Denys’ Post

1-week to go before the Education Buildings Ireland Conference & Exhibition where Vision-Built are exhibiting on stand 419. Please be sure to drop buy and see the team if you are at the event. Improving opportunities for our children and young people is an absolute must. The whole construction industry has to become more forward-thinking. Using Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) or Modern Methods of Construction (MMC Category 1 Modular) is a way of designing and constructing a quality building more quickly, efficiently and sustainably, allows a quicker design & build process, and when latest digital design methods are utilised, we can bring forward the opportunity for large scale standardisation and repeatability. If we firstly consider Ireland, there are a large number of school building projects currently at tender stage due to proceed to construction over the course of 2024 and early 2025. These projects will upgrade schools with modernised facilities to accommodate the increasing student populations in respective areas. This initiative includes the addition of 138 specialised classrooms tailored to meet the educational needs of children with special needs, which is a key priority for the Government. A total of around €800 million will be invested in these projects under the department's Large Scale Capital Programme and Additional Accommodation Scheme for essential classroom accommodation. Ireland's Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, said: "This is a record level of investment in school buildings. It will expand the number of school places, significantly increase provision for special education and upgrade and modernise our school infrastructure. The impact of this will be felt in communities right around the country." If we then consider the UK, where MMC solutions have been used for school buildings for some 10-15 years, the UK Chancellor has committed £1.4 billion to ensure the delivery of the existing School Rebuilding Programme, with 50 rebuilds a year delivering on promises made to parents, teachers and local communities that crumbling school buildings will be rebuilt.  Please come and visit stand 419 at next weeks event, speak to our team, and learn how we can support you with your school building requirements. If you need support in advance of next weeks event, please DM me or email me w.yeomans@vision-built.com Let's starting building schools together 🏗 🏫 👍 #educationbuildingsireland #educationsector #modularbuildings #mmc #dfma #mmccategory1 #visionbuilt #sisk #buildingschools #schoolexpansion #sen #send #frameworks #pipeline

Constructive Futures at UKREiiF 2024 & Pavilion Seminars I accompanied a cohort of students, apprentices, and mentors who assembled at 8 a.m. at Leeds Train Station. The group was led by founders Natalie Sarabia-Johnston and Jenny Kitchen of ‘Constructive Futures’, an organisation that supports the young generation, including women, in exploring new opportunities within the construction sector. Constructive Futures also encourages industry leaders to embrace their theme: "Nurturing today's youth - empowering tomorrow's leaders." After a 20-minute walk to the UKREiiF 2024 event, the group was divided into smaller groups. The students were encouraged to visit the various exhibition halls and attend seminars and Pavilions before the luncheon reception. Following lunch, the mentors were interviewed and filmed by the students, allowing the students to learn about their mentors' backgrounds, experiences, and advice for working within the industry. At the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough pavilion, the fast growth cities event focused on the theme of the Cambridge Phenomenon and how to develop it with the community at its heart. The event was moderated by Mike Rigby, and the speakers included Peter Freeman, Chair of Homes England; Jackie Sadek, Chair of the UK Innovation Corridor; and Councillor Mike Davey, Leader of Cambridge City Council. The discussion also highlighted the urgent need to incorporate youth training into the construction industry. In conversation with Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, the shadow housing secretary and deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner MP announced a 40% affordable housing target for developments delivered through the party’s New Towns policy. This policy includes "robust design codes," an "infrastructure first" approach, and green spaces with good transport links to towns and city centres. These targets are similar to those put forward by the speakers at the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough pavilion. At least there seems to be some consistency in supporting future new towns. To turbo-charge new housing growth and meet public expectations across the UK, we need more young people entering the construction industry and acquiring new skills through advanced technology and teaching methods. Therefore, support, work experience opportunities, and investment are required. #UKREiiF2024 #Leeds #students #apprentices #STEM #education #colleges #universities #government #dluhc #homesengland #gla #socialhousing #localauthorities #housingassociations 

Schools across England are getting a makeover! 🏫 The UK government is investing heavily in improving school buildings across England. Since 2015, they've allocated billions of pounds to fund these improvements. Funding Distribution Most of the funds are being directed towards local authorities and large trusts. This is because these entities manage a large number of schools and have the capacity to deliver large-scale improvement projects. The remaining funds are being used to support smaller schools. The government recognises the unique challenges faced by smaller schools and is committed to ensuring that they also benefit from these investments. Positive Impact This investment is having a positive impact, with over 95% of school buildings now rated as good or satisfactory. 👍 This means that students and teachers are learning in environments that are conducive to learning and well-being. The School Rebuilding Programme: Transforming Schools One of the key initiatives is the School Rebuilding Programme, which aims to transform 500 schools across England. These schools are selected based on their condition, and the programme has already seen a number of projects completed on time or even ahead of schedule. ⏱️ Benefits of Improved School Buildings This is great news for students and teachers alike, as improved school buildings can create a more positive and productive learning environment. Strategic planning, including the use of software, can help schools prioritise improvements and ensure long-term sustainability. Investing in the Future The UK government's investment in school buildings is a positive step towards creating a world-class education system for all children in England. 📚 #makeover #goodbyeleakyroof #statlog Statlog - The complete solution for premises management, trusted by educational establishments

