Issue 3: OCTOBER 2011
Development opportunity in Bestwood Village
BRUTON KNOWLES are offering for sale an interesting development opportunity comprising a Grade II Listed former mill with full planning consent for conversion into 11 apartments. The three storey property - Forge Mill, Mill Lane, Bestwood Village, Nottingham NG6 8FD - is situated in a residential cul-de-sac and constructed from Bulwell Stone. There is a good sized paddock to the side which borders the mill pond (not included in the sale, and currently let to a members-only angling association). Offers are invited. For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Sam Spence or Stuart Hastings at Bruton Knowles on 0115 988 1160.
City showcases massive investment opportunities Nottingham’s new development chief David Bishop says the city impressed investors and developers when they visited on September 19th to consider investment opportunities. Mr Bishop, the city council’s corporate director of development, lead tours of Nottingham’s key sites along with experts from all the major projects showcasing the emerging city development and investment landscape. Visitors attending the Invest in Nottingham Day on 19 September were told that the city is set to invest £1.6 billion over the next few years - with more expected, especially given some of the great steps forward that have been made in recent times. “Not many other cities can demonstrate such investment momentum, The Hub Railway Station Improvement, Tram Phase Two, Broadmarsh and Victoria Centre transformation, new university buildings ... the list goes on. I would expect that many of our visitors will want to get on board with such a progressive city,” he said. Organisers of the Invest in Nottingham Day on 19 September say they intend to lure investment to the city by showcasing what it has to offer at Continued on page 3
LABC honours outstanding members with new award
LABC has honoured three of its own with the newly established Honorary Member Award.
John Neal (left), of Rushcliffe Borough Council and South Kesteven District Council receives his award from LABC President Mick Henman.
The winners were Tim Gillooly, Head of Building Control at London Borough of Newham, Jeremy Hall, retired Building Control Manager at Oldham Council, and John Neal, Building Control Manager for both Rushcliffe Borough Council and South Kesteven District Council. The successful candidates had to meet criteria that included dedicating an unusually large amount of time to the national organisation, achieving a major breakthrough for LABC in technical policy, the regulatory framework or reputation, and providing outstanding leadership and management to enhance the organisation. Tim Gillooly played a key role in building of the London Olympic Games venues and village. As Head of Building Control at Newham, he took the lead on setting up the Joint Local Authority Building Control team (JLAB) to provide an integrated building control service across the five London Boroughs where many of the Olympic venues are located. As a result of his work, the Olympic Delivery Authority selected the JLAB team as their preferred Building Control body.
The second recipient, Jeremy Hall, was LABC President in 20089, and subsequently became Chair of the company until earlier this year when he retired from being the Building Control Manager at Oldham Council. As President he found time to tour the regions and encourage Building Control managers from across the country to work together for the benefit of LABC’s customers. At regional level, Jeremy held the role of North West Secretary. The third recipient, John Neal, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the progression of LABC. Until a year ago he was a key member of the Board of Directors. John’s many contributions to the work of LABC include development of the methodology for calculating members’ subscriptions, advising Government on data transfer for competent person schemes, and providing in-depth advice on many technical matters. As well as working building control managers and surveyors, retired professionals and people external to the LABC network were also eligible.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
AR Demolition Ltd Specialists in demolition and site clearance Method Statements and risk assessments carried out for each individual contract All works carried out under CDM regulations CSCS Operatives CCDO Operatives CCPS Operatives High reach excavators Low Loader Hire Plant Hire Excavations AR Demolition Ltd 36 Main Street, Carlton, Nuneaton, CV13 0EZ www.ardemolition.co.uk Please contact us on: 01455 291221 info@ardemolition.co.uk
Did you hear about the chap who reversed into a car boot sale and sold the engine?
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Residential Investment Portfolio for sale: £2.2m Building plot in Mansfield
Published By: Builder Magazines PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT
RICHARD WATKINSON & Partners are inviting offers around £57,000 for a single building plot at Grange Avenue, Mansfield.
Tel: (01530) 244069 Fax: (01530) 249557
Contact us by email at info@nottinghamshirebuilder.co.uk Visit the website at www.nottinghamshirebuilder.co.uk Over 3,500 copies distributed every month across Nottinghamshire by a combination of: • By Post to SUBSCRIBERS and a rotating free mailing list • Through other local outlets, including trade counters SUBSCRIPTIONS: £20 PER YEAR (No VAT) TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 01530 244069 and leave your details and we’ll invoice you later. Printed in Ellistown, Leics by Norwood Press Advert deadline 15th of month. Published: 1st of each month
The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editorial/ Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Builder Magazines cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Builder Magazines reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All property details contained within this magazine are to be regarded as being for outline guidance only. All potential interested parties are requested to check individual availability of premises for accuracy of details with the relevant selling agents before proceeding further.
To Advertise in Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine Contact Us On 01530 244069 Our advertising rates are on page 5
Planning permission was granted on 23rd December 2008 for the erection of a detached house (ref: 2008/0759/ST). For more information, contact Richard Watkinson & Partners on 01623 626990 or email: mansfield@ richardwatkinson.co.uk
SAVILLS are offering for sale a residential portfolio comprising 18 brand new semi-detached, fully let houses. The properties - Tyne Court and Tyne Close, Aspley, Nottingham, NG8 5DD - are available as a single lot. The portfolio is a mix of 3 and 4 bedroom homes and generates £141,600 p.a. The property is being offered for sale by Informal Tender. Offers are invited on a subject to contract basis for the freehold interest by no later than 12noon on Friday 18th November 2011. Offers should be submitted in writing by post or email to Michael Donaghy, Savills, 9 Fletcher Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1QQ or mdonaghy@savills.com. The Guide Price is £2,200,000 – subject to contract. VAT will not be charged in addition to the purchase price. A selection of properties will be available to view, strictly by appointment only on the 13th and 20th of October 2011. For further details, or to book a viewing time, please contact Michael Donaghy on 0115 934 8050 or email: mdonaghy@savills.com or Piers de Winton on 020 7016 3816 - email: pdwinton@savills.com
Gedling Borough Council grants more than £60k to local businesses Gedling Borough Council has recently undertaken a review of all businesses in receipt of small business rates relief. Due the hard work undertaken in getting local businesses to take up this campaign the Council has now granted an extra £62K in relief. Making the total take up of the scheme by those eligible rise from 68.4% to the current total of 74.5%. If you feel that you may be entitled to small business rates relief, please contact the Local Taxation Section of Gedling Borough Council on 0115 901 3946.
Investment opportunities From page 1
this major event starting at Trent Bridge. Global economist and Vice Chancellor of the University of Nottingham David Greenaway and Jon Collins, leader of the city council, spoke at the event, which follows on from a successful Invest in Nottingham Day held in London at the new St Pancras International Hotel in June. Investment of more than £1.6 billion is lined up for Nottingham over the next five years, including a start on the multi million pound extension of the tram network with lines two and three. Boots is to reveal more of its vision for the 100acre Enterprise Zone planned for its Beeston site. With major schemes on the drawing board and new enquiries into what the city has to offer, Invest in Nottingham says it intends to build on the city’s burgeoning growth - by enticing further investment.
The Invest in Nottingham Day provided opportunities for city leaders, influential businesses and developers to explain the city’s opportunities to potential investors. The event comes a year after the launch of the Invest in Nottingham Club - the private-public partnership set up to promote and grow the East Midlands’ commercial capital. Among the members are more than 120 key businesses - including Alliance Boots, Experian, Speedo and Paul Smith - who work alongside with senior officers from Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County councils to achieve the club’s key mission which is to attract investment and new jobs into Nottingham. Paul Southby, chair of the Invest in Nottingham Club, said: “Following on from contacts made from our successful London event, we will be showing investors the city’s biggest,
most promising development areas and introducing them to local decision-makers and business leaders. We aim to persuade investors that Nottingham is not only a great place to do business, but is also great location to bring your staff and base your business. “We currently have 19 major enquiries about what we can offer developers in the city and we working hard to convert these enquiries into reality.” There was an introduction to Biocity by Glenn Crocker - and a chance to tour one of the UK’s largest bio science innovation and incubation centres. A third tour looked at Nottingham’s creative offer - visiting the city’s creative technology centres. There were presentations later in the day and the chance for investors to meet life science companies and leaders from the green technology sector.
I was reading this book today, ‘The History Of Glue.’ I couldn’t put it down.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Architect of Nottingham’s Council House now added to the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
The Venture Centre is for sale
FISHER GERMAN are offering for sale The Venture Centre at Watson Road, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. The Venture Centre has for many years been utilised as a serviced office centre. The property was originally constructed as a hospital in late Victorian times. It is substantially built and is essentially single storey underneath a slate roof. The property has the advantage of car parking spaces to both the front and rear of the premises and also has a useful pedestrian access onto the public car park to the rear. Price: £325,000. For more information, contact Fisher German on 01777 709943
Baptist chapel for sale in Collingham
The new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography—which was published on Thursday 22 September 2011—explores the lives of some of the most prominent British architects of the 20th century. Among them is (Thomas) Cecil Howitt (1889-1968), the Nottingham architect now best known for the city’s Council House, Market Square (1927-9), as well as for modernist-style buildings at the universities of Nottingham. Born in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, in 1919 Howitt joined the Nottingham city engineer’s department to build new houses following his return from the First World War. His big break came one evening in 1923 when a councillor invited him to submit a plan to replace the city’s 18th-century corn exchange in the Market Square. Howitt proposed a superior shopping arcade modelled on a Milan gallery to which a public hall and council offices were added. The result was a monumental structure in the neo-Baroque style under a dome reminiscent of St Paul’s Cathedral. The Council House commission allowed Howitt to begin his own practice which won commissions for banks in Nottingham and Birmingham, and for five modernist-style Odeon cinemas nationwide. Howitt’s best-known later work was for the University of Nottingham (Portland Building and Nightingale Hall) and the city’s College of Technology (now Newton Hall, Nottingham Trent University) which was strongly influenced by commercial styles in post-war America. The Oxford DNB entry on Howitt has been written by the English Heritage architectural historian Dr Elain Harwood, author of the Pevsner city guide to Nottingham. Among other architects now added to the Oxford DNB are: James Maxwell (1838-1893) and Charles Tuke (18431893), designers of the Blackpool Tower (1894—then the world’s second tallest building), on which work began 120 years ago this month, and Eric Bedford (1909-2001) who built London’s Post Office Tower, on which work began 50 years ago this year (completed in 1965). The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography is the national record of men and women who have shaped all walks of British life from the Romans to the 21st century. The ODNB currently includes the life stories of 57,874 people of whom more than 1300 have ties to Bristol. The Oxford DNB online is freely available in nearly every public library across the UK, including all those in Nottingham and surrounding areas. Public libraries now offer ‘remote access’, so that library members can log-in to and read the dictionary from home, or any other computer. For further details see www.oxforddnb.com or contact the Oxford University Press press office: Julia Hall (07986 683940); julia.hall@oup.com or Gabby Fletcher (01865 353969); gabby.fletcher@oup.com
Former NCC Vehicle Workshops for sale NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL are offering for sale BY INFORMAL TENDER the former NCC vehicle workshops at Rosemary Street, Mansfield.
ROBERT CLARKE Chartered Surveyors are inviting offers for a former Baptist Chapel at Baptist lane, Collingham, Near Newark, Notts. NG23 7LT. The mainly single storey property was built in 1902 and stands on a good sized plot surrounded by the former burial ground. The total floor area is 1,970 sq.feet. Offers are invited at a guide price of £150,000. For more information, contact Robert King or Richard Reed on 0115 947 6236 or email rk@ robertclarke.co.uk or rreed@ robertclarke.co.uk
The property comprises purpose built commercial vehicle workshops of steel portal frame construction, brick clad to the walls with corrugated metal roof. there are two workshops, the larger having two bays with single inspection pit, an oil-fired warm air blower and high bay sodium lights. The office/ storage facilities run along the rear elevation and interconnect with the workshops. The total floor area is 2,709 sq.feet. The freehold is being offered for sale by Informal Tender. All offers are to be received by 4pm on 17th October 2011. For further information, or to view the unit, telephone 0115 977 2076 or email: tim.slater@nottscc.gov.uk.
Actual Classified Ads ... • Our experienced Mom will care for your child. Fenced yard, meals, and smacks included. • Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children. • Man wanted to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to travel. • 3 year old teacher needed for pre-school. Experience preferred. • Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom for efficient beating. • Girl wanted to assist magician in cutting off head illusion. Blue Cross and salary. • For sale: antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers. • Now is your chance to have your ears pierced and get an extra pair to take home, too. • We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by hand. • For sale. Three canaries of undermined sex. • Great Dames for sale. • Auto Repair Service. Free pickup and delivery. Try us once, you’ll never go anywhere again.
I visited the offices of the RSPCA today. It’s tiny: you couldn’t swing a cat in there.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Free Seminars
Glenigan
You may be interested in the following free seminars:
Energy Efficient Buildings Wednesday 5th October 09.30 - 11.30am Changes to Part L Building Regulations came into effect on 1st October 2010 with all new buildings now having to reduce carbon emissions by at least 25%. This affects SAP/SBEM, air leakage rates, renewable technology requirements etc. This seminar will detail what these changes mean in practice and how buildings will have to be designed and specified to meet the new requirements. We will also look at the changes that will be coming through in 2013 and 2016, leading to zero carbon homes.
Renewable Technologies – the good, the bad, the ugly Wednesday 2nd November 09.30 - 11.30am There is a wide range of different Low and Zero Carbon Technologies on the market and each manufacturer will assure you they are the best. This seminar provides an impartial, no-nonsense appraisal of the different technologies available as well as when and how they can best be utilised. Our Midlands seminars are provided at our award winning offices in Newark, which are easy to access (2 minutes off the A1), with ample car parking and just a few minutes from Newark train station. CPD certificates are also provided. Numbers are limited and therefore if you would like to attend, please call 01636 653055 or email Becky at becky@mesenergyservices.co.uk.
