13/05/2009 by David Slade.

More than £60 million of capital projects funding has been brought forward by the Higher Education Funding Council for England to help boost the building sector.

The money will be poured into 47 projects across 26 higher education institutions, with some stalled projects now able to start as soon as this month, HEFCE said.

Projects to be boosted by the funding include:

• More than £14 million for projects at the Open University, for building science laboratories and refurbishing university buildings.
• More than £3 million for a new Centre for Immunology and Infection at the University of York.
• About £11 million to build a new Arts Academic building and to refurbish the library at the University of Sussex
• Nearly £8 million to build the Van Geest Research Centre and to extend the sports centre at Nottingham Trent University.
• More than £3 million for a new heating system at the University of Durham; and
• About £15 million for the University of Oxford to build and improve book storage facilities and to construct a fourth floor at the Oxford Molecular Pathology Institute.

It is the second round of accelerated funding to be spent on higher education, with about £150 million spent in March on the first wave of projects.

HEFCE deputy chief executive Steve Egan said: “Through their quick responses to the two rounds of this programme, universities and colleges have demonstrated their determination to do their part in beating the recession. The capital projects, round the country, should make a real difference to local employment and the economy.”

Question: Who’s got the contract to design them?

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13/05/2009 by David Slade.

 The Welsh Assembly has today issued increased environmental standards for new buildings in an attempt to combat climate change.

From September, new homes will have to score at least three stars out of six under the Code for Sustainable Homes. The rule should cut carbon emissions from new homes by more than 30 per cent, the government said.

Builders will also have to use more sustainable materials in construction.

In addition, non-domestic buildings will be expected to meet the BREEM ‘very good’ standard as a minimum.

Environment minister Jane Davidson said: “I am determined to use the planning system to move towards zero carbon buildings.”

The move makes Wales the first UK nation to set minimum standards for sustainable buildings through the planning system.

This will change the way developers approach future construction. Professional services will now be require to be employed to achieve this certification and documentation.

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