We've invested in 560 homes in The Hague, as part of our Dutch Essential Housing Venture with Pensioenfonds ABP.   Targeted at mid-income earners, these apartments make up nearly half of the Waldorp Four- a project that will play a vital role in the development of the Central Innovation District, the economic heart of The Hague.   Mark Kuijpers, Senior Managing Director, Central Europe at Greystar, said: “It’s fantastic news that so soon after the launch of the Dutch Essential Housing Venture, we are already able to make a second major investment. This project is a substantial contribution to addressing the housing shortage, as it enables large-scale development in a highly accessible location with excellent connectivity to existing infrastructure.”   The Dutch Essential Housing Venture is a new development strategy by ABP, APG and Greystar to provide affordable housing for middle-income households, key workers such as teachers and police officers, and retirees. The projects will meet the highest sustainability criteria and at least two thirds will be offered at regulated rental prices.   We'd like to thank all partners involved to make this project possible: Houthoff Deloitte Savills Heddes Bouw & Ontwikkeling B.V. Sustay APG Gemeente Den Haag Arcade Mensen en Wonen DUWO Student Housing Capital Value Paul de Ruiter Architects Read more: https://lnkd.in/euySJ-mt   #GreystarEurope #rentalhousing #DutchEssentialHousingVenture 

“The government needs a national student housing strategy.” - Gavin Stollar OBE. He’s not alone in thinking that. I’ve been trying to lobby this government and the last for some time. It’s vital that we have a national student housing strategy that can be rolled out on a local level. This needs to involve local authorities (planning, transport, communities), universities (housing, key departments, international recruitment, VCs). The Nottingham Student Housing Strategy Document is a great starting point but there is more that can be done. These strategies also need to include private sector developers, investors and operators of PBSA and BTR and also the HMO landlords through associations. Overall the strategy should enable: More affordable accommodation - by building more, occupancy drops so rents follow suit. More student HMO stock returning to the private rented market or for sale. More suitable and future proof stock - not just the same old studio developments. This process will take around 5 years to deliver more affordable, suitable and ideally sustainable stock. Now if only Matthew Pennycook or Angela Rayner MP for Ashton would pick up the phone. Actually, I’m in London tomorrow, I’ll drop by their office. RESI Consultancy #pbsa #studentpw #studentaccommodation #studenthousing #btr #planning #housing #housingcrisis

Last week at UKREiiF, I had the privilege of speaking at the Moda and Caddick Construction Limited Caddick Developments Place for Life stand, joined by a group of enthusiastic experts eager to explore the nuances of #BTR & #PBSA. We discussed both the differences and similarities between these two alternative asset classes. One common misconception we addressed is the view of PBSA as a cheaper, lower standard option. In contrast, BTR seems to have successfully adopted and applied the best practices from PBSA. It's crucial to consider the demographic differences here, as BTR often caters to 'financially stable' young professionals seeking premium living conditions. A highlight of our discussion came from Katie O'Neill, Knight Frank, who referenced a recent joint UCAS survey finding that, for the first time, the demand for mental health practitioners in living spaces has outstripped the demand for gym facilities. This insight emphasises a shift in tenant expectations, prioritising wellbeing and community over more traditional amenities. A thought-provoking question raised by a Residence Manager at the University of Leeds added depth to our discussion, as she asked what the PBSA sector could offer universities. This sparked a broader conversation about the potential for HE and the housing sector to strategically collaborate on urban / on-off campus master plans. Such initiatives could forge well-integrated environments that not only bolster academic performance but also enrich social interactions. Given that students are increasingly discerning about where they choose to study and live, prioritising brand reputation and the quality of their living experience, these strategic linkages could have transformative impacts. Additionally, I advocated for the centralisation of data sharing, as both sectors routinely collect extensive data to gauge student preferences and needs, integrating this information could unveil deeper insights and lead to more tailored service offerings. This dialogue highlights a crucial juncture for the PBSA sector, emphasising its potential to shape policy and urban planning in ways that could profoundly benefit university cities and their student communities. The agenda includes tackling affordability with innovative land deals, rethinking the design and typology of buildings, and reconsidering contract lengths. I firmly believe that the solution to creating more affordable housing lies in increasing the supply through new constructions and retrofitting opportunities. At The Class Foundation we are eager to collaborate with key stakeholders across Europe over the next year to develop strategies that align with these objectives, thereby advancing a resilient and accessible market. Love to my fellow panellists: Gabby Rhodes, Lem Bingley, Jamie Harris, and Katy! #realesate #UK

