When sales are slow due to lower-than-expected buyer demand, housebuilders and developers can easily be left in a bind. Typically, they will have bought the land, paid the build costs and been servicing a development loan agreed at the start. All going well on the sales side, the loan is repaid leaving ample scope for profit, but in tough market conditions, the plan may not work in practice. Here, Ben Arnold, Head of Property Services at MSP Capital, explains why a development exit bridge loan can help.

Economic challenges have led to build cost increases and a much slower sales market for many SME and regional housebuilders, and their national counterparts, in recent times. The tough conditions have seen examples of builders and developers being left with unsold stock on a just-completed project when they wish to move on to their next one. As a result, they may come under pressure from banks and other lenders to repay or refinance their original development loan to enable payback in line with their original loan term.

“If a bank won’t extend terms, this can have serious consequences for cashflow, especially for SMEs whose pockets are not so deep as the national players,” says Ben, who has recently joined lender MSP Capital after eight years as Land and Planning Director at Hampshire and Dorset developer Pennyfarthing Homes.

“A borrower in that position may experience cash flow issues and not be able to pay business overheads such as staff and contractor costs. It will all get extremely pressured if the bank’s remedy is to move the borrower onto a default penalty rate or, in the worst-case scenario, appoint an LPA receiver. Ben points to a number of reasons why a development exit bridge deal can be an attractive option to avoid such a situation. “It is a loan specifically designed to enable a borrower to leverage money out of their newly completed development so they can recycle their cash equity to move on to the next project,” he explains. “Many lenders do not offer development exit finance and so you need a more flexible lender who understands the property market and new homes.” Ben, a Chartered Surveyor with career experience as a director in the Savills’ south coast development team, says a key benefit of an exit bridge is the lower interest rate and higher loan to value (LTV) generally involved. “It’s lower risk for the lender compared to a development loan because the houses are already built and on the market, and will be sold when a buyer comes along. The rate applied will therefore tend to be lower, perhaps a couple of per cent lower depending on the borrower profile. Also, there is scope for a higher LTV with a lender such as MSP Capital who is specifically set up for guaranteeing a swift turnaround on deal applications while doing all the due diligence required. We have just announced a new pricing strategy which enables developers to access bridging deals from just 0.75% per month up to 75% LTV and terms of up to 36 months. The appeal for the developer with this kind of exit deal is that they can bridge out their profit and go on to their next project or projects confident that the loan will be repaid during its term. It’s ideal for those developers who have contractual obligations to fund new land acquisitions.”

Asked what borrowers need to keep in mind when considering an exit bridge, Ben says: “The homes in the development need to have been completed and signed off as complete with building regulation approvals, warranties and planning condition requirements. If we’re talking about flats in a block, the whole block must have been signed off.”

And to underscore the main benefits, he adds: “A development exit bridge is an ideal solution for those housebuilders and developers stuck with completed stock they can’t immediately sell. The lower rates compared to the original development loan mean you can borrow the money more cost effectively while potentially leveraging more equity in the development. Because sales have been slow in the market in recent times, we expect to see rising demand for exit bridge finance in line with growing awareness of it as a solution.”

For more information go to www.rdr.link/dbh020

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Delivering BNG means dedicating land to habitats and restoring or improving ecology, but what’s the best approach for housebuilders and developers; on-site or offsite? And how do you maximise your developable land without compromising on ecology?

Trevor Wells, Director and Co-Founder of The Habitat Bank, a specialist consultancy with an extensive portfolio of bank sites, discusses…

BNG requires developers to create and maintain habitats that secure the delivery of a 10% biodiversity uplift for at least 30 years. While delivering this on-site seems like the easy choice, it can result in costly, and timely, challenges.

One of the most common hurdles is delivering on-site BNG habitats during construction. As well as taking focus away from the development and potentially impacting the build programme, there is also the challenge of maintaining these areas through the construction phase.

Habitats must be managed in a very specific way to deliver the units they are expected to and any deviations from this can have serious, detrimental impacts which may not be recoverable. Couple this with unpredictable weather or invasive species, and a simple plan turns into a long-term headache. Habitats can easily fail if not expertly managed, which may force developers into purchasing BNG units, paying for habitat restoration, or both, leading to significant unplanned costs.

