DEFRA bottles out on SuDS as house building growth continues

DEFRA seems to have bottled out of introducing Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) compulsory legislation before the General Election – see comments from Hydro International.

Here’s a link to an interesting ABC&D magazine article explaining why stormwater management is so important. However, with the NHBC reporting a 4% jump in new UK home registrations in April, no one wants to be accused of inhibiting this growth.

In another move to combat the national housing shortage, the Government is allowing developers to convert offices into homes without the need for planning permission. What else would help to build more home?

Events news includes details of a free one day training event for roofing contractors;  and Buildingtalk will be at the FIT (Fabricators and Installer Trade Show) next week. Email me via [email protected] if you are exhibiting and have something new that I shouldn’t miss.

And finally, some interesting UK statistics:

• 10% of people work in construction-related jobs
• construction is 6.7% of economy
• building work is the most dangerous job

Use the link above to read the top 10 stories + VIDEO OF THE WEEK – all in this week’s BUILDINGTALK NEWSLETTER

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

New UK home registrations up 4% in April

Buildingtalk at Wembley to watch England world cup squad win

UK to help China overcome key barriers to developing wind power

Edinburg trams start rolling after 6 years construction

Video: How high can you build a skyscraper?

Glass viewing platform 1,353ft above Chicago cracks below the feet of visitors

HelpTo Buy scheme for cheap homes & no impact on London housing bubble

Well done to employees at Saint-Gobain who helped raise £91,935 for charity

10% of people work in construction-related jobs, construction is 6.7% of economy, building work is the most dangerous job

Buyers & Specifiers Forum open for business at Timber Expo 2014

Building that actually takes pollution out of the air. Find out how.