Geosynthetics provide genuine savings

Mark Gillies, director of technical solutions at Burdens, looks at the key role that geosynthetic materials can play in new housing developments, in particular how they can underpin cost-saving strategies.  For many housebuilders and developers, groundworks remain one of the... View Article

How planning could stop BNG being a blocker

Nicky Brock of Carter Jonas argues that a small procedural change to biodiversity net gain approvals could unlock faster delivery without compromising environmental outcomes. There is no question that the planning system requires more speed and more certainty – and... View Article

The best of both worlds

Cornish housebuilder Legacy Properties’ latest high quality development, in the picturesque Pentewan Valley, combines rural amenity for residents with a contemporary edge, as Roseanne Field reports. The parish of Pentewan Valley in Cornwall stretches three miles from the southern edge... View Article

Making a pitch for cold roof systems

Paul Lambert at Hambleside Danelaw explains why ventilation measures are critical for cold pitched roof systems, in the context of warmer interiors.  In 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) provided guidelines that strongly recommended homes in temperate or colder climates... View Article

Where knowledge meets delivery

12-14 May Excel, London  Futurebuild’s acclaimed Knowledge Programme is now live as we enter the lead-up to the 2026 event at Excel, London on 12-14 May.  While the main conference arena, sponsored by Mitsubishi Electric, tackles ‘the 3Rs’ of resilience,... View Article

A positive angle on net zero

Sustainable housebuilder Greencore Homes’ latest development – The Canopies in Oxfordshire – sets the bar high for industry peers, providing a carbon-positive collection of homes that align with Passivhaus performance levels to go ‘better than net zero.’ Roseanne Field reports.... View Article

Modern methods of community-building

Untold Living’s new MMC-built private retirement community in Shropshire aims to reshape what retirement living developments look like, away from a solely ‘care led’ model to promoting independence. Roseanne Field reports. Providing a good range of retirement living options is... View Article

Sustainability through placemaking

John Bowden at Keepmoat discusses how housebuilders must approach sustainability in 2026 – advocating a strategy that puts placemaking at the centre of developments. Sustainability in housebuilding can too often be approached as just energy efficiency alone. Whilst essential, it... View Article

Ask the Manufacturer: IDSystems

Housebuilder & Developer’s James Parker speaks to IDSystems’ David Clarke, to discover how the 2021 changes to Building Regulations have driven the specification of better glazing systems for new build and retrofit domestic projects. How have the changes to Part... View Article

A flexible future for BNG compliance

Katy Davis at Carter Jonas (London) argues that, a year after biodiversity net gain became mandatory, flexibility is essential to ensure onsite ambition aligns with offsite realities and genuine ecological outcomes. A year after the introduction of mandatory biodiversity net gain... View Article

Building ‘beyond zero’

Rob East of Newland Homes, explains how the Gloucestershire housebuilder took a “conviction-based” decision to redefine its design approach beyond the norm to provide climate-resilient, and even carbon-negative homes. It was our development director, Jeremy Drew, who first raised the... View Article

Suffragette City

A development onsite in London’s Tower Hamlets creates a new neighbourhood on where Suffragette Sylvia Pankhurst first proposed improvements to conditions in the East End, over a century ago. Roseanne Field reports. In Bromley-By-Bow in the London Borough of Tower... View Article

Social value: from policy to practice

Nicola Dibb & Jo Davis explore how meaningful social value can be delivered through the planning system in developments, to benefit all. Social value has evolved from a ‘nice-to-have’ into a fundamental pillar of planning policy, procurement, and project delivery.... View Article

Tackling the myths around offsite BNG delivery

Nathan Jenkinson of Environment Bank explores some of the myths around achieving biodiversity net gain offsets, and puts the case for wide usage of Habitat Banks. Offsite biodiversity net gain (BNG) is a much misunderstood subject. The most cited issues, expense... View Article

The best of both worlds

City & Country’s development in north Essex was designed and built with its green history in mind, creating a high quality development that respects the landscape and history of its location. Roseanne Field reports. Situated on the boundary of Essex... View Article

UKCW celebrates 10th birthday in Birmingham

This autumn, UK Construction Week (UKCW) Birmingham marks a major milestone as it returns to the NEC from 30 September to 2 October, celebrating 10 years as the UK’s largest and most influential event for the built environment. With the... View Article

Defence of the realm

As climate change intensifies, the UK’s environment and buildings face mounting risks. Kirsty Girvan of the UK Green Building Council outlines why urgent, systemic action is needed to adapt to the changes being seen. The climate crisis is no longer... View Article

Curves in the capital

An affordable housing block inspired by Hercule Poirot has distinctive curving brickwork that brings a touch of class to a grey and constrained urban site in London’s East End. Stephen Cousins reports on a challenging project. Fans of the Agatha... 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