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Over 1100 objections lodged as Albrighton comes out in force against Boningale Homes green belt grab
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Home Designer & Architect
Ideal Heating Commercial video shows the speed at which a boiler cascade can be built
“How quickly can you build a threeboiler cascade?”
It’s a question Ideal Heating Commercial gets asked a lot.
To provide a definitive answer –it’s actually less than 90 minutes! – with proof, the company has created a short video showing the process and the time each step takes.
Using Ideal Heating’s Evomax 2, the UK’s marketleading commercial wall-mounted boiler, the video takes you step by step through the process, from assembling the frames and mounting the boilers, through to the connections, and fitting the pumps, headers kits, insulation and hydraulic separation. The video is time stamped so you can see how the 90 minutes cascade build progresses but, thankfully, the video itself is just a quick six minute watch!
“Installing boilers in a cascade offers several benefits over fitting one larger boiler, including a high turn-down, easier access to challenging install areas, and it can be a good space saving solution” states Charlie Mowbray, Senior Product Manager, Ideal Heating Commercial. “However,
it can also be more time-consuming. That’s why more and more installers are opting to use Ideal Heating Commercial’s prefabricated frame and header kits, which can save several hours. Our new video not only shows just how quick that can be, but also how easy it is to install a boiler in cascade using a frame and header kit.”
Ideal Heating Commercial offers low height and standard frame and header kits to suit all plantrooms, along with a range of accessories,
including hydraulic separation, designed and manufactured in the UK. To ensure you order the correct parts for your cascade, Ideal Heating Commercial has online cascade configurator tools available for Evomax 2 and Imax Xtra 2.
To find out more, visit: idealcommercialboilers.com
21Finance ‘Brokers’ New Deal to Become Leeds United Community Partner
Specialist finance broker, 21Finance has agreed a multi-year deal with sports-rights specialist, Eleven Sports Media to become a Leeds United Community Partner.
21Finance will use its Community Partnership status to reach fans during every stage of the matchday journey, through high impact digital displays and powerful fan engagement platforms installed throughout Elland Road.
Other branding opportunities will also be made available through Eleven’s award-winning StadiumTV and StatTV, a dedicated club channel for fans, to engage supporters on arrival. The company will be invited to attend invitationonly partner events, which provide a platform to
connect and network with other local businesses within the Community Partnership.
The 21Finance team explained why the company is keen to participate in community-driven sports partnerships: “Although we are a national operator, community is central to 21Finance’s ethos, and we are keen to work closely with local communities around the UK and to support sport across the regions. Being a Leeds United Community Partner enables us to connect with fans and residents in Yorkshire.
“The Community Partnership also allows us to enhance brand visibility and add weight to our marketing effort by increasing our brand exposure through various channels.”
21Finance makes loans simpler for its customers. It matches people with the right loan product, providing professional support, from start to finish, across all applications, regardless of the level of complexities.
With a portfolio of clients ranging from firsttime buyers to experienced investors and brokers, the finance expert’s product offering includes bridging loans, development finance, commercial mortgages, second charge mortgages, residential mortgages, personal loans and insurance products.
Since being established, Kent-based 21Finance has been able to build strong relationships with trusted and varied lenders, operating in both the regulated and non-regulated space, with a whole of market approach. Their aim is to make loans simple, with a no jargon, no fuss
approach to helping clients achieve their funding requirements.
The 21Finance team of experts offers personalised assistance throughout the entire application process. It prides itself on delivering transparent advice and providing tailored mortgage solutions and bridging loan options.
For further information, call 020 4525 3196 or email hello@21finance.com
Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
For more news, follow 21Finance across its social media channels:
New beautifully designed candle range to create that special ambiance or as a Christmas gift idea
The award-winning female founded indie skincare brand, L’ORGANIQ has introduced a ‘Lifestyle’ series with the launch of their new candle range. L’ORGANIQ is renowned for its skin-enhancing affordable collection of premium vegan, cruelty-free and sustainably packaged skincare. Their newly released candle range includes a 3-Wick Candle 425g and two 185g Tumbler Candles available in two natural essential oil blends; Énergie and Bonheur.
