Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer February 2020

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PROFESSIONAL

HOUSEBUILDER &PROPERTY DEVELOPER FEBRUARY 2020

WWW.PHPDONLINE.CO.UK

MASONRY & TIMBER

INTERIORS

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Meet the brick manufacturer making its mark in the UK

Infrared heating – improving interior spaces

What you need to remember about having solar panels installed

EXPERT UPDATE: TACKLING DESIGN CHANGES POSED BY APARTMENT LIVING

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contents PHPD FEBRUARY 2020 VOLUME 14 NUMBER 2

This issue Regulars 5

First Word

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News

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Forbo Flooring

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Ask Tobermore

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Developments

PROFILE 10 Development ǀ Barrow House PHPD talks to Belvin Homes about their recent LABC-awarded development.

34 General Building Products 35 Last Word

Special Reports 12 An Active Role The Active Building Centre details the ethos behind the ‘active building’.

15 The Situation on the Ground Bridge Insurance Brokers discuss the impact of new Environmental Land Laws

Cover story

Taylor Lane Timber Frame explores timber construction and why it’s a perfect match for the 21st Century.

Turn to page 18 to find out more.

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Brightening interior spaces

Introducing Kingscourt Brick

MASONRY & TIMBER

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Belvin Homes’ Barrow House

EXPERT UPDATES 20 Design What challenges to high-rise

16 Here to ‘Clay’ Kingscourt Brick is the new name in the Breedon Group’s stable 18 Framing the Debate Taylor Lane Timber Frame explains why timber remains to be a vital building material

INTERIORS

developers face?

24 Feel the Heat Wave 21 Finance IR35: Will it affect you?

22 Market The value in heat pumps 23 Planning A joined-up approach needed to deliver health infrastructure

PHPD explores infrared with Tansun 26 Letting the Light in Transforming interior spaces with Dakea’s roof windows

ENERGY EFFICIENCY 31 A Star Turn A look at the thermal performance of Stella Rooflight’s rooflights 32 The Power Above Eco2Solar reveals what builders need to consider when hiring a solar panel contractor 33 Round-up

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Solar panel tips

28 Called to the Colours XL Joinery’s Commercial Manager, Mike Morris reveals 2020’s interior trends 29 Round-up

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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 Claire Picton Managing Editor Terry Smith Circulation Manager Kirstie Day Publisher Bryan Shannon Printer Walstead Peterborough 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. © 2019

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

Confidence Boost As the post-election dust begins to settle and the UK takes its first, tentative steps outside of the EU, housebuilders and developers may well turn to each other and ask, “what now?” After two and a half years of Brexit dominating the headlines and the airwaves, three different prime ministers and two changes of government, we may forgive ourselves for momentarily ignoring the long road ahead and the unknown challenges to come, and instead simply relishing the moment.

No matter which side of the many debates you were on, you can probably take some comfort from the fact that the UK has a degree of certainty and resolve at last.

The public and businesses were united in calling for “an end to the uncertainty”, almost from the very start. There is a lot of potential money waiting to be spent within the construction industry and many will be hoping that this spring will see the cash start to flow.

Confidence, it seems, is returning to the UK public, and news has broken recently that mortgage approvals have returned to 2015 levels. Good news, then, for those responsible for building the properties in the first place. One question which the industry as a whole will have to ask itself over the coming years, and one which the Government will no doubt have a large say in, will be how to build the homes we need going forward.

With that in mind, a new phenomenon has appeared – that of the modular building academy and the apprenticeships associated with it. It’s a bold step forward in declaring faith that the building method has the capacity to deliver the goods. Housing Minister Esther Mcvey recently told a modular home builder who has launched its own academy that they were “reinventing what homebuilding represents as a modern career choice.” With an ever-increasing skills shortage, an injection of construction enthusiasm might be just what the industry and the country’s youth need.

If serious numbers of homes are to be delivered in the coming years, the Government and industry will both be obliged to put their full backing into the next generation and guide them confidently towards the building methods of the future. No matter what happens in the Brexit fallout and what direction the trade negotiations bring the country in, a certain unity of approach and a self-confidence must be cornerstones of the construction industry.

a new phenomenon has appeared – that of the modular building academy and the apprenticeships associated with it

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

Total Average Net Distribution 14,633 1 July 2018 – 30 June 2019

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news In Brief ■ Derbyshire-based housebuilder Peveril Homes has made a contribution of £5,000 towards Alfreton Park School’s new outdoor play area project – which is set to open in 2021 alongside its new school building. The housebuilder stepped in to help after it discovered the £12m of council funding did not cover the £55,000 needed to build an outdoor play area and specialist gym – crucial for the children's learning and development.

The full amount has now been secured.

■ Solihull-headquartered Hayfield has agreed £85m of new equity and debt funding to deliver 500 homes per annum over the coming 36 months, which would result in a turnover of circa £180m. Mark Booth, Managing Director of Hayfield said: “This new capital structure will enable Hayfield to quickly lose the newcomer badge and will allow us to realise our aspiration to become an established medium-sized housebuilder of note.”

■ With falls the biggest single cause of accidental death, a framework to help housebuilders ensure the next generation of homes are safer has been launched by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

The framework outlines low-cost, practical interventions that can be “designed in” to address issues such as falls, poisoning, entrapment and burns and scalds.

What materials are predicted to be in use this year? nterested in sustainable building, Sell House Fast has surveyed 582 architects, engineers and construction (AEC) professionals to identify the eco-friendly building materials they expect the property industry to increase using in 2020.

Sell House Fast found ©Li Chaoshu/Shutterstock that the majority of better acquainted with the properties experts believe bamboo is the ecoand benefits of different eco-friendly friendly building material that will building materials, their adoption rate in experience the greatest use in the construction projects can expect to see property industry next year. Thereafter, a positive increase. This research 69% expect straw bales to have a strong certainly highlights the eco-friendly inclusion in construction projects building materials that will have a big scheduled in 2020. impact in 2020”.

As bamboo is lightweight and has tensile strength, it can be seen as the ideal The list in full: replacement for heavy imported building materials as well as a great alternative to Bamboo 74% concrete and rebar construction.

Straw Bales 69% Robby du Toit, the Managing Director Timbercrete 61% of Sell House Fast commented: “The Recycled Plastics 56% property industry is more eco-conscious Ferrock 47% than ever before. This has led to a Hempcrete 44% surge in the innovation and Cork 38% development of eco-friendly building Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm001 materials. As professionals become

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£8 million cash boost for new communities ommunities across England are set to benefit from thousands of new, better-designed homes thanks to an £8 million cash boost, Housing Minister Esther McVey announced recently.

A total of £6 million will be allocated to help new locally-led garden towns and villages progress plans to deliver up to 200,000 new homes.

An additional £1.9 million will be given to councils in England to support new neighbourhood plans, allowing communities to get involved and have

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their say on the types of homes that are built and where.

Neighbourhood planning has been incredibly popular at the local level since it was introduced in 2011 with nearly a million votes cast for neighbourhood plans and over 2,600 different communities coming forward with proposals.

Esther McVey commented: “Communities have the local insight to decide what new homes should look like and the kind of infrastructure they need in their area. This is what

neighbourhood planning is all about, so I’m pleased this funding will ensure that the right homes are built in the right places.”

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm002

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

Ibstock Brick scoops apprenticeship award

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bstock Brick was recognised recently with a prestigious award in recognition of its apprenticeship programme. At the Training Journal Awards, the brick maker beat off competition from major brands to win the Gold Award in the Best Apprenticeship Programme category.

The award recognises organisations

who embrace new and innovative ways of offering training opportunities to people of all ages. In winning, Ibstock Brick demonstrated that it had a clear understanding of best practice in learning and development and provided clear evidence of the success its apprenticeship programme had achieved.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm003

Saint-Gobain launches customer training under ‘one roof’

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edicated online training has been launched to support Saint-Gobain’s customers to create high performing buildings of the future.

The new section on Saint-Gobain’s website invites architects, designers and self-builders to explore their training offer.

Saint-Gobain brands – British Gypsum, Celotex, Ecophon, Gyproc, Isover, PAM and Weber present flexible training options including online videos and classroom courses to suit a variety of learners.

Customers can also book Continuing Professional Development at their workplace or location of choice to support their development and knowledge. These include Weber and Ecophon’s RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) approved CPD seminars and presentations.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm004

Uncertain future for New Towns nly one in 10 UK residents support creation of new towns as a solution to the housing crisis, according to a new report.

The research has been published by Eurocell. It highlights a reticence around the concept of new towns since the construction of places such as Milton Keynes and Telford in the mid-twentieth century.

By contrast, 43% of those surveyed would prefer the conversion of old, unused buildings and the regeneration of run-down communities or brownfield sites.

Only 4% said they would favour the construction of a greater number of high-rise buildings – a solution that is currently being implemented in high-density population areas such as Manchester and London.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm005

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Forbo Flooring

Reducing Impact Noise Minimise impact sound with Forbo flooring systems’ new Allura decibel range.

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n the UK, we typically spend around 90 per cent of our time indoors, with much of it being spent in our homes. As such, people are becoming more interested and concerned with how the internal environment affects them – and in turn are putting more pressure on developers to create homes that can minimise internal noise, to help them to relax and re-energise for the following day.

