Brownfield can provide one million new homes
A new report has revealed that unused brownfield land under council ownership could house up to one million homes.
A report by independent property consultancy Daniel Watney has highlighted numerous brownfield sites across England that could be utilised to build more than one million new homes.
The report revealed that there...
Council approves 800-home regeneration scheme
Oldham Council has approved plans for a mixed-use development as part of the regeneration of Oldham Mumps.
The site is located to the east of Oldham town centre in the area surrounding the Old Mumps Metrolink light rail stop. It will comprise of 150,000 square feet of new retail space,...
Quality landscape design key to profitable development
Good quality landscape design is the key to long-term profitable development as Noel Farrer, President, Landscape Institute explains.
We need 230,000 new homes every year to cope with predicted population growth in the UK. That’s more homes than at any time since the post-war building boom. Or to put it...
Thousands of homes to be built on brownfield land
New figures released by Homes and Communities Agency have revealed that thousands of homes could be built on available brownfield sites.
Figures published by the Homes and Communities Agency have revealed that thousands more homes could be built on brownfield sites in the future.
By 2020, the government wants to see...
Smarter Printing for Construction
The construction industry was hit hard by the recession as housing activity slumped and building projects were cancelled. Recent months have seen a recovery but as construction businesses emerge from the downturn, many are uncertain what approach to take to printing.
Construction companies need accessible printing that is dependable and...
Construction industry is “cautiously optimistic”
A new survey has revealed that confidence in the construction industry has remained cautiously optimistic despite a decline in the third quarter of 2014.
A survey conducted by the Scottish Building Federation (SBF) found that overall the industry had a positive outlook about the future prospects of construction. However, there...
Planning loophole allows councils to be overruled
A report from the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) has revealed that housing targets set for councils has enabled developers to bypass opposition and build on greenfield sites.
The report, 'Targeting the countryside', examined appeal decisions for major housing developments built on greenfield land between March 2012 and May...
First wave of funding for housing projects unveiled
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced the first wave of projects that will benefit from a share of £1bn to unlock housing developments across the country.
A shortlist of large-scale housing projects set to receive a share of £1bn funding has been unveiled today by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles.
The...
Fulfilling the biodiversity obligation
The obligation for local authorities to protect and conserve biodiversity spans all activities but faces key challenges. Peter Dorans, Corporate Relations Manager at The Wildlife Trusts summarises their unique approach to assist with the current situation.
Nature makes us feel better! Well-planned and thought-through development which integrates nature, bringing it...
The safe approach for mobile elevating work platforms
Operating safely when working at height is a dangerous occupation, but with good management and training, working on mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) can be safe says Berlinda Nadarajan of IPAF.
Work at height is by nature a dangerous thing. Falls from height are the largest cause of fatal accidents...
The case for insulating party cavity walls
Recognising that cavity walls are a source of heat loss, Nick Ralph from the Mineral Wool Insulation Manufacturers Association (MIMA) looks at the background to the changes and the solutions available to meet the requirements of Part L.
Historically, there was an assumption that cavity party walls were an area...
The evolution of Party Walls
Masonry party walls have seen many changes over the years, driven by the need to improve acoustic performance, prevent thermal bypass and reduce the cost of installation. Tom Foster, senior product manager at Saint- Gobain Isover, looks at the evolution of the masonry party wall and how Isover have...
Concrete action on sustainable development
Concrete’s role in delivering a sustainable built environment through industry initiatives and performance benefits is increasingly recognised and utilised by design teams, here The Concrete Centre explains more.
The UK concrete industry launched the Concrete Industry Sustainable Construction Strategy back in 2008, and has published its sixth annual performance report, presenting...
Evaluating the archaeology
Dr Gerry Wait, Director at Nexus Heritage considers what ‘evaluation’ means for archaeologists and planners alike
Following on from the field survey stage is typically ‘evaluation’, termed by archaeologists in the sense that the work is intended to ‘evaluate’ the archaeology. This stage reveals possibly the greatest diversity of approach...
4,000 homes will be developed on Tesco land
Tesco has announced plans to develop 4,000 new homes on surplus land bought to build new stores.
Supermarket giant Tesco will develop 4,000 new homes on surplus land.
The chain decided to reduce its store building programme last year. The land that had previously been earmarked for new stores will now...
Preston Barracks redevelopment under way
Development Securities has exchanged contracts with Brighton and Hove City Council to purchase Preston Barracks, which will be redeveloped as part of plans to expand the University of Bristol.
Cathedral Group, part of Development Securities, have announced contracts have been exchanged for the Preston Barracks site. Brighton and Hove City...
Construction growth expected to rise
Figures released by Glenigan suggest that the construction sector will see a 7.4 per cent growth in the number of projects started in 2014, rather than a 4 per cent rise as previously forecast.
Construction insight company Glenigan has revised its growth forecast figures following the publishing of its '2014...
Innovative housing plan to start construction
An innovative collaboration between Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Pension Fund, and the Homes and Communities Agency is under way in the city to stimulate affordable housing.
Construction of 121 homes in Manchester has started under a new development company, Matrix Homes. The scheme, which is a partnership between Manchester...
Development project in Nottingham back on track
The £70m Unity Square project to develop the city centre of Nottingham looks set to receive the green light as proposals are submitted to the city council.
Planning officers at Nottingham City Council have recommended outline plans for the £70m Unity Square development should receive the green light. The redevelopment...
Plans submitted to build on former piggery
Plans for a new housing development on the site of a former piggery on the outskirts of Oswestry have been submitted to Shropshire Council.
The plans to build on the site of Old Piggery at Park Hall have been welcomed by developers, who described the site as an "unsightly commercial...
Construction of bypass awarded to Balfour Beatty
Construction company, Balfour Beatty, has been awarded the £44m contract to widen the A1 Western Bypass around Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The Highways Agency contract to widen the Bypass around Newcastle-upon-Tyne has been awarded to Balfour Beatty. The project will see the existing 4-mile dual carriageway expanded to three lanes in both directions....
Kier awarded A&E building contract
The construction company has been awarded the contract to build a new emergency department at New Cross Hospital on behalf of the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust.
Kier have announced they have won the contract to build a £30m emergency department at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton. The plans include a three-storey...
The housing crisis requires ‘tough decisions’
Business Secretary, Vince Cable said more houses need to be built, even if it means using green belt.
With housing inflation reaching 'dangerous levels', Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills said Britain needs to make tough decisions regarding how to double the number of new homes...
Flood mitigation project set out
Bath & North East Somerset Council and the Environment Agency are working together on a major infrastructure project which will provide flood defences for parts of Bath’s city centre and begin to build a positive relationship between the city centre and the River Avon.
The Bath Quays Waterside Project will...
£168m pothole repair fund available for councils
Councils are being invited to bid for a share of a £168m Pothole Fund to repair local roads, making them safer and smoother for motorists, cyclists and other road users
Certifying the assessors
SSAIB Chief Executive Geoff Tate describes the BAFE SP205 UKAS-accredited certification scheme’s aims, what it involves and the benefits to customers and certificated service providers alike
The important area of fire protection standards is one that British Approvals for Fire Equipment (BAFE), the independent third party registration body for the...
