IOS/OAS Winners

British Land won the prestigiuos award for best Office Developer of the Year, whilst ProLogis was awarded the best Industrial Developer of the Year. The awards were presented to Boris Johnson at the London Hilton organised by the Property Week

Falling on deaf ears..

There has been an indifferent approach to companies looking to adopt the Governments new Policy on allowing the over 65’s to carry on working. The new age discrimination bill appears to be an informal way of raising the retirement age. It is considered likely in the industry that the Government will dispense with a compulsory retirement age in 2011.

Employees will have the right to ask their employers if they can work beyond their 65th year. For fear of being sued for being ageist, an employer does have the right to reject a request without justification.  Whilst the reasoning for not having to explain a rejection can be understood, is a quiet response not saying the same thing?

Meanwhile employers, Alan & Thomas Insurance Brokershave banned the age old practice of passing round birthday cards between staff. This response to the latest legislation is to prevent any member of staff feeling harassed about getting old.

The last thing you want when you are getting older is for someone to tell you that?

Stirling Work

The RIBA is proud to announce the forthcoming Stirling Prize  presented to ‘the architects of the building which has been the most significant for the evolution of architecture in the past year’.

Whilst clearly the work of the shortlist of architects is worthy of distinction, just spare a few thoughts before you vote.

These are invariably the top architects at the top of their profession, in the enviable position of receiveing great briefs from accepting clients. None of these projects seem to be small. Iam sure that their respective fees would have reflected their skills.

Whilst their work should no doubt be rewarded, is a £20k prize really appropriate? 

Imagine how the client feels after funding the project, including all the variations, pays the architect, only to hear that the architect receives an extra £20k bonus!

Channel 4 will showcase the buildings on Saturday 14th Oct.

    

Tolworth Bridge

Tesco have submitted a ‘green’ planning application for the development of the former Ministry of Defence site in Tolworth. As reported by Property Week today, the proposal includes for662 new homes, half of which will be an affordable quota, as well as some community failities.

The proposal includes for a ‘green bridge’ linking Tolworth Broadway and the new development situated on the opposite side of the A3.

We can only guess what makes the bridge ‘green’. Recycled carrier bags perhaps?

Brighton Power Struggle

According to a recently prepared report from the RICS if we are to meet the target of a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050, then Brighton alone will require 0.7 of a nuclear power station, 475 wind turbines or 1.5 million roofs with solar pholtovoltaic areas. This was the message delivered by David Fell, the author of the report The Climate Challenge for 2050.

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