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Cover: A Merlo P30.13 in use taking netsdown, see article on the ConstructionGroup visit to the Merlo Factory on page 39

Countryside Building has been carefullyprepared but articles are published withoutresponsibility on the part of the publishersor authors for loss occasioned to anyperson acting or refraining from action asa result of any view, information or adviceincluded therein. The articles published donot necessarily reflect the opinions of theRural Design and Building Association.The publishers do not accept anyresponsibility for claims made byadvertisers

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 3

1 SECRETARY S COLUMN 2 SPRING CONFERENCE5 THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE REVISED PART L BUILDING

REGULATIONS UPON FARM BUILDING CONVERSIONS 8 BUILDING REGULATIONS PART L SOME OF THE HIDDEN

PROBLEMS WITH COMPLIANCE 8 SUPPORT AVAILABLE FROM DEFRA FOR FARM DIVERSIFICATION,

RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING. 11 STONE›SLATE QUARRIES OR DELPHS

A guide to making a mineral planning application for stoneproduction › Part 2

14 FARM WORKER WINS £2.7MILLION COMPENSATION FOR ROOF FALL INJURY 17 IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 20 DAVID FISHER OBE 21 MEMBERS DIRECTORY28 CONSTRUCTION GROUP MEMBERS31 RURAL BUILDINGS: ISSUES OF DESIGN & USE A CREDITABLE

MODULE INCLUDING A ONE DAY CONFERENCE 31 DIARY DATES 32 THE CASE FOR BS 5502 AND QUALITY IN FARM BUILDINGS 35 HARMONY CENTRE › A FARM DIVERSIFICATION PROJECT › PART 2 39 CONSTRUCTION GROUP VISIT TO ITALY JANUARY 2002 41 INNOVATIVE TIMBER ENGINEERING FOR THE COUNTRYSIDE IN

THE UK 43 LETTERS 44 THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS. 47 OLD FARM BUILDINGS › ARE THEY AN ASSET OR A LIABILITY?

Main Features in our next issue

Stone - Slate quarries or DelphsEquestrian case studyJudy Loach - Sustainable conversionsThe Old Deer Park - The design and construction of a large new farm-

house with a traditional oak frame.Construction Group National and Branch news

In Association with the

RDBARURAL DESIGN AND BUILDING ASSOCIATION

Countryside Building 1

Countryside Building Contents Secretaries column

Secretary s Column

So far it has been a mixed start to the year, with too much rain in many areas butconversely much more enthusiasm about the future from many in the industry.From the diary dates it can be seen that as expected the activity level of the RDBAhas picked up, with plenty of interesting and informative visits, conferences andmeetings already planned for the rest of the year.The Spring Conference looks to be of great interest and our thanks must go to ourChairman and Vice Chairman Jim Rogerson and Hazel Ronson for organisingsuch an interesting conference. I look forward to meeting many of you there. If you have not already booked please do so as soon as possible so that we canfinalise the arrangements.We continue to attract new members but we must not let up on the pressure,where ever we are we should be extolling the benefits of membership and each ofus should personally ensure that we attract as many new members as possible.Those involved in conversion and renovation of old barns need to be aware of theproblems of complying with the revised Part L of the Building Regulations, Isuggest that you read Nick Selves article ‘Building Regulations Part L – Some ofthe Hidden Problems with Compliance’ on page 8.

The RDBA 2002 National Spring ConferenceThe RDBA 2002 National Spring ConferenceDiversification and the Environmental ImpactDiversification and the Environmental Impact

18th & 19th April 200218th & 19th April 2002Based at the Swallow Hotel, Samlesbury, LancsBased at the Swallow Hotel, Samlesbury, Lancs

18th April 2002 The Conference1. TEG EnvironmentalSustainable Hi-Tech In-Vessel Composting opportunities2. Landmark EnvironmentalThe Future is Bright the Future is Green3. Ready Mix Concrete BureauSolid concrete floors to meet the new PART L regulation4. Agricultural Bank Manager to be announced Finance for the Rural Future5. Beryl Smith - Rural Specialist for Business LinkGrant aid for Rural Areas6. Mike Kelly - DesignerFuture Buildings for Modern Agriculture7. Simon Thorpe - The Heather TrustModern Estate Management and a Guide to Funding8. Gareth Jones - Abacus Organic Associations Is Organic the Modern Way?9. Environment Agency - To be announcedWhat is the Future?

19th April 2002 The Visits1. Dairy Farm and Equestrian CentreCurrently has 115 cows, started dairy production 1/5/98opened equestrian centre in 1973/74, extended it in1989/902. From Grain to dog foodOriginally a grain farmer, who is now one of the largestmanufacturers of dog food from grain in Europe.3. Modern Composting PlantPutting into practice the previous days talk4. Lunch - From farm to Golf ClubThe local farm turned golf club, see the development,taste the fare5. Dairy Farm and Ice Cream FactoryRenowned ice cream makers who are imminently openinga new butchers shop to continue their diversification6. Garden Centre on a beef and sheep farmFamily run farm with a garden centre and gift shop in thislovely village of Scorton.

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For those that are not attending the complete conference please ring the dates below to advise the dates that youwill be attending: 18th April, 19th April

The Conference is likely to start early on the 18th of April and so for those wishing to stay the night before in thehotel, we have agreed a special rate of £80.00 for doubles and £65.00 for singles. A tour of the local brewery,

Interbrew, who will be providing a buffet meal.

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The implications of the revised PART L Building Reguupon farm building conversions

By Richard Langley MIAgrE CEng BSc (Hons) DipSurv Cet. Ed, Lecturer Writtle CollegeIntroductionThe new proposals (dated June 2000) for amending Part L of the Building Regulations (taken from the Building Act 1984), could mean thatany future building conversions may have to be designed slightly differently. This may have a significant effect for any agricultural buildingconversion in the future, and the following article attempts to show the main areas of where the difference lies.BenefitsOne of the overriding aims of the revised building regulations is seen as an increase in the energy efficiency and hence a reduction in thecarbon dioxide produced by buildings ‘The existing stock of buildings produces about half the quantity of carbon dioxide emitted in the UK’.(Dept of the Environment, Transport and the Regions [DETR, now DTLR], 2000). This is clearly a very large percentage and so theproposed new building regulations should reduce this. CostsImproving the building regulations would imply that a cost would have to be met somewhere, and these costs may be summarised as:

a) all those with an interest in construction of having to familiarise themselves with the new requirements through training, etcb) buildersc) building materials and component producersd) building services contractorse) building control bodies. (DETR, 2000)

The proposed amendments would affect buildings undergoing materialchange of use and material alterations (except those that are exemptboth before and after the change). Regarding replacement windows,doors and rooflights, the new amendments would require anyreplacements to be of a higher standard than the current average. It isexpected that replacement window installations will be exempt fromthe procedural requirement if the installer is certified as an accreditedinstaller. Details of who will administer this is still under discussion withthe DTLR. This could also be the case for installers of electricalheating or air handling units.Main Changes ProposedThe requirements for dwellings include:� efficient lighting systems and appropriate controls� commissioning the heating, ventilation, hot water and external lighting� information about the performance of the heating, ventilation, hot water and external lighting� the substitution of a carbon index method for the SAP Rating Method, although SAP ratings will be retained in their present form

for public information� significantly improved U-values� adjustment of the target U-value

For buildings other than dwellings the requirements are:� buildings’ resistance to solar overheating� efficient air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems and appropriate controls� testing and reporting on the building fabric� commissioning the building engineering services� information about the performance of the building engineering services� maximum carbon intensities for heating systems� a whole-building carbon index method� a carbon emissions method� improved U-values in the elemental method� reasonable levels of performance of lighting fittings� the provision of meters to enable measurement of the energy consumption of the building

(SAP means the Government’s Standard Assessment Procedure for energy rating of dwellings.)ConservatoriesThis means a ‘building having not less than three-quarters of the area of its roof and not less than half the area of its external walls made oftranslucent material’. (DETR, 2000). When a conservatory is attached to and built as part of a dwelling, it should be treated as part of thehouse; on the other hand, where the conservatory is separated from the house, energy savings can be achieved if the conservatory is notheated. If the conservatory is attached to the house and a new opening is made or enlarged, there should be provision for limiting the heatloss from the dwelling so that it is no worse. It will still be necessary for the glazing to conservatories in either of the above cases to complywith the requirements for robustness at low levels as required by Building Regulation N1.‘Separation between a dwelling and a conservatory means:

a) separating walls and floors insulated to at least the same degree as the exposed walls and floorsb) separating windows and doors with the same U-value and draught-stripping provisions as the exposed windows and doors

elsewhere in the building’. (DETR, 2000).Material AlterationsIn the regulations, material alteration may be defined as when the work results in ‘a building or controlled service or fitting not complying witha relevant requirement where it previously did’. (DETR, 2000). The relevant requirement basically refers to Part A (structure), Para B1(means of escape), Para B3 (internal fire spread - structure), Para B4 (external fire spread), Para B5 (access and facilities for the fire

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Technicalservice), Part L (conservation of fuel and power), Part M (access and facilities for disabled people). The requirement may be satisfied byattention to the detail concerned with: roof insulation, floor insulation, wall insulation, sealing measures, windows, doors and rooflights,heating systems, hot water systems and testing and commissioning and providing operating and maintenance instructions.Material Changes of UseIn the regulations these may be defined as:

a) ‘the building is used as a dwelling, where previously it was notb) the building contains a flat, where previously it did notc) there has been a rearrangement of internal partitions to make new dwellings or flats.’ (DETR, 2000).

There are many examples of satisfying the new requirements, and these are too lengthy to include here. One or two examples would be‘accessible lofts: when upgrading insulation in accessible lofts, providing additional insulation to achieve a U-value not exceeding0.25W/m2K where the existing insulation provides a U-value worse than 0.35W/m2K. Roof insulation: when substantially replacing any ofthe major elements of a roof structure, providing insulation to achieve the U-value for new dwellings and reasonable sealing.’ (DETR, 2000). Alternative Methods of Showing ComplianceThere are two methods shown in the revised regulations to show that ‘reasonable provision has been made for the conservation of fuel andpower.’ (DETR, 2000). These are:

· The Elemental Method. The idea behind this is that each aspect of the building is considered individually.· The Whole Building Carbon Index Method. This method takes the overall performance of the whole building, but is currently only

available for office buildings.· The Carbon Emissions Calculation Method. This method also takes the whole building, but can be applied to any building type.

In order to comply, ‘the annual carbon emissions from the building must be no greater than from an equivalent building that meets the compliance criteria of the elemental method.’ (DETR, 2000).

The Elemental MethodThe standard U-values expected when this Approved Document comes into force are shown in the table (1). Figure 2.1 also shows the U-values in the form of a diagram.

There is also a ‘trade-off’ between construction elements, in that the U-values may vary somewhat from the given figures as long assuitable compensating measures are taken. Part L will be deemed to be satisfied as long as the rate of heat loss from the building doesnot exceed that from an equivalent building that meets the criteria. Also, the U-value of any element does not exceed values in the table

2.Interestingly, the heating system efficiency is shown in the new document as the rating-weighted average carbon intensity, both at design

capacity and at 30% of design capacity. See table 3 for details.Another useful table (4) given is the poorest U-values acceptable when trading against the carbon intensity of the heating system. These

figures should be useful when considering materials to be used in a building conversion.As far as lighting is concerned, it says in the regulations that ‘lighting systems should be reasonably efficient and make effective use ofdaylight where appropriate’. (DETR, 2000). A table given (5) shows the light sources that meet the criteria for general lighting.

Table 1 Standard U-values (W/m2K) of construction elements

When these values come into effect T T+18 monthsRoofs with horizontal insulation between/over joists 0.20 0.16Roofs with integral insulation 0.35 0.25Walls 0.35 0.30Exposed floors and ground floors 0.30 0.25Windows, rooflights and doors 2.2 2.0(area weighted average for the whole building)Vehicle access and similar large doors 0.7 0.7

(T is the date this Approved Document comes into effect)

Table 2 Poorest U-values (W/m2K) acceptable as a general rule when trading off between construction elements

Element Poorest acceptable U-valueRoofs 0.45Walls and floors 0.70Windows and doors 3.3

Table 3 Maximum carbon intensities of heating systems

Maximum carbon intensities (kg C/kWh)Fuel (a) at design capacity (b) at 30% of design capacityGas 0.061 0.058Other fuels 0.083 0.083

Table 4 Poorest U-values (W/m2K) acceptable as a general rule when trading against the carbon intensity of the heatingsystem

Roofs with loft space and insulation between/over 0.25Roofs with integral insulation (residential buildings) 0.35Roofs with integral insulation (non-residential buildings) 0.45Walls 0.45Exposed floors and ground floors 0.45Windows, rooflights and doors (area weighted average for the whole building) 3.30


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Non-domestic Buildings – informationA type of building logbook should be kept with details of: ‘the owner/occupier of the building should be provided with details of the installedbuilding services plant and controls, their method of operation, state of maintenance, and details forecasting annual energy consumption forthe building.’ (DETR, 2000). Similarly, sufficient meters should be installed to enable the user of the building to compare energy consumption.Non-domestic Buildings – Material Alteration and Change of UseA material alteration is defined in the regulations as ‘an alteration is material for the purposes of these regulations if the work, or any part of it,would at any stage result

a) in a building or controlled service or fitting not complying with a “relevant requirement” where it previously did, orb) in a building or controlled service or fitting which before the work commenced did not comply with a “relevant requirement”, being

more unsatisfactory in relation to such a requirement.’ (DETR, 2000).“Relevant requirement” refers to any of the applicable requirements of the schedule, namely Part A (structure), Para B1 (means of escape),Para B3 (internal fire spread – structure), Para B4 (external fire spread), Para B5 (access and facilities for the fire service), Part L, Part M(access and facilities for disabled people).The requirement may be satisfied by, for example, with wall insulation, ‘when substantially replacing complete external walls or replacing theirinternal renderings and plaster, providing a reasonable thickness of insulation and incorporating reasonable sealing measures.’ (DETR,2000). As far as the material change of use is concerned, the regulation defines this as follows: ‘for the purposes of these regulations, there is amaterial change of use when there is a change in the purposes for which or the circumstances in which a building is used, so that after thatchange –

a) the building is used as a hotel or boarding house where previously it was notb) the building is used as an institution where previously it was notc) the building is used as a public building where previously it was notd) the building is not a building described in Classes I to VI in Schedule 2 (i.e. an exempt building) where previously it was.’ (DETR,

2000).One or two examples of satisfying the requirements when undertaking a material change of use would be: upgrading insulation in accessiblelofts – ‘additional insulation should generally be provided to achieve a U-value not exceeding 0.25W/m2K where the existing insulationprovides a U-value worse than 0.45W/m2K.’ (DETR, 2000). As far as wall insulation is concerned – ‘when substantially replacing completeexposed walls or replacing their renderings and plaster, providing a reasonable thickness of insulation and incorporating reasonable sealingmeasures.’ (DETR, 2000). As before, the building log should be prepared and updated, and electricity metering should be provided.ConclusionsThe revised building (Part L) regulations as outlined above, are different in many ways. They may be summarised as:For all buildings

· a widening of the definition of material alteration to bring more work on existing buildings within the definition of “building work”.· A significant increase in the insulation standards· Associating the fabric performance standards more strongly with the heating system· Increasing the design details and the site workmanship· Raising the standards of fabric air tightness· Improving the standards of insulation for piping, ducting etc.

For dwellings· Improving the existing Elemental Method and Target U-value methods· Introducing a carbon index as an option· Introducing requirements for setting up heating systems etc· Introducing requirements for the supply with heating systems of operating and maintenance instructions· Introducing performance standards for lighting and controls

For buildings other than dwellings· Introducing performance standards for avoiding solar heating· Introducing new standards for boiler efficiency· Introducing new standards for heating and hot water services· Introducing new performance standards for lights and display lamps· Introducing new standards for air-conditioning or mechanical ventilation· Introducing new procedures for carbon emission· Introducing new requirements for checking the “as built” performances match design· Introducing new requirements for commissioning the hot water etc services· Introducing new requirements for the installation of energy consumption meters· Introducing requirements for energy consuming services of operating and maintenance log books.

REFERENCES· DETR [now DTLR] (June 2000) Proposals for Amending the Energy Efficiency Provisions. The Building Act 1984.· Leveritt, Alan (Nov 2001) Planning Officer at Harlow Council, Planning and Building Control. Personal communication.

Table 5 Light sources meeting the criteria for general lighting

Light source Types and ratingsHigh pressure sodium All types and ratingsMetal halide All types and ratingsInduction lighting All types and ratingsTubular fluorescent 26mm dia lamps, and 16mm dia lamps rated above 11W, provided with low-loss or

high frequency control gear, 38mm dia linear fluorescent lamps 2400mm in lengthCompact fluorescent All ratings above 11WOther Any type and rating with an efficacy greater than 50 lumens per circuit watt.


Building Regulations PARTL Some of the ‘Hidden’ problems withcomplianceBy Nick Selves of Building Sciences Ltd

The previous article has provided the broad outline of therevised insulation values that will be required from the 1st April2002, but there are a number of problem areas that are onlyjust coming to light as contractors start to consider all therequirements.

Typical examples are BRE Information Paper IP17/01 andConventions for the calculation of U-values, which introducenew criteria for quantative limiting of thermal bridging andsurface temperatures to minimise the risk of condensation.They should be purchased and understood by all designersand contractors.

The new f factor limits the internal surface temperaturesaccording to the buildings intended use and the limit variesdependant on whether the lining product is absorbent or not.On dwellings and similar buildings the DTLR have published‘Robust Construction Details’; compliance with these isconsidered as a means of meeting the requirements.

On industrial, retail and other buildings, which do not use thepublished robust details, it is necessary to calculate the f, αand ψ factors. The f factor requires a 2 dimensionalcalculation of U-values for the whole roof or wall constructionincluding timber framing. This will often involve more than onesuppliers’ materials and so they can be very difficult for acontractor to calculate.

Valley gutters will be a particular problem, as the increasedthickness of insulation of the roof will need to be reflected inthe insulation of the gutter or the resulting ψ & α factors will beunacceptable. This may mean a change to the steel workdesign to allow for this extra thickness of insulation

When converting existing buildings there will be traditionalmaterials for which no thermal properties are available. Oneapproach would be to ignore the properties of these layers anduse new materials to meet the requirement but this could resultin excessive roof or wall thickness and in many instanceswould probably result in changes that would not be acceptableto the planners.

The alternative of obtaining thermal properties for thesematerials and then 2D finite element analysis of the layers tocalculate U-value and f will be costly and time consuming.

