The Connect2 tray, designed and made in the UK by Kudos, boasts a truly unique feature. It was designed to avoid floor joists, ensuring it retains its super-low profile when installed.  Launched in a choice of grey slate effect, high gloss white or slip-resistant white, Kudos has now added its best-selling slate effect white colourway to the collection.

Connect2 trays stand at just 35mm in height, are guaranteed to avoid all standard joist sizes and spans thanks to the precise positioning of a unique offset dual waste outlet, allowing the installer to choose the waste clear from obstruction to connect.  The tray may need to be rotated to accommodate the fixed joists, but once set, the installer simply uses the blanking plug provided to seal the unused waste and plumb in the high-flow waste and trap, avoiding any need to lift the tray off the floor.  If both waste holes are free then both wastes can be connected for even faster water removal.  A re-inforced, magnetically secured waste cover, that’s easily removed for cleaning, then sits neatly over the plugs to complete the installation.

The Connect2 range of shower trays are manufactured in a acrylic capped ABS filled with a structural resin bonded stone for maximum strength and stability.  The collection offers 12 rectangular sizes from 800mm square to 1700x800mm plus four quadrant/offset quadrant options. Each comes complete with a high flow waste rated to 35 litres of water per minute, and is competitively priced.

Kudos has been designing and manufacturing shower products at its Cumbria facility since 1999. They understand the UK bathroom market and all its idiosyncrasies and endeavour to develop products with easy to install features. Their products are stocked with a number of regional distributors to ensure a reliable service and ease of availability and they offer a lifetime guarantee on their shower trays and a spares website giving a superior after sales service.

Now trading as RONAL Bathrooms UK Ltd, the Kudos portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens, and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK. Visit its website, kudosshowers.co.uk, call 01539 564040, or email info@kudosshowers.co.uk.

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Barratt Homes’ Carleton Chase development in Penrith, which is fast approaching 50% sold, is set to help key workers get a foot on the property ladder with an exclusive scheme.

The leading housebuilder has created a variety of schemes and initiatives to help prospective buyers make their goals of homeownership a reality. The Key Worker Deposit Contribution scheme is an example of this, dedicated to helping the people who keep Britain going secure a smooth route to a brand-new home.

Eligible home buyers using this scheme could get a £1,000 contribution towards their deposit for every £20,000 spent towards the purchase price – up to the value of £25,000.

For example, for a home costing £450,000, this would qualify key workers for a contribution of £22,500. This enables property seekers to access more competitive interest rates and save money in the long-term.

For home buyers at the Carleton Avenue development this offer will be well-suited to local people. Penrith Hospital, Carleton Hall Police Headquarters and Penrith Community Fire Station are all within one mile of Carleton Chase, alongside a range of schools such as North Lakes School and Ullswater Community College for those in educational fields.

Recently, Barratt Homes expanded its list of key workers to include foster carers. Other eligible professionals included are members of a local authority, NHS workers, members of the Ministry of Defence and more.

Alan Watt, Sales Director at Barratt Homes Manchester, said: “With our stunning Carleton Chase development excellently placed in Penrith, there is a range of potential home buyers that can benefit from our Key Worker Deposit Contribution scheme and save thousands on their move.

“If anyone is unsure whether they qualify for our Key Worker Deposit Contribution, we recommend visiting our sales team. We are eager to assist key workers and help them on their house hunting journey to make a move more affordable and comfortable.”

Residents at Carleton Chase can take advantage of its excellent location, offering convenient access to Penrith’s town centre and other major towns and cities, whilst having significant swathes of greenery on the doorstep.

Flanked by the Lake District National Park and the North Pennines National Landscape, Penrith ensures a serene lifestyle for all nature lovers to enjoy. In the Eden Valley town itself, home buyers will want for nothing with high street shopping, restaurants, and activities readily available.

Carleton Chase currently offers a selection of traditionally built four bedroom homes with prices starting from £377,000.

For further details on any nearby developments, call the sales team on 033 3355 8474 or visit the website at Barratt Homes in Cumbria.

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Five-star housebuilder Cruden has submitted an application to substitute house types within the previously approved residential development at Kirkton Road in Neilston.

Planning permission for the development was granted in May 2024 for 90 new homes, comprising 80 houses and 10 flats. The latest application relates to 49 homes for private sale within the wider consented scheme and proposes a selection of revised house types from the Cruden range. Consent has already been secured for the remaining 41 homes on the site.

The proposals retain the previously approved road layout, access points from Kirkton Road and wider landscape strategy for the development. Plans also include new tree planting, sustainable drainage features and walking routes connecting the site to surrounding green space.

