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UK Insurance Industry Request Legislation...

3rd May, 2008

Insurers call for councils to draw up surface water management plans: The UK insurance industry has urged the Government to legislate to give the Environment Agency overall responsibility for managing all forms of flooding and to require all local authorities to produce local surface water management plans.

These initiatives are highlighted by the Association of British Insurers in its response to the administration's consultation on improving surface water management.

Justin Jacobs, the ABI's head of property, said: "One of the key lessons from last summer's devastating floods is that we need to rethink how we manage excessive rainfall. A detailed assessment of the risk posed from heavy rainfall and where improvements are needed a more co-ordinated approach and, crucially, adequate investment."

Meanwhile, in a separate but related development, the property sector has called on the Government to increase spending on flood prevention measures.

A letter sent to ministers by the British Property Federation said: "The Government must supply sufficient funding for flood defences to ensure that insurance companies continue to be able to offer affordable flood insurance to areas of flood risk."

The BPF has also argued that proposals to remove permitted development rights for householders planning to pave over gardens and driveways with impermeable material could prove unnecessarily burdensome for planning officials.

It has told the Government that a better solution would be to encourage local planning authorities to make article 4 directions in high flood risk areas.

A Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson said: "The Government recognises just how important sustainable urban drainage systems are. We are grateful to the ABI's contribution to our consultation on this issue which closes today. We will consider it along with all the others we have received. We expect to publish responses later on this year.

"The Government is committed to effectively managing flood and coastal erosion risk, which is why we have nearly doubled the spending on flood and coastal erosion risk management in cash terms, to an estimated £600m in 2007-08. Our investment over the next three years will total £2.15bn - with an £800m planned spend in 2010-11 alone."

Application To Wind-Up Land Banking Co...

21st March, 2008

Financial watchdogs have stepped up their warnings to individuals to be wary of anyone cold-calling and asking for clients to invest in land-banking schemes.

This advice has come from the Companies Investigation Branch (CIB) of the Insolvency Service and the Financial Services Agency following the winding-up in the High Court in Manchester of another company marketing plots of land as an investment opportunity.

From February 2005 to November 2006, Sinclair Deville Limited (SDV), offered "investment opportunities" to private individuals under a scheme in which fields purchased by the company were divided into plots of land and then sold for investment purposes.

SDV was described in promotional literature as a land banking business aimed at identifying and securing prime undeveloped land before planning consent is granted. Land acquired was divided into smaller plots and sold to private individuals with a view to planning permission being obtained for the site as a whole.

Investors were recruited on the basis that the value of a site would increase substantially if planning permission was obtained.

CIB's and the FSA's investigations found that SDV took in excess of £3.2m from investors on the premise that SDV would seek to secure planning permission for the benefit of the site as whole. The site would then be sold to a developer, the profit being divided amongst the plot holders.

In applying to have the company wound-up, CIB alleged that the company had taken part in the promotion of an unauthorized Collective Investment Scheme under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA) because individuals were investing in a plot of land in anticipation of planning permission being obtained on the site as a whole resulting in the value of their plot increasing.

While individuals did own their plot separately to other investors, any application for planning permission would be made collectively on behalf of the individual plot holders by either SDV or another unidentified body using the pooled resources of the investors. Investors did not therefore have day-to-day control over the planning process.

Furthermore, the Court heard that SDV was not in a financial position to repay monies taken under the scheme, much less to pay compensation to investors as required under the FSMA.

The court was told that SDV had misled investors by claiming that the company only acquired land that satisfied "stringent criteria". In fact, there was no professional vetting of sites before they were acquired by the company.

Revised Household Projections...

6th March, 2008

The Government has published revised household projections for the English regions to take account of changes in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) population figures.

These point to a reduction in the projected rate of population growth in London but an increase in the projected rate in other regions.

These changes are the result of an improved methodology for estimating the distribution of migrants around the country.

