February 2016 leics builder online by Michael Wilkinson

REACHING OVER 3,500 BUILDING-BASED COMPANIES IN LEICESTERSHIRE & SURROUNDING AREA EVERY MONTH

Innes England Donates £14,751 to Support Pioneering Research LEADING cancer charity Cancer Research UK has received a donation of nearly £15,000 from local business Innes England, which has supported the charity throughout 2015 through a busy calendar of fundraising events. Chairman Robert Hartley and managing director of the firm Tim Garratt were given a special tour of the cancer research facility at The University of Nottingham last month, providing them with an insight into how the funds raised by the Innes England team help to support the charity’s vital research. Throughout 2015, the teams at Innes England’s three offices (Derby, Nottingham and Leicester) took part in a FUNDRAISERS: L to R: Rebecca Elphick, Robert Hartley, number of fundraising events, Jane Dean, Tim Garratt and PHD Student Brenda Canales including: a 75-mile bike ride, a squash tournament, the Pretty Muddy 5km race, a number of Race for Life events, and also a number of themed dress up and dress down days. Tim said: “When we first selected Cancer Research UK as our charity of the year, we never imagined we would raise so much and we could not think of a better and more worthy cause than Cancer Research UK. “Thanks to the support of our employees and clients we have raised a phenomenal amount of funds for a wonderful charity and we know it will be invaluable to its research. We would also like to thank the dedicated team at The University of Nottingham cancer research facility for guiding us on an informative and interesting tour, illustrating the impressive research the charity is funding.” The University of Nottingham cancer research facility is in partnership with the NHS (Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham City Hospital and Royal Derby Hospital) and is committed to promoting research into the detection, causes and treatment of cancer.

475,000 HOMES WITH PLANNING PERMISSION STILL WAITING TO BE BUILT NEW RESEARCH reveals there are a record 475,647 homes in England which have been given planning permission but have yet to be built. The study, commissioned by the Local Government Association and carried out by industry experts Glenigan, shows this bumper backlog has grown at a rapid pace over the past few years. In 2012/13, the total of unimplemented planning permissions was 381,390 and in 2013/14 it was 443,265. The LGA said that the figures underline the need for councils to be able to invest in building more homes and also for the skills shortage affecting the construction industry to be addressed. Council leaders also want powers to charge developers full council tax for every unbuilt development from the point that the original planning permission expires. The LGA, which represents more than 370 councils in England and Wales, also said: • Developers are taking longer to complete work on site. It now takes 32 months, on average, from sites receiving planning permission to building work being completed – 12 months longer than in 2007/8. • The number of planning applications being granted planning permission in 2014/15 was 212,468 - this is up from 187,605 in 2007/08 and is higher than all previous years. • Councils still approve nine in every 10 applications. CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 ...>

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

New outdoor classroom is a breath of fresh air for Leicestershire school

PUPILS AT a Leicestershire school are benefitting from the great outdoors after local companies helped to build an outdoor learning classroom. Teams from three leaders in the construction industry – David Wilson Homes, Paul John Construction and Harlow Bros Ltd – pooled resources and skills to help design and build a ‘forest school’ for pupils at Castle Rock High School, in Coalville. The forest school will be used for outdoor learning, enabling children to develop through hands-on learning experiences. Benefits of outdoor learning include greater concentration, improved social skills, initiative and involvement and a better understanding of nature and the environment.

Teams from the three companies return to Castle Rock High School to see the finished product. Julia Patrick, Head Teacher at Castle Rock High School, said: “Our Forest Way Schools Programme enables students to use the outdoors as a learning environment, focussing on developing numeracy and literacy skills together with a varied and exciting curriculum based outside of the classroom. “Our new outdoor learning hut will enable students to partake in many aspects of their lessons in this lovely new facility. We are very grateful to David Wilson Homes, Harlow and PJC and can’t wait to start using this fantastic new outdoor learning environment.”

Landlords in England get ready for Right to Rent

Unbuilt houses - from page 1 •

While the construction industry’s forecasted annual recruitment need is up 54 per cent from 2013, there are 10,000 fewer construction qualifications being awarded by colleges, apprenticeships and universities. • There were 58 per cent fewer completed construction apprenticeships last year than in 2009. Cllr Peter Box, LGA Housing spokesman, said: “These figures conclusively prove that the planning system is not a barrier to house building. In fact the opposite is true, councils are approving almost half a million more houses than are being built, and this gap is increasing. “While private developers have a key role in solving our chronic housing shortage, they cannot build the 230,000 needed each year on their own. To tackle the new homes backlog and to get Britain building again, councils must have the power to invest in building new homes and to force developers to build homes more quickly. “Skills is the greatest barrier to building, not planning. If we are to see the homes desperately needed across the country built and jobs and apprenticeships created, councils must be given a leading role to tackle our growing construction skills shortage, which the industry says is one of the greatest barriers to building. “Devolving careers advice, post-16 and adult skills budgets and powers to local areas would allow councils, schools, colleges and employers to work together to help unemployed residents and young people develop the vital skills to build. “New homes are badly-needed and councils want to get on with the job of building them. If we are to see a genuine end to our housing crisis we have to be given the powers to get on with it.”

Development land for 8 apartments in Ashbourne

LANDLORDS are being reminded that this month the ‘Right to Rent’ goes live across England. The new law means that from 1 February 2016, landlords will have to carry out quick and simple checks to ensure potential tenants have the right to rent property in the UK. Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said: “Right to Rent is part of the Government’s wider reforms to the immigration system to make it stronger, fairer and more effective. Those with a legitimate right to be here will be able to prove this easily and will not be adversely affected. The scheme is about deterring those without the right to live, work or study in the UK from staying here indefinitely.” Landlords, and anybody who sublets or takes in lodgers, could face a financial penalty of up to £3,000 per tenant if they are found to be letting property to someone who has no right to stay in the UK. There is an online checking aid available on GOV.uk which landlords can use to guide them through the process, and also to request a check on anyone who has an outstanding case with the Home Office. Right to Rent checks should be carried out on all adult tenants for new tenancy agreements in England from 1 February 2016. The scheme is backed up by codes of practice which include guidance on avoiding unlawful discrimination drawn up with the assistance of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

INNES ENGLAND are offering for sale a development site at King Edward Street, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1BW. The 0.1 acre site was granted planning consent on 5th August 2010 for the erection of 8 residential apartments with car parking. A copy of the full planning application is available from Derbyshire Dales District Council - planning reference 10/00544. Freehold offers are invited in the region of £150,000. For more information, contact Nick Hosking at Innes England on 01332 362244 or mobile: 07855 423458 or email: nhosking@innes-england.com

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Large eco-housing project gets underway in Leicester AFFORDABLE housing expert Westleigh has begun work on a large eco housing project in Leicester which will provide 68 new homes. Up to 13 acres of derelict land in Leicester, off Heathcott Road, will be transformed into new affordable housing which will be built to Passivhaus standard to ensure they are energy efficient. The £8m project is a partnership scheme between Westleigh, Leicester City Council, Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council, social housing and care provider emh group and the Homes and Communities Agency. The development will provide a mixture of one, two, three, and four bedroom homes, as well as a number of bungalows and apartments. All foundations are now built and timber framing has been erected for almost half of the new homes. All homes are being constructed using Westleigh’s sustainable timber framing Westframe and will be built to Lifetime Homes Standard meaning they are adaptable to residents needs throughout their lifetime and eight of the homes will be wheelchair accessible. Furthermore the Passivhaus energy performance standard means that all the homes will benefit from excellent thermal performance, exceptional airtightness and good ventilation to ensure they are as energy efficient as possible. It is anticipated that the first homes will be ready to move into by April with final completion expected in September. The homes will be managed by emh homes, the social From left, Allan Fisher from NCHA, Neil Hodgkin landlord arm of emh group. from Saffron Lane Neighbourhood Council, The 13 acre site, which was former allotment land, was Purnima Wilkinson Head of New Business at sold by Leicester City Council for £1 to the Saffron Lane emh group and Ian Jones from Westleigh Neighbourhood Council. The site is located next door to the Saffron Acres Project, a community allotment and food production scheme that will run alongside the eco-home development. The project will be used as a community education tool, allowing people to explore an allotment with a large bio diverse footprint in the heart of Leicester city. Tree planting began just before Christmas at the Saffron Acres Project and saw a large number of people attend from across the community including school children, local dignitaries and community groups as well as development partners Westleigh and emh group. About 60 trees were planted at the day long event. They are the first saplings of a total 800 which will be planted at the site between now and spring 2016. Funding for the trees and a wild flower meadow has been provided by the Biffa Award. Further funding for honey beehives has been provided for the project by the Peoples’ Postcode Lottery.

Earl Shilton land with consent for 4 apartments CASTLE Estates are offering for sale a plot of land with outline planning permission for the erection of four apartments, situated in a popular and convenient location. The land - adjacent to 42 Station Road Earl Shilton LE9 7GA - is being offered at an asking price of £110,000. Details of application can be viewed on the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council website - Application Number 15/00181/OUT. For more information, contact Gavin Kirkham at Castle Estates on 01455 617997 or email: Gavink@castles-online.co.uk

Building plot in Wymondham MURRAY Estate Agents are offering for sale a superbly located building plot with full planning permission (ref: 13/00536/FUL) for a three-bedroomed detached house. The plot – at Wrights Lane, Wymondham, Leicestershire – is situated in a quiet back lane location. The Guide Price is £200,000. For more information, contact Murrays on 01572 755555.

Small land parcels are key to delivering Government’s new homes, says FMB

THE GOVERNMENT’S plans for ‘directly commissioned’ house building could help tackle the housing crisis but land must be broken down into small and micro parcels wherever possible, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The availability of small sites is the greatest barrier that SME house builders currently face when delivering new homes, which is why the Government’s initiative to make public land available to small builders is so welcome. The Government clearly recognises that we need to bring more small house builders back into the market if we have any hope of addressing the housing shortfall. Directly funding developments on publicly owned land, with planning permission already granted, should encourage growth of smaller builders and new entrants into the market.” Berry continued: “However, the public land that is being made available through ‘direct commissioning’ must be broken down into small and micro plots wherever possible. As the Housing Minister himself has recognised, the smaller the site, the quicker it will get built out. If the Government wants to truly tap into the potential of SME house builders, it should bring forward a wide range of packages of land, including those attractive to the smallest of developers, thereby improving both capacity and speed of delivery.” Berry concluded: “As positive as this development is however, it remains only one piece of the jigsaw. The on-going skills shortage is as pertinent for local firms as it is for larger contractors. We desperately need more skilled tradespeople in the industry, otherwise even supportive plans such as those announced today will be challenging for builders to deliver. Boosting apprenticeship training among construction SMEs will be crucial to this.”

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Interesting properties at Wet weather adds to construction’s woes the next Savills Auction Wettest December on record preventing project starts THE FOLLOWING properties are being offered at the next Savills Property Auction on Thursday 4th February 2016 at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE (2.30pm start):

• Starts fall 14% in 2015 Q4 and by 4% in 2015. • Strong planning approvals failing to translate into project starts. • Northern England and the Midlands the winners in 2015; starts in London fell 11%. NEW CONSTRUCTION activity contracted by 14% during the final quarter of 2015 on a year earlier, according to figures released recently by industry analysts Glenigan.

LOT 7: Webb House, Victoria Avenue, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 7SQ A substantial and imposing Grade II listed former orphanage, latterly used by NHS Trust Manchester as a national personality disorder hospital. The main building is approximately 26,000 sq ft with additional buildings including a training centre, sports hall, West Cottage and South Lodge all on a site of circa 4.7 acres. Well maintained and in good order throughout, offering historic planning consent to reconfigure and further development potential. Guide Price: £1,250,000 – £1,500,000

LOT 25: Abbey Filling Station, Ashby Road West , Shepshed, Loughborough, LE12 9EE An opportunity to acquire a prominent roadside site of 0.22 acres let to a vehicle hire and car sales company, with additional rental income from a hand car wash operator On the instructions of LPA Receivers. Guide Price: £150,000. For more information, contact Savills on 0115 934 8080 or view the full catalogue online at www. catalogue.auctions.savills.co.uk/nottingham/online-catalogue

To Advertise In Leicestershire Builder, call Mike Wilkinson on 01530 244069.

The value of new work starting on site* fell across the residential, nonresidential and civil engineering sectors of the industry. Over 2015 as a whole, starts were down 4%, with both nonresidential and civil engineering sectors having declined. This is the first annual decline recorded by Glenigan since 2009, and follows growth of 10% in 2014. In fact only a handful of sectors saw rises in project starts during 2015. These were the private housing, industrial, education and utilities sectors. Glenigan IndexGlenigan’s monthly index of project starts had already fallen into negative territory during the three months to November, but the extreme weather conditions in December have brought a starker pace of decline. Commenting on this month’s figures, Allan Wilén, Glenigan’s Economics Director, said: “The wettest December on record has added to the industry’s woes. Moreover sites will stay waterlogged for some time, hindering starts in the new year.” “We expect the upcoming output figures to reveal another quarterly decline in construction activity. The lack of new projects starting in 2015 will cause a New Year hangover for growth in early 2016.” Glenigan’s data suggests a lack of confidence among the construction industry’s clients. The value of work receiving detailed planning approval* increased by 15% in 2015, but this has failed to translate into workers on site. Mr. Wilén concluded: “There is a significant pipeline in place to fuel construction growth in 2016. However clients are currently not pressing ahead with planned schemes at the same rate we witnessed during 2014.” The Midlands and Northern regions of England fared best during 2015. The East Midlands, East of England and North East of England were the only three parts of the UK to record growth over the year, though declines across the other Northern and Midlands regions were modest. In London, Southern England and Scotland the decline in new work has been more stark. The value of starts fell by 11% in the Capital in 2015. *All figures included in this release exclude projects valued at over £100 million, in order to present clearer time-series trends.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Auction Diary 2016 Send details of your local auctions and we’ll include them in our auction diary free - Tremendous!

