Archive for month: July, 2023

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Think Dune eVo, say Aruba

Zentia celebrates in style as popular Dune eVo family is renamed Aruba.

 

Leading UK ceilings manufacturer Zentia has refreshed one of its most popular ranges of ceiling tiles with a new name, including a new high humidity variant.

As part of the company’s transition from Armstrong to Zentia, Dune eVo will now be known as Aruba, a name inspired by the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean and the finely sanded finish of the tile’s surface.

The new high humidity variation is being introduced to support the product family’s flexibility. Aruba hH offers stability at humidity levels of up to 99% RH, making it particularly ideal for high humidity areas such as changing rooms. It also offers Class C sound absorption and good sound attenuation for excellent acoustic performance.

This new addition sits alongside Aruba, Aruba Max and Aruba dB, each bringing their own performance capabilities. Together, they deliver a complete acoustic ceiling solution with the benefits of a continuous face pattern across entire projects.

As a product family, Aruba offers a tile for any environment including education and healthcare through to commercial, leisure, retail, and transportation – for either new-build or refurbishment.

Graham Taylor, Sales and Marketing Director at Zentia, has witnessed the evolution of the original Dune product family as well as the journey from Armstrong to Zentia.

 

He comments: “The Dune range has been a stalwart of the ceiling tile industry for even longer than I have been around. With its fresh bright surface finish it was a game changer when first launched to market in the early 1980s. Now, we are ready to unveil the first Zentia version, taking the opportunity to reflect our transition from A to Z by renaming Dune to Aruba. Think Dune eVo, say Aruba.

‘It’s a product that has been trusted by generations of architects and installers alike and today, it’s still the reliable and versatile product it’s always been, but with a new name and some exciting family additions, many of which will be released over the coming months.”

 

This product range is a favourite with specifiers due to its optimum mix of acoustic and aesthetic performance, sustainability credentials and cost-effectiveness. The range gives architects three levels of acoustic performance, high levels of recycled content and 100% recyclability.

To celebrate the launch of the Aruba range, Zentia is running a competition to

win £5,000 worth of holiday vouchers

Please CLICK HERE to see the Zentia website for full T&Cs and details on how to enter

 

 

 

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Meeting the challenge of water scarcity

If our water usage patterns don’t change, the UK will have an ongoing water deficit of 4,000 Megalitres per day by 2050.  Reductions in leakage and domestic consumption are the two primary strands of water conservation targeted by Defra and the water companies.

Some areas of England are already restricting future development unless ‘water neutrality’ can be demonstrated. This requires both existing and new properties to reduce per capita consumption (PCC) to the extent that overall water usage levels do not increase.   Reduce leaks, design out joints on pipes and prepare for smarter meters  Recent research by Thames Water showed that 8% of households show continuous flow on a smart meter, indicating an undetected leak.  This means that up to 25% of water supplied to domestic properties is wasted through leakage.  This leakage can be due to old and corroded lead supply pipes, but the majority of leaks originate from joints in the supply pipe.  The House Building Federation (HBF) and Water UK have since 2014 issued best practice guidelines.  Of the 5 prinicples, 4 relate to minimising use and leakage.
Meter Location Best Practice Guidelines[1]

1. Preferably water companies should use the Water UK/HBF Amended Contaminated Land Assessment Guidance Document for new sites and connections. 
2. The use of a continuous and uninterrupted length of service pipe from the water main to the dwelling. The service pipe should be designed and constructed in such a way as to minimize the risk of leakage.
3. The Stop tap should be located above ground. 
4. Water meters should be located above ground. 
5. Water Companies should consider the use of technology such as ‘smart’ metering to enhance the accessibility of water consumption data for both homeowners and themselves.   Surface mounted meter housings are a perfect solution for modern methods of construction.  Meeting all the HBFs Best Practice Guidelines, the meter housing can be pre-installed along with all the internal plumbing systems, and then connected to the mains supply via and continuous, uninterrupted length of pipe.   

