Designing Buildings - User contributions [en]

Talk:Employer's agent for design and build

2016-06-06T10:49:06Z

U and I: Created page with "I believe your page on Employers Agents responsibilities within D&B contracts is incorrect in a number of places as it discusses the role as Contract Administrator which DOES..."

I believe your page on Employers Agents responsibilities within D&B contracts is incorrect in a number of places as it discusses the role as Contract Administrator which DOES NOT exist within a D&B contract.

-----
The article is not intended to suggest that there is formal position of contract administrator on design and build contracts, only that one of the functions performed by an Employer's Agent is what would be described as a 'contract administrator' on traditional contracts.

The Movement, Greenwich

2016-06-06T10:44:44Z

U and I:

[[File:Greenwich1.jpg|link=File:Greenwich1.jpg]]

In October 2015, U+I Group completed The Movement, a vibrant, highly-sustainable and truly mixed-use scheme located on the former Greenwich Industrial Estate in East London. The 2.2 acre site is in a prime position adjacent to Greenwich DLR and Mainline Station.

Developed with award-winning architects HLM and Studio Egret West, and in close consultation with Greenwich Council, The Movement comprises:

* 181 residential apartments.
* 358 student apartments.
* A health and fitness club.
* A Convenience food store.
* A Nursery.
* 7,000 sq ft of business incubator and start-up units

This accommodation is located along a new public, pedestrian-friendly street connecting the DLR with Norman Road.

[[File:Greenwich2.jpg|link=File:Greenwich2.jpg]]

Planning permission was granted in April 2011, and U+I started on-site in June 2012.

U+I signed a joint venture agreement with Willmott Dixon, who delivered the 181 new homes, including affordable and shared ownership apartments, as well as the health, retail and nursery facilities.McLaren delivered the student accommodation. The 104-bedroom business hotel on Greenwich High Road has been pre-let to Travelodge and is now open for business.

The on-site energy centre provides renewable energy and there more than 400 spaces available for bicycles. The scheme is expected to generate £275 million for the local economy during its first ten years.

Project data:

* Date acquired: 2010
* Date completed: Oct 2015
* Value: £110m
* Architect: HLM Architects, Studio Egret West
* Development partners: Royal Borough of Greenwich

[[File:Greenwich3.jpg|link=File:Greenwich3.jpg]]

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Algarve House, Southwark.
* Arches Boulogne, France.
* Articles by U and I.
* Cathedral Group.
* Clapham One.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Development Securities.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Preston Barracks, Brighton.
* Public private partnership.
* Regeneration.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.
* UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP.

=== External references ===

* [[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DThemovementgreenwich.com%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|The Movement, Greenwich]]
* U+I - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/the-movement-greenwich The Movement, Greenwich]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

The Deptford Project

2016-06-06T10:44:19Z

U and I:

[[File:Deptford1.jpg|link=File:Deptford1.jpg]]

U + I Group transforms areas of towns and cities into thriving communities and neighbourhoods, with an expanding portfolio of mixed use regeneration projects within London, the south-east, Manchester and Dublin.

U+I Group’s programme to regenerate the neighbourhood around Deptford High Street Railway station began in 2008 when they shipped in a disused 1960s train carriage and made it into a popular café.

The Deptford Project is a £47 million public private partnership with the London Borough of Lewisham located on a 2 acre site next to Deptford Railway Station. At the heart of the scheme is 'The Tinderbox', a colourful eight-storey apartment building.

It includes the careful restoration of the historic carriage ramp, London’s oldest railway structure. The arches of the carriage ramp will house 14 creative start-up businesses, with space in front for a new market place and public piazza, re-connecting Deptford’s current markets and high street with the train station.

[[File:Deptford2.jpg|link=File:Deptford2.jpg]]

There are 2 new restaurants, 7 commercial units, the refurbishment of nearby St Paul’s house into 8 affordable homes managed by Peabody and 3 townhouses. In total there will be 132 new homes and 11,000 sq. ft of commercial and retail space.