February 2016 Thursday 4 February 2016 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 - www. savills.co.uk/auctions Thursday 4 February 2016 LOVEITTS - at Village Urban Resort, Dolomite Avenue, Canley, Coventry CV4 9GZ - 6.30pm start - tel: 024 7652 7789 - email: auctions@loveitts. co.uk Thursday 11 February 2016 GRAHAM PENNY - Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Tuesday 23 February 2016 - GRAHAM PENNY - Leicester City Football Club, King Power Stadium, Leicester LE2 7FL - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Tuesday 23 February 2016 COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk Wednesday 24 February 2016 GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby, DE24 8XL - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Thursday 25 February 2016 CPBIGWOOD - at Aston Villa FC, Birmingham B6 6HE - 11am start tel: 0121 233 5046 - www.cpbigwood. com Thursday 25 February 2016 AUCTION HOUSE READINGS - at 48 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 1DH - 6pm start - tel: 0116 222 7575 www.readingspropertygroup.com

March 2016 Tuesday 22 March 2016 - GRAHAM PENNY - Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Wednesday 23rd March 2016 LOVEITTS - at Village Urban Resort, Dolomite Avenue, Canley, Coventry CV4 9GZ - 6.30pm start - tel: 024 7652 7789 - email: auctions@loveitts. co.uk

April 2016 Tuesday 5 April 2016 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 - www.savills. co.uk/auctions

Tuesday 12 April 2016 - GRAHAM PENNY - Leicester City Football Club, King Power Stadium, Leicester LE2 7FL - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Thursday 14 April 2016 - GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby, DE24 8XL - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Thursday 14 April 2016 - COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk

May 2016 Thursday 5 May 2016 - CPBIGWOOD - at Aston Villa FC, Birmingham B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 233 5046 - www.cpbigwood.com Thursday 5 May 2016 GRAHAM PENNY - Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

Osgathorpe development site sold to housebuilder

LAND WITH planning permission for much-needed new homes, including Local Needs Housing, in Osgathorpe, Leicestershire, has been sold to a Derby-based building firm, in a deal overseen by Mather Jamie. The 1.7 acre site, which is located on Dawsons Road in the attractive, sought after village, has been sold to Chevin Homes, and has outline planning consent for up to 16 new homes, plus a children’s play area. A S106 agreement, providing funding for the local community, has already been completed with North West Leicestershire District Council in respect of the site, and looks set to bring funding towards local library, education, and other facilities, including towards the purchase and restoration of a local pub and asset of community value, The Storey Arms. Gary Kirk, Land Agent for Mather Jamie, said, “This site, located on the northern edge of the village, should provide an ideal spot for proposed new homes for Osgathorpe, being a short walk from the village centre, as well as close enough to the Ashby Road to benefit commuters. “The site received a lot of interest from the house builder market which is testament to the strong appetite we are experiencing from the local development community, especially for sites in attractive rural locations.” Dan Stack, Director of Chevin Homes, said, “We’re privileged to have the opportunity to provide outstanding new homes in Osgathorpe, and are delighted that our purchase will make a significant contribution to the local parish council, to assist with local amenities. “We will be working with the local authority to ensure we deliver a sympathetic and in-keeping development to provide a range of high specification 2,3,4 & 5 bedroom properties to satisfy local demand.”

‘Eco’ building plot for sale in Hungarton: £250k

Thursday 12 May 2016 AUCTION HOUSE READINGS - at 48 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 1DH - 6pm start - tel: 0116 222 7575 www.readingspropertygroup.com Thursday 12 May 2016 - LOVEITTS - at Village Urban Resort, Dolomite Avenue, Canley, Coventry CV4 9GZ - 6.30pm start - tel: 024 7652 7789 email: auctions@loveitts.co.uk Thursday 19 May 2016 SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 www.savills.co.uk/auctions Thursday 26 May 2016 - COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk

June 2016 Thursday 9 June 2016 GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby, DE24 8XL - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Tuesday 14 June 2016 GRAHAM PENNY - Leicester City Football Club, King Power Stadium, Leicester LE2 7FL - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

KING WEST are offering for sale a superb ‘Eco’ building plot with full planning permission for an innovatively designed dwelling. The plot comprises 1.2 acres, including the access route, on a grassed sloping site leading down to a lake and a watercourse, having formerly been part of the gardens to “Willowghyll”. Planning permission was granted by Harborough District Council on 18th April 2013 for the erection of an innovative dwelling and garage under reference no: 11/01805/FUL. The planning permission is subject to a Section 106 Agreement dated 20th March 2013. Copies of both the planning permission and Section 106 Agreement can be inspected at the Agents’ Offices. The proposed dwelling, which has a floor area of 430 sq. m. (4,627 sq. ft.), will be moulded into the sloping topography of the site, minimising its external appearance, avoiding visual intrusion into the village conservation area and maintaining the open character of the plot. With the exception of the entrance lobby and garaging, the major part of the new building will be below ground level, presenting a single storey, mainly glazed, south facing wall to provide lighting, ventilation and renewable energy generation. Guide price: £250,000. For further information, please contact Andrew Cowling, BSc FRICS at King West on 01858 435977.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

FARM BUILDINGS AND LAND FOR SALE BY AUCTION

The Structural Timber Awards 2016

Celebrate the Best in the World’s Oldest and Most Innovative Construction Material FOLLOWING the success of the 2015 Structural Timber Awards, the prestigious event is returning for another year, promising to remain the high point in the 2016 timber calendar.

SHOULER & Son Estate Agents are offering for sale BY AUCTION a delightful farm and adjacent detached cottage ready for modernisation or redevelopment, subject to suitable planning consents. The property is situated in Beeby, Leicestershire and is being offered for sale by auction on Thursday 10th March 2016 at Melton Mowbray Cattle Market. To be sold in 3 separate lots. Lot 1 – Substantial Grade II Listed detached Farm House requiring full modernisation along with an adjacent detached cottage for modernisation, extensive range of barns and farm buildings, former farm yard, and grounds including orchard and paddock area, in all around 3.7 acres. Lot 2 – 9.5 acre arable field. Lot 3 – 4.78 acres of grass paddock. For further details, contact Shoulers on 01664 410166 or email: housesales@shoulers.co.uk

The Awards, considered to be one of the most effective platforms for penetrating the timber industry, will see 500 national business leaders and distinguished figures from the construction industry join together to honour the finest projects, products and people in timber technology. The Awards will be presented at a high profile dinner on 19 October 2016 at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. This event is the ideal opportunity for construction professionals to maximise industry exposure by demonstrating what separates them from their competitors. The winning organisations will be promoted to a national audience, giving entrants the opportunity to make their mark on this economically important market. Entering the Structural Timber Awards allows the most innovative achievements in timber to be upheld by the industry alongside those considered the nation’s best. Earning ‘Highly Commended’ or winning an award will earn entrants recognition within the timber community, leading to an abundance of fresh prospects for each company. This year there are 16 award categories, all available to enter FREE OF CHARGE: Best Social Housing Project, Best Private Housing Project, Best Education Project, Best Healthcare Project, Best Self Build Project, Best Commercial Project, Best Retail Project, Best Low Energy Project, Engineer of the Year, Architect of the Year, Client of the Year, Contractor of the Year, Product Innovation, Product Marketing, Pioneer Award and Project of the Year. Your entries will be judged by the following panel of respected industry experts chaired by Andrew Carpenter of the Structural Timber Association: • Gary Ramsay -Structural Timber Magazine • Martin Milner -Milner Associates • Oliver Novakovic -Barratt Developments • Rick Burgess -PRP Architects • Rob Pannell -Zero Carbon Hub • Liz Male -Liz Male Consulting • Steve Cook -Willmott Dixon • Charlie Law -Sustainable Construction Solutions • Mike Cook -Buro Happold • John Allen -MACE • Tim Snelson -Arup • Carol Costello -Cullinan Studio • Darren Dancey -Crest Nicholson • Frank Werling -METSA Wood • Rosi Fieldson -Simons Group • David Hopkins - Timber Trade Federation For more information, or to enter an award, please visit our website at www.structuraltimberawards.co.uk.

Leicestershire Builder Magazine Published By: Builder Magazines PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: (01530) 244069 Fax: (01530) 249557 Email: info@buildermagazines.co.uk Web: www.buildermagazines.co.uk Over 3,500 copies distributed every month across Leicestershire & Rutland by a combination of: • By Post to SUBSCRIBERS and a rotating free mailing list (2,200 copies) • Through trade counters of local merchants (1,300 copies) SUBSCRIPTIONS: £20 PER YEAR (No VAT) TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 01530 244069 and leave your details, or subscribe via our Website. We’ll invoice you later. Printed in Ellistown by: Norwood Press

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The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editorial/Production Team. The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Builder Magazines cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission. Builder Magazines reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All property details contained within this magazine are to be regarded as being for outline guidance only. All potential interested parties are requested to check individual availability of premises for accuracy of details with the relevant selling agents before proceeding further.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Builders’ Problems SOLVED

Judgement in Default PROBLEM:

I am the Company Secretary for a main contractor and hope that you may be able to assist with a problem. I am not quite sure how we got into this situation, but we have just received through the post a Judgement against us. Early in 2015, we were working on a retail development in Leicester, and had just engaged a painting contractor. At the time, the project was due for completion in July 2015, but it ended up being delayed by 9 weeks. The delay was solely the fault of the painting contractor, and we set-off a sum of monies against the painting contractor’s account for the cost of the delay, including liquidated damages. In December 2015, we received a claim via the Court from the painting contractor. The claim was for the monies that was unpaid on its invoices, but made no allowance for the cost of the delay. We filed an acknowledgement of service but, due to an oversight, we did not file a defence and / or counterclaim. Do we have to pay the judgement now?

Kim, Kibworth

RESPONSE: Hello Kim.

The judgement that you received is known as a judgement in default. Essentially, the painting contractor obtained the judgement in default of your company failing to file a defence and / or counterclaim. You are able to challenge this, but you must act quickly, showing the court that you acted once you became aware of the judgement. You will need to make an application to the court to set aside (cancel) or vary the default judgement. Accompanying the application must be a witness statement (which sets out the supporting evidence) and a draft order (saying what you want the court to do). Your application must also outline what grounds you have to set aside the judgement. There are mandatory and discretionary grounds. The mandatory grounds are found at Part 13.2 of the Civil Procedure Rules (“CPR”) and include where a defence has actually been filed, the defendant has made an application for the claim to be struck out or the whole of the claim has been satisfied before judgement was entered. The discretionary grounds include if the applicant can show that it has a real prospect of successfully defending the claim or, it appears to the court that

Development land in Melton BENTONS Estate Agents are offering for sale an acre of development land at Ankle Hill, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire LE13 0QJ. Comprising approximately 1.02 acres, the elevated site offers potential to construct 4 detached houses and 2 bungalows within an unspoilt leafy setting, behind an existing row of residential properties. Planning consent was granted in outline on 13th March 2015 for 6 dwellings. The number of dwellings that can be constructed without the social housing contribution has recently changed to ten, and it is therefore expected that the purchasers may wish to reapply for an alternative scheme. Offers would not be considered however on a ‘subject to planning’ basis. Viewings are by appointment only. Offers in the region of £600,000 are invited. For more information, contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@ bentons.co.uk

there is some other good reason why the defendant should be allowed to defend the claim. From your outline, the ground for making the application would be a discretionary one. However, you will have more of a chance of being successful with your application if you can show, via your witness statement, that you have a real prospect of defending the claim (ie, you have a defence). That said, from your outline, it appears that you do not have a defence but a counter-claim. If you are therefore unsuccessful with your application, you can always commence a new claim for the damages of the delay. The possible outcomes are that a) the judgement is set aside; b) the application is refused; and c) the court makes a conditional order. A conditional order will usually be made if, for example, the application was made late but the court is satisfied that there is a bona fide defence, and the applicant will be made to pay the amount of the judgement into court. Also you must remember that if your application is not successful, you will be responsible for paying the other side its costs.

Michael P. Gerard Author background Michael is a Solicitor, Chartered Builder, Registered Construction Adjudicator & Accredited Expert in quantum and planning matters. He is Managing Director of Michael Gerard & Co., and a Partner with Cato Solicitors.

Nuneaton site for auction LOVEITTS are offering for sale BY AUCTION a 0.16 acre development site.