The α value applies to the whole building envelope and tosatisfy the Regulations must be less than 0.16 for domestic or0.10 for non-domestic buildings.

α = Sum of heat loss at junctionsSum of heat loss through plane areas

The heat loss at junctions requires a complex 2D or 3Dcalculation of ψ for the intended design by computer model ofthe various layers and materials in the construction. Againthere will be no properties available for traditional materials.

Air LeakageAll buildings including dwellings are to be sealed to minimiseair leakage. When renovating old roofs and walls this willcause problems as most traditional types of construction havenumerous poorly sealed joints.

Any non-domestic new building with gross floor area in excessof 1000m² will need an air leakage test on the completedenvelope. Failure to meet the limit of 10m³/hr/m² @ 50Pa willmean costly remedial sealing and then retest.

Heating and LightingPart L covers the energy use of buildings and includessections on heating, lighting and other services. Specialistengineers will need to be employed to advice on theserequirements when converting buildings.

SummaryThe cost of roof and wall cladding to meet the new regulationsis estimated to increase by 7½ to 15%. On conversion oftraditional construction the costs may be higher due to the poorperformance of existing materials and need to makecompensating changes to the design.

The April 2002 changes to Part L require significant attention toexisting working practice in design, materials and workmanshipin addition to the obvious increase in insulation thickness. Theregulations and supporting documents cannot be summarisedon a few pages, everyone in the design and building teamneeds to read the documents.

Nick SelvesBuilding Sciences LtdTel: 01235 835323

Ed -This is such an important and complicated subject that theConstruction Group will be holding a seminar on theimplications of the amendments to Part L on the 28th May2001 in the Midlands area. Those interested in attendingshould contact the National Secretary for further information.

Support available fromDEFRA for FarmDiversification, RuralDevelopment and Training.

I am advised that the Rural Development Service (RDS), inconjunction with DEFRA, are organising a series of‘Workshops’ through out the Country to advise potentialqualifying applicants of the substantial sums of moneyavailable to rural businesses for approved capital projects andtraining projects through the England Rural DevelopmentProgramme (ERDP)

It would appear that the take up of these funds has been slow,mostly because rural businesses and farmers are nit fullyaware of the availability of these funds.

The sums include support for professional fees from advisorsand Consultants.

David Wood advises that two of his equestrian/farmdiversification schemes for clients have already benefited fromquite substantial grants towards the capital costs andprofessional fees.

Further details of the scheme and the addresses of local RDSoffices can be found on the DEFRA web site atwww.defra.gov.uk

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Stone›Slate quarries orDelphs

A guide to making a mineral planningapplication for stone-slate production - Part 2For items 1 to 7 see Volume 2 Issue 2In this issue

8. Who should an Application for Planning Permission be made to9. Pre-Application Discussions with the Mineral Planning Authority10. Development Plan Policies11. Pre-Application Consultation with other Agencies12. Submitting your Planning Application13. Preparing a Geo-Technical Report14. Preparing a Market Report15. Buildings, Plant and Machinery16. Restoration and Aftercare Proposals

8. Who Should an Application for PlanningPermission be made to?8.1 Applications for Planning Permission should be made to theMineral Planning Authority (MPA). This will be the County Council ifyou are in an area that has a two-tier local government structure(with District and County Councils). If you are in an area that has aUnitary Authority or in a National Park, the application should bemade to them. If you are not sure, check with the local CouncilPlanning Department and they will advise you on whom to contact.

9. Pre-Application Discussions with the MPA9.1 When developing a proposal, it is important to understand whatis required to support your application. The MPA need theinformation to understand what you are proposing and to allowthem to make a decision on your proposal. 9.2 Before making a planning permission application, contact theMPA and discuss your proposal with them. If you’re contacting theauthority for the first time, it’s best to make an appointment inadvance and give them brief verbal details of what you want todiscuss. This will help them to know what to expect and to be betterprepared in terms of the advice they give you. Send them a locationplan and the Ordnance Survey map reference of the site. This maybe helpful if they want to visit it before you meet. It will also avoidany doubt about its exact location. Pre-application discussions areusually free.9.3 It’s best to contact the MPA at an early stage as there may beexpenses involved in investigating a site’s potential, developing aproposal, and making an application. You will not want to incur

these costs only to be told that the site has absolutely no chance ofgetting planning permission. If this does happen, do not ignore it.The planning officer will have good reasons for saying it and you areunlikely to get permission without his recommendation.9.4 If you’re considering a number of sites with a view to developingone of them, tell the MPA where the sites are - they will treat thisinformation as confidential. The advice they give you may be animportant consideration in your final site selection.9.5 If you have a specific site in mind, at your initial meeting youshould be able to describe what you are proposing to do and where.‘Sketch’ plans or drawings showing how the site could bedeveloped can be very helpful to give the planning officer an idea ofhow your proposal will work. Broad details about the anticipatedlevel and duration of production, processes involved, machinerylikely to be used, vehiclemovements and site restoration are all issues that will probablyneed addressing when your application is submitted. Even at thisstage, it’s worth giving the planning officer at least a rough idea ofthese. 9.6 In turn, the MPA will want to give you important information tohelp you get your application right. This will include:

� details of their planning policies which are relevant tostone-slate production, and whether the proposal is likely tobe in accordance with policies contained in the Council’sdevelopment plan;� any likely changes due in the near future that wouldaffect your proposal, such as alterations to Council or nationalpolicy;� an indication of what information they will need to decidesuch things as whether an Environmental Assessment islikely to be required;� some idea of the key issues likely to be important indeciding your application; � information on any relevant planning decisions by theauthority; and,� details of any organisations that will be asked tocomment on your application e.g. English Nature, theCountryside Agency, the Countryside Council for Wales orScottish Natural Heritage.

9.7 Pre-application discussions should help you find out what plansand documentation the MPA will need to determine yourapplication. The more complete the information you supply from theoutset, the less likely will be delays in considering your application.But be prepared to submit further information, if required, once theprocess is underway. 9.8 During pre-application discussions, the MPA’s planning officermay happily give you his views on the likelihood of receivingplanning permission, but remember that informal opinions are notbinding.9.9 Almost certainly, there will be some matters that the planningofficer is not fully aware of at your initial meeting, or something thatis unforeseen until a latter stage of your application. Sometimessuch things can become important factors. So it’s essential thatthere is a full and frank exchange of information and views; this willallow your proposal to be considered in an open way and ensurethat you get the best possible advice.

10. Development Plan Policies10.1 All MPAs will either have or be preparing a ‘development plan’for their area. This will consist either of a ‘Structure Plan’ and a‘Minerals Local Plan’ or a ‘Unitary Development Plan’. These set outpolicies for determining planning permission applications. So it’simportant to find out what these say.10.2 Copies of plans can be obtained from your MPA, although youwill usually have to pay for them and they may be expensive.Alternatively, copies should be available in your local library. By law,MPAs must determine applications according to the policiescontained in their development plan. So there’s little point in makinga planning permission application that is clearly contrary to these

A trial dig in an old quarry. It is important to check whether therock is suitable for making the products. A Geologist’s adviceis useful in deciding where to explore

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policies.10.3 Few MPAs have policies specifically on stone-slate delphs, butmost have policies on building-stone quarries that will be relevant toyour application. Usually, they also have other, more generalpolicies that will be pertinent and you should take these into accounttoo.10.4 It is common for minerals planning applications to beaccompanied by written statements outlining the proposals theycontain. So when preparing your application, it’s useful to includesuch a statement, with a section showing how your proposalcomplies with any relevant development plan policies. 10.5 A list dealing with each policy item in turn will help you developand present your application. If there are any aspects of your planthat don’t conform with any policy, consider whether these can beamended to ensure that they comply.10.6 Check to see if there are any other ‘positive’ policies that mighthelp your application. These may not be specifically concerned withquarrying, but might be under such sections as sustainability,conservation and local distinctiveness.

11. Pre-Application Consultation with otherAgencies11.1 Pre-application consultation with other agencies andorganisations can be important. Some will be statutory consulteeswhose views on your application will be sought by the MPA.Consider contacting them about your proposal, as they can adviseon how they will judge your proposal and might be willing to giveinformal views. 11.2 The supporting information you submit with your applicationmay be particularly important for these organisations. So it helps tohave as much supporting documentation as possible. Rememberthat anyone opposed to the opening of a quarry will undoubtedlymake their feelings known to the MPA. Those in favour may do nomore than say that they have ‘no objections’. 11.3 There are also other authorities, agencies and organisationswhich, while they have no formal role in the planning process, mayprovide support for your proposal. As they are not consultees to theMPA, they are unlikely to come forward unless asked to do so. Socontact every authority, agency and organisation you can think ofwho might welcome the supply of your particular material and askthem to write you a letter in support of the application. If they havea need for your type of material, ask them if they can quantify this.Your local building conservation department should always becontacted and they will be able indicate other supportiveorganisations. 11.4 Many of these organisations may not be willing to be specific,as they do not want to become embroiled in local politics. Soapproach them for a more general letter if a more specific responseis not a possibility. Further details of authorities, agencies to contact,and details of the kind of response you should aim for are inAppendix 2.

12. Submitting Your Planning Application12.1 You should now have an idea of the preparatory work neededbefore you submit a planning application. When this point isreached, the application should be made on a form obtained fromthe MPA. This will either be a special form for quarry applications ora shorter, more basic one with an additional minerals questionnaireattached. The application may seem rather lengthy and to needquite a lot of detailed information. Read it through carefully, togetherwith any accompanying instructions.12.2 The application should be accompanied by a number of plans,including one to identify your site, and drawings or documentationnecessary to describe your proposal. In practice, this is likely torequire a considerable amount of preparation. A full list of theinformation you will probably have to submit with your application isset out in Appendix 3. Take this list with you when you have yourinitial meeting with the minerals planning officer. Go through it withthem, identifying what information they will require.12.3 In addition, you will need to complete a number of certificatesand notices concerning the ownership of the site and whether itforms part of an agricultural holding. If you are in Scotland, there arealso notices to be served on any neighbours informing them of yourapplication. The certificates should be returned with yourapplication to the MPA and the notices sent to the relevant peopleconcerned.12.4 You will have to pay a fee for your application to the MPA. Feesare calculated on the area of your application site and details will beincluded with the forms. You must include any land on whichextraction, processing and any other works (including tipping ofwaste, storage of overburden, and drainage) is to occur and anyother land that will be used during the normal course of operations.It must also include the area used for the access from the publicroad. This is easy to forget and may make a significant differenceto the fee if your site is a long way from the public road. You shouldmark a single red boundary line around the site on your plan,making sure you include everything you need to, but no more.12.5 Planning application fees are set nationally and revised fromtime to time. Check what they are and what the correct fee for yourapplication should be. Once the fee is paid and the applicationregistered, you cannot get your money back even if you laterwithdraw the application or planning permission is refused.12.6 The MPA will usually require more than one copy of yourapplication documents. The number of copies needed should bestated on the application form. 12.7 Your application will be screened by the MPA to see if anEnvironmental Assessment or Statement is required. If one isnecessary, you are likely to need a specialist consultant to producethis. For details of what is involved see Appendix 4. The MPA willneed enough copies of the Statement to be able to send one toeach statutory consultee.12.8 Before submitting your application, you may apply to the MPAto have your proposal screened in advance on the need for anEnvironmental Statement. This is free and requires only basicinformation. Ask your MPA about how to do this. It can help speedup the process of obtaining planning permission.12.9 Once you have submitted your planning application, the MPAwill acknowledge its receipt as soon as is practicable. In someareas where the County Council is the MPA, this can take a littletime as they may have to send on your application to be registeredby the District Council.12.10 An application is not valid until the correct fee, the appropriatecertificates, and all the necessary information required has beensubmitted. If you do not submit all the information required, yourapplication will not be registered. Instead, it will either be returnedto you or you will be asked to submit additional information beforeregistration can go ahead.13. Preparing a Geo-technical Report13.1 To establish the viability of a site and the quality of its stone, ageo-technical report will probably have to be submitted with yourapplication. This should provide details of any investigations

The working quarry. The large back hoe was used to removeand stack the topsoil and overburden. The small machine isideal for close working because it will not damage the rock.

Technical


undertaken on the site,including information onthe number and size ofany trial pits, boreholes ortrenches and anassessment of thematerial found in these.13.2 To satisfy the MPAabout the quality andquantity of material withinthe application site, thereport should summarisethe results of investig-ations. This should beundertaken by a suitablyqualified person andassess the material interms of its geology,shape, dimensions, comp-osition and suitability foruse in stone-slateproduction. Your MPA maybe able to advise on

someone suitable in your area. If not, the SRA may be able to helpyou.

14. Preparing a Market Report14.1 You may also have to submit a market report with yourapplication. If a market report is needed, find out the MPA’sconcerns and make sure you address these. This may involve quitea lot of work, so start looking into it at an early stage in thepreparation of your application. The report may have to provide anassessment of the suitability and viability of your material forbuilding and historic-building conservation purposes anddemonstrate a demand not adequately supplied from existingsources, or that existing sources are not of a suitable quality. Againyou may need a specialist consultant to do this for you and the SRAcan advise you on someone suitable.14.2 In some areas of the country (such as the Cotswolds), thestone-slate industry is established enough for the MPA to want tocontrol quarry numbers and restrict sources of supply. In otherareas, there may be little or no stone slate industry left but the MPAmay be concerned about the viability of a proposed quarry.14.3 Your report should highlight the potential size and spread ofthe market for your stone. It may be very local or cover a muchwider area. Some types of stone slate have been used in differentparts of the country but are no longer produced anywhere. If this isthe case for the type of slate you propose to extract, then yourpotential market may be more than local. This is a factor that youshould make clear in your submission to the MPA.14.4 Another point to consider is that although other quarriesnearby may be producing stone it may not be good enough qualityto make stone slates. This can be important as the MPA may grantplanning permission for a relatively specialist material such as stoneslate but refuse it for the production of materials which can be hadfrom existing local quarries.14.5 Consider also whether you wish to make any other products inaddition to stone slate. Most quarries do make more than one typeof product and this is also true for most stone-slate delphs. Siteswith fissile material suitable for slates often include other stonewhich is inappropriate for slate production but good for such thingsas paving, landscaping, building or even dimension stone. Slateproduction may not be economically viable unless undertakentogether with other materials, thus making the best use of theresource and minimising waste. The amount of these othermaterials may be important to the success of your application.14.6 Try to assess the need to produce other materials, but becareful not to undermine your justification for stone-slate production.It may be a good idea to raise this with the MPA during pre-application discussions. They might feel it is a significant factor or

have no concerns about it at all. If you intend to produce substantialquantities of other materials that could come from existing sources,they may feel there is insufficient justification to grant you planningpermission. If they do grant you permission, they may seek torestrict your production of other materials. For example, it iscommon for there to be restrictions on the crushing of waste stonefrom building-stone quarries to produce aggregate.14.7 The MPA will also have an interest in the economic benefits thedelph may bring to the area. It is not uncommon to have planningpolicies that restrict industrial and commercial developments in theopen countryside, unless they specifically need to be located thereand will bring economic benefits. The creation of new employmentcan be an important factor, even if this is only likely to involve yourown immediate family. So provide some information on this.14.8 Assessing all these factors will help you justify your proposalto the MPA as well as letting you know the likely size and locationof your market. The response from contacts with other agenciesand organisations - as outlined in Section 11 - may be particularlyhelpful in this respect.

15. Buildings, Plant and Machinery15.1 Although stone-slate production is very low-tech and labourintensive, the buildings, machinery and processes involved areimportant. It is important to explain the production process clearly.Those who have never seen stone-slate quarrying before are oftensurprised that it is sometimes carried out by hand using little morethan a pick-axe! Many MPA planning officers have little awarenessof what is involved and may not have dealt with an application forstone-slate production. 15.2 The public perception of quarries usually relates to largeaggregate quarries or gravel pits. Using the words delph anddelving instead of quarry and quarrying will avoid misconceptionsabout the scale of the proposed operation. In reality, most stone-slate delphs involve the use of no more than a mechanical diggeror excavator to occasionally strip and move top-soil andoverburden, and a fork attachment to lift large pieces of stone out ofthe ground. No drilling, blasting or other mechanical means ofextraction is involved with most slates being removed from theground manually and dressed by hand. The only other vehiclesnecessary are those taking slates away from the site. If you haven’tseen a stone-slate delph in operation, try to visit one.15.3 Unless the slate making is done off-site, a building will benecessary to process and store finished slates. However, this canbe very small. An existing farm building or shed could be ideal.15.6 When making your application, stress that stone-slateproduction, unless undertaken in association with the quarrying of

Checking the excavated rock to seeif it will split to roofing thickness - inthis case about one inch.

The presplit stone packed ready to go to the processing shed.

Technical


other products, is essentially a small-scale, labour-intensive manualprocess. The environmental impact of noise and dust from plantand machinery is insignificant compared with almost all other typesof mineral extraction.

16. Restoration and Aftercare Proposals16.1 Among the most important parts of your application are detailsof how and when the site is to be restored once it has been workedand what aftercare measures will be taken. In practice, this usuallyinvolves backfilling with the waste material from extraction, whichwill bulk-up to replace the stone that has been removed. 16.2 Although relatively simple, this is the part of minerals planningapplications that most commonly causes problems, usuallybecause it has not been taken seriously enough by applicants. Thequality of reinstatement proposals is often either not well enoughthought out, or poorly presented, or both. Make sure you get it rightand demonstrate that you are taking it seriously. It can be a decidingfactor in whether or not you get planning permission. 16.3 The information required is likely to involve the submission ofplans, probably on the same scale as your main site plan. Theyshould show contours and sections of how the site will be restoredduring and following the completion of extraction, and includedetails of gradients, replacement depths and sources of soils, theposition of any permanent watercourses and other features such asdrainage, trees, shrubs and final landscaping. You will also need toprovide written details of the proposed after-use.16.4 If you do any pre-application consultation with agencies suchas English Nature, the Farming and Rural Conservation Agency(FRCA), the Countryside Agency, the Countryside Council forWales or Scottish Natural Heritage, try to get their advice on howthey would like to see the site restored. Then make it clear in yourapplication to the MPA that you have consulted with such bodies indrawing up your reinstatement and aftercare plans. 16.5 On some agricultural sites, the quarrying out and re-grading ofan area may allow improvements to be undertaken. For example,removing outcrops of rock and reducing the gradient of steepslopes may improve long-term agricultural viability. Such benefitsshould be built into your working plan and can be used to help justifyyour proposal.

In the next issue

17. How long does it take to get Planning Permission?18. Dealing with Public Objections to your Application19. When you receive Planning Permission20. If you are refused Planning Permission21. ConclusionAppendix 1 - Agricultural Permitted DevelopmentAppendix 2 - Authorities, Agencies and Organisations to Consult

Terry Hughes & Andrew Sierakowski 2001-2

Technical

The finished roof.

Farm worker wins£2.7millioncompensation for rooffall injury

A FORMER agricultural worker who suffered seriousbrain injuries when he fell through an unsafe roof hasbeen awarded £2.7 million in compensation. Newcastle High Court heard that 35- year – oldlabourer John Cook was carrying out repairs to theroof of a barn at Cheesbrough and Sons Limited’sfarm in Heddon-on-the-Wall, Northumberland, whenthe accident happened in February 1994.

Fragile roof sheet

The court heard that Cook was working on the roofwhen he accidentally stepped onto a fragile asbestoscement roof sheet. He plunged 20 feet onto theconcrete floor below, suffering a fractured skull.Although he later underwent emergency surgery atNewcastle General Hospital, he is now severely braindamaged and requires constant care and supervisionfrom care workers.Cook claimed that the accident happened because hisemployer failed to provide him with suitable fallprotection equipment for the work – such as a scaffoldtower, safety net, or a fall arrest harness. In addition,he argued that he was not given any training orinstructions on how to carry out work on roofs safely,and was not warned that the roof contained fragileasbestos cement sheets.Commenting on the award, Jon Davis, a partner at lawfirm Irwin Mitchell – which pursued the damages claimon Cook’s behalf – said: ‘this is a large compensationpayment but it reflects the fact that John Cook hasbeen left permanently injured, through no fault of hisown and will require care for the remainder of his life.’‘It was touch and go as to whether or not he wouldsurvive the fall at all, and although he is now able towalk for short distances and has some independence,he needs care, constant supervision and assistancefor even the most routine tasks.’

Personality changed

He added: ‘John’s personality has changed greatlyand he will never recover fully from his injuries.Fortunately, his family and carers ensure Johnreceives the medication and therapy he needs andthis compensation will meet the cost of this.’He concluded: ‘Working on roofs is a dangerousactivity – employers need to assess the risks posedby roofwork and take adequate steps to ensure thatthese risks do not result in injuries of this kind.’Cheesbrough and Sons Limited admitted liability andnegligence for Cooks injuries.

With thanks to the Editor of Safety Management thejournal of the British Safety Council for allowing me touse this article, first printed in their February issue.

If a competent member of the RDBA ConstructionGroup had been used, they would have used thecorrect safety equipment to ensure that no one washurt during the work. (editor)


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TechnicalImpact of Climate Change on the Construction IndustrEffect of Changing Wind Climate

By Paul Blackmore, BRE

BackgroundThe thermal and mechanical effects of wind action have a major impact on many aspects of the built environment. It affects thecomfort and safety of pedestrians and building occupants, ventilation rates, heating and cooling loads on buildings and thedissipation or concentration of pollutants. It can also act in combination with snow to increase drifting and structural loads onbuildings or with rain to cause leakage and deterioration of building components and to reduce their thermal properties. Any changesin the UK wind climate could therefore have profound implications on the safety, serviceability and running costs of the builtenvironment that will affect the whole population. This section concentrates on the structural aspects of wind action and its effect on the loading and response of buildings.

Current levels of wind damage to buildings and structuresThe UK is one of the windiest countries in Europe. Each year many thousands of buildings and structures are damaged bywindstorms, Figures 1 and 2 show typical windstorm damage. BRE has been investigating wind damage to buildings and structuressince 1962 as part of an on-going wind damage survey. From this survey it has been found that the average number of damageincidences each year is about 200,000, at an estimated repair cost of £70M, this excludes loss of service and other consequential

and secondary losses [1]. In severe windstorms the number of buildings damaged can easily exceed 1 million, for example in the1987 storm over 1.3million houses were damaged. Local Authorities in some areas reported damage to over 80% of all councilowned houses [2], as shown in Figure 3. In these severe windstorms the total cost to the economy in terms of damage and loss ofservice can be enormous, estimates for wind damage in the UK during 1990 were reliably put, at 1990 prices, at over £2,500 millionand over £5,000 million in the rest of Europe [3]. In the UK each year, there are an average of 4 to 5 gales or severe gales that cause widespread damage (classed as >18,000damage incidents), about 50 minor gales that cause localised damage and about 13 tornadoes which damage from a single buildingup to many hundreds of buildings. Table 1 shows the wind storm classification used in the BRE wind damage survey. The frequencyand damage incidents associated with gales and severe gales are shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 3 Percentages of Local Authority housing damaged during the October 1987wind storm

Wind damage to a stone gable end


TechnicalTable 1 Classification of Windstorms by Scale of Damage

Number of Damage incidents Classification Number of Events(1962 to 1998)

<100 Isolated 1549100 to 18,000 Minor Gale 104>18,000 to 200,000 Gale 48>200,000 Severe Gale 6

Varies Tornadoes 484

As well as causing considerable damage, UK windstorms frequently cause many deaths and injuries either from direct buildingrelated failures (such as building collapse) or from secondary effects (such as people or vehicles hit by falling trees or blown over,etc). Since 1962 there have been 509 deaths in the UK that have occurred as a direct result of windstorms. Design of Structures for Wind LoadingWind is not a deterministic action; it is random and fluctuates continuously in both time and space. For this reason it is not possibleto estimate the exact wind speed at any particular time or place. For structural safety the design wind speeds are derived fromhistorical wind speed records using statistical methodologies on the basis of acceptable risk. Typically the design windspeed will bea very rare event with an average recurrence interval of 1:50 years, i.e. it will have a very low annual probability of exceedence, butover the lifetime of the structure there will be a 63% chance of the design windspeed being exceeded. In practice, additional safetyfactors will be applied to account for material uncertainties, etc. so that even in the event of the design windspeed being exceededthere should still be a low risk of failure. However, if the wind climate changes then the underlying climatic assumptions used in thewind code will no longer be valid and will not necessarily give a reliable estimate of future wind speeds. This could lead to theresidual safety factors of the existing building stock being seriously eroded, leading to substantial and widespread wind damage.

Older buildings are likely to be worst affected by increased wind speeds because of general deterioration due to their age andbecause as our knowledge and understanding of wind effects on buildings has improved over the years so there has been atendency for design wind loads in British Standards to increase. The first British Standard wind loading code of practice waspublished in 1944 [4] and has undergone three major revisions in 1952 [5], 1972 [6] and 1995 [7]. For example, taking a typical low-rise flat roofed building on the outskirts of Birmingham; the 1952 Code would give the design wind load on the edge of the roof as454N/m2, compared with a value of 1071N/m2 from the latest 1997 version of the Code. Prior to 1944 building design was based ontraditional good-practice, local bylaws and advisory guidance published by the professional institutions and in journals. Thus ingeneral, older buildings will have been designed to withstand lower wind loads than more modern buildings although this may beoffset to some degree by larger factors of safety on the materials.

Predicted changes in the wind climateThe confidence in predictions of future windspeeds and weather patterns is generally low, certainly very much lower than theconfidence in other variables such as carbon dioxide concentrations and global warming. There is also some disagreement betweendifferent global climate models; for example the 1996 Climate Change Impacts Review Group (CCIRG96) [8] predicted windspeedincreases of 7% and 15% for Southern and Northern UK respectively in 2050, compared with the latest UKCIP98 predictions ofbetween 3% and 4% (although it is said in the UKCIP98 that the latest HadCM3 climate model suggests larger windspeed increasesthan given in the UKCIP98 scenarios). These wind speed predictions are all for mean daily windspeeds, no indication is given of theeffect on extreme or gust windspeeds, therefore in the absence of more reliable estimates it is assumed that the variation of extremespeeds is proportional to the variation in mean daily speeds and that the ratio of gust/mean windspeeds does not change fromcurrent values.The most relevant of the predictions from the UKCIP98 Medium-High scenario for the effects on buildings from changes in the windclimate of the 2080's are:

� Increases of up to about 9% in autumn windspeeds in the north of the UK and increases of up to about 4% in the south.� More winds in the spring from the north-east and east� An increase of about 11% in the number of very severe winter gales but with gales and severe gales reducing by about

5%.� An increase in the frequency of summer windstorms by up to 15%.

This collapse has badly damaged the vehicles stored in the building 'The wind has completely removed the steel roof and purlins


TechnicalImpact of changing wind climateThe three primary concerns with regard to the safety of the UK building stock from the predicted changes in the wind climate are:

� The increase in wind speed � The increased frequency of wind storms� The directional changes in the pattern of UK wind storms

Analysis by BRE of wind damage to buildings and structures in the UK has shown that the expected number of damage incidents(D) can be represented by an equation of the form: D=I[(Vm/Ve)2]n

Where I is a damage index to account for variability in construction practice, building type, socio-economic factors, etc. Vm is the measured peak gust windspeedVe is the effective (design) gust windspeed from the UK wind coden exponent derived from analysis of damage events

Taking a windspeed with an annual probability of exceedence of 0.02 as the base line (i.e. the normal design windspeed used in theUK), it is possible to estimate the effect of increasing wind speed in terms of expected numbers of buildings and structures damaged.Table 2 shows the number of buildings and structures that could be expected to be damaged during typical severe gales over theUK.

Table 2 Expected number of damage events as design wind speed increasesIncrease in windspeed (%) 2 4 6 8 10 15Number of damaged buildings expected (1000's) Max 634 817 1,054 1,347 1,705 3,077

Min 225 290 374 478 605 1,092

Table 2 is based on analysis of wind damage records accumulated over the last 38 years. These figures should be taken asindicative, especially at the higher percentage increases in windspeed, however, they do correlate well with experience, taking forexample the 1987 and 1990 storms in which the maximum windspeeds were up to about 7% greater than the design values, in thesestorms 1.3 and 1.1 million houses were damaged respectively.

This analysis is based only on increasing wind speed, if aspredicted, the storm frequency also increases then the number ofdamage incidences estimated in Table 2 will probably be anunderestimate.Design for wind loading in the UK can be carried out on adirectional basis by using factors in BS6399: Part 2 [7] to accountfor the probability of exceedence of windspeeds for each 30° windsector. These factors range from 1.0 for the prevailingsouthwesterly winds to 0.73 for easterly winds as shown as a windrose in Figure 6. These factors are applied to the windspeed, asthe wind pressure is a function of the square of the windspeed theeffect of these factors can be very significant, for example, for aneasterly wind a factor of 0.73 equates to a reduction of about 50%in wind load. If the frequency of easterly winds increases, aspredicted by the UKCIP98, then the directional factors will change,which could mean that current building designs that takeadvantage of the directional factors might be under-designed.

The UKCIP98 medium-high scenario also predicts changes to theseasonal wind climate. The current UK wind code allows designersof temporary structures, permanent structures during constructionand temporary works associated with permanent structures to takeadvantage of the seasonal variation in wind speeds, thus allowingstructures erected during the summer months to be designed forlower wind loads than those erected during the winter months.

These effects can be very large, allowing reductions in wind load of up to about 60%. However, this reduction does not apply tocompleted permanent structures, so seasonal changes in the wind climate will not impact on the structural adequacy of the builtenvironment, although it could have a big impact on temporary structures or structures during the construction phase.

Increasing windspeeds will also have implications for the wind environment around buildings which could impact on the comfortand/or safety of pedestrians and could lead to economic losses for shopping and recreation areas which might be avoided becauseof the windy conditions, more marginal areas could require protection from the wind. The effect on transportation will also need tobe considered; wind breaks might need to be provided along exposed roads and rail lines and on bridges and elevated roads andrail lines.

Mitigation measures

Different response strategies will be required for new-build and existing structures. � For new-build, increases in wind loading can be accommodated through changes to building regulations, codes andstandards. This will require a step change (or series of incremental changes) in the design wind speeds and at present there isinsufficient confidence in the reliability of current predictions to make these changes. It will therefore be necessary to develop a


Technicalcost/benefit strategy for tackling effects of climate change thatallows flexibility to vary the approach subject to new data. Forexample, the structural frame and foundations are likely to have adesign life of 50 to 100 years, the additional cost of constructingstronger foundations and structural members would be relativelysmall compared with the cost of retro strengthening and the risk ofdoing nothing could be total collapse. Cladding however, generallyhas a shorter design life and can usually be relatively easilyreplaced, also the consequences of failure will generally only belocal damage not total collapse, so it could be argued that claddingdoes not necessarily need to be designed for the predictedincreased wind loads. � Wind loads on new buildings could be reduced bybuilding more aerodynamically efficient structures that help tominimise wind loads, i.e. using curved corners, minimising eavesoverhangs, using mansard roofs instead of pitched roofs, etc.However, the optimum design to minimise wind loads could, forexample, increase the risk from snow drifting so environmental actions should not be considered in isolation.� Existing buildings account for the majority of the building stock and will be most susceptible to increased wind loads,especially when considered in combination with increases in other environmental actions such as UV and rainfall which could reducedurability causing premature serviceability problems and ultimately could lead to serious structural problems and widespreaddamage. The options for increasing the resistance of existing buildings are limited to retro strengthening or retrofitting ofaerodynamic devices to minimise wind loads. Retro-strengthening could be targeted at the most vulnerable areas, such as roofs,but will require a knowledge of the inherent strength of the current building population - information which is not generally availableand difficult to assess. The use of retrofit aerodynamic devices more requires research to assess the effectiveness and practicalitiesof installation, etc.� Market forces are also likely to have a role to play. If wind speeds do increase then mortgage lenders and the insuranceindustry are likely to require some assurance of the adequacy of the buildings they insure. This could take the form of an 'MOT' styleassessment of each building.

References1, P A Blackmore, Wind damage in urban areas: a UK perspective, 5th conference on habitat and the high-rise, Amsterdam, 1995.2, PSJ Buller, The October gale of 1987: damage to buildings and structures in the southeast of England, BRE Report BR138, 1998.3, Winter storms in Europe: analysis of 1990 losses and future loss potential, Munich Re. 1990.4, British Standards Institute, CP4: Loading, 19445, British Standards Institute, CP3: Chapter V: Loading, 19526, British Standards Institute, CP3: Chapter V: Part 2: Wind Loads, 19727, British Standards Institute, BS6399: Part 2: Wind Loads, 19958, CCIRG (1996) Review of the potential effects of climate change in the United Kingdom, HMSO, London.

'When this silo was blown over it caused damage to three barn roofs

David Fisher OBE

We were delighted to hear that David Fisher, a longstanding member of the RDBA, has receivedrecognition in the Queens Honours list. Later this year he will be attending a ceremony atBuckingham Palace where he will receive an O.B.E. for his 42 years environmental protectionwork on flood defences in Essex. He has been an active member in the various river, landdrainage and flood committees for 42 years.

His contribution to flood defences in Essex has spanned a range of initiatives.

Highlights were:

� The construction of the Thames Barrier, following the 1953 floods and raising all the walls.� The Ely Ouse scheme, at Wixoe, which piped water into Essex and was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.� Major works carried out all over Essex to river and sea walls to reduce flooding.� The opening of the Colne Barrier, Wivenhoe, to protect Colchester from flooding.

David, of Fisher Farms, Southminster, Essex, first joined the FBA in 1958, almost a founder member. Many members will knowboth him and his wife, through his continued support for the organisation, or may have met them when they attended our SpringConference at Portland Bill in 2000. They are hoping to attend this year's conference in Preston, unless there is a clash with theirdate at the Palace.

We would, on behalf of the RDBA, like to congratulate him on the award of this honour, a most deserved recognition of service tothe communities of Essex and the environment.


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Blanchard Graeme

Address

Swets Blackwell Ltd PO Box 14, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 1GY6 Norfolk Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8DACluttons Daniel Smith, 13 Beaumont Street, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2LPRed Alce Steelworks, Spithurst, Barcombe, Lewes, BN8 5EDScottish Executive Rural Affairs Department, Room 301 Pentland House, 47Robb's Loan, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH14 1TYCurtis Engineering Ltd, Marston Trading Estate, Frome, Somerset, BA11 4BHEBES Estate Office, Cirencester Park, Cirencester, Glos, GL7 2BUM D Anthony Ltd Unit 20, The Dock Business Park, Angel Drove, Ely, Cambs,CB7 4DTCembrit Blunn Ltd, 57 Kellner Road, London, SE28 0AXWhite Cottage, 3 Townside, Haddenham, Aylesbury, HP17 8BGEternit Building Materials, Lower Pound, Silver Street, Kentisbeare, Devon, EX52BGWrittle College, Lordship Rd, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RRFullwood Ltd, Grange Road, Ellesmere, Shropshire, SY13 1SYG E Baker UK Ltd (Quality Equipment) The Heath, Woolpit, Bury St Edmunds,Suffolk, IP30 9RNRunaford, Coombe, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0HTBlenheim Estates The Estate Office, Woodstock, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire,OX20 1PSThe Old Bakery, Fivehead, Taunton, Somerset, TA3 6PA1 Sutton Place, Scawby, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, DN20 9EUBolesworh Estate Company Ltd, Bolesworth Castle, Estate office, Tattenhall,Chester, Cheshire, CH3 8HQMeggeson House, Garbutts Lane, Hutton Rudby, Yarm, Cleveland, TS15 0DU5 Highfield Lane, Cox green, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 3ANLower West Wing Flat, Hill of Tarvit Mansion House, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5PBArncliffe Farms Arnciiffe Hall, Ingleby Cross, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 3PNFarm Energy Centre NAC, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 2LSSherborne Castle Estates, Digby Estate Office, 9 Cheap Street, Sherborne,Dorset, DT9 3PY44 Chester Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 1NFFrancis Horner Brown & Co, Old Bank of England Court, Queen Street,Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 4TAD Black & Son Ltd Red House Farm, Bacton, Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 4SBTrustees of the Benyon Trust Englefield Estate Office, Theale, Reading,Berkshire, RG7 5DUBredy Pollution Control Irrigation Services, Butts Pond, SturminsterNewton,Dorset, DT10 1AZEternit Building Products, Lavender Cottage, 67 Banbury Road, Ettington,Warwickshire, CV37 7SR26 St Martins Lane, Marshfield, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 8LZ

Phone

0031 25243511101423 87146201865 78200001273 4007800131 244 6263

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44, 1318, 2030

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Members Directory


Members DirectoryName

Bond T

Bone Tom

Bourchier CBoyd JBoyer S

Brazel Bsc(Est Man) ABrierley FIoR Winston

Broad Bernard

Brown BSc Hons(Agric)

Burrell I

Burtonshaw BSc CEng R

Bussey ARICS DavidCalverley MSc., MS., C Campbell GCampbell HughCarr-West MalcolmCaunt PeterChalmers MChaplin MRAC MRICS KChilton CClark Richard

Coates FRICS MRAC RCoke BSc(Hons) ARICS Cole Tech RICS MAPS SCollinson JCook J.Cottrell A

Coulson K

Cowing MarkCrawford BSc(Agric) PCurson UDale NDavies BSc(Agric) DipLE De Boer R

DeVille HDobson LeslieDodds Jim

Dodd J WDominy JDouglas MSc DPSE Dowsland PeterDrummond Peter

Dunham BSc (Civ Eng) Edwards J.

Edwardson Roy

Ekin S

Ellis DavidEllison CEvans TEvans BSc FRICS MEveritt BSc Ian

Address

Tony Bond Structures 9 Homefield Way, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 0JZEstates Practice, P,B & R Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester,SO23 9DSCrown Estates, 16 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AHBush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland, EH26 0PHPolypipe Civils Ltd, Union works, Bishop Meadow Road, Loughborough,Leicestershire, LE11 5RE2 Bradley Avenue, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1SEBrett Martin Roofing Products Ltd, Langley Road, Burscough Ind Estate,Burscough, Lancs, L40 8JBRedwing Structures (Marlow) Ltd, 1 The Square, Church Road, Lane End,Bucks, HP14 3JEAgricultural Assistance, Stone Cottage, 36 West Street, Geddington, NrKettering, Northants, NN14 1BDWelbeck Estates Co Ltd, Portland Estate Office, Welbeck, WorksopNotinghamshire, SB0 3LTFarm Services Ltd, Chesterton Estate Yard, Banbury Road, Lighthorne,Warwickshire, CV35 0AFMargetts, 12 High Street, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV34 4AP19 Craven Park, Menston, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 6EQS A C Auchincruive, Ayr, Scotland, KA6 5HWSAC Craibstone, Bucksburn, AberdeenWrittle College, Lordship Rd, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RRSAC, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PH19 Drews Court, Churchdown, Gloustershire, GL3 2LDStarlings, 2 Church Green, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4NZARM Buildings Ltd, Rydal Estate, Colton Road, Rugeley, WS15 3HFHeart of Oak Buildings Ltd, Timber Farm, Nuffield, Nr Henley on Thames, OxonRG9 5SYLemprice Farm, Yettington, Budleigh Salterton, Devon, EX9 7BWWiltshire County Council, County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JDSmiths Gore, 26 Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, Co Durham, DL3 7JXMonk & Partners, 4 The Crescent, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3ABKyreham House, Crambe, York, YO60 7JRLeverhulme Estates Estates Office, Manor Rd, Thorton Hough, Wirral, CH63 1JDNorthumberland Estates Estate Office, Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland,NE66 1NQBen Naylor Partnership, 32 Derby Street, Ormskirk, Lancs, L39 2BYBarton End, 50 Fleet Street, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3EH14 Upper Stafford Avenue, New Costessey, Norwich, NR5 0ABFrank H Dale Ltd, Mill Street, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 8EFDavies & Co, 31-33 Victoria Street, Kettering, Northants, NN16 0BUDe Boer Stalinrichtingen B. V., Meadow Court, Longstone, St Mabyne, Bodmin,PL30 3BZDeVille and Lear Ltd, Mill Lane Works, Roston, Ashbourne, DE6 2EEAsfield, 1 Stubham Rise, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 0APEternit Building Products, 10 Chestnut Bank, Scarborough, North Yorks, YO12 5QJBroad Oak Farm, Woodhouses, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 4AGUnited Roofing Products Ltd, 1 Scotts Yard, Haslingfield, Ca,mbridge, CB3 7NB83 Mill Lane, Greenfield, Bedford, Beds, MK45 5DTDove Cottage, Salton, Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, YO62 6RNRedwing Structures Ltd, Barons Keep, The Mount, Highclere, Newbury, Berks,RE20 9PS19 Townsend, Soham, Cambridgeshire, CB7 5DDJ. LL & E.O.P. Edwards, Cefnbraich, Rhydymain, Dolgellan, Gwynedd, LL40 2BPEdwardson Associates (Diversification Specialists), Sedge House, NorthFrodingham, Driffield, East Yorkshire, YO25 8LAJ N C Multi-Stock, Mossley Farm, Congleton Edge Road, Congleton, Cheshire,CW12 3JJADAS, Battlegate Road, Boxworth, Cambridge, CB3 8NNAlbar Construction Ltd, 115 Burys Bank Rd, Thatcham, Berks, RG14 8DEG & T Evans, Dulas Mill, Ffordd Mochdre, Newtown, Powys, SY16 4JD4 Western Road, Flixton, Manchester, M41 6LFRookery Cottage, Church Street, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4QS

Phone

01488 682144

01962 846589

0171 210 4325.01509 615100

01609 77582701704 895345

01494 880857

07770 770976

01909 500211

01926 651540

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01665 510777

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01335 32430201943 609984.

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01260 290440

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Cat

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421

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10

8, 925, 28

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7, 11, 27

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Members DirectoryEwbank OBE, MVSc, RF Deutsche

Falkingham RFannon A

Fisher D JFletcher DFoljambe FRICS GFord EFowler MartinFrench Jim

Fries NDA MRAC NG J Carter FRICS, Gadsden DGardner A RGill IanGillespie RobGoff MKathryn GreavesGreen D

Griffin S

Griffiths AGrugeon PGurney ARICS, FAAV SGuy KevinHaddock BSC. (Hons) PHadland ARICS, FAAV RHale FRICS PHam IHandley FRICS MCIArb EHannah BSc (Hons) JHarris Karl

Harris Rob

Harris RobertHart BSc (Hons) K

Hay Dip. Arch, Dip Arb, S

Hayes A

Hayzer Claire

Hedley PHemmett M

Henderson R

Henman PHenretty FRICS, FAAV CHeselton DipSurv ARICS

Hesketh C

Heyes FRICS B

Hewins D JHill JBHill StanleyHiscox C

Hodge DHoney R

Howat D

19 Woodfield Rd, Ealing, London, W5 1SLlandbauwissenschaften, Zeitschriftenzugangsstelle, Postfach 24 60, D-53014Bonn19 Queens Drive, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4XWEternit Building Materials Ltd, 2 Aldington Cottages, Pilgrimsway, Thurnham, NrMaidstone, Kent, ME14 3LND J Fisher (Farms) Ltd, Hall Farm, Hall Road, Southminster, Essex, CMO 7EHHanford Engineering Ltd, Bourne Park, Piddlehinton, Dorchester, DT2 7TUEstate Office, The Osberton, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S81 0UGPieta Frome Vanchurch, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 0EDBowline Roofing and Netting Ltd, 11 Manor Close, Kentisbeare, EX15 2BGDuraframe Structures Ltd, 4 Springhead Way, Crowborough, East Sussex, TNG1LRAgritask Construction Ltd, Tanhouse Farm, Newgdigate, Surrey, RH5 5BXCluttons Daniel Smith, 1 London Road, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9BHGadsden Engineering, West Well Farm, Tingewick, Buckingham, MK18 4BDMyerscough College, Myerscough Hall, Bilsborrow, Nr Preston, PR3 0RY4 Lancar Close, Wigginton, York, Yorkshire, YO32 2SUEternit Building Materials, 23 Haselmere Rd, Urmston, Manchester, M41 6KBSaddlers House, Devizes Road, Box, Corsham, Wilts, SN13 8DYHarper Adams University College, Edgmont, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NBDavid Green Fabrications Ltd, Valley View, Lower Tadmarton, Nr Banbury, OxonOX15 5TAUniversity of Reading Department of Land Management, Faculty of Urban &Regional, Whitenights P O Box 19, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 2AWA J Griffiths Greenacre, Suckley, Worcs, WR6 5EHBroadslade House, Horningsham, Worminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7LYLancasters 1790 Ltd, 34 Eldon Street, Barnsley, Yorkshire, S70 2ELDavid Hill, The New Ship, Mill Bridge, Skipton, Yorkshire, BD23 1NJKivells, 20 Dean Street, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 4AFDuchy of Lancasterestate office, Stowford, Crewe, Cheshire, CW1 5XPHale Associates, Payne's House, Oxhill, Warwick, Warwickshire, CV35 0QRAlston Sutton Farms,Weare, Axbridge, Somerset, BS26 2LTHandleys, The Estate Office, High street, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6AEReady Mixed Concrete Bureau, Century House, Crowthorne, RG45 6YSQuedron Ltd, Runnings Road, Kingditch Industrial Estate, CheltenhamGloucestershire, GL51 9NURombull (UK) Ltd, Unit 3, Independant Business Park, Mill Rd, StokenchurchBuckinghamshire, HP14 3TPStrutt and Parker, 201 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 2NRD & P Mead & Co, Ebdon Court Farm, Wick St Lawrence, Nr Weston SupperMare, North Somerset, BS22 7YUSIAL Associates, The Coach House, Green End, Dane End, Ware, Herts, SG120NUAlan J Hayes and Associates, 2 Fellside, 37 Bingham Avenue, Lilliput, Poole,Dorset, BH14 8NDOnduline Building Products Ltd, Eardley House, 182-184 Campden Hill Road,Kensington, London, W8 7ASHares of Snape Ltd, Manor House, Snape, Bedale, North Yorkshire, DL8 2TACooper and Tanner, The Agricultural Centre, Standerwick, Frome, SomersetBA11 2QBLeeds Development Agency, The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street,Leeds, LS2 8HDHill view, 63 Wells Road, Glastonbury, Somerset, BA6 9BYW & O Beck Estate Office, Tabley, Knutsford, WA16 0HGCCM Land Agents and Surveyors Ltd, Init 1, Craven Cattle Market, GargraveRoad, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 1UDEternit Building Materials, 19 Chorley Old Road, Whittle-Le-Woods, ChorleyLancashire, PR6 7LBTrustees of the Chatsworth Settlement, The Estate office, Bolton AbbeySkipton, BD23 6EXBraeside, The Stalls, Corsley, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NE1 Mount Parade, York, YO24 4APCulm Valley, 6 Langlands Bussiness Park, Uffculme, Devon, EX15 3PAHereford Abrasives, Unit 702, Fordshill Road, Rotherwas Industrial EstateHereford, HR2 6NSDavid Hodge Ltd, Cockfield Hall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 0HULivestock Systems, Milbury Systems Ltd, The Long Barn, Clevedon RoadTickenham, Bristol, Avon, BS21 6RYS A C, Auchincruive, Ayr, Scotland, KA6 5HW

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Name Address Phone CatRMIM

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Howling NHughes DavidHughes ARICS RHurdiss C. D

Hutchinson A

Isles J

Jackson A

Jackson FRICS RJacques F

James GJames Malcolm

Janes A

Jearly D

Jefferies B Eng NeilJoce NDA, CDA, CDFM,

Johnson Neil

Jones BArch GJordan N

Kelly BSc Phd FIAgrE Kenny BSc, IEng, S

Kent DKerr JKingston MRAC NDA GKirkmam-Wood MA N

Knell Anthony

Lace AMIgrE JLaing DLake P

Langley MIAgrE CEng . Leng E MMr M R M Leslie CVO Lewis PhillipLibrarian Librarian

Library BritishLloyed N

Lochhead Graeme

Lockwood J

Loeppky Marvin

Long ILord ARICS FAAV D

Lovegrove-Fielden J

Lowther A

Loynes BSc (Hons) JimMakepeace MMaleham G

A C Bacon Engineering Ltd, Norwich Rd, Hingham, Norwich, Norfolk, NR9 4LSADAS, Mamhead Castle, Mamhead, Exeter, EX6 8HD2 Delderfield Gardens, Salterton Road, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 2DTMagna Buildings Ltd, Blackpitt Farm, Oddington, Moreton in Marsh, Glos, GL56 0UPFibre Cement Manufacturers' Association Ltd, Ghyll Hse, Cock Rd, Cotton,Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 4QHM H Buildings Ltd, High Lawn Mill Lane, Stalmine, Nr Poulton-le-Fylde,LancsFY6 0LRGermans Chartered Surveyors, Lower Church Street, Ashby de la Zouch,Leicestershire, LE6 5ADFloors Farming, Roxburge Estates Office, Kelso, Roxburgshire, TD5 7SFD J Swallow (Construction) Ltd, The Barn, Off High Street, BottesfordNottm, NG13 0ELEternit Building Materials, 17 St Annes Ave, Cwmffrwd, Carmarthen, SA31 2NAMJC, Lower Stones, Bar Lane, Rippondon, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 4EYBriarwood Products Ltd, Unit 10,Weston Europark, Winterstoke Rd, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset, BS23 3YTD & D Construction, 19 - 21 The Industrial Estate, Cradle Hill Road, SeafordEast Sussex, BN25 3JEBrowns of Wem Ltd, Four Lane Ends, Wem, Shropshire, SY4 5UQThe Reivers, Arthington Lane, Pool in Wharfdale, Otley, West Yorkshire, LS21 1JZSomerset County Council, County Farm, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DYBowman Riley Partnership, Wellington House, Otley Street, Skipton, BD23 1ELDevine IAC Ltd, Southerns House, 133 Church Hill Road, Cheam, SuttonSurrey, SM3 8NEKnockendale Cottage, Symington, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, KA1 5PNRural Partners Ltd, The Estate Office, Bridge Farm, Sutton Bridge, SpaldingLincs, PE12 9QCS E Kent and Son, Red Court, Swilland, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9LSJ Kerr & Co Blaxhall Hall, Little Glemham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP13 0BPF. R. C. A. GOYH, City House, Newstation Street, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS1 4UContemporary Design Solutions, Meadow View Cottage, 21 Old Hill, GreenStreet Green, Orpington , Kent, BR6 6BWOnduline Building Products Ltd, Eardley House, 182-184 Campden Hill Road,Kensington, London, W8 7ASJ Wareing & Son, Wrea Green, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 2NBHoneyburn, Hawick, Roxburghshure, TD9 8LRKing Sliding Door Gear, Invest House, Bruce Road, Fforestfach Ind Estate,Swansea, SA5 4KSWrittle College, Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 3RRErnest Leng and Son, Friars Hill Farm, Friars Hill, Sinnington, York, YO62 6SLRedcliff, Portree, Isle of Skye, Scotland, IV51 9DHBriarwood Products Ltd, 22 swanage Close, St. Mellons, Cardiff, CF3 0LSHarper Adams University College, Edgmont, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NBWelsh Institute of Rural Studies, Thomas Parry Library, University of WalesAberystwyth, Llanbadarn Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3ASBoston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS23 7BYEllard Doors Ltd, Dallimore Road, Roundthorne Industrial Estate, Wythenshawe,Manchester M23 9NXGFA-RACE Partners Ltd, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester,Gloucestershire, GL7 6JSBowie Lockwood Structures Ltd, Renvyle House, Easenhall, Rugby,Warwickshire, CV23 0HZPolypipe Civils Ltd, Union works, Bishop Meadow Road, Loughborough,Leicestershire, LE11 5RETroy Farm, Monmouth, Gwent, NP25 4HXHalifax States Management Co, The Estate Office, Bugthorpe, York, YorkshireYO4 1QGBalfour Burd and Benson, Windsor House, Windsor Place, Shrewsbury,Shropshire SY1 2BZA J Lowther & Son Ltd, The Factory, Whitchurch, Ross On Wye, HerefordshireHR6 6DFHarper Adams University College, Edgmont, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 8NBBruton Knowles, Tauntfield, South Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3NDWellgate Cottage, The Walk, Birdwell, Barnsley, Yorkshire, S70 5UB

01953 85061101626 77963501395 27667701451 831855

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01743 241181

01600 890482

01952 81524501823 332205.

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6, 20, 21

12

5, 128, 22, 25

10, 28, 29

16, 20, 214, 8, 26

7, 119, 22

8, 9, 25

5510, 117, 8, 11

17, 18

4, 12

2, 9, 262

16, 17, 18

18, 20, 22

2, 9, 268, 12, 14

Name Address Phone Cat

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Members Directory


Malleson FRICS, FRSA JMander NDAgE, Eng C

Mansfield TMarsden SMarston BSc DavidMcClain Patrick

McConnell FRICS D

Meehan Maisie

Meichenouer

Mellstrom FCA G

Messer H JMiddleton A.B.I.A.T GP

Midgley RobertMiles S

Miller G

Mogg SMorgan MartinMorison JMorris D

Morris ARICS D

Morritt A

Mumford FRICS FAAB R

Musson KNash BSc J

Nevin PatNye FIoR GO'Lone FRICS FAAV MO'Neill T

O'Raw J

Owen ARICS, FAAV C

Oxtoby BSc(Hons)AGRIC

Parsons LVO, FRICS IPaterson EPearce Bsc DMS Dip/Inst

Pedley DPeverill Derek

Phillips GeraldPhillips PPhillips W

Pike GPocock FRICS, FAAV J

Podmore TPrince J

Proctor A

Pugh CEng MIStructE M.

Ernest Cook Trust, The Fairford Park, Fairford, Gloucestershire, GL7 4JHFarmstead Engineering, Acorn Farm, Nether Whitacre, Coleshill, BirminghamB46 2DT13 Merlin Close, St Neots, Cambs, PE19 1UHHollyshaw House, Holleyshaw Lane, Whitkirk, Leeds, Yorkshire, LS15 7BD56 Southway, Tranmere Park, Guisley, West Yorkshire, LS20 8JEBrett Martin Roofing Products Ltd, 24 Roughfort Road, Mallusk, Co AntrimBT36 4RBMoray Estates Development Co, Estates Office, Berryley, Darnaway, By Forres,Moray. IV36 2STOnduline Building Products Ltd, Eardley House, 182-184 Campden Hill Road,Kensington, London, W8 7ASOnduline Building Products Ltd, Eardley House, 182-184 Campden Hill Road,Kensington, London, W8 7ASWoolhanger Farming Partership, The Glen House, Glen Road, Grayshott,Hindhead, Surrey, GU26 6NF5 Manor Gardens, Beamister, Dorset, DT8 3EERoger Parry Chartered Surveyors, Hogston Hall, Minstereley, Shrewsbury,Shripshire, SY5 0HZTop Broadfold Cottage, Luddenden, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 6TWLandmark Environmental Ltd, 101 Ashleigh House, Harris Knowledge Park,Garstang Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9ABEternit Building Materials, 37 Rowell Way, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 5BDS A Mogg, Fox Pits Farm, Blazie Lane, HuntEnd, Redditch, Worcs, B96 6QABrooklands Farm, Llantarrnam, Cwmbran, NP44 3AEWest Morrison, Earlston, Berwickshire, TD4 6AYHartington Conway Ltd, Sandford Close, Aldermans Green Ind Estate, Coventry,CV2 2QUSmith-Wooley Chartered Surveyors, The Green, Collingham, NewarkNottinghamshire, NG23 7LGEternit Building Materials, 98 Wigshaw Lane, Culcmeth, Warrington, CheshireWA3 4NFTimothy Lea & Griffiths, Clifton Chambers, 52 High Street, Evesham,Worcestertshire, WR11 4HGEternit UK Ltd, 34 Woodhill Rd, Collingham, Newark, Notts, NG23 7NRA C P (Concrete) Ltd Prestressed Concrete Panel Division, The SolwayIndustrial Estate, Maryport, Cumbria, CA15 8NFIrish Farm Buildings Association, 57 Arden Vale, Tullamore, Co Offaly, IrelandMonks Tor, 17 The Broadway, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 2NWSandringham Estates, The Estate Office, Sandringham, Norfolk, PE35 6ENForewood Services/Leith Hill Plant, Leith Hill Place, Leith Hill, DorkingSurrey, RH5 6LYEternit Building Materials, 102 Main Street, Newton Grange, Midlothian,Scotland, EH22 4LWADAS, Eden Court, Lon Parcwr Business Park, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL151NJEllam Octoby & Peck, The Farm Office, Furze Farm, Horton-Cum-Studley,Oxford, OX33 1DGDuchy of Lancaster, Estate Forton, Lancashire, PR3 0AD36 Sandholme Drive, Burley in Wharfedale, Ilkley, West Yorkshire, LS29 7RQFilon Products Ltd, Aldridge Rd, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands,B74 2DZSavile Estate Office, Thornhill, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF12 0QZKlargester Environmental Engineering Ltd, College Road, Aston Clinton,Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 5EWW E Phillips and Sons, Hillside, Yarcombe, Honiton, Devon, EX14 9LSPhillips Contractors, 4 Westside, Tillington, Petworth, Surrey, GU28 9ALThe Farm Consultancy Group, Fields Farm, Alkington, Whitchurch, ShropshireSY13 3NEMeller Braggins, Estate Office, Rostherne, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6SWAdkin Agricultural Chartered Surveyors, Orpwood Lodge, School Road,Ardington, Oxon, OX12 8PPCorner Cottage, Hooton Pagnell, Doncaster, DM5 7BSHigh Ash, Greaves Lane, Draycott-in-the-Clay, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, DE65BYHigh Woodside Farm, Woodside Lane, Cononley, Keighley, West YorkshireBD20 8PEMilbury Systems Structural Services, The Long Barn, Clevedon Road,Tickenham, Bristol, Avon, BS21 6RY

01285 71249201675 481314

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Name Address Phone CatType

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Members Directory


Pym AndrewRamsay I

Reavley ARICS, MRAC JReid JReynolds IanRichardson C

Richardson BSc FRICS JRichardson NDA, CDA JRoberts BSc (Hons), ARobinson Noel

Robinson Phil

Robinson S

Rogerson Jim

Ronson HazelRorison ARICS, MRAC A

Rose Mervyn

Rowe JRURALI TO DI

Russell Dip Arch RIBA Sainsbury DSampson City & Guilds A

Sayers CBE DL AScholefield ARICS NickSchooling FRICS, FAAVScothern AnnaScott BSc (Est Man), MScott-White FRICS John

Scragg LScudamore J

Sheard JohnShergold NShufflebottom L

Simmons D

Simpson Geoffrey

Simpson BSc G N

Simpson L.I.O.B. JSims-Williams James TSingleton ARICS GSmall Nick

Smith MSmith Robert

Smith Simon

Smith BSc, Faav, WSmith FRICS JSonck B

Soutar DSparrow SStephenson FRICS RStevenson D

The Elms, Everton, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2JUWilliam Ramsay (Engineers), Townfoot, Elsrickle, By Biggar, LanarkshireML12 6QZThe Tile Sheds, Ancroft, Berwick on Tweed, Northunberland, TD15 2TFKnapp farm buildings, QuarryKnowe, Inchture, Perthshire, PH14 9SWADAS Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 8TQHanson Quarry Products Europe Ltd, The Ridge, Chipping Sodbury, BristolBS37 6AYHownby Estates Estate Office, Hawnby, York, YO62 5LS7 Hartfield, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 5JHDenton Clark & Co, 4 Vicars Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1QUS Robinson & Sons (Engineers) Ltd, Wincanton Close, Ascot Drive IndustrialEstate, Derby, Derbyshire, DE24 8NJRobinson Construction Wincanton Close, Ascot Drive Industrial EstateDerby, Derbyshire, DE24 8NJRobinson Construction Wincanton Close, Ascot Drive Industrial EstateDerby, Derbyshire, DE24 8NJFarmplus Construction Ltd Shay Lane, Longridge, PRESTON, Lancashire, PR33BTR E Buildings, Spout House, Bay Horse, Lancaster, Lancs, LA2 9DELeicestershire County Council, 13 the Crossways, Birstall, Leicester,Leicestershire, LE4 4EDMervyn Rose Engineering, The Rick, Holehouse Lane, Sturminster Newton,Dorset, DT10 2DJ25 Marshalswick Lane, St Albans, Herts, AL1 4URLibreria Scientifica Internazional di Carlo Delfino & C s.a.s, Via Rolando 9/A,07100 Sassari, ItalyLaw & Dunbar- Naismith, 29 St Leonards Road, Forres, Moray, IV36 1ENThe Chantries, 1 Leys Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB4 2APAI Farm Buildings Ltd, Exeter Road Industrial Estate, Okehampton, DevonEX20 1QASayers Farms, Carswell, Holbeton, Plymouth, Devon PL81 HHScholefield & Co, St Andrew's Place, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7ARRH and RW Clutton, 92 High Street, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 3DFRMC Readymix Ltd, RMC House, High Street, Feltham, Middx, TW13 4HADenton Clark &Co, 4 Vicars Lane, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 1QUScott White Chartered Surveyors and Land Agents, Melbrooke HouseLoxbeare, Tiverton, Devon, EX16 9RHIAE Riverside Works, Macclesfield Rd,. Leek, Staffs, ST13 8LBGalebreaker Products, Building 10, Rank Xerox Business Park, MitcheldeanGlos, GL17 0SNDrebley Farmhouse, Drebley, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 6AUSmiths Gore, Brooke House, 24 Dam Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6ABShufflebottom Ltd, Cross Hands Business Park, Cross Hands, Llanelli,W Glam SA14 6REUniversity of Plymouth, Library and Media services, Seale-Hayne CampusNewton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6NQSimpson & Allinson Ltd, Harmire Enterprise Park, Barnard Castle, Co DurhamDL12 8EHCKD Finlayson Hughes, Lynedoch House, Barossa Place, Perth, Scotland,PH1 5EPSimpson Structures, Springfields, Laverton, Ripon, Yorks, HG4 3TASaddlers, Funtington, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 9LGCarter Jonas, 42 High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1HQDuraframe Structures Ltd, 26 Market Street Tenbury Wells, WorcestershireWR15 8BQD A Green & Sons Ltd, High Road, Whaplode, Spalding, Lincs, PE12 6TLRTS Marketing & Consultancy Ltd, 55 High West Street, Dorchester, DorsetDT1 1UTWilman & Wilman Estate Agents, The Old Bank, 19 Main Street, Cross HillsKeighley, BD20 8TACarter Jonas, 82 Micklegate, York, Yorkshire, YO1 6LFDupplin Estate, Dupplin Estate Office, Perth, PH2 0PYCLO-Gent_DVL, Bibliotheek, Brg. Van Gansberghelaan 115, 9820 MerelbekeBelgium30 Edge Hill Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB15 5JH10 Cornwall Rd, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3NL22 Parkstone Road, Pool, Dorset, BH15 2PGS A C Centre for Rural Buildings, Ferguson Building, Craibstone Estate,Bucksburn, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB21 9YA

01767 68354501899 810200

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01772 785252

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Members Directory


Stewart R

Stockton FRICS AStones BSc(Hons) ARICS Sutcliffe D

Talbutt PTapsell JTempest RThomas MarkThompson AndyThornton FThorp BSc(Hons) MRICS

Tidy ARICS RTimmins CEng, MIAgE, RTompkins D

Tremlett ATremlett JohnTuckett A

Turnbull NDAgE GrIAgE Tysoe DavidVenier RWaddington F

Waller LWard MBIAT ACIOB D

Wareing ChrisWaterman P

Watkin-Rees Nial

Weavers FFB MCIOB Welsh I

Westwood MarkWharton BEd (Hons) NDA Wheeler FRICS, FAAV RWheelwright EWills FRICS RaeWindle Chris

Winkle A

Winnington Andrew

Winship FRICS JWood David

Woodhams ARIBA L Wootton ARICS, FAAV JWorthington ARICS PeterWright M

Wright ARICS JWynne MYoung BSc FRICS JYuille W

Roger Stewart Associates, Copper Hill, The Green Edge, Stroud,Gloucestershire, GL6 6PAElanwood, St Peters Close, Horton, Ilminster, Somerset, TA19 9RWFPD Savills Ltd, 13/15 Micklegate, York, Yorkshire, YO6 6JHSutcliffe Construction Ltd, Goal Farm, Hellifield, Skipton, North YorkshireBD23 4JR29 High Street, Astcote, Towcester, Northants NN12 8NWTapsell Wade & partners, 43 York Road, Northampton, Northampton, NN1 5QJRural Solutions Ltd, Broughton Hall, Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 3AEKingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PYADAS Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 8TQ1 Langar Cottages, Birdsall, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 9NRDavis & Bowring 6 - 8 Main Street, Kirby Lonsdale, CarnforthLancs,LA6 2AE6 Wilton Orchard, Tauton, Somerset, TA1 3SA30 Cumberland Close, Clifton, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2ENYorkshire Sheeting Supplies Ltd, George Cayley Drive, Clifton Common, YorkYorkshire, YO30 4XENorthern Structures Ltd, Amble Industrial Estate, Amble, NorthumberlandBallinton Manor, Wylye, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 0QFTuckett Farm Services, 15 Schorne Lane, North Marston, BuckinghamMK18 3PJPlanning Services Gardener's Cottage, Brae, Dingwall, Ross-shire IV15 9UEBalsham Buildings Ltd, 7 High Street, Balsham, Cambs, CB1 6DJCascina Fornaci, 24040 Barbata, Bergamo 1, ItalyFred Waddington & Son Ltd, Gatherley Road, Brompton-on-Swale, RichmondNorth Yorkshire, DL10 7JH15 Woodhall Park Mount, Stanningley, Pudsey, LS28 7HEArchitectural and Surveying Services, 3 Kelberdale Terrace, LeyburnNorth Yorkshire, DL8 5ARJ Wareing & Son, Wrea Green, Preston, Lancashire, PR4 2NBF G Waterman & Son, Staple Park Farm, Staple Fitzpaine, Taunton, SomersetTA3 5SHT E G Environmental PLC, Crescent House, 2-6 Sandy Lane, Leyland, PrestonLancs, PR25 2EBDivine IAC Ltd, The Farthings, 1 Ripplesmore, Sandhurst, Berks, GU47 8PEUnited Utilities, Beck Cottage, 3 Moore Road, Bellerby, Leyburn, N Yorks, DL8 5QYChapel Farm Office, Ringshall, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP14 2JAHartpury College, Hartpury House, Hartpury, Gloucestershire, GL19 9BEMilchway, Perch Hill, Westbury-sub-Mendip, Wells, BA5 1JAW Wheelwright & Sons, Scarr Hill Farm, Staimland, Halifax, HX49 PNADAS 10 Boundstone Road, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4TQDavid Hill Auctioneers & Surveyors, The New Ship, Mill Bridge, Skipton, BD23 1NJWinkle Farms, Sunnyside Farm, Macbiehill, West Linton, Peebleshire, EH46 7AZLeicester County Council Dept of Property, Rural Practice Section, County HallLeicester, Leicestershire, LE3 8REPenygraig Farm, Ludchurch, Narbeth, Dyfed, Wales, SA67 8LDAgriquestion Consultants, Marlborough Cottage, 129 Reigate Road, Ewell,Epsom, Surrey, KT17 3DELeonard Woodhams Architect, Englenook, Crateford Lane, Gailey, ST19 5PZFPD Savills, 136 New London Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0RGDuraframe Structures Ltd, 84 Mile Barn Road, Wrexham, LL13 9JYWhites Concrete Ltd, Ravensthorpe Road, Thornhill Lees, DewsburyWest Yorkshire, WF12 9EFMellor Braggins & Co, 37 Princess Street, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6BPTyddyn 1SA, Prion, Denbigh, Denbighshire, LL16 4SBCollege of Estate Management, Whiteknights, Reading, Berks, RG6 6AWWilliam Yuille, Grangeston, Girvan, Ayrshire, KA26 9PY

01452 813560

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Members Directory


Construction Group Members Directory

Geographical areaCategories

Farmplus Constructions LtdShay Lane, Longridge Preston, PR3 3BTPhone 01772 785252 Fax 01772 7829442 B C G UK

Farmstead EngineeringAcorn Farm, Nether Whitacre, ColeshillBirmingham, West Midlands, B46 2DTPhone 01675 481314 Fax 01675 4813141, 2, 3, A B C D E F G H M

D A Green & Sons LtdWhaplode, Spalding, Lincs, PE12 6TKLPhone 01406 370585 Fax 01406 3707661 B C D E F G H I EA & M

A J GriffithsGreenacre, Suckley, Worcs, WR6 5EHPhone 01886 884294 Fax 01886 8842941 B C D E F G H I M

Knapp Farm BuildingsQuarryKnowe, Inchture Perthshire, PH14 9SWPhone 01828 686265 Fax 01828 6862652 A SL & SH

RDBAConstruction Group

Classification

1. Steel frame2. Timber frame3. Concrete frame

A. All typesB. Cattle buildingsC. Sheep buildingsD. Vegtable storesE. Vegtable processing

WN. Wales NorthNW. North WestNE. North EastSL. Scotland LowlandsSH. Scotland Highlands

Deville & Lear LtdMill lane Works, Rosten, Ashbourne,Derbyshire, DE6 2EEPhone 01335 324302 Fax 01335 3245681, A, UK

Divine IAC LtdThe Farthings, i Ripplesmore, Sandhurst.Berks GU47 8PEPhone 020 86410071 Fax 01344 7776961, 2 & 3 A W SE EA M WS WN

Peter DowslandStone Bank Farm, Rosedale AbbeyPickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 8RBPhone & fax 01751 4178871 B C D E F G H I UK

Duraframe Structures Ltd84 Mile Barn Road, Wrexham, LL13 9JYPhone 01584 811583 Fax 01584 8119281 & 3 A UK

G & T EvansDulas Mill, Ffordd MochdreNewtown, Powys, SY16 4JDPhone 01686 622100 Fax 01686 6222201 & 2 B C D E F G H I UK

The Main aims of the Construction Group are to promote good safe working practices within theindustry, to raise the profile of agricultural building manufacture and construction as a skilledindustry, to discuss and exchange views and information within the industry, to ensure thatclients realise their responsibilities under the Construction Health & Safety Regulations, topromote a Safety & Quality Scheme to the highest standards within the industry and to liaise withthe Government and other bodies, including suppliers. Membership is open to all agriculturalbuilders and their suppliers who have the same aims.

F. Grain storesG. Machinery storesH. RepairsI. RenovationsJ. Barn conversions

UK. All UKW. West CountrySE. South EastEA. East AngliaM. MidlandsWS. Wales South

M D Anthony LtdUnit 20, The Dock Business Park,Angek Drove, Ely, Cambs, CB7 4DTPhone 01353 666201 Fax 01353 6629991 B C D E F G H I EA

A C Bacon Enginerring LtdNorwich Rd, Hingham, NorwichNorfolk, NR9 4LSPhone01953 850611 Fax 01953 8514451, B D E F G I, EA

Balsham Buildings Ltd7 High street, Balsham, Cambs, CB1 6DJPhone 01223 894404, Fax 01223 8928181 A EA

Browns of Wem LtdFour Lane Ends, Wem Shropshire, SY4 5UQphone 01939 232382 Fax 01939 2340321 2, A B C D E F G H I, UK

Curtis Engineering LtdMarston Trading Estate, FromeSomerset, BA11 4BHPhone 01373 462126 Fax 01373 4519811 B C D E F G H I W

It is the responsibility of anyone employing a contractor to ensurethat the contractor is competent in health and safety matters,

because RDBA Construction Group Members sign up to the aboveaims you can be confident of their competence.

Continued on next page


Construction Group Members DirectoryErnest Leng & SonFriars Hill Farm, Friars Hill, SinningtonYork, YO62 6SLPhone 01751 431774 Fax 01751 4317741 B C D E F G H I NE

A J Lowther & Son LtdThe Factory, Whitchurch, Ross On Wye,Herefordshire, HR6 6DFPhone 01600 890482 Fax 016008909301, A, W SE M WS

S A MoggFox Pits Farm, Blazie Lane, HuntEnd,Redditch, Worcs B96 6QAPhone 01527 892570 Fax 01527 8927121, B C F G, M

Phillips Contractors4 Westside, Tillington, PetworthSurrey, GU28 9ALPhone 01798 343392 Fax 01798 3428991 2, A, W SE EA M

R E Buildings LtdSpout House, Bay HorseLancaster, Lancs, LA2 9DEPhone 01524 792247 Fax 01524 7918901 A B C D E F G H UK

William Ramsay (Engineers)Townfoot, Elsrickle, By BiggarLanarkshire, ML12 6QZPhone 01899 810200 Fax01899 810301 1 A, NW NE SL SH

Red Alce SteelworkBarcombe, Lewis, East Sussex, BN8 5EDPhone 01273 400780 Fax 01273 4007441 B C D E F G H SE

Redwing Structures (Marlow) Ltd1 The Square, Church RoadLane End, Bucks, HP14 3JEPhone01494 8808571, A, SE EA M

Redwing Structures LtdBarons Keep, The Mount, HighclereNewbury, Berks. RE20 9PSPhone01635 255299 Fax 01635 2553021 A SE

S Robinson & Sons (Engineers) LtdWincanton Cls, Ascot Drive Ind EstateDerby, Derbyshire, DE24 8NJPhone 01332 574711Fax 01332 8614011. A B C D E F G H UK

Melvin Rose Engineering LtdParadise Farm, BagberSturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2HBPhone 01258 472866 FAX 01258 4728661, A, W

Shufflebottom LtdCross Hands Business Park,Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, SA14 6RSPhone 01269 831831 Fax 01269 8310311, A, UK

Simpson & Allinson LtdHarmire Enterprise Park, Barnard Castle, Co Durham, DL12 8EHPhone 01833 690379 Fax 01833 6900401 B C D E F G H I NW NE SL

Sutcliffe Construction LtdGoal Farm, Hellifield, SkiptonNorth Yorkshire, BD23 4JRPhone 01729 850817 Fax 01729 8503231, B C D F G NW & NE

J Wareing & Son LtdWrea Green, PrestonLancashire, PR4 2NBPhone 01772 682159 Fax 01772 6710711 2, B C D E F G H, UK

Associate Members

ADASMamhead Castle, MamheadExeter, EX6 8HDPhone 01626 779635 FaxA full design and consultancy service

Brett Martin Roofing Products LtdLangley Road, Burscough Ind EstateBurscough, Lancs, L40 8JBPhone01704 895345 FAX 01704 894229Supplier of rooflights

Briarwood Products LtdUnit 10, Weston Europark, Winterstoke Rd,Weston-super-Mare, BS23 3YTPhone 01934 641446 Fax 01934 641214Fibre cement sheets & fittings supplier

Ellard LtdDallimore Road, Roundthorn Ind EstWythenshawe, Manchester, M23 9NXPhone 0161 9454561Fax 0161 9454566Manufacture sliding door gear

Eternit (UK) LtdMeldreth, Nr Royston, Herts, SG8 5RLPhone 01763 260421 Fax 01763 262531Fibre cement sheets & fittings manufacturer

Fibre Cement ManufacturersAssociation LtdATSS House, Station Road East,Stowmarket, Suffolk, IP14 1RQPhone 01449 676053 Fax 01449770028Association of fibre cement manufacturers

Filon Products LtdAldridge Rd, Streetly, Sutton Coldfield,West Midlands, B74 2DZPhone 0121 3530814 fax 0121 352 0886Supplier of rooflights

Health and Safety ExecutiveThe Pearson Building, 55 Upper Parliamentstreet, Nottingham, NG1 6AUPhone 0115 971 2400 Fax 0115 971 2802Contact David Gould

Milbury Systems LtdThe Long Barn, Clevedon RoadTickenham, Bristol, Avon, BS21 6RYPhone 01275 857799, Fax 01275 853123Pre-stressed concrete, silos, walling, etc.

MJCLower Stones, Bar Lane, Rippondon,Sowerby Bridge, W Yorkshire, HX6 4EYPhone & Fax 01422 825992Health and Safety Consultant

Polypipe Civils LtdBishop Meadow Road, Loughborough, LE11 5REPhone 01509 615100 Fax 01509 236726Ducting, drainage and environmental systems

Rombull UK LtdUnit 3, Independant Business Park, Mill RdStokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, HP14 3TPPhone 01494 485558 Fax 01494 485585Safety net manufacturers

United Roofing Products Ltd1 Scotts Yard, Haslingfield, Cambridge, CB3 7NBPhone 01223 871135 Fax 01223 874443Suppliers of Composite and built up metalsystems, slates and tiles.

The main aims of the Construction Group are:

� To promote good safe working practices within our industry.

� To raise the profile of agricultural building manufacture and construction as a skilled in

� To discuss and exchange views and information withinour industry.

� To ensure that our clients realise their responsibilities under the Construction Health an

� To promote a Safety and Quality Scheme to the highest standards within our industry.

� To liaise with the Health and Safety Executive and other bodies, including suppliers.

Membership Application Form(Includes information for the Membership Register)

Please give your details below in block letters. If you do not want your details to be published please mark a cross here ( )We/I wish to become members of the Rural Design & Building Association and agree to pay the annual subscription on 1 Octobereach year.

Name of Company or College (if applicable)

Address

Post Code Tel No Fax No

E-mail Web address

Title Mr./Mrs./Miss. Initials Surname

Position

Professional or other qualifications (abbreviations)

Home Address

Post Code Tel No Fax No

Business, please describe materials, products or services offered, including Trade Names. If a College please describe courses available.

Signed Date

The following prices are inclusive of VAT.Membership (circle) Corporate - £258.50, College - £129.25, Individual - £45.83, Retired -£20.00, Student - £15.00.

Construction Group Membership is open to Corporate Members of the RDBA plus a £117.50 annual fee. Tick the boxif you wish to join the Construction Group and you will be invoiced for the £117.50 fee once you are a Corporate Member.There is a special concessionary rate for small firms with less than 6 employees, who wish to join the Construction Group of £176.25.The cheques should be made payable to the RDBA Construction Group.

Please return to the National Secretary with your cheque made payable to RDBA. A VAT receipt will be provided.

National Secretary, Tony and Jeannie HutchinsonATSS House, Station Road East, Stowmarket, Suffolk IP14 1RQTel: 01449 676049, Fax: 01449 770028, E-mail: [email protected]

RDBARURAL DESIGN AND BUILDING ASSOCIATION


Diary DatesDiary Dates

17th, 18th, & 19th of April 2002: The Spring Conference 2002, Diversification and Intensification in the Rural Area based at theSwallow Hotel on the A59 at Samlesbury, Lancashire. Read all about it later in the magazine.

24th April 2002 Yorkshire Branch Committee Meeting, Harwood Arms, Harwood - Contact the Branch Secretary David Marstonon 01943 874564 for more information.

30th April and 1st May 2002: Visit to a robotic milking parlour in the Wessex area. Contact Ian Everitt on 01308 898248 for moreinformation

28th May 2002: A construction Group meeting with the theme of the implications of the revision to Part L of the buildingregulations - Venue in the Midlands to be confirmed. Contact Tony Hutchinson on 01449 676049 for further details.

12th June 2002: Rural Buildings: Issues of Design and Use, at the Seale Hayne Faculty of the University of Plymouth. Aconference designed to give valuable insights into the special demands that apply in the rural environment to the design of newbuildings and the adaptation of existing ones. Further details from Dick Coates on 01626 32 5648

12th & 13th June 2002: Cereals 2002 at Grange Farm, Sleaford, Lincolnshire. We will be having a stand where members canpromote their products and services. Contact the secretary on 01449 676049 for more information.

June 2002 (date to be confirmed) Yorkshire Branch visit to Yorkshire Water developments in Scarborough and possibly seadefences. Contact the Branch Secretary David Marston on 01943 874564 for more information.

1st to 4th July 2002: The Royal Show at the RASE, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. We will be having a stand where members canpromote their products and services. Contact the secretary on 01449 676049 for more information.

18th & 19th September 2002: RABDF Dairy Event, RASE, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire. We will be having a stand where memberscan promote their products and services. Contact the secretary on 01449 676049 for more information.

12th to 15th November 2002 EuroTier, Hannover, the major German agricultural show. We are considering organising a trip,which will include trips to local farms and so any one interested in attending should contact the Secretary on 01449 676049.

November 2002: Winter Conference 2002. Date, venue and theme to be advised. More details from the National Secretary01449 676049.

26th, 27th & 28th March 2003: Provisional date for the Spring Conference 2003, Venue and theme to be confirmed. More detailsfrom the National Secretary 01449 676049

Rural Buildings: Issues of Design & Use A CreditaModule including a One Day Conference

led by Dick Coates FRICS in June 2002 at the Seale Hayne Faculty of Land, Food and Leisure, University of Plymouth as part ofthe new RICS accredited Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Rural Property Management

The need for continuing professional development has never been greater but achieving quality learning is not an easy task.Many are turning to University led modules as the best solution; building up 20 credits for a diploma or MSc. The above is anexample of a highly relevant module to Countryside Building readers taken over a week long residential study period with readingand assignments before and after. Alternatively, if you can’t make the week, come along to the one day conference on the 12thJune 2002.

It is tailored to give valuable insights into the special demands that apply in the rural environment to the design of new buildingsand the adaptation of existing ones.

It highlights the broad issues and pinpoints the most important details of reconciling design and development with planningpolicies and other pressures. You will build up a clearer picture of conflicts that can arise, and the resulting compromises that maybe needed both in design and interpretation. You will study the special needs of domestic, commercial, industrial and agriculturalbuildings.

This particular course could help you in several ways especially as it introduces a much broader understanding than is normallypossible from a single discipline. It may help you to make decisions quicker, or anticipate and avoid problems. It will give you amuch wider picture of the issues as you will be learning about them from several different perspectives. Your site audit & designbriefs should also be greatly enhanced as a result.

Other subject areas offered in this PGDip/MSc include: Applied Rural Property Valuation, Contemporary Legal Issues in Property,European Rural Policy, Funding for Rural Activities, Land Use Planning Policy Rural Economic Development and DevelopingSustainable Rural Environments

For further details on the module, conference or the MSc programmes related to this area, contact Jayne Clemens at SealeHayne, University of Plymouth Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 6NQ Tel: 01626 325 800 Fax: 01626 325 616 Email:


The Case for BS 5502 andQuality in Farm Buildings

By David Hughes – Building Design Manager ADAS

It is always reassuring to read through the pages of ‘CountrysideBuilding’ and see so many articles dealing with the professionalway that the industry maintains the quality of farm buildings.However, there is of course the ‘other end’ of the market wherethe risks to human life, animal welfare, and pollution aresometimes ignored.

Over recent months we have all become more aware than usualof what may euphemistically be referred to as the ‘cowboy’ endof the market. RDBA members and other major organisations allreporting that some of our buildings are in a very poor stateindeed. On some farms conditions have been so bad that theH&S assessment recommended a ‘buddy’ system because itwas not safe to enter the farm buildings alone. One typicaldanger identified was that deep holes in yards and buildingswere covered in level slurry such that you would not see themuntil you fell in! Livestock are often free to roam around in theseconditions. While we all debate the finer detailed specificationsrequired to achieve impermeable concrete some farms don’thave any concrete at all!

We have an excellent quality document in BS 5502 - ‘Buildingsand Structures for Agriculture’. It is the comprehensive result ofcollective contributions from every section of the farmingindustry. This includes the building designers and virtually everyorganisation and agency involved in farm buildings. It is evenavailable in small affordable parts, but it is not a best seller.Perhaps it is not always easy to sell a British Standard. After allthe titles are not as eye catching as say ‘Jaws’ but I think thereasons in our case go deeper than a good advertisingcampaign.

There are limited reasons for anyone to use BS 5502 and thereis no direct statutory checking of its use. If we are to support anyconcept of quality in farm buildings then we must find ways touphold that quality. Some organisations are supporting a movetowards improving the control of quality for new farm buildingsand structures. For example, on issues relating to pollution, thenow powerful environmental arguments are likely to stoppermeable and unreliable structures from being constructed formuch longer.

We hear about the control of building quality being a burden tothe farmer. But a quality set of buildings is an asset to anysuccessful farm business. Think for a minute of farms withquality buildings and ask yourself are those farms doing well?Then picture the worst sets of farm buildings you have ever seen

- were those farms doing well? Poor quality in building designand construction undermines the very fabric of the successfulfarm businesses that we are trying to achieve. Safe, successfulservices and products can be undercut by those willing to takerisks with someone else’s safety and livelihood.

As building designers working in the agricultural sector we areall becoming more involved with building regulations ondiversification projects. Holiday homes, restaurants and manysimilar projects are now more common place on the farm and doneed building regulations approval. The building regulationsmay or may not be the best way forward for farm buildings andstructures but some form of quality control system, better thanthe one we have at present, is needed. Otherwise, we will seethe worthy BS 5502 fall into complete disuse and the standardof our buildings spiral on down.

The suggestion that some form of building regulation shouldapply to farm buildings does not in any way mean that buildingregulations, as they stand, should be made to apply to farmbuildings. Farm buildings obviously require a different set ofregulations from houses, offices etc. BS 5502 could, forexample, be adopted, to use the jargon, as a ‘deemed to satisfy’document. In this way all farm buildings and structures couldachieve the standards that most of us already adhere to.

It is understandable why the RDBA committees only took apartial vote towards quality control, as reported in the last issueof ‘Countryside Building’. However, if we, as an industry,continue to take the ostrich’s viewpoint and decide to do nothingabout controlling standards then that decision will eventually, butmost definitely, be taken far away from us all.

David HughesADAS Building Design Manager BS 5502 Committee Member

Badly cracked concrete, causing pollution

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version is available, used mainly for loft insulation.

The original concrete sub-floor of the Harmony Centrerequired a solution to the fact that it was uneven and variedsignificantly in height between one end and the other. In orderthat a foam insulant could be avoided to meet David’s needfor an inert and natural material, the initial choice seemed tobe that of Leca blocks laid onto a bed of levelling sharp sandand then screeded off. As the job progressed this seemedimpractical not only due to the effort involved but alsobecause David opted for a wooden floating floor and not ascreed.

In order to simplify the floor levelling it was decided to makeup the difference in levels using loose Leca (LWA) beadswhich are available as a blown or bagged material. Onceplaced and levelled the intention was to lay a doublepolythene and plaster board sandwich on top which wouldprovide sufficient support for the wooden floor; this wasallowed by the Building Inspector and recommended by thebead manufacturer. However, given the concerns that thelevel and stability of the Leca would not in it’s self suffice tosupport the floor, joists were laid and the dried beads placedunder and around them.The plaster board sandwich went down in the barn area whichwas to become the workshop and office and immediatelybecame damp and damaged. To compound growing doubtsover the use of plasterboard in this way it was thendiscovered that the flooring supplier could not install the Oaklaminate floor which they claimed would not have sufficientsupport; so the flooring was not delivered and an alternativesought.

The resolution of this problem was to get 1” Oak planks froma Norfolk boat builder and lay them directly to the joists withjust a damp proof membrane beneath. This, althoughultimately more expensive than the laminate, has resulted in abeautiful and hard wearing floor which is one of the bestfeatures of the centre. It provides a happy ending to anunnecessarily difficult and costly part of the build and onewhich with better planning, communication and informationmight have been avoided. Leca beads is a material which isoften used as an over site and covered with polythene, Steelmesh and a screed and undoubtedly works well in newbuildings but here was adapted to meet the special needs ofthe job.

Another aspect of the job which required special treatmentwas the below ground pipe work. As I try to avoid the use ofPVC products whenever possible the two obvious alternativeswere Hepworth’s Supersleeve thin wall ceramic pipe andGeberit Terrain’s High Density Polythene (HDPE) pipe.Both materials have a long life span and low embodied energyand HDPE won’t produce toxic gases if eventually incineratedor burnt. The inherent strength and durability of ceramic canallow it to be laid in a trimmed trench with minimal beddingwhereas most plastic pipes require a full Class S aggregatesurround. The Geberit pipe is more flexible, tight to handleand unbreakable coming in 5 Meter lengths with electro-sleeve couplings to enable heat fused joints and preventingany failure of the couplings found in conventional systems.

A combination of the two product ranges was used for theCentre for several reasons. For most of the main sewage runsthe clay ware was used as it was available from the localbuilder’s merchants and gave a reasonable choice of fittingsoff the shelf. Most of the rain water system through to thestorage tank was run in HDPE pipe, especially under the oversite slab, where leaks would be impossible to fix if they everarose. Where the two types of 110 mm pipe or fitting werejoined standard ring seal adapters were used and on differing

Harmony Centre › a farmdiversification project ›part 2

Materials and products

By Adam East, Eastwood Services, Kitty Mill, Wash Lane, Wenhaston, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 9DXWhen considering a job which is unusual in specification suchas this there is often a conflict between what is readilyavailable to the builder from local and known suppliers andthe additional time and cost involved in finding and gettingspecial materials from further afield. Sometimes this additionalcost is reflected in an improved speed of construction,reliability and durability whereas at other times the lack of apart for a special system can create delays and have a knockon effect on other tasks. In the case of the Harmony Centreseveral aspects of the design and existing state of theweathered buildings led to the need to use specialist andunusual materials which deserve special mention in thissection.

The timber shell of the building is a ‘breathing wall’construction (some times called rain screen cladding), whichmeans that moisture in the internal air can move through thewall to the outside. Any retained in the insulant, which is madeof recycled newspaper, will be released, when conditionsimprove and does no harm to the timber. Borax powder isincorporated in the grey flock to act both as an effective insectrepellent and fire retardant. Several suppliers are now activein the UK selling Warmcel, Isofloc and Ecofibre, which Iregarded as the safest and most benign insulant currentlyavailable with a thermal performance in excess of mineralwool.

To create the walls a sheet material called ‘Panelvent wasnailed to the studs and with treated battens externally to givea fixing for the FE boards and allow a ventilation space. Thesame approach can be used to create a warm roof where thePanelvent is nailed to the rafters and covered with a vapourtransmissive sarking such as Tyvek (unless a perfect vapourseal can be obtained ventilation is of course required abovethe insulation). Once the external shell is covered withPanelvent an area installer can install the insulant using aspecial machine, which breaks up compressed 15 kg. balesand blows the flock through a flexible pipe to any part of thebuilding.

To apply it to walls the quickest way is to use a wetting nozzlewhich wets the fibres as they come out of the hose and passthrough two cross flow sprays causing the fibres to stick toeach other and the structure. Once an area is filled betweenthe studs a power roller is used to level the uneven insulantwhich is then left to dry before plasterboard is nailed over thetop. Where it is not possible or desirable to wet spray it canbe dry or open blown between joists for conventional cold roofconstruction or blown into vertical spaces behind a perforatedscrim sheet or plaster board where access holes have beencut.

Installation is a specialised job to ensure that all voids arefilled and requires good liaison between the builder andinstaller. A skilled installer can apply and fill to the correctdensities required for the job and ensure minimal waste ofmaterial however, due to it’s nature blown insulation is aninherently messy process with lots of airborne fibres duringapplication. For home DIY installation a pro-blown bagged

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diameters Flex Seal couplings bought in specially. Joining thetwo gave other advantages such as the ability to seal ceramicpipe into holes cut into the GRC rain water storage tank whichwould not have been possible given the waxiness ofpolythene. This may seem like a cobbled together solution butit works quite well. Neither manufacturer offers quite thevariety and flexibility of fittings available compared with usingPVC, which is both frustrating and annoying since it need notbe so. Geberit is a Swiss based company and relatively newto the UK so until recently it’s products were only availablefrom a few distant suppliers, now they are stocked by theDrainage Centre of which there are more regional branches.Supersleeve also tends to be stock piled at major branches asit has lost favour over plastic pipes and so local builder’smerchants only hold a small quantity of the main items.

Several benefits of using ceramic pipe were highlighted duringthe build. After much heavy and continual rainfall we werevisited by the BI to check upon the sewer and drainage pipesand he told us that on other sites their plastic pipes werefloating in the trenches. The 1.6 meter lengths are perfectlystraight enabling quick and easy bedding using a hand leveland can be laid in a minimal amount of shingle where ‘as dug’infill can be used. Ceramic pipes are also rat proof which issomething to consider when building on farms.

The main disadvantages tend to be the weight, brittleness,clean cutting and short length requiring more connectors perrun of pipe.

With the completion of the plaster boarded dry lining a largesurface area had to be prepared for painting. In most roomsthe rafter high ceilings give a wonderful sense of space evenwith double tie beams set one above the other and thesehave been given a dear varnish to match the windows,architraves and skirtings. To keep airborne toxins to aminimum all paints have been obtained from ConstructionResources in London who specialise in eco-friendly materials.

The Aquamarine wall paint is supplied in 10 Litre cardboardpaint cans with cloth handles, which are surprisingly strong.Having used organic paints (non-petrochemical) such as Biofaand Auro before I can say that this mineral paint is very thickand gives a solid matt finish even when diluted up to 30% asa mist or priming coat. Powdered pigments are prepared bymixing with a small quantity of water and gradually adding to alarger quantity of white emulsion until the colour is right orsample matched. Another German company called OstermanScheiwe produce several ranges which are suitable for interiorand exterior woodwork and include durable matt and satinfinishes using natural oils and waxes.

Heating and power systems

The heating system for this building is from a new companyspecialising in geothermal energy called GeoBoiler. The basisfor obtaining heat from the ground is that the temperature ofthe Earth more than one meter below the surface stays muchthe same throughout the year and provided that the area of aground coil is correctly sized to demand, heat can becontinually extracted and passed through a heat pump toprovide hot water and space heating.

In this case the ground coil was not a long serpentine onetrenched into the surrounding field but four one meter plasticcubes filled with gravel around coils inside. These wereplaced no closer than 10’ from the road facing end of thebuilding and connected through a manifold to the boiler itselfincorporated in the kitchen. Low temperature radiators wereinstalled throughout the building using Osmagold quick fitpiping and a standard ‘Tortic’ HW tank in a services loft abovethe kitchen.

To date this system has yet to prove it’s full worth as it hassuffered a series of minor problems. Firstly it was originallysupplied without a ‘soft start which effected the delicatetemporary farm fed mains electrical supply and tripped thefuse board. Once this was fitted it continued to cut out due toexcess gas within the refrigeration circuit and is currentlyunable to exchange sufficient heat through the undersized coilin the hot water tank due to incorrect specification. It is hopedthat these teething problems can be resolved shortly when aproperly matched HW tank is installed.

The potential of such systems is phenomenal and essential inan age when even fossil fuel producers are having to considertheir future. This 12 KW rated system which has an installedcapital cost of £3500 will enable an endless supply of up to 8KW of free earth energy for every 4KW of solar electricityused to run the system. Since heat pumps have beenavailable for decades there is really nothing new in thistechnology, it is just being applied in a way which manypeople will find remarkableThe result of David’s experience to date actually contradictsthe belief that solar systems with an expected overall life of 25years are said to have proved economic and viablepropositions on remote sites. Of all the solar businessesapproached for the centre’s system not one has been able tooffer a quotation at an affordable price. The best price for a 16KW wind generator and tower was given as £20,000 andfailed to give the dual source supply that the addition of PVswould offer- The reason for this may be that no medium sizedgenerators or PVs are built in the UK and this pushes up theretail price. Whatever the reason, it is important that theelectrical energy demand is carefully managed in order tominimise the need for larger and more costly systems.

As I bring this feature to a close I hope that it may haveThe heating system set up in the kitchen.

Fitting the ‘Ground Coil’ for the heating system.

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Construction Group Visit toItaly January 2002

This is a tale of two cities, Cuneo in the northwest region ofPiedmont and Brescia in the northeast region of Lombardy. The group comprised:Ken and Hazel Ronson of R E Buildings LtdJim and Mandy Rogerson of Farmplus ConstructionAntony and Ania Lowther of A J Lowther & Sons Ltd Ian Ramsay and Andrew Clark of William Ramsey EngineersClive Mander and Julian Pickworth of Farmstead EngineeringJeannie and myself of the RDBA.We were meant to be joined by John and Manda Dominy ofEternit but unfortunately they had to cancel at the last minute.Prior to the visit we carried out a quick count to find that thegroup already owned 15 Merlo type machines, with theexpectations that more would be purchased in the not toodistant future.

Day one

The first visit, to the Merlo factory, a short drive from Cuneo,was a revelation in modern industrial technology. We wereguided through the factory by Guido Costamagna, exportsales director and Paolo Paretti, sales manager and even

had the honour of meeting Sgr Merlo himself. I had expectedthat the plant would be assembling parts purchased fromothers but this was very much not the case. Apart from theengines and wheels that were brought in, all the other parts

from the hydraulic systems to the framework seemed to bemade in this one factory. We watched massive 75mm steelplates being cut to size and bent to shape, lasers cuttingthrough 12mm steel plate like a hot knife through butter androbots taking the rough castings and turning them intoprecision engineered parts. Everything from the smallestcomponent was fully traceable, a very impressive andinteresting morning which not only showed the engineeringskills that have gone in to each machine’s design andconstruction but also the effort that has been given to ensurethat they can withstand the very rough treatment they willreceive on a building site, but at the same time be relativelyeasy to maintain.

After being taken for a splendid six-course lunch by PaoloParetti, we returned for an outdoor demonstration of thevehicles we had seen on the production line. Thisdemonstration put a machine through the trials that seemedmore appropriate for a quad bike. But it was a veryconvincing demonstration for the strength and stability of themachine at full stretch and the fact that it was designed towork on the sort of rough unmade up ground that oneexpects on an agricultural site. It was also interesting to seethe number of jobs that one machine could do. Just bychanging some of its attachments it could be used, to levelthe site, dig the foundations, lift the steel work into place, liftmaterial on to the roof and act as a work platform for the menat height.

At the end of the demonstration we were furtheroverwhelmed by the hospitality of Merlo by a presentation ofa scale, working model of the Panoramic telescopic handler,folders of promotional literature and a beautiful silk scarf forthe ladies.

We said our goodbyes to our hosts to take advantage of atour they had arranged; off into the hills by bus to visit a

Construction Group

Our meeting with Sgr Merlo.

Paolo Paretti showing the group a finished item.

One of the Merlo machines being put through its paces.

The full group after lunch on the 1st day.


vineyard of Cadia at Monvigliero of Verduno, where theNebbiolo grapes are cultivated for Barolo and theBarbera and Dolcetto grapes produce equally goodwines. After sampling and buying a few bottles, to betransported home courtesy of Merlo, we dined onceagain on regional dishes at a local restaurant andreturned to our very comfortable hotel, pleasantlyintoxicated and very, very full.

Day two

An early breakfast, followed by a three and a half hourcoach journey, winding our way north-eastward, acrossthe flat valley of the River Po, to pick up the motorwayand head east for Brescia.

We were met by Phil Lewis, of Briarwood Products Ltdand Nicola Pontiggia Export Sales Manager For SIL,(Societa Italiana Lastre) and our guide for the day. Assome of you may remember, Nicola attended our firstHealth and Safety Seminar held at Writtle Collegein1999.

Our factory visit took us from the raw material stage,following each process to the finished product, with acomprehensive explanation of each step in the production

line. It was interesting to see how clean the air was and theextent to which all waste material, including water, wascollected and recycled thus making little or no impact on theenvironment.

It was interesting to see the different products produced fordifferent countries requirements and the stringent test eachimposed. The Group was particularly impressed by watchingpaint coatings being applied on an efficient ‘curtain coaterand to see how the strips were inserted for the reinforcedsheets, but the coup, I think we all agreed, was the use ofnatural colour fully compressed fibre cement sheeting as aflooring, lining and cladding material in the domestic andcommercial markets, now proudly specified in the fashionoutlets of Calvin Klein and Armani! This material had beenused in the fitting out of SIL’s very smart offices.

After being taken to our hotel for an excellent lunch – Italiansreally know how to look after their guests – BriarwoodProducts Ltd had arranged a visit to the Medeghini Farmdairy where we had been invited to see the making of

Reggiano, an excellent Parmesan cheese of the locality.

We toured the dairy where the cheese was being made.Although they only produced 16 cheeses a day, with thelength of time they take to reach maturity, at any one time

their warehouse held £20 million worth of cheese!And what cheese, needless to say we all made apurchase at the company shop.

So when you go to the supermarket to buy yourparmesan in a piece, check to see if it has“Reggiano” on the label. If it has then it has comefrom this region and not from Parma. Personally, Ican’t distinguish the two. But if you wonder why thefresh cheese has no smell, unlike the ready grated,that is because the ready grated is a way of using upwhat doesn’t make the grade.

Unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit the farmand see the cows, which I know disappointed thefarmers and suppliers of dairy units among us. Butwe know that they spend all their time indoors astheir feed is strictly controlled to produce the qualityof milk required for this particular cheese. Again,nothing in the process was wasted. The whey wasfed to the farmer’s pigs, which no doubt became theexcellent cured hams or salami of the region.

That evening most of us dined very simply on beerand pizza but Phil, Ian and Andrew, had to return to the UK, itwas sad to see the group begin to split up.

For the next few days the rest of us took time out to act astourists with visits to Milan and Leonardo da Vinci’s LastSupper, a day in Venice and tours of our local town, Brescia,sampling the local food and wine as we went, except on thelast night when we decided to go Chinese, but that is anotherstory.

This was the first trip for the Construction Group andhopefully has set the scene for many more in the future. Inthe past visits to Europe have been expensive but with thelow cost airlines this has changed, those of us who bookedour flights early obtained return prices from Ryan Air for£38.00. If there are other members of the Construction Groupwho would be interested in a similar trip please let me knowand if we have enough interest I will see what I can arrange.

Some of the group receiving an explanation at the curtain coater in theSIL factory.

Some of the £20 million of cheese in the store

Construction Group

Innovative TimberEngineering for theCountryside in the UKGeoff Freedman BSc CEng FICE FIAgrE

ContributorsVahik Enjily & Tim Reynolds – Building Research EstablishmentUKChristopher Mettem & Pia Larson – Timber Research &Development AssociationTechnical article based on paper No 018024:-

Written for presentation at the2001 ASAE Annual International Meeting

Sponsored by ASAESacramento Convention Center

Sacramento, California, USAJuly 30-August 1, 2001

In the UK, timber is about to come out of the closet where it hasbeen hidden for too long. Timber, as a construction material, hada distinguished career until the last century when the new wondermaterials, steel and concrete, arrived in force. These materialswere regarded as engineering materials and had superiorstrength-to-weight ratios which suited them well to the demandfor larger spans. Timber was known to have durability problemsand that, added to its low strength allowed it to succumb to thechallenge. In recent times it has been classed with masonry andfireclay pipes as a secondary construction material, destined tofulfil the remit of a minor structural element.

Perhaps things would have been different if it had had achampion to promote it through the last century but it has alwaysbeen the product of a minor and dispersed industry. Large steelcompanies flourished in the early 1900’s with profits to invest anddevelop innovation for their material. After the war, reinforcedconcrete became popular as a lower cost alternative to steel andthe cement companies joined forces to develop concrete in orderto sell cement. The Cement and Concrete Association of the UKdeserves great credit for their training camp at Fulmer Grangewhich drew young engineers to lavish surroundings and suppliedworked examples of every type of reinforced concrete design.

The early steel makers prepared wonderful design manuals withtables of every kind to help the busy designers and their materialreigned supreme. The cement people took that one stage furtherand spoon-fed the new generation of technologists beingchurned out in the sixties. During this time timber was somethingyou made floors and house roofs with. The, then new,universities were staffed by lecturers trained in steel and concretewho only made the odd reference to timber - partly, I think, due toignorance of the design techniques. They had the same attitudetowards brickwork or other masonry products - and so the newage developed. Timber was never in plentiful supply in the UK,so there was not even a cost advantage to get things moving.HistoryTimber almost ran out during the First World War and nearly costus our freedom. It was used for pit props to produce coal toproduce steel to produce the war machine. We had decimatedour natural forests in the previous 2 centuries with shipbuildingand charcoal production as well as clearance for agriculture.There were very few attempts to redress the balance and so thecrisis resulted. The UK Government declared that this should nothappen again and set up the Forestry Commission in 1919 toplant trees and create employment for the newly demobilisedworkforce. It was set up with a military management structureand was successful in its original remit. After the Second World

War there was a new injection of activity and we began reapingthe benefits through the 1980’s, with increased production ofhome - grown timber. It was not; however, a major new industryand timber remained our second biggest import after food. TodayTimber production has doubled over the last decade and is set todo the same again over the next 10 years. It has now becomean industry - but not a wealthy one. The product is of low valuebecause of alternative availability on the international marketsand this situation is liable to remain for some years to come.Historic natural crops are flooding markets at a time when ourpost-war plantations are reaching fruition. The pulp and boardmarkets are saturated so this must be the time for timber to enterthe sophisticated construction market. There are no benefactorswith high profits to channel into research and promotion so otherways have to be found and they are available. For example newtechnology is now available around the world and channels areopen for international exchange of knowledge as never before sothat development can be achieved at much lower cost. Theacademic world of Engineering can still pride itself in its free flowof research findings and design ideas. The intellectual rightsarguments which dog so many industries have, thankfully, notarrived in structural engineering. We need to set up a respectednetwork of engineers who can carry out research andcommunicate internationally.Timber ResearchTimber has many desirable properties and the undesirable onesneed to be engineered out. Concrete and steel have had somuch attention and research effort they are engineered almost todeath but timber is only on the verge of exciting beginnings. Wein the UK have suffered more than any other developedcountry in terms of research effort in timber engineering.In April 2001 we had a conference to launch InTeC(Innovative Engineering in the Countryside) which is acollection of initiatives to force forward a catch- up process. Weconcentrated on bridges and rural structures, because theypresent the most demanding conditions yet give the material thebest environment to display its assets. We will depend on thefree exchange of knowledge and experience from the academicworld and the few dedicated specialists in the UK to start thething off. We are so far behind; we will have to buy into the besttechnology to gain early critical mass. Many UK initiatives overthe last 20 years have stalled because of lack of investment andthus lack of results to fuel further development. This time weintend to tackle the problem on many fronts simultaneously;funding, research, education, promotion, partnerships,communication and enthusiasm. At the launch of InTeC, KeithCrews showed many examples of structures from Australia andErik Aashiem showed many from countries in Europe. Theconference shocked many in the industry in the UK. It displayedthe complete lack of awareness about the abilities of timber wheninnovative engineering is added. They saw pictures of dozens ofactual large modern structures, most were bridges, complete andin use for many years. They were not plans or pipe dreams theywere structures many years ahead of practice in the UK.Timber the MaterialTimber can bring innovation in many ways while retaining itsendearing qualities of being light and easy to fix to. Bycompositing it with other stronger materials, its spanningcapabilities can be extended to serve many structural usespreviously out of reach. Keith Crews from Australia strengthenedits case by introducing the Social, Environmental and Sustainablearguments. We are entering an era of whole life energycalculations for structures, taking account of the manufacture ofmaterials, the construction effort and the demolition and disposalof the materials at the end of the structure’s life. Timber featuresin these races with a very big start. Timber is easy to nail to buthigh concentrations of load at; for example, truss joints aredifficult to deal with. The bearing and shear capabilities of highstrength materials like steel are enviable in these cases but so


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much work has been done recently. The Nordic Timber Councilhas supported a bridge construction revolution and come up withadvanced steel joints, which ease the load into the timbermember - another form of compositing.Timber Engineering GloballyThe main work of the new timber engineering began in the1970’s in Canada and the USA who had had sophisticated timberstructures in the recent past. However, without the large trees inabundance any more they needed innovative engineering toutilise smaller timbers. Mechanical stress laminations were firsttried there and a significant construction programme is nowbased on these designs. There is a massive need for bridgereplacements in rural America and these structures are ideal.Australia and New Zealand started their effort 10 to 15 years agoand the results are impressive. Europe has not been left behindlike UK. Austria, Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia have allmounted impressive programmes. They have not stopped at thevery small bridges which timber is capable of spanning on itsown. They have utilised timber’s impressive compressivecapabilities and built large arches. In Australia they have createdstress-laminated boxes to span well beyond the available timberlengths and stress capabilities of simple spans. Structural LifePreservation is usually dealt with by treating with chemicals tocombat microbial deterioration, whereas the original, successful,timber bridges were covered by roofs. Today we are beginning tore-learn and are moving towards covering the main memberswith copper plates. However we must not be channelled into thinking that structuresshould have a life of perhaps, 120 years, just because concreteand steel can. Timber piles can, of course, last 600 years but atthe same time it may be cost effective to build an untreatedbridge deck to last 20 years and plan the replacement just asmaintenance painting is planned for steel coatings. There aremany new innovative approaches which timber can lend itself tobut the thinking process of design must not always followtraditional patterns, or ideas can be overlooked. The structuralproblems of today differ from even 25 years ago and hence theUK Movement for Innovation is looking for new solutions. Development in a changing WorldWe now care more about social needs and the depletion of ourenvironment. We care about aesthetics and heat loss, thegreenhouse effect and the welfare of workers. Cost will of coursealways be a factor and suddenly timber is about to becomeplentiful in the UK. The scope for timber must be greater thansteel and concrete, especially in the rural areas where structuresare smaller with investment to match! The UK needs ruralbridges to substitute for old stone arches. We need housesgalore with high quality insulation. We need retaining walls, roadsigns, crash barriers, telephone boxes and structures you couldhardly imagine that you could use timber for. The continentalcountries shame the UK with their abundant use of timber.

Important Current Activities in the UK

New age Flitch BeamThe main primary research phase of this project has just beencompleted in December 2001. The conclusions will be of greatinterest to the new movement of timber engineers. The projectwas carried out by TRADA (Timber Research & DevelopmentAssociation), backed by the Forestry Commission and someindustry partners. It was a series of tests on combinations oftimber joists acting compositely with steel plates. Although muchwork has been done with these combinations, these trials areunique in that the fixing is done with shot-fired dowels. Thisallows quick, low cost assembly of beams in-situ or in a factory.The results have shown a structural advantage against the costof using a bigger timber beam or a steel beam. The focus is inusing low grade Sitka Spruce grown in the UK. The probable

uses will be in timber frame housing and in bridges.

The Forestry ClusterForestry has been identified as a cluster industry in Scotland.This means that it is a major employer, not only in the baseindustry but many downstream jobs depend on the parentindustry. For that reason, forestry is given some help by the UKGovernment Enterprise groups to increase efficiencies andstrengthen the foundations. In Scotland the Enterprise effort hasbeen focused on Transport and Education. It is interesting thatthe education effort will be going into Civil Engineering andArchitecture in an effort to target the sale of the product nowrather than into forestry, which would focus on improving thetrees of the future. Today’s trees are being harvested in ever-greater numbers and need new high value markets to improveefficiencies and create new jobs. Napier University in Edinburghhas just been announced as the chosen academic base for thenew Centre of Excellence for Timber Engineering. A 3 yearprogramme will see about £2,5m going into producing graduateswho can and want to use timber in structures. The EnterpriseAgencies will be a great help in the applied research effort butonly where it has absolute specific application and promise ofdirect industry appeal.InTeC (Innovative Timber Engineering in theCountryside)This initiative is introduced above and the full text of the report onyear 1 of the project is available to anyone who contacts>[email protected]<. Year one was very mucha desk study of what has been happening elsewhere and whatneeds to be done in the UK. Subsequent years will be acollection of specific research projects focused on producingsomething of value for a client. Much of the research is liable tobe assimilation of current work completed elsewhere adjusted tomeet UK codes and available tree species. InTeC is supported bythe UK Forestry Commission and the two largest commercialresearch centres in the UK, BRE (Building ResearchEstablishment) and TRADA. However, it is one of the InTeC aimsto ensure that many other pockets of work from universities orprivate consultancies etc report work through the InTeC forum toensure an efficient transfer of knowledge and avoid duplication ofeffort. Since the launch conference of April 2001 manymanufacturers and Local Authorities have shown interest. Ourimmediate task will is to co-ordinate all of the initiatives andsupporters and get the UK timber research centres to embark ona series of practical commercial research projects which dovetailwith international practice and the current efforts of the ForestryCluster, Wood for Good and the Forestry Commission. As theeducation in timber of engineering graduates improves thisbranch of the industry will feed their need for the more advancedtechniques and ultimately the grander structures in timber.Timber Bridges in the UKThe history of rotting timber has led the general public to treattimber bridges as low cost temporary structures of minorsignificance. InTeC hopes to change that attitude and one way isto build a few high profile bridges in timber which display realinnovation. In November 2001 the Forestry Commissioncompleted the first stress laminated vehicle bridge in the UK atThames Chase. This is simply a deck of timber joistscompressed together using small diameter steel bars at about700mm centres. The jacking can be done by hand on site withthe minimum of skills. The timbers can be treated individuallybeforehand thus what you end up with is a solid timber decktreated all the way through. This idea is 25 years old butinnovative for the UK and we need to learn how to apply theavailable UK materials and introduce the simple but sophisticatedtechnology to small contractors and even rural amateurs. Weintend to have the design and specification on line so thatengineers can easily access the technology so that the clientscan benefit at minimal cost.


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These simple slab bridges are only the beginning of thetechnological scale. In the near future there will be an upper anda lower slab to form a deep box beam which will span perhaps20m for 44 tonne vehicles. If timber stays at to-days costs thesebridges will easily challenge the traditional materials for largetrunk road spans as they are doing in other countries. The largest use of timber for bridges is for decks on steel orconcrete beams. They are not covered in this article as there isno great innovation involved except to say that the normal codesmake life difficult as they are for buildings. BS 5400 which coversbridge construction in the UK does not allow timber as a primarystructural element. This is another matter which will be addressedby InTeC but as matters stand you really need to use Eurocode 5and even at that with some interpretation to ensure that the bestis achieved from the timbers. For 20 years I have used my ownlimit state version of timber design which allows the timber to be“overstressed” by large amounts according to building codes andthere have been no failures.

ConclusionTimber, the finest natural composite known to man, is availablefor action. It has been confined to the closet in the UK by lack ofinvestment and a belief that the quality is so poor that it is only fitfor pulp and chips. Coincidentally today is a very special time withBritish government initiatives like M4I (Movement for Innovation)as part of Construction Best Practice and all when timberproduction is about to double. The home grown material may notall be to the perceived required standard, but imported timber isstill inexpensive and can fulfil the quality need until we innovateand eventually substitute our fast growing product. PractisingArchitects and Engineers will be helped by this initiative and byothers, like Innovative Engineering in the Countryside (InTeC),which will provide the tables and worked examples to makethings easy, as was done for steel and concrete and should havebeen for timber. The Forestry Cluster in Scotland is setting up aCentre of Excellence in Timber Engineering at Napier Universityin Edinburgh, to ensure that young Architects and Engineers aretrained in the use and design of timber structures.

The time is right to make a significant move forward: -� the product is readily available � the offer of 20 years of research from other countries

is on the table� A fresh new research group, InTeC, is now recognised

as the main focus and it includes all of the main players in the UK

� Modular construction in factories is undoubtedly the future of house building

� There is a need for many new low cost bridges in rural areas on private land but also on minor public roads

� The green movements of the world approve of creating carbon sinks

� The public approve of timber structures - we have entered the decade of “Social Forestry”

� In Britain, the Scottish Enterprise has accepted that research money needs to go into the product of forestry rather than the practice of forestry to make the most jobs and profits

With the current momentum the UK, researchers could catch upand be making positive contributions to international researchwithin 5 years. We have an impressive list of programmes andquite a bit of enthusiasm, as well as a tradition of innovation.

Geoff Freedman BSc CEng FICE FIAgrE Greenside, PeeblesScotlandUK EH45 8JAe-mail [email protected]


LettersComment from the CLADear SirsI was disappointed to read an unwarranted sideswipe at the CLA fromDavid Wood, in hisOtherwise useful and welcome article Diversification into HorseKeeping. He says that “MAFF has been swallowed up into a newdepartment, yet further diluting farmers’ influence on national policiesaffecting both their land and their livelihoods”, and goes on to say “therewill be little support for the farming lobby from the CLA who seem tofavour such a policy*.This begs the question of whether in tact the old MAFF served eitherthe equestrian or farming industries particularly well.For many years, CLA lobbied the formation of a wider department forthe countryside that would take account of the needs of other ruralbusinesses, including those involved in countryside buildings and inequestrian enterprises.Further, Mr. Wood does not recognise that the welcome changeto PFG7 on the question of diversification came about directly asa result of CLA lobbying with others. Moreover, we continue toargue the point, as the revised guidance is sadly limited only tofarm-based diversification. The CIA argues strongly for all ruralbusiness, including farming, to be enabled to develop theirbusinesses.Yours sincerelyOliver Harwood County Land & Business Association16 Belgrave SquareLondonSW1X 8PQ,

David Wood repliesI was delighted to see that my recent article had stirred at Ieast oneorganisation into to a response which is what I had intended.However Mr. Harwood, given the opportunity, does not answerthe point I made.... Does the CLA favour such a policy or not?He goes on to suggest that the ‘old’ MAFF did not serve either theagricultural or equestrian industries particularly well! Little wonder thenthat I am concerned about.......the further dilution of farmer’s influenceon National policies affecting their land and livelihoods.After the Prime Ministers’ Downing Street Farming Summit and as partof the on-going Action Plan for Farming a Planning Seminar, which Iattended as a delegate, hosted by the then Minister at the DETR, NickRaynsford, was arranged to specifically discuss revisions to PlanningPolicy Guidance PPG.7., and in particular to discuss FarmDiversification and Planning issues.Various papers were presented with contributions from the PlanningDirectorate of the DETR, the British Horse Industry Confederation, theNational Farmers Union and the Planning Officers Society. I canrecollect no contribution from the CLA to the debate!My concern over the dilution of farming’s political influence remains withthe creation of the new department piloted by a Minister who, itappears, has little practical experience of farming other than wellpublicised Barbour jacketed and ‘green wellie” shod visits to farms andagricultural events. But then this observation could be made about anumber of recent ‘Agriculture’ Ministers?In the meantime let us hope the new PPG.7., which, I understand, isshortly to be published will address some of my concerns and those ofmany others involved with agricultural and ‘horseycultural’ PlanningmattersDavid Wood Agriquestrian Consultants129 Reigate Road,EwellSurreyKT17 3DE

Technical / Letters


That was the Year thatwas.

(A review of the Farm Building Journals 1957 to 1991)

The Appearance of Farm Buildings

By John Messer

Glancing through the first few Journals of the F.B.A.,now the Rural Design and Building Association, one is struck bythe many articles on the space and environment requirements ofstock and crops in farm buildings but that there none on theirAppearance. Appearance was first discussed in an article in the1961 Journal by Noel White, the Deputy Director of the Councilof Industrial Design who wrote “For generations the farmer hasbeen quite prepared to accept the makeshift as the appropriatestandard for his buildings, although he most certainly appliedprofessional standards to the quality of his stock andmachinery”. He went on to write“ the farmer asked for the lowestpossible cost for his buildings and that was what he got”.

Mr White went on to describe a system of prefabricatedmodular construction designed by The Consortium of LocalAuthorities (C.L.A.S.P.) that gave flexibility, economy, andfunction and was used extensively for building schools at thattime. He believed a similar system could be designed for farmbuilding and that the first essential was to bring together thoseskilled in farm management and those skilled in designingefficient modern buildings (see Fig 1).

In the following year R.A.Rathbone pointed out thatthere was insufficient information on the requirements of housedstock or crops for an architect to design efficient buildings, ( heseemed to think that the farmer was ignorant of their needs),and that a “trouble spot” was the likely to be the cost of anarchitecturally designed farm building.

The 1966 Journal reported on three papers given at the

F.B.A. Conference on “The Appearance of Farm Buildings” by aCounty Planning Officer, a Chartered Surveyor and an Architect.They all agreed that farm buildings must “fit into the countryside”and that this could be done by careful sitting, consideration ofshape and size, thoughtful detailing at the eaves and by the useof colour or contrasting materials. But because the appearanceof farm buildings depended on the farmer, the manufacturer, andthe designer, each with his own needs and ideas it was oftenvery hard to get a consensus on design.

The following discussion period lead to livelyexchanges for after Wilfred Cave (farmer and Member ofCouncil) said he was in favour of Planning Approval for farmbuildings, Herbert Smith remarked, “I am a man of few words butthis is absolute nonsense”. Mr Gale said, “I built a farrowing

house my friends tell me is the ugliestbuilding in the county. Personally I findno fault with it and is it practical politicsto expect planners to control farmbuildings”. Antony Rosen asked whereone could find an expert who coulddesign a building that was bothfunctional and aesthetically pleasing,whilst Richard Stratton observed that ifyou got a building surveyor who is notpartly an agriculturalist you can get anawful mess.

Mr Headley said “ that he had tobuild a moderately sized dutch barn.Planning called for the painting of thewhole barn a dark brown and theplanting of trees all round it That wasnot a problem as he would probably geta grant from M.A.F.F. to grub them outin due course .He went to appeal aboutthe colouring and suggested aluminium.The “man from Whitehall” said thatwould shine in the sun but agreed thesun seldom shone. They settled on adark brown plastic material for the roofcosting £200, and this was applied”. MrHeadley went on to suggest that if a

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dark brown roof made his barn completely disappear into thecountryside then if roofing alone was given more attention bydesigners two-thirds of planning problems would vanish.

Further discussion followed and it was agreed that there was agreat need for education of all concerned.But the problem of appearance would not go away, and theF.B.A. held another Conference in1968. By now farm buildingswere subjected to limited Planning Control and much time of theConference was spent discussing it. Peter Girdlestone was “impressed with the frightening complexity of the legislation”whilst J. Clayton described a conversation with a CountyPlanning Officer,

J.C. “ Have you a county policy on farm buildings”C.P.O. “Each case is decided on its merits”J.C. “Have you any fixed lines”C.P.O. “We retain the greatest flexibility of outlook”J.C. “Have you any policy on farm buildings”

C.P.O. “We had a good chap but he left last year”

The importance of the appearance of farmand rural buildings was gaining momentum, no doubt in part dueto the educational efforts of the F.B.A. as well as otherorganisations In the following years there were a number ofarticles extending and explaining the principles outlined in the1966 Conference, such as sitting the use of colour and cladding.

Then in the 1981 Journal Avon Priestley of the CountryLandowners Association reported on the success of thatAssociations Farm Building Award Scheme that encouragedfarmers and landowners to think long and hard before building.The criteria of the C.L.A. Award Scheme was for “ farmbuildings that give value for money, are functionally sound and,above all, aesthetically pleasing” (see Fig 2).

Mr Priestly also mentioned the Henley Award Scheme run in

conjunction with the two Councils for the Preservation of RuralEngland and of Rural Wales that aimed to stem the drift from thecountryside by converting redundant farm buildings into homesor offices.

In the same issue an award scheme inaugurated by the North ofScotland Branch of the F.B.A. had as its purpose “to affordpublic recognition to the care taken by the farming community tosafe guard and enhance its rural heritage”. The citation of oneAward winner stated “the comprehensive development of thesteading showed the careful thought given by the farmer to hislonger term requirements, his attention to detail and theappreciation of the visual impact of the steading on a veryexposed site.”. Two Awards and ten commendations weremade that year

It was, perhaps, to find out the reaction of a “ selfconfessed townie”, that the Yorkshire Branch invited Marion Wallto one of their farm visits. After commenting favourably onseveral farmsteads she wrote, “The final visit was to an Estatefarm. This looked to me as a farm should look. Pretty fencingwith knobbly bits on top ( I think they are called crenallings),nicely bricked yards, buildings with arched windows at the front,and the family coat of arms over the bull pens. It would havebeen nice to have some chickens running around, but then, theymay have made a bit of a mess.”

Regretfully the Journals to hand end in 1991 and therehave been many new developments in farm building designsince then, but there can be little doubt that the F.B.A., as wellas other organisations have had a considerable influence onimproving the appearance of farm buildings. Perhaps the yearsreviewed can be summed up in Peter Girdlestones sketch from1968 (see Fig 3).

But then we have progressed since then ... or have

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Old farm buildings › are theyan asset or a liability?By Tony KnellWith the need for increased efficiency and improvements in hygienepractices there can be little room for sentimentality when it comes tothe housing of machinery, grain or livestock. Old buildings, howeverattractive, can be costly to maintain, difficult to clean and inflexible. Sowhat’s the alternative? Do we demolish all those 16th century barns,Victorian byres, cart sheds in favour of modern steel, concrete ortimber buildings?Before we answer that question perhaps we should take a look atother areas of the property market and learn from their experiences.In the residential and commercial property sectors, for example, it wasfashionable in the post war property boom to sweep away all that wasold and replace with new structures, a policy that is now muchregretted. Today, in a more enlightened world, planners anddevelopers are more likely to seek to renovate areas of dilapidatedVictorian or Regency houses than demolish them in favour of a blockof flats. They might be more inclined to convert an old warehouse, millor factory for other users than commit it to the bulldozer.The wholesale destruction of our urban and industrial heritage in thesixties cannot be reversed but surely we can make sure that thesame mistakes are not repeated in the countryside.The changes in agricultural practices over the last 50 years, togetherwith the amalgamation of farm holdings, has meant that manycharacterful old buildings have already disappeared. With theagricultural industry now facing even greater challenges this processcould be accelerated but perhaps we should pause and consider thealternatives. It is worth reflecting that in many situations the buildingsaround the farm could become its biggest asset, although notnecessarily put to agricultural uses. Many farmers have alreadyconverted redundant buildings into houses, holiday homes, lightindustrial units, offices or for equestrian use and sometimes the olderthe buildings the better. These represent new income earningopportunities while helping to preserve the character of the farm. Theycan also leave the farmer holding a valuable asset rather than anexpensive liability.Sensitive conservation of old buildings, calls for expertise and the useof appropriate materials. The roof is perhaps the most important, in sofar as it helps to protect the whole building. A leaking roof, not only

imposes limits on whatthe building can be usedfor but ultimately leads tothe deterioration of theroof timbers and theireventual collapse.Unfortunately the roofoften poses the greatestproblems. For buildingsthat were originallyconstructed usingtraditional local buildingmaterials every effortshould be made toreplace like with like but

this is not always possible. Old traditional slates or tiles are heavy andoften difficult or expensive to replace. Careful consideration alsoneeds to be given to roof timbers that have been weakened ormisshapen by age. Old corrugated asbestos sheets need to betreated with care if they have to be removed and disposed of.Fortunately there are a number of products on the market that providepractical and economical solutions to all these problems some ofthem suitable for DIY application.One such product is Onduline. These extremely durable, bituminousbased corrugated roofing sheets have been used extensively onagricultural buildings for over 50 years and for good reason. Not only

are they light in weight and flexible, which makes them ideal forlightweight or irregular shaped roofing structures, they are alsoextremely easy to handle and fix and virtually maintenance-free.These qualities also make them an ideal material for over sheeting

old deteriorated roofs especially corrugated iron and asbestoscement. Over sheeting is a much safer and cheaper option toremoval and replacement although precautions still need to be takenwhen dealing with asbestos cement. The advice of the local HSEshould always be taken when carrying out this work.From an aesthetic viewpoint Onduline roofing sheets have much tocommend them in the rural environment. They are available in black,green and red, colours that are achieved through a unique pre-pigmented process that ensures colourfastness. They also have BBAcertification and carry a 15 year insurance-backed guaranteealthough life expectancy is far in excess of this. I have seen many anOnduline roof that’s been in place for over 30 years and still inexcellent shape.There will be occasions where the corrugated profile of the Ondulinesheet will not be appropriate. In these situations consideration shouldbe given to other lightweight and economical roofing materials. Theseinclude tile strip shingles such as Bardoline or profiled steel tile stripssuch as Ondusteel. These closely replicate more traditional roofingmaterials and are often preferred, particularly by planning authorities,where the buildings are in a prominent position, are for residentialdevelopment or in a conservation area.Advice on the re-roofing of any building should be sought from asurveyor or structural engineer but like most roofing materialmanufacturers we are also able to provide customers with technicaladvice. More general information on farm buildings is available fromthe Rural Design & Building Association, an organisation that is takingthe initiative in encouraging and helping farmers to capitalize on theirbuilding assetsNot since the ‘Dig for victory” policy at the beginning of World War 2has the rural landscape in this country faced such pressure forchange but let us hope that the preservation of our rich and variedfarm building heritage will prevail. Once it’s lost it can never bereplaced.

Tony Knell is Technical Sales Manager at Onduline Building ProductsLimited.

Onduline used in the conversion ofold farm buildings into high techoffices at Stow Castle farm, Bucks.

Bardoline tile strip shingles provide an environmentallysensitive roof in rural surroundings

The new barn constructed from green oak in Hertfordshirerequired the flexibility of Onduline to cope with the movementof roof timbers.

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