Communities and Local Government has stressed that the overall projections for England are not affected by these revisions so the annual rate of household growth in England remains at 223,000 between 2004 and 2026.

The household projections are trend-based and indicate what would happen if past demographic changes continue.

Comparisons of the revised figures with the original 2004-based projections indicate that London will have lower annual average household growth, as will the North East. The East will have a higher projected annual average growth, as will the East Midlands, South East and South West although less markedly than in the East.

These figures form part of the evidence that regional and local planning authorities use in the assessment of future housing requirements.

Source: PlanningPortal

Planning Fees Set To Rise Between 11-25%...

7th December, 2007

The Government has published its proposals for increased English planning fees in 2008. The basis is a 25 per cent increase on current rates, but only 11 per cent for householder applications.

Incentives to boost domestic energy generation

30th August, 2007

A think tank has called on local authorities to offer interest-free loans to residents who want to invest in microgeneration technology like solar panels and wind turbines. This help should sit alongside council tax rebates for homes with green energy supplies, according to a report.

The New Local Government Network has also urged ministers to give local authorities which promote microgeneration a cost-neutral performance grant - and a mild "penalty" for those councils with a poor performance in this area.

These measures are highlighted in a report issued by the network which has also argued that councils should be required to demonstrate that microgeneration plans were in the public interest as a result of specific local involvement in the issues.

"Listening to the voices of local people in this way would ensure that 'residential amenity' was protected as defined by residents. Council tax rebates and capital loans for householders would incentivise local people to engage in the process," argued report author James Macgregor.

Meanwhile environmentalists and green energy interests have urged the Government to maintain its support for the 'Merton Rule' which requires developers to use onsite renewables in major new developments where viable.

To date the Greater London Authority, three English regions and some 20 local planning authorities have formally adopted the policy and a further 150 are about to do so.

Both the British Property Federation and the Home Builders Federation are campaigning for an end to Government backing for the 'Merton Rule', currently enshrined in planning policy advice.

Merton Council, the London borough which first formulated the approach, has urged ministers to stand firm and has suggested the 'rule' should be applied to all new residential development over a certain threshold.

The Sustainable Energy Partnership, which represents all the major environmental and fuel poverty non-governmental organisations and the relevant sustainable energy trade associations, has told the Government that the 'rule' has not hamstrung development, as claimed.

Partnership chairman Ron Bailey said: "There is no evidence that the Merton Rule has deterred development, that the technologies are untested, unavailable or unproven, or that developers found it hard to deliver onsite renewables. Quite the reverse."

Internet land banking companies wound up...

10th July, 2007

Three companies involved in selling plots of agricultural land to the public on the spurious claim they had residential potential have been wound up in the High Court following an investigation by the Companies Investigation Branch of the Insolvency Service...

Read More...

90' About Turn On Home Information Packs (HIPs)

22nd May, 2007

The 1st June Deadline for providing HIPs has now been put back to 1st August - with larger homes the first to be targeted.

UK's biggest ever planning application...

9th February, 2007

What is thought to be the UK's biggest planning application – the detailed proposals for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - has been prepared and submitted by the Olympic Development Authority.

Because the ODA is the planning authority for the Olympics it has, in effect, submitted the 10,000 page document to itself.

The application has been separated into two core elements to allow planning permission for site preparation works to be prioritised and approved in advance of the application for venue construction and legacy transformation. The latter is a hybrid application as it seeks both outline planning permission and full planning permission.

The proposals establish the revised masterplan and outline a commitment to prepare a Legacy Masterplan Framework which will focus on the post-Olympic delivery of residential, commercial and community use and the development of legacy communities. This will be a separate document, subject to a separate planning application

The application includes plans for all the new sporting venues, highways, bridges, parks and open space and the post-Games reconfiguration for legacy use. The documents relate to a land area of 246 hectares and set out proposals for one of the largest urban parks to be built in Europe for 150 years.

