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Government 1.5 million housebuilding target would only ‘dent’ need, says Rayner – planning lawyer says the path ahead in achieving the ‘stretch target’ of 1.5 million homes in five years is fraught with obstacles.

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The Government has pledged to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament.

Alison Ogley, planning law partner at Freeths, said:

“Angela Rayner’s understanding of the scale of the task in meeting housing need represents a marked change from the previous Government’s position, which was characterised by a revolving door of Housing Ministers and Secretaries of State.

The path ahead in achieving the ‘stretch target’ of 1.5 million homes in five years is fraught with obstacles; it may be achievable, but the Government will likely have to go much further than current proposals to provide the local planning system with the resources and tools it needs to deliver.

Blockers to infrastructure delivery are complex; challenges with aggregates supply, increasing pressures on the construction industry, and ensuring local planning authorities deliver timely improvements (funded by the development sector) are just a few of these.

It remains to be seen whether the Government is able to grapple effectively with these issues and find a positive path through, which will be critical to meeting the 1.5 million houses in five years.”

MILWAUKEE® Increases Power and Ergonomics to Sand More Efficiently

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MILWAUKEE® continues to expand within its sanding category by introducing the new M18 FUEL™* 125 mm Random Orbit Sander. With less vibration and the power to sand the toughest materials, the new sander demonstrates MILWAUKEE®’s continued innovation for the remodeler and carpenter.

The new sander delivers the lowest cordless vibration, operating at 12,000 orbits per minute allowing for a more ergonomic form factor which improves user comfort throughout the sanding application.  

Featuring an orbital sanding motion with an oscillation diameter of 2.5 mm, the new M18 FUEL™ 125 mm Random Orbit Sander has the power for heavy stock removal to sand the toughest materials on the job site. The 5-mode speed control ranging from 12,000 OPMs to 6,000 OPMs allows users to change their speed setting depending on the job’s needs.

With VACLINK™ Bluetooth®** Technology, the M18 FUEL™ 125 mm Random Orbit Sander allows for up to 95% dust collection. When paired with the M18 FUEL™ 34 litre Dual-Battery Dust Extractor users will experience instant dust control for easier use and best in class dust efficiency. 

MILWAUKEE® is committed to improving productivity by providing performance-driven and trade-focused solutions so users can perform an entire day’s work on one battery system. The M18 FUEL™ 125 mm Random Orbit Sander is fully compatible with the entire M18™ line, now offering more than 315 solutions.

*M18 FUEL™ is engineered for the most demanding tradespeople in the world. Delivering unrivalled performance, all M18 FUEL™ products feature three MILWAUKEE®-exclusive innovations—The POWERSTATE™ Brushless Motor, REDLITHIUM™ Battery Pack and REDLINK PLUS™ Intelligence Hardware and Software—that deliver unmatched power, run time, and durability on the job site. Simply put, M18 FUEL™ tools are the most powerful 18V cordless tools in their class.

**The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by (TTI corporate name) is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

Specifications

M18 FUEL™ 125 mm Random Orbit Sander

M18 FROS125-502X

  • Battery Type: Lithium-ion
  • Battery System: M18 FUEL™
  • No Load Speed: 12,000 rpm
  • Oscillation Diameter: 2.5 mm
  • Oscillation Rate: 6,000 – 12,000 opm
  • Sanding Pad Size: 127 mm
  • Weight with Battery Pack (EPTA): 2.2 kg (M18 B5)

Kit Includes: (1) M18 FUEL™ 125 mm Random Orbit Sander, (2) M18 B5 Battery Packs, (1) M12-18 FC Charger, (1) HD Box

To find out more about M18 FUEL™ 125 mm Random Orbit Sander, see video footage of it in action or find your nearest store, please visit www.milwaukeetool.eu

You can also visit Milwaukee Tool UK’s Instagram and LinkedIn for further information.

