Solutions for After Sales

GEZE UK, the UK subsidiary of GEZE GmbH, a leading manufacturer of door and window control systems, has introduced the After Sales Solutions brochure that details the after sales services GEZE UK offers for manual and automatic doors and windows.

The brochure explains the benefits of regular servicing – maintaining accessibility, minimising downtime, prolonging usability, reducing lifetime costs and fulfilling an organisation’s responsibility as a building owner or facilities manager.

GEZE UK’s after sales team can install, maintain, repair, provide asset management, spare parts and refurbish existing doors and provide a full range of services for automatic doors, industrial doors and fire doors.

The brochure is available digitally

CLICK HERE

 

To request a copy by email or for detailed information on the after sales services available

CLICK HERE

 

Adam Presdee, Service Director of GEZE UK, said “GEZE UK offers a complete ‘umbrella’ of after sales solutions for all doors – automatic, manual and industrial. This brochure encompasses our approach whilst explaining the operational, commercial and environmental benefits of having a good maintenance regime and partner. We offer a service package that is tailored to each individual customer’s needs.”

 

www.geze.co.uk

 

 

 

 

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CITB – £233m to Support UK Construction

With a strong focus on three core challenges for construction, CITB published its Business Plan today (18 May), announcing it will be investing over £233m across Britain to support construction throughout 2022/23.

CITB’s investment plan responds to the estimated demand for an additional 50,000 workers every year and is primarily focused on securing construction’s talent pipeline. This year, the organisation will run and support a whole host of initiatives aimed not only at inspiring people outside of the industry to choose construction as their career, but also upskilling and retaining existing talent.

The three challenges set out by CITB are:

  • Responding to the skills demands
  • Developing the capacity and capability of construction training provision
  • Addressing future skills needs.

Responding to the skills demands

Following the findings of the recent Rethinking Recruitment report, CITB’s plan details how it will invest in supporting apprenticeships and building bridges between further education and work to get more learners into construction.

Initiatives such as SkillBuild, work experience, taster events, and the 350-strong STEM Ambassador network, aim to inspire more young people than ever to consider construction. In addition, CITB will collaborate with employers on the Go Construct website and promote the wide range of careers construction has to offer.

Coinciding with efforts to get more people to think again about a construction career, CITB will create even more accessible routes into construction, focusing on apprenticeships, alongside on-site experiences, and future rollout of occupational traineeships. A total of £60.3m in direct grants will be available to employers who take on apprentices, supporting the industry to address its current and future need for a skilled workforce.

Developing the capacity and capability of construction training provision

As the industry recovers from the pandemic and demand for construction projects increases, CITB will make it easier to access the right training at a time and place that is right for them.

CITB will:

  • Invest £25.9m in direct training delivery to enable the continuation of core skills training and training provision in niche and at-risk skills through CITB’s National Construction Colleges
  • Support more than 300,000 Health Safety & Environment tests over the next year, ensuring there is good availability of tests in as many locations as possible, bringing assurance to employers that their workforce can keep themselves and those around them safe
  • Offer enhanced grant support for priority skills such as Drylining apprentices and rainscreen cladding achievements.

Addressing future skills needs

Looking to the future, CITB’s plan sets out how it will address long-term challenges. The construction landscape is changing and issues such as net zero, digitisation and modern methods of construction are becoming increasingly important. CITB is investing £2.1m into research to better understand construction’s changing environment. This research will help focus CITB’s work on interventions that have the greatest impact, helping shape new training and standards development.

Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I am proud to be sharing my first business plan as Chief Executive at CITB, which sets out how CITB will approach its role in supporting industry going forwards.

“While progress has been made, the construction industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, including inflation, rising fuel prices, the pandemic and Brexit, to name a few. In many ways the industry is still experiencing and feeling the impact of these events, which we know has shifted priorities greatly and pushed the demand for skills to the forefront. It’s essential now more than ever that efforts are focused on helping to alleviate those pressures and address the key needs of industry.”

Read the full plan here.

 

 

 

 

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Online Shoppers Signal a Key Change in New Contracts

The UK’s contractors are diversifying into new areas and growing their positions to compensate for a lull in workload in other sectors.

Contractors are also taking on larger value contracts as they emerge from the pandemic according to exclusive construction information research from Glenigan covering the 12 months to Q1 2022.

