Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer September 2020

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PROFESSIONAL

HOUSEBUILDER &PROPERTY DEVELOPER SEPTEMBER SUMMER 2020

WWW.PHPDONLINE.CO.UK

LOW CARBON BUILDING Is the construction industry facing up to the need for low energy homes?

DRAINAGE & GROUNDWORKS

HEATING & SUSTAINABILITY

Covering everything below and up to ground level

Building warm and comfortable homes that don’t harm the planet

BUILDING FABRIC The latest in building materials and methods

EXPERT UPDATE: WILL CHANGES TO PLANNING LAWS DELIVER ON THE GOVERNMENT’S AIMS?

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contents PHPD SEPTEMBER 2020 VOLUME 14 NUMBER 7

This issue Regulars 5 First Word 6 News 7 BMBI Monthly Update 9 Developments 35 Last Word Cover story

Turn to page 9 to find out more about the latest development from Pye Homes

GROUNDWORKS & DRAINAGE 10 Just the Cure Could concrete be the answer to your next residential paving project?

Tarmac’s Paul Lees discusses.

12 The Grass Approach Grass Concrete outlines its 50 year history within an ever more green construction industry.

14 Clearing the Air Wacker Neuson are at the forefront of environmentally friendly excavators.

EXPERT UPDATES 15 Insurance What are the implications of converting a commercial building into a residential building?

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50 years of alternative paving

HEATING & SUSTAINABILITY 22 Coming Together PHPD talks to Elmhurst Energy’s Stuart Fairlie 24 Supply and Demand Heatrae Sadia discusses the benefits of installing heating cylinders.

26 Chain of Command Providing water to heat high-rise buildings presents certain challenges. RWC explains how all-in-one valves can help.

28 Tighten Up PHPD attends an ISO-Chemie CPD to learn more about the importance of airtightness when heating new homes.

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Creating airtight homes

BUILDING FABRIC 31 Keeping a Low Profile?

Stormking expounds on the advantages and challenges of flat roofing.

32 Timesaving Solution Could you increase productivity with Fassa Bortolo?

34 Product Focus PHPD takes a look at Sapphire’s Glide On balcony system in action.

All about flat roofing

16 Planning Will the recent Planning for the Future White Paper get the country building again?

20 Mortgages What effect will recent policy changes and events have on mortgages?

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first word

Editor Kieran Nee phpd@hamerville.co.uk Group Advertisement Manager Craig Jowsey 07900 248102 craig@hamerville.co.uk Advertisement Manager Samuel Shannon-Tinsley 01923 237799 stinsley@hamerville.co.uk Northern Area Sales Ian Duff 07810 353 525 probuilder@sky.com Digital Group Manager Stuart Duff Digital Assistant David Molloy Design Adeel Qadri Group Production Manager Carol Padgett Production Assistant Kerri Smith Managing Editor Terry Smith Circulation Manager Kirstie Day Publisher Bryan Shannon Printer Wyndeham Group Published by: Hamerville Media Group Regal House, Regal Way, Watford, Herts, WD24 4YF. Tel: 01923 237799 Email: phpd@hamerville.co.uk Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer is a business magazine for firms and individuals involved in all aspects of the building industry. The publishers and editor do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by contributors, nor do they accept responsibility for any errors of translation in the subject matter in this publication. © 2020

Subscriptions to Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer are available at the following rates: UK: 1 year — £30 post paid Europe and Overseas: 1 year — £50 post paid Airmail: 1 year — £65 post paid To be removed from this magazine’s circulation please call 01923 237799 or email circulation@hamerville.co.uk

Beginning of the end?

No one could dispute that the introduction in March of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), better known as the furlough scheme, provided a lifeline for small businesses in the UK. With as much as 25% of the UK’s workforce having been placed on the scheme, and 40% of the construction workforce, it’s clear that many businesses across the spectrum would have collapsed without it. It will no doubt still be challenging for many small businesses at the end of this month, when the scheme is due to end.

The onset of coronavirus was unforeseen, sudden and dramatic. It required urgent and drastic measures to be put in place and few would claim that the Government’s furlough scheme was a mistake. By its very nature, the scheme suffered from a lack of planning and forethought, lacking the usual robust measures that are put in place to ensure the scheme works exactly as it was intended. Inevitably, in construction as in other businesses, there have been a certain amount of fraudulent claims.

From the outset, the Government was clear that this was a scheme intended for those who could not work. It was a safety net for businesses which, due to the social distancing necessitated by the virus, could not feasibly function. Any employees who could still work and did still work were not eligible for the scheme. However, there is much anecdotal evidence to suggest that many construction firms took advantage of the scheme whilst still asking employees to come to site. To make matters more confusing, many in the industry are self-employed and were put on a separate scheme.

Working primarily outdoors has provided the construction industry with the perfect opportunity to keep workers busy during the summer months even while collecting furlough money. Anecdotal evidence suggests that up to one third of construction employees on the scheme may have been asked to work illegally. Those being generous may argue that confusion surrounding the scheme led to many mistakenly breaking the law – others, surely, will be more inclined to suspect foul play.

Whatever the reason, it remains to be seen what the repercussions will be. HMRC has announced that it is on the hunt for those it suspects of having abused the scheme, and the construction industry is firmly in its sights. This may seem unfair, targeting builders over other sectors due to a perceived “roguishness”, but no doubt the Government would argue the unique conditions of the industry – a vast workforce largely in a grey area between employed and self-employed, with many agency and temporary workers – leaves it open to abuse in ways that other industries aren’t.

Depending on the extent of the fraud uncovered, the investigation could help bring on a firmer swing away from the practice of employees masquerading as selfemployed, freelance workers and towards a firmer, more uniform mode of employment with the attendant rules on responsibilities, rights and taxation that companies in other areas of the economy must respect.

SME developers and housebuilders are at the heart of communities across the country, and that will only become more apparent with the greater emphasis being placed on town centre residential redevelopment. Regardless of how other elements of the construction industry behave, it is vital that these companies maintain the trust and good will of the public and that includes respecting the furlough scheme.

There is currently a 90-day amnesty in place for firms to repay furlough money claimed in error without threat of sanction or penalty

For more information from PHPD visit www.phpdonline.co.uk @phpdonline

Total Average Net Distribution 13,310 1 July 2019 – 30 June 2020

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news UK in recession The UK economy shrank by 20.4% within the first three months of the year, meaning that the UK now has entered into a recession. Paul Howells, CEO of Accumulate Capital offers his perspective.

“The recession will pose challenges, but there is good reason to be hopeful.

For one, even though there have been two quarters of economic downturn, the past two months has actually seen the UK economy return to growth. What’s more, the Government has been actively supporting the interests of businesses, consumers and investors, and this should hopefully provide the necessary safeguards to overcome the immediate financial implications of the recession. When it comes to property, this includes the mortgage payment and stamp duty holidays.” www.rdr.link/dr001

E-mail your news & views to phpd@hamerville.co.uk or tweet us at @phpdonline

Government investment in housebuilding he Government has announced a £1.3 billion investment to deliver homes, infrastructure and jobs.

Tens of thousands of new homes and other vital infrastructure projects have been given the green light with nearly £1.3 billion of investment confirmed recently by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick. The move is part of the government’s comprehensive plan to deliver upgrades to local infrastructure and boost skills to help fuel a green economic recovery.

Over 300 successful projects in England are being told they will receive a share of the £900 million Getting Building Fund, which was announced by the Prime Minister in June, to invest in shovel-ready housing and infrastructure projects, creating jobs and supporting economic

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Good design brings price premium ondon results chime with recent Government proposals for more design-led planning laws.

Well-designed new homes in London command an 11 per cent price premium, according to a new study by Dataloft and HomeViews. The results chime with the Government’s recent proposals to redefine planning laws to be more

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design-led.