This leads into another challenge, compliance. On-site BNG requires rigorous monitoring and reporting, which can overwhelm teams without ecological expertise. Developers often underestimate the long-term commitment of on-site BNG and without an in-house ecologist, or the know-how to navigate complex habitat assessments, this can be problematic.

Delays in planning approvals due to inadequate BNG proposals are common, eating into timelines and budgets. Budgets are another consideration. On-site solutions demand significant upfront investment and ongoing maintenance costs, which can spiral if. issues arise. We’ve seen projects stalled by unexpected expenses, like hiring specialists to fix failing habitats, which can cause long-term financial risk.

The final challenge is a matter of space. If you’re delivering BNG on site, this can eat into your Net Developable Area (NDA) and, along with other pressures that developments are now subject to, means even more strain on your site’s viability.

So how do you navigate these challenges and still successfully deliver BNG? A hybrid approach, one that blends onsite enhancements (where achievable) with off-setting, is a smart strategy. Commission a thorough biodiversity baseline assessment as early in the planning process as possible. This will quantify your site’s starting point and identify low-effort wins, like retaining existing trees or creating compact biodiversity zones.

Then engage a consultant to understand where you can maximise NDA. For example, it might be that BNG can be integrated into innovative SuDS systems for dual benefits, or if the development is phased, it can be delivered incrementally to maintain cash flow.

Maximising NDA doesn’t mean sacrificing nature; it’s about efficient integration. We’ve seen developers boost coverage by 15-20% through targeted onsite tweaks when combined with the strategy to purchase off-site BNG units.

Off-site solutions allow you to offset shortfalls without carving up your prime developable land. Habitat bank sites are designed specifically to support this, providing ready-made units that you can tap into for compliant, cost-effective gains. All of which are delivered without any liability falling back on the developer.

Trevor Wells is the Director and Co- Founder of The Habitat Bank. The Habitat Bank’s portfolio spans more than 800 acres and is delivering over 1,500 high quality BNG units across the Midlands and along the M1 corridor.

For more information, go to www.rdr.link/dbh026

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Will Heinzelmann, Product Director at Passiv UK explains why smart and easy to work with heat pump controls are a win for housebuilders and developers.

Heat pumps have been firmly on the government agenda for a while now, with an ambitious target to install 600,000 annually by 2028. To move closer towards this target, smart controls for heat pumps will play a vital role in raising the standards for efficiencies in homes – but their true impact hinges on one critical factor: simplicity.

Having spent a decade working in heat pump optimisation, we’ve learned a crucial lesson – technology is only as good as the experience it offers. The success of the transition from boilers to heat pumps relies on making heat pumps not just effective but intuitive and effortless to use, ensuring they become a seamless part of everyday life.

For homeowners, ease-of-use and confidence in controls is essential. There’s no point in being clever with your controls if the homeowner doesn’t understand or engage with it.

The latest generation of smart controls overcome these challenges.

User-friendly controls

When it comes to heating controls, British homeowners have grown accustomed to gas boilers. Unlike gas boilers, which operate at higher flow temperatures, heat pumps operate at lower flow temperatures, meaning they take longer to heat a home – so having controls that are easy to use is really important.

The latest smart controls are designed to mirror the simplicity of a boiler interface, making it easy to manage home heating while also lowering heating bills. By prioritising user-friendly design, heat pumps become effective, familiar and easy to adopt.

Faster commissioning and fewer call-backs

Many heat pumps are still configured with fixed flow temperatures, resulting in high running costs and underperforming homes. Smart controls remove that complexity by dynamically managing the heat pump’s flow temperature – continuously fine-tuning performance without the need for installers to manually set a weather compensation curve.

As well as speeding up commissioning, the latest smart controls can also reduce installation time. For example, the Passiv Smart Thermostat features a Programmer with a built-in, push-fit wiring centre and can be installed with wired or wireless thermostats. The system can be commissioned in just minutes using the Programmer, which also supports the homeowner through a simple app registration.

