Archive for category: General News

An eye in the sky for DM Hall’s Building Surveying teams as firm launches in-house drone capability to improve service delivery for clients

Surveyors have been trained to Civil Aviation Authority standards
to capture high-res images of inaccessible areas

DM Hall, one of Scotland’s largest firms of independent Chartered Surveyors, is rolling out an innovative in-house drone surveying service across its nationwide Building Surveying teams as part of its commitment to remain at the forefront of technological advance.

It has been running a comprehensive training service for its surveying professionals over the past several months and has now gone live with the new service which is a game-changer in terms of time, accuracy and safety.

The firm, which has an extensive network of offices across the UK, has trained six members of its Building Surveying team in Glasgow to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) standards and is now rolling the programme out to its teams in Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen and the North of England.

The new capability will allow the firm to provide clients with more accurate advice which will enable them to make informed decisions on potential acquisitions, as well as repairs and maintenance. It will focus primarily on commercial property, but will also be available to residential clients requiring more detailed surveys.

Martin Elsby, a Partner in the firm’s Building Surveying team in Glasgow, who has been masterminding the project, said:

“This initiative will help us maintain and improve service delivery in a safe and efficient manner and keep us ahead of the technical changes which are happening at pace across the profession.

“Our surveyors have met all CAA requirements and have been trained in the key principles of drone flying, with a substantial emphasis on unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] safety around elements such as roads and pylons, as well as awareness of privacy issues.

“Drone use will allow our surveyors to collect high-definition images and accurate data to identify potential challenges and issues with a building early on, allowing clients to address them before they become costly problems.”

DM Hall initially will use a DJI Mini Pro, a lightweight, foldable camera drone with 4K/60fps video, 34 minutes of flight time and front, rear and downward obstacle avoidance technology.

The team has already successfully surveyed a commercial property in the north of Glasgow which had suffered substantial water ingress during storms and identified the defects which were causing the problem. It has also worked on an industrial site in the Central Belt to find a range of defects not visible from ground level.

Mr Elsby said:

“Bringing the service in-house will facilitate faster turnaround times on instructions, contribute to cost and efficiency savings and reduce the firm’s reliance on outside contractors.

“The drones can operate internally as well as carrying out exterior inspections, making them ideal for less accessible buildings, such as churches, or large factories. Their accurate self-levelling equipment means that they can be used in all but the most extreme conditions.”

• Default “yes” for tens of thousands of new homes near train stations to speed regeneration and get spades in the ground faster
• Housing Secretary empowered to remove planning blockages and fast‑track large-scale applications.
• Second phase of reforms streamlining consultations with application decisions cut by 40% to deliver 1.5 million homes under the Plan for Change

Housebuilding near well-connected train stations will receive a default “yes” in future if they meet certain rules, ensuring more high-quality, affordable homes are built in and around our key towns and cities, saving commuters time and boosting access to housing.

Thousands more working families and commuters will be able to live and work near train stations thanks to this drive to speed up housebuilding, which will help connect people to towns and cities, and open the door to new job and education opportunities.

Housebuilders will be encouraged to build more homes near these transport links, and councils in England will also now be required to tell the government when they intend to reject new housing developments over a certain size, with the Housing Secretary able to have the final say on whether they should go ahead.

These changes will be introduced alongside proposals to streamline the statutory consultee process, further saving developers time and money, ensuring spades can get in the ground quicker to meet the government’s 1.5 million homes target.

It also builds on work already underway following the launch of Platform4, a new property company set to unlock 40,000 homes on brownfield land near railway stations, with four sites already earmarked, including Newcastle Forth Goods Yard and Manchester Mayfield – supporting the governments wider plan for boosting productivity, growth and living standards across the north

Housing Secretary, Steve Reed:

“I promised we’d get Britain building and that’s exactly what we are doing. But it has to be the right homes in the right places and nearby transport links are a vital part of that.