Morgan Sindall remains the UK’s top contractor and the firm’s order book has grown by 53% over the past 12 months as the group has taken on bigger jobs and shifted its sector focus.

There has been a 59% drop in the value of main contracts awarded for civil engineering work at Morgan Sindall. The group’s education order book is also down a quarter, but Morgan Sindall has successfully diversified by growing in other sectors.

Morgan Sindall’s workload from private residential work ballooned by 159% in the 12 months to Q1 2022. Major private residential schemes secured by Morgan Sindall in the last year include a £160 million development of 261 flats and 112 houses at Girton near Cambridge for joint clients, the University of Cambridge and developer Present Made Eddington (Project ID: 21420922).

The group is also working on the £107.3 million first phase of the Manor Road Quarter to provide 355 homes in Newham, east London, for a consortium of clients including Homes England, Legal & General and the English Cities Fund (Project ID: 20399119).

As work in other sectors waned, the biggest increase in Morgan Sindall’s order book has been in social housing, where orders leapt by 193% to £714 million. This growth was achieved by taking on larger jobs.

In the most recent period, the average social housing contract won by Morgan Sindall was valued by Glenigan at £31.0 million compared to £12.2 million in the previous 12 months. Major social housing contracts won by Morgan Sindall include a £320 million maintenance deal for Moat Housing (Project ID: 21200850).

Growth areas for medium-sized contractors

The continued strength of opportunities in the industrial sector has provided an opportunity for medium-sized contractors to diversify their order books.

Glenigan economics director Allan Wilén comments: “The warehousing and logistics sub-sector has been the strongest performing sector since 2018. Structural changes in the retail sector, accelerated by the pandemic, has rapidly increased demand for logistics space.”

Contractors taking advantage of this increased demand have been able to expand smaller market positions through taking on larger value schemes.

Glencar just edged into Glenigan’s rankings of the top 10 industrial contractors for the 12 months to Q1 2021, when the company’s biggest scheme was a £16.5 million scheme to build two warehouses at Bletchley (Project ID: 19357932).

In the most recent year, Glencar’s industrial order book has more than doubled to nearly £300 million and so has the size of the average contract the group has won to £12.4 million.

 

Major industrial schemes taken on by Glencar include the £34 million Cross Point Business Park Development in Coventry for Bericote (Project ID: 21372896) and the £33.6 million Kingston Park South warehouse scheme in Peterborough for Firethorn Trust (Project ID: 21074479).

Glencar is also looking to diversify further. “We have identified other growing sectors and will seek to expand into these, taking advantage of the opportunities available,” said Glencar managing director Eddie McGillycuddy on announcing the group’s results recently.

Bromsgrove-based Benniman is also growing on the back of diversifying further into the industrial sector. The value of the firm’s order book has quadrupled in the past year to £199 million. Again, the group has taken on bigger jobs and the value of the average contract award has doubled to £16.6 million. Large jobs in this sector won by Benniman include the £49.2 million second phase of the Vale Industrial Park for Chase Commercial (Project ID: 20485966) and a £32.2 million unit at the Prologis Park in Wellingborough (Project ID: 20269857).

Healthy appetite

The medical & scientific sector has also provided opportunities for medium-sized contractors to diversify and expand.

 

SDC did not feature amongst the top 20 contractors in this sector 12 months ago but a year on and the group has amassed a £78 million order book. SDC’s biggest job is the £65 million second phase of a biomedical campus in Cambridge (Project ID: 20388483).

Darwin Group has broken into the top 10 contractors after its order book for medical & scientific projects leapt 69% to £66 million in the 12 months to Q1 2022. Work won by Darwin includes a £20 million extension to Nottingham University Hospital (Project ID: 21519630) and a £15 million high dependency unit at Airedale General Hospital in Keighley, West Yorkshire (Project ID: 21396731).

Barnes Construction has moved into the top 20 contractors after building up a £32 million order book including an £11.5 million extension to Ipswich Hospital (Project ID: 19280937).

“The outlook for the health sector remains bright,” adds Mr Wilén. “We expect project starts to increase in 2022 and in 2023 as new projects come forward and as NHS trusts develop and implement their investment programmes.”

Swotting up

Education is the other area of major government investment in building work and a dearth of large value projects has helped medium-sized contractors.