Initially, there will be a standard 28-day period for public consultation before the proposals are considered by the ODA's planning decisions team which includes representatives from all the London boroughs affected by the plans. The ODA expects a final decision by late summer.

The submission was timed to coincide with the end of the statutory appeal phase of the compulsory purchase order (CPO) for the land needed for the Olympic Park.

Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organizing Committee said: "London 2012 will be a prime example of sport acting as a catalyst for regeneration, and the planning application clearly shows the transformational powers of the Games."

In a related development, the National Audit Office has published its first assessment of the preparations for London 2012 and highlighted uncertainty over the event's budget and legacy issues as two of the six "main risk areas" which could adversely affect the Games.

Visit the London 2012 website

Source: PlanningPortal
 

New Measures To Improve Fire Safety Announced

5th January, 2007

Amendments to Building Regulations and associated guidance, which come into force in April this year, will affect future building work in England and Wales and how fire safety is designed into a building.

Revisions of Approved Document B will include amendments to the guidance on domestic loft conversions, the use of door-closing devices in dwellings and the provision of sprinklers in tall blocks of flats.

For non-domestic buildings, key changes will be the introduction of a maximum unsprinklered compartment size for single storey warehouses and new guidance on residential care homes (including on the use of sprinklers).

There will also be a new requirement to ensure occupiers are made aware of their building's fire protection measures to help with fire risk assessments under the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order regime.

The revisions to Part B (Fire safety) of the Building Regulations and supporting guidance are based on recent experiences of actual fires, developments in construction, research findings and comprehensive stakeholder engagement, including a four-month public consultation exercise.

Fire and Building Regulations Minister Angela Smith, said the measures represent better, more focused regulation that will deliver real benefits for both occupants and fire fighters alike.

"The review that led to the changes looked at fire safety in all types of premises including dwellings, residential care homes, public buildings and warehouses.

"It also considered the important role sprinklers and other types of fire protection measures may have, particularly in buildings where the occupants are most at risk from fire."

A number of changes are specifically designed to make the guidance more accessible and easier to use, to provide further clarity and guidance, to introduce further design freedoms and flexibilities and provide better regulation.

The changes to the Building Regulations also include the authorisation of several new competent persons self-certification schemes that will improve compliance, particularly in respect of the energy efficiency requirements of the Regulations, and a number of other minor amendments, which come into force on January 15.


For more information see: HERE...

House Prices Rise 10.5 per cent in 2006...

28th December, 2006

December saw the largest annual rise in house prices for 22 months, with property values 10.5 per cent higher over the year, Nationwide reports.

December alone witnessed a 1.2 per cent rise in house prices, according to figures released today by the building society.

"Both housing market and weather forecasters were surprised by the warm climate this year," said Nationwide group economist Fionnuala Earley.

"The temperate weather is likely to have played only a minor role, but the housing market clearly warmed up during the year.

"House prices increased three and a half times faster than last year and returned to double digits for the first time since February 2005."

The annual growth figure of 10.5 per cent is far ahead of last year's predictions that property prices would rise by just a few per cent in 2006.

From the summer onwards prices have been forging ahead, seeing house prices rise £45 a day in 2006, compared with £12.50 a day in 2005.

The average house now costs £173,746.

And such is the strength of the property market that two quick-fire rises in interest rates from the Bank of England, and the possibility of another to come in the first few months of 2007, are not expected to impact the market.

"There are still few signs that the rate of house price growth will moderate in the very short term," Ms Earley said.

But as higher mortgage costs and accelerating house prices restrict first-time buyers, the second half of 2007 is expected to be slower than the first.

"Momentum gathered in 2006 will flow into the early part of 2007, and this will be supported by a buoyant economy, stable interest rates and a continuing shortage of housing supply," Ms Earley predicted.

"However, increasingly poor affordability, the impact of higher mortgage rates and the likelihood that fewer parents will be willing or able to help their children out will cause the rate of house price growth to move back into single digits in the latter part of the year."

Nationwide predicts house prices will rise between five and eight per cent in 2007.

