Related insights: Projects, Construction and Infrastructure
The latest PPN updates in procurement law
12 Apr 2024
In March 2024, the Cabinet Office published a new Procurement Policy Note (PPN) ('PPN 02/24: Improving Transparency of AI use in Procurement') to address the Government's increased adoption of Artificial Technology and provide further guidance around the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The aim of the PPN is to ensure steps are being taken to identify and manage the associated risks and opportunities involved in the increased use of AI.
This PPN applies to all Central Government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies but other contracting authorities may also wish to apply the approach set out.
This PPN applies to all Central Government departments, their executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies but other contracting authorities may also wish to apply the approach set out.
What is the Circular Economy Action Plan and why does it matter to businesses outside the EU?
05 Apr 2024
Have you heard about the European Commission's Green Deal or the Circular Economy Action Plan?
Are you aware that new legislation is being considered in the European Union on the theme of sustainability and the circular economy?
Are you aware that new legislation is being considered in the European Union on the theme of sustainability and the circular economy?
Competence, the Principal Designer and the new building safety regime
03 Apr 2024
Competence is now a core pillar of the building safety regime, following the recent overhaul of the legal framework around building regulations.
A new role of building regulation Principal Designer has been created (not to be confused with the already existing CDM Principal Designer).
A new role of building regulation Principal Designer has been created (not to be confused with the already existing CDM Principal Designer).
Airport revival now boarding as WBD advises on lease agreement for Doncaster Sheffield Airport
02 Apr 2024
It's one step closer to getting planes in the skies of Doncaster once more after international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) helped advise the City's council on the agreement of a headlease for Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
A 125 year headlease has been completed by the City of Doncaster Council to take over the Airport site following over a year of discussions and negotiations with the existing landowner the Peel Group, with the Council intending to sub-let the Airport site to a new operator.
A 125 year headlease has been completed by the City of Doncaster Council to take over the Airport site following over a year of discussions and negotiations with the existing landowner the Peel Group, with the Council intending to sub-let the Airport site to a new operator.
Why construction must support neurodiversity – through the legal lens
19 Mar 2024
One in four UK construction workers are neurodivergent, according to a report by the National Federation of Builders (NFB).
In fact, the NFB says it has "discovered that neurodiversity is not only common amongst construction workers, but being neurodiverse is actually encouraging people to pursue a career in construction".
This has opened up constructive conversations in the sector around employing and supporting a neurodiverse workforce.
In fact, the NFB says it has "discovered that neurodiversity is not only common amongst construction workers, but being neurodiverse is actually encouraging people to pursue a career in construction".
This has opened up constructive conversations in the sector around employing and supporting a neurodiverse workforce.
The Golden Thread in occupied buildings – what you should know
18 Mar 2024
In her review of the building safety regime post-Grenfell, one of Dame Judith Hackitt's key recommendations was for a 'golden thread' of information for all higher risk buildings (HRBs).
In response to that, the government introduced legislation – some covering the golden thread during the construction phase and which came into force in late 2023, and more recently covering the in-occupation phase and which came into force early 2024. These newer regulations are in the form of The Higher-Risk Buildings (Keeping and Provision of Information etc) (England) Regulations 2024 (Regulations).
In response to that, the government introduced legislation – some covering the golden thread during the construction phase and which came into force in late 2023, and more recently covering the in-occupation phase and which came into force early 2024. These newer regulations are in the form of The Higher-Risk Buildings (Keeping and Provision of Information etc) (England) Regulations 2024 (Regulations).
Who is the 'Accountable Person'? The First Tier Tribunal decides
13 Mar 2024
The First Tier Tribunal (FTT) has made a decision as to who the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) and Accountable Persons (AP) are for a Higher Risk Building (HRB) under section 75 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA).
This part of the BSA provides that if there is uncertainty or a dispute as to the identity of an AP or PAP, an interested party can apply to the FTT for determination.
This part of the BSA provides that if there is uncertainty or a dispute as to the identity of an AP or PAP, an interested party can apply to the FTT for determination.
Top legal tips for Standstill Agreements
12 Mar 2024
The popularity of standstill agreements is showing no signs of abating – especially in the post-Grenfell, Building Safety Act 2022 era, after that Act implemented an unprecedented extension to limitation by extending the time for bringing claims under section 1 of the Defective Premises Act 1972 from six to 30 years retrospectively.
The new queue management process: go like the wind or gone with the wind?
28 Feb 2024
The new quick-fix process will remove “zombie” projects from the long queue clearing the way for “viable” projects to connect.
What you need to know about heat networks
15 Feb 2024
Andrew Hirst and Rebecca Cowley discuss the heat networks revolution, how it will work and the effect on all stakeholders, from owners to investors.
Heat networks provide relatively low cost, low-carbon heat which can help the UK to meet its legally binding targets to slash greenhouse gas emissions. In the UK, there are currently 14,000 operational networks, although they tend to have a relatively low public profile.
In July 2018, the Competition and Market Authority’s heat networks market study calculated that heat networks provide just 2% of UK buildings’ heat demand. The independent Committee on Climate Change has estimated that to meet carbon targets, around 18% of the UK’s heat needs to come from heat networks by 2050. This could require investment of between £30bn and £50bn.
Heat networks provide relatively low cost, low-carbon heat which can help the UK to meet its legally binding targets to slash greenhouse gas emissions. In the UK, there are currently 14,000 operational networks, although they tend to have a relatively low public profile.
In July 2018, the Competition and Market Authority’s heat networks market study calculated that heat networks provide just 2% of UK buildings’ heat demand. The independent Committee on Climate Change has estimated that to meet carbon targets, around 18% of the UK’s heat needs to come from heat networks by 2050. This could require investment of between £30bn and £50bn.
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