Dataloft took design ratings from the 15 London developments rated highest for design by owners on HomeViews (the review site for residential developments in the UK). The achieved price per square foot was calculated for those 15 new build schemes. www.rdr.link/dr003

Housebuilder partners with Wildlife Trusts edrow launches new nature-friendly biodiversity strategy in partnership with The Wildlife Trusts The strategy launch comes at a time when the links between nature and individual wellbeing are becoming increasingly widely recognised, with new research from the Mental Health

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credit WireStock

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Foundation showing that nearly half of UK adults surveyed who felt stress due to Covid-19 said that being able to visit green spaces helped them cope.

Nicola Johansen, Group Sustainability Manager at Redrow, comments: “More and more evidence is emerging of the benefits of nature to well-being, particularly in light of the current global pandemic.

Throughout lockdown, people have taken solace in the natural environment and we’ve seen first-hand how the pandemic inspired residents across our communities to better connect with nature in their local neighbourhoods and the positive impact it has had on their wellbeing.” www.rdr.link/dr004

credit: AdobeStock/Ink Stop

recovery across the country.

The investment is expected to deliver up to 45,000 homes, create up to 85,000 jobs and reduce around 65 million kgs of CO2 emissions across England.

Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: “As we get Britain building we are also laying the foundations for a green economic recovery by investing in vital infrastructure for local communities, creating jobs and building environmentally-friendly homes with a huge £1.3 billion investment.” www.rdr.link/dr002

Delays to planning lanning reforms could slow housebuilding in England if not adequately resourced, warns RTPI. The Royal Town Planning Institute has called for cast-iron guarantees from government that its radical proposals to overhaul the planning system in England will deliver affordable homes, meet net-zero carbon targets and address societal inequalities.

Responding to Planning for the Future, a White Paper published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), today, chief executive of the RTPI, Victoria Hills, also warned that without serious resourcing the reforms could slow down house building in England.

Ms Hills also cautioned that introducing reforms at a time when the country is grappling with the effects of a global pandemic could lead to greater uncertainty, delay development and put the recovery at risk. www.rdr.link/dr005

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BMBI

May Bounce Back The latest figures from the Builders Merchant Building Index reveal a sharp rise in sales in May. Total Builders Merchants value sales to builders, developers and contractors in May were down -39.9% compared with May 2019, reflecting the cautious reopening of merchant branches with many still operating a restricted service. However, the overall trading figures are a significant improvement on April 2020 sales (-76.3%).

All categories sold less, with Tools (-66.1%) and Kitchens & Bathrooms (-62.7%) hit hardest by the pandemic lockdown. Heavy Building Materials, the largest product category, was down -39.0% year-onyear but showed a substantial month-onmonth improvement on April 2020 (+157.6%).

The biggest winner in May was Landscaping, with sales of this seasonal category down just 12.5% on May 2019. This is a remarkable recovery from April 2020, when sales were down a massive -74.4% on April 2019.

Month-on-month With April sales at unprecedented levels, May’s partial recovery resulted in some highly unusual

month-on-month growth figures. Total merchant value sales were 171.3% above April 2020, with one less trading day this month.

Index May’s BMBI index was 78.7. With the exception of seasonal category Landscaping (152.5), all categories were well down.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? The BMBI report is produced and managed by MRA Marketing. The full report is on www.bmbi.co.uk

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E-mail your latest developments to phpd@hamerville.co.uk

Newland Homes submits plans to build Zero Carbon homes in Hempsted, Gloucester.

Newland Homes has submitted a planning application to build three Carbon Zero Homes in the village of Hempsted, adjacent to their successful developments of the architect-designed homes of Newark Barns and the popular Newark Meadows.

The homes, which will be off Hempsted Lane, will be amongst the first in the county to hold such a rating and the site has been carefully planned so that the homes are positioned in a way which, together with high levels of insulation, makes the best use of solar energy and photovoltaic panels. Green roofs, highly efficient non fossil fuel heating systems and ventilation all contribute to these homes achieving a zero carbon standard. www.rdr.link/dr006

GLOUCESTER… Contract awarded for offsite construction of urgently needed housing.

Buckinghamshire Council has awarded a £7.5m contract to Premier Modular for the offsite construction of 58 apartments to provide facilities for homeless people and their families in urgent need of housing. The one-bedroom apartments will be fully fitted out offsite at Premier’s factory in East Yorkshire and will arrive on site late autumn, complete with shower rooms and kitchens pre-installed. www.rdr.link/dr008

HIGH WYCOMBE…

DEVELOPMENTS

England’s smallest city Wells in Somerset, is now home to a collection of properties at Crest Nicholson’s Vicarage Fields development.

Crest Nicholson’s Vicarage Fields is just a ten minute walk from the centre of Wells, combining ease of living with the advantage of lying on the edge of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Comprising 150 three and four bedroom homes, the development has been designed with the surrounding architecture and setting in mind, offering countryside views and a community feel.

With a separate lounge and a sociable kitchen/dining room, there is plenty of room to entertain, whilst the large bedrooms upstairs are ideal for relaxing, and offer the opportunity to use one as a home office. www.rdr.link/dr007

SOMERSET…

Avant Homes has exchanged contracts on the purchase of land to build a community of seaside homes, as part of Sunderland City Council’s Seafront Regeneration Strategy.

Located off Lowry Road, near the Seaburn seafront, the 8.19-acre development will feature 82 design-led homes, comprising a selection of Avant Homes’ two, three and four-bedroom house-types. Avant Homes’ Jennifer Tupman said: “Lowry Park will deliver high quality new build homes in a desirable seaside location and make a significant contribution to Sunderland City Council’s extensive regeneration plans for this coastal suburb. We are hugely excited to be part of this project and to bring our very latest range of homes to homebuyers in the city.”

It is anticipated that the first homes will be on sale later this year with the first residents expected to take occupation in 2021. The overall build is expected to take three years and will create approximately 90 sales and construction jobs. www.rdr.link/dr009

SUNDERLAND…

Pye Homes has unveiled a brand-new collection of properties for sale at its Hanborough Gate development near Witney, Oxfordshire.

The latest phase of housing, which officially went on sale earlier this month, will be the last to benefit from this year’s stamp duty holiday.

Since re-opening, Hanborough Gate has reported a huge increase in enquiries, double their pre-lockdown figures.

“Hanborough Gate provides the perfect combination of countryside, community and connectivity with easy access to both Oxford and London,” said Pye Homes’s MD Graham Flint, adding “the temporary reduction in stamp duty as well as the appeal of rural properties with good access and transport links is resulting in a significant spike in interest.”

As part of its latest phase, Pye Homes is also offering house buyers the chance to have an interior designer create a bespoke office, study, or dedicated workspace within their new home. www.rdr.link/dr010

OXFORDSHIRE…

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Groundworks & Drainage Paul Lees at Tarmac, explores five reasons why concrete might be the ideal material your next residential development’s paving areas.

Just the Cure C

oncrete has seen an influx of use across the garden in recent years. Thanks to its versatility, style and cost efficiency, it’s an obvious choice for hardscape elements in landscaping projects. Here, Tarmac’s Paul Lees lists five reasons why it could be the right material for you.

Cost An important consideration for any project is, of course, ensuring the right product is selected for the right task. Concrete is a man-made material which, when it comes to paving, makes it cheaper than other natural alternatives such as clay, granite or sandstone. Likewise, these materials can also involve costly maintenance which will affect the homeowner in the medium to long term. Concrete is therefore an increasingly popular choice for housebuilders looking to maximise their profits without compromising on the all-important design.

Flexibility Concrete paving has become the very epitome of design flexibility in recent years. It’s now manufactured in a range of different colours and, likewise, slabs are also produced in a wide variety of

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different textures, offering housebuilders endless options to choose from when designing an attractive, budget friendly outdoor space.

