The Construction Centre today announced its support of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) lobby against the government regarding the proposals laid out in Mays planning white paper, affecting loft conversions and roof extensions.
The FMB claims the white paper which promoted a lift in planning restrictions for minor home improvements particularly concerning loft conversions, will in fact negatively impact the building trade and create more pressure on local government than suggested.
The furore surrounds the "low impact" clause in the white paper, which states that "developments considered to have more than a low impact on the wider neighbourhood and/or street scene would require specific planning permission from the local planning authority." The FMB maintains that this will effectively serve to wipe out loft conversions throughout the UK as the conditions of approval will prove too costly and lengthy to warrant the project. They estimate that under the current proposals, ninety five percent of householders planning a loft conversion will now need specific planning permission whereas currently most conversions do not need it.
The Construction Centre highlighted this issue in its May press release regarding the planning white paper and has stated it is in full support of the FMB lobby on the subject.
Richard Simmons, Managing Director at The Construction Centre said "Planning Departments throughout the UK are already overwhelmed with work and lack of resources, the last thing they need is more pressure. The Government should look at the wider picture as to how their proposals affect both the house owner and builder. The FMB is right to challenge the Government on this issue and should be heard; common sense needs to prevail here on several levels."
Brian Berry, FMB External Affairs Director also commented saying "Loft conversions provide great benefits obviously to the owners but also the wider community" he continued
"Soaring stamp duty and other house-buying costs have driven the recent trend for owners to improve rather than move and loft conversions are one of the most popular methods of gaining extra living space without increasing the footprint of a building. By applying the impact test to front or side roof extensions and to rear roof extensions that are less than one metre from eaves, ridges, verges or party walls, the proposal effectively wipes out all loft conversions in built up urban areas."
It is the wording regarding the one metre rule which the FMB is hoping to change and due to extensive publicity, talks have already taken place with the Department of Communities and Local Government to address the issue. Initial feedback has been positive although no confirmation of an amendment has yet been agreed.
The Construction Centre also highlighted that the planning white paper proposals, which will limit the ability to convert loft spaces also seem to contradict the Governments sustainability and co2 targets. Brian Berry (FMB) agreed "They improve the quality of the housing stock; increase insulation levels; thereby reducing carbon emissions; increase fire safety and help maintain sustainable communities by encouraging people to stay put." He said that the Government should be positively encouraging loft conversions and roof extensions in order to reap the environmental benefits and not put conditions in place to discourage this kind of home improvement.
Without a change in the current proposals it would seem that house owners and builders will suffer as a result. People who can't afford to buy a larger property look to loft conversions as a way of resolving space issues. However if planning is required in nearly all instances, these projects will certainly cost much more in time and money to complete and as a result the likelihood is that the projects will not be undertaken at all.
The Construction Centre was in full agreement with the FMB that if changes are not made to the planning white paper, the potential consequences would ultimately have a serious and damaging affect on builders' trade.
More information can be found at
www.theconstructioncentre.co.uk
www.fmb.org.uk/saveourlofts
No more loft conversions warns FMB
23 July 2007
Labour shortages in the construction industry are at their highest level since 2005, reveals the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in its latest survey of members.
The current skills shortage is almost entirely for three main trades - bricklayers, carpenters and plasterers. During 2006 the proportion of FMB members reporting that they were experiencing difficulty obtaining sufficient labour averaged 40%, which continued in the first quarter of 2007. However, in the last three months (May to June), the proportion of FMB members indicating difficulty either recruiting direct employees or hiring sub-contractors had jumped to 53%; its highest level since 2005.
Brian Berry, FMB External affairs Director, commenting on these findings, said:
"What this survey reveals is that yet again our education system needs to be refocused to enable young people to have the skills which the UK is so badly lacking. Rather than just focusing on academic higher education the Government should be thinking more about enabling young people to learn a trade for which there is so much demand and which underpins the long term competitiveness of UK plc."
The FMB survey also reveals that the number of firms reporting delays of more than two weeks in the supply of building materials has more than doubled from 6% in the first quarter of 2007 to 16% in the second quarter of 2007.
The changes in material supply reflect the signs of a recovering workload, which have been apparent in the last three quarters. More than four out of ten firms reported a higher total workload in quarter two, and the same proportion expect workload to increase further in the third quarter. However, this positive picture masks regional variations, with the North East, North West and Eastern England and Wales falling behind the rest of the country.
13 July 2007
"The Government should accept that PGS is never going to work or deliver the level of housing that it expects to get from this flawed tax. Rather than procrastinating over its future it should kill it off now as it is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of how land comes forward for development. At a time when we need more houses any measure which stops this from happening makes no sense."
11 July 2007
Gordon Brown may have committed to put housing high on the political agenda, but any new policies should integrate plans for maintaining existing housing stock as well as building sustainable and adaptable new communities, is the message coming from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
"Solving the housing crisis is more than simply building more homes, it requires a radical rethink about how we build and sustain our communities," warns Brian Berry, FMB's Director of External Affairs.
Berry continues:
"With 25% of current social housing tenants unhappy with the standard of repairs and housing estates dominated by those in greatest need the Government needs to be thinking about how best we maintain the existing housing stock as well as building more homes."
"With an estimated 1.5 million people on the housing waiting list clearly there is an urgent need to provide more affordable homes but we must be careful not to repeat the mistakes of the past and think that building houses is a solution in itself. Houses need to be seen as part of an integrated community and as such the provision of public transport and public services need to be tackled alongside the building of new homes."
"The drive for more homes is also an opportunity to ensure we are building new homes that will be fit for purpose, ensuring not only that they are energy efficient but also that they will be adaptable to the changing demands of a society."
11 July 2007
Time is running out to scoop yourself a luxury holiday and to see your builder's name in lights, as the closing date for the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2007 is fast approaching. Entries must be received by 31st July for your chance to win a fabulous holiday prize and for your builder to be awarded the coveted title of Master Builder of the Year.
The FMB and expert property developer and television presenter, Sarah Beeny, are calling on homeowners throughout the UK to share their best-kept secret - the name of a brilliant builder - as the FMB once again searches to find the best builder in Britain.
The Master Builder of the Year awards are unique because entries must come from satisfied clients who are so pleased with their finished project that they feel their builder deserves national recognition. It is designed to reward both builders and clients, which means if your builder wins, you do too!
Said Sarah: "Every profession likes to be appreciated - none more so than builders. But all too often the media focuses on the rogues. The reality is that the vast majority of builders are professional, hardworking, considerate and friendly - qualities that are essential during a major home improvement project, when you may find yourself living with your builder for several months."
Added Sarah: "The Master Builder of the Year Awards gives customers a chance to thank their builder for a job well done. Whether you've had a loft conversion, an extension, or even a new house built, enter your builder for the awards to show how much you appreciate their hard work. The awards cover projects of all sizes and there is even a 'customer service' category for Britain's Heavenly Builders - who go the extra mile for their client, whatever the size of the project. We want to beat last year's record breaking 1,500 nominations from around the country."
The Awards are open to all builders, from sole traders to larger companies. If you've found a tradesman worth shouting about, then the FMB wants to hear from you.
Entries received so far this year include the renovation and restoration of a 17th century manor house, a chapel converted into flats and even a pig farm conversion.
You will find more details and an entry form here or by calling 0870 162 0942. Sarah Beeny will present the winners with their awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, on November 8th 2007.
4 July 2007
|