Homes within the development will also include energy-efficient features such as air-source heat pumps and electric vehicle charging provision.

As part of the design approach, the plans recognise the local significance of the historic “scratching post” stone located within the site. The feature will remain part of the development, with proposals allowing it to be carefully removed during groundworks and reinstated in the same location and orientation once site levels have been completed.

This approach will also help reduce the amount of imported material required on site, supporting a more sustainable and efficient construction process.

Affordable housing is not included within this application, as these homes form part of the already consented scheme for the site, which will deliver 25% affordable housing overall.

Cruden has engaged with Neilston Community Council and East Renfrewshire Council as the project progresses and is committed to continuing dialogue with the local community throughout the planning process.

Andrew Duncan, Land Director at Cruden, said:

“This updated application reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering much-needed, high-quality homes within the already approved development. Although we are introducing a range of new Cruden house types, the overall layout, access arrangements, and landscaping strategy remain as previously approved, ensuring thoughtful planning and continuity.

“We are focused on working closely with East Renfrewshire Council and the local community to create homes that not only complement the surrounding area but are designed with sustainability in mind, supporting a greener, more resilient neighbourhood for the long term.”

For more information on Cruden visit Homes | Cruden Homes

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Andy Cowan, Associate Director, Carter Jonas (Manchester) discusses how regional planning should change to best provide the homes that are needed?

The Chancellor has been clear about the development sector’s role in helping to kickstart economic growth. From a planning and development perspective, the commitment to regional development being regionally-led was received by many as positive, as were the further changes to strategic planning that emerged in the Devolution White Paper, revised NPPF and Planning and Infrastructure Act.

The White Paper sets a medium-to-longer term ambition to simplify local government structures, proposing that strategic authorities will cover all of England. These groups of councils would be expected to engage in regional planning and produce Spatial Development Strategies, which will be implemented following support from a majority of constituent members. (The word ‘majority’ may be important in the future.)

Mayors who, the Government suggests, will lead Strategic Authorities, will benefit from new development management powers and possess the ability to call in strategically important planning applications. This is significant because it has only occurred in London previously. Other combined authorities, such as Greater Manchester and West Midlands, have not benefitted from devolved planning powers to this extent. In future, combined authorities will also have the ability to charge developers a mayoral levy to ensure that new developments contribute towards the necessary associated infrastructure; this doesn’t currently take place outside London.

The Government’s proposal is that integrated ‘single settlements’ will be implemented for Greater Manchester and West Midlands Combined Authorities from the 2025-26 financial year and for four further northern Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) from 2026-27. This dedicated regional funding solution is a step-change from the current experience whereby funding is sought from numerous different central government pots on a competitive basis.

Unlike the proposals in the White Paper and Planning and Infrastructure Act, the changes to the NPPF are immediate and require a step-change in planning for the delivery of housing and economic uses. The revised NPPF introduces new requirements for local authorities to dedicate more land for growth in their Local Plans and adds weight (alongside carrots or sticks, depending on your viewpoint) to decision-making on planning applications that support sustainable growth.

The overall ambition seems clear. The Government wants local authorities to achieve higher levels of growth through collaboration and, in return, receive greater autonomy to drive their own agendas.

Regional planning is a vehicle to achieve this and there are lessons to be learnt from experiences to date, some of which already appear to have been heeded by the Government.

A common challenge in policy-making is achieving political consensus. Even the successful Places for Everyone plan (formerly the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework) had challenges before being adopted in 2024. Work had begun a decade earlier, with an early draft published for consultation in 2016. Challenges around the amount of Green Belt release then required a radical re-think, further delaying its production and subsequently leading to the withdrawal of Stockport Council in 2022. Then, following adoption, Oldham Council requested to withdraw.

Stockport and Oldham Councils are currently in No Overall Control (NOC) politically, making consensus challenging. This challenge is especially prevalent in instances in which councillors have elected on a hyperlocal issue – more often than not, in opposition to housing development. According to the Institute for Government, there are approximately 100 local authorities across England in NOC, meaning this issue may come up frequently across the country.

For the next wave of regional planning to be successful requires politicians (both locally and regionally) and local authority officers to make compelling cases for accommodating growth and accompanying infrastructure.  This would certainly be helped by the incentives proposed by the Government to support regional planning, including increased devolution and access to dedicated funding.

For combined authorities at an earlier stage in their formation, Greater Manchester provides an intriguing example of devolution, specifically of the effects of engaging with regional planning versus not engaging. Places for Everyone provides a good example of how devolved decisions are implemented in practice and it will be interesting to follow how Stockport accommodates its housing and economic growth independently of the regional planning umbrella.

