Building News is an information portal for all professional building specifiers. Here you can find all of the latest construction news from around the UK and the rest of the world.

fermacell® is “Brand of the Century”

 

fermacell® , recognised for innovation and success

 

fermacell® has been named ‘Brand of the Century’. This prestigious award recognises the company’s long and continuous success story and confirms fermacell® as a leading brand in the field of innovative and sustainable fibre gypsum products.

“The “Brand of the Century” award is a special honour for us that fills us with great joy. It motivates us to continue developing innovative products and solutions in the future and to market them successfully in close cooperation with our partners,” says Tobias Bennerscheidt, Director Marketing & Segments at James Hardie Europe GmbH.

However, the honour is not only a recognition of past successes and a confirmation of previous work, but also an incentive to continue writing the fermacell® success story.

‘We have consistently pursued innovative paths in both our product and marketing strategies and will continue to do so,’ emphasises the manager. James Hardie will remain true to his vision of developing sustainable and high-quality solutions for the construction industry that meet the requirements of the market and the needs of customers. ‘James Hardie’s ability to innovate and the purposeful implementation of market-oriented and future-proof solutions have not only made fermacell® one of the best-known building material brands and the European market leader for high-quality fibre gymsum boards, they are also the factors that make fermacell® the ’brand of the century‘,’ emphasises Bennerscheidt.

More than 150 German brands have been honoured as ‘Brand of the Century’ in the new publication by Deutsche Standards. Under the leitmotif ‘Transformation’, the strength of the German economy is represented and entrepreneurial visions, sustainable values and the courage to change are emphasised. The ‘Brands of the Century’ are selected according to a demanding catalogue of criteria. The focus is not only on consistency and economic success, but also on innovative strength, sustainable development and future viability. The companies honoured set new standards in their sectors with continuous top performance and a clear focus on values.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE

 

/0 Comments/by

Polypipe Building Services exceeds recycled material target with factory investment

 

Polypipe Building Services (PBS) has exceeded its end-of-2024 sustainability target for recycled material use of 28%. The company has increased its recycled material use from 5% to 32% through investments in its manufacturing facility. This significant improvement supports PBS customers in achieving their net-zero goals across the supply chain, with some products now containing as much as 65% recycled material.

 

PBS has invested in two new extrusion processes as well as factory manpower. This investment complements its other sustainability initiatives, such as its prefabrication service, which massively reduces on-site fabrication waste and enables smart scheduling to reduce delivery miles.

 

Andy Martin, Manufacturing Director at Polypipe Building Services, said:

“With two brand new extruders, we’re able to run both rework and post-consumer recycled material, increasing our recycling capability and efficiency. We also invested heavily in material handling to aid with the processing of recycled materials and optimise our processes.”

“Extrusion line 2 was completely replaced along with a significant upgrade to our line 1. The key aim was to create a three-layer pipe with inner and outer skins made from virgin PVC, with the core between the skins comprised of recycled material, making up to 65% of the pipe’s material content.

“In addition, we’ve built a new warehouse to ensure raw materials are kept in optimal condition ready for extrusion and have created a state-of-the-art laboratory to test raw materials to ensure they meet specification standards.”

 

Customers also benefit from PBS’ on-site waste recycling scheme, which helps improve net-zero goals for projects that fabricate systems on-site. The recycled materials are then processed at the factory and used in PBS products, improving the carbon footprint of construction projects and reducing the amount of waste plastic going to landfill.

 

Martin continued:

“Ensuring adequate supplies of acceptable quality recycled material was a challenge. Our in-house regrind was able to meet some of our needs but we had to go outside to meet the bulk of our requirement, the differences between these materials then adding complexity to our processes.”

 

Committed to supporting customers achieve sustainability goals, PBS will continue to invest in solutions aimed at reducing embedded carbon within its products.

 

CLICK HERE to find out more about Polypipe Building Services’ sustainability drive

 

/0 Comments/by

Rinnai Responds to Consultants and Specifiers with New CPD Additions

 

Rinnai is dedicated to providing UK customers, specifiers, installers and system designers with consistently updated information regarding products, energy policy and energy market regulation amendments.

