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.

Forecast Predicts Future Building Costs

BCIS reveals five-year construction industry forecast

Building costs will increase by a predicted 14% over the next five years to 2Q2030, while tender prices will rise by 15% over the same period, according to the latest construction forecast data from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS).

New work output is expected to grow by 18% between 2025 and 2030.

Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: 

“At the mid-point of the year, the construction sector is still stagnating, with output growth subdued. Confidence continues to be weighed down by a combination of domestic uncertainty and wider global pressures.

“That said, the 27% quarterly rise in new orders we saw in the first quarter, particularly in infrastructure and industrial sectors, offered a welcome indication that demand could be starting to recover.

“How far that optimism carries through will depend heavily on the translation of the government’s Spending Review and 10-year strategies into actual activity. For all the announcements made by the government in the last few weeks, we still don’t have sight of the long-promised updated project pipeline. A greater degree of certainty around funding and delivery timelines remains key to lifting the sector out of its current malaise.”

The BCIS All-in Tender Price Index, which measures the trend of contractors’ pricing levels in accepted tenders, i.e. the cost to client at commit to build, saw annual growth of 2.3% in 2Q2025, the same as was recorded in the first quarter of the year.

On the input costs side, labour remains the main driver of project costs, with increases to employers’ National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage feeding into an expected 7.1% annual increase in the BCIS Labour Cost Index in 2Q2025. The index is forecast to increase overall by 16% through to 2Q2030.

Dr Crosthwaite added:

“The risks to this forecast remain on the upside, as skills shortages remain prevalent in the market and continue to impact projects. Similarly with our materials costs forecast, the expected uptick in market activity could put inflationary pressure on the cost of construction materials.”

Materials cost inflation has been moderating since peaking in 2022 and annual growth in the BCIS Materials Cost Index was in negative territory from the third quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024. BCIS expects the index to grow by 13% over the forecast period.

Total new work output fell by 5.1% between 2023 and 2024 and BCIS is predicting subdued growth in new work output throughout 2025. ONS data showed a 0.9% increase in new work output in the first quarter of 2025 compared with 4Q2024, and a quarterly increase of 1.7%. The greatest annual increases in 1Q2025 were in public non-housing, which includes education, health and justice projects, and in private industrial.

Dr Crosthwaite said:

“We are expecting more robust output growth from next year and over the rest of the forecast period, much of which will be fuelled by a recovery in housing. Private funding for infrastructure projects will be crucial, especially with the state of public finances putting much public spending at risk.”

For more information about BCIS, please visit www.bcis.co.uk.

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Education Building Boom Boosts Profits

Dundee construction firm Kilmac has announced a record-breaking year, with profits soaring on the back of several major school construction projects.

The company, which became employee-owned in 2022, also saw its workforce grow to an all-time high of 180 staff members in its 21st year of business.

For the financial year ending September 2024, newly-filed accounts show sales increased to £29.9 million from £26.6m in the previous year. Pre-tax profits saw a significant rise to £2.4m, up from £1.7m in 2023.

The firm has been a key contractor in high-profile developments across Tayside and Fife, including the new Perth High School, the James Hutton Institute in Invergowrie, and Blairgowrie Recreation Centre.

A significant area of growth has been in the energy-efficient Passivhaus sector. Finance director Julie Scobie highlighted the Dunfermline Learning Campus, hailed as the world’s largest Passivhaus educational centre, as a prestigious contract.

“On the back of this and our previous work with Robertson Construction delivering the North Muirton Primary School in Perth, we have established a reputation as Scotland’s leading company in the energy efficient Passivhaus sector.” she said. This expertise has led to securing further groundworks contracts for Passivhaus projects, such as the new Clackmannanshire Council wellbeing hub.

Looking ahead, Kilmac is focused on strategic expansion into the Central Belt, having opened offices in Dunfermline and Livingston to service projects around Glasgow and Edinburgh.

“That has broadened our horizons and we have taken on additional staff to deliver contracts coming in from further afield,” said bid director James Wilson. “This ensures we can continue our plan for growth while becoming less reliant on one operational area.”

