Housebuilders forced to fit fake plastic chimneys, builders march against misogyny, and tradespeople prefer to take digital payments
Housebuilders are being forced to add fake chimneys on new homes to stay compliant with local planning regulations.
Local authorities argue that decorative smokestacks are necessary to fit in with the existing architecture.
One major builder claims it has spent nearly half a million pounds installing glass-reinforced plastic chimneys in the last year.
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) said the issue is quite widespread, particularly among rural and suburban authorities.
HBF research estimates that the cost of building a home has surged by £76,000 in the past five years.
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A group of builders walked 10 kilometres to Downing Street last week to call for an end to violence against women and girls.
The organisers of the Hard Hats & Open Minds Walk for Change sought to encourage those working in the industry to challenge workplace misogyny.
61-year-old industry veteran, Michael Alan Hook said that there was an opportunity to show young men an alternative pathway to people like Andrew Tate.
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Nearly 70% of tradespeople prefer to take payments via bank transfers — that’s according to research from the Installer Show.
Just under a third of those surveyed said they still took cash payments.
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