For the second year in a row, Morgan Sindall has won more education work than any other contractor, but its order book is down by a third. McLaughlin & Harvey’s education order book has also more than halved.

 

Medium-sized regional contractors are successfully taking advantage. Kent-based Neilcott Construction enters the latest top 20 after building up a portfolio of education work including an £18 million extension to Harrow School (Project ID: 20440789) and a £10.5 million extension of Abbey Court Special Educational Needs School in Rochester (Project ID: 21077566).

Welsh contractor C Wynne & Sons has also moved into the education top 20 with a £45 million order book, including a £9 million new primary school at Bryn Meurig in Llangefni (Project ID: 18448511).

New entrants, new methods

In sectors where funding is mainly derived from the private sector, there is a less steady flow of jobs, but in areas such as the hotel & leisure sector, companies are able to diversify and establish a foothold.

 

DE Contracting had been working on residential and retail work according to Glenigan’s market intelligence but has entered the top 20 ranking of hotel & leisure contractors over the past year with a £68 million order book. This includes the £58.3 million One Berkeley Street hotel scheme in Westminster for Crosstree Real Estate (Project ID: 18409894).

Modern methods of construction (MMC) is also allowing new entrants to diversify into the hotel sector, in particular contractors with experience on modular building.

MY Construction was only set-up in 2005 and worked on retail and residential work but has used MMC and offsite fabrication to diversify into the hotel sector. Over the past year, the group has won £58 million-worth of work in this sector including a £42 million hotel at Manchester Airport (Project ID: 20059932).

Another recent entrant to the hotel sector is Elements Europe, which in April 2022 won a £100 million contract to build the world’s tallest modular hotel of 23 storeys at East Road in Shoreditch, north London (Project ID: 19413360).

Happy shopping

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the retail sector with shoppers turning online. The available work is increasingly being picked up by middle-ranking contractors, such as Knight Harwood.

A year ago, the London-based contractor did not even feature in the retail top 20 but has since amassed an order book of £54 million in the sector to take top spot.

 

Knight Harwood’s retail work is focused on the capital and includes projects such as a £30 million redevelopment of the Arding & Hobbs department store in Clapham (Project ID: 20365382), and a £15 million shop alterations job at 20 Thayer Street in Westminster (Project ID: 20420015).

Bradford-based Stainforth’s retail order book has swelled as others have suffered by winning jobs including a £12 million supermarket in Macclesfield for Cedar Investments (Project ID: 16030733)

Another contractor that has found a focus on retail sector lucrative is Maidstone-based UC Build. The company was only set up seven years ago and is now amongst the 20 most successful contractors in the retail sector with a focus on smaller schemes in its region.

Step change for contractors

In the civil engineering and office sectors, a handful of large projects are allowing major players to dominate.

In the civils sector, specialist contractors are breaking in such as Hitachi Zosen Inova, Mytilineos and Jan De Nul by taking on major schemes in the power and marine sectors.

In other sectors, a dearth of large projects is providing opportunities for medium sized contractors to diversify and gain market share. Glenigan’s research suggests that to do so involves a step-up and to also take on larger jobs that the national players may have eschewed or that clients prefer to be handled by more local players.

Opportunities to diversify appear to be arising in sectors where there are fewer large projects as the construction industry reshapes in the post-pandemic world.

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Failure of Competency in Fire Testing

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The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has committed to fighting for the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to be renationalised.

The commitment came in the form of a motion passed at the union’s annual conference, the first in-person conference since the pandemic. In the union’s view, BRE’s private ownership has led to failures of competency, and BRE going too far to please the corporate clients whose products it tested and whom it relied on for income.

The BRE is involved in the testing and certification of materials for the construction industry. It was responsible for testing several of the key materials used in Grenfell Tower’s refurbishment, including cladding and insulation materials, and fire safety tests. BRE was privatised in 1997, and continues to test building materials as a private company today.

In the motion the union describes this privatisation as a “disastrous decision, opening the testing regime to commercial pressures and commercial interests”, and says that renationalisation would “ensure greater accountability, including a clear obligation to act in the public interest and without pressure from business and commercial interest”.

