Self-care is extremely important. It includes everything from how we move our bodies to how much time we take for self-care activities, like reading a book or taking a long bubble bath. Even though it’s important, and most of us know it’s important, taking care of ourselves is still really
A national survey of construction companies published by Worthing and Gatwick-based chartered accountants MHA Carpenter Box, alongside their national association MHA, reveals a stark divide in how construction companies in the South East and beyond have fared during the COVID-19 crisis. In line with national trends, almost half (49%) of
The challenges around our ageing demographic are growing, with additional incidents like COVID-19 putting a magnifying glass on the problems we already have and need to address. Action is required to ensure we can all Age Well without fear of loneliness, isolation, avoidable ill health and poor living conditions. In
In April 2020, the Office for National Statistics reported that almost half the UK population (46.6 percent) had been working from home and 86 percent of them did so as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Does that mean the end of the office, as we know it? Changing patterns
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is building a massive clock inside a mountain in West Texas, but he’s unlikely to be caught wearing one of the world’s more popular luxury watches. Back in 2018, Bezos tweeted that construction on a clock that will be able to tell time for
A Fence is an outdoor physical structure that helps provide an enclosure for an area. While it can be used for various purposes, one major purpose is to demarcate an area as a way of preventing encroachment. They can be constructed from posts and connected with wire, rails, netting, or
GHD, one of the world’s leading professional services companies, is pleased to announce that it has been appointed by Transport for London (TfL) as its Traffic Engineering Support Partner to support the delivery of feasibility and concept design packages for projects within its Roads, Streets and Places department’s cycling portfolio. Notably,
A polytunnel makes an affordable and effective alternative to a greenhouse. They’re cheaper, more flexible, more mobile, and, since they’re soft, they aren’t vulnerable to damage from errant footballs. As such, they’ve found their way into gardens and allotments across the UK, where they allow the growing of fruits and
THE IMPACT of Covid-19 on every aspect of life is undeniable. As the pandemic began to spread throughout March 2020, no one could have foretold the ways in which this disease would change society. One industry that has remained open throughout lockdown and been forced to quickly innovate is construction
There’s no denying the fact that games occupy an important place in our society. From the humble grandparents still playing Wii Fit to the young teens owning someone in Destiny 2 right now, games have a unique way of connecting us all. When it comes to playing games, every gamer
Self-care is extremely important. It includes everything from how we move our bodies to how much time we take for self-care activities, like reading a book or taking a long bubble bath. Even though it’s important, and most of us know it’s important, taking care of ourselves is still really hard. Knowing how to start taking care of yourself better can be a challenge, but no other profession has a harder time than doctors. Although it’s true that not every doctor takes care of themselves quite like they should, there are things they are more likely to do than the general population that we can all learn from. They Take Care of Medical Problems Quickly It’s normal for many of us to live with pain and various symptoms for a long time before we get help. This often makes things worse. Doctors, on the other hand, are more likely to take care of medical problems as soon as they crop up. If they become injured, they are more likely to hire an attorney to help long-term disability benefits, and they are more likely to schedule an appointment with a specialist to assess their condition. It’s also important to note that they are more likely to say on top of their routine healthcare appointments too says this dentist who does high-quality dental implants in Chattanooga. That means scheduling mammograms and colonoscopies, but because they work with other medical professionals, they are often asking each other questions about new symptoms and whether they should see someone or not. Exercise Is Part of Their Daily Routine Doctors don’t have a lot of time for exercise, and it’s true that some doctors still don’t make time for movement, but many do. The ones that do exercise