More news – Page 3585
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Comment
Im backing Jackson
Many councils seem to be trying to get energy policy right, and have written strict requirements in their Local Development Plans to achieve a high standard of sustainability and energy efficiency – often citing BREEAM and EcoHomes standards as the benchmark. Great, but the requirement will probably not apply to ...
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Comment
But on the other hand
Paul Jackson complains that the planners prevented him putting in double-glazed replacement windows in a Victorian house in a conservation area. Good! It’s not just the oversize plastic sections, it is also the blue tinted glass and the peculiar hollow in the reflections that make such windows look horridly out ...
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CommentThe real story
Your news report on the Liverpool demolitions (4 August, page 19) misses the point. The significance of this story is that after weeks of intense negotiation the council has accepted its responsibility for ensuring good design.
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Comment
Precast concrete has matured
While delighted that Bob Barlov of Pascall + Watson recognises that precast concrete is a robust, durable cladding material (7 July, page 90), I am disappointed that he has been allowed to criticise our industry with comments that are obsolete, ill-founded and unjustifiable.
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Comment
An open letter to Tim Byles
Dear Tim, congratulations on taking up the challenge of the £40bn Building Schools for the Future Programme (. I wish you most sincerely every success – our young people and the teaching staff do deserve better learning environments.
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Comment
A word in your ear
Belatedly following up on your 14 June issue, readers who feel that they have problems with alcohol or drugs would be well advised to phone one of these numbers:
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FeaturesConfessions of an impatient introvert
Galliford Try may be a bit of an odd shape for a listed company, but it’s going like a bomb, and those who know such things reckon it’s bound for greatness. Angela Monaghan met Greg Fitzgerald, the quiet man who’s driving with his foot on the floor
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News‘Sink estate’ warning on growth areas
The government must rethink the housing growth areas of the South-east by focusing on mixed communities and family homes, according to think tank the Institute for Public Policy Research.
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NewsHousing stats: New-build sales and completions in July 2006
This month’s data reveals that regional completions are down on June, but sales have bounced back since last year
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CommentA slippery slope
A consultant wrote a site investigation report for a developer, who sold the site to another developer, whose property was later damaged by a land slip. Now who do you think got sued?
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CommentThe pitfalls of DIY
Hanging the odd picture up is one thing, but once you’re into serious DIY you’re bound by the same standards as a professional builder. So if something bad happens on your property, you can end up paying damages, costs and even other defendants’ costs. Nasty
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Comment
A questionable answer
This summer, the PFI M6 toll road was the subject of another High Court case – this time over whether it’s possible to withdraw a claim from adjudication. But Mr Justice Jackson’s ruling on this raises some troubling problems with adjudication itself
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FeaturesDanger in a strange land
Poles have streamed into the UK since their homeland joined the European Union. Many have found a good living, but others have lost their lives. Mark Leftly reports on what’s going wrong
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FeaturesWho’s in charge now?
… or, how a group of bright young staff members at cost consultant Davis Langdon found themselves teaching the old board new tricks.
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Features
A late blossoming
After a steep drop in activity back in the spring, the main economic indicators show that construction activity sprang back in June. Experian Business Strategies fills in the details
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CommentWhat the Poles have done for us
A construction industry without foreign labour is about as viable as a fish on a skiing holiday. So in the midst of the political hoo-ha over immigration, one thing is clear.
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News
Housebuilding up one-third from 2001 low point
The level of housebuilding has climbed nearly one-third since the trough recorded in 2001, according to government figures.
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News
Lend Lease profit up despite Bovis’ woes
Operating profit at Australian developer Lend Lease grew 24% in the past financial year, despite a disappointing performance from Bovis Lend Lease, its construction arm.
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News
400m cut at PFI hospitals
Six PFI hospitals have had their combined value cut by more than £400m.