After U+I’s biggest ever public consultation, creative pop-ups in the arches, a visit from Jamie Oliver and the train carriage, planning was granted in March 2012. Construction started in April 2014 and is due to complete in 2016.

Project data:

* Date acquired: Jan 2006
* Value: £47m
* Architect: Ash Sakula Architects, Pollard Thomas Architects, Farrer Huxley Associates
* Development partners: London Borough of Lewisham

[[File:Deptford3.jpg|link=File:Deptford3.jpg]]

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Algarve House, Southwark.
* Articles by U and I.
* Cathedral Group.
* Clapham One.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Cockpit Yard.
* Development Securities.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Preston Barracks, Brighton.
* Public private partnership.
* Regeneration.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.
* UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP.

=== External references ===

* [http://www.deptfordmarketyard.com/ Deptford] [http://www.deptfordmarketyard.com/ Marketyard]
* U+I - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/the-deptford-project The Deptford Project]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Spirit of Sittingbourne, Kent

2016-06-06T10:43:54Z

U and I:

[[File:Spirit1.jpg|link=File:Spirit1.jpg]]

The Spirit of Sittingbourne was formed with a vision of making Sittingbourne in Kent, a better place to live, breathing life into the town centre through innovation and regeneration.

The development is a £100 million Public Private Partnership between U+I Group, Swale Borough Council, Quinn Estates and Essential Land. U + I Group transform areas of towns and cities into thriving communities and neighbourhoods, with a portfolio of mixed-use regeneration projects within London, the south-east, Manchester and Dublin.

The Spirit of Sittingbourne scheme involves remodelling the town centre and introducing of a new highway arrangement outside the railway station, to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment without restricting traffic flow.

[[File:Spirit2.jpg|link=File:Spirit2.jpg]]

There will also be a leisure quarter with new public realm providing a link between the High Street and the mainline train station, a 7-screen cinema and 7 new restaurants (28,300 sq. ft), bringing an estimated 400,000 additional visitors a year to the town.

The plans also include 215 town centre homes, a new multi–story car park and a retail site. Overall the it will deliver a £250 million investment into Sittingbourne in its first 10 years and create 1,100 jobs in the area across phases 1 and 2.

Planning permission for phase 1 was granted on Monday 16th March 2015 by Swale Borough Council and construction began in April 2016.

[[File:Spirit3.jpg|link=File:Spirit3.jpg]]

As part of U+I’s place-making activity, they brought an empty shop on Sittingbourne High Street back to life in October 2015. No. 34 is now a flexible workspace for local business start-ups, which is run by the team at [http://ideastest.co.uk/no-34/ Ideas Test] with funding from Arts Council England and Kent County Council. No. 34 provides flexible workspace aimed at supporting local business start-ups and runs a programme of digital and business skills support for emerging creative businesses.

Project data:

* Development partners: Swale Borough Council, Quinn Estates, Essential Land
* Date acquired: Nov 2011
* Value: £100m
* Architect: Guy Hollaway Architects, The Harris Partnership

[[File:Spirit4.jpg|link=File:Spirit4.jpg]]

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Algarve House, Southwark.
* Articles by U and I.
* Cathedral Group.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Cockpit Yard.
* Development Securities.
* Friarsgate Shopping Centre, Lichfield.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Preston Barracks, Brighton.
* Public private partnership.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.
* UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP.

=== External references ===

* [[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DSpiritofsittingbourne.com%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|Spirit of]] [[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DSpiritofsittingbourne.com%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|Sittingbourne]]
* U+I - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/spirit-of-sittingbourne Spirit of Sittingbourne]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Preston Barracks, Brighton

2016-06-06T10:43:27Z

U and I:

[[File:Prestonbarracks.jpg|link=File:Prestonbarracks.jpg]]

In July 2014, U+I Group exchanged contracts with Brighton and Hove City Council and the University of Brighton to bring forward the development of Preston Barracks, a significant mixed-use regeneration project.

The £150 million scheme is part of a wider regeneration initiative to transform an area of Brighton, establish the University at the centre of Brighton’s economic life, attract enterprising and high-growth companies, and attract international investment.

