NEWS
According to the latest RICS and Ulster Bank Residential Market Survey, the housing market in Northern Ireland showed signs of improvement in March, with increased new buyer demand and sales. A net balance of 52% of chartered surveyors who responded to the questions reported an increase in newly agreed sales in the month of March, which is higher than the UK average. However, surveyors are not optimistic about the future, and a flat picture is expected over the next three months. The pricing balance has also modestly improved, with a net balance of +33% for prices, up from +28% in February. The survey found that there was a rise in new buyer enquiries, but new instructions fell flat through the month of March. Looking ahead, Northern Ireland respondents are more positive than UK counterparts, with expectations of higher prices and sales over the next year. LATEST FIGURES SHOWS GROWTH IN NI HOUSING MARKET
Pictured are Mark Gribbin, Director, Setanta Construction and Niall Gribbin, Director, Setanta Construction
SETANTA CONSTRUCTION LEADS LOW ENERGY HOUSING REVOLUTION
Setanta Construction, based in Mid Ulster, is set to revolutionise the housing market by developing low- energy, volumetric Passive certified homes. The company has designed and manufactured the first-ever volumetric Passive House in Ireland, which is highly energy-efficient and eco-friendly. Setanta’s off- site construction method allows for the delivery of high-quality, energy-efficient homes with minimal construction time and costs. According to Mark Gribbin, Director at Setanta, the company’s newly launched SoLow volumetric house aims to put energy performance “at
the heart of the housing market,” with significant cost, time, health, and environmental benefits. Setanta’s versatile and cost-effective, off-site method of construction allows the company to maintain its lead position in the energy efficient housing market. The company’s pilot housing project, the SoLow Passive House, is undergoing a detailed study by Ulster University’s Centre for Sustainable Technologies team to examine the full benefits in comparison to conventional builds. Passive houses have the potential to use 80-90% less energy than a typical home, benefiting both the environment and homeowners.
SCAPE APPOINTS GARRETT DUFFY AS NI MANAGER
SCAPE, a leading public procurement authority in the UK, has appointed Garrett Duffy as the Business Development Manager for Northern Ireland to expand its presence here. With 25 years of senior project management experience, Garrett will collaborate with local authorities to identify their needs and connect them with experienced industry partners. Garrett has previously worked for Lagan Group and Sisk. Outside of the construction industry, he has served as a national GAA referee. SCAPE has partnered with Northern Ireland’s local authorities and
higher education institutions such as Queen’s University and Ulster University to deliver high-value infrastructure projects. SCAPE’s projects place a strong emphasis on generating social value, environmental sustainability, and supporting the goals set out in the Construction Playbook. McLaughlin & Harvey and GRAHAM are among the partners on SCAPE’s Northern Irish frameworks. Local authorities can benefit from SCAPE’s procurement frameworks’ flexibility, allowing them to engage early in the pre-construction stage before awarding a project.
Garrett Duffy, newly appointed Business Development Manager NI, SCAPE.
10 | NI BUILDER
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