CPA responds to independent review of construction product testing regime

In April 2023, the Independent Review of the Construction Product Testing Regime led by Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC was published.

The purpose of the independent review was to identify any potential weaknesses in the system and to make recommendations for improvement.

It undertook a critical assessment of the system for testing and certifying construction products and made recommendations for how the system could be strengthened to provide confidence that construction products are safe and perform as labelled and marked.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) has now published its response to the independent review. Their latest technical briefing paper outlines how the CPA intends to respond to this report, as well as how they hope to work with the Government moving forward.

Peter Caplehorn, Chief Executive of the CPA, and co-chair of the CLC Building Safety workstream said: “We are very pleased to see the publication of this independent Review. The report should be required reading for policy-makers and industry leaders alike, coming at a critical time not only for the future of the UK product testing and certification sector, but for the wider culture and practices of UK construction as well.

“The recommendations cover a wide range of urgent issues, including uptake of the Code for Construction Product Information from industry.

“The CPA and its members will be focusing on developing the necessary responses and actions in consultation with department officials. Our analysis and briefing paper is the first step in this work.”

In its response, the CPA is asking the government to help address some of the complex challenges facing the construction products industry currently. There are many interrelated issues that the CPA hopes can be addressed off the back of this report.

These include:

• That government should respond and support the recommendations listed in the Paul Morrell OBE and Anneliese Day KC Independent Review of the Construction Product Testing Regime, including uptake across industry of the Code for Construction Product Information That government should work with industry to action its recommendations and create a shared roadmap for practical progress, including what constitutes a 'safety-critical' product That government move to address and give clarity to the CA Mark issue, ahead of the June 2025 deadline

Plans approved for major gateway Partnership renewed to build on £250m success

Watson Homes, has had plans approved to build 132 new homes as part of a mixed-use development on Green Street in Radcliffe, Bury.

Of the 132 new homes, 97 will be made available for affordable tenures via Great Places Housing Group.

The development forms part of the wider Radcliffe Strategic Framework, aiming to create a prospering community based upon a thriving and distinctive town centre.

The approved development will see construction of a mixed-use property comprising offices, retail and food and beverage units. Alongside this, the apartments will comprise a mix of one and two-bedroom homes. Designed by TADW Architects, the development will be highly energy efficient with a focus on sustainability including air-source heat pumps and solar PV panels. The office space will achieve a BREEAM rating of Very Good and will be home to Watson upon completion.

HOUSING leaders have renewed a crucial partnership – after revealing the huge successes it has delivered to Scotland’s market for affordable and accessible homes.

Since it was launched in 2018 the partnership has seen Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) support and collaborate with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) helping its members to deliver £258.5m worth of projects.

Now the two organisations have agreed to continue the partnership for another year, further strengthening the connections which have already seen 70 housing associations bring 258 projects to fruition. SPA is Scotland’s largest free-to-join procurement organisation.

Its frameworks offer an efficient and compliant route to market for the construction, refurbishment, consultancy and maintenance of social housing and public buildings.