The site - at Queens Road, Nuneaton, Warks. CV11 5NA - has planning permission (granted in June 2008) with a ‘meaningful start’ (as the agents understand from the seller that the block foundations have been installed) for 14 apartments. The proposed development incorporates undercroft and open parking, having 15 parking spaces. The property is being offered for sale by Public Auction at Village Urban Resort, Dolomite Avenue, Canley, Coventry CV4 9GZ on Thursday 4th February 2016 at 6.30pm The Guide Price is £275,000 to £325,000 For more information, contact Loveitts on 024 7652 7789 or email: auctions@loveitts.co.uk

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Tel: 0116 2853 777 Leema Technologies Limited. The Warehouse, 1a Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Farm buildings, 3 plots and 2 paddocks for sale by auction

Housebuilding jobs bonanza

SHOULER & SON Estate Agents are offering for sale BY AUCTION Aa farmhouse, buildings and gardens with planning consent to convert into a larger single dwelling, 3 single building plots with consent for detached houses, plus 2 paddocks with independent access. The property - at Epperstone, Nottinghamshire - is being offered for sale in 6 lots BY AUCTION on Wednesday 9th March 2016. For further details, contact the selling agents, Shouler & Son on 01664 410166 or email: housesales@shoulers.co.uk

BPF: planning application competition could relieve burden on cash-strapped local authorities

THE BRITISH Property Federation (BPF) has welcomed an amendment in the Housing and Planning Bill that could relieve pressure on under-resourced local authorities by allowing external parties to process planning applications. Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis MP brought forward new clauses 43-46, to give the Secretary of State the power, by regulation, to introduce pilot schemes for competition in the processing of applications for planning permission in the Report stage of the Bill yesterday. The amendment was added to the Bill, and will give the Secretary of State the power to transfer the processing of planning applications to a third party - which could be a private sector body or another local authority – whilst still allowing the local authority to determine the outcome of the application. The pilots will also see a flexible approach to charging introduced. The BPF, alongside a number of other bodies, has repeatedly urged the Government to review resourcing of local authority planning departments, which is having a detrimental effect on development and the economic benefits that development brings, across the country. Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “This amendment has potential to be a real help to local authorities, who struggle with lack of planning department resources. Relieving local authorities from the administrative side of the planning application process will free up resources within departments, but still allows them to have the final say over development in their area. It is crucial that any changes are clear and transparent, to allow local communities to retain their confidence in the system. “This amendment will only allow this idea to be piloted, so no policy has changed yet, but it seems like a step in the right direction. It is encouraging to see government engaging with this issue, which afflicts both developers and local authorities alike.”

Over 100k jobs created by surge in house building OVER 100,000 new jobs were created in England alone last year as a result of the big increase in house building, a new report reveals. Analysis by the Home Builders Federation shows that the house building industry is now supporting around 667,000 jobs, and details how local economies the length and breadth of the country are benefitting from the thousands of additional homes now being built. ‘Building Communities, Boosting Employment’ highlights; • Housebuilding in London now employs over 100,000 people • Outside London, Greater Manchester saw the biggest increase in house building employment with an additional 5,418 people recruited last year • North Yorkshire experienced the biggest proportional growth with employment numbers doubling • Outside the capital, house building activity in the West Midlands supports most employment with 27,907 jobs supported by housebuilding House building rates have rocketed over the past few years. Improvements to the planning system and the highly successful Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme have helped house builders increase output by around a third in just two years. The most recent Government figures show that there were 170,690 net additions to the housing stock during 2014/15, an increase of almost 25% on the previous year. The main component of this new stock was from 155,080 new build completions. Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the HBF, said: “The house building industry has increased its output at the steepest rate for decades. Delivering the high quality homes we desperately need is also providing a huge boost to economies across the country. The industry is recruiting and training tens of thousands of new people to ensure it can continue to deliver significant sustainable increases in supply and provide the high quality homes the country needs.” The housebuilding process requires a wide range of different people. As well as traditional on-site trade jobs, the industry employs a range of other skills such as land buyers, accountants, engineers, sales and marketing staff etc. House builders are recruiting apprentices and graduates as well as people with transferable skills from other industries and the military. The industry is also liking up much more closely with academia to ensure enough of the required people are being trained.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Oxford Plastics develops new Driveway Board

eMoov’s National Property Hotspots Index •

National property demand remained static in Q4 (41%), but is up +14% over 2015

•

The London Borough of Hounslow saw the biggest increase from Q3, with demand up +50%

•

Bedford makes the top 10 hotspots for the first time, with demand at 67%

•

Cambridge (75%) climbs five spots, now the second hottest spot in the UK

•

The North West enjoyed some of the biggest increases in property demand during 2015

•

Leicester has enjoyed the second highest increase since Q3 (+43%) and the third highest year on year (+62%)

AWARD-WINNING UK manufacturer Oxford Plastics is constantly innovating new products to meet the needs of end users – and one such innovation is the Driveway Board, designed in conjunction with National Grid. The British multi-national electricity and gas utility company required a driveway cover that would allow access for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes over an excavation 900mm wide, yet – unlike existing products on the market – could be lifted in place by just two people and would not require fixing to the ground. That’s the exacting brief which led to the development of Oxford Plastics’ unique Driveway Board. The product was developed over two years and has now been launched to the wider market to deliver a host of benefits to the utilities and construction sectors. The Driveway Board is strong enough to withstand one wheel of a 3.5-tonne vehicle over a 900mm excavation (meeting new driveway board specifications) – and can alternatively be used for pedestrians over a 1200mm span. Using Oxford Plastics’ innovative Low Pro technology, the underside and edge of the Driveway Board is made from a soft flexible material to grip the surface underneath and reduce any unwanted movement. This means it’s very stable without the need for bolting in most applications and poses a greatly reduced trip hazard for pedestrians. It also has a moulded anti-slip surface for additional pedestrian safety. Weighing just 48kg, the Driveway Board is lightweight enough to install with a simple two-man lift. Peter Creighton, Business Development Director for Oxford Plastics, says: “We are constantly innovating to meet the needs of our customers and end users. “The Driveway Board’s flexible edge and non-slip surface reduce the risk of trips and slips, while the product is quick and easy to install – yet can allow access for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes. “Ideal for ensuring safety at utility or construction works, the new Driveway Board demonstrates our commitment to solving issues for companies in a world of more stringent health and safety controls through innovation and design.” Oxford Plastics has recently celebrated its 30th anniversary – starting out in 1985 as a trade moulding company focusing on recycled plastic, and growing into a £17 million business which now employs 80 staff and exports its innovative range of products to mainland Europe, Australia and the USA. Having enjoyed another successful year of business in 2015, the company is looking to the future by continuing to invest in research and development to create groundbreaking, high-quality products for streetworks, construction sites and outdoor events. For more information about Oxford Plastics’ range of safety products – including barriers, modular road plates and trench covers, signs and cones, ground protection and heavy bases – visit www.oxfordplastics.com

NATIONAL property demand remained static during Q4 of 2015 (41%), showing no movement from Q3. However over the course of last year, demand for property across the nation increased by +14% overall. The latest Property Hotspots Index, produced by eMoov.co.uk, records the change in supply and demand for the most populated locations across the UK, by monitoring the total number of properties sold in comparison to those on sale.

Property Hotspots, Q4, 2015 – Highest Climbers The London Borough of Hounslow enjoyed the biggest growth in demand between Q3 and Q4 of 2015. With demand up +50% and an average house price marginally over £300,000, the borough looks set to continue this upward trend, with prices having increases by 12% already over the course of 2015. The likely factors behind this increase are almost certainly the ongoing infrastructural and economic developments in the borough. The London Borough of Hounslow is due to profit considerably thanks to its close proximity to the Crossrail development, as well as the delayed decision of the third runway at Heathrow, which should also see property demand revived for the immediate future. Camden also enjoyed an increase in demand towards the end of 2015 (+15%), this said it is still a far cry from 2014, with the borough taking the 10th spot for the biggest decrease year on year (-8%). Despite being home to one of the most expensive average London house prices, demand for property in Richmond upon Thames has also seen an increase, up +17% since Q3. Leicester seems to be enjoying more than its football team’s current Premiership form, with property demand up +43% over the quarter and +62% year on year, it’s the second highest climber since Q3 and the third during 2015 overall. So it would seem whilst Vardy was on course to break a Premier League scoring record, property demand in the city was enjoying a similar run of form. The North West also remains fairly buoyant with the Wirral (+36%), Wigan (+15%) and Oldham (+14%) all making the top 10 highest climbers since Q3. There is a glimmer of hope for an otherwise poor performing North East, with Northumberland seeing an increase of +20% despite making the top 10 coldest spots, joined by North Tyneside (+17%).

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Davidsons Homes graduate trainee qualifies as RIBA architect MATTHEW Sanders, who was a graduate trainee at Ibstock-based Davidsons Homes has recently qualified as a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and ARB (Architects Registration Board) Architect.

Matthew Sanders of Davidsons who has recently qualified as a RIBA architect.

Matthew, 25, joined Davidsons in 2013 on a summer scheme and was subsequently offered a sponsorship to complete the final year of his masters degree along with the offer of a job at the end of the graduate trainee scheme. He undertook his undergraduate degree at Lincoln University and then worked for RIBA past President Jack Pringle at the international architecture firm Pringle Brandon Perkins and Will in London for one year. He studied for his Masters Degree in Architecture at Nottingham Trent University and completed the Part III course at Nottingham University to become a fully qualified RIBA architect. Matthew said: “I took a different approach to the graduate trainee scheme - I knew which department I wanted to be in, as I was training to become an RIBA architect. I immediately worked within the design and technical department at Davidsons for the period leading up to me qualifying. Davidsons graduate scheme was highly effective and allowed me to be mentored by a number of key players within the housing industry.” Matthew continued: “My role as a fully qualified architect now sees me overseeing the architectural and technical design aspects of a development, including scheme and sketch design, planning submissions, building control warranties and site inspections. I am also involved in designing new house types and layouts for a number of future developments.” “I think the commitment, both in time, and financially, that Davidsons have given me to enable me to complete my studies and becoming a fully qualified RIBA architect, demonstrates Davidsons dedication to producing outstanding designs for the developments and homes we build. It’s unusual for a RIBA architect to be working within the house building industry, but it’s something I feel should become more appealing to graduates and future architects given the need for good quality design led housing projects.” In his spare time, Matthew enjoys keeping fit – he’s a regular gym goer and has taken part in a number of obstacle runs with colleagues for charity.

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Rural estates hold the key to thousands of affordable homes, says RICS A REPORT into issues affecting the UK’s land and rural communities recommends local authorities work with rural estate-owners to create new affordable homes. Recommendations include: • Major estates throughout England should be encouraged to release land for eight or more affordable homes • Government should extend city devolution agenda to include rural market towns Landowners behind England’s 5,000 largest rural estates should be called upon to release land for affordable housing, according to The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The RICS Rural Policy Paper sets out a number of recommendations as to how central and local Government could better manage rural land and support countryside communities, including offering measures to encourage large landowners to release space on their estates for eight or more affordable houses. This might include partial inheritance tax exemptions, allowing heirs to avoid paying taxes on any affordable properties within the estate. Jeremy Blackburn, Head of Policy at RICS said: “At the turn of the last century, owners of Britain’s largest estates took a more patriarchal approach to the provision of affordable housing. This wasn’t entirely philanthropic, there was a common sense business motive – it resulted in a settled and readily available workforce. “But affordable rural housing is fast becoming a thing of the past. There is a reported 76 per cent shortfall in rural affordable housing. If our rural towns and villages are to thrive, we need to take action to ensure that workers are available to drive local economies. Without becoming rose-tinted, there are elements to the philanthropic approach to estate management that could benefit future generations of workers and apprentices. “There are some countryside communities where the average cost of a house can outstrip average annual wages 11 times over. Rural poverty is a serious issue that threatens to hamper regional growth. “We would like to see local authorities work sympathetically with estate owners to encourage the release of land for eight or more affordable houses, based on long leaseholds, which would allow estates to retain long term interests.” A similar scheme has been pioneered this year in East Devon, where Lord Clinton, the largest private landowner in the county, worked with Cornerstone Housing Association to develop 19 affordable homes in the town of Budleigh Salerton, made up of both rental and shared ownership properties. Head of Property and Land for Clinton Devon Estates Leigh Rix said: “To provide affordable housing for local people is an important step towards building sustainable communities. From the outset we worked with the Exeter-based housing association, Cornerstone to provide the right mix of affordable homes – for rent and shared ownership – to enable young families to stay in Budleigh Salterton and allow this seaside town to thrive for generations to come.”

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

UK Building Compliance Rise in housing demand as expands its organisation buy-to-let investors look to and services offered RICS UK Residential Market Survey, December 2015

beat stamp duty increase

• Lift in housing demand following announcement of Autumn Statement measures • Demand for properties increases in December to three-month high • Anecdotal evidence points to a jump in buy-to-let interest leading demand • First rise in new instructions since beginning of 2015

SUSTAINED growth has enabled UK Building Compliance to expand their organisation and recruit several new employees over the past year. A spokesperson for the company said: “Our team is now more structured and has more experience in the office than ever before. Providing the best service to our customers is one of our main and most important values. “Congratulations are also due to two successful apprentices who have recently achieved accreditation for Air Pressure Testing.” The company will be offering two new services shortly: Thermal Imaging and Heat Flux Testing. Information on these upcoming services will be available soon on their website.