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Stuart Fairlie, managing director at Elmhurst Energy, explores how housebuilders can address the growing risk of overheating, designing homes that are resilient enough to withstand future climate change.

Did you know that a bedroom is at overheating risk if it spends more than 1% of annual sleeping hours at over 26 degrees? That’s only 3-4 nights per year.

It means a significant number of UK homes are already experiencing – or highly susceptible to – overheating in the summer. The problem is going to become more common as the climate becomes more intense, with heatwave temperatures becoming a summertime norm. According to the NHS, more people than usual get seriously ill or die during heatwaves and vulnerable groups, like the elderly, babies and those with long-term health conditions, are particularly at risk. With the government still targeting delivery of 1.5 million new homes by 2029, housebuilders must consider ways to mitigate the climate of the future, now, while meeting requirements of Building Regulations Part O on overheating.

Shading spaces

One of the simplest ways to keep heat out of a home is to prevent solar gain in the first place. External shutters are very effective in keeping internal spaces cool. While often thought of as a decorative or privacy feature, external shutters are a proven measure for heat control. By blocking out the sun, they not only create shade within a room but also reduce the outdoor air temperature between the shutter and the window. This creates a buffer zone, preventing warmth from being transferred into the room.

In other hot climates, like the Mediterranean, external shutters and other shading features are considered essential. Unlike internal blinds or curtains, which only trap the heat after it has already entered the building, external shading stops much of the heat from ever getting inside.

But in the UK, government figures suggest fewer than 11% of households have them installed. As summers get hotter, we may see external shading shift from an optional feature to a mainstream necessity. For housebuilders, integrating such measures into design can futureproof newbuilds and reduce the need for retrofit later.

Utilising natural ventilation

Alongside the 1.5 million new homes, the UK is also committed to achieving carbon net zero by 2050. This means as the temperature keeps rising, we can’t always rely on energy-intensive mechanical cooling such as air conditioning. To reduce the demand on a rapidly decarbonising grid, housebuilders should also explore passive design solutions to maximise natural airflow.

Avoiding windows with small openings, or devices that restrict the opening angle can help significantly with air flow. When homes are designed to enable cross ventilation, occupants can open windows on opposite sides of a building to create a cool breeze.

Positioning main bedrooms and living spaces on the north or east facing sides of the home can also help avoid heat caused by solar gain. These rooms will warm more slowly during the day and are quickest to cool at night.

Insulation

It might sound counterintuitive, but scientists have found solid wall insulation can protect a home from getting too hot as it prevents heat from the outside getting in. Insulation is often associated with winter heat savings, but it can act as a barrier against external heat, too.’Research from Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Beckett University highlights the importance of insulating lofts and roof spaces, which are in direct sunlight and therefore at risk of overheating.

Poorly insulated lofts can become unbearably hot in the summer, transferring heat to the rest of the home. By ensuring these areas are properly insulated and ventilated, developers can help stabilise indoor temperatures year-round. Thermal imaging surveys can be used to identify weak spots where insulation may be missing or underperforming. By addressing these gaps during construction, developers can avoid future remediation work and reassure buyers of a home’s long-term performance.

Only getting warmer

Climate projections indicate that by 2050, the UK is likely to experience more frequent and intense heatwaves. This means that homes will require a combination of shading, ventilation and insulation measures as standard. If passive solutions are not enough, developers may need to integrate mechanical cooling systems like air conditioning. But these will need to be designed with renewable power sources such as solar, so that they don’t underestimate the UK’s decarbonisation goals.

As the summers get warmer, housebuilders must strike a balance between retaining heat in the winter but also allowing heat to escape in the hotter months. Elmhurst’s Overheating Competency Scheme provides energy assessors with the tools to support housebuilders in creating homes that prioritise occupant comfort and safety, both now and in the future.

To learn more about the scheme, visit www.rdr.link/dbg037

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Neal Herbert, GTC Managing Director discusses what housebuilders and developers need to get right before the Future Homes Standard

The direction of travel is clear: new homes will need to have all heating and hot water delivered through low carbon methods rather than gas boilers. That’s the core intent of the Future Homes Standard (FHS) when it considers heating in new build homes – reduce carbon emissions by 75-80%.