Indeed, according to the World Health Organisation, excessive noise can seriously harm human health and interfere with people’s daily activities at school, work and at home. It can disturb sleep, cause cardiovascular and psychophysiological effects, reduce performance and provoke annoyance responses and changes in social behaviour. Therefore, specifying products with high acoustic performance credentials is crucial to create a comfortable space for residents – especially in apartments or flats, where sound can transfer from flat to flat, through the floor.

One such example of an interior product that has been developed to minimise impact sound, is Forbo Flooring Systems’ new acoustic Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) collection. The new tackified Allura Decibel range has been designed to deliver 19 dB impact sound reduction, without compromising on aesthetics or ease of installation. In fact, the Decibel range offers 30 tile and plank formats in a range of its own unique and contemporary designs and is the perfect sound reducing solution for apartment buildings.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Developed by Forbo’s in-house team of passionate creators and produced in Europe by Forbo, the new Allura collection pushes the boundaries of design and manufacture. For more information please visit www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/alluradecibel

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Masonry experts Tobermore have teamed up with PHPD to answer your questions on paving and walling solutions. Here, Craig McBride, Technical and Product Training Manager, provides advice on retaining walls.

Q. A project we’re specifying at the moment requires a retaining wall as the development is on a gradient. We have requested bracken Tegula block paving but what would you recommend for the wall?

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atching the colour of the retaining wall with the paving you have selected is a good option. Our Secura blocks come in three attractive blended colours including Bracken – along with Heather and Slate.

We would recommend a purpose designed block system for the retaining wall. Unsightly weeds and debris can build up in open-faced systems like gabions or timber crib, and this is not desirable in applications such as housing developments or higher prestige urban developments.

Secura Lite blocks are best suited for small retaining walls on sloping sites where the gradient limits the land use. The walls retain soil, allowing level areas to be created, which can be used for other purposes. Retaining walls can also be terraced, making them a decorative landscaping feature.

Secura segmental retaining walls are constructed using a mortar-free process that requires no skilled labour. They are quicker and easier to install compared with concrete block walls and shuttered concrete walls, saving time and money during construction. There are no mortar drying times to delay installation, meaning that constant progress can be achieved.

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Email your latest developments to phpd@hamerville.co.uk

DEVELOPMENTS

Council approves Court One Eastside scheme Court Collaboration’s One Eastside scheme has been approved by Birmingham City Council’s planning committee, paving the way for the tallest residential tower in the Midlands.

The plans, which returned to committee after a recent deferral to allow for further construction details, will see a 51-storey skyscraper built in the city centre, near to the new HS2 station on Curzon Street.

The £160m scheme includes 667 one and two-bedroom apartments delivered across the main 525ft tower and another 15-storey building, with the overall development featuring a range of retail

Permission granted for 57 new homes on former school site

and leisure facilities.

Key features include a gym, yoga room and cinema room, as well as a rooftop dining and bar area in the form of a Sky Lounge.

£55 million waterside destination planned for Bristol Hill, the award-winning top 20 UK housebuilder, and Goram Homes, a housing company founded by Bristol City Council, have announced their first joint venture that will see the delivery of a 165-unit development in Bristol.

The scheme, located on Bristol’s iconic Floating Harbour, will have a Gross Development Value of over £55 million and represents Hill’s first development in Bristol and the South West of England.

Once complete, the development will comprise a range of one, two and three bedroom homes of which approximately 100 will be for private sale and will include a selection of exclusive waterfront penthouses. There will also be 66

Work draws to a close at 44-home development in Marden affordable homes delivered, over 75% of which will be affordable rented accommodation.

Each of the homes feature open-plan living spaces and private outdoor areas either in the form of a garden, terrace or balcony. Residents will also have access to The Yard, which includes a new public square with retail space, a listed pub and a sailing school.

Two bedroom apartments launched in Basingstoke David Wilson Homes has launched a range of brand new two bedroom apartments at its Gillies Meadow development in Basingstoke. Located on the outskirts of Basingstoke, the development benefits from a desirable balance of a semi-rural location and close proximity to the amenities of Basingstoke town centre, such as shops, pubs and restaurants.

Rob Allen, Sales Director for David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “The development is the perfect location for commuters and families alike, with great

Planners at property consultancy Harris Lamb have secured permission to build 57 new homes on the site of a former Kidderminster school.

The business’ Residential Land team agreed the sale of the 5.36-acre Stourminster School site on Comberton Road to Cameron Homes last year, subject to the plans being approved. Wyre Forest Planning Committee resolved to grant planning permission, subject to the signing of a section 106 agreement.

transport links and good schools nearby.

We encourage anyone interested to visit the development and speak to one of our friendly Sales Advisers who can answer any questions they may have.”

Work is almost complete at a housing development at Appledown Grange, in Howland Road, Marden, which has created 44 new homes and brought investment to Marden.

Jones Homes has contributed more than £30,000 towards community facilities and infrastructure as part of its planning agreement.

Sara Stanhope, Sales and Marketing Director for Jones Homes Southern, said: “Our homes at Appledown Grange have already become established within this thriving village community.

“New residents have been drawn to the area in search of a village which boasts a rare array of amenities, including shops, pubs, sports clubs, a primary school and even a railway station. Others already lived in the area and were seeking more space, or a move to a smaller home.”

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Profile Development

Breaking New Ground Relative newcomer to the industry, Lincolnshire’s Belvin Homes has been making big waves recently with its Barrow House, a Paragraph 79 build that LABC recently declared Home of the Year. PHPD caught up with Managing Director Steve Turner to discuss what went into the build and how Belvin Homes separates itself from the rest.

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uch ink has been spilled in architects’ journals over the topic of Paragraph 79 houses, so-called thanks to the one paragraph in the National Planning Policy Framework that has simultaneously confirmed their right to exist and ensured they remain on the margins.

As elusive as the houses themselves, the specific wording of the policy calls for “exceptional quality or innovative nature of the design” to be the guiding principle behind any new homes built on green belt land. What that means in practice, however, and why only a little over 100 such homes have been granted permission since the policy’s introduction in 2012 (then sitting nearer the front at Paragraph 55), is up for debate. One architect’s practice which can rest easy, however, is ID Architects, whose Barrow House in the Lincolnshire Wolds has been brought into being by local builder Belvin Homes.

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We spoke to Belvin Homes’ Managing Director, Steve Turner, who started the building company only two and a half years ago, having worked previously as a Quantity Surveyor for the Lindum Group.

He told us: “We now have 16 employees on the books, and work with 50-60 subcontractors across our sites each week. At the moment, we have nine jobs on the go, including industrial, commercial, housing sites and refurbishment work. Success has spiralled, really. Part of my strategy is to diversify the business, and spread any risk across different sectors, however I must say that the jobs that interest me the most are the grand designs, of which we try to do one a year.”

For a grand design, Barrow House was remarkably simple in both design and execution. As viewed from the road, the house appears to be a modest

orange barn, clad in Cor-Ten steel sheets which are designed to weather as time goes by. Steve explained the ethos of the build: “The family who commissioned the build wanted the house to grow and change as time passes, and to grow in tandem with themselves. In that regard, the steel cladding we used ages as time passes. They were black when we first installed them. The same thought process was behind the wild meadow, which sits on the first floor sections of flat roof. We seeded this rather than planted it, with the idea that it would grow and change over time.”

Building in the countryside presents challenges not only at the planning stage, but at the build stage too. Fortunately, Barrow House seemed to breeze through both. The house’s nod to barn architecture and the harmony with its surroundings pleased planners, whilst

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Steve and his team were given all the support they needed to get the build done to the highest standards. The land was owned by the client’s family, and the groundworks were even completed by their own groundworks firm, meaning Belvin only had to complete the job from the slab up. Adding to the general ease of things, much of the barn’s structure was manufactured off-site before being installed, as Steve outlines: “The barn is a timber truss structure overlaid with a membrane and then sheathed in steel.

The steel came in panels, and if you look Heat Pumps should be easy to install and maintain at them closely you can see the joins.

Once the timber frame was in place, we measured up for each panel needed, meaning we didn’t have to cut a single thing onsite, simply fix it all into position using a crane. Below the barn it’s a mixture of timber frame, blockwork and shuttered concrete.”

The house sits into the ground, and beyond the barn, the bottom floor and the master bedroom open out to provide space and light, offering great views from the master bedroom over the landscape below. Working alongside the client and

the sub-contractor, Steve opted for Senior windows in the build, which make up a large amount of the external surface area.

Choosing highly insulating materials for the build was important, as the aim was to keep ongoing heating costs to a minimum by using a ground source heat pump with a low energy output.

Pump Power Heat pumps and energy efficient systems in general, are a regular part of the projects that Belvin are involved with, says Steve: “It’s a good way to go for houses out in the countryside, and it’s preferable to use an energy source that is not only free to use, but will actually earn you money as you sell energy back to the grid. To heat a home that is around 8,000sq.ft for free is certainly worth the initial investment. Also it’s better for the environment, which is important. As the builders, we actually have quite a lot of say on the heating choices for a home.

Certainly when it comes down to the finer points, we take over from the architect.

Working out the logistics, planning and laying the loop system, choosing where it

it’s preferable to use an energy source that is not only free to use, but will actually earn you money enters the building, all of this has to be worked out on the ground by us.”

The loop system, wherein a pipe is run in a loop around the surrounding land at a shallow depth, was chosen as the family owned the land and they could therefore spread out, eliminating the need for the borehole alternative.

