INDUSTRY NEWS 5
NFB harnesses growth message in ‘manifesto’ to new Government
The National Federation of Builders has released its Election Manifesto, which is titled ‘Supporting Construction to Power Growth.’
Richard Beresford, chief executive of the NFB, said: “The reality is obvious; the construction industry is a key component for the UK to meeting its numerous challenges and therefore the incoming government must not only understand where the barriers to our industry’s growth exist, but what that means for the UK’s ambition.” He continued: ““With more than 50 recommendations, our Manifesto builds on NFB member experiences and involvement with policy makers to create a solid foundation for the reforms that would immediately deliver sustained economic and social growth in construction and across the UK.” Covering seven topics, the document presents recommendations that are “deliverable within one parliamentary term, and sustain growth,” said the NFB. The fi rst chapter, ecarbonisation, focuses on the UK building stock, tax incentives, retrofi t and energy. It offers solutions to the challenges in turning energy ineffi cient buildings into climate, health and economic assets, the grid into an enabler and government policies into decarbonisation and business advancement.” The second chapter, ‘Housing and Planning’, recognises the barriers of growth to a competitive, better housing market that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) damned as non-existent. With a focus on enabling small and medium sized housebuilders (SMEs), making planning work, fairer housing outcomes, placemaking and affordable housing, it highlights that although we still need major reform, many tweaks are available and should be taken up. The third chapter, ‘Procurement and
Payment’, builds on some recent reforms but highlights that post-leaving the European Union (EU), “the UK has not made the most of its opportunities and it must therefore explore how it can ensure it is spreading growth, rather than avoiding risk. From late payment and retentions, to process and penalty, we need a fairer system for tax payers and constructors.” The fourth chapter, ‘Environment’, looks at “how policies on water and
Boyer achieves planning consent on appeal for new green belt Herts homes
biodiversity are not delivering the world leading outcomes that are possible within the existing policy frameworks,” said NFB. “Unfortunately, construction has been held accountable for many environmental failings they did not cause and a half decade of stifl ing and taxing them has not improved outcomes. Our recommendation would achieve an “immediate environmental betterment and tackle the source of two major environmental challenges.” Finally, chapter fi ve highlights Skills and training,’ and the need to avoid “wasting billions training up a new workforce for jobs that don’t exist.” The NFB added: “The best example of this is the decimation of SME housebuilders, whose market share has dropped from 0 to in three decades. uring this period, we have also seen a decrease in the construction workforce, with apprenticeship completions struggling to grow. Is it therefore any wonder that with SMEs training seven in 10 apprentices and delivering 90% of the training, we have a skills crisis?
In a recent ouse Builders ssociation (HBA) survey, no respondent said the cost of training was an issue, but all highlighted that a lack of work pipelines or certainty meant they either couldn’t afford to take on an apprentice, retain an existing worker, or had to cut staff to meet business costs related to the broken planning process.”
The NFB added: “Business certainty is
key, well exemplifi ed by the overnments commitment to heat pumps and huge investment and growth of that sector. The same should be afforded for all of construction.
“The NFB Manifesto is a starting point for a healthier industry, and it highlights the many things the Government could and should be doing to create an environment for construction to ensure it is able to power and sustain UK growth.”
WWW.HBDONLINE.CO.UK
Planning and design consultancy Boyer has secured planning permission on behalf of Burlington Property Group for the development of 92 homes and a new doctors surgery on two parcels of land at Church Lane in Sarratt, Hertfordshire. The two planning applications had previously been refused by Three ivers istrict Council, but were successful on appeal. The planning consent is for two sites, one of 5.5 hectares and a second of 0.7 hectares. Of the 92 homes delivered across the two sites, 48 will be affordable homes of various tenures, while nine will be self/custom-build homes. On the larger site, a new doctor’s surgery will be delivered, replacing the existing, cramped facility in the village, thereby enhancing the patient experience and supporting the local growing and ageing population. The original planning applications had been refused primarily due to the sites being within the green belt, associated landscape harm and their location in a less sustainable part of the district. However, said Boyer, “the planning inspector found that the considerable scheme benefi ts, especially the proposals ability to address an acute housing need locally, outweighed the identifi ed harm.
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