regularly are successful because they make it part of their daily routine. Among the doctors who exercise regularly, first thing in the morning is the most popular time to squeeze in a workout. Many doctors like to jog, but you’ll also find physicians lifting weights, going for walks, and doing yoga. This is important because doctors who exercise regularly are more likely to prescribe it to patients, and most patients would do well to get a little bit more exercise. If your doctor practices what they preach, you’ll be more likely to follow through with an exercise routine of your own. More Restraint Around Tobacco and Alcohol There are almost no doctors who smoke because they understand just how severe the health effects can be. Just a few of the health effects most commonly associated with smoking include: They also understand the dangers of drinking, but that doesn’t mean doctors don’t drink. They are actually more likely to drink, but licensed physicians are also more likely to drink moderately when they do drink. They are much more likely to have just a few drinks every week, and they are less likely to drink more than four drinks in one evening. More Mindful Eating Doctors are more likely to pay closer attention to what they eat. It’s true that doctors aren’t immune to eating on the run, which means driving through a fast food restaurant on the way home, but they are also more likely to squeeze in healthy meals and snacks throughout the week. Many doctors follow advice that includes things like eating heart healthy fats like nuts and avocados. They are more likely to limit their intake of red meat, and they squeeze a few servings of fish into their weekly diet, which has many health benefits. They Take Their Vitamins Doctors are busy. Most understand that they simply don’t have the time to eat well all the time, so they make sure to take their vitamins. They follow the advice from nutritionists which includes taking vitamins like vitamin D and calcium. You’re also more likely to find doctors taking vitamin C as a way to try and stay well throughout flu season, especially if they work closely with patients who are sick. Vitamin B-12 and E are popular too, as are multivitamins that can be taken without thinking about the specifics of each and every ingredient. Doctors are human, just like we are. That means they aren’t perfect, but because they are in the healthcare field, they understand the importance of taking care of themselves. Take a page from their self-care book and follow the tips on this list to take care of yourself the way they do.
A national survey of construction companies published by Worthing and Gatwick-based chartered accountants MHA Carpenter Box, alongside their national association MHA, reveals a stark divide in how construction companies in the South East and beyond have fared during the COVID-19 crisis. In line with national trends, almost half (49%) of companies said the impact of COVID-19 has been substantial; 44% stated it had had only minimal impact on their business; and only 5% described the damage was critical. Future expectations also showed a divide, with almost a third reporting that business activity was now back to normal, while 30% believed it would take over a year to return to pre-pandemic levels. The biggest concern, shared by 61% of respondents, is economic uncertainty. Supply chain disruption also ranked high on the list of worries, mentioned by 45% of respondents, with 32% concerned about cashflow, which reflects the industry’s strong balance sheets, low debt risk and improved turnover pre-pandemic. Other findings: 81% have made use of the furlough scheme, with seven in 10 planning to bring back all furloughed staff Close to a third (32%) have had to make redundancies 68% have used the VAT deferral scheme 47% reported it was easy to access government funding Commenting on the results of the survey, Robert Dowling, Head of Construction and Real Estate at MHA and MHA Carpenter Box, said: “Construction businesses in the South East have generally adapted well since lockdown was lifted. They are managing sites to ensure activity can continue, whilst adhering to social distancing measures by spreading workforces around sites. “Inevitably there are delays and completion dates are being put back, which in turn is expected to have some impact on funding by increasing the cost of capital. “The future however is very uncertain. Government projects are now the most likely source of revival for the sector; housebuilding, although currently buoyed up by strong demand is likely to suffer from a rise in unemployment; and commercial building is unlikely to thrive, with many companies questioning whether they need as much office space as before.”
