Specialist HA installs sprinklers in its tall buildings

One of the country’s largest providers of retirement and extra care housing has installed water sprinklers in all six of its residential buildings over six storeys high. Housing 21 owns and manages around 21,000 properties in 150 local authority areas.... View Article

MPs criticise company’s approach to customer safety

MPs on the Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Committee declared it ‘astonishing’ that four years on from Whirlpool revealing defects in its tumble-dryers that as many as 800,000 defective machines could still be present in people’s homes and posing a... View Article

Welsh Slate helps with a steep learning curve

Architect Gareth Sullivan has turned an awkward plot into an award-winning home. Welsh Slate was specified for the roof of an architect’s challenging but award-winning own self-build for a trio of reasons – its quality, durability and aesthetics. More than 600 Penrhyn... View Article

Reinforcing the GRP Message

Andy Fell of Hambleside Danelaw explores how housebuilders and developers can avoid the common pitfalls of flat roofing by specifying glass reinforced polyester (GRP), explaining its various benefits. How many times have you heard it said: ‘flat roofs never last... View Article

Ashford landlord fined £5,000 for breaching HMO law

The owner of a house believed to be occupied by multiple tenants has been successfully prosecuted by Ashford Borough Council for failing to co-operate with attempts by the authority to ensure that the quality of the accommodation meets acceptable standards. Josh Basharart Ahmad was fined £5,000 and... View Article

Focus turns to phase two of Grenfell inquiry

After a hard hitting report following phase one of the Grenfell inquiry, attention and focus will soon switch to the second phase of the inquiry which starts in late January. Survivors and campaigners welcomed the depth of Sir Martin’s 46... View Article

Grenfell inquiry costs revealed

The Grenfell Tower inquiry has cost the taxpayer more than £40 million, with most of the money spent on lawyers and legal advisers fees, according to a financial statement released by the inquiry. Covering the period from 1 August 2017... View Article

New ‘dual-faced’ Burwell Gault brick

Imperial Bricks has launched a second brick with its new ‘dual-faced’ finish: the Weathered Burwell Gault. A hard-textured, handmade brick with some golden buff shades and some greys, it’s traditionally seen in Cambridge, Suffolk, and other Southern counties. Imperial’s new... View Article

Mustang Seamless Aluminium Gutter System

Mustang® Seamless aluminium gutters are roll formed on site in lengths of up to 30 metres.  It is a unique system with no joints, meaning no leaks, creating a neat, maintenance free product of the highest quality, giving you peace... View Article

Large pipe unearths value in small space

Working within restricted space on a new, ambitious social housing development in Barnsley, a fully adoptable stormwater attenuation tank manufactured from Polypipe’s Ridgistorm-XL large diameter pipe has been installed as a key element of a project-wide sustainable water management scheme.... View Article

Winners of British Woodworking Federation Awards 2019 celebrated

The winners of the prestigious British Woodworking Federation (BWF) Awards 2019 have been revealed at an evening of celebration held at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London. The BWF Awards celebrate outstanding projects and individuals in UK woodworking, recognising technical... View Article

Rendering best practice more achievable

Dale Telling of Fassa Bortolo UK looks at the steps to take in choosing the best external render system for your next development. Practical, durable and stylish, render systems can completely transform the exterior of a property through colour or finish,... View Article

CPMG Architects boost team with senior promotions

Following an exciting period of growth, architecture firm CPMG Architects have announced two senior promotions within its head office team. Ruth Evans has been promoted to associate and will head up and nurture a team of designers on the delivery... View Article