (landscape) and Raumanzug (sustainability) win the competition for a new residential neighbourhood with 279 apartments in the vicinity of Zurich. Wangen-Brüttisellen is a fast-growing municipality which is planning to densify. One of the plots designated for
A female assistant site manager from Dorset has addressed three myths associated with working in construction as a way of encouraging more women into the industry. Victoria Grinnall, 27, works at Barratt Homes’ Quarter Jack Park development in Wimborne. Before joining the leading housebuilder in 2021, she came up against
A family-run homebuilder with sites across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, which has faced the challenges of labour shortages head on in recent years, has welcomed new plans for skilled migrant workers to support the UK construction industry. Fairgrove, established in 1995 in Nottingham, is currently building new homes in both Kimberley and Alfreton and has been hit hard by the lack of quality labourers available to work on its sites – which is why MD Steve Midgley has welcomed the Government’s announcement to add construction roles to its ‘Shortage Occupation’ list. Steve said: “The labour shortage has snowballed due to a combination of factors, from the challenges with workforces in a post-Brexit state, to the pandemic causing work to grind to a halt, as well as other circumstances such as the Ukraine war and cost-of-living crisis adding to tough financial situations for many employers and, critically, workers. As a result, skilled workers have been harder to come by, and home-building targets have been negatively impacted.” The recent announcement, made by Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt MP in the Spring Budget, saw many roles within the construction industry added to the ‘Shortage Occupation’ list. This was the result of an interim report, published by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), with a full report due in June 2023. Positions to be added to the list include bricklayers and masons, roofers, roof tilers and slaters, carpenters and joiners, plasterers and dryliners. Steve added: “The impact of these roles being added to the ‘Shortage Occupation’ list is that they are now deemed to be in short supply and are subject to relaxed eligibility criteria for sponsored work visa applications. “This effectively unlocks the potential for skilled migrant workers to support the UK construction industry. “And while the addition of key construction roles to ‘Shortage Occupation’ list won’t directly impact us at Fairgrove immediately, we will feel the benefits of it indirectly.” Businesses such as homebuilders who wish to benefit from the scheme will need to take up the Government’s offer of a sponsorship licence which will allow them to bring in migrant workers to help ease shortages. Steve said that in time, Fairgrove may consider taking a licence but wanted to review the impact of the initiative for larger homebuilders first. He added: “It is great to see the construction industry being supported in this way, as we have needed the help of the Government over the last few years, due to all kinds of factors that have caused disruption to work and the missing of house-building targets all over the country. “We’re currently building new homes across the Midlands, at Swanwick Fields in Derbyshire, as well as the Nine Corners and Brewery Yard developments in Kimberley, Nottinghamshire. As a result, we need a diverse, skilled workforce, that can help us continue to build our properties with the high-quality finish we aim to achieve. “We are optimistic that this intervention will bring about positive change and allow the construction industry to move forward, after what has been a very difficult few years.” To learn more about Fairgrove’s developments, please visit: https://www.fairgrove.co.uk
The NHBC Foundation’s latest report, Hazardous ground gas – an essential guide for housebuilders, is available to download now. Compiled by experts in the field this comprehensive report offers guidance and insight for housebuilders covering everything from what constitutes a hazardous ground gas, initial investigations and assessment of ground gas to gas protective measures. Developed in partnership with Buro Happold and Environmental Protection Group Ltd (EPG), the advice detailed is applicable to all sites, whether large or small, and all development types. The guidance will help housebuilders to: The report guidance also addresses the current gap between the conclusions and recommendations of ground investigation reports and the structural design of buildings where gas protection measures are not always included. Hugh Mallett, Director, Ground Engineering, Buro Happold said, “This new NHBC guide on hazardous ground gas will help housebuilders and their advisors to better assess and manage gas risk and ensure the efficient building of new homes. Buro Happold, EPG and NHBC have worked hard to ensure the guide delivers current good practice and that the advice is practical and relevant to all housebuilders. Following the six-stage process and recognising the importance of competence at each stage will help housebuilders get it right first time and avoid potential pitfalls, saving time and money, whilst delivering homes safe from the potential risks of hazardous ground gas.” “Adoption of the good practice procedures described in this report will lead to better quality practice, cost savings and a greater understanding of specific issues around detailing, construction and verification,” commented Richard Smith, Head of Standards, Research & Technical Competency at NHBC Foundation. “Early consideration of the risks of hazardous ground gas is essential for all developments and we are pleased to be able to guide housebuilders through this potentially complex process.” Written specifically for housebuilders wanting to get up to date and widen their knowledge on this important subject, Hazardous ground gas – an essential guide for housebuilders is available to download here.