The challenges around our ageing demographic are growing, with additional incidents like COVID-19 putting a magnifying glass on the problems we already have and need to address. Action is required to ensure we can all Age Well without fear of loneliness, isolation, avoidable ill health and poor living conditions. In less than 20 years, it’s estimated that 25% of the population will be over the age of 65. Evidence dictates England needs to improve the quality of housing to be accessible, affordable, safe and comfortable to live in and the environment in which our housing sits is just as essential to support wellbeing. Zero carbon infrastructure and assistive technology will be vital to the effectiveness of housing, supporting people to live well and age well at home. Following the events of Covid-19 in 2020 it is more evident than ever that access to quality open space, to support health and wellbeing and the ability to meet and socialise in places that are attractive, comfortable and safe are essential components in the places we design and create. The accessibility of safe technology to provide virtual interaction, activity and social engagement will be vital to supporting people’s mental health and in preventing loneliness and isolation. The Good Home Inquiry launched data earlier this year showing approximately 10 million people in England spent the coronavirus lockdown in a home that presents a serious threat to their health and safety. With about 1.8 million adults living in damp and/or cold housing and, of these, more than one in ten people are living with health conditions potentially caused or exacerbated by poor housing, causing them to be ‘at greater risk’ of contracting and dying from coronavirus. According to data cited in the report, 4.3 million homes in England are what the government defines as ‘non-decent’ putting the health and wellbeing of their estimated 10 million inhabitants at risk. The report highlights that people who have been identified as most at risk of COVID-19, including older people, those with pre-existing health conditions and Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority groups, are more likely to be living in non-decent homes, along with those on low incomes. The issues a winter lockdown could generate, with increased fuel bills and exacerbated fuel poverty and people spending more time in their homes struggling to keep poorly insulated homes warm for longer periods are causing real concern to health and social care as the health of those most vulnerable will be negatively impact. The report calls on government to make sure at-risk groups have the support they need now to make their homes warmer, free from damp and mold, and safer. For some this means providing trusted information and advice to signpost them towards those who can help. For others, this will require more direct intervention such as financial support from Government to ensure homes are safe. In the longer term, much more needs to be done to fix the poor state of England’s housing with our existing housing stock amongst the worst in Europe. It will require collaboration of the highest scale across the public and private sectors to address these challenges, as no one organisation or body will have the capacity to meet the demand. Listening and learning from past and recent living experiences of people is essential to creating places fit for the future and innovation is vital to achieving better outcomes. As Henry Ford said, ‘if you always do what you’ve have always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got’, so it’s time for change. History demonstrates that challenging times promote creativity and some of the best new inventions came out of worldwide conflict and deprivation. For example, much of the technology we take for granted today was developed in the 2nd world war and has helped shape the world today and the invention of pressurised cabins to protect health has enabled safer flying, growth of worldwide economies and travel experiences for mankind. We have the next worldwide conflict on the horizon the pandemic which there is no vaccine for ‘Climate Change’ and an opportunity to create a better place and to slow down considerably its impact on the world and its future. It is all our responsibility to act now to prevent the catastrophic impact climate change will have on our future generation’s lives. As well as to address the inequalities and devastating impact of poor housing on today’s society. So, let’s be bold and ambitious like we had to be in the 1st and 2nd world wars and invest in innovative solutions for infrastructure, products and services which hit zero-carbon transitional targets and decentralise services. Localised solutions maximise positive outcomes for community wellbeing. Creating opportunity for effective collaboration bringing together the best ideas, best skills and best production of zero carbon accessible and affordable lifelong solutions, is a challenge we can all embrace if we work together. I am proud to work for ENGIE in a position where I can influence and be part of solutions for a better place and I am excited by the potential of what we can achieve with the support of our customers and partners. Sir Captain Tom Moore is spot on! ‘Tomorrow will be a better day’ if we want it to be and is an example of what good can come out of the simplest idea… Paula Broadbent – Retirement Solutions Director Places & Communities ENGIE UK & Ireland