“We’re making it easier to build well-connected and high-quality homes, using stronger powers to speed things up if councils drag their feet, and proposing to streamline the consultation process to cut back delays.

“This is about action: spades in the ground, breathing new life into communities, and families finally getting the homes they need.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said:

“We’re ending years of dither and delay by green lighting affordable new homes for working people.

“This is another demonstration that our Plan for Change is getting spades in the ground faster, connecting people with jobs and opportunities closer to where they live, and boosting towns and cities across the country.”

Planning reforms to give greater certainty and strength for development around well-connected rail stations, including trains and trams, will be proposed through a new pro-growth and rules-based National Planning Policy Framework, which will be consulted on later this year.

Recognising the significant benefits for jobs and growth that can be unlocked by building around train stations, these rules will extend to land within the Green Belt, continuing efforts to ensure that a designation designed in the middle of the last century is updated to work today.

The default “yes” will also apply equally across all local authorities, so that these benefits are seized across the country. The proposals will also include minimum housing density standards for these sites, expected to be exceeded in many cases, to make the most of sustainable growth opportunities for local housing, jobs, and businesses.

Measures will also require councils to inform government when they’re inclined to block applications of 150 homes or more so ministers can decide whether to step in and make the decision instead, making sure that good housing projects don’t get lost.

Particular attention will be paid to those applications where a planning committee intends to refuse it contrary to the advice of planning officers.

Applications called in by ministers will also be sped up through the removal of the mandatory requirement for inquiries, with the option to consider matters through written representations before reaching a decision where appropriate.

Alongside this, the package will drive down the number of applications considered by some statutory consultees by up to 40%, saving time, energy, and money. It will also consult on proposals to remove Sport England, The Gardens Trust and Theatres Trust from the list of organisations that have to be consulted by law.

Unleashing the biggest era of housebuilding in this country’s history remains at the heart of the Plan for Change, going further and faster to build 1.5 million new homes this Parliament.

The Housing Secretary is expected to make further announcements to speed up housebuilding across the country before the end of the year.

Source: Gov.uk

PLS undertakes monumental lifting project

Sheffield’s Professional Lifting Services Ltd (PLS) is undertaking a monumental lifting project at the city’s tallest single-storey building.

The lifting programme will see PLS remove a one-of-a-kind water-powered crane through the roof of the 40-metre tall West Heat Treatment works at Sheffield Forgemasters’ Hawke Street site, before replacing it with a new crane manufactured by GH Cranes.

Logistics of the lift have taken more than 12 months of planning with challenges of height, radius, and reach, requiring a 650-tonne Crawler Crane, plus the removal of a significant section of roof to access the job.

Steve Marshall, Head of Engineering at Sheffield Forgemasters, said:

“We have worked with PLS for a number of years and they have a great deal of expertise in managing highly complex lifting operations, which few businesses could attempt.

“A lifting plan for the West Heat Treatment crane swap has been underway for more than 12 months and addresses the difficulties of working in very confined spaces, at a height of 40-metres above floor level.

“This project is estimated to take 14 weeks to complete and is by far the most complicated lifting operation that we have undertaken, but essential to reinstating this dedicated facility.”

The installation of a new crane is part of a project to reinstate the West Heat Treatment building as a specialised facility for the vertical heat treatment of long, cylindrical forgings to retain their shape and establish material hardness.

Kevan Greasley, Operations Director at PLS, said:

“This is a monumental lift, with a wealth of considerations and factors to enable a successful decommissioning of a 100 plus-year-old crane and installation of a new, highly efficient beam crane at very high elevations.

“PLS is the primary contractor for the West Heat Treatment project, and we are working with a highly skilled team of sub-contractors to orchestrate a lift plan which has no room for error or misjudgement.”

A Liebherr L1600 Crawler Crane with a 90-meter boom and lifting capacity of 600-tonnes, will remove a Sir William Arroll water-powered crane from 1913, replacing it with a 130-tonne capacity beam crane with 34 metres-per-minute hoist speed.

