4 INDUSTRY NEWS


HOUSEBUILDER & DEVELOPER


Joint Publisher Anthony Parker


James Parker


FROM THE EDITOR


For a profession which affects so many people’s lives, the housebuilding industry is a strikingly under-regulated one. It might be argued that GPs, who train for eight years, have a more direct effect on their ‘customers’, but houses can have a major impact on health – in fact it’s a link that’s increasingly recognised.


From how well they deal with moisture, or overheating, or simply address safety concerns, houses are fundamental to the quality of human life. Of course, the quality of their construction can also negatively hit consumers financially too, with poor attention to detail leading to remedial measures, or money lost from higher than expected fuel bills. Doctors are required to prove they are equipped to undertake work safely, why not builders?


Currently, anyone can set up as builder, virtually overnight. This stark fact was reiterated at the Federation of Master Builders’ launch of a major initiative to introduce a mandatory, legally-enforced licensing scheme, which some have argued is long overdue.


ON THE COVER


Patrick Mooney: Despite concerted efforts, the rise in homelessness levels is a “national disgrace”


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Case study: How Canary Wharf Group achieved its first homes for social rent at Lollard Street


Industry News: Public Accounts Committee casts doubt on the achievability of housing targets


The FMB has aligned with a powerful Task Force to create this scheme. It also includes the Association of Consultancy and Engineering, the British Property Federation, the Chartered Institute of Building, Construction Products Association, Building Control, RICS, TrustMark and Which? As is par for the course with the FMB, it has the ear of MPs – essential as the group hopes to introduce legislation soon that will set this scheme in stone. Whether or not it will happen during the current Brexit impasse of course remains unclear.


Liz Peace, who chairs the Task Force, commented that “quality and professionalism is in some areas falling short. What we’re trying to do is increase protection for the ordinary person who engages with the construction sector.” According to FMB research, a third of homeowners are avoiding commissioning work completely due to worries about the quality of service they may receive.


The FMB believes most of the industry will welcome this move towards a mandatory bar that firms must jump over before they can begin selling their services. At the same time however, the industry is facing a huge post-recession shortage of (particularly SME) building firms, as it confronts the Government’s stated aim of 300,000 houses per year by the mid-2020s. Bars to entry to the industry such as well-intentioned regulation need to be very carefully designed so they don’t put new firms off entering the industry at all.


A COOL HEATING IDEA FOR


STEVENAGE SCHEME Park Place, a 202-apartment scheme, includes a novel approach to sustainable heating


Park Place, Stevenage Image courtesy of Yourkeys Go to page 23


WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK


In the wake of the Public Accounts Committee’s report saying the 300,000 homes target looks unlikely while local authorities fail to deliver housing plans, and infrastructure lags behind, mandatory licensing may just seem like another obstacle to avoid. However, it may not be avoidable.


James Parker


Managing Editor James Parker


Assistant Editor Jack Wooler


Editorial Assistant Roseanne Field


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Sales Executives Suzanne Easter Kim Friend


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Audience Development Manager Jane Spice


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