Source: Scottish Construction Now

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The UK’s flagship battery manufacturing facility

 

Steel frames in place on Agratas site mark a major milestone in the construction of the UK’s flagship battery manufacturing facility

The first steel frames on the Agratas site near Bridgwater, Somerset are now in place, marking a major milestone in the construction of the UK’s flagship battery manufacturing facility.

It marks the start of the next phase of construction, the vertical build, and is a visible step forward in the delivery of the facility. The steel structure will be erected in phases, with the build beginning at the north of the site.

Steel frames in place on Agratas site mark a major milestone in the construction of the UK’s flagship battery manufacturing facility

It follows significant progress on site in recent weeks: approximately 17,000 piles are now in the ground, forming the solid foundations required to support the scale and ambition of the project. Piling for Building One, which will form the first phase of the facility, will be completed by the end of June. As activity on site continues to ramp up, additional cabins have also been delivered to accommodate the growing construction teams working to bring the facility to life.

Agratas is proud to confirm that 100% of the steel used for the build is sourced from British suppliers, supporting UK manufacturing and demonstrating the company’s commitment to national supply chains.

Earl Wiggins, VP Manufacturing Operations at Agratas said:

‘The construction of the steel frames is a proud moment for everyone involved in this project. It is the start of a new chapter where our vision for a world-leading facility starts to visibly take shape. We remain committed to working closely with the Somerset community throughout the build. This is a facility that will play a huge role in the EV supply chain in the UK, and growth and innovation right here in Somerset will be at its heart.’

This major site milestone comes in the same week the Government published their new Industrial Strategy, to strengthen the advanced manufacturing sector, and support the development and growth of the battery sector, which will drive innovation and support jobs.

Industry Minister Sarah Jones MP said:

‘It’s great to see this milestone reached for Agratas’ gigafactory, which will be vital for Somerset’s economy and shows the huge growth potential for UK battery manufacturing. That’s why our modern Industrial Strategy will turbocharge growth and investment in the industry for the long term, delivering on our Plan for Change.

‘Agratas’ use of 100% UK-made steel for the construction is a welcome win for our steel industry in the run-up to the launch of our Steel Strategy, which will back the sector with up to £2.5 billion of investment.’

Somerset Council’s Leader Bill Revans said:

‘This is a significant milestone for the project and we are pleased to be playing our part in this incredible opportunity to be at the heart of the UK’s green energy industry. Agratas’ investment in the county has the potential to transform the local and regional economy. Together with Hinkley and businesses like Leonardo, it shows that Somerset Council is about supporting exciting, high-tech industry that will make a difference for generations to come.’

Throughout this phase of construction, Agratas is ensuring measures are in place to minimise disruption to residents. This includes the use of quieter, sound-reduced equipment, using electric plant wherever possible, and a firm commitment that no cutting or grinding works will take place on Sundays. The Agratas team will also be sharing updates directly with the community as the build progresses.

Agratas’ Somerset facility is a transformational and nationally significant project that will supply almost half of the batteries needed by the UK’s automotive industry by the early 2030s, creating thousands of jobs and educational opportunities, supporting local businesses both within the construction industry and in its broader supply chain, and delivering significant long-term investment to the region.

 

Source: Energy-Pedia News

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Transforming Dilapidated Railway Arches

 

Architectural practice Stephen George + Partners (SGP) has announced that work has completed on a scheme in Salford, Greater Manchester, that has seen the redevelopment of previously derelict railway arches into new destinations for businesses to occupy.

Triton Construction was appointed as main contractor for the scheme late last year, following a receipt by the Arch Company of planning consent.

Alan Soper, Studio Director at SGP, comments: “We are delighted to see work complete on the transformation of these historical arch structures into spaces for businesses to develop and thrive. Located in a key area of regeneration and renewal within Greater Manchester, The Arch Company’s investment will help to provide new spaces where businesses can thrive.”

As design architect for the scheme SGP has drawn on both its technical expertise and strong track record working with historic buildings to create contemporary spaces, which nod to the industrial heritage of the arches. The scheme includes new glazed frontages, new services and drainage and internal lining to make the accommodation dry and ready for new businesses to occupy. The design incorporates high-quality materials that have restored an attractive appearance to the elevations on Norton Street, creating a parade of arches that will appeal to a range of businesses.