In its submissions to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, the union has previously expressed the view that errors and oversights at the BRE contributed to the Grenfell Tower fire, and that BRE testing allowed manufacturing companies to persuade others that their products were regulation-compliant and that these errors and oversights were caused at least in part by the BRE being privately owned.

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: “Building Research Establishment private ownership has been a complete disaster. Corners have been cut and building safety compromised as the BRE bowed down to the building material companies which pay its wages. There is even information that suggests that BRE failures may have had a role in Grenfell. It’s time to end this utter mess now.”

The conference motion specified that ‘Oversight of this restored public testing and research facility should be by a board, representative of tenants and residents, local and national government, trade unions representing workers in Fire and Rescue Services and the construction industry’.

 

Source: Scottish Construction Now

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VERIFYING NET-ZERO CARBON

carbon-negative Paradise office by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

A group of leading industry organisations including the Royal British Institute of Architects have come together to create a building standard that will verify net-zero carbon buildings in the UK.

Named the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, the initiative will help the industry to ensure and prove that buildings claiming to be net-zero hold up to that claim.

The launch, announced by the Royal British Institute of Architects (RIBA), responds to confusion over the term net-zero and “a clear demand for a single, agreed methodology”.

It is also hoped to encourage the industry to decarbonise and help the UK to meet its 2035 and 2050 emissions targets.

Standard will “help the entire industry to move forward”

“This is a really exciting and timely initiative that will help the entire industry to move forward in its efforts to reach net-zero carbon,” reflected RIBA president Simon Allford.

“Working together we will address current ambiguities around the much-used term and develop a common understanding, based on clear performance targets, to support all those involved in the procurement, design, construction and operation of buildings.”

Net-zero carbon buildings are designed to eliminate all possible emissions over a building’s lifetime. This takes into account both embodied carbon, which are emissions caused by the construction supply chain, and operational carbon, which are emissions caused by a building’s use.

Any remaining emissions must be offset by removing carbon from the atmosphere.

 

As the built environment is responsible for around 40 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions, net-zero carbon architecture could help the UK meet its decarbonisation targets.

The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard will verify both new and existing buildings, and take into account both their operational and embodied carbon emissions.

The Carbon Trust among supporters

Among the industry bodies backing the initiative are RIBA, the Carbon Trust, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) and The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).

The Better Buildings Partnership (BBP), Building Research Establishment (BRE), London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) are also in the steering group.

“We look forward to contributing to the development of this highly impactful standard, which will be instrumental in guiding the UK real estate industry, the construction sector and the wider built environment, in the rapid and urgent transition towards net-zero,” reflected the Carbon Trust’s director Dominic Burbridge.

“Addressing the energy demand of the built environment and the associated emissions is a key driver in accelerating the move to a sustainable, decarbonised future and we are excited to be supporting such an important and pioneering initiative.”

Delivery will require “radical collaboration”

According to the RIBA, the standard will be accessible to everyone and “anyone who wants to fund, procure, design, specify, or occupy a net-zero carbon building and anyone wanting to demonstrate that their building is net zero-aligned with an industry-agreed standard”.

The steering group is now looking for support from other industry figures and stakeholders to deliver the standard.

“A UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard will be critical for asset owners and managers to evidence that their buildings are built and operating in line with climate science,” concluded Sarah Ratcliffe, the CEO of steering-group member BBP.

“An industry-wide standard will enable stakeholders including investors and occupiers to differentiate between assets that are net-zero and those that are not,” she continued. “It will take radical collaboration to deliver this project.”

Architecture is “one of the least well-represented businesses” in the UN initiative to get companies to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050, according to UN climate champion Nigel Topping.

In 2019, RIBA launched a voluntary challenge to help architects create net-zero carbon buildings. However, less than six per cent of UK studios have signed up.

Source: Dezeen

 

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Virtual Engineer Wins AI Specification Award

Strand Technologies has clinched a prestigious AI Specification Award for its innovative Virtual Engineer – a technology solution for the control and diagnostics of automatic doors, gates and barriers.

It won the Product Design and Innovation Award (Electronic) category, sponsored by the Automatic Door Suppliers Association, at the 40th biennial event, held at the ‘Cheesegrater’ Leadenhall Building, in Central London.

Judges commented: “This product has innovation written all over it. It provides an effective solution which has the benefit of remote fault finding coupled with helping to reduce carbon footprint.”

