Rock Feilding-Mellen, the deputy leader of Kensington & Chelsea Council, has lodged a planning application to build 450 new homes on his family’s Scottish estate. Above: Rock Feilding-Mellen Rock Feilding-Mellen is the son of the colourful Countess of Wemyss and March. His development vehicle, called Socially Conscious Capital, has applied
Working at height has been a popular topic of discussion for some time, and while there are clear best practice techniques outlined by the HSE, there are also a multitude of key myths abound which may yet confuse the issues and challenges faced when working at height. As such, a
Increasing used across the construction industry, steel framing has been seen to have a great degree of utilisation across new-build projects, both within the UK and abroad. Traditionally used from the perspective of strength, design and sustainability, steel framing poses a number of key benefits over more traditional framing materials,
An interesting development; it has been announced that large investors will, in fact not be exempt from the previously announced stamp duty surcharge to be brought into effect in a matter of weeks. The 3% stamp duty, to be applied on additional homes, was initially believed to only affect those
Most recently, Galliford Try Partnerships has undertaken a ceremony to celebrate the commencement of its much-welcomed project in Oldham, the St Augustine’s development. Having taken place on the 16th of March, the ceremony was attended by key representatives at both Linden Homes and Galliford Try Partnerships, as well as Councillor
It has been announced that the Ashton Green Development, set to provide 3,000 homes in Leicester, has taken a monumental step forward in the potential delivery of the landmark project, as Leicester City Council announces the releasing of a mixed-use village centre development opportunity for the market. At the 13
AzkoNobel has announced the launch of the very first UK-based academy for industry professionals in the painting, decorating and architecture industries, the Dulux Academy. Set to provide over 4,000 industry professionals with the opportunity to pursue further training and development with new practices, methodologies and also through professional advice on
Rock Feilding-Mellen, the deputy leader of Kensington & Chelsea Council, has lodged a planning application to build 450 new homes on his family’s Scottish estate. Above: Rock Feilding-Mellen Rock Feilding-Mellen is the son of the colourful Countess of Wemyss and March. His development vehicle, called Socially Conscious Capital, has applied to East Lothian Council for planning permission in principle to build a mixed-use development at Longniddry. His mother and step-father, the earl, are also shareholders of Socially Conscious Capital. It is proposed that the new village expansion will be built around Longniddry Farm, to the south of the existing village, on land owned by the Wemyss and March Estate. There has been a substantial local campaign against the plans, which have been in development for several years. Mr Feilding-Mellen said: “In addition to the much-needed new housing, we wanted to make sure that there will also be tangible benefits for the existing residents of Longniddry, such as employment opportunities and community facilities, and that these are fully integrated with the existing village. “With its close proximity to the railway station, this makes our development one of the most sustainable in East Lothian, and was one of the key reasons the site has been included in the council’s draft proposed local development plan. “We have undertaken extensive community consultation on our proposals and would like to thank those who submitted their views, which we have done our best to try and incorporate into the final proposals.” Further Images This article was published on 17 Jun 2016 (last updated on 17 Jun 2016). Source link
Working at height has been a popular topic of discussion for some time, and while there are clear best practice techniques outlined by the HSE, there are also a multitude of key myths abound which may yet confuse the issues and challenges faced when working at height. As such, a little clarity can go a long way in helping to understand the safety implications of working at height. Of course, with the HSE regarding working at heights to be one of the most common causes of industrial injuries and accidental death, both employers and their operatives are required to take all manner of precautionary care to ensure that they are protected above and beyond traditional safety standards in ground-based roles. Of course, the key way in which legal requirements can be met is quite simple, by not working at heights at all, yet, if this proves impossible, methodologies must be pursued to best ensure the safety of those working in such environments. Yet, while there are some clear ways through which employers and employees can ensure a level of safety which is compliant, there are a number of less-founded ways of doing so, with some even making the situation worse; the myths that detract from the key issues and challenges of working at heights Of these myths, one of the most predominant is that of CE markings – the belief that CE marking and safety are synonymous. Yet, while CE marked products can indeed be a positive step forward, the very notion that CE marking alone makes products safe for use is a myth which can lead employers and employees into believing that they are using safe products, when this may not always be the case. Key considerations which must be taken into account include the very nature of the task at hand, of course, and while certain products may be suitable for one task, the reliability and safety of the same product in an entirely alternate scenario is one which employers should, and to a degree, must look into individually.
