May 2010 Leicestershire Builder Magazine

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Manifestos Fail to Tackle Housing Crisis, warns FMB The general election manifestos of the three main parties don’t go far enough to help the beleaguered building industry create the homes that are urgently needed, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Richard Diment, Director General of the FMB said: “The policies outlined in the party manifestos all fail to sufficiently recognise the important contribution that the building industry can and should be making to help the economic recovery. Getting the housing market moving again is key to many small builders who are looking to build more houses as well as helping to improve our existing homes. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Westleigh work nearly complete in Wigston Work is approaching completion on 27 new affordable homes in Wigston following a joint venture between the Partnership Homes division of Westleigh Developments and De Montfort Housing Society Ltd, part of the Waterloo Group.

The deal between Whetstone-based Westleigh and Leicesterbased De Montfort has seen 13 two-bedroom homes and 14 threebedroom homes built on the site of the former Ecob’s Garden Centre on Horsewell Lane.

All the homes have been built from timber frames, supplied by Westleigh’s Westframe factory in Enderby, alongside traditional construction methods. The homes will meet all the size and energy efficiency standards set by the Society. On completion it is expected that 21 of the scheme’s properties will be available for rent and the remaining six will be allocated for shared ownership.

AuctionS Wed 12th May A total of 16 select properties are due to go under the hammer at the next Shonki Bros. L.S.Sangra Property Auction on Wednesday 12th May 2010, at the Walkers Stadium, Leicester - 5pm start.

For brief details of all of the lots on offer, turn to pages 18 and 19 of this issue.

To obtain a catalogue, contact Shonki Bros on 0116 255 7573 or send an email to info@shonkibros.com.

The properties can also be viewed on the auctioneer’s website at www.shonkibros.com

NINE properties are due to go under the hammer at the next Howkins & Harrison Property Auction on Wednesday 26th May 2010, at The Kilworth Springs Golf Club, South Kilworth, Leics.

- 6.30pm start.

For brief details of all of the lots on offer, turn to page 11 of this issue.

For more information, contact Howkins & Harrison on 01788 564680 or visit www.howkinsandharrison.co.uk

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Hedgehogs - why can’t they just share the hedge?

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

MANIFESTOS - from page 1 The Labour Party has said it will commit to building 50,000 new council homes over the next five years which doesn’t even come close to housing the five million people on social housing waiting list. The Conservative Party’s plan to abolish national housing targets means that any new houses will be dependent on local communities wanting new homes in their area; and the Liberal Democrats are advocating VAT on new homes thus impeding the expansion of much needed house building. It is all very disappointing.”

Richard Diment continued: “The political parties are missing a trick. What we need is an urgent review of the barriers that are preventing new house building taking place. In addition developers’ levies need to be looked at if we are to kick start the housing market. A reduction in the rate of VAT to five per cent to the labour element of repairs and improvement work would really help kick-start the construction industry as we know from independent research that such a measure would create a £1.4 billion economic stimulus as well as creating up 81,500 jobs. The Liberal Democrats come closest by proposing a cut in VAT on repair work but by also proposing to add VAT to new houses such a policy will merely inhibit any already sluggish house building market.”

He concluded: “What the main political parties should be addressing is the FMB’s three core themes of creating a new business environment to help small business thrive; tackle the need to improve skills and training; and take advantage of the emerging new opportunities to create a greener built environment. We have the ideas so it would be good if the politicians would start to listen if they are really serious about creating more homes.”

Former pub for sale in Rutland

Reid Associates are offering for sale a freehold site of approximately 0.53 acres.

Formerly The Kingfisher pub, the site now benefits from planning for 2 conversion and 3 new 3 bed village dwellings. The guide price is £650,000.

For viewing or further information, please contact Steve Reid on 01572 756631 or 07860 116401 e. steve@rutland-property.co.uk

Leicester property developer marks 50-year relationship with Lloyds Banking Group

David Wilson, one of the East Midlands’ most successful entrepreneurs and property developers, marked a 50-year long relationship with Lloyds Banking Group at a celebratory event in Nottingham.

The bank’s East Midlands team and Mark Stokes, Managing Director of Lloyds Banking Group’s Large Corporate division, took the opportunity to present David with a silver plate to commemorate the anniversary.

James Wilson, David’s eldest son and Managing Director of the family’s property development and plant hire firm, Davidsons Developments, also attended the event, which was held at Hart’s Hotel and Restaurant.

Mark Stokes, Managing Director of Lloyds Banking Group’s Large Corporate division comments: “Building long-term relationships is central to the way we work at Lloyds Banking Group and it is great to celebrate a successful partnership with David that

Leicestershire Builder Magazine Published By: Builder Magazines PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: (01530) 244069 Fax: (01530) 249557 Email: info@buildermagazines.co.uk

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HALF-CENTURY: (from left to right): Neil Heppenstall, Lloyds Banking Group; David Wilson, Davidsons Developments Ltd; Andy Corbett, Lloyds Banking Group; Mark Stokes, Lloyds Banking Group; and James Wilson, Davidsons Developments Ltd.

spans over half a century. The East Midlands is a region rich in experienced and successful familyrun firms. The strong management and clear strategic direction of Davidsons Developments in an excellent example of this.”

David Wilson, Davidsons Development Ltd, adds: “Our team at the bank has always taken the time to understand our businesses and ambitions. The support we have received from the bank over the years has without doubt contributed to our successes and I look forward to continuing this longstanding partnership for many years to come.”

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editorial/Production Team.

The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Builder Magazines cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission.

Builder Magazines reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All property details contained within this magazine are to be regarded as being for outline guidance only. All potential interested parties are requested to check individual availability of premises for accuracy of details with the relevant selling agents before proceeding further.

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The checkout sign said eight items or less. So I changed my name to Les.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

0116 269 4002

www.raynswayproperties.co.uk

UK Businesses Fight For Recovery

Farm buildings, land and two detached bungalows for sale

Equifax Business Failures Report for Quarter One 2010 suggests that UK businesses refuse to succumb to recessionary pressures.

Leading business information provider, Equifax, has released its Business Failures Report for the first quarter of 2010, revealing an apparent steely determination by UK businesses to survive - despite the recession.

As Nic Beishon, Head of Equifax Commercial Information Solutions explained, whilst the drop in businesses going bust since the end of last year is very small – just half a percentage point – it could be an important indicator of how companies have been managing their operations, from cost cutting to improved collections, to survive in the current recession.

“Our new analysis appears to suggest that UK businesses have been working hard to recover from the challenges of the last 18 months or so – or at the very least simply survive!” said Nic Beishon. “When compared to the last quarter of 2009, overall there was a very small drop of just 0.5% in businesses going under in Quarter 1 2010. And whilst this number is small in itself I believe it is an encouraging sign of a turn-around in fortunes for the UK economy as a whole although, clearly there is still much to do to put real confidence back into commerce.”

More failures in construction sector The Transport & Communications, Services and Wholesale sectors each saw drops in failures in Quarter 1 2010 compared to the last quarter of 2009. However, in quite marked contrast, the Retail sector experienced an 11.2% increase in businesses going under – perhaps reflecting those businesses that simply couldn’t survive after difficult Christmas trading or that were impacted by the bad weather that seemed to persist for much of Quarter One. The Construction and Manufacturing sectors also saw increases in failures in Quarter One compared to the end of last year.

10.9% rise in firms going under in East Midlands Regionally, the North East, South East, West Midlands and Scotland saw declines in the number of businesses going bust at the start of the new decade compared to the end of the Noughties. However, for some regions the picture was less positive in the first few months of 2010. The South West saw a 14.8% increase in failures quarter on quarter and there was a 10.9% rise in businesses going under in the East Midlands.

But when comparing the number of Business Failures in Quarter One 2010 with the same quarter in 2009 there was, perhaps not surprisingly, quite a significant drop across most sectors and regions, which Nic Beishon believes reflects a slowing of the downturn.

Overall there was a 11.1% drop in businesses going bust and the Wholesale, Retail and Transport & Communications sectors all recorded decreases in excess of 20% year on year.

Pick Everard joins Yorkshire Water AMP 5 framework team Pick Everard starts work this month on a five year AMP 5 sewerage framework agreement awarded by Yorkshire Water to a joint venture comprising Barhale and WSP. As a first tier supplier, Pick Everard’s leading water industry expertise will be required in designing sewerage solutions.

FISHER GERMAN Chartered Surveyors are offering for sale an extensive range of agricultural buildings together with land and two bungalows.

The property - Fields Farm, Ashby Road, Osgathorpe, Leicestershire LE12 9SR - was formerly a pig farm and provides scope to be put to a variety of uses, subject to the necessary consents.

It is being sold as a whole or in three lots: • Lot 1: Buildings and approximately 14.03 acres of agricultural land • Guide price: £350,000 • Lot 2: 103 Fields Farm Bungalow • Guide price: £165,000 • Lot 3: 105 Fields Farm Bungalow (subject to occupancy restriction) • Guide price: £150,000.

The whole: Guide price: £665,000.

All viewings are strictly by appointment with the selling agents, Fisher German LLP - telephone 01530 412821 for more information, or email: ashby@fishergerman.co.uk

People who “put something by each week” are simply not shopping hard enough.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Development Market wakes from two year slumber

Fisher German held a very successful collective auction of six development opportunities for eight new dwellings on the 24th March.

Partner and auctioneer Andrew Ranson comments, “This auction was probably the largest sale of development property between London and Birmingham in the last two years. The 100% success rate could mean that the development market is finally waking from its slumber.”

All of the available properties sold with many at levels in excess of the auctioneers’ and the vendors’ expectations, some at figures close to their values at their peak two years ago.

Mr Ranson continues, “The last time six local development sites were offered for sale at the same time was probably Fisher German’s auction in June 2008 when only two of the six sites sold. It was around this time that the development market stopped almost stone dead. Values tumbled and in the worse cases dropped to around 50% from their peak. Since then the number of deals has dropped off dramatically, mainly due to lack of supply at the lower values.

“More recently values have been improving and with it the supply. Vendors of development properties realise that life must go on and in particular, planning consents only last three years and people can no longer rely on the presumption that they can simply renew consent before it expires.”

On the other side Fisher German reports that developer purchasers appear to have better access to funds, perhaps helped by having sold some of their finished properties. Enquiries from self builder purchasers have also been picking up as confidence returns.

Mr Ranson predicts that on the back of the success of the recent auction, Fisher German will see further local development sites come to the market over the summer. Despite the possible slowdown of the market around a general election, he feels the market looks likely to remain strong, due to the lack of promising development sites available.

Substantial residential/ leisure development opportunity in Leicester GVA Grimley Estate Agents - on behalf of S.J.Hunt, Joint LPA Receiver - are offering for sale a substantial development opportunity at Bath Lane, Leicester LE3 5BA. The property comprises a high profile, waterfront residential development site with extant planning permission for 388 apartments and associated leisure uses. This scheme - comprising one 22-storey and one 27-storey block, plus an 8storey podium building - was granted consent on 13 May 2008, and expires on 13 May 2011.

The northern section of the site also had a separate planning permission for a 39-storey building comprising a 200-bed hotel, 176 self-contained apartments, basement car parking, retail uses and leisure uses.

The scheme was designed by ‘Ian Simpson Architects’.

The site is level and extends to approximately 1.61 acres (0.65 hectares).

Unconditional offers are invited for the freehold interest. A sales information pack is available in CD format from the selling agents.

For more information, contact Chris Davies at GVA Grimley on 0121 609 8507 or email: chris.davies@gvagrimley.co.uk

Did you know that banging your head up against a brick walls burns 150 calories per hour?

