January 2015 leics builder magazine online

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

Expanding Davidsons takes on new graduates and apprentices Residential development opportunity

Former allotments for sale in Leicester Leicester City Council is inviting offers for the Former St Mary’s Allotments, Saffron Lane, Leicester The 6.18 acre site, which is accessed from Saffron Lane, is designated as Housing Development Proposal in the City of Leicester Local Plan with an estimated capacity for the provision of approximately 100 dwellings.

The land is located approximately 1½ miles to the south of the city centre between Saffron Lane and Aylestone Road and is next to an established residential area. It is heavily overgrown and, in part, fenced.

A Development Guidance document has been produced for the Property which provides advice on the type and form of residential development that will be acceptable. It is recommended that bidders study this document in detail prior to submitting their bid.

For more specific advice please contact; William Josey, Senior Planner, Planning Management and Delivery, Tel: (0116) 454 3032 Email: William.Josey@leicester.gov.uk Closing date for offers is 2.00pm on 30th January 2015.

Ibstock based homebuilder Davidsons has recently recruited three new apprentices and three graduates to join its existing team.

The company now has four developments in Leicestershire, with more on the way next year, and is also expanding into new areas in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire.

Ryan Flamson joins as an apprentice customer care representative working towards NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Building Maintenance, Multi-trade Repairs

WELCOME: Some of Davidsons Homes new recruits (l-r) Tom Renwick, graduate trainee, Matthew Sanders, graduate architectural designer, and Kieran Jones, industrial placement student and Refurbishment (construction).

Joseph Russell joins as a site bricklaying apprentice, and is currently working on Davidsons Scraptoft development in Leicestershire. Joseph Randon joins as site carpentry apprentice, and CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 ...>

Advert & Article Deadline is 15th of each month - Magazine out on 1st of each month

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Davidsons From page 1

is currently working on The Long Shoot development in Nuneaton.

All will be studying at Coalville’s Stephenson’s College.

Tom Renwick joins as a graduate trainee. He worked for Davidsons in sales on a development during the summer of 2013, and finished his final year at The University of Bath achieving a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science before joining the company. Matthew Sanders joins as a graduate architectural designer.

He undertook a placement with Davidsons in 2013, and finished his university degree in Architectural Design before joining. Kieran Jones joins as an industrial placement student and is studying for a Degree in Business Management (BSc) at Newcastle University.

Jason Glover, Davidsons Operations Director, said “It’s been a busy year for us with lots of new developments, and there are more to come. It’s a good time to be embarking on a career in the industry. We welcome all the apprentices and graduates – they will have some great opportunities to learn and develop long term careers in house building”.

Davidsons developments in Leicestershire are at Scraptoft Hall, Ibstock, Anstey and Whetstone.

Leicester City

Work to begin on Market Hall demolition Work is due to begin in the new year on demolishing the old Market Hall at Leicester Market.

The aging 1970s building, which houses parts of the indoor market and market offices, has been earmarked for demolition as part of the wider regeneration of the area.

Demolition work is due to begin on Monday, January 5, and is expected to be completed by mid summer 2015.

Contractors Connell Brothers Ltd are working closely with council project managers to minimise disruption immediately around the demolition site.

The building is immediately behind the market’s stunning new 5,500 square foot Food Hall building, which was launched in May 2014 to house stalls selling fresh meat and fish, cheese and fine delicatessen produce.

The works are all part of the £9.2million transformation of the historic market.

Government jump starts SME house building sector

THE Government’s announcement that it will lower the threshold on the Builders Finance Fund to five units has been welcomed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Government’s decision to open up applications to the Builders Finance Fund to the very smallest house builders is going to make a real difference to our sector.

We know that access to finance is the main barrier to SME house builders increasing their output and the fact that Ministers have taken our advice, shows that government is committed to empowering small local builders and ensuring they can contribute to the much-needed uplift in new homes.”

Berry continued: “We also welcome the government’s recognition of the need to reduce disproportionate burdens on small developer contributions and back its decision to waive S106 affordable housing contributions for sites of ten units or fewer. To put this into context, around a third of SME house builders state there are sites they would otherwise be interested in developing, but view as unviable owing to Section 106 and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions.”

“I can’t stress enough how today’s policy announcements will impact positively on the ability of the SME house building sector to build more new homes. We are currently building fewer than half the number of new homes required to meet demand and these proposals will now unleash small local builders to build and grow.”

Mather Jamie secures Leicestershire land for affordable homes Affordable homes will be built on land next to a historic site in Coalville, after Mather Jamie acquired the land on behalf of emh group.

The 1.3 acre brown field site on Kane Close, previously owned by Leicestershire County Council, sits next to the former Snibston Colliery, where the original winding gear structure, now part of Snibston Discovery Park, stands as a monument to the town’s mining heritage.

Emh group already has planning permission to build 21 new homes across a range of styles for rent or purchase, in accordance with the group’s low cost home ownership schemes.

Mike Tebbutt, Consultant at Mather Jamie, said, “We are delighted to have completed this land purchase for emh group, allowing them to bring more affordable homes to Coalville, near the historic colliery which is an important link to the town’s past.”

“The new housing scheme will provide a range of low cost house styles, from one bedroom single person units to two, three and four bedroom family accommodation, which will help bring affordable homes to Coalville.

“The site is ideal for residential development because of its proximity to local amenities, including schools and supermarkets, and of course Snibston Discovery Park itself, as well as nearby connections to the M1, which make it a great location for commuters and families.”

Jim Patman, Executive Director of Development for emh group, said, “Coalville is a town with a proud heritage and a strong identity, and the affordable homes we will be building on the site will provide a boost for the local community and allow more people to live and work there who may not otherwise be able to.”

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Markfield plot for two dwellings OPEN HOUSE Estate Agents are offering for sale a plot of land with planning consent for 2 two-bed link-detached properties with two designated parking within the conservation area of Markfield.

Offers over £100,000 are invited.

For details, contact Open House on 0115 735 1735 or email: ryan. tibbs@localagent.co.uk

Development opportunity in Loughborough JAMES SELLICKS Estate Agents are offering for sale a two storey detached property with planning consent for conversion to 5 dwellings.

The property - Tatmarsh House, 2 Gladstone Avenue, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1NP - is offered at a guide price of £300,000.

For more information, contact James Sellicks on 0116 285 4554 or email: leicester@jamessellicks.com

Building plot in Loughborough FRECKELTONS are offering for sale a single building plot with outline planning permission (ref: P/14/1450/2) for a detached dwelling.

The plot - at the rear of 83 Byron Street, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 5JN - measures 65 feet deep by 35 feet wide.

The price guide is £80,000.

For full particulars, contact Freckeltons on 01509 214564 or vist the website at www.freckeltons.com

I live in fear that one day the real ‘Worl’d Greatest Dad’ is going to show up to reclaim his rightful mug.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

£1.1m grant for Greyfriars revamp

British Property Federation

PROPERTIES in Leicester’s historic Greyfriars area are set to benefit from a major improvement scheme following a successful city council bid for over £1milllion from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Leicester City Council will receive a grant of £1.1milllion from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Townscape Heritage programme to help restore and regenerate buildings in the Greyfriars conservation area.

The project – called the Greyfriars Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) – will see at least 20 of the most important historic buildings in the area around Leicester Cathedral shortlisted for grants to help pay for repair and restoration.

Property owners and leaseholders and leaseholders will be able to apply for financial support to repair building frontages, to reinstate lost architectural features such as original windows, fencing and decorative masonry, or to bring empty floor space back into use.

The city council has committed £450,000 of capital funding set aside for the Leicester Economic Action Plan to support the project.

The five-year programme will focus on buildings inn New Street, Millstone Lane, Friar Lane, Wycliffe Street and parts of St Martins and Peacock Lane.

There will also be a programme of events and activities to promote a wider understanding of the history of the area and its buildings The Greyfriars THI will tie in with the city council’s Connecting Leicester programme, which was seen the construction of Cathedral Gardens, Jubilee Square, improvements to Guildhall Lane and Applegate and the creation of the new King Richard III Visitor Centre.

I’m going to retire and live off my life savings. What I’ll do the second week, I have no idea.

BPF supports calls for government to introduce brownfield land remediation fund

Development Property IN BRIEF

Residential development land in Forest Town, Notts.

The British Property Federation (BPF) has backed calls for the government to create a remediation fund for development on brownfield land, which it says would provide a boost to the property industry.

A Select Committee report into the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) suggests that the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) establish a fund to enable the remediation of brownfield sites and set out a prospectus for how this fund will operate.

Property developers often find building on brownfield land challenging as bringing it back in to use can be prohibitively expensive. Government support would unlock a number of sites for much-needed development.

Further recommendations which the BPF welcomed include the need for local authorities to recognise the importance of timely infrastructure provision to delivering sustainable development, and the importance of having a local plan in place.

The BPF was also pleased to see that the report recommends that all councils should review the size and boundaries of their green belts.

Giving evidence to the CLG Select Committee’s enquiry into the operation of the NPPF earlier this year, the BPF’s chief executive Liz Peace recommended “a serious examination of the possibility of being more flexible about using the Green Belt”, which she said could be used to help supply housing and tackle problems such as traffic and sustainability.

In her evidence, Peace also warned that further changes made to the framework could be detrimental to its implementation, which is reflected in the report’s recommendation that the NPPF should be allowed to ‘bed-in’ fully before any major overhauls take place.

She said: “We warmly welcome this report, and the Committee’s extensive and thorough approach to all areas of this fundamental bedrock of the planning system. In particular, we support calls for a fund for land remediation to encourage sustainable development on brownfield sites be created. We are also pleased to see it encourage local authorities to review their green belt boundaries so as to ensure changes are properly considered, as this also has a part to play in solving the housing crisis.

“That local authorities should give proper consideration to the infrastructure needs of their area, and should plan appropriately and consider a timetable for delivery, is also very sensible.

“Crucially, the report recognises that the NPPF should not be dismantled but tweaked round the edges, and that a proper evidence base be established in order to make the right amendments in the future. We urge this Government to take on board the quick wins and for this process to be continued post-election.”

My five year plan? I don’t even have a five minute plan.

WA BARNES are offering for sale a 1.1 acre parcel of residential development land located to the rear of 66-70 Clipstone Road West, Forest Town, Nottinghamshire.

The land slopes down from Clipstone Road West and comprises garden land belonging to 66, 68 & 70 Clipstone Road West.

Outline planning permission was granted by Ashfield District Council for residential development on 5th December 2007 under planning reference number 2007/0843/NT. The site owners have constructed a strip foundation in respect of part of one of the proposed dwellings.

The agents understand that such works have been approved by Mansfield District Council and, as such, the planning consent is extant (still valid).

Mansfield District Council subsequently granted approval of reserved matters on 14th february 2011 (ref: 2010/0798/NT).

Offers in the region of £385,000 are invited.

For more information, contact W A Barnes on 01623 554084 or email: sales@wabarnes.co.uk

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

No one makes a bigger deal about driving to work than fire trucks.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Deadline 9th Jan

Are you looking to expand your business and recruit in the New Year?

If so, the Step-Up employment initiative hosted by Leicester City Council could provide you a solution by offering a financial incentive of £3750 or £5700 towards the wage costs of a 6 or 9 month contract, for recruiting unemployed people (aged 18-24).

The Step-Up scheme is now seeking expressions of interest from Leicester based employers who can provide real work opportunities for 18-24 year olds within the following employment sectors: Distribution and Logistics; Food and Drink Manufacturing; Environmental Technologies; Construction; Tourism and Hospitality; Space and Aerospace; Care Services; High-Tech Manufacturing; Business and Financial Services; Creative Design, Media and Performing Arts and Knowledge Based sectors.

You will be required to pay at least the National Minimum Wage and contracts need to be for a minimum of 16 - 30 hours.

A simple application process is provided and the expression of interest form can be downloaded from the website at www.leicester. gov.uk/step-up Deadline: Funds are limited and Expression of Interest Forms must be submitted no later than 9 January 2015.

Contact Mahendra Patel Tel: 0116 454 2943 or mahendra.patel@ leicester.gov.uk

Learning on the job with help from homebuilder David Wilson Homes, has teamed up with local universities across the country to offer students first-hand business experience in the construction industry.

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

Published on 1st of each month. Copy Deadline: 15th of each month

Development Property IN BRIEF

Scalford plot: £100k BENTONS Estate Agents are offering for sale a building plot with outline planning consent for a two storey detached cottage style property.

Lucy King (20) is one of 21 interns who have been taken on nationally by the homebuilder and its sister company Barratt Homes this year. She is currently working alongside the experienced marketing team at Bardonbased David Wilson Homes East Midlands to gain an insight into the homebuilding industry.

