Alliance with Compliance

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has now drawn its two year campaign on risk assessments to a close.

The campaign examined the risk assessment attitudes and behaviours of organisations of various sizes across Europe. The findings are somewhat surprising - between 10%-15% of SMEs do not carry out risk assessments despite this being a legal requirement!

And the reasons why? A large percentage of companies just do not deem this necessary and simply do not conduct risk assessments or even documented general workplace checks. This may indicate that SMEs have fewer problems than larger companies, or that they lack awareness and knowledge.

The campaign also bought to light some of the main issues that companies are concerned about in the workplace: accidents, musculoskeletal disorders and stress being the top three - all of which can be less of a concern with a documented risk assessment.

www.westminstercompliance.co.uk

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Improve your Surgery - Dentists & GP's

New sterilisation rules for dentists and patient choice for GP's have made the market more competitive.

Improve your Surgery to keep and extend you market share and customer satisfaction.

Dental Surgery

New sterilisation room

Organise the admin/ reception area - Proper area for patient files

Add a relaxation room

Add a alternative therapy room

Add additional treatment rooms

New audio-video service with TV and patient choice

GP Surgery

Organise the admin/ reception area - Archive the paper patient files

Improve floor surfaces for cleaning & Hygiene

De-clutter waiting room signage

Make waiting rooms less institutional

Improve legibility to Doctors rooms

Improve patient call systems - install Doctor panic alarms

Improve staff facilities

YOOP Architects can quickly and easily help you achieve your improvements, advise on PCT grants and help you improve your facilities and service.

Call Gordon or Bashir now on 0208 954 6291 or 07920 426 254 for a friendly chat.

ge@yooparchitects.co.uk bk@yooparchitects.co.uk

www.yooparchitects.co.uk

London property developer fined £10k for safety breaches

A London property developer and landlord has been fined £10,000 at City of London Magistrates Court after workers on two of his developments were put at risk. The court heard how Mr Mohamed failed on both sites to appoint a competent contractor and failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that proper arrangements were in place for work to be managed safely - putting workers and neighbours at risk. Open flames were used at Chingford Mount Road site, which is close to a petrol station, but there were no fire extinguishers on site. Inspectors also found that scaffolding at the property was substandard or missing and had insufficient guard rails, while 240 volt power tools were used in areas where the cables were likely to be damaged, creating a risk of electrocution and fire. Domestic quality cables were also run through damp areas. HSE inspectors ordered works to down tools after visiting the site.

Building.co.uk

Rush is on to complete property deals before stamp duty holiday ends

The government's temporary stamp duty exemption for homes priced under £175,000 expires on 31 December

First-time home buyers have just weeks to complete their deals before the government's temporary stamp duty exemption expires. Househunters seeking properties worth between £125,000 and £175,000, who are midway through the buying process or in the early stages, should urgently chivvy along solicitors, estate agents and vendors to ensure they meet the New Year's Eve deadline.

Full Article

Harriet Meyer

The Observer 15 Nov 2009

Sustainibility and SIPs Panels

An energy efficient home was built using Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) – chosen for their fast construction time and airtightness – ensuring the property is superbly insulated, despite its extensive use of glazing.
Source: Home and Building Renovation Magazine Online

The Designers platform.co.uk

New venture to bring customers and professionals together brought to you by Begin Design.

Whether you are new to Design or someone who has been in the field forever, The Designers Platform has much to offer. TDP members work in many settings and come to the association with a variety of experience and educational backgrounds. What we all have in common is a passion for beautiful design, a thirst for knowledge and a resolute commitment to help clients create the home of their dreams.

http://www.begin-design.com/
http://www.thedesignersplatform.co.uk/documents/calendar.php

Housing minister also gives green light to biggest council housing programme for two decades

Housing minster, John Healey, has released details of £250m to build 3,400 homes and create around 5,000 jobs.

The bulk of the money comes from the National Affordable Housing Programme budget, but has been boosted by extra money as part of the housing pledge announced in June.

The money will be shared between 43 housing associations and other bodies across 97 local authority areas throughout the country.

11 September, 2009

By Michael Willoughby

Read more: http://www.building.co.uk/regen_story.asp?sectioncode=284&storycode=3148624&c=3#ixzz0Qulqu2K4

Planning fee scrapped

01-Sep-2009 10:29:03

With more and more people staying in their own homes, Hertsmere Borough Council has scrapped some of the charges made to residents who ask for advice about home extensions.

Fees for other bigger developments have also been frozen in a bid to boost the local housing market and offer a helping hand in a difficult finance climate.

Cllr Hannah David, portfolio holder for housing and planning, explained: "Whenever anyone is thinking about building or developing, we do encourage them to make early contact with planning officers so that we can work together on projects. That way developers can know early on what is acceptable, and what is not, and this can save a lot of money and time in the long run.

“Because officers can spend hours at a time helping people in such a way, historically we have charged homeowners £250 for pre-application advice for extensions to their properties. For bigger developments of homes fees can go up to £1000 for this advice.

“With the country in recession many people are staying in their own homes, rather than moving, so we have decided to scrap the £250 fee for pre-application advice for extensions, while fees for the other bigger developments will stay the same."

In 2008 Hertsmere received around 100 letters from householders about alterations to their homes, while so far this year it is around 100 already, reflecting the number of families staying in their homes rather than moving.