Working in partnership with SGP, multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard provided structural, civil, and MEP engineering services to support the transformation of the arches.

Matt Barron, Associate Structural Engineer at Pick Everard, commented:

“The refurbishment of the arches required a sensitive approach to ensure the integrity of the existing structure was maintained while enabling the modifications required for the project. With careful coordination of the structural interventions within the existing arch structures, our team worked closely with SGP to achieve the architectural design intent for the arch spaces. It’s been a fantastic project to be a part of, and we look forward to seeing these rejuvenated spaces contribute to the benefit of the local area.”

SGP’s design has sought to overcome a number of technical, environmental and planning constraints that are inherent within existing urban infrastructure of this type, as Alan Soper explains:

“By any standards, arches are not a ‘normal’ building type and realising the potential of these spaces takes experience and good technical know-how if we are to refurbish them to modern occupancy standards.”

Norton Street is just one of several projects on which SGP is working with The Arch Company, with a number now on site or completed. In London, work has already been completed on the redevelopment of six vacant railway arches on Witan Street into high-specification commercial premises for light industrial use; while on America Street in Southwark, work has completed on the transformation of four dilapidated railway arches into commercial spaces.

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THE ROLE OF DATA & INFORMATION IN CURRENT GLOBAL ENERGY

 

   

Chris Goggin analyses the role and key distinctions between data and information in the current UK and international energy market. The influence of data driven DHW and heating system improvements will be explored, as will the subject of misinformation that is spread across mainstream and alternative media platforms.

 

 

Heating appliance and hot water delivery manufacturers are reliant on two abstract inflections of the same tool of communication – data and information. Both are vital to the UK heating and hot water delivery industry. Without consistent flows of data and information, appliance performance stalls, and UK customers become less aware of cost-effective energies and products.

The first distinction this article will make is the difference between data and information. Data can be used to record performance and judge measurements. Without reliable data and scientifically ratified metrics manufacturing precise technology that provides commercial premises with heating and hot water appliances becomes an impossible task.

Recorded data enables system design upgrading for heating and DHW appliances. Primarily collected data assists system refinement which leads to increases in system efficiency and product life cycle, both of which mean lower customer costs.

Collected data also helps to bring forward better designed systems that do not require as much maintenance as previously designed models. Again, customer costs will be positively affected.

Information regarding energy and appliances can be thought of in two distinct ways: the first way views information in a one-dimensional context. Information is a route for customers to learn about various products, their benefits and what energies best suit said appliance.

Energy policy information is far more malleable in practise. Legislative information can be restructured into a form that compliments a political agenda and subsequently released across multiple friendly media outlets.

This is the main difference between data and information – data is a result of a logical sequence of scientific methodology that provides confirmed results. Data is vital towards upgrading system performance and component optimisation. Without data, system designers, contractors, specifiers, and customers all lose control of project objectives.

Data ensures areas such as hot water consumption can precisely highlight peak usage times and patterns. Correct system sizing will dictate energy consumption and efficiency whilst preventing over and under sizing a DHW system.

Other areas that data collection for DHW systems enhance include seasonal variations, building type and size, component optimisation and energy efficiency. All elements of data recording and reading create a foundation from which improvements and observations can be made meaning the appropriate system can be selected for a specific property.

Information concerning energy is presented and received by a mass audience in a unique way when compared to data. Energy is a focal point in geopolitics and is therefore prone to being used as a tool of ambition by large economies and sometimes as a weapon. The 1973 Iranian oil embargo being one example.

As energy can be weaponised in a state context, media outlets that are sympathetic to energies that benefit the favoured political movement. This is demonstrated across the western world in one simple distinction: proponents of right-wing political ideals prefer fossil fuels, whilst those on the left favour clean alternatives such as renewables.

 Placement of Information on energy policy in selected media can therefore be viewed as partisan and strategic. Where the use of data is concerned with producing tighter operational capabilities, energy policy information is usually aimed towards maintaining or diminishing political support.