An increasingly popular choice for patio areas is polished concrete, which involves using progressively finer grinding tools until the desired texture is reached. For these high traffic areas, it’s best to use a highstrength concrete such as Blue Circle High Strength Concrete 40N and make sure that the area is only polished up to three times to maintain a safe slip rating.

Versatility Concrete has proven a versatile choice for an array of applications, both residential and commercial and can be mixed to a variety of different strengths, making it suitable for both smaller and larger projects. Interlocking concrete pavers are a sensible and aesthetically attractive choice for all outdoor surfaces including for driveways, car parks, paths, pavements, patios, streets and more. Its textured surface also means that it leaves the end user with a non-slip surface whether wet or dry.

As the trend for extending the living space to the outdoors continues, people are also exploring more inventive ways to

use concrete in landscaping designs. For example, installing concrete furniture such as a table or worktop is a sure-fire way to infuse a stylish and alternative aesthetic into a garden area. It needn’t feel cold or too industrial, either, as concrete can complement all manner of styles and can be enhanced by complementing it with other textures.

For furniture such as concrete tables which are generally long, slender, thin

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A huge benefit of using concrete for outdoor paving is that, once installed, it is easily maintained, only requiring occasional sweeping and rinsing to maintain the appearance. beams, it’s critical to use a product with appropriate characteristics including aggregate grading, workability and strength such as Tarmac Blue Circle High Strength concrete (40N) to prevent cracking, chipping and shrinkage.

Durability For high traffic areas such as a garden path, driveway or patio, concrete paving is a no-brainer thanks to its high strength and ability to withstand many years of consistent use. Concrete paving can, for example, stand up to extreme weathers and temperatures, including repeated thawing and freezing without affecting its intrinsic strength. In addition, it can also endure exposure to most chemicals.

Maintenance As modern lives get busier, homeowners are always seeking low-maintenance gardens which still provide a tranquil outdoor living space. A huge benefit of using concrete for outdoor paving is that, once installed, it is easily maintained, only requiring occasional sweeping and rinsing to maintain the appearance. Should prolonged wear and tear result in the paving becoming stained, a jet wash will easily remove any engrained marks. Similarly, if there any cracks in the paving, they can be easily repaired by the homeowner using a product such as Blue Circle Extra Rapid Cement.

A solid choice?

Clearly, the creative possibilities of concrete are everexpanding, and housebuilders have the opportunity to use concrete in original and inventive ways. Developers are increasingly aware of its benefits and are harnessing concrete for their paving projects, to create flexible and versatile designs which suit all manner of budgets and styles.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr011

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Groundworks & Drainage

The Grass Approach One Yorkshire firm realised the benefits of grass paving some fifty years ago.

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he Grass Concrete story began in the 1960s, with Jack Blackburn – a local authority architect from Huddersfield with a passion for invention.

Committed to developing products which improved the environment, he set his focus to external paving. Soon, the product he imagined came to be known as Grasscrete – a name which developed into the generic name for grass paving.

After successful trials, Grass Concrete Limited was established as a comapny based in Wakefield in August 1970.

Introducing new products into construction can be challenging, especially when the product itself challenges traditional convention.

Whether it was in spite of, or because of the 1970s’ pre-occupation with system building, Grasscrete was able to quickly establish its identity as a system that broke the mould, by synchronising engineering requirements and environmental awareness.

Leading the company at the time was Rodney Walker, a Wakefield-based concrete engineer with enough savvy to see the wide-ranging potential that Grasscrete carried. Early success came with a number of largescale water projects alongside traffic applications from car parks to access road, enabling the new product to appeal to both engineers and architects.

Grasscrete was seen to improve and enhance the environment, providing resilient and robust ground engineering.

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The company’s experts were the first to extol the belief that it was a more sustainable way to build.

New products were soon to follow, including a precast Grassblock range. It was designed to go head-to-head with other pre-cast blocks available at that time and benefitted from the rigour of the company’s benchmarking philosophy, which always strives to offer something better.

Housebuilders can find precast Grassblock from builders’ merchants nationally whereas Grasscrete is almost exclusively quoted as a supply and lay service.

Changing mindsets Expansion of housebuilding comes with increased pressure on sewer and drainage infrastructure and the attributes of permeable paving for SuDS schemes are not lost on housebuilders. In fact, the firm claims its Storm Water Management guide, which they first produced back in 1985, helped start the SuDS conversation.

More and more housing developments are embracing Grasscrete and Grassblock in areas other than just flood alleviation ponds and the company is reporting demand for uses ranging from emergency access roads to domestic driveways and parking areas.

The heavy-duty nature of Grasscrete remains critical to its success and longevity.

Grasscrete has become the generic term for grass paving and is very often the specified product of choice, working in some of the toughest environments –

flood, water, and highways projects.

For housing developments, regular and heavy weight trafficking can include waste and recycling vehicles along with regular vehicle traffic and necessitates a strong ground structure which plastic systems cannot withstand.

Bob Howden adds: “With fifty years of industry experience, our policy is to guide clients to the system that is most appropriate to their need. We achieve sustainability through purpose-fit products.”

Grass Concrete became the exclusive British licensee for the Betoconcept range of earth retaining walls and noise barriers in 1992. This meant that the French vertical landscaping product range was manufactured in Britain offering retaining walls with integrated planting soil pockets, perfect where garden space is a premium.

The company’s environmental products continue to evolve. Recently adding a Grassroof product, a lightweight lay-and-leave, no-soil system, designed for sedum or succulent planting on flat rooftops.

If Grasscrete in the 1970s was seen as a niche product in a challenging marketplace, then the viewpoint today is wholly different. Grass Concrete’s products sit within the mainstream thinking of local authorities, housebuilders and specifiers alike, as they are able to facilitate the process of urbanisation by offering key levels of environmental mitigation, for a win-win solution.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr012

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Groundworks & Drainage Wacker Neuson has been winning high praise for introducing a battery-powered mini-excavator.

Clearing the air W

acker Neuson is strengthening its position as a leader in the zero emissions segment with machines like the fully electric excavator EZ17e. In Verona, the mini-excavator was recently awarded with the SaMoTer Innovation Award 2020. The innovation was selected in the hydraulic miniexcavators category for its efficiency, the integration of the electric drive as well as its performance, which corresponds to that of the diesel-powered model.

The EZ17e excavator can be run entirely on battery. It can also be operated while connected to the mains – and even charged while in operation – thanks to its smart charging management system. This makes it the ideal solution for environments where emissions and noise have to be kept to a minimum, for example in urban areas, indoor work or on sites close to schools and hospitals. Combined with other solutions in

the zero emissions range, this machine can contribute to reducing noise and eliminating emissions on construction sites.

As the mini-excavator is a zero tail model, it offers no overhang. Operators do not have to worry about damaging the machine when working close to walls or in confined spaces as the tail of the excavator never extends beyond the undercarriage.

This also makes the EZ17e suitable for redevelopment work and confined sites.

These are precisely the types of environments where developers need powerful, compact machines that can be operated without any emissions.

No compromises “Wacker Neuson has been manufacturing innovative, practical and cost-efficient equipment for 170 years. We’ve channelled years of experience and expertise in zero emissions products into

Operators do not have to worry about damaging the machine when working close to walls or in confined spaces as the tail of the excavator never extends beyond the undercarriage. This also makes the EZ17e suitable for redevelopment work and confined sites.

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our first mini-excavator with battery and electric drive technology. Our development work always focuses on usability and customer value. Which is why we make no compromises when it comes to performance, with power ratings matching those of our diesel-powered model,” explains Martin Lehner, CEO of the Wacker Neuson Group. All hydraulic functions are as powerful as those of the conventional model. The battery is integrated in the existing engine compartment. The EZ17e weighs almost exactly the same as the diesel version and can therefore be transported on a trailer.

