Is AutoCAD about to die?!
This is not something I ever expected to hear. I've been using AutoCAD since 1989 (yes, I that old or I was just an early adopter) and have been a fan ever since. But in recent years the price has rocketed. So, imagine my delight when I found progeCAD from www.progesoft.com and check it out. I've been using AutoCAD LT 2010 for the last few years and after trialling progeCAD on a project I can tell you that it works in exactly the same way - all the commands; everything and I mean everything. All the favourite commands, the command line, the icons, EVERYTHING!!!
I've tested several AutoCAD alternative over the years (including DoubleCAD and TurboCAD LTE) and I can safely say that progeCAD (which is Swiss by the way and so likely to stay around) is the best.
Plus with the current version of AutoCAD LT retailing at over £1200.00 and the annual licence option running at £285.00, just what do Autodesk think they're doing. LT is supposed to stand for 'light version'. £1250.00?!!! That isn't light. What Autodesk need to do is release a light version of their light version!
Where as progeCAD is £186.75 and it's 3D!!!
You can read more about the engine that powers progeCAD at www.intellicad.org and on other website.
Saturday, 31 January 2015
Friday, 30 January 2015
Councils Face Loosing Powers
'Councils face losing powers for not using brownfield sites' In their role as local planning authorities, will be penalised if they do not meet yearly targets on fast-tracking brownfield sites for dev: Inside Housing.CO.UK News
29 January 2015 | By Daniel Douglas
The government plans to take away councils’ planning powers if they fail to use enough local development orders to boost the building of homes on brownfield land.
Councils, in their role as local planning authorities, will be penalised if they do not meet yearly targets on fast-tracking brownfield sites for development
A government consultation, launched yesterday, proposes using ‘local development orders’ – a way of speeding up planning permission on sites – to catalyse house building on brownfield sites. The government wants 9 out of 10 suitable brownfield sites to have a local development order in place by 2020.
Councils that do not meet this target will be found to be ‘under-performing’, meaning developers can submit applications directly to the Planning Inspectorate, going over the head of the council.
An alternative proposal is that councils not meeting the target will be ‘unable to claim the existence of an up to date five year supply of land for housing’, meaning that, under the National Planning Policy Framework, the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ kicks in, again allowing developers to push through development more easily.
The government says that there is enough suitable brownfield land available to build 200,000 homes. The Department for Communities and Local Government in August launched a £5m fund for councils to use to put local development orders in place for brownfield sites. The DCLG was unable to confirm how much of this fund has been allocated.
Some experts warn that this places another burden on overwhelmed planning departments and may take resources away from more important strategic planning.
Sarah Davis, policy adviser at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: ‘A concern we have is that the drive for this use of brownfield sites, while welcome, may take focus and resources off the bigger picture.
‘It may be a potential problem if it means local planning authorities losing sight of the bigger issues of suitability of sites regarding all of the questions around infrastructure, urban planning, capacity of local resources and so on.’
Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: ‘We are slightly concerned that, as local authorities are so lacking in resources right now, it is going to be difficult for them to implement this policy.’
The consultation runs until 11 March.
http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/development/councils-face-losing-powers-for-not-using-brownfield-sites/7008029.article?utm_source=Ocean+Media+&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=5293467_ih-development-29.1.15et&utm_content=$LINK_KEYWORD$&dm_i=1HH2,35GGR,FYUWO8,BAJ36,1
Thursday, 29 January 2015
Straight Distinctions for apprentice
Yep, that's right our apprentice (well, make that Junior Architectural Technician) got straight Distinctions in her BTEC National in Construction. Well done Jasmine, we're all so very proud of you!
Thursday, 29 May 2014
Dispute over National Park agricultural building conversion rights
In another excellent article by Roger Milne, we see that clearly more thought needs to be put to conversion rights for barns, stables and other outbuilding on farm sites.
Richmondshire District Council and North Yorkshire County Council have written to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles asking him to block an Article 4 Order made by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).
The Order seeks to remove permitted development rights for the conversion of barns and other agricultural buildings to flexible commercial uses including shops, restaurants, offices, hotels and sports halls without the need for planning permission.