Increasing used across the construction industry, steel framing has been seen to have a great degree of utilisation across new-build projects, both within the UK and abroad. Traditionally used from the perspective of strength, design and sustainability, steel framing poses a number of key benefits over more traditional framing materials, though there do still remain some drawbacks which may be seen in the modern construction project. For the steel market, it is of no real surprise that construction projects account for approximately half of the entire global steel market, with the material being in receipt of great praise for its support of architectural freedom as well as cost-relative benefits, both in the short and long term. Additionally, steel is regarded as one of the few materials for usage as a best-practice perspective when concerning sustainability and environmental concerns. Some of the key benefits which can be seen in the utilisation of steel, of course, incorporate a great deal of stability in design, with the material adding considerably to the longevity of a building’s structure, as well as key benefits revolving around fire resistances, and a reduction in material corrosion. Additionally, steel is relatively lightweight in comparison to its stability, making it a very strongly performing material, as well as praised for its reliability. Yet, on the other side of the fence, criticism can also be made of the usage of steel as a framing material, with the sheer cost of the structures being one of those most prominent. Due to the material maintaining a notably higher average cost than other framing materials, some organisations may see themselves put off from utilising steel frames due to the up front costs. Additionally, whilst, as noted to be fire resistant, steel frames are also noted to be reduced in strength during periods of considerable heat exposure and, as such, are not, in effect entirely immune to the effects of fires. Regardless, the industry appears to be performing very well, with many organisations opting to the use the material for their framing needs as a matter of best practice. And, of course, whilst there are drawbacks, popular opinion does appear to be in favour of the usage of steel framing as a matter of best practice overall.
An interesting development; it has been announced that large investors will, in fact not be exempt from the previously announced stamp duty surcharge to be brought into effect in a matter of weeks. The 3% stamp duty, to be applied on additional homes, was initially believed to only affect those investing in less than 15 properties yet, in the recent budget announced by Chancellor George Osborne, it has been made clear that even those with a larger property portfolio will be subject to the stamp duty. Of course, in contrast to previous statements of optimism within the private renting sector, the news is heralded as a concerning development for the build to rent sector, with concerns raised over the profitability of such endeavours for investors. Expected to represent a considerable deterrent to those pursuing build to rent investments as their primary mode of investment, and, as highlighted by the British Property Federation’s Chief Executive, Melanie Leech, it may also restrict the sector’s ability to: “Deliver a significant number of new, quality affordable homes.” And while those purchases incorporating greater than six different residential properties can indeed be regarded as a non-residential investment, simultaneous reforms made to stamp duty for commercial properties is expected to provide a boundary for those looking to sneak around the stamp duty implemented. With this development now making it night on impossible for investors to avoid the additional charges, dampened spirits present the problem of a negative outlook on the performance of the sector and associated supply, whilst demand for private rented households has been clocked in at an approximate 1m over the course of the next five years. Responding to outcries from the wider sector, Berwin Leighton Paisner’s Head of the Corporate Tax Team, Elizabeth Bradley stated: “The chancellor has acknowledged the need to build more homes but the extension of the extra SDLT rate on buy to let to large investors will discourage investment in the private rented sector.”
