Plasmor Limited has been producing blocks for 48 years and have witnessed the introduction of many alternative construction methods including pre-fabs, timber and steel framed houses. However, housebuilders and homebuyers continue to recognise the benefits of solidity, whole life economy, value retention and sustainability associated with traditional construction.

Together with the issue of Sustainability, Housing Policy has been elevated in the UK Governments agenda. Prime Minister Gordon Brown, in Summer 2007, announced the following housing initiatives:-

1. Building 3m homes by 2020, an increase of 250,000 on previous plans.
2. Raise annual house building target for 2016 from 200,000 to 240,000 new homes per year.
3. More social housing provision.
4. Speed up planning process.
5. Expansion of the shared equity scheme.
6. Speed up the building of eco-towns.

In the clamour to provide huge volumes of new and affordable homes are we overlooking the importance of longevity and legacy in our built environment? Delivering the highest number of houses at minimum cost with low regard for building life expectancy questions the future-proofing of sustainable neighbourhoods and communities. Traditional building methods, not pre-fabs, are the sensible route to provide sustainable buildings, communities and a heritage to be compared to that left to us by our forefathers.

Sustainability is the greatest challenge facing the architectural, building and building supply industries at the moment.

In the building industry, sustainability concentrates on low energy building design, construction using sustainable materials, a built product displaying exemplary energy efficiency and delivering the use of renewable materials. Above all else the built project and its environment must provide sustainability in longevity and economy. In other words, be built to last.

For sustainable structures that perform now and in the future, designers, architects and builders should KEEP IT TRADITIONAL and harness the benefits of concrete block construction.

In summary, the benefits of Traditional Construction are:-

1. Longevity, future-proofing and sustainability.
2. Thermal efficiency.
3. Acoustic efficiency.
4. Value retention and mortgageability.
5. Fire and flood resistance.
6. Burglar-proof and secure.

To view in more detail the benefits of traditional building and the threats associated with alternative, lightweight methods such as dry/wet rot, termites, vermin and fire - visit the Traditional Housing Bureau.