Hard Landscaping Q&A: Expert Answers to Your Most Asked Questions

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, we explore the critical role manufacturing plays in the built environment and why construction starts long before anything reaches site. Michelle McNeill is joined by Stephen Kelly, Chief Executive of Manufacturing NI, to discuss how manufacturers underpin every stage of construction, from materials and systems through to innovation and delivery.

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, we sit down with Michael McIvor-New to explore the growing role of SuDS in modern housing developments. The discussion focuses on real questions submitted by architects, engineers and developers, looking at how permeable paving systems perform in practice, what happens over time as systems begin to clog, how pollutants are managed within the structure and how costs compare with more conventional drainage methods.

In this episode of Create & Construct: The Podcast, Tobermore’s Strategic Account Manager Tom Greening joins Grant Henshaw, Building Physicist and Research Fellow at the University of Salford, to explore the gap between expected and actual performance, particularly in retrofitting, and why measurement is becoming increasingly important.

In this episode, Michelle is joined by Martha Penney, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Taylor Wimpey, for an honest conversation about women in construction, career progression and the reality of working in a commercially influential role. Together, they discuss how the construction industry is evolving, the importance of visibility, mentorship and male allies, and why opportunity in construction is far broader than many people realise.

In this episode we’re joined by award-winning landscape architect Jane McCorkell, who brings over 25 years of experience shaping public realm and private developments across the UK & Ireland. From planning visuals to construction realities, Jane shares an honest look at what happens when budgets tighten, teams change and sustainability targets move from intention to verification.

In this episode, Michelle speaks with Krisa, Housebuilding Team Manager at Tobermore, about the real challenges facing housing developments today – from supply uncertainty to programme pressure. They explore why early engagement with suppliers is critical, how reliable delivery keeps sites moving, and how working closely with the right partners can reduce risk across phased developments.

In this episode, we explore why traditional drainage systems are struggling under extreme rainfall and how SuDS-compliant permeable paving reduces flood risk by slowing water at source. Tobermore Permeable Paving Specialist Michael McIvor-New debunks maintenance myths, explains real-world performance during heavy rainfall, and shares what designers must rethink to build resilient developments.

In our debut Create & Construct episode, Michelle and Alex Walther, Head of Retaining Walls at Tobermore, unpack the mistakes that can quietly cost project teams time and budget. What do people really want a successful retaining wall solution to deliver? Listen to find out.