For more information on Carter Jonas visit Carter Jonas Estate Agents & Property Consultants

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Leading housebuilder Barratt and David Wilson Homes has been granted full planning permission for a new housing development in Gosforth in Newcastle, delivering 140 new family homes.

The new site has been approved as a ‘Neighbourhood Growth Area’ in a sustainable location in line with the Newcastle Gateshead Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan.

The scheme will provide a range of homes, including 15% of properties being allocated to affordable housing, discount market value and affordable rent schemes. In addition, 37 homes will be designed as accessible and adaptable housing.

The development will have a strong emphasis on community and quality of life, with areas of open space and an informal play area on site.

Jo Ainsley, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes North East, said: “We’re delighted to have been granted planning permission for this new development in Gosforth.

“We are committed to delivering high-quality, energy efficient homes that help meet the housing demand across Tyne and Wear.”

As part of the scheme, the housebuilder will contribute approximately £1.2 million as part of its Community Infrastructure Levy, as well as over £2 million towards the local area through S106 contributions.

The development will also achieve a 10% biodiversity net gain, and proposed plans will enhance habitats for the local wildlife.

Works at the development are due to start following Newcastle City Council’s delivery of roadworks on Rotary Way. Barratt and David Wilson Homes is contributing £238,800 towards these works to provide walking and cycling improvements, including two toucan crossings.

For more information about developments in the county, call the Barratt Homes sales team on 0333 355 8470 and the David Wilson Homes sales team on 0333 355 8471. Alternatively, visit the websites at Barratt Homes in Tyne and Wear or David Wilson Homes in Tyne and Wear.

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Regional housebuilder Allison Homes Central has released a new selection of three bedroom homes at its Chapel Gate development in Moulton Chapel, Spalding, which are well suited to first-time buyers.

Located on Roman Road, Chapel Gate is a high quality development offering a mix of three, four and five bedroom homes, set within a peaceful village location surrounded by open countryside, while remaining well connected to nearby market towns and cities.

The Fern is a three bedroom, semi-detached home priced from £240,000, offering 934 square foot of generous living space, significantly more than many second-hand starter homes in nearby towns.

Buyers are welcomed into an enclosed entrance hall leading to a front aspect living room. A central hallway provides access to a downstairs cloakroom and a dedicated utility room with outdoor access. To the rear, a modern U-shaped kitchen flows into an open plan dining area, with French doors opening onto the garden.

Upstairs, the main bedroom benefits from a private en suite, while a contemporary family bathroom serves a second double bedroom and a flexible single. The home also includes two parking spaces, making it a practical choice for buyers taking their first step onto the property ladder.

Kelly Toms, Sales and Marketing Director at Allison Homes Central, said: “The Fern is a great option for first-time buyers who want a modern home with well-planned living space and room to grow. We are seeing increasing interest from buyers relocating from Peterborough, who are attracted by the opportunity to secure more space for their budget while remaining within easy reach of the city. We’re already seeing strong levels of interest, so we’d encourage buyers not to delay if they’re considering a move.”

Moulton Chapel offers the charm of countryside living while remaining close to local amenities. Spalding is just four miles away, providing a range of shops, leisure facilities and transport links, while Peterborough can be reached in around 25 minutes, making the development a practical option for commuters.

To find out more about Chapel Gate and the homes available, visit https://allison-homes.co.uk/development/chapel-gate/ or contact the sales team on 01406 273115. The sales office is open Thursday to Monday, from 10am to 5pm.

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Fourteen students from a college near Worcester have been given an exclusive tour of a live homebuilding site, experiencing first-hand the skills and careers that go into creating a brand-new community, courtesy of award-winning homebuilder Spitfire Homes.

The year 10 pupils, from Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, explored the early stages of the active site at Blackthorn in Crowle, where 30 design-led, bespoke homes are currently being delivered, following an engaging assembly delivered recently where many displayed an interest in construction practices.

Led by Spitfire Homes engineer Jack Lea, the group explored everything from sustainability and site safety in modern homebuilding to the wide range of roles in the sector across trades, design, site management, marketing and beyond, and how they all combine to create a collection of brand-new homes.

The session gave pupils a deeper understanding of the full construction process and a visible example of how trades and departments collaborate.

The visit concluded with a Q&A session held in the brand-new Estate Office which opened last month, where students quizzed the team on career pathways, qualifications, skills and routes into the industry.