Fall in workloads for small builders, warns FMB WORKLOADS for small builders across the country took a downward turn towards the end of last year, the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) latest State of Trade Survey has revealed, amid worries over wider economic uncertainty.

THE UK HOUSING market has seen a rise in demand following the Government’s recent announcement that stamp duty is set to increase for buy-to-let investors, the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed. The RICS UK Residential Market Survey, December 2015, has shown that demand for new properties has reached a three-month high, with Chartered Surveyors citing a rush to beat April’s stamp duty rise as the reason. From April, buy-to-let investors will be required to pay 3% more in stamp duty charges than residential buyers looking to purchase the same home. Since the Chancellor announced these measures in the Autumn Statement last November, 16% more Chartered Surveyors reported a rise in new buyer enquiries. RICS Chief Economist, Simon Rubinsohn said: “The housing market has experienced an unusually buoyant December. Those in the industry have been speculating that this is the result of the Chancellor’s announcement last November. Potential buy-to-let investors are looking to pick up properties before the increased stamp duty levy comes into force in April. If that is the case, then we can expect to see the housing market heating up further over the next few months.” The belief that demand was fuelled by announcements included in the Autumn Statement was further supported by qualitative responses to the survey. Chartered Surveyor, Robert Green of Chelsea-based Estate Agent, John D Wood & Co. said: “December was busier than normal as stamp duty changes have brought buyers back to the market, ahead of April.” While James McKillop of Knight Frank, London said: “The three per cent Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) proposal in the Autumn Statement has led to more buyers firming up their intention to buy additional residences in my region before April 1st.” The survey also revealed that house prices in London, the South East and East Anglia look set to rise by a further 5% per annum in each of the next five years, compared to a UK average of 4.5%, despite offering the poorest value for money in the UK. Some 62% of respondents said that homes in the South East were either expensive or very expensive given the relative benefits they offered, with 57% of contributors in the capital taking the same view. By contrast, 100% of Northern Irish respondents and 92% from the North of England believe that homes in their areas offer fair value for money A net balance of fifty per cent of respondents reported that UK house prices had risen since November, with East Anglia and the South East of England witnessing the strongest growth.

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The building industry remains confident of continued growth but the slowdown we saw in the last quarter is a cause for concern. Undoubtedly, the adverse weather experienced in large parts of the country has played its part, by causing projects to overrun and costs to spiral. However, the fact that both current and expected construction workloads are down in every region is worrying given some of the gloomy predictions being made about the wider economy.” Berry continued: “Most concerning is that the last three months of 2015 represent the first quarter in nearly three years in which private sector SME housebuilding showed a negative balance. Even if this is a temporary blip, it comes at a time when merely manging to tread water would be inadequate in tackling the housing crisis. We need firms of all sizes firing on all cylinders if we’re going to address the chronic under-supply of housing but, unfortunately, a complex set of problems continue to constrain smaller developers. A concerted effort to tackle ongoing issues around access to finance, availability of suitable small sites and shortages of skilled labour is vital. The survey findings underline the latter point, showing 52% of our members reporting difficulty in finding carpenters and joiners, and 50% continue to have trouble hiring quality bricklayers.” Berry concluded: “We still expect to see growth in our sector continue throughout 2016 and we are optimistic that businesses can bounce back from what appears to have been a disappointing end to the year. However, the coming 12 months still hold in store considerable headwinds, not least the fears over the wider economy slowing down. If 2016 starts in anything less than a positive fashion, we could see growing fears that the hardearned gains made by the construction industry over the past two or three years are indeed under threat.”

Development site in Woodville GRAHAM PENNY AUCTIONS are offering for sale BY AUCTION a prominent development site with planning consent for the erection of 4 three-bedroomed houses and garages. The site – situated to the rear of 16 Moira Road, Woodville, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 8DQ – was granted consent by South Derbyshire District Council on 23rd October 2015 under application number 9/2014/0820. For sale BY AUCTION on Wednesday 24th February 2016 at IPRO STADIUM in Derby – sale starts at 11.30am. The Guide Price is £80,000+ For more information, contact Graham Penny Auctions on 01332 242880 or email: derby@grahampenny.com

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

RICS UK Construction Market Survey, Q4 2015

Leicester City University Hospitals Leicester (c/o: Agent: Tim Wilson, P+HS Architects, 84 Albion Street, Leeds LS1 6AG) – Single storey detached MRI unit – at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester. Cat Girl Ltd (c/o: Agent: Kurosh Morad, KMC Consultancy, 9 Southfields Drive, Leicester LE2 6QS) – Demolition of existing buildings and proposed two storey unit – at Units 2 & 3, 46 Chesterfield Road, Leicester. Mr Kevin Routledge (c/o: LCSAL, 39 Castle Street, Leicester LE1 5WN) – Change of use from general industrial to offices and ancillary retail – at 10 Charter Street, Leicester. Delph 2 LLP (c/o: Agent: Samantha Nicholls, Leith Planning Ltd, 14 South Clifton Street, Lytham, Lancs. FY8 5HN) – Notification of proposed change of use of first, second & third floor from offices to 63 flats – at 99 Burleys Way & 2 Navigation Street, Leicester. N & V Limited (c/o: Agent: Dennis Dziko, Zone Management Office, 72-74 Western Road, Leicester LE3 0GE) – Construction of 1, 4, 5 & 6 storey development comprising 97 self-contained student flats and 31 car parking spaces for commercial use only – at 67-75 Princess Road East, Leicester. Mr A Shah (c/o: Agent: Stuart Cunliffe, 39 Guessans Court, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL8 6RB) – Change of use of first and second floors from retail to 8 flats, plus second floor extension at rear – at 39 Belvoir Street, Leicester. FI2 Developments Ltd (c/o: Agent: Neil McMinn, Ink/Drawn Ltd, 27 Friar Lane, Leicester LE1 6ZH) – Notification of proposed change of use of second floor from office to 11 flats – at 44 Abbey Street, Leicester. Leicester Central Seventh Day Adventist Church (c/o: Agent: Richard Storah, 46 Halifax Road, Todmorton, Lancs. OL14 5QG) – Alterations to church – at Seventh Day Adventist Church, London Road, Leicester. Mr Tarun Metha (c/o: Agent: Mrs Varsha Tailor, DT Designs Ltd, 74 Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Change of use of first floor from Gym to 2 self-contained flats – at 342 Welford Road, Leicester.

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Skills shortages continue to hamper growth in the East Midlands • • • •

Property industry pay packets on the rise, as labour shortages cause sector wage inflation. Construction skills shortage pushes industry wages up by more than 6% on average across the UK In the East Midlands 73% more respondents say input costs have increased over the last three months Skills shortages reported to be the biggest barrier to growth with a 52% of respondents in the East Midlands citing a lack of workers with the necessary skills

CONSTRUCTION skills shortages are pushing wages in the sector far above the national average, but could also put at risk some of the Government’s biggest housing and infrastructure programmes, the latest survey by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed. Average construction earnings have risen by more than 6% nationally in the year to October – a marked increase on the average UK wage rise over the same period of under 2%. Labour shortages were reported across the UK by 66% of construction professionals to be the most significant barrier to growth in the last quarter of 2015. This is born out by regional data which shows that 52% of respondents in the East Midlands were having difficulties sourcing labour. Quantity surveyors are reported to be in particularly short supply in the East Midlands, with 56% of survey respondents having difficulty finding these workers. The RICS UK Construction Market Survey shows that 73% of survey respondents in the East Midlands reported an increase in input costs in Q4, the 21st consecutive quarter that input costs have increased in the region. Workloads have continued to rise with 36% more respondents seeing activity rise rather than fall. . Much of this growth has been driven by the private housing sector with a net balance of 44% of respondents seeing an increase in this area, as opposed to just 7% in the public housing sector. RICS Chief Economist, Simon Rubinsohn said: “While workloads are still growing at a relatively healthy pace, labour shortages in the construction sector are causing delays at different stages in the development process and leading to significant problems with project planning. More than 60% of our survey respondents said that these resulting planning delays were an impediment to growth. “That said, industry wages are becoming increasingly attractive, and I would hope that over time this will encourage skilled workers to return to the sector, as well as drawing school leavers and graduates towards construction industry careers.” Net lending to the sector fell by a further £274m in the three months to November, and 64% of respondents across the UK highlighted continuing issues around financial constraints. Despite these concerns, 45% said that they expected profit margins to rise over the year to come. RICS Future Talent Director, Sally Speed said: “The construction skills crisis is slowing growth in a sector that is vital to UK plc. Unless Government looks to address the problem urgently, some of its key housing and infrastructure programmes could soon face crippling delays and spiralling costs. “To tackle the problem, Government must deliver a new skills strategy that will enable industry, unions, and educators to work together and deliver real solutions. Apprenticeships alone will not be enough. Ministers must look to draw a link between education, future careers and skills. Employers need to take the lead in improving skill levels, providing more vocational pathways to work and actively engaging with our country’s schools and colleges.”

I bought the world’s worst thesaurus yesterday. Not only is it terrible, it’s terrible.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Mrs Liz Farmilo (c/o: Agent: Paul Roberts, Architects LE1, 38 Nelson Street, Leicester LE1 7BA) – Erection of 2 houses – at land at rear of 53-57 Francis Street, Leicester. Mr Asif Javid (c/o: Agent: Mohammad Tanvir Malik, Malik Enterprises, 30 Carlton Drive, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1DF) – Change of use from one house to 2 flats – at 1 Margaret Road, Leicester. Haveli Shreeji Dwar (c/o: Agent: Anthony Jones, Halford Jones Architecture, 28 St Annes Drive, Aylestone, Leicester LE2 8HT) – Demolition of building and erection of single storey detached building at rear of place of worship – at Haveli Shreeji Dwar, 58 Loughborough Road, Leicester. Buildmart Ltd (c/o: Agent: RG+P, 130 New Walk, Leicester LE2 0HD) – Shop front alterations, single storey extension at rear of shop, change of use from one flat to 2 flats and external staircase at rear – at 97 Queens Road, Leicester. Brackley Property Developments, Travis Perkins (Properties) Ltd & Leicester City Council (c/o: Agent: Clive Watterson, Stephen George & Partners, 170 London Road, Leicester LE2 1ND) – Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 2 singlestorey buildings to provide builders merchants with trade counter and ancillary showrooms, storage, site access, boundary fencing, parking and landscaping – at Abbey Gate, Ravensbridge Drive, Leicester. Mr Inhaam (c/o: Agent: R Kahn, Master Plan Design, 23 Vulcan House, Vulcan Road, Leicester LE5 3EF) – Single storey extension at rear and alterations to community centre – at The Community Centre, Edgehill Road, Leicester. Bigdog Agency (c/o: Agent: Graham Price, Marrons Planning, 1 Meridian South, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1WY) – Three storey office building and associated landscaping – at Berkeley Burke House, 223 London Road, Leicester. Newtech Marketing Network Ltd (c/o: Agent: RG+P, 130 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7JA) – Demolition of offices, erection of seven storey building with ground floor retail unit and 61 flats above – at 127-133 Granby Street, Leicester.

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Report promotes radical new model to revitalise Britain’s high streets A HARD-HITTING report has proposed a radical new model to get investment back into Britain’s high streets. The Town Centre Investment Zones report, launched last month by a group of property industry experts, demonstrates that asset management of the high street could unlock much-needed investment for local authorities and communities to transform their areas. Having identified that fragmented ownership and poor asset management are overriding factors in the high street’s inability to adapt to change, the group used three town centres as pilot studies to show that by taking a more structured approach to a high street’s offering, investment can be attracted and bring about fundamental change. The report, carried out by Peter Brett Associates with Bond Dickinson and Citi Centric, suggests that Town Centre Investment Management (TCIM), which involves the pooling of a critical mass of property assets into an investment vehicle, will

allow the assets to be managed and curated, rejuvenating the high street. The model enables the existing stock to adapt to the various challenges facing the high street, such as changes in consumer behaviour and demands, and the changing retail landscape. It will allow local authorities to radically transform and future-proof their high streets, ensuring that they have a better consumer offering, which could include housing and more leisure space. The TCIM model is attractive to investors, who see the new opportunities it presents, delivering scale and growth potential. Retail is traditionally an attractive asset due to its good long-term prospects. The report goes on to recommend that the areas designated for the asset management treatment should be set up as Town Centre Investment Zones (TCIZs), in order to provide coherence, leadership and a clearer focus for all involved and a clear signal to potential investors that all local stakeholders are aligned. These Zones would also benefit from being given, in due course, a range

of concessions similar to Enterprise and Housing Zones, as well as the support given to business neighbourhood planning. Further recommendations in the report include: • Government should provide further financial support to examine how funding prototypes for the pilots might work; • TCIM should be endorsed and promoted by DCLG as one of the solutions to address failing or under-performing town centres; • DCLG and Treasury should encourage investment in town centres by developing a package of special incentives or measures that could apply to TCIZs; • Government should promote the concept of Town Centre Investment Zones as the means of giving town centre investment real focus; • Further work should be undertaken, led by DCLG with the support of the private sector, to encourage the setting up of a Town Centre Investment Fund, involving a number of town centre investment opportunities. Liz Peace, chairman of the Fragmented Ownership Group, said: “Many town centres are currently focussed on an outmoded retail that needs substantial structural change. Resurrecting their fortunes will not be achieved simply by the superficial and largely cosmetic measures that have so far been applied. This new and more fundamental approach, using proper asset management techniques, offers us the best and maybe the only, hope of making lasting and beneficial change.” Cllr Pam Posnett, Deputy Leader Melton Borough Council, added: “The Council alongside our partners have a high priority and ambition to promote a vibrant town centre and deliver a plan for growth that creates a resilient local economy. This pilot has helped us move towards developing that longer term view we need, it promotes a mix of uses including retail, housing, leisure and cultural experience with a vision for development that is unique to the desires and wishes of our town centre communities.” John Parmiter, consultant at Peter Brett Associates, said: “This is a very significant step on a journey towards real structural change in our city and town centres.” The report can be found on the British Property Federation website: http://www.bpf.org. uk/sites/default/files/resources/ TCIM-summary-paper.pdf

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

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My wife told me to take a spider out instead of killing it. We went and had drinks. Cool guy, wants to be a web designer.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Cottage Hospital for sale in Ashby: £500k+VAT

Residential development site in Long Whatton MATHER JAMIE are offering for sale a residential development site with Outline Planning Consent for 4 dwellings with garaging.