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Workers encouraged to model themselves on award winning site manager Building plot in IN a bid to maintain quality Development Property IN BRIEF

Harby: £50k

SHOULER & Son Estate Agents are offering for sale a building plot with Outline Planning Permission for a two-bedroom oneand a half storey detached property situated adjacent to 23 School Lane, Harby, Leicestershire.

The plot has a width of 14 metres and a maximum depth of 10.3 metres and already has a dropped kerb access from the highway. All mains services are close by.

Guide Price: £50,000.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing appointment, contact Shouler & Son on 01664 410166 or visit the website at www.shoulers.co.uk

Staffordshire farm with potential for development BOXALL BROWN & JONES are offering for sale a farm of 12.5 acres with significant potential for further improvement, modernisation and development.

The property - Brick Hill Farm, Stubby Lane, Birch Cross, Marchington, Staffs. ST14 8NX - comprises a detached three-bed farmhouse, brick outbuildings, two barns and further, recently constructed farm buildings. In addition, the property has three stables, tack rooms and fields.

Planning permission is currently in place to convert one of the barns into additional living accommodation, associated with the existing dwelling on the site.

The asking price is £695,000.

For more information, contact Boxall Brown & Jones on 01332 383838 or email: sales@ boxallbrownandjones.co.uk

workmanship at David Wilson East Midlands’ The Chestnuts development in Syston, the NHBC Award winning site manager has built a model house to showcase the high standard of build work he expects from all staff working on site.

Gary Tebbatt, 44, (pictured right) has been working for the company for over 15 years and in that time has won no less than four NHBC Quality Awards as well as a prestigious Seal of Excellence Award too.

He expects only the best quality work from the employees and contractors on site and so constructed the model property in order for apprentices and skilled workmen alike to use as a reference when carrying out their work.

The model house, which was constructed from surplus materials, demonstrates most processes on site from joist installations to construction of the party wall, and its aim is to act as both a learning tool and reference for best practice.

Gary has even produced detailed laminated worksheets which further acts as a further reference for workers.

Party Manifestos – The Implications For Property Now the party manifestos are published, Savills Research examines what the implications could be for the property industry and homeowners.

• 5% stamp duty levy Branded a ‘mansion tax’ by many industry commentators, the 5% stamp duty levy for properties worth over £1million will come into effect next April if Labour is re-elected.

Lucian Cook, director of residential research at Savills, “In reality, an extra 1% on the purchase price is not significant compared to the recent price gains in the prime markets. However, it is the effect on sentiment that could distort the market.

“If, ultimately, this increase is introduced it would be disproportionately felt in the high value areas of London (where around 10% of sales would be affected) and the South East, where the increased tax and diminished bonus prospects are already being most keenly anticipated.”

• £250,000 stamp duty threshold raised for first time buyers Lucian Cook, “The removal of stamp duty for first time buyer purchases below £250k can only be good news for the starter end of the market. Figures from the Council for Mortgage Lenders show that in 2009 around nine out of ten first time buyers bought below this threshold.

However, the greatest barrier to home ownership is the deposit requirement, which now represents over 100 per cent of the average first time buyer’s income. For the foreseeable future, the bank of mum and dad is likely to continue to play a more important role than any stamp duty initiatives.”

• HIPs A Conservative party win would see HIPs withdrawn. There is wide agreement that HIPs have not benefited buyers or sellers, and no tears will be shed. If anything, they have contributed to a lack of fluidity in the market, with sellers unable to test the market without first commissioning, and incurring the cost of, a HIP.

• Inheritance tax threshold Lucian Cook, “Inheritance tax has provided an incentive for some older owners in the most expensive property to downsize and pass the capital released down a generation. This has often provided the equity to allow their children to graduate up the housing ladder.

“Reducing the IHT burden will lessen this incentive and could postpone the recycling of equity in the housing market. Whilst it could therefore limited demand from upsizers, the likelihood is that this would be offset by less stock coming to the market from older sellers, meaning that the biggest casualty would be turnover rather than price.”

It would also reduce the need for tax planning on the family home, which whilst often solving one

tax problem creates another later down the line.

The Liberal Democrats would introduce a mansion tax on properties over £2million. What effect would this have?

This tax would apply to any home worth over £2million and would be a 1% levy on the excess value over the £2million threshold. On a house worth £1.1million, the annual tax would be £1,000, on a £5million home it would be £30,000.

Lindsay Cuthill (Mr), head of Savills south west London: “Our view is that any tax banding creates artificial thresholds in the market.

This proposal could suppress values around the £2million mark and its effect would be particularly felt in London and the South East. Such a tax would be extremely difficult to implement and the cost of valuing all affected properties (estimated to be around 80,000) would be exorbitant.”

And Noel de Keyzer of Savills Sloane Street says, “The proposed 1% ‘mansion tax’ is not only unworkable but it is also a punitive measure which will affect large swathes of central London. For many elderly people who have lived in their homes for 30+ years it will penalise them in such a way that they will no longer be able to afford to remain there. So it could mean a lot of properties coming onto the market. Good for estate agents, but a very unfair way of raising taxes!”

I installed a skylight in my apartment. The people who live above me are furious.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

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I’m sure wherever my dad is; he’s looking down on us. He’s not dead, just very condescending.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

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       •  •  •  •   •   •   

       



The bank sent a cheque back marked “Insufficient funds”. Them or me?

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Development Property IN BRIEF

Wigston plot: £100k ANDREW Granger & Co. are offering for sale a single building plot at Bushloe End, Wigston, Leicester The plot has full planning consent for a three-bed, two-storey dwelling.

Price Guide: £100,000.

Contact Andrew Granger & Co. on 0116 242 9922 or visit www. andrewgranger.co.uk

Development opportunity in Tutbury

BAGSHAWS Land & Estate Agents are inviting offers for three prime building plots at Green Lane/Belmont Road, Tutbury.

The plots are to be sold in two lots: Lot 1: A single building plot of 0.25 of an acre with access from Belmont Road and planning consent for the erection of a substantial detached dwelling offering 4,000 sqft of accommodation; Lot 2: A pair of building plots with consent for the erection of two dwellings offering approximately 2,600 sqft of accommodation apiece.

The closing date for offers is FRIDAY 21st MAY 2010.

For more information, contact Bagshaws on 01889 562811 or visit the website at www.bagshaws.com

Netherseal plot NEWTON FALLOWELL are offering for sale a building plot with Outline Planning Permission for a four-bed detached property.

The plot - at Clifton Road, Netherseal, Derbyshire - has delightful open views to the rear.

The asking price is £140,000.

For more information, contact Newton Fallowell on 01530 414666 or email: ashby@newtonfallowell. co.uk

BATJIC Agrees 2% Pay Increase The Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) has concluded the 2010/11 round of pay negotiations and agreed there will be a 2% increase to the three headline rates of pay effective from Monday 13th September 2010.

Speaking for the employers’ side, Richard Diment, Director-General of the FMB said: “Once again the length and severity of the recession in the construction sector has made for a very tough round of negotiations with both sides doing what they can to help workers cope with the increasing financial pressures, but without endangering jobs. Both we and our colleagues at Unite feel that this solution will achieve this very difficult balancing act.”

Diment continued: “While our own State of Trade Survey shows that the trading environment for our members has continued to deteriorate, the rate of deterioration seems to be slowing, and there are signs that members are more optimistic about the future. With this in mind, we feel that this settlement will be deliverable at the time of the implementation date. We feel that it is important to have a pay increase in order to recognise the contribution that workers have made to helping businesses survive through the recession, and to retain their skills that will be essential to the recovery of the industry.”

Commenting for the workers side, Bob Blackman, National Secretary for Construction at Unite, said: “While the settlement is not as generous as we would have liked, we have to acknowledge that the industry is still in decline and that any recovery will be slow. As such the preservation of jobs must remain a priority for our members while still trying to do what we can to lessen the impact of what has been a savage recession in the sector. This settlement shows that BATJIC can continue its proud record of delivering real improvements in pay and conditions for construction workers, even in the most difficult conditions.”

Blackman concluded: “What is essential is that, whoever forms the next government after May 6th, economic recovery must be the priority, and as part of that it is essential that construction spending is maintained given that the sector is the most efficient at converting public money into jobs and valuable national infrastructure.”

BSS Industrial gets a hand up in the handrail market BSS Industrial has partnered with global supplier Kee Safety to offer a flexible range of fittings which feature a number of benefits, this coupled with an increased investment in hand rail tube, enables BSS to offer a very comprehensive package to its customer base.

The range, which is now available from nationwide BSS Industrial branches, includes galvanised iron components and handrail tube as well as fittings which meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). They are also specifically designed to meet the Building Regulations part M and British Standard BS 8300. The partnership with Kee Safety also ensures that the chosen systems are simple to install with only a standard hex key required without the need for threading, welding or bolting.

For more information on BSS Industrial log on to www.bssindustrial.co.uk or call 0116 262 3232. BSS Industrial is part of The BSS Group plc, a market leading distributor to specialist trades.

Development Property IN BRIEF

Development opportunity in Bulwell: £20k

SAVILLS are offering for sale BY AUCTION No.6 Dursley Close, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 8RN. The property comprises a single development opportunity (subject to planning) to create a single dwelling.

Guide Price: £15,000-£20,000.

For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 13th May 2010 at 2.30pm at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Road, Nottingham NG2 4BE. For more information, contact Savills on tel: 0115 934 8020 or view details on the website at www.savills.co.uk/auctions

Fisher German announce merger Shuldham Calverley chartered surveyors is marking its 21st birthday by merging with Fisher German chartered surveyors.

Fisher German who has 10 offices covering the UK is nationally known in areas such as utilities, telecommunications and wind farms.

Shuldham Calverley was founded in Retford in April 1989.

Tim Shuldham, Ian Calverley and Kevin Benson all become partners at Fisher German and will continue to operate from the Retford office serving existing and new clients.

“Being larger, Fisher German has a wider range of expertise than Shuldham Calverley, including areas such as planning and renewable energy which we will now be able to offer in our region. It is a very exciting time for us all” comments Tim Shuldham.

Henry Sale, joint managing partner of Fisher German adds “the response to the news from the Shuldham Calverley employees and clients has been extremely positive and already the benefits of the merger are showing in new instructions and additional services being delivered to Shuldham Calverley clients.

The new merger will see Fisher German expand to 11 offices and employee numbers approaching 250.

An egotist is a person of low taste—more interested in himself than in me.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

The Anticipated Demise Of The HIP? Both the Tory party and Liberal Democrats have pledged to scrap Home Information Packs. Now Labour, the architects of the widely discredited HIP stand alone in their plans to maintain what in practice is a tax on trying to sell your home.

Dan Wiggin, Partner at Central London agent WA Ellis says “For someone who has been selling property in Central London now for almost 28 years, I can honestly say that the HIP is actually a hindrance and not a help.

“Right from the very start, this Government paid scant attention to the cries of property professionals working within the sales industry” says Wiggin. “The HIP was originally designed to cut bureaucracy, in fact it has more than doubled it with endless search companies requiring appointments at councils which have been inundated with enquiries.

Since only one in three homes that are marketed actually sells, we witnessed more than £150m wasted last year on the production of Packs that were never used. Still, good news for the Chancellor who raked in £22.5m in VAT for them. All in an effort we were told to save energy!” fumes Wiggin.

“I am all in favour of creating clarity and transparency together with a system that can produce as much information on a property that is relevant. HIPs could well have been the vehicle to provide this but overbureaucracy, lack of understanding and ignorance of the practicalities have led this government to produce a muddled through system.

“The HIP was originally piloted in places such as suburbs in Bristol where detached freehold houses are the norm. It bears little resemblance to the intricacies and legal nuances of say the central London leasehold property market, not to mention large pre-bought development schemes.

Wiggin concludes. “Over 10,000 people are now employed in producing HIPs many of whom will also find themselves out of work if Gordon Brown loses his job on 6th May.