Construction Industry Returns to Growth New Glenigan data shows that the construction industry has seen a 6% year on year increase in the underlying value of projects starting on site. Growth in utilities, industrial, office, private and social housing project starts all contributed to the first growth seen by the industry in a year. “A poor August 2010 signalled the end of the 2010’s construction recovery. The construction industry has seen a decline in year on year project starts since that time due to public sector cuts and weak private sector investment. While the return to growth is a positive sign, it is modest growth from a low base” commented James Abraham, economist, Glenigan. The most significant increase was in the utilities sector which grew by 24% with several renewable energy projects starting on site including a £28m scheme contracted to Solarbright to install photovoltaic panels on circa 2000 council owned housing properties and 5 operational properties in Colchester. “As reported by the CBI in their August Industrial Trends survey, UK manufacturers are enjoying healthy order books and improving expectations for the future. In line with this increase in sentiment, Glenigan recorded a 15% increase in the underlying value of planning approvals over the six months to July, compared to the same period of 2010. In addition, the ONS reported an increase in investment by private sector manufacturing firms in new building work over the first quarter of the year. This has fed through to a growth in project starts - 36% over the three months to August compared to a year ago. Though the increase is amplified by the comparison to a poor August 2010, we expect industrial building to remain a growing part of the construction industry over the next few months” said Abraham. The decline in private housing which has dominated 2011 has bottomed out with modest growth of 1% for the three months to August. Refurbishment projects, including a £50m project in Kent, continue to drive growth in social housing projects with 11% growth for the three months to August. “New build social housing projects will continue to fall due to Government cuts, while Glenigan expects private housing starts to stabilise over the coming months” commented Abraham. Regionally the South East and South West saw the most significant growth, with the East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Wales all seeing annual growth of over 10%. In stark contrast the underlying value of project starts in Scotland fell by nearly a third.
FISHER GERMAN are offering for sale a residential development site with planning approval for 14 units (flats and houses).
Advertising Rates Advert Size
Width (mm)
Height (mm)
Price per insertion Single Rate
Series Rate
Single Rate
Series Rate
Sixteenth
45
65
£22.50
£20.25
£15.00
£13.50
Eighth
95
65
£45.00
£40.50
£30.00
£27.00
Colour
Black & White
Quarter
95
130
£90.00
£81.00
£60.00
£54.00
Half-page
194
130
£165.00
£148.00
£105.00
£97.50
Full-page
194
268
£290.00
£260.00
£190.00
£170.00
VAT at 20% must be added to the above prices.
Residential development site for 14 units
Free advert design - call 01530 244069 for details. Booking deadline: 15th of each month
The site - at Doncaster Road, Langold, Worksop, Nottinghamshire - is formerly the site of the Langold Hotel public house and it has planning consent for the erection of 6 three-bed houses and 8 flats. Planning permission was granted on 24th November 2010. Guide Price: £350,000. For more information, contact Fisher German on 01777 719148.
I bought some Armageddon cheese today, and it said on the packet. ‘Best Before End’
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
‘Tidal Wave Of Change’ “DISPUTE-PROOFING” For Local Development YOUR NEW TENANCY Market says Savills report Local development is being affected by a ‘tidal wave of change’ according to a new report from Savills. The report argues that the UK house building and construction sectors have probably never before faced a time when so many challenges have come at once. The result is that viability assessments now matter more than ever. Key findings of the report include: • New policy could prolong the focus on equity rich markets, but if ambitious housing targets are to be met first time buyer and investor markets need to be considered • The development industry faces a tidal wave of change and players must evolve to survive • New measures of viability are needed in a new age of equity funding and the sector must create vehicles to attract this equity, particularly institutional • Land value and developer margin remain key to viability assumptions – new analysis shows that in low value markets only half of all 10+ acre transactions were paid upfront Andrew Brentall, Residential Development Director at Savills Nottingham, comments: “Emerging policy recognises the need to respond to market demand, shifting development to markets with the greatest capacity for delivery. This points towards a continued focus on equity rich owner occupier markets, but if ambitious new housing targets are to be met first time buyer and investor markets cannot be ignored, particularly given the opportunities arising from the growth of private renting.”
Fundamental shift from purchasing to renting “We would dare to venture that nothing is the same as it was in the summer of 2007 – except perhaps the people and companies involved which are fewer in number,” says Yolande Barnes, head of Savills residential research. “Not only have changes in the finance world changed the nature and scarcity of development funding but a fundamental shift from purchase to renting has altered the DNA of the UK housing market. The National Planning Policy Framework confirms the Government’s determination to increase the supply of new housing. Its reference to meeting household projections, taking account of migration and demographic change, suggests that the policy aim is to deliver at least 230,000 additional homes per annum in England, against current levels of around 100,000. But if new targets are to be achieved, the development industry must evolve to survive the tidal wave of change. Reforms to the planning system and planning framework have entered the public psyche over the past few weeks but there are many, arguably more fundamental challenges: the withdrawal of grant funding from affordable housing providers, reforms in regeneration and the birth of Local Enterprise Partnerships, the withdrawal of public sector funding from various development organisation, the rise of localism the threat of anti-growth lobbies, the advent of CIL, revision of zero carbon definitions, restricted mortgage finance, a dearth of equity deposits, low levels of residential property investment – the list seems almost endless. In its report Savills research examines these changes and their implications. “Common themes emerge and viability has become a watchword for all participants in this arena,” says Barnes.
Land value and developer margin “Where viability used to mean that sufficient revenue could be generated to cover borrowing and generate investor dividends, this may not be the case now, in a new age of equity funding. A major challenge for the sector will be to create vehicles capable of attracting this equity, particularly from institutional sources.” Perhaps the beast most changed in the new environment will be the owner of development land. Foremost among these assumptions on viability are land value and developer margin. In the past, both have often been tested with crude rules of thumb that bear little relationship to market conditions. Clearly, this approach is unsustainable. “No longer can a landowner expect an income receipt on a raw commodity upon grant of planning permission,” says Barnes. “The value and viability of land may well have to be realised over a longer time period. It is already the case that in lower value markets, for sites of over 10 acres, only half of all transactions were paid upfront over the last three years, compared to around 70 per cent in higher value markets. Barnes again: “Assessment of site viability at the planning stage needs to embrace an increased dependence on cashflow. Without doubt, the role of some landowners has changed from supplier to development, and even funding partner. “The successful players will be those in development and investment who are nimble enough to adapt to survive.”
my|deposits, the tenancy deposit protection scheme, is offering landlords valuable support on how to “disputeproof” themselves when they take new tenants.
September is one of the busiest months for new tenancies. There are several key steps that landlords should take at the start of every new tenancy to ensure they are able to provide suitable evidence if they are faced with a dispute over the deposit when the tenant moves out. Firstly, an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement should be used, and signed by both the landlord and tenant. The AST should clearly state all the terms of the tenancy, and importantly should spell out what is expected in terms of cleanliness of the property at the end of the tenancy, always allowing for fair wear and tear. The AST acts as your legal contract with the tenant so make sure it’s clear. Landlords should also produce an inventory that is signed and dated by both parties when the tenant moves in. Rent account statements must be kept up to date and invoices or receipts for any repairs or work done on the property should be kept as evidence. When the time comes to move out, the landlord and tenant should meet for a check-out inspection, so both can come to an agreement over the return of the deposit. Eddie Hooker, CEO of my|deposits, commented: “Landlords can take steps to “dispute-proof ” themselves before the tenancy begins, to ensure they have all the necessary evidence in the unlikely event of a dispute at the end of the tenancy. “By taking some simple precautions, landlords can minimise the risk of being left out of pocket in the event of damage to the property or unpaid rent. “This is a timely reminder as student landlords prepare their properties for the return of university students.” A recent survey by my|deposits found more than half of landlords and letting agents now use photo evidence in their inventories. Nick Lyons, Managing Director of inventory management firm No Letting Go commented: “Inventories are now a vital part of setting up a tenancy to prove the condition of a property when the tenant moves in. More landlords are adding photographs to their written inventories for peace of mind. It’s vitally important that landlords not only list the contents of the property but also clearly describe the condition.” For more information about my|deposits, visit www.mydeposits.co.uk or call 0844 980 0290. To find out more about the ‘No Letting Go’ inventory service, visit http://www.nolettinggo.co.uk or call 0800 8815 366.
Nottingham house for refurbishment or conversion ROBERT CLARKE Chartered Surveyors are offering for sale a period 3-storey semi-detached house which is in need of careful refurbishment work to restore it to its former glory. The property - 18 Mapperley Road, Nottingham NG3 5AA - comprises the ground floor area (previously used as a dental surgery) a onebedroom flat at first floor level (which could potentially provide 3 bedrooms and a bathroom), and a 2-bedroom flat at second floor level (which could potentially be converted into 3 or 4 bedrooms and a bathroom. There is comfortably space to park four cars in front of the property and to the rear there is a south-east facing yard. There is also a basement. The total floor area is 1,820 sq.feet. Offers are invited in the region of £225,000. For more information, or to arrange a viewing appointment, contact Robert King or Sam Rickett at Robert Clarke Chartered Surveyors on 0115 947 6236.
I picked up a hitch hiker. You’ve got to when you hit them.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
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As a kid I was made to walk the plank. We couldn’t afford a dog.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Farm solar panels shine through planning constraints Planning permission and Listed Building consent has been granted for 260 solar photovoltaic (PV) panels at a farm in Linby, Nottinghamshire. The 60kW PV panel system will be located on an existing steel portal framed agricultural barn, supplying electricity from a renewable source to the farm. The site of the PV panels is located near to a number of Listed Buildings including a large farmhouse, farm cottage, brew house, mill barn and threshing barn. The site is also located within the NottinghamDerby Green Belt and the Linby Conservation Area. Despite these constraints, Gedling Borough Council agreed that the proposed PV panels would result in an appropriate form of development within the area and would not have any detrimental impact on the openness of the Green Belt. The development would not have any undue impact upon the setting of the nearby Listed Buildings, the character of the Conservation Area nor the amenity of any neighbouring residential properties. Jenny Salt of Fisher German comments “We are experiencing an increasing number of planning enquiries for the installation of solar PV on agricultural buildings. Solar panels are one of the easiest forms of renewable energy to obtain planning permission for as they are relatively unobtrusive. “We have acted for a number of farmers and farm businesses looking to install PV technology and so far have a 100% planning approval rate.” For further information, please contact Jenny Salt on 01530 410687 or email jenny.salt@fishergerman.co.uk.
New look for Misterton Library Book-lovers in north Nottinghamshire are set to benefit from improved facilities following a refurbishment of Misterton Library. The library is moving from a 1948 pre-fabricated hut – susceptible to leaks and the cold weather in winter – into the front part of the newly refurbished Old School Building, in High Street in Misterton. The facility features new furniture as part of a bright and attractive modern library space which will also slightly increase the current capacity of the library space. The existing Misterton Library site in Wharf Road was previously used as a school canteen. It is traditionally very cold in the winter, often leaks and has some old and rickety shelving. The refurbished facilities have been largely down to the county council’s rationalisation of properties which intends to upgrade existing properties and will save vital funds on the need for ongoing repairs and maintenance.
I like to play chess with bald men in the park although it’s hard to find 32 of them
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
FMB Welcomes Labour’s VAT Cut Pledge
T
he Labour Party’s announcement to support a VAT cut to 5% on domestic Repair Maintenance and Improvement (RM&I) works is welcome news to the building industry, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Richard Diment, FMB Director General, responding to today’s speech from the Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls, to commit to a VAT cut as part of the Labour Party’s five point plan to revive the UK economy said: “A targeted cut in VAT for home improvement works makes good economic sense as the total stimulus effects of such a cut would be more than double any net loss to the Treasury as well as helping to create tens of thousands of new jobs.” Diment continued: “This policy makes sense on every level. It supports economic policy by creating jobs and generating growth; it supports environmental objectives by helping to bring derelict homes back into use thus taking pressure off the green belt land to provide new housing; and it tackles rogue traders and tax dodgers by reducing their competitive advantage over legitimate businesses.” Diment concluded: “Once again we, and our supporters across the ‘Cut the VAT Coalition’, call on the Government to adopt this policy.”
Linden Homes Announces Strong Set of Year End Results Award-winning housebuilder Linden Homes has contributed to another strong set of Year End results released in September by parent group Galliford Try plc. Profit from operations has risen to £31.6 million from £17.6 million in 2010 on revenue of £388.5 million, up 23 per cent from £316 million in 2010. The company’s operating profit margin rose from 5.6 per cent to 8.1 per cent. Linden Homes – which has its Midlands region headquarters in Peterborough - enters its new financial year with £247 million of sales carried forward, 23 per cent up on last year. The level and value of sales achieved since the start of the year have been resilient, with sales reserved, contracted or completed now standing at £328 million, up 25 per cent compared to last year, with £254 million for the current financial year. Earlier this year, the company re-branded under the Linden Homes banner - providing a strong national presence. Ian Baker, Linden Homes group managing director, explained the company’s accelerated strategic growth in the South has contributed to the robust results. He said: “Substantial progress has been made as we complete the second year of our three-year expansion plan. We achieved a gross margin during the year of 16.1 per cent, with both gross and operating margins expected to increase further in the new financial year as the proportion of completions from new land continues to rise and the cost base already in place delivers a significantly increased planned output. “The housing market during the financial year went through two distinct phases. Until December 2010, purchaser confidence was poor and sales levels disappointing although prices remained stable. However, in January 2011 there was a significant upturn in visitor levels and then sales rates, which continued throughout the spring selling season.” Linden Homes (Midlands) recently announced £14.5 million in land acquisitions across its operating region. New homes are currently being built at developments across Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire – with coming developments planned for Oakham, Longstanton, Bingham and Milton Keynes.