When Designer Contracts was asked to develop two very different show home interiors for a new development within striking distance of Edinburgh airport, the team passed the challenge with flying colours. The Barratt Homes development at West Craigs in eastern Scotland involved creating two unique show house schemes marketed toward first and second time ‘move up’ buyers, for its four bedroomed show homes – The Crombie and The Campbell. The Crombie house type is aimed at a second move up family with two older children (a teenage child and a child at university). They love the outdoors, have a dog and the father is a keen golfer. The Campbell is aimed at a first move up family with much younger children – toddler twins and another young child. Said Abbie Lockett, design sales manager for Designer Contracts: “The brief was both challenging but very exciting and gave us an opportunity to incorporate some local touches and develop a sustainability story. We did some real out-of-the-box thinking to come up with two very different stories for house types with a similar footprint.” For The Crombie, a four-bed home with separate study, the chosen colour scheme was ochre, tan and creams with darker woods and gold finishes. The lounge has a neutral base with pops of rich colour in the soft furnishings. The design team also worked alongside an artist to create abstracts of Edinburgh which are showcased above the cream sofa. The second bedroom was themed towards a young girl who plays football for the local team and so features a wraparound football net headboard on the four-poster bed. The oldest child is studying engineering at Edinburgh university which inspired the team to incorporate a nod to structural form and the environment within the design which includes a wallpaper mural of the Forth Bridge, a popular local attraction. Said Abbie: “We worked with our suppliers to source sustainable, recyclable fabrics and used these for the cushions on the bed. Barratt Homes installed a small monitor screen to the desk wall which streams a video showing their Zed House. This is the first Zero Carbon Home built by a major housebuilder that goes substantially beyond the future home’s standard.”
As a long established and well-respected manufacturer of high-quality cast stone, Haddonstone has built strong relationship with the UK’s housebuilders; embracing both the large national and smaller regional developers, tailoring its operational structure over the years to ensure their needs are fully met. Already with over a quarter century of experience at the family run firm, Toby Marlow is the Director leading Haddonstone’s Building and Construction team. He is engaged on a day-to-day basis with ensuring client architectural projects are run and completed to achieve best possible outcomes. Callum Jensen fills the complementary role of Export and Business Development Manager, overseeing all the company’s sales and other activities outside the UK. Also, over the past decade at Haddonstone, Callum has further worked in business development, technical support and as a key accounts manager: affording the pair a full understanding of sales, production and client services. As a founding member of the UK Cast Stone Association, Haddonstone has always invested to ensure its diverse range of standard products, as well as its continuous output of bespoke items, are manufactured to exceed industry standards, whilst also respecting the environment. In fact, over 80% of the Building and Construction team’s components are produced to meet their clients’ precise requirements: involving the unique skillset of the craftsmen in Haddonstone’s moulds workshop, constant monitoring of the mixes which fill them, and rigorous testing of the finished products. The latter includes water absorption rate, compressive strength and pull-out strength, as well as visual inspections and regular independent testing. Toby Marlow commented: “Here at Haddonstone we are fully committed to meeting our customers’ needs, whether they relate to a major new housing development, a one-off Georgian style property, or the repair and restoration of a listed period property. We can offer site surveys where required, supply of very detailed CAD drawings or building elevations, guidance on installation and after sales service – to ensure quality and durability are achieved every time. We have our own transport fleet, can recommend experienced installation specialists local to projects and will always work with our clients to resolve their issues.” For more information on Haddonstone’s products and services, including from the Building and Construction team, please visit https://www.haddonstone.com/en-gb/building-and-construction/ For further information, call 01604 770711 or visit www.haddonstone.