The electric excavator is powered by the latest lithium-ion technology, which the firm has been using and continuously developing for many years now. Long battery life is one of the key features here, allowing the excavator to be operated for a full working day. The battery can be charged overnight via a domestic socket (110-230 V), or in just four hours using a high-voltage current.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr013

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EXPERT Update | Insurance

Vacancy Period

©AdobeStock/Grigory Bruev

With the increase in unoccupied commercial premises this year as a result of Covid-19, Colin Donnellon, Development Director at Clear MPW Insurance Brokers, part of the Clear Group, explains what implications conversion into residential buildings could have.

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hen lockdown came into force this March, the majority of the UK’s commercial properties immediately became unoccupied. This created significant difficulties for businesses and a hurried review of insurance policy conditions by insurers.

Insurers apply specific clauses within their policy wordings, commonly referred

exacerbated by the likelihood of reduced cover and unoccupied policy conditions to fulfil.

What does the future behold for Property Owners and Investors?

Given the changing landscape, commercial properties now seemingly offer a far less attractive investment opportunity than before. This in turn is

“ Historically we have seen considerable numbers of commercial properties converted to residential apartments and with the Permitted Development scheme now in place, this is likely to accelerate further.” to as unoccupancy clauses or conditions and when a property becomes vacant and remains so for an extended period – usually 30 consecutive days or more. It is also likely that cover will be restricted after the initial period. During these unprecedented times it would have been extremely unfair of insurers to apply these same conditions to all property owners as a result of the Government’s lockdown.

Consequently, insurers extended the standard period after which, such clauses would apply from 30 days to 90 days, and in some cases for a more extended period.

Unfortunately, these unprecedented times have had a devasting effect on business and many firms continue to make huge changes to their workforce as they restructure to deal with the effects of the crisis. A number of household names have already been unable to survive during lockdown or the resultant period of easing.

Prior to lockdown, the retail presence on our high streets had been slowly reducing, but with the recent acceleration of store closures we are now seeing many more properties remaining permanently unoccupied.

Moving forward, vacant premises will be more expensive to insure often

likely to create a shift in commercial to residential conversions. The Government has already recognised the importance of this change with recently announced radical reforms to the planning laws to boost construction. They recently launched a new Class ZA Permitted Development Right, allowing developers to demolish unused commercial premises and build residential units. The benefit of this scheme is that it restricts the powers of local councils to prevent developments going ahead and expedites property conversions.

Historically we have seen considerable numbers of commercial properties converted to residential apartments and with the Permitted Development scheme now in place, this is likely to accelerate further. These properties tend to have good access to amenities and transportation. With this likely transformation, our high streets and commercial centres may take on a more residential look and feel.

If you are planning to convert unoccupied commercial properties into residential accommodations you should speak to your insurance broker from the outset, there are project insurance

policies available.

Single Project Insurance Single project insurance programs are an increasingly popular risk management technique used by property owners, developers and contractors for construction projects to reduce total construction costs whilst controlling the scope of risks to be insured.

This type of policy typically consolidates insurance coverage for main contractors and subcontractors working on a project into one program negotiated, purchased and managed by a single sponsor. That sponsor can either be the owner or developer (owner-developer controlled insurance program) or the contractor (contractor controlled insurance program).

Construction project arrangements may include insurance of the works, public liability insurance, excess liability insurance, 6.5.1 type non-negligence insurance, existing structures buildings insurance, advanced loss of rent/ additional cost of interest business interruption cover, professional indemnity insurance, environmental impairment insurance and buildings defects insurance.

If you are engaging with a specialist construction insurance broker, they should be able to review your building contract provisions to ensure the correct JCT provisions are put in place to protect your assets and upcoming works. They can also ensure that the proposed provisions can be fulfilled to avoid a breach of contract.

Furthermore, depending on the complexity of the construction works programme, there may be various types of insurance cover required throughout, and at different phases, of the building project.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr014

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A Cunning Plan?

Stuart Irvine, Senior Director at Turley, discusses proposals in the Government’s Planning for the Future White Paper and whether the document will help get the country building again and support economic recovery.

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he Government’s Planning for the Future White Paper, designed to overhaul the UK’s planning system, streamline processes, cut red tape and help get the country building again, has already received a mixed reaction from the industry.

Billed as the most significant reform to policy in decades, the changes are designed to transform a system that has been criticised for being too sluggish. In doing so, the Government’s clear aim is to adjust planning to ensure it can support the wider industry’s efforts to rebuild the property market and the broader economy.

It’s important to recognise that the planning system isn’t just a regulatory process, it’s an avenue through which visions are created and delivered. We must ensure that the role of the planning system as a means to direct and support growth is not lost in the pursuit of simplicity. If there is a means of streamlining delivery without diluting this then we are wholly supportive. The changes hint towards this being achievable.

Homes, homes, homes The Prime Minister’s message that we should ‘Build, Build, Build’ ahead of

“ With SME housebuilders having long struggled to deliver homes because of the challenges they’ve faced, the reforms will undoubtedly be viewed positively by many smaller developers.”

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announcing these reforms was a clear indication of the property sector’s role in getting the economy back on its feet again. And housing is expected to play a key role in that.

The housing crisis is an ongoing political struggle which the Government has tried to solve with a range of policies over the years. But the sector has already experienced several ‘once in a generation’ moments over the last 20 to 30 years, none of which have done anything more than shift the regulatory playing pieces around the chessboard.

So, what’s measurably different about these reforms?

Well, the move to a more centralised planning system could create some meaningful change. Local Plans will be expected to do less, with national policy filling any gaps. The standard method for assessing housing need will also be fixed and not open to debate or challenge.

Meanwhile, proposals to lift the affordable housing small site threshold will also support delivery on sites with financial viability constraints. And, with SME housebuilders having long struggled to deliver homes because of the challenges they’ve faced – planning being one of them – the reforms will undoubtedly be viewed positively by many smaller developers.

As well as the White Paper, the Government also announced consultation on some other policy changes including First Homes, changes to the affordable housing threshold and extending permission in principle – details on which many in the sector will be keeping a close eye.

These all could help make the system more flexible to support greater levels of housing development. Coupled with changes to make planning more digital, which will help engage a broader crosssection of society in the process, alongside promoting design excellence, these reforms reinforce the need for

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EXPERT Update | PLANNING

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“ While housing is a significant national challenge, a key question for the sector as a whole is whether it is the sole challenge facing the industry’s ability to support economic recovery?” better planning while also clearly attempting to reduce blocks in the system. In theory they will help bring forward schemes with less delay and greater certainty.

Societal challenges When the Prime Minister delivered his bold ‘Build, Build, Build’ message, it is fair to say that there was a perceptible sharp national intake of breath. There is an inbuilt assumption in our society that development is harmful. But this overlooks what growth really is. It is housing for our families and spaces to accommodate the jobs of the future. It is a positive message but one that is so often wrapped up in the negative connotations of development that it falls flat.

This is the real challenge that the reforms of the planning system should face up to. Not necessarily how we make decisions, but how we can instil confidence in our communities that the system can deliver quality.

Do the proposed changes to the planning system achieve a wholesale shift in the way society views development?

Put simply, no. No changes to the system will alter the balance, unless we achieve this shift in perception of development to create YIMBY-ism rather than NIMBY-ism.

But to do so the reforms can’t just be ‘fire and forget’. These changes need to be backed by a strong and enduring message from the entire sector,

including the Government, that development is good and can match societal expectations and that growth itself is a non-negotiable need.

A key part of making Planning for the Future work, therefore, is to use the message as a beacon for our communities to be positive about their areas and their growth. The last time this was done with any great success was ‘Homes for Heroes’. Set against the challenges of a society that was emerging from WW2 and the opportunities that new building and transport technology provided, these provided optimism which was delivered with purpose.

