A by-election result spells potential trouble for the UK government’s plans for planning reform, says Jane Embury It was interesting that the Liberal Democrats won the recent Chesham and Amersham by-election. They took the seat from the Conservatives. They won the Buckinghamshire constituency which has been a Tory stronghold since its creation in 1974. Their victory […]
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A culture of safety
Jane Embury looks at the culture of fire safety Over the years, fire deaths in the UK have decreased dramatically. In 2001/02 there were 583 deaths. In 2018/19, 318. Last year, during lockdown, it was 243. Many of those deaths happened in residential properties, but not all. That’s why we must keep a clear focus on […]
Lighting the retail sector
Jane Embury looks at fire and shopping centres Now that lockdown restrictions are being eased, retail therapy is back on the agenda. We’ve all missed going to the shops, and shops have missed us. But for some, the easing of lockdown has come too late. The Centre for Retail Research says that this year, to […]
Simpler planning = better planning?
Jane Embury asks whether a rush to build will lead to a better built environment The UK government has announced major reform to the planning system. Critics of the current system say that it’s unwieldy, cumbersome and takes too long time for decisions to be made. In response, the government wants significant deregulation, something that […]
Building for a safer future
Jane Embury looks at aspects of fire safety A building’s ability to withstand fire depends on its design, the materials used and the quality of construction. If a fire does happen, those three elements should prevent the spread of flames and smoke and allow for a safe evacuation. Good building design involves a multi-disciplinary approach […]