UK construction and property
- Second staircase | Michael Gove announced a 30-month grace period after the rules for a second staircase are published in Approved Document B. For schemes that have already been approved, developers will be given 18 months to start, to stop developers from stockpiling schemes. If this 18-month deadline is missed, the schemes will have to re-submit their schemes under the new guidelines.
- Fire safety | The RIBA has opened the application process for construction’s first register of principal designers. Under the new Building Regulations, every building project needs to have a designated principal designer. RIBA members will show their competence through a three-stage assessment process and pay a subscription to be on the register and will need to reapply every five years.
- Infrastructure | The Building Cost Information Service (BCIS from the RICS) has added to calls for “clarity and consistency of policy and regulation” in the government’s approach to major infrastructure projects. It also raised concerns that “Network North” prolongs uncertainty for companies working in the sector, as well as the need to increase supply-side capacity to deliver projects.
- Engineers | Work permits issued to foreign engineers increased by 71% between 2021 and 2022, according to analysis of Home Office data by Integro Accounting. Over the same period, work permits issued to civil engineers rose by 95% (albeit from a lower base).
- Workload expectations | The latest RIBA Future Trends survey showed that whilst sentiment is still fairly pessimistic, negativity has reduced considerably when compared to July and August. The index improved from -11 to -1 in September, driven by optimism amongst smaller practices and the housing sector.
- HS2 land | The construction and property industry has added its voice to those calling for the sale of HS2 land to be delayed. The government plans to sell 2,900 acres of land “within weeks”, raising £100m, compared to the £200m paid for it. The High Speed Rail Group warns that the sale of land would also create a permanent and irrevocable bottleneck at Colwich junction, limiting the flow of services over the West Coast Main Line.
- Circular Construction | A report from Mace claims that adopting circular economy principles across Greater London could save 13.8m tonnes of construction waste, worth £1.25bn over 10 years. Currently, only 10% of construction waste is recycled.
- Planning | Knight Frank has recommended that urgent action be taken to promote increased development and remove barriers to delivery within the life sciences golden triangle between Oxford, Cambridge, and London as more than half of the area’s development pipeline is stuck in the pre-planning phase.
- Central London take-up of offices reached its highest point this year. Savills reported that more occupiers are looking to increase their space requirements, but leasing activity remains well below the long-term average.