Abloy UK appoints new Digital Access Solutions Academy Manager

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Carl Bridgwood has been appointed as the new Manager of Abloy UK’s Digital Access Solutions Academy, a purpose-built facility to educate, install, and test the company’s range of products, with a particular focus on new digital solutions and the ecosystems portfolio.

The Digital Access Solutions Academy provides free training courses for a range of Abloy solutions, including CLIQ, Aperio, EDS, Impro Primo, and SMARTair.

With a background in automotive electronics, Carl brings over 30 years of experience to the role. Starting out as an installation engineer, he progressed to more technical and product-focused roles for a range of blue-chip manufacturers. Carl then moved on to business management roles, where he delivered training, provided technical information, and created educational product material.

As part of his role, Carl will provide training that is thorough, methodical, and easy to digest, giving attendees the confidence to install and sell various Abloy products.

Carl said:

“My goal is to ensure that training information is absorbed by the individuals who come to our sessions, offering easily digestible content which will benefit installers and the sales team alike.

“I look forward to seeing how we use CRM to bring independent processes together, so that we can follow our attendees’ journey and promote other material that’s appropriate for them, rather than just the course they signed up for.”

You can find the 2025 dates for the DAS Academy below. To sign up, visit:
https://www.abloy.com/gb/en/about-abloy/academy.

For further information on Abloy’s Digital Access Solutions Academy training courses, visit https://bit.ly/3PocC2W, call 01902 364 500, or email info@abloy.co.uk.

Clean power ambition in UK relies on supply chain collaboration

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The success of the UK’s energy transition will rely on collaboration between businesses to maintain a robust supply chain, a global energy specialist has warned following the launch of its latest research.

Aggreko has revealed in its latest report Rebalancing the Energy Transition that CEOs in the UK cite supply chain main risk to the energy transition, followed by lack of investment and access to technology.

This concern over the impact of supply chain comes as the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to renewable energy production and infrastructure through the establishment of Clean Power 2030. The new initiative is aimed at overcoming barriers and accelerating progress on energy projects, including the recent plans to give approval power for onshore wind projects over 100MW to government ministers[1] over local authorities.

Clearly, successful rollout of infrastructure for renewable energy production and transmission, along with the energy transition of businesses across the UK, will require innovative ways of thinking within the energy supply chain.

Aggreko’s research showed that ambition around the energy transition among energy intensive businesses is also strong, with eight in 10 UK CEOs stating they will increase investment in the energy transition over the next 12 months. Though nine in ten (or 9 in 10) UK respondents cited they have adjusted timescales around energy transition targets, the UK has the highest proportion of CEOs (52%) across the countries surveyed that stated they have only adjusted short term goals and remain on track for net zero targets.

With ambition from businesses matching that of the government in terms of sustainability targets, Aggreko is highlighting how the entire supply chain must work together to ensure a successful energy transition.

Alan Dunne, UK and Ireland Managing Director at Aggreko, said: “With continued uncertainty around energy cost and resilience, businesses in the UK are facing the challenge of balancing profitability and sustainability. Much like the government and its Clean Energy 2030, UK businesses remain ambitious in making their energy transitions. However, our research has found that barriers and challenges still remain, even though the ambition to fund the energy transition is there.

“High energy costs and fluctuating energy security and resilience has continued to be a challenge for businesses, however, supply chain issues are clearly the biggest risk posed to energy transitions in the eyes of leaders. To overcome all of these challenges at once, it is imperative that businesses engage with expert partners across the supply chain to identify practical ways to reach ESG goals while keeping operations efficient and profitable.”

