House of Lords Built Environment Committee – Modern Methods of Construction in Housing
The House of Lords Built Environment Committee have sent a letter to Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities detailing the outputs of their brief inquiry into Modern Methods of Construction. The report makes interesting reading and we will certainly be digesting it with our Offsite Manufacturing & Technology Group. Letter from Lord Moylan to Rt Hon. Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, 26 January 2024 (parliament.uk)
Heath and Social Care Committee publishes report calling for immediate action to protect tenants from the impact of poor housing on health
On Friday (19 January), the Health and Social Care Committee released the “Prevention in health and social care: healthy places” report. This calls for immediate steps to be taken by Government to improve public health via improvements to the UK’s housing stock. Included in these recommendations is a clear timetable to be set out on updating the Decent Homes Standard, the introduction of Awaab’s Law for tenants in the social rented sector and extending it to cover the private rented sector, and the consideration of other safeguards for the private rented sector.
Government makes amendments following its consultation on Biodiversity Net Gain regulations and implementation
Following a consultation by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Government has introduced four sets of Biodiversity Net Gain regulations, with the changes coming into law on 12 February. These are:
- The Biodiversity Gain (Town and Country Planning) (Modifications and Amendments) (England) Regulations 2024
- Biodiversity Gain Site Register Regulations 2024
- Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024
- Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations 2024
Levelling Up Housing and Communities Committee hears oral evidence on the finances and sustainability of the social housing sector
On Monday (22 January), the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee heard evidence from the Regulator for Social Housing, Homes England, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Included in discussion was a need for a better discount for social housing to make it competitive with other areas of the construction sector and the importance of decarbonising the sector in order to make it cheaper for residents in the long-term.
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announces four new Green Heat Network projects using sewer power
On Thursday (25 January), the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero announced £80.6 million has been allocated to support four Green Heat Network schemes. These heat networks will supply heat to nearly 2,000 homes and businesses with excess heat from a sewer. As part of the funding, £8 million will also be used for efficiency upgrades for existing heat networks.
Building Safety Update From CLC
See the latest updates on Building Safety including Commencement of Part 4 Regime for Occupied Higher-Risk Buildings, Non Determination Applications for Higher Risk Buildings Procedures, Building Safety Levy and BS 9792 Fire Risk Assessment – Housing – Code of Practice Building Safety Update – Construction Leadership Council
IN THE NEWS
Building the Future Commission
On Wednesday we were fortunate to be joined by Chloe McCulloch, Assemble Media Group, to share the Building the Future Commission Report, the result of a year long initiative looking at radical and challenging ideas that could help transform the built environment. This report sets out key recommendations for government and industry to support construction to reach its full potential. Read the report here.
Chloe also launched the Building the Future Think Tank which intends to continue the work from the Building the Future Commission, aiming to produce in-depth research throughout 2024 and beyond on behalf of the industry.