Lucy, who is originally from Coventry, is currently studying Advertising and Marketing Communications at De Montfort University in ENJOYING LEARNING: Lucy King Leicester. She said, “I applied for a marketing internship with - marketing intern at David Wilson David Wilson Homes because Homes East Midlands it was a great opportunity to get experience working in a fast-paced environment within a large and renowned company “I’m really enjoying learning about the digital marketing side of things and it’s also great to get out on site and meet all the different teams of people working together towards a common goal. I feel like I’ve learned so much already and I can’t wait to see where this internship takes me.”

The internship scheme is now in its second year following the success of last year’s intake of students who have now returned to De Montfort University for their final year of studies. It was introduced as part of the Barratt Group pledge to take on 1,100 trainees over the next three years.

John Reddington, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said, “At David Wilson Homes we are absolutely committed to developing raw talent and I believe that we have a duty to provide these kinds of internship opportunities.

“We strive to reward excellence and to encourage progression within the company, which is why so many of the people who join us at this early stage choose to stay with us for a number of years, often rising right the way up through to Senior Management positions.”

“As a company, we benefit from the knowledge and creativity students like Lucy bring to the table. With her enthusiasm and determination, she is already proving to be an excellent addition to our marketing team.

Leicestershire Builder Magazine

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The 0.25 acre plot - at New Street, Scalford, Leicestershire LE14 4DP - has planning consent for a detached two storey cottage style dwelling and a new driveway providing off road hardstanding and a turning area.

Two further off road parking spaces will need to be created for the adjacent cottages and the wall of the garden of No. 5 fronting New Street will have to be realigned to provide adequate visibility space.

The Outline Planning Consent, application number 12/00864/ OUT can be found on the Melton Borough Council Web Site.

The asking price is £100,000.

For more information, contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@bentons.co.uk

Site for 7 plots in Shepshed ALEXANDERS Estate Agents are offering for sale a development site for 7 plots at Brick Kiln Lane, Shepshed.

The asking price is £850,000.

For more details, contact Alexanders on 01509 861 222 or email: lbrsales@alexanders-estates. com I’m exhausted. I spent all day saying “no” to my children and “yes” to my wife.

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.

For details of our Advertising Rates: visit www.buildermagazines.co.uk

For years I thought hitchhikers were complimenting my driving.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

A new home from a derelict property A semi derelict property in Hinckley has been transformed into a warm, welcoming home by the Borough Council as part of a government-funded scheme to bring empty homes back into use.

Council to do more with local firms MORE help to encourage local firms to do business with Leicester City Council has been outlined in a new action plan.

The ‘Procurement Delivery Plan 2014-2015’ updates on progress made to give small local suppliers more opportunities to bid for businesses with the city council, and sets out keys aims and actions for the next year.

It is part of ongoing work kickstarted by the City Mayor’s local procurement task force which was set up to explore how the city council could support Leicester’s economy by ensuring that local businesses and voluntary sector organisations were able to tender for its work.

This has led to changes in the authority’s tendering process which have made it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to pitch to supply goods and services to the council.

Since April 2013, 350 council contracts worth a total of almost £10milllion have been won by small local suppliers. This represents around 80 per cent of the city council contracts advertised on Source Leicestershire, the local procurement website.

Over the next few months, the city council will introduce new procedures to open up more sub-contracting opportunities within major construction projects and break down opportunities into smaller contracts where appropriate.

It will also offer early notice of forthcoming contracts to local businesses and provide feedback to unsuccessful bidders on how they can improve future tenders.

The next event is due to take place at the newly refurbished City Hall, 115 Charles Street, on Wednesday, 4 February, 2015.

The terraced house on London Road in Hinckley had been empty for 15 years and had fallen into such a state of disrepair that the owner was unable to renovate the property for sale or let.

The private sector housing team contacted the owner who agreed to allow the council to renovate the property inside and out. In return the owner gained a long term lease while the council gained a property under the scheme that benefits people in need of accommodation.

The Borough Council’s scheme – called Tailored Housing Solutions – uses government funding to tackle the current housing shortage by bringing houses that have been empty for more than six months back into use.

Under the scheme, owners are able to lease their empty properties to the council for a minimum period of five years up to a maximum of 10 years. During this time they will receive a guaranteed set rent from the council.

Throughout the duration of the lease the council will take care of all repairs and maintenance at the property and ensure that it is handed back to the owner in a good state of repair at the end of the lease.

The London Road property was in need of repair and improvement works, but the council was still able to go ahead by agreeing the works and assisting with the repairs using the council’s appointed contractors.

The cost of any repair works are spread out across the lease period and deducted from the guaranteed rent paid to the owner. The council will then manage the tenants and maintain the property throughout the whole lease period on the owner’s behalf.

The house on London Road is one of five properties in the borough the council has renovated and brought back into use so far through this scheme, and more properties are still required. Anyone who is finding their empty property difficult to sell or doesn’t wish to manage a private rental is encouraged to contact the Private Sector Housing Team at the council to find out more.

Councillor Michael Mullaney, Executive Member responsible for Housing, said: “This scheme is doing great work by converting empty, derelict houses and bringing them back into use as homes. I look forward to more empty homes in the Borough being put back into use like this one.”

For more information contact the Private Sector Housing Team on 01455 255734.

Are you selling development properties or building plots?

Send details to us and we’ll mention them FREE in the next issue.

Email particulars to: info@buildermagazines.co.uk and we’ll do the rest!

Development Property IN BRIEF

Syston premises with potential for redevelopment

MATHER JAMIE are offering for sale a substantial two-storey factory building suitable for owner occupation or redevelopment.

The property - at Cross Street, Syston, Leicester - is steel frames with brickwork elevations.

The factory has pillar support at ground and first floor, solid concrete flooring and steel roller shutter loading access doors providing both level and tailgate loading.

There is an unused goods lift (currently not operational) plus male and female wcs.

Internal clearance at ground floor is 2.5 to 3m and at first floor 2.4m.

The total gross internal area is 20,182 sq.feet.

With good natural light, the factory space would suit a variety of users, or the site offers for redevelopment into smaller business style units, or residential redevelopment, subject to planning. Offers are invited in excess of £400,000.

For more information, contact Alex Reid at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email: alex.reid@ matherjamie.co.uk

The holiday season is a time for family ... but let’s try to enjoy it anyway.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

I used to dress off the peg, but now my neighbours take their washing in at night.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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UK House prices to increase by 3% in 2015 Social housing RICS annual housing market forecast • House prices to increase by 3% • Cost of renting to grow by 2% • Sales transactions to edge up to 1.25 million • Housing starts* to climb to 155,000 in England • Mortgage repossessions to fall to 20,000

development in Alvaston

Overview House prices in the UK will see an average increase of three percent over the course of next year, bolstered by recent changes to Stamp Duty, continuing demand and lack of supply of property, according to the RICS housing forecast for 2015.

The forecast looks ahead to the next 12 months, across all parts of the housing market, from house prices, sales, rents and housing starts and repossession levels.

House prices Across the UK, RICS expect all parts of the country to see modest price rises during 2015, at an average of three percent. Meanwhile, the South West, Wales and London will experience the lowest rises with prices increasing by two percent and zero percent respectively.

Having outperformed in the early stages of the recovery, chartered surveyors reported London’s housing market was ‘pausing for breath’ both in terms of pricing and activity towards the end of 2014. This does however mask significantly different behaviour across different parts of the capital and is reflected in the RICS forecast with the eastern boroughs and some other non-prime areas still likely to see more buoyant market conditions persist through 2015.

Rents The growth in rental demand softened in the early part of 2014 as the sales market began to recover across the UK, and potential purchasers took advantage of the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme.

However, enquiries to rent property have begun to pickup once again and comfortably outstrip new supply of rental property from landlords. As a result,

we expect rents to continue pushing upwards over the next twelve months, to a two per cent increase in rents. Chartered surveyors suggesting that the strongest rises are likely to be recorded in the South West and the North East of England. Rents in the capital are likely to rise broadly in line with the national average.

Sales transactions The number of sales transactions should see a further increase during 2015, moving up to 1.25m (from 1.22m in 2014).

Although there are some concerns about mortgage availability in the wake of the Mortgage Market Review, a firm economy and stamp duty reform should underpin activity levels. Although this figure represents an improvement on the past few years, to put this in context, in 2006 total transactions stood well above at 1.67m.

Housing starts Lack of supply to the housing market remains a running trend, and one that cannot be addressed fast enough.

However, we are seeing increasing levels of house building projects underway, and as a result, RICS forecast housing starts to rise to 155,000 in England during the year.

This is compared to 125,000 in 2013 and only around 100,000 in 2012.

While this is an encouraging trend, it is still insufficient to address the more rapid growth in population and will leave significant shortfalls in all tenures.

Repossessions The number of houses taken into possession are expected to have fallen in 2014 to around 23,000, the lowest since 2006.

Given the current macroeconomic picture, RICS anticipates that this

could decline to below 20,000 over the course of the next twelve months, particularly as around ninety percent of new loans are being taken out on fixed rates, which provide some degree of protection against any adverse interest rate changes.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist, commented: “2014 was a significant year for the property market as a more broadly based recovery took hold. Help to Buy funding helped to support the turnaround alongside the more positive trend in the wider economy.

“Although the MMR may now be resulting in mortgage lenders being a little more discriminating in the supply of finance, the recently announced, and long overdue reform of stamp duty, is likely to provide a tonic for the market across many parts of the country, particularly for first-time buyers.

That said, the bigger affordability issue is not going to go away highlighting just how important it is to speed up the supply pipeline of new homes over the coming years’’ Jeremy Blackburn, RICS Head of UK Policy, added: “The political ambition to meet the UK’s housing deficit of 240,000 means that debates around planning, development and delivery will monopolise the pre-election period in the run up to May 2015.

“We’ve seen four housing ministers in this Parliament and there is no reason to think that housing won’t continue to be a political football in the next. What we need is certainty, clarity and confidence from government to keep us building homes. Reforms to Stamp Duty should underpin public confidence and lead to a greater number of housing transactions and we would now look to any future government to review Council Tax.

I’m sorry to disappoint you, but it’s my default setting.

BB&J Commercial Property Consultants are offering for sale a social housing development site at Lilac Court, Lilac Close, Alvaston, Derby DE24 0JF. The site comprises an irregular parcel of land currently made up of garages and gardens formerly associated with 103 and 105 Boulton Lane.

The site has outline planning permission (ref: 01/13/00055) for residential development and an indicative layout plan has been produced by Dickinson Building Design Ltd which shows 9 twostorey units.

Offers in the order of £145,000 are invited.

For more information, contact Christopher Wright at BB&J on 01332 292825 or email: c.wright@ bbandj.co.uk

Strategic Residential Development Opportunity Shardlow Hall, London Road, Shardlow, Shardlow, Derbyshire, DE72 2GP Mather Jamie are seeking developer/promoter interest in the Shardlow Hall site with a view to securing an option/promotion agreement for residential development in accordance with a development brief, prepared by Pegasus Planning.

For further information please contact either Robert Cole or Gary Kirk at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Builders’ Problems SOLVED

Contracting under the NEC3 form Problem: I work as a quantity surveyor for a mediumsized ground works company based on the borders of Leicestershire and Warwickshire.

Our work is focussed on the industrial and commercial sector and as the economy has picked up over the past 12 months or so, we have started to receive enquiries for larger projects, and recently we have secured our biggest ever contract.

As the company quantity surveyor, I have been tasked to ensure that I am familiar with the terms and conditions of the contract, especially as to payment applications and the procedure for changes. However, the contract referred to is the Engineering and Construction Subcontract, which I am totally unfamiliar with. I have gone through the terms, but I am totally flummoxed by such references as early warning notices, compensation events and core and Z clauses. Even trying to understand how to agree variations is alien to me. Are you familiar with this contract and if so, can you give me any advice?

Sandeep, Wigston

Response: Hello Sandeep.

The contract you have mentioned is more known as the NEC3, with the latest edition being April 2013. If you have never procured a construction or engineering project under a NEC contract, it can be quite daunting at first, especially if you are more familiar with, say, a JCT contract.

The NEC contract was designed some 20 years ago, and was intended to encourage a more consensual approach to the procurement of a project. One of the main areas of disputes in building projects are fall-outs over changes and whilst most forms of standard building contracts, such as a the JCT, allow the changes to be retrospectively claimed, the NEC3

‘forces’ the parties to agree to the impact of any changes as work proceeds. Thus, every time there is a change (which is referred to as a compensation event), the project’s final account is agreed – in theory!

