Detailed planning applications have been submitted for the first stages of the proposed Edinburgh Marina at Granton following this week’s approval of the overall masterplan. The consent granted by Edinburgh Council’s development management committee follows a decision in principle last December to grant permission for a new Granton Harbour masterplan.
The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has awarded the Liam McCormick Prize for Northern Ireland’s Building of the Year to ‘House at Maghera’, in Castlewellan, County Down by multi award winning architects McGonigle McGrath. The family dwelling joins an illustrious list of buildings including the Giants Causeway Visitors Centre
Book Course HSL is to run a 1 day course on Nanotechnology Health & Safety – A Practical Approach. 12 July 2016 Introduction Nanotechnology has a wide range of consumer applications from pharmaceuticals and electronics to cosmetics and novel fabrics. One of the prerequisites for the safe development of nanomaterials
New research suggests that the vast majority of would be first time buyers in the United States believe they can’t afford to buy because of student debt. Some 71% of non-homeowners repaying their student loans on time believe their debt is stymieing their ability to purchase a home, and slightly
Businesses of all sizes from North Wales have been urged to make the most of the contract set to be made available for work on Britain’s high-speed rail network HS2. More than 100 firms attended a supply chain roadshow, organised in conjunction with Construction Futures Wales, to find out how
As a former police Superintendent, Ian Sidney, is no stranger to bringing criminals to justice. Earlier this month, in his current role as CITB’s Fraud Investigator, Ian and his team successfully secured a conviction against a con-woman operating in the West Midlands. Karen Sharpe, a 51-year-old company director from Staffordshire,
4 April 2016 | The NHS repairs budget has been slashed by £1.1 billion in a cut that was not publicised in George Osborne’s Budget last month, according to news reports. The chancellor did not mention the cut in his Budget speech, and the 30 per cent
Savills, acting jointly with Barker Storey Matthews on behalf of the Barnack UK Executive Pension Scheme, has let Unit 7 at Lakeside Court on Kingston Park in Hampton, Peterborough to Capital (Hair & Beauty) Ltd. The company, which was founded in 1954 and is now the UK’s largest independent supplier
CNG Ltd.’s Energy connections team is a leader in the supply and shipment of commercial gas. The company has finished the work that was taking place on three landmark contracts made with O’Shea Group Ltd., The London based construction specialists. The Energy connections team at CNG has been referred to
The Port of London Authority’s fist port infrastructure meeting has taken place and was attended by The Shipping Minister, John Hayes MP and Val Shawcross, the deputy mayor of London for Transport. There were also 30 different business leaders that attended the meeting which discussed the road, rail, river and
Detailed planning applications have been submitted for the first stages of the proposed Edinburgh Marina at Granton following this week’s approval of the overall masterplan. The consent granted by Edinburgh Council’s development management committee follows a decision in principle last December to grant permission for a new Granton Harbour masterplan. The latest decision means that full consents are now in place for the overall masterplan. Immediately following this decision, developers lodged detailed planning applications for some of the masterplan’s individual sites, including the marina boatyard and associated infrastructure for the new 300-berth Edinburgh Marina complex. The approved masterplan includes a new 13,449m2 retail and leisure centre, as well as new homes for over 4,000 residents. The marina will be the focal point for the regeneration of Granton, less than 2.5 miles from Edinburgh city centre. The scheme has an estimated total completed development value of £500m. Kevin Fawcett of Granton Central Developments said: “This is a huge and extremely positive boost for Edinburgh at a most challenging time for the economy. Aside from the construction jobs the project will create for local suppliers, the development will provide over 900 new permanent jobs upon completion as well as over 2,000 new homes. It is a momentous and long awaited day for Granton that has seen 15 years to reach fruition, and we can now be sure that the regeneration can begin in earnest. “Edinburgh Marina is the first new marina next to a capital city in Europe for several decades. Currently one of the largest private infrastructure projects in Scotland, it will provide a major half billion pound inward investment boost to Edinburgh.” The designer is Wilson Gunn Architects. This article was published on 18 Aug 2016 (last updated on 18 Aug 2016). Source link
