The UK Construction Blog

The chair of Design Council Cabe has called on the developers of Robin Hood Gardens to carry out a full energy audit of the proposed regeneration.

The assessment should include an energy and carbon analysis, including embodied energy. “As far as I know this has not been carried out to date, which is surprising, given the interest in energy conscious retrofit now emerging,” he said. “It is not too late for a change of heart.”

Finch’s comments come as further details of plans for the £500 million Blackwall Reach project were revealed in an outline application to Tower Hamlets Council. The first phase, which includes a new school and mosque to the north of the estate, will be designed by Aedas.

Developers Swan Housing and Countryside Properties will then hold design competitions for the next three phases, including plans for housing to replace Alison and Peter Smithson’s 1970s buildings.

Last week leading housing architects called on the profession to boycott any competitions for the estate’s replacement.

Work on the Pinnacle tower in the City of London is on hold again because of fresh finance problems.

The building’s on-off development suffered its latest setback last week when builders downed tools because of worries about funding.

Work on the 64-storey tower started up again late last year after earlier being stalled.

Developer Arab Investments resumed work after securing a £500 million debt facility from a group of lenders led by HSBC.

But the deal was reliant on the developer pre-letting a chunk of the tower, which it has not yet done. Arab Investments said it did not know how long the latest delay would last.

Two years ago parts of the tower were redrawn by KPF to include a three-storey viewing platform to feature artefacts loaned by the Museum of London.

UK Green Building Council has written to education secretary Michael Gove asking him not to drop sustainability requirements for schools.

Paul King, chief executive of UKGBC, teamed up with environmental campaigners to respond to plans outlined by Gove which would see the Breeam standard dropped for new-build and refurbished schools. Under the previous government’s Building Schools for the Future programme schools were required to meet a Breeam “very good” standard.

The letter, which was also sent to David Cameron and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, along with five other cabinet ministers, said the proposal was “deeply concerning”.

It said: “Breeam is well understood and widely recognised by the construction industry. Removing it would introduce enormous complexity for non-expert construction clients, arguably increasing bureaucracy and thereby causing delay in the design process and driving up costs.

“Reneging on the commitment would also send a terrible message to the UK industry which frequently builds to Breeam “excellent” standards in commercial developments so they can be occupied by a public sector anchor-tenant.”

The Department for Education is considering the future of Breeam standards as part of the recommendations made in the James Review.

Architects can expect much work in east London after Boris Johnson announced 10,000 new homes will be built on the Greenwich Peninsula.

The mayor revealed the ambition following an agreement with secretary of state Eric Pickles and the Homes and Communities Agency to facilitate the next phase of development, which includes 1,350 homes by the end of 2015 delivered by developer Lend Lease.

Johnson said: “This latest phase of regeneration will seal its future as a thriving, well-connected new district, combining vibrant new residential areas and fantastic leisure facilities.”

Progress on a number of other key sites in the capital was also announced, including the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Tower Hamlets. Housing association Family Mosaic won a competition for the project where 180 homes are planned following the demolition of the hospital. Family Mosaic’s team beat a bid from developer Igloo and Ash Sakula which would have retained the building.

And in Southwark an Ojeu competition will be launched to find a developer for the Newington site in Elephant & Castle, which will include a 43-storey tower and 470 homes.

The news follows last week’s announcement that a new road tunnel between Greenwich Peninsula and Silvertown in the Royal Docks will be built.

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The role of bathrooms in British households is changing, it has been asserted.

Lesley Taylor, interior designer and design director at Taylor’s Etc, said this room will “never return to its purely practical existence”.

It is now “even more apparent” than it used to be that the function of this space has evolved, with it now utilised as a retreat following a hard day.

Renovation and self build schemes are putting more effort into ensuring the location has “the highest level of aesthetic appreciation”, she remarked, suggesting people intend for the area to bring them comfort and solitude.

Although previously the functionality of this room took precedent over style, nowadays these two elements are working together “in harmony”, the designer continued.

Hi-tech fittings are also increasingly commonplace in this space, such as Jacuzzis and top-range showers or baths, interior design specialist George Bond recently claimed.

Ms Taylor argued people currently intend to have a bathroom that looks attractive and fulfils all of their needs and desires while bathing.

The Telegraph Business Club today is confirmed as the official Media Partner of what is being dubbed “the UK’s Greatest Business Event” Business 2012.

Two of the UK’s best-known and most admired entrepreneurs, Sir Richard Branson and Lord Sugar, have already been confirmed as keynote speakers.