Sustainability measures could impact on property value
RICS launches Sustainability and Residential Property information paper A home’s sustainability characteristics should be considered within property valuations, according to a new information paper launched by RICS in September. The issue of sustainability is not currently viewed as important to property market value. However, this is changing and RICS is suggesting that, should a home possess sustainability features which are likely to have an impact on value, this should be reflected in a valuer’s assessment of the property. Sustainability features can include a home’s energy efficiency rating, the materials used in its construction and other features such as an energyefficient boiler. Although, elements such as a building’s proximity to public transport links and its ability to adapt to occupiers’ changing future needs could also be considered. Sustainability, which covers a broad range of physical, environmental and social factors, is moving progressively higher up the coalition government’s agenda. It is likely that residential markets will become progressively sensitised to sustainability considerations. Therefore, RICS feels residential property valuers should be fully aware of the sustainability characteristics of buildings when carrying out a valuation. Also important is consideration of legislation and policy that can influence current and future value. When gathering information, valuers may wish to refer to sustainability metrics where available, and gather specific sustainability information on the property in question. This will contribute to the growth of information and data available in the marketplace and provide a framework for the analysis of comparable properties in order to inform valuations. Ben Elder, RICS Global Director of Valuation, said: “When calculating a property’s worth, the market doesn’t always take the issue of sustainability into account, but this could also have been said for central heating way back in the 1970s when people weren’t convinced it was going to have a market impact. With the increased emphasis on green living and energy efficiency, it is highly possible that the market will need to adapt. This new information paper offers advice to our members, recommending that they are fully aware of sustainability policy and the characteristics of individual buildings when valuing property. “Although market awareness of sustainability has risen significantly, attention is currently focused largely on a home’s energy efficiency, propensity to flood and carbon emissions. However, a property’s sustainable status can cover a range of social, environmental and economic matters that can potentially lead to changes in demand and therefore affect value.”
A religious farmer lost his Bible out in the field. A few days later he went to answer a noise at his door. Standing there was a cow, with his Bible in its mouth. The farmer raised his eyes to heaven and thanked the Lord for this miracle. “Not really,” said the cow. “Your name was written inside.”
Now there’s a man with an open mind - you can feel the breeze from here.
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Property for sale with Richard Watkinson & Partners
Nottingham Auction Sells £6.5million Worth Of Property
The following local development properties are currently being advertised on the website of Richard Watkinson & Partners:
September’s auction held by Savills Nottingham was a storming success, as bids came in for residential, development, commercial and rural properties across the East Midlands. In total £6.5million worth of property was sold.
• Level building plot with planning consent for a two storey property - at Inholms Gardens, Flintham. Guide Price: £100,000. For more details, tel: 01949 836678 or email: bingham@ richardwatkinson.co.uk • Freehold building plot with full planning consent for a detached dwelling - at Berry Hill Mews, Mansfield. Guide Price: £195,000. For more details, tel: 01623 626990 or email: mansfield@ richardwatkinson.co.uk • Residential building land with planning for four houses - at Beacon Hill Road, Newark. Guide Price: £340,000. For more details, tel: 01636 611811 or email: newark@ richardwatkinson.co.uk. • Individual building plot with full planning permission for a detached house - at 254 London Road, Balderton. New price: £45,000. For more details, tel: 01636 611811 or email: newark@ richardwatkinson.co.uk • Residential development site with planning permission for conversion of an existing barn and the construction of a new residential dwelling - at Old Rectory Bungalow Site, Cromwell. REDUCED to Offers in the region of £200,000. For more details, tel: 01636 611811 or email: newark@ richardwatkinson.co.uk • REsidential building land with planning permission for 5 detached houses, a pair of semi-detached houses and a barn conversion on a site of 0.9 acres - at Mill Lane, Normanton on Trent. Offers in excess of £775,000 are invited. For more details, tel: 01636 611811 or email: newark@ richardwatkinson.co.uk • Freehold building plot with full planning for a twostorey 3-bed detached house - at Brookfield Crescent, Shirebrook. Offers over £50,000 are invited. For more details, tel: 01623 626990 or email: mansfield@ richardwatkinson.co.uk
It was the largest auction to be held by Savills Nottingham this year. The sale included a number of high profile lots on behalf of both Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham City Councils. Glebe Farm, Kneeton Road, East Bridgford, offered on behalf of the County Council, sold in the room in excess of £1.5m. The former Top Valley Community and Youth Centre sold for £125,000 and the Nuffield Day Care Centre on Claremont Road also sold in the room for £350,000; both were offered on behalf of Nottingham City Council. There was keen bidding for a number of public houses offered for sale on behalf of Enterprise Inns. The busiest man in the room, Auctioneer, Patrick Williamson, commented: “The diversity of the lots offered had kept a buzz within the room right from the outset. From the first lot, a semi detached property in need of refurbishment, which sold for £45,000, to the final lot ,a traditional detached investment property in Carlton, selling for £80,000, this was one of the best auctions we’ve seen in the area.” Along with residential and commercial properties from as far a field as Manchester to Bourne in Lincolnshire, there were several rural property opportunities in the form of farm land. Swillow Lane, Rolleston and Whatton Lodge Farm, Whatton both sold well on the day. The latter after the sale had been concluded. The residential highlight was the keen interest shown in 77 Gertrude Road, Ladybay, West Bridgford. A lot with a history and potential to convert a traditional detached home in need or refurbishment achieved a selling price of £310,000. Savills Auction Coordinator, Bob Crocker, adds: “With the continued difficulties being experienced across the property market, the auction method of sale continues to be an ideal opportunity for both disposal and acquisition. It’s obvious though that the star of this month’s sale is farm land.”
Essential Reading
Author Dave Armitage got to know Clough personally during his 25 years as a national newspaper football writer in the Midlands. He interviewed Clough at his City Ground office, in a pub garden and in the legend’s home. Just as importantly, he moved in circles with the players, staff and friends who really did get up close and personal with the master. Now, he’s put together a unique collection of all the stories the players tell about life in the eye of Hurricane Brian. 150 BC takes you behind the scenes to take a glimpse at the person behind the brash image. AMAZON PRICE: £13.67
5th Annual Notts Construction Conference
Making Money from the Green Stuff Thursday 10 November 2011 Time: 0800am - 1030pm (Registration from 8am. Presentations from 8.30am.) Location: New College’s Basford Campus, Nottingham THE Event in the Midlands’ Construction Calendar is The 5th Annual Notts Construction Conference, to be held on the morning of Thursday 10 November 2011 at New College Nottingham’s Basford Campus. Attendance includes up to 60% front-line construction companies and their associated supply-chain organisations. Put your name up there in front of the Midlands Construction Community and join Vinci Facilities and Vinci Construction who are already signed up as major sponsors. With the working title of the Conference as “Making Money from the Green Stuff” this year’s Conference will build on the successes of the last four years. It is once again expected to have a complete sell-out of sponsored stand space. The overall list of available Conference Sponsorship Packages is available here, and we would ask for your careful consideration of these. To discuss the option of “Headline Sponsorships” please contact the NCF Chair, Mervyn Brown on 07831 555 599 or e-mail at mervyn.brown@ces-build.co.uk There are only a small number of these left! For more information, or to explore any of the “Other Sponsorship Packages”, please contact the NCF General Manager, Ron Glen, on 0795 102 1548 or e-mail e: ronglen@msn.com For an overview of NCF please see www.nottsconstruction.co.uk Stand space is offered on a “first come first served” basis and it is limited, so will sell out. Action this day please, to avoid disappointment! Book your place today by e-mailing Ron Glen, General Manager Notts Construction Forum, e: ronglen@msn.com
I could dance with you till the cows come home, on second thought I’ll dance with the cows till you come home.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011 11
iNet preserves local company’s future A Nottinghambased business, which specialises in the repair and protection of concrete structures, has praised the Sustainable Construction iNet (iNet) for helping it accelerate its product development by up to 12 months. Concrete Preservation Technologies Ltd (CPT) developed a new coating material to prolong the life of repairs to reinforced concrete structures and, with funding from the iNet, was able to produce prototypes, evaluate the materials and apply for patents to cover the technology. With the £4,400 in-kind* grant from the iNet, CPT brought the project forward 12 months and has already processed sales worth £10,000 as a result of the innovation support from the iNet team. Nigel Davison, director, Concrete Preservation Technologies Ltd commented: “It is straightforward to repair an area of corrosion on a concrete structure but now we can prevent future corrosion occurring in the vicinity of the repaired patch. This is what the technology behind the new coating material has been developed to achieve.” Charles Meynell, senior business advisor, iNet said: “Concrete Preservation Technologies Ltd is an innovative, research and development company, currently investigating technologies to reduce corrosion, which could save millions of pounds in repairs over the years.” Nigel added: “The iNet funding has allowed CPT to bring forward the new product’s development by up to 12 months and get ahead of our competitors. The in-kind structure of the grant helped us to facilitate cashflow, which all small business owners know is essential. We are generating more business in the UK; we have employed two new people at our Nottingham office and we are developing opportunities in the international markets.” The iNet is funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is based at new headquarters, the iCon building in Daventry, a purpose-built business hub providing office space for start-up companies working in the sustainable construction sector. Interested parties should contact the iNet on info@construction-inet.org.uk or telephone 01327 304817.
Residential development opportunity for 4 dwellings in Pinxton BRUTON KNOWLES are inviting offers for a residential development
opportunity benefiting from an outline planning consent (all matters reserved) for the erection of two pairs of semi-detached dwellings. Planning was granted on 10th June 2011 by Bolsover District Council under reference 11/000104/OUT. The site - at Town Street, Pinxton, Nottinghamshire - extends to approximately 0.32 acres. Offers in excess of £100,000 are invited on an unconditional basis for the freehold interest. Proof of funding will be required before any contracts are issued. The property is sold on the basis that the developer will construct a new boundary wall before the commencement of any development. For more information, contact Stuart Hastings at Bruton Knowles on 0115 988 1160 or email: Stuart.Hastings@brutonknowles.co.uk
Wednesday 12th October 2011 - SHONKI BROS. lAL SANGRA - at Leicester City Football Club, Banks Lounge, The Walkers Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL - 5pm start - tel: 0116 255 7573 - www.shonkibros.com Thursday 13th October 2011 GRAHAM PENNY - at The Pedigree Suite, Derby County FC, Pride Park Stadium, Derby DE24 8XL - 11.30 am start - tel: 01332 2428 80 - www. grahampenny.com Thursday 20th October 2011 COTTONS - at Aston Villa Football Club, Villa Park, Birmingham B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 visit www.cottons.co.uk Thursday 20th October 2011 SAVILLS - at The Centenary Suite, Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Colwick Road, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8020 - visit: www.savills.co.uk/ auctions Wednesday 16th November 2011 - SHONKI BROS. KAL SANGRA - at Leicester Racecourse, Leicester Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4AL 5pm start - tel; 0116 254 3373 - www. shonkibrothers.com Thursday 1st December 2011 COTTONS - at Aston Villa Football Club, Villa Park, Birmingham B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 - visit www.cottons.co.uk Thursday 1st December 2011 GRAHAM PENNY - at The Pedigree Suite, Derby County FC, Pride Park Stadium, Derby DE24 8XL - 11.30 am start - tel: 01332 242880 www.grahampenny.com Thursday 1st December 2011 SAVILLS - at The Centenary Suite, Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Colwick Road, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8020 - visit: www.savills.co.uk/ auctions Wednesday 7th December 2011 - SHONKI BROS. lAL SANGRA - at Leicester City Football Club, Banks Lounge, The Walkers Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL - 5pm start - tel: 0116 255 7573 - www.shonkibros.com
Estate Agents - send details of your auction dates and we’ll include them in this section FREE!
My mother loved children - she would have given anything if I had been one.
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Development properties for sale with Fisher German The following development properties are currently being offered for sale on the Fisher German website (www. fishergerman.co.uk): • A brick built barn with full planning permission to be converted into a two-bedroom twostorey dwelling with off street parking and a garden - at Main Street, Walesby, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG22. Price: £95,000.
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Consultation extended for Mapperley Golf Course proposals
• Development site with outline planning permission for 5 dwellings specifically designed for the affordable home or investment sector of the market - at Outgang Road, Cottam, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 0EY. Guide price: £200,000.
Gedling Borough Council has listened to residents and extended the consultation period on a major development proposal.
• Development site with planning permission for 6 new three-bed dwellings with parking and new access in two blocks - at The Maltings, Junction of Bevercotes Road and Eldon Street, Tuxford, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG22 0LQ. Guide price: £250,000. • Development site with outline planning permission for an exclusive culde-sac development of 4 detached dwellings and associated garages - at Willow Croft, The Green, Beckingham, Doncaster, South Yorkshire DN10 4NL Guide price: £495,000. For more information about any of these properties, contact Fisher German on 01777 709943 or visit the website at www.fishergerman.co.uk.
The consultation on the future of Mapperley Golf Course, which started on 25 July and was due to close on 19 September, will be extended by a further two weeks until Monday 3 October. Announcing the extension, Cllr John Clarke, Leader of Gedling Borough Council, said: “We’ve had a good response to the consultation on the future of the Golf Course, with over 40 responses already received and more coming in daily. We have also had comments that local residents and businesses need more time in order to fully understand the proposals and the impact they might have on their homes and premises. We are however developing our strategic planning documents in partnership with other councils and are constrained by timetables relating to that on how long we could consult for. Having listened to the comments we’ve received, and in line with the approach taken by others in Greater Nottingham, we now consider it appropriate to extend the consultation by two weeks so everyone has the opportunity to comment.” The proposals for the Golf Course include developing it in association with the Gedling Colliery site to accommodate up to 1,900 houses, a supermarket, businesses units, access road and a Country Park. The council is keen to hear from anyone who has comments on the proposal, which is the first stage in the process of allocating sites for future development. Cllr Clarke added: “We want to hear all views on the proposals at this stage, but this is not the only chance that the public will have to comment. If we decide to develop the proposals, the next stage will be the formal consultation on the Publication Draft of the emerging Core Strategy in early 2012, with a view to adopting the Core Strategy by the end of 2012. It’s important that we stick to this timetable to allocate sites for development so we can demonstrate that we have sufficient land for future growth in sustainable locations.”