Jane Holland, Careers Advisor at Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, said: “Earlier this year, Spitfire Homes visited our school to deliver an engaging assembly to more than 210 pupils, giving them an insight into everything involved in constructing a new homes development.

“Many students were inspired by the presentation and expressed an interest in seeing a site in person, so we were delighted when Spitfire invited us to visit and experience this collaborative process first-hand.

“The construction site visit allowed our students to appreciate the diverse, modern and high‑tech nature of today’s industry. They were able to move beyond traditional stereotypes and discover the wide range of roles involved—from design and engineering to project management and sustainability.

“It offered a valuable, real-world connection to their classroom learning, showing how professional and hands-on careers come together in practice.”

Dave Smith, Managing Director at Spitfire Homes, said: “The construction industry must address the growing need to attract and develop new talent, and it’s important as a collective that we equip the next generation with a clear understanding of the breadth of roles available.

“Visits like this give students opportunities to see this first-hand, and we’re proud to be playing our part in addressing the skills shortage in a practical, engaging way.

“We’ve committed to ensuring that 5% of our total workforce is made up of trainees or graduates – for us, that’s not a target, it’s a reflection of how seriously we take developing young talent.

“Once complete, Blackthorn will be a shining example of excellence in communication, design, and quality. We hope that the students will see the finished site and fondly remember experiencing it in its formative stages.”

For more information or to arrange a viewing, please visit https://spitfirehomes.co.uk/find-your-home/blackthorn/. 

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An employee at Coalville-based developer David Wilson Homes East Midlands is marking International Women’s Day (8^th March) by sharing her journey from office to site, as this year’s theme, ‘Give To Gain’, celebrates the importance of helping women thrive.

Georgia Hession, Trainee Assistant Site Manager at Drakelow Park

After joining David Wilson Homes in April last year, Georgia, a Trainee Assistant Site Manager from Ibstock, is focused on organising and overseeing the finishes of the homes at Drakelow Park in Derbyshire. She ensures each property is completed to the required standard and supports customers in the first 20 weeks in their brand-new home.

International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women across all industries, and this year’s theme, ‘Give To Gain’, highlights the power of reciprocity and support. The campaign recognises that when people, organisations and communities give generously, opportunities for women increase – and when women thrive, everyone benefits.

Since starting her career at 19 in an office-based role as an Estimator and Construction Secretary, Georgia discovered a passion for the operation side of the industry.

She said: “Throughout my years in working in construction, I have found myself drawn to the problem-solving and teamwork that happens every day on site and I jumped at the opportunity to see the operational side of site management up close.

“The Trainee Assistant Site Manager role really appealed to me because it combines everything I enjoy – working with people, coordinating tasks, learning technical skills, and being part of the visible results on site. I also wanted a role where I can keep growing, challenge myself, and build a long-term career.”

Reflecting on her journey so far, Georgia says her biggest achievement has been her progression and personal development.

She added: “Moving from an administrative role into a site-based position was a huge transition, and one I worked incredibly hard to earn. I was completely new to how a construction site operates, but over time I have been building more confidence and taking on more responsibilities.

“What I’m most proud of isn’t just the job title – it’s the development behind it. A key milestone for me has been supporting the team at Drakelow Park, which achieved a prestigious Seal of Excellence award from the National House Building Council last year.”

Speaking about her experience as a woman in construction, Georgia has come to appreciate the value of diverse perspectives on site.

She continued: “Over the years, I’ve realised that being a woman gives you a slightly different perspective, and that’s helped me to grow. Some of the skills I naturally brought to the role – organisation, attention to detail, and being approachable – were genuinely valued, which gave me the confidence to think I could contribute more directly on site.”

While she acknowledges that construction has traditional been a male-dominated industry, Georgia believes that balance is improving.

“There are more women coming into technical and site-based positions and I continue to meet more and more female Assistant Site Managers, Site Managers, and apprentices.

“Seeing other women take on these roles has made the idea of progressing in my career more achievable. It shows that the industry is opening up and becoming more inclusive.

“Encouraging more women into construction is vital because the more diverse teams are, the better they work. When people with different perspectives are involved, it creates a more balanced, positive environment and helps the industry continue to grow and improve.”

Georgia feels the housebuilding sector offers strong opportunities for women, and praised David Wilson Homes in particular for the support she’s received.

She said: “My managers and colleagues have been very supportive, they are focused on helping people grow, regardless of gender. The company invests in training, mentorship, and clear development pathways, which make it easier for women to progress into roles that might have seemed less accessible in the past.

“Sometimes just seeing another woman in the role makes a big difference and when women feel included and backed by their team, they’re able to thrive.”

