Opinion

Callum Chomczuk, national director, CIH Scotland, illustrates the challenges that may make meeting the ambitious target of 110,000 affordable homes over 10 years unattainable, as set out in Scotland's National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). That sound you didn’t hear was Parliament agreeing on t

The case of Muir Construction Limited v Kapital Residential Limited [2017] CSOH 132 served as a timely reminder of the importance for parties to a construction contract to understand the role of pay less notices. As economic uncertainty continues, maintaining cashflows and ensuring the correct amoun

Housebuilding veteran John Muir shares his focus on the sector’s long-term resilience. This year is the 50th anniversary of Muir Homes building quality homes across Scotland. This landmark comes amidst rising energy prices and an industry bouncing back from the covid pandemic.

Policy and practice lead David Stewart looks at the Scottish Land Commission's work on land and housing, and land reuse proposals, that could support the necessary shift from greenfield to brownfield development.  NPF4 is highly significant. It sets a framework for land use and development in S

Alastair McCoan, building consultancy partner at Knight Frank Scotland, on the pitfalls that can come with moving offices from dilapidations.  After nearly three years interrupted by Covid-19 and macro-economic disruption, 2023 could be the year many businesses start making big decisions.

Sandra Cassels discusses the recent changes to the law of prescription and their impact on latent defects in construction projects. The expiry of claims for damages in Scotland is regulated by the Prescription & Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. Section 6 of the 1973 Act provides that claims

Jessica Tresham, James Ignotus and Michelle Essen from the construction team at Womble Bond Dickinson share why arbitration is such a popular way of resolving cross-border disputes. Most people in the construction and engineering industry are familiar with the term "international arbitration". They

Paul Raby, Balfour Beatty group HR director and executive committee member, explores Right to Respect and what it means to Balfour Beatty and the wider construction and infrastructure industry. Ours is an industry plagued by historical misconceptions; long heralded as typically male dominated, steep

Experienced business leader and consultant Paul McDevitt showcases the Positive Action Club, a newly launched virtual peer-to-peer support group for decision-makers from the public, private and third sectors. We are entering a period of increased uncertainty and the challenges facing business leader

Kevin Gibb is vice chair of CIOB’s Scotland North Hub and works as a senior building standards surveyor (BSS) at the City of Edinburgh Council. He has been involved in several high-profile projects, including Edinburgh St James Quarter, Meadowbank Stadium, and cancer units at the Western Gener

As part of a series written by the Housing and Place Delivery Forum members reflecting on Scotland’s revised and soon-to-be-adopted fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4), Steven Tolson argues that planners will be judged on the outcomes they deliver and that real change will require

In an open letter to the leaders of Scotland's construction and built environment ecosystem, BE-ST CEO Stephen Good calls on them to take action and be bold in their decisions and leadership in order to help ensure Scotland achieves its net zero goals. Dear leaders of Scotland's construction and bui

Stephen Pearson, chair of Financial Inclusion for Scotland, and Carolyn Sawers, chief executive of Corra, launch an initiative where people can help those most in need of support with energy costs.

Legal director Gregor Duthie highlights upcoming deadlines for commercial property owners in Scotland and across the UK. Transparency over the ownership and control of property has long been a point of contention – at times, it has even become a political football. In a bid to clear up some of

Politically and economically, 2022 was a tumultuous year. Despite an encouraging start, by the third quarter it was clear that Scotland’s property sector was being impacted by spiralling inflation, soaring energy costs and increasing interest rates, writes Barry McKeown. Yet, let me recall som