Made from 100% natural soy wax with no paraffin or additives, these beautiful non-toxic candles are hand-poured in unique hand-blown frosted glass vessels, with pure cotton and paper braid wicks that are lead and zinc free for a clean, long-lasting burn. Using pure essential oils to create two signature scent blends; Bonheur, a blissful infusion of orange, bergamot and cypress, alongside ylang ylang and tagette, with base note cedarwood and patchouli and Énergie, an invigorating blend of zesty orange, mandarin and ripe green bergamot with soothing lavender and chamomile.
L’ORGANIQ co-founder, Carolyn Bennett explained “We believe wellbeing isn’t just selfcare; it’s surrounding yourself with love, light and calm. As with our brand ethos, ‘beautiful skin shouldn’t cost the earth’ our fully recyclable new candle range compliments our natural skincare, championing both self-care and wellbeing in our busy lives.”
Each candle is topped with a wooden lid to protect from dust and to maintain the natural essential oil scent blends. The Bonheur 3-wick candle is packed in L’ORGANIQ’s signature brand box and both the Bonheur and Énergie Tumbler Candles come wrapped inside a 100% natural cotton drawstring bag, making them the perfect addition to any household or as a luxurious gift. The Bonheur 3-Wick Candle RRP is £60 and the Énergie and Bonheur Tumbler candles RRP at £30.
Spanguard recently acquired Tri-Bar / FourBar system offers ratings ranging from 30 to 125 amps. The product is commonly used in various types of assembly line manufacturing, aircraft hangar doors, amusement park rides, work-stations and monorails.
Having a total cross section of 2” (50.8mm) by 2.5” (63.5mm), with four conductors, the product is ideal for fitting in narrow spaces, such as under a monorail flange. As with the Spanguard conductor bar, the Tri-Bar / FourBar employs continuous, jointless, copper conductor for durability and reliability. The TriBar and Four-Bar are from the same product family with the same parts except for the housing. The Tri-Bar has three conductors, and the Four-Bar has four.
Richard Warriner, vice president at Spanguard, said: “Spanguard [U-S Safety Trolley] was the first continuous, joint-free electric conductor system. We purchased the higher [250- and 520-amp] conductor systems nearly 12 months ago; we decided on the purchase primarily due to its reputation for durability and reliability, resulting from their use of a continuous, jointless, copper conductor. Joints cause 95% of the problems
Spanguard Expands Conductor System Range
Spanguard Corporation has purchased a compact, highly versatile conductor system from Starline, a LeGrand Corporation brand.
with electrification systems. It is a natural next step for us to expand the line with the Tri-Bar / Four-Bar systems.”
Spanguard, a specialist in crane runway conductor systems, will target the new 30to 125-amp system at a myriad of vertical marketplaces, including manufacturers of major appliances, aircraft hangar doors, automated systems, amusement park rides, automotive vehicles and parts, and material handling equipment.
Warriner added: “Business has been amazing. We knew the former U-S Safety Trolley range from LeGrand was a premium product when we considered purchasing it. We also knew the customers deserve premium support — and we built our model on providing it. What we hadn’t necessarily expected, was the immediate acceptance and dozens of customers expressing gratitude for bringing the product back to life.”
Spanguard recently opened a new shop in Tioga, Pennsylvania.
For further information and inquiries email sales@spanguard.net.
The five sustainable construction materials supporting the circular economy
The building and construction sector has one of the largest carbon footprints of any industry, accounting for 37% of global emissions.
As the scale of ongoing global construction is only set to increase to support a growing global population – equivalent to adding the surface area of Paris to the planet every year until 2050 – more sustainable practices must be considered to reduce environmental impact while supporting economic prosperity.
The importance of sustainable materials
The choice of materials used in a building project has by far the greatest bearing on its environmental impact.