In April 2020, the Office for National Statistics reported that almost half the UK population (46.6 percent) had been working from home and 86 percent of them did so as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Does that mean the end of the office, as we know it? Changing patterns of work Now, as workplaces gradually reopen in the ‘new normal’, employees are returning to discover a ‘reimagined workplace’ that’s very different from the one they left behind. Pre-Covid the office was open plan with shared spaces and facilities for face-to-face meetings. And, working from home was an option. Instead, employees find themselves in a hybrid workplace where more than half of employees may be working remotely. In fact, a Gartner survey indicated that remote working may become a permanent feature for many employees. The survey indicated that 74 percent of respondents intended to move at least 5 percent of their on-site workforce to permanently remote positions post-COVID 19 and nearly 25 percent said they will move at least 20 percent of employees. Focus on safety That’s a major shift in the way people work and the workplace is being reinvented to reflect that. As well as catering for a fluctuating workforce, the changes are providing an opportunity to create a smarter workplace that could improve productivity and efficiency. The challenge for the industry is how to reopen the workplace as a safe, secure environment for those employees that want to return — and many do. Gensler Research, for example, found that only 12 percent of US workers want to work from home full time. Most want to return to the workplace, but with critical changes. The survey found that employees still value personal interaction over virtual collaboration and ‘people-focused’ reasons were top of the list for their preference to return. What employees miss most about the office are the people, according to 74 percent of respondents. Employees looking for reassurance However, research also indicates a continuing lack of confidence among employees — they want concrete evidence that employers are taking actions to protect them. A survey by Traction Guest in June 2020 found that 84 percent of employees are concerned about going to their workplace for the remainder of 2020 and 85 percent stated that health and safety in the workplace is now a greater consideration than before the pandemic. Short-term social distancing measures are enabling a limited return, but to encourage more employees back, employers and industry professionals have to go further. That means reinventing the workplace by adapting existing buildings to recreate a safe environment for the critical social and human aspects of work that were absent during lockdown. Technology is playing a critical role and creating an integrated digital network will be critical to provide services that keep employees and visitors safe. Coronavirus cleaning specialists at Metro Cleaning explain, “Deep cleaning should be carried out daily, or as often as possible. If COVID-19 has been confirmed in your office, the amount of virus living on surfaces will reduce significantly after 72 hours, so if possible, wait until this time has passed before cleaning. Then, make sure to wear disposable or washing-up gloves and aprons when cleaning – this is the minimum personal protective equipment (PPE) necessary according to the current PHE guidance.” Protecting the employee journey The ‘employee journey’ in a multi-floor building provides a useful framework for identifying where technology can help. On a typical day, an employee leaves home, taking public transport or driving to the company car park and accesses the building with a temperature check at reception. After taking the lift to the office, the employee might go upstairs to a conference room then return to the office or go to a cafeteria. Later, there might be an informal meeting in a huddle room or visits to other departments before exiting the building at the end of the day. That type of journey takes in many critical contact points where touchless technology, surveillance and digital wayfinding systems can play a key role in reducing risk and creating a safe working environment. Of course, though touchless technology will play an important role in the future, this doesn’t take away the fact that offices and employers need to be vigilant with cleanliness and hygiene. Metro Cleaning reports Keeping employees informed Up-to-date information is essential during periods of uncertainty and digital signage is proving to be a valuable channel of communication. Video walls and other forms of digital display provide a flexible, dynamic channel for company notifications, status updates, location information and alerts of changes in procedures or urgent safety instructions. Higher levels of automation Automation is an important element of the reinvented workplace, helping to eliminate unnecessary contact and ensure critical tasks, such as hygiene or environmental checks, are completed automatically in line with pre-set procedures. Integrating automation with touchless technologies helps to minimize the risk of transferring the virus through contact with any of the frequently used surfaces in a building. Critical, heavily used surfaces might include door handles, access keypads, elevator buttons, display controls and reception logins. Actions associated with those surfaces can be automated, using technologies such as RFID to