As the UK continues to develop renewable energy production and infrastructure, the report highlights the challenges around striking the right balance between commercial and ESG ambitions with energy procurement. A key part of this is working closely within the energy supply chain to assess requirements and challenges to choose the most practical solution to deliver efficiency and environmental benefits. Providing the latest efficient technologies through its Greener Upgrades portfolio, such as battery energy storage solutions and Stage V generators, is a central part of Aggreko’s sustainability framework Energising Change

Dunne continued: “Making a success of the energy transition relies heavily on businesses having the right technologies and solutions for their requirements, along with the expertise to implement it correctly. While reliable energy supply and stable costs remain in the balance for the UK, working with expert energy supply partners can provide businesses with this to provide resilience and cost efficiency throughout the energy transition.”

For more information and to read Rebalancing the Energy Transition, click here.

Francesca Vianello Joins SANIPEX GROUP as Showroom Design and Specification Assistant

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SANIPEX GROUP is delighted to announce the appointment of Francesca Vianello as Showroom Design and Specification Assistant at its BAGNODESIGN A&D Gallery in Clerkenwell, London’s design capital.

With over 20 years of experience in the interiors industry, including expertise in lighting, mosaics, tiles, furniture, and, crucially, bathrooms, Francesca brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her new role.

Francesca’s appointment strengthens the team at the Clerkenwell showroom, which is at the heart of London’s thriving architectural and design community. The BAGNODESIGN A&D Gallery is an inspirational space, showcasing a curated selection of premium products, from innovative bathroom solutions to sophisticated outdoor furniture and lighting collections.

Commenting on her new role, Francesca said:
“I am genuinely excited to explore the amazing potential of the SANIPEX brands, and to inspire the A&D community with our vast choice of products – not only for bathrooms! Our lighting and outdoor furniture are also superb.”

As SANIPEX GROUP continues to push the boundaries of design excellence, Francesca’s expertise and enthusiasm will help position the brand as a leading destination for architects and designers seeking high-quality, versatile solutions for both residential and commercial projects.

For more information about SANIPEX GROUP UK, please visit www.sanipexgroup.com/uk.

When the cost of doing nothing is too high – how can we approach the retrofit skills gap?

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New research from the Building Services Research and Information Association (BRSIA) found that there is a low sector-wide understanding of retrofit technologies and approaches – stalling the UK’s plans to decarbonise. For context,  4 out of 10 professionals stated that the level of retrofit training available was insufficient, coupled with a serious lack of industry knowledge and understanding in retrofit techniques.

Jake Dowling, Head of Decarbonisation at Seddon Property Services responds to these findings and outlines the urgent need for industry-wide reform:

“Addressing the retrofit skills gap is essential in achieving our ambitious net zero goals, but current training frameworks are outdated and unfit for purpose. With 350,000 new construction workers needed by 2028 if the government is to fulfil its Net Zero Strategy – the cost of doing nothing is just too high.

Effective retrofitting demands collaboration amongst training providers, government bodies, manufacturers, and contractors. Each stakeholder plays a pivotal role in equipping the workforce with the skills needed to meet sustainability targets.

The BSRIA survey found that 62% believe that retrofit projects provide greater benefits for achieving net zero than new-build homes, but without proper data collection and analysis, the effectiveness of these projects is severely undermined.

The journey to Net Zero demands a workforce equipped with future-ready skills and policies need to shift from guidance to regulation. Current training programs, which are rooted in legacy systems, must evolve to include emerging technologies such as heat pumps, smart energy solutions, and digital twin modelling. Standardised education initiatives focused on sustainability and energy efficiency will not only bridge the skills gap but also deliver long-term community benefits through aligned social value programs.”

The New Stone Age: Launch of First Ever Reference Book for Stone Wool Sandwich Panels

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  • ‘Building with stone wool insulated sandwich panels’,authored by Prof. Marco Imperadori of the Politecnico di Milano, draws together extensive case studies, industry expertise, and cutting-edge science
  • Released in 2024, the 300-plus-page reference book is the first of its kind, and the go-to source of information for sandwich panels featuring non-combustible stone wool insulation technology

Prof. Marco Imperadori, Chair of Design & Technological Innovation at the Politecnico di Milano, has published the world’s first definitive guide to the design and use of sandwich panels incorporating stone wool insulation. The development of the book, ‘Building with stone wool insulated sandwich panels’, has been sponsored by ROCKWOOL Core Solutions, part of the ROCKWOOL Group — the leading manufacturer in stone wool insulation.

