Graham Kelly

CIAT publishes its recommendations for the next Government The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) has published its Be the change to lead the future of our built environment document, calling on political parties to work more closely with the built environment sector to tackle significant issues facing the country. Published to coincide with the anticipated general election, CIAT's document focuses on three core issues; low carbon and retrofit, building safety, and skills shortages and recognition.The Institute is calling for greater collaboration within the sector to address these critical areas, to ensure that we can create sustainable, resilient and inclusive communities for future generations.CIAT President, Eddie Weir PCIAT, said: "We present this three-point plan to the next UK Government, outlining key areas of focus to build a sustainable future for our nation. This will require a coordinated effort from Government, the sector, and communities to overcome barriers and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable and resilient built environment."The document can be accessed and downloaded here: https://lnkd.in/etPWzbT2 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals https://lnkd.in/emBG7jEr

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What is RIBA’s Plan for Use guide and how can architects use it with the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS)? Learn more about an important guide that helps to achieve outcome-based performance: https://ow.ly/Q98950U5b4z

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Bristol is ECE Westworks’ hometown and for many years we had no major projects here. But now this is certainly not the case, ECE Westworks are working on a number of projects in the city, with four large projects onsite and more either in planning or with the Building Safety Regulators. Bristol was the second fastest growing of all the Core Cities in England and Wales over the last decade* and there is a huge demand for housing and student accommodation here. If all of these projects are added up, there are around 1600 new homes, including nearly 200 affordable homes and 815 student beds. Image Legend: 1.       Bedminster Plot 4: 316 unit residential scheme including 21 affordable dwellings , due for completion early 2025. 2.       Redcliff Quarter (Resi): 468 unit residential scheme, including 94 affordable dwellings, due for completion spring/summer 2025. 3.       Redcliff Quarter (Student): 367 bed student accommodation scheme, due for completion December 2024. 4.       ‘360’: 399 bed student accommodation scheme, due for completion September 2026. 5.       Mickleburgh: Mixed use development, currently in planning. 6.       Cave Street: 22 bed student accommodation scheme, completed September 2024. 7.       Un-named Residential Project: ~400 units, part of the Frome Gateway masterplan, pre-planning. 8.       Globe House: part of the Frome Gateway masterplan, 68 Unit residential scheme, Planning Permission granted April 2024 9.       Un-named Residential Project: 381 unit residential scheme including 81 affordable dwellings, pre-planning. #BristolArchitecture #ArchitectureBristol #BristolDevelopments * Source: Bristol Key Facts 2023, Bristol City Council Imagery ©2024 Vu.City

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With the UK General Election taking place a week today, our 'Be the change to lead the future of our built environment' document outlines three key areas of focus to build a sustainable future for our nation. Read here: https://lnkd.in/etPWzbT2 #ArchitecturalTechnology #CIAT #BuiltEnvironment

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Key strategic infrastructure requirements across energy, water supply and flood risk, blue and green infrastructure and connectivity in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are addressed in a newly published report by Stantec for the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority Full story:

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As sustainable building design consultants, we’re no strangers to regulatory change - the Government’s repeated flip-flopping on Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) and Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) being a case in point! But when you consider the construction sector overall, the pace and complexity of change is breathtaking. As just a snapshot, in February 2024 alone, one single regulatory update spanned six different Acts and regulation subsets. By participating in the BCM Agency Ltd's Voices in Construction Insight Panel recently, we were able to assess whether the changes constitute hurdles or opportunities - and in many parts of the industry, ours included, opportunities won the day. Read more in our short article ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eN7W3x8W #greenbuilding #buildingdesign #greenbuildings #heatpumps #newbuilds

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💧 New Joint Position Statement on Moisture in Historic Buildings 🏰 RICS, Historic England and the PCA have published a Joint Position Statement to help property professionals manage moisture issues in traditional buildings. It covers: - Understanding moisture in historic materials - Detailed investigations - Avoiding harmful solutions 🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eHMvX7CS #HistoricBuildings #MoistureManagement #BuildingConservation #Surveying

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Went to build test solutions last Thursday wanna advertise this great bit of kit which is gonna make the retrofit of Heritage buildings easier as it measures u- values on site in real time. What does this mean? Firstly, less cost for retrofit on Heritage buildings. Accurate assessment using SAP an approved piece of software to calculate and reduce risk whilst gaining cost benefits. Technology is starting to make a difference in the world of retrofit, thank you test “built test solutions” and the local AECB team. Well, planning to use this to help in the retrofit of buildings.

