13 minute read
Mental Health
ALL IN THE MIND
Physical health is often considered the main threat to the health and wellbeing of those working in the construction industry, but the truth is that they also face a real risk of mental health issues. Tim Guilbert is the group head for infrastructure, construction and land planning at the Guernsey Chamber of Commerce. He says that mental health needs to be made much more of a priority in the industry.
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Atopic that has been brought very much to the forefront this year is that of mental health, and in particular mental health in construction workers.
Shocking numbers from the Office of National Statistics showed that, despite not being anywhere near the biggest employer, the rate of male suicides occurring among men working in construction was higher than any other industry.
To break that down, the figures show that between 2011 and 2015, of the 13,232 in-work suicides, the construction industry accounted for 13.2%. This comes despite the industry accounting for, at the time, roughly 7% of the UK workforce. Another interesting and very sobering fact is that depression and anxiety have overtaken musculoskeletal disorders in the construction sector.
Many would imagine that construction work is undertaken by tough men who aren’t affected by such things as mental health issues, but clearly the facts speak for themselves. It is therefore clear that we must now stand up and tackle this growing epidemic.
Physical health will clearly always be a priority in the industry, but it is no longer acceptable to concentrate on how someone might lift correctly or protect their eyes when cutting, whilst completely ignoring their mental wellbeing.
Even the simple act of reading this article will have some rushing to the defence of the good old days when men were men and such things were never discussed, but it is this very line of thinking that has contributed to where we are now. It is my firm opinion that everyone would do well to examine their opinions and experiences closely before throwing out such reaction.
Guernsey has not avoided this trend in suicide rates among men, and doubtless has not avoided it among construction personnel either. Our island has, and continues to have, an increased incidence of mental health issues and increased suicide rates in men.
Organisations like the Men’s Shed and Samaritans are doing all they can to offer appropriate support and countless men have sought help, support and counselling through them.
As we head again into this winter season and on to Christmas and the New Year let us stand together against this epidemic. Let’s begin by looking out for and listening to the views and opinions of others. There are often clear signs that people need your help and that they want to talk, make that time to help save someone.
Let’s ensure we care for our construction workers, reduce the days lost to stress and depression and protect our workforce from the potential needless loss of life that can be the result of unaddressed mental health issues.
LOOKING FOR HELP?
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, or know somebody who would benefit from some advice or guidance, help can be found locally through the following organisations:
Mind Guernsey/Man Club Guernsey
www.guernseymind.org.gg
Men’s Shed
www.facebook.com/groups/ mensshedguernsey
Guernsey Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
Planning Pointers
Carey Olsen senior associate Rachel Jones is a specialist in Guernsey planning law. These are her five top tips to help ease the planning process.
THE APPLICATION SHOULD INCLUDE ALL INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT IT AND TO DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE RELEVANT POLICIES INCLUDING, WHERE APPROPRIATE, EXPERT REPORTS/ASSESSMENTS.
The planning process can be complicated and can invariably take longer than envisaged. In fact, omissions and errors made during the process can be difficult and costly to rectify. The following pointers aim to assist to minimise delays and achieve a successful outcome.
1. Early advice
When considering development proposals, assemble or liaise with an appropriate professional team who can advise in relation to the relevant planning policies and potential issues. Depending on the nature and scale of the proposed development, reports or assessments should be commissioned to support and form part of the planning application, such as transport impact assessments, tree surveys etc.
Advice should also be obtained on the title to the property. Careful consideration of the title is important at the outset to ensure there are no restrictions within it that would prevent the proposed development.
2. Engagement with the Planning Service and with the community
Pre-application discussions with the Planning Service of the Development and Planning Authority (the Authority) will indicate whether the proposed development is likely to be acceptable and what changes may be needed for it to be acceptable in planning terms.
Pre-application discussions are helpful in providing an opportunity to discuss the possible mitigation of the impact of a proposed development, including any planning conditions.
Depending on the type and scale of the proposed development, community engagement may be helpful to identify issues that are important to the local community.
3. Ensure the application is accurate and comprehensive
When preparing a planning application it is important to carefully check that the application form is completed accurately and comprehensively and to ensure that it complies with the Authority’s guidance.
The application should include all information and evidence to support it and to demonstrate compliance with the relevant policies including, where appropriate, expert reports/assessments.
Looking ahead, this is also important in case an appeal is submitted against the refusal of planning permission or in respect of conditions attached to a planning permission because the Planning Tribunal can only review and make their decision based on the material which was before the Authority at the time its decision was made.
4. Compliance with planning conditions
When planning permission has been granted, to minimise the risk of enforcement action it is important to carefully consider the conditions attached to it.
Some planning conditions require action to be taken prior to commencement of the development and require certain information to be submitted to and approved by the Authority. It is a high risk strategy to commence development prior to receiving confirmation that such conditions have been discharged as this could result in enforcement action, which could potentially require works on site to cease until the breaches have been rectified.
5. ‘Saving’ a planning permission.
The law provides that planning permission ceases to have effect unless the development permitted by it is commenced within a period of three years immediately following the date on which it is granted (or such shorter period as may be specified).
However, if it is unlikely that the development will be carried out within the three years, it may make sense to simply start the development in order to ‘save’ the planning permission.
To be certain that the development has been lawfully commenced, it is advisable to have proof. This could be by way of photographs and it is also advisable to obtain confirmation in writing.
Guernsey Property Update
As 2019 draws to a close, Martyn Baudains, partner at Ogier, looks back at the positive developments in Guernsey’s property market during this year and considers the potential future impact of current trends in the island.
