D E V E L O P M E N T S AJC Group

Apartment block replaces former mental home Dorsetheadquartered AJC Group is seeking planning application to redevelop the former NHS Becton Centre, a 0.35ha (0.86-acre) brownfield site in Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire The proposal involves razing the existing structure and redeveloping the site into a single building that will house 31 modern apartments

The Becton Centre, once under the management of Southern Health Foundation Trust, was originally built in the 1950s as a residential facility for older people with mental health issues

AJC Group’s full planning application for the redevelopment of the site has been prepared by RTPI-accredited L Planning A collection of high EPC-rated one- to three-bedroom apartments is proposed, designed by ARC Architects

More the Merrywood Sigma Homes, based in West Sussex, has introduced Merrywood –an £18m residential project located in the Surrey village of Thames Ditton This 1 2-acre development, comprising 26 apartments and houses, all equipped with an EV charging point and constructed to achieve an EPC-B rating.

Sigma Homes

The first phase of the brownfield site will provide 12 semi-detached three-bedroom houses, ready for occupation by December 2023

The interior layout for the three-bedroom homes is designed over two and a half floors and includes a dedicated study in addition to the bedrooms. Features include modern kitchens equipped with Bosch appliances, fitted wardrobes in all bedrooms, and premium vinyl and carpeting provided as standard throughout

Spa town show flat

Spitfire Homes has opened a new show apartment at The Jephson Portfolio in Royal Leamington Spa, which comprises houses and apartments The Midlands-based developer has restored the original Victorian country house into nine apartments which have stone detailing, hanging tiles and finials and are surrounded by 7 5 acres of woodland and green space and reached through a private driveway with automatic gates

Spitf ire Homes

The show apartment is part of the Spitfire’s Bespoke Collection It's a two-bedroom apartment on the ground floor with an open floor plan with a custom kitchen replete with a quartz worktop and built-in appliances Both bedrooms have fitted wardrobes with sliding mirrored doors and the main bedroom has an en suite

All the bathrooms have white Villeroy & Boch sanitaryware, fitted mirrored cabinets and full height ceramic tiling All properties also have basement storage and private parking, including electric car charging points

The latest figures from the Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI), published in May, show Q1 2023 total value sales to builders and contractors recorded a -2.3% slide in year-on-year growth, with volume sales falling -16.4% countered by +16.9% price inflation. With one more trading day this year, likefor-like value sales were3.8% lower.

Q1 2023 sales slide -2.3% as volumes fall -16.4%

Nine of the 12 categories sold more in Q1 2023 compared to the previous year with Renewables & Water Saving (+42.3%) head and shoulders above the rest Workwear & Safetywear (+14 9%), Decorating (+13.9%) and Plumbing, Heating & Electrical (+12 8%) performed well while Heavy Building Materials (+3.3%) grew more slowly. Services (4 5%), Timber & Joinery Products (-15 3%) and Landscaping (-18 3%) all sold less

Total value sales were up +5 8% in Q1 2023 compared to Q4 2022 Volume sales edged up +0 6% and prices climbed +5 2% With five more trading days in the most recent period, like-for-like sales were -2 5% lower than October to December 2022 Renewables & Water Saving (+22.3%) was the strongest category, followed by Tools (+11 8%), Ironmongery (+11 1%) and Heavy Building Materials (+6 4%) Services (-2 4%) was the weakest category

Total value sales for March 2023 were -6 7% lower than March 2022 Volume sales fell -19.7% year-on-year and prices rose +16 2% There was no difference in trading days Seven of the 12 categories sold more with Renewables & Water Saving (+26 6%) again taking the lead March total merchant sales were +14 8% ahead of February 2023 Volume sales were +13 2% higher and price inflation was up +1 4% All categories sold more, with seasonal category Landscaping (+25 4%) increasing the most, followed by Workwear & Safetywear (+19 3%)

Kevin Tolson, commercial director Wienerberger UK and BMBI’s expert for bricks & roof tiles said: “The first few months of 2023 haven't been easy for the construction sector but we had been expecting it to be tougher

“Twenty twenty-two saw an unprecedented amount of demand for construction materials, so compared to that, the beginning of 2023 was bound to seem a bit slower On the bright side, construction work has been more active than we thought it would be, and people's overall confidence in the economy hasn't gone down as much as expected

“The Office for National Statistics indicated we're not headed for a recession this year after all, with growth predicted to be at +0 2%, which is much better than the prediction from the Winter Forecast in January that was a contraction of -0 7%

“It's also been great to see a real shift towards focusing on Net-Zero from many in our industry as we start this year As manufacturers, we'll keep finding the best solutions that meet our sustainability goals, but we'll also make sure we're still offering the best products and solutions for our trade customers ”

WAN T TO KNOW MORE?

BMBI Experts speak exclusively for their markets, explaining trends, issues and opportunities For the latest reports, Expert comments and Round Table videos, visit www.bmbi.co.uk.