Covering the whole UK housing sector
www.housingspecification.co.uk
BRE SEEKS HELP TO SHAPE THE HOME QUALITY MARK homes. At the same time it provides home builders with the means of demonstrating the quality of their homes, and distinguishing them from others in the market. Extensive collaboration and partnership with the housing industry has been integral to HQM throughout its development. “With Government’s primary focus on numbers, it is left to industry to focus on quality, performance and standards,” says Dr Peter Bonfield, CEO of the BRE Group. “This consultation marks another milestone in the development of HQM.”
The views of industry and the public on the new Home Quality Mark (HQM), a national quality rating scheme due to begin operating in October this year,
are being sought by HQM’s developer, BRE. The Home Quality Mark is an impartial, 5-star quality rating
GREEN DEAL DRAWS TO A CLOSE In light of low take-up and concerns about industry standards there will be no further funding to the Green Deal Finance Company, in a move the Government claims is to protect taxpayers. The Government will work with the building industry and consumer groups on a new valuefor-money approach, Energy and Climate Change Secretary Amber Rudd announced. Amber Rudd also announced that the Government will stop
any future funding releases of the Green Deal Home Improvement Fund. Future schemes must provide better value for money, supporting the goal of insulating a million more homes over the next five years and the Government’s commitment to tackle fuel poverty. This decision has no impact on existing Green Deal Finance Plans or existing Green Deal Home Improvement Fund applications and vouchers.
JULY/AUGUST 2015
Housin g Specification
scheme for new-build homes. It has been designed to give householders the information they need to make smart choices when buying or renting
IN THIS ISSUE:
broad approach, considering not only the technical details involved in house building, but also how homes are marketed, financed, sold and rented. “Consumers need to be able to trust that the homes we build will work for them, their families and the community around them,” says Peter Bonfield.
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“We need to get the message out to the public that we know how to build quality, sustainable homes and create positive, thriving neighbourhoods.
The version of the Home Quality Mark now being put forward for comment is not the final product, but provides a clear insight into the details of HQM.
The HQM consultation is open to contributions from industry professionals, representative organisations, those outside the sector and, of course, members of the public. Participate at www.homequalitymark.com/ consultation2015.
Open until 4 September 2015, this consultation takes a very
The closing date for comments is Friday 4 September 2015.
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NORTHCOT BRICK LAUNCHES NEW YELLOW HANDMADES Northcot Brick, one of the UK’s foremost independent brick manufacturers, has launched a new range of classic yellow bricks as part of the planned extension of its well-established handmade range. The three new blends: Woodstock Weathered, Wellacre Antique and Marlborough Mellow add variation to the already much sought after rich warm reds and orange hues often associated with the historic brickworks. Handmade using traditional bench mould methods and burnt in a coal-fired kiln, these distinctive yellow bricks offer
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subtle variations in tone and texture and a character designed to complement the architecture of the south and south east of England, being reminiscent of the traditional stock bricks often found
in London and the South East. Ideal for new build and commercial projects, the range is available in 65mm, 68mm and 73mm sizes and a range of British Standard special types is also available.
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Make a statement with multiPANEL! Now you can enjoy the practical benefits of multiPANEL over tiles, with bespoke, digitally generated designs. www.multipanel.co.uk READER ENQUIRY 1