// News 2 million fewer homes as seminal housing report is ignored


Two decades aſter Economist Dame Kate Barker’s seminal review on housing supply, recent analysis unveils a staggering shortfall of 2 million homes in England, equivalent to Ireland’s entire housing stock. Initially commissioned to tackle housing shortages, Barker’s report, praised for its depth, failed to see significant implementation, with only 11 out of 36 recommendations adopted.


Political inertia, exemplified by recent planning system changes, has thwarted progress, exacerbating the housing crisis and pricing out prospective buyers. The Home Builders Federation’s report, “Beyond Barker,” underscores the missed opportunities and consequences of inaction. England falls short by 2 million homes from Barker’s ambitious scenario, while even the central target remains elusive, with a gap of 900,000 homes over two decades.


Despite sporadic successes, like the brief alignment with Barker’s targets in 2018-19 and 2019-20, sustained progress remains elusive. Barker’s foresight regarding planning’s pivotal role, echoed by recent findings, underscores the need for urgent policy reversals.


Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman at HBF, laments the persistent challenges and urges governmental courage in prioritising long-term housing needs over short-sighted politics. Dame Kate Barker echoes the sentiment, emphasising the fading prospects of achieving necessary housing numbers.


The report emphasises the ongoing relevance of Barker’s recommendations, calling for sustained efforts in resource allocation, infrastructure development, and skill enhancement to address housing challenges effectively.


Labour’s ‘Grey Belt’ proposal offers hope to unlock small sites for new homes


The Labour Party’s proposal to introduce five ‘golden rules’ for ‘Grey Belt’ development is an important initiative to help deliver more homes, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).


Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB commented “The UK is experiencing a growing housing crisis and brownfield sites alone are insufficient to tackle the scale of the challenge that we face. While brownfield land should be prioritised, introducing new measures to create more buildable land and is vital, particularly small sites which can be used by local house builders, as this will help to create more diverse, quality housing.’


“More detail is needed about the proposal, particularly as to how ‘poor-quality and ugly areas’ are to be classified as Grey Belt. However, we know that many small sites in Green Belt areas, such as disused car parks and petrol stations, would be perfectly suitable for housing. Unlocking small sites would present significant opportunities, and these proposals must be supported with increased funding to empower local authority planning departments to support micro and SME housebuilders through the planning system.”


Kier completes construction of net zero carbon Deyes High School


Kier has completed construction of the net zero carbon Deyes High School in Merseyside, part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme. The 10,000m2 school, handed over to Lydiate Learning Trust, features modern facilities including high-tech classrooms and solar power. It accommodates 1,400 students and boasts sustainable features like photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps. Construction finished on time and within budget, with demolition of old buildings to follow.


Kier’s regional director highlights the project’s success in sustainability. The Head of School praises the facility’s potential for academic excellence. The CEO of Lydiate Learning Trust expresses excitement for the community. Local student Lily-May anticipates enhanced learning in the new environment.


Kier prioritised local job opportunities and supply chain partnerships throughout the project. They will continue supporting the trust to ensure energy efficiency matches design standards until completion in Spring 2025.


British heat pump unlocks gas-free home heating for the masses


Kensa’s Shoebox NX heat pump offers a breakthrough in home heating, crucial for achieving Net Zero by 2050. This compact, powerful British-made ground source heat pump can heat and cool properties, boasting five times the efficiency of gas boilers. It’s designed to fit snugly into homes, offering low-carbon heating and cooling for various housing types, from flats to Victorian terraces.


Tamsin Lishman, Kensa Heat Pumps CEO, emphasises its game-changing potential, especially when combined with their Networked Ground Source Heat Pumps solution. This solution, mirroring gas networks, lowers installation costs and provides low-cost, low-carbon heat to consumers.


Key features of the Shoebox NX include high efficiency, low electricity usage, and a long life expectancy, making it cost-effective compared to alternatives like air source heat pumps. Networked ground source heat pumps offer up to 20% lower running costs than air source equivalents and consume 40% less electricity.


Construction industry unveils plan to increase biodiversity and support the natural environment


The Construction Leadership Council’s Green Construction Board has unveiled a Biodiversity Roadmap, aiming to mitigate the construction industry’s impact on the natural environment. Acknowledging the crucial role biodiversity plays in sustaining life, the roadmap outlines a ‘nature positive’ approach to reverse biodiversity loss. It aligns with UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s Framework targets and sets short, medium, and long-term goals.


Priorities include legislative measures to halt biodiversity loss by 2030, habitat monitoring on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) registered sites by 2025, and industry-wide upskilling by 2028. The roadmap facilitates industry-wide collaboration and aims to drive mandatory changes in biodiversity practices.


Matt Palmer, Executive Director of the Lower Thames Crossing, emphasises the sector’s commitment to nature positivity. He highlights the need for relentless focus on biodiversity, which is intrinsically linked with carbon reduction efforts. Palmer urges active participation from all stakeholders in the construction industry to make a significant difference.


Louise Clarke, Group Head of Sustainability at Berkeley Group and chair of Biodiversity and Environmental Net Gain Group, Green Construction Board, emphasises the importance of the roadmap in combating the biodiversity crisis. She stresses the need for nature-positive outcomes in the built environment and the roadmap’s role in providing a clear direction for the industry. Clarke envisions the roadmap as a pathway to halting biodiversity loss and adapting to future climate change challenges through improved nature’s recovery.


4 Spring 2024 M31


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