An early adopter of the surface mounted meter housing is Portsmouth Water.  Bob Taylor, CEO Portsmouth Water explained their philosophy,

‘Portsmouth Water’s policy of having a single joint free service pipe from mains connection right the way through to the wall mounted boundary box has certainly improved confidence around the longer-term quality of these new assets from a leakage perspective.  This policy is also helpful in the context of reducing customer side leakage and emerging knowledge in this area is showing that this is a bigger challenge than our previous understanding indicated.’

Steve Leigh, Managing Director Groundbreaker, and developer of the wall mounted boundary box has over 40 years’ experience in the Water Industry.

‘We’ve been putting pipes in holes in the ground to protect them from frost for decades’, he explained.  ‘Although it works, today’s new materials allow for a much better solution.  Keeping pipes on the surface reduces the risk of leaks developing and allows for easy repair and maintenance.  It’s just a much better method of working.’   Steve continued, ‘The advent of new smart metering options has also highlighted the problems of burying meters in a hole in the ground.  Groundbreaker allows for a stronger communications signal strength relative to underground meter installation.  Such systems have been proven to be able to be read from over 2 miles away from a single pick-up point and worldwide if linked to the internet.’

 

Reduce usage, a fit and forget solution  ‘Over supply’ of water, i.e. water flow rates that are higher than required to provide an adequate supply, results in waste of water.  Running taps when brushing teeth, showering, or rinsing cups uses more water than necessary.   Approximately 40% of domestic water usage is from bathroom and kitchen taps and showers. ‘Eco’ or water saving shower heads are designed to restrict the water flow to a single outlet are highly effective but fitting these come at a price, especially larger properties with multiple bathrooms.

The alternative is whole site flow reduction.  Fitting a device such as Groundbreaker’s NRv2 LoFlo®, at the meter regulates the level of flow entering customer premises – regardless of network pressure.  As the flow of water into the premises is limited, then the amount used in ‘time controlled’ activities is also limited – but without providing a degradation of service.  More importantly not requiring any intervention or behavioural change on the part of the customer, so leading to ‘natural’ reduction in consumption.

 

1. www.water.org.uk/guidance/meter-location-best-practice-guidelines

 

For further information on the full range of Groundbreaker products

 

CLICK HERE to visit the website

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How LHC’s latest framework facilitates MMC

Housing is likely to be a key policy battleground for the next general election. The original 300,000 new homes target has never been hit and has been missed by at least a third year-on-year.

Some of the consistent solutions given to the UK’s housing crisis feature a combination of refurbishment and retrofit of existing homes, and new properties built using modern methods of construction (MMC).  However, big names in MMC have recently dropped away from the market, such as Legal & General, following a decision to close its modular housing factory, as well as Caledonian Modular and Urban Splash House.  Has this confidence in the ability of MMC to deliver considerable social and affordable housing been shaken?

There are positive stories to tell. These include the £70m investment raised by leading modular housebuilder TopHat to construct a new UK factory, and British Offsite’s move to a new £45m factory. Both companies plan to manufacture up to 4,000 new homes a year.

A dedicated framework solution
Underlining this confidence in the marketplace is LHC Procurement Group’s (LHC) recently announced £1.2bn Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) of New Homes (NH3) Framework. This construction framework for local authorities, social housing providers and other public bodies indicates a considerable level of confidence in MMC.

As the only framework provider with a dedicated MMC framework, LHC wants to help social housing providers in every part of the UK to deliver more homes much faster and with a lower environmental impact. Together with its MB2 framework, the NH3 framework covers the full range MMC categories.

Addressing a UK-wide need
Though the scale and speed in the increase of homes delivered by MMC are under question, when done well it has the power to reduce construction time by up to 50% – and the need for affordable and social housing shows no signs of slowing.  In England, statistics show there were 59,356 affordable homes delivered in 2021-22, compared to 7,644 for social rent. This is against a predicted need of 1.6 million households for social rented housing, according to National Housing Federation (NHF) statistics.  At the time of writing, the social housing stock in Wales stands at 237,395, and the latest statistics from Shelter Cymru show there are 67,000 households on housing waiting lists in the country.  Meanwhile, the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) in Scotland commits to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032 to help meet the need.