create a touchless process. And, smartphone apps can also be used to automate many of the processes, particularly those tasks where employees must validate their identity to gain access at reception or secure areas, for example. An integrated approach All of these services can be integrated with track and trace and building management systems to bring HVAC, lighting and other environmental services into a single solution, rather than a collection of ad-hoc installations. Surveillance systems will also be important to monitor spaces where social distancing could be difficult to maintain. By using information from monitoring systems, facilities management teams can redirect people via digital wayfinding systems to reduce the risk of overcrowding. Delivering a solution like this will require a multidisciplinary approach involving an ecosystem of dedicated partners, including architects, facility planners and managers, interior designers, furniture manufacturers, contractors,
Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos is building a massive clock inside a mountain in West Texas, but he’s unlikely to be caught wearing one of the world’s more popular luxury watches. Back in 2018, Bezos tweeted that construction on a clock that will be able to tell time for 10,000 years was underway. The billionaire has spent an estimated $42 million on his project but no amount of money in the world is going to buy him enough time to see his giant timepiece through to its final tick, as he’s well aware. When you have as much money as Bezos and you can’t imagine a time when income will slow, you’re probably going to want to do something memorable. The Texas clock will outlive Bezos, as well as an unthinkable number of his descendants – if all goes according to plan, it will stand the test of time. While he’s here, though, he isn’t flashing an expensive Rolex, although any number of wristwatches can be bought off Amazon. Bezos can actually afford to purchase his own watch – the Ulysse Nardin – 11 milliontimes as it costs just under £10,000. You don’t have to be a millionaire to be able to afford a £10,000 watch and, with Rolex and Patek Philippe models dominating the list of top 10 most expensive luxury watches – no other timepiece breaks into that list – you’d think a man of his wealth would go for one of them. As it turns out, Bezos isn’t unlike those he rubs shoulders with when it comes to watch choice. Microsoft founder Bill Gates wears a Casio Duro that costs just over £50 and can afford to buy 1.6 billion of the nifty devices. The late Steve Jobs also wore a very modest Seiko model and current Apple CEO Tim Cook typically goes for an Apple Hermes. Meanwhile, Barclays’ Jes Staley can buy his Panerai Luminor Marina 534,892 times over at a cost of £3,488.35 per unit. Tesla CEO Elon Musk is another such entrepreneur who isn’t a fan of the Rolex. Musk has often been seen wearing the limited edition Carrera Calibre 1887 SpaceX Chronograph produced by Tag Heuer and SpaceX eight years ago. Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t even wear a watch, which is no surprise given his unlimited lineup of t-shirts and jeans. But when you’re that rich, time isn’t as big an issue for you as it is for most people, right? While Bezos isn’t particularly concerned with what goes on his wrist, he’s clearly time conscious enough to spend $42 million on a giant clock. The idea, though, came from computer scientist Danny Hillis, who thought up a 10,000-year clock way back in 1986. Of course, it is a pretty big project, but he can probably get away with some mistakes as no one’s going to be around long enough to give him any stick over it. The clock will be 500 feet in height and will be mechanically powered by day/night thermal cycles, according to Bezos, and is going to be synchronized at solar noon. It’s supposed to tick once a year and chime once every millennium. There’s no timeline as it pertains to the clock’s completion but people can sign up for a mailing list for an alert whenever construction is over. Bezos says he wants his mega-clock to serve as a reminder that the future is really going to be that far ahead. Whether he decides to try on some more luxurious watch brands is left to be seen, but for now, the magnate looks set to stick to his choice Ulysse Nardin.
A Fence is an outdoor physical structure that helps provide an enclosure for an area. While it can be used for various purposes, one major purpose is to demarcate an area as a way of preventing encroachment. They can be constructed from posts and connected with wire, rails, netting, or boards. There are different styles as well as types and they can be made with different materials too. The type and material that you choose will depend largely on what you want to achieve with it. Common styles include: Chain link Split rail Kentucky post and board Privacy fence Wood picket, etc. Common materials for making fences include Wood Aluminum PVC Wrought Iron Electric Bamboo You can read more about them here. Why You Should Install One Installing a fence on your property can have many benefits. Asides the aesthetics and curb appeal that it adds to the property, below are some other reasons you may want to do so. Privacy Most people who live on or own their property usually like privacy. Whatever you choose to do whether swimming, sunbathing, or enjoying time with family, you want to be sure that no one is watching you or trespassing. Installing