Proposals for the 2.2 hectare plot include the development of the Preston Barracks site, the University’s Moulsecoomb campus and adjoining University land comprising:

* 350 new homes.
* 1,316 student beds.
* New academic buildings.
* 25,000 sq. ft. of retail space.

The development will also incorporate a 55,000 sq. ft. commercial building for start-ups and SMEs in high-tech manufacturing. £7.7 million of funding has been secured from the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.

Preston Barracks is currently (2016) in the masterplanning stage. U+I are working with award-winning architects Studio Egret West to generate ambitious and colourful designs that enhance the University campus and create a unique northern gateway to the city centre. The planning application will be submitted in 2016.

Project data:

* Date acquired: July 2014
* Value: £150m
* Architect: Studio Egret West
* Development partners: Brighton and Hove City Council, University of Brighton

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Cathedral Group.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Clapham One.
* Development Securities.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Public private partnership.
* Regeneration.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.
* UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP.

=== External references ===

U+I - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/preston-barracks-brighton Preston Barracks]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Friarsgate Shopping Centre, Lichfield

2016-06-06T10:43:03Z

U and I:

[[File:Liichfield1.jpg|link=File:Liichfield1.jpg]]

In partnership with Lichfield District Council, U+I Group are creating a natural extension to Lichfield town centre, connecting the council offices, town centre and Three Spires Shopping Centre to encourage shoppers to spend more time in the historic town.

The aim is that the mix of shops, restaurants and homes will increase retail activity, footfall and dwell time in the city centre. This will help retain existing shoppers and also attract new visitors, which will benefit the existing retail units, on Bakers Lane along with the wider retail and leisure offer in Lichfield.

The Friarsgate development will include:

* A new bus station.
* 500 space secure and accessible car park.
* 5-7 screen cinema.
* Up to 10 new restaurants.
* 25 shops.
* 3,191 sq. ft of office space.
* 81 apartments.
* 11 townhouses.
* Landscaped open space for visitors.

[[File:Lichfield2.jpg|link=File:Lichfield2.jpg]]

The scheme has been provisionally awarded a grant of £2.66 million from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), will create 600 jobs and help to boost sales and footfall to the city as a whole.

U+I held a public consultation over summer 2015 and submitted the planning application in December 2015.

* Development partners: Lichfield District Council
* Value: £75.34m
* Architect: Group Ginger

[[File:Lichfield3.jpg|link=File:Lichfield3.jpg]]

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Algarve House, Southwark.
* Articles by U and I.
* Cathedral Group.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Cockpit Yard.
* Development Securities.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Preston Barracks, Brighton.
* Public private partnership.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.
* UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP.

=== External references ===

[[w/index.php?title=Visitfriarsgate.co.uk&action=edit&redlink=1|Visit Friarsgate]]

U+I - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/friarsgate-shopping-centre-lichfield Friarsgate Shopping Centre]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Cockpit Yard

2016-06-06T10:42:36Z

U and I:

[[File:Cockpityard1.jpg|link=File:Cockpityard1.jpg]]

U + I Group transform areas of towns and cities into thriving communities and neighbourhoods, with a portfolio of mixed use regeneration projects within London, the south-east, Manchester and Dublin.

Building on their track record for award-winning Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects, U+I Group’s partnership with Camden Council aims to deliver a new mixed-use destination for Holborn.

Located on Theobald’s Road within the Bloomsbury Conservation Area, the site is currently occupied by Holborn library and Cockpit Arts, an award winning social enterprise and creative business incubator for designer-makers.

U+I are working on plans with award-winning architectural practice Coffey Architects having been selected in February 2016 by Camden Council as their development partner. The site will be completely redeveloped to provide new employment studio spaces, a fully-remodelled library and local studies archive facility, and new public spaces that will help to promote it as a creative hub for the community. The redevelopment will also deliver 105 new homes including new affordable units.

The redevelopment of the library and employment space will be provided at no cost to the public purse with the delivery of the public elements of the scheme funded by the sales of the private residential units.

U+I will start its community engagement programme regarding its plans for Cockpit Yard and Holborn Library in mid-2016 with the aim of submitting a planning application by the end of 2016.

Project data:

* Date acquired: Mar 2016
* Value: £100m
* Architect: Coffey Architects

[[File:Cockpityard2.jpg|link=File:Cockpityard2.jpg]]

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Algarve House, Southwark.
* Articles by U and I.
* Cabin Straumsnes, Norway.
* Cathedral Group.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Clapham One.
* Development Securities.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Public private partnership.
* Regeneration.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.

=== External references ===

* U and I - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/cockpit-yard Cockpit Yard]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Clapham One

2016-06-06T10:41:59Z

U and I:

[[File:Clapham1.jpg|link=File:Clapham1.jpg]]

U+I Group transform areas of towns and cities into thriving communities and neighbourhoods, with a portfolio of mixed- use regeneration projects within London, the south-east, Manchester and Dublin.

In 2012, together with joint venture partners United House, U+I Group delivered a landmark £80m mixed-use regeneration scheme which has transformed leisure services across two sites in Clapham town centre, south west London.

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme provided Clapham with a new highly-sustainable leisure centre, a state-of-the-art library, a family health centre and high-quality residential accommodation, including affordable housing in partnership with Notting Hill Housing Group.

The PPP deal meant that in the depths of the recession, U+I were able to secure £35 million funding for this important project, including loan funding from the Homes and Communities Agency’s Kickstart programme, pre-sell £46 million of the development, and guarantee the London Borough of Lambeth a brand new library and leisure centre funded entirely from the sale of the private sector element of the development.

[[File:Clapham2.jpg|link=File:Clapham2.jpg]]

Mary Seacole House on Clapham High Street was replaced by The Library Building, designed by Studio Egret West. The ground floor and basement is based around an audacious spiral design, connecting to the new health centre, a café, performance space and community rooms, reinforcing the community spirit of the development.

The old Clapham Swimming Pool on Clapham Manor Street was replaced with a brand new sustainable leisure centre designed by LA Architects. Facilities include a 6-lane, 25m swimming pool, a much larger fitness suite, a 4-court sports hall, climbing wall and community rooms. The leisure centre opened to the public in December 2011.

[[File:Clapham3.jpg|link=File:Clapham3.jpg]]

Also located on this site is The Manor Building (19 private homes) and 4 Bicycle Mews (44 affordable homes in partnership with Notting Hill Housing Group) both completed in July/August 2011.

Clapham One was awarded Best Mixed-use Development at the International Property Awards 2011 as well as 11 other awards for its architecture, housing design and the quality of its facilities.

[[File:Clapham4.jpg|link=File:Clapham4.jpg]]

Project data:

* Date acquired: 2007
* Date completed: 2012
* Development value: £80 million
* Architect: Studio Egret West, DLA Architecture, LA Architects, ABIR
* Development partners: London Borough of Lambeth

[[File:Clapham5.jpg|link=File:Clapham5.jpg]]

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Algarve House, Southwark.
* Articles by U and I.
* Cathedral Group.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Cockpit Yard.
* Development Securities.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Preston Barracks, Brighton.
* Public private partnership.
* Regeneration.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.
* UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP.

=== External references ===

* [[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DThenewclapham.com%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|The New]] [[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DW/index.php%3Ftitle%3DThenewclapham.com%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|Clapham]]
* U and I Plc - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/clapham-one Clapham One]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Circus Street, Brighton

2016-06-06T10:41:27Z

U and I:

[[File:Circus-square-2.jpg|link=File:Circus-square-2.jpg]]

At Circus Street in Brighton, U+I Group are turning a derelict municipal market into an innovation quarter and a powerhouse for regeneration in the city centre. It is intended to create a sustainable, productive and healthy model of city life.

Planning was granted in September 2014 for the £100m mixed-use development in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council and the University of Brighton. The development aims to galvanize the surrounding area by providing:

* 142 new homes.
* 450 student apartments.
* A new base for the internationally acclaimed South East Dance.
* A library and arts facility for the University of Brighton.
* A community hub.
* 38,000 sq. ft of business and start up space.

It is hoped that Brighton will benefit from around 300 permanent new jobs and more than £204 million gross value added to the local economy over the first 10 years as a result of the project.

U+I are greening a space that has offered little ecological value in the past, building accommodation around two large, green urban squares, encouraging the growth of fruit and vegetables in allotments (on a site where fresh produce was once sold), planting disease resistant elms and taking steps to nurture bio diversity.

There will be a big focus on travel by bike and foot, a push for green energy with electric charging points in accessible locations and residential design that encourages more communal, responsible, neighbourly living among tenants.

[[File:Circus-square-3.jpg|link=File:Circus-square-3.jpg]]

Project data:

* Date acquired: Apr 2007.
* Value: £100m.
* Architect: Shedkm, TP Bennet.
* Development partners: Brighton and Hove City Council, University of Brighton.

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Algarve House, Southwark.
* Articles by U and I.
* Cathedral Group.
* Clapham One.
* Development Securities.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Preston Barracks, Brighton.
* Public private partnership.
* Regeneration.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.
* UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP.

=== External references ===

* [http://circusstreetbrighton.com/ Circus Street, Brighton]
* UandI - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/circus-street-brighton Circus Street]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Algarve House, Southwark

2016-06-06T10:40:16Z

U and I:

[[File:Algarve1.jpg|link=File:Algarve1.jpg]]

U + I Group transform areas of towns and cities into thriving communities and neighbourhoods.

Algarve House is a 1 acre site that includes the space above and adjacent to Southwark Tube station in South London. U+I Group are working in a joint venture partnership with Transport for London (TfL) on a landmark new mixed-use project that will regenerate this gateway location on Blackfriar’s Road.

U+I and TfL will undergo an extensive consultation process with Southwark Council, local businesses, residents and the wider community as the masterplan for the site, designed by architects AHMM, is developed. The regeneration plans will pay particular attention to the existing local environments, such as the popular pedestrianised Isabella Street which runs along the back of the development site.

U+I have opened Platform, a creative arts venue, in what was formerly a derelict office building in the middle of the site. Platform is a new multi-discipline project space with a mission to encourage and promote groundbreaking art, music and performance.

Project data:

* Date acquired: 2013
* Architect: Coffey Architects
* Development partners: TfL

[[File:Algarve2.jpg|link=File:Algarve2.jpg]]

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki: ===

* Cathedral Group.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Clapham One.
* Cockpit Yard.
* Development Securities.
* Joint venture.
* Mixed-use development.
* Placemaking.
* Regeneration.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* U and I.

=== External references ===

* [[w/index.php?title=W/index.php%3Ftitle%3DPlatformsouthwark.co.uk%26action%3Dedit%26redlink%3D1&action=edit&redlink=1|Platform]]
* U+I - [http://www.uandiplc.com/portfolio/algarve-house-southwark Algarve House]

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

Articles by U and I

2016-06-06T10:38:42Z

U and I:

Articles by [[U_and_I|U and I]] on Designing Buildings Wiki include:

* Algarve House, Southwark.
* Circus Street, Brighton.
* Clapham One.
* Cockpit Yard.
* Friarsgate Shopping Centre, Lichfield.
* Preston Barracks, Brighton.
* Spirit of Sittingbourne, Kent.
* The Deptford Project.
* The Movement, Greenwich.
* UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP.

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]

UandI Think event with John McDonnell MP

2016-06-06T10:37:38Z

U and I:

[[File:Johnmcdonnell.jpg|link=File:Johnmcdonnell.jpg]]

= U+I Think - 'Building Great Places: The view from the left' =

=== Introduction ===

On 30 March 2016, Designing Buildings Wiki attended U+I’s second Think event held in their impressive new home at London’s Howick Place. The sold-out breakfast talk was given by Labour’s Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell on the subject of land development and urban planning.