The house was named Best Individual New Home at the LABC Building Excellence Awards at the end of last year, where the judges praised its “immaculate detailing”, arguing its “distinctiveness in appearance and performance made it a worthy and stand-out winner.” Steve’s own estimation of the build was no less enthusiastic, calling it an “amazing project” and a “very modern building, [whose] design and materials suit the environment perfectly.” After such a successful start, perhaps ambitious Paragraph 79 builds have finally found a home in the Lincolnshire Wolds – welcome news, no doubt, to Belvin Homes.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? Barrow House owes its name to the ‘Long Barrows’ found in Lincolnshire, the biggest of which the house overlooks. The burial structures date from the iron age and are only found in Lincolshire.

For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm006

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Special Report What is an Active Building?

Simon McWhirter, Head of Engagement, Active Building Centre reveals all.

An Active Role T

he new year is now upon us, heralding the start of a new decade, with a new government at the helm.

Thankfully, the political winds currently continue to blow in a favourable direction for sustainability and this presents myriad opportunities for housebuilders and developers. Indeed, with sweeping political commitments in support of buildings and infrastructure, there is a linked drive to deliver quality housing at a rapid pace.

There is a wide range of suitable technologies already available and deployed in the market, from innovative energy-generating materials to adaptive storage systems. However, what’s needed industry-wide is a step change in thinking from individual product solutions, to a systems-based approach – one which combines best-in-class low carbon technologies with smart, responsive controls and intelligent building management systems. ‘Active Buildings’ sit squarely in that space. It’s a concept which could profoundly change the way we develop our homes and property, as it can significantly benefit the environment through reduced carbon impacts, while minimising financial energy costs

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What is an Active Building? As above, in essence it’s a direct progression, or more appropriately evolution, from a focus on singular innovative technology solutions, to systems-thinking, holistic sustainable construction. These buildings effectively empower the occupant or building owner by giving the building a decision-making role. Renewable energy generation and storage tech is governed by AI softwaredriven tools that lets the buildings know whether it’s optimal to use, store or trade the energy it generates.

Importantly, it’s a low carbon option which has the potential to ease pressure on the National Grid, adding resilience into the wider system by delivering more generation capacity, aggregated at scale, with the ability to support the energy system at times of stress. This is essential as we move to non-fossil fuel generated electricity and our energy consumption rapidly increases.

Beyond the building envelope The advantages Active Buildings offer go far beyond the immediate financial benefits homeowners and landlords will see through reductions in energy bills.

The intention is that, as well as heating and powering appliances, the building would also fuel occupants’ electric vehicle (EV) adoption. This is a welcome and, given the current levels of associated infrastructure, necessary solution.

Currently, the majority of the UK’s homes and property are not properly equipped to support EV use and are not

These buildings effectively empower the occupant or building owner by giving the building a decisionmaking role designed with this in mind. One way to rapidly change this is to start incorporating Active solutions into new builds. It’s a low-or-no emission solution which should be welcomed in line with the industry-wide push toward net-zero carbon by 2050.

To demonstrate the potential, our Active Building Centre founder Prof. Dave Worsley has been able to cover over 20,000 miles of road in 12 months solely using electricity generated from an Active Building on our test site at Swansea University. It’s quite an achievement, highlighting a huge potential saving for the homeowner occupants of Active Buildings.

It’s a way in which housebuilders and developers can significantly add long-term, sustainable value into the property.

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The case for Active Buildings is a compelling one, and is becoming stronger as policy decision makers begin to embed it into their thinking. The societal benefits are obvious, ranging from minimised fuel poverty to improved air quality.

At the Active Building Centre, we are constantly developing new and innovative solutions which will define the energy efficient, self-sufficient homes of the future. Through adopting an empirical, data-led methodology we have been able to directly observe the possibilities of Active Buildings, refining our processes and systems to offer housebuilders and developers the best advice possible.

The UK property sector has the capability and capacity to be early adopters of this construction model, becoming trailblazers in the collective mission to achieve our zero-carbon targets as we aim to deliver a more sustainable society.

The Active Building system was originally pioneered by the government-backed SPECIFIC in 2015. At a base level, Active Buildings comprise six core principles: 1. Building fabric and passive design – an integrated engineering and architectural design approach. This includes consideration of orientation and massing, fabric efficiency, natural daylighting and natural ventilation.

Designed for occupant comfort and low energy by following passive design principles.

2. Energy efficient systems – intelligently controlled and energy efficient systems to minimise loads, including HVAC, lighting and vertical transportation. This is complemented by data capture via inbuilt monitoring & standard naming schemas to enable optimisation and refinement of predictive control strategies.

3. On-site renewable energy generation – renewable energy generation is incorporated where appropriate.

Renewable technologies should be selected holistically, given site conditions and building load profiles.

4. Energy storage – thermal and electrical storage are considered to mitigate peak demand, reducing the requirement to oversize systems and enabling greater control.

5. Electric vehicle integration – where appropriate Active Buildings should integrate electric vehicle charging. As technology develops, bi-directional charging will allow electric vehicles to deliver energy to buildings as required.

6. Intelligently manage integration with micro-grids & national energy network – in addition to intelligent controls, Active Buildings must manage their interaction with wider energy networks (e.g. through demand side response, load shifting & predictive control methods).

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm007

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SPECIAL REPORT

Credit: Michale Pech/Unsplash

Environmental Land Laws have been updated recently and this is something developers need to be aware of, advises Carrie Arnold of Bridge Insurance Brokers.

The Situation on the Ground

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ities in the UK are growing at an incredible pace.

To use the example of Manchester, where we are based, there is now a population of almost three million people; it is the third largest economy in the UK and the third most visited city, after London and Edinburgh. A thriving economy is reflected in the property, construction and development sector here in Manchester – there are currently almost 20,000 homes under development, over 2 million sq. feet of office space under construction (that’s a y/o/y increase of 50%) and seven skyscraper proposals in the pipeline.

While many of these developments are on the sites of existing buildings, a quick tram journey in any direction from the city

is becoming more prolific is historic pollution. Often assumed to be the onus of manufacturing, chemical or waste industries, historic pollution is now something that needs to be at the forefront of developers’ minds, as they excavate and develop land for building.

This pollution can come in several forms. It may be buried waste, leaking oil, gas, arsenic – often not immediately evident – and with a network of waterways running through cities like Manchester and Birmingham, the problem is not limited to the soil as it can be transported into ground water resources which may be used for drinking purposes.

Because of the recent changes in the laws, the Environment Agency has become a lot more proactive and on spot

Most developers don’t have Environment Impairment Liability (EIL) but this is something that needs to be looked at, as the days of relying on the principle of ‘polluter pays’ are over centre shows the spread of residential developments. As the city centre runs out of space, developers are looking to expand and make the most of the outskirts of the city. This is a natural development, true of most UK cities, where we are seeing swathes of unused old industrial land sites being changed beyond recognition, creating desirable living quarters, welcoming new tenants and homeowners and reinvigorating entire neighbourhoods.

It does come with its challenges however. These sites have a backstory – many of them were used for manufacturing or industrial businesses, bringing with them a whole host of different risks to city centre locations and beyond. One such risk which

site checks are increasing. If these checks are okay, building can begin. However, evidence of pollution will lead to more detailed geotechnical checks, which can hold up the development and lead to the investigation of further contaminants, which are often released when the earth or surrounding area has been disrupted for development. Excavated material can be transported off-site by heavy rain which is a key feature of the weather experienced in Britain last year.

It may be assumed that this is the responsibility of the original polluter, but in many instances, that polluter has long since died, cannot be found, or has gone into liquidation. In this instance, it is the

landowning developer who has to deal with the clean-up costs, compensatory damages and complementary remediation as opposed to the traditional fines and penalties.

Most developers don’t have Environment Impairment Liability (EIL) but this is something that needs to be looked at, as the days of relying on the principle of ‘polluter pays’ are over. The law now holds the developer or contractor responsible – after all, it is they who have brought the issue to the surface.

EIL covers environmental exposures not typically covered by the more traditionally used Public Liability policies which are typically very limited, covering sudden and accidental events with off-site, third party impacts only and third party claims for bodily injury and property damage only.

An EIL Policy protects the buyer from potential claims arising during the policy period from contamination beneath the site.

This can include discovery by an adjacent landowner of contamination which has migrated off-site, sudden and accidental and gradual pollution conditions, on-site and off-site third parties and clean up and claims from third parties and claims from regulators (independent of one another).

As policies can be arranged for periods of up to ten years, future owners can be added to the policy, making site purchases more attractive.

As we migrate into the suburbs of our cities and transform our neglected sites into developments fit for the future, we need to make sure we are considering the past when we start the planning.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm008

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Masonry & Timber It may be the only remaining brick manufacturer in Ireland but Kingscourt is far from resting on its Lagan laurels.

Here to ‘Clay’ N

ow the only surviving functioning brickworks in Ireland, Kingscourt Brick is enjoying a renaissance under the parentage of the building materials giant the Breedon Group, which acquired the century-old business almost two years ago.

So called after the town in County Cavan where it was founded more than 100 years ago, the site manufactures a colourful portfolio of dozens of facing bricks from Keuper Marl clay. Its history in Ireland has made it a familiar and favourite name with customers there and now, under Breedon’s guiding hand, it is set to become as popular in Britain.