School celebrates new extension STAFF and pupils are celebrating the completion of a new extension and refurbishment programme at a city school.

Merrydale Junior School, in Claydon Road, Humberstone, has benefited from a new three-classroom extension to replace mobile classrooms, as well as an extended hall, new dance studio and new staffroom.

The project cost about £1.7 million with funding coming from the city council’s Classroom Replacement Programme and Primary Capital programme, as well as nearly £100,000 from the school itself.

The project was completed in February, following 14 months of work involving the school, Mansells Construction Services and council officers working together to ensure the normal running of the school continued.

Applying VAT to new homes would “fatally damage the housebuiding industry” says Galliford Try Ian Baker, Group Managing Director for Housebuilding at Galliford Try Homes, comments on the Liberal Democrats proposal to introduce VAT on new homes: “We are extremely surprised that the Liberal Democrats would make such an ill conceived policy suggestion.

For many years the housebuilding industry has been working closely with government and treasury officials looking at the implications of such a move and it has always been accepted that it cannot be implemented. Introducing VAT at any level would fatally damage the housebuilding industry at any time and its ability to deliver much needed new homes in the UK. “This is an example of a lack of understanding of the importance of the housebuilding industry in the UK and of the significant tax and legislative burden that the industry already carries.”

Site for 3 dwellings in Bilton, Rugby

GODFREY-PAYTON Chartered Surveyors are inviting Best & Final Offers by 12 noon on Friday 14th May 2010 for a residential development site at 32 Beech Drive, Bilton, Rugby.

Formerly the site of a spacious chalet bungalow, a mature residential development site.

The approved plans give consent for three traditional-style four bedroom detached houses with potential for another two units at a later date.

The 0.453 acre site is situated in an established residential area at the end of Beech Drive which comprises mainly detached houses with footpath running along the south-west boundary.

Guide Price: £300,000-£350,000.

For more information, contact Godfrey-Payton on 01926 492511 or visit the website at www.godfrey-payton.co.uk

Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Two parrots on a perch. One says: “Can you smell fish?”.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Move your vowels every day or you’ll get consonated.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Help Design a New Aviary for Queen’s Park Artists from the Charnwood area are being invited to put pencil to paper and design a new aviary for Loughborough’s Queen’s Park.

Charnwood Borough Council wants to replace the existing, slightly dated, aviary which has stood for more than 20 years with a new one on the same site.

The winner will scoop a £1,000 cash prize and will work with an architect to design the structure.

Initially the council is looking for artistic sketches of what could be the new building which will house birds such as zebra finches, cockatiels, parakeets and budgerigars.

The selected designs will go out to public consultation. Shortlisted designs that go on public display as more detailed A2 designs will be awarded £500 each.

Initial designs on A3 size that are commended by the shortlisting panel but are not shortlisted will be awarded £50. The deadline for entries is Monday, May 31, 2010.

Designs should be on A3 paper and addressed to: Colin Bailey, Green Spaces Development Manager, Charnwood Borough Council, Council Offices, Southfield Road, Loughborough, LE11 2TU. Applicants are asked to include a brief covering letter that includes their full contact details.

For more information contact Colin Bailey on 01509 632530 or email colin.bailey@charnwood. gov.uk

Never miss your copy of Leicestershire Builder!

Leicester City Council leader supports city regeneration

The new leader of Leicester City Council, Councillor Veejay Patel, has met with Prospect Leicestershire’s chairman Nick Carter to gain an early understanding of their work and ongoing plans to bring further investment into the city.

Councillor Patel reassured private sector partners about his support for the initiatives already approved and underway – in particular the development of the science park centred on the National Space Centre and the housingled regeneration around Abbey Meadows. He is also keen to see the further development of the new business quarter in the area around Leicester railway station.

Looking forward, Councillor Patel said he was keen to see a review and update of the city’s Masterplan that will help to identify where the main opportunities lie over the coming years.

Projects underway include: •

•

www.buildermagazines.co.uk

including postage!

It’s a bargain!

Development Property IN BRIEF

Former Chapel for sale by Auction

BAGSHAWS Land & Estate Agents are offering for sale

BY AUCTION an imposing late Victorian former Chapel with period and Gothic features together with an abundance of stained glass windows.

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Or telephone 01530 244069 It costs just £12 for 6 issues, or £20 for 12 issues

13

The Station Business Gateway which will form part of the city’s Business Quarter. Following Colton Square, it will include Grade A offices, apartments, a multi-level car park, a quality hotel, a new station concourse and entrance gateway. The project will enhance the approaches to the station with improvements to Granby Street.

The expansion is estimated to create 2,000 jobs over eight years and is designed to attract both commercial and public sector employers. East Midlands Development Agency has offered a grant of £9.2 million, one of the largest ever made by the agency. Work will proceed when partnership agreements have been completed with Network Rail and businesses relocated.

At Leicester Science park, high-quality workspace for 50 hi-tech firms has been approved at one of the twin sites around the National Space Centre. Leicester Science Park Innovation Workspace will provide 40,000 sq ft of business space and is forecast to create around 250 jobs. The project is aimed at helping new businesses grow and prosper.Architects are drawing up a final design for the £5.2 million scheme, which is supported by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Government’s Working Neighbourhoods Fund.

•

In Abbey Meadows the construction of the first phase of 191 properties, including 119 ‘affordable homes’ has begun. The former BUSM factory site on Ross Walk will give a much needed expansion of the Belgrave neighbourhood, providing a better variety of house sizes and styles, set around new parkland.

•

Elsewhere, Bellway are currently building new family housing on next to the Science Park, with 25 of these homes having already been reserved, and on Wolsey Island, opposite Abbey Park, Morris Homes have a new planning consent for 63 house and 18 flats and hope to be able to start this development shortly.

I often quote myself; it adds spice to my conversation.

The property - The Old Methodist Chapel in Rocester - stands on a footprint amounting to approximately 1,400 sqft (130 sqm) together with first floor area to the north end offering further accommodation of approximately 600 sqft. the Chapel stands adjacent to the “village green” with the village car park and hall to the rear.

For sale by PUBLIC AUCTION on Wednesday 26th May 2010 at 3pm at The Platinum Suite, Uttoxeter Racecourse.

Guide Price: £50,000-£100,000.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Bagshaws on 01889 562811.

Bilborough site

SAVILLS are offering for sale

BY AUCTION The Former Early Bird, Beechdale Road/Harvey Road, Bilborough, Nottingham NG8 3FH. The property comprises a cleared development site with potential for a variety of uses.

Guide Price: Offers in excess of £300,000.

For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 13th May 2010 at 2.30pm at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Road, Nottingham NG2 4BE. For more information, contact Savills on tel: 0115 934 8020 or view details on the website at www.savills.co.uk/auctions

14

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Development Property IN BRIEF

Birstall semi in need of upgrading TAYLORS Estate Agents are offering for sale a three-bed semi requiring modernisation at Johnson Road, Birstall.

Saturday 8th May 2010 - SMITH & PARTNERS - at Epperstone Village Hall, Epperstone, Notts - 12 noon start - tel: 0115 950 8181 - www. smithandpartners.co.uk

The asking price is £149,950.

For more information, contact Taylors on 0116 299 6633 or email: leicester@taylors-ea.co.uk

Factory with potential for residential use INNES ENGLAND are inviting offers in the region of £425,000 for a factory which may be suitable for residential redevelopment, subject to planning.

The property - 3 Winston Avenue, Croft, Leicestershire LE9 3GQ - has a site area of one acre and is located close to residential property.

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

Former nightclub in Leicester

SAVILLS are offering for sale

BY AUCTION the Former Chez Paul Cafe bar & Club, Queen Street, Leicester LE1 1QW. The property comprises a former cafe bar/nightclub set within Leicester’s newly formed theatre district.

Guide Price: £200,000-£250,000.

For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 13th May 2010 at 2.30pm at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Road, Nottingham NG2 4BE. For more information, contact Savills on tel: 0115 934 8020 or view details on the website at www.savills.co.uk/auctions

New boost for the regions’ housing market as Barratt opens five new sites

Wednesday 12th May 2010 - LAL SANGRA SHONKI BROS - at Leicester City Football Club - 5pm start - tel: 0116 255 7573 - info@shonkibros. com (See advert on pages 18 & 19) Thursday 13th May 2010 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham - tel: Rob Crocker 0115 934 8020 - www.savills.com Thursday 20th May 2010 - Graham Penny - at The Pedigree Suite, Derby County FC, Pride Park Stadium, Derby DE24 8XL - 11.30 am start - tel: 01332 242880 - www.grahampenny. com Thursday 20th May 2010 - COTTONS - at Aston Villa Football Club - tel: 0121 247 2233 - www.cottons.co.uk

THE housing market recovery in Leicestershire received a new boost this month when the region’s leading housebuilder said it would be opening five new sites in the next six months alone.

Barratt North Midlands will start work on five new developments comprising 939 new homes in the first half of 2010. The developments have a total sales value of £139.6 million and provide further evidence that the property market in the Midlands is recovering ahead of some other parts of the country.

“There is still strong demand for houses throughout our region which covers Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire and this is helping the housing market to outperform expectations,” said James Poynor, Sales Director at Barratt North Midlands.

“We would not be making this significant commitment to the market in this area unless we were confident about its prospects in the medium-term.”

“By building these developments we will be bringing new jobs to the region. We will also be creating well-designed, competitively-priced new homes which local people need.”

Barratt will be launching work on schemes in Leicester, Kibworth, Mansfield, Chesterfield and Hucknall.

Businesses continue to settle bills earlier - says Experian The latest Late Payment Index from Experian®, the global information services company, shows that UK businesses are paying their bills significantly faster than they did this time last year.

Experian’s analysis shows that during January to March this year, businesses paid their bills an average of 20.93 days late compared to 23.61 days late in Q1 2009.

Wednesday 26th May 2010 HOWKINS & HARRISON - at Kilworth Springs Golf Club, North Kilworth, Leics. - 6.30pm start - tel: 01788 564680 - www.howkinsandharrison. co.uk (See advert on page 11) Wednesday 26th May 2010 Bagshaws Land & Estate Agents - at The Platinum Suite, Uttoxeter Racecourse - 3pm start - tel: 01889 562811 - www.bagshaws.com Wednesday 16th June 2010 - KAL SANGRA SHONKI BROTHERS - at Leicester Racecourse, Leicester Road, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4AL- 5pm start - tel: 0116 254 3373 - www. shonkibrothers.com Wednesday 16th June 2010 - BAGSHAWS RESIDENTIAL - at Pride Park Stadium, Derby DE24 8XL - tel: 01332 361308 - www. bagshawsauctions.co.uk Thursday 1st July 2010 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham - tel: Rob Crocker 0115 934 8020 - www.savills.com Thursday 8th July 2010 - Graham Penny - at The Pedigree Suite, Derby County FC, Pride Park Stadium, Derby DE24 8XL - 11.30 am start - tel: 01332 242880 - www.grahampenny. com Wednesday 1st September 2010 - BAGSHAWS RESIDENTIAL - at Pride Park Stadium, Derby DE24 8XL - tel: 01332 361308 - www. bagshawsauctions.co.uk

I have great faith in fools; my friends call it self-confidence.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

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CONNECT VANS 03 53 CONNECT 200 SWB VAN WHITE 97,133 MILES 04 04 CONNECT 220 SW VAN SILVER 72,044 MILES

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04 54 CONNECT 200 SWB VAN WHITE 65,895 MILES 04 54 CONNECT 200 SWB VAN WHITE 40,725 MILES 05 55 CONNECT 200 SWB VAN WHITE 59,755 MILES 07 07 CONNECT 230 LWB VAN SILVER 81,112 MILES 09 09 CONNECT 200 SWB VAN WHITE 10,742 MILES