Nano Meter Technology at Innovate 2006...

2nd November, 2006

A new era with a complete network of 22 Nanotechnology Centres linking up across the UK will be officially ushered in at a networking reception to be held today at the Technology Strategy Board's annual conference, "Innovate 2006".

The network of Nanotechnology Centres, formerly Micro and Nanotechnology Capital Facilities, has been supported with £50 million in Government funding.

Science and Innovation Minister Lord Sainsbury said:

"The Government firmly believes that nanotechnology, through the development of new materials and products, has the potential to deliver huge benefits to both society and industry. "Innovate 2006" and the Nanotechnology Centres are a powerful example of our commitment to developing the UK's knowledge-based economy.

"Now that the final pieces of the Nanotechnology Centres network are in place, with the final five centres opening recently, the UK has created a world-leading network of facilities that will significantly increase industry's ability to exploit nanotechnology."

The Nanotechnology Centres have been established through the DTI's £50 million MNT Capital Facilities Programme. The programme has established a network of dedicated open access facilities by formalising access to spare capacity in Universities and industry.

Prof Hugh Clare, Director, Micro and Nanotechnology (MNT) Network, who will host the nanotechnology networking event, commented;

"The commercial exploitation of nanotechnologies, supported by the innovation activities of the Nanotechnology Centres, presents a great opportunity for UK business. A well funded and supported nanotechnology sector means more high quality research, more sustainable jobs and increased wealth creation."

The Nanotechnology Centres will turn cutting edge ideas into business success. The event celebrates the finalisation of the entire network of 22 Centres, which are now all formally "open for business".

This achievement has been possible because of the substantial investment from DTI, Regional Development Agencies, Devolved Administrations and industry; and positions the UK as a leader in innovation and knowledge transfer in the new global economy.

Nanotechnology took centre stage at this year's Innovate event, with a keynote session devoted to the Nanotechnology Centres, which cover four key areas: NanoFabrication, NanoMetrology, NanoMedicine and NanoMaterials.

The network of 22 Nanotechnology Centres are part of the funding from the DTI's £90 million Micro and Nanotechnology Manufacturing Initiative, which aims to assist the exploitation of the commercial potential of developments in nanotechnology.

More than 1,000 delegates are due to attend Innovate, where the Technology Strategy Board released its second annual report, highlighting some of its successes - including more than 500 collaborative R&D projects worth £750 million (£365 from Government, £385 from industry).

The "Innovate 2006" conference is the focus for the achievements of the business-led Technology Strategy Board and, in particular, the Knowledge Transfer Networks in establishing routes to commercialisation for the research base.

For further details Contact:

Department of Trade and Industry
7th Floor
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Public Enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215 6740
(for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.dti.gov.uk

Client ref P/2006/235

Source: GNN ref 139979P

Government Announce Introduction Of EPC's...

18th July, 2006

The Government today announced plans for the introduction of Energy Performance Certificates as part of the phased roll-out of Home Information Packs to help consumers cut costs and waste when buying a home and help the environment too.

In the light of the plans for testing and concerns about the readiness of industry, the Government announced new proposals to phase the introduction of HIPs, prioritising the delivery of energy efficiency information with further testing later this year on the other aspects of HIPs.

This means that HIPs will be introduced in June next year with searches and energy performance information, enabling buyers and sellers to get A-G ratings on their homes similar to fridge ratings as well as a list of practical measures to cut their fuel bills and carbon emissions at the same time.

The Energy Savings Trust estimates that by following the proposals in the Energy Performance Certificate, the average homeowner will save £300 a year on fuel bills. Government also believes that the information could be used to support the growth of green mortgages and other incentives.

However on the basis of detailed consultations with industry and the latest market and testing information, the government has decided to phase the roll out of other aspects of Home Information Packs, introducing the rest of Home Condition Reports on a market-led basis in the first instance, in order to ensure a smooth implementation with clear benefits for consumers.