LAMBERT SMITH HAMPTON are offering for sale a purpose-built Cottage Hospital on a substantial self-contained site. The property - Ashby Hospital, Leicester Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1DG - comprises a cottage hospital with lower ground, ground and first floor accommodation. The building was constructed around 1897 to form a series of treatment rooms and wards which have been extended over the years. Construction is on solid brick, largely beneath a pitched roof but with some flat roofed areas. The total floor area amounts to 16,915 sq.feet (1,571 sq.metres). Offers in the region of £500,000 exclusive of VAT are invited. For more information, or to arrange a viewing appointment, contact Jane Taylor or James Forster at Lambert Smith Hampton on 0116 255 2694 or email: jtaylor@lsh.co.u or jforster@lsh.co.uk

MOLE MOLE GROUNDWORK SERVICES:

The 0.62 acre site - at Paddock Close, Long Whatton, Near Loughborough, Leics. LE12 5BW is currently used as amenity land. It is situated at the end of Paddock Close, which is a private driveway within the ownership of De Montfort Housing Association, who retain ownership of neighbouring property. Outline Planning Consent (ref: 13/00497/OUT) was granted by NW Leics. District Council on 18th September 2013 for four dwellings and garages. View the online information pack at www.matherjamie.co.uk/paddockclose. For sale by Private Treaty - for more information, contact Robert Cole or Gary Kirk at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email: robert.cole@matherjamie.co.uk or gary.kirk@matherjamie.co.uk

Site for 8 dwellings in Whitwick HOWKINS & HARRISON are offering for sale a 1.23 acre parcel of land with Outline Planning Permission for 8 dwellings. The site - at Talbot Street, Whitwick, Leics. - has an elevated position with extensive views. The asking price is £300,000. For more information, contact Mike Fallowell at the Ashby de la Zouch office of Howkins & Harrison on 01530 877977.

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DOMESTIC • INDUSTRIAL • COMMERCIAL • LOCAL AUTHORITIES Thank you, student loans, for helping me get through college. I don’t think I can ever repay you.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Eastfield Dental Care (c/o: Agent: Jonathan Weekes, Aitchison Raffety, The Granary, Spring Hill Office Park, Harborough Road, Pitsford, Northamptonshire NN6 9AA) – Change of use from house to dental surgery at ground floor; self-contained two-bedroom flat at first floor; extension and alterations, plus demolition of garage and conservatory – at 149 Glenfield Road, Leicester.

Hinckley & Bosworth Mr B Sacha (c/o: Agent: David Barnes, DB Chartered Architect, 14 Pyeharps Road, Burbage, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 2JE) – Extension to medical centre with associated pharmacy and new dental surgery – at Doctors Surgery, Clifton Way, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 0UZ. Mr John Sephton (c/o: Agent: KPW Architects, 170 Upper New Walk, Leicester LE1 7QA) – Change of use of first floor and part of ground floor from snooker club/bar and industrial premises to form 7 new residential apartments – at Barwell Windows, Rear of 124 High Street, Barwell, Leics. Greygates Ltd (c/o: Agent: David Granger Architectural Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Erection of 2 dwellings – at 94 Oakfield Avenue, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9WG. Sedgemere Developments (c/o: Agent: Christopher Timothy, CT Planning, Trafalgar House, 20A Market Street, Lichfield, Staffs. WS13 6LH) - Erection of 57 dwellings and associated works, conversion of engine shed into visitor centre and formation of 10 allotments – at Sedgemere, Station Road, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 0PG.

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Leicester Office

22 De Montfort Street Leicester LE1 7GB

0116 2551811

House Builders Federation comments on Government’s housing announcements HOUSEBUILDING rates have been increasing at the steepest rates for decades, with additional supply reaching 171,000 last year. HBF commented: “We welcome the fact that the Government is clearly prioritising housing supply rates, particularly with regard to streamlining the process of building homes on public sector land. If we are to address the chronic shortage of homes that has developed over decades, strong Government leadership is essential. Allowing smaller builders to access publicly-owned sites is a welcome move that must be part of wider set of measures to assist SME builders and get more ‘players on the pitch’. “Clearly the devil will be in the detail and we await further information: “Increasing the amount of developable land with planning permission is essential if we are to increase output further. Bringing forward public land more quickly has long been a priority for successive Governments, so concrete measures to achieve this are welcome. “Direct commissioning will only be successful if it speeds up the release of public sector land and results in more house building than would have happened using the more traditional methods of public-sector land disposal. “A lower-risk model could allow larger builders to increase their output still further, while also enabling smaller house builders to increase output. Both have an essential role to play. It is not a question of either/or. “We desperately need to increase supply even further and faster than the current rate of increase, and speeding up delivery of public sector sites can play an important role in achieving this. In addition, if Starter Homes can increase demand by targeting a new section of the market, this will complement the supply measures announced here.”

Call for Entries! Deadline: Friday 26 February 2016

Celebrating Construction Awards CELEBRATING CONSTRUCTION is firmly established as a high point for the Midlands in the construction calendar, each year commanding the attention of industry professionals from across the Midlands and beyond. Returning for 2016, the East Midlands Celebrating Construction Awards will take place at The Nottingham Belfry on Friday 3 June 2016. These prestigious awards provide one of the most effective platforms for targeting the construction industry, presenting the ideal opportunity for leading brands to maximise their industry exposure and penetrate this economically important market. With the deadline for entries fast approaching, now is the time to enter. Entry is free and can be done online at the website: www.celebratingconstructionawards.org

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Carlton Select Homes (c/o: Agent: Darren Insley, DCI Architecture Ltd, The Rural Design Office, Barns Heath Farm, Snarestone Road, Appleby Magna, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 7AJ) – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2 dwellings – at 4 George Fox Lane, Fenny Drayton, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 6BE. A R Cartwright Ltd (c/o: Agent: Hayward Architects Ltd, 19 Station Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1AW) – Erection of 2 storage and distribution units – at 1 Lime Kilns Way, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 3EL. Mr D Webb (c/o: Agent: Bob Kenney, DEA-BK, 2A Montague Road, Leicester LE2 1TG) – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 3 detached dwellings and 2 flats - at 14 Merrylees Road, Newbold Heath, Newbold Verdon, Leics. LE9 9NR. Mr Karmjit Soroya (c/o: 31 Elmfield Crescent, Moseley, Birmingham B13 9TL) – Change of use from shop to 2 flats – at 129 High Street, Earl Shilton, Leics. LE9 7LR. Mr Shaun Chawla (c/o: Agent: David Boden, Boden Associates, 61 Barton House, High Road, Chilwell, Nottingham NG9 4AJ) – Conversion of existing office building to 26 residential units (flats) with access off Lower Bond Street and Druid Street – at 27 Upper Bond Street, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1WA.

Melton Borough Mr Danny Keightley (c/o: Agent: James Brindley, HSSP Architects Ltd, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Outline application for the erection of 14 residential properties with associated parking facilities and new vehicular access off Melton Road, Asfordby Hill – at Field Number 00032, Melton Road, Asfordby Hill, Leics.

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♦ Land Purchase ♦ Joint Venture Agreements ♦ Planning Agreements ♦ Contract Disputes ♦ Access / Drainage Rights ♦ Options ♦ Plot Sales ♦ Leases For further information and advice, contact either Andrew Eagle at our Leicester Office or Russell Dowling at our Blaby office

I thought my vasectomy would keep my wife from getting pregnant. But apparently it just changes the color of the baby.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Whipling Farm Partnership (c/o: Agent: Stephen Mair, Andrew Granger & Co, Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Residential development of up to 25 dwellings, includes bungalows to front Hecadeck Lane, with associated access and open space land – at Field OS 3500, Hecadeck Lane, Nether Broughton, Leics. JRT Construction Ltd (c/o: Agent: John Bembridge, JB Design (Ashbourne) Ltd, Fellside, Green Lane, Clifton, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 2DZ) – Redevelopment of former Pilgrims Garage site to form 3 new dwellings and associated parking area – at Pilgrim Service Station, 30 King Street, Scalford, Leics. LE14 4DW.

Harborough District Mr Scott Timmins (c/o: Agent: Corporate Architecture, Venari House, 1 Trimbush Way, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7XY) – Demolition of existing dwelling, ancillary garaging and storage sheds and erection of 2 detached dwellings – at 9 London Road, Great Glen, Leics. LE8 9DJ. The Owners of Market Harborough Land (c/o: Agent: DLA Town Planning Ltd, 5 The Gavel Centre, Porters Wood, St Albans, Herts. AL3 6PQ) – Erection of up to 600 residential dwellings, a primary school, a local centre, provision of public open space, new roundabout access off Kettering Road, new vehicular link from Overstone House, construction of footways and cycleways and construction of structures to accommodate sustainable urban drainage systems – at land adjacent to Overstone House, Kettering Road, Market Harborough, Leics. Mr S Corser (c/o: Agent: Robert O’Callaghan Architects, Ivy House, Church Street, Rugby, Warks. CV23 0EW) – Erection of 3 detached dwellings and a garage – at land west of Leire Lodge, Main Street, Leire, Leics. Mr Mark Lovatt (c/o: Agent: Brian Mullin, Marrons Planning, 1 Meridian South, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1WY) – Prior approval for a proposed change of use of an agricultural building to 2 dwellinghouses – at Buildings at Colesbarn Farm, Frolesworth Road, Broughton Astley, Leics. Pavilion Estates (c/o: Agent: Colin Wilkinson, Planit-X, 21 New Road, Burton Lazars, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 2UU) – Erection of 18 dwellings (revised scheme) – at Manor Field, OS 126, Grange Lane, Thurnby, Leicester.

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Detached Office Building With Residential Conversion Potential HEB Chartered Surveyors are offering for sale a detached office building with potential for residential conversion. The 1,735 sq.foot property – at 27 Rectory Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 6BE – was originally constructed as a dwelling house known as ‘Villa Roma’. It has previously been occupied for a number of years as a Financial Advisors’ office. Benefitting from 5 marked parking spaces (potentially more if double banked), the property would lend itself to continued occupation as offices. Alternatively, the agents believe that current permitted development rights will allow the office building to be converted to a residential use without the need for a specific planning application. Intending purchasers are advised to seek independent verification from Rushcliffe Borough Council. Offers in excess of £450,000 are invited. For more information, contact Robert Maxey at HEB on 0115 950 6611 or mobile 07967 603 091 or email: rmaxey@heb.co.uk.