In addition, the NEC3 also makes it a requirement for the contractor to issue an advance warning notice to the project’s engineer if it foresees something that may cause a change in the prices, or delay to the project. I summarise some of the main points in the NEC3: • Key dates: The contract allows for key dates to be included in the subcontract data and there are financial remedies available to the contractor if the subcontractor defaults in achieving such dates.

Equally, contractor’s changes to a key date qualify as a compensation event.

• Risk register: This is

Have your say on budget proposals Leicestershire residents have until January 12th to comment on the county council’s latest budget proposals.

The council needs to save £91 million over the next four years and has proposals to cover £82 million of this – including cuts to bus subsidies, household waste sites and community museums and a 1.5 per cent Council Tax each year. This leaves a £9 million shortfall.

Council leader Nick Rushton encouraged people to complete the consultation form. He said: “We will have to take very tough decisions, unless we receive extra Government grant. We are the lowest funded county council – if we received the average level, we’d get an extra £37 million per year.”

The council’s cabinet will consider the consultation findings before the full council finalises the budget on February 18th.

To read a summary of the budget situation and complete the consultation form, please visit www.leics.gov.uk/budgetconsultation

a register based upon risks listed in the subcontract data (there are 2 data’s – part 1 and part 2). This register must be kept updated under the early warning procedure.

• Notices: No change to the subcontract has effect unless it has been confirmed in writing and signed by the parties, and each and every notice issued must be separate.

• Early warning notices: The subcontractor is required to issue early warning notices that flag up possible future problems which are then entered in the risk register by the contractor. Either party can call a risk reduction meeting, at the end of which the contractor must update the register to record the decisions taken.

• Prevention clause: There is a term that caters for the effect of intervening circumstances which neither party could prevent.

• Compensation events: This is changes to the contract. The maximum period allowed to the subcontractor for notification of a compensation event is seven weeks, after which period the subcontractor will be barred from making a claim. The contract also allows the parties to agree to the price of any changes, or alternatively, there is also a mechanism for the valuing of changes.

• Adjudication: There are two options available, with W2 being for works covered by the Construction Act. • X-clauses: These are the secondary option (albeit important) clauses, and includes such terms as price adjustment for inflation, limitation on liability and delay

Michael P. Gerard Author background Michael is a Practising Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Builder, Registered Construction Adjudicator & Accredited Expert in quantum and planning matters.

He is Managing Director of Michael Gerard & Co., and a Consultant Solicitor with Edward Hands & Lewis, based in Leicestershire. damages.

• Z-clauses: These are additional clauses that can be selected to be incorporated into the contract if appropriate.

I would however suggest that you enrol yourself on an NEC 3 course, which I have no doubt you will benefit from. © Michael P. Gerard The advice provided is intended to be of a general guide only and should not be viewed as providing a definitive legal analysis.

Prominent roadside development opportunity in Leicester INNES ENGLAND are offering for sale a 0.27 acre city centre site with prominent 224 foot frontage onto St George’s Way (A594), which forms part of Leicester’s inner ring road.

The site currently comprises a car repair workshop with a gross internal floor area of approx 2,650 sq.feet, with associated car parking and additional land suitable for car sales.

Offers in the region of £595,000 are invited for the freehold.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Peter Doleman at Innes England on 0116 254 5455 or email: pdoleman@innes-england.com

I don’t flirt with disaster. It’s more of a long-term relationship.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

I’d try to look on the bright side more often, but it hurts my eyes.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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I met this girl who asked me to paint the town with her. It turned out it was part of her community service.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Remodelling

Protect planning departments

New George Clarke series on Channel 4

Council planning budgets should be ring fenced

Channel 4 features has commissioned betty and Amazing Productions to make Ugly House (working title) a radical six part design series, hosted by expert architect George Clarke.

The series will champion the power of great architecture to transform undervalued and unloved British housing stock into exciting spaces in which to live.

In each programme, innovative and awarding-winning architects will grapple with an “ugly” house and remodel it into a home that works and excites the owners. The results will be surprising, inspiring, and challenge our ideas about how we live in the 21st century.

Big transformations will be underpinned by a sense of real and positive social purpose, sticking to average budgets of around £50,000.

With the property market growing increasingly competitive, this isn’t about redeveloping your house for profit and selling it on so you can upscale. This is about loving the house you live in - and reimagining what you can afford in an amazing new light, with the help of some of the UK’s finest architectural minds.

For a young generation, who thought they would never be able to afford their own home, this series will inspire them to look at a whole swathe of housing stock in a brand new way. Ex-local authority properties, for example, can be significantly cheaper than comparable private properties and, with a little ingenuity and help from an architect, they can be transformed into dream homes.

Whether the property needs reconfiguring to meet the needs of a modern family or redesigning to transform an eyesore into a home the owners can be proud of, the show will help people to completely re-imagine their houses.

Ugly House also gives major architects the chance to give back and work on domestic projects with small budgets like they did in the early days of their careers.

All the plans and details from the series will available on Channel4. com so viewers too, can draw inspiration from the six great architects in the series, to create their own imaginative homes.

Commissioning Editor, Kate Teckman, said: “Our ambition is to blow the doors off the design potential of ‘ordinary’ British housing and make people fall in love with the home they can afford and not waste their lives dreaming about the ones they can’t”.

Council planning departments should be treated as front line services and protected from local authority spending cuts, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Commenting on the recommendations of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee Report on the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “The Committee is right to stress the importance of maintaining adequate levels of investment in planning departments. Although councils are under a great deal of financial pressure, with more cuts to come, there are some areas which must be prioritised over others and planning is one of them. Our country is in the midst of a crippling housing crisis and if we are ever to start building enough new homes, we need planning departments to be sufficiently resourced to ensure these homes can be built.”

Berry concluded: “I am also pleased that the Committee recognises that although the NPPF is not perfect, it merely requires some adjustment and not a complete overhaul. The last thing we need is for next government to embark on another major review of the planning system as the one we currently have is broadly speaking working fairly well. Another major planning review could act as a barrier to small house builders at the very time government wants them to increase their delivery of new homes. As the Committee points out, it’s still early days for the NPPF but what’s clear is the positive impact a simplified planning system can have.”

New development in Humberstone Hazelton Homes has started work on a new development in Humberstone near Leicester.

Vicarage Gardens, on Vicarage Lane, will be an exclusive development which will be home to just 11 new houses once complete, including both three and four bedroom houses.

Hazelton Homes Commercial Director, Richard Hazelton, The first homes are set at Vicarage Gardens in Humberstone, Leicester, where to be made available work is underway to build 11 homes in the new year.

Work was held up while ecologists relocated anthills, frogs, toads and newts to nearby Humberstone Community Gardens. Now they are safely in their new home, construction is pressing ahead.

• Hazelton Homes will also be developing the former Towers Hospital in Humberstone. A planning application was granted by Leicester City Council to convert the Victorian building into a development of elegant townhouses. An additional 29 four and five-bedroom homes will be built within the former hospital grounds. The development will be named Hine Park, after George Hine, the architect who designed the hospital.

These two developments are the company’s latest venture into the vicinity of Leicester city centre. The third phase of work at Wheatsheaf Works, the renovation of the iconic Co-Operative Boot and Shoe factory in Knighton, began last month. This phase will transform the Grade II listed building into a variety of chic apartments and townhouses.

15

Development Property IN BRIEF

Whitwick plot: £100k FOSTER CORLEY Estate Agents are asking £100,000 for a single building plot at Church Lane, Whitwick.

The 0.5 acre site has Outline Planning Permission for a twostorey dwelling.

For more information, contact Foster Corley on 01530 812001 or email: coalville@fostercorley.co.uk

Glenfield plot HARRISON MURRAY are offering for sale a building plot at Glenfield Frith Drive, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8AA. The plot comprises part of the rear gardens of 2 and 4 Clovelly Road, Glenfield but has full 16.6 metre frontage to Glenfield Frith Drive.

Outline planning permission was granted by Blaby District Council on 11th October 2011 for the erection of single storey dwelling (ref: 11/0491/1/OOXX. The asking price is £70,000.

For more information, contact Harrison Murray on 0116 247 1787 or email: commercial@ harrisonmurray.co.uk

Fire Station for sale by auction LOVEITTS Estate Agents are offering for sale BY AUCTION the Former Fire Station at Heath Lane, Brinklow, Near Rugby CV23 0NR. The 0.165 acre site is currently occupied by the former Brinklow Fire Station, which was closed in 2011. Immediately adjacent to the site is Popppy Close, which comprises a select development of five executive detached homes, one of which is under construction.

Planning permission was granted on 18th September 2012 for the erection of 3 detached dwellings together with associated access, landscaping and work.

NOTE: only the land with two plots is being sold - the third plot is being completed by the current owner.

For sale by Public Auction (subject to prior sale and conditions) at Village Urban Resort, Dolomite Avenue, Canley, Coventry CV4 9GZ on Thursday 5th February 2015 at 6.30pm (doors open at 5.30pm).

The Guide price is £225,000£250,000. For more information, contact Loveitts on 024 7652 7789 or email: auctions@loveitts.co.uk

Once you start talking to dogs, it’s almost impossible to go back to people.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

January 2015 Thursday 29th January - GRAHAM PENNY - King Power Stadium, Leicester - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Thursday 29 January 2015 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 - www. savills.co.uk/auctions

February 2015 Friday 6th February - GRAHAM PENNY - Nottingham Racecourse, Nottingham - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Thursday 19th February 2015 GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Tuesday 24 February 2015 COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk

March 2015 Wednesday 11 March 2015 - SHONKI BROS - at The King Power Stadium, The Gallery, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL - 5pm start - tel: 0116 255 7573 or email: info@shonkibros.com

Auction Diary 2015 The Gallery, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL - 5pm start tel: 0116 255 7573 or email: info@shonkibros.com Thursday 14 May 2015 - SAVILLS at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 - www. savills.co.uk/auctions

June 2015 Wednesday 3 June 2015 - COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk Thursday 4th June 2015 - GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Tuesday 23rd June - GRAHAM PENNY - King Power Stadium, Leicester 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

July 2015

Thursday 19th March - GRAHAM PENNY - King Power Stadium, Leicester - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

Wednesday 8 July 2015 - SHONKI BROS - at The King Power Stadium, The Gallery, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL - 5pm start - tel: 0116 255 7573 or email: info@shonkibros.com

Thursday 26 March 2015 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 - www. savills.co.uk/auctions

Thursday 9 July 2015 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 - www. savills.co.uk/auctions

Friday 27 March - GRAHAM PENNY Nottingham Racecourse, Nottingham - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

Friday 10th July - GRAHAM PENNY Nottingham Racecourse, Nottingham - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

April 2015

Tuesday 14 July 2015 - COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk

Thursday 10th April 2015 - GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Thursday 16 April 2015 - COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk

May 2015 Thursday 7th May - GRAHAM PENNY - King Power Stadium, Leicester 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

Tuesday 21st July 2015 - GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

August Thursday 13th August - GRAHAM PENNY - King Power Stadium, Leicester - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

September 2015

Friday 8th May - GRAHAM PENNY - East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

Thursday 3 September 2015 SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 www.savills.co.uk/auctions

Wednesday 13 May 2015 - SHONKI BROS - at The King Power Stadium,

Tuesday 8th September - GRAHAM

PENNY - Nottingham Racecourse, Nottingham - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Thursday 10 September 2015 COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk Thursday 10th September 2015 GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

October 2015 Thursday 1st October - GRAHAM PENNY - King Power Stadium, Leicester - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Wednesday 14 October 2015 SHONKI BROS - at The King Power Stadium, The Gallery, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL - 5pm start - tel: 0116 255 7573 or email: info@ shonkibros.com Thursday 15 October 2015 COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk Thursday 22nd October 2015 GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Thursday 22 October 2015 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 - www. savills.co.uk/auctions

November 2015 Tuesday 3rd November - GRAHAM PENNY - Nottingham Racecourse, Nottingham - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Wednesday 18th November GRAHAM PENNY - King Power Stadium, Leicester - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com

December 2015 Thursday 3 December 2015 COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk Wednesday 9th December 2015 - GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Wednesday 9 December 2015 SHONKI BROS - at The King Power Stadium, The Gallery, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL - 5pm start - tel: 0116 255 7573 or email: info@ shonkibros.com Tuesday 15th December - GRAHAM PENNY - Nottingham Racecourse, Nottingham - 11.30am start

Decision over future of golf courses ONE of two city councilrun golf courses will close and investment made to ensure the remaining one can stay open, under plans announced recently.