Ken Price, ADSA’s Managing Director, presented the award to the Strand Technologies’ team – a landmark moment for the company which began trading in 2021.

Virtual Engineer was selected from a shortlist that also featured products from ASSA ABLOY, Codelocks and Salto Systems.

It uses a device which is attached to entrances and ‘talks’ to a cloud software platform for on-site or remote management. It sends alerts to flag up problems and identify potential causes – potentially saving time and money for engineer call outs.

Steve Marshall, Managing Director of Strand Technologies, said that the team was delighted to have scooped the award.

“It was a crowning moment that followed 18-months of hard graft to bring our products and services to the market. Our strength is in working with organisations to provide an holistic solution to the issues they are facing for effective asset management which in turn results in efficiency savings.”

Said Mr Price: “I would like to offer my warmest congratulations to Strand Technologies. This is a major accolade which recognises the problem-solving nature of a ground-breaking product that blends traditional electronic and digital technologies.”

The awards are organised by The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF THE CEREMONY

 

 

For more information on Virtual Engineer or Strand Technologies other products

PLEASE EMAIL  info@strandtech.co.uk

or CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE

 

 

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Knauf launches programme of events for Clerkenwell Design Week

Knauf is delighted to announce a programme of events

to be held at its Clerkenwell showroom as part of

Clerkenwell Design Week on 24 – 26 May 2022.

 

Activities will include a mosaic workshop where people will get the chance to design and make their own mosaic on an AQUAPANEL® board, and an abstract fresco workshop where visitors can paint art using Knauf Airless Finish.

CPDs will be held including ‘Why acoustics matter and how to specify them’ on 24 May, and a brand new Knauf CPD on sustainability run in conjunction with Knauf Insulation on 26 May.

The Architects Benevolent Society will give a talk on the afternoon of 24 May about the support it offers to the architectural community and their families.

Throughout the week, visitors to the Knauf Clerkenwell showroom will also be able to try out Knauf’s new specification design tool, Knauf Planner Suite. An expert will be on hand to offer demos and answer any questions.

The event programme has been designed to tie in with three key themes of health, wellbeing and sustainability. Visitors can learn about Knauf’s sustainability efforts including its new recycled product packaging at the event.

Knauf has also pledged to plant a tree for each person who visits the showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week, in partnership with Trees for Cities.

Knauf’s showroom can be found at 20 Baltic Street, London, EC1Y 0UL

For more information and to register for an event

PLEASE CLICK HERE

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THE QUEENS SPEECH, INDUSTRY RESPONSE

The Prince of Wales has delivered the Queen’s Speech on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, outlining 38 new bills.

The Prince of Wales highlighted that Her Majesty’s Government would aim to “grow and strengthen the economy and ease the cost of living for families”, while ensuring all corners of the country would have the opportunity to level up.

Key announcements included:

  • A Bill to drive local growth and empower local leaders to regenerate their areas
  • Legislation reforming the planning system to give local residents more involvement in developments in their area
  • A Transport Bill to deliver safer, cleaner services and enable more innovation, as well as the modernisation of rail services to improve reliability for passengers
  • An Energy Bill to deliver the transition to cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy
  • Draft legislation to promote competition, strengthen consumer rights, and protect households and businesses
  • Legislation to implement new competition rules for digital markets and the largest digital firms
  • Legislation to introduce reforms to education to raise standards and improve the quality of schools and Higher Education
  • The establishment of the UK Infrastructure Bank in legislation to support economic growth and the delivery of net zero
  • A Bill to enable European Union law to be more easily amended, and regulations on businesses to be repealed and reformed
  • Legislation to simplify public sector procurement to provide opportunities for smaller businesses
  • Legislation to strengthen financial services industry
  • Reforms to the existing data protection regime
  • Legislation to enable implementation of UK’s first new Free Trade Agreement since leaving the EU
  • Legislation to unlock the potential of new technologies for sustainable farming and food production, to encourage agricultural and scientific innovation
  • A Bill to further strengthen powers to tackle illicit finance, reduce economic crime and help businesses grow
  • Legislation to improve the regulation of social housing and strengthen the rights of tenants

INDUSTRY RESPONSES

 

LGA statement on Queen’s Speech: Renters Reform Bill/Social Housing Regulation Bill

Responding to the Queen’s Speech, Cllr Darren Rodwell, housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association, said:

“Proposals to strengthen both the role of the Housing Ombudsman and the Regulator in the Social Housing Regulation Bill are positive, to increase the rights of tenants and enable tenants to better hold their landlord to account.

