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all the latest construction news
Land acquired to deliver new community in Takeley
The Hill Group has agreed to the purchase of two parcels of land at Parsonage Road in Takeley, Essex, with plans to deliver a high-quality new residential community of 108 homes. The site, which spans almost 16 acres, was acquired
through land promoter Endurance Estates and agent Sworders and has a gross development value of £50m. 40% of the development will be delivered as affordable housing, comprising one and two-bedroom apartments, and two to four-bedroom houses for affordable rent and shared ownership. The development will also offer a range of two to five-bedroom houses for private sale. To better align with the housing needs of Uttlesford District Council, Hill will
replace an existing reserved matters consent for a 66-bedroom care home on part of the land, identified as surplus to local requirements, with additional housing. A reserved matters application for 88 homes and a full application for 20 homes are expected to be submitted this month, with a start on site targeted for summer 2026. The new homes will be designed to meet high environmental standards in line with Hill’s commitment to sustainable development. Features will include energy- efficient fabric-first construction, air-source heat pumps, electric vehicle charging points, cycle storage, and private or shared outdoor space. Andy Hill OBE, founder and Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, said:
“Parsonage Road is a well-located site that will enable us to deliver high-quality new homes in an area where there is a strong housing need. By adapting existing consents to reflect local housing requirements, we can create a new residential community that truly enhances the local area. We look forward to engaging with residents and stakeholders as we develop our detailed proposals.”
The Guild of Master Craftsmen backs apprenticeship placements boost
The Guild of Master Craftsmen is partnering with Croydon College to promote apprenticeship opportunities to its extensive member network, encouraging businesses to offer placements and helping more young people take their first steps into skilled craft careers. While Croydon College remains the training provider, the Guild’s role is to champion the opportunities, signpost employers and support members to bring apprentices into their teams. With many businesses reporting skills gaps, apprenticeships provide a practical route
to grow capability while giving young people valuable, paid, real-world experience from day one. Croydon College designs and delivers tailored programmes aligned to employer needs and provides end-to-end support from recruitment to mentoring to help placements succeed with minimal disruption. There is a particular shortage of carpentry apprenticeship placements in Greater
London. The Guild is urging members able to host an apprentice to get in touch. Offering a placement supports your workflow today and helps safeguard essential skills for tomorrow. Guild accredited businesses interested in offering an apprenticeship placement, especially in carpentry, are invited to contact the Guild to be connected with the Croydon College team. For more information visit
www.guildmc.com
‘The Big Construction Debate’ sets out skills and vision at Labour Party Conference
On 30 September 2025, representatives from across the UK construction industry sat alongside parliamentarians at this year’s Labour Party Conference for ‘ The Big Construction Debate’, a high- profile discussion on how the sector can deliver the skills, homes, and infrastructure needed to support growth and net zero. Representing the National Federation of Builders (NFB) was Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Policy and Market Insight, who highlighted that planning can be more than just permission to build, it can enable placemaking and forward planning for further growth. Two sessions addressed two of the biggest challenges facing the sector: skills shortages and low productivity, both of which threaten the delivery of the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million new homes, retrofit five million properties, and invest in vital national infrastructure. Construction Minister, Chris McDonald MP started out by focusing on the three Ps: “pipeline, people and productivity”. He related this to his experience working in the steel and development industries. Mike Reader MP, the Government’s construction champion, highlighted the importance of procurement reform in delivering growth and greater opportunities for SMEs. Rico Wojtulewicz said: “We must permit more reservoirs, and treatment works if we want to end water pollution. Commercial space is as important as housing – both are needed – not one over the other. “The planning process doesn’t just
kill projects and ambition, but it creates unpredictable delays that kills growth and productivity. SME constructors cannot afford to grow the workforce without project certainty and fair procurement. Investors will not wait around for commercial spaces to get the green light and will take their capital elsewhere. Another generation must not be locked out of housing because we fear NIMBYS. If projects do not happen, neither does sustained growth and investment in the UK.”
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