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03 03 TRANSIT 350 MWB DROPSIDE RED 29,591 MILES 05 05 TRANSIT 300 SWB DROPSIDE WHITE 59,174 MILES

06 56 TRANSIT 280 SWB L/R VAN WHITE 59,893 MILES 08 08 TRANSIT 260 SWB L/R VAN WHITE 31,858 MILES 08 08 TRANSIT 330 SWB L/R VAN BLUE 3,074 MILES

08 08 TRANSIT 330 MWB M/R VAN WHITE 4,402 MILES 09 09 TRANSIT 260 SWB L/R VAN WHITE 13,086 MILES 09 09 TRANSIT 280 SWB ECONETIC VAN CHILL 2,054 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 260 SWB L/R VAN BLUE 28 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 260 SWB L/R VAN WHITE 51 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 300 LWB M/R VAN WHITE 15 MILES 07 07 TRANSIT 17 SEAT MINIBUS WHITE 80,533 MILES

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10 59 TRANSIT 260 SWB L/R VAN SILVER 8 MILES 08 08 TRANSIT 350 MWB TIPPER WHITE 7,765 MILES 10 59 TRANSIT 280 MWB M/R VAN CHILL 24 MILES 09 09 TRANSIT 350 LWB M/R VAN BLACK 408 MILES 08 08 TRANSIT 17 SEAT MINIBUS WHITE 49,740 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 350 LWB M/R VAN WHITE 333 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 350 MWB M/R VAN WHITE 12 MILES 09 09 TRANSIT 350 LWB H/R VAN SILVER 1,353 MILES 07 57 TRANSIT TOURNEO - VAT FREE – BUS SILVER 11,530 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 350 LWB H/R VAN WHITE 26 MILES 09 09 TRANSIT 350 JUMBO VAN SILVER 797 MILES 08 58 TRANSIT 17 SEAT MINIBUS WHITE 21,279 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 350 JUMBO VAN WHITE 24 MILES 10 59 TRANSIT 350 LWB H/R VAN WHITE 8 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 350 MWB TIPPER WHITE 25 MILES 09 59 TRANSIT 350 MWB TIPPER WHITE 22 MILES

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16

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Landmark hotel goes under the hammer on 10th May A landmark Coventry hotel has come onto the market after going into Receivership in March.

Property consultants Savills has been instructed by the Receivers to sell the freehold interest in Aston Court Hotel, located just off the Coventry ring road on Holyhead Road.

The 81 en suite bedroom hotel has recently been closed and is to be auctioned by Savills at 2 pm on Monday 10 May at Claridge’s Hotel, London.

The Aston Court has seven conference rooms (with capacities between four and 200 persons), an 80 cover restaurant and parking for 43 vehicles.

Paul Barrasford of Savills Leisure and Hotels Team says: “The Aston Court Hotel is a substantial piece of real estate in a prominent Coventry location and we anticipate interest both from parties seeking to re-open the hotel and those who may consider developing the property for alternative use.”

Further details of the sale can be found at http://auctions.savills.co.uk, including details of viewing days for the hotel.

The guide price for the property is £800,000 to £900,000.

For further information contact Paul Barrasford at Savills Oxford on 01865 269112 or Simon Parker at Savills Auction Team on 020 7877 4513.

If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished!

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

17

Builders’ Problems SOLVED My customer refuses to pay the full bill Problem:

For 10 years up to the end of 2008 I ran a bricklaying subcontracting company under my own limited company. I have since left the trade and undertaken a new career, although the limited company still exists and operates with a small turnover for bits of work here and there. All the contracted clients I had were sold on to a company with whom I still have a very good relationship.

At the end of August 2008 I undertook a quick job, which was a brick boundary wall to an office building.

The owner knocked me down on price from around £8,600 to £6,750, which I accepted due to having no other commitments at that time. The following weeks, he decided he wanted to pay in cash (which was fully declared) in batches of £500 to £1,000.

However, to date there remains an outstanding amount of £1,175.

During the following weeks and months from August 2008, the owner used the leverage of payment dependant on additional works being carried out, which stupidly I agreed to. All went quiet around November 2008. I started my new career in Jan 2009. At no point in the 4 months after the initial construction were there any problems whatsoever, and there is no proof of anything being said either, just the additional works.

I had initially written off the £1,175 off as a bad debt.

Then in March 2009 I received a phone call at my new place of work from the said owner, threatening me to do even more additional work if I wanted payment. The threats were of physical violence, and at one point I had it on speaker phone so the people heard in the office. Again stupidly

I agreed to carry out the work on the following weekend, on condition that I worked and then received full and final payment, to which he agreed.

The weekend arrived and after a 45 mile trip to the site he refused access to the premises! That was the last I heard from him.

On the 12 month anniversary, I decided enough was enough, and I wanted my money, so I processed a small claim online, which he has defended.

We’ve just had a hearing. He turned up with a lawyer and managed to get an adjournment, claiming £1,500 costs to resolve issues with substandard work, carried out in Jan/Feb 09 - four odd months after the completion of the wall. The invoices he has are from a guy who is basically a glorified handyman – not a specialist bricklayer. The invoices are obviously fabricated because of the cost of the work laid out - at £375 per day!

My question is - I can’t afford a solicitor. Do I need separate advice on my claim, or should I just carry on going it alone? Or any other help is very much appreciated.

Martin, Walton

Response:

What an interesting situation.

Firstly, do not bother with a solicitor, otherwise your claim will be severely devalued with just a portion of it being recovered as costs in the event.

It seems to me that there is no dispute as to what you are owed, only that there is a counter claim to negate your own claim (are you also claiming for interest, and the wasted travel? You should be).

This being the case, the defendant (your ex-customer), in order to persuade the court that he should be

awarded his counterclaim, must set out the following in his pleadings: 1. Identify the contract including the terms of the contract that is salient to his case (important as this will lay down what he believes were your obligations to him).

2. Identify the breach of contract (this will be stating what he believes was your failure).

3. Causation, loss and damage.

Now I am guessing, as I have not seen the contract terms and conditions that exists between you both, but in all probability, he will be relying on an implied term for you to have carried out the work with reasonable skill and care (number 1), and as a result of this failure (number 2), damage was caused to (for example, substandard pointing), and hence the claim is for the rectification to the tune of £1,500.

I suspect that you should be able to defend your works, and if the court is persuaded by you on this, the counter claim is dismissed. But, let us just say the court believes you did carry out the works to a standard that fell below what an average bricklayer would have produced.

First and foremost, the defendant is under an implied obligation to mitigate the cost and this means in your situation that he should have brought the problem to your attention in the first place, and given you the opportunity to correct the fault, which if you had attended, then the cost to him would have been nil, whilst the cost to you would have nominal (your time is free to you, plus materials). I am sure that you can show he never did this (where are the emails, evidence of calls etc.) and if so, his counterclaim will be nominal, if anything.

In addition, he must also show that he actually incurred the losses. That means that he must prove he has ac-

tually paid the invoices to the company that purportedly made good - and you can raise your concern with the court that you believe the invoices are false. No doubt he will say that he paid in cash though, so be prepared to have an answer to that, i.e. request sight of the company’s ledger, otherwise he is avoiding tax and in any event he has no proof of payment, hence there is no loss (you can show that you have accounted for your cash payment, which shows you are at least honest).

I am sure that you can have a lot of fun with this person if you really put your mind to it, and have your day in court and show what a scroundrel he really is.

Best of luck. © Michael P. Gerard MSc, PGDipLaw, PGDipBar, FCIOB, MCIArb, MAE Author background Michael is a barrister, chartered builder, registered adjudicator and accredited expert in quantum and planning matters. He is Managing Director of Michael Gerard & Co www.michael-gerard.co.uk, a company of chartered building consultants and quantity surveyors who provide a specialised service in the areas of construction law, quantum, programming, business recovery and insolvency support to the construction industry.

If you would like Michael’s advice on your own building related problem, please write or email c/o Leicestershire Builder.

I’m not into working out. My philosophy: No pain, no pain.

18

Residential

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Residential

Winstanley Drive, Leicester

Nansen Road, N. Evington

• 3 Bedroom semi detached property • Rent achievable £500 per calendar month • Potential building land for additional dwelling Guide price: £65,000 - £85,000

• 3 Bedroom palisaded terrace property • Rent achievable £500 per calendar month • Gas central heating / double glazing Guide price £80,000 - £100,000

Residential

Residential

Dupont Gardens, Leicester

• 3 Bedroom mid town house • Requiring slight improvement • Rent achievable £495 per calendar month • Gas central heating / double glazing Guide price £55,000 - £65,000

Residential

Filbert Street, Leicester

Henton Road, Leicester

• 3 Bedroom mid terrace property • Ideal to let to 4 students • Rent achievable £10,000 per annum • Gas central heating / double glazing Guide price £80,000 - £100,000

• 3 Bedroom mid terrace property • Recently undergone full modernisation • Rent achievable £500 per calendar month • Ideal for owner occupier, rental investor or first time buyer Guide price £70,000 - £90,000

Residential

Residential

Meredith Road, Leicester

• 3 Bedroom semi detahced property • Popular residential location • Rent achievable £575 per calendar month • Requires slight improvement Guide price £120,000 - £140,000

Residential

Tyndale Street, Leicester

Hillsborough Close, Glen Parva

3 Bedroom mid terrace property Located off Hinckley Road Ideal to let to 4 students Rent achievable £9,600 per annum Guide price £85,000 - £95,000

• 1 Bedroom ground floor flat • Gas central heating / double glazing • Rent achievable £375 per calendar month Guide price £35,000 - £45,000

• • • •

Project Takes New Twist With Archimedes Screw Installation A modern-day version of one of the world’s oldest engineering wonders has been installed at the new JCB Academy… and will be responsible for generating the majority of the centre’s electricity.

An environmentally-friendly Archimedes Screw turbine was lowered into place at the Academy, which is based at the historic Grade II listed Tutbury Mill in Rocester.

The pump, shaped like a giant corkscrew, was first used over two thousand years ago to move water to higher ground to irrigate farmland in ancient Greece.

This latest version – weighing 13.5 tonnes and measuring 36ft by 10ft – uses the reverse principal of harnessing water power from the adjacent millrace to turn a turbine to create power.

It will generate up to 85 per cent of the centre of learning’s electricity needs when it throws open its doors to students for its inaugural term in September, and will save up to 64 tonnes of CO2 compared to using mains electricity.

The innovative hydropower pump was developed in Germany to JCB’s specification, before being shipped over to the UK ready to be installed at The Academy.

JCB Group Property Director and Academy Trust Director Alan Thomson said: “When we designed The JCB Academy we wanted to be as green as possible and the Archimedes Screw turbine embraces the very latest technology to generate electricity in an environmentally friendly way.

“It also complements other methods of power generation that will be used which include installing a wind turbine and photovoltaic cells to harness solar power. When the turbine starts operating it will be the first time the millrace will have been used to generate power at the site since 1946, when a mill wheel was replaced by a steam engine.”

Alan added: “We have also ensured it is wildlife friendly, having installed a gate and ladder to allow fish to pass freely.”

Laugh and the world laughs with you; snore and you sleep alone.

Hats off to green power: JCB Academy Principal Jim Wade (left) and JCB Academy Trust Director Alan Thomson pictured as the Archimedes Screw was put into position at the JCB Academy, Rocester.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069 Property Auction Wednesday 12th May 2010

19

Auction Starts at 5pm prompt.