 

CPDs are readily available to view and can be located on Rinnai’s “Training” webpage where the visitor should follow the CIBSE CPD & Training and Enrolment title. Here the customer can choose from a wide selection of subjects that include:

 

      • Lifecycle cost and operational carbon of heating systems.
      • Condensing, continuous flow hot water heaters design and specification.
      • Moving towards interoperability in building services control.
      • Hot water provision in commercial applications – minimising legionella risk and maximising system efficiency.
      • Meeting the growth in demand for domestic hot water with efficient, controllable systems.
      • Assessing life-cycle costs of delivering domestic hot water in commercial applications.
      • Reduction and prevention of limescale in continuous flow hot water systems.
      • Delivering value-engineered building services solutions.
      • SPF – Season Performance Factors and Heat Pump Design

 

Says Chris Goggin for Rinnai,

“We understand the need for consistently updating skills and information in an ever-shifting global energy industry that is open to external geopolitical influences. Therefore, Rinnai will continue to offer UK customers a rich selection of energy related content located at www.rinnai-uk.co.uk

“Continuous access to training, CPD’s and decarbonising energy product information will result in the UK customer, specifier and installer maintaining a clearer understanding of heating and hot water options and clean energy direction. By obtaining factual knowledge both customer and professional can make better informed decisions in system purchase.”

 

RINNAI OFFERS CLEAR PATHWAYS TO LOWER CARBON & DECARBONISATION
PLUS CUSTOMER COST REDUCTIONS FOR COMMERCIAL, DOMESTIC &
OFF-GRID HEATING & HOT WATER DELIVERY

 

  • Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products – H1/H2/H3 – consists of hot water heating units in gas/BioLPG/DME, hydrogen ready units, electric instantaneous hot water heaters, electric storage cylinders and buffer vessels, a comprehensive range of heat pumps, solar, hydrogen-ready or natural gas in any configuration of hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H1/2/3 range of products and systems offer contractors, consultants and end users a range of efficient, robust and affordable low carbon/decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic and technically feasible solutions.
  • Rinnai is a world leading manufacturer of hot water heaters and produces over two million units a year, operating on each of the five continents. The brand has gained an established reputation for producing products that offer high performance, cost efficiency and extended working lives.
  • Rinnai products are UKCA certified, A-rated water efficiency, accessed through multiple fuel options and are available for purchase 24/7, 365 days a year. Any unit can be delivered to any UK site within 24 hours.
  • Rinnai offer carbon and cost comparison services that will calculate financial and carbon savings made when investing in a Rinnai system. Rinnai also provide a system design service that will suggest an appropriate system for the property in question.
  • Rinnai offer comprehensive training courses and technical support in all aspects of the water heating industry including detailed CPD’s.
  • The Rinnai range covers all forms of fuels and appliances currently available – electric, gas, hydrogen, BioLPG, DME solar thermal, low GWP heat pumps and electric water heaters More information can be found on Rinnai’s website and its “Help Me Choose” webpage.

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE RINNAI WEBSITE

or HERE to EMAIL RINNAI

CLICK HERE For more information on the RINNAI product range

 

/0 Comments/by

Invaluable specification advice from Domus Ventilation at Specifi throughout 2025

Manufacturer of market-leading ventilation systems that save energy and improve indoor air quality, Domus Ventilation has already exhibited at three Specifi Mechanical Services events this year, with a further three booked for the remainder of 2025; these are London on the 8th April, Glasgow on the 3rd June and a return to London at the end of the year on 2nd December.

 

A regular exhibitor at Specifi over the years, Domus Ventilation values these smaller, informal events for the opportunity they provide to meet face to face with specifiers from the field of mechanical and electrical services, enabling the sharing of ideas and information, relationship building and professional development.  When it comes to the latter, visitors will be able to sign up to one of three Domus Ventilation’s CIBSE CPD accredited courses on residential ventilation: Residential Ventilation Principles & Building Regulations; Pre-Planning Conditions & Ventilation; and MVHR Design & Best Practice.

