Private-housing starts rebound

10 May, 2010

Private-housing starts increased by 37% in value in the three months to March 2010 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the latest Glenigan Index. Project starts increased in the private and social-housing sectors.

Allan Wilen, economics director with Glenigan, says, ‘Many projects stalled by the bad weather in January and February have now started. Housebuilder confidence has been boosted by rising house prices and property transactions seen since last summer. The recent improvement is encouraging, and gradual strengthening in private resident construction is forecast for the coming months.’

The value of non-residential construction project starts in the three months to March was only 2% lower than the same period a year ago. Allan Wilen says, ‘An increase in retail, hotel and Olympic-related projects has helped offset the continued weakness of the private industrial and commercial sectors and a recent slowing in public-sector projects.’

BCIA welcomes tougher commercial building energy standards but calls for greater ambition across the wider sector

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has welcomed the government’s confirmation that privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 square metres in England and Wales will be expected to achieve a minimum EPC B rating by 2031, describing the move as an important step forward in improving the energy performance of the UK’s commercial building stock.

GOLDBECK commits to three-year schools partnership to inspire Cardiff’s future construction talent

GOLDBECK has launched a new long-term education initiative in Cardiff, committing to support three local primary schools as part of a programme designed to introduce young children to enterprise, careers and the wider world of construction.

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