Baptist chapel for sale in Collingham ROBERT CLARKE Chartered Surveyors are inviting offers for a former Baptist Chapel at Baptist lane, Collingham, Near Newark, Notts. NG23 7LT. The mainly single storey property was built in 1902 and stands on a good sized plot surrounded by the former burial ground. The total floor area is 1,970 sq.feet. Offers are invited at a guide price of £150,000. For more information, contact Robert King or Richard Reed on 0115 947 6236 or email rk@robertclarke.co.uk or rreed@robertclarke.co.uk
I’ve had all the electric leads in my house shortened to save on electricity.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011 13
Forticrete launches essential reading for the UK construction industry
Plot for two dwellings in Warks. Staniforth Architects are inviting expressions of interest for a development opportunity in Carlton, Warwickshire. The site - The Croft, 2 Shackerstone Walk, Carlton CV13 0BY - has planning permission for 2 number family dwellings - both 4 bedroom, one at 1625 sq ft, the other at 1910 sq ft. The plans were passed by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council under approval number 09/00212/FUL. The client is open to any proposal for development, whether by a partnering arrangement or straight forward purchase. Expressions of interest are requested based on an asking price of £300,000. Contact Staniforth Architects on 0116 285 3775 for details.
Development site near Daventry FISHER GERMAN are offering for sale BY PUBLIC AUCTION a single building plot adjacent to Dunster Mounts Lane, Newnham, Daventry, Northamptonshire. The plot has consent for a detached 3-bed house with a small garden and off-street parking. The site measures 252 sq.metres. The property is for sale BY AUCTION on 5th October 2011 at Banbury Cricket Club, The Pavilion, White Post Road, Bodicote, banbury, Oxfordshire OX15 4BN - 6pm start. Guide Price: £75,000-£80,000. The property is freehold and vacant possession will be given on completion on Friday 4th November 2011. For more information, contact Fisher German on 01295 271555 or email: banbury@fishergerman. co.uk
Broughton Astley development plot FISHER GERMAN are offering for sale a development plot at Church Close, Broughton Astley, Leics. Detailed planning permission has been granted for the development of three detached residential dwellings, each with garages. Guide Price as a Whole: £400,000. Guide Price for Lot 1 (2 x five bed dwellings: £300,000. For details, contact Fisher German on 01858 410200 or email: edmund.smith@fishergerman.co.uk SEE AD on page 19.
Nottingham City
Newark & Sherwood
The Developments Factory (c/o Agent: Ink/Drawn, Mr.Neil McMinn, 5 The Annexe, 3 Junior Street, Leicester LE1 4QF) - Erection of first floor extension and new second floor to accommodate 7 student apartments - at Canterbury Court, Peel Street, Nottingham NG1 4GR.
NCC Children, Families and Cultural Services (c/o Agent: NCC Communities, David Marsh, Trent Bridge House, Fox Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6BJ) - Erection of 210-place primary school - at Field Reference Number 8251, Hollowdyke Lane, Fernwood, Nottinghamshire.
Sikh Temple (c/o Agent: Peart Bradley Architects, Mr M Peart, 12 Regent Street, Nottingham NG1 5BQ) - Change of use to Sikh Temple and erection of two storey side extension - at Alexander House, Norton Street, Nottingham NG7 3HJ. NCC - Children’s Services (c/o Agent: NCC - Development Department, Mr D Garaguso, Loxley House, Station Street, Nottingham NG2 3NG) - Erection of classroom extension, and infill courtyard to create new hall - at Berridge Infant School, Bobbers Mill Road, Nottingham NG7 5GY.
Rushcliffe Mr S Day (c/o Agent:Mr J Bramley, 2 Charleswold Court, Thurlby Lane, Stanton on the Wolds, Nottingham NG12 5BS) - Extension to provide office accommodation, two flats and additional car parking following demolition of bungalow - at Fieldbrook House, 82 Grantham Road, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire NG12 2HY. NCC Children, Families & Cultural Services (c/o: Debbie Wragg, Nottinghamshire County Council, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7QP) - Existing school to be extended with a new 2-class building and play areas to replace those lost to the new building - at Brookside Primary School, School Green, East Leake, Nottinghamshire LE12 6LG. Mr Lenagh (c/o Agent: Mr S Iberle, SJI Designs Ltd, 24 Walkers Close, Forest Town, Mansfield, Nottingham NG19 0DQ) - Construction of 8 flats with car parking, following demolition of existing building - at 109 Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire NG2 7JT. Soar Valley Homes Ltd of Harlequin House, Brook Farm Court, Willoughby on the Wolds, Leics. LE12 6SL - Four detached dwellings with associated garaging - at Land rear west of 218 & 220 Loughborough Road, Ruddington, Nottinghamshire. Mr N Davill (c/o Agent: Mr A Heafford, Thurcroft House, Linley Court, Bingham, Nottinghamshire NG13 8FA) - Residential development of 9 dwellings - at Land North of 54 Bunny Lane, Keyworth, Notts.
Barchester Healthcare (c/o Agent: Tangram Architects Ltd, Ms Susan Wainwright, Unit 3.2 The Leathermarket, Weston Street, London SE1 3EX) - Construction of a new-build nursing home for 60 elderly residents - at Fernwood Business Park, Great North Road, Fernwood, Nottinghamshire. Harlaxton Estates Ltd (c/o Agent: BSA Design, Mr Lee Sowerby, Bridge Farm, Besthorpe Road, North Scarle, Lincolnshire LN6 9EZ) - Proposed non-food A1 retail unit with external storage and display areas and car parking - at Malt Park, Maltkiln Lane, Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire. Mr Adrian Davie-Thornhill of Staunton Hall, Matlock, Derbyshire - Erection of 2 buildings to be used for livestock, change of use and conversion of former agricultural buildings to B1/office use and change of use and conversion of agricultural buildings to residential, B1/office and holiday let - at Hockerton Moor Farm, Kirklington Road, Hockerton, Southwell, Nottinghamshire NG25 0PH. Lincolnshire Co-operative Society - Mr Matthew Wilkinson (c/o Agent: Mr Derek Morris, Derek Morris Architects, The Studio, Malt Road, Fenton, Lincoln LN1 2EW) Erection of replacement Supermarket Premises with a gross external area of 943 sq.metres and alterations and extension to Village Centre Car Park to increase the existing 60 spaces to 165 spaces - at Playing Field, Station Road, Collingham, Nottinghamshire. Mr K Bola (c/o Agent: Bakewell & Partners, Stephen Heathcote, The Studio, Queen Street, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 1NR) - Demolition of public house, erection of up to 6 dwellings and associated access - at The Jolly Friar Public House, Dale Lane, Blidworth, Nottinghamshire NG21 0SU.
Set to quickly become essential reading for architects and specifiers, ‘Forticrete by Design’, the new quarterly magazine from the UK’s leading manufacturer of concrete construction products, offers up more inspirational ideas using concrete products than ever before. The autumn issue of the new magazine, which focuses on creative and innovative applications of the use of colour in building design, features five in-depth reviews of projects from across the UK, each showcasing a very different but effective approach. The magazine’s regular feature, ‘Building Buzz’, is targeted to provide the latest in technical knowledge to help readers overcome complex design challenges by putting the expertise of Forticrete’s design specialists at their disposal. The first issue takes a look at Bed Joint Reinforcement and where it should be used in masonry walls. John Lambert, general manager at Forticrete, commented: “We are extremely excited about the launch of our new magazine, ‘Forticrete by Design’ and can’t wait to see how it is received by the industry. “We feel that as the UK’s leading manufacturer of concrete construction products, when it comes to concrete design and technology there isn’t anyone better placed to keep the industry up to date with the latest news and detailed reviews of some of the most inspirational projects across the country.” Also featured in this issue are details on Forticrete’s revolutionary Retro Fit Stone Cills, news on the Responsible Sourcing Standard, and details of the Building Confidence Accreditation recently awarded to the company. To receive a free subscription to ‘Forticrete by Design’, contact 01525 244912 or 01525 244911, or register online at www.forticrete.com.
Oxton Cricket Club, Mr Matt Wheatley of 17 Broomfield Lane, Farnsfield, Newark, Nottinghamshire NG22 8LQ - Erection of sports pavilion - at Cricket Ground, Main Street, Oxton, Nottinghamshire.
Continued on page 14
My own business always bores me to death; I prefer other people’s.
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Continued from page 13 NCC - Service Director for Transport (c/o Agent: Property & Environment, Nottinghamshire County Council, County Hall, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire NG2 7QP) - Construction of 3 two-storey houses with attached garages, conversion of outbuildings and alterations to front boundary wall, following demolition of existing agricultural buildings - at Chapel Farm, Low Street, Elston, Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire NG23 5PA. KD Design Lincolnshire Ltd of Alexandra Dock Business Centre, Fisherman’s Wharf, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire DN31 1UL - Erection of 64-bed care home on redundant former commercial site with internal access road - at 293 Bowbridge Road, Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire NG24 4EQ. Mr & Mrs G Gray (c/o Agent: Anthony Aspbury Associates Ltd, 20 Park Lane Business Centre, Park Lane, Basford, Nottingham NG14 7EB) - Demolition of dwelling and associated boarding kennels and cattery, removal of 5 static caravans and the redevelopment of the site with a replacement dwelling and 3 bungalows including the provision of a new access - at 92 Caythorpe Road, Caythorpe, Nottingham NG14 7EB.
Mansfield Sure Building Services Ltd (c/o Agent: Residential Design Architects Ltd, 28 Broadhill Road, Kegworth, Derbyshire DE74 2DQ) - Construction of 2 two-storey terraced dwellings with accommodation within the roofspace - at Land at 2 Jennison Street, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG19 7AW. Mr & Mrs Siddall (c/o Agent: Mr M Hubbard, 20 park Lane Business Centre, Basford, Nottingham NG2 5AN) - Outline application for the erection of 3 dwellings with the provision of two new private access points - at Brentwood, 13 High Oakham Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 5AJ. Mr Charles Hammersley of 28 Garth Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 5AQ Outline application for residential development of 5 dwellings - at Land to the rear of 26, 28, 30A and 32 Garth Road, and to the rear of 82 Hillsway Crescent, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. West Nottinghamshire College (c/o Agent:Mr Dave Shoreman, Taylor Young, Chadsworth House, Wilmslow Road, Handforth, Cheshire SK9 3HP) - Construction of extension providing new accommodation, and provision
of roof structure provide covered courtyard - at West Nottinghamshire College, Derby Road Campus, Derby Road, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 5BH. Tesco Stores Ltd (c/o Agent: Development Planning Partnership - Mr A Brand, West One, 63-67 Bromham Road, Bedford MK40 2FG) - Erection of new foodstore, following partial demolition of the Strand Bingo Hall and building to the north of 30A Church Street, and demolition of 19 and 19A Burns Lane and other industrial buildings - at Land off Burns Lane, Warsop, Nottinghamshire.
Gedling M F Strawson Ltd (c/o Agent: Mr Chris Waumsley, Freeth Cartwright LLP, Cumberland Court, Mount Street, Nottingham) - Application for replacement planning permission in order to extend the time limit for implementation of outline application to demolish factory and erect dwellings - at Metallifacture Ltd, Mansfield Road, Redhill, Nottinghamshire NG5 8PY. Mr Steve Bell (c/o Agent: (c/o Agent: Mrs Jane Welham, Welham Architects, 52 Normanton Lane, Keyworth, Nottinghamshire NG12 5HA) - Two new dwellings and associated landscaping - at Linby House, Linby Lane, Linby, Nottinghamshire NG15 8AF.
Broxtowe Mr & Mrs D S Cutts (c/o Agent: Anthony Bradley, 2 Broad Oak Cottages, Main Street, Strelley Village, Nottingham NG8 6PD) - Extend time for implementation of planning permission to construct 2 detached dwellings - at 86 Beeston Fields Drive, Bramcote, Nottinghamshire NG9 3TD. Mr Ian Raven (c/o Agent: Mr Will Torr, 17 The Ropewalk, Nottingham NG1 5DU) - Change of use from motor repair shop to offices and electrical/plumbing warehouse - at Windsor Garage, Ellis Grove, Beeston, Nottinghamshire NG9 1EP. Mr Pat Curran (c/o Agent: Mr Paul Gaughan, 4 Coronation Street, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 5QH) Extend time limit for implementation of planning permission to demolish part of existing commercial unit and construct new commercial unit - at 1A Sandiacre Road, Stapleford, Nottinghamshire NG9 8EX. Mr & Mrs P Elliott - Demolish existing bungalow and construct 2 dwellings - at 4 Inham Road, Chilwell, Nottinghamshire NG9 4FL.