Rent2Day Own Later Book Invites “Generation Rent” to Climb Property Ladder with No Deposit or Proof of Income THE BRAINCHILD of property investor Freddie Rayner, ‘Rent2Day Own Later’ outlines a powerful system that anyone can use to stop paying “dead rent”, own the home of their dreams and achieve it all without a penny to their name. A twist on the well-adopted “rent-to-own” model, Rayner’s unique approach is poised to become a godsend among first-time and high-risk buyers who are sick of paying off their landlord’s mortgage… While it’s a tough pill to swallow, the Daily Mail have said it best; calling to attention the millions of adults who believe they are unable to buy a home and will be forced to pay “dead rent” for the rest of their lives. They call them “Generation Rent” and the media aren’t exaggerating. On the other hand, property investor Freddie Rayner knows differently. In fact, Rayner has helped many of once-Generation Renters own the home of their dreams, without having to put a penny down for a deposit or even secure a mortgage at all. For the first time, he is exposing his secrets in a powerful new Guide. “There’s millions of people out there who are in debt, are self-employed with no proof of income, have poor credit scores or simply have other priorities in life (such as paying off their landlord’s mortgage for them!) that prevent them from being able to save for a deposit. These are highrisk clients to banks, and they’ll get declined for a traditional mortgage,” explains Rayner. “Rightfully, they become dejected and come to believe that they’ll never be able to own. They then join Generation Rent and spiral down the vicious circle that ensues. Continuing, “My unique Rent2Day Own Later system, outlined in my new guide, allows them to set up a future ownership arrangement directly with any seller, bypassing the need for a traditional mortgage or deposit. They’ll rent to a certain point, cash some of their monthly payments in for a deposit, and apply for a mortgage that will finally make them homeowners. It doesn’t matter what their credit score is, how much debt they have or even if they have a job at all – it’s a private arrangement that puts them well away from having to approach a bank in the traditional manner. Believe it or not, they can have it all set up a week from today. The guide explains all! www.stoppayingdeadrent.co.uk

Council Makes Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan FOLLOWING several periods of public consultation and a positive referendum result, the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan has been ‘made’ by Rutland County Council. The Neighbourhood Plan sets out the local community’s views of how Uppingham should be developed from now until 2026 and was finalised by Elected Members at a meeting of the Full Council on Monday 11th January 2016. The Neighbourhood Plan now forms part of the statutory Development Plan for Rutland and will play an important role in the determination of planning applications in and around the town of Uppingham. Councillor Terry King, Portfolio Holder for Development at Rutland County Council, said: “It has been a lengthy process but Uppingham’s Neighbourhood Plan is now made and provides the town with a comprehensive roadmap for planning and development at a local level. Following public consultation, independent examination and a referendum, Uppingham now has a robust set of plans that can help to deliver sustainable growth and bring further success for what is already a thriving community.” Uppingham Town Council first submitted proposals to designate the boundary of the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan Area to Rutland County Council in September 2012. The plan covers the whole of Uppingham Parish, along with parts of Ayston Parish, and was subject to a local referendum in July 2014, where 92% of those who took part voted in favour of the document. A copy of the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan together with a statement setting out the Council’s decision to make the plan and the reasons for that decision can be viewed online at: www. rutland.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplans

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I broke up with this cross eyed girl. I thought she was seeing someone else.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Trustees of the Hallaton & Isabella Stenning Trust (c/o: Agent: BRP Architects, 1 Millers Yard, Roman Way, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7PW) – Erection of 2 dwellings (Revised scheme) – at land at Hunts Lane, Hallaton, Leics. Mr Nathan Evans (c/o: Agent: Staniforth Architects, The Warehouse, 1A Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2 new dwellings – at Hall Farm, Beeby Road, Scraptoft, Leics. LE7 9SJ. HFT Head Office (c/o: Agent: Nigel Simkin, 45 Church Street, Birmingham B32 2RT) – Erection of up to 27 dwellings with associated garages, landscaping and access (Revised scheme) – at Self Unlimited East Midlands Region, Melton Road, Shangton, Leics LE8 0PS. David & Chris Dewes (c/o: Agent: Corporate Architecture Ltd, 1 Venari House, Trimbush Way, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7XY) – Erection of 37 dwellings with associated roads, gardens and open space – at land north of Station Road, Dunton Bassett, Leics. William Davis Ltd & The Trustees of the late Jessie Dixon (c/o: Agent: Insight Town Planning Ltd, Harborough Innovation Centre, Leicester Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7WB) – Outline application for residential development of up to 71 dwellings with associated infrastructure and public open space – at land off Winckley Close, Houghton on the Hill, Leics.

Rutland County Council Christine Sentance (c/o: Agent: Tony Ansell, Rutland Planning, 2 Harewood Close, Langham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7JZ) – Demolition of bungalow and erection of 3 dormer dwelling houses – at Islington Bungalow, 6 Cold Overton Road, Langham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7JG. Tim Griffin (c/o: Agent: Tom Runcom, PW Architects, Firdale Stables, High Street, Morcott, Oakham, Rutland LE15 9DN) – Residential development of the existing kennels via the conversion of one existing building, a new dwelling in place of existing outbuildings, and the construction of new garaging for the existing dwelling – at Old Priest House, Lyndon Road, Hambleton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8TJ.

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Homebuilders Boost Natural Habitats By Teaming Up With RSPB A UNIQUE partnership between the UK’s best known homebuilders and the RSPB promises to see more wildlife-friendly housing developments being built in the area, giving nature a new home. Barratt and David Wilson Homes have signed an agreement - the first of its kind in the UK – with the RSPB to boost natural habitats at forthcoming homes developments using updated landscaping and new guidance. As the country’s urban wildlife struggles, with 60% of plants and animals facing decline, it is hoped that this agreement between the major homebuilders and conservation charity will help boost biodiversity. John Dillon, (pictured above), Managing Director of Barratt Homes North Midlands, said: “We have teamed up with the RSPB to ensure that going forward we will see more of our new developments incorporating features that can help to not only protect wildlife but also allow it to flourish. We believe this would be a great element of a development to be enjoyed by all, particularly families.” The partnership will also see Barratt and David Wilson Homes working with the RSPB to raise employee awareness of wildlife-friendly best practice across its sites in the region and throughout its supply chain nationally.

Highly prominent redevelopment site in Leicester INNES England are offering for sale a redevelopment site located at the main intersection of Abbey Lane and Abbey Park Road, approximately half a mile north of Leicester city centre. Abbey Lane is one of the principal arterial routes in Leicester and which is characterised by a number of main dealership garages, fitness clubs and retail operations. The 0.554 acre site overlooks the junction and lies specifically adjacent to the new Safe Store development. Subject to planning consent, the site is suitable for a variety of residential and commercial operations and showrooms. Planning permission was granted in December 2007 for a mix use development consisting of offices and flats. With a highly prominent elevation on to Abbey Lane, showrooms can also be envisaged. Interested parties are advised to speak with Leicester City Council in relation to their specific proposals or speak to the agents. A design and build opportunity exists whereby our clients will undertake bespoke development on either a freehold or leasehold basis. Price: Subject to specific negotiation. For more information, contact Peter Doleman at Innes England on 0116 255 5455 or email: pdoleman@innes-england.com

Mr Robert Jeynes (c/o: Agent: Giles Crust, Steenkiel Hal, Stone Pit Lane, Skendleby, Spilsby, Lincs. PE23 4QB) – Conversion of existing agricultural buildings to provide 3 residential dwellings – at rear of 8a Reeves Lane, Wing Rutland.

NW Leics. John William & Patricia Hambleton (c/o: Agent: Steve Harley, Oxalis Planning Ltd, 7 Wheatcroft Business Park, Landmere Lane, Edwalton, Notts. NG12 4DG) – Erection of buildings for B2 and/or B8 employment served by a new site access – at land at Victoria Road, Ellistown, Leics. Quod Bonum (FFS) Ltd (c/o: Agent: Lance Wiggins, Landmark Planning Ltd, 10 Salisbury Road, Leiecster LE1 7QR) – Erection of 13 dwellings along with vehicular access, landscaping and car parking – at land at The Spittal, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2NQ. Mr & Mrs J Whitehouse (c/o: Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Conversion of hotel and restaurant to 3 town houses, 9 apartments and one commercial unit, erection of first floor extension over orangery, external and internal alterations and landscaping – at Fallen Knight Hotel, 14-18 Kilwardby Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 2FQ. Mr John Barnett (c/o: Spring Cottage, Spring Lane, Swannington, Coalville, Leics. LE67 8QQ) – Erection of up to 10 dwellings – at land south east of Station Hill, Swannington, Coalville, Leics. LE67 8RJ. Mr Richard Waldron (c/o: Agent: Michael Wakerley, Peart Bradley Architects, 12 Regent Street, Nottingham NG1 5BQ) – Erection of a two storey detached building to provide 6 hotel rooms – at The Royal Oak, 26 The Green, Long Whatton, Loughborough, Leics. LE12 5DB. Mrs Ann Moreton (c/o: Agent: Richard Newey, Fox Bennett, 6 Lewis Court, Thorpe Way, Enderby, Leicester LE19 1SD) – Prior approval notification for the change of use and external alterations of 2 agricultural buildings to form 2 dwellings – at Nethercote Farm, Snarestone Road, Newton Burgoland, Coalville, Leics. LE67 2SN.

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Don’t judge a book by its cover. I switched the covers on all these books.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Keller New Homes Ltd (c/o: Agent: Paul Taylor, Thomas Taylor Planning Ltd, Castle House, South Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1BR) – Erection of 3 twostorey dwellings and 5 single storey dwellings – at land adjacent to Hall Farm, Ashby Road, Ravenstone, Coalville, Leics. LE67 2AA. Mr P Richmond (c/o: Agent: Anthony Bradley, Building Design (Nottm) Ltd, 2 Broad Oak Cottages, Main Street, Strelley Village, Nottingham NG8 6PD) – Demolish existing bungalow and construct 2 detached dwellings – at 63 Park Lane, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2JF. Mr I J Bourne (c/o: Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Erection of 9 dwellings (Resubmission) – at land at Main Street, Osgathorpe, Loughborough, Leics. LE12 9TA. Gayle & Philip Baker and Verity Cave (c/o: Agent: Steve LewisRoberts, Pegasus Group, 4 The Courtyard, Church Street, Lockington, Derbyshire DE74 2SL) – Erection of 28 dwellings together with public open space, National Forest planting, landscaping, drainage infrastructure and vehicular access – at land at Loughborough Road, Whitwick, Coalville, Leics. LE67 5AQ. Mr S Bryan & Mr S Brassington (c/o: Agent: John Steedman, Steedman Planning, Tournament Way, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 2UU) – Erection of 30 dwellings, including 8 affordable dwellings (Reserved matters) – at land south of Normanton Road, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WS.

Oadby & Wigston Mr Mohammed Essejee (c/o: Agent: Paul Cleaver Architect, 5 Wellington Street, Leicester LE1 6HH) – First floor extension to provide two storeys under a pitched roof and conversion of building into 4 flats – at 44-46 Prince Drive, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4SB.

Blaby Mr & Mrs B & T Elgenia & Baxter (c/o: Agent: Wilbraham Associates Ltd, 18A Regent Place, Rugby, Warks. CV21 2PN) – Cross boundary application got 17 new dwellings and conversion of barns, including access off Desford Lane – at land at Barons Park Farm, Desford Lane, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester.

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WORKPLACE DESIGN TRAILBLAZER JOINS MABER ARCHITECTS A LEADING figure in designing work spaces for productivity and wellbeing, Dan Pilling, has been appointed Head of Workplace at maber architects. Dan was the winner of a 2015 competition jointly run by the facilities management group BIFM and HR institute CIPD to discover new concepts in workplace design. In May, he presented his idea for a wiki - an open, information hub, where professionals from architecture to HR would share knowledge - at the Think FM conference. He joins maber with a mission to help clients make the most of their workplaces so that people work together comfortably and efficiently. Part of his role is to integrate ideas about how the design and layout of interiors affect performance into all aspects of the practice’s work. The goal is to extend maber’s offer to clients beyond architecture and conventional interior design for new buildings to a holistic approach, including consultancy, to maximise productivity and wellbeing in new and existing buildings.

Development Site for 14 Units in Sharnford KING WEST are offering for sale a residential development opportunity comprising a site with planning permission for 14 units. The property - The Limes, Sharnford, Leicestershire LE10 3PG - comprises an existing detached house known as “The Limes”, its grounds, a former commercial building and yard as well as agricultural land, extending in total to 3.49 acres or thereabouts. An uplift clause will be imposed on the balance of the agricultural land for a period of 20 years, so that in the event of planning permission being granted for a more valuable use, 50% of the increase in value over the then agricultural value will become payable to the current owner. The uplift will be secured by way of a restrictive covenant or a long leasehold interest. An information pack is available from King West in CD format on pre-payment of £24 (£20 plus VAT) containing items such as a ground investigation report, archaeological report, the planning permissions, Section 106 Agreement, services information, illustrative layout plans, etc. The Property is being offered for sale by private treaty as a whole, subject to contract only. If the level of interest dictates, consideration may be given to finalising the negotiations by means of informal tender (sealed bid). Unconditional offers are invited for the site in the region of £1,500,000, subject only to contract. Prospective purchasers will be required to demonstrate that they have the required funding to support their purchase of the property. For further information, contact Andrew Cowling at King West on 01858 435977 or e-mail: acowling@kingwest.co.uk

Mr Spatcher (c/o: Agent: Keshiv Sudera, Design Studio Architects Ltd, 1B Salisbury Road, Upper New Walk, Leicester LE1 7QR) – Demolition of existing porch and detached garage and erection of one pair of semidetached dwellings with associated amenity space – at land rear of 3-5 Narborough Road, Cosby, Leicestershire LE9 1TA. Mr W Glennon (c/o: Agent: AJS Architectural Services, 41 Braunstone Avenue, Leicester LE3 0JH) – Erection of one block of 14 flats, including the demolition of existing commercial buildings – at 2-4 Westover Road, Braunstone Town, Leicester LE3 3DT. Mr David Van Beveren (c/o: Agent: Ryan Astill, Astill Planning Consultants, 141 London Road, Leicester LE2 1EF) – Erection of 4 three-bed semi-detached houses with associated car parking and amenity (Revised Scheme) – at 37 Salisbury Avenue, Croft, Leics. LE9 3EJ. Mr Michael Gibsorne (c/o: Agent: Landmark Planning, 10 Salisbury Road, Leicester LE1 7QR) – Reserved matters application for 35 dwellings – at Former Pyramid Posters Ltd, The Works, Park Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4EF.

