Construction Orders Increase At Fastest Rate Since 1997

May PMI data indicated that the UK construction sector remained on a strong recovery path, as output growth reaching its strongest since September 2014. New order volumes increased at the fastest pace since the survey began just over 24 years ago. Input cost inflation was also at a survey-record high during May, reflecting a surge in demand for construction materials and severe supply shortages. Read more on the pbctoday website.

UK construction orders increase at fastest rate since 1997 (pbctoday.co.uk)

Construction Output Begins To Rise After Dramatic Plunge

Construction output grew by 8.2% in May following the record decline of 40.2% in April 2020, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) report. Output fell by a record 29.8% in the three months to May 2020, compared with the previous three-month period. This was driven by record falls of 30.3% in new work and 28.9% in repair and maintenance. The decrease in new work (30.3%) in the three months to May was thanks to record falls in most of the new work sectors – private new housing and private commercial were the largest contributors, falling by 42.5% and 29.5% respectively. Read more on the pbcToday website.

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/construction-output-may/79221/

Construction Output Expected To Plummet By 25% In 2020

Total construction output in the UK is anticipated to plummet by 25% during 2020, according to the Construction Products Association (CPA). The projected decline in construction output is one of three scenarios examined by the CPA. Even under the most optimistic of scenarios, the country’s construction activity would suffer its sharpest fall ever recorded. The temporary halt of construction work as a result of Covid-19 social distancing measures is the main source of the drop, with 60% of planned construction output lost in April due to the measures. Read more on the PBC Today website.

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/construction-output-2020/76674/

Planning Permission Granted For Living Wage Housing

Conran and Partners have received planning approval for 104 new affordable homes to be built in Brighton and Hove to tackle the city’s housing crisis. The proposed 7-storey scheme represents the project in a series of innovative new housing developments which aim to tackle the housing crisis through the ‘Homes for Brighton & Hove’ initiative – a partnership between Brighton & Hove City Council and the Hyde Group – set up to create 1,000 new homes for rent and sale for lower-income, local working households in the city. The council-owned site will deliver 100% of the new homes as affordable. Read more on the PBCT website.

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/planning-permission-brighton/63221/

Social Housing Construction Continues To Defy Downturn

Work on social housing construction is set to rise from 2019-2020, according to Glenigan’s construction market analysis. Increased support for shared ownership developments that were announced in the last Budget is expected to provide a stimulus to social housing construction. While projects disrupted by the 2017 Grenfell tragedy are also expected to begin moving onto site. In the three months to July 2019, the underlying value of social housing construction projects starting on site surged 40% according to Glenigan’s analysis. Read more on the PBC Today website.

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/social-housing-construction/62123/

Households in Temporary Accommodation Rise by 60%

Figures released by the House of Commons in their 2018 report ‘Households in Temporary Accommodation’ (England) says there has been a 60% increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation in the last six years Online housing agents, Sellhousefast.uk, who specialise in repossession, delved into the issue to determine an accurate number of those affected and where in the UK the highest levels of temporary accommodation can be found. The research found the following figures:

·         78,930 households were placed in temporary accommodation at the end of 2017.

·         28% of households in temporary accommodation were placed in another local authority’s district.

·         Households in temporary accommodation placed outside of their local authority increased by 201%.

·         Birmingham has the highest number of households in temporary accommodation – at 1,951.

·         English districts with the lowest rate of households in temporary accommodation include Lancaster.

Read more on the PBC Today website.

https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/households-in-temporary-accommodation-rise-by-60-report-reveals/41608/