Leicester City Council has decided that its Western Park Golf Course will be closed, with investment instead made to improve and continue running the larger golf facilities at Humberstone Heights.

Both golf courses are heavily subsidised by the city council, and last year cost the authority about £186,000 a year to run – making them by far the most heavily subsidised sports facilities the council runs.

A series of public consultations have taken place during 2014 into proposals for the future of the two clubs. Despite considerable public support for keeping both clubs open, the council cannot continue to run services in the same way it does now due to large cuts in Government funding, meaning considerable savings are needed.

In addition, Leicester City Council has accepted a nomination from Glenfield Parish Council to list Western Park Golf Course as an asset of community value, meaning that if the city council decides to sell the site within the next five years, community organisations would be given time to prepare bids which would then be considered alongside other commercial offers.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: “We’ve looked long and hard at the finances involved and we simply can’t continue to subsidise them in the way we have in the past.

“We’ve considered factors such as the club membership, facilities and future financial viability in reaching this decision. We have considered all options and ideas which have been put forward.

“We spend about £2.9million a year on our sports services, including eight sports centres, an athletics stadium, and a package of community sports development events, but golf courses are by far the most heavily subsidised of them all, and Western Park Golf Course in particular.

“For example, in 2012 it cost the council £5.47 for every visit to Western Park Golf Course, compared to £2.17 per visit to Humberstone Heights.

“Inevitably there was considerable public support for us to continue running both of these golf courses but doing nothing is not an option.

By closing the Western Park course we can now invest in Humberstone Heights to safeguard its future.”

There’s nothing sexier than a woman who doesn’t find me repulsive.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

RICS UK Residential Market Survey, November 2014

Stamp Duty reform set to bolster sales

House price growth in November dipped for the sixth consecutive month, but Stamp Duty reforms see surveyors forecasting a sales boost of between 2-5%, according to the latest RICS Residential Market Survey.

Despite 15% more surveyors reporting a decline in new buyer enquiries and a fourth consecutive fall in supply to the market, surveyors are expecting more house sales in response to the reforms, although expectations in the capital were more muted.

As speculation continues over how much the new changes will encourage existing property owners to put properties on the market, the reforms come in a month that saw house price growth fall to its slowest pace since May 2013 (a 13% net balance) and the number of houses for sale per branch fall back to its second lowest reading of 56.

It was also clear from member comments that uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the forthcoming general election is providing potential purchasers with a reason to sit on their hands and new buyer enquiries have now declined for five consecutive months.

Transactions could increase by 5% in 2015 Across the UK, price growth was strongest in Scotland and the South West (both a net balance of 37%) and weakest in the North of England and London.

Meanwhile in the rental market, tenant demand was steady in November, but landlord instructions declined for the eighth successive month and member’ forecasts for rent over the next 12 months now stand at 2%.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist, said: “The Stamp Duty reform could reverse the softer trend in buyer enquiries that has been visible in recent months but a critical issue in terms of how it plays out with prices is whether it also encourages more vendors to consider putting their properties back onto the market. The expectation from members that transactions could increase by up to 5% over the next year on the back of this measure suggests that there is a belief that supply will indeed respond to the tax change. This is all the more important given that the latest RICS data suggests that the average level of inventory on surveyors’ books is close to a historic low.”

Jeremy Blackburn, Head of Policy at RICS, said: “It’s no surprise that surveyors are expecting an uplift in the market in response to the long overdue reforms to the stamp duty tax system which the Chancellor himself called ‘the most damaging tax of all’.

Removing the ‘dead zones’ will reduce the distortion in the market and ensure that those at the top end of the market will now contribute fairly, while those at the bottom will be given a fairer chance to get on the ladder.”

17

Development/ Investment Opportunity - with planning for 19 apartments INNES ENGLAND are offering for sale a 4,691 sq.foot single storey industrial premises, constructed in two bays of brickwork under a pitched roof supported on steel trusses.

The property - at 101 Knighton Fields Road West, Leicester LE2 6LH - is currently let with an income of £20,620 p.a..

Planning permission has been granted for the construction of a three storey development with archway access through to a central courtyard area consisting of 19 apartments, with 13 car parking spaces.

Price on application - contact Peter Hotchin at Innes England on 0116 255 5455 or email: photchin@innes-england.com

Residential development opportunity in Breedon on the Hill MATHER JAMIE are offering for sale a part built development site with detailed planning consent allowing for 12 exclusive homes.

The site is located at Church View Lane, Breedon on the Hill, Leicestershire DE73 8AY. The vendor has advanced with construction of plots 1 & 2 which are completed to shell form. Plot numbers 3 to 14 (12 plots in total) are being offered as part of this sale, although plots 1 & 2 may be available to purchase in shell form by separate negotiation.

Offers are invited for the site as a whole. For more information, contact Robert Cole at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email: robert.cole@ matherjamie.co.uk

I was planning to get a flu shot until I found out it isn’t a kind of drink.

18

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Section 106 Abolished for Self Builders Homebuilding & Renovating and NaCSBA can claim a major success in their efforts to help self builders across the UK with news announced by DCLG. People building their own homes will now be exempt from Section 106 payments to local authorities, the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has announced. The exemption, originally announced last February, will come into force immediately and could affect hundreds of self builders currently going through the planning process.

Eric Pickles said: This will also be a massive boost to the self build and custom build sector. Overnight in many parts of England, it will be cheaper to build an extension, a family annex or just build your own home.”

Section 106 Agreements are designed to provide financial benefits for the local community from the granting of planning permission and have traditionally been used to extract incentives from developers. They may take the form of new playgrounds, road crossings and even schools, depending on the size of the development.

In recent years, however, many one-off self-builders have found that local authorities are demanding a payment under a 106 agreement before granting planning approval — often in the £1,000s. In one case a self builder was charged £140,000 (in Dorset) to build their own home.

“This is a massive boost for self and custom build in this country,” says Michael Holmes, Chair of the National Custom and Self Build Association, NaCSBA, which campaigned for the exemption. “To effectively tax people wishing simply to provide a home for their family with none of the profit motive enjoyed by developers was always, in our opinion, a misuse of Section 106s.

We can expect to see many more self builds start as a result of this announcement.”

Jason Orme, Editor of Homebuilding & Renovating, the UK’s best-selling magazine and website for self builders, welcomed the announcement, which took place at the Right to Build Summit at the House of Commons. “In other countries they incentivise people to build their own homes. This exemption will be a major boost to our readers and means that we are back to the position we were in the mid 2000s when self builders were not taxed. The Government has been a major positive force for anyone wishing to create their own home.”

The exemption for self builders (and anyone building less than 10 units) will come into force immediately. The call to exempt self builders from Section 106 was campaigned for jointly by NaCSBA and Homebuilding & Renovating.

Residential development opportunity in Loughborough MATHER JAMIE are offering for sale a 2.84 acre residential development opportunity at Warncliffe Road/Great Central Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1SN The cleared site has outline planning consent (ref: P/11/1305/2 dated 12th December 2012) for the erection of 27 houses and 74 apartments.

The Section 106 Agreement provides for 30% affordable housing: 75% for rent and 25% for shared ownership.

Contributions are also required towards healthcare, open space, civic amenity, library, travel packs and bus shelters.

For more information, contact Martin Ward at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email: martin.ward@matherjamie. co.uk

Leicester City Sangha Developments (c/o Agent: Swish Architecture Ltd, 27 Redland Drive, Chilwell, Nottingham NG9 5JZ) – Two storey and three storey building to provide 10 dwellings (Amended design) – at Glenfrith Farm, Lady Hay Road, Leicester.

Mr M T Khan (c/o Agent: Paul Cleaver Architect, 5 Wellington Street, Leicester LE1 6HH) – Change of use from 11 self-contained flats to 14 selfcontained flats, two storey extension at side and rear – at 14 Knighton Road, Leicester.

Holbrook News Ltd (c/o Agent: RG+P Ltd, 130 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7JA) - Change of use of part of ground floor from retail to one studio flat; change of use of first, second & third floors from 4 flats to 9 flats – at 114-114A London Road, Leicester.

London Metric Saturn Ltd (c/o Agent: Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners, 14 Regents Wharf, All Saints Street, London N1 9RL) – Two retail units – at Devonshire Road, Leicester.

Mr & Mrs S U Mamodo (c/o Agent: Kunstler Designs Architects, 31 Rutland Street, Leicester LE1 1RE) – Change of use from workshop to 3 two-bed flats – at 86 Arbour Road, Leicester.

XWR Ltd (c/o Agent: Nicholas Williams, NCW Architecture, 39 Holmdale Road, London NW6 1BJ) – Formation of 6 duplex apartments within former factory building partly converted to residential use under planning permission ref: 20130177 – at BL Scaffolding Ltd, Spa Buildings, Queen Street, Leicester.

Westleigh Partnerships Ltd (c/o Agent: Marrons Shakespeares, 1 Meridian South, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1WY) – Outline application for mixed use residential, consisting of 132 dwellings, and industrial development consisting of 7 industrial units – at Former Shield Engineering, Green Lane Road, Leicester.

Graftongate Developments & Blackrock Investment (c/o Agent: UMC Architects, Newark Beacon Innovation Centre, Cafferata Way, Newark, Notts. NG24 2TN) – Demolition of existing buildings, and industrial development – at Sunningdale Business Park, Sunningdale Road, Leicester.

Planning applications are continued on page 23 ...>

When one door closes, another one opens. I reallt should get this cabinet fixed.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Mr Farouk Alimohamed (c/o Agent: Daniel Curran, APT Design Ltd, 1st Floor, Anson House, Compass Point Business Park, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 9HW) – Erection of warehouse – at Lesta Packaging Ltd, 21 Nedham Street, Leicester.

Mr Harish Nagar (c/o Agent: ARC Design Ltd, 21 Houlditch Road, Leicester LE2 3FF) – Two storey extension at rear of factory – at 107 Dorothy Road, Leicester.

Next Construction Ltd (c/o Agent: Andrew Ward, RG+P Ltd, 130 New Walk, Leicester LE1 7JA) – Erection of 38 one-bed flats and a three-storey building – at Swithland Avenue (Land at rear of 2-44) and land at rear of 77-89 Abbey Park Road, Leicester.

Mr James Gadsby (c/o: ASRA Housing, 3 Bede Island Road, Leicester LE2 7EA) – Demolition of multi-storey block of flats – at The Leys, 70 Upper Temple Walk, Leicester.

Mr Jal Bains (c/o Agent: DT Designs Ltd, 74 Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Change of use of part of the house to 6 self-contained flats – at 52 Ratcliffe Road, Leicester.

Ask KD Ltd (c/o Agent: The Drawing Room (Architects) Ltd, 130 Moat Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2GE) – Change of use of first floor and two storey extension to public house and conversionand two storey extension to outbuilding at rearto create enlarged ground floor to public house, 4 studio flats and 6 one-bed flats – at 203 Narborough Road, Leicester.

Ms Amirah Kahn (c/o Agent: J Prosser, 19 Sunningdale Road, Coalville, Leicestershire LE67 4DS) – Single storey extension to side of day nursery – at Humberstone Park Day Nursery, 301 Uppingham Road, Leicester.

Cat Girl Ltd (c/o Agent: KMC Consultancy, 9 Southfields Drive, Leicester LE2 6QS) – First floor extension to factory – at 46 Chesterfield Road, Leicester.

Moody & Taylor Properties Ltd (c/o Agent: J Weekes, Aitchison Raffety, The Granary, Spring Hill Office Park, Harborough Road, Pitsford, Northampton NN6 9AA) – Change of use from office to 3 flats – at 10 Brunswick Street, Leicester.

Planning applications are continued on page 24 ...>

DEVELOPER SOUGHT FOR 170 HOMES IN NEW OLLERTON TWELVE acres of prime residential development land with planning consent in New Ollerton are being offered for sale by FHP Living.

The site, which has planning consent for 170 new homes, is centrally located and is very accessible via a number of main arterial routes including the A1.

Planning permission has been granted for 134 family houses, 23 bungalows and 27 apartments at the site, which neighbours an existing residential development and Tesco superstore.

Under the original consent, 14 units have been built with 170 remaining for further development in part or as a whole.

Associate director at FHP Living Ann Taylor is marketing the site, she said: “The housing market in the north of Nottinghamshire is active, with developers taking advantage of attractive land values and strong demand for new homes in the area – something this development will help to meet.

“This site provides a range of units and will therefore cater for both the indigenous population as well as purchasers who see this development as a perfect location for commuters.”

Established in 1996, Sherwood Energy Village has transformed the former colliery site into an award winning environmental enterprise park, comprising offices and some smaller commercial space.

