Copy of The Pegasus Report #261

A word from Paul

In the news this week, questions regarding the reality of the current construction workforce meeting the demands required to fulfil the Government's commitment to building millions of new homes have been raised. To prevent a looming skills crisis, decisive action is needed. How can the industry be revitalised and made more appealing to the next generation? What strategies will ensure construction is promoted as a diverse and dynamic career choice?

Read more below....

Top articles

Building the workforce to meet the Government’s commitment for millions of new homes

With the government encouraging construction activity within the UK, the UK construction workforce will need to be able to meet demand. Read more

There’s a sense of cautious optimism in the construction industry

According to (PMI), the construction growth rate has reached a two-year high, providing yet another indication of the sector’s resilience and adaptability, regardless of the many negative pressures it faces.?Read more

Applications open for Women into Home Building initiative

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has launched the fifth cohort of its Women into Home Building programme to attract more women into site management careers. Read more

What does the collapse in section 106 demand mean for housing delivery?

Housing associations have stopped bidding to buy section 106 homes in many parts of the country, resulting in a drop-off in affordable homes and major delays on for-sale schemes.? Read more

Government’s approach to infrastructure is crying out for a reboot

The announcement on 30 July by the chancellor Rachel Reeves to cancel several major highway projects and conduct a wider review of ‘unfunded projects’ has had a significant, unexpected impact on road users, local communities and the construction industry. While it is evident that the decision was largely driven by financial constraints, the new approach needs to address the longer-term challenges the industry faces. Read more

Green light for first UK flying taxi base

Skyports Infrastructure has unveiled designs for the centre in Oxforsdshire alongside partners Bicester Motion after the 444-acre future mobility estate in Bicester received planning permission from Cherwell District Council. Read more

Costain announces ￡10m share buyback after increasing profit in half-year results

Profit up 100% despite dip in revenueCostain has announced a ￡10m on-market share buyback programme after reporting increased pre-tax profit on slightly reduced revenue in the first half of the year. Read more

Is there a way to successfully build on the green belt?

The government has announced a plan to reclassify some low-quality green belt land to deliver its target to build 1.5 million homes over the next five years. The proposal has prompted concern among some people about the impact this could have on the countryside. Yet developments in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire have seen positive changes from building houses on green belt land. Read more

RIBA exhibition spotlights some of Britain’s trickiest buildings

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is shining the spotlight on some of the UK’s most challenging and creative building projects. Read more

Vaults of ambition: shock find under London Museum enchants its builders

Discovery of Victorian network hiding under some of city’s busiest streets set ‘magical’ new challenge for multimillion pound project Read more

Embracing technology for sustainable materials procurement

Although the construction industry currently faces many challenges, it must not lose sight of the critical need to reduce its environmental footprint. As one of the UK’s leading sources of carbon emissions, sustainable materials procurement in this sector is needed. Read more

Could AI visualisation solve Britain’s great retrofit challenge?

Martin Huber, CEO and co-founder of 3D modelling and spatial data company Metaroom by Amrax, discusses why VR and AI visualisation will be key enablers of Britain’s’ retrofit revolution Read more

New York’s floating pool concept to be tested this month

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul have said a swimming pool that floats in and filters the city’s waters will be tested in the East River at Pier 35 on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Read more

In pictures: Populous and Oualalou + Choi’s proposals for world’s largest football stadium

Newly released images of the Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca, Morocco, reveal the design of what is projected to become the largest football stadium in the world, with a capacity of 115,000. Read more

$93m offshore wind auction is ‘much-needed’ boost to Biden’s energy goals

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) yesterday raised nearly $93m in an auction for two lease areas for wind power sites off the coasts of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Read more

UK’s first ever 100% BREEAM score achieved

Property companies Wrenbridge and Buccleuch have been awarded the first ever 100% BREEAM score for Nova science, Oxford Read more

NBS report says greener projects are on the rise

NBS has released their latest research into greener projects, confirming that their numbers are increasing over time Read more

TMO4+: A paradigm shift in grid connections for a greener UK

The importance of accelerating grid connections for planned renewable generators, such as solar and wind farms, has never been greater. Read more

Demolition to pave the way for UK’s first Passivhaus hotel

Demolition of a once-popular hotel in North Yorkshire has started under plans to rebuild it as an ultra-low energy facility. Stainforth Construction arrived at the Cliffemount Hotel in Runswick Bay this morning (19 August) to set up and prepare for an eight-week-long demolition process. Read more

The Tribeca brick: Made from earth and water but (crucially) no fire

London’s largest life sciences project is trialling the use of a low carbon earth brick for the basement walls of the first phase. It could be a game-changer for schemes looking to radically reduce their carbon footprint.?Read more

Right to switch off would boost productivity – No 10

Downing Street has commented on the government’s plans to introduce a ‘right to switch off’ adding that it could boost productivity by allowing people time to rest. Read more

How To Feel Productive And Fulfilled Without Sacrificing Wellbeing

Have you been feeling stretched to the point of breaking at work? It’s not just that the pace of work is quickening, but we’re also being asked to increase our learning, take more initiative, have greater accountability in decision-making, and be more self-directed. This combination of job demands is known as work intensification. Read more

19 Years Ago, Steve Jobs said This is the 'most important tool' for making the big choices in life

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" Read more

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