 

Domus Ventilation experts will be present at these Specifi events, ready to impart their extensive specification knowledge with visitors to enable them to implement effective ventilation solutions for their current and future projects.  They will be able to advise on the latest, cost-effective ventilation solutions available for residential and light commercial applications that enable compliance with Building Regulations Part F (ventilation).

 

The Domus Ventilation product portfolio is well placed to offer immediate, practical solutions to Building Regulations Parts F & L.  For whole house ventilation, its HRXE Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) and CMX Mechanical Extract Ventilation (MEV) systems have been designed for high performance combined with energy efficiency.  For individual room ventilation, it offers a comprehensive range of fans, from the dMEV-NICO which provides continuous background extract ventilation, through to centrifugal and axial intermittent extract fans.  The axial fan range has recently been expanded with the addition of the DBF100 100mm (4”) fan and the DKF150 150mm (6”) fan to provide customers with a single source of axial fans.

For more information on Domus Ventilation products CLICK HERE

 

 CLICK HERE  To register for free attendance at Specifi

 

 

/0 Comments/by

TOP-CLASS SUSTAINABILITY FOR A NEW NURSERY IN SOMERSET

Modular timber building specialist and Structural Timber Association (STA) member, TG Escapes has delivered a highly sustainable and energy efficient nursery building for the village of Paulton in Somerset. Utilising the benefits of timber and modern methods of construction (MMC) the building, which will provide a valuable resource for the local community, was constructed in just 12 weeks and designed to be net zero in operation.

 

The Paulton Nursery is a 60-place early years facility for under-fives and is part of a wider and ongoing redevelopment of former commercial land, which has brought new homes to the area. TG Escapes, the award-winning supplier of eco-friendly educational buildings was involved from the early stages of the project following a recommendation to the developer from a previous TG Escapes customer.

 

TG Escapes’ experienced in-house team undertook the design and specification of the building in collaboration with the developer and the architects working on the wider redevelopment. The nursery was designed to have the smallest possible environmental footprint. In addition to the extensive use of timber, the building was designed to maximise energy efficiency and features an air-source heat pump to provide heating and a rooftop solar PV array to generate electricity.

 

The single storey building features modular pre-insulated timber frame panels for the exterior and interior walls with structural elements manufactured from glued laminated timber (glulam) and timber posi-joists for the roof. These elements were manufactured in the TG Escapes factory in Coventry and transported to site on a Just in Time basis and assembled. The outside of the building is completely clad in heat treated timber (thermowood), which provides a natural appearance that helps the building blend with the green public space that forms the other half of the redeveloped site. The thermowood also delivers excellent durability and weather resistance.

CLICK to watch the case study video about this project visit

 

Explaining why timber was so important to the concept of the building, Dan McAleer, Sales Director at TG Escapes said:

“We have long championed the use of sustainably sourced timber in construction. For a learning environment in particular, timber is an ideal choice as a natural, warm and welcoming material. Beyond this, with sustainability now a priority, many clients are keen to look at net zero more holistically by considering both energy in use and embodied carbon. It is increasingly clear that net zero embodied carbon is only possible by using timber, due to its carbon sequestration properties.”

 

Using modern methods of construction in the form of the modular offsite manufactured elements meant that the time required on site was minimised and delays avoided. Despite the construction taking place between February and April 2024 – three months marked by persistent rainfall – progress was not impacted by the weather. With groundworks completed, the superstructure was weathertight in under 3 weeks with the building finished in just 12 weeks – exactly in line with the program set out during planning.

 

The use of timber-based MMC also had further benefits for the project. Firstly, the controlled environment in the factory allowed increased accuracy and improved quality control, helping to achieve the high levels of energy efficiency. The swift on-site construction and reduced material deliveries also helped to minimise disruption to the wider scheme where a second phase of the housing development was being completed as well as soft and hard landscaping works in the surrounding areas.

 

TG Escapes is a member of the STA and holds STA Assure Gold status, showing the business demonstrates the highest levels of quality, compliance and best practice as a provider of structural timber buildings. STA Assure, the association’s quality assurance scheme, is recognised by a range of industry-leading structural warranty and building control bodies as well as other stakeholders such as insurers.