Research estimates that 82–87% of a building’s emissions can be directly attributed to the embodied carbon of its materials.
Quality and longevity are essential qualities when reducing a building’s maintenance over time. The use of recyclable materials is also key in decreasing the high levels of waste generated both during construction and at the end-of-life stage.
Building materials must be more carefully considered in the design stage – prioritising those with a high recycled content and infinite recyclability – if net zero targets are to be hit.
1. Steel
Steel is one of the most versatile building materials around, used to make beams, bars, plates and pipes.
It’s also one of the most sustainable, with an average global recycling rate of 80-90% (variable depending on industry) and performs well in terms of embodied carbon, with figures of 1.55 CO2e/kg and 1.99 CO2e/kg for steel sections and bars respectively.
2. Iron
Iron is used in steelmaking and plays an important role in the structural elements of buildings, as a long-lasting and durable material.
As with steel, recycling rates vary depending on the product but are estimated at 52–90%, while recycled content is 28-52%. Iron also has an embodied carbon of 2.03 CO2e/kg, which is higher than steel but low compared with other materials.
3. Concrete
Used in building foundations and flooring, concrete is known for its relatively low carbon footprint compared to other materials. It can be recovered, sorted and crushed during demolition to create recycled concrete aggregate – which can be used to make new products.
Averaged across different products, its embodied carbon is also just 0.103 CO2e/kg
4. Aluminium
Valued for its lightness and durability, aluminium is used in roofing, walls, windows and doorframes.
It can be recycled repeatedly without any loss of quality and has an average recycling rate in construction of 92–98%, but a higher embodied carbon of 6.67 CO2e/kg
5. Copper
Flexible, corrosion-resistant and long-lasting, copper is widely used in pipework, cladding and roofing and is an infinitely recycled material.
In Europe, it’s estimated that 70% of copper from end-of-life products is recycled, which rises to 90% in civil engineering projects. Copper also performs strongly in terms of carbon footprint, with recycled tubes and sheets having an embodied carbon of 0.84 CO2e/kg.
Building a sustainable future
The onus is now on the construction industry to shift to recyclable, low carbon construction materials to shape a more sustainable future.
To find out more, visit www.cuspuk.com or follow CuSP on social media.
UK professional services firms look to GenAI for improved productivity and profitability, Deltek report
reveals
Deltek has today published its ‘Adopting Emerging Tech: How to Streamline Project Management and Boost Productivity with Generative AI’ guide, revealing 79% of firms plan to increase investment in emerging tech.
This comes as 74% of professional services firms are confident that investing in AI will expand services and 41% say successful implementation will increase profits
New research from Deltek, the leading provider of software and solutions for projectbased businesses, reveals that, while 79% of professional services firms expect to increase investment in emerging technologies, there are significant challenges holding back adoption. The findings, which form part of its ‘Adopting Emerging Tech: How to Streamline Project Management and Boost Productivity with Generative AI’ guide, show that organisations are prioritising AI implementation to overcome these challenges to drive growth and profitability.
Almost a third (30%) report that failing to make significant digital transformation progress will result in the loss of market share within 12-months, making it essential for firms to overcome barriers, quickly. The top three challenges to adoption are: the cost of technology (54%), prioritising which technologies are most applicable to the business (50%), and a lack of employee education about trends and how they apply to their industry (30%) according to respondents.
Investing in and implementing AI is seen as a competitive advantage (74%), alongside giving
businesses the ability to expand the services they can deliver to the market (74%).
72% believe AI will improve their staff’s job satisfaction and 41% believe successful implementation will increase profits.
Bret Tushaus, Vice President of Product Management at Deltek comments on the findings, “Project management challenges have been further compounded by ongoing global socioeconomic disruption, placing greater pressure on firms to optimise cost and reduce resources to stay profitable while meeting customer demand. It’s like trying to keep a household running smoothly during tough times, making sure all needs are met while tightening the budget.”
