Building Digest Weekly - 10 May 2024

A few weeks ago the the Duchy of Cornwall's 2,500-home Faversham development was reported to be highly controversial by the national media. We have an article from our senior reporter Tom Lowe who interviews the project team of the scheme. This week we also launched the first episode of our Home Truths podcast, which features the chair of Homes England , Peter Freeman.

We have also published an Op-Ed from our deputy editor David Rogers about the delayed Co-op Live development.

Home Truths podcast: In conversation with Peter Freeman at Homes England

In the first episode of our Building Talks Home Truths podcast, chair of Homes England, Peter Freeman discusses the purpose of the agency, as well as the significance of national housing targets, planning reforms and investing towards modern methods of construction.

Uh-oh. Co-op Live’s woes leave industry with familiar sinking feeling

Over the last couple weeks, the delays and issues surrounding the Co-op live venue have become common knowledge. It may be tempting to assume that the builder is to blame, but what role role did the wider project team play and was the client aware of the problems of the scheme? David Rogers considers what could have led up to the delay.

‘We wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t wanted’: Duchy of Cornwall's project team defends 2,500-home Faversham scheme

Last month, the national media published a string of stories about how the Duchy's 2,500-home development in Faversham was causing a huge amount of concern from local residents. The reality was, the planning application submitted to Swale Borough Council got less than 30 objections during the period of the stories. Tom Lowe interviews the Duchy's project team to get their perspective on the project and considers why it was labelled a contentious one.

Events update

This week we hosted Net Zero Live, which you can now catch up on demand. A must-watch for those in sustainable construction or retrofitting commercial buildings.

Next week, tune into Social Value Live. A CPD-accredited event addressing key sector issues including community-focused design, affordable housing solutions, human-centered construction, and social value measurement.

In June, we have announced the first of two Housing Today Live webinars: "Unlocking housing delivery: What do we need from the English planning system?". Register now.

Finally, the deadlines for both Building Awards and Architect of the Year Awards are around the corner - so explore all the categories and get your entries in!

From the news desk

Our journalists have reported on some of the biggest headlines this week. See below some of the built environment stories the building team have been working on over the last few days.

• Tunnelling machines for HS2 Euston to be shipped to site in weeks
• New mayor eyeing 20,000 extra homes after defeating Street in West Midlands election
• Architect launches judicial review of ‘monstrous’ Bloomsbury tower plan
• Output grows again but housing continues to stutter
• PLP’s Savile Row rebuild plans set for refusal on heritage grounds

Thank you for reading and have a great weekend!