04.17
A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE
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Figures based on 3 bed detached house of 104m2, with a Home combi 30 installed and are for information only, other calculations may vary. 04.17 CONTENTS 17 22 COMMENT CASE STUDY INSULATION’S ROLE IN OFFSITE AFFORDABLE, MODULAR, CONSTRUCTION FAST & NHOUSE BRUFMA’s Simon Storer on how offsite The potential of the nHouse prototype to build construction can help mitigate the housing crisis. spacious, flexible homes in three days.
FEATURES: ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: 25 51 ACCESSIBILITY SMOKE & FIRE PROTECTION 04-10 INCORPORATING ACCESSIBILITY MAKING FIRES WORK As the population ages and the number of While being popular among homeowners, INDUSTRY NEWS people living with disabilities increases, it is fireplaces are still not a top choice in new builds. crucial that developers incorporate accessibility Stovax’s Tim Pockett examines the options. 07 into properties now, says Stuart Reynolds of AKW. EVENTS & AWARDS 57 36 UNDERFLOOR HEATING 13 BRICKS, BLOCKS & CEMENT HOT KNOWLEDGE INDUSTRY MOVERS COLOUR IT IN Toby Howard-Willis of JG Speedfit explores some Opting for coloured mortar can give of the key considerations surrounding smart housebuilders an edge and create buildings heating controls and how they vary between that stand out from the crowd. Iain Betts of retrofit and new build projects. 14 Tarmac explains how. HOUSEBUILDER NEWS 15-18 43 COMMENT GROUND REINFORCEMENT SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE SAVINGS The trade body Interpave explains how concrete 20 block permeable paving helps meet the latest NEW DEVELOPMENTS regulatory requirements for sustainable drainage while cutting costs and avoiding land-take. 22-23 CASE STUDY PRODUCTS: Appointments & News...... 24 Insulation ...... 45 Bathrooms & Wetrooms...... 32-35 Heating & Renewable Energy...... 46 Building Products & Services ...... 38 Landscaping & External Works...... 46 Bricks, Blocks & Concrete...... 37-38 Plants, Tools & Equipment...... 48 Building Products & Services...... 39 Rainwater & Greywater ...... 48 Cladding & Facades...... 38 Roofing ...... 49-50 Doors, Windows & Conservatories...... 39-41 Smoke & Fire Protection ...... 50-53 47 Finance & Insurance...... 41-42 Timber & Joinery ...... 54-55 NATURAL STONE SHOW Floors & Floor Coverings...... 42 Stairs, Balustrades & Balconies...... 53 Groun d Reinforcement...... 42-44 Underfloor Heating...... 55-57 PREVIEW Groundworks & Sewage...... 44 Classified & Directory ...... 58-59
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK 4 INDUSTRY NEWS
Publisher Lesley Mayo
Managing Editor James Parker
Assistant Editor FROM THE Jack Wooler Editorial Assistant Roseanne Field
Senior Sales Executive EDITOR Sheehan Moir-Edmonds Sales Executives James Parker Suzanne Easter [email protected] Kim Friend It seems fairly fanciful to expect construction, of all industries, to quickly Production Assistants redress its gender imbalance on numbers but also wages. The problem Rob Duncan Mikey Pooley cuts across many sectors but construction is one of the worst, with women Shelley Collyer making up only 11 per cent of all staff, and a startling 1 per cent on site. Designer Also, I fail to understand how anyone can justify recent ONS stats of Gabrielle Vinyard
female supervisors being paid 43 per cent less than male counterparts. Circulation/Reader Enquiry Service Jane Spice Clearly, some concerted interventions are needed to fix this. With the Managing Director skills crisis looming ever larger in coming years post-Brexit, the need to Simon Reed encourage committed and talented women to enter what can be a very rewarding as well as challenging profession is only going to be more crucial in future. So it might not be a case of doing the right thing, more Cointronic House, of a case of it being absolutely core to business to ensure women take a Station Road, bigger role in the industry. Heathfield, East Sussex TN21 8DF
Advertising & Arguably, the industry does need to be careful to ensure that any administration Tel: 01435 863500 previous macho behaviour, on site but also in the office, is stamped out, [email protected] and things like wolf-whistling are consigned to the past. The many www.hbdonline.co.uk examples of positive work raising awareness of the gender issues around Editorial features Tel: 01435 863500 the recent International Women’s Day are not the same as a root-and- [email protected] branch re-look at appropriate ways of working however. Perhaps a bigger Press releases emphasis being put on respect is not too much to ask, and doesn’t need [email protected] to be dismissed as ‘PC gone mad’. The manufacturer of the paper used within our publi- cation is a Chain-of-Custody By the same token, organisations need to guard against being patronising certified supplier operating and in fact, tokenistic as they seek to recruit more women. It’s not about within environmental systems ON THE certified to both ISO 14001 saying women can do anything men can do in construction, it’s more and EMAS in order to ensure sustainable production. about acknowledging that in the current skills crisis, if a candidate has COVER Subscription costs just £48 for the ability, enthusiasm and/or expertise, gender should never be an issue. 12 issues, including post and packing. Phone 01435 863500