The first of its kind, the book is aimed at designers and construction engineers involved in the development of commercial and residential buildings worldwide. It provides a scientific review of the physical properties and real-world applications of stone wool insulated sandwich panels, with practical details, data, and guidance on usage. The book establishes the technology’s mature market position and ability to meet the current challenges faced by the construction, architecture, and related industries.

It focuses on the implementation of stone wool sandwich panels in the built environment, such as industrial facilities, warehouses, logistic centres, schools and more. Further, it highlights the significant benefits of the solution, such as its improved energy consumption, recyclability, aesthetic versatility, and ability to repel or absorb water as required.

The aim of the book is to examine the technology from an objective scientific perspective. Through case studies, it demonstrates how stone wool sandwich panels offer a highly robust, sound-absorbent, and non-combustible insulation solution in practice.

Prof. Imperadori said: “With the release of this book, we hope not just to inform but to inspire both industry leaders and young professionals. Investors, building owners, construction professionals, and architects — it has something in store for each of them. The variety of case studies we delve into shows a breadth of elements to consider when implementing insulation: building types, design and utilisation objectives, aesthetic finishes, sustainability, waste minimisation, and more. The stone wool sandwich panel stands up to scrutiny on every point and proves itself an excellent form of insulation.”

Bernard Plancade, Managing Director of ROCKWOOL Core Solutions, added: “We are committed to advancing safer and more sustainable building practices. The launch of this reference book marks a pivotal step in informing the industry about the benefits of stone wool insulation. This resource showcases the exceptional qualities of the technology and supports our goal to steer our target sectors towards sandwich panels that deliver safety, efficiency, and environmental performance.”

MCCOY CONTRACTORS DELIVERS GROUNDBREAKING WORK ON COUNDON COURT SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT

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McCoy Contractors, a leading groundworks and civil engineering contractor, is playing a vital role in the major redevelopment of Coundon Court School in Coventry as part of the Department for Education’s 10-year Schools Rebuilding Programme.

Appointed by main contractor Wates Construction, McCoy Contractors has completed the extensive groundworks package for Block 1 and Block 2.

The £40 million project aims to create a modern, net-zero carbon campus while preserving the school’s heritage buildings and respecting nearby green belt areas. It involves demolishing six existing blocks and replacing them with three new state-of-the-art teaching facilities, with four teaching blocks and two locally listed buildings retained.

McCoy’s scope of works across the 3,500m2 site includes earthworks, site drainage, concrete floor slabs, installation of new services, and hard landscaping. A key challenge has been maintaining a safe learning environment while the school remains operational, requiring temporary classrooms, fencing, barriers and access routes.

“We are delighted to contribute our groundworks expertise to this transformative educational project,” said Chris Haughey, Managing Director at  McCoy Contractors. “Our team has worked above and beyond to deliver high-quality groundworks while ensuring minimal disruption to the school’s daily activities, and a safe environment for students and staff.”

The Coundon Court School redevelopment is part of the government’s ambition to rebuild and refurbish schools across England, creating modern environments that support excellent teaching and allow students to gain the knowledge and skills for success.

McCoy Contractors was founded by Chris Haughey in 2016 and has grown to become one of the leading Groundwork and Civil Engineering contractors in the Midlands. The company consistently sets the highest standards in the groundworks industry and ensures every project is completed efficiently, safely and within the required timescale.

CBRE Group completes Turner & Townsend/project management combination; Vincent Clancy joins CBRE Board of Directors

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CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE) today announced that it has completed its plan to combine its project management business with Turner & Townsend, its majority-owned subsidiary, and that Vincent Clancy, Board chair and chief executive officer of Turner & Townsend, has joined CBRE’s Board of Directors.  