It’s only in this context that a simpler and more positive planning system stands a real chance of making a difference, and the entire industry will need to work hard to achieve this.

A broader sector recovery While housing is a significant national challenge, a key question for the sector as a whole is whether it is the sole challenge facing the industry’s ability to support economic recovery?

The obvious answer here is no.

Housing has to be viewed in the context of building strong communities. Genuine long term thinking that drives sustainable towns and cities with suitable commercial and social infrastructure is key, and here is where the reforms

could fall short in many areas. Housing will play a part but it needs a broader perspective.

Employment and logistics have hardly been mentioned in the reforms, and town and city centres haven’t been given the focus that many expected.

Meanwhile sustainability is mentioned but isn’t a key driver of what has been positioned as the central solution to rebuilding the economy.

The other key barrier to delivering growth through these reforms is the huge skills gap in the planning sector. Changing process alone does not solve this and it is not clear how the shift towards greater standardisation will actually inspire the next generation of planners, designers and engineers to want to deliver through the public sector. There are some elements of the reforms that simply won’t work unless greater resource is available.

We welcome the purpose and intent of the reforms and see great value in much of what has been proposed. There is a desire for broader thinking in some areas but the changes are not a magic wand for solving the fundamental challenges that our economy currently faces. However, it is a start and we look forward to seeing whether the positive intent that sits behind them is embraced, particularly in those areas where change is needed most.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr015

Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer september

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EXPERT Update | Mortgages

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On the move

Ray Boulger, Senior Mortgage Technical Manager at John Charcolon, discusses the mortgage and property markets.

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fter a strong start to the year, my initial reaction to the lockdown was that house prices would fall back by about 10%, but even before the market reopened it was becoming clear this was too pessimistic. There was no rush to sell and, although potential buyers who had been limited to virtual viewings were expecting to be able to secure a property below pre-lockdown prices, any agreed reductions were small.

When the market reopened activity was limited by lack of supply rather than lack of buyers and the Chancellor’s SDLT (Stamp Duty Land Tax) announcement on 8th July supercharged the market. Offering only a short window of opportunity to save so much tax was absolutely the right way to

The Nationwide house price index rose by 2.6% in the first 7 months of 2020 – including a 2.1% increase in July – and I expect 2020 to end with an increase of 78%. The figures I have quoted are all based on the actual figures Nationwide publishes, not the seasonally adjusted ones often quoted. This year in particular the impact of Covid-19 and the SDLT cut will make seasonal adjustments even more of a nonsense than usual and the sooner all providers adopt the UKHPI policy of quoting real figures the better.

There is already evidence of buyers taking a view that changed working patterns will be permanent and as a result moving away from London to regional cities as much as two hours from London

“ There is already evidence of buyers taking a view that changed working patterns will be permanent and as a result moving away from London to regional cities as much as two hours from London by train.” generate an initial immediate stimulus not only to the property market but also the wider economy. However, it is already becoming clear that in many parts of the country the additional demand risks an over-exuberant market for the next 6 months and then a collapse in demand just as the impact of the expected further increase in redundancies becomes greater.

Having achieved his initial objective and seen how effective the SDLT cut has been, the Chancellor should in his Autumn Budget announce an extension of the cut until, say, 31st March 2022. This would leave the market with a deadline but reduce the risk of distorting the market in the short term. It would also allow the Chancellor more time to assess the significant benefits to the whole economy by stimulating more housing market activity.

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by train. Consequently the growth in the national house price indices will continue to be constrained by weakness in London.

The regional levelling up which many governments have tried and failed to achieve is now happening in a limited way as a result of something completely out of their control!

The changes to Help to Buy from April 2021, as well as the scheme’s planned abolition in March 2023, pose major challenges to developers. Up to now 18% of buyers using Help to Buy have not been first-time buyers and they will not have access to it for completions from April 2021. A significant proportion of other buyers have bought properties at prices in excess of the new regional price caps, so I expect use of

the scheme for completions from April 2021 will fall by at least 40%.

Although affordability is impeded if Help to Buy is not used - meaning less opportunity for buyers to trade up - with interest rates so low its limited future availability might not matter too much if there were more mortgages with high LTVs (loan-to-values) available. This was a major problem in respect of new build properties before Covid-19 but is even worse now. Availability of even 90% LTV mortgages - let alone 95% - is very limited generally and restrictions are greater on new build properties.

With the Government very reluctant to extend Help to Buy and the marginal cost of the top 5% of a 95% LTV mortgage typically over 20%, what the market needs is a private sector solution for high LTV mortgages. Despite some companies working on this no solutions offering reasonable volume are yet available. Until this problem is solved or we see the reemergence of similar schemes to those offered in the past by developers, this must inevitably influence the number of new properties targeted at first-time buyers.

With an FCA mortgage authorisation now required to offer second charge mortgages I don’t expect to see many developers wanting to go down that road.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr016

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Heating & Sustainability

Coming Together R ecently, the Government announced a £2billion package to help bring existing homes into line with current environmental standards, with £10,000 being offered to each household that takes up the scheme, which is being called the Green Homes Grant. It’s a neat package that will hopefully do what it says on the tin – create “green homes” in the UK whilst also providing some much needed jobs.

However, what a “green” home consists of, and the best way of achieving this and measuring the success of the home is, in fact, a matter of some debate.

At the heart of the issue are two different approaches to measuring how environmentally friendly a home is – the Passive House Planning Package and the Standard Assessment Procedure. Also in the mix are the three main organisations in the field, the Association for Environment Conscious Building, the Passivhaus Trust and Elmhurst Energy. We spoke to Elmhurst Energy’s Technical and Operations Director Stuart Fairlie about the organisation’s key role in the furthering of sustainable homes in the UK and how the different approaches taken by the different organisations are not so different after all.

Stuart begins by outlining Elmhurst’s straightforward approach: “We’re the largest accreditation scheme in UK, certifying about 1,000 SAP Assessors who, in turn, provide homes with an EPC – an energy performance certificate. The assessors essentially take all the data on the materials used by the builders, extracting it directly from the plans and the specifications and entering it into our software. That then generates a score outlining whether that house will comply to the Building Regulations for Energy Conservation.”

Elmhurst bases its approach on the Building Regulations, and assessors can

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help housebuilders whose houses don’t yet come up to scratch, using the EPC modelling software to adjust and change materials to find a way to meet the regulations.

The key focus of Elmhurst is the end-user – the homeowner – and ensuring that the homes people buy are energy efficient homes. Where this energy efficient approach is appealing to homeowners, and where the EPC rating is crucial, is in the fact of lowering ongoing energy bills. “ Where the Passive House approach differs is that the focus is wholly on creating homes that have as low a carbon footprint as possible, nearing zero – even if this means it actually costs the homeowner more on a monthly basis.

The good news The good news is that after a review of the different schemes, the organisations have concluded that they are more unified than they had thought, being essentially based on the same foundations. While PHPP allows a user to enter more data in some areas and considers some element such as thermal junctions differently from SAP, the physics behind the methodologies that calculate the energy efficiency of the building fabric is very similar.

However, as the two modelling systems were designed for different tasks, the way in which they are employed and the scope of their outputs differ. For example, PHPP uses local climate data and includes unregulated energy to give an overall assessment of actual energy use. In contrast, SAP uses average UK climate data and excludes unregulated energy to ensure a consistent output which can be used for EPCs and compared across different dwellings in different locations.

PHPD’s Kieran Nee talks to Elmhurst Energy’s Stuart Fairlie about the organisation’s work and approach to the industry.

The key point is that most of these differences relate to how the model is employed rather than the accuracy of the model itself.

Stuart emphasises that the differences between the two models are in the focus rather than the overall aim or the methods used. “We operate in different spaces, basically,” he explains, “Elmhurst are the largest organisation of its kind, and therefore we need to provide a tool that works for the vast majority of housebuilders and homeowners. Our target is to get all housebuilders to improve and to enact real changes to the way they build and the materials they use.