The local authorities argue that the action of the National Park Authority is at odds with need to stimulate economic growth in rural areas
Councillor John Blackie, Leader of Richmondshire District Council, said: “The relaxation of planning controls would greatly assist in boosting farm incomes, tourism, business for the host of small construction trades that are a feature of the National Park and the general prosperity of the local communities and local economies.
“The YDNPA are wrong to try to control these key opportunities for enterprise via a stifling Article 4 Order, and I hope the Ministers will agree with us and reject their request.”
The North Yorkshire County Council Executive Member for Highways and Planning Services, Councillor Gareth Dadd, said: “We understand the need to care for the unique heritage of the Yorkshire Dales, but in a sparsely populated area such as this, maintaining heritage means we also have to help communities to be sustainable and to thrive socially and economically. We cannot agree with the imposition of rigid planning controls in this way.”
YDNPA chairman Peter Charlesworth said: “We think our local communities ought to have a say, through the planning process, on developments that could significantly affect them.”
To read more HERE.
GBS Designs - Architectural Services
Richmondshire District Council and North Yorkshire County Council have written to Communities Secretary Eric Pickles asking him to block an Article 4 Order made by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA).
The Order seeks to remove permitted development rights for the conversion of barns and other agricultural buildings to flexible commercial uses including shops, restaurants, offices, hotels and sports halls without the need for planning permission.
The local authorities argue that the action of the National Park Authority is at odds with need to stimulate economic growth in rural areas
Councillor John Blackie, Leader of Richmondshire District Council, said: “The relaxation of planning controls would greatly assist in boosting farm incomes, tourism, business for the host of small construction trades that are a feature of the National Park and the general prosperity of the local communities and local economies.
“The YDNPA are wrong to try to control these key opportunities for enterprise via a stifling Article 4 Order, and I hope the Ministers will agree with us and reject their request.”
The North Yorkshire County Council Executive Member for Highways and Planning Services, Councillor Gareth Dadd, said: “We understand the need to care for the unique heritage of the Yorkshire Dales, but in a sparsely populated area such as this, maintaining heritage means we also have to help communities to be sustainable and to thrive socially and economically. We cannot agree with the imposition of rigid planning controls in this way.”
YDNPA chairman Peter Charlesworth said: “We think our local communities ought to have a say, through the planning process, on developments that could significantly affect them.”
To read more HERE.
GBS Designs - Architectural Services
Thursday, 15 May 2014
Life comes in cans not can'ts
Perhaps I'm old fashioned but I remember a time of doing things; challenges that could be lethal or you might not complete and adventures that gave you stories to be told over dinner, at mess do's, amongst friends and the like. A time when the only rules were; obey genuine authority (police and military) and to be back by a certain time. Sadly, today it seems the bureaucratic and H&S officials have tried to take over. We must remember these these things times because they are what made this great country of ours great.
GBS DESIGNS - Architectural Services www.gbs-designs.co.uk
GBS DESIGNS - Architectural Services www.gbs-designs.co.uk
Thursday, 24 April 2014
PM calls for planning changes to deliver infrastructure
In another interesting article (see below) the Prime Minister is calling for changes to the planning system.
Prime Minister David Cameron has stressed the need for further measures to streamline the planning system as he and Chancellor George Osborne highlighted that more than 200 projects in rail, road, local transport, flood defences, broadband, airport infrastructure and waste management are due to start construction in 2014 to 2015.
These include the Mersey Gateway Bridge, Sheffield Lower Don Valley and Exeter flood defence schemes and the A1 Barton to Leeming motorway upgrade, which will reduce journey times by 20 per cent.
Another 200 infrastructure projects are also due to be completed this year, including major roads such as the M6 J10A-13, Nottingham tram extension, Heathrow Terminal 2 upgrade and Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm, which is currently the largest in construction anywhere in Europe.
“Simplifying the planning system, making it faster, is absolutely essential if we’re going to build that infrastructure that the country needs,” the PM said.
The PM’s comments came as Coalition plans for an Infrastructure Bill in the next Parliamentary session surfaced.
It has emerged that ministers are proposing to make it easier for energy companies to install pipe networks for unconventional gas projects without falling foul of existing trespass laws.
The PM has suggested that the Government might cut subsidies for land-based wind farms when it has "built enough to meet all our targets".