Bret adds: “Investing in Project ERP as a backbone, will provide insight into business metrics, optimisation of processes, and support the productivity gains needed to help firms ensure they stay on-track and demonstrate success confidently to key stakeholders. Think of it as a detailed family planner that helps you track expenses, plan meals, and manage schedules all in one place, making it easier to keep everything under control and show progress.”
Deltek today launches its new guide Adopting Emerging Tech: How to Streamline Project Management and Boost Productivity with Generative AI’, leveraging new findings from the Clarity Trends and Insights for Architecture, Engineering and Consulting Firms report, to help projectbased businesses overcome challenges and unlock the opportunities.
Download the full report here: Adoption Emerging Tech: How to Streamline Project Management and Boost Productivity with Generative AI
Bret Tushaus, Vice President of Product Management at Deltek
Why you should use commercial laundry equipment for shared laundry rooms in housing association properties
It’s easy to see why so many ask if a domestic washing machine can be used in a laundry room. After all, they both wash clothes, but the truth is you’d be mistaken in thinking that a washer you’d find at home will have the robustness needed for laundry facilities in housing settings.
Let’s take a look at the key reasons you should be choosing a commercial washing machine over its domestic counterpart.
Built to last
Commercial washers are strong by design and specifically built to cope with the high demand from multiple occupants in housing association properties.
Whilst many domestic washers can withstand daily use trying to keep up with family life, they may only amount to 5,000 cycles of laundry in their lifetime which cannot service the needs of numerous tenants. Professional washing machines are tailored for this longer lifespan and can offer up to 30,000 cycles of washing.
Specialist solutions
Some housing developers opt for coinoperated or contactless commercial laundry equipment solutions to help cover the costs of operating laundry rooms, including gas, electricity, water, maintenance and repair. They can also act as an additional revenue stream to raise money that can be reinvested back into the property.
Alternatively, space saving commercial stacked systems where two machines are placed on top of each other are a popular option where the overall floor space is limited, such as city centre properties.
Enhanced support
The benefit of professional laundry equipment is that there are specialist engineers to go hand in hand, ensuring you never experience downtime for long.
With domestic appliances it is often much harder to source engineers for repair works with many providers choosing to simply replace rather than repair.
It is also easier to source spare parts and there are a variety of packages available like service and maintenance contracts, dryer duct cleaning and
More energy efficient
Commercial washing machines and tumble dryers are more energy efficient and save water compared to their domestic counterparts. With the significant increase in energy costs and a greater emphasis on reducing the carbon footprint of buildings in the housing sector, these issues are becoming increasingly important to address.
In the case of Smart washing machines, they have unique absorption intelligence combined with best-in-class innovations to deliver optimum water, energy and detergent consumption on every cycle
If you need advice on planning a laundry room for housing properties, then Contact JLA today
The Role of Aluminium Joinery Construction: A Strategic Choice
In today’s fast-evolving construction landscape, the demand for highperformance materials is higher than ever. Businesses in the construction sector are increasingly turning to aluminium joinery as a preferred solution for a variety of building applications. This trend is driven by aluminium’s exceptional properties, which offer a unique combination of durability, sustainability, and design flexibility. For B2B partners, understanding the advantages of aluminium joinery is essential for making informed decisions that can lead to long-term success in the construction industry.
Why Aluminium Joinery?
Aluminium joinery stands out in the construction industry for several key reasons. Firstly, aluminium is known for its remarkable strength-to-weight ratio. This property allows for the creation of robust structures that are also lightweight, making transportation and installation easier and more cost-effective. For businesses involved in large-scale projects, the reduced weight of aluminium components translates to lower logistics costs and faster assembly times on-site.
