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NEWSBRIEF
00:00 28 Jul 1999
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GREENHOUSE EFFECT
Proposals for the Thamesmead EcoPark, an energy saving and environmentally sustainable housing development, were unveiled last week. Constructed on reclaimed brownfield land downstream from the Millennium Dome, the project will reflect advanced continental 'green' technology. Special features on the project include solar collectors, rainwater recycling, renewable source materials, and high-level insulation. The project has been designed by leading Dutch architect, Splinter Architecten. The proposals are to be submitted for planning permission in August but construction is not expected to begin until next summer.
CULTURE VULTURE
Bovis is hosting specialist workshops in Birmingham aimed at helping the construction industry change its culture. In support of the Construction Best Practice Programme, two back-to-back workshops will be held at the Botanical Gardens site today (28 July). About 60 delegates from Midlands-based companies with direct links to the construction industry - including clients - will tackle issues relating to measuring company performance.
CREAM OF CONSTRUCTION
The Birse Group has been selected as one of the UK's top 90 employers by the Corporate Research Foundation for the second consecutive year. John Edlers, managing director of Birse Construction, said: "Our ongoing cultural change continues to develop and strengthen our senior management teams and I am particularly confident that the people leading the business will continue to underwrite its successful development."
QUARRY TAX COSTS £150M PER YEAR
The construction industry will spend £150 million a year in an effort to avoid the quarrying tax, which is planned for next year's Budget. Industry leaders have submitted a 'new deal' to environment and treasury ministers in which companies promise to invest in recycling building rubble and to limit the impact of quarrying. The 30-point programme includes a commitment to quality standards, environmental training for staff, energy reduction targets, and the establishment of a sustainability forum funded by a voluntary 10 pence per tonne tax.
A1 EXTENSION HOPES SLASHED
Hopes of upgrading the last non-motorway stretch of the A1 seemed to be disappearing last week after property acquired for widening the road between Rainton and Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire was sold off. The Highways Agency confirmed that land was sold because the scheme had been dropped from the Government's road improvements programme.
CALLS FOR NATIONAL CLIENT BODY
The Construction Client's Forum has unanimously agreed that it should reconstitute itself as the Confederation of Construction Clients (CCC). With effect from 1 January 2000, the CCC will promote client interests across the whole of the business environment in which the clients seek successful construction solutions. Work will now commence on the formulation of an official constitution for the new organisation.
appointments announced
The appointment of Professor Pat O'Sullivan OBE as the new chairman of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee was announced by construction minister Nick Raynsford last week. He will take over from Jack Anderson who retires in December. Raynsford has also created a new post of deputy chairman and has appointed Michael Finn. Both positions take effect from 1 January 2000, and run for two years.
Proposals for the Thamesmead EcoPark, an energy saving and environmentally sustainable housing development, were unveiled last week. Constructed on reclaimed brownfield land downstream from the Millennium Dome, the project will reflect advanced continental 'green' technology. Special features on the project include solar collectors, rainwater recycling, renewable source materials, and high-level insulation. The project has been designed by leading Dutch architect, Splinter Architecten. The proposals are to be submitted for planning permission in August but construction is not expected to begin until next summer.
CULTURE VULTURE
Bovis is hosting specialist workshops in Birmingham aimed at helping the construction industry change its culture. In support of the Construction Best Practice Programme, two back-to-back workshops will be held at the Botanical Gardens site today (28 July). About 60 delegates from Midlands-based companies with direct links to the construction industry - including clients - will tackle issues relating to measuring company performance.
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CREAM OF CONSTRUCTION
The Birse Group has been selected as one of the UK's top 90 employers by the Corporate Research Foundation for the second consecutive year. John Edlers, managing director of Birse Construction, said: "Our ongoing cultural change continues to develop and strengthen our senior management teams and I am particularly confident that the people leading the business will continue to underwrite its successful development."
QUARRY TAX COSTS £150M PER YEAR
The construction industry will spend £150 million a year in an effort to avoid the quarrying tax, which is planned for next year's Budget. Industry leaders have submitted a 'new deal' to environment and treasury ministers in which companies promise to invest in recycling building rubble and to limit the impact of quarrying. The 30-point programme includes a commitment to quality standards, environmental training for staff, energy reduction targets, and the establishment of a sustainability forum funded by a voluntary 10 pence per tonne tax.
A1 EXTENSION HOPES SLASHED
Hopes of upgrading the last non-motorway stretch of the A1 seemed to be disappearing last week after property acquired for widening the road between Rainton and Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire was sold off. The Highways Agency confirmed that land was sold because the scheme had been dropped from the Government's road improvements programme.
CALLS FOR NATIONAL CLIENT BODY
The Construction Client's Forum has unanimously agreed that it should reconstitute itself as the Confederation of Construction Clients (CCC). With effect from 1 January 2000, the CCC will promote client interests across the whole of the business environment in which the clients seek successful construction solutions. Work will now commence on the formulation of an official constitution for the new organisation.
appointments announced
The appointment of Professor Pat O'Sullivan OBE as the new chairman of the Building Regulations Advisory Committee was announced by construction minister Nick Raynsford last week. He will take over from Jack Anderson who retires in December. Raynsford has also created a new post of deputy chairman and has appointed Michael Finn. Both positions take effect from 1 January 2000, and run for two years.
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