Meanwhile, Passive House emphasise a more radical approach which appeals to those already in the market to build highly energy efficient homes.

“Some in the Passive House sector were criticising SAP, saying it wasn’t doing them any favours in the fight against Carbon. However we sat down together to discuss the differences and it quickly became clear that the assessment itself wasn’t causing any issues – in fact, at a material level the two methods share the same practices.”

The three organisations have now declared they intend to work together, specifically to “present government and industry with a proposal that will allow direct and fair comparison between all homes whatever their type or level of energy performance.” There will always be some disagreement between the hardliners and the mainstream, but as long as both sides keep making considerable gains, then surely everyone will be a winner.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr017

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Heating & Sustainability

George Linder, product manager at Heatrae Sadia, explains how installing a heating cylinder can provide an effective heating solution.

Supply and Demand T

here are multiple factors for housebuilders to take into consideration when building a new home, one of which is the heating system.

While boilers are a popular choice, cylinders can offer a unique set of benefits.

Different properties require varying heating set-ups due to the range of needs

Housebuilders who take into consideration the hot water supply when planning new builds will reap the benefits when it comes to customer satisfaction 24 september Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

of each household. To select the correct system, it is necessary to evaluate the individual hot water requirements for each build. This includes how many bathrooms are being built, the flow rates and the amount of water that is likely to be needed. In builds likely to experience high hot water demand, a hot water cylinder is often considered as essential.

Hot water requirements When choosing a heating system for a new build, housebuilders will already have an idea of how many bathrooms and rooms will be erected. These plans can be used to determine which cylinder is best suited to the home.

For a multiple bathroom new build with increased hot water demand, an unvented cylinder option would generally be better suited because as the cylinder uses mains pressure, it provides a more stable and even flow of hot water. This

allows a greater variety of terminal fittings to be chosen and the ability to run different outlets at the same time.

When it comes to sizing, a cylinder size of 210 litres would be best for a twobathroom house, based on the average wet room using 60 litres of water. The expected recovery period for 70 per cent of the volume for this cylinder is 30 minutes, when a heat input of approximately 15kW is used, ensuring wait times are kept to a minimum.

Larger homes, with more than two bathrooms, generally require a larger cylinder to provide the hot water needed to avoid a 30-minute wait time for the hot water to be replenished.

Benefits explained Selecting the correct heating system ahead of occupants moving into a property ensures that the core elements of the house do not need to be changed at a later date to better suit the residents.

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It is the responsibility of the housebuilder to make an informed decision when selecting a cylinder to ensure it is the correct one for that particular build. If a bigger cylinder than necessary is installed then the homeowner will end up paying higher energy bills, to produce hot water that is not being used. Selecting the best cylinder for the job will therefore save money and time for the homeowner.

By providing the most suitable system, developers will also earn a better reputation than those fitting improper solutions, as well as avoiding the need to return to change the system at a later date.

When it comes to offering an effective solution for housebuilders, where the product is sourced can have just as great an effect as the capacity of the product.

For example, a quality product such as the Megaflo Eco comes with a warranty that provides housebuilders with extra peace of mind that the system they have chosen is covered for years to come.

Installing a cylinder It is important to remember that an unvented hot water cylinder must be installed and maintained by a G3 qualified installer. Once installed, a cylinder must also be serviced every 12 months.

Housebuilders who take into consideration the hot water supply when planning new builds, will reap the benefits when it comes to customer satisfaction. It is important to suggest solutions that will accurately reflect the anticipated hot water requirements of the property, as well as recognising there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. This is where housebuilders can develop a reliable reputation for installing appropriate heating systems that last.

When it comes to offering an effective solution for housebuilders, where the product is sourced can have just as great an effect as the capacity of the product Heatrae Sadia has a full range of hot water solutions to ensure that no matter the requirements, there is always a product to suit. Housebuilders should take advantage of this breadth of range, in order to select the ideal hot water system for each property.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr018

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Heating & Sustainability

Chain of Command Richard Bateman, Product Marketing Manager from RWC, discusses how all-in-one valves can help overcome the challenges of providing water for high-rise & multi-occupancy construction.

W

ith high-rise living becoming increasingly popular, developers are now challenged with unique obstacles when it comes to delivering water to these multi-unit buildings.

Due to rapid economic, demographic and social changes in urban spaces across the UK, city centres have become residential hubs for working professionals and families. ‘Megacities’ and high-rise buildings are transforming cities and urban areas across the globe, with the UN predicting 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050.

These high-rise buildings need to be built faster than ever before, and with the UK’s current housing crisis – which has been exacerbated by Covid-19 – it is vital the industry gets back on track. To meet this increasing demand to complete projects faster, plumbing and heating engineers need to adopt smarter plumbing technologies to increase the speed of installation.

As we squeeze more housing units into our cities, the footprints of these living spaces grow smaller and smaller.

This leads to increasingly difficult

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installation environments, with space, time, product supply and maintenance requirements all throwing obstacles in the way of plumbing work.

The complexity of working in tighter, more confined spaces that do not offer much room to manoeuvre around can increase installation times. Therefore, installers need to seek products that are designed for compact spaces, while providing the same level of quality.

One clear example where installers feel the impact of a tight squeeze is the riser cupboard installation. This is where chains of valves are fitted to control the flow of water to individual apartments, through a multi-unit block.

Every individual apartment in a block of flats needs its own chain of valves.

These consist of a pressure reducing valve (PRV), isolating valve, water meter, a double check and a stop valve. And installing a single chain can take experienced plumbers up to ten minutes.

Once they have been assembled, each chain needs to be fixed onto the pipes, flushed through, and tested. In blocks consisting of tens if not hundreds of

apartments, this can take hours.

Alongside this, the installation process may take longer if there’s a leak point or issue with the assembly, consequently pushing the construction timeline back.

Challenges Finding compatible valves, fittings and fixtures to build these chain of valves takes time and has its own set of risks. Usually contractors order different parts from different manufacturers to realise costefficiencies. However, this may jeopardise timescales and cause delays if there are issues with delivery or stock levels.

Furthermore, carrying out future repair works can be tricky when the valves have been sourced from different suppliers.

There is always the risk that some valves or products may have been discontinued.

To simplify all these challenges, plumbing contractors need one product which includes all the elements that make up the chain of valves, as this can make installation, repairs and maintenance jobs easier and faster.

One way to overcome these space, time and aftermarket issues is by opting

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for the all-in-one Tenant Valve Plus from Reliance Valves, that’s been developed specifically for multi-unit buildings.

These valves have multiple functions within one selfcontained unit to control and monitor the water supply to individual flats.

The Tenant Valves Plus has a compact 311mm unit cartridge design which ensures a simple, quick and easy installation in riser cupboards.

It includes all elements that make up the chain of valves – including a balltype isolating valve, an approved stop valve, a pressure

Carrying out future repair works can be tricky when the valves have been sourced from different suppliers. There is always the risk that some valves or products may have been discontinued reducing valve, a double check valve, a dual reading pressure gauge/test point and a connection point for an optional water meter – all in a pre-insulated cover.

Servicing and maintenance of these valves is much easier and efficient too. If an apartment has a leak, there’s no need to check every connection point on the chain of valves, which can take quite long.

All components are accessible from the front of the Tenant Valves, which makes repair jobs much faster.

Smarter ways to build faster As the need for multi-occupancy buildings and city centre living increases, builders must adopt smarter, intelligent and time saving technologies. The all-in-one Tenant Valve Plus not only helps in solving the

critical space-saving challenges but also speeds up installations, all thanks to its compact design.

At RWC, we are always on hand to offer advice on intelligent space and timesaving solutions to make installations quick and easy, especially during these challenging times.

