Latest articles by Joseph Mullane
Heatmap shows this area to be largest Japanese Knotweed hotspot in the UK
One English city was shown to have the highest recordings of Japanese Knotweed in 2025, with the highest risk areas all having one thing in common
Planning and Infrastructure Bill becomes law, so will this make self-building easier?
The government’s Planning and Infrastructure Act introduces reforms aimed at reducing delays, lowering costs, and providing clearer pathways for self-builders and small housing projects
Stonemason’s death sparks renewed calls to ban artificial stone kitchen worktops
The death of a UK stonemason has intensified calls for stronger protections and a potential ban on high-silica engineered stone used in kitchens
£1,000 reward offered after 20ft metal gates stolen from property
Police are investigating theft as the homeowner offers a reward for the missing gates
Warm Homes Plan delayed, leaving millions of homeowners in the cold
The UK government’s £15bn scheme to improve home energy efficiency will not be published until January, leaving households unsure about support for insulation, heating, and ventilation upgrades
Swift bricks for all new homes: What the latest UK planning policy really means for builders
Government planning policy now expects bird‑nesting features like swift bricks in all new homes, but this is still policy guidance, not a statutory building regulation
'Biggest rewrite of planning rules in over a decade' proposed by government to meet 1.5m homes target
Government consults on largest overhaul of planning rules in decades to increase housing supply and speed up homebuilding
New feature lets UK homebuyers find homes with zero energy bills
Rightmove and Octopus Energy partner to highlight homes with heat pumps, solar panels, and smart tech that could slash household energy costs
Well-installed heat pumps cut energy bills by over £200 a year, UK study finds
Real-world data from hundreds of UK homes shows efficient heat pumps outperform gas boilers on cost and comfort
Amanda Byram posts video showing off her huge skylights and microcement bathroom in her renovation project
Byram’s renovation reveals how thoughtful rooflight choices can brighten every corner of a home, giving renovators fresh ideas for maximising natural light
UK households warned 85,000 tumble dryers could catch fire
Households with Haier and partner-brand dryers must stop using their machines and arrange urgent safety repairs
How a tiny Hebridean stonehouse became Grand Designs House of the Year
A hand-built island home crafted from ancient Lewisian gneiss has stunned judges to win Grand Designs House of the Year, proving small, sustainable design can outshine big-budget builds
This early-18th-century Cardiff farmyard is now a rare four-home redevelopment opportunity
This plot contains rare chance to redevelop a historic 300-year-old farmhouse site with permission for four new homes
Mark Wright reveals the house update that is his 'favourite Christmas present' and why it's a growing trend
Wright has transformed his dining room by installing his latest toy, but Michelle is far from pleased with the latest addition
Is your home too dangerous to receive Royal Mail deliveries?
Royal Mail warns some householders their property could be classed as unsafe this Christmas due to difficult access and troublesome pets
E.ON announces early holiday gift with three days of free electricity this Christmas
You could get your electricity for free on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day through E.ON
10 celebrities hit by mansion tax, plus how much each will have to pay
With thousands of homes up and down the country set to be affected by the government's mansion tax we take a look at some of the most high-profile celebrities and how much they will have to pay
This hidden village has one of the best self-build opportunities you’ll find
Tucked away in one of Cambridgeshire’s smallest villages, this residential plot already has planning approval, making it a practical starting point for anyone looking to build their own home
Floating solar panels heading to the UK as 200,000m² water solar farm is approved
The UK will soon host its largest floating solar project as water-based panels expand worldwide, offering new ways to generate renewable energy
How much electricity inflatable Santas use — and why it’s lower than you think
Curious how much running a festive inflatable Santa adds to your energy bill? Here’s what the numbers really show and how to keep costs low
Open fireplaces may soon be banned — with tighter restrictions on fuel too
Open fireplaces are now considered one of the biggest contributors to household air pollution – and tightening emissions rules could make them the first heating method to be banned
Housebuilders express frustration over delayed Future Homes Standard
Developers warn that delays to the Future Homes Standard – originally due in early 2025 – are piling pressure on a housing sector already struggling to maintain supply.
Graven Hill bats prove wildlife can coexist with housing
From pipistrelles to brown long-eared bats, Graven Hill shows wildlife and housing can thrive side by side