At: Leicester City Football Club, The Walkers Stadium, Banks Lounge, Filbert Way, Leicester Residential investment Saffron lane, Leicester

• Two self contained flats • Let on an assured shorthold tenancies • Rental income £7,320 per annum Guide price £70,000 - £90,000

Residential investment

Residential

Skippon Close, Market Harborough

• 4 Bedroom extended semi detached property • Situated in popular residential location • Rent achievable £500 per calendar month Guide price £100,000

Residential

Cherry Road, Blaby

Roman Road, Birstall

• 3 Bedroom detached property • Development opportunity for additional dwelling • Let on an assuired shorthold tenancy • Rental income £675 per calendar month Guide price £145,000 - £165,000

• 3 Bedroom detached bungalow • Additional self contained annexe • Full achievable rent £875 per calendar month Guide price £140,000 - £160,000

Commercial investment

Residential

Oronsay Road, Leicester

Albion Street, Oadby

• Single storey hot food takeaway • Total ground floor area 548 sqft • Rental income £6,000 per annum • Situated in a residential location Guide price £65,000 - £75,000

• 2 Bedroom terrace property • Located off The Parade, Oadby • Rent achievable £495 per calendar month • Requires some structural repairs Guide price £60,000 - £70,000

Residential

Wilnicott Road, Leicester

• 3 Bedroom semi detached property • Located off Braunstone Lane • Rent achievable £550 per calendar month Guide price £100,000 - £115,000

Residential investment

Leicester Street, N.Evington

• 2 Bedroom palisaded terrace property • Let on an assured shorthold tenancy • Rental income £495 per calendar month • Gas central heating / double glazing Guide price £75,000 - £95,000

For An Auction Catalogue & Viewing, Contact: SHONKI BROS ESTATE AGENTS, 95 NARBOROUGH ROAD, LEICESTER

Tel: 0116 255 7573 www.shonkibros.com info@shonkibros.com

Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is; we’ll find it.

20

advert:letterheads 26/10/09 11:37 Page 1 • Tel: 01530 244069 Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010

Development Property

Development Property

Glenfield bungalow on large plot

Hugglescote plot: £160k

IN BRIEF

IN BRIEF

Tel: (01455) 250690 Leases and asset finance for:

Cars • Commercial vehicles • Plant & machinery Long established family run friendly brokerage based in Hinckley.

All arrangements considered from £3,000 - £3,000,000.

New / used assets and re-finance.

MOORE & YORK Estate Agents are inviting offers around £95,000 for a detached bungalow at Groby Road, Glenfield.

The property, which occupies a plot of 0.8 of an acre, has planning permission for demolition of the existing building, and replacement with a five-bed detached house with a triple garage and rooms above.

For more information, contact Moore & York on 0116 255 8666 or email: info@moore-york.co.uk

Urban Quarry up and running in Leicester

Nottingham terraced house needs full refurbishment

Guide Price: £55,000-£60,000.

For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 13th May 2010 at 2.30pm at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Road, Nottingham NG2 4BE. For more information, contact Savills on tel: 0115 934 8020 or view details on the website at www.savills.co.uk/auctions

0.25 acre plot for sale in Rutland

MURRAY Estate Agents are offering for sale a 0.25 acre building plot with full planning permission for a four-bed detached house designed by an awardwinning local architect.

An ‘Urban Quarry’ has been set up by a group of local firms in Ulverscroft Road, Leicester.

SAVILLS are offering for sale

BY AUCTION 17 Sneinton Hermitage, Nottingham.The property comprises a substantial three-storey terraced property in need of full refurbishment and modernisation.

SINCLAIR Estate Agents are inviting offers around £160,000 for a building plot with planning permission available for a detached bungalow, but scope for a detached house, subject to planning.

The plot - adjacent to 133 Station Road, Hugglescote, Near Coalville, Leics. - is situated in a mature and established residential position enjoying an open aspect to the rear. Frontage: 46’3”, average depth: 142’0”.

For more information, contact Sinclair Estate Agents on 01530 838338 or email: coalville@ sinclairestateagents.co.uk

A joint venture headed by AR Aggregates Ltd in conjunction with A E Burgess & Sons, Central Construction Services Ltd and AR Demolition Ltd. will be producing quality recycled aggregates.

The site has now been concreted and new bays constructed. The new SANDVIK crusher and Screeners have arrived which are able to process aggregates 350 mtph.

The waste management, crushing and screening will be able to be kept for the large part, in-house, thereby saving subcontractors’ costs and giving the operators greater control over budgets, schedules, Health and Safety and Environmental procedures.

New employees have already started their Health & Safety training and a training matrix is in place.

AR Demolition Director, Richard Dolman, said “We are very excited at the prospect of operating an Urban Quarry in Leicester, which will be good for business, good for the environment therefore helping to achieve our sustainability goals.

“AR Aggregates Ltd will be working in accordance with WRAP quality protocol continuing the strong environmental and sustainability credentials we already strive to achieve at AR Demolition Ltd.”

My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.

The plot - at High Street, Braunston, Rutland - is available at an asking price of £295,000.

For more information, contact Murrays on 01572 755555 or email: oakham@murrayestateagents.co.uk

Burbage plot: £125k CASTLE ESTATES are inviting offers around £125,000 for a building plot with full planning permission for a four-bed detached family residence at the rear of 333 & 335 Rugby Road, Burbage.

The purchasers could either build the property themselves with their own contractor, or they could use the services of the current vendor as a project manager or constructor.

The area surrounding this property includes quality properties all with values around £350,000 and upwards in price range.

For more information, contact Castle Estates on 01455 617997 or email: info@castles-online.co.uk

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Computers make very fast, very precise mistakes.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Cottage for refurbishment or redevelopment: £250k+ E.A.LANE & Sons Chartered Surveyors are offering for sale by Informal Tender a cottage requiring complete refurbishment/ modernisation and/or redevelopment (subject to planning).

The property - 6 Bawdon Cottages, Nanpantan Road, Charley, Leics.

LE12 9YE - comprises a double-fronted cottage with rendered elevations under a slate roof. The cottage has panoramic views over adjoining countryside.

The accommodation comprises: entrance hall, sitting room, dining room, kitchen, inner hall, shower room/WC, conservatory, 2 double bedrooms, family bathroom, double garage, enclosed gardens extending to 0.33 acres or thereabouts.

Offers in excess of £250,000 are to be submitted in writing to E.A.Lane & Sons, 100 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 7DG by 12 noon on Friday 21st May 2010.

For more information, contact E.A.Lane & Sons on 0116 233 6433 or email info@ealane.com

The first half of our lives is ruined by our parents, and the second half by our children.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Development Property IN BRIEF

Hinckley site with potential for 8 town houses CASTLE ESTATES are offering for sale a building plot in Leicester Road, Hinckley with the potential to accommodate 8 threestorey town houses, subject to planning.

The Price Guide is £475,000. For more information, contact Castle Estates on 01455 617997 or email: info@castles-online.co.uk

Rugby building plot: £200k

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Shadow Housing Minister visits new Burton housing development Shadow Housing Minister, Grant Shapps made a visit to Trent & Dove Housing Ltd’s new affordable housing development, Charrington House in Burton upon Trent, the former Trading Standards Building currently being redeveloped by Loughboroughbased William Davis Ltd. Trent & Dove Housing and William Davis personnel gave the Shadow Housing Minister a tour of the £4m development, part funded by the HCA (Homes & Communities Agency), which is due for completion in September 2010.

Photo shows: (L-R) Luke Danvers, apprentice plumber, William Davis Ltd demonstrates the skills he is learning on site in Burton upon Trent to Andrew Griffiths, parliamentary Conservative candidate, Ron Dougan, chief executive, Trent & Dove, Grant Shapps, shadow housing minister, Tony Russell, board member, Trent & Dove & Nic Jepson, group business development manager, William Davis Ltd.

Private housing construction rebounds as public sector stalls The value of residential construction projects starting on site during the three months to March 2010 was 37 per cent higher than the same period a year ago according to the latest Glenigan Index.

ROSE & SARGENT Estate Agents are offering for sale a good sized plot set in a quiet location with full planning permission for a 3/4 bedroomed detached dwelling.

The plot - at Brownsover Lane, Rugby - has a Guide price of £200,000.

For more information, contact Rose & Sargent on 01788 550555.

Project starts increased in the private and social housing sectors. “Many projects stalled by the bad weather in January and February have now started. Housebuilder confidence has been boosted by rising house prices and property transactions seen since last summer. This recent improvement is encouraging and gradual strengthening in private residential construction is forecast for the coming months” according to Allan Wilen, economics director, Glenigan.

The value of non-residential construction project starts in the three months to March 2010 was only two per cent lower than the same period a year ago. “An increase in retail, hotel and Olympic related projects has helped offset the continued weakness of the private industrial and commercial sectors and a recent slowing in public sector projects” said Mr Wilen.

Civil engineering project starts were down 44 per cent on a year ago. “The decline is the result of fewer road and rail projects and delays to planned energy projects. A surge in project starts during the same period a year ago when civil engineering was by far the strongest construction sector exaggerates the recent decline,” commented Mr Wilen.

Regionally the Midlands and Yorkshire & the Humber have seen a rise in overall construction project starts, while the North West, South West and South East of England continued to record double digit falls compared to the first three months of 2009.

The rise in public sector project starts since April 2009 has begun to lose momentum and the impending general election will exacerbate the fall. Mr Wilen added “While private sector projects are forecast to improve over the course of 2010, Government cuts will further restrict the flow of public sector schemes over the medium term.

Conditions in the industrial and commercial property markets have moved off the low point reached in the first half of 2009 and project starts in these sectors are forecast to gradually improve in the second half of the year.”

The world is full of willing people; some willing to work, the rest willing to let them.

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Eight interesting properties for sale with IG Estates IG Estates are offering for sale a selection of properties which will be of interest to local builders and developers: • Drayson Lane, Crick, Northants: Development site with Outline Planning Permission for 5 dwellings.

Guide Price: £900,000.

• 72-74 Westdale Lane, Gedling, Nottinghamshire: Currently a factory. Full planning permission has been granted at appeal for 15 one and tw o bedroom apartments with 15 car parking spaces. Guide Price: £550,000.

• Cleveland Road, Hinckley: Attractive site in the heart of Hinckley, close to an impressive church. The property currently comprises a large detached dwelling. Full planning permission for 14 apartments has been applied for and is currently the subject of an appeal. Guide Price: £500,000.

• Fairfax Road, Leicester: Site with full planning permission granted for 30 one-bed apartments with studies.

No Section 106 agreement is required. Guide Price: £750,000.

• 68 Harborough Road, Rushden, Northants: Site comprising a former leather dressing factory extending to 0.4 acres with detailed planning permission recently granted for 9 apartments and 5 town houses. Guide Price for the land: £425,000.

• Heather Close, Rugby: Single building plot. Guide Price: £50,000.

• Newbold Road, Rugby: Site located opposite the Town Hall with Outline Planning Permission for 12 one-bed apartments with parking spaces. Guide Price: £600,000.

The owner is looking for unconditional offers and wants to sell quickly.

• Dunsmore Avenue, Rugby: Former County Council Depot which has been cleared, with full planning permission, won on appeal, for 11 apartments and 6 houses. There is no Section 106 or Affordable Housing requirement. Guide price: £700,000.

For more information, telephone 01788 824346 or email: info@igestates.co.uk or visit www.igestates.co.uk

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

New Westleigh homes for Whetstone

Westleigh Developments Ltd has announced that its Partnership Homes division has returned to its roots in Whetstone and completed work on a development of 28 new affordable homes.

The joint venture between Westleigh and Derwent Living has seen 16 three- and four-bedroom town houses and 12 one-bed and two-bed apartments built on the corner of The Dicken and High Street.

The whole scheme has been built using timber frames supplied by Westleigh’s Westframe factory in Enderby, alongside traditional construction methods. Of the 28 properties available, it is expected that 22 will be available for rent and the remaining six will be allocated for shared ownership.

