New Scheme To Tackle Infrastructure Delays In Housebuilding

There has been much written in recent months about the lack of housebuilding occurring in the UK, and the desperate need for more homes to be constructed.

However, there are a number of stumbling blocks that those working in the construction industry face, particularly when they are working on larger-scale developments. Among them are delays in installing essential infrastructure, such as sewers, water mains and electricity, to new sites.

The government has acknowledged the issue and now a new pilot scheme is being launched in the south-east of England under the Housing & Finance Institute (HFI) to ensure such issues are tackled quickly and efficiently to prevent any further obstacles for housing developments.

HFI chief executive Natalie Elphicke commented: “When we speak to housing developers, they often say it is water, electricity, gas, broadband and roads which are impeding their ability to build more homes faster.”

Under this new scheme, the HFI will bring key players from both the private and public sector to look at ways to tackle these issues. It is due to run until May 2017, when a decision will be taken on whether to roll it out across the rest of the country.

In March last year the HFI published research entitled ‘How to build more homes, faster’, which looked at the common issues housebuilders in the UK encounter. Utilities provision on new sites was one of the biggest problems, particularly water and sewerage services.

This new scheme is aiming to address some of the problems highlighted in the report to help ensure the UK starts to construct some of the properties it needs.

If you’re working on a construction project in Leeds, see how we could help with fabric reinforcement or other services.