At the time of writing, government and industry bodies indicate that FHS and its associated regulations will be laid in late 2025, take effect from 2026, and then move through a transitional period before full enforcement. This means that decisions you make on sites now must be Future Homes Standard-ready, otherwise you run the risk of costly upgrades later down the line.

For low-rise, low-density schemes there are two proven options that deserve your attention because they consider grid capacity constraints, simplify homeowner experience, and future-proof carbon performance: community heat hubs (lowtemperature heat networks with central plant) and networked ground source heat pumps using shared ground arrays.

In this article we look at some of the contracting considerations that matter most if you want these systems to perform technically, commercially and for your customers.

1. Match the solution to site physics and planning
   Community heat hubs centralise plant, utilising air source heat pumps with thermal storage and back-up electric boilers. Each plot’s heat and hot water is delivered via a low-temperature heat network and heat interface unit (HIU). They behave, from the occupier’s perspective, much like a combi boiler with instantaneous hot water and compact inhome kit but remove external air source heat pump units from façades and gardens. This is useful where aesthetics, noise, or plot space are constrained.

   Guidance suggests this model shines on phases of 150 plots or more, where diversity and storage shave peaks and reduce reinforcement risk. The community heat hub forms a single, controllable grid exit point, and thermal stores provide demand-side response headroom at winter peak.

   Networked ground source heat pumps connect multiple homes to a shared ground loop with an individual heat pump inside each dwelling. Electrical peaks are lower and flatter than individual air source heat pumps, seasonal performance is excellent due to stable ground temperatures, and external noise/visual issues are minimal. The shared array is buried in streets or open space.

2. Grid strategy: diversify, store, and stage
   Community heat hubs allow you to diversify demand across plots and shift load via thermal stores, this significantly lowers a site’s overall peak demand compared to schemes installing individual air source heat pumps.

   Networked ground source heat pumps only require the same grid capacity as homes heated by gas and reduce electrical peaks, removing the risk of grid capacity constraint.

   In both cases, controls can be specified that prioritise offpeak charging of stores and weather-compensated flow temperatures, like a bundled smart thermostat.

3. Sales and handover: make low-carbon easy to live with
   Community heat hubs come at a lower cost for housebuilders and lower customer bills by up to 20% in comparison to individual air source heat pumps. Residents should get simple, consistent guidance on how their HIU or in-home ground source heat pump works, who bills them, servicing intervals, and how to get help.

   For networked ground source heat pumps, provide clear information on the cylinder footprint and reheat times. It’s also worth noting that networked ground source heat pumps offer up to five times the efficiency of gas and 30% increased efficiency than an equivalent individual air source heat pump.

4. Plan for compliance today – and headroom tomorrow
   FHS is part of a pathway, not an endpoint. Choose architectures that can tighten flow temperatures, integrate more storage, and benefit from a decarbonising grid without major rework. Community heat hubs and networked ground source heat pumps both offer that runway – provided you contract for outcomes, not just equipment. The winners will be schemes that read the policy tea leaves early, secure grid connections intelligently, and deliver quiet, reliable, fairly priced heat that customers barely notice – because it just works.

For more information, go to www.rdr.link/dbg025

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While the government is focused on eradicating the ‘blockers to building’, the housebuilding industry’s preoccupation with brick and block masonry construction may start to stand in the way of the required speed of delivery. Here, Brian Adams, Senior Director of Sales and Business Development at Arclin, explores some of the myths that might be ‘blocking’ housebuilders from building homes with timber.

The government has set itself an ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes over the next parliamentary term. It’s keen to succeed where successive governments have failed, so is currently overhauling the planning process and taking steps to close the construction skills gap. This means the majority of new home delivery will be weighted towards the latter end of its fiveyear term, so housebuilders must be ready to deliver homes at speed and at scale.