Joinery in Modern Choice for B2B Partners
Another significant advantage of aluminium is its resistance to corrosion. Unlike other materials that may degrade or rust over time, aluminium maintains its integrity even in harsh environmental conditions. This characteristic is particularly valuable for construction projects in coastal areas or regions with extreme weather patterns, ensuring the longevity and reliability of the structures.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Sustainability is a growing concern across all industries, and construction is no exception. Aluminium is a fully recyclable material, which means that the environmental impact of aluminium joinery is minimal compared to other options. Moreover, the use of aluminium in construction contributes to better energy efficiency. Modern aluminium joinery systems, such as those provided by Aluprof, are designed to minimize heat loss and improve thermal insulation, thereby reducing energy consumption in buildings.
For instance, incorporating solutions like roller shutters into your projects can further enhance energy efficiency. These systems not only provide shade and reduce the need for artificial cooling but also offer additional security and privacy.
Design Flexibility
Aluminium’s malleability allows for a wide range of design possibilities, enabling architects and builders
to create aesthetically pleasing structures without compromising on performance. Whether it’s sleek modern facades or intricate custom designs, aluminium joinery can meet the most demanding architectural requirements.
Partnering with Aluprof
For B2B clients seeking highquality aluminium joinery solutions, partnering with a trusted provider like Aluprof ensures access to stateof-the-art products and expert support. Aluprof offers an extensive range of aluminium systems tailored to meet the specific needs of various construction projects. Their commitment to innovation and sustainability makes them a valuable partner for any business looking to enhance its construction capabilities.
Explore their range of roller shutters to discover how these solutions can add value to your projects.
In conclusion, aluminium joinery is not just a trend but a strategic choice for the future of construction. Its durability, sustainability, and design versatility make it an indispensable material for modern building projects. B2B partners who embrace aluminium joinery stand to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace, delivering superior results that meet the evolving demands of the industry.
WAY OF LIFE UNVEILS LINDA BORONKAY DESIGNED RENTAL EXPERIENCE AT THE SESSILE, LONDON
The Sessile offers a firstof-its-kind opportunity to rent a home in a space designed by former Soho House Design Director, Linda Boronkay
Linda Boronkay has unveiled The Sessile, her latest project in partnership with contemporary rental brand, Way of Life. Bringing hospitality inspired amenities to modern rental apartments, The Sessile offers a first-of-its-kind opportunity to rent a home in a space designed by the former Soho House Design Director.
First images of the project showcase the residences complete with elegant, multi-functional spaces for elevated living, boasting hotel-quality amenities including a high spec gym with technogym equipment, yoga studio, vinyl room, private dining area with fully equipped kitchen and a rooftop Orangery with panoramic views across London.
Before founding her eponymous studio, Linda Boronkay was the Design Director of Soho House, helping to define the aesthetic of the iconic international hospitality brand. Working on foremost projects including Soho House Hong Kong, White City House and Soho Farmhouse, Boronkay brings her archetypal style to The Sessile, with an eclectic and elegant approach.
Located in Tottenham Hale, The Sessile follows the success of Way of Life’s neighbouring property, The Gessner designed by Fettle Design, and is their largest building to date, offering 310 studio 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.
Linda Boronkay embraced a sensorial and multi-layered approach to designing The Sessile, pairing ornate pieces with modern
Communal kitchen and bar at the rooftop Orangery. Image Credit: Way of Life.
lines, glazed tiles, and tactile fabrics. Through her selection of materials and variety of finishes, Boronkay infuses the interiors with energy and creativity. The yoga studio uses soft woods, combined with rich fabrics to create a relaxing feel and the shared dining space incorporates ornate fittings and marbles, combined with subtle textiles in contrasting shades.
Throughout The Sessile bespoke rugs add another layer of colour and shape to the spaces, enriching the overall aesthetic. In addition, the carefully curated artwork enhances the natural narrative with soft pastel tones and elements like birds, plants, and sculptural pieces made from tactile natural materials.
Quintessential to Way of Life buildings, each space within The Sessile is designed to be multifunctional, using techniques like drapery to allow residents to change the function or ambiance of a room. Inspired by postmodern forms and shapes, the design incorporates elements from past artistic movements, evident in the joinery handles, graphic veneers in the gym, custom neon artwork in the vinyl room, and bold colour accents throughout the building.