“Councils want their tenants to have the security of a safe and well-maintained home with any issues quickly and satisfactorily addressed, and we are keen to continue working with councils, the Regulator and the Ombudsman to support the implementation of the reforms.

“We are pleased that the Government has committed to introducing legislation through the Renters Reform Bill to strengthen protections for private renters and abolish ‘no-fault evictions’. This is something the LGA and councils have been calling for the Government to introduce since it was included in its 2019 manifesto.

“A dramatic recent rise in the number of ‘no fault evictions’ from the private rented sector is putting additional pressure on homelessness services, so we are glad that a plan to strengthen safeguards for private renters is finally in place, allowing renters to challenge poor practice and unfair rent increases without fear of eviction.”

Mike Foster, CEO of EUA, said:

 

“We welcome an Energy Bill designed to promote Carbon Capture and Storage and help deliver large scale hydrogen heating trials. This puts consumers at the heart of decarbonising homes in the UK, giving people the choice between the relevant technologies – heat pumps, heat networks and hydrogen gas boilers. The latter will involve no additional upfront costs to the consumer and minimal levels of disruption and creates a secure energy supply free from the blood-stained hands of President Putin.

“We need to hear details of the business model that will deliver UK domestic production of this zero-carbon wonder-fuel, and practical action to make sure every home that wants cheap, zero carbon gas for their boilers, cookers and fires gets it.

“We need to urgently shift away from fossil fuel gas to hydrogen, using the world-class gas networks already underground to supply our homes and businesses. Now is not the time to consider re-wiring Britain; ripping out boilers to be replaced with £10 grand a time heat pumps would be a folly when clean gas is just around the corner.

“From our recent research of 2000 UK consumers, the majority of Brits agree. Over three quarters (77.7%) of respondents saying they would support the UK generating and distributing alternative, low-carbon gas through the existing grid to replace the imports of natural gas from countries such as Qatar and Russia. An overwhelming 82% also believed the government should prioritise affordability in the development of renewable technologies for heating homes in the UK. There is a clear message that costly alternatives like heat pumps will not be favoured by households in this cost-of-living crisis.

“Meanwhile, let’s also hear what the Government plan to do to keep bills down this winter. Massive investment in economically-viable energy efficiency schemes would be an entirely sensible step while the Energy Bill progresses through Parliament, creating the hydrogen future the Prime Minister and others have spoken about.”

 

Jonathan Hale, Head of Government Affairs at RICS, said:

“RICS and its professionals, are supportive of the levelling up of UK regions, and are working hard to unlock jobs and opportunities by supporting our high streets and communities.

“We understand the wish to bring empty property back to life, but those opening for business on high streets will need to meet the needs of the wider community. Government highlighted community led levelling up and planning in the speech, but forcing landlords in such a blunt way, may not fit with this vision.  Landlords do not want empty properties, but fit outs, planning permission, and insurance need to be considered as high streets necessarily evolve.

“We are pleased, that the Levelling Up Bill will be led by community driven planning, something we recently called for in relation to CRE*, and housing, and the bill must be used to drive ambitious changes.  However, we are disappointed that planning has been side lined – we have supported root and branch planning reforms and now look forward to seeing where government’s level of ambition for a reformed planning system is.

“We also call on Government to include financial incentives and government policies that support the renovation and upgrading of commercial assets within the levelling up actions, importantly including to hit net zero ambitions.  Well-managed commercial real estate boosts less developed areas, and promotes economic growth and social value*. Building communities, backed up by locally led commercial real estate is central to achieving levelling-up.”

 

Stephen Beechey, Group Public Sector Director at Wates Group.

 

“We welcome the Queen’s Speech today including the announcement of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which will give local leaders the power to breathe new life into high streets. As a national business working on projects for both the public and private sector, we have extensive experience in delivering regeneration projects, from building net zero schools to developing energy efficient, affordable homes. We welcome this Bill as it will enhance our ability to deliver Levelling Up across the UK and regenerate communities.

