Construction Industry News Archive
Welcome to the news archive page. This is where you will find articles from June 2006. If you would like to view our current news, please click here.
- New marina plan on hold
- No decision on stadium until October at the earliest
- £200m scheme to build 'Eco village'
- Town plan sparks row
- Homes that can be built in a week
- Marina in line for transformation
New marina plan on hold
Plans to create a new marina with cafés, restaurants and a shopping piazza have been put on hold until more details about traffic are submitted.
Adur District Councillors last night decided to defer the Shoreham ort Authority project for he waterfront from the Lady Bee Marina to the Texaco garage in Southwick until its next planning meeting on July 3.
From The Argus, 9th June 2006
No decision on stadium until October at the earliest
A decision on Falmer stadium has been further delayed because Lewes District Council's High Court appeal is unlikely to be heard until October at the earliest.
Brighton and Hove Albion had hoped for watertight planning permission for the 22,000-seat arena by August after the Government offered to reconsider the application, following John Prescott's mistake in his original letter of approval.
But this week the council rejected the offer and decided to press on with its High Court action.
The case is not listed in the High Court for either June or July. The court then adjourns for a two-month summer break before resuming in October.
Albion chief executive Martin Perry admitted it was now impossible to put a timescale on the court proceedings. He claims the delay is costing the club £20,000-a-week in lost revenue.
Following the council's cabinet decision on Tuesday, the newly-formed Seagulls Party has called for council leader Ann De Vecchi to resign and fight a by-election on the issue.
Party leader Paul Samrah said: "The Seagulls Party considers the council is unfit to administer the district and we are calling upon the leader to resign.
"If Ann De Vecchi is so confident that local people will back her cabinet's stance then she will have no problem letting them have their say through the ballot box.
"We are ready and willing to fight the by-election that would result from her resignation."
Councillor De Vecchi said: "The Seagulls Party is purely a single issue party and the matter of who is fit to lead Lewes District Council is a decision for the district councillors.
"The decision to proceed to a court hearing by the cabinet was both unanimous and cross-party.
"All members were united in their disappointment at the refusal by the Government's solicitor to our reasonable request to guarantee a full and fair review of all our grounds for challenging John Prescott's defective decision.
"We are resolute in pursuing our case to uphold the council's planning policies and to fight Mr Prescott's discredited ruling.
"I do not intend to resign as council leader."
Meanwhile one disgruntled Albion fan has placed the council up for sale on internet auction site eBay, for 6p.
The listing states: "The council specialises in destroying the enjoyment of thousands of its own electorate and wasting public money on ill-advised court action, while important issues like flood control are forgotten about.
"Buy one before it gets voted out at the next local election. This offer does not include a state-of-the-art community football stadium."
A council spokeswoman said it was expecting to be advised of a court date by July and has asked for a hearing as early as possible.
From The Argus, 8th June 2006
£200m scheme to build 'Eco village'
An eco-village which would form part of a £200 million development would be the most environmentally-friendly scheme in the UK.
Residents in part of the proposed New England Quarter scheme in Brighton would have "green lifestyle" lessons and the support of a green caretaker.
A wood-fuelled boiler would heat flats and solar panels would supply an electric car power point.
Householders would be encouraged to establish a communal garden to grow local food.
Plans to redevelop two sections of the former railway station goods yard, known as blocks E and F, include 172 flats. The scheme would surpass developers BioRegional's 85-flat BedZED complex in London, currently considered the most sustainable urban housing development in Britain.
Partly powered by eight roof mounted wind turbines, a tower would be built on Block E with 40 one-bedroom flats, 54 two-bedroom flats and 15 timber-clad eco-studios, for first time buyers.
Block E would also house a 972sqm community centre.
A second six-storey building, Block F, would include four more eco-studios, eight flats for private buyers and 51 flats, as affordable housing.
Rainwater from the roof would irrigate the planted areas and an allotment.
Pete Halsall, managing director of BioRegional Quintain, said: "Brighton has a strong environmental ethos and deserves this kind of development."
The application was submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council by BioRegional Quintain and developers Crest Nicholson.
Steve Jones, managing director of Crest Nicholson said: "This scheme will create a unique environment with the heating and power provided by a combination of biomass fuel and wind turbines.
"We are building using high levels of recycled materials and the apartments benefit from substantially lower energy costs.
"The scheme includes modern recycling facilities and residents will really be able to say that they have a lifestyle that helps to save the planet."
From The Argus, 7th June 2006
Town plan sparks row
Controversial plans to expand a town by more than 5,000 new homes are to be revealed for the first time.
Councillors in Crawley fear their town would struggle to cope with the demands on its infrastructure if the development goes ahead.
The plans have been outlined in the local development framework, which sets out the vision of the town for the next ten to 15 years.
It will be released to the public on Friday.
Key sites are earmarked for development, three of which already have planning permission, including shopping complexes, housing, businesses and plans for a new Sussex University campus.
The framework reveals plans, which take Government planning policy expectations into account, for 5,100 new homes. These are expected to be built by 2018.
There are also plans for 317,333sqm of business space and a university campus at Pease Pottage Hill.
Most building will take place within the town but there are sites on the edges.
Labour Councillor Jim Smith said: "The traffic is unbelievable and if they're going to add houses they're going to add cars. Without the right transport strategy you're just ruining people's standard of living.
