30 September 2016 | Jamie Harris Engie has secured a 25-year contract to refurbish, operate and maintain Leeds Generating Station Complex. The facility is jointly owned by the University of Leeds and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. It generates more than 50 MW of steam, in addition to electrical power, hot water and compressed air for the two sites. Under the terms of the deal, Engie will  complete a full refurbishment of the complex, ensuring it remains operational throughout, minimising disruption to the hospital. Dennis Hopper, director of facilities management at University of Leeds, said: “Over the coming years the University is investing £520 million in a transformative development programme that will result in a world class campus at the heart of a vibrant city.  The GSC investment is part of this ambition and when complete it will not only boost the resilience of present campus operations, but will provide the necessary infrastructure to support the University’s development.” Earlier this year, Engie was also awarded a similar contract for three NHS trusts in the Liverpool area. The £29 million deal involves the construction of CHP centres, and a 15-year contract to operate and maintain the centres. Source link

Fire & Security Association calls on industry to nominate leading figures Source link

In the UK, the decision to include a pool as part of a property development isn’t as straightforward as it might be elsewhere in the world. While they are invariably a pleasure to use, the cool climate means that pools aren’t a given feature in even the most extravagant home, and UK buyers tend to be wary about the practicalities and costs of maintaining one through the six months of the year that are too cold to swim. On top of that is the issue of space; in the UK, properties with the highest price tags are not necessarily those with the most square-footage. If you have your mind set on integrating a pool into your luxury development, it’s important that you consider which types will work most effectively with the size, style and potential owners of the property. Outdoor Pools vs. Indoor Pools A beautifully constructed swimming pool will enhance the interior or exterior of any home, and its location on the property will not necessarily have any bearing on the value of the home. Outdoor Despite the British climate, high-quality outdoor pools are still a popular choice for homeowners across the UK. The huge variety of pool shapes means that designs can complement almost any style of architecture, and blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscaping. For an outdoor pool to be truly appealing in the UK, the most important factor is ensuring the comfort of swimmers. The easiest way to achieve this is to install a sliding dome cover, which helps to retain the heat of the pool and provides shelter in inclement weather, but can be retracted out of the way during summer. Indoor If the building allows for it, an indoor pool may be more convenient for frequent use. The temperature will be easier to moderate, and surface evaporation can be kept to a minimum. Overall, maintenance will be easier and less expensive than that of an outdoor pool. Of course, the best of both worlds can be achieved with a little creativity. Doors that open from the pool room onto a deck will bring the outdoors inside during warmer months, or integrating a pool floor that rises to deck level can mean that an outdoor pool doesn’t become a wasted space in colder months. Full-Sized Pools Infinity Pools The most luxurious of pool installations is undoubtedly the infinity pool, also known as a “vanishing edge” or “negative edge” pool. The concept is that the water’s edge blends seamlessly with the surrounding vista, whether it’s a neighbouring body of water, or a spotless blue sky, giving the pool the appearance of stretching on forever. To create the illusion, at least one wall of the pool must be lower than the plane of water. This causes a slight waterfall over its edge, which gets caught in a pool sitting below the line of vision. From this catch pool the water gets filtered and pumped back into the main body of water. Infinity pools should always be custom-built to their surroundings, and are most effective when positioned over a slope or precipice. Usually installed outdoors, it’s challenging – but by no means impossible – to recreate the illusion with an indoor pool. Natural Pools The number of natural pool installations in the UK is growing as more and more families appreciate the ability to enjoy swimming in fresh, chemical-free water at home. Instead of keeping the water clean with harmful substances like chlorine, which irritate the skin and eyes, a natural pool uses reed bed technology to filter out dirt and pollutants from the water. Not to be confused with artificial ponds, the design of a natural pool needs to include a “regeneration” area with aquatic foliage and a pump that keeps the water from becoming murky. Usually lined with rubber or reinforced polyethylene, you should be able to see right to the bottom of a natural pool, making it an inviting place to take a dip. Natural pools make a beautiful feature in any garden and can provide safe, comfortable swimming all year round. However, just like a conventional pool, it is essential that leaves and debris are kept from the water, and the water temperature is properly regulated to prevent bacteria growth. For a natural pool to stay clean and hygienic, it should be installed by professionals with experience in building the appropriate filtration systems. Compact Pools Just because a home has limited square footage, doesn’t mean it has to miss out on the luxury of a private pool. The rise of high-density living has caused a huge increase in the popularity of compact pools, such as lap pools, spools and plunge pools. All of these styles provide a comfortable, versatile place to take a dip, with much less maintenance than a full-sized swimming pool. Lap Pools Also referred to as exercise pools, fitness pools and “endless pools” (although not to be confused with infinity pools), a lap pool is specifically designed for swimming in a limited space. Dimensions are usually long (around 14m) and thin (2m or so), with an average depth of 1.2 meters for comfortable swimming. Lap pools are often used as an architectural garden feature so measurements may vary in order to match the available space and the architecture of adjacent property. Particularly where lap pools are shorter than standard, they should be installed with resistance jets which create an artificial current. This allows swimmers to practise their stroke without ever reaching the end of the pool, giving the illusion of size. Spools A spool, or spa-pool, seamlessly blends the functionality of a full-sized pool with that of a spa. Like a lap pool, sub-surface jets can be used to generate a resistance current for swimming, but they can also be adjusted to create a jacuzzi effect. The modest size of a spa pool (3-5 metres in length, 2-2.5 metres in width) also makes it easy to adjust the water temperature between comfortably cool and relaxingly warm, making them a highly