It comes after the Grange Business Park-based company was successful in securing a Social Housing Grant as part of its allocated £14.1 million of funding from the Homes and Communities Agency (formerly known as the Housing Corporation) back in 2008. This funding is part of the £8.4 billion National Affordable Housing Programme to raise value and quality in housing between 2008 and 2011.

Gary Turner, Head of Partnerships and Investments for Westleigh, comments, “This site was originally identified for speculative development, but given the recession and because of the strength of our relationship with Blaby District Council we took the decision to change it to an affordable homes scheme. We are therefore delighted to have completed this scheme, in partnership with Derwent Living, which will supply 28 new affordable homes to the area.”

Development Property IN BRIEF

Building land for 4 houses in Linton, Swadlincote FOSTER CORLEY CREW are offering for sale a parcel of building land with planning permission for 4 three-bed semi-detached houses with access from Princess Avenue in the village of Linton, near Swadlincote.

The site overlooks the park and open countryside.

Guide Price: £175,000. For further details, contact Foster Corley Crew on 01283 548548 or email: burton@fostercorleycrew.co.uk

Kettering site for 9 apartments WOODFORD & CO Property Consultants are offering for sale a development site at 106 Havelock Street, Kettering with full planning permission and building regulation approval for 9 apartments.

The proposed two storey blocks, in a courtyard arrangement, will comprise 6 two-bed units and 3 one-bed units.

The asking price for the site is £270,000. For more information, contact Woodford & Co. on 01832 274732 or email: info@ woodfordandco.com

Development opportunity in Somerby KING WEST are offering for sale a site for the development of 3 residential properties in the centre of the picturesque Leicestershire village of Somerby.

The property is currently the site of a former traditional farmstead. Along the southern, eastern and northern boundaries of the site are a number of disused stone and brick-built farm buildings formerly used as livestock and storage buildings.

The site area is approximately 0.4 acres.

An information pack is available to prospective purchasers at a price of £117.50 including VAT. The Guide Price for this property is £475,000.

For more information, contact King West on 01858 435970 or email: enquiries@kingwest.co.uk

There’s a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

I pretend to work here - they pretend to pay me.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

S PLU S SURERIAL LY MATGENTED UR QUIR RE

WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR SURPLUS BUILDING MATERIALS CAN YOU HELP?

www.surplus-match.co.uk

William Morris Craft Fellows 2010

THE ULTIMATE INSTANT MAKEOVER

Transform an Indoor Pool into a Party or Function Room with the Press of a Button Few luxury homes or designer hotels are complete without an indoor swimming pool but now there is the ultimate finishing touch – a powered floor system which enables an indoor pool to become a party room with the press of a button.

A leadworker, a stonemason, a carpenter and a plasterer have been chosen as SPAB’s 2010 William Morris Craft Fellows.

Since 1987 The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings has organised a unique training scheme, The William Morris Craft Fellowship to foster a new generation of outstanding craftsmen and women with the knowledge and expertise to pass on the skills that are essential when working with historic fabric.

Leadworker Philip Russon (41), stonemason Phillip Bruggy (41), carpenter Tom Beeby (26) and plasterer John Fowler (40) will now embark on a prestigious six-month programme of visits taking them to projects and workshops in all parts of the country.

Tom Beeby (pictured above, front, right) - at 26 the youngest of this year’s group - served a four year apprenticeship with a bricklayer before joining carpenter/ joiner Eddie Crane (a 2005 Fellow) at James Crane Ltd. in Leicestershire. Tom has already worked on projects ranging from repairs to a medieval bridge and creating a new sail gallery at Moulton windmill to repairing the roof of the Temple of Venus on the Garendon Estate in Leicestershire. www.spab.org.uk

It is THE definitive makeover which – for less than the price of 24 bottles of the finest champagne or a Jaguar XJ – will provide a fantastic party or games room completely concealing the swimming pool.

Stylish and elegant, the Chameleon® Powered Floor System glides out on silent rollers at the touch of a button. With a range of luxurious surfaces including polished marble, granite, natural stone, ceramic tiles and even wood, it blends seamlessly into even the most sumptuous of settings.

When not in use, it slides back onto a sub-floor which can be constructed under either the building or its garden. When in use, the temperature and humidity of the room can be controlled and pool heating costs will reduce by up to 60 per cent, cutting the carbon footprint of the building.

Manufactured to the highest standards by the Cartwright Group, a company which has more than half a century’s experience in engineering, the Chameleon® Powered Floor System is built to last.

The powered floor is constructed to meet architectural floor loading standard No BS 6399-1 and the platform features motion sensors to the front and rear which will instantly stop it moving in an emergency.

Platforms are available in a variety of sizes from 10m x 3.5m up to 20m x 8m. The company offers a complete service from initial assessment and design through to installation.

The sub-floor is constructed out of aluminium and the platform system out of corrosion resistant chemical grade stainless steel and hot dip galvanised steel sections.

The silent running nylon rollers come with long life maintenance free sealed stainless steel bearings.

Originally designed for indoor pools, the Chameleon® Powered Floor System is equally suitable for outdoors where it can provide an elegant patio area in the cooler months when the pool is unlikely to be used. www.chameleonfloor.com

If practice makes perfect, and nobody’s perfect, why practice?

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Site for 3 houses in Normanton on Soar

MATHER JAMIE Chartered Surveyors are offering for sale by Private Treaty a residential building site located at the end of Far Lane, Normanton on Soar close to open countryside but bordering a railway line.

The site has outline planning permission for the erection of 3 detached two storey houses and extends to approximately 3,000 sq m. The site is presently occupied by a Fibre Glass Moulding business trading from an old workshop building.

Offers are invited for the site.

For more information, contact Michael Tebbutt at Mather Jamie on 01509 233433 or email: mike.tebbutt@matherjamie.co.uk

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Root out ragwort, all landowners urged All landowners are being called on to take effective action to halt the spread of the deadly weed, ragwort.

The dangerous weed with its vivid yellow flower that can be fatal to horses and sheep, is on the march again this year, taking over highway, waterway and railway verges, as well as amenity and some pasture land.

“In spite of positive responses from the landowning and farming community, the weed continues its rampage across the East Midlands,” says Country Land and Business Association (CLA) regional advisor, Sylvia Hull. “Co-operation and a concerted effort are needed by all land occupiers, but especially highway authorities and utilities, to help clear this menace.”

Whilst total eradication of ragwort is an unrealistic goal, the CLA is urging people who are concerned about ragwort spreading to their land, in the first instance, to go straight to Defra, as it is obliged by law to serve notice to any offender to deal with ragwort within 28 days.

“If roadside verges and waste land are affected, you can also contact your County Council. For railway land and embankments, call Network Rail,” she said.

“We need a collective effort to control the ragwort menace. If everyone who has responsibility for land in an area - public or private, roadsides, farms, parkland, gardens and even nature reserves - attacks ragwort at the same time there is a real prospect of controlling the weed by avoiding constant re-infestation from adjoining land.”

To find out a girl’s faults, praise her to her girl friends.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Regeneration plans for Coalville kickstarted Regeneration plans for Coalville were given a significant boost in April when the Secretary of State decided not to call in the plans to expand the Belvoir Centre shopping precinct.

The plans put forward by the owners of the Belvoir Centre include a hotel, supermarket and cinema as well as more shops and cafes and open spaces. The Secretary of State agreed with the Council this would offer Coalville a real opportunity to regenerate its town centre.

Also in April, the Secretary of State decided not to intervene in the Council’s decision to approve a Tesco store on the Ford Garage site on Hotel Street.

£16m college project starts in Hinckley Work has begun on a new £16m college campus in Hinckley.

Part of the North Warwickshire and Hinckley College is being relocated from London Road to Lower Bond Street, Hinckley by September 2011.

The site is next to the Goddard building, which is to be converted into a centre for creative business.

Work starts on £12m outreach centre Work has started on a £12m project to convert the former Leicester Grammar School in Peacock Lane to an outreach centre.

The converted building will be home to social outreach projects, a dance studio, song school and conference space, as well as providing housing, catering facilities and toilets and a shop.

The centre has been designed by architects at Pick Everard, and will be built by J.H.Hallams.

Development Property IN BRIEF

Church Gresley plot: £70k Leicester City Launch Padz Developments Ltd. (c/o Agent: Staniforth Architects, The Warehouse, 1a Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – Change of use from education to student accommodation comprising 19 units; external alterations – at Crown Building, Corner Upper Brown Street, Newarke Street, Leicester.

Mr A Knight (c/o Agent: Harding Planning Services, 15 Riddington Road, Leicester LE3 2JS) – 3 storey block of 9x2 bed flats; car parking – at 164 Beaumanor Road, Leicester.

Leicester Housing Association (c/ o Agent: KPW Architects Ltd. 28 Great Central Street, Leicester LE1 4JT) – Renewal of Planning Permission for 7 dwellings and formation of vehicular accesses – at The Old Recreation Centre, Winforde Crescent, Leicester.

SD Stephenson Drive Ltd. (c/o Agent: Stephen George & Partners, 4th Floor, 55 Maid Marion Way, Nottingham NG1 6GE) – Demolition of Public House, 3 single storey units for retail, financial and professional services, hot food take-away, nonresidential institution, ancillary car park – at The Rocket Public House, Stephenson Drive, Leicester.

Havelock Estates Ltd. (c/o Agent: MAS Architecture Ltd. 28 De Monfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GD) – 3 level multi storey car park – at Jarrom Street/Clarendon Street/Havelock Street, Leicester.

Milap Club (c/o Agent: Mr G Ellis, 5 Durston Close, Leicester LE18 1 DF) – Change of use of 1st floor from social club to 2 x1 bed flats – at 41 Vulcan Road, Leicester.

E.M. Housing Association (c/o Agent: JS+P Architecture, 31 Lower Brown Street, Leicester LE1 5 TH) – Reserved Matters for details of layout, scale, appearance, access and landscaping for Phase 1 providing 32 houses and 10x1 bed supported housing units – at land at Manor Farm, Thurmaston Lane, Leicester.

Jamie Lewis Residential Lettings (c/o Agent: Andrew Ward Planning, Belper Road, Stanley Common, Ilkeston, Derbys. DE7 6FP) – Outline change of use from factory to 70 studio flats – at 40-44a Western Road, Leicester.

Hinckley & Bosworth H & B Borough Council (c/o Agent: Mr TM Bates, Beresford House, 1, Newtown Street, Leicester LE1 6WH) – Residential development – at land adjacent 7 Alexander Gardens, Hinckley, Leics.

Bosworth Community College (c/o Agent: Leics. County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8TE) – Proposed erection of a multi-use sports building – at Bosworth College, Leicester Lane, Desford, Leics.

Mr N Smart (c/o Agent: Mr Tim Bailey, The Manor House, 95 Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffs B79 7QF) – Conversion of Public House and flat above into 4 town houses and associated car parking – at The King William IV, 35 Station Road, Market Bosworth, Nuneaton, Warks.

Mr N Stanley (c/o Agent: Ms H. Jones, Roston Drive, Hinckley, Leics.

LE10 0US) – Partial demolition of No.2 and erection of 2 flats – at 2 Stafford Street, Barwell, Leicester LE9 8HF. Mr&Mrs Everson Crane (c/o Agent: Mrs S Storman, 18a Regent Place, Rugby, Warks. CV21 2PN) – Part demolition, extensions and alterations of buildings to form 3 dwellings – at The Pool House, Newtown Linford Lane, Groby, Leicester LE6 0EA. Mrs F Clark (c/o Agent: David Barnes, 14 Pyeharps Road, Burbage, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 2JE) – Erection of 3 single storey dwellings – at 66 Church Street, Burbage, Hinckley, Leics.

Harborough District Mr W Adderley (c/o Agent: Wilson & Heath (Chartered Architects) 22 Austin Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2QP) – Erection of 2 detached dwellings, garages and access – at Thatched Cottage, Main Street, Burton Overy, Leics.

