NEWS In Brief
REGENERATION PLAN ATTACKED The government has ‘no adequate strategy’ for regeneration in England, according to the Commons Community and Local Government Committee. The MPs found that the decision to end funding and development under the Pathfinder housing renewal scheme had left people ‘desperate’, with residents being ‘trapped’ in half-finished developments – adding that the current government strategy provides ‘little confidence’ for the future.
CONSTRUCTION GROWTH October saw the UK construction sector grow at its fastest pace for five months. The Markit/ CIPS construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) jumped to 53.9 in October from 50.1 in September, after industry observers had predicted a slump to 50, which indicates no growth. An increase was reported in new commercial business, but activity in the housing construction sector continued to fall.
www.markiteconomics.com
ANOTHER YEAR FOR MORRELL The government’s chief construction adviser, Paul Morrell, has been reappointed for another year by the Business Minister Mark Prisk. Morrell, who was first appointed to the position for two years in late 2009, will oversee reforms set out in the government’s construction strategy.
Councils need support on design plans, says review
l Bishop report says current centralised system is no longer appropriate
Design needs to be ‘championed’ in the built environment, with more support provided to local authorities faced with a shake-up in the planning system, according to a new report. The Bishop Review, carried out
for the Design Council, says the current centralised system that was administered by the Council for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe) is no longer appropriate for local councils, communities and developers. ‘Good design is about more than
need to come together to build a national infrastructure where good design can flourish at all levels.’ He said the newly merged body, Design Council
Cabe, had to become a facilitator and principal adviser to government and should empower others to deliver good design through a network of local partners. There should be new models of engagement with
‘ It is vital that councils can access independent, imaginative design advice’
just the physical appearance of development,’ said review author Peter Bishop, a visiting professor of architecture. ‘It needs to embrace social functionality and environmental performance, and to be capable of being delivered in a tough economic climate. ‘If we are to leave a lasting legacy for future generations, then all the major bodies and institutions
local communities offering clear advice and a simple point of access to available support, he said.
Bishop added that poor quality
housing was a major issue that should be addressed by creating working partnerships, and that local planning authorities were pivotal but needed support to deliver reform. Liz Peace, chief executive of the
British Property Federation, said: ‘The government’s proposed changes to planning policy place design firmly at the centre of the new planning system.’ ‘It is vital that we have a way of ensuring that local authorities can access independent and imaginative design advice needed to make sound planning decisions.’
10
CIBSE Journal December 2011
www.cibsejournal.com
Shutterstock.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68