The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has revealed the long list for its RIBA House of the Year Award 2016, the most prestigious award in the UK for a new house or extension. Among the 20 homes designed by architects in the running for the award, there are: a
It has been announced that over the next two years hundreds of thousands of construction workers will be in line for a pay rise, along with a number of other benefits. After several lengthy discussions, an agreement was reached between contractors and unions for the Construction Industry Join Council. From
Savills is to market the freehold interest in Kent’s Chart Hills Golf Club, on behalf of a private client, for a guide price of £2.75 million. Set within a circa 198 acre (80 hectare) site, the 18 hole golf course is set in a rural setting to the north of
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has revealed the long list for its RIBA House of the Year Award 2016, the most prestigious award in the UK for a new house or extension. Among the 20 homes designed by architects in the running for the award, there are: a house in Cornwall that hovers dramatically over a cliff to take in the enviable views across the Fal Estuary (The Owers House), a stunning beach house in Dungeness that echoes the areas former fishing huts, an ingenious and contemporary take on a traditional lean-to in Harrogate (Contemporary Lean To), a new family home in Jersey rising from the huge granite walls of an earlier building on the site (Le Petit Fort), a Japanese inspired terraced house extension (House of Trace) and a contemporary part-house part-gallery on the beach in Brighton & Hove (The Narrow House). The RIBA House of the Year Award is sponsored by Hiscox & Paint and Paper Library and will be broadcast on Channel 4 as part of a special Grand Designs series, presented by Kevin McCloud. Produced by ‘Boundless’, the Grand Designs: House of the Year, is now in its second year and will be broadcast every week for four weeks later in the year. It will feature a variety of properties from the 20 long list for the most prestigious new house award in the UK, with the shortlisted homes and winners to be revealed. Last year’s award went to Flint House in Buckinghamshire, which was built in 2014 and was designed by Skene Catling de la Pena. Surrounded by ploughed fields, the house is a seam of flint geology with flints resting on the surface. The conception of the project was two wedges of that geology coming up through the flat landscape, with their bases made of knapped flint. They gradually change in texture and construction until they become chalk walling and dissolve into the sky.
It has been announced that over the next two years hundreds of thousands of construction workers will be in line for a pay rise, along with a number of other benefits. After several lengthy discussions, an agreement was reached between contractors and unions for the Construction Industry Join Council. From July 25 this year, more than 400,000 professionals in the construction industry will see a rise in their pay by 2.5%, and by a further 2.75% in June next year. This figure is much higher than inflation rates, which were measured in May at 0.3%, with the two year pay deal securing increases in sick pay in the industry and subsistence allowance. Furthermore, construction workers will now be able to take an extra day of holiday from January 1 next year, with changes also set to be introduced on the way travel distances are calculated. Instead of kilometres, the system will now produce a figure in terms of the number of miles travelled. Unite, Ucatt and GMB unions all welcome the deal, although they added that they will now be turning their attentions to securing further benefits for workers. Among the areas they will now work on are the impacts on supply chains, the rates of pay and the London Living Wage. Employer’s secretary to the CIJC, Gary Lean, said that the agreement has been put in place to benefit all parties involved. He said that a robust series of negotiations have come to a close with the result being another two year agreement which will not only benefit industry workers but also employers and clients. Mr Lean added that all parties involved have now secured certainty for the next two year period and unions and employers have continued a harmonious relationship. Therefore, he insists, this is good news for all parties involved.
Savills is to market the freehold interest in Kent’s Chart Hills Golf Club, on behalf of a private client, for a guide price of £2.75 million. Set within a circa 198 acre (80 hectare) site, the 18 hole golf course is set in a rural setting to the north of Biddenden and includes a 150 vehicle car park, putting green and short game practice area, service hut / bag drop, 743 sq ft (69 sq m) of converted office space, a greenkeeper’s building and a modern 27,889 sq ft (2,591 sq m) club house. Currently operating as a proprietary club, Chart Hills also attracts society usage and green fees, with the clubhouse’s function facilities generating extra income in addition to the core golf business. Sir Nick Faldo designed the championship golf course which has also been used as a European Tour Qualifying School, as well as hosting the Ladies English Open Championship and the Ladies European Tour. In May next year, the course is due to host the Brabazon Trophy, one of the sport’s prestigious events. Also available by separate negotiation are an adjacent residential property, which comprises of a converted barn currently used for staff accommodation, along with two grass paddocks. Savills’ director of leisure and trading, Ian Simpson, said that Chart Hills is situated in a fantastic location in Kent and is a prime golf club that benefits from a number of facilities that produce significant income. He added that golf remains one of Britain’s most popular sports and the firm is expecting to receive strong interest thanks to the course’s excellent credentials. Meanwhile, Savills has also revealed an under supply of appropriate homes available for the ageing population in Scotland. Several key factors have resulted in house builders and developers taking a more cautious approach to Scottish retirement living, according to the latest research from the company.