Mr P Baildon (c/o Agent: 14 Jerwood Way, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 8AL) – Demolition of redundant pump house and erection of pair of semidetached 1½ storey dwellings – at Old Water Booster Station, Ullesthorpe Road, Bitteswell, Leics.

F Heritage (c/o Agent: Mr A Sharman 8 Princess Road West, Leicester LE1 6TP) – Erection of 3 dwellings including associated access, garages and hardstanding – at Rose & Crown, Main Street, Tilton On The Hill, Leics.

Hazelton Commercial Ltd. (c/o Agent: JSP Architecture, 31 Lower Brown Street, Leicester LE1 5 TH) – Change of use from office to mixed use development comprising 60 bed hotel and office on 1st & 2nd floors, retail, restaurants and drinking establishments on ground floor and extensions – at Golden Wonder, Edinburgh House, 4-6 Abbey Street, Market Harborough LE16 9AA.

Continued on page 31

YOUR MOVE Estate Agents are offering for sale a building plot with Outline Planning Permission for a dwelling.

The plot - at Common Road, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 9NW - has park land to front and rear and access down a common side.

The asking price is £70,000. For more information, contact Your Move on 01283 219892.

Swadlincote land for 7 houses FOSTER CORLEY CREW are offering for sale a parcel of building land with planning permission for 7 threebedroomed houses at Wellwood Road, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

The Guide Price is £195,000.

For more information, telephone 01283 548548 or email: burton@ fostercorleycrew.co.uk

Smith & Partners Auction: 8th May Several properties of interest to builders and developers are due to come under the hammer at the Smith & Partners Auction on Saturday 8th May, at Epperstone Village hall, at 12 noon.

• East Bridgford site for 6 houses: A prime, level residential development site fronting Cross Lane, East Bridgford, Nottingham. The 0.84 acre site has detailed planning consent for 6 houses, and has all mains services close to hand. Price Guide: £500,000.

• Gunthorpe building plot: A prime level building plot of 430 square yards at 45 Main Street, Gunthorpe with Detailed Planning Consent for a detached 3/4 bedroom house. Price Guide: £100,000 • Claypole dilapidated cottage: A Grade II Listed detached cottage in need of extensive restoration known as 15 Chapel Lane, Claypole, Newark NG23 5BB. Price Guide: £100,000.

For more information, contact Smith & Partners on 0115 950 8181 or visit the website at www. smithandpartners.co.uk

Whenever I feel like exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

29

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Tel: 0116 2853 777 Leema Technologies Limited.

The Warehouse, 1a Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL A harp is a piano with no clothes on.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Former school Raynsway welcomes Matt as part of with consent for DMU graduate internship programme 5 dwellings Syston-based commercial property developer, Raynsway Properties, has recently welcomed a new arrival to its ranks after teaming up with the graduate internship programme at a Leicester university.

FISHER GERMAN Chartered Surveyors are offering for sale the Former Woodstone Primary School, Church Lane, Ravenstone, Leicestershire.

The site - which extends to approximately 0.26 hectares (0.64 acres) - has recently been granted planning permission for the erection of three new dwellings and the conversion and partial demolition of the school to form two semi-dtached dwellings (five units in total).

The guide price is £500,000.

Viewings are by strict appointment through Fisher German - telephone 01530 412821 or email: ashby@fishergerman.co.uk

24-year old Matt Boyce, who lives on Hinckley Road, graduated from De Montfort University last summer with a 2:1 in Business and Management and has now joined the team at the Watermead Business Park in Syston on an initial six-month term. His role will include planning and developing new projects as well as supporting various marketing initiatives.

Matt says, “I was attracted by an internship as it provided me with the opportunity to work for a successful WELCOME: (L-R) Lisa Naik (De Montfort University), Matt Boyce and well established Leicester company and Tom Watkinson (MD of Raynsway Properties) that would provide me with valuable experience and an excellent start to my career. The internship at Raynsway particularly took my interest as it not only offered a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills but a role which offers diversity and responsibility.”

Tom Watkinson, Managing Director at Raynsway Properties, comments, “We are delighted to be taking part in De Montfort University’s graduate internship programme as we feel it’s very important to help youngsters coming out of university to get a step on the career ladder. Matt’s enthusiasm and willingness to learn will really benefit both him and the company as a whole.”

Lisa Naik, from De Montfort University added, “The graduate internship programme places recent graduates into organisations for up to 24 weeks. We believe that Matt’s arrival at Raynsway as part of the scheme will enhance his future career prospects and could potentially lead to full time employment if the internship proves successful.”

I never start something that I am not going to fi

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Development Property IN BRIEF

Building plot in Vale of Belvoir RICHARD WATKINSON & Partners are offering for sale a level building plot at New Causeway, Barkestone Le Vale, Nottinghamshire.

The plot has Outline Planning Permission for a detached twostorey dwelling.

Guide price: £175,000. For more information, contact Richard Watkinson & Partners on 01949 836678 or email: bingham@ richardwatkinson.co.uk

New Group ceo confirmed for lha-asra

Matt Cooney has been appointed Group Chief Executive of the £650m Leicester-based LHA-ASRA Group.

He joins the organisation from Solihull Community Housing, where he has been Chief Executive since 2004. SCH was the first social landlord in the West Midlands to achieve a three star rating with ‘excellent prospects for improvement’ from the Audit Commission.

Continued from page 28 Cotesbach Educational Trust (c/o Agent: Mr M Stewart, MSA, 34a Musters Road, West Bridgeford, Nottingham NG2 7PL) – Change of use of School House, Stick House and Coach House to educational use, including an extension to Coach house – at Cotesbach Hall, Main Street, Cotesbach, Leics.

Leics. County Council – Proposed new stand alone Sure Start Centre – at Jubilee Hall, Stadon Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7AY. Leicester City Council – Redevelopment of sports ground to include 6 x ‘5-a-side’ pitches – at Watermead Way/Melton Road Sports Ground.

Mr M Cashmore (c/o Agent: John Roberts Architects Ltd. 1 James Street, Lincoln IN2 1QD) – Erection of detached dwellings – at land adjacent Elmdene, Main Street, Cotesbach, Leics.

Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd. (c/o Agent: Mr R Frudd of Indigo Planning Ltd.) – Extend time limit for implementation of erection of extension to side of supermarket – at Sainsbury’s Supermarket, Ashby Road, Loughborough, Leics.

Mr J Lee (of 40 Kinross Avenue, Thurnby Lodge Estate, Leicester LE5 2LS) – Erection of 2 dwellings with habitable roof spaces – at land adjacent 12 Telford Way, Thurnby, Leics.

Robert Bakewell Primary School (c/o Agent: Mr Emery of Virtechs Ltd.) – Relacement pre-school facility – at Robert Bakewell Primary School, Barsby Drive, Loughborough LE11 5UJ.

Mr A Clarke (c/o Agent: Paul Cleaver Architects, 23 Rawson Street, Leicester LE1 6UP) – Resubmission for erection of 2 dwellings (existing bungalow to be demolished) – at 23 Ingarsby lane, Houghton On The Hill, Leics. LE7 9JJ.

Mr D Armes (c/o Agent: KPW Architects) – Outline site for residential and mixed use development, including sports – at land off Seagrave Road, Sileby, Loughborough Leics.

Tykes Developments Ltd. (c/o Agent: JSP Architecture, 31 Lower Brown Street, Leicester LE1 5 TH) – Erection of mixed use development, restaurant and retail at ground floor, gym at lower ground floor and hotel accommodation above (revised scheme) – at 54 St Marys Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7DU.

Charnwood Borough Minotour Trading (c/o Agent: Brownhill Hayward Brown) – Demolition of the vicarage, formation of an access to the highway and erection of 7 dwellings (Revised Scheme)– at Quorn Vicarage, 6 Loughborough Road, Quorn, Loughborough, Leics.

Mr Singh (c/o Agent: Cliffords Surveyors Ltd.) – Extension of time limit for implementation of planning permission – at 83 Hollow Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7FR. Mrs Lawrence (c/o Agent: Taylor Thomas Taylor Planning) – Creation of 6 dwellings and various associated works – at The Grange Courtyard, Forest Street, Shepshed, Loughborough, Leics.

The Garden Centre Group (c/o Agent: Mr P Barton of Malcolm Scott Consultants Ltd.) – Erection of 2 retail buildings for use in connection with garden centre – at Rowena Nursery, Loughborough Rd, Rothley, Leics.

Continued on page 32

Development Property IN BRIEF

Uttoxeter plot BAGSHAWS Land & Estate Agents are offering for sale BY AUCTION a prime building plot of 0.11 of an acre, with planning consent for a detached three-storey house.

The plot - adjacent to The Croft, Hawthornden Manor, Uttoxeter - is for sale by PUBLIC AUCTION on Wednesday 26th May 2010 at 3pm at The Platinum Suite, Uttoxeter Racecourse.

Guide Price: £140,000-£160,000.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Bagshaws on 01889 562811.

Swadlincote plot for 4 semis FRISTON SMALL Estate Agents are asking £120,000 for a development site for 4 twobed semi-detached houses at Coppice Side, Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

For details of the property and the Section 106 Agreement, contact Friston Small on 01283 739004 or email: info@fristonsmall.co.uk

You can always spot a well-informed man – his views are the same as yours.

32

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Development Property

Development Property

Terraced house requiring modernisation

Development opportunity in Allesley Village

IN BRIEF

BAIRSTOW EVES are offering for sale a two-bed terraced house requiring modernisation at Chandos Street, Nottingham.

The asking price is £58,500. For more information, contact Bairstow Eves on 0115 947 6591 or email: nottingham@bairstoweves.co.uk

Development opportunity in Gedling

DAVID JAMES EXCLUSIVE HOMES are offering for sale a development opportunity comprising two existing houses, with plots for three new houses.

The property - 87 Main Road, Gedling, Nottingham NG4 3HD & 19 Willow Crescent, Gedling, Nottingham NG4 4BL - has Outline Planning Permission to erect three dwellings on the land/ garden adjacent to 87 Main Road, The asking price is £950,000.

For further details, or to arrange a viewing appointment, contact David James Exclusive Homes on 0115 962 4213 or visit the website at www.david-james.com

IN BRIEF

Mr C Palmer-Tomkinson (c/o Agent: Holmes Antill) – Extension of time limit for implementation of Planning Permission – at Manor Farm & Hall Farm, 23 Rectory Road, Wanlip, Leicester.

Mr&Mrs R Radford-Collumbell (c/o Agent: Mr David Granger, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby De La Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) –Extension of time for conversion and alteration of existing outbuildings to form 6 dwellings along with the provision of associated garaging/ parking, erection of new hay store and stable buildings and alterations to vehicular accesses with associated works – at Hemington House Farm, Church Lane, Hemington, Derby.

Sands Contracting Ltd. (c/o Agent: James Bailey Planning) – Variation of approval for residential development – at 117 Boundary Road. Mountsorrel, Loughborough Leics.

Mr R Morris (c/o Agent: Mr L Ward,19 Station Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1AW) – Erection of 7 dwellings – at Plots 6 – 12 Parsonwood Paddock, Whitwick, Coalville, Leics.

William Davis Ltd. (c/o Agent: Stephen George & Partners) – Erection of 9 dwellings, associated works, garage to No. 217 and demolition of house No.215 – at land at 215 and rear garden of 217 Mountsorrel Lane, Rothley, Leicester LE7 7PU.

Mr D Sykes (c/o Agent: Mr David Granger, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby De La Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Erection of 3 new dwellings and associated parking and new car port – at 187 Bardon Road, Coalville, Leics. LE67 4BG.

Raynesway Properties – Extend time for implementation of planning permission for erection of hotel complex – at land between A607 and Grand Union Canal, Wanlip Road, Syston, Leicester.