“This site is located to the south east of the Energy Village, which in itself is an attractive park, coupled with the site’s proximity to the local retail and leisure offering and the existing residential environment, it makes this an attractive and versatile option for developers,” added Ann. “Ollerton’s central location, which provides easy access to a number of large towns and cities including Mansfield, Newark and Nottingham as well as areas of natural beauty locally such as Sherwood Forest and Rufford Country Park will undoubtedly prove popular with families and first time buyers alike.”

For more information or to arrange a viewing, contact Ann Taylor at FHP Living on 07557 972008 or email ann@fhpliving.co.uk.

23

Development Property IN BRIEF

Two plots in Cotgrave BENTONS Estate Agents are offering for sale BY TENDER two plots - as a whole or individually - at 21-23 Mill Lane, Cotgrave, Nottingham NG12 3HP. Planning consent was granted for the whole cul-de-sac development and these are the two last remaining building plots that were not constructed by the developers.

Interested parties are invited to submit their best offer in writing by 12 noon on Wednesday 12th March 2015.

The Guide Price is £250,000.

For more information, contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@bentons.co.uk

Development opportunity in Barlestone

ROY GREEN Estate Agents are offering for sale a former Methodist Church which has planning consent for 3 dwellings.

The property - at Newbold Road, Barlestone, Nuneaton, Warks. - is being offered at an asking price of £195,000.

For more information, contact Roy Green on 0116 235 3009 or email: office@roygreen.co.uk

More apprenticeships will mean more brickies A shortage of bricklayers must be addressed by an increase in the number of construction apprenticeships, according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Commenting on a study by Manpower which was published today, Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “This research is a timely reminder that government must put the right framework in place to encourage construction employers to train more apprentices. Our recent Q3 2014 State of Trade Survey shows that 41% of SME construction firms are struggling to hire bricklayers and this is up from 34% three months earlier. If skills shortages continue to increase at the same rate, it could undermine the surge in private house building.”

Berry continued: “To make matters worse, we are still unsure what action government is taking in terms of its apprenticeship funding reforms – an issue which has been rumbling on for more than two years. If the recently appointed Skills Minister Nick Boles implements the apprenticeship funding reforms as proposed, they will greatly detract from the ability and desire of small firms to train apprentices. As two-thirds of all construction apprentices are trained by micro-businesses – the very smallest of firms – this is very worrying indeed.”

Berry concluded: “The construction and house building industries are emerging from the deepest and longest recession we have ever faced but increasing workloads mean little if we don’t have enough skilled workers to carry out these new projects. Government must therefore make sure employers have every reason to increase the number of apprenticeship places they are offering or the construction industry, and the wider economy, will begin to flounder.”

Of all the possible utensils that could have been invented to eat rice with, how did two sticks win out?

24

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

New home planning permissions close to 200000 dwellings per annum But planning system needs to evolve to meet rising demand for new homes Figures released in HBF/Glenigan’s latest Housing Pipeline report show the moving annual total number of permissions being granted is now at 194,820 – well above the 120/130,000 levels of 2009.

But whilst the overall level of permissions now being granted remains at the highest level since 2008, a levelling off demonstrates the need for government to continue to monitor and seek further improvements to the planning system to ensure sites are brought through the system and into production more quickly.

Speeding up the rate at which permissions are granted is one of the keys to a significant, sustainable increase in housing supply. Too many sites are ‘stuck’ in the planning system, with an estimated 150,000 plots at ‘outline permission’ stage awaiting full sign off by local authorities. Local authorities must ensure their planning departments are adequately resourced so that applications can be processed efficiently and speedily and house builders can start work on new sites as soon as possible.

Adopted plan Since its introduction in 2012, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has helped ensure an increase in the number of local plans coming forward with allocations of land to meet housing needs. 60% of local authorities now have an adopted plan in place.

Where local authorities fail to meet their housing needs or keep plans up to date the NPPF provides a route for the Secretary of State

to step in and take decisions on applications. This clear and simple process has delivered ever increasing numbers of permissions since its publication in 2012.

As demand for new homes continues to increase – recently largely as a result of the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme – Government must keep up the pressure on local authorities, and continue to apply and review the NPPF to ensure the new higher level of demand is met with a commensurate increase in supply.

Speed up the process Figures in the latest report show a slight drop in the number of permissions for new homes granted in Q3 of this year, compared to Q3 2013: 41,746 permissions were granted in England, down from 44,251 in 2013. The majority of the fall has been in the affordable housing sector with just 3,908 dwelling permissions granted compared to 6,419 last year. Private permissions fell very slightly to 36,690 from 36,708.

As HBF has long stressed, in his Autumn Statement, Chancellor George Osborne acknowledged the need to make changes to the planning application process. His commitment to introduce new measures to speed up the time taken and reduce the cost of getting planning permissions must be delivered as soon as possible.

Similarly, the DCLG Select Committee report into the operation of the NPPF (published recently) concluded that the NPPF was the essential base from which consistent decision making could occur, delivering an increase in land for housing. The report has

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made some recommendations to tweak the NPPF to iron out some initial teething problems, but categorically states that fundamental changes to the NPPF are not only unnecessary but would be harmful to the emerging trend of positive planning reflected by the long term trends within HBF’s Housing Pipeline figures.

Stewart Baseley, Executive Chairman of the HBF, said; “Since its introduction, the NPPF has delivered steady increases in the number of planning permissions.

Allied to an increase in demand, primarily down to Help to Buy, this has enabled house builders to ramp up much needed housing delivery.

“Government cannot though be complacent. It is imperative it monitors the planning system closely and ensures it evolves so that it delivers planning permissions at the rate required to address our housing crisis.

Create jobs “We are still only building around half the number of new homes the country needs. Getting the required number of permissions, in a timely manner, is absolutely key to the industry’s ability to deliver. In addition more needs to be done to speed up the plots that are awaiting final approval to allow construction to commence.

“Increasing housing delivery will provide the high quality homes our next generation needs, support thousands of companies up and down the land and create tens of thousands of jobs.”

The HBF/Glenigan report is a strong forward indicator of future levels of home building. A large proportion of these homes will be built over the next two to three years. Builders are looking to start work on new sites as they build out their existing sites more quickly as demand for new homes increases, driven in particular by the Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme, but far too many sites are still stuck in the planning system.

Allan Wilén, Glenigan’s Economics Director said; “The flow of private sector projects remains firm. The current year has seen a number of larger schemes gaining approval and this has contributed to a 30% rise in the number of homes approved on private sector projects during the first nine months of 2014. In contrast, social housing approvals remain on a downward trend and tempered growth in overall planning approvals to 20% during the first nine months of this year.”

Mr Daljit Singh (c/o Agent: Volta Designs, Kemp House, 152 City Road, London EC1V 2NX) – Demolition of double garage and erection of three storey building containing 2 selfcontained flats – at 52 Browning Street, Leicester.

Hinckley & Bosworth The Crown Estate (c/o Agent: Helen Harris, Carter Jonas, 6 Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 1NH) – Formation of 5 new dwellings – at Bilstone Hill Farm, Twycross Lane, Bilstone, Nuneaton, Warks.

CV13 6ND. Davidsons Homes (c/o Agent: Debbie Farrington, Cerda Planning, Suite 322, 3rd Floor, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham B24 9FD) – Residential development for up to 120 dwellings, access, open space and associated works – at Ashfield Farm, Kirkby Road, Desford, Leicester LE9 9JX. Mr Steve Orton (c/o Agent: Lance Wiggins, Landmark Planning Ltd, 10 Salisbury Road, Leicester LE1 7QR) – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 12 dwellings – at 20 Shaw Lane, Markfield, Leics.

LE67 9PU. Mr C Stamper (c/o Agent: John Pearson, JDP Architects, Manor Barn, Lullington Road, Coton in the Elms, Derbyshire DE12 8EP) – Change of use of former police station to form offices – at Police Station, 2 Shenton Lane, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 0LA. Mr D Masters (c/o Agent: Neil McMinn, Ink/Drawn Ltd, Federal Tower, 44 Abbey Street, Leicester LE1 3TD) – Change of use of first and second floor offices to 3 residential flats – at 20A The Borough, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1NL. Davidsons Homes (c/o Agent: Debbie Farrington, Cerda Planning, Suite 322, 3rd Floor, Fort Dunlop, Fort Parkway, Birmingham B24 9FD) – Residential development for up to 80 dwellings, open space and associated works – at land to the south west of Lutterworth Road, Burbage, Leics.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Hayward Architects Ltd, 10 Station Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1AW) – Conversion and extension to existing public house to create 9 dwellings following demolition of existing outbuildings – at The Castle Inn, 113 Castle Street, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1DD.

Planning applications are continued on page 26 ...>

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

25

RICS responds to National Planning Policy Framework Review

400 jobs at new Sawley distribution centre

Responding to the National Planning Policy Framework review, Jeremy Blackburn, RICS Head of Policy, said: “RICS strongly welcomes the first real review of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) by the CLG Select Committee. It is an important first step to understanding whether this important change is working, and creating more homes and economic growth.

The supermarket has confirmed that it wants to build a major new distribution centre to serve its existing and planned new stores throughout the Midlands region and that it has identified the site at Sawley, just off the A50, as the optimum location to meet the Company’s requirements.

The scheme will involve a two phase project. If successful after planning work on the proposed new 600,000 sqft distribution centre will begin in 2015, providing a unit capable of serving the immediate needs of the growing supermarket business and creating 400 new jobs.

There will be opportunities during the construction for local companies to tender for the work and a number of apprentice positions will be made available for local people to train on the construction site. In the longer term, the site also provides expansion space to meet the anticipated ongoing growth plans of Aldi.

Discussions with the site’s owners, Wilson Bowden Developments Limited, have been concluded and work is now well advanced towards a formal planning application to be made early in the New Year.

A spokesperson for Aldi confirmed that: “This is major investment for Aldi. The distribution requirements of the business need to keep pace with the growth of our retail outlets, and we therefore have an urgent need to deliver a new centre to serve our Midlands region. The site at Sawley is ideally placed to do this. We have been in talks with North West Leicestershire District Council to ensure that the scheme is deliverable, and we are hopeful that planning will be approved and we can be on-site during 2015.”

The Aldi supermarket chain has achieved significant growth in the UK recent years and its ongoing expansion plans were announced last month when the Prime Minister visited the Company’s HQ in Atherstone.

The recommendation of a framework to evaluate the operation and impact of the NPPF over the longer term is crucial if we are to get away from the acrimonious ‘greenbelt vs brownfield’ debate and a brownfield remediation fund will help make more brownfield sites viable.

Support for Local Plans also mirrors what RICS has called upon government to do and a future government should make the adoption of up to date local plans compulsory with any Local Authority failing to keep plans up-to-date being classed as underperforming and placed into special measures where required. This will greatly help with the legitimacy of development for local communities.

However we view the call for an end to Permitted Development Rights as premature. Taken as a whole, PDR is helping in a small way to boost much needed housing supply – in London where the shortage of affordable housing has reached a chronic level, 10% of offices are earmarked to provide these much needed homes – so calls to terminate prospective PDR development is, we believe, at this stage, foolhardy.”

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Plans for a major new distribution centre on land at Sawley Crossroads have been revealed by Aldi.

When I argue with my wife, I always get the last word. It’s just that sometimes she can’t hear it.

26

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Darkwood Properties Ltd (c/o Agent: Kevin Perriment, HDP Associates Ltd, 10 Saville Place, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4EJ) – Conversion of shop to 3 dwellings – at 1A The Borough, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1NL. Mr Don Fox (c/o Agent: D J Wilkinson, 18 Webbs Way, Stoney Stanton, Leics. LE9 4BW) – Erection 3 dwellings – at land south of Netherfield, Nutts Lane, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 3EG.

‘Rethinking the Urban Landscape’

A new exhibition highlights the importance of landscape in shaping our cities 8 January – 10 February 2015 The Building Centre - Store Street - London WC1E 7BT www.buildingcentre.co.uk

Mr C Neale (c/o Agent: Simon Cheshire Planning, 34 Stanley Road, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warks.

CV13 0NB) – Erection of 2 new dwellings – at 42 Station Road, Earl Shilton, Leics. LE9 7GA. Mr Jeff Penman (c/o: Unit 2, Marina Court, Maple Drive, Tungsten Park, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 3BF) – Erection of one office building – at Unit 2, Marina Court, Maple Drive, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 3BF.

Melton Borough Jelson Ltd (c/o Agent: R.Thorley, GVA, 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2JB) – Outline application for residential development of up to 100 dwellings and associated infrastructure – at Field No. 0070, Station Lane, Asfordby, Leics.

