Latest News

Sound RSDs out for consultation

The government has published for consultation the industry’s robust standard detail proposals, devised by the industry to satisfy new sound insulation rules. The RSDs have been drawn up over the past year in a major HBF-backed project in which 58 housebui

Boost for training funds

The Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) grant funding pot has been topped up to £86.5 million for 2003/04 - a 15% increase on last year. Construction firms will also benefit from an overhaul of the grants system designed to make it easier and fa

Diary Dates

<h2>September</h2>

The Walrus

Our hot and bothered Walrus admires the Comic Timing Division at the ODPM but accepts that it is overshadowed by the department’s Short-Lived Building Legislation Group. What planet are they on?

<h2>Kitchens</h2>

Crucial components

Cavity trays, lintels and damp proofing - not the sexiest areas of housebuilding but Tim Palmer finds intensive product development mainly driven by PPG3 and Part L revisions.

Margin marvels

Every home buyer wants the kitchen of their dreams. Andrew Leech finds that developers should have no trouble catering for a range of tastes: quality and style are affordable.

Culinary kudos

Andrew Leech gets to grips with some of the latest kitchen technology.

Show stoppers

Kitchen Showcase && Masterclass 2003 takes place at the Business Design Centre in Islington, north London from September 11-13. Andrew Leech talks to exhibitors, and previews the cutting edge designs that will be on show.

Radical reversal

The Housing Corporation is considering “cutting out the middle man” and allowing private sector housebuilders to bid directly for social housing grant. Mark Smulian looks at a radical idea that could change the way housebuilders approach mixed tenure deve