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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.”
New buildings to be more energy efficient
The 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
Bewley 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
The 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 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
NHBC Standards announced
NHBC has launched the 2022 edition of its technical Standards. The new Standards will be effective for every new home covered by an NHBC warranty, where foundations are begun on or after 1st January 2022.
Updates to the new version include Chapter 3.1 ‘Concrete and its reinforcement’ reflecting industry guidance on concrete mix proportions by volume, minimum specifications for general purpose concrete mixes and aggressive chemical environment for concrete, as well as a site and design guide for concrete elements in the ground.
There are also updates to Chapters 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 ‘Walls - external masonry, timber frame and internal’ to reflect requirement changes and a minor technical amend to 9.2 and 9.3 – ‘Floor, ceiling and wall finishes’.
NHBC’s Standards and Policy Manager Mark Russell said: “We hope that the industry will find our new Standards a useful reference point as we all strive to deliver safe, high-quality new homes for the generations of people that will live in them.”
For more details please use www.rdr.link/dab002
In Brief
■ Manufacturer of clay bricks and concrete products, Ibstock plc, has announced new carbon reduction commitments – including a target for the business to be net zero by 2040. Having substantially achieved their existing goal of a 15% reduction in CO2 per tonne of production, the Group has established new targets to achieve a 40% reduction by 2030, and a commitment to become net carbon zero by 2040.
■ Ventilation manufacturer Vent-Axia has welcomed the publication of new Approved Document Part F of the Building Regulations, as a “vital step to improve indoor air quality.” Richard Paine Product and Marketing Director at VentAxia said: “We welcome the new Part F of the Building Regulations. The new Part F has started to redress the balance of ventilation with energy efficiency since the pandemic has clearly shown the importance of good indoor air quality to health and wellbeing.”
■ Almost half (45%) of tradespeople say that they’ve been seriously injured in an accident at work during their career, according to new research from Direct Line business insurance. The survey also revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of tradespeople often worry about the possibility of sustaining an injury due to a workplace accident.
IMA launches flat roof insulation guide
The Insulation Manufacturers Association (IMA) has launched a guide to the use of PIR insulation in flat roofs in England. The new guide offers advice on the key aspects affecting the specification of PIR insulation for flat roof applications.
The document provides guidance on how to meet the latest requirements of Approved Document B (ADB) of the Building Regulations 2010 for England in relation to PIR insulation in flat roofing applications.
“This detailed publication brings clarity in respect of how and where PIR insulation can be used following the changes in building regulations with respect to flat roofing,” commented Simon Storer, Chief Executive of IMA.
To download the guide on the use of PIR in flat roofs in England, please use www.rdr.link/dab003
The New Homes Outlook Report, recently released by Zoopla, indicates that demand for new homes outside London remains above the five-year average. The North West, Yorkshire and the North East have seen strong new home buyer demand at more than 30% above the five-year average as the relative affordability of these markets prices in buyers and fuels demand.
In London, new homes buyer demand remains around 25% below the five-year average.
The report also indicates that delivery of new homes in 2022 will be in line with 2019. Zoopla estimates that completions for the year will be 170,000 homes in England.
Further insights from the report can be found on Zoopla’s new Housebuilder Hub which contains a wide range of the company’s latest research reports.
Commenting on the launch of the report and the hub, Alex Rose, Director of New Homes at Zoopla said: “We’re excited to unveil our Housebuilder Hub, which will provide regular insights to housebuilders on what’s happening in the market. As we head into 2022, strong house price growth coupled with robust buyer demand looks set to provide a sturdy platform for housebuilders.”
Ceebeestock/AdobeStock
To visit the Housebuilder Hub please use www.rdr.link/dab004
The Donaldson Group, has acquired timber frame manufacturer, Stewart Milne Timber Systems (SMTS). The move marks the Donaldson Group’s entry into the timber frame market.
Established in 1975 as the timber frame arm of the Stewart Milne Group, Aberdeen-based SMTS operates from three manufacturing plants in Aberdeen, Witney and a new facility in Falkirk.
All staff and operations will continue unchanged. Alex Goodfellow (Stewart Milne Group Managing Director –Strategic Development) will transfer with the business into the role of CEO, Donaldson Off-site Manufacturing and join Rod Allan (SMTS Managing Director) and the current Board of Directors in continuing to drive the business.
Announcing the acquisition, Andrew Donaldson, CEO of the Donaldson Group, said: “We’re delighted and proud to have successfully acquired this terrific timber frame business. This deal secures the future for a leading UKbased business; enabling the growth plans for it to reach its full potential, while providing reliability and stability for its existing and new customers.”
AG scoops 3 construction awards
Tyrone-based paving and building supplies company AG has won three major industry awards in quick succession across the UK and Ireland.
The first accolade was winning the Property and Construction Family Business of the Year category at the Energia Family Business Awards. The Energia Awards showcase the commercial success of Irish family companies.
The second award was from The MPA and British Precast for Safer Management of Pedestrian and Transport on its sites. AG also received a Distinction Award at the NISO (National Irish Safety Organisation) and NISG (Northern Ireland Safety Group) Safety Awards for 2021.
Stephen Acheson, CEO at AG, said, “We are extremely proud to receive these three prestigious awards in such quick succession. With everything that has happened since the first lockdown, it is truly amazing to be able to share these awards with everyone at AG.”
Established 60 years ago, AG is a 3rd generation family-owned business which now employs more than 230 people at eight locations across the UK and Ireland.
Redrow joins Deposit Unlock scheme
Redrow has signed up to the Deposit Unlock initiative created in partnership with reinsurance broker Gallagher Re, mortgage lenders and fellow members of the Home Builders Federation.
The scheme will be available to both first-time buyers and second steppers, allowing them to purchase a new-build property priced up to £750,000 with just a 5% deposit.
After an initial pilot, the scheme is now being rolled out across the country, with Nationwide and Newcastle Building Society the first major lenders to sign up to the initiative.
James Holmear, Group Sales Director for Redrow, said: “This new scheme provides potential buyers with competitively priced mortgage products that make the dream of buying a new home more affordable and, as the name suggests, unlocks a significant part of the market.”