How NH3 facilitates MMC
NH3 is a vital addition to support more programmes to build low-carbon, modern homes from housing associations and local authorities across the country. It will adopt MMC and offsite techniques to produce energy efficient homes for the communities they serve.

It replaces the previous NH2 framework, which has so far enabled £93.5m-worth of offsite homes projects with a total forecast value of £277m.
Shaped by extensive engagement with housing contractors and manufacturers, NH3 has been developed to be a market-leading framework providing a wide range of systems and project delivery models to give public sector organisations the flexibility to deliver MMC projects the way they want.

Through NH3, LHC is looking to support the public sector to increase the use of modern methods of construction and deliver low and net zero-carbon homes with high levels of pre-manufactured value (PMV).

CLICK HERE FOR THE LHC WEBSITE

 

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L&G MODULAR TROUBLES CONTINUE

Legal & General has been forced to dismantle modular homes on a site in Bristol after it found issues relating to the foundations.

The award-winning Bonnington Walk scheme comprised 185 homes built on land owned by Bristol City Council in Lockleazen and received a Masterplanning Award for Projects at Housing Design Awards 2021.

Those who had bought houses on the site are facing a lengthy delay of up to a year before moving in, and are now being offered compensation or can choose to cancel their purchase completely.

It was reported earlier this year that L&G would wind down the modular arm of its company after several years of consecutive losses. L&G Modular opened in 206 but a lack of demand led to the company reportedly accumulating losses of around £170million by 2021. The closure of the manufacturing site in Selby, Yorkshire was believed to put around 450 jobs at risk, with chief executive of L&G Modular, Rosie Toogood, also leaving the business.

A spokesperson for L&G said:

“Through our quality-assurance checks, we identified problems with the foundations of the site at Bristol that need to be rectified. We are working closely with our consultants and the warranty provider, National House Building Council (NHBC), to rectify these issues as quickly as possible.”

“In order to do this, we are removing existing modules, with new homes to be replaced on-site after the foundations have been rectified. No homes will be handed over to customers which do not meet the NHBC’s quality checks.”

“We have informed customers that it could take six to 12 months to resolve these issues and are committed to treating our customers fairly. Where there have been delays, we have offered them compensation, as well as the option of cancellation.”

Source: ShowHouse

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The World’s First Geopolymer House

*All photo credits: RENCA

RENCA Makes History With World’s First Geopolymer House

Sustainability in construction has become a global imperative, urging the industry to seek innovative solutions to reduce its environmental impact. RENCA, a pioneer in sustainable geopolymer materials for 3D printing in construction, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by using their zero-cement geopolymer 3D printing mortar to construct the world’s first 3D printed geopolymer house. With sustainability in construction a growing global concern, construction 3D printing is emerging as a promising solution to reduce environmental impact. A geopolymer is an inorganic material typically created by combining an aluminosilicate source material with an alkaline activator, resulting in a durable, environmentally friendly material with properties similar to cement-based materials but with higher mechanical strength and reduced carbon footprint. Geopolymer materials, free from Portland cement, lime, or gypsum, offer up to 90% more sustainability than conventional cement-based alternatives, making them an ideal choice for eco-conscious construction.

RENCA’s journey with geopolymer materials began in 2015, and since then, they have developed over 300 products for various applications, addressing environmental concerns in different industries. In collaboration with Strong Print 3D and Geopolymer International, RENCA overcame the challenges of the harsh desert environment in the western USA to successfully 3D print a complete house structure with their geopolymer mortar.

Construction 3D printing has captured the imagination of the building sector, offering unprecedented design freedom and reduced material waste. However, the carbon dioxide emissions from Portland cement used in existing 3D printing mortars have been a concern. Genuine geopolymer-based mortars and concretes present numerous advantages for construction 3D printing, such as rapid setting times, high strength, and excellent chemical adhesion between layers, allowing continuous printing without interruptions.

This material offers remarkable fire and corrosion resistance, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. Their eco-friendly nature, emitting less CO2 during manufacturing and using industrial by-products, further adds to their appeal. While geopolymer mortars require specific mixing procedures and batch mixing systems, RENCA’s ongoing research and development aim to introduce a one-component geopolymer mortar for continuous mixers and a 2K system to control the setting time directly at the 3D printer nozzle, enhancing flexibility and adaptability.

