Infrastructure boom as construction output set to grow 30% + effective Green Deal at last?

Infrastructure is set to boom as the latest industry research predicts that construction output will grow by 30% over the next 5 years, including 6% growth in 2014 to £129bn; China plans to invest £14 billion in UK infrastructure – even if we choose to exit from EU; a new high-speed rail link is to be built between Manchester and Leeds to help create a ‘northern global powerhouse’; and good news for cyclists with a £168m fund to help fix 3 million potholes in England. 

Easing planning regulations will also help growth. For example: empty farm buildings can now be converted to self-storage facilities; and a new policy will force developers to make land available to self builders who get permission for 20 houses.

Stories highlighted this week include: top speakers announced for Timber Expo; how Green Deal is benefiting homeowners; how a video fire detection system is protecting historic Spitfires; and how ADT Fire & Security is to protect a fire & rescue HQ.

Finally, a new map that shows Britain isn’t full of people and indicates just where we should be building new Garden Cities. What do you think?

Link to TOP 10 stories in latest BUILDINGTALK NEWSLETTER

Links to TWEETS OF THE WEEK

Two weeks in & Green Deal Home Improvement Fund receives 2821 applications from households

With £14billion UK infrastructure investment from China, good their bankers reject fears over British exit from EU

Would HS3 high-speed rail link between Manchester and Leeds help create ‘northern global powerhouse’?

Good news for cyclists with 3m potholes to be fixed via £168m fund for 148 English councils

Well done team from Prater running in BUPA London charity race & raising over £2,700 for Children’s Trust

Britain isn’t full: Here is where we should be building new Garden Cities

House built from scrap DVDs, used toothbrushes & denim scraps – UK carbon-negative Waste House

Construction output to grow by 30% over the next 5 years including 6% growth in 2014 to £129bn – says latest research

Easier planning regs mean 100’s of empty farm buildings could now be converted to self-storage facilities -good idea?

VIDEO on how London is building Gateway to European Tech Industry – supporting tech start-ups & ‘Internet of Things’

Is Green Deal Home Improvement Fund really beneficial to homeowners?

UK sets record for smallest properties in Europe as RIBA president calls on local authorities to build quality homes

Council’s new policy forces developers to make land available to self builders who get permission for 20+ houses

‘Help to Buy creates risks for the taxpayer’ according to some MP’s

China to back major UK infrastructure projects including HS2 and signs £14bn in trade deals

British architects Chetwoods unveil plans for Phoenix Towers, the world’s tallest buildings – great pic