The proposed Infrastructure Bill would give the Highways Agency more powers and bring in planning changes to fast-track developments, according to the Financial Times.
Prime Minister David Cameron has stressed the need for further measures to streamline the planning system as he and Chancellor George Osborne highlighted that more than 200 projects in rail, road, local transport, flood defences, broadband, airport infrastructure and waste management are due to start construction in 2014 to 2015.
These include the Mersey Gateway Bridge, Sheffield Lower Don Valley and Exeter flood defence schemes and the A1 Barton to Leeming motorway upgrade, which will reduce journey times by 20 per cent.
Another 200 infrastructure projects are also due to be completed this year, including major roads such as the M6 J10A-13, Nottingham tram extension, Heathrow Terminal 2 upgrade and Gwynt y Môr offshore wind farm, which is currently the largest in construction anywhere in Europe.
“Simplifying the planning system, making it faster, is absolutely essential if we’re going to build that infrastructure that the country needs,” the PM said.
The PM’s comments came as Coalition plans for an Infrastructure Bill in the next Parliamentary session surfaced.
It has emerged that ministers are proposing to make it easier for energy companies to install pipe networks for unconventional gas projects without falling foul of existing trespass laws.
The PM has suggested that the Government might cut subsidies for land-based wind farms when it has "built enough to meet all our targets".
The proposed Infrastructure Bill would give the Highways Agency more powers and bring in planning changes to fast-track developments, according to the Financial Times.
Roger Milne
You can read more here.
Monday, 14 April 2014
MPs to study planning policy framework
Following on from last week's posting, MPs are now going to study the planning policy framework.
Parliament has launched an inquiry into the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
This initiative has come from the all-party Commons Communities and Local Government Committee. MPs will scrutinise the operation of the NPPF during its first two years, concentrating on the NPPF’s impact on planning for housing, town centres and energy infrastructure.
The announcement came as the committee published a report it commissioned from Cambridge University’s Centre for Housing and Planning Research to identify pinch points in the planning system affecting housing. It focused on analysing the published data and interviews with planners and with large and small house builders.
The findings included the following: large house builders generally thought the NPPF had been a positive change. They are, however, opposed to further changes in policy, calling instead for a focus on good practice.
An adopted local plan and a five-year land supply were essential for effective planning. The lack of a local plan made a local planning authority vulnerable to appeals. In some authorities there was an expectation that applications would go to appeal because elected members did not want to make planning decisions or because local opposition to new development was strong.
Many factors could contribute to delays. This included consultation with stakeholders, the attitude of some councillors, and a lack of resources and skills. Environmental matters in particular could be a considerable source of delay.
The planning process was effective when there was a positive culture within local authorities and a pro-development attitude from chief executives, planning officers and elected members.
The researchers also concluded that planning performance targets did not tell the whole story and could be misleading.
It could be interesting to see where this leads.
GBS Designs - Architectural Services
Parliament has launched an inquiry into the operation of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
This initiative has come from the all-party Commons Communities and Local Government Committee. MPs will scrutinise the operation of the NPPF during its first two years, concentrating on the NPPF’s impact on planning for housing, town centres and energy infrastructure.
The announcement came as the committee published a report it commissioned from Cambridge University’s Centre for Housing and Planning Research to identify pinch points in the planning system affecting housing. It focused on analysing the published data and interviews with planners and with large and small house builders.
The findings included the following: large house builders generally thought the NPPF had been a positive change. They are, however, opposed to further changes in policy, calling instead for a focus on good practice.
An adopted local plan and a five-year land supply were essential for effective planning. The lack of a local plan made a local planning authority vulnerable to appeals. In some authorities there was an expectation that applications would go to appeal because elected members did not want to make planning decisions or because local opposition to new development was strong.
Many factors could contribute to delays. This included consultation with stakeholders, the attitude of some councillors, and a lack of resources and skills. Environmental matters in particular could be a considerable source of delay.
The planning process was effective when there was a positive culture within local authorities and a pro-development attitude from chief executives, planning officers and elected members.
The researchers also concluded that planning performance targets did not tell the whole story and could be misleading.
It could be interesting to see where this leads.
GBS Designs - Architectural Services
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