So, get in touch with our team of experts if you need guidance with selecting the right plumbing solutions for your job or if you are struggling to source products for your project.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr019

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Heating & Sustainability

Tighten Up A

s every housebuilder and developer in the UK knows, designing homes is as much about designing an efficient heating system as it is about anything else. In a country where heating bills constitute one of the largest outgoing expenses in the average home, it is paramount that new homes offer the conditions to maximise the comfort level achieved per pound. Indeed, comfort is king when it comes to housing.

This is why it can be so frustrating for new homeowners when, after having found what they thought was their perfect home, and laid down no inconsiderable sum of money, they find their home is perpetually cold, draughty and even potentially mouldy.

Inevitably, more upset will come with the first utility bill.

It’s no secret that efficient heating is at the forefront of the agenda by now, with debates about the most ecologically friendly way of heating homes sitting side by side (not always comfortably) with the outrage against rising energy bills. There is one solution, at least, which has proven wildly effective, comparatively cheap to enact and satisfies those on all fronts, and that is to ensure that the houses

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being built lose as little of their precious heat as possible.

That is why ISO-Chemie, whose gapsealing tapes and solutions provide effective resistance against heat loss, is doing its best to get the word out there by

touring the country giving CPDs to architects and specifiers. The message is clear, not only are the right products needed for the job, but also the right installation. Hence the need to go beyond simple marketing and into the realm of education.

The initiative is intended to advance architectural knowledge and understanding of airtightness and related issues, enabling specifiers to improve the design and construction of buildings and

Sealant tape specialist ISO-Chemie has been taking to the road to explain to architects and specifiers why keeping a tight seal on things is so important.

PHPD’s Kieran Nee visited the company’s Air-tightness in Construction CPD at North London’s MEPK Architects to find out more. boost their technical and product expertise. Unfortunately, thermal sealing around windows is not specified by law in the UK, unlike the rest of Europe, meaning that homeowners are at the mercy of specifiers and architects. How informed they are on the issue is a matter of great importance.

Delivered onsite and contributing towards formal CPD training, the programme covers advice on effective window installation techniques, and how to identify and rectify air leakage.

A large amount of heat is lost from a building through the gap between the windows and the surrounding wall, as thermal imagery clearly shows. This gap is necessary to allow for the natural expansion of the window frame throughout the year, what isn’t necessary, however, is the loss of heat.

All on tape As CPD leader and Technical Adviser, Marc Barton explains, doors and windows account for 21% of the total air loss of the average house, and adding the joints between walls, floors and ceilings brings the figure up to 50%.

Many argue that airflow is desirable, however Marc points out that you could

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easily eliminate 50% of heat loss whilst still retaining some natural air flow.

The statistics neatly illustrate that in most homes, those not built to Passivhaus standard, heat losses are overwhelmingly replaced by artificial heating rather than through solar energy or internal warmth.

This means that reducing heat losses in the home is paramount in the battle to lower energy consumption.

One of the products Marc shows us is an expanding foam tape called ISOBLOCO ONE, which sits between the window or door frame and the wall

structure. This one tape fulfils three applications – providing defence against driving rain from the outside, offering thermal and acoustic insulation and creating an air-tight seal internally. As well as being BBA Certified, the tape also meets with Passivhaus standards, meaning housebuilders are assured of the best possible performance.

A big advantage of the tape is in the application process. It is applied to the window before installation, meaning that windows can be easily installed from inside the building, avoiding the need to use time consuming and costly external access systems like scaffolding and ladders. What’s more, the expanding foam contours to any shape or material to form a seal, creating a neat joint between the door/window and the fabric of the building, keeping your homebuyers warm and happy.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information visit www.rdr.link/dr020

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Building Fabric

Keeping a Low Profile?

Flat roofing manufacturer Stormking discusses the advantages and challenges of using GRP systems.

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lat roofing has been a popular construction method for hundreds of years, typically used in warmer climates where sunny weather is more of a guarantee all year round. But over the past century flat roofing’s presence has picked up in the UK, mostly as a result of the advent of new design technologies and the greater availability of materials on the market, such as bitumen and lead.

Flat roofs’ popularity has inevitably increased demand, with a plethora of flat roofing systems now ready for the taking.

Hitting the mark on durability, it is no wonder this roofing method is proving popular among small-to-medium housebuilders and developers But whilst bitumen, lead and PVC solutions have their own unique qualities, for easeof-installation, cost-effectiveness and durability, GRP flat roofing systems are unrivalled. Unlike other traditional systems comprising multiple articles, GRP is easy to apply as it is a cold-applied, built-up, layered system which can be applied to a variety of different-shaped areas. With a GRP solution there is, therefore, no need to carry heavy components to the roof, which can be pretty difficult and risky at height.

The demand for GRP StormDeck-GRP flat roofing’s durability is its true distinction from other run of the mill flat roofing products – the ‘fit-and-forget’ system is so resilient to the elements. Its waterproofing is achieved by impregnating a lightweight reinforcing tissue with a rolled-on resin that is finished with a coloured topcoat. This topcoat is the defining element of GRP flat roofing’s strength, and enables housebuilders to produce a robust flat roof that will last whatever the weather for many years.

Hitting the mark on durability, it is no wonder this roofing method is proving popular among small-to-medium housebuilders and developers working on loft conversions, extensions and other outbuildings requiring a flat roof aesthetic.

This system is, for instance, very easy to install, which is ideal for small housebuilders looking to streamline costs.

It is worth bearing in mind that on projects where time is of the essence, StormDeck-PU flat roofing is an even easier solution to utilise. Presenting a modern take on flat roof, cold-applied liquid systems, one coat PU systems cure incredibly quickly and can be installed even when the British weather looks set to turn.

Giving builders more choice Manufacturing GRP solutions to the construction industry for over 35 years, Stormking has recently launched two innovative flat roofing systems:

StormDeck-GRP flat roofing and StormDeck-PU flat roofing. Testament to the pedigree of the Stormking brand – which has five manufacturing plants with over 300 staff in the heart of the UK – the solutions encompass all the benefits of flat roofing, but with added durability and cost-effectiveness.

Typically, GRP is more cost-effective than its PU counterpart, however the latter cures faster than GRP under inclement weather conditions. But, by offering two flat roofing systems, the company has given builders the best of both worlds when it comes to selection.

The benefits of flat roofs may be easy to recognise, yet it is always worth taking the time to specify the right material.

Maintenance-free GRP and PU flat roof systems are proven to out-perform more traditional products in terms of durability, meaning a flat roof aesthetic can be achieved in full confidence that it will always provide shelter from the rain.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dr021

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Building Fabric

Timesaving Solutions Fassa Bortolo explains how you could increase productivity by using its time saving render solutions.

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s the construction industry returns to normal life after the lockdown, many housebuilders may be concerned with time efficiency and productivity levels following a tough few months. Deadlines are approaching and new projects are coming in, so it’s time to make some decisions which could save precious working hours.

Fassa Bortolo, the leading Italian manufacturer of integrated render systems and building materials, produce a whole host of specialist render systems which come with time saving benefits as well as delivering a professional finish which will stand the test of time.

Although rendering is a key factor to consider when it comes to cosmetic work and energy efficiency, it is often overlooked when it comes to time-saving decisions. It is assumed render is applied in a particular way, but once accustomed to alternative systems, housebuilders will begin to reap the benefits of a quick and easy application when compared to conventional masonry construction methods.

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Four stages With a four-stage installation process, the Fassarend timber frame system can be used across a range of residential projects and has the added benefit of on or off-site construction. Using light-weight carrier boards, mechanically fixed onto wooden battens and finished with a thin coat render, this system has practicality at its core.

