Joe Wilkinson
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Best-Kept Secrets Successful Land Developers Swear By
Buying and selling real estate is a high-profit venture. Whether you build from scratch or renovate properties, resale margins may be massive. Not surprisingly, countless land developers strike gold sooner than later. But the domain is rife with risks, and you may also lose if you fail to weigh the implications of your decisions. A little effort and good research are often enough to capitalize on the opportunities and minimize the risk. You can also seek inspiration from the leaders. Let us share some of the best-kept secrets successful land developers swear by. Get real estate education There’s a difference between…
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MEDITE SMARTPLY donates medal winning Chelsea garden to charity
Following on from the hugely successful RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the entirety of the award-winning MEDITE SMARTPLY Building the Future garden will be reused, with a large part being donated to Andover Trees United, a volunteer-led environmental charity that works closely with schools and local authorities. The charity’s evolving woodland site ‘Harmony Woods’ represents a 10-year planting project, which gives children and young people in local communities the chance to help turn 12 acres of farmland to the north of Andover into a natural urban woodland, increasing biodiversity and providing a wealth of opportunities for learning in and about the…
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Installing artificial grass?
Dutch artificial grass manufacturer Royal Grass® boasts an enviable track record of design innovation, manufacturing excellence and customer satisfaction spanning nearly 20 years. As close to the real thing as you’ll find Its range of beautifully realistic products that mimic the characteristics of natural grass, from how it feels, to how it reflects light, is the result of ongoing research and development and the implementation of innovative technology. Royal Grass® is the only manufacturer that truly imitates nature – under a microscope each blade has a unique, patented V-shape which, when combined with a reinforced backbone, ensures it stands upright.…
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- Environment
Millions of funding for projects to plant hundreds of thousands of trees
Hundreds of thousands of trees will be planted in communities across England thanks to funding through the Nature for Climate Fund. Over £12m will be allocated to the successful applicants to four funds supporting tree planting efforts for future generations. 260,000 trees will be planted outside of woodlands as part of the Local Authority Treescapes Fund with 139 local authorities awarded a share of the now £4.4 million pot across 42 projects. Projects will support a variety of ways to get trees in the ground, from natural regeneration and traditional planting to community engagement. Local residents, schools and environmental groups…
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Swanscombe Peninsula confirmed as Site of Special Scientific Interest
Natural England has confirmed Swanscombe Peninsula as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in recognition of its national importance for plants, geology, birds and invertebrates – including one of the rarest spiders in the country. The decision was taken by Natural England’s board at a public meeting and marks the last step in the designation process after the site was notified as a SSSI in March. A valuable green space abundant in wildlife lying close to major urban areas, the 260 hectare site alongside the Thames Estuary forms a corridor of habitats connecting Ebbsfleet Valley with the southern shore…
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- Environment
Environment Act becomes law
Legislation, the Environment Act, that will protect and enhance our environment for future generations has now passed into UK law. It will halt the decline in species by 2030, require new developments to improve or create habitats for nature, and tackle deforestation overseas. It aims to help us transition to a more circular economy, incentivising people to recycle more, encouraging businesses to create sustainable packaging, making household recycling easier and stopping the export of polluting plastic waste to developing countries. These changes will be driven by new legally binding environmental targets, and enforced by a new, independent Office for Environmental…
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A cleaner, greener and safer Stoke Newington
Stoke Newington’s new low traffic neighbourhood is now in its second week, helping to reduce traffic, support people to walk, shop and cycle locally and rebuild a greener Hackney in the wake of the pandemic. A new 7am-7pm bus gate on Church Street is helping to reduce through-traffic on the street. Only cyclists, buses and Blue Badge holders who have registered for an exemption can pass through during this time. This is supported by five further traffic filters, which stop new short-cuts opening on surrounding residential streets. These operate at all times in line with the Council’s aim to reduce…
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Cotswold Water Park confirmed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Natural England has confirmed Cotswold Water Park as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its rich array of waterbirds and aquatic plants. The decision was taken by Natural England’s Board at a public meeting and marks the last step in the designation process after the site was notified as a SSSI in January. Notification was followed by a 5-month consultation period to allow any interested party to make representations to Natural England. A number of objections and representations of support were received by Natural England, all of which were considered by the Board. Cotswold Water Park SSSI encompasses…
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- Environment
Companies bidding for major government contracts face green rules
New measures which require businesses bidding for major government contracts to commit to achieving net zero emissions come into force. The implementation of these rules will help deliver the manifesto promises made by this government to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The requirements will apply to any companies bidding for government contracts worth more than £5million a year, not just those who are successful. The UK is the first country in the world to put such a measure in place, underlining the government’s leadership in the fight to tackle climate change. The new requirements come into effect ahead…
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As construction returns to normal can supply chain keep up?
Profits seem to be returning to normal for the construction industry, as Lendlease’s profits rebound to £20m and it seems as though the supply chain is just about coping. Lendlease Construction (Europe) has delivered a strong rebound in profit this year to £20m – a huge increase from just £3.9m in 2020. This is due in part to its strong pipeline of work which has increased its profit to £78m from £65m. Revenue at the business has also bounced back to £554m in the year to June 2021. This work includes HMP Glen Parva in Leicestershire and Camden Town Hall…
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Urgent need to Future Proof the UK’s parks and green spaces
There is an urgent need to recruit young volunteers to care for and maintain UK parks if they are to meet the needs of current and future generations, according to Future Proof Parks – a partnership between Groundwork, Fields in Trust and National Youth Agency. It says it is vital that we act now to recruit the next generation of volunteers, representative of the communities that enjoy and benefit from the UK’s parks and green spaces. A new series of free how-to guides have been published supporting friends of parks groups to recruit more young volunteers. Across the country, volunteers…
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Caribbean Blinds wins at national Real Homes Awards 2021
For the second year running, Caribbean Blinds has won at the national Real Homes Awards. The manufacturer of outdoor shading products has won in The Great Outdoors category with its hugely popular Cuba Awning product being crowned ‘The Best of the Best’ against stiff competition. Each year the Real Homes Awards attracts hundreds of entries across 15 categories, unveiling and celebrating the most inspiring ideas and reviewing the must-have home products. The entries are scrutinised by an esteemed panel of judges who make the final decisions. Choosing from a range of exemplary products in The Great Outdoors category, the unique…
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Visits up by 50% at award-winning playground in the Regent’s Park
Research shows that ‘play’ is essential to every facet of a child’s development and unfortunately it’s under attack. By the time a child is eight, they will have spent a full year sitting in front of a screen, and a report from the Children’s Society shows that one in six children aged between 5 and 16 are likely to be experiencing mental health problems, so now more than ever, it’s crucial that society create opportunities for children to play and connect. The Royal Parks has been running a three-year play programme in The Regent’s Park and Greenwich Park, and in…
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Millboard: Decking subframes build to last
Millboard explores which is the best subframe to avoid decking being damaged or becoming structurally dangerous. If you’re looking to build a decking project that is going to stand the test of time, the subframe of a decking area is one of the most important parts. Whilst the subframe is generally hidden, it is crucial for the deck’s longevity. A poor subframe choice or install can lead to the decking being damaged or can even lead to the decking becoming structurally dangerous and eventually failure. With so many different subframes to choose from, which one is best and what should…
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Rewilding half a million acres of Scottish Highlands
An ambitious 30-year landscape-scale rewilding initiative to link up a majestic sweep of the Scottish Highlands as one vast nature recovery area connecting Loch Ness to Scotland’s west coast has been launched by charity Trees for Life, and joins a select group of prestigious European rewilding areas. The Affric Highlands initiative follows three years of consultation between Rewilding Europe, Trees for Life, and other local partners and stakeholders. It will restore nature across a network of landholdings potentially covering an area of over 500,000 acres stretching from Loch Ness across the central Highlands to Kintail in the west, and encompassing…
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Green Up Campaign: Interview with John Melmoe
We speak to John Melmoe about why he’s supporting the Green Up Campaign and why he believes maintenance budgets need to be re-evaluated before supermarkets change their landscape. Why is the Green Up Campaign needed? The majority of the superstores started being installed in around 1985. Led by Tesco, they rolled out a major construction programme throughout the late 80’s into the 90’s. They found that putting them in to a good standard and a high quality, they could actually assist and gain planning permission for the next stores. So they spent quite a bit of money on the…
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Interview: Peter Chmiel on winning Best in Show
First time Chelsea designers Peter Chmiel and Chin-Jung alongside construction company The Outdoor Room not only scooped up a Gold medal for their work, but also Best in Show at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We speak to Peter Chmiel about what this means, as well as the challenges of building a Chelsea Show Garden. How did it feel to win Best in Show? Chin and I are super proud and delighted to win gold and best show garden at our debut show. The generous comments during the press day, gala night and now the RHS days has been so very…
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UK’s first Green Gilt raises £10 billion for green projects
Green projects across the country are set to benefit from funding from the UK’s first ever Green Gilt which will help drive progress to net zero and create jobs across the UK. £10bn was raised from the sale of the Gilt this morning: the largest inaugural green issuance by any sovereign, with the largest ever order book for a sovereign green transaction. This will be followed by a second issuance later in the year. Green Gilts will raise a minimum of £15bn for green government projects like zero-emissions buses, offshore wind and schemes to decarbonise homes and buildings in this…
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