# " % " " for details. Individual copies of & ! ! # ! % !! ! ! ! ! % the publication are available at "! ! $! "! ' ! # !"% James Parker £5 each inc p & p. 04.17 All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced or trans- mitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechani- cal, including photocopying, recording or stored in any in- PICTURE formation retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the pub- OF THE lisher. Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in Housebuilder & MONTH Developer, the publisher can accept no responsibility for the claims or opinions made by contributors, manufactur- 12 students from St ers or advertisers. Editorial A GLIMPSE OF THE FUTURE Anne’s Catholic High contributors to this journal may have made a payment to- School for Girls in wards the reproduction costs of material used to illustrate Enfield visited a th eir products. Lovells site recently © Futurehome Printed in England Lendlease to learn from women go to page 20 in construction. More on page 9
WWW. HBDONLINE.CO.UK INDUSTRY NEWS 5 Industry group formed to 8 per cent of address supply issues construction workforce at A pan-industry group of housing profes- the next decade.” sionals is calling on the Government to take Shelagh Grant, chief executive of The bolder steps to secure increased housing Housing Forum, added: “If the housing risk post-Brexit supply over the longer-term. supply is truly to be turned on to full, then The Housing Forum believes that still more needs to be done to overcome The UK construction industry could lose politics should be taken out of housing, the challenges that exist in the market and almost 200,000 EU workers post-Brexit if suggesting that all planning applications create a benign and sustainable environ- Britain’s access to the single market is with fewer than 250 homes should be ment for housebuilding.” compromised, putting some of the determined by the officers, not the elected Speaking of the “radical departures” the country’s biggest infrastructure and officials. It also supported greater forum’s solutions will produce, Shelagh construction projects under threat, accord- cross-party political and industry consensus believes “we have been tinkering at the ing to the Royal Institution of Chartered going forward. edges for too long.” Surveyors (RICS). Its report, ‘Future proofing housing “We need to lift housing output to levels RICS has cautioned that for Brexit to supply’ offers 10 solutions which it says not seen since the 1970s,” she commented; succeed, it is essential to secure continued would help the Government reach the “that needs bold actions and brave access to the EU single market or to put targeted 250,000 homes a year. The 10 decisions.” alternative plans in place to safeguard the solutions range from strengthening leader- future of the property and construction ship and financial mechanisms in local sectors in the UK. authorities, to doing more to boost capacity Latest RICS figures have shown that 8 in the sector and direct commissioning and per cent of the UK’s construction workers investment. are EU nationals, accounting for some Stephen Teagle, chief executive at 176,500 people. 30 per cent of the Galliford Try and deputy chairman of the construction professionals surveyed Housing Forum, said the Government’s revealed that hiring non-UK workers focus on supply through a broad range of was important to the success of their measures is “welcome” and will “contribute businesses. to lifting the supply of homes we need.” The UK is already in the midst of a “This report takes that ambition a stage construction skills crisis. While some further,” he continued, “calling for renewed overseas professionals such as ballet leadership at a local level, greater invest- dancers are regarded as critical by the UK ment and a strengthened platform for government, and are therefore prioritised collaboration to future-proof delivery over during the visa application process, construction professions have not yet been added to the ‘UK Shortage THE HOUSING FORUM’S 10 SOLUTIONS TO BOOST HOUSING SUPPLY Occupations List’. RICS is warning that this could already 1. Housing should be depoliticised. Take modernisation of housebuilding skills be placing the UK’s predicted £500bn infra- party politics out of housing strategy and technology to address the looming structure pipeline under threat, and must and delivery by creating cross-party skills crisis be addressed as a priority. housing groups and removing elected 6. Local authorities should be encouraged RICS head of UK policy, Jeremy members from decision making on to sell land by judging potential buyers Blackburn says that while it is in all our some planning applications against ‘best value’ factors including the interests to make a success of Brexit, “a loss 2. Government to appoint a Housing speed of delivery of new homes of access to the single market has the Minister to the Cabinet and directly 7. Central and local Government to revise potential to bring the UK’s £500bn infra- commission new homes on public the planning system so it favours structure pipeline to a standstill.” sector land increased supply including PRS / Build Jeremy explained: “that means that 3. All local authorities must become more to Rent and encourages the allocation unless access to the single market is pro-active leaders of housing supply. of sites of different sizes so as to attract sec ured, or alternative plans are put in The housing sector needs all local interest from a range of builders place, we won’t be able to create the infra- members and council officers to 8. Government to agree a long-term, structure needed to enable our cities to capitalise on this position and drive large-scale capital investment plan for compete on a global stage.” housing supply housing for the next 10 years He suggested that a “simple first step” 4. Create a single voice for the housing 9. Give local authorities the financial could be to “ensure that construction industry. A single message delivered by mechanisms to directly commission professions such as quantity surveyors a new housing industry body would new housing and greater freedom for feature on the Shortage Occupations List.” enable clear, powerful and effective risk sharing with the private sector “Ballet dancers won’t improve our infra- communication with Government 10. Create a centre of excellence for structure or solve the housing crisis,” he 5. Government and industry to implement procurement expertise for use across quipped, “yet their skills are currently the Farmer Review’s call for the sector viewed as essential, whereas construction professionals are not.”