Mrs S Grey (c/o Agent: Colin Wilkinson, Planit-X Town & Country Planning Services, 21 New Road, Burton Lazars, Melton Mowbray, Leics.

LE14 2UU) – Development for up to 15 dwellings – at land adjacent to The Woodlands, Off Station Road, Old Dalby, Leics.

Harborough District Barwood Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: Peter Brett Associates LLP, 11 Prospect Court, Courteenhall Road, Blisworth, Northampton NN7 3DG) – Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Opinionfor the erection of a building of up to 300,000 sq metres floorspace for B8, B2 and B1(c) uses with associated access roads and a lorry park – at land adjacent to Glebe Farm, Coventry Road, Lutterworth, Leics.

DHL Supply Chain (c/o Agent: Peter Brett Associates LLP, Caversham Bridge House, Waterman Place, Reading, Berks. RG1 8DN) – Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Opinion for the erection of a building of up to 90,000 sq metres floorspace for B8 use, including ancillary B1 floorspace – at land at Mere Lane, Bittesby, Leics.

Planning applications are continued on page 29 ...>

A new exhibition curated by The Building Centre and the Landscape Institute will exemplify how landscape architecture can offer sustainable solutions to the big challenges facing contemporary urban society including flooding and public health.

‘Rethinking the Urban Landscape’, Key facts on the positive opens at The Building Centre on impacts of good urban 8th January sponsored by ACO landscapes Technologies plc and Penter.

Showcasing some of the UK’s most powerful contemporary landscape projects including King’s Cross and the Olympic Park, alongside small, community-led schemes including pocket parks and community allotments, the exhibition will highlight the importance of investing in green infrastructure if our cities are to become more liveable, healthy and safe.

Noel Farrer, President of the Landscape Institute, says: “Proper land use is now becoming a matter of urgency, with concerns such as the housing crisis, flooding, public health and even food shortages coming to the fore. Lives are being threatened and billions of pounds are being wasted for want of earlier stage investment in the landscape.

‘This exhibition is about highlighting the urgent need for a landscape-led approach to our towns and cities.

Landscape architects are able to find solutions from within the natural landscape, avoiding highly engineered responses and ultimately creating schemes that are more sustainable, better-designed and nicer to live in.’

‘Re-thinking the Urban Landscape’ will run for six weeks from 8th January to 10th February. The exhibition will feature 45 leading contemporary landscape projects from the UK and abroad.

• People who work in buildings who can see green space take almost a quarter less time off than people who cannot (Cities Alive, Arup 2014, p52) • Green space can significantly increase land value and the value of nearby buildings (Cities Alive, Arup 2014, p52) • Urban parks are 1 per cent cooler than built up areas during the day (Bowler, Boyung Ali, 2010) • A 10 per cent increase in tree cover has been associated with a 12 per cent decrease in crime in Baltimore (Austin Troy et al, Landscape and Urban Planning, June 2012) • Tests in Manchester showed that a single street tree could reduce storm water run off by between 50 per cent and 62 per cent in a 9 square metre area compared with asphalt (Armstrong Stringer 2013) • A 43 year-old intensive green roof in Manchester was found to retain 52 per cent of rainfall (Speak Rothwell 2013) • Healthy places are restorative: 90 per cent of those taking part in a study by Mind said that taking exercise outdoors had a big impact on how they felt (Mind, 2007)

Phase completed at Belgrave Road A MAJOR phase of the road improvements on Leicester’s Golden Mile has now been completed.

All road works and pavement works north of Belgrave Circle have now been completed, meaning all lanes are once again now open to traffic as normal ahead of the festive season.

The completion of the work brings to an end one of the major phases of improvements on Belgrave Road, following the demolition of the Belgrave Flyover and extensive resurfacing and carriageway works.

The work has involved installing additional traffic lanes in space previously taken up by the flyover, and creating a new cycleway and walkway from Belgrave Road and across Belgrave Circle, along with improved street lighting.

Work will now begin on creating the much-needed new car parking area next to the site of the former Sainsbury’s store in Belgrave Road.

Residents and businesses have long called for additional car parking for shoppers and visitors to the area.

The remainder of the work is due to be completed early in 2015, including improvements to the south of the old flyover, towards Belgrave Gate, and improvements to the junctions of Belgrave Circle with Dysart Way and Abbey Park Road.

The project is being carried out by contractors Longcross, on behalf of Sainsbury’s which is working with Leicester City Council. The overall scheme is being done to improve the area near the flyover and help reconnect the Golden Mile to the rest of the city centre.

National award for Black Hawk WOODHOUSE EAVESbased Black hawk Ltd has won recognition for its waterside development at The Quay, in Mountsorrel.

The company took the prize for best new development of between 6 and 25 houses at the annual Brick Development Association (BDA) Awards.

The Quay is a private estate on the banks of the River Soar, and incorporates a private boat basin, narrow cobbled lanes, imported and local bricks and concrete mouldings.

Black Hawk Ltd was formed 40 years ago by architect Nicholas Hackett, and specialises in small, niche developments in the Quorn and Mountsorrel area.

Don’t worry about what people think. They don’t do it very often.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Tuesday 24th February 2015

When the kitchen smells warm and cosy, it can only mean one thing. We’re not in my kitchen.

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28

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Manor Oak Homes (c/o Agent: Armstrong Rigg Planning, The Exchange Building, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1LQ) – Outline application for the erection of up to 66 dwellings, with landscaping, open space, garaging and hard standing, plus vehicular and pedestrian access off Wistow Road – at land off Wistow Road, Kibworth Harcourt, Leics.

Gladman Developments (c/o: Gladman House, Alexandria Way, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1LB) – Outline application for up to 178 dwellings, including up to 40% affordable housing – at land east of Beeby Road, Scraptoft, Leicester.

Westleigh Partnerships Ltd (c/o Agent: Chris May, Marrons Shakespeares, 1 Meridian South, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1WY) – Erection of 61 dwellings, including 15 affordable units – at Vedonis Works, Leicester Road, Lutterworth, Leics. LE17 4HD. Swainpark Properties (c/o Agent: Timothy Bale, JED Design, 27 Knights End Road, Great Bowden, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7EY) – Erection of 2 dwellings – at 13 Deepdale, Great Easton, Leics.

LE16 8SS. Mr Kevin Jones (c/o Agent: Nic Williams, 39 Holmdale Road, London NW6 1BJ) – Extensions, alterations & conversion of house to mixed use development comprising one apartment, one restaurant and an aparthotel (13 hotel apartments) – at 54 St Marys Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7DU. Chapman Butchers (c/o Agent: Wells McFarlane, The Old Bank, 14 Bank Street, Lutterworth, Leics. LE17 4AG) – Demolition of existing building and erection of 2 semi-detached dwellings (revised scheme) – at land rear of Chapman Butchers, 11-13 High Street, Lutterworth, Leics.

Rutland County Larkfleet Homes (c/o: Larkfleet House, Falcon Way, Bourne, Lincs.

PE10 0JU) – Reserved matters application for erection of apartment block comprising 12 one-bed and 12 two-bed apartments – at land between Barleythorpe and Burley Park Way, Barleythorpe, Rutland.

Mr & Mrs S Holt (c/o Agent: Fairhurst Consultancy, 41 Wartnaby Road, Ab Kettleby, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 3JJ) – Proposed 8 detached houses with associated garages and gardens – at land adjacent to Barleythorpe, Main Road, Barleythorpe, Rutland.

Planning applications are continued on page 30 ...>

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One million cohabiting couples stand Plans to develop to inherit nothing if their partner dies a new Melton More than one Sports Village million unmarried are approved and same sex couples not in a civil partnership and with dependent children, are at risk of leaving their finances in legal limbo if one of them dies without a will.

At the committee meeting of Tuesday 2 December 2014 councillors approved the business case to develop a new Melton Sports Village.

Recent changes to the intestacy rules strengthened the position of married spouses and civil partners, but left the position of cohabiting couples unchanged.

Only partners who are married or in a civil partnership can inherit under the rules.

If you are not married or in a civil partnership and die without a will, your children will be entitled to your entire estate - creating a financial headache for your surviving partner.

Andrew Caplen, President of the Law Society said under the rules, assets passing to children are held in trust until they reach the age of 18, potentially leaving the surviving partner in a emotional and financial mess, and with no access to vital funds to help them cope.

“Further, these assets must be paid to the child when they turn 18 - there is no other option. Many people would regard 18 as far too young to receive what could be a substantial sum of money,” he said.

“A properly drafted will can ensure trustees hold the sum until a later age when children are more able to deal with an inheritance.

“These changes are a reminder of the importance of having a will. Dying without one, not only means your final wishes go unmet, but could leave problems for your loved ones to sort out. Don’t make this mess your legacy.

“To find a solicitor to help you prepare a will, visit the Find a Solicitor website. It allows you to search a database of 140,000 solicitors across the country.

“It can help you find a qualified, insured solicitor, who is trained to spot and address the issues that could lead to trouble for you later on.

“Consumers need to be able to distinguish between those who are unregulated, uninsured and untrained, and solicitors who offer a quality service.

“The Law Society’s consumer campaign - ‘Use a professional. Use a solicitor’ - supports this and encourages people to use a professional, regulated solicitor when making a will.

“It’s the only way to give you future financial security.”

Sarah Bibby, 37, a designer from Redcar, North Yorkshire is unmarried and has two children under two years old.

She said learning she would inherit nothing if her partner passed away without a will reinforced her desire to get one written as quickly as possible.

“If my partner died, not only would I have to deal with the grief, I could be left with a financial crisis on my hands. If you have children you really should have a will - it’s selfish not to.

“Wills force you to confront some difficult questions, and I think this puts people off getting one. But ultimately it is in your family’s best interests to confront these questions head on.”

To find a solicitor specialising in wills and probate visit the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor service here: http://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

The new sport village will include:a new stadium pitch with spectator seating, health & fitness facilities and a new 8 court indoor sports hall that can be used for a variety of activities including extreme sports.

The plans are based on developing the sports village on the King Edward VII site on Burton Road, Melton Mowbray and to enable delivery of the plan members also approved the freehold purchase of the site from Leicestershire County Council.

Officers are currently working on the exact contract terms with the County Council on the purchase, which will see the current facilities still being retained and operating while the sports village plans are being developed.

Cllr Byron Rhodes, Leader of the Council said “This is a major step in delivering a first class sports and leisure village in Melton, the plans are very exciting and will ensure that our residents have access to a range of high quality sporting and leisure activities Cllr Rhodes continued: “We have approved the freehold purchase of the site so that work can begin quickly in delivering the plans, there is a clear lack of suitable leisure facilities in Melton and this ambitious project will deliver a facility that we can all be proud of.”

The business case has been developed after working with a range of sports & leisure partners, National Sports Bodies, Leicestershire Rutland Sport, and the current users of King Edward VII site and comes after the Council undertook a borough wide survey which had over 2,500 responses clearly indicating the need and support for additional sport and leisure facilities.

International award for AR Demolition

I always put in a full eight hours at work. Spread out over the course of the week.

AR Demolition, based in Carlton, near Market Bosworth, has won a safety and training award at the sixth annual World Demolition Awards in Amsterdam.

The event showcases the achievements and skills of demolition companies all over the world, and AR Demolition was nominated in two categories.

• Leicester City Council recently commissioned the company to demolish the Belgrave Flyover.

I like how automatic doors just get out of my way. I wish more inanimate objects seemed scared of me.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

How Britain can fix its labour skills gap Hereward Homes Ltd (c/o: 27B Crocket Lane, Empingham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8PW) – Demolition of existing garage and erection of 5 dwellinghouses – at Greetham Garage, 77 Main Street, Greetham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7NJ.

N.W.Leics Davidsons Developments Ltd & Slack & Parr Investments (c/o Agent: Robert Love, Bidwells, John Ormand House, 899 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3XJ) – Demolition of existing commercial building and erection of 188 dwellings, B2 manufacturing unit and associated development – at Slack & Parr Ltd, Long Lane, Kegworth, Derbyshire DE74 2FL. Mr Fowkes (c/o Agent: Stephen Greaves, SG Design Studio Ltd, 202 Woodville Road, Hartshorne, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 7EX) – Erection of 6 dwellings – at Canalside Patios, 7 Shortheath Road, Moira, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 6AL. Miss Helen Bareford (c/o: David Wilson Homes, Forest Business Park, Cartwright Way, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leics. LE67 1GL) – Residential development of up to 79 dwellings (reserved matters) – at land to the west of 164-224 Bardon Road, Coalville, Leics.