Continued on page 16
Care homes sale to generate £9.4m boost for care for older people
A
plan to move six of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Residential Care Homes into private ownership would unlock at least £9.4 Million in investment in care for older people in Nottinghamshire over the next five years. Under proposals to be considered by Nottinghamshire County Council’s Full Council on Thursday 22 September, Runwood Homes would buy six of the 12 residential care homes currently owned by the County Council. If the recommendations are agreed, the sale and transfer could be completed in January 2012. Residents at the transferred homes would be completely unaffected by the proposals. All six homes would remain as care homes, keep existing fees for current residents and maintain the existing staff group to ensure continuity of care for residents. Runwood Homes has also pledged to invest £500,000 per home over the next five years to improve standards, a total investment of £3 Million. The Council would receive a net capital receipt of £1.9 Million from the sale of the care homes (after a £600,000 reimbursement to the Primary Care Trust). The sum would be put towards capital projects, including investment in new Extra Care facilities and Day Care services for older people. The County Council would save an estimated £900,000 per year in running costs if the proposals are approved by the Full Council. Those savings, totalling £4.5 Million over five years, would be ploughed back into frontline care services for older people, helping to underpin new services to support and enable more older people to live in their own homes for as long as possible. Under the proposals, the County Council would transfer the following residential care homes to Runwood Homes: • Bramwell Care Home, Bramcote • Braywood Gardens Care Home, Carlton • Jubilee Court Care Home, Sutton-in-Ashfield • Leawood Manor Residential Home, West Bridgford • Maun View, Mansfield • Westwood, Worksop
Try the Hammond Harwood Quiz - win a prize - and help raise cash for charity! This year’s Hammond Harwood Quiz is available now to download from the Hammond Harwood website www.hammondharwood.com There are over 100 questions on the theme of ‘They All Had Number 1s’ and the answers are helpfully included in the entry form - but, unfortunately, not in the right order! Entrants are invited to make a donation of £1 or £2 (or more if you want) which goes towards Childline. The closing date is 14th January 2012, so you have plenty of time to get the answers right. Why not print off a few copies for your work colleagues and try a few of the questions during your coffee breaks? It’s all for a very worthwhile cause, so please have a go!
Whenever people agree with me I always feel I must be wrong.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011 15
If a development isn’t selling, is rebranding the solution? If your development isn’t selling, Mark Gray of Tassell Design (www.tasselldesign.co.uk) offers some useful advice. Property development has always had its risks. No matter how much research goes into choosing the right location with desirable facilities and the appropriate demographic on the doorstep, the success of your development will always be subject to external factors. The property market is traditionally governed by a combination of economics; namely interest rates, unemployment levels, inflation and supply and demand. Currently it appears that, despite the low interest rates, the slow economic recovery means that demand for property developments is outstripped by supply. Despite some regional variations, this means that neither commercial nor residential projects are selling well.
What’s the problem? Whilst economic factors may be largely to blame, if your development isn’t selling, you also need to take a long hard look at how it is sold and marketed. For many people this means a total rebrand; getting rid of the old logo renaming the development and overhauling the image. This is certainly worth looking into, but at the same time, it is also important to ensure that you try and identify why a development isn’t selling. Only this way can you ensure that any rebranding you do undertake addresses the issues.
Selling a concept We work with a lot of clients on developing an identity for both commercial and residential developments and it is absolutely crucial get this right. A brand doesn’t just consist of a name and logo; it refers to the whole concept that a property development is built upon. Ultimately, you are aiming to sell the idea of a specific lifestyle to potential buyers whether that is high end luxury or cheap and convenient. The identity should run through everything you produce: marketing packs, brochures, sales flyers, signage, advertising and the website - as well as the development itself.
schemes or personal finance plans. If location is an issue, ensure that you have done all you can to clarify the benefits that this location has to offer. • If people are worried about risk, offer guarantees to reduce the risk. Has your marketing been closely targeted? Have you created an accurate profile for prospective buyers and told them enough times about what they are missing out on? •
Location, location, location There’s not much you can do about the location of your development, but it may be that you have identified the wrong target demographic, in which case you will need to rethink your marketing and branding strategy.
Getting the message across It’s easy to underestimate how many times you have to repeat your message for people to take notice. So, whilst you might think that your development has a significant presence in the area, many people will remain oblivious to its existence – even if they walk past it everyday. This may not necessarily mean that the project has been poorly branded or marketed; there may be other issues to consider e.g. is the target demographic wrong or the pricing unrealistic? It’s easy to blame the state of the economy for every problem under the sun, but if your development isn’t selling, it’s no good waiting for an economic recovery which looks to be a long way in the future. You need to be proactive: repeating the same mistakes will simply yield the same results; learn from what hasn’t worked so far to inform what you can do better in the future. So, revisit the fundamentals, identify the issues and only then decide whether a rebrand is necessary.
Take a second look You may feel that your branding is spot on, but it is always worth taking a second look. It may be time to refresh elements of your identity, thus keeping what is good about your brand and avoiding the expense of a complete reinvention - which is not only costly and time consuming, but may fail to address the real reasons for lack of sales. So, before throwing away all that hard work and starting over, try to get to the root of the issue. Ask yourself some searching questions: • Are fundamentals still right? • Is the market still there? • Are they still buying? • Does your current branding and design appeal to them? If you can answer a ‘yes’ to all of these questions then a total rebrand is unlikely to help the situation. Instead, concentrate your strategy on focusing more keenly on your target market and refining your message to ensure it reaches them. Make it easy to buy Next, give some thought to what is stopping people from buying – and what you can do about it. Your job is to make it as easy as possible for your target market to find you and buy from you, for example: • If finance is an issue, offer more flexibility in terms of staggered payments, low or no deposit
Author background Mark Gray is a director of Tassell Design (www. tasselldesign.co.uk), a design and marketing agency with a portfolio of clients from across the property sector, including industrial, office developments, retail and residential schemes. Tassell Design specialise in a range of services including all elements from planning and public consultation exhibitions through to multimedia marketing campaigns. Recent projects include developing the identity, branding, website and multiple publications for the regeneration of Longbridge in Birmingham and producing global design guidelines for Prologis - one of the largest property developers in the world.
Hedgehogs - why can’t they just share the hedge?
New RICS guidance to assess construction compensation IN SEPTEMBER, RICS launched new guidance for its members which addresses the issue of breach of contract and damages for delays in the completion of construction projects. Damages for Delays to Completion addresses the legal and financial repercussions associated with breaches of contract in relation to missed completion dates. It also highlights how sums can be determined in the event of breach of contract. Should a contractor be late in completing a project, they may be liable to award damages to the client. In some cases, potential compensation levels are contractually predetermined. However, contracts often do not contain damage clauses, meaning an assessment is generally required into the impact of the delay on the client. In both cases, independent arbitration is generally required and this new guidance is designed to assist all parties throughout the process. Commenting, Alan Muse, RICS Director, said: “The issue of damages is an extremely important issue for those involved in the construction industry. Potential sums are not always entered into contracts before a project is undertaken. Therefore, guidance is required in order to determine an appropriate sum, as the impact of the delay on earnings and any difficulties incurred must be correctly assessed.” “This new guidance will prove to be an invaluable resource for RICS members and those involved in contracts and damages. Assessing the level of damages can sometimes be problematic and, through publishing this new guidance, we are aiming to make the process as straight forward and transparent as possible.”
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Have your say on the Local Plan Continued from page 1
Bassetlaw Sean Wass (c/o Agent: Chris Moxon, 45 Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts. S80 1AP) - Outline application to demolish existing house and erect 2 dwellings - at Arlington House, Sparken Hill, Worksop, Notts. Applicant (c/o Agent: Mr Fitzgerald, DLP Planning Ltd, 11 Paradise Square, Sheffield S1 2DE) - Erection of 16 detached dwelling houses - at Land north of the cricket field, Amcott Way, Retford, Notts. Ablehomes Ltd (c/o Agent: DLP Planning Ltd, 11 Paradise Square, Sheffield S1 2DE) - Erect 49 dwellings with associated garages, access and landscaping - at Land at Idle Valley, Off Amcott Way, Retford, Notts. PGL Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: Mr Dan Hackett, The Heritage, Waterside, Thorne, Doncaster DN8 4JQ) - Erect 2 detached dwellings with detached garages and construct new access - at Appledore, Station Road, Ranskill, Retford, Notts. Bridge Properties Ltd (c/o Agent: Mr Simon Hawley, 75-76 Francis Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B16 8SP) - Outline application for retail food store, petrol filling station, Class B1 unit, car parking and public realm works - at Former Seafield Haulage, Land south of Kilton Road, Worksop, Notts. Messrs P & N Lane (c/o Agent: Mr Kitson, Trinity College Farm, Great North Road, Barnby Moor, Retford,
Notts.) - Outline application for residential development and construct new access - at Corner farm, Main Street, Hayton, Retford, Notts. DN22 9LL. Mr Alan Burton of Lakeside, Carlton Hall Lane, Carlton in Lindrick, Worksop, Notts. S81 9EE - Outline application for 2 detached houses - at Land rear of 351 Carlton Road, Worksop, Notts. Ablehomes Ltd (c/o Agent: DLP Planning Ltd, 11 Paradise Square, Sheffield S1 2DE) - Erect 14 dwellings with associated garages, new access and landscaping - at Land off Rectors Gate, Retford, Notts. Mr Lee, Facilities Dept., Rampton Hospital, Woodbeck, Retford, Notts. DN22 0PD - Demolish 6 vacant patient villas - at Rampton Hospital, Retford Road, Woodbeck, Retford, Notts.
Ashfield Messrs Lowther - Outline application for a maximum of 3 dwellings - at Land rear of 9 Portland Road, Selston, Notts. Breadsall Estates Ltd (c/o Agent: Signet Planning) - Reserved matters application for the erection of 3 dwellings - at 211 Main Road, Jacksdale, Notts. Mr Kansal - Erection of 3 dwellings - at 101-103 Alfreton Road, Sutton in Ashfield, Notts.
A home designed for your whole life? Responding to Royal Institute of British Architects Case for Space study, Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK said: “We welcome RIBA’s call to improve people’s quality of life by increasing the size of new build homes. “At Age UK we would also like to see developers thinking more about how people use homes over the course of their lifetime. With relatively simple improvements in design, new build houses can become lifetime homes suited to people at any stage of their lives. “Simple changes such as having no step at the front door, ground floor toilet and hallways wide enough to manoeuvre a wheelchair in not only would allow older people to live longer in their own homes but would also help families with young children and disabled people. “This move would also help older people, who perhaps are living in family homes that no longer suit their needs, to downsize to more suitable accommodation. Adapting homes once they are built is vastly more expensive than tweaking designs and we would like to see developers and local authorities working together to ensure that all new housing adheres to the lifetime homes standards.”
R
esidents, business groups and businesses in Nottingham City will be asked later this month for their views on how and where development should take place within the City. The City Council is looking for views and opinions, now, before drafting policies or deciding on sites at the first stage of preparing a new Local Plan for the City. The plan aims to make sure any new development meets the needs of Nottingham’s citizens while protecting what is best about the city. The consultation will suggest potential new development sites to provide as many citizens as possible with local job opportunities, appropriate housing and retail areas. The new Local Plan will help boost Nottingham’s economy by providing new land and protecting existing sites for new developments that will result in local jobs for local people. It will also aim to ensure that enough shopping and other town centre development is considered for right locations and that ‘vitality and viability’ of existing centres is protected, while providing for and protecting the role and economic growth of the city centre. The plan will also consider how to provide sufficient housing to meet the requirements of Nottingham’s increasing population. Studies show that at least 970 new homes a year are required. To deliver housing on this scale, appropriate land needs to be identified, as well as providing the right mix of housing, with a particular emphasis on new family housing and homes for the elderly and students. The council will want views on what uses will be most appropriate for several larger areas within Nottingham that are important for the regeneration of the city, such as the important Waterside, Eastside and Southside Regeneration Zones, but also areas such as the Meadows and Radford where Neighbourhood Plans have already been drawn up. Views will also be sought on how to ensure that Nottingham’s future buildings are of a high quality, how to protect our historic assets while ensuring new development complements what is already good about the city and how to ensure that new development does not have an adverse impact on existing or future occupiers. Community facilities including open spaces, parks and allotments will be considered and will be protected wherever possible. Any development affecting open spaces will need to be fully justified and bring wider benefit to the area, as they can help keep people fit and
healthy and they provide important wildlife habitats for animals and plants. The plan will also take sustainability issues into account - looking at how to build on the renewable energy and heat supplies which Nottingham is well served by and reduce carbon emissions by making any new development as sustainable as possible. It will also look at how sensible planning can help to encourage better use of public transport such as the new tram lines, while recognising the need for the right level of parking for various types of new development. Councillor Jane Urquhart, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Transport said: “We are committed to engaging and debating before things are set in stone, and giving the public, as well as the development community, an opportunity to take part in this open conversation at an early stage”. Following this consultation, the Council will use the information to prepare a full draft of the Local Plan, known as a ‘preferred option,’ which will be published for further consultation next summer. The following drop-in events are being held where officers from the City Council will be available to discuss the initial proposals: • Wednesday 12 October from 2pm until 6pm at Bulwell Library, Highbury Road, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 9AE • Monday 17th October from 2pm until 7pm at The Mary Potter Centre, Gregory Boulevard, Nottingham NG7 5HY • Tuesday 18th October from 2pm until 7pm at Clifton Cornerstone, Southchurch Drive, Clifton, Nottingham NG11 8EW • Wednesday 19th October from 2pm until 7pm at Nottingham Central Library (1st floor), Angel Row, Nottingham NG1 6HP Residents can take part in the consultation by: • Attending one of the above events • Visiting the Local Plan website at www.nottinghamcity.gov. uk/localplan • Writing to the Planning Policy team at Loxley House, Station Street, NG2 3BS • Phoning the Planning Policy team on 0115 876 3974.
