Planning permission shortages stifle housing growth

Social housing delivery crisis

Patrick Mooney explores how social housebuilders are falling far short of targets, with severe underinvestment, rising homelessness, and regulatory pressures undermining efforts to deliver the new homes urgently needed. A fall in the number of new homes started by housing associations... View Article

Top glass performance

Paul Higgins of TuffX explores how glazing has evolved into a critical element in buildings’ energy performance, and offers  a practical guide to help specifiers achieve ‘futureproofed’ glazing solutions. With the Future Homes Standard (FHS) set to take effect soon,... View Article

Get on top of roof design for big gains

Nick Boulton of the Trussed Rafter Association explains how engaging those responsible for roof design early helps housebuilders reduce waste, cut carbon, and meet evolving sustainability regulations. One area of significant progress is the design and construction of roof structures... View Article
A site worth its salt

A site worth its salt

A development of 103 new homes in Cheshire overcame obstacles from the site’s industrial history as a salt mine – which did not deter developers Russell Homes. Roseanne Field reports One of Russell Homes’ latest developments, Brook View, has not... View Article

What does planning reform mean for you

With the benefit of 20 years of experience navigating planning policy, Mark Mirams, chief operations officer at Studio Charrette, gives readers a no-nonsense view of the practical changes brought by the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. At Studio Charrette, we know... View Article

Let there be light

Tracey Jackson of Howells Patent Glazing explains why daylighting is a vital consideration for self-builders and renovators and how to achieve the best results. Natural light is a powerful resource and one of the most important elements in architectural design,... View Article
Breathe easy

Breathe easy

Ashley Cooper of WMS explores how underfloor heating provides the ideal balance between indoor air quality, comfort and efficiency. When planning a self-build, comfort and efficiency are often top priorities, but one crucial factor is sometimes overlooked – indoor air... View Article

Technology’s critical role in tackling housing repairs

As housing repairs surge and insourcing rises, Dave Carr of Propeller, explains why embracing technology is essential for social landlords and their contractors. Housing providers in England are spending record amounts on repairs and maintenance, with expenditure exceeding £8.8bn in... View Article

The great retrofit challenge

Retrofitting the UK’s ageing homes is now an urgent priority. Simon Storer of the Insulation Manufacturers Association highlights the challenges and opportunities of meeting evolving safety, sustainability, and efficiency standards through effective insulation solutions. It is well known that the... View Article

Renewed liveability

Post-Grenfell, the fire safety agenda puts the focus on facade design. Sandra Rubiano of AESG says recladding is a chance to improve sustainability, and overall liveability, and go beyond compliance. In recent years, the post-Grenfell regulatory landscape has rightly placed... View Article

Defying damp: Solving social housing’s mould problem

From October 2025, social landlords must rapidly address serious damp and mould risks. Luke Brooks of Tarmac shows how lime plaster systems are effective as a ‘people-first’ alternative. Social landlords will already be well aware of Section 42 of the... View Article

A higher bar for glass safety in high rise balconies

Andy Lake of Pyroguard explains the impact of the latest Building Regulations & fire safety legislation updates on glazed balconies for high rise buildings. In recent years, fire safety regulations in the construction industry have undergone significant changes, following the... View Article

Futureproof by design

Chris Stammers of the BEAMA’s Underfloor Heating Group explores the key benefits and latest research around low temperature heat emitters, and how they can support specification choices that futureproof residential projects. With the Future Homes and Buildings Standard (FHS) due... View Article

Declaring an interest in hitting lower carbon goals

Neil Turner of Ecological Building Systems explores how Environmental Product Declarations are helping the construction industry move towards its goals of low carbon building, by providing verified information on environmental impact. The UK construction industry is working towards achieving net... View Article

Connecting the dots

Tom Reynolds of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association explains why joined-up thinking in bathroom design is vital, and how collaboration across the sector can drive innovation, sustainability, and smarter regulation. It may be a small space in the grand scheme of... View Article

Engineering-out structural emissions early

Jack Brunton and Ioana Price of AECOM explore how designers can redefine carbon calculations by assessing carbon at the early design and optioneering stage. The built environment is a significant contributor to the UK’s carbon emission and is responsible for... View Article

Canary conservation

Ruth Slavid reports on how Buckley Gray Yeoman successfully pursued the most sustainable option for a real estate client in Canary Wharf – reusing one of the site’s original offices with a BREEAM Outstanding refurb, enhanced by some striking cladding.... View Article

Framing your self-build

ecoHaus Windows & Doors’ Craig Luff offers a comprehensive guide for self-builders and renovators on selecting the ideal windows and doors for your home. When starting your self-build project, the decisions made during the planning stages set the tone for... View Article

A stone’s throw

Glen Bacon and Jane Healy have built an annexe suitable for elderly parents in the garden of their listed house, choosing a varied palette of cladding materials which includes limestone and flint. TEXT DEBBIE JEFFERY IMAGES SOPHIE BATES ARCHITECTS /... View Article