NEW BUILDING SAFETY LEVY

Following the Grenfell Enquiry, section 58 of the Building Safety Act 2022 set out plans for the construction industry, and developers in particular, to contribute to the cost of Bu ilding Safety, ensuring greater accountability across the industry.

The Government had proposed that a Building Safety Levy tax - expected to raise £3.4bn to be spent on building safety, including the removal of existing dangerous cladding -would be imposed on all new developments from Autumn 2025. However, MHCLG has just announced that the Levy will now not be introduced until Autumn 2026.

Building Control for HRBs: How does it actually work?

Most people in the construction industry are aw are that applications for Building Control approval on Higher-Risk Buildings (HRBs) must now be made to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) rather than to Registered Building Control Approvers such as SOCOTEC Building Control, or to Local Authorities.

But who are the people who actually handle the technical aspects of the applications? Well, they could include some of our very own experienced Registered Building Inspectors.

BSR/ HSE – Approved Document A: Call for Evidence

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a Call for Evidence regarding proposed changes to Approved Document A – Structure (AD A).

The HSE says: ‘Most structural design undertaken in England demonstrates compliance with the Building Regulations requirements A1 and A2 by following the standards referenced within section 1 of AD A, the vast majority of which are Eurocodes. AD A has not been substantially reviewed recently, and we are planning on using this opportunity to undertake a wider review of the document, beyond the changes which are required due to the March 2028 Eurocode revision.’

INCLUSIVE DESIGN: New British Standard for PPE – Have your say

A new proposed British Standard aims to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) is accessible and effective for a broader range of workers.

It follows a TUC report on PPE and Women, in which 57% of women who responded felt that PPE ‘sometimes or significantly hampered their work’.

INCLUSIVE DESIGN: Time for a Reset?

Developed in Australia by staff from Architecture & Access, Deakin University, and Amaze, a new design guide has been produced to assist architects, building managers, and businesses in creating best practice Reset Rooms.

Old New Towns

As the Government announces plans to create a new generation of New Towns, this book explores the first wave, built from 1946 to 1950, at Stevenage, Crawley, Hemel Hempstead, Harlow, Newton Aycliffe, East Kilbride, Peterlee, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Glenrothes, Basildon, Bracknell, Cwmbran and Corby (Cumbernauld, often considered as part of the 'first wave' was designated in 1955).

This book covers the story of how these towns came to be built, how they aged, and the challenges and opportunities they now face as they begin phases of renewal. The new approaches in design throughout their past development reflect changes in society throughout the latter half of the twentieth century. These changes are now at the heart of the challenge of sustainable development.

The New Towns provide lessons for social, economic and environmental sustainability. These lessons are of great relevance for the regeneration of twentieth century urbanism and the creation of new urban developments today.

From around £40

Designing housing is child’s play

How can we meet the needs of children and young people in the built environment?

Just over 20% of the UK population is under the age of 18, yet they remain largely ignored when it comes to designing the places where they live.

In ‘All to Play For: How to design child-friendly housing’, leading architect Dinah Bornat shows how we can shape communities for and with children and young people, as well as the benefits this can achieve.

It combines compelling evidence, guidance and illustrated case studies to provide practical solutions for replacing, refurbishing, and reinvigorating an ageing housing stock through child-friendly design.

It has become increasingly important for everyone involved in built environment projects to demonstrate a commitment to social value. This book provides opportunities to realise social value in a number of ways, including better engagement.

Published February 2025

From around £38

When you just want to get away from it all

Cabin: How to Build a Retreat in the Wilderness and Learn to Live with Nature

In 2010, journalist and author Will Jones gave up London life to move to rural Canada with his young family. His dream was to build a remote cabin in the woods that would be a silent retreat from the world. This is the story of how he created the ultimate hideaway, inspired by cabin-building practices around the world.

Throughout history, people around the world have built cabins as homes, nature watching huts and even follies. In recent times, many have been drawn to cabin building by a yearning to connect with nature and spend time in the wilderness. From the homes of indigenous peoples and the settlers of the New World to contemporary Nordic summer homes and artists’ retreats, the emotive lure of cabin-building shows no sign of abating. In this book, Will Jones explores the history and romance of cabin building and delves into the architectural styles, vernacular idiosyncrasies and tools and techniques of historical and modern builders.

Paperback published March 2025

From around £10