RENCA’s accomplishment in 3D printing a geopolymer house marks a significant step towards promoting sustainable building materials and methods, paving the way for a cleaner and safer future for all. With its potential to revolutionize construction practices, geopolymer 3D printing mortar brings hope for a greener and more efficient construction industry.

Source: 3D Natives

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GOVERNMENT MUST FOCUS ON RENEWABLES

In statistics released by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) renewables generated a record annual amount of electricity in 2022.

Production from renewable technologies beat the previous record high of 2020 and renewables share of electricity generation increased to 41.5% from 39.6% last year, largely due to wind and solar generation reaching new record highs.

Wind generation hit a record high share of 24.7% of generation.

Generation from fossil fuels fell slightly (down to a share of 40.8%) but generation from gas remained the principal form of UK generation at 38.4%.

The Digest of UK Energy Statistics states that the increase is due to high output from wind and solar generators, substantial increases in wind generation capacity and more favourable weather conditions than 2021.

RenewableUK’s Chief Executive Dan McGrail said:

“It’s great to see renewables setting new records across the board, generating record amounts of clean power last year, making us less dependant on expensive gas imports at the very time when fossil fuel costs rocketed up, causing an energy crisis which we’re still grappling with.

“Government and industry must pull out all the stops to increase our energy security by ensuring that vital new clean energy projects can be built faster, onshore and offshore.

“This is not the time to waver or row back on policies which accelerate the energy transition.

“On the contrary, we need more of a focus from Government on ensuring we continue to unlock investment in renewables, and that the UK’s secures the maximum amount of new jobs and manufacturing investment which could flow from the billions of pounds of private investment which our sector brings.”

Source: ReNews

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New sustainable factory to meet increased ventilation demand

To meet the increasing demand for ventilation systems in the UK, leading indoor climate solutions manufacturer, Zehnder Group UK, yesterday opened a new modern manufacturing plant, utilising the very latest technology, in Maidstone, Kent. The new facility will create an innovative power hub in Britain, not only serving the UK ventilation industry but allowing increased export to Europe and beyond.

In a celebratory event on Wednesday, esteemed representatives from the local Maidstone community, along with notable figures such as Faversham and Mid Kent MP, Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care), Helen Whately, and The Worshipful the Deputy Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Martin Cox, gathered at the factory for the grand opening.

The distinguished guests were warmly received by Chairman of the Board of Directors for the 120-year-old Zehnder Group, Dr. Hans-Peter Zehnder and Zehnder UK Managing Director, Tony Twohig. Together, they performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and graciously welcomed customer representatives and attendees inside for an exclusive tour.

The new factory, located in the Hollingbourne area of Maidstone, has been strategically located to allow easy access to major transportation routes and infrastructure, providing an improved logistics hub and delivery capabilities for Zehnder customers throughout the UK. It features the very latest equipment and technology in ventilation manufacturing for Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units, trickle vents and single point extract fans – reducing the need for offshoring and allowing increased export into the EU.

Zehnder has made significant investment in the facility that will offer the increased production capacity, allowing the business to expand its product lines and services to meet the changing needs of its residential and commercial customers.

The new factory site has been designed to meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability and will incorporate the latest energy-efficient technologies to minimise its environmental impact. The new building operates at the highest energy efficiency through the implementation of solar panels, LED low energy lighting, which is light sensitive and self-adjusting, and heat recovery heating and cooling systems in the office areas.

Brand new machinery, such as plastic moulding machines, cooling systems and a fully electric vehicle fleet, including forklift trucks, also work to the latest energy efficiency ratings – lowering Zehnder’s carbon footprint and becoming a key part of its journey to carbon neutral.

The sustainability credentials of the new factory don’t end there. The new site is set up to recycle the energy from cooling water to heat or cool the machines, and then in the winter, reuse the heat from the compressed air system to warm the building – meaning the site is in a constant process of reuse and recycle, putting less strain on the local grid and surrounding amenities.