Charnwood Mr Andrew Kay (c/o: Agent: Stephen George & Partners) – Erection of 6 dwellings with associated car parking and hard & soft landscaping following demolition of dwelling – at The Bungalow, 39 Snells Nook Lane, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3YA. Abbeyfield Loughborough Society (c/o: Agent: A+G Architects Ltd) – Demolition of existing twostorey four-bedroom extension and construction of a new threestorey 12-bedroom extension to care home. Alterations to existing building including new fire escape staircase and a covered walkway to 44 Westfield Drive – at Abbeyfield, 190 Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3AG. Mr K Hartley (c/o: Agent: Robert Powell) – Provision of dwellings at Public House – at The Albion Inn, Canal Bank, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1QA. Mr R Rasile (c/o: Agent: Michael Collins Architect) – Erection of 5 dwellings following demolition of restaurant (Revised scheme) – at 43 Maplewell Road, Woodhouse Eaves, Leics. LE12 8RG.

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The best thing about owning a Smart Car is if you get too drunk at the bar you can just carry it home.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Planning to make changes? Howkins & Harrison has a dedicated team of Chartered Town Planners who are able to draw upon a number of years’ consultancy and local authority experience in the Midlands region, to provide you with an effective planning consultancy service. If you have a development project in mind, whether it is a small extension to your house, through to a larger residential or commercial scheme, Howkins & Harrison’s Planning & Development Team would be pleased to assist. The Planning Team can be contacted on 01788 564676. Residential | Commercial | Rural

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I bet Batman’s cape gets stuck in the car door more times than he admits.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

RESIDENTIALDEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY RESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITY

PADDOCK CLOSE, LONG WHATTON, LOUGHBOROUGH LEICS. LE12 5BW • Residential development site extending to 0.62 Acres (0.25HA) • Attractive location on the edge of this very popular village • Outline Planning Consent for 4 dwellings with garages granted by North West Leicestershire Borough Council (Ref – 13/00497/OUTM) • Service connections already laid to site boundary • Free of Section 106 obligations and on-site Affordable Housing Online Information Pack www.matherjamie.co.uk/paddockclose

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01509 233433 www.matherjamie.co.uk Robert Cole Gary Kirk

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Nobody works harder than a drunk person trying to carefully whisper a secret.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Mr Declan Wright (c/o: Agent: Brian Dearlove Partnership) – Erection of 2 detached dwellings following demolition of dwelling – at 165 Gynsill Close, Anstey, Leics. LE7 7AN. Unnamed Applicant (c/o: Agent: Fisher German) – Demolition of dwelling and erection of 2 semidetached dwellings – at 16 Brookside, Barkby, Leics. LE7 3QD. Elliot Investments Ltd (c/o: Agent: Trigpoint Conservation & Planning) – Refurbishment of property to provide commercial use on ground floor with 2 residential units above. Erection of rear extension to provide 7 residential units – at 52 Baxter Gate, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1TH.

Rushcliffe Mr Raza ul-Haq Siakhvy (c/o: Agent: Scott O’Dell, Planning Design Practice, 4 Woburn House, Vernon Gate, Derby DE1 1UL) Redevelopment of the former Islamic Institute for up to 95 dwellings – at Islamic Institute, Inholms Gardens, Flintham, Notts. NG23 5LQ. Mr Martin Griffiths (c/o: Agent: Chris Clark, Architectural Services Ltd, 7 Lambley Lane, Burton Joyce, Nottingham NG14 5BG) – Demolishing existing agricultural building and rebuild to form a meditation centre – at Long Acre, Melton Road, Hickling Pastures, Notts. LE14 3QG. Mr Alan Hardy (c/o: Agent: Ms Janette Clarke, Maber Architects, St Mary’s Hall, 17 Barker Gate, The Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1JU) – Conversion and new extensions to the existing Greenkeeper’s Workshop and Stores to create hotel bedroom accommodation (19 bedrooms) – at The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club, Main Road, Cotgrave, Notts. NG12 3HB. Peter James Homes (c/o: McCann House, 110 Chilwell Road, Chilwell, Nottingham NG9 6DQ) – Erection of 28 dwellings and access to Gotham Road – at Former Rabbit Farm, Gotham Road, East Leake, Notts. Mr & Mrs J Eatch (c/o: Agent: Mike Sibthorp Planning, Logan House, Lime Grove, Grantham, Linc. NG31 9JD) – Residential development comprising erection of 2 two-storey dwellings – at land south west of Pumping Station, Chapel Street, Orston, Notts.

15,000ft² office building handed over at Ivanhoe Business Park CLOWES DEVELOPMENTS, FHP Property Consultants and Salloway Property Consultants have completed the handover of Fisher German’s new 15,000ft² office building at Ivanhoe Business Park in Ashby de la Zouch. Derbyshirebased Clowes and their agents, Tim Gilbertson of FHP and Phil Randle of Salloway, handed the building over to rural estate agents and chartered surveyors Fisher German on time and on budget. Fisher German’s HANDED OVER: Fisher German’s new relocation to the 15,000ft² office building at Ivanhoe Business Ivanhoe Business Park in Ashby de la Zouch Park reinforces Ashby de la Zouch’s status as a prime location for offices, warehouses and distribution facilities. James Richards, development director at Clowes Developments, said: “Whilst always pleasing to continue our unbroken record of handing over design and build space on time and on budget, the bigger picture with this development is the significant landmark it creates for Ivanhoe Business Park. 2015 has been a stunning year for us, our Agents have brought us 8 deals with further interest bubbling away and I am particularly pleased with this new development for Fisher German as it retains one of the Town’s household names and creates further investment which can only benefit Ashby and the surrounding areas.” Andrew Bridge, COO of Fisher German, added: “We are excited to be moving to such a fabulous facility whilst being able to retain our heritage as a business having been based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch since 1840. The new offices will allow continued growth and expansion supporting our ability service clients both locally and nationally.’’

Commercial land on secure business park

“Rat ate my tax papers” WITH THE deadline for tax payments (31st January) now having passed, the Director General of Personal Tax at HMRC has warned that excuses for late payment won’t wash – and she’s heard them all. Ruth Owen says: “Untidy family members and hungry pets are very unlikely to be accepted as a legitimate excuse for completing your tax return late. This list shows excuses used in unsuccessful appeals to HMRC for missing the January tax deadline. • My tax papers were left in the shed and the rat ate them • I’m not a paperworkorientated person – I always relied on my sister to complete my returns but we have now fallen out • My accountant has been ill • My dog ate my tax return • I will be abroad on deadline day with no internet access so will be unable to file • My laptop broke, so did my washing machine • My niece had moved in – she made the house so untidy I could not find my log-in details to complete my return online • My husband ran over my laptop • I had an argument with my wife and went to Italy for 5 years • I had a cold which took a long time to go The deadline for sending 2014-15 tax returns to HMRC, and paying any tax owed, was 31 January 2016.

ANDREW & ASHWELL are offering to let or for sale Plots B & C at Station Road, Old Dalby, Near Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 3NJ. Plots B & C comprisea total site area of 8.5 acres approximately and ccan be let or sold as a single lot or divided to meet requirements, from 3 acres. The land can be used for external storage since the estate is secure and much of the surface has hard standing. Development of part or the whole of the site will be subject to a detailed planning consent. The land is allocated for the main industrial use classes (warehousing and manufacturing). Price on application. For more information, or to arrange a viewing appointment, contact Malcolm Grayson at Andrew & Ashwell on 0116 254 1220 or email: mdg@andash.co.uk

If you enjoy reading Leicestershire Builder Magazine, please pass it on to a friend or colleague after you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

If I could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, no question, I would want to be alive.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

New Scheme Offers Funding for Rutland Businesses RUTLAND communities and businesses looking to grow but needing help with funding are invited to attend the launch of the Rutland and Rural Peterborough LEADER programme at the Rutland Agricultural Society in Oakham, 6.30pm to 9.30pm on Monday 8th February 2016. Economic development company Opportunity Peterborough and Rutland County Council launched the new grant fund and support programme last November, following a successful joint bid to secure £1.32 million to fund and deliver support in Rutland and rural Peterborough. The LEADER scheme, part of the Rural Development Programme for England, is jointly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Farmers, growers, rural businesses and community groups can now apply for LEADER funding to support projects that help to grow the rural economy in their area. Grants are also available to boost tourism, by supporting cultural and heritage activities. Supporting the delivery of the programme is a Local Action Group chaired by Andrew Brown, a Rutland farmer and current High Sheriff of Rutland who said: “This is a great opportunity for rural businesses to learn more about LEADER funding.” Steve Bowyer, Chief Executive of Opportunity Peterborough said: “We are now inviting funding applications from budding entrepreneurs, established businesses and other groups based in Rutland and rural Peterborough. And welcome any project ideas that could help businesses to start-up grow or diversify. By attending this event potential applicants can learn whether they areeligible for funding and how to apply. Our team will be on hand to answer any questions and provide the necessary guidance.” For full details and to register for the event please visit: www. leaderfunding.co.uk or contact Sheila O’Brien: 01733 317404 or email: sheila.o’brien@ opportunitypeterborough.co.uk

Raynsway support on track for Syston In Bloom SYSTON BASED Raynsway Properties has pledged to continue to support its local community into 2016 after recently completing a project for Syston in Bloom at the village’s railway station. The company, which owns the prestigious Watermead Business Park as well as a number of industrial parks in the area and the Leicester Marina, provided labour and machinery over three days to clear an overgrown area of the station’s car park. The project also involved demolishing an old building which had become an eyesore. The work has left the station looking clean and tidy and ready for the In Bloom team to work their magic in time for the the East Midlands competition which is judged in July. Howard Midgley, Syston in Bloom Committee Chair said, “Once again Raynsway has come to the aid of Syston in Bloom. The car park area of Syston Station has been cleared of litter and undergrowth and is now ready for planting and other enhancements. “Syston in Bloom members cleared 16 bags of litter, which Syston Town Council took away. It was a fantastic team effort for the community. We will now undertake planting and future maintenance, just like we have done on the platform. Our heartfelt thanks go to Raynsway and Syston Town Council.” Amey Rayns, Marketing and Planning Co-ordinator at Raynsway Properties added, “We have supported the Syston In Bloom committee for many years and were delighted to have been asked to help with this project. It’s really important that a community can get together to make their local environment look as best it can and take pride in their surroundings. “As a local business and employer we feel it is important to become a genuine part of the community and pledge to continue to provide practical support wherever it’s needed into 2016.” Raynsway has also helped shown its support to the residents at Hadrian House in Thurmaston, a care home for the elderly by undertaking clearance works in their garden. For more information about Syston in Bloom visit http://systoninbloom.co.uk

Six storey industrial building in Leicester ANDREW & ASHWELL are offering for sale a six storey industrial building in Leicester. The 48,666 sq.foot property – Asmer House, Ash Street, Leicester LE5 0DA comprises a six storey industrial building with basement level, located adjacent to the Oak & Ash Industrial Estate. The building provides industrial / warehouse accommodation to all floors with upper floors served by various lifts accessed off a ground floor loading dock. A large parking area adjacent and opposite the building provides parking for circa 50 vehicles. Price on application – contact Mike Allwood at Andrew & Ashwell on 0116 254 1220 or 07969 149 386 or email: mra@andash.co.uk

Specialist team sought to support big projects COMPANIES who can provide a full range of development professionals, from architects and landscape designers to engineers and project managers, could be given the chance to bid for a four-year contract with Leicester City Council. The council currently buys in the specialist services it needs on a project-by-project basis. It wants to save time and money and ensure it gets consistently high-quality services, by agreeing a single contract to cover all of its major projects. Frank Jordan, the council’s strategic director of city development and neighbourhoods said: “It doesn’t make sense to keep a team of specialists in full-time employment for the occasions we need them, so like most councils we buy them in as and when we do. “However this means going through a complicated and costly process for every project, and can lead to delays and inconsistencies in quality. By securing a longer-term contract with one company, we could considerably speed up the process and get better value for money.” Cllr Sue Waddington, asst city mayor for jobs and skills said: “The other advantage to this approach is that when awarding a four year contract we would expect the company to provide some added social value such as apprenticeships for young people, or job opportunities for local residents, and this would be built into the tender process.” In the next four years the council is set to spend around £100 million on a range of building projects including new schools, museum, workspace and city centre developments, including work in the Greyfriars conservation area. It’s proposed that the contract will be advertised in February, with the aim of appointing a contractor in May. Companies would be asked to tender for the work so the exact cost is not yet known, but last year the council spent almost £7.5 million on professional services. This included the purchase of services to complete the rebuilding of Leicester’s secondary schools, to regenerate the historic Friars Mill into new offices, and to design and plan for the building of new workspaces in Dock 2. The proposal for the new way of working was due go to the council’s overview select committee on January 28. The City Mayor will take a decision on it in February.