Source: GovernmentNewsNetwork (GNN)

HSE Consultation on NEW Gas Safety Body...

13th May, 2006

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has started a consultation exercise following an application from The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT) to set up a new gas safety registration body.

HSE is actively consulting key stakeholders. Those interested in commenting should visit the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/issues.htm where a consultation document can be found, including NAPIT's application.

The application will be assessed against well-established criteria for evaluating a new registration body, developed by HSE for this purpose. To date CORGI have been the sole successful applicant for this role. This consultation looks at the pros and cons of two services existing for consumers and the domestic gas industry.

In assessing a new application HSE will be looking at matters such as whether the proposed approach by NAPIT would be able to meet the following aims:

* to register efficiently any business which comes within the scope of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (The Regulations), and to promote the need for registration;

* to ensure that businesses entering or remaining on the register are able to demonstrate their competence to undertake safe gas work;

* to positively promote the use of registered businesses by the public, and thoroughly investigate all complaints alleging unsafe workmanship;

* to establish, maintain or improve standards for gas work that contribute to gas safety; and for monitoring the continuing competence of registered businesses and individual operatives.

The consultation document was published on 10 May 2006. Comments should be mailed to napit.consultation@hse.gsi.gov.uk by the close of the eight-week consultation period on 5 July 2006.

Every year about 20-30 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning associated with domestic gas appliances, mainly due to these appliances not having been properly installed or maintained. HSE enforces the legislation aimed at preventing such tragedies.

Source: GovernmentNewsNetwork (GNN)

Call For Quick Fix Reforms to Planning...

26th March, 2006

Planners have proposed a series of reforms designed to make the planning system in England more effective.

The move was prompted by complaints that current reforms are being undermined by bureaucracy and a focus on process at the expense of good planning outcomes.

The call for changes has come from the Planning Officers Society (POS) which is concerned that scarce professional resources are being wasted on producing over-elaborate documentation, chasing Planning Delivery Grant and meeting associated targets.

Planners are also worried that key staff are increasingly tied-up with minor developments which the POS wants taken out of the planning system entirely.

The POS has insisted that its proposed reforms are evolutionary rather than radical and won't require legislation.

The society, which represents most of England's senior professional planners, has also voiced concern again over the staffing position.

While recognising that action is being taken with government help, it warned that recent surveys in London indicate that staffing problems are getting worse.

"Difficulties are being experienced in filling key posts throughout the country," said a POS paper just published.

The society is particularly critical about the new breed of planning documentation involved in the Local Development Framework (LDF) process.

"The process was meant to promote more streamlined, concise, flexible and comprehensible plans," said the POS.

It claimed the reverse had been the case and also claimed that documents are "over-elaborate and exhaustive".

The planners are critical about the need to subject Supplementary Planning Documents to a statutory process.

The result, according to the planners, is that now an increasing number of major opportunity sites are being dealt with outside the statutory planning process through locally adopted briefs etc.

This is undermining the plan-led system, the POS fears.

The "carrot and stick" of PDG, targets and performance standards was also criticised for producing a "target driven culture" which has diverted resources away from pre-application processes and negotiating on applications.

"Targets do not encourage local planning authorities to take a constructive pro-active approach to negotiation, either pre or post submission and can therefore impact negatively on what could otherwise be valuable developments," said the society.

Graham Jones, president of the POS added: "With this paper we are promoting a more positive planning system.

"We are particularly keen to start the debate at our meeting with the planning minister and also hope that Kate Barker will take the issues raised into account in her review of the land use planning system."

In a related development, former environment secretary and ex-Conservative cabinet minister John Gummer has come out strongly in favour of removing most home extension activity from the planning system.

His proposal is simple: for all estates built since 1945, homeowners could make any alteration they like which does not increase the size of their home by more than 100 per cent. This would not apply in conservation areas or where buildings have been listed.

"All the householders would have to do would be to give the local authority one month's notice and the council could then intervene at its own cost and its own risk," said Gummer.