If things get any worse, I’ll have to ask you to stop helping me.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011 17
Economy Causing Severe Problems for Smaller Construction Businesses The ongoing economic downturn is causing ‘severe’ problems among construction business supply chains; especially for small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that rely on mechanised plant and equipment to carry out their work. The broader ramifications of this have implications for the UK economy at large. So say professors Gary Holt and David Edwards, of The Centre for Business Innovation and Enterprise, at Birmingham City Business School. The professors have been researching the effects of poor macroeconomic conditions on SMEs and their business relationships, among construction supply chain members. In particular, they have focussed on firms who extensively use mechanised plant – such as excavators, loaders and dumpers – to perform their business functions. They point out that smaller construction businesses often hold significant levels of investment in plant and equipment, as a way of improving their productivity and sustaining higher output. But, physical assets require high levels of utilisation to justify such investment and for many firms, this is no longer possible due to downturn
Auction
Wed 12th Oct
A total of 18 select properties are due to go under the hammer at the next Shonki Bros. L.S.Sangra Property Auction on Wednesday 12th October 2011, at the Walkers Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester - 5pm start. Among the lots for sale is a commercial investment opportunity at London Road, in Leicester City Centre. The property comprises a Ground Floor retail unit and three self contained flats. It also has a Garage which would be ideal for residential subject to planning permission. The estimated full Rental Income is £38,226 p.a (11% Yield). Price Guide: £350,000+
www.shonkibros.com
in demand. What is more, there is little profit to be made from work that is currently available. The result has a very direct effect on the future existence of these firms, the professors assert. Professor Holt said, “Ongoing negative economic pressure is causing financial instability among smaller construction businesses and equally, putting strain on supply chain relationships as firms fight it out in a cutthroat market, to try and secure work and maintain cashflow. We have discovered that many firms who rely on plant and equipment to execute their work activities are in some instances not even charging the use of this to clients, in an effort to trim tenders to the bone and win contracts”. This, the professors are keen to emphasise, is an unsustainable situation. They suggest a two-pronged remedy to help address many of these plant utilisation and supply chain issues. First, by way of increased government investment in roads, schools and other forms of public infrastructure; and second, through improved corporate tax incentives for new plant and equipment purchases. They point out that regardless of the present economic climate, the UK needs infrastructure investment if it is to remain a strong economic player into the 21st century, “…so in
that case, let’s do it now and help these struggling businesses…” professor Holt argued. They suggest their remedy would buoy up construction demand, help bring profitability back to the sector and encourage investment in mechanisation. Professor Edwards said, “This may seem a contradictory standpoint in the face of present austerity measures. But the alternative is to continue to witness a sector of the UK economy that is ripping itself apart; is losing highly skilled people from its workforce; and is in many ways going backwards rather than enhancing its future ability – in part through mechanisation – to produce its products efficiently and at best value”. The professors’ data indicate that 9 out of the top ten selling offhighway plant items within the UK, witnessed a severe decline in new sales following the onset of global financial crisis and subsequent UK recession circa 2007. But they point out that construction’s business problems exceed this lack of investment in mechanisation alone. They highlight that clients are ‘using’ the present economic conditions to get construction work done for absolute minimum capital outlay. But, the resulting pressure on subcontract SMEs to reduce tender sums, encourages
shorter project durations which in turn leads to corners being cut. For example, in terms of quality of constructed products and poorer health and safety conditions for construction workers. In short, the professors argue that to ignore these problems now, especially the issue of declining investment in construction mechanisation, will be at the peril of our national economy later. “Declining investment in plant and machinery among construction businesses – not only in terms of new products but also regarding the maintenance and upkeep of existing fleets – means that as a nation, our future ability to apply mechanisation to enhancement of productivity is weakened. This really does not bode well for UK plc in the longer term and if broader economic recovery were to be swift, it will certainly hold the sector back” professor Holt concluded
Lafarge’s Lower Co2 Concrete Chosen For Eco-friendly Visitor Centre LAFARGE has provided concrete to a Nottinghamshire visitor centre constructed using old tyres, empty glass bottles and aluminium cans. In line with the self-sufficient and recycled theme of the building at Newstead and Annesley Country Park, around 70m³ of Ultra™ Envirocrete™ was supplied. Innovative mix design and material replacement means Ultra™ Envirocrete™ has substantially lower embodied C02, offering carbon reduction savings of more than 60 per cent per cubic metre, compared with conventional concrete. Creation of the visitor centre - part of the Newstead Enterprise community project to re-invigorate the former colliery area - was filmed by the BBC over the last year and broadcast earlier this month on BBC 1’s Village SOS. The community project received £400,000 from the Village SOS initiative sponsored by the BBC and the Big Lottery Fund, as well as grants from other agencies. Volunteers from the local area offered their time and services to help in the construction of the visitor centre, development of five fishing lakes and the Headstock music festival. Tom Griffiths, Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK sector manager, North, Notts and Derbyshire, said: “People working on the Newstead Enterprise project pledged to build the visitor centre in the most eco-friendly fashion possible. The original plan was to use entirely recycled materials with no concrete at all. “They soon realised this was going to be unworkable so they approached us for help and we recommended our Ultra™ Envirocrete™, which has significantly lower embodied C02 than conventional concrete. “This fitted in perfectly with the recycled and eco-friendly ethos of the project but also provided a practical solution. “Lafarge is a company which takes its environmental responsibility seriously both in the way it operates and its efforts to devise new ‘greener’ products, so this was a fantastic scheme to be involved in. “It is an amazing project which has brought villagers together to improve their local area – exactly the kind of project Lafarge seeks to support.” Lafarge donated two loads and supplied around a further 56m³ for the centre’s foundation raft at cost.
I cna ytpe 300 wrods pre mniuet.
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Nightingale Conant CD Set of the Month
Interesting residential development opportunity in Kimberley BRUTON KNOWLES are inviting offers for a substantial former public house with planning permission granted for 7 new dwellings.
Are you dissatisfied, unhappy, or downright miserable with what you currently do for a living? Have you thought about doing something different, but not known how or where to start? Do you wish you could find work that fulfills you and makes you plenty of money? If you long to get something MORE out of your work life — more meaning … more joy … more stimulation … more fulfillment … more money … more fun — here’s good news: Your ‘dream job’ DOES exist. And you are just 48 DAYS AWAY from finding it! No matter what age you are, what work you’re doing right now, or how long you’ve been doing it, you CAN find or create the ideal work for you. Best of all, you can do it a LOT faster and a whole lot more EASILY than you probably think. In Dream Job… 48 Days to the Work You Love, renowned vocational coach, author, and radio host Dan Miller gives you a complete, stepby-step system for clarifying, finding, securing, and maintaining a work life that gives you everything you’ve ever wanted: true fulfillment and an income that more than supports whatever lifestyle you want to lead. Whether you’re looking for guidance on how to launch a new career or business … want to increase your sense of contribution and fulfillment at your current job … or want to earn a sixfigure income doing something you love, this system will work for you. You’ll discover: • How to tell if you’re trapped in a job that’s wrong for you • The most dangerous thing you can do in today’s work climate • Why you can stop worrying that age is a barrier to finding or forging a new career path • Where to find the opportunities for meaningful work that are perfect for YOU • The best job sectors to look at now, and which ones you should avoid • The surest, quickest way to entrepreneurial success • The hands-on but virtually RISK-FREE way to learn 85% of everything you need to know about running a successful business before taking the plunge • The single best way to safeguard yourself from corporate politics and unexpected layoffs • Resumé and interviewing secrets they never tell you about, that will increase your chance tenfold of landing a job! CD Version - 6 CDs/CD Workbook PRICE: £81.65 www.nightingaleconant.co.uk
The property - The Queen Adelaide, Babbington Lane, Kimberley, Nottingham NG16 2PT - is a handsome detached part stone-built Inn apparently fashioned from three dwellings and beautifully situated in an elevated and quiet part of Kimberley, overlooking West Nottinghamshire towards the Derbyshire hills. Planning permission has been granted by Broxtowe Borough Council to convert the existing public house into three dwellings. Outline planning permission has also been granted for the erection of four new dwellings in the vehicular parking area. Offers in the region of £275,000 exclusive of VAT are invited. For an appointment to view, or for plans and further information, contact Sam Spencer or Stuart hastings on 0115 988 1160 or email: sam.spencer@brutonknowles.co.uk or stuart.hastings@brutonknowles. co.uk
REMEMBER!
We include details of development properties free-of-charge in editorial form. So, if you’re selling an interesting development property, email details to: info@nottinghamshirebuilder.co.uk and we’ll give the property a free mention. You know it makes sense!
As my five-year-old son and I were heading to McDonald’s one day, we passed a car accident. Usually when we see something terrible like that, we say a prayer for whoever might be hurt, so I pointed and said to my son, “We should pray.” From the back seat I heard his earnest voice: “Dear God, please don’t let those cars block the entrance to McDonald’s.”
The Queen Adelaide has consent for 7 dwellings
Council House Building Completed The final bricks have been laid in a £4m project which has seen 52 new council homes built in Newark and Sherwood – the first in the district for more than 30 years. Newark and Sherwood District Council, along with its housing management organisation, Newark and Sherwood Homes which managed the project, and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the national housing and regeneration agency which helps to create opportunities for people to live in high quality, sustainable places, built the varying styles and sizes of homes in both rural and urban locations to address significant housing need faced by the council. The completion of the affordable scheme of three x 2 bedroom houses and four x 1 bedroom apartments at Norwood Gardens, Southwell (to be known as Town Mill Close) marks the completion of the programme of whole programme which has also seen homes built in Clipstone, Bleasby, Boughton and Balderton and Newark, across two phases of 26 homes. All the new homes have been built to high sustainability specifications with the aim of reducing carbon emissions. They have also been built to Lifetime Homes Standards. This is a set of principles which help maximise utility, independence and quality of life, while not compromising other design issues such as aesthetics or cost effectiveness. The council’s cabinet member for Health and Homes, Cllr Bruce Laughton, said: “In Newark and Sherwood we have about 5,500 applicants registered on the council housing waiting list. “These superb new homes created through excellent partnership working will help meet what is an extensive affordable housing need within the district. “While offering affordable homes for local people in housing need, all eight developments have provided opportunities for local people in terms of jobs and training. The contractor for phase 2, Apollo Homes, was required to use local labour where possible and provide training opportunities where appropriate.” The vice-chairman of the board of Newark and Sherwood Homes, Mr Richard Tracy, said: “The Government announced the Local Authority New Build Programme in May 2009 so the council and Newark and Sherwood Homes worked quickly to put together a package of schemes for funding bids to the Homes and Community Agency. “Meeting the deadline was no easy task and it demonstrated excellent and efficient partnership working between the council and Newark and Sherwood Homes to create the approach, the schemes and the specifications from scratch. “All 52 of the new build properties are constructed to the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 4 which is above the required standard of Building Regulations.”
What did one magnet say to the other? I find you very attractive.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011 19
Forthcoming changes to late payment law
Former Daybrook Laundry site is for sale
Leading North West accountancy firm Mitchell Charlesworth is urging property firms to be aware of looming changes to late payment law.
Mitchell Charlesworth which specialises in accountancy for small to medium sized businesses said the coalition government has announced it will fast-track adoption of the EU late payment directive – so that it can become a UK law in 2012, ahead of the 2013 deadline. Mitchell Charlesworth partner David Darlington said the EU regulations set 30 days as standard terms for public and private sector organisations to pay invoices. “This is very good news indeed for a lot of small firms managing tight cash flow,” he said. “For too long good businesses have been undermined - some fatally - by slow paying clients particularly big firms and the private sector. So we strongly urge firms to ensure they are fully aware of this legislation so they can actively enforce it as part of their credit control systems.” Mr Darlington said the main points in the directive include public authorities having to pay suppliers within 30 days of being invoiced. He added that the directive introduces a cap on the maximum contractual payment period at 60 days, unless other terms are agreed. Businesses will also be automatically entitled to claim interest on late payment and claim around £35 for recovery costs. The statutory interest rate will rise to at least 8 per cent, bringing it into line with the current UK standard. In most cases payment terms beyond 60 days will be termed “grossly unfair” and hence unlawful. Mr Darlington said: “Mitchell Charlesworth manages accounts for many SMEs across the region and there has long been a concern that larger companies are improving their cash flow at the expense of suppliers by delaying payment. Invoice management is a critical part of any business and it is essential that all business owners are clear on where they stand. “In the past legislation added to late payment rules has been little used. The new limits which the directive introduces will help to clamp down on unfair payment terms and encourage a change in culture ensuring that paying late is simply unacceptable.”
GEO HALLAM & Sons Chartered Surveyors are offering for sale the former Daybrook Laundry site, situated at Mansfield Road, Daybrook, Nottingham NG5 6BJ. The 4.24 acre site has detailed planning permission (2008047, dated 31st December 2008) for residential redevelopment. The majority of the site has now been cleared with the lower factory/ dispatch of 11,232 sq.feet remaining. The agents understand that, as the premises fall within a ‘rejuvenation area,’ they are exempt from stamp duty. The site will be sold by way of a long leasehold interest of 999 years duration. Price available upon application. For more information, contact Roger Davis at Geo Hallam & Sonson 0115 958 0301 or email: roger.davis@geohallam.co.uk
Marley Eternit Helps Woodland Trust Achieve Breeam Excellent Rating
Marley Eternit’s fibre cement profile sheeting has been specified on the Woodland Trust’s new headquarters in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The £5.1 million BREEAM Excellent rated project had to achieve a reduced carbon footprint, whilst demonstrating long term value for money. Fibre cement Profile 6 from Marley Eternit was used on the roof, which has a mono pitch of 11.5 degrees. Architects were Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios of Bath. Partner Matt Vaudin said: “We specified Profile 6 because it gave an excellent aesthetic and will provide the client with a long term value for money solution. The use of Profile 6 was appropriate on the building because fibre cement profiled sheeting is a familiar product commonly used on rural buildings around the UK.”
I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best.
