Opinion – Page 336
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Comment
We are on a perilous road to the new normal – but at least it’s exciting
Yesterday I went to an excellent conference organised by the Council of Mortgage Lenders. I know it was good because I came away with a headache and a slightly befuddled mind, but invigorated nevertheless.What made it more interesting was that on the train into London I read Martin Wolf’s column ...
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Comment
Open Source Planning: naive, stupid or cynical?
If you think that the economy is posing a problem for house builders, you might want to consider the planning proposals put forward by the Conservatives.“Jaw dropping” was one phrase that an expert on planning matters put to me. “Concerning” was the more sedate and political word chosen by the ...
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CommentWhy we need Charter 284
This week Building is launching a campaign to argue for five policy goals that the winner of the general election should implement
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Comment
The confusion over public sector spending cuts
There has been much comment recently concerning the planned cuts in public sector investment, with a figure of 50% often mentioned. This relates to the planned reduction in public sector NET investment over the period 2009/10 – 2012/13.However, GROSS investment is planned to fall by a lesser 30% over this ...
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CommentThe great divide
Given the importance of school work, contractors need to dedicate much more thought to getting education experts and construction experts to work together
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CommentDetached housing policy
Grant Shapps’ plans for the housing market fly in the face of expert opinion and will seriously hinder the recovery
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CommentBuilding buys a pint … for EC Harris
It’s pretty well understood that if you gather any group of English people over a certain age together in any one place for any period of time they’ll start talking about house prices...
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CommentHansom opportunity lost
Chance favours the prepared mind, which is bad news for Grant Shapps, Chris Cheshire, the RIBA press office and the government of the UK – and very good news for a certain consultant
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Comment
Flawed board
James Wates’ appointment as chair of the CITB CSkills board (12 February, page 10) has some clear benefits for the sector, and he will bring real strengths to the role
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CommentMind, body and soul
I read the article on “broken homes” and Amanda Levete’s article (22 January, page 20 and page 22) and neither discussed one of the main reasons why we should deliver better homes and workplaces
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Comment
You need help
As a quaintly named “heritage professional” dealing with “heritage assets” and their management, I can understand Simon Tolson’s frustration with the lack of standard procedure in dealing with historic buildings (5 February, page 47)
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Comment
About time
At last someone who spells out clearly what the taxman is doing to the industry (“Government burglars”, 5 February, page 3)
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Comment
The wranglers
I was interested to read what Ann Minogue had to say concerning lawyers who represent parties in adjudication (22 January, page 51)
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Comment
Try to understand
It is sad to see that some Yorkshire authorities are proposing to use a big stick to beat contractors over cover pricing (29 January, page 9)
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Comment
Silk bloomers
In the article “Mind the gaping hole” (5 February, page 20), you say that “Chris Bolt, the QC who is acting as independent arbiter” threw out Tube Lines’ recent £327m claim against London Underground
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CommentHave wig, will travel
The increasingly mobile judges of the TCC are happy to do you a trial in the cheapest, most convenient part of the country. But how do you decide where that is?
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Comment
Nuclear new-build: Proceed (with caution)
The nuclear new-build programme has a lot to offer, as long as you can navigate the regulatory and contractual minefield surrounding it
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CommentMilking it: Safeway and the OFT
When Safeway was fined by the OFT, it tried to claim its money back from the employees it thought had caused the problems. Might construction companies follow suit?