a fence affords you the privacy you need in your home. Security This is perhaps the main reason a lot of people invest in fencing their property. No one wants an intruder encroaching on their property or home whether it is a criminal or any other wandering soul. You may also live in an area with close proximity to wildlife and do not want them coming into your yard. A good fence will help prevent all of these. Safety For families with kids and pets, fencing off your home is important as you do not want them wondering off your premises. It will keep them in the confines of your yard, preventing them from wandering off. For your pets such as dogs, it can help keep them from getting lost or contracting diseases from outside and bringing such back to your home. It can also help to prevent accidents, such as drowning, if you have a body of water in your backyard. Establishing Boundaries To avoid trespassing on your land either by accident or intentionally, rather than getting upset or worked up about it, you can put up a fence to mark your boundaries. You can establish the start as well as the end of your land and avoid any form of dispute. It also lets you know how much space you have so that you can work within the boundary of your space and not also encroach on other people’s land. Beautifying Your Home Usually, fences are built for utility purposes but that is not to say they cannot be beautiful. As soon as you decide to construct one, part of the groundwork is choosing a type and design that will complement your home. Asides other reasons for putting one up, you may simply put one up to add to your home’s appeal and value. What to Know Before Installation Despite your reasons for wanting to install a fence, depending on where you live, there might be things you need to put into consideration before doing. Though we will briefly look at some of these consideration factors below, you can check out more of them in this article: https://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/outdoor/fences/before-you-build-a-fence/. Building Codes and Regulations In Cincinnati, there are regulations and codes for putting up a fence that you need to follow. You also must get approval or permit from the City Council and pay a fee for a Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Appropriateness. There are also specifications and guidelines that must be followed. Get a Survey A survey of your land helps you know your property line and determine the appropriate place to put your fence. You may be able to get a copy from the Cincinnati Buildings and Inspections Department or may need a professional quantity surveyor to do one for you. This will save you any stress or headache arising from any disputes in the future. It is most likely you have neighbors on either sides of your property so you may also need to discuss with them about putting up your fence. This is not to get their approval but to clear up any boundaries issues or disputes that may occur. Installing Your Fence After you have done all due diligence and gotten the necessary permits and it is time to go on with your fence installation in Cincinnati, you need to decide how to go about it. There are many DIY guides available but if you want a good job, your best bet will be to engage experienced professionals who are local to Cincinnati to handle it for you. Much more than building it, they understand local laws and codes governing fence installations. They can also help you restore, repair, and revitalize old ones. Conclusion Installing a fence in Cincinnati offers you so many benefits which you should take advantage of. You must however remember to take the necessary precautions discussed above to ensure you get the best possible. If you must do it yourself, get all the help you can. If however you want the best outcome, you will be better off employing professionals to get the job done for you. This will serve you better in the long run.
GHD, one of the world’s leading professional services companies, is pleased to announce that it has been appointed by Transport for London (TfL) as its Traffic Engineering Support Partner to support the delivery of feasibility and concept design packages for projects within its Roads, Streets and Places department’s cycling portfolio. Notably, GHD will help develop the feasibility design for Cycle Future Route 15 (CFR 15), which will link Streatham to Oval and is one of 25 routes identified by TfL as having the highest potential demand for cycling in London. CFR 15 is part of TfL’s Healthy Streets Approach, a system of policies and strategies to deliver a healthier, more inclusive city where people choose to walk, cycle and use public transport, in line with the Mayor’s Transport Strategy. Work has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of TfL’s new Streetspace for London programme, which aims to create more space for people to safely walk or cycle as London emerges from the coronavirus lockdown, in order to avoid a car-based recovery. Following a competitive tender process, GHD was appointed to TfL’s four-year Traffic Engineering Support Partner Framework on account of its specialist sector experience, which includes developing financially viable multi-modal road design solutions, road and traffic safety, and traffic modelling. As TfL’s exclusive Traffic Engineering Support Partner, GHD has mobilised quickly on the project and will provide dedicated resource over the next four