Sometimes I spend whole meetings wondering how they got the big meeting table through the door.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

When I say I’m in a really good place I don’t mean mentally I mean the alcohol section of the grocery store.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Top Award for M-EC at Downing Street A MIDLANDS engineering development consultancy has been presented with the highest possible award in the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) during a reception in January at No. 10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister and Defence Secretary. M-EC, which employs Reservist, Rosie James in its Noise & Air Quality division, was selected to receive an ERS Gold Award for its ongoing support of the Armed Forces community. Rosie and M-EC’s managing director, Eddie Mewies were invited to attend a special presentation ceremony at No. 10 to receive the award and meet the Prime Minister, David Cameron. Rosie said: “We had an incredibly memorable afternoon at Downing Street, where we were one of only 15 companies in the UK to receive a Gold Award. Hosted by the Defence Secretary, Michael Fallon, we were able to celebrate the Armed Forces Covenant and meet likeminded Reservists and employers. Obviously the highlight

Seven new sites for Miller Homes Midlands MILLER HOMES Midlands has announced plans to build around 650 new homes in the region.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon presents Rosie James and Eddie Mewies with the ERS Gold Award was my time spent talking with the Prime Minister, who was very interested to hear about our work at M-EC and 203 Transport Squadron as well as reiterating the importance for small businesses to continue supporting Reservists with training and deployment.” The ERS was launched by the Prime Minister in 2014 to recognise businesses that are exemplary supporters of the Armed Forces Covenant, a promise from the nation that those who serve or

have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, are treated fairly. Businesses holding ERS Gold Awards proactively advocate and support the Armed Forces community, both internally to employees and externally to the wider community. They have introduced HR policies to encourage the recruitment of Armed Forces personnel, spouses and veterans, and enable reservists to fulfil their annual training and mobilisation.

The properties will be spread across seven new sites in the Midlands, all of which are planned to launch within the next 12 months. The housebuilder currently has 10 developments in the East Midlands, with an additional site planned for Nottinghamshire and two for Derbyshire during the year ahead. Miller Homes has acquired land in the towns of Southwell and Ashbourne, as well as the village of Littleover, where work is due to start during the next six months. There will also be 52 new homes built at the existing Stretton Glen site in Leicestershire, 75 properties at Repton in Derbyshire and 72 homes at Langley Country Park near Derby. Five new developments are also planned for the West of the region, with sites earmarked for Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

I just want to lose enough weight to fit into my wedding ring.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Characters from

FRIENDS

IF YOU can find the names of 12 characters from the sitcom FRIENDS in the Wordsearch grid on the right, you could win yourself a £20 Meal Voucher to spend at Frankie & Benny’s New York Italian Restaurant. All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 characters who appeared in FRIENDS. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!). Send your marked entry forms to: HOW YOU DOING? Leicestershire Builder, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by FRIDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2016. Please remember to fill in your name and address. The senders of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the Frankie & Benny’s Voucher. Good luck! Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner was: MRS P. PAGE of Merrylees Road, Thornton Congratulations! Your Frankie & Benny’s Voucher will be with you soon.

Here are the 12 FRIENDS Characters you have to find:

CHANDLER BING • ESTELLE LEONARD • GUNTHER JANICE HOSENSTEIN • JOEY TRIBBIANI • MIKE HANNIGAN MONICA GELLER • PHOEBE BUFFAY • RACHEL GREEN ROSS GELLER • TAG JONES • UGLY NAKED GUY Name: .............................................................................................................. Address: ............................................................................................................. .............................................................................Postcode: .............................

Singing to the Sound of SYSROCK for a chance to win £5,000 of Festool Tools! FESTOOL is currently giving their customers the chance to win £5,000 of Festool tools! This fun competition is to celebrate the launch of the new SYSROCK BR10 Site Radio by asking tradespeople to submit a video of them singing along to one of the SYSROCK songs, as chosen by tradespeople at the end of last year. From 21st January 2016, entrants can visit www.festool-sysrock.co.uk where they have 20 songs to choose from and can download the backing track and lyrics. Once they’ve recorded themselves singing, they can upload their video to be in with a chance to win! The best videos will be shortlisted by the Festool judging panel and then open for public voting from 24th February 2016. The top prize will see the winner receiving £5,000 worth of Festool tools, and two lucky runner-up winners walking away with £1,500 worth of Festool tools. The Singing to the Sound of SYSROCK campaign will also be supported by a radio advert on the popular station TalkSPORT. Festool’s Marketing Manager Jon Burcham said: “We all know how trade men and women love to sing or whistle along whilst they work. This is a fun way they can do that and be in with a chance of winning a huge prize! We aren’t necessarily after the next Bono or Mariah, we’re more interested in everyone having a bit of fun and if we discover a singing sensation, that’d be a bonus!” For further information about the new SYSROCK BR 10 Site Radio, please visit www.festool.co.uk/sysrock

Whenever I’m feeling fat, I try not to stress about it and just keep my chins up.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

IT’S BOOMING AND BUSTING

Construction Industry Tops Most Searched Companies In 2015 • • •

Eight of the 10* most searched companies in 2015 offer construction related services Two of the most searched companies in 2015 are construction firms that called in the administrators this year SPIE UK, which provides energy, safety and environmentally focused solutions across multi-technical and support services named UK’s most searched company of 2015

NEW ANALYSIS by Creditsafe reveals eight of the 10 most searched for UK companies on the Creditsafe system in 2015 operate in the construction industry or are specialist suppliers to the sector. Five of these firms directly work in property construction and development, while three are specialist retailers servicing the industry. In terms of growth the construction sector has experienced a dramatic upturn in 2015. On average, 1,840 new construction companies open per month in the UK, compared to 862 in France and 230 in Belgium. In Germany, the number of construction companies fell by an average of 25 per month2. While the UK construction sector has enjoyed a resurgence this year, with new companies established at a much higher rate than mainland Europe, it remains a volatile industry. In March last year the UK’s third most searched for company, GB Solutions Limited was placed into administration, which the firm’s directors blamed on a cash flow issue. In addition Fairhurst Ward Abbotts (sitting at 10 in the annual most searched rankings) also called in the administrators this year because of “severe cash flow difficulties”. The firm was prominent as it held a royal warrant as builder and decorator to the Queen. Rachel Mainwaring, Operations Director, Creditsafe UK said: “The construction industry is one of the most difficult to evaluate as firms rely on a constant influx of new contracts, so companies that file profitable accounts one year can soon find themselves in difficulty the next. The collapse of GB Building Solutions graphically exemplifies the importance of continual credit referencing. While the group had historically traded profitably, cash flow pressures forced it into administration leaving an alleged £30 million trade credit shortfall. The industry is heavily reliant on trade credit so it is vital that suppliers to construction firms continually monitor payment performance and company ratings to avoid potential losses.” Number one on the “Creditsafe Most Searched Companies 2015” list was SPIE UK. SPIE UK is a subsidiary of SPIE group, a provider of energy, safety and environmentally focused solutions across multi-technical and support services. Searches spiked for SPIE following the IPO of its French parent company in June this year, which valued the company at around 2.5 billion Euros. SPIE UK employs more than 3000 staff from 31 regional offices throughout the UK. Three of the top 10 most searched companies in 2015 sell construction materials: Edmundson Electrical Limited, Wolseley UK Limited and Grafton Merchanting GB Limited. These firms service an extremely volatile industry where changes in demand are often felt before other sectors of the economy. Tesco continued to find itself in the top 10 most searched companies in 2015, the only supermarket on the list, after once again delivering an underwhelming financial performance. In December reported losses at the company’s Giraffe chain of restaurants increased to £4.1m as a result of expansion and writing down the value of a number of sites. Gross profits reported by Tesco fell this year and a number of subsidiaries have struggled. NutriCentre and Harris + Hoole both reported losses this year, heaping additional pressure onto Tesco’s senior management.

Meet, eat and greet at ninth Business Breakfast event BUSINESSES in the Blaby District and Leicestershire are being invited to a free breakfast meeting next month to share ideas for boosting the local economy. The networking event will be the ninth that the council has run over the last two years, with business news from Blaby District Council and partner organisations. The Business Breakfast event will be held on Tuesday 1 March 2016 at the Hilton Hotel, Junction 21 Approach, Leicester LE19 1WQ. Beginning at 7:45am with a free breakfast on arrival, representatives from the council will present the latest business news. There will also be a presentation on cyber crime, and how businesses can best protect themselves against one of the biggest new threats to business. The ever-popular speed networking session will also take place, giving businesses the chance to get to know other organisations quickly. Councillor Tony Greenwood, portfolio holder for Planning and Economic Development at Blaby District Council, said: “We’re proud to offer the business breakfast and showcase the support available from the council and partner organisations to help local businesses achieve strong growth. “The fact this is our ninth event emphasises that these are excellent networking opportunities, with businesses telling us how valuable attending has been.” Places are limited so businesses/ Individuals are being urged to book early by contacting A.K.Khan, Planning Policy and Economic Development Officer, on 0116 272 7765, or email economic. development@blaby.gov.uk.

Coalville development launched to the public LEADING homebuilder David Wilson Homes invited house hunters to visit its Abbots View development, where a new sales centre opened to the public in January. Located off Greenhill Road in Coalville, Abbots View is an attractive development with a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes and bungalows with stunning views of the Leicestershire countryside. Steve Smith, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “We’re extremely excited to be opening the doors to our latest development in Coalville. We’re pleased with how the development is progressing and the excellent response from local homebuyers which we have already received.” The image on the right shows how Abbots View will look once completed.

I’m getting worried, my boomerang should have been back hours ago.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

You can lead a horse to water, but you probably can’t do it as well as Sneaky Gary, the serial horse drowner.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

Manor Lane, Somerby Guide Price: POA                                                          

 Sales Lettings  Surveys  Mortgages 



New fitted furniture specialist launched A BRAND new fitted furniture company has launched in Leicestershire. The company, called Albert Henry Interiors, is based in Ibstock and is being run by Stewart Lansdowne, previously managing director of the BD Living and Wilson Bedrooms companies. Stewart has over 30 years experience of running very successful fitted furniture businesses and along with his team brings a wealth of knowledge to the new company. Stewart’s son, Stuart, is heading up the bedroom workshop and project programme, Mark Meakin is in charge of the joinery shop, and Clair Richards is looking after the company’s administration. Clair Richards, Stuart Lansdowne Jnr, Stewart Lansdowne The company is a subsidiary of the Snr and Mark Meakin with one of the new Albert Henry Davidsons Homes Group, and will be supplying fitted bedrooms for the homes Interiors bedroom ranges in a Davidsons Homes showhome. on all of their new developments. Albert Henry Interiors will also be aiming to provide a service to individual customers who might wish to have additional fitted furniture in their new home. The company is also happy to supply other private individuals who would like to have the furniture fitted in their existing property. The furniture uses a ‘front frame’ system which provides maximum storage space and flexibility of internal design. It is being manufactured to rigorous standards on site at the new offices and fitted by a team of experienced professionals. The new ranges are designed not only to look great, but also to function well for the customer. There are a number of modern ranges with the emphasis on clean lines and new finishes. Initially there are fifteen door finishes including contemporary gloss and reflective, along with a range of handles. The ranges will feature soft closing doors. There are plans to provide home offices and fitted units for other rooms, including bathrooms, as the company grows. Stewart Lansdowne said “This is a fantastic new venture and a great time to be doing it with the housing market looking very strong. We are delighted to be a part of the Davidsons Homes Group - they have a significant expansion programme planned for 2016 and we are already very busy. The product will incorporate all of the strengths and benefits developed from previous experience while at the same time it is designed with a contemporary look.” A website is being developed, but in the meantime, for more information, the company can be contacted on 01530 265067.

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NW Leics.

Council’s apprenticeship programme succeeds again AN APPRENTICE with North West Leicestershire District Council has accepted a job with the authority. Sam Kirk, a carpentry and joinery apprentice from Ashby de la Zouch, is the third to be given a permanent role as the council looks to train more talented young people. The end goal of permanent employment spurs the apprentices on while they are paid to learn. The council’s apprenticeship programme now has three apprentices who have completed the scheme including an electrician, plumber and carpenter, all of which have now secured full-time employment since qualification. The council agreed in 2013 that it would employ each of the apprentices when they finished their course and gained their qualifications. Councillor Roger Bayliss, Portfolio Holder for Housing at North West Leicestershire District Council said: “This is a wonderful programme which allows potential employees to learn on the job and gain real work experience while studying for their qualifications.“

Former Baptist Chapel in Fleckney: £70k-£80k Guide READINGS Property Group are offering for sale BY AUCTION a former Baptist Chapel in the heart of Fleckney. The property - Carmel Chapel, Wolsey Lane, Fleckney, Leics. - is a Victorian detached property with the potential for conversion to a detached house, subject to planning. The ground floor extends to 97 sq.metres and there is a mezzanine floor measuring 69 sq.metres. The chapel is being offered for sale by Public Auction on Thursday 25th February 2016 at the offices of Readings, 48 Granby Street, Leicester LE1 1DH - 6pm start. The Guide Price is £70,000 to £80,000. For more information, contact James Court at Readings Property Group on 0116 222 7575 or email: jcourt@readingspropertygroup.com

I would do anything for love except change my routine, leave the house or put myself out in any way.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • FEBRUARY 2016 • Tel: 01530 244069

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