Zehnder has committed to staying in the Maidstone area. Most of the staff live within 12 miles of the site, including the factory’s operations manager, and every employee has access to a local free electric bus service to help them get to work. The launch will also open up job opportunities for local residents, with a focus on skilled and experienced professionals in the manufacturing and engineering fields.

The operations team will also use local businesses, such as packaging suppliers, facilities management companies, hospitality suppliers (for example local hotels and caterers), subcontractors (toolmakers, and materials suppliers) and logistics providers to help with external requirements.

Zehnder Commercial Director, Stuart Smith, said at the opening of the new facility: “It was an honour to welcome customers, staff and our esteemed local guests onto the new site today – and to have Hans-Peter Zehnder present to reinforce the importance of this opening for Zehnder Group made it an extra special occasion.

 

“Maidstone will offer us increased production capacity and more efficient technology to expand our product outputs and services across residential and commercial lines. This opening will really put Zehnder UK on the map as a centre of excellence for sustainability and energy efficient manufacturing practices as well as a global hub for exports across the world.

“Through our sustainability efforts and ongoing community focus, we hope to also make a positive impact on the area – creating job opportunities, supporting other local businesses and fully utilising the excellent logistic links that Kent offers.

“The technology we’ve brought into the factory production line is the very latest in cutting edge innovation for our market-leading ventilation systems and this investment is a testament to our commitment in providing our customers with the best products and services – as well as our dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices.”

 

Zehnder is known for providing high-quality ventilation systems, and the opening of the new factory in Maidstone, Kent, represents a momentous milestone in the company’s growth and expansion. The upgraded facility will enable Zehnder to continue to provide innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of its customers, while also contributing to the economic growth of the region.

 

For more information on Zehnder and its products, please visit www.zehnder.co.uk or contact us at info@zehnder.co.uk.

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The UK’s Largest Modular Build to Rent Project

Macquarie’s UK Build to Rent platform – Goodstone Living – has secured over £100m of debt financing from NatWest and Allied Irish Bank, to support the delivery of Smith’s Garden, the UK’s largest modular Build to Rent community in Birmingham.

“Quality Build to Rent is an increasingly important housing tenure for the UK and we are pleased to close our second transaction with the Goodstone team.

“Smith’s Gardens’ commitments on both embodied and operational carbon demonstrate Goodstone’s environmental ambition while its construction will support job creation and regeneration in the local area of Digbeth.”

Michael Goode, Director and Build to Rent Lead, NatWest

Goodstone Living has also appointed Elements Europe as its construction partner to support the transformation of the 4.2-acre island site in Digbeth, the heart of Birmingham’s creative quarter. Construction will start imminently, and the scheme is expected to complete in 2025.

“As a forward-looking lender it is increasingly important for us to be able to finance schemes that provide much needed new housing that has a positive social and environmental impact while being future proofed against changing market conditions.

“Smith’s Garden is pioneering in terms of its construction and environmental considerations while delivering 550 much needed new homes for rent.”

Kieran Redford, Corporate Banking, Allied Irish Bank GB

Smith’s Garden will deliver 550 next generation Build to Rent homes across six buildings, including a 26-storey landmark tower. Homes will be manufactured offsite by Elements Europe at its modular factory in Telford. The company is a leading modular firm backed by Korean conglomerate GS Engineering and Construction – part of the GS Group.

The new homes will be centred around over an acre of private garden – one of the largest in central Birmingham. Other amenities at Smith’s Garden include a co-working space, fitness centre and creche.

“Elements Europe are proud to have partnered with Goodstone Living over the past 18-months to design and prepare the largest modular Build to Rent residential construction scheme to date in the UK.

“Utilising Modern Methods of Construction and delivering the apartments in a fully modular form not only provides programme benefits to our client, but also reduces the construction footprint by over 3,700 less vehicle movements into Birmingham and creates over 35% less construction waste than traditional construction methods.

“We will continue to contribute to the development of MMC in the UK together with GS E&C and The Pickstock Group.”

David Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Elements Europe

To secure its position at the forefront of the sector, Goodstone Living’s specialist team has applied a series of pioneering design, innovation and sustainability principles to the scheme. Embodied carbon emissions during construction will be reduced by over 30% (vs. RIBA 2025 benchmark) through its use of cement-replacement with ground granulated blast furnace slag, and locally manufactured, volumetric modular construction.