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Builders’ Problems SOLVED Default notice under a 2005 JCT Minor Works Building Contract Problem I hope that you may be able to help me. I manage a medium sized building contractor that specialises in the refurbishment of large residential houses. Late last year we tendered and won a sizeable project, worth approximately £320,000.00, to refurbish and extend a period house in Nottinghamshire. Work started in January 2011. We entered into a 2005 JCT Minor Works Building Contract (revision 2007), with a 9 month construction period (a very tight programme I know). However, at the time that the project commenced, my company was already experiencing cash flow problems which unfortunately had an adverse effect on this, and other projects. The adverse effects on this particular project included struggling to find and retain a competent site manager, retaining a regular workforce, obtaining the services of subcontractors and the supply of materials. All these problems allowed the project’s programme to slip and quality to fall below standard. That said, we did continue with the works and refused to shirk away from our responsibilities. On Thursday 1 September 2011, the Employer’s Architect issued a default notice under the Contract for failing to proceed regularly and diligently with the Works. We strongly refuted this, as although the project was
severely behind schedule, we continued to have a reasonable presence on site and work was progressing, albeit at a slow rate. At approximately 7.30am on Monday 5 September 2011, I received a phone call from one of the operatives from the site who said that the site had been locked, and a security guard placed at the main entrance and no one from my company was allowed in. I attempted to contact the Employer, without success, and although I managed to speak to the Architect, he just referred me back to the Employer. I then sent an email to the Employer and a few days later he responded stating that he had every right to lock my company out, in order to protect his property as he heard that materials etc, were being stolen because sub-contractors were not being paid. He also stated that I breached the terms of the
Contract for not employing a full time site manager. I need help! The Employer still owes my company from the last 2 payment certificates and surely he just cannot lock me out. Thanks.
Colin, Loughborough Response: Hello Colin. It is not often that contractors put their hand up and admit to the problems being encountered, so all credit to you. Although your situation may seem dire, in fact it looks as if the Employer has given you a free ‘get out of jail’ card! There is not sufficient information for me to comment on whether the default notice was in fact issued validly, and
Author background Michael is a Barrister, Chartered Builder, Registered Adjudicator & Accredited Expert in quantum and planning matters. He is Managing Director of Michael Gerard & Co www.michael-gerard.co.uk a company of chartered building consultants and quantity surveyors who provide a specialised service in the areas of construction law, quantum, programming, business recovery and insolvency support to the construction industry.
whether any termination against that particular clause would have been upheld by a tribunal. However, the act of the Employer of securing the site and denying your company access renders the default notice as irrelevant. This is because, once a default notice has been issued under clause 6.4, the Employer cannot terminate your employment under the Contract until 7 days has passed from the date you received the notice. That means that even if you were failing to proceed regularly and diligently and thus the grounds the notice had stated was correct, because the Employer had prevented your company from accessing the site during the default notice period, then it is the Employer who is in repudiatory breach of contract. This will in turn allow you to pursue a claim against the Employer, which will include the value of your work up to the date of the repudiation, and for loss of profit on the unfinished portion of the work. Further, because the Employer has engaged a professional (ie an architect), and providing the adjudication clause has not been deleted from the standard wording in the Contract, you may be able to refer the dispute to adjudication. Good luck. © Michael P. Gerard MSc, PGDipLaw, PGDipBar, FCIOB, MCIArb, MAE The advice provided is intended to be of a general guide only and should not be viewed as providing a definitive legal analysis.
Substantial Little Eaton property with potential FISHER GERMAN are offering for sale a substantial and well positioned house with great potential. Eaton Hill - at Alfreton Road, Little Eaton, Derby - is a substantial period property constructed in stone and sits in established grounds of approximately 1.82 acres including a long sweeping driveway to the property which leads off Alfreton Road. The property occupies an elevated position overlooking the surrounding area. The property is believed to have been built in the mid 1800’s with elevations externally faced in stone, incorporating single glazed timber framed sash windows, set beneath a pitched slate roof. The property retains many period features, including fire places, decorative coving, original doors and door cases. It is believed that the property was run as a children’s nursery by the Children’s Society for a period of about 40 years up until the early 1980’s. More recently the property has been used as a therapeutic residential home for children, which we are informed is the current use in planning terms (within class C2). The property now presents the opportunity for it to be put to a variety of uses which might be as a single, substantial dwelling, multiple residential units or indeed for more commercial type uses (subject to planning). The Local Planning department have previously given an indication that conversion to a single residential dwelling would be looked upon favourably, as would conversion to hotel/leisure use. However, interested parties should make enquiries with Erewash Borough Council on 0845 907 2244 to ascertain their current views on this point. For more information, or to arrange a viewing appointment, contact Fisher German on 01530 412821 or email:ashby@fishergerman.co.uk
The old believe everything, the middle-aged suspect everything, the young know everything.
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
PTS Makes Spares Simple PTS has launched a unique piece of software for the identification of spare parts called MiSPARES. Easily accessed through a smart phone or hand held device, the program has been designed so that installers can find and order parts whilst on site. MiSPARES allows users to search 90,000 parts by product number, keyword, gas council number or manufacturer code. Supported by 16,000 live images and 12,000 schematic drawings, it’s easy to identify the right part, find the nearest branch of PTS and place an order. Martyn Farrelly, Spares Operations Director at PTS, said: “PTS is constantly striving to make life easier for installers and we are aware that a lot of time can be spent identifying the right spare part either in hand books or by travelling to a trade counter for advice. MiSPARES is PTS’ solution to this long standing problem, providing a comprehensive database that is simple to search. At the touch of a button the user can choose a product, find a branch and call them up to place an order – all from their current location. The aim is to save the installer time and ultimately money by making their day more efficient.” PTS account customers can visit the MiSPARES website at www.mispares. co.uk to register a personal login and password. PTS’ spares service was launched in 2006 and now has 175 nationwide outlets with 1,200 products stocked as standard. For further information call PTS on 01455 551210, visit www.ptsplumbing. co.uk or text PTS or SPARES to 83332 to find your nearest branch. PTS is part of The BSS Group Ltd – a market leading distributor to specialist trades.
Barratt Homes Coming Soon To Basford LOCAL housebuilder, Barratt East Midlands, is gearing up to launch the latest addition to its new homes developments portfolio, The Courtyard in Nottingham, which is due to open in October.
The five star homebuilder plans to unveil a state of the art sales arena and two showhomes towards the end of the month and potential customers are being encouraged to make a date in the diary now. Located on Barlock Road, The Courtyard is an exclusive collection of just 40 new homes in a mix of two, three and four bedroom home styles. The properties being built here are from Barratt’s very latest range, called The Classic range, and this is the first time that these homes will be built in the East Midlands so Barratt is anticipating that demand will be high. Mark Wright, Managing Director at Barratt East Midlands, comments “The Courtyard is an exclusive development in a fantastic location on the outskirts of Nottingham city centre and we’re extremely excited to reveal to potential customers a date for the launch. “We will be building a superb range of properties there from our very latest product range and we are proud that Nottingham has been chosen as the first places in the UK to feature these brand new home styles. “The Courtyard is designed to provide high quality housing for a range of purchasers, from first time buyers to professionals and even families, in a convenient and popular part of Nottingham. “We’ve already received a large number of enquiries and we’re confident that interest in this development will continue to rise, so I’d encourage anyone who is interested, to register on our customer database today.” The Courtyard is due to launch at the end of October and the first release of properties is expected to include a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes.
Major Mixed Use Redevelopment Opportunity
Former Mansfield Brewery for sale: £3m EDDISONS are offering for sale the former Mansfield Brewery at Great Central Road, Mansfield. The former brewery is a split site with the main plant facilities to the west of Great Central Road and extending to 1.69 hectares (4.19 acres) and to the east, the former bottling plant on 0.75 hectares (1.84 acres). Mansfield is the second largest town in Nottinghamshire with a population of 100,000 and a catchment of 300,000. Offers in the region of £3 million are invited on both a conditional and an unconditional basis. Planning enquiries are to be made to Mansfield Borough Council - tel: 01623 463463. Interested parties are advised that access onto the site is not permitted, and peripheral inspection only is allowed. For more information, contact Simon Croft at Eddisons on 0113 243 0101 (email: simon.croft@eddisons.com or Jill Gittus (email: jill.gittus@eddisons. com).
You’ve turned into your dad the day you put aside a thin piece of wood specifically to stir paint with.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011 23
Buy a chapel at the next Graham Penny Auction! The following two chapels are being offered at the next Graham Penny Property Auction on Thursday 13th October 2011 at Pride park Stadium, Derby - starting at 11.30am:
Cut VAT to stimulate Green Deal Demand The rate of VAT for energy efficient improvements needs to be cut if the Government’s ‘Green Deal’ retrofit programme to upgrade the country’s building stock to make it more energy efficient is to be successful.
• Former Methodist Chapel and Meeting Room at Chapel Green, Doveridge, Derbyshire DE6 5JY - The property recently ceased to be used as a place of worship but is believed to date from about 1805 and is of typical chapel architecture. It is thought that the attached meeting room and kitchen were probably constructed at the turn of the 20th century. Guide Price: £75,000+
• Listed Baptist Former Chapel with planning consent for conversion to two residential dwellings at 11 Bondgate, Castle Donington, DE74 2NS - Planning consent and Listed Building Consent have been granted to create 2 exciting fourbed dwellings of highly imaginative architectural conversion layout and spacious proportions. Guide Price: £160,000+ For more information about the auction, visit www. grahampennyauctions.com Two Moroccans are introduced to each other at a party. One says to the other: “I’m sure we’ve met before. Your fez is very familiar.” A Premiership defender with a reputation for being well hard was sent off during a football match. Returning to the changing room, he had a terrible leg on him. It was covered in cuts and bruises and had a massive gash from the top of the thigh to the knee. He had no idea whose it was.
This is the warning from 27 different organisations in the construction, property and business industries as well as environmental groups who are worried that unless VAT is reduced consumers will be reluctant to take up the Green Deal when it is launched next year. As MPs prepare to debate the final stages of the Energy Bill, which is the legislation that will introduce the Green Deal, the Cut the VAT campaign supporters have signed a joint statement urging MPs from all parties to ask the Government to reduce the rate of VAT to 5% for all Green Deal approved measures in order to begin to stimulate demand. Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said: “At a time when energy prices are soaring the need to make our homes more energy efficient has never been so urgent. It is critical that the Green Deal is a success but it needs to be attractive to consumers who may be reluctant to have a ‘charge’ attached to their property. Other incentives are needed to support the Green Deal which is why a cut in VAT for Green Deal energy efficient work makes sense.” Berry continued: “Our homes contribute 27% of the UK’s total carbon emissions and 85% of our existing homes will still be standing in 2050 so it is imperative that homeowners are encouraged to make their homes more energy efficient if the UK is to achieve its legal target to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. Businesses also need to be reassured that there is demand for Green Deal work if they are to invest in new energy efficient work because in the in the current economic climate many firms can’t afford to start training their workforce until they know there is a growing demand for energy efficient home improvements. With little more than a year to go before the Green Deal, the energy saving market has to expand fast and wide. A targeted VAT cut would be a great start to stimulate demand and raise awareness of the Green Deal.” John Walker, National Chairman at Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said: “Confidence among small business owners fell dramatically in the second quarter of the year with businesses in the construction sector not overly confident about their prospects for the third quarter. The FSB is calling for a cut in VAT for Green Deal improvements to help to restore growth in the construction sector and to help the Government achieve its carbon reduction targets. With just over a year until the Green Deal kicks in and as business and household budgets remain squeezed it is vital that the Government begins to incentivise energy efficiency improvements to ensure that the Green Deal is a success.” Darren Shirley, Sustainable Homes Campaign Manager at WWF-UK said: “The Green Deal will be the only game in town from the end of 2012 and its success is critical to insulating consumers from rising household energy bills and to meeting the UK’s carbon budgets. With current energy efficiency programmes under-delivering and with the Green Deal not yet looking to be an attractive offer for households the Government must introduce measures that will help drive the market to ensure the Green Deal is taken up. Cutting VAT on energy efficiency improvements as part of a package of incentives is one such measure that will be needed.”
Send us your trade news please! Our readers are a nosey bunch, and they like to read about what’s happening in the local building trade. If you have some interesting news about your firm, drop us a line and we’ll mention it in a future issue. Email details to: info@nottinghamshirebuilder.co.uk You know it makes sense!
W A Ellis’ Overview Of The Property Market September has seen some extremely interesting comments from the Resi 2011 Conference in Cardiff. W A Ellis have had four team members at the conference and some of the speakers and highlights were very thought provoking. Mr Frederik Nerbrand, managing director, Global Head of Asset Allocation at HSBC, stated that alarmingly 45,000,000 in the US are on food stamps which means that 14% of the US population cannot afford to eat and 16% of Americans are unemployed. He went on to say that the global economy is dire and that although our exposure to Greece is relatively small our exposure to Spain and Italy is more of a concern, and the euro cannot be allowed to fail. The good news is people are deleveraging and are looking to protect their existing wealth via assets such as gold and property. He went on to speak about quantative easing and said ‘you cannot print prosperity – you, in fact, have to earn it’, consequently he and the HSBC are huge supporters of the fiscal austerity measure which the Coalition government have instigated. House prices in this country have been pushed up by our population growth. In these days of huge uncertainty, people are looking for capital preservation and not necessarily always growth. Nick Candy spoke and was bullish about the super prime in Central London confirming 60 units have sold at 1 Hyde Park. He dispelled concerns about the middle market and London’s overall perception after the riots. He encouragingly stated that the wealth from China and the former USSR states is phenomenal and underpinning the values in Central London. Throughout the two day conference, the strength and differences in the market conditions of Central London as opposed to the rest of the UK were so apparent and clearly demonstrated on both the Lettings and Sales sides. However it was encouraging to see growth and optimism in some of our major cities too.
What constitutes a living wage depends upon whether you are giving it or earning it.