The Royal Society of Ulster Architects (RSUA) has awarded the Liam McCormick Prize for Northern Ireland’s Building of the Year to ‘House at Maghera’, in Castlewellan, County Down by multi award winning architects McGonigle McGrath. The family dwelling joins an illustrious list of buildings including the Giants Causeway Visitors Centre and the Lyric Theatre which have previously won the prestigious award named after one of Ireland’s greatest 20th century architects. Other winning buildings at the RSUA Design Awards 2016 included the uplifting Banbridge Health and Care Centre by Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects in association with Avanti Architects, an innovative social housing scheme in Carryduff for Choice Housing designed by PDP London Architects and the sensitively restored Graduate School at Queen’s University by Consarc Design Group. Martin Hare, RSUA President said: “The RSUA Design Awards primary purpose is to promote excellence in the design of our built environment with the view to making Northern Ireland a better place to be. There is no doubt that all thirteen projects that have received awards this year have truly enhanced our landscape and our communities. These projects demonstrate the positive impact good design can have on our society including its critical role in making Northern Ireland a more attractive place for citizens, tourists and investors.” “I applaud the determination of the clients, architects and everyone involved in the delivery of these projects as they have upheld design quality often against a backdrop of severe budgetary pressures. It shows it can be done and sets down a challenge to everybody involved in creating our built environment to match or even exceed that design quality. We all have a role in creating a brighter future for Northern Ireland and architects are ready to play their part.” Ends Notes to editors The full list of winning buildings is below: 1. Liam McCormick Prize Winner: House at Maghera, Castwellan, Co.Down by McGonigle McGrath 2. Best Social Housing Project sponsored by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive Winner: Killynure Green, Carryduff by PDP London Architects 3. Best Single House or Extension Over £100,000 sponsored by Lowry Building and Civil Engineering Joint Winner: Grillagh Water House, Maghera, Co.L’derry by Patrick Bradley Architects Joint Winner: House at Maghera, Castlewellan, Co.Down by McGonigle McGrath 4. Best Public Building Under £3millon sponsored by the Central Procurement Directorate of the Department of Finance Winner: Home from Home, near Belfast City Hospital by McGonigle McGrath (Also won a RIBA Regional Award and RIBA Regional Client of the Year Award) 5. Best Public Building Over £3millon sponsored by the Central Procurement Directorate of the Department of Finance Winner: Banbridge Health and Care Centre by Kennedy Fitzgerald Architects in association with Avanti Architects (Also won a RIBA Regional Award) 6. Best Commercial Project up to £3million sponsored by JP Corry Winner: Creative Industries Building, Weavers Court, Belfast by Doherty Architects 7. Best Public Space sponsored by the Department for Infrastructure Winner: Lagan Weir Footbridge, Belfast by AECOM 8. Best Cultural Project sponsored by the Department for Communities Winner: Portico, Portaferry, Co.Down by Maxwell Pierce 9. Best Conservation of Built Heritage sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Joint Winner: The Graduate School at Queen’s University Belfast by Consarc Design Group (Also won a RIBA Regional Award and a RIBA Regional Conservation Award) Joint Winner: Sion Mills Stables, Co.Tyrone by Hearth Housing Association and Caroline Dickson Architects 10. Regeneration Award sponsored by Metal Technology Winner: Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast by Michael Whitley Architects 11. Sustainability Award sponsored by the Strategic Investment Board Winner: Crest Pavilion, Enniskillen by Paul McAlister Architects Ltd 12. Integration of Art Award sponsored by the Arts Council Winner: The Atrium at W5, Odyssey, Belfast by White Ink For further information please contact: Ciarán Fox, Director, RSUACiaran@rsua.org.ukOffice: 028 9032 3760Mob: 07725009765 Posted on Wednesday 22nd June 2016 Source link
Book Course HSL is to run a 1 day course on Nanotechnology Health & Safety – A Practical Approach. 12 July 2016 Introduction Nanotechnology has a wide range of consumer applications from pharmaceuticals and electronics to cosmetics and novel fabrics. One of the prerequisites for the safe development of nanomaterials is to ensure the safety of workers using, handling or manufacturing nanoparticles. In response to this HSL is running a one day training course on a practical approach to nanotechnology health and safety. This course will help delegates to gain an understanding of the techniques and methods available to identify and control exposure to airborne nanomaterials. Course includes Course aim To gain an understanding of the techniques and methods available to identify and control exposure to airborne nanomaterials. Course Objectives The focus of this course will be on a “Practical approach to nanotechnology health and safety”. The course will provide delegates with an understanding of: What is known about the health risks for exposure to manufactured nanomaterials? What exposure scenarios might be expected? What measurement techniques and strategies to measure airborne nanomaterials can be used in the workplace? What types of engineering controls are available; how to select and maintain these controls. Correct selection and use of Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Managing the disposal of nanomaterials. Course learning outcomes At the end of the one-day course, the delegates should understand: Who should attend? This course is aimed at health and safety advisors, occupational hygienists and users of nanomaterials in universities, research organisations and industry. Venue The course will be run at the HSL laboratory in the spa town of Buxton. Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport. Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitbuxton.co.uk. Cost The cost of this course is £495 per person (includes course notes, lunch and refreshments). Book Course Please note the invoice option is not available within 4 weeks of the course date, or for overseas customers. For further dates and additional information email: training@hsl.gsi.gov.uk or contact the Training & Conferences Unit at HSL directly on +44 (0)1298 218806. Back to Health & Safety Training Courses Back to the top Source link
New research suggests that the vast majority of would be first time buyers in the United States believe they can’t afford to buy because of student debt. Some 71% of non-homeowners repaying their student loans on time believe their debt is stymieing their ability to purchase a home, and slightly over half of all borrowers say they expect to be delayed from buying by more than five years. The survey from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and SALT, a consumer literacy programme provided by American Student Assistant, also revealed that student debt postponed four in 10 borrowers from moving out of a family member’s household after graduating college. Nearly three-quarters of non-homeowners polled in the survey believe their student loan debt is delaying them from buying a home. Broken down by each generation and debt amount, the percent share is the highest among older millennials approximately aged 26 to 35 at 79% and those with $70,000 to $100,000 in total debt. Regardless of the outright amount of student debt, more than half of non-homeowners in each generation report that it’s postponing their ability to buy. The survey, which only polled student debt holders current in their repayment, yielded responses from borrowers with varying amounts of debt from mostly a four year public or private college. Some 43% of those polled had between $10,001 and $40,000 in student debt, while 38% had $50,000 or more. The most common debt amount was $20,000 to $30,000. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said that the survey findings bring to light the magnitude student debt is having on the housing market and the budget of even those financially able to make on-time payments. He pointed out that while obtaining a college degree increases the likelihood of stable employment and earning enough to buy a home, many graduating with this debt are putting home ownership on the backburner in part because of the multiple years it takes to pay off their student loans at an interest rate that’s oftentimes nearly double current mortgage rates. ‘A majority of non-home owners in the survey earning over $50,000 a year, which is above the median US qualifying income needed to buy a single family home, reported that student debt is hurting their ability to save for a down payment,’ he said. ‘Along with rent, a car payment and other large monthly expenses that can squeeze a household’s budget, paying a few hundred dollars every month on a student loan equates to thousands of dollars over several years that could otherwise go towards saving for a home purchase,’ he added. Among non-homeowners who believe student debt is delaying their ability to buy, over three quarters, including over 80% of millennials, said their delay is because they can’t save for a down payment. Additionally, 69% don’t feel financially secure enough to buy, and 63% can’t qualify for a mortgage because of high debt to income ratios. Some 52% of those polled expect to be delayed by more than five years from purchasing a home because of repaying their student debt. One in five anticipates being held back three to five years as well as over 60% of baby boomers. Those with higher amounts of student loan debt and those with lower incomes expect to be delayed the longest. ‘We work closely with our clients and consumers everyday so we understand the severity of the problem. This is not an abstract issue for us,’ said NAR vice president Sherri Meadows. Highlighting the difficulty many college graduates faced finding employment either before or immediately after the recent recession, those who graduated six to 10 years ago had the longest delay, with 33% saying it took more than two years to move out of a family home. ‘Nearly three-quarters of older millennials, many of whom graduated at the peak or immediately after the downturn, said their ability to purchase a home is affected by student debt,’ Yun pointed out. ‘Add in the detrimental effects of low inventory as well as rents and home price growth outpacing wages and it’s mainly why the share of first time buyers remains at its lowest point in nearly three decades,’ he added. The survey also found that student debt is affecting overall housing supply by holding back some current home owners who otherwise would like to sell. Some 31% of current home owners said their student debt is postponing them from selling their home and purchasing a new one. Of those, 18% believe it is too expensive to move and upgrade to a new home, 7% have problems with their credit caused by student loan debt, and 6% are underwater because student debt has limited their ability to pay more than the minimum payment on their mortgage. ‘It is imperative to the nation’s economy that we find immediate and practical solutions to financially empower the 43 million Americans with student debt,’ said SALT president John Zurick. ‘SALT is committed to demystifying the college financing process by giving consumers information, instruction and individualized advice. No one should fail to realise the full potential of their formal education simply because of finances. We invite the higher education community, the US government, the private sector and others to join with us in this movement,’ he added. Source link
