Future Homes Standard to mandate solar PV in autumn launch, Ministry confirms

The Government has confirmed that the final Future Homes Standard will be published "this autumn," and that the Option 1 in the industry consultation, namely including mandatory solar PV, would be the preferred option taken forward. Ministers “confirmed that solar [...]

Angela Rayner promises to 'unblock' sites in south east, after approving Cranbrook scheme

Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has defended her Department's approach to 'unblocking' sites in the south east on the BBC, following approving a development of 165 homes in Cranbrook, Kent, on a former Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. She told the [...]

Consultation launched on changes to Energy Performance Certificates

The Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government has launched a joint industry consultation with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to “reform” the EPC Framework to provide a “robust, well-rounded perspective on building performance.” The consultation outlines [...]

Councils doubt they can achieve Government's housing target

The BBC has obtained information from the industry consultation underway on the new mandatory private housing targets for local authorities, which include responses to the Government saying that achieving its 1.5 million homes target is "unrealistic" and "impossible." Sir Keir [...]

Reeves' debut budget taxes and spends to support 'stability'

In addition to the £40bn of tax rises achieved by Rachel Reeves in her Government's first Budget to sustain investment in public services, the Chancellor also announced a total of £100bn to be spent on capital projects during this Parliament, [...]

Latest Articles

Ensuring safety & compliance

Ruth MacEachern at EnviroVent looks at ensuring compliance with ventilation regulations and achieving good indoor air quality in new homes. Approved Document F of Building Regulations has set stringent requirements... View Article

The future in focus

Louise Walters at Designer Contracts looks at the future of new build flooring, from a shift in colour palettes to sustainable products, the importance of EPDs and how flooring materials can... View Article
Planning permission shortages stifle housing growth

Unprecedented challenges ahead

The social sector faces unprecedented level of challenges to deliver the Government’s tough housing agenda Record levels of homelessness are pushing many councils’ revenue budgets to breaking point as the... View Article

The role of roofscapes

Nick Boulton at the Trussed Rafter Association says that with calls for faster and better housing delivery continuing to shape the sector, making practical progress relies on involving specialists. The... View Article

Modern methods of community-building

Untold Living’s new MMC-built private retirement community in Shropshire aims to reshape what retirement living developments look like, away from a solely ‘care led’ model to promoting independence. Roseanne Field... View Article

Sustainability through placemaking

John Bowden at Keepmoat discusses how housebuilders must approach sustainability in 2026 – advocating a strategy that puts placemaking at the centre of developments. Sustainability in housebuilding can too often... View Article

Ask the Manufacturer: IDSystems

Housebuilder & Developer’s James Parker speaks to IDSystems’ David Clarke, to discover how the 2021 changes to Building Regulations have driven the specification of better glazing systems for new build... View Article

Evolving fire risks

Helen Hewitt of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF) discusses the need for developers to increase focus on fire door safety, against new risks like e-bikes. The fire risks facing our... View Article

Building a safer future

As the industry enters a new era of rigour in building safety, Ben Towe at the Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA) explores how light steel frame construction can help meet... View Article
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Product & Supplier News

West Fraser’s weather-resistant CaberShield Eco

Continually investing in the improvement of its engineered wood-based panel products, West Fraser has received new BBA certification, confirming its environmentally-friendly CaberShield Eco is capable of withstanding constant exposure to the elements for a full... View Article

The Value of Permanence

Croft’s Paul Clifford on why homeowners and designers are putting more emphasis on quality hardware As interiors continue to evolve in 2026, a clear and confident shift is emerging: homeowners... View Article

Rocking CaberAcoustic for a quiet life

Favoured by specifiers who need to consider solutions to noise pollution in today’s busy, building world, CaberAcoustic from West Fraser is a versatile, economical sound-reducing flooring system which reduces both impact and airborne transmitted... View Article
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