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Building Control: CABE Survey 2024 Results On April 29, the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) released the results of its second building control survey, which was conducted among its members in England and Wales in January 2024, see https://lnkd.in/dbBUssyv The survey was aimed to gauge the level of concern across the building control profession, understand members' preparedness for changes, and explore their future plans. The survey received over 400 responses, which is a significant response considering the Building Safety Regulator estimates there are around 4,500 building control professionals in the UK – albeit I am not sure of the number that are CABE members. Having begun my career in LABC - Local Authority Building Control, I've retained an interest in the profession and hold great respect for those who work in building control, describing it as the "fourth emergency service." However, the survey results don't paint a rosy picture: - 52% found their work fulfilling - 64% felt negative about the future of the building control profession (an increase from 55% in November 2022) - 41% planned to continue in building control (down from 53%) - 20% intended to leave building control but remain in the construction sector (up from 12%) - 20% planned to retire (an increase from 18%) - 32% believed that building control's effectiveness in improving compliance had improved (down from 39%) - 34% felt that compliance outcomes had deteriorated (up from 30%) - 53% believed that the construction industry's understanding of building regulations compliance had deteriorated (an increase from 42%) - 86% believed that resourcing for building control functions had declined (up from 82%) Sometimes surveys can attract a higher response rate from those with more negative views, so these results might not fully represent the perspectives of all building control professionals. To those working in building control, do these survey results align with your experiences? Are things as concerning as the survey indicates? I would welcome comments. Well done to CABE for proactively engaging with its members and sharing the results with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUCH) and the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Health and Safety Executive #buildingcontrol

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We collaborate with industry stakeholders to produce research, toolkits and other materials to further excellence in construction and the wider built environment. You can explore our latest research and policy news at https://orlo.uk/OX8ir #ciob #charteredinstituteofbuilding #construction #building #builtenvironment #surveying #architecture #conservation #constructionmanagement #constructionresearch #buildingmanagement #sitemanagement #buildingresearch

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Post 2 of 3 brief posts on the new Government House Building Target and Planning Changes… Planning has been a key problem for small house builders, given planning departments’ lack of resource and rising planning application difficulties (skewing approvals to larger builders). Easing planning and more sustained planning resource would help small builders as their business models are based on building homes quickly and selling them to do more building. After being decimated in the last 3 recessions, small developers only account for a small % of house building, but, on the positive, it means there is a lot of potential for growth, if the demand is there. Social housing investment is largely missing so far. 80% of house building is private housing. The other 20% is mainly from Housing Associations and councils but still market-linked due to Section 106, shared ownership or up to 80% of market rent. So, dependent on the housing market; mortgage approvals, transactions and house prices. Government stated “an appropriate proportion of affordable housing should be Social Rent, subject to viability” and it “expects that many areas will give priority to Social Rent”, although with no clarity, that means little. Overall, it is difficult to see house building rates rising anywhere near levels government is looking for by relying on private house builders and pushing them to provide a higher % of affordable housing plus just pressuring councils to allow building. Much of the focus after the government announcements was around the change in targets at the regional level. The new targets are being reduced in London and increased significantly in the North West and North East compared to the previous non-binding targets. This appears to make little sense given that in London and the South East housing is unaffordable as supply doesn’t meet demand, whilst in other parts of England, housing is unaffordable for some as wages are too low. However, note that the target for London has been revised down from 99,000 to 80,000 per year (see Chart), but even so, achieving 80,000 requires delivery to more than double in the capital (from levels before the housing slowdown), so the new target is more realistic (or at least less unrealistic). Conversely, increasing housing targets in areas where it is easier to get planning permission, such as the North, may make it easier for the government to get slightly closer to its overall targets, if the demand is there... See link to Post 1 here: https://lnkd.in/eksHv96V #ukhousing #ukhousingmarket #housingmarket #ukconstruction #ukbuilders #construction #builders #constructionuk #buildersuk #building #ukbuilding #buildinguk #ukeconomy #constructionindustry #constructionworkers #constructionworker #constructionwork #contractors #housebuilding #labour #buildingcontractors #mortgagerates #interestrates #NewTowns