“We are also pleased to the see the Government is continuing to push forward with the Procurement Bill. As a lead contributor to the Construction Playbook, this is a positive step ensuring procurement across the public sector is aligned to the highest standards.

“While we support much of this legislative programme, we would like the Government to go further and give urgent consideration to a nationwide domestic energy efficiency programme – something that would play a significant role in addressing current concerns around energy security, energy bills and the climate crisis.”

 

Paresh Raja, CEO, Market Financial Solutions

“Will they, won’t they – that was the big question surrounding the Planning Bill ahead of today’s Queen’s Speech. It is certainly positive to hear it mentioned, with the policy seemingly dragged back out of the proverbial long grass, into which it was kicked last year. As ever, the devil will be in the detail, but stating that “the planning system will be reformed” is a start at least.

“Let’s start with the obvious fact: the UK needs more housing, and fast. To achieve this, we need to make it easier to build more new homes and, crucially, also convert disused commercial properties into residential ones. Tabling the Planning Bill is a vital first step in hopefully addressing the red tape that prevents the delivery of new homes.

“Question marks hang over the purported decision to give local leaders more power to revitalise high streets, which was hinted at. It sounds promising, but the policy could miss the mark a little. Landlords seldom want their properties to sit empty – really the question whether there is viable demand from businesses to rent shops and offices, and at a price that ensures landlords can cover their costs.

“The continued efforts to raise standards in the private rental sector and protect tenants’ right is welcomed. It will be interesting to see how this takes shape.”

Jamie Johnson, CEO, FJP Investment

“It’s encouraging that today’s Queen’s Speech has signalled a renewed effort in favour of tackling geographic inequality across the UK as part of the forthcoming levelling-up and regeneration bill.

“In the face of the current pressing economic, social and environmental challenges, now more than ever, it is crucial that housing is put at the forefront of the government’s agenda and while a root and branch shake-up of the planning system is still required, the reforms referenced today are a step in the right direction towards increasing the number of homes that this country so desperately needs.”

 

Martin Tugwell, Chief Executive of Transport for the North, has welcomed today’s Queen’s Speech, which included references to improving transport and delivering on the levelling up agenda. 

He said: “It is reassuring to hear clear mentions of the need for rail reform in today’s Queen’s Speech, something that we and our region’s political and business leaders have been calling for and contributing to. Combined with a focus on innovation and decarbonisation, and underpinned by the ongoing commitment to levelling up, this is a welcome commitment to enhancing connectivity.

“We now need greater detail on the role of Sub-national Transport Bodies within the new Transport Bill, setting out how we can offer our regional insights and expertise to help deliver a new rail regulatory framework that puts passengers first. Transport for the North is ready and waiting to be at the forefront of the Government’s plans to make levelling up a reality and create a sustainable transport network across the North of England.”

 

Press Response: 

Cara Jenkinson, Cities Manager at climate charity Ashden said:

“The government missed an opportunity today to tackle soaring energy prices that are plunging hard working families into crisis mode.

“What we needed from the government to fix this, was a commitment to launch a funded national retrofit strategy that would turn icy houses into insulated homes, and lower emissions and energy bills at the same time.

“In addition, we wanted to see a reform of the apprenticeship system so that the UK can build a skilled green workforce, ready to take up the thousands of well-paid green jobs that would stem from an ambitious nation-wide retrofit strategy. Today we needed a rallying cry,  instead we heard a whimper.”

 

Richard Smith, partner at Sandstone Law, about the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill:

“The government’s wide-ranging Planning reform White Paper was published in August 2020 and was heavily criticised.  It has since vanished into thin air. A  Levelling Up White Paper was published in February 2022 and now forms part of the legislative intentions for the 2022-23 session of Parliament in the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

A number of planning changes are proposed under the ‘levelling up’ umbrella.   Changes to Permitted Development rights are hoped to enable expansions of public infrastructure. However the long term impact on high streets and town centres is a concern.   Currently shops can stand empty for years, blighting the high street and wasting opportunities for new jobs. New legislation could force landlords to rent out commercial properties.

The government has also stated its wish to reform developer contributions by the introduction of a new Infrastructure Levy. However, there is a danger that this could become overly complex, holding back development in some locations and undermining the promise of levelling up in key places.

