75% energy saving for pre-1919 houses + ONE NORTH £15 billion infrastructure proposal

Latest products, projects stories, news and comments from Buildingtalk Editor, Howard Chapman

Following the success of the world’s first whole-house retrofit research project at Salford University, supported by Saint-Gobain, we now have the ‘Cosy Home’ retrofit project in Bolton that achieves 75% energy savings for pre 1919 hard-to-treat properties, supported by Knauf Insulation. This also serves as a learning centre for the public to see how the Green Deal could work for them.

Having grown up in the north of England and seen the long-term struggle to keep up with economic growth in the South East, it is encouraging that the regeneration of cities like Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds has created a ‘pride of place’ and confidence in the future. In my view, the ONE NORTH £15 billion infrastructure proposal last week could be the most significant investment of the next decade. The improved transport infrastructure will be the catalyst to re-create the 19^th century economic dynamic of the north which made this country so successful.

Take a look at the interesting product & project stories in this week’s summary of industry news our Video of the Week. There are also useful training opportunities including in piping & sanitary installation; timber frame building; and window, door & curtain walling specification.

Finally, with HSBC and The Princes Trust warning about the growing skills shortage, it is good to encourage young people into the industry. So well done to Jewson for offering free Apprentice Shopfitters Kits plus a £100 voucher to NAS members.

TOP 10 STORIES

Link to top Product & Project via the latest BUILDINGTALK NEWSLETTER

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Handmade zinc ornaments produce a unique finish at French castle

TOP 10 TWEETS OF THE WEEK

Homes could be heated by drawing energy from 40 urban rivers & estuaries say government research

See how retrofit achieves 75% energy savings for pre-1919 hard-to-treat properties

Niche developers shake up UK housing market 

£3.2b on transport infrastructure in North would quintuple to £15b if ‘Yes’ to ONE NORTH proposal 

Skills shortage will ‘slam the brakes’ on UK economic recovery warns HSBC and Princes Trust report 

ONE NORTH economic growth plan based on 5 cities and £15b investment – read reaction comment

Latest ABC&D Magazine online including feature on BEMS solution for Resorts World 

New agreement makes it easy for public sector vehicles to access cut-price fuel

See what projects the top contractors in the UK are working on, latest league tables

UK construction up for 15th successive month housebuilding fastest rate in a decade record staff hiring rates