The 10th floor rooftop Orangery brings the greenery of the surrounding parks and marshes into the building and creates an oasis of calm. The space invites the outside in with skylights and greenery, and leads out onto large terraces, which boast views across the city. The design is deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of its neighbourhood, a vibrant and diverse community, encircled by the local area of verdant parks, reservoirs, built-up residential zones and the picturesque Walthamstow Marshes.
Private terraces or balconies with every apartment and double-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows welcome in light, whilst the open-plan design lends itself to flexible layouts. True to Way of Life’s experience-led offering, The Sessile is carefully designed for life and leisure with amenities that help foster connection, with co-working spaces and communal living areas. To nurture community among residents, Way of Life have partnered with local creatives and wellbeing partners to devise a bespoke programme of events, talks, workshops and classes.
Private Dining Room at The Sessile. Image credit: Way of Life.
Tottenham Hale station is less than a 5 minute walk away, providing access to central London within 15 minutes. The surrounding neighbourhood is alive with independent and creative businesses, restaurants and microbreweries. Residents can also enjoy an abundance of nearby green spaces including local community gardens, Walthamstow Wetlands and Tottenham Marshes.
Linda Boronkay, Founder of Linda Boronkay Design Studio, said: “Our goal was to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels like an extension of the residents’ apartments, encouraging them to build their own communities or find moments of solitude in comfortable, cosy spaces. My designs for The Sessile weave together the area’s historical narratives, a variety of materials, rich colours, lush planting, and textured fabrics, with attention to detail from the joinery and lighting to the curtains and artwork. In essence, The Sessile is a blend of history, nature, and creativity, designed to foster community, inspiration, and a sense of home for its residents.”
Rooftop orangery at The Sessile Build to Rent scheme. Image credit: Way of Life.
Gavin Chetty, Brand Director for Way of Life, said: “The Sessile is our largest London project and our most ambitious undertaking yet. We are thrilled to have partnered with world class interior designer Linda Boronokay on this project, who has created inspired amenities with a considered and sensorial design approach centred around Way of Life’s desire to create a sense of belonging through community and creativity.”
Sowgol Zarinchang, Managing Director, Way of Life, added: “We are thrilled to launch our largest building to date, once again bringing design-led residences to the London rental market. We offer our third-party services to the market, for like-minded developers looking for a hospitality-led management firm with marketing and lettings capability. With best-in-class resident experience, it’s great to be part of another project utilising all of Way of Life’s skill set”.
The Sessile features 310 studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, ranging from 473 – 1,269 sq ft. Available furnished or unfurnished, apartments at The Sessile start from £2,135 per month.
For more information visit here: www.wayoflife.com/locations/london/the-sessile
Rooftop terrace at The Sessile. Image credit: Way of Life.
Vinyl room at The Sessile. Image credit: Way of Life.
Group Metropolitan Opens New City Office
Group Metropolitan, the leading providers of turnkey solutions across commercial offices, data centres and retail sectors, announces the opening of its latest office in the city. The new office at 5 Cheapside, next door to St Paul’s Cathedral, provides a prime spot to house 6 desk spaces alongside co-working lounges and meeting rooms to host client visits.
This strategic step into Group Metropolitans’ development will ensure that support is physically close to its clients in the heart of the city, with a swift response to in-person needs, maintaining and fostering strong relationships, whilst ensuring an exemplary service.
Beyond the client-centric benefits, the new office also reflects Group Metropolitan’s commitment to the wellbeing of its staff. This central hub creates a work environment that promotes focus, accessibility and convenience creating a positive atmosphere for employees.
Since 1997, when Group Metropolitan opened its first office in Charlton, the company has experienced a significant increase in staff and clients, with over 160 PAYE staff now employed full-time. By creating a central hub in London, the company not only accommodates its growing workforce but also reinforces its commitment to delivering outstanding turnkey solutions.