 

Commenting on the value of STA membership, Clive Hicks, Project Manager at TG Escapes said:

“The combination of timber construction and MMC has numerous advantages, but for many clients it is still a departure from their tried and trusted approach to projects. Being a member of the STA gives us genuine credibility as a business and means clients can have confidence that everything we do, from design to manufacturing to construction on site, will be fully compliant and completed to the highest standards.”

 

 

For more information about the STA CLICK HERE

 

/0 Comments/by

PYROGUARD LAUNCHES ON-DEMAND CPD WEBINAR

Pyroguard has launched an on-demand version of its RIBA-approved CPD seminar: ‘Fire safety glazing: a system, not a product’ in a bid to guide the industry regarding the critical role of fire safety glass.

 This new, flexible online format reinforces Pyroguard’s commitment to delivering accessible, expert guidance for professionals in the built environment, whilst emphasising the importance of a system-based approach to fire safety.

As the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass, Pyroguard released its comprehensive CPD, which covers a wide range of topics, providing in-depth technical insights into fire safety glass, its applications and industry standards. Key areas include classifications, compartmentation, testing standards, framing systems and the multi-functional benefits of fire-resistant glazing. Real-world case studies also feature, alongside Pyroguard’s latest product innovations, demonstrating how these solutions seamlessly integrate into cutting-edge architectural designs.

To enable more architects to benefit from the RIBA-approved content, Pyroguard released the CPD as a more convenient, on-demand webinar.

Speaking about the new webinar, Steve Goodburn, Business Development Director at Pyroguard, said:

“Fire safety glass is a vital part of modern architecture, combining passive fire protection with innovative design. However, specifying the right solution requires careful consideration of technical standards and classifications, that go far beyond just the visual appeal. Our CPD helps to clear up common misconceptions and empowers architects with the knowledge they need to get the most out of their specifications.

“By offering our CPD seminar online, we’re ensuring busy professionals can access this essential knowledge at their convenience, making it easier than ever to stay ahead in this fast-evolving industry.”

 

Hosted via a user-friendly online platform, participants can register for the on-demand webinar via the Pyroguard website or directly through the NBS Source Partner platform.

Pyroguard is the world’s leading independent provider of fire safety glass for timber, steel and aluminium applications with over 30 years’ industry experience.  The company has production facilities in the UK and France, with sales locations worldwide.

 

The company manufactures fire-resistant glazing, offering a wide range of tested and certified products and offers Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for its products, supporting LEED and BREEAM accreditations.

For more information CLICK HERE to visit the Pyroguard Website

/0 Comments/by

The smart, efficient circulator for HVAC and Domestic Hot Water systems

DAB launches the ‘plug and play’ EVOPLUS LITE

 

DAB Pumps has launched the EVOPLUS LITE, an advanced wet rotor electronic circulator designed to enhance efficiency, reliability and comfort in residential and commercial heating, cooling, and domestic hot water systems. Engineered for plug-and-play installation, the quick-connect power supply with superseal technology makes wiring fast and hassle-free, reducing installation time on-site.

Ideal for large residential buildings, apartment blocks, offices, schools, hospitals and commercial properties, the EVOPLUS LITE delivers adaptive, high-efficiency performance while minimising energy consumption and operating costs. Its sensorless motor control and dedicated 32-bit processor optimise performance in real time, ensuring that energy is only used when needed.

 

 

The EVOPLUS LITE operates seamlessly in both heating and cooling systems. It dynamically adjusts to fluctuating demand, preventing energy waste in heating applications while maintaining stable operation in air-conditioning systems, even when condensation forms on the pump exterior. The EVOPLUS LITE SAN variant, featuring a bronze pump casing, is designed for Domestic Hot Water recirculation, using a constant-temperature mode to deliver hot water efficiently without the need for thermostatic valves.

Three different control modes allow users to select the most efficient performance curve for their system. In Proportional Differential Pressure mode, the pump automatically adjusts the head to match system demand, ensuring optimal performance at all times. The Constant Differential Pressure mode maintains a stable pressure within the system, improving overall balance and efficiency. The Constant Curve mode provides a fixed speed option, making it ideal for constant-flow heating and air-conditioning systems where a steady output is required.