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Independent housebuilder Dandara has officially launched its first national partnership with Lighthouse Club, a charity which provides mental health and wellbeing support to people working in the construction industry. Dandara was established in 1988, but for the last three years has achieved a period of unprecedented growth. With the creation of two new divisions the housebuilder’s operations now span across the South of England, Wales, Scotland, Jersey and Isle of Man, as it is set to become a national player in the housebuilding market. Trevor Dempsey, CEO of Dandara, said: “Following our recent expansion and looking to the future of the company, it is our priority to ensure our ethos is upheld; our first national partnership with Lighthouse is a vital part of this. “The construction industry has a tragically high suicide rate, which has been increasing in recent years, so it was incredibly important to us to work with a charity like Lighthouse Club that provides practical support to not only our employees, but our subcontractors and any other workers on our sites – alongside their family members. We want to help break the stigma of mental health in the industry, and the grassroots support this partnership offers across our sites is a meaningful first step.” Lighthouse Club provides a range of support services for all construction workers, including subcontractors, agency workers and people in allied trades. It operates a confidential helpline and has over 350 volunteer drop-in centres that provide a safe, supportive environment for people to talk about the problems they face or have faced. It also offers a 24/7 text-back counselling service, a support app with information about medical conditions and coping strategies, and masterclasses to help people deal with a range of issues including stress, bullying and financial management, as well as alcohol and drug problems. Bill Hill, CEO of Lighthouse Club, said: “We are excited to welcome Dandara as one of our company supporters. We receive no public funding, so it is only through the generosity of people in the industry that we can provide much-needed support to people working in construction and their families.” Suicides in the construction industry throughout England and Wales hit their highest level last year since analysis began. * On average, two construction workers take their own life every working day in the UK and Ireland, and over 20% of recorded work-related absence is caused by stress, anxiety or depression.* Trevor Dempsey, CEO of Dandara, added: “I’m incredibly proud that we selected Lighthouse Club to work with and I’m looking forward to seeing the positive and meaningful impact of this partnership as we work to change attitudes across the industry.” For more information, please visit www.dandara.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A brand new affordable housing development on the site of the former Lairdsland Primary School, Kirkintilloch, has welcomed its first tenants. The 38 affordable homes are situated in a mixture of three and four-storey buildings which contain one and two-bedroomed flats and will be used as council housing. The new development, part of the Kirkintilloch Town Centre Masterplan, includes four wheelchair accessible flats and eight amenity flats on the ground floor for tenants with specific health needs. The remaining flats are general needs housing. The Council worked in partnership with Cruden Building and Coltart Earley Architects to ensure that the homes were designed and built to complement surrounding buildings on Kerr Street and Queen Street, which sit within Kirkintilloch Town Centre Conservation Area. The development, which included the demolition of the old school, was complete within two years and the final flats were handed over to the Council in April. Councillor Paul Ferretti, Convener of Place, Neighbourhood and Corporate Assets, said, “I am delighted to see the completion of this smart and sympathetic development in the heart of Kirkintilloch. “This site forms just one part of the Council’s affordable housing investment programme, which is helping to meet the needs of local people who are finding it increasingly difficult to get on the housing ladder.” Site works included the creation of new parking spaces and soft and hard landscaping. Artefacts from the original school have been incorporated into the new building including the school’s date stone, now displayed in the new landscaped courtyard, and original stonework, which has been used to create boundary walls, bin stores and bicycle sheds. In addition, two cast iron columns from the world-famous Lion Foundry are now being used as streetlighting in the courtyard. Colin Kennedy, Construction Director at Cruden Building, said, “In addition to creating spacious, energy efficient homes, the projects have also delivered community benefits including the employment of local people, including labourers and cleaners, site visits for young people, mentoring by Cruden staff, Q&A sessions with apprentices and work placements.” Megan Cassidy, partner Mikey Hanlon and dog Lily have moved into one of the new wheelchair accessible flats. Megan said, “We are really happy with the flat. You can tell it has been specially designed and adapted for a wheelchair user, which is amazing. “It is a lovely area and all our neighbours seem really nice. I think we will be here for a long time.” Works have been carried out at nearby Holy Family and Lairdsland Schools as part of the Community Benefits Programme. Community projects included the construction of “Mud Kitchens” and the refurbishment of planters at local schools, the combined total of which was over £5,000. Artefacts from the original Lairdsland building, including coat hooks and a section of banister, are now part of a dedicated display at the town’s Auld Kirk Museum. The display, which runs until September 2023, gives an overview of the history of the school and includes objects from the museum collection and images from EDLC Archives. A mural from the original building, which dates from the 1930s and was hidden under new decor, and original wall tiles were removed and conserved by specialist conservators are also part of the Museums Collection. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Over 100 new council homes have been approved as part of Edinburgh’s major regeneration of Fountainbridge. Formerly the site of the Fountain Brewery, the huge number of new homes for social rent will feature in a 49,000 square metre redevelopment overlooking the Union Canal. The area will be transformed as part of a development called Leamington Square – a joint venture between the City of Edinburgh Council as landowner and a partnership between Cruden Homes (East) Ltd and Buccleuch Property. They will deliver around 464 homes alongside landscaping and infrastructure improvements, over 2,700 square metres of retail space supporting the creation of a 20-minute neighbourhood approach and new local jobs. The Council will own 115 homes for social rent and 71 homes for mid market rent as part of the plans and support the delivery of additional, affordable new homes. It will also spearhead the creation of a community growing space and new integrated cycle ways. Over 1,000 cycle parking spaces are planned for the development in total. The Union Canal is a Local Nature Conservation Site and landscaping is planned to create a biodiverse area in harmony with the character of the waterway. Generous use of trees of varying species is also planned while the development will be designed to minimise greenhouse gas emissions and incorporate low carbon technologies, in line with Edinburgh’s ambitious net zero aims. Historic elements of the adjacent North British Rubber Factory will also be preserved and incorporated into the designs. It is envisaged that work will begin in 2024 and be fully built-out by 2027. Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “For years, Edinburgh has desperately needed more new social housing. This council is determined to tackle that shortfall and I’m delighted that we’ve secured space for over 100 new homes for social rent at Leamington Square. “Just a stone’s throw away from the Union Canal, with great cycle links and amenities on the doorstep, the regeneration of the old brewery site is sure to prove a really popular place to live. “The demand we are seeing for affordable and social homes is only going to increase as our city grows. And, while the future is challenging, together with developers and others we are doing everything within our powers to make it fairer on residents and on our environment with high quality, affordable, sustainable homes.” Carlo D’Emidio, Project Director of Cruden Homes, said: “This is a significant milestone for this flagship new development, which will see the transformation of this former brownfield site in Fountainbridge into a vibrant new community. “Subject to our development agreement with City of Edinburgh Council, Cruden and Buccleuch will deliver highly sustainable, Net Zero homes which will sit amongst a wealth of new amenities and community spaces in the Capital’s newest neighbourhood.” Ewan Anderson, Managing Director, 7N Architects, said: “7N Architects are delighted that planners have approved our latest plans for this new, mixed use, neighbourhood at Fountainbridge in Edinburgh. The development will provide 464 mixed-tenure homes, 30,000 sq.ft of mixed-use space and people friendly public realm which will reinvigorate this important canalside site. We now look forward to taking the project onwards with Cruden Homes, Buccleuch Property and the City of Edinburgh Council.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A ribbon-cutting ceremony has marked the opening of a brand-new show home in the historic market town of Holsworthy. The Raglan show home is part of the final phase at Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes’ Market Place development of 19 three and four-bedroom family homes. Paul Furner, Director of Sales and Marketing, performed the ribbon-cutting welcoming homebuyers into the show home. He said: “Cavanna Homes is celebrating 100 years of ‘Building Brilliance’ across the Westcountry, and what better way to start the year than with a brand-new show home opening! “Market Place is a fantastic place to live with all our new homes enjoying stunning rural views across the valley, plus the town centre is within walking distance and a primary and secondary school is close by. “We’ve had a great response to our new homes, and we encourage anyone looking to move to the area to come and step inside our beautiful show home to get a taste of what it’s like to live in this fantastic North Devon