Letters

Yes, sure I would bring health and safety matters to a builder’s attention, but how small is ‘the small builder’? Opposite me the local builder with two or three mates is taking down an old building – no hats, notices, nameplates or fencing to name just a few items. I was told to ‘go away’ when I stopped to discuss the matters of concern. So what would you do now? I would be very interested to hear what other readers think.

Philip Cutts, engineer

Private planning

I have to say how much I agreed with Terry Griffin’s view on opening up the planning process to include ‘private’ inspectors (letters, CM September). I run a small design practice and, apart from clients, dealing with planning departments is the bane of my life.

While I am a strong supporter of the need for control, it could be an easier process. The government’s idea for ‘simplifying’ the process for small extensions etc by substituting councils’ input with reaching agreement with neighbours is naive and problem riven.

My experience is that the process works best when private consultancies are involved. This happens when councils get themselves bogged down and need to outsource. In situations like that I have always been very pleased to find an external consultant is involved as there seems a huge benefit in having decisions made by people who are capable of surviving by ability/performance in the commercial world.

Ian Penycate MCIOB

Standard issue...

I was disappointed when I opened my latest copy of Construction Manager, to find that, on page 39, our national flag was being displayed upside down. If the building in the picture is part of our own HQ, I suggest the flag be taken down and put back the right way up.

Trevor Franklin MCIOB

The flag in question was not at CIOB HQ, merely a British Embassy – Ed

... are you in distress?

It’s good that the Ambassadors article flies the flag but it would be nice to see it the right way up! What you have shown is a sign of distress.

John Shuttes