The construction sector is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, with around 37% of global emissions[1]. As the only truly renewable construction material, timber is being increasingly specified to help meet net zero commitments. However, some timber species provide very little natural durability and to be used commercially they require additional protection in the form of an industrially applied wood preservative. Wood preservatives are often overlooked as contributing to decarbonisation of construction projects, but Arxada’s Wood Protection division in Europe is working to change ..read more

Blackfinch Property has announced an £11.1 million investment into a residential development in Partick, one of Glasgow’s most vibrant commuter areas. This project, undertaken by Nixon Blue, will see the construction of 48 two-bedroom flats designed to meet high sustainability standards. The development will contribute positively to the local housing market, offering modern amenities and green technology, including solar panels and waste-water heat recovery systems. A key feature of the development is its encouragement of cycling and public transport usage, reflecting a commitment to sustainab ..read more

The latest Market Report from international property and construction consultancy Gleeds has shown that contractors remain selective about taking on new work, with almost 90% saying they or their supply chain had declined a tender in the previous three months as onerous contract conditions and lack of capacity converge. In the wake of this shift in approach, nearly 40% of all respondents claimed to have had difficulty securing a sufficient number of tenderers for projects over the same period. Confidence in the current governmen ..read more

ONE of the world’s fastest growing sports is set to continue its growth in England, with unanimous approval of plans for a new £1 million padel complex in Mansfield, Nottingham. UAE-based World Padel Academy (WPA) is set to develop and operate its first fully-owned UK facility located at Mansfield Town Football Club’s One Call Stadium as part of a £10m investment to promote the game in the UK. To reach this latest development milestone, WPA has been assisted by Nottingham-based architectural practice CPMG on the facility’s design and by planning consultant Grace Machin on the approval required ..read more

Lily Moore, a painting and decorating apprentice from Bolton, Greater Manchester, has been announced as one of three winners of The Nation’s A* Apprentice Award 2024. The award, launched by Markel Direct, the specialist tradespeople insurer, recognises those who have gone above and beyond in their role as a trades apprentice and aims to celebrate the outstanding work skilled trades apprentices all over the UK are doing within their workplace. Lily faced stiff competition from nominations across the UK, and was selected by the judging panel of Rob Rees, Divisional Director of Markel Direct, Lou ..read more

A planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment of the old primary school site at Milton Road, Oundle to accommodate a new purpose-built boarding house for Oundle School. Oundle School has a reputation for providing the very best of modern co-educational independent education, offering both boarding and day pupil provision. The School recognises the need to invest in the future of its estate to ensure that the quality of care provided to pupils, including physical and pastoral structures, is maintained to the highest standard. A key part of the School’s vision, encapsulated in ..read more

In the realm of interior renovation and design, the quest for both aesthetic appeal and functionality is paramount. With this in mind, the manufacturers at Ventmann have carved a niche for themselves with their innovative frameless diffusers, recently introduced to the UK market. These sleek diffusers are not mere components of a building’s HVAC system; they are a confluence of design finesse and environmental health, poised to redefine interior spaces. In the article below, we’ll delve into how frameless diffusers serve to improve both air quality and interior architecture. Elevating Air Qual ..read more

McLaren Construction Midlands and North has delivered phase one of Konect 62 – a speculative industrial and logistics development located in Knottingley, West Yorkshire. Comprising three sustainable units across the 60-acre first phase which are now available to let, the contractor worked together with C4 architects to complete the first phase for joint venture partners, Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse. With a capability of providing over 1,500 jobs, phase one units include 161,000, 151,000 and 61,000 sq. ft options alongside a 30-acre service plot, which was delivered with utilities and ac ..read more

Construction is officially underway to deliver hundreds of affordable homes, retail spaces, and community facilities across Blackbird Leys, Oxford, following a recent ground breaking ceremony. Housing association Peabody (formerly Catalyst) is delivering The Blackbird Leys district redevelopment, with development partners Oxford City Council and award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group. The project, which will provide 294 new homes across two sites, will also deliver a district centre with high-quality facilities including green spaces, shops, and a community centre, as well as improved roads ..read more

Consort Claudgen’s new DF2E downflow fan heater has a 7-day timer and six temperature settings per day, allowing you to personalise your comfort. Features include open window detection, a digital lock, a large LCD screen, a digital variable thermostat, and a reliable battery backup to keep the clock running during power outages. The heater continues its heating programme after power is restored. The heater offers quick warmth and allows you to choose between 1kW or 2kW heat output during the installation. As it approaches the desired temperature, it automatically reduces the heat output to 1kW ..read more