Turner & Townsend provides programme management, cost consultancy and project management services globally, and has been a majority-owned subsidiary of CBRE since 2021. 

Clancy, a 35-year veteran of Turner & Townsend, has served as its chief executive officer since 2008 and its Board chair since 2015. Under Clancy’s leadership, Turner & Townsend’s revenue has increased from about US$225 million in 2008 to more than US$1.9 billion in 2023. 

Our unified project management business represents an offering that is unmatched for its scale and breadth of capabilities. 

“Under Vincent’s exemplary leadership, it is poised to benefit from powerful secular trends in areas like infrastructure, green energy transition and employee experience,” said Bob Sulentic, CBRE’s chair and chief executive officer.  

“Our Board will benefit greatly from the insights Vincent has developed from running a highly successful global business and his deep knowledge of key growth sectors for CBRE,” Sulentic added.

Clancy said: “The strong momentum we’ve built over the past three years will continue to grow now that we’ve combined two great businesses into one integrated, pure play project management capability. Our combined depth of talent and resources, global footprint, sector expertise and commitment to excellence is unparalleled in programme and project management.”  

I’m also energised to join CBRE’s Board and look forward to working with my fellow Directors as we build a resilient, highly diversified business that is second to none in our industry.

Clancy joined Turner & Townsend in 1989, after earning a degree in construction economics from South Bank University. He assumed responsibility for Turner & Townsend’s United Kingdomcost and commercial management business in 2000 and for its international business in 2005, prior to his elevation to chief executive officer in 2008.

Clancy was named Building magazine’s CEO of the Year in both 2014 and 2017. He is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institute of Surveyors and serves as an industry advisor to the Construction Leadership Council.

CBRE now owns 70 percent of the combined Turner & Townsend/CBRE Project Management business. Since becoming a majority-owned subsidiary of CBRE in November 2021, Turner & Townsend’s revenue has increased at a compound annual rate of more than 20 percent. 

Beginning this year, CBRE will report Project Management results in its own standalone business segment, providing increased transparency for investors.

MCHALE PLANT SALES UK & IRELAND IS FIRST ‘GOLD LEVEL DISTRIBUTOR’ AWARDED UNDER METSO PARTNER EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME

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McHale Plant Sales, distributors in the UK and Ireland of Metso crushers and screening equipment, has been chosen as ‘the first Gold level distributor certified by Metso under the Finnish manufacturer’s Partner Excellence Programme.’

Believing that their customers deserve ‘the best support in finding crushing and screening solutions that fit their specific needs,’ Metso created their Partner Excellence Programme, committing themselves to helping their partners achieve that service level.

According to Metso, the purpose of the Partner Excellence Programme is ‘to build a network of trusted Metso distributors’ who can help deliver Tier-1 service that the company says ‘will ensure a thriving customer success and satisfaction.’

In certifying McHale Plant Sales in the UK and Ireland as their first Gold level distributor, Metso praised the Tamworth, Edinburgh, Birdhill, and Rathcoole-based firm for their ‘exceptional performance, dedication, and commitment,’ which, their citation says, ‘has set a new standard of excellence.’

Staffed and dedicated to the business of crushing, McHale has represented Metso in the years since 2015 in Ireland and Northern Ireland markets, and in England, Scotland, and Wales markets since early-2023. This latest commendation follows a ‘Best in Marketing’ award presented to them by Metso at a recent distributor conference held in Tampere, Finland, in conjunction with their launch of the new electric-powered Lokotrack EC range.

Chosen for having ‘successfully met criteria for Gold level success following a comprehensive audit of the distributor’s operation conducted by Metso’s Aggregates Distribution Leadership Team,’ McHale After Sales Director, Anthony Ryan, attributed it to “a lot of hard work, good systems, investment in field service, parts inventories and equipment, and to that all-important factor of having lots of good people in place.”

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