Businesses of all sizes from North Wales have been urged to make the most of the contract set to be made available for work on Britain’s high-speed rail network HS2. More than 100 firms attended a supply chain roadshow, organised in conjunction with Construction Futures Wales, to find out how they could bid for work on the project, which is predicted to create some of the highest-value contracts in construction history. More than 580 people have so far attended similar events in Liverpool, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Leeds and Newcastle to learn about taking advantage of billions of pounds worth of opportunities. Construction of HS2 is set to begin next year at a cost of around £56 billion, with the first phase of the project from London to Birmingham forecasted for completion in 10 years’ time. It is thought that phase two, which will run as far as Crewe, will open in 2027, followed by an extension to Manchester and Leeds finished by 2033. In total, the project will create around 25,000 jobs in construction, together with some 20,000 apprenticeships. Earlier this year, construction got under way on the two sites of the National College for High Speed Rail in Doncaster, in South Yorkshire, and Birmingham. Thousands of workers will attend the college when it is opened in September 2017 to learn essential skills that will allow them to build and run the high-speed rail line, as well as infrastructure projects of the future. Roadshows similar to the one held in North Wales on June 29 will now be held Bristol, Cambridge, London and Coventry. Small, medium and large businesses are encouraged to attend to learn as much as possible about HS2. UK Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said: “Our government’s ground-breaking HS2 programme provides a fantastic opportunity for businesses across the UK, including those in Wales. It will create some of the largest value contracts in UK construction history and job opportunities throughout the supply chain. “With billions of pounds worth of contracts on the table, we hope Welsh businesses will take full advantage of this event, which will set out how firms can compete for work on this vital infrastructure project.” Companies can obtain more information about HS2 Ltd’s procurement process by emailingSCC@hs2.org.uk. Source link
As a former police Superintendent, Ian Sidney, is no stranger to bringing criminals to justice. Earlier this month, in his current role as CITB’s Fraud Investigator, Ian and his team successfully secured a conviction against a con-woman operating in the West Midlands. Karen Sharpe, a 51-year-old company director from Staffordshire, was arrested by CITB’s Fraud team in November last year. She was accused of buying 13 fake CSCS cards in a local pub and using them to secure a cleaning contract on a construction site in Stafford. The fakes were uncovered by the employer during a routine induction process, who dismissed the 12 cleaning staff immediately and informed CITB’s Fraud Team. Karen Sharpe faced Cannock Magistrate’s Court on 6 April, charged with fraud by false representation. She received 14 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months and is required to undertake 180 hours of unpaid community service. She must also pay a victim surcharge and court costs totalling £265. In sentencing, the Magistrate commented, “This is a serious offence and you obtained the cards from a pub which is a bit sad. The offence was effected, planned and well organised by you and you played a leading role. This was a clear abuse of the position you held.” Ian Sidney said, “I hope this sends a strong message to anyone who works in construction and is taking part in any illegal activities. “This woman’s actions could have had serious consequences for anyone working on the construction site and for the staff who were working for her. “We simply will not tolerate any fraudulent behaviour that puts lives at risk or brings the industry into disrepute. “These arrests also demonstrate the need for employers to regularly check employee’s CSCS cards, to ensure they are genuine and valid documents.” If you think you know someone using a fraudulent card you should: Retain the card if possible Make photocopies of front and back Record cardholder’s name and address Ask the cardholder where the card was obtained from Call the local police and report the matter Refuse access to site (subject to company rules) Forward copies of all evidence to CITB Quality Assurance Team, Building 16, Bircham Newton, King’s Lynn, PE31 6RH, marked ‘SUSPECTED FRAUDULENT CARD’ with details of the crime number given by local police You can also email Report.it@citb.co.uk CSCS will fully support any prosecution with technical and factual evidence. Source link
4 April 2016 | The NHS repairs budget has been slashed by £1.1 billion in a cut that was not publicised in George Osborne’s Budget last month, according to news reports. The chancellor did not mention the cut in his Budget speech, and the 30 per cent decrease in funding was uncovered following a Labour-sponsored review of the Budget by the House of Commons Library. The capital budget of the NHS is used to fund repairs and replace out-of-date or broken equipment. It was expected that the NHS would be allocated £4.8 billion to cover this area, but the Budget revealed the health service will only be receiving £3.7 billion of capital budget. According to news reports, it will cost the NHS an estimated £4.3 billion to complete all outstanding maintenance work. This includes £458 million of repairs classified as “high-risk”, which could endanger patients’ lives and wellbeing if they are not repaired. Serious issues classified as “high-risk” include leaking roofs and out-of-date scanners. A Department of Health spokeswoman said: “This government is investing £10 billion in the NHS’s own plan for the future and we’ve made almost £4 billion available for capital projects this year which local trusts can apply for to undertake maintenance or building projects.” Source link
