Opinion

RTPI Scotland planning policy & practice officer, Nikola Miller, sets out the Institute’s manifesto for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections in May 2016. The Scottish election takes place on 5 May. At this important time for planning – what with a planning review and difficult economic circu

Richard Steel As northern England and many parts of Scotland count the huge cost of recent flooding, Richard Steel, technical director at independent environmental consultancy practice Atmos Consulting, asks if we need to give the way we design flood defences a fundamental rethink?

Tom Barclay Tom Barclay, co-chair of the Joint Housing Policy and Delivery Group reflects on 2015 and looks ahead to the next 12 months.

Craig McLaren Craig McLaren, director of RTPI Scotland, gazes into his crystal ball to identify key planning issues in the next year.

Richard Threlfall Richard Threlfall, KPMG’s head of infrastructure, building and construction, forecasts a positive outlook for the construction industry in 2016 and calls on all businesses in the sector to start to invest.

Stephanie Clark Scotland's planning system is key to the success of the renewable energy sector. As the Scottish Government sifts responses to a review of the process, policy manager Stephanie Clark gives the headlines from Scottish Renewables' submission.

Alex Orr There is no doubt that the planning system in Scotland is indeed of urgent reform.

Bill Cuthbert, health and safety director at SP Energy Networks, is encouraging construction workers to stop and think before they start work close to overhead power lines. Across the SP Energy Networks area which covers central and southern Scotland, Cheshire, Merseyside and North Wales, we manage

Construction projects are complicated, time-consuming & resource-intensive. But once complete, they are always worth it. So when technological advances reach our industry that offer the opportunity to manage large projects that little bit easier, why aren’t more people doing it? To be more spe

Malcolm Fraser Architect Malcolm Fraser reflects on the experience of having to close his practice despite producing buildings feted by colleagues and politicians.

Karen Manning The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015) set out what people involved in construction work need to do to protect themselves as well as others affected by the work from harm. CDM 2015 replaced the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and have

Louise Hosking We work with a range of businesses and schools who may be clients, contractors, principal contractors, designers or principal designers. I have been extremely impressed with how all our existing clients have adapted so quickly to the changes, and everyone can answer most questions pos

Louise Hosking The Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) came into force on 6th April 2015 and has implications for anyone organising work on their home.

Julie Scott Payment in the construction industry is regulated by the Housing Grants, Construction & Regeneration Act 1996. The payment regime had an overhaul with the introduction of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act in 2009, which amended the 1996 Act. The provision

Professor David Adams By Professor David Adams at the University of Glasgow