Quality over quantity While its strategy is to focus on quality rather than quantity, during the Celtic boom years the Kingscourt factory manufactured as many as 20 million bricks per year. The abrupt end of the

boom, and the worldwide economic recession between 2009 and 2013, largely wiped out brick making in Ireland which had been in the envious position of selling excess capacity to the UK, leaving Kingscourt as the only surviving functioning brickworks in the country.

Acquired by the Lagan family in 1985, Kingscourt has been supplying bricks to the British market since 2015 and is now growing an impressive stable of sites which showcase the beautifully crafted products.

Manufacturing investment In recent years the brick maker has invested substantially in its manufacturing capability, making the factory one of the most efficient and environmentallyfriendly works in Europe.

Alongside this, the company has developed a range of bricks specifically for the British market including most recently a range of 73mm-high bricks to suit the repair

Kingscourt’s Grafton brick in use in Derbyshire

and maintenance of older properties where imperial measurements were used as opposed to the newer 65mm metric sizes.

In addition to the RMI brick, they will shortly launch new buff-multi and orange facing bricks for the new-build housing market as evidence of its on-going programme of R&D with customers to develop carefully crafted bricks they are interested in introducing into their build schemes.

Introducing robotics Breedon acquired the majority of the Lagan Group in April 2018, making a near billion pound construction company with a range of interests including quarrying, aggregates, cement production, ready mix concrete, asphalt, civil engineering and building products.

Being part of a group this size has advantages for Kingscourt apart from the synergies that naturally occur for all parties when a broad-based construction materials group introduces new products such as clay facing bricks into its portfolio.

Façade and cladding systems Funding is now more readily available, not only for maintenance but also for capex spend, with a new packaging system currently being installed which will introduce state-of-the-art robotics to

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Brick has proven the test of time and is a trusted material that is loved not only by housebuilders and home owners but by financial institutions and lenders who demand assurance that the properties they are lending and insuring against will still be standing in decades to come automatically pack bricks. The acquisition of clay reserves ensures that brick manufacturing on the Kingscourt site can continue for many years to come.

Kingscourt’s primary objective is to match its R&D programme with unparalleled levels of customer service, and to evolve this joined-up approach into new façade and cladding systems.

Under Breedon’s parentage, the potential is huge.

Modern Methods of Construction Brick has proven the test of time and is a trusted material that is loved not only by housebuilders and home owners but by financial institutions and lenders who

demand assurance that the properties they are lending and insuring against will still be standing in decades to come.

Mark Morris, Breedon’s commercial director for products, said: “It is our view that brick will always be the major cladding/façade/building material, certainly for the housing market, be that new-build or RMI, and it will always play a part in the commercial sector.

“Because of its longevity and recyclability (there is a huge market for recycled bricks in the UK) clay bricks are given the highest rating of A+ in the BRE Green Guide so from an environmental standpoint brick is one of the best materials to use in construction and the actual square metre

cost for brick stands comparison to all other materials in the market.”

He added: “If we look at increasing population levels and household formation numbers, both in Ireland and more so in the UK, and this Government’s stated desire for new housebuilding levels to increase up to and beyond 300,000 units per year (currently we only build 200,000 per year) there is insufficient brick capacity in Ireland and the UK to satisfy this level of demand.”

The future Whilst Kingscourt are always looking for ways to grow the business and would never rule anything out, there are no current plans to open any new brick manufacturing facilities in Ireland or the UK. Mark said: “Opening a brick plant is dependent on the geology of the region, having the right type of clay and the right level of clay reserves. Then you need planning permission to open a quarry and build a site. The cost of building a new modern brick factory to meet all the certification levels is very high and is a major barrier to overcome for any manufacturer, large or small.”

The company’s focus remains on its existing facilities and its plans to increase production in the future and expand the portfolio of products its offers.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm009

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Masonry & Timber A2 Dominion’s eco-development Elmsbrook is an example of timber being used to benefit homeowners

Framing the Debate Taylor Lane Timber Frame sets out the case for timber as a modern, environmentally friendly building material.

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s a new decade begins amidst a tide of new resolutions, it’s worth remembering that unlike fast fashion and interior décor, architecture is slow to change, evolving with each new generation. Look around the villages, towns and cities of the UK and it’s easy to pinpoint housing and buildings from certain eras – whether that’s a prominent Victorian villa, a solid, reliable pair of 1930s semis or an openplan, detached 1960s house, complete with flat-roof garage.

For architecture, the middle of the 20th century was the age of change. Homes of the 1960s were ultra-modern on the inside and outside. Formal layouts were overthrown for open plan living; the through dining and living room was a popular fad, and windows became larger, picture windows. By modern standards, houses were bigger, and as the UK population grew more affluent, driveways and garages became a design essential.

Today, housebuilding style has much more to do with planning consent than trends. How the properties sit within the setting, impact on the surroundings and the quality of life this affords the homeowners, are all factored in. This approach impacts on every aspect of the build – from design and product specification to restrictions on site.

Unlike the mid to late 20th century however, houses are an urgent 18 february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

requirement in the UK, and speed must also be a critical factor in the building process. Timber frame construction balances this need for speed with a desire for different and transformative housing.

Exemplar Development An exemplar housing scheme in Bicester, Oxfordshire does exactly that. Elmsbrook, an eco-development by A2 Dominion, takes advantage of the many benefits of building with timber frame and delivers houses for a new generation of homeowners.

Taylor Lane Timber Frame completed phase two of Elmsbrook. Working with main contractor, Hill, the Hereford-based timber frame specialist supplied and erected its 140mm timber frame system, pre-insulated with 100mm PIR, for 73 houses. Battens, vapour control layer (VCL) and insulation were also supplied, helping to achieve an overall U-value of 0.14W/m2K. Timber frame construction was the build method of choice due to its environmental credentials, speed of construction and accuracy. As a prime example of contemporary sustainable living, the thermal performance and CO2 cost of timber were also key elements.

Generally considered the most environmentally friendly building material, timber frame has the lowest energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions when compared to brick, steel and concrete.

Elmsbrook balances health and wellbeing with a thriving village-style community. The two, three, four and fivebedroom homes benefit from the latest eco-technologies including solar PV panels. There are zero emissions from each property and 40% of the development is open, green space, with community gardens and playing fields.

Variation in Style One of the most striking aspects of the Bicester development is the variation in housing style. This, again, is an inherent benefit of building in timber frame. The timber frame structure can be ‘wrapped’ in a variety of external finishes including traditional brickwork, cladding and render – something that the developer embraced wholeheartedly.

Designs vary from traditional terraced houses clad in regional stone and partial render, to timber clad properties with

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Timber frame construction was the build method of choice due to its environmental credentials, speed of construction and accuracy extraordinary roof lines. Taking inspiration from mid-20th century properties, larger windows are also a key feature on some.

When considering the exterior of the timber frame build, it’s vital that any highlevel brickwork is designed out on builds with a step-in level or stepped roof. This is particularly common on semi-detached houses or when there is a single storey adjacent to a dwelling with more storeys.

The timber frame cannot bear the load of the high-level brickwork, due to differential movement between the frame and masonry, so a steel frame would be

required. This is a costly addition and can cause a thermal bridging issue if not designed in correctly. A lightweight cladding, slip or render system is often chosen as an alternative.

Setting the Standard While timber frame is a versatile choice, developers can also benefit from standardisation. Setting standard room sizes on similar sized plots is an easy win when designing and building with timber frame. Standardisation generates speed throughout the process, from estimation

to design; manufacture to delivery; erection right through to fit-out.

And so, timber frame provides an opportunity to set the standard in more ways than one – regardless of style or finish. We can build houses using modern methods of construction that tick all the social, economic and environmental boxes of a new decade.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm010

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EXPERT Update | DESIGN

©Red Pixel/Adobestock

Up to the job Rob Woolston, director at multi-disciplinary design practice, rg+p talks about the considerations when designing apartments and the unique challenges they pose…

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partments are often touted as a way to address the UK’s housing shortage – they’re land efficient and have lower maintenance costs – yet there is still a preference and aspiration from the public for more traditional home ownership. How do we, as an industry, challenge this and, more specifically, as architects how do we design apartments to appeal to modern living?

As with any new development, our first considerations are twofold and of equal importance: location and understanding the end use. Location gives us context and a starting point for architectural style: What will suit the environment? How will the material palette blend? How will it relate to its

“ Apartments, whilst beneficial to achieving the scale and massing on tightly constrained, urban sites, need to have amenities – all of which have space implications” 20 february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

neighbours? It’s also used as an indicator of size, both for internal and external space. Apartments, whilst beneficial to achieving the scale and massing on tightly constrained, urban sites, need to have amenities – parking, cycle storage, etc., all of which have space implications. Similarly, there is always an optimum size and layout for the internal design and what will result in strong sales/rentals. For instance, it follows that in markets like London or other capital cities there is greater diversity and a product to suit wealthier/international buyers than would typically be found in the regions where the offering is more mainstream.

For whom and how apartments are used are other major considerations.

The appetite for schemes of this nature spans a variety of residential markets, including private, affordable, Build to Rent and retirement/later living, with extra care paid as each of these have their own design conditions. For instance, with BTR properties, a flourishing market in the UK, these are modelled on the boutique hotel market with in-house services such as concierge, gym, cinemas, etc. For later living homes or retirement communities, we must consider the outlook, gardens, external space, accessibility and movement including lifts.

