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NEWS In Brief ■ The market for offsite housing is estimated to have increased by 6% at manufacturers sales prices, according to the Offsite Housing Report by AMA Research. Alex Blagden, Senior Market Research Analyst at AMA Research and editor of the Offsite Housing Report commented: “Many factors are driving up both demand and supply, among the most important being the urgent need to increasing affordable housing supply; a chronic shortage of skilled ‘wet’ trades; an increase in offsite housing manufacturing capacity and an increase in the number of firms and proprietary off-site housing systems obtaining BOPAS (Build off-site Property Assurance Scheme) certification and or NHBC or other providers warranties.”
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New buildings to be more energy efficient
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he Government has announced that from 15th June 2022, new homes and buildings in England will have to produce around 30% lower CO2 than current standards. Emissions from other new buildings, including offices and shops, must be reduced by 27%. The announcement came through the publication of revised Building Regulations, released in December and due to come into effect in June 2022. You can read more using www.rdr.link.dab042 Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “We support the efforts to get to net zero and will do all we can to achieve it. With the energy efficiency standard of buildings going up again in 2025, we must use the next three years to ensure change
is deliverable and industry is ready.” Noting that insulation will have a ‘key’ role in reaching carbon targets, Jolyon Berg, Head of Technical at CCF, said: “Only with robust selection of the right products and correct installation, can all the benefits of insulation be realised. This obviously includes improved energy efficiency which helps to cut carbon emissions, but also includes a range of other factors.” “Failure to select and install insulation products correctly could result in greater heat loss and higher carbon emissions. Selecting the right insulation for each building application is key.” New approved documents, Part O, which covers overheating and ‘Approved Document S: infrastructure for charging electric vehicles’ have also been introduced.
Bewley Homes expands eco credentials
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ewley Homes has selected HBS New Energies as its strategic partner to deliver solar PV systems and electric vehicle charging points across its new developments. HBS is currently developing several multi-technology lowcarbon schemes in collaboration with Bewley Homes, the first of which is Clockbarn Gardens, where its specialist team recently installed roof-integrated solar PV systems alongside EV charging points. The development, situated in the village of Send in Surrey, is a collection of 75 two, three and four-bedroom homes. Simon Taphouse, Commercial Director at Bewley Homes said: “We are enjoying a close working relationship with HBS to provide all of our solar PV and EV charge points, taking advantage of the company’s expert technical advice and support.”
Simon Taphouse, Commercial Director at Bewley Homes with Nicola Derby, Business Development Manager, HBS
New Homes Quality Code published
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he New Homes Quality Board has published its New Homes Quality Code – the new code of practice for the house building industry that aims to drive up the quality of new build homes and strengthen protections for customers. The new code aims to fill the gaps in current protections and ensure that every aspect of a new home purchase, from when a customer walks into a sales
6 January/February Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer
office, through to two years after the purchase of the home is covered. Natalie Elphicke, OBE, Chairman of the NHQB said: “This powerful new code is a central plank in our work to drive up the quality of new build homes and strengthen redress for consumers. “It fills the gaps in existing protections and puts considerably more requirements on builders in terms of how they deal with their customers and any issues that they
have with their new home. “Over the coming months we will work closely with industry to support and help them make the transition to the new arrangements.” Previously the New Homes Quality Board announced that The Dispute Service has been selected to be the New Homes Ombudsman. Read more at www.rdr.link/dab001