years. The GHD team has been assembled from across the company’s global network and is centered around TfL’s specific requirements. A combined TfL and GHD team have recently worked on designs for the A23 Streatham Hill Healthy Streets scheme, where the primary objective is to bring about a ‘step change’ in the street design and public realm quality. This is mainly being achieved by enabling informal pedestrian crossings to help improve accessibility, while also providing cycling infrastructure and addressing vehicles’ speed. Working in collaboration with Lambeth Council, TfL and GHD prepared multiple preliminary and feasibility designs to achieve this along a 1km stretch of the A23 Streatham Hill. Special considerations were given to mitigating the impact of the scheme on bus journey times and ensuring that the design of the crossings was inclusive for mobility and visually impaired users. The TfL and GHD team will now develop CFR 15 feasibility designs between Oval Station and Pendennis Road in Streatham over the next six months to April 2021. The team will also design temporary cycle lanes that will be instated along the entire length of CFR 15 to encourage more walking and cycling in the current COVID-19 environment. GHD has a long and successful track record of working with TfL, having previously been awarded contracts under its Transport Planning & Impact Monitoring, Engineering, and Project Management Frameworks. Craig Adams, TfL Client Account Director and Traffic Engineering Team Leader at GHD, said: “We are delighted to be supporting TfL’s design team once again, as work on Cycle Future Route 15 kicks off at an accelerated pace on account of the COVID-19 pandemic. This route will be an important addition to London’s cycling infrastructure, which is playing a more vital role than ever before on account of social distancing requirements on the public transport network. It has never been more important to get Londoners out walking and cycling, and the Healthy Streets Approach is key to making this happen by improving the experience of being on London’s streets. We look forward to supporting TfL once again as it works to make the capital’s streets safer and more pleasant, with reduced pollution and enhanced accessibility, for the benefit of the wider London community.” With regards to the A23 Streatham Hill Healthy Streets scheme designs, Kieran Hutley, TfL’s Principal Sponsor, Lambeth – Network Sponsorship – Investment Delivery Planning, said: “Will Norman, the Mayor of London’s Walking & Cycling Commissioner, was very impressed that the combined TfL and GHD team had managed to reduce the bus journey time delays, as well as design a scheme with segregated cycle facilities and straight-across pedestrian crossings, achieving the TfL Healthy Streets objectives.”
A polytunnel makes an affordable and effective alternative to a greenhouse. They’re cheaper, more flexible, more mobile, and, since they’re soft, they aren’t vulnerable to damage from errant footballs. As such, they’ve found their way into gardens and allotments across the UK, where they allow the growing of fruits and vegetables of a sort that might require careful temperature-management. But, for all of their mobility, these are at least semi-permanent structures? Don’t they therefore need planning permission? The short answer is that, for most domestic gardens, you do not need planning permission. However, there are a few exceptions that you might need to worry about. If your polytunnel falls foul of any of the following rules of thumb, then it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll need to obtain planning permission – but it does mean that it’s a good idea to get in touch with your local planning authority to clear things up. Is Your Polytunnel too Tall? If your tunnel is more than 3m tall, then people in neighbouring gardens will be able to see it, and it might feasibly block out the sunlight for them. Get to four or five metres tall, and this problem becomes even worse; you don’t want to create an eyesore and annoy everyone, after all. Is Your Polytunnel too close to the Boundary? If your tunnel sits right next to the boundary, then height concerns will be even more pressing. If it’s taller than 2.5m and you want it flush against your fence, then it’s time to pick up the phone. Is your Polytunnel too Big? There are rules against appending an enormous extension to the rear of your home. If it’s covering more than half of the area around your house, then you might need to start worrying. Is your Polytunnel at the front of your House? A polytunnel that’s facing the street is going to be much more visible, and therefore (in theory) more objectionable. Sometimes, this is a necessity; in these cases, you’ll likely need permission. Is your Polytunnel on an allotment? In the case of allotments, you’ll probably have more to fear from the allotment committee than the planning restrictions. After all, sometimes the installation of a polytunnel can suck in energy which might otherwise reach neighbouring crops. What about Agricultural Land? If you’re running a farm, it might seem that you should be granted greater leeway. And most of the time, you are: if you want to keep sheep in a tunnel, you should be fine. However, if you’re altering the purpose of your farm (you’re clearing out all of your arable crops and keeping livestock instead) or applying for a grant, then you’ll probably need to seek planning permission.