The circulator has been designed with ease of installation and longevity in mind. Its plug-and-play design simplifies setup, while the motor head can be rotated into three positions for greater flexibility, particularly in confined spaces. An automatic Sleep Mode activates every 25 hours to prevent limescale buildup, helping to extend the lifespan of the unit and maintain long-term reliability.

Built with cast iron hydraulics, an aluminium motor housing, and honed internal surfaces, the EVOPLUS LITE maximises efficiency while maintaining a robust and durable design. Optional insulation shells help reduce heat loss and condensation, further improving thermal performance in both heating and cooling applications.

With a maximum flow rate of 12.5 m³/h, a head of 12 metres, and an ultra-quiet operation at just 33 dB(A), the EVOPLUS LITE is particularly suited to noise-sensitive environments such as hospitals, care homes, and residential buildings. Its wide fluid temperature range from -20°C to +110°C makes it a versatile choice for a range of HVAC applications, ensuring consistent and reliable performance in varying conditions.

Available in multiple configurations, including single and flanged versions, the EVOPLUS LITE provides a smart and sustainable solution for modern water circulation systems, offering a combination of energy efficiency, intelligent control and ease of use that benefits both installers and end users.

CLICK HERE for more information

 

/0 Comments/by

Raising the bar on EWI productivity, quality and performance

 

EJOT UK’s Mark Newell explains why the latest additions to its ETICS range are helping the EWI industry streamline its supply chain, and maintain consistently high quality during installation for the long-term benefit of specifiers and residents.

Like any assembled product, the performance of an EWI (external wall insulation) system or ETICS (external thermal insulation composite system) is only ever going to be as good as its component parts. A weak link in the system build-up will not only undermine its promise to improve the thermal performance of a property, but it could add complexity and hassle to the installation process resulting in additional time costs for contractors.

Advanced fixing solutions, therefore, have a crucial role to play, which is why EJOT has offered a range of innovative anchors – tube-washer and screw combinations – for many years. These are widely used throughout the UK’s EWI sector and specified by many of the leading systems providers. But the quality of the mechanical fixing for attaching insulation to the building substrate is just one of the factors contributing to efficient installation and performance of the completed system.

This has long been recognised by EJOT, which is why we have always offered similarly innovative and technically-superior ancillary products, such as fixing components that enable external elements including handrail and downpipe brackets to be mounted on the wall safely and securely.

The latest developments to this range, however, offer a holistic solution that could be a game-changer in terms of how EWI components are sourced. By extending the EJOT Pro-Line range of profiles, EWI system providers can now source their complete suite of fixing and attachment components from a single supplier. That brings a host of benefits as a number of systems companies are already realising, particularly in respect of improving quality consistency and making their systems easier for installers to work with.

Process optimisation and streamlined supply chain

For ETICS / EWI system providers, EJOT UK can effectively become a ‘one-stop shop’, which means they do not have to rely on different suppliers, often with their own payment terms and lead times, to complete their offer. All this means there is an immediate operational benefit in terms of the efficiency of ordering, delivery and invoicing processes, easing the pressure on staff resources for other purposes and reducing volumes of paperwork – all of which needs printing and generates waste.

The process optimisation possible through single-sourcing encompasses other environmental advantages too. EJOT can deliver the complete suite of EWI components and profiles on a single vehicle making one journey, which means there are fewer trucks delivering to a given site. This helps reduce the impact of site operations in local communities and enables the carbon footprint of the EWI supply chain to be minimised.

The EJOT ETICS range is also supported with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) to provide quantified data on its environmental impacts. This maximises transparency for specifiers and enables informed whole life cycle management decisions to be made when selecting systems for EWI or ETICS projects.

Helping installers achieve higher quality

EWI systems are already making a massive contribution to improving the energy efficiency of the UK’s ‘already built’ housing stock, but we have only just scratched the surface. Anything that can accelerate deployment of EWI, therefore, will enable more homes to be upgraded sooner rather than later.

One of the ways this can be achieved is to ensure installers are comprehensively supported to work more efficiently and achieve better quality consistency. This is a key consideration for every EJOT product, but it is particularly important where ETICS profiles and fixing components are concerned.