Dedicated to entrepreneurs, owner-managers and dynamic professionals, the Telegraph Business Club features articles, expert views and case studies to help people to grow their business. As such, it is the perfect Media Partner for this event, as the organiser’s Managing Director, Vishal Misal of Blak Pearl Ltd explains:

“We are obviously delighted to have such a prestigious brand associated with the event and feel that we are perfectly aligned with the Telegraph Business Club in terms of our goals, so this is a fantastic opportunity for both parties.

“Telegraph Business Club Members are serious business people who are like-minded and determined to put the UK economy back on a positive path. All 50,000 members of the Club are most welcome at Business 2012 and will be able to network with other similarly focussed, driven and inspired entrepreneurs and business owners from across the country and indeed the world.”

Running from 18TH – 20TH March at The O2 in London, Business 2012 www.business2012.com is free to attend, with over 600 workshops, seminars and exhibitors available to learn from and speak to for anyone serious about setting up or developing their business.

Speaking about Business 2012, Sir Richard Branson said:

“I can confirm that I will be at Business 2012, being interviewed live on stage and answering questions and tweets. No one has a monopoly on good ideas and events like this can open the door to greater connections and business opportunities: something we all need during these challenging times.”

Confirming that he too will be a keynote speaker at Business 2012, Lord Sugar said:

‘I’ve always encouraged entrepreneurs and hopefully this event will really help people to grow bigger and better businesses. Encouraging young people to become entrepreneurs is something I’ve always believed in. I have always said they are the business people of tomorrow and we need to encourage and support them all we can. This event is for serious business people and will help small businesses at the time they need it.”

Business 2012 is for people in the early stage of starting up as well as for established businesses. To help visitors tailor their visit and make the best use of their time, you can register as a Start Up, SME and Mid-Market business.  To see the range of confirmed speakers and exhibitors and register for a free ticket, go to www.business2012.com.

The results of a study reveal that almost three quarters (71%) of British homeowners with their own roof say they do not know how much the renewable energy subsidy scheme; the feed in tariff (FIT) is costing an average household.

This is one of the findings from a study released today by solar panel manufacturer, Sharp Solar. This alarming lack of awareness comes at a time when the cost to households is being cited as a key reason for Government cuts to the tariff, which is being slashed from 43p per kWh to 21p per kWh next week (12th December).

The research also found that over a quarter (27%) of respondents believe households are paying much more to support the FIT than is actually the case, with assumptions from those polled ranging from £12 to over £1200 per year. In fact, official figures released by the Government confirm that the current cost to every household energy bill is approximately £1.40 per year.

Speaking following the release of the findings, Andrew Lee, Head of International Sales at Sharp Solar said: “This research clearly underlines the general lack of awareness amongst UK energy bill payers. This is hampering consumers, businesses and the government from making a rational, informed choice about the most appropriate rate at which to set the tariff. The FIT needs to be more flexible and intelligent to respond to the solar panel (PV) price reductions but these ill-informed cuts will stop the industry dead in its tracks and undo the years of good work that has been invested in skills, infrastructure and businesses.”

Of those polled, solar is shown to be the preferred technology, of those supported by the FIT, with 40% preferring to see more domestic solar power in their community. ”However, over half (55%) of homeowners with their own roof that had considered installing solar panels over the last 18 months are now less likely to do so following the proposed cuts to the FIT.

Around 39,000 jobs have been created by the booming solar industry, many of which are now thought to be at risk. Figures cited by Element Energy[iii] show that as many thousands of solar jobs could go when the changes come into effect, costing the Government £230million a year in tax income.

“If set correctly, this FIT provides a scenario that’s beneficial for all parties concerned; cutting carbon and energy bills for the homeowners that install PV and supporting an industry that creates jobs and tax revenues for the government,” comments Andrew Lee.

“Sharp fully supports measured reductions in the FIT rates and we have made constructive representations to DECC in this regard. By adopting a more considered approach, household costs to supporting the FIT would be between £2.60 and £3.60 a year – a fraction compared to increases in rates of conventional energy. Crucially, it would give all concerned a clear and accurate direction as to the cost of this mechanic to UK homeowners.”

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has unveiled plans for the construction of 55,000 new affordable domiciles in the capital, which could potentially create more than 100,000 employment opportunities in the next four years.

He has received £3 billion in funds from the government to invest in residential schemes in the city and will also use this to upgrade 40,000 council houses so they can meet the Decent Homes Standard.

Another 2,000 dwellings could be erected in the Greenwich Peninsula, as Mr Johnson has proposed unlocking this to developers and creating one of the largest construction sites in the country.

This would boost the building industry and heighten the number of jobs in the capital, he pointed out.

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics reveals the proportion of joblessness in London is 9.9 per cent, with only the north-east suffering from a higher percentage.

“This strategy offers us a golden opportunity to push on full steam ahead to deliver more affordable homes,” the mayor stated.

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