Savills, acting jointly with Barker Storey Matthews on behalf of the Barnack UK Executive Pension Scheme, has let Unit 7 at Lakeside Court on Kingston Park in Hampton, Peterborough to Capital (Hair & Beauty) Ltd. The company, which was founded in 1954 and is now the UK’s largest independent supplier to hairdressers, beauty therapists and nail technicians has agreed to a new 10-year lease for a showroom and trade counter totalling 4,050 sq ft (376 sq m). A total of 11,789 sq ft (1,095.19 sq m) remains available to let at Lakeside at a quoting rent of £8 per sq ft (£86 per sq m). Edward Gee, Associate in the Business Space team at Savills Peterborough, comments: “Situated just off the Fletton Parkway, Kingston Park offers high quality, newly built trade counter units in a well established location, which is perfect for Capital. Interest levels have been extremely high and we are delighted with the success of this scheme so far.” Mandy White, store manager at the new Peterborough branch, adds: “Personally I’m thrilled with the new challenge ahead and it’s great to be working with professionals and trade only customers. I know most importantly that our customers will love the professional ranges in our easily accessible new store.” Capital currently has 40 cash & carry stores throughout the UK and Ireland, selling a wide range of products including hairdressing scissors, hair colour, styling, care and electrical products. Capital (Hair & Beauty) Ltd was advised by Ward Hill Property Consultants. Source link
CNG Ltd.’s Energy connections team is a leader in the supply and shipment of commercial gas. The company has finished the work that was taking place on three landmark contracts made with O’Shea Group Ltd., The London based construction specialists. The Energy connections team at CNG has been referred to O’Shea as they work around the City of London on a variety of different commercial and residential projects. These projects include the creation of luxury housing developments. The Energy company has worked to deliver a wide range of Energy Connection services across the three major projects that are being worked on by O’Shea. These projects are the creation of 160 apartments located in the Canary Gateway as well as a 23 storey apartment block that is part of The Pump House projects and The Oaks, which is a retail development projects. The work that was carried out by the Gas supplier includes removing the infrastructure that was already there before constructing and fitting new gas mains as well as the services, meters and outlet pipework required for the developments. Installing outlet pipework is new work for CNG Ltd. and will make a healthy addition to the company’s portfolio. The Energy Connection team had to work to a tight deadline as part of their contract with O’Shea, and also delivered work that was higher than industry standard. Due to their good work, CNG have been awarded the gas supply contract for these developments. This supply contract will mean that there will be a consistent and smooth delivery of services as well as a simplified contact process for the clients of the developments. The Energy Connections sector of CNG is expanding quickly and is a growing section of CNG’s portfolio. Energy Connections has the ability to offer design, planning and installation of gas networks as well as the delivery of the gas mains and the relocation of any existing gas facilities in order to deliver a bespoke service to their client.
The Port of London Authority’s fist port infrastructure meeting has taken place and was attended by The Shipping Minister, John Hayes MP and Val Shawcross, the deputy mayor of London for Transport. There were also 30 different business leaders that attended the meeting which discussed the road, rail, river and crossings work that needs to go ahead in order to unlock the growth that has been forecasted for the Port over the course of the next 20 years. This forecast for the Port of London has come from the Thames Vision scheme which could lead to an increase of trade in the area. It is thought that the scheme allows for the potential for 30 million tonnes of trade to take place. This growth would mean that the trade in the port would increase to 80 million tonnes. This growth is a continuation on last year, where the port saw their trade increase by 10%. The infrastructure event was hosted by Thurrock MP and Jackie Doyle Price. The guests that were invited to the meeting included a number of different representatives for ports and terminals that can bring aggregates, fuel and food in to the Thames. There were also local authorities represented at the event including Kent County Council, Thurrock, the London Borough of Dagenham & Redbridge, Royal Borough of Greenwich and Gravesham Borough Council. The UK economy is boosted by ports, therefore developing them will help the economy thrive. The plans to make improvements to the road, rail and river transport will improve connections between the port and the markets, which will also provide a welcome boost to this sector. A Port Connectivity Study has also been set u which will look in to the different ways to develop the transport links in the area in order to support the economic growth of this sector over the next 10 years.