Speaking about the new office, Graham Halls, the Managing Director at Group Metropolitan says:
“Opening this office aligns with Group Metropolitans core values, maintaining a dual focus on client satisfaction and employee wellbeing. It is evidence of our continued growth and expansion as a company as we continue to serve more clients in more locations without compromising on quality of delivery.”
Stelrad, the UK’s No.1 radiator manufacturer are going green with Tata Steel UK. Tata Steel are supplying UK made 90% Carbon Lite green steel, verified by DNV, to Stelrad so our customers can choose a Green Compactanother first from Stelrad.
Not just any rad. Stelrad.
Construction sector insight: trends, concerns and the future for the industry
Author: Brendan Clarkson, Director, PKF Littlejohn Advisory
The construction sector in the United Kingdom is on the cusp of a significant transition. It is projected that a decline in interest rates towards the latter part of this year, in conjunction with a resurgence in supply chain efficiencies, may lay the groundwork for industry expansion. Although not completely resolved, the supply chain appears to be stabilising.
Nevertheless, vigilance is advised as the threat of insolvency persists among suppliers, particularly those still grappling with the economic aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, challenges including a reduced appetite for public spending and private investment, and a declining industry workforce, continue to pose risks to the sector’s recovery.
In July 2024, there were 2,191 company insolvencies in England and Wales, 7% lower than June 2024 but 16% higher than July in the year prior,
according to Company Insolvency Statistics1. This number is still a great deal higher than during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2014-2019 period. Many of these insolvencies can be attributed to an unstable, and indeed unpredictable political and economic environment, a byproduct of a busy election year across the globe, compounded further by the continuously high cost of doing business.
Trends for the construction industry
In recent years, the construction industry has experienced significant cost volatility, particularly in terms of material expenses. A shortage of global raw materials, and the consequently increased demand for them, has played a large part in the demise of many businesses in the wider sector. It has also resulted, however, in the dissolution of many distributors and suppliers, leading to delayed shipping times and a requirement for overseas sourcing, which bears significant cost.
The introduction of new materials has similarly placed additional pressure on the sector. While new materials promise long-term savings and sustainable benefits, they could drive costs higher in the short term.
In addition to these challenges, the UK construction industry is having to address significant labour shortages. According to recent reports, the sector needs an additional 251,500 workers by 2028 to meet expected demand2. Key trades such as carpenters, bricklayers, and plasterers are in particularly short supply. This shortage is driving up costs and creating delays in project timelines. Efforts to address these shortages include adding key construction roles to the shortage occupation list to encourage skilled migration. However, the industry must also focus on training and retaining domestic talent to ensure a sustainable workforce for the future.
Given this complexity, strategic planning and effective cost management is essential for the industry to successfully navigate these financial challenges.
Addressing concerns for the future of construction
Emma Reilly FCICM from Top Service, an expert in construction industry debt recovery, predicts that the UK construction sector is projected to experience a modest decline in activity for the rest of 2024, with growth anticipated to resume in 2025. The upcoming year is expected to bring a significant shift in the sector, with spending moving from repair and maintenance (R&M) activities to new builds. This too follows the priority of the recently elected Labour Government.
“Historically, R&M spending has shown resilience during economic downturns, maintaining steadier demand. However, the current economic climate, characterised by higher borrowing costs, is reshaping spending patterns,” she says. “This shift indicates a reorientation in the industry’s focus, prioritising new construction projects over repair and maintenance work. It’s a change that reflects both a response to consumer demand and a strategic adaptation to the evolving economic landscape.”
The residential sector, especially new build residential output, continues to be the most significantly impacted segment within the UK construction industry. The sector has experienced a sharp decline, primarily due to the compounded effects of high interest rates, which have resulted in increased mortgage costs which make home buying less attainable.