Construction Industry Card Schemes

24th March, 2006

By 2010 it will be compulsory for you to prove your skills and qualifications before you can carry out any work on a residential or commercial construction site. A range of card schemes have been introduced, which provide employers, workers and contractors, with an industry-standard means of proving their expertise.

What Is The Card Scheme?
Basically, the card scheme allows you to prove that you have the neccessary qualifications for your chosen profession, and that you are aware of how to carry out your duties in a safe manner.

For example - The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card, carries your name and photograph, confirms that you have passed the neccessary Health and Safety Test, and also lists your qualifications. 

See the five most frequently asked questions & answers about the cards, including how to get one...

Q1. How Do I Qualify For A Card?
You will need to have passed the Health and Safety Test and be qualified in your trade or profession. That means having an NVQ or SVQ certificate.
To get a NVQ or SVQ you will either have to complete an apprenticeship, or, if you are fully experienced, you can get one by having an On-site Assessment and Training (OSAT). This allows you to qualify by proving your expertise without having to go to college.
Normally little - if any - training is required, and there is no formal exam or test. You just collect & submit the evidence to prove that you know what you are doing. That evidence is then assessed.

Once you've passed the Health and Safety Test and have your NVQ or SVQ, you can apply for a card by calling the CITB Card Helpdesk on 01485 578 777.

Q2. Do I Need To Pass A Health & Safety Test?
Yes. The test isn't difficult, but it is essential.
It represents the minimum standard of knowledge you must have, and you shouldn't go on site without it.
It will consist of between 35 to 40 multiple choice questions, answered via a touch screen. This takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Even after passing the test you should keep your knowledge fresh. Your life, or that of another, could depend on what you do and what you know. You will also need to retake the test every five years to renew your card.

Q3. How do I check the details of a cardholder?
If you are an employer or site manager, you can check the validity or expiry of a card, or the qualifications of the cardholder, by calling 01485 578 777.

Q4. Where Can I Carry Out Training To Operate Plant Machinery?
Some parts of the construction industry, including plant operations, have a slightly different card scheme. For more details of CPCS accredited training providers in your area, call 01485 577 877.

Q5. What If I Have Not Received My Card?
Once you have passed your Health and Safety Test and got your NVQ or SVQ, you need to apply for your card. This will then take 2-4 weeks for it to arrive.

If you don't receive your card after 4 weeks, contact your relevant card scheme issuer with your enquiry.
For further details - please visit the Construction Industry Training Board web site at: http://www.citb.co.uk/cardschemes/

House Building Trends - On The Increase...

20th February, 2006

This statistical release presents figures on new house building starts and completions in England and its regions up to the quarter ending December 2005. House building figures are also provided for the other UK countries.

Summary

In England during the quarter to December 2005 there were:
* 42,800 housing starts, up 4 per cent on the same period in 2004.
* 47,300 housing completions, up 11 per cent on the same period in 2004.

During the twelve months to the end of December 2005 in England there were:
* 177,200 starts, the same level as the figures for the year to December 2004
* 159,700 completions, up 4 per cent on the figure for the year to December 2004
* This increase in completions results from higher numbers particularly in the South East, West Midlands and East Midlands offsetting the fall in London from the high level in year to December 2004.

Recent trends in house building in England:

Trends in housing starts in England have levelled off during the last four quarters after a period of steady increase since 2002/03. Completions have continued an upward trend.

Regional Trends:

North and Midlands
Starts have levelled in all the North and Midland regions with the exception of North West which continued an upward trend in the current quarter. Trends in completions are more varied, with sharp increases in the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber reversing falls registered in recent quarters and steadier increases in East Midlands, West Midlands and the North East.

London, South East, East and South West
Starts in London have remained level following the steep increase to December 2004. Completions in the South East and East have continued upward trends. Completions in London have fallen back to the level of twelve months to December 2003, following the relatively high levels in 2004/05.