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NEWS MAY |
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| We have recently been short listed to design a new community building. |
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We have just prepared a design for a small two bedroom bungalow.
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NEWS REPORT FROM TRADA
"Government changes mind on consequential improvements on domestic dwellings "conservatory tax". SEE TRADA REPORT follow link."
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NEWS APRIL |
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RIBA NEWS REPORT
"Grant Shapps Housing Minister supports Self Build projects"
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We have signed up to support this year's RIBA campaign to raise funds
for Shelter. To find out more follow the link below.
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NEW BUILDING REGULATIONS
Just attended an interesting seminar organised
by MLM Building Control Ltd. on the next stage of the Building Regulation amendments proposed by the Government.
There are a considerable number of amendments planned for 2012 and 2014 on the path to
zero carbon, but the question mark at present is whether the Government will proceed with the draft proposal to introduce “consequential improvements” to an existing residential building (under 1000m\2) when an extension is proposed. On the present proposal 10% of the extension cost has to be spent on improving the existing thermal capabilities. This is due to come into force in October 2012 unless the Government has second thoughts in this recession.
For commercial buildings the 1000m\2 limit is due to be removed so that any refurb or extension will require a consequential improvement.
Watch the press!
Apart from the SAP calculation and the TER and DER there is to be a new energy calculation “FEES” giving a maximum energy demand allowable for each new dwelling type.
We are using Graphisoft Ecodesigner which will allow us to design the building fabric to comply with these requirements at an early design stage.
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NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK.
This has just been published and superceeds most of the previous Planning Policy documents.
To view it follow the link to download:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf
The Ministers letter says: "Development that is sustainable should go ahead, without delay".
Well we will see!
We have been talking to a Local Planning Authority for over a year on a brownfield site, the Trees officer cannot agree with the Planner, the Conservation officer has her own ideas and on the advice of the Environment Agency the whole town would be evacuated!
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There is an absolute sea of houses being built on the southern edge of
Cambridge off the A10 and the new Addenbrooke's road. Let's hope it
will be better than the usual developer noddy houses. The Sunday Times
was indicating that the new planning guidelines should make it easier
for self builders. We need some variety and new ideas!
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RIBA LINK |
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RIBA: BUDGET PLANNING & MORE REPORT
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PRODUCT OF THE MONTH |
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We nominate Clement Windows
We extended this property and replaced all the existing steel single
glazed Crittall windows. We managed to achieve double glazing and to
meet the thermal requirements while still maintaining the original
appearance of the property.
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NEWS MARCH |
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We have just received Planning Approval
for an extension in Cambourne, near Cambridge.
The property was a standard developers house plan,
laid out on the site without any thought for sun
orientation or views.
We have proposed turning the accommodation around to
to make best use of the site and achieve a workable
plan, to extend the accommodation and to change some
of the windows.
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We have designed an extension to this property and a small
two bedroom separate house. The design is in keeping with
the adjoining properties and we envisaged that a two
bedroom house would have been appreciated in a village
setting.
However on a pre-app enquiry the Planners think otherwise!
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We have recently received the new updated Archicad 15 CAD
programme. We are busy getting to grips with the new features.
The programme has at its core a BIM model of the building. The
Government is proposing to make this essential for their
procurement in the next few years. The question is who will
pay for all the extra design work involved.
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Just received from Barford+Co details of two building plots
at Abbotsley near St.Neots. They would suit a self-builder
or perhaps a "grand design"?
The plans illustrated look in need of improvement-
great long corridors!
We are sure we could do better.
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We were recently looking through our back files and we came
across this image of a community building we were
commissioned to design by Melbourne Parish Council.
The building contained a multi purpose hall, library
Parish office and small meeting room.
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RIBA LINK |
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RIBA: BUDGET PLANNING & MORE REPORT
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PRODUCT OF THE MONTH |
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We nominateID Systems for the folding doors used on an
extension in Cambridge. We are approaching the end of the
rectification period and we hope to take some new
photographs soon.
The project included a new ground floor extension
and refurbishment of the existing Victorian
building.
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