Meanwhile, the construction industry is witnessing a rise in insolvencies, underscoring the growing financial pressures and challenges within the sector. This trend is particularly pronounced among mid-sized contractors and developers, who are having to contend with inflation and a reduction in new project starts. Additionally, securing performance bonds and credit limits has become more difficult as financial institutions adopt a more cautious approach due to market instability. This rise in insolvencies highlights a broader concern regarding liquidity and financial health in the industry, prompting firms to adopt more a cautious and strategic approach to financial management and project planning.
Businesses in the construction industry need to prioritise prudent financial management to thrive in a tough economic environment. If they sense difficulties, then seeking help early, in turn, means that restructuring professionals have more options available to them to help steer the ship, and leave you to focus on business growth, rather than a fight for survival.
1 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/company-insolvency-statistics-june-2024
2 https://www.citb.co.uk/about-citb/construction-industry-research-reports/construction-skills-network-csn
Brendan Clarkson
Over 1100 objections lodged as Albrighton comes out in force against Boningale Homes green belt grab
A controversial housing scheme that threatens 52-hectares of Shropshire green belt has received unprecedented opposition following the end of the consultation phase.
Over 1100 objections have been submitted against Boningale Homes speculative plans to build 800 houses in Albrighton in a move that will rip the heart out of the village and turn it into a town with creaking infrastructure and major traffic issues.
Albrighton Village Action Group (AVAG), which is made up of local volunteers, has welcomed the overwhelming support of residents and are now calling on Shropshire Council to stand on the right side of history by rejecting this speculative planning application that would destroy high quality greenbelt and
The scale of opposition is significant, with a 3700-strong petition already handed in (representing 83% of the local population) and now over 1100 objections lodged from residents.
Charlie Blakemore, Co-Chair of AVAG, commented: “We know that residents of the village are furious at Boningale Homes plan to rip the heart out of our village and destroy quality green belt, but even we are surprised at the scale of objections.
“Over 1100 residents have taken time to lodge their objections on the Shropshire Council Planning Portal, which clearly shows the level of deep feeling in the community that the location, and scale of this speculative
farmland forever.
proposal, is just not right.
“This is genuine lived-in knowledge that the village’s roads, infrastructure and amenities would simply not cope with this scale of unplanned overdevelopment.”
He continued:
“We’ve also seen a unanimous response from other local community groups, with Albrighton Flooding Action Group (AFLAG), Albrighton Development Action Group (ADAG) and Albrighton Parish Council all objecting and throwing their substantial weight behind our campaign.”
Claire Lakin, a founding member of Albrighton Village Action Group, continued: “We’ve long stressed that we’re not against new housing in the village and have been a strong supporter of the Local Plan that has put aside land to support the build of 771 properties.
AVAG, which has been supported throughout by local MP Mark Pritchard, has submitted its own 92page document and a specially produced drone objection video.
The group has also arranged technical reviews by two planning consultants and a lawyer and has submitted a further four professional objection documents – all funded by donations from local residents and businesses.
Increased traffic, road closures, pressure on creaking medical and transport infrastructure and negative impact on the high street have all been cited, whilst there is massive worry about the ecological damage the proposed development is going to cause and the negative impact of mental health and well-being by stripping away 52-hectares of productive farmland and green belt.
“This level of development alone represents nearly a 25% increase in the population of Albrighton, so you can’t say that we’re not doing our bit to provide local housing. This proposal from Boningale Homes is just pure greed and, you can tell by its scattergun approach, that it’s just throwing lots of applications around hoping that one sticks.”
She concluded: “The level of public objections has been fantastic. We were also buoyed with recent news confirming that the Local Plan does not need to be revised upwards in line with the new NPPF consultation proposals.”
Albrighton Village Action Group has already raised over £10,000 towards supporting its campaign and are hosting several charity events in the coming months.
(l-r) Steve Thomas, Duncan Reeves, Willowe Keeley, Charlie Blakemore, Dipika Price, Mark Pritchard MP, Jayne and Stephen Czira
