Buildingtalk was invited to the opening of the first UK community heating scheme powered by energy sourced from river water which is being built by the Thames at Kingston. Ed Davey, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, switched on the Mitsubishi Electric river-based renewable heat pump system that will save 500 tonnes of CO2 and reduce heating bills too. Follow the link below for more details.
This is quite a moment because the Kingston Heights project demonstrates how every UK town and city built near water (river, lake, sea or even canal) can now provide renewable heat for homes and industry. It also comes at a time when we already have an 80% growth in build projects in 5 major cities outside London all with water nearby!
Great news that the first of the next generation UK nuclear power plants, at Hinkley Point, gets the gets go-ahead, with 57% of the build (£12bn) to be spent in UK. Even the GMB Union welcomed the EDF investment, especially the commitment to up-skilling’ and apprenticeships.
Other news from our dear politicians: Eric Pickles wants to turn us into a ‘nation of self-builders’ via subsidies; and Labour leader Ed Miliband was challenged about the Green Deal on a visit to Pilkington Glass.
ABC&D magazine is celebrating 25 years of providing a good read for Architects, Builders, Contractors & Developers’. The latest issue, with great feature articles and product news, is available online via this link or why not subscribe to have a free regular copy delivered right to your door.
Finally, take a look at the amazing sliding house at Margate, constructed using Sterling OSB. Is it art or demolition? Please spray your answers on a wall near you.
The latest Builders Merchant Building Index (BMBI) report shows builders’ merchants’ value sales in October were up +1.2% compared to the same month last year.
Posted in Articles, Bathrooms & Toilets, Bricks & Blocks, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Building Systems, Civil Engineering, Cladding, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Drainage, Drainage Services, Floors, Garden, Hand Tools, Hard Landscaping & Walkways, Health & Safety, Heating Systems, Controls and Management, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning - HVAC, Information Technology, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Landscaping, news, Paints, Paints, Coatings & Finishes, Pipes, Pipes & Fittings, Plant, Equipment and Hire, Plumbing, Power Tools, Publications, Research & Materials Testing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Site Preparation, Sustainability & Energy Efficiency, Timber Buildings and Timber Products, Walls, Waste Management & RecyclingKids’ Village is delighted to have partnered with GEZE UK as their 2025 charity of the year – find out more via the article…
Posted in Access Control & Door Entry Systems, Architectural Ironmongery, Articles, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Charity work, Doors, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Security and Fire Protection, WindowsThe Encon Group, the leading independent distributor of building materials, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded Silver membership of The 5% Club by the 2024/25 Employer Audit Scheme.
Posted in Articles, Awards, Bricks & Blocks, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Building Systems, Civil Engineering, Cladding, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Facades, Hard Landscaping & Walkways, Health & Safety, Insulation, Landscaping, Plant, Equipment and Hire, Recruitment, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Site Preparation, Training, WallsLocated in Charlton, South London, SWA member West Leigh was established during the Blitz, in 1943. During the destruction in London, the company helped in repairing windows and facades that had been damaged by bombings throughout the city.
Posted in Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Building Systems, Case Studies, Facades, Glass, Glazing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Steel and Structural Frames, Walls, Windows