Timber is widely seen as part of the solution to speed up the delivery of new, sustainable homes. For example, the government’s Timber in construction roadmap, updated in 2025, advocates the use of wood in construction. Currently, however, just 23% of new homes in England are built using timber frame solutions. The problem seems to be that certain myths perpetuate, leading to timber frame building being perceived poorly in comparison to brick and block.

Myth: Timber is a fire risk

Fact: Questions around the combustibility and fire safety of timber can be traced back to the Great Fire of London in 1666. Today though, timber is as safe to build with as other materials. When it burns, it does so at a predictable rate and charcoal forms on the surface, protecting and insulating the core. The wood itself is treated with chemicals to increase its fire resistance rating while construction methods are designed to protect the timber from direct fire sources. As a result, modern timber frame buildings meet and surpass the UK’s stringent fire safety standards, such as Part B Dwellings (England).

Myth: Masonry construction is more energy efficient

Fact: This myth has come about because of thermal mass, essentially how a material absorbs and stores heat. At a basic level bricks have greater thermal mass than wood, although timber is also an extremely good insulant. However, where energy efficiency is concerned, focusing on thermal mass alone is outdated – the priority now is air tightness and very high levels of insulation. Timber offers ease of construction and higher levels of precision than masonry, especially if offsite construction methods are used, which reduces thermal bridging and improves air tightness. Timber also allows for more design flexibility than masonry construction. This means that timber frame buildings can be manufactured with wider cavities, which can be filled with greater levels of insulation to meet increasingly strict energy efficiency standards. As a result, timber frame is a popular choice for highly energy efficient properties that meet Passivhaus standards.

Myth: Wet weather during construction poses a risk to timber frame homes

Fact: Yes, moisture can cause wood to rot. But if it were a common problem then Scotland, arguably known for some of the wettest weather in the UK, wouldn’t build 92% of its homes from timber. The key is to protect the wood and create a weathertight shell as quickly as possible.  New technology means that OSB sheathing boards can now be fused with integrated weather resistant barriers, such as Arclin’s Arctek® Dryshell. This means that timber frame walls, SIP systems and cassettes are delivered to site with a highly durable, weather resistant layer already in place. As a result, they deliver a weather-tight shell more quickly, overcoming the risk of moisture penetrating timber panels during construction. Alongside this, their vapour permeability allows incidental vapour to escape the building envelope to avoid interstitial condensation.

Myth: Masonry construction costs less to build

Fact: Timber frame construction is often cheaper than traditional brick and block methods. One of the biggest factors behind this is speed of programming. Offsite manufacturing means that developers can build homes much faster with less skilled labour. It also reduces onsite waste and increases precision, ensuring better performance standards. The faster completion time also leads to quicker returns on investment and allows housebuilders to move onto their next development sooner.

So, as the UK races to meet its ambitious housing targets, it’s clear that clinging to outdated myths around timber construction could hinder progress. Timber is a safe and energy-efficient building material that offers significant advantages in terms of speed, cost and sustainability. What’s more, combining timber with new technologies, such as integrated weather resistant barriers, ensures that timber frame products deliver long term durability and performance. Ultimately, if housebuilders are to keep pace with government goals, then it’s time to remove the block on timber and recognise that it has a proven role in the future of UK housing.

For more information go to, www.rdr.link/dbf036

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As the government continues to push housing delivery through the reclassification of green belt land, developers are increasingly working in the ‘grey belt’. But building in these ecologically sensitive, edge-zones means external lighting design is no longer just about visibility. So what do housebuilders and developers need to consider? Nathan Allen, Associate Environmental Consultant and head of the lighting team at MEC Consulting Group, shares his insight…

Typically, grey belt sites sit alongside open countryside or designated landscapes, meaning there is a high risk of encountering light-sensitive species such as bats, dormice or badgers. However, because of proximity to previously developed land, it’s easy to fall into the trap of treating grey belt schemes as purely suburban in character.

Don’t be misguided, these sites often require greater ecological scrutiny when it comes to external lighting design. So where to start? One of the first considerations is colour temperature and light intensity. Warmer-coloured lights, typically under 2,700 Kelvin, are much less disruptive to nocturnal species, mainly through the reduction in blue wave-length light. However, it’s important to note that for street lighting, local authority highways teams will often not adopt fittings with a colour temperature below 4,000K. This creates an imbalance between ecological best practice and adoptable standards, so early consideration of local highway specifications is advisable.