Information relating to energy usage has never been so politicised or weaponised. Putin instigated a spike in fossil fuel payments when the invasion of Ukraine began and now Trump’s “drill baby drill,” comment has been almost adopted into American Conservative identity.

Trump’s verbal slogan arrives at a time where public confidence in alternative and renewable energy appears to be declining. Renewable energy has been blamed for the recent blackouts in France, Spain, and Portugal. It is claimed that renewable solar and wind energy fails to connect to the transmission grid in the same way as fossil fuels. There has not been a confirmed cause of this event released by the respective governments.

Consistent UK media and political opposition to renewables that insists that NetZero aims should be reduced due to costs is based on partisan beliefs – not science. Any political organisation that is reliant on attracting votes through energy policy that promises low costs and uninhabited access to energy will be used despite contradictory scientific advice and information.

Gathered data has outlined that global temperatures are rising and are a result of manufactured activities. Rising temperatures create fertile conditions for drought, cyclones, and rising water levels. All events are potentially catastrophic for life on planet Earth. This knowledge has been attained via various disciplines of data recording. NetZero objectives are resultant from scientific observations.

Designers, specifiers, contractors, and installers should consider using manufacturers of heating and hot water systems that aim to provide unbiased energy policy information and reliable data that demonstrate product benefits in costs and performance.

 

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Rinnai’s range of decarbonising products – H1/H2/H3 – consists of heat pump, solar, hydrogen in any configuration, hybrid formats for either residential or commercial applications. Rinnai’s H3 range of products offer contractors, consultants and end users a range of efficient, robust and affordable decarbonising appliances which create practical, economic and technically feasible solutions. The 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.

Rinnai H1 continuous water heaters and boilers offer practical and economic decarbonization delivered through technological innovation in hydrogen and renewable liquid gas ready technology.

Rinnai’s H1 option is centred on hydrogen, as it is anticipated that clean hydrogen fuels will become internationally energy market-relevant in the future; Rinnai water heaters are hydrogen 20% blends ready and include the world’s first 100% hydrogen-ready hot water heating technology.

Rinnai H2 – Decarbonization simplified with renewable gas-ready units, Solar Thermal and Heat Pump Hybrids. Rinnai H2 is designed to introduce a practical and low-cost option which may suit specific sites and enable multiple decarbonisation pathways with the addition of high performance.

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Rinnai’s H3 heat pumps utilise R32 refrigerant and have favourable COP and SCOP.

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’s commercial and domestic continuous flow water heaters offer a limitless supply of instantaneous temperature controlled hot water and all units are designed to align with present and future energy sources. Rinnai condensing water heaters accept either existing fuel or hydrogen gas blends. Rinnai units are also suited for off-grid customers who require LPG and BioLPG or DME.

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.

 

 

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Figures Show April Construction Growth

Construction output in Great Britain grew by 0.9% in April 2025, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This marked the third straight month of growth after a 0.5% rise in March.

Output was up both in new work, which increased by 1.4%, and in repair and maintenance, which went up by 0.3%.

Six out of nine construction sectors saw growth in April.

Infrastructure new work rose by 2.0%, while private housing repair and maintenance was up by 1.5%.

Over the three months to April, total construction output grew 0.5%, with new work up 0.9% and repair and maintenance up 0.1%.

Neil Leitch, managing director of development finance at Hampshire Trust Bank, said:

“Another month of growth in private housing is an encouraging sign of resilience in the market.

“Developers are finding ways to move forward despite challenging conditions, but we cannot ignore the biggest hurdle they face: the planning system.

“Painfully long waits for approvals are still holding back delivery of much-needed homes.”

Leitch added: “The government’s recent proposals to streamline the system for SME developers are a welcome signal, and it is positive to see the issues raised by the industry starting to gain traction.

“But we have to be clear-eyed about what this will achieve in practice.

“Without serious and sustained investment in local planning departments, the system simply lacks the capacity to deliver faster outcomes.”

He said: “Policy ambition alone is not enough. Developers are dealing with an unpredictable system where delays can derail project timelines, add cost pressures and affect funding viability.

“Until those practical realities are addressed on the ground, it will remain an uphill battle to get anywhere close to the government’s long-standing ambition of building 300,000 new homes per year.”