Once these first two considerations have been assessed, it’s then time to look at the material palette and how schemes are built. The findings and reports from Grenfell have fundamentally changed how high-rise buildings are not just built, but also managed and regulated. Any

combustible materials are now banned on buildings over 18m tall and fire doors, sprinklers, smoke extraction systems and evacuation routes must all be included, with demonstrable and regular plans for re-testing and reviews in place.

All of this impacts design, but also cost.

Traditional building materials such as brick, block and timber are still the most commonly used for apartments between four and six storeys (although there are now even question marks about the use of timber), but as you increase height, steel frame, concrete and modular building are preferable.

As with any new development, design is a collaborative process and therefore the earlier you engage with an architect, as well as local authorities, the community and other stakeholders, the better.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Rob Woolston is a director at AJ100 practice, rg+p. Rob has over 20 years’ experience in residential development and oversees a team of architects, master planners, urban designers and town planners. For more information, please visit www.rg-p.co.uk

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EXPERT Update | FINANCE

©Inkstop/Adobestock

Taxing Times Kreston Reeves’ Emma Beynon explains the new IR35 tax rules for subcontractors. rom 6th April 2020, new tax rules for off-payroll working, often referred to as IR35, will be extended to cover both public and private sector contracts.

Overall this change, which currently remains draft legislation but is expected to become law in the next Finance Act, represents a major upheaval for sectors heavily reliant on subcontractors.

Medium and large end clients face increased administration and obligations, for fee-payers a real squeeze on margins with Employer’s NIC costs and payroll

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“ Under the new rules, the decision of whether IR35 applies will shift from the PSC and rest with the end client ” running costs, and subcontractors’ takehome pay significantly reduced by employment taxes without the statutory protections of actual employment.

IR35 applies where an individual would have been an employee of the end client for tax purposes if it was not for the other parties in the supply chain.

HMRC introduced similar rules in April 2017 for public sector contracts including local government and NHS. Currently when a subcontractor takes on a private sector contract through their own personal services company (a PSC), the decision on whether IR35 applies or not is taken by the PSC. Often main

contractors and end clients insist that the subcontractor uses a PSC to reduce their own tax risk.

With the IR35 decision in the PSC’s hands, it is not surprising then that most PSCs decide their contracts are outside IR35 and do not treat the payments as if they were employment income subject to PAYE and NI. The PSC typically pays the worker a salary below the NI threshold and the rest of their income is received as dividends, reducing their overall tax and NI costs.

Under the new rules, the decision of whether IR35 applies will shift from the PSC and rest with the end client. They must review the contract, gather enough information to assess the worker’s IR35 status and take a decision. A status determination statement, showing the decision and the reasons for it, must then be provided to the worker directly and to the next organisation in the supply chain. This is a significant administrative burden for the end client with multiple assessments for workers engaged via complex supply chains.

Each link in the supply chain passes the SDS to the next until it reaches the “feepayer”. This is the organisation which pays the PSC. Where a contract is in IR35 from April 2020, the feepayer must add the worker to their payroll and treat the amount on the PSC invoice (excluding VAT) as employment income deducting PAYE and Employee’s NIC and paying Employer’s NIC to HMRC. If the SDS says the contract is outside IR35 the feepayer pays the PSC invoice as usual.

There are penalties for organisations which do not fulfil their obligations.

Failure to pass on the SDS makes that organisation the fee-payer liable for PAYE and NIC. There is an exemption for contracts where the end client is small. The end client is not considered small if two of the following apply: an annual turnover of more than £10.2m, a balance sheet total of more than £5.1m, or more than 50 employees. If the exemption applies, it remains the PSC’s decision whether the contract is within IR35.

From April, the cost of operating through a company could start to outweigh the benefits for some subcontractors, but with many main contractors and end clients still preferring to contract with a company there is limited room for manoeuvre.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Emma Beynon is a Senior Tax Manager at accountants and business advisers Kreston Reeves.

She can be reached by email at emmay.beynon@krestonreeves.com.

For more information visit www.krestonreeves.com.

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EXPERT Update | MARKET

©Kenishirotie/AdobeStock

Coming Off Gas

Thomas McMillan, Head of Energy Consulting at Savills UK, explores the value of heat pumps to the development industry.

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n October 2019, the UK Government issued its consultation on the ‘Future Housing Standards’, a central piece of this policy proposes ‘no new gas’ from 2025 as part of the UK’s drive to reduce Climate Change.

There is a compelling argument that heat pumps should now be the technology of choice for most developments, particularly residential schemes. However with up to 19 million heat pumps required by 2050 and only 27,000 installed in 2018, the challenge is enormous. Not only do we lag in installing

“ in adopting this technology we need to consider the pressures that the energy trilemma brings to developments: the balance between the environment, energy security and social impact.” them (we’re currently placed 18th in Europe) but we installed 1.7 million new gas boilers in 2018, second only to China.

It will be difficult to wean the country off cheap North Sea gas, but we must do so if we are to reach our 2050 net zero target.

As the government pushes forward with its ‘no new gas’ objective, housebuilders must disregard individual gas boilers. Heat pumps offer the only viable alternative. However, in adopting

22 february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

this technology we need to consider the pressures that the energy trilemma brings to developments: the balance between the environment, energy security and social impact.

The challenge is that in the UK domestic gas is cheap (c4.46p/kWh) and electricity is expensive (17.36p/kWh). A single air source heat pump unit costs about three times that of a similar sized gas system with an SPF (Seasonal Performance Factor) of about 2.5 and costs about 6.94p/kWh to run. A gas boiler is about 80% efficient, making their energy use about 5.6p/kWh. On the face of it, residential occupiers will end up paying about 25% more for their heating.

So will the future cost of heating a property rise? It will certainly cost more to install heat pumps, and to make buildings more energy efficient. However this simplistic view does not consider the more important concept of development value.

The best way of securing this value is through an Energy Service Company (ESCo) which will look to own and operate a development’s energy infrastructure over 40 years, and to secure an income by providing a ‘service’.

It’s similar to how a mobile phone contract works where the consumer pays a fraction for the handset upfront, with the rest paid off under contract. An ESCo structure is most effective on developments of 250 residential units or more but it also works well on mixed use development sites with commercial and industrial occupiers.

When an ESCo considers heat pumps, the whole life cost of the energy infrastructure becomes important, as well as the initial capital outlay. Heat pumps have two interesting characteristics when considering value: their SPF and where they are physically positioned. Notably the SPF of an air source heat pump is around 2.5, while a ground source heat pump is around 3.0. This can be doubled to six

when waste heat is introduced making them cheaper than gas boiler systems. In this scenario an ESCo can guarantee a discount to the occupier for a comparative gas system but increase its profit margin on every unit of heat sold.

Ground source heat pumps operate at a relatively low temperature, they don’t use a flammable fuel, they don’t need a flue, and as such they can be located in a range of places. Such flexibility can fundamentally change the way a building is designed, freeing up valuable real estate space previously taken up by fuel burning systems. Most significantly this includes penthouse spaces – often the most valuable elements of a prime development.

This increased capture of value can dwarf heat pump installation costs.

The shift to heat pumps might sound like a brave new world but in fact it’s a small change built on decades of core surveying principles which consider where value sits and how to release it through sensible and robust contract structures.

With specialists in energy, sustainability, building consultancy, planning and valuations, Savills advises on all stages of a project from inception to operation, delivering low carbon developments while increasing overall value. The key is to apply strategic focus to energy infrastructure at inception.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information go to www.savills.co.uk

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EXPERT Update | PLANNING

Creating Healthy Communities ©Vladimir Gerasimov/AdobeStock

Amber Morley, Senior Consultant, Economics at planning and development consultancy, Turley, argues that a joined-up approach is necessary to deliver health infrastructure.

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he housing shortfall and ongoing affordability challenge continues to be one of the UK’s largest issues.

And while much of the debate rightly centres on the volume of homes required, equally crucial is delivering community infrastructure to make new towns and urban extensions sustainable and desirable places to live.

strengthened by more comprehensive guidance being published by the Department for Education.

In our experience, planning for healthcare facilities alongside residential development is more disjointed. The level of engagement between council planning departments, NHS England, Clinical Commissioning Groups and GP

“ developers, councils and NHS England need to be more proactive earlier in the process.

Many only get involved when a formal planning application has been submitted” New housing generates additional demand for facilities such as education, healthcare, open green space and sports centres. Delivering these vital facilities and services requires the collaboration and strategic thinking of multiple parties at both the plan-making and planning application stage. However, securing engagement with stakeholders continues to be a struggle and this limits the ability to effectively plan community infrastructure alongside housing.

In many cases, the system already works well for education provision. Most Local Planning Authorities have developer obligations in place to ensure school places are delivered alongside residential development. Where a twotier government system exists, there are many best practice examples of County Councils and LPAs working well together. This has also been

surgeries themselves, varies in different regions across the country. The range of stakeholders, each with their own objectives, makes social infrastructure planning for healthcare more complex.

The scale of development, in particular, presents challenges for engagement. Small-scale developments, for instance 100 homes, typically do not generate demand for even one part-time GP, and since the numbers involved are not particularly large, engagement with healthcare authorities can, therefore, be difficult. Multiple smallscale developments, however, can have a large impact, and this can and does place strain on communities. Likewise, a housing scheme of 1,000 homes may generate a population of 2,500 residents, but this may only trigger the need for just over

one full-time GP – typically not enough demand to warrant a new standalone facility. Expanding an existing surgery may instead be the only viable option, so early engagement is vital.