Smith’s Garden’s operational carbon emissions will also be reduced by over 50% (vs. Part L 2021 Building Regulations) by implementing the latest heating and enhanced building fabric technologies. This includes fully electrifying the scheme with an air source heat pump in each apartment, on-site energy production and triple glazed windows.

The development will also exceed current fire regulations, with all buildings featuring dual staircases to enhance resident safety and wellbeing.

“Smith’s Garden is one of the largest and most exciting Build to Rent residential projects in the UK and is testament to the evolution of this sector over the past 15 years. We want to show it is not just possible but desirable to build better now, and this helps improve and future proof assets for all of our stakeholders.

“This project also marks an important milestone for Goodstone which now has almost 1,000 units under construction and a large pipeline of development opportunities to scale its portfolio by leveraging the market dislocation driven by a higher rates environment and challenges facing the traditional build-to-sell model.”

Martin Bellinger, Principal, Goodstone Living

Creating social value, the project will create over 75 new local jobs. It is also targeting the delivery of over £2m of socio-economic benefits for the local community through access to learning for local children, apprenticeships and work experience for young people, as well as those with learning difficulties and from under-represented backgrounds.

“Schemes likes this help to drive growth and regeneration right across our region. Smith’s Garden will be providing high quality new rental homes with high environmental standards in historic Digbeth – at the same time as creating jobs and opportunities for local people and the wider community.

“It’s great to see modular construction taking centre stage here – with Elements generating highly skilled jobs in Telford in a factory that will power the delivery of thousands of homes in the months and years ahead. It’s also good news that jobs will be created in Digbeth itself during the construction phase. I cannot wait to see this project come to fruition.”

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands

 

Source: BTR News

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Modulek Helps the Royal Marines Get a Firm Footing

Modulek helps RMA – The Royal Marines Charity, Lympstone get a firm footing for 2023. 

 

Leading true hybrid construction company Modulek was delighted to attend the official opening of RMA – The Royal Marines Charity’s new building on the 13th of July.

The new CHAMP building will house the charity’s service staff and provide a unification of support at the camp.

The Charity’s Chair of Trustees, Mrs Lynn Fordham explained how vital such provision is:

 

” It is important that the Charity’s teams are located within the Camp as so many of the Royal Marines family we support are either based at CTCRM or travel through regularly. The Charity’s activities on camp include direct support to those recruits who, for whatever reason, are unable to complete training; briefing serving ranks during all training courses and command courses, and to be available for staff and family members to drop in for advice and support, whether that be welfare, employment, education, fundraising, amenities or RMA membership and reunions.”

 

Modulek LTD  became involved with the charity as there was an urgent need to replace its former home, a wooden hut dating back to WW2.

No longer fit for purpose and designated a danger, Modulek was drafted in to provide alternative facilities.

The current site required a full turnkey service, with Modulek providing demolition of the old site right through to service installation and landscaping of the new building.

Carried out within just 13 weeks and on budget, Modulek worked closely with RMA – The Royal Marines Charity to ensure the new building kept some of the charms of the old wooden hut, with a wooden cladding external finish.

Present at the opening ceremony, Major Mark Latham RM 2IC Support Wing & Officer Commanding Base Company, Commando Training Centre Royal Marines, added:

 

“This is an outstanding project, brought in within the timeline and potentially under budget. It is a very impressive building and a project that will allow the Charity to operate within a suitable and fitting environment. I, for one, am very impressed with how this project was managed and completed.”

 

WEBSITE

 

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New Hospital Programme in Disarray

The NHS in Wales built the Grange University Hospital in Gwent using MMC

A lack of progress on a ‘template’ to standardise hospital design across England is delaying the government’s hospital building programme, a report has found. According to the National Audit Office (NAO), the government will miss its pledge, made in Boris Johnson’s 2019 manifesto, to build 40 hospitals by 2030.

The NAO has analysed the New Hospitals Programme (NHP) and found that, by the definition set out in 2020, only 32 will be built in time.