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Self Build, a Hard Offer to Turn Down

A Cumbrian couple has built an ‘Ikea-style,’ carbon-negative home from scratch – with the assembly of the structure being complete in a total of just 12 days.

Surrounded by volunteers and helpers, first time self-builders Beki Winter and her partner Alastair Reeves, started work on the frame of their property near Kendal, at the beginning of last month using a system called WikiHouse.

Designed by Manchester-based community-led architects, Architecture Unknown, the impressive family home has been built using cleverly jointed pieces of plywood that essentially fit together like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Each section of the design is cut and crafted by Ulverston’s Digital Woodoo CIC and delivered like Ikea-flat pack furniture ready to build.

The construction of this completely bespoke house has taken place across April, with the home now ready for interior fit out.

Pulling in the help of over 20 volunteers, Beki and Alastair, have built a 3-bed home, with 3-bathrooms, a double height kitchen, dining and reception room for their family as part of a co-housing site.

The build is one of the first of its kind in Cumbria. A low-carbon, sustainable and simple solution to construction, WikiHouse allows people to build affordably whilst retaining a high level of quality and finish.

The couple were given the opportunity to build on the Holme House Farm community site in 2023 when they applied to join the community-led company that runs the site and is owned completely by residents.

After selling their property, Beki and Alastair moved their young family to the site in December 2024. They are currently living out of a static caravan, to enable the start of the build.

Beki Winter, who works in community housing, said:

“We never really thought about whether we wanted to do a self-build, but when the offer presents itself it’s hard to turn down. We knew we weren’t going to build in the traditional sense start to finish because we didn’t have the skill set – this is where WikiHouse really appealed. You can get involved without having trade skills.

“It is overwhelming to start with, feels like thousands of jigsaw pieces but then it starts to click into place you start feeling much more confident. Piece by piece you see your home start to take shape.”

Thanking all those who have helped, Beki added:

“Finding volunteers to help with the build has been surprisingly easy. Friends have been keen to lend a hand, and the Architecture Unknown team came with lots of friends. We even had some students from Lancaster University studying architecture came down and help us too.”

 

Charlie, who founded Architecture Unknown with Daniel Kelso in 2016, said:

“Beki and Alastair had a blank canvas and the opportunity to build their dream home. WikiHouse has allowed us to explore what they wanted from design and give them to confidence to take on the physical build themselves. Designing for such a beautiful setting, it feels good to put an eco-friendly, carbon neutral structure in this space – without limiting the spec or compromising on the finish of the build. It will make a remarkable home.”

 

Architecture Unknown are specialists in designing and building using WikiHouse to facilitate client’s ambitions through design and technical knowledge. The team can also provide training for any volunteers and onsite leadership to help during the build process in addition to their typical architectural duties.

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EJOT flat roofing solution helps housing developer avoid weather-related delays

The McCarthy & Stone scheme in Swindon comprises of two blocks accommodating around apartments for the over 60s-B

An EJOT fixing combination, which is designed for rapid installation of flat roof systems with tapered insulation, has been instrumental in market-leading retirement property developer McCarthy & Stone meeting the strict completion deadline at one of its latest developments in Wiltshire.

Pull-out substrate testing prior to specification-B

The scheme at Wichelstowe in Swindon is formed of two blocks which accommodate a range of one and two bedroom apartments designed to offer stylish independent living for the over 60s, with around 120 new properties in total. McCarthy & Stone has co-developed the site with Anchor Hanover Group (Anchor), England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, to deliver a retirement community close to the picturesque Wilts and Berks Canal.

The developer’s firm commitment to delivering the scheme to new residents on time, as promised, meant that the construction team had to pull out all the stops to find creative solutions to keep the build schedule on track. One particular challenge resulted from the relatively small window available to install the extensive flat roofs of the apartment blocks which fell at a time when temperatures had plummeted unexpectedly.

The original proposal was for a tapered insulation system, incorporating a Bauder PVC membrane plus mineral wool insulation, to be bonded to the concrete deck. However, given the cold weather conditions, it was not possible to apply the adhesive during the planned installation window.