Offering advice to other women considering a career in construction, she added: “Have confidence in yourself and remember that you absolutely belong here. You don’t have to know everything on day one, you just need to be willing to learn, ask questions, and get involved.

“Some of the opportunities that feel the most intimidating end up being the most rewarding. Be yourself, share your perspective and strengths – they can make a real difference on a project and within a team.”

For more information about careers at David Wilson Homes, visit the website at Barratt Redrow Careers.

For further information about any developments in the area, visit the website at David Wilson Homes in Leicestershire.

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Staffordshire-headquartered Cameron Homes has acquired a three-acre site in Rutland’s county town of Oakham, which has detailed planning consent for 50 open market houses. The site forms the final undeveloped residential land of the Barleythorpe Sustainable Urban Extension, where circa 1,000 new homes have been built over a 14-year period.

The site is accessed south of Wheatfield Way via an existing scheme constructed by Allison Homes, who has sold the final two parcels of land to Cameron Homes. Other housebuilders that have delivered new homes across the consortium site since Outline planning was granted in 2011 include Bellway and Charles Church.

Cameron Homes will commence work on site during the spring, with the target date for the first residents to take occupation being Q4 2026.

John Hickman, Group Land Director for Tara Group and Cameron Homes, said: “We are very pleased to acquire this excellent site in Oakham, as we will be able to launch it to the market this year. We’ll get spades in the ground during the spring and work to handover the first of the homes before the end of 2026.

“Securing an ‘oven-ready’ development opportunity with detailed planning for open market housing enables us to deliver the quality product that’s synonymous with the Cameron brand. We’re proud that the Oakham North consortium site will be concluded by a housebuilder with a 30-year reputation for constructing thoughtful, energy-efficient homes.”

Oakham town centre offers a range of boutique shops, cafes and restaurants, as well as good schools and transport links. The local station provides direct trains to cities and towns such as Birmingham and Leicester, with regular services to London Kings Cross via Peterborough.

The exterior elevations of the 50 homes will be constructed in buff brick and complementary grey roof tiles. Traditional design features will include soldier course brick headers and sills, plain casement windows with a horizontal glazing bar, formal panelled doors, and porches or canopies. The latest green energy features will be incorporated into this scheme, with a very high EPC rating targeted. Specification highlights will include Smart Hive thermostats, electric vehicle car chargers, and solar PV panels.

The soft landscaping will include retaining and enhancing the existing mature vegetation on site, supplemented by the planting of 80 new trees, 50m of native hedge planting, 590m2 of wildflower meadow, along with ornamental hedge planting and specimen shrubs.

Established in 1994, Cameron Homes is currently delivering over 200 homes across 11 live developments and has a pipeline of future sites expected to deliver circa 1,000 new homes.

For further information on Cameron Homes: https://cameronhomes.co.uk/  

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Calldene Structural Timber Solutions, one of the South East’s most experienced structural timber engineering specialists, has completed the latest investment phase at its Dover Trussed Roof Company site with a £60k premise modification to increase production capacity and support truss assembly.

By increasing ceiling height to an existing production facility, the investment provides a dedicated space for truss assembly, enabling more efficient use of the current building footprint. This intelligent engineering boosts manufacturing capabilities by improving assembly capacity and increasing Calldene’s overall production output by 20%.

The expansion creates a new space for truss assembly and is also a crucial investment in safer working practices and improved conditions, enabling further efficiency in the production process. The combination of reduced manual handling and increased circulation capacity will contribute to higher productivity and smoother workflows.

Les Fuller, Managing Director at Calldene Structural Timber Solutions, said: “This expansion is an important step in our ongoing investment programme. It’s about creating a safer, more efficient working environment at Dover Trussed Roof Company while increasing capacity and capability – so we can continue to improve availability, lead times and service for customers across the South of England.”

The latest investment aligns with Calldene’s continual improvement path for long-term business strategy and growth, strengthening its position within the structural timber market. Fully operational from March 2026, the site expansion is set to increase product flexibility and scope, benefiting customers served by Calldene’s Canterbury and Lancing operations. In many cases, the additional capability will also reduce the need for ‘two-piece’ frames, helping to cut costs and delivery times while improving structural integrity and installation efficiency for clients.

The building expansion follows Calldene’s recent investment in its first dedicated delivery vehicle, as the business continues to prioritise improvements in capacity, efficiency and customer service. Serving both company’s production sites, Dover Trussed Roof Company and Triad Timber Components, this new truss truck improves delivery services and capabilities to customers across Southern England.

To find out more about Calldene Structural Timber Solutions, click HERE

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