News reports located on this page = 3.

North West social enterprise Fusion21 develops innovative modular housing design

AN ambitious North West based national social enterprise is investing in an innovative modular house type that could have a major impact on the new homes Market and the environment. CoreHaus will significantly reduce construction times, build costs and have less impact on the environment than more traditional homes. The design offers the flexible combination of being part modular, with a standard, engineered core, that can then be configured to different sizes.

A specialist in public procurement for the built environment; with its head office located in Knowsley, Merseyside. Currenly Fusion21 is trialling CoreHaus at the Cathedral Gates housing development in the North East of England. Housebuilder Homes by Carlton is the company behind the scheme, a mix of 14, 3 and 4 bed detached and semi-detached homes, at Chilton, 8 miles from Durham City.

CoreHaus is a joint-venture company between Fusion21 and Carltonand Co Group, the parent company of Homes by Carlton. It is hoped that once trialled and tested the CoreHaus designs will be rolled out nationally, offering a different approach to tackling the shortage of innovative, affordable housing in Britain. England has a shortage of around 3.91 million homes, according to research from Heriot-Watt University.

Dave Neilson, chief executive of Fusion21, said:- "Currently 340,000 new homes are needed to be built each year to meet Government targets. At current development rates these shortfalls will not be met. A transformational approach is required to ensure we can support this demand:- and that's where CoreHaus can help. Our unique construction method delivers faster build times and makes it economically viable for developers while greatly reducing environmental impacts."

While different in the build stage, CoreHaus looks the same as the more traditionally built homes, at Cathedral Gates. All properties are built to the same exacting standards, combining hand-built craftsmanship, character and a high attention to detail.

Simon Walker, managing director at Homes by Carlton, said:- "The CoreHaus looks no different to the traditional house types once fully built. Interiors can be the same and exteriors will use the same block and brick. It's just a more modern way of building that should be kinder to the environment and have energy benefits for the homebuyer. CoreHaus homes are designed to make it easier and more cost effective for developers to deliver environmentally efficient homes with a unique design and contemporary feel. They're larger than many new 3 bedroom homes on the Market and we believe offer a higher standard of finish than many traditional house types being built elsewhere."

The principles of the CoreHaus comprise a modular core including:- pre-finished kitchen, downstairs toilet, staircase, bathroom and central heating system being manufactured offsite before being delivered to the development. This is then followed by the external walls and roof being constructed to reduce build time.

Assembled in factory controlled conditions, this energy efficient housing 'pod' can help reduce onsite construction time by 50%, increase flexibility in the design of the home and cut CO2 emissions.  For further information, visit:- CoreHaus.Co.UK.

Cannabis farm and weapons discovered in property in Southport

A cannabis farm with an estimated street value of over ₤380,000 together with a deactivated rifle and 2 gas powered air weapons have been recovered from a property in Southport. Merseyside Officers attended at the property on Cemetery Road, at 11pm, on Thursday, 1 August 2019, to execute a warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Warrant. In total 95 cannabis plants were recovered in 2 rooms together with a large quantity of bagged cannabis and the weapons.

Detective Inspector Cat Walsh said:- "This property contained a significant amount of cannabis plants which we have now successfully stopped reaching our streets. We are now investigating the incident and would urge anyone with information to get in please get in touch. Cannabis cultivation can cause serious harm in our communities. Nobody wants to live next door to a property containing a cannabis farm and we would ask that if you believe someone is using a property for this purpose, please tell us so we can take positive action and find those responsible for setting them up."

An investigation is underway and enquiries remain ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Merseyside Police via calling:- 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on:- 0800 555 111 or via their online reporting form.

Have you spotted some of the signs that cannabis is being grown at a property near you?

Strange smells and sounds to look for:-

► Frequent and varied visitors to a property, often at unusual times.

► Gardening equipment being taken into a property, such as plant pots, fertiliser, fans and industrial lighting.

► Windows are sealed and covered or the curtains are permanently closed.

► Heat from an adjoining property.

► Birds gathering on a roof in cold weather.

► Individually these activities may seem commonplace, however, together may indicate something more sinister.

Next of kin appeal for John Chidwick

MERSEYSIDE  Police have issued an appeal on behalf of Liverpool's Coroner, following the death of John Chidwick, who was aged 66 when he passed away at his home address, in Claremont Road, Wavertree, Liverpool.  There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death that happened on Monday, 5 August 2019. It is believed Mr Chidwick may have family in the Staffordshire area.  Anyone with information is asked to ring Coroner's Investigation officer James Martindale on:- 0151 233 0129 or alternatively email him via:- James.L.Martindale@Liverpool.Gov.UK.