I'm very pleased to share Infrastructure Victoria's latest report, "Getting more from school grounds: sharing places for play and exercise" - https://lnkd.in/gidbRQ3d Access to outdoor space for play and exercise is key for a better quality of life for Victorians. And as our population grows, and people live closer together, that will become more important. Many people are surprised to learn that not all government school grounds are shared with the community outside of school hours. About a third of government school grounds are closed to the community. Outdoor space on state government school land use about 450 hectares of space in Melbourne alone – a total land value of about $6.6 billion. This presents a huge opportunity to give more families access to open space to gather and socialise. It's also an opportunity to improve equity because open school grounds are not evenly distributed across Melbourne. School grounds in the outer northern, western and south-eastern suburbs are less likely to be open for community use. People in these suburbs are also less likely to have an alternative sports ground nearby. Our recommendations to the Victorian Government focus on helping schools choose to open to the community, through extra maintenance funding, or support to improve facilities to be suitable for community use. The government can direct any necessary extra funding to places that will maximise community benefits. Read Infrastructure Victoria's full report, Getting more from school grounds: sharing places for play and exercise on our website - https://lnkd.in/gidbRQ3d I also invite you to register for our upcoming webinar, and join in the discussion and live Q&A where we take a closer look at our findings - https://lnkd.in/gygkxi76 #school #grounds #community #open #space #health #exercise #play #research #evidence #policy #infrastructure #victoria Department of Education Victorian Planning Authority Department of Transport and Planning Municipal Association of Victoria Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) Planning Institute of Australia Victorian Principals Association

Will Nottingham's HMO's Survive PBSA's??? After A-level results day and the clearing process, many landlords and estate agents are facing a daunting reality: the influx of new PBSA units is significantly impacting their HMO rental market certainty. Nottingham's student housing market is undergoing a significant transformation, driven primarily by the rapid development of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). According to recent data, there are approximately 8,500 PBSA bed spaces planned or likely to be approved, with an expected delivery of around 3,000 bed spaces in 2024/25 and over 5,000 bed spaces in 2025/26 (Student Accommodation in Nottingham, Nottingham City Council 2024 January) . This surge in PBSA supply has several implications for the HMO market: Increased Competition: HMO landlords will face increased competition from PBSA providers, which often offer modern amenities, dedicated facilities, Prime locations, and professional management. Shift in Student Preferences: Many students are increasingly attracted to the convenience, security, and social aspects of PBSA. Potential for Overhang: If the pace of PBSA development outstrips student demand, there could be a risk of an oversupply, leading to lower occupancy rates and reduced rental income for HMO landlords which is what we are starting to see now. Let me know your thoughts??? #HMO #Nottingham #PropertyInvestment #StudentAccommodation #Landlord #EstateAgent #HousingMarket

More disappointing news this week. The Government has approved the lowest number of school building work requests since its funding system began, leaving many UK schools in disrepair. From tackling issues like RAAC to long overdue essential school improvements, many are feeling the strain. With shrinking budgets and a growing list of schools in need, innovative funding solutions are more crucial than ever. Building Schools for Nothing helps schools navigate these challenges. We specialise in assessing school assets and finding alternative funding avenues. Over the past decade, we've worked with numerous schools and unlocked millions of pounds for both school improvements and brand new facilities, all without costing the schools a penny. If you are curious to read some of our success stories, take a look at our website https://lnkd.in/epGpP9Ne If your school has hit a roadblock with government funding, there's still hope. Connect with one of our consultants today and let's explore how we can support your school's journey towards a better future. #schoolfunding #schools #education #schoolbuildings #buildingschoolsfornothing

Great to hear that OSM (OSB) continues to be a key MOE property strategy. Impressive stats, in Q1 2024, over 60 percent of new classrooms were initiated as offsite manufacturing, up from under 20% in Q4 2023. A good start to an all-of-government approach to OSM, hoping for similar announcements regarding Defence, Community Housing and Health. Chris Penk MP Hon Erica Stanford MP Christopher Bishop #osm #offsite #offsitemanufacturing #mmc #modernmethodsofconstruction #lean #leanconstruction