town.” The energy-efficient homes are adjacent to Cavanna Homes’ Market Quarter community on the site of Holsworthy’s old cattle market. The design and building materials will complement the town’s traditional architecture. The four-bedroom Raglan, which has been expertly dressed by interior stylists, Abode, showcases Cavanna Homes’ high specification of fixtures and fittings. The show home has an open plan kitchen / dining area with modern, energy-efficient fitted appliances, a convenient utility room, and a master bedroom with an en-suite. There is a range of three and four-bedroom homes available at Market Place, all with a garage and driveway parking. Sales Advisor, Teresa Arden said: “We’re excited to have officially opened the doors to our gorgeous show home at Market Place, which offers our new homeowners a delightful blend of town and country.” Market Place is close to rolling hills and wooded valleys, perfect for walking, cycling and horse riding. Residents also benefit from the town centre being within walking distance where there are shops, tea rooms, a library, post office, leisure centre and weekly farmers’ market. There is also a play area and open green space in the development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With the ‘Quarter of the Dancing Couples’ KCAP (urban design and architecture), Studio Vulkan (landscape) and Raumanzug (sustainability) win the competition for a new residential neighbourhood with 279 apartments in the vicinity of Zurich. Wangen-Brüttisellen is a fast-growing municipality which is planning to densify. One of the plots designated for redevelopment is the Erni-Areal, a former industrial estate located close to the railway station. The aim was to create a dense and liveable neighbourhood in a contrasting, almost cacophonous context. Mobimo, one of the leading real estate companies in Switzerland, invited five teams to redevelop the former Erni-Areal in Wangen-Brüttisellen. This partially built up site is to be transformed into a high-density neighbourhood with housing, offices, retail and gastronomy. The plot is surrounded by small-scale housing, compact tower blocks and various industries – including a high-bay warehouse for Coca-Cola. With the company currently expanding its activities, this increases the differences of scale. Furthermore, noise pollution heavily influences the site since it’s located near a highway exit, along a busy thoroughfare, and directly under the approach route to Zurich airport. Such a challenging location called for a precise design solution. KCAP proposed a concept that reacts to the heterogeneous context with a very clear stance of its own. It confidently confronts nearby large-scale projects such as Brüttiseller Tor, the Coca Cola high-bay warehouse or the Ringstrassenquartier. Instead of grand gestures and high points, the quarter offers a contrast with compact, low-rise development. Its high density allows for a world of its own inside and thus creates different cosy, small-scale niches. A backbone of interlocked public spaces create a liveable, sheltered environment. The staggered arrangement of the buildings acts as a noise barrier, doing justice to the complex noise situation while retaining an open character. Housing is to be found mainly in the more protected blocks, while the busy thoroughfare and highway exit are bordered by blocks with flexible office spaces and penthouse apartments. At the same time, Erni-Areal remains embedded in its context through a variety of physical and visual connections. Many small openings and entrances along the hard edge allow for a high degree of permeability. The new quarter is marked by four different typologies: the atrium house, the linear house, the point house and the twin house. Each typology is deployed twice, creating pairs which appear to be ‘dancing’ with each other due to their arrangement and orientation within the plan. Limiting the number of buildings and apartment typologies made for coherence as well as optimization, creating a measured balance between repetition and variety. “We took the Waltz, a dance for two in a closed stance with quick turns and a fixed step pattern, as our inspiration,” explains Ute Schneider, partner at KCAP. All four typologies are united by a slanted roof that includes the three top floors, creating an eave above the fourth or fifth floor. This introduces a human scale, and ensures ample natural light for the public spaces and apartments. Together with the different materialisation of the ground floor, the façades are visually structured into three layers: ground floor, body and slanted roof. By carefully positioning the four ‘dancing couples’, KCAP created a sequence of public spaces in the interior of the neighbourhood. These are all characterised by their own, specific qualities: the innermost courtyards are lushly planted with trees, the areas in front of the buildings act as a buffer zone between the public and the private realm, and the car-free streets are clearly recognizable as such. Due to their naturally planted and shaded design, these spaces also serve as a retention area for surplus rainwater, a cooling measure and a microclimate of their