EJOT UK does this through a 360-degree service. This involves EJOT technical consultants providing on site services covering the three product segments – anchors, profiles and mounting elements – to ensure installers can achieve the optimum results.

For ETICS anchors, EJOT provides pull-out tests on-site and offers a digital product configurator to assist at the specification stage. The digital product configurator also supports the deployment of EJOT’s ETICS mounting elements, with additional support provided for pre-dimensioning, and, for profiles, its technical consultants carry out adhesive tests on-site – all with the aim of helping installers get the right result first time and deliver a quality installation for clients.

Improving performance of the system

By supporting installers, EJOT UK works to optimise the performance of the EWI system and ensure everyone in the supply chain maximises the benefits of its technically advanced products. All products in our ETICS range share the same high technical standards, but installation quality is key to ensuring they deliver on their promise.

Installed correctly, EJOT’s ETICS range reduces the risk of thermal bridging. This is a common issue for wall insulation systems which impacts on overall thermal performance and can result in dampness and mould growth on internal surfaces.

Thermal bridges can occur in many areas of the system’s construction, with anchors and edge profiles being particularly vulnerable points. Hence why EJOT’s R&D team has focused on creating products that address these risks, including through manufacturing all our profiles in PVC rather than aluminium and the development of a new patent pending PVC base ‘high load’ profile which features a hollow chamber design to reduce thermal transfer, while still maintaining high rigidity.

In addition, our profiles incorporate features to maximise quality throughout the EWI system’s lifetime. For example, Pro-Line profiles are designed to compensate for movement where applicable, such as around doors and windows, to prevent cracks developing over time.

CLICK HERE TO find out more about EJOT’s ETICS range 

 

/0 Comments/by

Cricket Balls Wont Stop Planning Approval in Future

Bureaucratic burden lifted to speed up building in growth agenda

The government has confirmed further reforms to overhaul the planning system and put growth at the heart of the statutory consultee system.

  • Review of statutory consultee system to promote growth and unblock building
  • Consultation on limiting the scope of statutory consultees and removing a limited number of them, including Sport England, Theatres Trust and The Gardens Trust in planning decisions, while ensuring necessary community facilities and needs continue to be met
  • Will also establish a new performance framework with greater ministerial oversight
  • Reforms will reduce delays and uncertainty on planning proposals, demonstrating the government’s Plan for Change in action

Further reforms to overhaul the planning system have been set out on March 10th putting growth at the heart of the statutory consultee system and helping deliver the government’s Plan for Change milestone of delivering 1.5 million new homes.

Under new plans organisations such as Sport England, Theatres Trust and The Gardens Trust will no longer be required to input on planning decisions. The scope of other statutory consultees will be narrowed to focus on heritage, safety and environmental protection, speeding up the building process and preventing delays to homes being built.

“Statutory consultees” are official stakeholders legally required to provide advice on planning decisions to ensure developments can consider essential environmental, transport, heritage and safety elements. They play an important role in the planning system, but councils and developers report that the system is not working effectively.

The changes are part of the government’s ongoing stream of work to break down barriers to growth and get Britain building. They come ahead of the government’s flagship Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which will be introduced this week and will support the government’s Plan for Change commitment to build 1.5 million homes.

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said:

“We’ve put growth at the heart of our plans as a government, with our Plan for Change milestone to secure 1.5 million homes and unleash Britain’s potential to build.

“We need to reform the system to ensure it is sensible and balanced, and does not create unintended delays – putting a hold on people’s lives and harming our efforts to build the homes people desperately need.

“New developments must still meet our high expectations to create the homes, facilities and infrastructure that communities need.”

The list of statutory consultees has also grown haphazardly over time and now includes over 25 organisations. Problems expressed include statutory consultees:

  • failing to engage proactively;
  • taking too long to provide their advice;
  • re-opening issues that have already been dealt with in local plans;
  • submitting automatic holding objections which are then withdrawn at a late stage; and
  • submitting advice that seeks gold-plated outcomes, going beyond what is necessary to make development acceptable in planning terms.

Problems with the operation of the system cause uncertainty, extensive delays, and increased costs. This is due to the time taken to provide advice and the complexities sometimes causing the provision of over extensive or unnecessary advice.