Oadby & Wigston

Continued from page 31 Mr J Orr – Outline site for the erection of 4 dwellings – at 41 Nursery Lane, Quorn, Loughborough, LE12 8BH.

Mr D Jolley (c/o Agent: Stephen George & Partners) – Erection of 9 dwellings and associated garages (revised scheme) – at land adjacent to 10 Dimmingdale Close, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7DN.

N.W. Leics.

Mr G Garcha (c/o Agent: Mr P Dooley, 5 North Portway Close, Round Spinney, Northampton NN3 8RQ) – Change of use of 1st & 2nd floors, together with roof space to create 5 flats, erection of extension to form 3 flats, erection of extension to shop unit and change of use of shop into retail unit – at Quicksilver, 10-12 High Street, Coalville, Leics.

Jelson Ltd. (c/o Agent: GVA Grimley, 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2JB) – Erection of 24 apartments, associated access, car parking, cycle/ bin stores & landscaping – at Former 89 Harcourt Road, Wigston, Leicester.

Blaby District Jelson Ltd. (c/o Agent: GVA Grimley, 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2JB) – Outline residential development (max 93 dwellings) associated infrastructure and open space – at land South of Narborough Road, Huncote, Leicester.

Mr I Brett (c/o Agent: Peter Thompson, 49 Leicester Road, Broughton Astley, Leics. LE9 6QE) – Erection of replacement club house – at Thurlaston Sports & Social Club, Earl Shilton Road, Thurlaston, Leics.

Continued on page 34

I used to find him boring until I stopped listening.

LAND & NEW HOMES Estate Agents are inviting offers around £600,000 for a building plot set in over 6 acres of land.

The plot - at Highfield, Staircase Lane, Allesley Village, Coventry CV5 9DP - has planning permission (ref: R/2007/053049696/ A) for a replacement home and garage. A previous application provided for the demolition of the former Highfield House, which has already taken place.

For more information, tel: 01908 612841, email: newportpagnell@ landandnewhomes.co.uk or visit the website at www. landandnewhomes.co.uk

Building land near Oakham MURRAY Estate Agents are offering for sale a building plot at Braunston Road, Oakham, Rutland.

The plot - which has Outline Planning Permission for demolition of the current dwelling and the erection of a single storey and a two storey dwelling.

The asking price is £325,000.

For details, contact Murrays on 01572 755555 or email: oakham@ murrayestateagents.co.uk

Rothwell plot Simon Karl Estate Agents are offering for sale a building plot in Rushton Road, Rothwell, Northamptonshire.

The plot - which has Outline Planning Permission for a four-bed detached house - is priced at £75,000.

For more information, contact Simon Karl Estate Agents on 01536 418100 or email: info@simonkarl.co.uk

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

Election jitters may stall housing market but won’t impact on prices House buyers and vendors shouldn’t let election jitters stand in the way of making a decision, research out in April has found.

There is little statistical evidence to suggest that elections impact house prices according to Savills research.

The biggest impact of an impending election is to temporarily reduce turnover as buyers and sellers sit on their hands awaiting an outcome, according to analysis by the international property advisor.

“The market traditionally recovers to normal levels of turnover in the weeks immediately following the election,” says Yolande Barnes, head of residential research at the company. “This time though, transaction levels in the housing market are already at all time record lows and have been distorting price movements for the past year or two.”

Low mortgage lending volumes also mean the market is heavily reliant on discretionary buyers with cash, who tend to be sentiment driven and more fickle than needsdriven purchasers with a mortgage.

“As a result, changes in sentiment this year could have a big impact on price movements and the unique current state of the housing market means that this year’s elections could have a greater impact than usual,” says Barnes.

With regard to the impact of the election outcome, analysis by Savills suggests that, historically, there is no direct correlation between the political party in power and the fortunes of the housing market – there have been booms and busts under all administrations, though the economic and fiscal policies of either party are liable to have a significant effect on housing.

“The worst outcome for the housing market would be a

hung parliament,” says Barnes.

“That would just drag out the uncertainty for a further six months at least, perhaps until another election is called.”

The impact on prime central London The prime central London housing markets could well be most affected by the political outcome as tax measures directed at high earners will have a disproportionate impact in this sector. The ability of either party to prevent a gradual exodus of high net worth individuals will have an important impact on the value of the biggest and best houses in the capital.

The bigger picture “Overall though, much greater structural forces are at work in the housing market now than either party will probably have an appetite to address at this stage,” says Barnes.

“A shortage of supply of the right type in the right place will put inflationary pressure on house

prices, while increasingly demand for rentals and/or shared ownership in the face of a deposit drought will raise the issue of housing supply to the top of the political agenda over the next decade,” says Barnes.

So what will the important policies be for the housing sector going forward? “Any government will have to help expand the private rented sector in order to meet growing demand. In the short term, measures would include removing higher rate stamp duty on the trading of property portfolios and considering tax transparency measures for organisations that manage stock.

“Another key change which would permanently remove a significant barrier to housing market entry (at zero cost) would simply be to change stamp duty land tax to be payable by vendors instead of purchasers. Market distortions would also be repaired by making it a marginal tax rather than a flat rate one.”

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33

Development Property IN BRIEF

One-off plot in Great Glen

A residential development plot with detailed planning consent for a unique dwelling is being marketed jointly by Fisher German and Mather Jamie.

The plot - located at land adjoining Stretton hall, Great Glen, Leicestershire - extends to 2.1 acres, and the proposed building will extend to 6,458 sq.ft.

For more information, contact Fisher German on 01858 410200 or Mather Jamie on 01509 233433.

Site for 7 dwellings in Oakthorpe HOWKINS & HARRISON Estate Agents are offering for sale a residential development site situated in the peaceful rural village of Oakthorpe, Near Swadlincote.

The site borders both New Street and Measham Road and has planning permission (ref: 01/00402/FUL) for seven residential dwellings. The planning consent was passed back in 2001, but consent was crystallized by the site owner putting in the footings of one of the dwellings.

The Guide Price is £525,000.

For more information, contact Howkins & Harrison on 01827 718021 or email: atherstone@ howkinsandharrison.co.uk

TEAMWORK... means never having to take all the blame yourself.

34

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

WRITE IN COMPETITION

Win A £25 Meal Voucher to spend at your local Word Search Puzzle

S C Q R R Y I E O Q W C S T H C

N L M K E N D O H E R T Y Q V V

I I D A X S I V A D E V E T S M

G F S M R A K T U P F R R U G R

G F W N Z K Z V H N E Y X L A P

I T H A I R W E R C I K A Y Q E

H H A L S G N I N K W J R E R T

N O W F Y H G E L Z L E R B H E

H R F H E K P I H L A F K P P R

O B T N S S I F H R I I A H U E

J U D P N Y X T D X Z A W F R B

H R E H C Z K O T Q E E M O V D

Y N O B B D N W U R Z L T S L O

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D E N N I S T A Y L O R N R M Q

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

ALEXHIGGINS

CLIFFTHORBURN DENNISTAYLOR Address: ................................................................................................

JOHNHIGGINS JOHNSPENCER .................................................................Postcode: .............................

KENDOHERTY Spot 12 SNOOKER WORLD CHAMPIONS in the Wordsearch grid MARKWILLIAMS above, and you could win yourself a £25 Dining Voucher to spend PETEREBDON atRAYREARDON your local Frankie & Benny’s New York Italian Restaurant & Bar. AllRONNIEOSULLIVAN you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - STEPHENHENDRY the names of 12 World Snooker Champions. These can run vertically, STEVEDAVIS horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your marked entry forms to: SNOOKER LOOPY, Leicestershire Builder, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Wednesday  19th  May 2010 2010. 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 Voucher. Good luck!

New Arrival at JMS Engineering Midlands Civil and Structural Engineering Consultancy, JMS Engineering Consultants welcomes the arrival of Senior Engineer, Andrew Kenyon, into the Nuneaton office.

Page 1

Andrew who lives in Leicester has worked as a Structural Engineer in the area for nearly 5 years since graduating from Loughborough University. This is in addition to 2 years spent working on a variety of construction sites for contractors such as Laing O’Rourke, Hallams and Shepherd Construction.

He will be taking the Chartered Membership exam this year with the Institute of Structural Engineers and will be responsible for running the Midlands office of this busy consultancy.

Andrew, 28, commented, “The opportunity to run an office and be responsible for the majority of its day to day activities was a real step forward in my career. I am thoroughly excited by the prospect of working with the team at JMS and expanding on the established client base.”

Continued from page 31 Taylor Wimpey East Midlands Ltd. (of 2 The Osiers Business Park, Laversall Way, Leicester LE19 1DX) – Residential development of 70 dwellings with new access and associated public open space (including retension of existing offices) and reconfigured car park (Revised Scheme) – at Woodlands Unit, The Pastures, Narborough, Leicester.

Anchor Trust (c/o Agent: Jones Lang Lasalle Ltd. Chancery Place, 50 Brown Street, Manchester M2 2JT) – Application for permission to extend the time limit for the implementation of planning permission for the development of a retirement village – at The Limes, Hinckley Road, Sapcote, Leicester.

D Miles (c/o Agent: The Art of Building Ltd. The Outbuildings, 221 Forest Road, Woodhouse, Loughborough LE12 8TZ) – Erection of 1 pair of semi-detached houses with rooms in the roof space and associated parking provision (Revised Scheme) – at land rear of 100 Clovelly Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8AB.

Mrs K Fox (c/o Agent: Ideal Building Systems Ltd. Mr M Hartley, Carnaby Industrial Estate, Lancaster Road, Bridlington, East Yorkshire YO15 3QY) – 5 bay modular replacement preschool, plus demolition of existing and all associated works – at Asfordby Captains Close Primary School, Saxelby Road, Asfordby, Melton Mowbray, Leics.

Mr S Prockter (c/o Agent:RPS Planning & Development, Mr C Tookey, Park House, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff CF10 3AF) – New discount foodstore with associated car parking and servicing arrangements – at land rear of 55 Burton Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics.

Rutland County Applicant – Demolition of Block A-E and Blocks G & J and the erection of 2x3 storey replacement houseblocks with associated covered walkways, internal security fencing, site re-profiling and security lighting along with the erection of 2x8 metre high covered poles – at HM Prison, Stocken Hall Road, Stretton, Oakwood, Rutland LE15 7RD.

Created by Puzzlemaker at DiscoveryEducation.com

Here are the twelve cuemasters you have to find: ALEX HIGGINS • CLIFF THORBURN • DENNIS TAYLOR JOHN HIGGINS • JOHN SPENCER • KEN DOHERTY MARK WILLIAMS • PETER EBDON • RAY REARDON RONNIE O’SULLIVAN • STEPHEN HENDRY • STEVE DAVIS

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner The winner of last month’s wordsearch competition was YVONNE GREGSON OF Anstey Lane, Leicester.

Congratulations! Your £25 Voucher to spend at Frankie & Benny’s will be with you soon!

Melton Borough Claregrange Ltd. (c/o Agent: David Prior Designs, The Rowans, 7 College Road, Buxton, Derbys. SK17 9DZ) – New Alzheimers’s Unit consisting of 13xS.C. Flats, 16 bedrooms, creche and ancillary facilities, new drive and car park – at Waltham Hall Home, 87 Melton Road, Waltham On The Wolds, LE14 4AJ.

Applicant – The erection of a 3 storey house-block with associated covered walkways, internal security fencing and security lighing and the extension of existing prison car park by a further 25 car parking spaces, involving the relocation of the existing covered bicycle store - at HM Prison, Stocken Hall Road, Stretton, Oakwood, Rutland LE15 7RD.

Make three correct guesses consecutively and you will establish yourself as an expert.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • MAY 2010 • Tel: 01530 244069

35

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