Although there is some guidance around assessing lighting impacts on grey belt land, much of it remains open to interpretation. In most cases, unless the site falls within a designated dark skies area, assessments typically align with Environmental Zone 2 (E2), which reflects semi-rural conditions.

However, we’ve seen cases where lighting consultants have reasonably classified a site, such as a village conversion, as E2, only for Environmental Health Officers (EHO) to argue for Environmental Zone 1 (E1), a far stricter designation typically reserved for truly rural or dark sky locations. This discrepancy can significantly affect lighting specifications, including placement, intensity, and acceptable luminaire types.

To avoid unnecessary restrictions, developers are advised to prepare a robust case for E2 or even E3 classification, in collaboration with lighting consultants and ecologists. Getting this balance right early is crucial to navigating the overlap between technical viability and ecological sensitivity.

New trends

As more developments are brought forward under the updated NPPF, we’re finding planners are paying closer attention to cumulative lighting impacts, particularly in fringe and transition zones. One noticeable shift is the rise of planning conditions related to private external lighting. Decorative up/down lighters, garage-mounted floodlights, and internal light spill are now common planning considerations, especially near foraging routes for species like greater horseshoe bats. This means lighting assessments must look beyond highways and adopt a 360-degree approach to luminance.

Smart lighting management is another evolving area. Where possible, the use of timers or dimmable PIR sensors, rather than standard on/off triggers, helps reduce ecological disturbance. Some technologies allow the output and colour temperature to change throughout the night as different uses come into play. A gradual increase in brightness is far less likely to unsettle wildlife or nearby residents than a sudden increase in light. This is particularly important on commercial or mixed-use developments, where lighting levels tend to be higher.

Finally, the use of solar lighting is increasing in popularity, especially to illuminate cycleways and footpaths. While it offers sustainable appeal, it’s not without limitation. Most local authorities won’t adopt solar units, as performance can drop significantly in winter due to poor battery storage and limited daylight hours to charge said battery, particularly in shaded or north-facing areas. Therefore, column placement, solar exposure, and seasonal use need to be carefully factored into any specification.

Lighting vs landscaping

Rather than viewing lighting and landscaping independently, these two should be designed in tandem, particularly for grey belt development. Trees and planting schemes can conflict with lighting columns as they mature, perhaps blocking light or increasing shadowing in unintended ways. Likewise, underground cabling routes need to respect root protection zones. Considering both elements together from the start can help avoid expensive and time-consuming redesigns. The same early engagement is advised for adoptable highways under section 38 or Section 278. Councils often have strict specifications for luminaire type, column height, spacing, and colour temperature, which may not align with what ecologists or EHOs are recommending.

Developers who consider lighting design early in a development’s lifespan are far better placed to reconcile any imbalances, reduce planning objections, meet biodiversity requirements, and avoid costly redesigns or delays. Ultimately, well-designed external lighting should enhance safety, security, and the habitats of wildlife and humans alike.

Nathan Allen is an affiliate member of the Institute of Lighting Professionals. Nathan supports housebuilders and developers with lighting assessments for planning applications, detailed lighting designs from Section 38 and 278 designs, discharge conditions, production of ecologically sensitive lighting strategies, and appeal support.

For more information on MEC Consulting Group visit www.rdr.link/dbf026

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Paul Newman, Technical Director at Structural Timber Association (STA)  talks raising standards: what the Green Paper means for housebuilders

The UK Government’s 2025 Construction Products Reform Green Paper is set to transform the construction industry.  For the structural timber sector, it offers a challenge and a chance to lead the way in responsible, sustainable, and high-performance construction.  

The Green Paper’s proposals demand more accountability when it comes to environmental and safety regulations.  The changes described present an opportunity to demonstrate that by building in timber – using responsibly sourced, properly tested, and expertly applied products and systems – we can move towards a low-carbon, digitally-enabled and effectively regulated future. 