As waiting for the temperature to rise to the required level would have resulted in unpalatable delays to the construction programme, nationwide roofing contractor Protec Roofing was tasked with finding a solution that would ensure the proposed flat roof system could still be used.

Protec Roofing’s managing director Ian Green approached EJOT UK’s flat roofing specialist Kevin Rackley for assistance. He had recently been introduced to EJOT’s mechanical fixing solution for flat roof systems involving a combination of the JBS-R fastener and EcoTek tube-washer at an industry event, and after recommending it to the project team, it was subsequently approved for use by Bauder.

The EJOT JBS-R/EcoTek combination brings together a high-performing organically coated concrete screw (JBS-R 7.5) with a high-quality telescopic tube-washer (EcoTek) to provide a fixing solution that is adjustable to fit the required depth of insulation. It is suitable for all types of commonly used tapered insulation, principally mineral fibre, EPS, XPS and PIR.

3 The system requires fewer combinations and saves valuable time

The combination is suitable for any insulation depth of between 70mm and 590mm, and it has the benefit of requiring fewer fastener / washer combinations than any other current mechanical fixing approach. As a result, fastener use can be significantly rationalised, subject to the application, a site survey and pull-out tests, which EJOT UK is able to assist with.

At the Wichelstowe development, the tapered insulation depth on one of the roofs ranged from 90mm to 330mm, using four lengths of JBS-R fastener of between 80mm and 210mm. The roof on the second building involved insulation depths between 140mm and 380mm, which required three fastener lengths of between 120mm and 210mm.

In addition to keeping the construction schedule on track during the cold weather, the installation process also proved popular with the team on site. Installation of the EcoTek/JBS-R combination is easy because only one embedment depth is needed whatever the insulation thickness. Easy adjustability is also provided through the innovative way that the EcoTek tube-washer is driven into place using a custom tool with the fastener already in place.

Where the roof features a particularly deep layer of tapered insulation to maximise thermal performance, as was the case at Wichelstowe, EJOT’s flanged A-cone and driver bit extension is used to avoid the awkwardness associated with drilling deep using standard SDS drills. This means installers can avoid a highly delicate procedure requiring long-length SDS drills, which are often difficult to source.

The simplified installation process offered by the EcoTek/JBS-R tube-washer and fastener combination also means that fewer on-site calculations were required compared to using other mechanical fixing approaches.

Luke Pickering, Protec Roofing’s site supervisor on this project, said:

“Switching from the proposed bonded application method to using the EcoTek/JBS-R combination proved to offer far more benefits than simply allowing us to continue installation during the cold weather – as critical as this was. We were working with insulation depths of up to 380mm, so we knew the fastening approach would make a huge difference to how efficiently we could work on site, and we were really pleased with how the process worked out.

“The single embedment depth, regardless of the length of fasteners, and how EJOT’s tooling allowed us to make simple adjustments saved a considerable amount of time compared to other mechanical fixings we’ve used in previous tapered insulation projects. The A-cone and extension tooling helped here too, making it easier for our team to drill at the deepest point and achieve a consistent efficiency and quality across the roof area.”

Long term performance is assured when using the JBS-R/EcoTek fastening system given the quality materials used to manufacture both fastener elements. The JBS-R fastener is manufactured from case hardened steel and the EcoTek tube-washer is formed from high quality plastic to provide a lasting solution.

Kevin Rackley is EJOT UK’s Business development Manager for Flat Roofing products:

“The Wichelstowe project is a perfect example of how the EcoTek/JBS-R combination can contribute to more efficient construction and help developers avoid site delays due to the UK’s highly unpredictable weather.

“We offered two options to mechanically fix the Bauder membrane and the mineral wool insulation – one using the JBS-R system and the other using one of our other concrete screws, the FBS-R. Both would have provided an effective fixing solution, but with fewer different lengths of the JBS-R required, we could help the Protec Roofing team rationalise fastener use as much as possible for a more streamlined installation process.”

