The Government response to the final report of the Low Carbon Construction IGT was published. While encompassing all of the 65 recommendations, the Government response focuses on the key themes identified by the IGT: Demonstrating the benefits and opportunities of low carbon construction through leadership and cooperation across the private and public Continue Reading
FMB fears for construction sector SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction sector are in a “perilous situation”, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said. Responding to the latest Office for National Statistics report on construction activity during the second quarter of 2011, the FMB noted SMEs have suffered a “sharp decline” in Continue Reading
Extensions and Conservatory’s require planning permits
People thinking of adding a conservatory to their property might want to seek planning permission from the local authority before they begin work. Deputy chief executive officer for the Glass and Glazing Federation Giles Willson said this is “the first issue” homeowners will need to address when building this structure. Continue Reading
Changes needed’ before housing construction improves
It is unlikely difficulties in the UK housing market will be significantly resolved in the near future, one expert has argued. Steve Lees, director at property website SmartNewHomes, said greater availability for “mortgage finance and the supply of land for development” is needed before the situation can “improve drastically”. However, Continue Reading
RICS welcomes new planning framework
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) has welcomed the draft National Planning Policy Framework released by the government, noting that it could assist the UK in stimulating economic growth. Rics argued the current system has failed to provide the homes and infrastructure required in the country, which has also Continue Reading
Photogrammetry Services
The well known Mobile Surveying Solution provider and Measured Survey experts are now offering quite a unique service with their new Photogrammetry Service and Photogrammetry Surveys. Photogrammetry is the practice of obtaining information about physical objects through the process of recording, measuring, and interpreting photographic images. It is particularly useful Continue Reading
Renovations sector ‘has bottomed out’
It seems the home improvement industry is finally recovering from the global financial crisis, according to one expert. Jason Orme, editor of Homebuilding and Renovating, said “all of the evidence” indicates that the market has bottomed out and is “now moving up”. Developments to upgrade people’s property have been “relatively Continue Reading
Bicester eco-town to be built
Planning permission has been granted for a major environmentally-friendly development in Bicester. Cherwell District Council confirmed the project, which will involve the construction of 393 homes and a 400 sq m renewable energy centre with car parking, service infrastructure and amenity spaces, will go ahead. Furthermore, outline planning permission was Continue Reading
New planning reforms, will they work?
The proposed National Planning Policy Framework finally started making waves in the national media recently after conservation groups stepped up campaigns to force the government to ditch the introduction of a presumption in favour of development. The Campaign to Protect Rural England has called on the public to rise up Continue Reading
Newest and most energy efficient tower for Canary Wharf
The Canary Wharf Group plans to construct a 128 m high, 20-storey tower this autumn. 25 Churchill Place, at 500,000 ft2, is the last tower to be set out in the masterplan for the London Docklands regeneration project. It will create approximately 1000 construction jobs, and is being designed to Continue Reading