The paper also includes continued commitments to brownfield land restoration that should go some way to levelling the playing field between green and brownfield development.  Unless brownfield development can be made to work better for all kinds of developers, there will inevitably be more urban sprawl.  It looks like the ‘levelling up’ agenda has subsumed ideas for wider planning reform.   The new Bill should present an opportunity to create a planning system that delivers the right homes in the right places, whilst allowing nature’s recovery.”

 

Andrew Eldred, ECA Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, said:

“Today’s speech showed a commitment to delivering Net Zero along with a recognition of the vital importance of better technical education and skills.

“We hope to see this promise realised in a tranche of new funding and support for industry-endorsed training to deliver the EV charge points, solar panels, heat pumps and battery storage systems that will place the UK in pole position in the race to Net Zero carbon.”

ECA Director of Legal and Business Rob Driscoll said:

“In leading Cabinet Office’s SME Advisory Group on payment, ECA has worked hard with Government to design a post-Brexit environment allowing for simplified procurement.

“The announcement in today’s speech should lay the ground for establishing UK procurement processes which embrace and unlock the potential of SME contractors as Government seeks to build back better.”

Mike Smith, ECA Technical Director, said:

“ECA and our industry partners have fought hard (and sometimes uphill) to improve the safety of people’s homes. While the recent Building Safety Act has brought us closer to our goal, today’s announcement should help provide a more uniform approach to electrical safety in social housing, including high rise residential buildings like Grenfell Tower.

“We expect further legislation to highlight competency as a key factor in making homes safer for residents, and we will be keeping a very close eye on developments to make sure that is the case.”

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Digital Building Days

GEZE, a leading manufacturer of door and window control systems, is introducing Digital Building Days – three diverse days of expert discussions, products highlights, and exciting dialogue around the theme of liveable buildings.

The online conference takes place from 17-19 May with the whole event in English on Thursday 19th May (in German on the two previous days). It includes a full agenda that introduces Revo.PRIME – a new revolving doors that offers maximum design appeal and the new closer TS 5000 SoftClose that closes every door gently and securely.

Other subjects include BIM, fire protection and accessibility, quality assurance – how GEZE does it, and the process of manufacturing a door closer from the raw material to the packaged product.

 

For more information or to register click here.

 

Andy Howland, Sales & Marketing Director of GEZE UK, said “The Digital Building Days is a brand-new event for GEZE, with live introductions to new products, presentations and discussions. I hope it promises to be the first of many similar events. Online conferences are perfect to find out what’s new, all without leaving the office!”

More information on GEZE or its products visit the company’s website or email info.uk@geze.com.

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Challenging Times for Construction, but Housing Still Bouyant

Following the release of the latest UK Construction PMI today (6 May 2022), Brendan Sharkey, Head of Construction and Real Estate at MHA, believes the construction sector faces a challenging environment as rising costs cut into profit margins, although demand for new builds in the housing market continues unabated, despite the cost of living crisis:

 

“The UK construction sector continues to ride a wave of strong demand. However, construction work is now less profitable due to inflation and interest rate rises. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to be responsible for some staggering prices increases. We’ve seen the price of certain raw materials surge by 20% or more within a month.

“Hopefully employers and larger construction firms will be sympathetic to the struggles of smaller businesses. If they are not, we may see more than a few casualties. In the long term, the sector may experience a decline in new civil engineering, commercial and industrial projects as businesses and investors start to hold back on new orders until price stability returns and there is more economic certainty.

“Housing is a bright spot, especially outside of London. Despite the cost of living crisis, housing demand shows little signs of slowing, boosted by high levels of employment across the economy. The rising cost of living and of increasing mortgage costs will surely start to bite soon, but even then demand for new build homes should continue to be strong. Compared to second-hand properties newer builds are generally more energy efficient thereby saving running costs but also avoiding potentially expensive energy refurbishment in years to come.

“The government can do very little to support the sector at this time. It has already stimulated demand through infrastructure projects, including HS2, and work generated to meet the standards set by the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) action plan. The big question is how businesses can meet this demand while also addressing rising costs. Now would be a good time to reassess delivery models to identify potential cost-savings. Firms also need to be vigorous in negotiating and renegotiating contracts. Rampant inflation means a job that looked profitable one month will be loss-making the next.”

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