Articles

A new-build revolution is needed to address the housing crisis, says Jamie Johnson, CEO of FJP Investment. So, what's the plan? 

It almost goes without saying but the housing crisis is one of the biggest problems facing the current government. Along with the outbreak of coronavirus, climate change, and reinvesting in public services – it will likely be a top priority for the Government in 2020.

This was seen most keenly in the Prime Minister’s promise to build a million new dwellings over the course of this Parliament. Whilst his ambition is commendable, major questions remain around how that target will be hit.

Many past governments have tried and failed to spark a housebuilding revolution in the UK. That’s why now is an opportune time to analyse the Conservative party’s current plan towards the property market and whether it is the right course of action to take. 

The introduction of the Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) in 2018 means that all new builds must adhere to a minimum-level of energy efficiency. A positive move by the industry, it has led to carbon emissions from energy use being cut and significantly shaved off costs from homeowners’ electricity bills. 
One of the most popular ways of meeting the MEES is by installing effective insulation to keep warm air trapped within a house, so no need for excessive heating. Unfortunately, poorly installed insulation brings risks, as the warm air traps moisture, leading to damp forming or worse, mould. The presence of damp and mould carries adverse health issues for tenants such as respiratory illnesses.

With a healthy majority, what should the priority be for our Prime Minister?

George Clarke has a simple message for our PM and it’s all about fixing the housing crisis in the right way

The rise of smart technology is changing the reputation of construction, as the sector embraces innovative solutions to some of its more traditional challenges. Health and safety are obvious concerns across all of the UK’s industries, but it’s of particular importance within construction as the rate of fatal injury is around four times as high as the average rate across all industries.

Smart technology company, Eave, has developed a unique hearing conservation system to protect against hazardous noise and the solution is spreading rapidly across the construction industry, with recent subscribers to the technology including Galliford Try, Ferrovial and Costain Skanska. 

One of the fastest growing procurement consortiums, part of Places for People, a leading placemaker in the UK, is partnering with Impact Reporting, a cloud based social value monitoring and reporting platform to drive social value through every contract.

Procurement Hub, based in Preston, is working with Impact on a unique new business drive, which will see the procurement specialists help clients in the public sector maximise the amount of social value they generate through social and environmental endeavours. It will also allow clients to see the value of Impact’s platform and the importance of recording, analysing and reporting data from their purpose led initiatives.

Places for People invested in Impact Reporting last year, after working together for the last two years and is supporting the company’s expansion.

New Year’s Eve lies well behind us now as a milestone, sadly marking the end of another year of failure in housing policy. Home ownership feels like an impossible dream for the masses. Untold numbers of people are being pushed into homelessness. Where is it all going wrong? Housing Association Magazine’s Joe Bradbury takes a look:

Work is underway on a development of 23 new homes in Rowlands Gill.
 
The three and four bedroomed properties, at Gibside Chase, are being delivered by Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP) on land formerly occupied by an Infant School, just off Sherburn Park Drive. 
 
The first homes are expected to be completed in the autumn and will be constructed by build partner, Vistry Partnerships.  A commitment has been made to use both local contractors and suppliers on the project – as well as to create employment and skills training opportunities for local people.
 
Nine of the homes will be of three-storey split level design, which will maximise views over the Gibside Estate and allow family living spaces to spill out into the generous back gardens. The rest of Gibside Chase will be traditional semi detached homes – but every house will benefit from higher space standards and energy efficiency and greater environmental performance than the average new build home.