September 2005 - News from the UK

News: Timber Frame, Construction & Property News

• Boost For Green Housing In Yorkshire
  (4 September 2005, AECB)
  An environmentally friendly housing development in South Yorkshire will get a share of a £1.35m Department of Trade and Industry award to support 14 solar energy projects nationwide. The grant is part of the Government's plan for the UK to generate ten per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2010.
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• Demand For Eco Friendly Housing Continues To Grow
  (4 September 2005, AECB)
  Despite the worst house slump in the UK for more than a decade, consumer demand for Eco friendly housing in the UK continues to grow. 'Eco friendly' houses are being built and constructed at an unprecedented rate and developers report that consumer's interest in eco friendly is at an all time high.
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• New Part L 'Delayed Till April 2006'
  (4 September 2005, AECB)
  The government's failure to release draft details of Part L revisions ahead of parliament's summer recess has persuaded many close to the reform process to conclude that new energy requirements will not be implemented until April next year. Because Part L is being used by the government to meet many of its commitments under the EU Energy Performance of Buildings directive.
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• New book on wood architecture
  (2 September 2005, TRADA)
  A new book on wood architecture by Ruth Slavid argues forcefully that timber is no longer the sole preserve of the traditionalist, but has an important role to play in the contemporary world.
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• Proposals for amending Part B of Building Regs (England and Wales)
  (2 September 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 - comments must be submitted to ODPM by 18 November 2005.
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• ODPM's community plans 'unsustainable' says CIWEM
  (1 September 2005, EDIE)
  Leading environmental professionals' body CIWEM is calling on the government to rethink plans for housing expansion in the South-East, saying the ODPM's flagship Sustainable Communities initiative is unsustainable.
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News: Environment, Climate & Attitudes

• Scotland at forefront of carbon sequestration research
  (2 September 2005, EDIE)
  A research partnership has been established in Scotland to investigate the issues of carbon sequestration in underground reservoirs.
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• UK seas set for climate change chaos
  (1 September 2005, EDIE)
  Climate change will cause widespread coastal disruption, threaten the future of many fish species and wreak havoc on the UK's marine environment, a new report has warned.
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  Young women twice as likely to help environment as men
  (1 September 2005, EDIE)
  Women are far more likely to pledge their support for the environment than their male counterparts, according to the Environment Agency.
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News: Society, Community & Responsible Business

• Retirement at 67 to be considered by ministers
  (19 September 2005, Financial Times)
  Proposals to raise the state pension age to 67 will have to be considered by the government as part of the answer to a looming pension crisis, writes Ben Hall. This came from David Blunkett following a trip to the US where the government has phased in the retirement age from 65-67. Lord Turner, chairman of the independent Pensions Commission said that if people wanted to sustain their standard of living there will have to be a higher average retirement age, increased private saving or higher taxes, or a combination.
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• Lobbying “Legitimateâ€? but Needs Reform
  (8 September 2005, AccountAbility)
  Political lobbying is a legitimate business activity and will play an essential role in fighting poverty, conflict and AIDS, according to a report published today by the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and international institute AccountAbility. The report – entitled Towards Responsible Lobbying– recognises that businesses, by influencing public policy, have the power to combat crises and help societies to prosper alongside shareholders.
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News: Finance & Economy

• Start-ups in UK suffer biggest slump in decade
  (5 September 2005, Daily Telegraph)
  The number of people setting up their own business has fallen by 20% in the first half of the year, the largest such fall for a decade...
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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...