A third-party certified system, the board part of the system can be quickly applied to a timber frame structure off site for accuracy and tolerance. In a country where inclement weather can put a hold on site work, Fassa designed the timber frame system to support the growing demand for offsite construction. Primer, render base coat, reinforcing mesh and top coats are then applied to the facade on site, either by hand or by machine once the project reaches the final stages.

When applied to a timber frame with carrier boards, the build-up of the render is quick and the results will be flawless if properly applied thanks to the smooth, blemish-free substrate which is easy to work with.

This system can be installed with very few labourers on site with the fibrereinforced carrier boards lightweight enough to be safely applied and installed between two applicators.

Spray vs manual application When it comes to applying the render to the substrate, if you have a large space or various buildings to cover, Fassa suggest applying it with the use of a mechanical spray machine rather than by hand. This

Although rendering is a key factor to consider when it comes to cosmetic work and energy efficiency, it is often overlooked when it comes to timesaving decisions

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Ideal for projects with a very tight deadline, in some cases Fassacouche can be applied just once before a primer and top coat will dramatically cut down on time spent adhering the product to the walls, simply needing to be finished by hand.

If you’re not looking for an advanced system, but a render that provides the property with sufficient water resistance and curb appeal, opt for Fassacouche.

Ideal for projects with a very tight deadline, in some cases Fassacouche can be applied just once before a primer and top coat, so long as the substrate is sound and free of any damage. Most renders require two coats, so this would be the go-to choose for a quick solution.

Fassacouche single coat render has an excellent yield, making it easy to work with, and does not need accelerators or additives to speed up the setting process, keeping material cost down. It is also tested to the highest BBA certification to withstand severe weather conditions.

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Building Fabric Glide-on balconies are a unique concept, specially developed by Sapphire to make it simpler, faster and more cost-effective to provide high quality balconies for residential projects. delivered to site, the individual balcony modules simply ‘glide’ onto pre-erected supporting brackets.

Sapphire’s new offsite glide-on balconies have already proved to save time and cost on a number of prestigious residential projects, resulting in repeat orders from satisfied clients.

Fascias, soffits and drainage systems can be pre-installed, reducing time on site even further. Sapphire’s lighter, modularised balcony cassette concept delivers both architectural flexibility and fast track construction benefits Using Sapphire’s pioneering offsite glide-on balcony system, 22 complete balcony units, including glass balustrades and sub-deck, were installed to new West London apartments in just 6 hours.

Fully assembled balcony modules, together with Sapphire’s innovative glideon connectors, made it possible to install a balcony every 6.5 minutes.

Glide Away O

ffering housebuilders, developers and contractors the first real alternative to traditional balcony design and construction, this patent-protected system combines the benefits of pre-fabricated balcony ‘cassettes’ with fast installation using our own innovative connectors.

Sapphire’s approach is based on the manufacture of ‘semi-modular’ units (using standard components and methodology whilst manufacturing to exact project dimensions). This enables the firm to maximise the efficiencies associated with producing standard, repeatable units, whilst still allowing design variations to be made to each module as required. Once

In action The balconies were also put to good use recently as part of an award-winning Glasgow development by Barratt Homes in Queen Margaret Drive, a stone’s throw

from the city’s Botanical Gardens. A prestigious project designed for discerning residents, The Botanics’ specification had to meet exacting standards. Limited space on site was a further challenge and, as the project was in Glasgow, the preassembled balconies had to be transported safely and efficiently a significant distance from Sapphire’s production facility in southern England.

Sapphire’s offsite manufacturing process enabled high quality control standards to be maintained consistently within a controlled factory environment.

This quality control ensured that all 99 Glide-On Cassette balconies for the project were prefinished correctly and passed a series of checks before being released to site.

Offsite manufacture was also vital in overcoming the site’s space restrictions. The balconies for Botanics were produced by Sapphire ahead of the agreed date and held in a secure storage facility, ready to be called to site as needed. Once the site was ready, balconies were individually wrapped for protection and loaded onto flatbed lorry trailers. A custom loading plan ensured a safe journey to Glasgow and meant balconies could be delivered to site in stages and installed quickly, avoiding the need for onsite storage or programme delays. Summing up, Project Manager for Barratt Homes, commented: “The balconies are great, everyone comments on them.”

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last word With changes to Building Regulation Part F, Ventilation coming soon, Domus Ventilation Product Manager Paul Williams looks at why changes are necessary, what they consist of and what impact they are likely to have.

The Question of Air Quality…

T he current Building Regulations Part F, which covers ventilation, has been in place since 2010 but over the years key issues have been identified.

Furthermore, new guidance from Public Health England on selected VOCs and World Health Organisation recommendations for indoor pollutant levels have meant Part F, as it stands, is out of date. Consequently, Part F has been under review and the proposed changes should be announced next year, following a delay due to Coronavirus.

As a long established ventilation manufacturer, Domus Ventilation has been actively involved in reviewing Part F and is aware of the changes. But before we address these, let’s start with a look at the problematic areas surrounding the existing regulations.

Firstly, a number of recent studies have shown a large proportion of homes simply do not comply with the current requirements and poor indoor air quality has been observed in several sample homes tested. So, the regulations are either being flouted or are not being understood and implemented. This is something we identified a number of years ago and launched a Domestic Ventilation Installer training course in partnership with BPEC, which is a recognised qualification for relevant Competent Person Schemes.

Feedback from industry and building inspectors has expressed a need for simplified guidance. This would assist designers and help with inspections and sign off.

Part of the problem ventilation is trying to address comes from the improved air tightness in new build homes, rightly designed to reduce energy wastage…

Proposed Changes Part of the problem ventilation is trying to address comes from the improved air tightness in new build homes, rightly designed to reduce energy wastage.

Without sufficient ventilation though, these homes can become overheated and the air uncomfortable and unhealthy to breath.

Clearly, reducing air tightness is not an option; in fact, the new Building Regulations Approved Document F will make airtightness testing mandatory for all new dwellings, with no exemptions for small developments as is currently the case.

What the regulations have recognised is the need to simplify ventilation standards in relation to a property’s air permeability, to ensure it is followed. This it has done by recommending continuous Mechanical Extract Ventilation and continuous supply & extract ventilation (e.g. Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) for properties with any level of airtightness.

Natural ventilation systems, i.e. background vents, remain an option under the new regulations, but only for less airtight homes with a design air permeability of ≥ 5. We don’t consider this to be an energy efficient way of ventilating a home as natural heat will be lost outside and there is no guarantee of moisture/pollutants migrating outside.

What’s more, the size of the background ventilation grille required will now be done on a room by room basis, rather than based on the whole property, and is likely to be much larger than what is currently being used. This would not be aesthetically pleasing, which is something housebuilders should consider carefully.

Returning to mechanical ventilation (intermittent extract, continuous extract or supply & extract), the key change here is the need to increase the minimum airflow to each bedroom by 6l/s. This is being introduced in concern over insufficient ventilation in bedrooms overnight if doors are kept shut. To simplify whole house ventilation design calculations, only the number of bedrooms and floor area will

now be taken into consideration, removing the need to predict occupancy rates, which is a welcome change. The other change here is an increase in the background vents from 2,500mm2 to 5,000mm2 in extract-only systems.

One change we are surprised to see put forward in the new regulations is the removal of Positive Input Ventilation as an alternative approach. Whilst MEV and MVHR remain the better option, PIV can provide a good solution in new build applications where ducted systems are difficult to incorporate into the build.

However, Approved Document F 2020 does make allowance for other systems, such as PIV, ‘provided it can be demonstrated to the building control body that they meet Requirement F1(1)’.

So, changes are heading your way when it comes to ventilation. It’s a carrot and stick approach: it’s easier to understand and implement, as the industry has asked, but a copy of the checklist and commissioning sheet must be supplied to prove you’ve done what is required of you. We think it’s a sensible approach that will be welcomed by developers and by homeowners even though may MORE? not even realise it!

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