August 2005 - News from the UK

News: Timber Frame, Construction & Property News

• Survey of English Housing
  (8 August 2005, ODPM)
  The ODPM published Part 2 of their Housing in England 2003/4 Survey: Owner Occupiers and Second Homes. It revealed that there are an estimated 14.5 million homeowners in England, 71% of all households. 59% of these were buying their home with a mortgage while the rest owned their homes outright. The proportion of interest-only mortgages had fallen from 67% in 1993/4 to 31% in 2003/4, with the remainder having repayment mortgages.
  >> Download full report(PDF, 46 pages)
  
  
• New Powers to Speed Up Planning System
  (8 August 2005, ODPM)
  New powers for Local Planning Authorities to ensure that developers deliver on planning permissions and speed up the planning system were announced today by ODPM Minister Phil Woolas.
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• Annual house price growth forecast of 3.95% over the next 20 years
  (8 August 2005, CEBR)
  The Centre for Economic and Business Research assessment for the UK housing market, “Housing Futures 2005�, saw them predict that the average house price will be £335,674 in 2025, compared to 163,334 in 2005. The CEBR marginally revised down average annual inflation from 4.15% to 3.95% for the next 20 years, citing a lower forecast for immigration and an appreciation of the financial pressure on young adults from student loans. The CEBR expect a slightly higher rate of housebuilding than previously forecast (204,00 per year against 199,00 in their previous forecast), but “remain sceptical about the Office of the Deputy Prime’s attempts to ease the planning process for house building.�
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• Building Regulations (N. Ireland). New Technical Booklet E: Fire safety
  (2 August 2005, TRADA)
  The Department of Finance and Personnel, Northern Ireland has published a new Technical Booklet E Fire safety to The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.
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• Building Regulations (England and Wales) – Proposals for amending Part B
  (1 August 2005, TRADA)
  The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has issued Consultation documents relating to its proposals for amending Part B (Fire safety) of the Building Reglations. The documents can be viewed online at www.odpm.gov.uk/buildingregs and comments must be submitted to ODPM by 18 November 2005.
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News: Environment, Climate & Attitudes

• US leads six nation pact to develop clean technologies
  (8 August 2005, EDIE)
  The US is leading a six-nation pact to develop clean energy technologies and promote the efficient use of fuels.
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• The real power behind the throne: Queen goes green
  (8 August 2005, EDIE)
  Final planning permission has been granted to build a hydro-electric power plant to supply electricity to Windsor Castle.
  >> Read full story
  
  
• 'Elastic band' green belt claim
  (4 August 2005, BBC News)
  The Tories are accusing ministers of turning the green belt into an "elastic band" as a study suggests 84% of people oppose building on undeveloped land.
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News: Society, Community & Responsible Business

• Young people in pensions firing line
  (4 August 2005, BBC News)
  Millions of young Britons are heading for an impoverished old age, far worse than their parents, experts tell BBC News.
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• Companies should not view their staff as a mere resource
  (2 August 2005, Financial Times)
  Found in annual reports and mission statements around the world, "Our people are our most valuable resource" is a well-known business maxim. However, it has also become a devalued currency. Some companies seem to use the statement without knowing what it means; others pay lip-service while at the same time treating their employees badly when it suits them.
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News: Finance & Economy

• Bank tipped to cut UK base rates
  (4 August 2005, BBC News)
  The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee is expected to cut interest rates by a quarter point to 4.5% at its 100th rate-setting meeting later.
  >> Read full story

Feature Article of the Month - Builder & Engineer Magazine; Timber Frame Supplement

Seasonal, 2005

Expert Viewpoint: Dr Michael Benfield

Dr Michael Benfield is one of the leading Timber Frame Construction Experts. He spoke to Builder & Engineer about how the Construction of more Timber-based buildings will help meet the ambitious carbon emission targets set by the Government...