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
Savills Research: Investment In Infrastructure Would Development, Investment Kick-start Uk Growth & New Homes – New CBI/KPMG Survey Businesses say UK infrastructure is inferior to EU rivals The Government must act now to attract vital new investment into the UK’s ageing infrastructure. Swift investment across Britain’s road and rail networks, digital, waste and energy would ensure we remain internationally competitive and kick-start UK growth, the CBI say. A major new survey of 447 businesses, conducted in partnership with KPMG, shows that 58% rate the UK’s infrastructure worse than other EU countries, when judged on quality, value for money and reliability. And worryingly, just 26% of firms saw the UK as a favourable destination for infrastructure investment. Last year’s World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report placed the UK 33rd for quality of infrastructure, alongside Slovenia and behind Tunisia and Cyprus*. But competitors France and Germany both made the top ten. The CBI is calling for swift action to help secure critical business investment and urges the Government to raise its capital investment to prerecession levels as soon as possible. John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said: “This survey paints a disturbing picture. Firms across the country say that the infrastructure they depend on every working day is just not good enough and is stifling growth. High quality infrastructure swings boardroom decisions when companies are looking where to invest, and pays dividends in terms of future jobs and growth. “The UK is still a long way down the international infrastructure league table and languishes behind key competitors. So, if we are serious about boosting exports - especially in emerging markets - and achieving sustainable growth, the Government must put infrastructure investment firmly at the top of its agenda. “We need ministerial decisions that get spades in the ground and people working now. There are large amounts of business capital waiting to be unlocked if the Government achieves a step-change on transport, for example with the introduction of road tolls. Capital investment must return to pre-recession levels at the earliest opportunity.” Mr Cridland went on to announce the formation of a new CBI Infrastructure Board of leading CEOs and Chairmen, led by Mark Elborne of GE. He said: “I have asked the Board to produce a compelling new framework for the speedy delivery of resilient, smarter infrastructure, which will help restore the UK’s competitive edge in the years ahead.” The report, called Making the right connections: CBI/KPMG infrastructure survey 2011, assesses the state of the UK’s infrastructure and highlights how critical quality infrastructure is to companies’ decisions about where to invest and their ability to compete. Half of companies think the UK’s transport network has got worse in the last five years, while less than a fifth (18%) say it has got better. Nine in ten express concern about the security of energy supply over the next ten years. The link to sustained economic recovery is clear, as the survey shows, most companies rank the quality and reliability of energy (81%) and transport (81%) infrastructure as significant or very significant to future investment decisions. The Government’s own National Infrastructure Plan acknowledges that £200bn of infrastructure investment is needed in the next five years alone, with 70% expected to come from the private sector. Richard Threlfall, KPMG UK Head of Infrastructure, Building and Construction, said: “This survey provides further evidence of the UK’s infrastructure challenge. “Businesses rate the UK’s infrastructure unfavourably compared to EU competitors on cost, quality and reliability. The quality of transport emerges as a particular concern as well as the outlook for energy security and costs. “Businesses are clear about the solutions needed – a clearer strategy from Government, faster planning approvals and less red tape. A lot now rides on the Growth Review and the update of the UK Infrastructure Plan due in the autumn.”
A new research document from Savills arrived at the Leicestershire Builder offices in September.
The report, entitled Development, Investment & New Homes looks at the challenge of matching development viability with housing needs. The key findings are: • The Government has confirmed, in its draft National Planning Policy Framework, that it is determined to increase the supply of new housing to meet the needs of present and future generations. Its reference to meeting household projections, taking account of migration and demographic change, suggests that the policy aim is to deliver at least 230,000 additional homes per annum in England. • The equity rich owner occupier markets are likely to be the primary focus of housebuilders and developers over the short to medium term. However, if revised housing targets are to be met, the first time buyer and investor markets cannot be ignored. • The emerging use of Community Infrastructure levy (Cll) by local authorities will be a major change to the way in which planning obligations work. Cll will drive the importance of testing policy for viability, as development only happens if a landowner can see a sufficient uplift in land value. • Increased demand for renting is likely to continue as loan-to-value ratios remain low, property prices remain high and low interest rates restrict households’ ability to accumulate savings. We forecast that private renting could account for one in five households by the end of 2016. • It is not surprising national volume house builders are showing confidence in the London market and have focused their development strategies towards the capital. Despite risks, the mismatch between supply and demand in many boroughs present opportunities to developers.
96 acre development site at Sawley Marina EDDISONS are offering for sale, upon the instructions of the Joint LPA receivers, land at Sawley Marina, Warren Lane, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 3AE. The 96-acre generally level site has lapsed planning consent for a 150-bedroom hotel and a golf driving range with clubhouse. Offers are invited. Further information relating to the planning history for the site is available from the selling agents - contact James Liddiment on 0870 703 7000 or email: james.liddiment@eddisons.com
Our grandchildren are going to have a hard time paying for the good times we didn’t have.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011 25
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Some interesting properties for sale at the October 12th heb auction The next heb property auction takes place on Wednesday 12th October 2011 at The Gateway Hotel, Nuthall Road, Cinderhill, Nottingham NG8 6AZ - starting at 2.30pm. The following lots will be of interest to local builders and developers:
LOT 8: The White Hind, 3 Carter Gate & 2/4 Balderton Gate, Newark Nottinghamshire NG24 1UB
LOTS 10-13: 31, 33 and 35 Alfreton Road and 32 Holden Street, Nottingham NG7
The property comprises a large public house situated in the centre of Newark along with a retail unit fronting Balderton Gate. • Public House let for a term expiring 21st March 2015 at a rental of £17,000 pax. Retail unit let at a rental of £8,500 pax with the current tenants holding over. Planning consent for repair and alterations to ground floor and atrium to bring first floor into use and the installation of a new shop front. Long term redevelopment potential. Guide Price: £195,000 - £220,000.
Lots 10, 11, 12 and 13 may be sold as one lot. A rare opportunity to acquire 3 x properties fronting Alfreton Road and 1 x house with a large garage fronting Holden Street behind. The unique arrangement creates an opportunity to redevelop the site and allows access off two streets. Guide Prices: Lot 10: £65,000; Lot 11: £60,000; Lot 12: £65,000; Lot 13: £80,000.
LOT 2: 75 Station Road, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire NG17 5FY
Part completed development offered for sale with full vacant possession. Internally the property has been completely stripped and is in a shell format. Depending upon layout, the accommodation will be suitable for 3/4 bedrooms. Good sized plot offering gardens to both sides. Detached brick built single garage. Guide Price – £50,000 - £75,000 LOT 4: 9 Colville Street, Nottingham NG1 4HQ
An attractive four bedroom house in need of modernisation offering an excellent opportunity for family home. Guide price: £70,000 - £75,000.
LOT 9: 32 Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray Leicestershire LE13 0UL Former dental surgery available with full vacant possession, close to the centre of Melton Mowbray on substantial plot. May be suitable for redevelopment or extension. Main building provides accommodation over 2 floors of approximately 132 sq m (1,429 sq ft) net internal area. Suitable for a programme of re-modernisation works. Part of the rear of the building has been internally refurbished recently. Two storey outhouse at the rear. Situated on a good sized plot with ample car parking. Block of 4 garages to the rear. Guide Price: £175,000 - £200,000.
LOT 14: 2 Annesley Grove, Nottingham NG1 4GU - A substantial end terrace house with offstreet parking in need of repair and full modernisation. Guide Price: £70,000£75,000. LOT 16: Garages to the rear of 19 Station Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 2DF - Pair of lock-up garages which may be suitable for redevelopment subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents. For more information, tel: 0115 950 6611, or email: auctions@heb.co.uk or visit the website at www.heb.co.uk
The Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back door.
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Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011
PRIZE WORDSEARCH
Win a £25 Frankie & Benny’s Voucher!
Word Search Puzzle find 12 ATTRACTIONS AT ALTON TOWERS in the Wordsearch puzzle below, and you could win a £25 Frankie & Benny’s Voucher. To go into the draw for the prizes, all you have to do is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 of the exciting rides at Alton Towers. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your entry to: WHITE KNUCKLE, Nottinghamshire Builder, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 19th October 2011. Remember to include your name and address. The first all-correct entry drawn out of the Editor’s brand new Homburg Hat will win the voucher. Good luck!
Here are the rides you have to find:
AIR • ENTERPRISE • HAUNTED HOLLOW HEX • NEMESIS • OBLIVION RIPSAW • RITA • SONIC SPINBALL SUBMISSION • THE BLADE • THIRTEEN
N Y V E C P W D Z T Z Z L O Q
E X E S M A I T S H Y L Y T T
L S D Z S W H Z J E A W F P H
O W I P P I J S F B H O N X T
F B I R R S M S N L E L F W B
D R L T P O G I P A S L J W C
L N E I S R P O D D S O W F L
J E W M V S E Y I E K H F G S
N N U H C I S T S C E D M M T
R G A I J A O Q N E M E S I S
D P N P C T M N F E E T W J H
N O I S S I M B U S H N R Y G
S D X D S R R Z H S A U Y Q L
L I D V O J M I G Y M A X Q T
S G Y B K Y J Q A X E H C B H
Name: ...................................................................................................
AIR
ENTERPRISE Address: ................................................................................................
HAUNTEDHOLLOW HEX .............................................. Postcode: ................................................ NEMESIS OBLIVION RIPSAW Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner RITA The winner of last month’s Wordsearch Competition was: SONICSPINBALL MR. F. ABLEWHITE of Village Street, Owthorpe, Notts. SUBMISSION Congratulations! THEBLADE Your £25 Frankie & Benny’s Voucher will be with you within 21 days. THIRTEEN ..............................................................................................................
Kier Group Set to Buck the Trend in Construction
Further evidence that the larger publicly quoted contractors are bucking the gloomy trend in the construction sector and are continuing to grow profits, order books and market share should emerge when Kier Group reports its full year results. Figures compiled by construction information specialist Glenigan suggest the group remains amongst the most successful UK contractors at winning Login new work both by value and numberSubscriber of new contracts. Kier has jumped from fifth place a year ago to second in Glenigan’s league Passcode/New Users table - which measures the success of the top 50 contractors in winning projects worth over £500,000 - with 198 new Help UK contracts worth some £1,962 million in the year to August 2011. During the previous year, Kier won 196 new projects worth some £1,308.8STORE million. Only Laing O’Rourke won more work by value on Glenigan figures, with contracts worth £2,171 million during the year to August 2011. Amongst other rivals towards the top of the table, Balfour Beatty was in third place with work worth £1,949 million, Morgan Sindall in fourth with work worth £1,899 million and Royal BAM in fifth with work worth £1,553 million. In August alone, Kier ranked fourth in Glenigan’s league table for winning work with 14 new contracts worth £72.5 million. The league in August was headed by Bowmer & Kirkland (work worth £159.8 million), Balfour Beatty (£101.5 million) and Royal BAM (£91 million).
Challenging environment City analysts are forecasting Kier will report underlying pre-tax profits of £66.4 million for the year to end-June 2011 (2010: £58.4 million). Group turnover is forecast to have risen by 2 per cent to £2,141 million. Kier’s performance is in contrast to the overall market. The Glenigan Index, which tracks all large construction projects across the UK, was down by 8% in July compared to the month a year ago, as public and private sector new starts have slowed. In June, Kier said it continued to operate in a challenging environment but its financial performance in the year to date remained in line with expectations. Kier said that trading at its construction division remained strong, helped by high quality order books with good margins and healthy cash balances. Its involvement in public and private sector frameworks left it well-placed to win more work and keep operating margins firmly above 2 per cent. Moreover, the company has secured 86 per cent of its targeted revenue for the year to June 2012. New infrastructure work was expected to generate significant work for Kier in the short to medium term and the firm’s key targets are in the water and power sector.
Paring back its land bank The City will be keen for news on Kier’s partnership homes business which is focused on the mixed-tenure affordable housing market where demand remains high. A league table compiled by Glenigan which monitors housebuilders’ activity showed Kier applied to build on three new sites in the year to June 2011, providing a total of 484 units. Kier is paring back its land bank by developing private homes or selling plots. It hoped to have completed the first phase of plot disposals by the end of June which will return £30 million of cash over the next two years. The quality of Kier’s earnings is bolstered by its services division which has maintained a £2 billion order book which it is confident will sustain a 4.5% operating margin. A City analysts visit to Sheffield hosted by Kier in June sought to show how the group works in partnership with the city council to provide an integrated service covering property management, development, construction, housing maintenance and facilities management. Kier is also realising some of the value of equity locked away in its PFI portfolio. The group has recently sold interests in two PFI projects, Oldham and Norwich schools and recently completed the sale of its 50% interest in the Sheffield Schools PFI project to the Kier Group Pension Scheme for £4.5 million.
No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously.
Nottinghamshire Builder Magazine - OCTOBER 2011 27
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Planning Reforms are Balanced and Fair, says FMB The Government’s proposals to reform the planning system are balanced and fair, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in its response to the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee inquiry into the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said: “The planning system is in need of urgent reform if it is to deliver the homes and infrastructure that this country needs to support economic growth. The Government’s proposal to introduce a ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ is not, as many are suggesting, a green light for simple development resulting in the concreting over of the countryside. The NPPF is explicit in protecting green spaces and the importance of Green Belt land.” Berry continued: “The key issue that needs to be addressed is not the NPPF but the need for local authorities to ensure they have their Local Plans in place because without them the default position is to allow sustainable development without the input of community views. These plans will take time if they are to be representative of local concerns which is why the local authorities must be given that time.” Berry concluded: “With more than 80% of people, particularly for first time buyers, in Britain believing that Britain needs more homes particularly for first time buyers the simple fact is that we need a planning system that is more responsive to the needs of people. Last year saw just 103,000 homes built in England, the fewest since 1923. Without a reformed planning system the opportunities to own a home will be further diminished which is not in anyone’s interest least of those seeking their basic right to have a home of their own.”
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