In the past three years over 300 applications were forced to be escalated for consideration by the Secretary of State because of disagreements from consultees.

In broader examples given to ministers, a government department reported a two-year delay to a simple planning application on the government estate because of inability to agree a position with a statutory consultee.

In Bradford, a development to create 140 new homes next to a cricket club was significantly delayed because the application was thought to have not adequately considered the speed of cricket balls.

While noting the broader role that statutory consultees play within the planning system in facilitating high quality development, the government is reforming the system to ensure it operates in a sensible, systematic way, and does not create unnecessary blockers.

The government recognises the importance of these organisations and their value to local communities. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will continue to apply and these organisations will continue to engage with the planning system through development of local and strategic plans, and through the publication of guidance and advice.

Proposed changes will put support for growth at the heart of the statutory consultee process by;

  • Consulting on reducing the number of organisations, including the impact of removing Sport England, the Theatres Trust and The Gardens Trust.
  • Reviewing the scope of all statutory consultees, to reduce the type and number of applications on which they must be consulted – and making much better use of standing guidance in place of case-by-case responses.
  • Clarifying that local authorities should only be consulting statutory consultees where necessary to do so, and decisions should not be delayed beyond the 21 day statutory deadline unless a decision cannot otherwise be reached or advice may enable an approval rather than a refusal.
  • Instituting a new performance framework, in which the Chief Executives of key statutory consultees report on their performance directly to Treasury and MHCLG Ministers.

This follows the decision by the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor earlier this year pausing the formation of new statutory consultees and a commitment to reviewing the existing arrangements.

The NPPF is clear that existing open spaces, sports, recreational buildings and land, including playing fields, should not be built on unless an assessment has shown the space to be surplus to requirements or it will be replaced by equivalent or better provision.  These strong policy protections will remain firmly in place, with the government expecting them to be taken into account in planning decisions.

The government will consult this Spring on the impacts of removing a limited number of statutory consultees and narrowing the scope of others so they can focus on the most important applications.

This comes ahead of the introduction of the government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill this week, which will bring forward significant measures introduced to speed up planning decisions to boost housebuilding and remove unnecessary blockers and challenges to the delivery of vital developments like roads, railway lines and windfarms.

/0 Comments/by

ADSA’s 40 Years of Innovation

 

The Automatic Door Suppliers Association (ADSA) is kicking off its 40th anniversary with the launch of an animated timeline that showcases its incredible journey and industry-defining achievements.

 

The dynamic digital presentation brings ADSA’s history to life, highlighting four decades of leadership, innovation and progress in the powered pedestrian door industry.

 

It will be premiered at 11am this Friday (14 March) with a watch party on social media – ADSA’s Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube channels and has been promoted with a Remember When teaser campaign featuring memories of 1985.

 

It offers an immersive look at ADSA’s most significant milestones, from pioneering safety standards to shaping professional development and promoting accessibility.

 

ADSA was established in 1985 with a mission to enhance safety and collaboration across the industry. Among its notable achievements are:

 

  • 1988: Influencing the creation of the BS7036 Safety Standard, a landmark guideline for automatic door safety.
  • 1997: Becoming a limited company, cementing its position as the authoritative voice of the industry.
  • 2012: Contributing to the introduction of EN16005, a unified European safety standard.
  • 2017: Launching the ADSA Academy to provide e-learning and professional development opportunities.
  • 2020: Develop an apprenticeship programme for powered pedestrian door technicians.

 

Ken Price, Managing Director of ADSA, said:

“Our association and the wider industry are always looking to the future—pushing boundaries and driving progress. This timeline provides a unique opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate how far we’ve come and all that we’ve achieved together.

“It stands as a testament to the innovation, dedication, and collaboration that have shaped the powered pedestrian door sector over the past 40 years and the progress we’ve made. It will inspire us to continue in setting the standards for excellence and innovation in our industry.”

 

The timeline heralds a series anniversary events and activities for ADSA members, associate, and stakeholders, which will be announced and celebrated throughout the year.

 

CLICK HERE to watch the screening

 

/0 Comments/by