Most recently, Galliford Try Partnerships has undertaken a ceremony to celebrate the commencement of its much-welcomed project in Oldham, the St Augustine’s development. Having taken place on the 16th of March, the ceremony was attended by key representatives at both Linden Homes and Galliford Try Partnerships, as well as Councillor Jean Stretton, Leader of Oldham Council. For those in attendance, the ceremony incorporated the initial breaking of ground at the site, formerly one of a school, before then undertaking a tour around the vast site, expected to be providing circa 54 new homes in the integral Greater Manchester area. The properties themselves will be divided into a mixture of both three and four bedroom properties which will be made for sale under the Linden Homes name. Prices for the homes are expected to click in at £175,000 and up, thus providing a reasonably affordable value for would-be residents to consider. In accordance with this, the company has already received a clamouring of interest in the properties, with many individuals keen to reserve them already. Of course, this is of no real surprise given the increasingly buzzing commercial flow of traffic through Greater Manchester, as well as the growing need for increased residential assets to facilitate further growth in the area. The development has, thus far been welcomed by Oldham Council and many members of the local community, no doubt providing an shred of hope in the present times of housing concerns and the lack of affordable housing presently on the property market. Commenting on the ceremony and what it means to the company, Galliford Try Partnerships’ Regional Director, Brendan Blythe, highlighted how the ceremony also signified a big step forward in the company’s overarching goals and ambitions, allowing the organisation to make progress in its endeavour to deliver quality homes for growing families,local professionals and the greater populace. He added: “Since we acquired the site from Oldham Council we have had lots of interest and we are very optimistic about the success of this site, our first in Oldham.”
It has been announced that the Ashton Green Development, set to provide 3,000 homes in Leicester, has taken a monumental step forward in the potential delivery of the landmark project, as Leicester City Council announces the releasing of a mixed-use village centre development opportunity for the market. At the 13 hectare site, it is expected that circa 500 residential units is to be provided to complement a further 6,500 square meters of non-residential space. Offered in five separate development segments, the opportunities will be open for expressions of interest as of the 15th of March, with the opportunity coming to a close on the 6th of May, also of this year. Heralded as one of the most sustainable and innovative new developments for in the city of Leicester over the course over the years, it is expected that the project will bring about a considerable contribution towards offering new, quality homes in the Leicester area; news which is no doubt to be received positively by both residents and would-be residents alike. Sitting within 5 miles of the city centre, the 320 acre site offers a unique setting, backed up by a proud local history – one which actually dates back some 200 years. Of course, connections can also be found into much of Leicestershire’s countryside, providing a great setting for those looking to mix city-side location with that of a access to some of the nation’s most beautiful countryside and areas for exploration. While eagerly anticipated, those interested in the development will still yet have a while to wait, with the development itself looking to be undertaken over the course of the next 20 years. Though, with the considerable amount of affordable housing and non-residential space on offer, it surely is a development to be keenly watched by those looking to get onto the property ladder or take advantage of the increased development space to be on offer.
AzkoNobel has announced the launch of the very first UK-based academy for industry professionals in the painting, decorating and architecture industries, the Dulux Academy. Set to provide over 4,000 industry professionals with the opportunity to pursue further training and development with new practices, methodologies and also through professional advice on the application of paints and coverings. Not built solely for those performing at the top of the industry, or solely those working their way upwards, the academy will exist to support the professional development of individuals at all levels of the career cycle, equipping them with the skills to build, run and promote a successful business. To support this further, as well as key industry skills, courses will also be provided from a marketing perspective, giving people the tools to put their best foot forward. Also looking to maximise the benefit that the academy will bring to the sector, it has also been decided that the academy will also provide training for those looking to break into the painting and decorating industry, providing a clear training path into the industry and reducing barriers to entry. Given the present state of skill shortages in the wider industry, the news is naturally well received, providing much-needed support for would-be painters and decorators, as well as providing access to a stream of high-quality industry professionals. Then looking to partner with existing colleges across the UK, the Dulux Academy will also see to the provision of circa 350 workplace opportunities for performing students. This will be further supported through the communication of knowledge on the latest products, methodologies and design technologies to teachers at such institutions, who will then be communicating the same, cutting edge knowledge to their students. Priti Patel, Minister of State for Employment formally signalled the opening of the venue at the official opening ceremony, and passed comment, saying: “With its fantastic new training academy and City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate, employers like Dulux are leading the way. We are committed to working hand-in-hand with industry to boost the number of apprenticeships our economy needs.”