To allow these challenges to be resolved, developers, councils and NHS England need to be more proactive earlier in the process. Many only get involved when a formal planning application has been submitted. However, by local authorities and developers engaging earlier, this ensures that there is time to plan for how future developer contributions to local areas will be spent effectively. This means that the genuine needs of an area can be taken into account, whether it be an ageing population or the growing proportion of younger families.

There is a real opportunity for the planning and property industries to address these challenges and focus on the sustainable growth of communities.

Considering the local community impacts of new housing alongside volume itself will be integral to addressing the UK’s housing crisis.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information go to www.turley.co.uk

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Interiors

Feel the Heat Wave Tansun explores what the experts are saying about infrared heating and separates the facts from fiction.

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nfrared heating is growing in popularity, and is fast becoming one of the top choices for home heating in the UK. Developed to be 100 per cent efficient, many builders and developers are taking an interest in this new form of technology, especially since the release of a report by the Committee on Climate Change last year on the creation of low carbon and sustainable homes.

As with anything new, many homeowners have misconceptions about using infrared heating every day, especially as a replacement for central heating. Infrared heating experts Tansun have answered some of the most common questions put to them by housebuilders considering using infrared, as well as talking about the truth behind some of the myths.

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Is infrared heating safe and is it comfortable?

Infrared is actually the oldest and most natural type of heat as it’s what the sun emits but without any harmful ultra-violet rays. Infrared heat is healthier than traditional convection heat as it transmits natural heat in an efficient and safe way, eliminating the unhealthy emissions and smells that come with gas heaters and oil burners, and guarantees clear air with zero emissions and no odour.

Infrared heating is so safe in fact that far infrared, the gentlest form of infrared, is often used in incubators for babies to keep them warm.

Can infrared panels burn?

Like any traditional heater, infrared heaters will get hot when they’re in use.

The heat levels are similar to that of a

gas radiator to the touch, but have the advantage of not having to be installed at floor level and can be fitted on walls and ceilings.

Are infrared panels difficult to install?

Infrared heating panels are highly costeffective to install as they don’t require pipework to function and simply plug into the wall like a regular appliance. Because of their versatility, it’s also possible to gradually introduce infrared heaters as they can be quickly and easily installed by an electrician, making it cheaper than other forms of heating. This includes gas heating, where extra pipework may have to be brought in.

The average home installation of infrared heating panels would cost around £800, compared to up to £3,000

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for gas central heating. Additionally, disruption is minimal as panels can be installed in less than a day, making it much more desirable than other forms of heating that could be inconvenient and would involve the moving of carpets and floorboards.

Does infrared heat lead to a suntan?

While infrared heat is designed to be similar to what is generated by the sun, it’s the sun’s UV component that enables people to tan and not infrared. Infrared heat does not tan the skin but instead stimulates circulation and eases muscle pain and is widely used as a source of heating in yoga studios and health facilities.

Will it damage the wall or ceiling?

Infrared heating panels only contain a few components, with one of the most important being insulation to ensure walls and ceilings are protected from any heat generated, and is designed to push the infrared energy outwards in order to heat the room more effectively.

Is infrared heating reliable?

Because the heaters contain so few components and no moving parts, infrared heaters require little to no maintenance and can last for many years. Developed to be highly energy efficient, Tansun’s radiant panels are cost effective and can save approximately 30-70% in heating costs, also coming with a full five-year warranty.

Developed to be highly energy efficient, Tansun’s radiant panels are cost effective and can save approximately 30-70% in heating costs Do infrared devices interfere with each other?

If every radio used the same frequency, everyone listening would be able to hear multiple stations at once, which is why each station has their own frequency. Infrared works in the same way by using different frequencies to others to avoid any interference.

All of Tansun’s products are made in the UK and are designed using premium components. The company has been established for 35 years and pioneered the concept of radiant electric heaters alongside Philips technology. Tansun has the largest range of commercial, industrial and domestic radiant heaters in the world, providing maintenance-free, safe and healthy radiant heaters for many different types of heating applications.

Tansun heaters are available with a full range of energysaving controllers which further enhance the efficiency of the products.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm011

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Interiors

Letting the Light in Housebuilders looking to amplify a loft’s internal space can look to Dakea for inspiration.

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hen Jamie and Richie, owners of Sky Blue Lofts, were carrying out a loft conversion on a property in south Wales, they selected Dakea’s Better Safe roof windows. A classical, centre-pivot roof window, Jamie selected the Better Safe for its ideal energy conservation performance, safety and comfort.

The intention of the loft conversion was to create a spacious master bedroom with a fully fitted en-suite bathroom, bespoke fitted wardrobes and eaves storage. In total, six Dakea windows were fitted throughout the room and bathroom to allow for ample lighting. The project began in May of 2019 with the installation process lasting about eight weeks.

The team had only been using Dakea products for six months prior to this loft conversion, having originally been recommended the brand by his local builders’ merchant. Jamie commented that due to the customer service provided by Dakea and first-class quality of the roof windows, he is keen to use the brand on all future projects he works on.

“Dakea products meet all of our requirements in terms of quality, safety, energy efficiency, customer service, client satisfaction and much more,” said Jamie.

“The windows are hassle free to install and in addition, by registering the window our clients benefit from Dakea’s 20-year

Guarantee, which is a fantastic reassurance for them, backed up by us with our installer’s guarantee.”

With two layers of low emission coating that reflect heat back into the room, the Better Safe roof window provides an excellent thermal

transmittance of 1.3 W/m2K. In addition, the Better Safe is equipped with a laminated internal pane, providing protection from glass breakage, and also a toughened exterior pane for increased protection against impact from outside.

Together, these provide complete safety in case of glass breakage making the windows ideal for bedrooms, playrooms and meeting rooms.

If ventilation is needed, the Better Safe roof window also comes with two additional handle locking positions for flexible air control.

Renato Del-Gaudio, a Sales Consultant at Builders Bitz, the merchant who recommended the products to Jamie, commented: “We believe in the Dakea brand name because its products are of high quality, we have never had any issues with them and they are of excellent value.

“In addition, our local representative, Paul Edwards, is very hands-on. He is quick answer any questions we may have and is always willing to speak to the customer or be on site if needed. We are far more likely to recommend a brand to our customers if we have received a positive experience, as we have done with Dakea.”

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm012

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Interiors

Mike Morris, Commercial Manager at XL Joinery, shares some insights on the latest trends in colour inside the home throughout 2020, and how they can take advantage when dressing new properties.

Called to the Colours W

hen it comes to the green trend, it isn’t just about colour, but also an approach to materials and mindset. Sustainability was the buzzword of 2019 and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon – homebuyers are interested in sustainable products now more than ever, and this won’t stop when it comes to home decor. Finding recycled or sustainable products to dress up a space will become a priority for consumers, what’s more, the interest in upcycling will also be bolstered by this. Using products that boast ethically-conscious qualities or working closely with sustainable companies is also a trend that continues to be prominent into 2020 as well.

Green is also known to be one of the many popular colour trends in 2020 due to the growth in the soft tropics trend that hit last year. Whether it’s a leafy Adeline green or a soft, yet futuristic Neo-Mint, greens will be big in 2020 and will be integrated into the home, from wallpapers to plants, and the use of social spaces, as homeowners look to make the most out of their property.

For example, installing a room dividing door within the home, homeowners will be able to benefit from integrated urban living areas, which is ideal for social spaces and bringing light into the home, whilst also adding privacy when wanted, offering the best of both worlds.

Here at XL Joinery, we’re proud to be a carbon neutral accredited company.

Whether that involves supporting overseas projects, or taking a look at ourselves internally and making sure our workplace and warehouse is sustainable too, we are

28 february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

continuously achieving and improving our carbon neutral accreditation.

Soft and subtle With wellbeing and mental health an increasingly important factor to consider when designing a home, luxurious living is also on the rise. Soft and subtle colours often compliment interiors, whilst also offering a luxurious atmosphere. Still lingering from the popularity of the dusky pinks and lilacs that were especially popular on Instagram, softer and more neutral tones will still play a part in home decor. Light grey, pale yellow and pastel turquoise can be used in and around the home to bring a sense of tranquillity and simplicity to comfortable space. What’s more, these colours will add subtle personality to doors and window frames and brighten up the look of the street.

Feeling Blue We’re going to be seeing a lot more blue throughout 2020 as the colour has already been disclosed as a popular choice for New York Fashion Week, according to Pantone, and will be one for home interiors too. Where recent seasons have seen the darker navy and cobalt shades become popular, 2019’s pastel boom and the desire for something fresh and crisp will see lighter tones join the darker shades to let the versatility of blue shine in all its glory.

So, whether you want to go for a bold and brilliant cobalt door or a cool and comfortable sky blue sofa, your homes will be well on-trend and ready to impress.