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At the start of the year the National House Building Council (NHBC) released a new chapter on the use of engineered fill to support residential developments. The Chapter 4.6 Engineered fill gives guidance and clarifies what the NHBC are looking for in terms of engineered fill to achieve warranty. About 40% of NHBC’s portfolio is currently on previously developed land. As building land immediately suitable for residential developments is limited, more homes are being built or will need to be built on more challenging sites. The guidance clarifies good practice, the need to demonstrate compliance and performance. It also highlights the importance and focus on sustainability with an aim to reuse site material rather than import.  NHBC Chapter 4.6 emphasises the importance of geotechnical investigation, ground models, appropriate lab testing, earthworks specification. The guidance also highlights the need for reports to be interpretive. For experienced geotechnical engineers, it’s nothing new, the standards reiterate the need for a risk based pragmatic approach, which is how we work at Earth Environmental & Geotechnical Ltd. If you are involved in the construction of new housing it is important to understand these new guidelines and how they impact your development site. From January 2025 NHBC requires all foundations on Engineered Fill to be Compliant with Chapter 4.6 to achieve warranty.  At Earth Environmental & Geotechnical we provide all the services you require at every step of this process including, geotechnical risks, site conditions, pre existing fill assessment, testing, and mitigation. We are known for our cost effective, pragmatic solutions. We identify issues relating to site development early so solutions can be found. We have experience of geotechnically challenging sites, brownfield sites and contaminated land. So give us a call to discuss your development site and how we can support you in a successful safe development. https://lnkd.in/eAss296F #newbuild #newhomeconstruction #newhomes #brownfieldland #brownfieldsite #constructionindustry #construction #subsidence #northumberland  #engineer #environmental #geotechnicalengineering #northeast #newcastle #geotechnical #teesside #redcar #northyorkshire #yorkshirebusiness #newcastlebusiness #geoenvironmental  #siteinvestigation #commercialconstruction  #scotland #somerset #contaminatedland #geotechnical #dorset #kent #isleofwight #slopestability #coastalerosion  #geotechnics   #geotechnicalengineering #groundengineering #ukconstruction  #infrastructure #bridport #weymouth #brighton #londonconstruction #manchester #cheshire #plymouth

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The next phase of the building safety regime is now in effect and Building Control Approvers and Building Inspectors must now be registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). ICYMI last week, Build UK has updated its guide to the regime to reflect the latest information that has been published: ➡ https://lnkd.in/eKXWiMb3 The changes in the April 2024 version include: 🔗 Links to the registers for Building Control Approvers and Building Inspectors. 🗓 Transitional arrangements for experienced Building Inspectors registered as a Class 1 Registered Building Inspector by 6 April who must complete their competence assessment by 6 July. 📚 Final versions of the Operational Standards Rules for Building Control Bodies, Professional Conduct Rules for Registered Building Control Approvers, and Code of Conduct for Registered Building Inspectors. 📑 Updated information on Approved Document B which now includes new guidance on second staircases in new residential buildings above 18 metres in height. 📒 New guidance for dutyholders to help them meet the requirements of their roles. 📜 New guidance for Accountable Persons on the information they must provide and for Principal Accountable Persons on applying for a Building Assessment Certificate. We have also published an updated version of our Building Safety Timeline, which shows at a glance when the key changes take effect: ➡ https://lnkd.in/ekt4EyuN

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The next phase of the building safety regime is now in effect and Building Control Approvers and Building Inspectors must now be registered with the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). Build UK has updated its guide to the regime to reflect the latest information and this useful post summarises the changes and includes a link to the guide. #BSR #BuildingSafetyRegulator #buildingsafetyregime

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T Levels are taken after GCSEs, with one T Level being equivalent in size to 3 A levels. Learn more about T Levels from those who themselves have done one, like Zuzanna who studied a T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction. #TLevels http://spr.ly/6046YUqRK

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Our partner and sustainability lead Louisa Bowles discussed the realities of retrofit with Civic Engineers earlier this year at UKREiiF. "Retrofit means that we’re developing our built environment to be better and not just knocking it down.” More takeaways from the debate are available in this write-up: https://lnkd.in/eGVGjYei

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“Always...take a Refusal over a Withdrawal. It gives you fixed points to tackle in a redesigned scheme. The planners can’t add more reasons in a second submission.” Thanks Jonathan McDermott for your thoughts on good planning strategy and the new NPPF. And thanks Dave Hartnett BSc for hosting Planners Question Time last night. I can recommend Dave's online events for a succinct and nourishing property discussion Mountbatten Estates. #propertydevelopment #planning #permitteddevelopment #ESG #Planning #Oxford #London #PropertyTalks #architect #propertyadvice

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