The risk-based approach to regulation acknowledges that not all applications carry the same level of risk. This ensures structural timber systems are judged on performance, not perception.  Timber’s sustainability credentials position the sector favourably as environmental performance becomes embedded in product procurement routines and hopefully future regulation. Housebuilders will need verified evidence of sustainability through forest certification, chain of custody and life cycle assessments that include sequestered carbon. 

Strengthened testing and certification requirements will raise quality standards across the entire industry and we welcome this. We support this and continue to enhance our STA Assure scheme to ensure that only products with proven performance credentials reach construction sites.  

Accountability across the supply chain will increase, making distributors, merchants and importers responsible parties. With the right response, this will build trust and strengthen UK supply chains and manufacturers. At the same time, digital transformation will improve product data and performance assurance. 

As regulations evolve, investing in skills development becomes critical. The STA is working hard alongside stakeholders to provide users of structural timber with technical knowledge at the correct level that will support them with their compliance and sustainability reporting. 

The STA welcomes the changes proposed in the Green Paper and believes the changes will mean greater confidence of performance, better quality, and stronger environmental credentials for housebuilders. Ultimately, our industry will provide safer, more sustainable homes. 

Click here for more information.

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Traditionally, concrete has been seen as a solely practical material – chosen for its strength and durability rather than how it looks. But now, leading manufacturers are making big innovations to transform its concrete’s carbon footprint and update its overall appeal, too. Here, Mike Edwards, Group Head of Sustainability at Marshalls explains the benefits this offers to professional housebuilders looking to strike a point of difference in their landscaping and outdoor living projects.

From pavers, slabs and stepping stones, to retaining walls, planters and more decorative elements, concrete has long played a vital role in the creation of beautiful, durable outdoor spaces. But there’s no getting away from the fact that concrete plays a big part in the construction industry’s carbon footprint, reportedly accounting for around 1.5% of all UK emissionsÅ.

With increasingly stringent regulation forcing the need for housebuilders to operate in more sustainable ways, innovative new products which minimise carbon expenditure are becoming increasingly appealing in outdoor design. Even more popular are those which are both environmentally friendly and stylish, enabling garden designs to come to life – and leading manufacturers are taking note.

Different make-up, same durability

To reduce the carbon footprint of concrete landscaping products, manufacturers are looking at the levels of cement in their mix designs. Cement typically accounts for about 88% of the emissions associated with the average concrete mix, therefore bringing down the amount of cement used can help to dramatically reduce its environmental impact.

Importantly, manufacturers have been able to make this change without impacting on performance. The very latest formulations of concrete enhance itsdurability and improve its resistance to common issues like staining, fading, and frost damage – issues expected to arise in landscaping and outdoor living projects. Better yet, by extending the lifespan of the product, concrete becomes a costeffective choice for housebuilders wanting to create beautiful looking outdoor designs that last.

Aesthetic remains key

Recent innovations have enhanced the appearance, texture, and finish of concrete, making it an increasingly appealing choice for housebuilders, particularly for outdoor spaces. What’s more, these advancements have made it easier to incorporate into designs. For example, last year, Marshalls launched Modal X®, a lower-cost, lowercarbon alternative to granite paving that also boasts high durability and design flexibility. It features eight colourways, smooth and textured finishes, fifteen plan sizes and five depths, including three complementary sett sizes with a textured riven surface. Different paving formats such as modern linear units are included in the range to help delineate spaces, while smaller elements can be used for finer detailing and edging, creating character and unique design elements in front and rear gardens and driveways. It uses a new state-of-the-art curing system which speeds curing times but, vitally, also reduces the carbon impact of the range, making it a popular choice for sustainably-aware housebuilders and landscapers.

Technology advancing

The very latest concrete surface printing technology can create stylish concrete pavers available in a wide range of colours and on-trend designs, to truly enhance outdoor spaces while achieving carbon savings, too.

Pavers produced using these methods have excellent colour consistency between batches and, due to their printed surface-coated design, have a hard, protective layer that shields the surface from stains, fading from UV light, frost and abrasion. As well as providing slip resistance to an enhanced slip/skid rating, the protective layer also defends against the possible risk of efflorescence – when salt deposits rise to the top of a surface – which is sometimes experienced with concrete products.