Soft and subtle colours often compliment interiors, whilst also offering a luxurious atmosphere Combining style with practicality, coloured front doors had an impact on the market in 2019 and are predicted to be an even bigger hit next year, propelled by the influence of social media’s popular ‘Instagrammable’ doors trend. So whether you are looking to bring out the unique characteristics of a country home, or you are looking to add a splash of personality to an apartment, coloured doors create the ideal solution and are set to have a moment in 2020.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm030

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interiors I Round Up TITON NO2 FILTERS Two Titon HRV10 Q Plus units with Trimbox NO2 Filters have been installed as part of a self-build project in East Dulwich, London. The Trimbox NO2 Filter was developed to complement the firm’s extensive range of HRV Q Plus Eco MVHR units and combat the high levels of nitrogen dioxide found in exhaust gases from diesel engines. The filter incorporates balanced flow technology to provide class leading absorption of NO2 and is available in two duty sizes (depending on the duty required).

The product is effective in reducing NO2 to an acceptable mean annual concentration level of 40µQ/m3, while vastly improving indoor air quality. Independent tests have demonstrated the Trimbox to absorb 98% of NO2, not only in normal, continuous ventilation mode but also at ‘boost’ or higher ventilation rates.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm013

IOBAC FLOORING

IOBAC has launched its new modular flooring product, Ezy-Install, in partnership with InstaGroup. Ezy-Install Flooring makes the process of installing a floor far easier, cleaner and quicker than ever before. Ideal for residential applications, complex designs using carpet and luxury vinyl tiles can be achieved due to the simplicity of the system. Tiles can be interchanged effortlessly, meaning design changes and repairs can be carried out with no specialist skills required and in a fraction of the time ordinarily taken.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm015

HARVEY MARIA FLOORING

Harvey Maria’s new MSeries offers a wood-effect for modern rustic interiors. The new designs capture the character of wood by combining a tactile ‘Emboss In Register’ grain, a natural palette and an ultra matt finish. Other benefits such as water-resistance, good grip and durability – as well as compatibility with underfloor heating – make the collection an option for kitchen and bathroom settings.

The new biophilic-inspired designs are presented across four collections. ‘Natural Plank’ includes the most rustic MSeries designs, whilst ‘Natural Oak’ has a quieter grain. Colours cluster around soft grey and mid oak tones, with White Oak and Cinder at either end of the spectrum. The ‘Parquet Oak’ Collection replicates Natural Oak in miniature and can be laid to create a classic parquet floor or a decorative border. The fourth new collection – ‘Selected Woods’ – is a mix of reclaimed pine and engineered oak decors.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm014

HODGSON SEALANTS SILFIX U8

TUSCAN WOOD FLOORING

On the back of Silfix U9, Hodgson Sealants has launched Silfix U8. The sealant is a low modulous, neutral cure, solvent free, alkoxy silicone sealant and is available in white, black, buff, brown, anthracite grey and brick red. CE marked, it has been developed, tested and manufactured in the UK.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm017

Tuscan has introduced White Oak and Warm Oak to its Strato wood flooring collection. The ‘au natural’ White Oak is a beautiful neutral tone, creating a light and airy feel in the home. It has a modern rustic look, which will work with both contemporary and traditional decors.

The Warm Oak addition is responding to the trend for darker woodgrains, which create a warm environment for the home, emphasising a sense of calm, space and originality.

White Oak and Warm Oak are available in large single planks in size 14 x 207 x 2,200mm. Strato wood flooring is suitable with underfloor heating, both electric mat and water piped.

Tile specialist Ceramique Internationale has expanded its range of glazed brick wall tiles with the addition of Morris, a new collection from Spanish manufacturer Estudio Ceramico. The tiles have natureinspired names – including Blackberry, Sunflowers, Tulip and Rose, and is available in six calming, muted shades – including Green Mamba, Neo Mint and Ocean Blue. The range offers strong curves and a washed out, vintage worn effect.

Both the plain and patterned tiles are available in a 12.5cm x 25cm format and feature a high-gloss finish with a gently undulating surface to create added dimension.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm016

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm018

CERAMIQUE INTERNATIONALE MORRIS

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Energy Efficiency Properties in conservation areas present unique challenges when installing rooflights

A Star Turn Paul Trace from Stella Rooflight offers some guidance on the thermal performance (U-values) of rooflights and what to look out for in the specification process.

D

espite being used in their millions across the country, you might be surprised to find out that there is no specific energy efficiency test for a rooflight. Instead, rooflights are tested to BS EN ISO 10077-1:2017, which is a thermal performance test for windows, doors and shutters.

So does this actually matter? Well, actually yes it does because most rooflights cannot be used in the same way as windows and this will result in a change to the U-value. For example, the pitch of the roof will change the thermal performance of your rooflight. However, the testing of rooflight performance is based on either a vertical (above 60̊) or horizontal (0̊) pitch. Both of these positions are usually outside the maximum and minimum pitch that manufacturers recommend for these products.

There is quite a bit of difference in the U-values given to rooflights at both ends of the scale. For example, our own Stella rooflight can achieve a U-value of 1.5 W/m²K in the horizontal position but this improves to 1.1 W/m²K when used above

60 ̊. Now, when you ask most companies what the U-value is for their rooflight which figure do you think you will be given? This is why it is important to either ask for both figures or to request data to support the figures quoted.

The design of a rooflight is also critical to the thermal performance. Most modern rooflights are produced from thermally broken aluminium, which is then clad internally with wood to provide very good U-values. Whilst making the frames more thermally efficient, this approach also makes them chunky, often resulting in them sticking several inches above the roofline and providing poor frame to glass ratios. It is not uncommon for some rooflight frames to make up over 40 per cent of its overall size, which ultimately means 40 per cent less light entering a building.

One of the easiest ways to lower a Uvalue on a window or rooflight is to increase the thickness of the glazing. A decent double glazed unit will give a centre pane value of 1.0W/m²K and a triple around 0.5W/m²K. Then of course there are some that offer quad glazing,

which reduces this figure further.

However, it should also be noted that by reducing the U-value in this way, you will be significantly increasing the weight of the product, the cost and also the depth of the rooflight profile.

If you are working on a Listed Building or in a Conservation area then you will require a conservation rooflight design, which should sit completely flush with your roofline. If you are looking to use quad glazing or modern bulky rooflights to improve thermal performance then this will most certainly be to the detriment of the building’s aesthetics.

In conclusion, despite the fact that the testing methods for obtaining a rooflight’s thermal performance could do with an overhaul, a U-value figure is very important when both choosing products and in the overall construction of your property. The lower the figure the more thermally efficient a product or building is and this can contribute to reducing heating costs and ultimately helps in the fight against global warming.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm019

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Energy Efficiency ©AdobeStock/Elenathewise

The Power Above Are they skilled?

Housebuilders and developers may sometimes be tempted to allocate the complex task of solar installation to an existing contractor, like a roofer or electrician. While this might seem like a potential cost-cutting measure at first, it usually ends up being more expensive in the long term.

There are so many critical elements to a successful solar installation – especially when it comes to snags, issues, highvoltage electrical connections, safety certifications and complex installations like flat-roof projects that require specialist fastening and low-ballast systems – that relying on a roofer or electrician who’s done the occasional solar project can bring unnecessary risks and delays.

Make sure your chosen solar supplier not only has extensive installation experience, but is fully competent in complex installations and connections too. They’ll need to be able to wire the panels from an AC and DC perspective, and be experienced in liaising with the relevant District Network Operator to ensure relevant permissions are given; all in time for your buyers to move in.

Are they reliable?

Reliability is an interesting topic when it comes to construction – the process can often be disjointed because there are so many subcontractors on site doing so many different things. Many of these projects are reliant on each other, and if one thing isn’t completed on time, there’s often a domino effect where unnecessary delays and backlogs happen.

That’s why it’s essential that housebuilders can fully trust all their contractors to be on site exactly when they’re supposed to be, and to complete

32 february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

Paul Hutchens, green energy advocate and CEO of solar installation specialists Eco2Solar, explores the key questions housebuilders and developers should be asking when choosing a solar installation contractor.

the job within the timeline they proposed.

Key to that is choosing a contractor who has a culture of reliability fully embedded into their operation.

Is their work up to spec?

A reliable solar installation specialist should have effective quality control systems in place, from monitoring and recording progress throughout every phase of the installation, to taking pictures at key stages of the project and tracking their attendance on site.

This is beneficial for site managers because it saves them having to chase and check quality at every stage themselves, but it’s also a key part of service delivery for your solar partner because they can maintain a high standard of output and allocate additional training to their operatives if required.

Is their installation package up to spec?

There’s always a slight disconnect between the commercial, technical and site elements of housebuilding. The commercial team seek value for money and ways to construct as cost-effectively as possible; the technical team want to make sure the products they use are technically excellent and installed properly; the site team are responsible for completing the build itself.

With different elements having different objectives, your chosen solar partner should be able to deliver all of those elements. It’s their responsibility to bring you a technically excellent package that’s commercially viable and delivered on site without delays. They should also instigate regular review meetings with you to keep every element up to date and ensure the process runs smoothly.

Are they future-focussed?

Each housebuilder must meet a particular set of renewable energy targets and objectives set by their Local Authority.

While planning systems vary by region (Scottish regulations encourage every new house to be fitted with solar), there are trends on the horizon that your solar partner should be ready to advise you on.

For example, homeowners won’t be able to install gas-fired heating from 2025, so electricity is likely to be the only viable option. From 2030, the UK will need to meet government targets to halve the amount of energy each new house uses. From 2040, we’ll no longer be able to sell petrol and diesel cars in the UK, and – most significantly – from 2050, our goal as a country is to reach Net Zero.

