Archived entries for November 2008
Act now before it might be too late: How the latest changes to the Planning System may not be all good news
4 May 2009
The recently announced changes to the planning system bring welcome relief for local authority planning staff and the general public alike. For the local authority, the changes mean that the number of residential planning applications they will have to deal with will drop, which is good news for many overstretched planning departments. Some commentators believe that countrywide, this will represent... Continue reading Act now before it might be too late: How the latest changes to the Planning System may not be all good news
How to Impress your Relatives without spending a fortune - 7 easy ways to improve your bathroom
30 November 2008
With Christmas looming larger than my next utility bill, focus is turning toward the festivities and the task of hosting relatives who descend like a plague of locusts. In the days spent with me, they eat and drink me out of house and home and make barbed comments that the improvements I have been promising to undertake remain as untouched as the Christmas Day washing up. Fear not, in this article... Continue reading How to Impress your Relatives without spending a fortune - 7 easy ways to improve your bathroom
Good News for the Housing Market?
23 November 2008
The latest news to emanate from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) is that mortgage lending rose slightly in the month of October. Total lending rose to £18.7bn, 7% up from the previous month. However, to put this in context, lending in October was 44% lower than that in October last year, just before the sub prime debacle triggered the present mortgage drought. Whilst consumer confidence... Continue reading Good News for the Housing Market?
Do I Need Planning Permission welcomes Theo Gray to the Advertisers Board
16 November 2008
Do I Need Planning Permission today welcomes Theo Gray to the Advertisers Board. Theo will be maintaining this website and keeping it up to date. Theo Gray looks after a number of websites for local businesses and charities (see his portfolio for details), and is also a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer. If you would like to find out about setting up your own website, or need your current site... Continue reading Do I Need Planning Permission welcomes Theo Gray to the Advertisers Board
Imaginative Ways to Improve Your Kitchen
15 November 2008
There is no denying that kitchens are at the heart of the modern home. Like most fads however, that early appeal of the recently installed state of the art kitchen can fade as quickly as an unwatered and unloved plant. As with many other home improvement, cost is a key factor. Fear not however, you may get the kitchen of your dreams at a fraction of the price if you imaginatively shop around. Have... Continue reading Imaginative Ways to Improve Your Kitchen
Purpose and Principal Changes
14 November 2008
What was the purpose of changing the General Permitted Development Order? The first reason was to extend and clarify the scope of permitted development for householders. The hope is to make the system easier for all. Remove the need for a planning application in many cases. Presently, Local Planning Authorities who determine planning applications are inundated with planning applications for residential... Continue reading Purpose and Principal Changes
British Architecture Celebrated at the Royal Festival Hall
6 November 2008
Despite the gloomy prospects of a looming recession, last night was an evening of celebration in the world of British Architecture. At a ceremony held at the Royal Festival Hall, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment celebrated those schemes which demonstrated a real commitment toward high quality design, good placemaking and sustainable development by awarding them the Building... Continue reading British Architecture Celebrated at the Royal Festival Hall
New Solar Initiative - sign up NOW
6 November 2008
Last week, an exciting campaign to promote solar power in the UK was launched by Solar Aid and United Diversity. The campaign had the pre-launch backing of numerous politicians including: Greg Barker MP, Michael Meacher MP, Peter Hain MP, Nick Clegg MP, Steve Webb MP, Norman Baker MP, and Colin Challen MP, as well as Friends of the Earth, Green Alliance, Solar Aid, Greenpeace, World Future Council,... Continue reading New Solar Initiative - sign up NOW
Greening the Nation
2 November 2008
With rising fuel prices and the prospects of an economic downturn, the latest news to hit homeowners is that our homes are not green enough. Latest statistics show that Britain's housing stock is responsible for nearly 27% of the entire country's emissions of carbon dioxide. This does not come as a real surprise. I am sure we have all sat round at Aunt Nellie's house and experienced cold ankle syndrome... Continue reading Greening the Nation