Free trade and training exhibition to help get Plymouth building

Builders, tradesmen and women, contractors, designers, homeowners and developers are all being invited to the city’s first free trade exhibition to help get Plymouth building.

The Plymouth and Cornwall Building Control Partnership is hosting its first event on Tuesday 24 September which aims to help professionals from the construction industry get up-to-date with the latest changes to the building regulations, the planning process and advice on how to choose a reputable builder as well as a comprehensive trade exhibition.

It’s also a valuable chance to enjoy face-to-face contact with organisations and teams that can help companies – whatever their size.

As well as representatives such as the Federation of Master Builders, Royal Institute of British Architects and other professional bodies, the development teams from the council will be on hand to explain their roles in getting Plymouth building.

They will be offering advice across a range of expertise including home energy efficiency, building control, planning, government-led schemes, fire safety advice, grants and advice from the Empty Homes team.

Councillor Brian Vincent, Cabinet Member for the Environment, whose portfolio includes planning, said: “Planning laws and building regulations are constantly changing and builders and contractors need to keep up to speed. This event will make it easier to catch up with developments.

“We want to get Plymouth building again. It is good the city, good for Plymouth’s economy and for the families who earn a living from the building trade.”

The Council launched a Get Plymouth Building programme as part of its Plan for Jobs which aims to create more than 2,000 jobs over the next two years. The programme aims to unlock land for development and support job creation, both directly in construction and indirectly in the supply chain of businesses.

There are also wider economic benefits of new housing developments in terms of helping to attract skilled people and boosting inward investment.

Councillor Vincent added: “We have seen heaps of progress in terms of developers wanting to invest in the city over the last year and our Get Plymouth Building programme concentrates on the larger developers.

“But we do not forget the many smaller businesses who work hard to build extensions and other household developments.”

Plymouth and Cornwall Building Control Partnership has been running for two years and shares resources and staff available between the two councils to make a more efficient service for customers.

The team helps regulates the design and construction of buildings and provides advice, support and training to developers and partners before and during the construction process.

Last year a number of projects the partnership worked on received accolades in the regional Local Authority Building Control Awards including the Life Centre, a residential development at Kinterbury Square and Foulston Avenue and the Marine Research Building at Plymouth University.

The event runs from 10am until 5pm and takes place at Plymouth Guildhall.

For more information visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/getplymouthbuilding