THB on future for the built environment

Questions such as what, where, how and who are top of the agenda as interested parties seek to provide a template for the future development of the nation's homes.

The home conjures up feelings of security, harmony and domesticity yet the provision of housing, its financial efficiency, sustainability and building methods has become a hotbed of uncertainty and political debate.

Questions such as what, where, how and who are top of the agenda as interested parties seek to provide a template for the future development of the nation's homes.

The one concrete fact that remains unchanged is what the general public - whether homeowner or tenant - want from their homes.

MORI polls overwhelmingly indicate this is, as it has been for generations, homes built from solid brick and block materials.

The Traditional Housing Bureau is a lobbying body for the modern masonry construction industry.

The THB's membership comprises 95% of all modern concrete masonry producers and as such represents an important sector of the construction industry.

Traditional housing construction accounts for approximately 85% of the current UK new build housing market.

The building industry is astute to market demands and still chooses to stick with brick and block for its durability, familiarity and cost efficiency.

Brick and block is a proven, reliable build method with which the industry is familiar and understands.

Despite media hype to the contrary, brick and block has a readily available workforce already skilled and trained in its usage contrary to unproven build methods that are playing catch up in terms of the training and development of workers.

The investment required by brick and block construction is well understood.

It does not require developers to invest up front in untried and tested methods that have yet to prove both their longevity and their financial viability.

It has been well publicised that lightweight modular developments, despite being heralded for their 'innovation' have yet to prove their durability over their lifetime or the cost efficiency of their build method.

Regeneration Minister Lord Rooker has openly admitted that modern lightweight prefabricated methods of construction are not proving cost efficient and have failed to deliver quickly or reduce costs.

This was echoed by the House of Commons report, "The Role and Effectiveness of the Housing Corporation" which highlighted concerns over the use of lightweight prefabricated techniques.

The Committee instead urged the Housing Corporation to consider "whole lifetime costs and adaptability" as more sustainable housing solutions.

The return on investment that brick and block homes provide is unquestionable, with many Victorian and Georgian homes still being the most desirable and adaptable blueprints being used today for modern living and working.

The issue of providing sustainable housing solutions must look beyond mere demographics and also examine the changing environment that we live in.

This is particularly poignant at present with the recent flooding in Cornwall and in light of the announcement of the review into PPG25, which relates to the building on flood plains or areas at risk from flooding.

Masonry construction is still the most durable form of construction and the best suited to the effects of a changing climate.

This is because in the event of flooding concrete materials - floor and walls - will remain sound, will not be subject to concerns over rotting that can affect other materials and will not warp if dried out quickly.

The repair bill in such instances is much lower than in other homes constructed by less robust methods.

The concern over building using unproven lightweight methods is echoed by the Association of British Insurers in its guidance document 'Strategic Planning for Flood Risk in Growth Areas - Insurance Considerations' which points out that unless sufficient precautions are taken to minimise the damage that may be caused, many properties may be uninsurable or the cost prohibitive, affecting the marketability of a new development.

The ABI goes on to recommend specific measures relating to the construction of homes that may assist in reducing the damage caused by flooding including the use of "concrete floors instead of wood".

Masonry also comes up trumps in extremely hot weather regulating internal temperatures.

A recent report commissioned by the DTI on how climate change will affect the UK's existing buildings found that homes constructed with a higher thermal mass, such as brick and block, would perform much better in the summer temperatures predicted to be typical by the year 2080 than those built using lightweight prefabricated materials.

In the study Masonry maintained a more acceptable 28 and #730;C internal temperature compared with 40 and #730;C of its lightweight alternative.

Successful building has always been about the legacy that is left for tomorrow.

Modern masonry construction can guarantee lifespans that stretch far beyond the recommend 60 years of other forms of lightweight alternative construction methods and is durable and adaptable to cope with the changing demographics of society.

Its robust properties enable it to withstand extreme temperatures and climatic change giving it exceptional long term sustainability, and with a ready workforce that understands its properties brick and block construction is the best long term investment for the nation's housing.

For further information on the THB and its views on housing construction log on to www.epolitix.com and view its site on The Forum.

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