"Wherever they put housing, a lot of people are going to work in Manor Royal and the airport.
"They will all have cars and it will exacerbate the problem."
The framework addresses transport problems by restricting town centre parking and increasing public transport, including a park-and-ride scheme.
Conservative Councillor Alan Quirk said: "We want somewhere to spend our leisure time without looking at the back of another house."
BAA's indecision over a second runway at Gatwick also prevents any development of a large strip of land.
Areas already with planning permission for housing include Apple Tree Farm in Ifield, Station Hill in Pound Hill and Lucerne Drive and Stone Court in Maidenbower.
Other identified sites to be pursued by the council are the Town Centre North project, Haslett Avenue leisure centre, Telford Place/Haslett Avenue opposite Debenhams, Dorsten Square in Bewbush, Ifield Community College, Thomas Bennett Community College and land east of Tinsley Lane next to Manor Royal.
From The Argus, 24th May 2006
Homes that can be built in a week
New "expandable" family homes which can be built in less than a week and cost just £60,000 are planned for a Sussex town.
Construction firm William Verry's flat-pack house plan is one of six winning designs in a Government competition to come up with quality, low-cost homes.
The company been chosen to build five of the £60,000 homes and seven more innovative houses and flats on a Government-owned plot in School Road, Hastings.
The homes comprise factory-made wooden and concrete panels which can be put together and made water-tight in just one day, which is a major factor in reducing costs.
One novelty is that the distinctive-looking German-designed homes can be adapted and extended according to the size of families living in them.
A third bedroom can be installed by putting an extra ceiling in the dining room. A shower room and even lifts can be added.
The homes will also be green and energy efficient, with an "environmental buffer" in the roof space which minimises heat loss.
A William Verry spokesman said: "This project heralds a major milestone in the use of advanced construction techniques in this country.
"All homes have access to outdoor space, balconies or roof terraces and exploit surrounding views over the Ore valley."
The scheme is going through the planning process and the developer hopes to get on site later this year.
Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who launched the competition for £60,000 houses, said: "When I first challenged the construction industry to build a quality two bedroom home for £60,000, there were many people who claimed it just could not be done.
"I now look forward to seeing these cutting-edge homes taking shape soon across the country as well as visiting some as they open their doors to new residents."
Although construction costs are £60,000, experts warn the market price could be considerably higher.
Shane Cuddington, of Rush, Witt and Wilson estate agents, said: "They are very difficult to value because we have never seen anything like them before.
"Currently the cheapest two-bedroom starter homes in the town are in Pinders Road and we have just sold one for £96,000.
"But the Pinders houses are traditional brick homes with their own gardens, and these are not.
"I think if they went on the market for anything under £100,000 they would fly out of the door because there is hardly anything that cheap in the town."
Jeremy Leaf, of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, said: "It's unrealistic to think these homes will sell for such a low price in all parts of the country."
The site overlooks Ore Valley, where English Partnerships, which organised the competition, is planning massive regeneration.
The programme will turn disused industrial wasteland into a huge new community with 700 homes, an overhauled road and rail system, new shops and community facilities.
Preparatory works are under way now, with completion of the entire Ore Valley project expected about 2012.
From The Argus, 22nd May 2006
Marina in line for transformation
A design team led by the former head of the Millennium Dome has announced plans to transform Brighton Marina by giving a fast food restaurant and superstore a facelift.
PY Gerbeau's X-Leisure and Parkridge Estates, who between them run the marina, have launched a public consultation on a plan to rebuild the western sector of the marina and transform it from a disjointed mish-mash of buildings into a location of international renown.
Asda and McDonald's are expected to be knocked down and incorporated into new developments which could involve new space for residential, commercial and retail use.
During its seven years of ownership, Parkridge built the Hotel Seattle and Waterfront terrace of bars and restaurants.
X-Leisure acquired the commercial areas of the marina from Parkridge in 2004. The two companies have since continued to work together.
Other parts of the western sector up for regeneration include the Asda car park, the roundabout near the base of the ramp access, the petrol station and cycle and pedestrian paths.
Explore Living, the development arm of Laing O'Rourke, has been appointed to push forward regeneration of the marina and ensure that the different plans are linked up to create a district with a coherent identity.
Philip O'Callaghan, managing director of Parkridge, said: "Brighton Marina has seen many setbacks in terms of its development since its extraordinary construction in the Sixties.
"We believe that any development within the marina should be able to confidently claim that it will improve the public realm, which means the provision of public and recreational areas, pedestrian priority, street improvements and the control of traffic.
"We must also demonstrate that we can enhance the shopping and leisure experience in the marina as well as improve its building and architectural flow."
The developers are asking for people's views on the master plan for improving the marina - adopted by Brighton and Hove City Council in 2003 - and on what improvements they would like at the marina. They hope to submit a planning application in December and start work in June next year.
Explore Living's policies include giving disadvantaged people construction jobs, employee training for qualifications and, whenever possible, sourcing of supplies, services and materials from the areas in which it operates.
The consultation is separate to Brunswick Developments' planning application for a £235 million development of 853 new homes.
The centrepiece of the scheme would be a 40-storey skyscraper. There would also be a swing bridge allowing people to walk or cycle all the way around the marina, seven restaurants and bars, a doctor's surgery and a multi-purpose sports court.
The development is a reworking of a proposal which councillors rejected in August last year.
From The Argus, 16th May 2006
