Funding provided as part of planning agreements for new homes intended for improvements to local infrastructure and amenities is sitting idle in council accounts, according to research by the Home Builders Federation (HBF). The money paid as part of planning agreements for new housing developments includes £6.6 billion from Section 106 agreements and more than £2.2 billion raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). The findings come from a Freedom of Information

Sika has partnered with housebuilder Cala Homes to deliver the external render for 89 new homes in Stirlingshire, Scotland. SikaWall-580 Monorex GM UK, a one-coat through coloured render, has been specified to meet planning, aesthetic and functional requirements. Weather resistant and breathable, the render provides a durable solution for the new development, which is in an area severely exposed to wind-driven rain. Manufactured in the UK and certified by the British Board of

Housebuilders can give bats a brand new home inside the ridge roost and help support the urban environment, Manthorpe explains. Finding suitable roosting spots in urban areas has become increasingly difficult for bats in recent years due to improved building practices and materials that reduce defects. However, the Manthorpe Bat Ridge Roost provides a solution by offering these important pollinators a new home among the rooftops. This product is the result of a partnership be

Europe’s largest 3D printed housing project  has been completed in Denmark, delivering multiple units faster and more sustainably. Specify & Build reports. The 3D printing phase of Europe’s largest 3D printed housing project has been completed by 3DCP Group. The work will create 36 student apartments in Holstebro using COBOD’s BOD3 3D Construction Printer for NordVestBo. The project demonstrates how 3D construction printing can deliver multiple housing units at scale with hig

Reynaers Aluminium UK has received the Commercial Project of the Year award at this year’s prestigious G-awards thanks to its involvement in the high-profile Wembley Park regeneration project in collaboration with Everglade Windows. Reynaers’ systems played a central part in the North East Lands NE02 and NE03 development of the extensive regeneration project, which helped to achieve developer Quintain’s vision for this ambitious £227m project.  Designed to provide high-qualit

By Aaron Morley, Contracts Manager at Ruskins The quality of a finished home begins with the ground it stands on. The soil beneath every development plays a critical role in the long-term stability and success of that property. Too often taken for granted, soil is the hidden risk that can determine whether a site thrives or fails. Poorly understood or mismanaged soil can cause subsidence, structural movement and damage to buildings, alongside surface problems such as flooding

SCOTLAND has the chance to lead the way in housing innovation say industry bosses who were invited to present their solutions to the Scottish Parliament. VASO by Eco, based in Dumfries and Galloway, presented its industrialised construction innovation to the Scottish Parliament’s Cross Party Group for Housing. VASO by Eco is a world-leading circular housebuilding innovation which creates building solutions from structural composite panels manufactured from recycled glass, pro

Andy Sutton, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Sero, shares his outlook on the key developments that will shape social housing retrofit in 2026. 2026: Time to get on the right boat  I believe 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the UK’s journey to Net Zero. Right now, the energy and construction sectors are moving on different trajectories, and unless we bring them together, we risk losing impact.  The energy sector is already out at sea, accelerating toward

TerraQuest , the operator of Planning Portal, says an agile footing will continue to be critical to property industry success as it unveils a report distilling the key real estate trends built environment professionals need to know for 2026.    The report brings together insights from across land, property and planning to give an overview of the state of the residential and commercial markets. Coming at a pivotal moment for the UK real estate sector as the government’s planni

Reynaers Aluminium UK has been shortlisted for Commercial Project of the Year at this year’s prestigious G-awards thanks to its involvement in the high-profile Wembley Park regeneration project in collaboration with Everglade Windows Ltd.  Reynaers’ innovative systems played a central part in the North East Lands NE02 and NE03 development of the extensive regeneration project which helped to achieve developer Quintain’s vision for this ambitious £227m project.  Designed to pr

Early collaboration between architects and specialist manufacturers can turn complex design concepts into buildable solutions, without compromising on aesthetics. For specifiers, this partnership is particularly valuable when working on projects that demand both structural performance and high levels of brick detailing.       A recent mixed-use project in central London is testament to the way that bespoke masonry support systems and prefabricated brick slip arches can be use

Here, the Structural Timber Association explains why timber frame and structural insulated panel building methods are becoming increasingly popular among housebuilders.     One of the most important decisions in any housing project is selecting the right building system. This choice will shape the design flexibility, speed of construction, sustainability credentials, and long-term performance of the home. Among the many options available, timber frame and Structural Insulated

Brett Martin has launched Adopta, a complete portfolio of drain and sewer pipes, fittings and non-entry inspection chambers for where the drains/sewers are required to be adopted by the sewerage or water authority. The Adopta range is manufactured and tested to ensure full compliance with the strict industry guidelines and requirements for adoptable drain and sewer projects in England, Scotland and Wales.  The introduction of a full package adoptable system is a seminal momen

Focusing on the specification of the rear-ventilated façade substructure can pay dividends in achieving the higher building envelope performance targets required for sustainable housing developments, as one landmark project in Leeds demonstrates. Gary Robson, Business Development Manager at EJOT UK,explains why.     As developers pursue increased levels of thermal insulation in building envelopes, while also pushing the boundaries of architectural expression and adhering to s

Today, housing developers are more frequently looking to deliver future-proofed properties that rely on renewables, driven by both government regulation and consumer demand. Mark Ferris, National Specification Manager at Ariston, explores the challenges that can arise when specifying heat pumps in new homes and how they can be overcome.       The UK housing sector is currently at a turning point. The government remains committed to reaching net zero by 2050 and the Future Hom

James Williams, Co-Founder and CEO at Sero, explores how social housing can play a part in supporting the UK’s transition to a cleaner,...

New figures provide a promising snapshot of planning activity in England, with new home applications increasing by nearly a third between...

Often referred to as ‘hidden protectors’, fire-rated construction wall membranes can help play a key role in reducing façade fire risk....

When the time comes to replace a roof covering or underlay, how can roof membranes help existing buildings meet performance requirements...

Brian Adams, Senior Director of Sales and Business Development at Arclin, explains how timber frame and technology such as...