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK 6 INDUSTRY NEWS £45m HCA loan for major Cambridgeshire scheme
A £45m loan from the Homes and secondary school and three new primary Communities Agency has been announced schools, of which the first opened last year. to give a major boost to a site near This is alongside hundreds of acres of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, which will green space. provide over 4,500 new homes to the area. Housing and Planning Minister, Gavin The investment from the Home Building Barwell lauded the £3bn Home Building Fund will help developers Urban&Civic Fund for “unlocking large housing sites accelerate the delivery of the site by like Alconbury Weald.” funding the provision of vital infrastructure He said: “Having visited the develop- across the 1400 acre former airfield at ment last year, I understand that it will Alconbury Weald. not only provide much-needed homes, Announcing the deal at international but also space for new businesses, as wells property conference MIPIM, HCA chief as schools and community facilities.” executive Nick Walkley said: “Alconbury Chief executive of Urban&Civic, Nigel Weald is a major development of recog- Hugill also commented on the news: “The nised quality, and we will work closely with HCA and Urban&Civic are fully aligned Urban&Civic to accelerate the new housing from our experience of large sites to our and community facilities that this site can ambition to accelerate the delivery of deliver.” housing from them. Alongside thousands of new homes, the Hugill added: “At the Alconbury Weald former airfield near Huntingdon in development we have brought forward Cambridgeshire will provide up to 300,000 infrastructure spend as a direct conse- m2 of floorspace for new businesses within quence of the HCA’s involvement and look the GCGP LEP’s Enterprise Zone and a forward to working in partnership with range of community facilities, including a Nick and his team.”
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WWW. HBDONLINE.CO.UK INDUSTRY NEWS 7 Tower Hamlets CMA to Events Mayor: “The review NHBC & awards rest of London undertakings The Competition and Market Authority 2017 (CMA) is to review long-standing undertak- needs to pull ings relating to the National House Materials Building Council (NHBC) on whether its 25 – 26 April, London its weight” rules restricted competition. www.materials2017.co.uk The undertakings were given in 1995, following an investigation by the UK Housing Awards 26 April, London Almost 400 residents attended two Ask the Monopolies and Mergers Commission ukha.secure-platform.com Mayor events about planning and develop- (MMC), which found that some NHBC ment on the Isle of Dogs and South Poplar rules restricted competition from other RESI Awards between February and March, at which the warranty schemes, following which NHBC Tower Hamlets Mayor implored the City of amended its rules to remove restrictions. 10 May, London London to “pull its weight.” NHBC has now requested that the CMA www.resiawards.com The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, John review the undertakings. It has argued that Biggs, organised the events to ensure there is now more competition from other CIH South West Conference residents could tell representatives from providers and that housebuilders purchas- 10 – 11 May, Bristol the Greater London Authority (GLA), the ing new homes and structural warranties www.cih.org/events Cou ncil’s planning team and the have greater choice than before. The Neighbourhood Forum, about their views company also said that changes to regula- Social Housing Finance Conference of growth and development in those areas, tion and consumer protection have 11 May, London as the organisations develop housing and removed the need for it to approve other www.socialhousing.co.uk/events commercial plans. home warranty schemes used by the Mayor Biggs supported the views of NHBC’s registered builders, which it is FIT Show residents and called for the Mayor of currently required to do. 23 – 25 May, Birmingham London, Sadiq Khan, to listen to residents’ www.fitshow.co.uk views about development in their neigh- bourhoods. He said: “With the scale of Housing Excellence Awards development that is happening in the Isle 25 May, Manchester of Dogs, we must do all we can to ensure Crest told to awards.housingex cellence.co.uk that new infrastructure supports our exist- ing and new communities.” Plantworx “That means,” he continued, “that pay £1.3m tax 6 – 8 June, Leicestershire developments should support accessible www.plantworx.co.uk green space, prioritise genuinely A tax tribunal has ruled against a Stamp affordable housing that meets local needs, Duty Land Tax (SDLT) avoidance scheme CIH Housing and deliver infrastructure like schools and used by Crest Nicholson, meaning it will 27 – 29 June, Manchester GP surgeries.” have to pay the £1.3m in owed taxes. www.cihhousing.com The Mayor commented that there are HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) “clearly concerns” about the scale of the challenged the artificial and complex Housing Design Awards housing planned for the area, saying the arrangements made by the FTSE 250 10 July, London City of London “needs to understand that listed company to avoid paying SDLT on www.hdawards.org the island can only take so much growth, three purchases of development land near and the rest of London needs to do more to Rochester in Kent, for a total of £32m. Nati