THE IMPACT of Covid-19 on every aspect of life is undeniable. As the pandemic began to spread throughout March 2020, no one could have foretold the ways in which this disease would change society. One industry that has remained open throughout lockdown and been forced to quickly innovate is construction – and Matt Linekar and Stephen Moore from contractor Willmott Dixon have been at the forefront. Gone are the days where you could enjoy a concert surrounded by tens of thousands of people, or hug those outside of your household as a friendly greeting. Instead, we now live in a world of social distancing and masked outings. But the impact of Covid-19 isn’t just those changes staring us in the face. There are more subtle, underlying ramifications that are yet to be explored completely – such as alterations in building design. The question is, are Covid-related changes we are now seeing in building design here to stay, or a passing trend as the industry attempts to guide itself back to normality when the pandemic is over? A change in requirements One of the biggest changes in building design is the importance that is now being placed on ventilation. The need for proper circulation and fresh air to reduce the risk of contamination has never been more prominent – especially in the education sector where large groups of students must move around the building during regular intervals. This requirement also means that designers must think about the importance of flexibility to be able to purge the air in classrooms, and also consider window patterns and wall fans and their impact on the acoustics of these rooms. The care sector is another one that must adapt to changing times and, again, consider the importance of ventilation in communal areas or corridors that could be the hub of cross contamination. Many care homes are now drawing on primary care regimes and lobbying rooms to protect infected patients, altering facilities to increase the safety of both staff and residents. But, with providers in these sectors already struggling to source funds and a potential vaccine set to hit the UK in 2021, many of these measures may not be instigated. Stephen Moore, preconstruction manager at Willmott Dixon, said: “We have seen a variety in responses from our customers, with some not wanting to make significant, long-term changes to a problem that is deemed to be short-term. Cost management is key when it comes to these alterations, but many businesses are struggling to weigh up the short-term benefits with the financial impact that it can have on the outgoings of a project. “This response is being reflected by local authorities. Spatial problems are undeniable when discussing social distancing in schools, but councils don’t have the money, space or desire to make long-term changes to facilitate social distancing measures, and we are seeing many private sector companies take a similar stance. There is a focus for adapting operational policy rather than a significant change to buildings and the way they are designed to function.” Perfecting the process It’s not just the elements of design that have been impacted by Covid-19, but also the process in which these designs are created. The informal nature of construction sites means that social distancing is often hard to maintain. With a mountain of competing factors to contend with – such as the need for team work, the variety of jobs that have to be completed simultaneously and strict time scales that have to be adhered to – contractors have had to make dramatic changes to ensure staff stay socially distant while working on projects. This has meant for many firms, including Willmott Dixon, that focusing on off-site fabrication has helped the design process. Matt Linekar, head of building services at Willmott Dixon, said: “One of the key things that the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated is off-site manufacturing and the different ways in which we might be able to utilise modern methods of construction (MMC). “MMC is already a hot topic for the industry and the pandemic has simply enhanced this – and the last few months has given us the opportunity to explore the options in more detail and will no doubt continue to play a part in construction projects in the longer-term.” Long-term or short-term The construction industry is one that has never stopped working, so very quickly firms were forced to adopt new ways of working to help protect their teams and prevent the spread of Covid-19, all while ensuring that essential building projects did not stall. Matt added: “Distancing on site – and within the wider community – is probably here to stay, so as an industry we are having to find ways to accommodate that, but whether or not there will actually be long-term design implications remains to be seen. “The short-term response has been one of meeting practical challenges on sites and moving forwards with a different way of working, but the reality is that the construction industry is a very competitive marketplace – potentially even more so as the government has positioned the built environment at the forefront of the recovery strategy. “The government is encouraging a ‘build back better’ approach but there are inevitably cost implications associated with that and without legislation to demand improved standards and a force for change.” Should we change the approach to building design? There are potentially significant positives associated with a change in design focus, especially when you consider the environmental targets the UK is working towards and the impact more sustainable building would have. Stephen added: “Moving towards a focus on whole life cost is an important first step – but that will rely heavily on customers adopting a shift in mindset, thinking about overall value rather than initial outlay. It’s challenging, especially against a backdrop of a damaged economy and already stretched budgets, especially within the public sector. “Sustainability will be key, but that is something that has been put somewhat on the backburner for
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