Donisthorpe Parochial Church Council (c/o Agent: Stephen Mair, Andrew Granger & Co., Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Demolition of existing Church Hall and erection of 5 dwellings – at Donisthorpe Church Hall, Church Street, Donsithorpe, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 7PY. Leicestershire County Council (c/o: County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RE) – Two phase extension to existing primary school with associated additional parking, hard playgrounds and internal modifications – at All Saints C of E Primary School, Ashby Road, Coalville, Leics. LE67 3LB Gladmans Developments Ltd (c/o: Gladman House, Alexandria Way, Congleton Business Park, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1LB) – Proposed development of up to 400 houses, doctors surgery/health centre and community centre – at land at the west of Whitehill Road and south of Ibstock Road, Ellistown, Leics.

Planning applications are continued on page 33 ...>

It was reported recently that Britain is being forced to fill gaps in its labour markets with overseas workers.

Construction firms are hiring Portuguese bricklayers to fill a shortfall in supply in the UK market.

Due to the lack of skilled British workers, these foreign brickies are able to demand wages of up to £1000 a week, twice the average rate of £200 a day.

However, ample opportunities do exist for British workers to gain the skills required to satisfy an increasing demand within the construction industry.

AbleSkills.co.uk is a specialist in construction training offering eleven types of bricklaying courses, including City & Guilds, CITB and DIY qualifications.

These courses are offered on both a full-time and weekend basis, so they’re flexible enough to fit around existing commitments. They offer introductory courses for complete beginners and more advanced courses for people looking to build on existing skills. For those who’ve been working in the industry for over five years but lack official qualifications, there are NVQ level 2 and 3, as well as CSCS Cards options available.

Accommodation is offered on site and there are even interest free payment and finance options available to help spread the cost of training.

Able Skills also offer advanced learning loans for 24-year-olds and over.

So, if you’re studying at Level 3, Level 4 or higher you can apply for a loan to meet your course fees. The loans are open to anyone meeting the age requirements and taking an eligible course at an approved institution in England. At present they are offered in the fields of electrical installations, plumbing, carpentry as well as NVQ performance units.

The growing demand for skilled construction workers was recently highlighted in a report published by Manpower UK, a global leader in innovative workforce solutions and part of the ManpowerGroup. They found that hiring plans in construction are set to jump to pre-recession levels. Employment prospects in the sector are expected to rise by around 9% in 2015. The energy sector also looks set for an even greater increase in demand, upwards of 15%. This follows a bumper year in 2014, which saw the highest level of job creation in forty years in the UK. What should be fairly clear is that these increased employment opportunities should be open primarily to British workers rather than looking abroad. However, with organisations like Able Skills providing the necessary training across the relevant industries, UK workers will be available to enjoy this upturn in market fortunes.

Whilst there may be some truth in what Manpower claims about British companies looking abroad, this should not be the main story here. Rather, it is the fact that increased investment in our young people and skilled workers will benefit us all. Ultimately, this is a positive story that will hopefully have an equally happy ending for British workers.

Development opportunity in Irthlingborough CARTER JONAS are offering for sale a three storey former factory which has planning consent to convert to a single residential property.

The property - 88 Finedon Road, Irthlingborough, Northants. NN9 5TZ - also lends itself to possible conversion to a three large apartments, subject to obtaining the relevant planning consents.

The floor area totals 5,500 sq.feet, over three floors with a single garage/ loading bay.

The Guide Price is £275,000. For more information, contact Carter Jonas on 01604 608200 or visit www.carterjonas.co.uk

Terex Construction Brings It All Back Home

Global construction equipment solutions provider, Terex, is bringing the manufacturing of its pedestrian roller range back to Great Britain.

From December 2014, production of both MBR-71 single drum rollers and transportation trailers will be onshored to the firm’s UK-based equipment manufacturing facility in Coventry.

Customers will benefit from reduced lead times, flexible equipment delivery and faster order turnaround. Components used in the rollers will also be sourced from UK suppliers, making the Terex walk-behind portfolio truly British.

“The decision to bring production of our pedestrian rollers back to Britain comes as part of a wider strategic effort to increase production flexibility of all Terex equipment and meet the market’s need for high-quality products delivered on tight deadlines,” commented Mark Royse, Product Manager - Site Dumpers & Compaction Rollers at Terex Construction.

“Previously, our walk-behind roller range has been manufactured internationally. Although this has allowed us to deliver an excellent product at highly competitive prices, the continued expansion of our facilities in Coventry has allowed us to bring full production back to the UK. As well as giving us increased production control, the onshoring move will enable us to deliver greater product volumes on tighter deadline turnarounds.”

Developed with the user in mind, the market-leading range of Terex® equipment delivers the ideal compaction solution for small-scale construction applications. Perfect for minor road repairs, each system has been specifically designed to deliver the greatest efficiencies and performance at a cost-effective price point.

To find out more about the Terex range of pedestrian roller equipment, please visit www.terex. com/construction or contact your local certified dealer.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

You know you’re getting old when you have to turn your music down to park your car.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

A PROPER TRADE TOOL SHOWROOM!

• Great deals on top brands.

• Expert advice.

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• All trades welcome.

Fussy about your Wood screws? Or just want low prices?

Your local specialist merchant has 4 different ranges for you to choose:"Ok" - Twinthread, "Good" - Solo, "Better" - Evergrip, "Best" - Cutter.

Even the "better" are lower in price than other cheap wood screws.

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I used to like like the mirror I had in 2002 much better than the one I have now.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Mr M Davis (c/o Agent: Tim Bailey, Bailey Design Ltd, 43a Mitchells Court, Lower Gungate, Tamworth, Staffs.

B79 7AS) – Residential development of up to 9 dwellings – at land at junction of Measham Road and Appleby Lane, Snarestone, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 7DA. Mr & Mrs P Kavanagh (c/o Agent:Dvid Granger Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Erection of 12 dwellings (re-submission) – at 3 Top Street, Appleby Magna, Swadlincote, Derby DE12 7AH.

Oadby & Wigston New River Retail (c/o Agent: Peter Brett Associates, Oxford Place, 61 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6EQ) – Erection of a retail unit – at Chartwell Arms, Chartwell Drive, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2FB. Dr B Shaffu (c/o Agent: Mr E Stevenson, 49 Brookside, Rearsby, Leicester LE7 4YB) – Change of use from doctor’s surgery to 2 apartments – at 152 Station Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2DL.

Blaby District Mr M English (c/o Agent: Peter Thompson ADT, 49 leicester Road, Broughton Astley, Leics. LE9 6QE) – Erection of 4 two-bed apartments with associated parking and amenity areas – at land to the south of 8-12A Avon Drive, Whetstone, Leicester.

David Wilson Homes (c/o: Cartwright Way, Forest Business Park, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leics. LE67 1GL) – Substitution of house types in relation to planning permission 12/0798/1/MX for a residential development of 250 dwellings with associated public open space and landscaping – at land at Kirby Road/Ratby Lane, Glenfield, Leicester.

Mr David Ward (c/o Agent: Stephen George & Partners, 170 London Road, Leicester LE2 1ND) – Erection of 2 industrial/warehouse units – at land off Kirby Road/Ratby Lane, Glenfield, Leicester.

Gladman Developments (c/o: Gladman House, Alexandria Way, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1LB) – Proposed residential development (maximum 75 dwellings) accessed off Hospital Lane – at land north of Hospital Lane, Blaby, Leicester.

Davidsons Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: Bidwells, John Ormond House,

Planning applications are continued on page 34 ...>

NHBC win two marketing awards The NHBC marketing team won two accolades last month at the prestigious Construction Marketing Awards, organised and presented by the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Nominated in two categories, for best use of mobile and best use of advertising, NHBC scooped both awards for their Foundation Depth calculator app and People Power campaign respectively: • The Foundation Depth calculator app, launched in September 2013, helps builders to calculate the correct depth of foundations required when building near trees. In its first 11 months, the app was downloaded over 3,000 times – exceeding its target by 265%.

• The People Power campaign, first published in June 2013, harnesses the expertise of NHBC’s staff by relating the skills of their external hobbies to their everyday role, while also presenting a personal face externally.

Now in their 14th year, the Construction Marketing Awards recognise marketing excellence across the built environment, and this year saw a record number of entries, up 25% on 2013.

Neil Jefferson, Business Development Director, NHBC, commented: “I am delighted that NHBC has been recognised with these awards, as it illustrates the talent of our people and the use of innovative technology to devise something both memorable and unique to our external audiences.

“I am especially pleased at the collaboration and teamwork across NHBC that was required to create and promote these campaigns, ensuring their success exceeded our expectations.”

Government’s ‘Starter Homes’ initiative will boost brownfield development The British Property Federation (BPF) has welcomed a scheme launched by Prime Minister David Cameron, which will see the government change the planning system to free under-used or unviable brownfield land from planning costs and levies in return for a below market value sale price from homes built on the site.

The government expects that the Starter Homes initiative will provide 100,000 first-time buyers new homes with a 20% discount.

The BPF is pleased to see the government looking at news ways to boost development, and that it recognise that brownfield land often provides a barrier to getting much needed homes of the ground.

Liz Peace, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “The housing shortage in the UK is acute, and while this initiative alone will not be enough to solve the housing crisis, it will certainly help boost the number of badly needed new homes coming on to the market. Bringing brownfield land back in to use is often difficult for developers as the expense can threaten a project’s viability. Introducing an incentive to build on brownfield sites should therefore help to unlock new homes.

“We look forward to finding out more about how Starter Homes will work in practice, and to working through the finer details with government.”

New Walk offices to get a £3m refit AS reported in the Leicester Mercury, almost £3 million is to be spent by Leicester City Council in an office refurbishment project at 20-40 New Walk, Leicester.

The former offices of Harvey Ingram Solicitors are now owned by the city council, and the company has relocated to Colton Square.

Details of the scheme are being kept under wraps because leicester City Council say they are commercially sensitive.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby declined to say who would be moving into the building but said the money spent would result in a good return for the authority.

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Development Property IN BRIEF

Former school with consent for 14 dwellings CARTER JONAS are offering for sale a former primary school site with the benefit of planning consent for 14 dwellings.

The site - at Church Close, Braybrooke, Market Harborough, Leics. -is available at an asking price of £750,000.

For full particulars, contact Carter Jonas on 01604 608200, or email: northampton@carterjonas.co.uk

Plot for sale in Overseal SCARGILL MANN & CO are inviting offers for a building plot at the rear of 149 Woodville Road, Overseal, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE12 6LX. Planning has been passed for a five-bed detached residence.

Offers around £100,000 are invited.

For more information, contact Scargill Mann & Co on 01332 207720 or email: derby@ scargillmann.co.uk

Site for 6 houses at Leicester Forest East KAL SANGRA Shonki Brothers Estate Agents are offering for sale a residential development site with planning permission (ref: 14/0056/1/PX) for 6 fourbedroom dwellings.

The 0.42 acre rectangular site - at the north-east side of Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East, Leicester LE3 3PG - originally formed part of the adjoining Red Cow public house’s car park.

The asking price is £650,000 plus VAT. For more information, contact Kal Sangra Shonki Brothers on 0116 254 3373 or visit the website at www.shonkibrothers.com

Girls are always taking your hoodies but you take one of their dresses and suddenly they’re all like “we need to talk.”

Of course I can keep secrets. It’s the people I tell them to who can’t keep them.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Development opportunity for 9 dwellings

Bowmer and Kirkland Adopts Egnyte as its Global File Services Provider Egnyte, the only provider of a complete suite of enterprise file services, announced Bowmer and Kirkland, one of the U.K.’s most successful privately owned construction and development groups, selected Egnyte as its company-wide enterprise file services solution.

CARTER JONAS are offering for sale a prime residential development site with full planning permission for 9 new dwellings in an edge of town location.

The site – at 254 Barton Road, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Northants. – is a parcel of land currently occupied by the gardens of a detached house and a number of outbuildings.

Full planning permission was granted by Kettering Borough Council following an application

by Persimmon Homes on 14 June 2005 under reference KET/2005/0218 for the erection of 83 dwellings on land of which this property forms a small part.

Persimmon Homes implemented the planning permission and has since completed the development of the 74 dwellings on that part of the land not forming part of the property for sale. The planning permission for the remaining 9 new dwellings on the property for sale therefore remains extant.

