Opinion – Page 418
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Comment
House sales drop a third as credit crunch bites
The latest transaction figures from HM Revenue & Customs underline the industry fears of a collapse in home sales.They show that sales of property worth more than £40,000 have fallen by more than a third since the credit crunch hit. This May's figure of 98,000 transactions compares with 155,000 last ...
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Housing market gets tougher says Rightmove
The housing market is getting tougher with 15 homes on sale to every buyer, according to the latest research by the website Rightmove. And although asking prices dipped this month they remain at about the same level as last year.Set this against the usually conservative predictions from the HBOS, which ...
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An old foe with new faces
Many of our present economic difficulties are really different forms of the same problem: our sclerotic planning system. Time to do something about it, says Michael Gove
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Setting off LADs: Avoncroft Construction Ltd vs Sharba Homes (CN) Ltd
This was an application to enforce an adjudicator’s decision awarding Avoncroft Construction Ltd (“Avoncroft”) £56,380. Avoncroft applied for summary judgment. Sharba Homes (CN) Ltd (“Sharba”) resisted this application on the basis that it was entitled to set off LADs. Alternatively, Sharba sought a stay of execution, or ...
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Comment
Do you remember the last time?
From the depths of the last recession came Egan, Latham and the seeds of a truly integrated industry. This time around, we must not let that message fall by the wayside, says Colin Harding
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Plan of battle
Next Monday, parliament is to debate the planning bill. This looks like it will turn into a savage battle over human rights and economic necessity. Here’s why
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Open mike: ڶ control – Who’s watching the watchmen?
The government’s consultation on the future of building control has ignored the ridiculous anomalies that exist between private and public sector inspectors, says David Strong
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Comment
Pulling the trigger
The liability triggers for compensation for asbestos victims may depend on exact policy wording, but a current case may clarify whether the insurers are playing fair
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Comment
The wealth effect and the death of builders' tea
Each morning I walk past a large Sir Robert McAlpine site. I'm impressed by the speed of build, the cleanliness, the apparent high safety standards and a general feel of efficiency.This morning I missed breakfast so I stopped at a cafe to buy a snack to eat on the hoof.A ...
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Comment
ڶ buys a pint … for the RIBA
For the final head-to-head in the presidential race, the RIBA spurned its modern-classical marble and chrome palace on Portland Place in favour of the neo-gothic stone and timber Palace of Westminster.
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Comment
Take the LEED
Thank you for your recent article entitled “US to revise LEED assessment system” (16 May, page 14).
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Comment
Some confusion
In a recent issue, I was quoted as saying that LEED certification can be reached without considering energy points.
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The way to 13,500
Your leader on the industry’s ability to meet government employment targets was not accurate (13 June, page 3).
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Slowdown won't stop us
In response to the article regarding Wienerberger UK’s mothballing of factories (6 June, page 9), the slowdown in the UK building materials sector was the sharpest the industry has ever seen and was without precedent in the UK.
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Comment
My digital life - Rob Pratt
This engineering services consultancy director enjoys a bit of Coldplay on his iTunes but online it’s all about West Ham, EastEnders and jaunts to the south of France
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Comment
Hansom: uncomfortable moments
Awkward questions are raised at a government press conference, Barratt’s staff decide against keeping a low profile and Murray Coleman wears pink lycra
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Comment
You're Mr Pink
Congratulations to Bovis Lend Lease chief executive Murray “Lance Armstrong” Coleman who joined 84 colleagues to ride the 54 miles from London to Brighton last weekend to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.
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Comment
Webmaster review: Terry Farrell & Partners website
Terry Farrell & Partners' website shows that minimalist architecture may not work as well on websites as on buildings