Do you know how to look for a new house? Of course you do; it seems silly to even ask. What about making an offer? Even most first-time buyers know what’s involved there. Okay, how about the steps between your offer being accepted, and exchanging contracts with the seller? Can you explain what goes on between exchange and completion? Didn’t think so. When purchasing a house, many question the necessity of hiring a solicitor, but few understand the process of conveyancing – the legal procedure of transferring a property title to somebody new. In case you’re not familiar with the process, here’s what your solicitor does (and why they take so long), in between you making an offer on the property, and them handing you the keys. Guiding you through the process. It’s fine if you don’t know about the legal steps of purchasing a house; that’s what a solicitor is for. A qualified solicitor or conveyancer has been specifically trained to manage property law, and will be both your representative and guide throughout the process. Solicitors are particularly valuable for first-time buyers, as they can simplify each step and explain the various legalities associated with conveyancing and property contracts. Investigating the history of the property There are certain aspects of a property that are not immediately obvious, like whether it’s built on contaminated land or if a neighbour has an easement in place. When you hear the term “conducting searches”, it refers to these investigations. While the law doesn’t stop you from making these due diligence queries yourself, instructing a solicitor to carry these out on your behalf will be quicker, more thorough and far less stressful. Typically, the list includes: Checking with the Land Registry to confirm the title ownership and boundary lines; Determining whether the land may be affected by flooding, landfill sites, nearby (or previously existing) industry or other ground stability issues; Establishing any usage restrictions in place by the local authority; Contacting the local water authority in case public drains will affect your ability to extend the property; Identifying whether the property is liable for chancel repairs (where landowners are required to pay ongoing fees towards the local church); Any searches specific to the local area, such as common land or mining searches. These checks happen around the same time that you would commission a survey on the property, to check for structural defects. Depending on your circumstances, you may choose to use a firm that can assist you with multiple aspects of your purchase, like getting both conveyancing and RICS surveys with Daily Move. Handling the legal hurdles For many parts of the conveyancing process, it is not a legal requirement that they be conducted by a qualified solicitor. However, it can certainly help to have an expert on hand to negotiate any issues that are revealed in the searches, or contained in the draft contracts sent over by the seller. Without the experience of a conveyancer, buyers can easily end up out of their depth dealing with complex legal issues. There are still some aspects of conveyancing where a legal professional is mandatory, such as guaranteeing that the existing mortgage on the property will be removed. This undertaking must be provided by a qualified solicitor or conveyancer, as improper handling is considered professional misconduct and is met with severe penalties. Managing the contracts. Once you and your solicitor are satisfied with the results of the searches, it’s time to go through the contracts again. Unsurprisingly, the contracts transferring property ownership are long and detailed. Going through them with someone that has legal experience is strongly advised, and they can draw your attention to any clauses they have concerns about or items they feel are too vague (or missing altogether). Your contract will also include the list of fixtures and fittings that are included in the property and, crucially, the completion date agreed between you and the seller. When the contracts have been signed, you can arrange a time for your solicitor to manage the exchange of contracts with the seller’s representative. This is usually done over a recorded phone call, so both solicitors have a record that their documents contain the same thing. Completing the sale. Once contracts have been exchanged, most buyers (and sellers) breath a huge sigh of relief. At this point, the sale agreement is legally binding, and serious penalties come into effect if either party pulls out or delays the transaction past the agreed date for any reason. It might feel like the final stretch to buyers, but there is still a lot of conveyancing work to be done. Funds have to be transferred, tax returns have to be prepared and Stamp Duty Land Tax must be paid to HMRC. If you don’t choose to hire a solicitor, it becomes entirely your responsibility to ensure the necessary actions are taken in time to meet strict deadlines. Even if you are not relying on a mortgage (and therefore are not legally required to instruct a solicitor), the technical conveyancing process is extremely stressful. It’s much easier to instruct an experienced solicitor to carry out your conveyancing, leaving you to put your feet up until they hand you the keys.