own. Sustainability is an integral part of all KCAP projects and Erni-Areal is a clear example of our approach. The building blocks are designed to be partially built of recycled concrete – used only for the basements, ground floors and building cores – and partially in prefabricated wood. This hybrid approach has financial as well as environmental benefits, because it streamlines the complex building process on this challenging location. In addition to the measures employed to reduce noise, counter heat stress, retain water and improve the microclimate, Erni-Areal features PV panels, green roofs, heat pumps, and a maximum of natural ventilation. The project is both compact and ecological, targeting the SNBS (Standard Nachhaltiges Bauen Schweiz) requirements. The existing ERNI headquarters will be preserved and expanded with a greenhouse, which is set to become a community centre with a focus on urban food production. At night, this glass pavilion will serve as a beacon for the new neighbourhood. Ute Schneider: “We wanted to maintain part of the area’s industrial atmosphere, and add variety as well as coherence, so as to create a true neighbourhood feeling.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A female assistant site manager from Dorset has addressed three myths associated with working in construction as a way of encouraging more women into the industry. Victoria Grinnall, 27, works at Barratt Homes’ Quarter Jack Park development in Wimborne. Before joining the leading housebuilder in 2021, she came up against many misconceptions about working in the industry, which she hopes to dispel so that women can see how attractive a career in construction can be. As someone who formerly served in the armed forces as a Royal Engineer, being the first female to drive armoured vehicles before going on to work for a youth engagement programme for schools about careers in the army, Victoria is passionate about encouraging the next generation of construction workers. In her latest video about Women in Construction, Victoria talks to Barratt Homes about what it’s like working in the industry and covers these three myths: Myth 1 – construction is still dominated and run by men “Some roles are still dominated by men, but that’s because there still aren’t enough females – yet,” says Victoria. “My experience of working in construction is feeling supported, valued, and trusted. At Barratt, we have yearly subcontractor meetings, where teams are told by directors in the business how to treat and respect others, as part of the Diversity and Inclusion programme. “Women can bring so much to the role, and I’d encourage them to do as much research as they can if construction is an industry they are interested in. It’s nice to see that Barratt want to bring more women into the business – and it shows.” Myth 2 – there’s a massive stigma around women working in construction “I don’t think there is enough of us just yet to say there isn’t a stigma, but it isn’t as big as it used to be – and I certainly rarely come across it,” Victoria continues. “If anything, I find people to be open minded and curious. They enjoy learning more about what I do – and I am happy to tell them all about the role I love! “There are so many avenues for women in the construction industry and there is a huge variety of career choices, whether that is office-based or site-based. Barratt will help women wanting to get into the industry and you’ll have a really supportive team around you – so I hope one day that stigma wont exist.” Myth 3 – my family won’t approve of my career choice “I think my family knew better than I did that this was the right career path for me!” Victoria said. “I like being outside, I’ve always liked being active, and I have never been someone to sit behind a desk. They often tell me this is what I was made to do! “For those who are worried about how a role in construction may be perceived by friends and family, you might be surprised that their reaction isn’t what you think it’ll be.” Barratt Homes’ Diversity and Inclusion programme officially recognises and celebrates differences across the whole organisation. The Programme was established in 2022 to help challenge behaviours and address specific or unique needs and perspective of all employees, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. James Dunne, Barratt Homes Managing Director, Southampton Division, said: “Our Diversity and Inclusion programme is an important step in addressing the needs of our workforces and helps us assess the way we work as a company. “Encouraging diversity is key to building a strong business, as we can attract more people who will want to stay in roles where they feel comfortable and can be themselves. “Victoria is a great advocate for women working in construction and has inspired many women into joining the industry – we’re pleased to support her all the way.” The full Women in Construction video is available on Barratt Homes’ YouTube channel here: Barratt Homes is building new homes across the region. For more information on new developments in Dorset, visit: Quarter Jack Park, Compass Point. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals