Greenbelt abandoned, Smart Homes video and renewables power surge

BLOG from Howard Chapman, Editor of Buildingtalk

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The latest round-up of industry news includes Greenbelt abandoned, Smart Homes video, renewable power surge + new products andamp; project stories

Whats new in building

Research by Glenigan for a BBC programme tonight will show an alarming 5 fold increase in homes built on greenbelt land, with over a third in or around Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and much more in the pipeline. Im no NIMBY but this is madness – your comments please!

Other news includes:

• why energy prices rise even when the sun shines
• how to reduce energy waste in homes
• latest DECC power generation report showing a 15% increase in renewables and 10% in nuclear power
• new flood door defence system for homes

.and with 37m people in the UK now using smart phones, Toolstation offer electric sockets that include a USB port how sensible is that!

Industry Events

• Solid Wood Solutions one day conference and exhibition will now be held at the Inmarsat Conference Centre on 16th September 2015, the day after Fabric First Event at the same venue
• Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA) announces speaker line-up for first National Conference

Ill be visiting IFSEC, Firex, and the Facilities Show – all on together at Excel in London next week.

I will begin on the ASSA ABLOY stand at IFSEC getting their take on how open platforms win business. Do be in touch if you are exhibiting and have something new for me to review.

Video of the Week

• new to Guide to Smart Home Wiring from CEDIA

and more videos

• BMX stunt biker bouncing on a roof window demos safety andamp; anti-slip of Fakro DXW windows for roof terraces
• fascinating 10 time-lapse video of building the One World Trade Center in New York
• Klober announces permanent exhibit at the Building Centre
• Video of Chinese engineering firm as preferred bidder for Swansea Bay lagoon construction

Other product news

• Unobstructed views with new Fakro high pivot PVC roof window
• Saniflo showcases products at inaugural Installer 2015
• H+H to sponsor the Sunday Times Homes for Britain

Latest project stories

• Portable show-suite developed using Protan SE membrane
• Traditional Northcot brickwork is key for new Bristol office building
• Microbarr paint limits the spread of infection at NHS facility
• Gilberts of Blackpool specified for orang-utan enclosure
• Swish selected for Newcastle home refurbishment scheme

Best of Buildingtalk on Twitter

• Portsmouth Spinnaker Tower painted red in Dubai Emirates $5.3m deal
• 8 PFI schools built by Balfour Beatty have fire safety issues including sub-standard fireproofing
• New Task Group to deliver UK zero-carbon non-domestic buildings by 2019 includes Saint GobainUK and John Lewis retail
• Is UK and US backlash against modernist tower blocks finally coming to an end?

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COMMENTS

Angela Breckenridgeandlt;angela@b-v.co.ukandgt; 10/6/2015

I think building on green belt is crazy for several reasons: