Opinion

The UK’s communities secretary Sajid Javid started the year with a visit to the Netherlands and Germany to look at how self- and custom-build homes can make a contribution to the enduring challenge of adequate housing delivery. This comes hot on the heels of the Scottish Government’s recent conf

Karen Manning A client survey by law firm Burness Paull highlights the problems in practice with Collateral Warranties in construction projects. However, a solution lies on the horizon for Scottish projects in the form of a new Contract (Third Party Rights) (Scotland) Bill.

Laura Peacock Growing young talent is not just a policy agenda, it is a necessity for Scotland’s economy, writes Laura Peacock from Investors in People Scotland.

The Queensferry Crossing is set to become the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world upon its completion in May 2017, writes Ronnie Turner, infrastructure manager at global building product manufacturer, Sika. A wonder of modern engineering and technical ingenuity, the 1.7-mile, £790

Mikael Forup By Dr Mikael Forup, technical director of ecology at Atmos Consulting.

The requirements of a valid payment notice issued under a construction contract were considered in a previous update: “A Payment Notice? Be Clear?” with reference to the case of Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust v Logan Construction (South East) Ltd (“Surrey and Sussex”) a decision of t

As it looks ahead to the Scottish Renewables Low Carbon Cities Conference in Edinburgh next week, the Scottish Cities Alliance said an 'Infrastructure-first approach' to energy developments is crucial. How do we plan and create the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks for smart, sustainable citi

Ian Manson Ian Manson of Clyde Gateway on breaking the chronic office space conundrum.

Keith Campbell The Scottish Government is consulting on the future of unconventional oil and gas development in Scotland, writes MacRoberts' Keith Campbell.

Jim Rooney Experienced housing practitioner Jim Rooney has been working in asset management for the past 25 years and this year will chair HouseMark Scotland’s new Active Asset Management Specialist Club. He considers the main challenges currently facing registered social landlords in asset manage

We need a Scottish planning system which will inspire, empower and deliver for the future, writes Gavin Mowat from Scottish Land & Estates. Planning is a thorny issue which more than one elected member of Holyrood has been warned against getting involved in, and for good reason. Red tape, costly

Harry Smith Gillespie Macandrew’s housebuilding expert Harry Smith says now is not the time for Scotland’s housebuilders to be cautious.

Derek Petrie As the £1 billion development of Dundee’s Waterfront area continues, Derek Petrie, a property expert at law firm Lindsays, wants to shine the spotlight on the regeneration taking place throughout the rest of the city and the wider region.

Yosof Ewing I read an article in Construction News recently and it contained a statistic that stopped me in my tracks.

John Forster By John Forster, group chairman, Forster Group