Your solar partner should have a thorough understanding of the global issues and targets that are influencing the use of renewable energy products, and be able to anticipate future trend and demand.

They must then interpret those trends at ground-level, and find the most efficient and cost-effective ways to apply them for the housebuilder; today and into the future.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm020

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energy efficiency I Round Up ISO-CHEMIE FOAM TAPE

VORTICE HEAT RECOVERY UNIT

A former farmstead on the Rosebery Estate in Midlothian, Scotland, which is being renovated to create bespoke luxury holiday accommodation, is using eco-friendly pipe technology from Flexenergy to enhance the efficiency of hot water and heating systems.

The pre-insulated polybutylene pipe offers impressive life cycle qualities and will not corrode over time in the same way as conventional pipe. It is thermally efficient and is the only pre-insulated plastic pipe in the UK that can be fully welded, thereby securing the integrity of the network.

Flexenergy supplied 350 metres of pipe for the project, and also provided V-Flex valves for the development, which will enable sections of the heating network to be isolated for maintenance or future expansion.

Vortice has launched a new version of its Vort Avel heat recovery unit – the thermally efficient and Passivhaus standard Vort Avel 450 D. Suitable for vertical wall installation, it has a high efficiency counter cross flow heat exchanger and automatically activated anti-freeze protection. The front panel gives direct access to the main internal components and allows for easier changing of the filters.

The Vort Avel 450 D has four operational speeds and a 100% mechanical by-pass. The manufacturer claims its design allows for virtually maintenance free operation.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm022

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm023

Faster and easier joint sealing in temperatures as low as -30°C is provided by the new ISO BLOCO 600 Premium Edition foam tape from ISO-Chemie.

The pre-compressed, impregnated self-adhesive foam tape, which has been independently tested and is BBA approved, can be used on joints up to 42mm, providing a high-performance weather tightness and thermal/acoustic insulation seal for fenestration and façade applications.

The tape can be used to provide effective gap seals to accommodate expansion and movement while remaining permeable to trapped water and water vapour in extreme weather conditions – similar to a flexible breathable style material for the building facade.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm021

FLEXENERGY PIPE TECHNOLOGY

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general building I round up BMI LIQUID APPLIED ROOFING RANGE

BMI Sealoflex is a liquid applied waterproofing range which offers developers a great choice of high-performance system solutions for a host of requirements and applications.

To provide ultimate specification and installation peace of mind, the three systems in the range – Sealoflex Ultima, Sealoflex Prima and Sealoflex Endura – are all backed by the company’s guarantees and six-step specification service to meet customer design and technical needs.

Suitable for use on a variety of substrates – from concrete, bitumen and asphalt to plywood and OSB, encompassing synthetic membranes and even metal roofs – Sealoflex Ultima can be deployed in new builds as well as providing a complete overlay solution on existing roofs. Its flexibility lends itself to complex geometries, penetrations and detailing, while it can be happily installed adjacent to other flat roofing technologies

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm024

GARADOR DOOR OPERATORS Garador has launched its anticipated Series 4 GaraMatic garage door operators covering three new models: GaraMatic 9, GaraMatic 10 and GaraMatic 20.

The new operators retain important safety and security features, such as automatically reversing when the door meets an obstruction, and locking via a mechanical latch in the boom to prevent forced entry. But the operators also include significant advances in energy efficiency, lighting and new smartphone connectivity.

The Series 4 operators have energy-efficient LED lighting for bright illumination and consume less than 1 watt of electricity when in stand-by mode. The GaraMatic 10 and 20 also include an integrated Bluetooth receiver and HCP-bus connection, a new feature which enables the user to control the operator using the Garador app on their smartphone or connect to external smart home systems such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home Hub.

ZINSSER EXTERIOR PAINT RANGE Zinsser AllWeather Exterior Masonry Paint makes working outdoors in winter conditions easy, as this ultimateperformance exterior masonry paint forms a low-maintenance, water shedding, tough finish that is showerproof in 20 minutes and can be applied in temperatures as low as -5°C. Once applied, it offers protection to exterior concrete, render, stone and masonry. AllWeather contains a biocide that protects the dried coating against fungal degradation giving a long-lasting stain and moisture resistant finish, designed to resist cracking, peeling and blistering.

For other substrates, including outdoor wood, metal, masonry, plastic, concrete and cladding, Zinsser AllCoat Exterior (Solvent-Based) silicon alkyd formula forms a low maintenance, water-shedding coating that is touch dry in three hours.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm026

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm025

FIREFLY MEMBRANE

SANDTEX MASONRY PAINT

As an independently tested, proven-inpractice and versatile construction material, Membrane WP from the Firefly range is ideally suited for use within facade build-ups and other wall constructions, where it will offer weather as well as fire protection while allowing moisture vapour to be vented from the structure. The membrane has been certified as Class A2 NonCombustible under the EN 13501-1 standard. This means the membrane will not support a flame, propagate smoke, toxic gases, flaming droplets or particles and has achieved a rating of A2, s1, d0.

A residential block in Glasgow has been transformed using Sandtex Trade Fine Textured Masonry paint. The paint’s flexible coating is designed not to peel, crack or flake, and is resistant to dirt and mould – meaning it will maintain its aesthetic appeal for longer.

The paint also benefits from a drying time of three to four hours and is suitable for use on most sound and dry exterior masonry surfaces. It’s ideal for use even when the weather is unpredictable, thanks to being rainproof in just one hour.

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm027

Discover more at www.rdr.link/dm028

ADVERTISEMENT INDEX A. Proctor Group ......................................................................(page 30)

R. Hamilton & Co. Ltd ..............................................................(page 25)

Breedon Cement Ltd ..............................................................(page ifc)

Reginox UK Limited ..................................................................(page27)

Domus Ventilation ..................................................................(page 33)

RWC Limited ................................................................................(page 4)

Garador ......................................................................................(page 13)

Sureset UK Ltd ..........................................................................(page 19)

Pro Builder Live ................................................................................(obc)

34 february Professional Housebuilder & Property Developer

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last word

Credit: Premier Modular/Alison Cross

The case for modular

Despite recent reports suggesting government departments are not adopting a presumption in favour of offsite, the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) has research which shows volumetric modular construction is undergoing a period of considerable growth.

MPBA Chief Executive Jackie Maginnis discusses the uptake in modular construction.

A

s an optimum residential building technique for timber, steel and concrete designs – volumetric modular construction is at the forefront of offsite technology, making up 60-70% of the market. These solutions arguably form a modern method of construction that is experiencing an entirely different growth trend to that of other offsite approaches.

Over 50% of our membership supplied detailed financial information to support the MPBA’s survey report commissioned through the University of Salford. This market intelligence from 2018 – 2019, provides evidence of a turnover in the sector

Having gained considerable momentum over the past few years, advanced modular techniques reduce build times by an impressive 50-60% that exceeds £2,956million. This figure excludes the revenue from the major players who have recently entered the volumetric modular arena including banking giant Goldman Sachs, investing £75m into modular housing business, TopHat, as well as Japan's biggest housebuilder striking a multi-million-pound deal that will see Sekisui House partner with Homes England and Urban Splash. This agreement will also see a £55m investment into Urban Splash but the largest deal by far was revealed by ilke Homes, involving a £100m agreement with Places for People.

Offsite technology offers benefits that have had a huge positive impact on the construction industry, bringing longstanding traditional practices up to date. The first key shift away from traditional methods is that build processes take place in controlled factory conditions which requires a change of mind-set and approach. Modular and volumetric practices augment the construction industry with a multitude of benefits that span from greener, healthier environments to maximised sustainability, heavily reduced costs and faster build times – crucial in meeting housing targets.

The modular industry has had a remarkable impact on reducing costs while increasing quality and productivity.

Having gained considerable momentum over the past few years, advanced modular techniques reduce build times by an impressive 50-60%. The demand for customisation has led the volumetric modular manufacturing industry to develop methods for adaptation during the mass production process to meet individual requirements.

A number of factors are considered to achieve optimal design efficiency. Module connection detailing and quantities, installation and crane costing rates, specific site logistics, all must be taken into account, together with foundations/transfer decks, volumes of materials and other service core requirements.

Each individual material can be selected specifically for its performance characteristics, tailoring every inch of a modular build. Eco-friendly materials are often specified, and waste is recycled for future projects wherever possible. As units

are factory manufactured, stringent quality control processes can be undertaken within these well-managed environments.

In addition, modular construction enables site work and building processes to be completed simultaneously, reducing labour costs and build times.

Transportation rarely poses issues, as pre-constructed, self-contained units can be shipped to virtually any location. As modules are designed to withstand longdistance transportation and craning onto foundations, they are structurally stronger than most traditionally constructed building materials.

Architectural Creativity Many contemporary architects are embracing volumetric modular with bespoke designs including striking facades. Construction clients appreciate cutting-edge building techniques, particularly with the short lead times of modular construction. Modular buildings are energy efficient, fully compliant with building regulations and can be tailored to meet individual customer requirements.

Modular approaches are revolutionising the construction industry.

While traditional build processes are laced with pitfalls and can be highly disruptive – volumetric modular buildings are easy to plan, budget, and are quick to erect.

Modular technology brings a host of benefits to the residential sector, contributing to healthier, safer and more cost-efficient environments.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information go to www.rdr.link/dm029

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