Price on application – contact Carter Jonas on 01865 511444 or email: oxford@carterjonas.co.uk

Egnyte has been standardized across the company’s 26 subsidiaries for more than 1,300 staff members in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Bowmer and Kirkland, a fast-growing company with an annual revenues of £662 million last year in an increasingly competitive construction industry, chose Egnyte to provide secure and scalable file sharing, synchronization and access to fully address the needs of both IT and its users. The company chose Egnyte and its comprehensive suite of filesharing solutions as the means to solve some of its most pressing challenges including: Enforcing strict version control of numerous project files to maintain “one version of truth” Reducing costs of printing paper versions of project files and documents Delivering value more quickly to align to the realities of shortened project deadlines Overcoming the security and bandwidth concerns of project changes using mobile devices “Egnyte’s hybrid deployment provides everything our business needs; it’s easy to use, secure, and allows us to deliver high-quality projects quicker than before at a competitive cost. It has become the cornerstone of our new IT strategy,” said Kevin McDonald, Head of IT at Bowmer and Kirkland.

While teams are working on a remote jobsite or at the corporate office, Bower and Kirkland’s IT team can quickly grant or restrict access to project files, eliminating security and privacy concerns. Teams of project managers, contractors and subcontractors can easily review and edit large CAD and BIM files from any device, without wasting time and money printing and managing document versioning issues, or worrying about Internet availability or bandwidth constraints.

“We’re thrilled that Bowmer and Kirkland has chosen to standardize company-wide on Egnyte as the file-services solution of choice for its global teams,” said Ian Whiting, president of Worldwide Field Operations for Egnyte. “This marquee customer is a strong validation of our hybrid architecture and our focus on delivering a solution that meets the needs of enterprise customers.”

Success at William Davis for two Jordans!

Loughborough-based house builder, William Davis Ltd has presented its annual Apprentice of the Year Awards with 18 year old bricklayer, Jordan Fletcher taking the top prize.

From Loughborough, Jordan joined William Davis in 2012 and is currently in the third year of his apprenticeship, which is supplemented by academic training at Stephenson College, Coalville.

Jordan’s apprentice master at William Davis, Dave King commented: “From day one, Jordan strived to work hard and be the best bricklayer his ability would allow. He has a very sensible head on his shoulders, a polite manner and a great attitude towards work; this is a well-deserved award for a model apprentice.”

Alongside the Apprentice of the Year announcement, the Endeavour Award for the most improved apprentice was also presented to third year carpenter and joiner, Jordan Bourne.

Described as ‘a skilled and competent craftsman’ by his peers, Jordan has demonstrated good problem solving skills and a strong initiative; attributes which served him well when he participated in the national SkillBUILD competition heats earlier this year.

899 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 3XJ) – Residential development of 14 detached dwellings – at land adjacent to 13 Station Road, Elmesthorpe, Leics. LE9 7SG. Premier Inn Hotels Ltd (c/o Agent: Walsingham Planning, Brandon House, King Street, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6DX) – Two storey extension to existing hotel to provide 23 additional bedrooms – at Premier Inn Hotel, Meridian Way, Braunstone Town, Leicester LE19 1LU. The 200 Trust (c/o Agent: Andrew Granger & Co, Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Erection of 23 dwellings – at land rear of 33 Willoughby Road, Countesthorpe, Leics.

Westleigh Partnerships Ltd (c/o Agent: Isherwood McCann, Rose Park, Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4DP) – Residential development of up to 40 dwellings – at land to the south of Gillam Butts, Countesthorpe, Leics.

Mr Jim Mensley (c/o: Country House Ltd, Coppice House, Coppice Lane, Queniborough, Leics. LE7 3DR) – Erection of 12 dwellings – at land to the rear of nos 57-65 Gynsill Lane, Glenfield, Leics.

Evans Bros Ltd (c/o Agent: Marrons Planning, 1 Meridian South, Meridian Business Park, Leicester LE19 1WY) – Erection of replacement clubhouse – at Leicester Lions RFC, Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leics.

LE8 4DY.

Charnwood Borough Mr Fred Sleath (c/o Agent: Architects LE1) – Residential development comprising demolition of commercial units and construction of 13 residential units – at Lazarus Court, Woodgate, Rothley, Leicestershire LE7 7NR. Mr John Kirk (c/o Agent: Nigel Dutton Design) – Erection of 4 industrial units – at land adjacent to Unit 2, Hayhill, Barrow upon Soar, Leics. LE12 8LD Robert Bakewell Primary School & Community Centre (c/o Agent: Synergy Architects) – Erection of 4-classroom teaching block – at Robert Bakewell Primary School, Barsby Drive, Loughborough, Leics.

(Left) Jordan Fletcher, the William Davis Ltd Apprentice of the Year with (right) Jordan Bourne, winner of the Endeavour Award for most improved apprentice.

Metric Property Loughborough Ltd/Wm Morrisons Supermarket plc (c/o Agent: Blue Sky Planning Ltd) – Extensions to foodstore

Planning applications are continued on page 38 ...>

I got on the train this morning, and a man was sitting in my seat. I said: ‘Go on, then. You drive the thing!’

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Tel: 0116 2853 777 Leema Technologies Limited.

The Warehouse, 1a Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL From the moment our eyes first met, I knew I would spend the rest of my life avoiding you.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

I look forward to paying off all my debts and finally getting back to just being broke.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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GUITARISTS

Wordsearch Puzzle

If you can find the names of 12 famous guitarists in the Wordsearch grid on the right, you could win yourself a VIP Meal For Two 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 - 12 well-known guitarists. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your marked entry forms to: PLECTRUM, Leicestershire Builder, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics.

LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday 21st January 2015.

Please remember to fill in your name and address. The sender of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the Frankie & Benny’s VIP Meal for Two. Good luck!

Here are the 12 MONOPOLY SQUARES you have to find: BRIAN MAY • CHUCK BERRY • ERIC CLAPTON • GEORGE HARRISON JEFF BECK • JIMI HENDRIX • JIMMY PAGE • KEITH RICHARDS KURT COBAIN • MARK KNOPFLER • RITCHIE BLACKMORE • RY COODER

Name: ..............................................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................................................. .............................................................................Postcode: .............................

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner:

DAVID JACKSON of Parkland Drive, Oadby Congratulations! Your Frankie & Benny’s Voucher will be with you soon.

Three individual Clipston plots BERRYS Estate Agents are offering for sale, by Private Treaty, three individual building plots at Neal’s Yard, Kelmarsh Road, Clipston, Near Market Harborough.

The three plots are different in character.

Plots 1 and 2 have been granted full planning permission and Plot 3 has been granted outline planning permission.

Plot 1: Area 0.63 acres lying to the east of a small brook which includes a small paddock.

Plot 2: 0.21 acres bounded by the brook.

Plot 3: 0.28 acres being triangular in shape opposite Plot 2, again bounded by the brook.

For more information, contact Berrys on 01536 532376 or email: kettering@berrybros.com

Builder’s yard with development potential INNES ENGLAND are inviting offers in the region of £500,000 for a builder’s yard with potential for development, subject to planning.

The property - at 22a Staveley Road, Leicester LE5 5JT - occupies a site of 0.45 acres approx. and the buildings have a gross internal area of 3,558 sq.feet.

For more information, contact Peter Doleman at Innes England on 0116 255 5455 or email: pdoleman@innesengland.com

At any time, the temptation to sing ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’ is never more than a whim away.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

together with reconfiguration of car parking – at Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc, Gorse Covert District centre, Maxwell Drive, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 4RZ.

PRIME SITE FOR CARE HOME OFFERED FOR SALE NEAR BULWELL

The CLA has backed calls by a Commons Select Committee for fines on local councils that fail to deliver Local Plans within three years of legislation being put in place. Local plans set planning policies in a local authority area.

Black Hawk Ltd – Erection of 2 dwellings and detached double garage – at 5 & 7 Wishbone Lane, Waterside Drive, Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7AY. Bloor Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: Define) – Site for the erection of up to 100 dwellings (Revised scheme) – at land off Laburnum Way, Loughborough, Leics.

Messrs. Hornbuckle (c/o Agent: Tenacity Planning Consultants) – Site for the erection of 9 dwellings – at Church Road, Wanlip, Leics.

Mr & Mrs R Lilwall (c/o Agent: Fairhurst Consultancy) – Site for the erection of 6 dwellings – at land at Wysall Lane, Wymeswold, Leics.

LE12 6ST. Apex Homes (Hinckley) Ltd (c/o Agent: Mr Andrew Moore) – Erection of one detached bungalow and one detached house – at land to rear of 20 Albert Avenue, Sileby, Leics.

LE12 7TA. Mr Martin Warner (c/o Agent: Barton Willmore) – Site for the erection of up to 200 dwellings – at Morley Quarry, Morley Lane, Shepshed, Leics.

Mr Dave Grundy (c/o Agent: Philip James Architecture) – Erection of 3 dwellings (Reserved matters) – at land at Melton Road, Rearsby, Leics. LE7 4YS. Mr D Phillips (c/o Agent: Hepworth Design) – Extend and convert semidetached house to 2 dwellings – at 4 Glebe Close, Mountsorrel, Leics.

LE12 7JZ. Mr N Gohil (c/o Agent: Aitchison Raffety) – Erection of 5 apartments, and demolition of commercial building – at 17A Burleigh Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3BA.

CLA backs call to fine councils without Local Plans

A PRIME development site near Bulwell with outline planning consent for a residential care village and day nursery is being offered for sale by FHP Living.

The 1.7 acre site, located on Occupation Road benefits from close proximity to Bulwell town centre as well as excellent transport links into Nottingham city centre and to the M1.

Outline planning permission has been granted for a 99 bed residential care home facility – including rooms for customary care of the elderly, specialist care for residents with dementia as well as 32 apartments. There is also provision for a children’s day nursery.

Associate director at FHP Living Ann Taylor is marketing the site on behalf of a private client.

She said: “This is an excellent opportunity for a developer specialising in residential care projects to purchase a well-located site in a quiet residential area on the outskirts of Nottingham.

“Situated on the edge of Bulwell and Cinderhill, this site offers easy access to Nottingham city centre via the A610 and to the M1 via junction 26. It also has access to fantastic public transport links due to its position near to the tram terminus, Bulwell train station and various bus routes into the city.

“Bulwell town centre is just a few minutes’ walk away, giving access to a broad range of community facilities, making this an attractive location for developers and ultimately potential residents and staff members.”

The site currently comprises a former storage unit/office facility and surplus land and can be sold with vacant possession.

“While the site currently has outline planning consent for a residential care home and day nursery, other uses may be considered subject to planning,” added Ann. For more information or to arrange a viewing, contact Ann Taylor at FHP Living on 07557 972008 or email ann@fhpliving.co.uk.

The report of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee is the result of an inquiry into the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) introduced in April 2012. The report concludes that while there are ‘significant concerns’ about how it is operating, the need is for ‘adjustment rather than complete overhaul.’

The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and other rural businesses, played an integral role in helping the Government to develop the NPPF and in ensuring it provided a framework for promoting sustainable development in rural communities.

CLA Midlands regional Director Caroline Bedell said: “It is over two years since the NPPF was introduced, yet 41 percent of local authorities still do not have a local plan in place, hampering development across the rural economy. The risk of financial penalties can only focus the rest on meeting their obligations to communities.

“While national policy is broadly right, inconsistent implementation is contributing to a crisis of underinvestment in infrastructure, business and housing across the English countryside.”

Property industry welcomes £3.5million private rented sector fund The British Property Federation (BPF) has welcomed an announcement that housing Minister Brandon Lewis has signed a £3.5million deal to fund purpose built rental homes in the UK.

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

The deal was struck with PRS Operations Limited, a subsidiary of Venn Partners LLP, and will make loans available to landlords looking to invest at least £10million in the private rented sector.

The government’s private rented sector housing guarantee scheme enables landlords of new rented homes to use a government guarantee to secure long-term financing. This investment will increase the supply of purpose built, professionally managed private rental homes giving tenants more choice of better quality homes.

The BPF is supportive of government’s efforts to establish a purpose-built private rented sector, believing that the sector will play an important part in helping the UK reach its housing targets.

Earlier this year, the English Housing Survey revealed that the private rented sector had overtaken the social rented sector to become the second largest tenure in the England, after home ownership.

Ian Fletcher, director of policy (finance) at the British Property Federation, said: “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work on the part of Government and the PRS Taskforce to identify a suitable private sector partner. We are pleased to see that has paid off and that the sector can now more easily benefit from the guarantee scheme the Government has introduced. This is another important building block in the story of build-to-rent, and increasing housing supply through institutional investment in rented homes.”

My friend Ena is very giddy. Whenever we meet and I say: ‘Hi, Ena’, she laughs her head off.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • JANUARY 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

I have a condition that renders me unable to go on a diet. I get hungry.

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