Opinion

Hart Builders technical services manager, Shona Wilson, gives a modern perspective of the world of construction. Growing up, I really enjoyed both maths and physics at school and was very definite about becoming an engineer, from a very young age. Luckily for me, my Dad was an engineer and my parent

Edinburgh heritage body the Cockburn Association has launched a series of thought-pieces under the heading Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future to generate a civic conversation that looks to address the many challenges facing the capital now and in the immediate future. Paper Five –

Construction companies must embrace educational collaboration to avoid skills shortages, writes Matt Grellier, head of construction and engineering at law firm Slater Heelis LLP. According to the findings of an independent group commissioned by the Scottish Government, there is a skills shortage in

Edinburgh heritage body the Cockburn Association has launched a series of thought-pieces under the heading Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future to generate a civic conversation that looks to address the many challenges facing the capital now and in the immediate future. Paper Four –

French Duncan VAT director, Maria McConnell has published an information sheet about the Domestic Reverse Charge for Construction Services. A new Statutory Instrument will introduce the domestic reverse charge into UK legislation via VATA 1994 s55A to relevant supplies of construction services with

Agreements between businesses and individuals occur on a daily basis, but what does it take to make them legally binding? Peter Begbie explains. A written contract is a common – and often most advisable – way of legally formalising an agreement. However, it is also possible to establish

Edinburgh heritage body the Cockburn Association has launched a series of thought-pieces under the heading Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future to generate a civic conversation that looks to address the many challenges facing the capital now and in the immediate future. Paper Three &ndash

Infrastructure secretary Michael Matheson discusses the ongoing work of the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland. Infrastructure investment plays a critical role in creating an inclusive, sustainable economy. In December, I established the Infrastructure Commission for Scotland (ICS) to provide in

Edinburgh heritage body the Cockburn Association has launched a series of thought-pieces under the heading Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future to generate a civic conversation that looks to address the many challenges facing the capital now and in the immediate future. Paper Two –

Tammy Swift-Adams, director of planning at Homes for Scotland, outlines why Scotland’s housing crisis should be a ‘call to arms’ to everyone who has a role to play in building more homes. Scotland’s planning authorities play an integral role in the delivery of new homes and t

Edinburgh heritage body the Cockburn Association has launched a series of thought-pieces under the heading Our Unique City: Our Past, Our City, Our Future to generate a civic conversation that looks to address the many challenges facing the capital now and in the immediate future. Paper One –

Shona Glenn, head of policy & research at the Scottish Land Commission, offers some thoughts on how we can better fund and coordinate infrastructure provision to support housing development.

As the Planning (Scotland) Bill reaches the final phase of the Parliamentary process, local government, housing and planning minister, Kevin Stewart MSP, outlines the reasons behind his Stage 3 amendments. Scotland needs a planning system that will help to deliver inclusive and sustainable economic

Jim MacDonald, chief executive of Architecture and Design Scotland, explains why a design-based approach is an effective way of getting to people to work collaboratively, which will make a difference both to the quality of our places and the future of our planet.  Architecture & Design

Craig McLaren summarises the recent UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) roundtable which looked at the changes to the Planning (Scotland) Bill and explored how new approaches to planning can help us to build more, well-designed homes.