NEWS

FAC-1, a contractual integrator for UK and international construction The FAC-1 Framework Alliance Contract (‘FAC-1’) is a new type of contract, recognised by the UK Government as creating a ‘Gold Standard’ that can help to deliver improved value, reduced risks and net zero carbon targets. FAC-1 has attracted support in the UK and around the world because it operates alongside other contracts, looking beyond basic risk allocation to support [...]

Account of Forum meeting on 6 June 2022 hosted by UCL Full minute by Riëtte Oosthuizen also at planninginlondon.com > LP&DF London Planning and Development Forum on 6 June 2022 was kindly hosted by Dr Jessica Ferm, Associate Professor in Planning and Urban Management, Director of Undergraduate Programmes, Bartlett School of Planning, University College London at 22 Gordon Street, London, WC1 0QB. First discussion led by Alison Bembenek Lichfields [...]

Paul Finch addressed Council at the July awayday. Here is some of what he said to us Wherever we look currently, it seems that com- plaints culture rules the roost. As soon as somebody makes an allegation, whether current or historical, up pops somebody else (responsible or not) to apologise profusely, to promise to investigate, and the ensure that what is being complained of ‘never happens again’. Complaints culture [...]

Guidance for design and construction to support building safety Among the housing safety measures announced in Parliament by Secretary of State Michael Gove recently was publication of ‘Collaborative Procurement Guidance for Design and Construction to Support Building Safety’. This guidance seeks to learn from the Grenfell Tower disaster and was co-authored by me on behalf of the King’s College London Centre of Construction Law with Russell Poynter-Brown of On [...]

The status of the profession of Architecture isunique in the UK. Nowhere else in the world dothey recognize “title” as distinct from function….inother words, what we are called as distinct fromwhat we do, writes Alfred Munkenbeck.The education of an architect takes approximatelyseven years and is very thorough. Most architecturaleducation is paid for with public tax money as withmost tertiary education in the UK. If the architect isnot being prepared [...]

WHERE IS PLANNING GOING? The system is broken – but it can be mended KEY POINTS Three levels of development should be considered: Outline, Full and Approved for construction Compliance could be certified by an ‘Approved Agent’ who would also confirm compliance on completion of development All objective, measurable issues should be removed from planning to building regulation control and simply require compliance Approved Agents or planning authority officers [...]