Planning & Construction News

Specialist timber window and door manufacturer, Swift Joinery, have renewed their membership with Secured by Design (SBD).

Calculating the difference between what the UK exports and imports, the current building materials trade deficit far exceeds the target set in the Construction 2025 strategy document.

As we embark upon a new financial year, it is the ideal time to consider planning for the rest of this year and attempt to anticipate what lies ahead in 2025, with the Residential Construction Statistics platform.

Unfavourable weather conditions dampened the UK construction output in February 2024, as heavy rainfall led to a 1.9% decline in output.

Planning policy has failed to keep pace with demographic shifts and the UK’s ageing population. Nicola Gooch of Irwin Mitchell and Oliver Knight of Knight Frank discuss new analysis on the supply of seniors’ housing and what needs to change to improve supply.

The National Federation of Builders has criticised mobile crane bans enforced by the police over the Easter weekend, forcing plant hire companies off the roads for four days.

Fusion Utilities' national sales lead Stephen Botchett explores the factors that construction contractors should consider when deciding whether to purchase or hire equipment.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has appointed RSK Biocensus as a 'responsible body' to work with landowners and developers on conservation covenants.

Network Rail has appointed Skanska to its North West & Central region framework for Large Portfolio projects, which covers schemes valued from £7m to £200m.

The two new HS2 viaducts are the project's final 'Key Design Element' structures in the West Midlands, marking the next phase of construction.

After enduring a prolonged downturn, the UK construction sector witnessed a notable turnaround in March, marking the end of a six-month decline and hinting at a potential recovery.

Digital materials passports that detail a building’s components could hold the key to moving away from construction’s throwaway culture and towards a circular economy, says Andrew Mitchell, operations director for sustainability at Mace.

Paul Davis, co-founder at Nimbus, describes how reliable data, technology and the insights they provide are the keys to unlocking development opportunities.

Cambridgeshire-based groundworks contractor Bowie Construction has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.

Ravi Pankhania, managing director of Nacropolis Group, explores the challenges surrounding affordability, supply shortages, and planning complexities in the UK housing market.

From April 1, companies bidding for public projects worth over £5m must settle invoices within a 55 day payment deadline or face a work ban.

In response to heightened risks and contractual obligations, employers are increasingly requiring groundwork and civil engineering companies to secure contract works insurance.

The tide of public opinion towards noise pollution is turning at an ever-increasing pace – but one form of protection often overlooked by construction firms is a commitment to legislative compliance in the form of a Section 61 agreement. Dusan Durdevic, associate at urban planning consultancy Urban Thinking, looks deeper into why Section 61 agreements should form a central part of every planning application.

As rising interest rates present an obstacle for property developers across the UK, Peter MacAllan, director at J3 Advisory, explains how to reassess strategies amidst a rapidly changing financial landscape.

Do you want to take control of your materials procurement this year? Now is the perfect opportunity to refresh your supplier list, review pricing agreements and ensure you’re getting the best deals.