The EcoTek/JBS-R combination is part of EJOT’s extensive range of fastening solutions for flat roofing, encompassing fully mechanical and part-bonded systems, and fully compliant with the guidelines published by the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA). Flat roof designers, contractors and installers benefit from highly specialised support from the EJOT UK team at all stages of the flat roofing project to ensure all the performance objectives can be met without compromise.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE

 

 

 

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Modular Homes Pilot Scheme to go Ahead

A pilot project featuring 18 modular homes intended to pave the way to a transformation of temporary housing across London has secured planning approval.

The green-lit project, being delivered by the London Borough of Havering and Wates Residential will see the homes built on the Waterloo and Queen Street Estate in Romford.

The scheme is part of the wider regeneration joint venture between the council and Wates Residential that will deliver up to 5,000 new homes across the borough.

It also represents what is said to be a bold step in wider efforts to tackle spiralling housing costs and demand; an issue that costs councils across the country £2.1bn annually and has resulted in a record number of children living in hotels and B&Bs.

Wates Residential has worked with architects, suppliers, planners, manufacturers and local councils to develop this modular solution.

As pre-designed standard houses, it is claimed they are twice as fast to build, allowing the flexibility to relocate homes where necessary. Wates’ modular homes also have energy efficient designs with low carbon footprints and involve minimal on-site work.

Built to the same standards as permanent housing, the homes will include modern amenities, private bedrooms, family bathrooms, and kitchen and living spaces, helping restore stability to those facing housing insecurity.

Modular homes have a design quality regulation of up to 60 years, meaning that while they provide temporary relief to their inhabitants, they are a long-term solution for councils.

Councillor Graham Williamson, Havering’s cabinet lead for development and regeneration, said:

“We welcome this decision as a positive step forward in our work to provide better temporary housing for local families, and hope this will set a precedent for other councils.

“These modular homes will offer a significant improvement on current options like hostels and hotels, giving families a safer, more stable place to live at less cost to the taxpayer, while we continue delivering long-term regeneration across the borough.”

Paul Nicholls, regional managing director for London at Wates Residential, added:

“This decision shows what’s possible when we take bold approaches to tackling the housing crisis. Councils across the country are spending £2.1bn annually on hotels and hostels that have a devastating impact on their well-being and development. Our temporary modular homes provide a real solution.

“These homes demonstrate that temporary accommodation can be high-quality, energy-efficient and designed around people’s needs, not just a stopgap, but a real place to live and thrive. We’re proud to be working with Havering Council to deliver a solution that is fast, flexible and focused on families.”

Source: Housing Digital

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Affordable & Climate Friendly Homes Proposed for Rochford

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EARLY plans have been revealed for a new town with around 2,000 homes in Rochford, with the developer seeking public opinion. Developer Hemspan is behind the plans for ‘Rochford Park’, which, if approved, will be built near Apton Hall Road south of Canewdon.

Hemspan says it could be “the UK’s first large-scale climate-positive community.” 

The developer is known for its climate change agenda and is also behind plans for three housing manufacturing plants in Rochford, which it says will be able to produce 2,000 homes a year.

A flyer for the housing plans states the benefits include:

“Around 2,000 high-quality, mixed occupancy and affordable, climate-positive homes in a landscaped village setting, including newly planted native trees.

“The development will bring significant economic and employment opportunities. At its heart, a vibrant community hub will offer a range of facilities designed to enhance the quality of life of both new residents and the wider community.

”Initial plans show it could be close to Apton Hall wedding and events venue and replace huge areas of farmland and farms, including Little Hall Farms Ltd and Doggetts Farm. 

The initial flyer adds:

“Rochford Park is designed to welcome all generations; an inclusive and thoughtfully planned extension of Ashingdon and Rochford communities, created to foster connection and a strong sense of place and belonging.”

Rochford is becoming a magnet for development, with various firms eyeing up land for large developments. Plans were being discussed for a 10,000-home new town across Rochford and Southend.

Council leader, Conservative Danielle Belton, has been vocal about lots of

“speculative” plans, and is also “expecting a huge plan with 1,000s of homes” in Great Wakering.

Land to the west of the A130, running from Wickford down to Benfleet, is earmarked for around 3,100 new homes under two separate plans.

It could see Wickford, Rayleigh and Rawreth “blend” together as well as Pitsea and Benfleet being joined up.

SOURCE: Eco News

 

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