INVESTORS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE UK MIGHT ALSO BE ATTRACTED BY RATES OF EXCHANGE, WHICH SEE THE POUND AT ITS WEAKEST AGAINST MOST MAJOR CURRENCIES FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
In January this year I looked back to 2018 and came to the conclusion that Guernsey had been going through a bit of a difficult patch – certainly in property terms, but in other ways too. At that time we were approaching one of the Brexit deadlines, which I was naïve enough to think may have been a significant date in our diaries. In my own defence, I wasn’t alone.
March came and went and Brexit was pushed back to 31 October. I am not going to try to predict whether Brexit will happen on 31 October, but by the time this article is in print we will know if the UK left the EU on 31 October or if another deadline has been set.
Whether the UK is in or out of the EU probably makes little difference to the property sector in Guernsey. We have seen some caution exercised by UK investors, but we have also seen some commercial property sold to investors from outside of the EU, such as Martello and Dorey Courts. Those investors presumably see Guernsey commercial property as a safe haven in uncertain times. Investors from outside of the UK might also be attracted by rates of exchange, which see the pound at its weakest against most major currencies for quite some time.
Just looking at that one aspect more closely, we can see that a buyer converting dollars into pounds sterling to fund their purchase would have saved £6m (at today’s rates) on a £60m acquisition – which was the price paid for Martello and Dorey Courts. That is a staggering 10% saving just because of a shift in the rate of exchange between January and August this year. Commentators believe that the pound will recover after Brexit which makes an acquisition in sterling in this pre-Brexit dip even more attractive.
Other significant commercial property deals we have seen already this year include the Data Park site at Route Militaire, which was sold to the RED Fund. In an interesting move the purchaser of the Data Site has gone out the Guernsey public and asked them what they want on the site. It will be interesting to hear about those responses in due course, though I suspect the owner may have trouble persuading its investors that the best use of the land is a foraging farm, as one social media commentator suggested.
Whitbread/Premier Inn have now committed to opening a hotel at Admiral Park, which means that the old Sydney Vane building is being demolished to make way for the new buildings. That is going to be one of the biggest developments in recent times, and one that will have a major impact on that landscape.
A quick glance at the States of Guernsey website reveals that our planners have been busy with development frameworks. The planning department say the purpose of a development framework is “to provide an interpretation of policy principles in the Island Development Plan which identifies the constraints and opportunities presented by a particular site or area and the type of development expected and encouraged”. When there is a development framework in place owners and developers are able to approach the planners with at least some idea of what may be acceptable for that particular site, knowing in advance whether a particular scheme may be approved and how they may overcome any barriers to meeting policy requirements.
At the time of writing there are four draft development frameworks and no less than 17 approved development frameworks, including the English & Guernsey Arms site (which has just sold), the Hotel Dunchoille site, the Braye Lodge site at Ruette Braye and the controversial Pointues Rocques and Bouverie Lane sites.
Meanwhile, the number and value of transactions recorded at the Greffe year to date are near their highest for some 10 years, which really confirms the good news stories that abound.
Fulfilling Potential
With 10 years’ experience in the construction industry, Silvie set up Evans Architecture, a practice registered with the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, at the start of last year. She wanted to provide a one to one service that could help guide homeowners through the demanding process of planning and completing works to their properties.
Existing rear elevation of Bramall House
Garden
Terrace
Living Dining
Kitchen
F Utility
W.C.
Playroom
Entrance
Driveway Living Room
Ground Plan
N
Master Bedroom
En-suite Bathroom Dressing Room
Family Bathroom
Bed 01 Landing
En-suite Bed 02
First Floor Plan When Silvie started the practice in January 2018, Guernsey’s stagnant property market offered up plenty of homes which could be made more attractive with some professional help. She was therefore keen to take on projects where she could not only assist with the sale of a property but also help a homeowner to see the potential in their home, with the possible result of them no longer needing to sell it.
“I wanted to highlight to people who may have had their property on the market for a long time that there were things they could do to make it more appealing to potential buyers. So I started by offering a free consultation to discuss the options available to the homeowner.”
The owners of one St Martin’s property, Bramall House, saw the value in what Silvie could offer. Their house had been on the market for a number of months but had not sold. As a family of five with three young children, they loved their home and its location but it simply didn’t provide everything they needed.
“The existing main house consisted of two rooms up and down with a lean-to extension at the back incorporating a kitchen and bathroom, and then a further poorly constructed room which was used as a utility space. The existing extensions clearly needed demolishing, but there was huge potential.”
Together with Silvie, the property owners designed their ‘forever’ home. She was able to advise them as they discussed their ideas for the space and demonstrate to them the opportunities the house offered. By thoroughly understanding her clients’ desires, she created plans for a spacious family house that would accommodate the family’s current needs and future requirements.
“I was aware with this project that the new design should be in keeping with the surrounding area and the current building. The plans we drew up kept the original dwelling but demolished the badly built extensions. We created a free flowing open plan space that would suit modern family life. Upstairs, two additional bedrooms ensured every child in the family would have its own space.
“Additionally, the design allowed for a new link through to the garden which meant the outside space could be used much more effectively.”
Although the homeowner had designed their ‘forever’ home, they decided to put it back on the market and within a short time it was under offer.
The new owners of Bramall House contacted Silvie to discuss the design and said having the plans already approved was a major influence in their decision to buy the house. Silvie was able to advise and guide the new owners through the planning and building processes to allow them to make some minor alterations, mainly to the first floor layout.
“The plans had brought this particular property to life, and made it much more appealing. We’d done so much work that they knew exactly what was possible with the site. There was no cost or risk when it came to the planning permission as everything was already in place.”
With the design now complete, the future building work will see this family home finally fulfill its potential.