Contractors on the project are; DWLS (lifting and slinging specialist), Weldex (crane hire), AB Roofing Solutions, Don Valley Steel Fabricators & Engineers, and Houzzlife Scaffolding.

www.plsltd.co.uk

Paresh Raja, CEO of Market Financial Solutions, said:

 “This is clearly going to be a loaded Budget. Rachel Reeves has issued some warning shots and, for the second year in a row, it looks like various tax hikes could steal the headlines on 26th November.

“For the property market, there has been a lot of conjecture as to what will be in the Chancellor’s favour red briefcase. For landlords, property investors, and the brokers working with them, there are some key policies to watch out for: an increase to income tax (though touted to be offset for many by a cut in national insurance, this will not be true for landlords); reforms to stamp duty, which have been speculated over wildly; extending capital gains tax to include primary and secondary homes; and potential changes to planning laws and the house-buying process.

“At this stage, adding to the speculation is pointless. Across the property market, from lenders and brokers to buyers and sellers, it is a question of adapting quickly to whatever the Chancellor announces. What’s more, though inertia has started to set in as the Budget approach, I would expect a flurry of activity afterwards. Indeed, amidst all the predictions about the tax blows that could land, the reality is typically less painful than the pre-speech doom-mongering.

“Ultimately, we have to be ready to take any changes in our stride and, if the Bank of England does come through with multiple cuts to the base rate in the coming year, then there is every reason to believe the market will remain buoyant. After all, even with a great deal of political and economic turbulence this year, house prices have continued to rise and buyer demand for UK property remains strong.”

Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, said:

 “Although I am relieved to see confidence in our industry has remained relatively steady over the last quarter, the collapse in optimism for the wider UK economy is striking. 

 “It reflects a deeper malaise being felt across construction, especially in housebuilding, where repeated government promises of a renaissance have yet to materialise.”

 “When people are unsure about their disposable income, they delay spending on planned home upgrades and essential maintenance. That has a direct impact on our members, many of whom work in domestic settings and rely on customer confidence. The profession is doing its part to stay resilient, but the government must now do its part to support it.

 “We need a Budget that backs working people, builds business confidence and invests in the skilled workforce that will drive recovery. Without it, we risk pushing stability further out of reach.”

Construction Equipment Association reaction to Reeves’ Autumn Budget speech

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has warned that “necessary choices” will have to be made in the forthcoming Autumn Budget — a statement that has prompted concern across the construction equipment sector about the potential impact of tax increases on growth and investment.

  Any rise in personal or business taxation risks slowing construction activity at a time when confidence is already fragile. Housebuilding has yet to recover to pre-2022 levels, and any further pressure on affordability or borrowing could delay new projects and reduce demand for equipment across the supply chain.

For manufacturers and suppliers of construction machinery, higher taxes and ongoing cost pressures could make investment decisions more difficult. Many firms are already managing rising energy and materials costs, alongside continued post-Brexit barriers that affect logistics and trade. Additional fiscal tightening would further squeeze margins and limit the capacity to invest in research, product development, and workforce growth. A rise in taxation at this stage could risk stalling recovery across the construction supply chain.

  At the same time, the sector needs reassurance that public infrastructure projects will continue to be prioritised. Investment in transport, housing, schools, and hospitals underpins national productivity and provides vital demand for plant and equipment. Consistent, long-term commitments from government would give manufacturers and contractors the confidence to plan ahead and invest in cleaner, safer, and more efficient machinery.

  The Budget also presents an opportunity to reaffirm support for low-carbon technology. The construction equipment industry is already driving innovation in electric, hydrogen, and hybrid machinery, but sustained progress depends on stable energy policy and targeted incentives that encourage uptake rather than add cost.