For those using the products in their landscaping and outdoor projects, one of the most significant advantages is time and labour savings. As they are made from concrete, these pavers can be cut without specialist blades and laid in the same way as ordinary concrete or block paving, according to application. As such, housebuilders and developers can remain true to the installation techniques they know and trust.

The industry’s leading manufacturers are truly rethinking concrete, using advancements in technology to transform it into a material that not only meets, but exceeds modern construction demands.

Today, concrete is no longer just a grey, functional material of the past – it’s the foundation of modern design and innovation, and particularly across landscaping and outdoor spaces where innovation is rife. All these benefits mean housebuilders can futureproof their garden projects, with beautiful products that are truly sustainable, too.

Å ICE: Construction sector could more than halve emissions from concrete by 2035 – industry task force at www.rdr.link/dbc029

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

For more information on Marshalls visit www.rdr.link/dbc030

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A new homes sales centre is the first physical space a potential purchaser will encounter. So how do you make the right first impression? And what are today’s househunters expecting? Steve Hird, director of specialist new homes interior designers, Edward Thomas Interiors, shares his insight…

A sales centre is the first opportunity a housebuilder has to showcase its brand and its product. Basic design principles indicate it should be a bright, well-lit space that is easy to locate and navigate. But beyond that, what are today’s househunters expecting?

The first question is a matter of layout. Traditionally, a sales complex was a converted double garage, located prominently at the development’s entrance. This location is still favourable but we’re finding housebuilders are now seeking alternatives to the (sometimes sterile) double garage set up. Most commonly this is a house, which makes sense as it immediately shows their product, but other spaces we’ve been asked to design have included converted bin and cycle stores. These can be more straightforward for developers to transform, and result in less disruption when reconverting at the end of the development’s selling period.

Once inside a sales centre, styling, or ‘zoning’, different spaces is essential. Typically, this will include working areas for the sales team alongside meet and greet/browsing spaces, private offices, casual seating, and an options/choices studio. By creating space for various activities, not only will it help a housebuilder get to know purchasers better, but it also allows for multiple purchasers to be assisted, who may be at varying stages of the house buying journey.

Of course, the key to successful design for these ‘zones’ is comfort. Buying a house is a major life decision so creating a relaxed space is important. Househunters don’t want to feel like they’ve stepped into someone’s office. Our most common brief now is for a sales centre to feel welcoming and informal. Selling is almost secondary to ‘the experience’.

Housebuilders seek to instil that ‘at home’ feeling on arrival, so as a minimum, sales centres need to have varied seating options, a pleasant fragrance or scent, and plenty of greenery. But it goes further than this. A growing trend is to create ‘living/family room’ style set-ups. So you might have bistro/bar seating where househunters can review house types and plot positions, or a fireplace for people to sit beside and choose options and upgrades.

Speaking of options studios, the presentation for these has evolved significantly. Not only is choosing options a joyful part of the buying journey (that can be documented on social media) but this personalisation is also one of the drivers for choosing a new build home. Housebuilders have therefore recognised this needs a dedicated space, somewhere that feels exclusive. This can be a private room or stylishly partitioned ‘zone’ in the sales centre (the previously mentioned living room and fireplace being an example), or something even more imaginative. One we designed recently took over a three-storey house, so it had ‘meet and greet’ at ground floor, the standard range on the middle floor and upgrades on the top, deliberately designed to feel like club level!

Integral to the successful design of any options studio, or sales complex, is quality materials. An increasingly popular request is bespoke furniture. For options studios this could be a floor to ceiling storage unit with shelving and drawers to easily display different ranges. For sales centres it’s desks and sideboards with in-built lighting and invisible storage space.

Remembering that the average lifespan of a sales centre is 3+ years, investment in quality materials and furniture can really ensure it stands the test of time. Strike the right balance between workplace and retail space, experience and function, personal and professional, and the end result should be an inviting atmosphere that will entice househunters to make their move.

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