If you want to use the pre-application service contact the planning team on 020 8207 2277 or email planning@hertsmere.gov.uk

Permitted Development FAQ - Is Your development really permitted?

As a homeowner the idea that you can extend your property without the formal pre-requisite of planning consent can sound very attractive, especially the thought of a glazed rear extension. This is called 'Permitted Development' and was revised and came into effect 1st October 2008.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115315495577.html

However, ‘Permitted Development’ as clear as the guidelines may appear does not give you carte blanche to commence construction nor should it be treated as a means of sidestepping you local authority planning department.

From our recent experience with Permitted Development we present some typical questions and situations a home owner should be aware of before calling a builder.

Q: My neighbour says his builder told him that 'with Permitted Development Rights he doesn’t need planning permission for an extension', is this true?

A: Yes, under the rights for ‘Permitted Development’ (PD) you are allowed to build an extension without formal planning consent but you will need to get retrospective permission after construction is completed. This means making an application for a ‘Certificate of Lawful Development’. In this way it is your responsibility as the homeowner to ensure that the building works carried out meet the conditions of ‘PD’ and building regulations. Should the works not comply, you will be liable for any enforcement action by the council which means you will bear the cost of any remedial or demolition works to bring the works up to standard, not the builder.
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/genpub/en/1115314762605.html

Q: Can I just copy my neighbour’s extension; my house is after all exactly the same?

A: It may not be that simple. Any extension you propose may fall over a sewer access point or storm drain in which case Thames Water would need to get involved and you may need to arrange a ‘Build-Over’ agreement. Any works that build on a party wall which is jointly owned by yourself and your neighbour would be subject to a party wall agreement; there would be fees attached to both of these.
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/partywall

Points to consider.

- You still have an obligation to inform the council of any building works you planning or indeed have already built.

- Advice from a neighbour or builder may not always be reliable, neither of them are qualified to give professional advice nor are they liable for the cost of remedial or demolition works should things go awry.

- Always consult your local architect prior to approaching a builder and where possible engage an architect to make an application for a ‘Certificate of Lawful Development’ for you. This will cost but is the safest course of action for a homeowner looking to develop their property.

If you would like any further advice on Permitted Development, Party Wall Agreements please call Bash on 0208 954 6291 or 07961 319 721 or bk@yooparchitects.co.uk

The Phoenix of a supermarket

Kosher Kingdom , a 1200m2 supermarket in Golders Green NW London has been closed since a major fire devastated it last year.

Works began earlier this year to restore it back to its former glory. YOOP Architects were part of the team engaged to raise the store from the ashes. Working closely with the client and the principle contractor (Vascroft Contractor) the brief was to reinstate the store back to its original condition allowing for a few minor internal alterations.

Due to the scale of the works, replacing a number of party walls, a new roof and a new gable end, the new elements had to meet the current building regulations. As well as new electrical, M&E floor finishes and an new fire alarm system. We worked closely with Butler & Young who were the approved building control inspectors. The works were given approval and practical completion will be carried out any day now and the store handed back to the client.

New Parish council Park Maintenance Facilities

A new facilities building for storage of maintenance vehicles and equipment, workshop and changing/ day facilities for employees.

The building proposed as a lightweight structure sitting lightly on the ground using timber frame and having a sustainable drainage system. Heating is proposed from a solar thermal panel.

The architecture creates a simple cost effective form that can be flexible in use over time and be constructed out of hard wearing materials that blend into the park setting.

Conceived as a low energy, low impact structure that is friendly to its environment and the people who will work in it. The building will give a base of operation to the maintenance crews, providing basic facilities including kitchen, changing rooms etc. Also storing the large equipment such as tractors and cutters. A full workshop is also included to look after the equipment. The building will be low maintenance, robust, cost effective and fast to build.

Contemporary building methods are proposed, using timber frame allows a lightweight structure not to disrupt the heavily wooded surroundings, timber frame also is a carbon neutral and renewable building material. Other cladding material will allow it to blend into the park landscape. Large openings allow maximum light into the people part of the building with sliding doors making the building secure after hours. The use of contemporary materials and methods allows the building to be built very quickly further reducing the impact to the maintenance operation and park users.

Associated low technology sustainable proposals are sustainable urban drainage, where the water from the roof drains into a soak pit and not the main drainage system allowing to help alleviate flood threat. The water can be heated by a solar thermal panel, extra heating in the winter via a contemporary efficient double burning log burner using the abundant natural resource of dead trees from the parks.

Would you like to know know more about building and green issues, email ge@yooparchitects.co.uk or call 0208 954 6291

Local supermarkets near completion - YOOP loves Food

Two local near completion.

1. Kosher Kingdom: A fire damaged supermarket soon to reopen after extensive refurbishment.

2. VB Foods: A new supermarket created from a commercial building.

Both food outlets deliver quality modern ethnic foods to their respective communities.

Yoop Architects was glad to be involved.

One Stop Shop Interior design Service - Forest Hill, South london

Yoop Architects attended a great time at the grand opening of Begin Design on the 4th of June. The new premises is awash of soft furnishings, art works, lights and ideas for creating your perfect interior. Contact James and the team for that new interior and storage solutions you have always been thinking of.

James Lambrou

Interior Designer/Director
+44(0)7766 237936
+44(0)20 8699 7750
www.begin-design.com
james@begin-design.com

'A unique and inspiring soft furnishings service. Call us now for a no obligation home visit or visit us in our unique "one stop shop" studio for all your interior needs'