  Skills remain another critical factor. If smaller contractors struggle or exit the market due to rising costs, the sector risks losing valuable expertise — from plant operators to engineers and technicians. Continued investment in skills development and training initiatives will be key to maintaining capacity and supporting the next generation of talent.

 CEA view
The construction equipment industry plays a central role in the UK’s economic recovery and in delivering national infrastructure. The Chancellor’s challenge will be to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to sustain growth and innovation. A Budget that supports investment, skills, and decarbonisation will strengthen the sector’s resilience and help maintain momentum in a challenging climate.

  The CEA will continue to represent its members’ interests, advocating for clear and consistent policies that enable the sector to invest with confidence and continue building a safer, more sustainable future for UK construction. Following the Budget announcement, the CEA will publish a detailed post-Budget analysis with the assistance of Andrew Angus, Professor at Cranfield University, School of Management.

  Viki Bell, Chief Executive of the Construction Equipment Association, said:
“Construction is a barometer for the wider economy, and stability in our sector means stability for the country. We understand the pressures facing the Chancellor, but growth and investment must remain at the heart of this Budget. Our members need the confidence to invest in skills, innovation, and cleaner technologies — not uncertainty that slows progress. A clear, long-term approach will give British manufacturing the platform it needs to thrive.”

Jonathan Samuels, CEO of Octane Capital, commented:
 “Confidence among developers has clearly weakened ahead of the Autumn Budget, and it’s easy to see why. Speculation around new taxes, higher capital gains charges, or potential land levies is creating a holding pattern across much of the sector. Developers thrive on certainty, but right now that’s in short supply.

While planning reform remains the key to unlocking housing delivery, access to flexible and efficient finance is equally important in maintaining momentum during periods of uncertainty. Specialist lenders play a vital role in bridging gaps, refinancing projects, and ensuring viable schemes don’t grind to a halt while developers wait for policy clarity.

If the Government truly wants to hit its housing targets, it must focus on measures that support delivery – whether that’s cutting bureaucracy, reducing transaction costs, or widening access to development funding. A well-targeted Stamp Duty reform could provide a near-term boost to buyer demand, helping to restore confidence throughout the housing pipeline.”

National Enterprise Network Warns of Business Collapse Risk if Business Rates Policy for Fractional Office Space Users is Changed

As the Autumn Statement approaches, National Enterprise Network is urgently calling upon the Chancellor and Prime Minister to maintain current business rates arrangements for micro and small businesses using serviced offices, warning that proposed changes could trigger widespread business failures and reverse post-pandemic recovery gains.

National Enterprise Network, representing business support organisations across the length and breadth of the country, has raised serious concerns about the ongoing uncertainty surrounding business rates for flexible workspaces. This uncertainty threatens to undermine a sector that has shown remarkable resilience, with the UK business population growing by 191,000 between 2024 and 2025, representing a 3.5% increase that highlights the recovery trajectory of small businesses post-COVID.

The current dispute centres on the Valuation Office Agency’s (VOA) approach to assessing serviced offices and coworking spaces. In late 2022, following pressure from local authorities led by the City of London, concerns arose about administrative burdens and potential misuse of Small Business Rates Relief. This led to an informal agreement requiring licences to demonstrate “paramount control” for individual office assessments, prompting widespread licence updates across the industry.

However, the issue has resurfaced in 2025, with the VOA now reviewing previously approved licences and some operators exploring short leases as workarounds. The assessment process for new site splits has stalled in several areas, with the VOA pursuing lengthy tribunal proceedings that could take years to resolve, leaving businesses in limbo.

The implications extend far beyond individual businesses. Small businesses currently employ 13.1 million people, representing 47% of total UK employment, whilst SMEs generate 51.2% of the UK’s total turnover of £2.8 trillion. Any disruption to business rates arrangements could jeopardise this economic contribution at a time when 94% of businesses are actively trading, with 84% fully operational.