=== Investment ===

McDonnell began by explaining that Labour are seeking expert advice from economists such as Joseph Stiglitz and Thomas Piketty about how best to develop economic policies for the long-term future. Unlike George Osborne, McDonnell stressed that there should not be a constraint on investment, but that skills, infrastructure and particularly housing should be given investment on a scale “not seen since the 1960s”.

=== Housing crisis ===

McDonnell addressed the current situation in his constituency of Harlington and Hayes to highlight the “morally indefensible” housing crisis, the worst seen in two or three generations. He was emphatic that this was partly the result of selling off large numbers of council houses while failing to replace them, over a number of years and successive governments.

[[File:Oldvinyl.jpg|link=File:Oldvinyl.jpg]]

=== Regeneration ===

The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes that U+I are currently redeveloping, was a site McDonnell said he had been campaigning against being left derelict for almost 30 years, and praised U+I’s constructive approach to project development - listening to residents’ opinions and needs and working towards creative solutions.

The redevelopment of the site, with new homes, jobs and leisure facilities, as well as, in the tradition of EMI, a new broadcasting college for media students, was to be a “…great example of a positive and spectacular mixed-use development”.

This, McDonnell said, stood in stark contrast with a high-rise development on the Hayes canal where not only had a promised arts centre failed to materialise, but where there was a form of “social apartheid” with non-residents being unable to pass by along the canal.

=== The future ===

Turning to the future, McDonnell gave his thoughts about the 'entrepreneurial state', where every level of government would work with the private sector to meet the needs of local communities, the regional and national economy as well as developers, with this being needed nowhere more urgently than in the housing sector.

Joking that in the presence of developers this was “usually the point at which you have to lock the doors”, he said he was interested in reviewing land valuation tax, as well as funding for local councils. He also said that, if in power, he would legislate for the provision of more affordable and social housing.

He was keen to stress that aesthetically-speaking, being a socialist in the William Morris tradition, it was important that “people must like the environment they live in”, and that it was possible to make the built environment both more “beautiful and enjoyable.”

[[File:DntBlnk_U+I_Thinks_JohnMcdonell_Extra_72dpi-c5.jpg|link=File:DntBlnk_U+I_Thinks_JohnMcdonell_Extra_72dpi-c5.jpg]]

=== Energy efficiency ===

In answer to Designing Buildings Wiki’s question about the energy efficiency of the UK’s building stock and the need for retrofitting in order to meet emissions targets, he said the Conservative Government was going backwards on the issue, having scrapped the Zero Carbon Homes initiative. But he was also characteristically critical of New Labour’s failure to compel landlords of buy-to-let properties to improve energy efficiency standards.

“Some projects go beyond the life of one Parliament”, McDonnell said, with regard to building efficiency as well as flood defences, and that in his view there needed to be cross-party deals done to tackle such long-term risks.

=== London Mayor election ===

On the question of the upcoming Mayoral elections, McDonnell said he thought Sadiq Khan’s Mayoralty would be “transformational for London”, and emphasised how he has been keen to engage with local communities in the city as well as arguing for mixed-use developments, providing both homes and jobs in the upcoming years.

=== Engagement ===

The overriding message from McDonnell was one of seeking further engagement with the land development sector. He said that Labour were “desperate to hear new ideas”, and encouraged interested parties to get in touch through U+I about forming a working group on policy formulation.

-----
Images courtesy of U+I. For more information, visit their [http://www.uandiplc.com/ website].

--[[User:U_and_I|U and I]]

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* Affordable housing.
* Construction industry response to Budget 2016.
* Crossrail 2.
* Government Construction Strategy.
* [[Interview_with_Labour%27s_Shadow_Housing_Minister|Interview with Labour's Shadow Housing Minister]].
* London infrastructure plan.
* Mixed use development.
* National infrastructure plan.
* Regeneration.
* Starter homes.
* U+I.
* Zero Carbon Homes.

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]] [[Category:Policy]] [[Category:News]] [[Category:Property_development]]