How to secure your funding in 2021

Simon Chapman of Pluto Finance gives expert insights on the key steps developers need to take when attempting to secure finance for their residential schemes, and what challenges might be in store currently In this extraordinary year, with many challenges... View Article

The art of render

Strong colours, silicone technology, textured effects and brick slip combinations – James Ormerod of Aliva UK sets out the ‘art of the possible’ with insulated render When looking for a cost-effective cladding option that can be applied quickly and easily,... View Article

Hot and sophisticated

Steve Birch of Vogue (UK) discusses how the market for radiators and towel warmers has become increasingly sophisticated, and how greater attention is being paid to the look as well as the functionality of heating solutions In a world where... View Article

Site Lines: Affordable homes-on-sea

Lee Davies of architects Conran and Partners explores how an East Sussex council’s initiative produced an exemplar partnership which employs an innovative design solution to tackle the local housing crisis Last year marked 100 years since the introduction of the... View Article

A guide to bespoke staircases

Antonia Harding of British Spirals and Castings discusses the various factors architects and specifiers need to bear in mind when selecting a bespoke staircase A staircase provides a key focal point in a property and its design can have a... View Article

Cool ideas for waterproofing

Victoria Ramwell of Kemper System offers specification advice on the versatile cold-applied liquid waterproofing method for residential properties A key theme throughout the roofing sector and the construction industry as a whole as we enter a new year is the... View Article

View Point: Assael Architecture

With plans to house the UK’s growing elderly population in new town centre developments recently making the news, Assael Architecture explains why it’s the right solution, giving a key recent example You would be forgiven for thinking that building new... View Article
Seamless combination

Seamless combination

The Mill is a luxury housing development that saw a complex conversion combine new build with refurbishment of a historic hosiery factory. Richard Cooper of HSSP Architects spoke to Jack Wooler A former hosiery mill dating back to 1889 has... View Article
City limits

City limits

Set in a triangular mews in north London, a quirky mixed-use project offers privacy and bright spaces despite a tight urban context. Jack Wooler spoke to architects Tom Byrne and Simon Lilley to get their take on the scheme The... View Article

NHF calls on sector to adopt its tenant engagement charter

The National Housing Federation is asking all English housing associations to adopt its new resident engagement charter and make themselves more accountable to their tenants. Together with Tenants, was an initiative set up in response to the Grenfell Tower fire... View Article

Two associations regain their governance compliance ratings

A Liverpool based social landlord has regained its compliance rating from the regulator two years after being down-graded over widespread health and safety failings. The Livv Housing Group, formerly known as Knowsley Housing Trust, was found to be non-compliant in... View Article

Large Yorkshire landlord handed governance downgrade

A 22,000-home landlord had its governance rating downgraded by the Regulator of Social Housing after owning up to not correctly implementing rule changes within its group structure. Yorkshire-based Incommunities Group was downgraded from ‘G1’ to ‘G2’, meaning it is still... View Article

Allocations made for 3,300 homes for rough sleepers

The Government has allocated more than £150m to pay for more than 3,000 permanent homes aimed specifically at getting rough sleepers off the streets and provided with specialist support. In all some 276 schemes have been approved across England, including... View Article

Claims of professional negligence made at Grenfell inquiry

The Grenfell inquiry’s fire safety expert has said the advice given by specialist fire engineers during the design stage of the tower block’s refurbishment, amounted to professional negligence. Exova was employed to put together the fire strategy for the refurbishment... View Article

Grenfell inquiry hears of questionable behaviours

The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has continued to reveal a series of questionable behaviours by key participants in the refurbishment project which ultimately resulted in 72 people losing their lives. Actions by a number of staff at... View Article