“As we approach the Autumn Statement, we are deeply concerned about the ongoing uncertainty surrounding business rates arrangements for serviced offices and flexible workspaces. The potential for retrospective rate assessments threatens to undermine the recovery of our sector at a critical juncture. Many micro and small businesses that rely on these collaborative environments could be forced back to working from home or coffee shops, losing the invaluable benefits of professional coworking spaces. We urgently call upon the Chancellor and Prime Minister to provide clarity and stability, preventing what could be a devastating blow to an industry that has already weathered the storms of the pandemic and is now showing signs of recovery,” said Alex Till, Chair of National Enterprise Network.

The timing is particularly concerning as businesses prepare for year-end planning and goal-setting for 2026. The uncertainty threatens to disrupt the collaborative professional environments that have become essential for micro and small businesses, potentially forcing a regression to isolated working arrangements that lack the networking opportunities and professional infrastructure that coworking spaces provide.

National Enterprise Network warns that retrospective business rates claims could result in immediate business closures, with many small enterprises lacking the financial reserves to absorb unexpected backdated charges. This would not only impact individual businesses but could trigger a domino effect across the serviced office sector, undermining operators who are still recovering from pandemic-related challenges.

The organisation is calling for immediate government intervention to provide certainty and prevent what could become a significant setback for the UK’s small business ecosystem. With the flexible workspace sector playing an increasingly vital role in supporting entrepreneurship and business growth, maintaining stable and predictable business rates arrangements is essential for continued economic recovery.

Analysis: Why aren’t we using Irish wood to build Irish homes quickly, cheaply and sustainably at a time when we are in desperate need?

By Michael Morris, TCD

Like many nations in the developed world, Ireland has a desperate need for new homes. But we face the dual challenge of building them quickly and well – whilst also meeting environmental commitments to cut our carbon emissions by 51% by 2030.

Unfortunately, our traditional methods of construction, like bricks, mortar, concrete and steel, come high in embodied carbon. It’s clear we need an alternative. One environmentally favourable option is to increase the use of timber in construction. It has a vastly lower carbon footprint than concrete and steel and is a sustainable product when gown and used properly. It can also accelerate building speed: by some estimates, it’s around 30% faster to build with.

Yet, here in Ireland, less than a quarter of the homes we build are timber frame constructions. That’s half the rate in the rest of the developed world. And most of those homes built in Ireland using timber are single or two-story constructions. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe and throughout America, Asia and the antipodes, you can find towers 20 stories high built using timber frames.

From Futureville, How stronger timber could help deliver Ireland’s housing needs

So why aren’t we using Irish wood to build Irish homes quickly, cheaply and sustainably at a time when we are in such desperate need?

A significant problem is that we grow our major wood source (Sitka Spruce) in Ireland very quickly – approaching two or three times faster than an equivalent tree in Scandinavia. That’s because we have ideal growth conditions and longer growing seasons. However, faster growth means lower density. And that means wood that’s weaker – more than adequate for internal use, but not for external or weight-bearing applications.

We do have a healthy timber export market. However having strong exports means moving to different wood sources that take longer to grow is financially challenging for growers. But, at the Research Ireland funded Amber Research Centre at Trinity College my team and I have devised a way to make Irish timber more suitable for construction.

There is a natural polymer within the wood structure, called lignin, that provides the wood its durability and strength. However, the internal structure of Irish wood compromises its strength. It has a highly open pore structure and is of relatively low density. We have developed a way to remove the lignin from Irish timber, such as ash, and this allows strengthening processes to be used.

After the lignin is removed, the wood can be densified by compression to yield a high density material that can exceed the strength of the strongest natural woods. We are currently looking at methods to remove the lignin and replace it with a modified lignin that bonds to the fibrous cellulose structure of the wood and increases the strength.

These methods use sustainable materials (i.e. lignin) and can produce wood approaching the strength of steel. These materials could transform house construction in Ireland, by creating a cheaper, abundant and highly sustainable building material right here on our doorsteps.

Source: RTE