It also raised concerns that, due to cost-cutting and inaccurate modelling of future demand, the new hospitals could be built too small.

Under plans to build hospitals faster using modern methods of construction (MMC), the NHP’s central team has been working since 2021 on designs for a new template, called Hospital 2.0.

Standardised designs for inpatient rooms, critical care units, outpatient rooms and an initial ‘kit of parts’ for MMC were supposed to be published in January, with a full design released later this year.

But the plans will now not be released before May 2024, after the NHP struggled with the ‘challenge’ of drawing up a modular hospital template, and found it hard to recruit technical staff, the NAO said.

In a bid to reduce cost overruns and delays, the new standardised approach aims to move the NHS away from its old way of working, whereby trusts developed designs on a ‘scheme-by-scheme’ basis.

However, the NAO said the NHP also had not ‘engaged meaningfully’ with the construction industry about key aspects of the programme and there were risks over whether the sector would have the capacity to take on the work.

The lack of design certainty was hampering the programme’s ability to project building cost savings, it said, adding: ‘Until Hospital 2.0 is finished, there are limits to NHP’s ability to make progress with planning schemes in cohort 3 and later.

The report also voiced concern that some of the new hospitals where design work had already been undertaken might need to be reworked to meet the NHP’s new standards.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the original Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP) schemes announced in 2019, had incurred over £10 million of design-related costs since 2018, which might ‘prove to have been fruitless’, the report said.

BDP won a contest to design the £600 million hospital, but the practice was later replaced by a rival bidder Penoyre & Prasad with Schmidt Hammer Lassen after the NHS trust said the practice was unable to proceed with the scheme.

The NAO report also highlighted how, unlike in new schools, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) for hospital construction was not yet widespread in England.

The NHS in Wales built the Grange University Hospital in Gwent using MMC, which was completed under-budget and three months ahead of schedule, meaning it was available for the second wave of Covid-19.

But the NAO’s report said that, following the pandemic, there had been ‘challenges’ and that the Healthcare Inspectorate in Wales reported the waiting area in the emergency department at Grange University Hospital was ‘too small and unfit for purpose’.

The hospital was built on a greenfield site, but a particular challenge for NHP is that many of its schemes are on previously developed sites. The report said this means that standard designs will sometimes be implemented at constricted and irregularly-shaped locations.

Fears were also raised about the modelling used in a ‘minimum viable product’ version of its high-level Hospital 2.0 specifications. The NAO said some of the NHP’s underlying assumptions may result in hospitals that are ‘not big enough for future needs’.

When the Department of Health and Social Care (DCSC) officially set out the hospitals plan in October 2020, eight hospital construction projects already under way were not included in the target.

But recent government statements about building 40 new hospitals include these eight projects, referred to as ‘legacy hospitals’. In addition, last month, the government announced that five more hospitals would be added to the new build programme, due to risk of structural collapse because of weak concrete.

Meg Hillier, a Labour MP who chairs parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, said there had been a ‘woeful lack of progress’ on hitting new hospital targets, which the government was now trying to change.

‘The Department of Health and Social Care has been trying to move the goalposts so it can claim it has met its target,’ she said in a statement.

‘Patients and clinicians are going to have to wait much longer than they expected before their new hospitals are completed.’

Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO said: ‘The programme has innovative plans to standardise hospital construction, delivering efficiencies and quality improvements.

‘However, by the definition the government used in 2020 it will now deliver 32, rather than 40, new hospitals by 2030.

‘Delivery so far has been slower than expected, both on individual schemes and in developing the Hospital 2.0 template, which has delayed programme funding decisions.’

In response, a DCSC spokesperson said: ‘The NAO’s report acknowledges that despite changes to the original programme to prioritise hospitals affected by RAAC, 40 new hospitals will still be delivered by 2030, and praises the programme’s innovative plans to standardise hospital construction, deliver efficiencies and improve quality.

‘We remain firmly committed to delivering these hospitals, which are now expected to be backed by over £20 billion of investment – helping to cut waiting lists so people can get the treatment they need quicker. Three new hospitals have already opened and more will open this year so patients and staff can benefit from major new hospital buildings, equipped with the latest technology.’

Source: Architects Journal

 

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