Experts practicing across national borders have an added responsibility – to ensure their work is presented according to the codes required in the country of delivery. Professionals working in the USA, where legislation differs from state to state, or in parts of mainland Europe, will be more familiar with this extra challenge than we are … but devolution cometh.

The offices of property specialists Smith & Garratt Rural Asset Management overlook the River Tweed from the ancient hamlet of Ladykirk – about 300 yards north of the Scottish Border. Principal surveyor Hugh Garratt acknowledges that professionals along the Border have to be mindful of the increasing differences in law and procedure between England and Scotland. “Scotland has preserved its own legal system since the inception of the Union and devolution is bound to widen the difference with every piece of legislation produced by the Scottish Government, and with every piece of UK legislation that is implemented differently across the Border. Even European legislation, which you would think applies consistently across the UK, is treated differently – because court procedures differ, or legislation is enacted with slight but significant differences”.

Hailed as the wonder building material when first used in the 1890’s and reaching its peak use in buildings around the mid 1970’s it’s not unreasonable to find asbestos used extensively in schools and churches. Asbestos containing materials take on many forms and have many uses in construction from simple floor tiles to board materials, anti-condensation products and of course thermal insulation.

Above – Tersus Surveyor taking samples of sprayed asbestos.

So good was asbestos that asbestos containing materials could be mixed with other materials to produce rigid materials which could be moulded, formed, compressed, machined or just be used in its raw fibrous state as pipe and boiler insulation or sprayed onto surfaces as an asbestos coating.

On 21 March, the Government announced in its 2012 Budget that it intends to remove the zero rate of VAT for approved alterations to listed buildings. This means that from 1 October 2012 the standard rate of VAT will apply to the alteration of a listed building.

The Government has published draft legislation designed to introduce this change to the current VAT system and is seeking views from interested parties. The consultation is open until Friday 4 May and the details of how to respond are available online here.

As members of the Cut the VAT Coalition The Tile Association believe that VAT on all home repair, maintenance and improvement work should be reduced from 20% to 5%. This targeted VAT cut would bring with it a huge number of economic, social and environmental benefits.

Working with John O’Connell Architects of Dublin, Purcell Miller Tritton has recently completed work on the Phase IV representation of The Wallace Collection’s East Wing Galleries, which re-opened to the public on 20th March 2012, creating a stunning backdrop for works by the Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt.

The extensive reconstruction project, which began in October 2010, has allowed the Wallace Collection to reinstate the original height of the Galleries, taking inspiration from their appearance in Sir Richard Wallace’s day and to introduce daylight from above to illuminate the space.

They come into force on 06 April 2012 - are you prepared? A short course to bring you up to date is available.
Following an extensive consultation exercise the Government has finally produced new Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Regulations. The Regulations were;

Made on 28 February 2012;
Laid before Parliament on 05 March 2012; and
Come into Force on 06 April 2012.

The new regulations apply to England only and aim to simplify the TPO system and they apply to all TPOs made since 1947. There are significant changes and the implications of these are serious for Local Planning Authorities.

This short course, 2 hours including a Q&A session is available online for just £95 + VAT from BASE UK. It is an interactive tutorial session delivered over the web. The tutor is Dr Dealga O’Callaghan FICFor., F.Arbor.A. who has extensive experience in this area of tree law.

Salisbury Cathedral conservator Dave Henson made a great discovery when he started the latest round of practical conservation work on the Monument to Sir Richard Mompesson (d.1627) and his wife Katherine. He found what is believed to be a 17th century polychromed Coat of Arms on the reverse of the stone supporting the Coat of Arms at the top and front of the monument. And the blazoning of the two Coats of Arms is almost identical.

Peter Martindale, polychrome expert, says “The Coat of Arms on the reverse of the monument is important historically and artistically, and quite rare. It appears not to have undergone a programme of treatment since being painted, its condition seems good, and it is therefore a valuable witness to the methods and materials of the time.”
One possibility is that it could be a ‘draft’ painting of the Coat of Arms found on the front of the armorial. It covers the entire back of the top section of the tomb, but is the only painting on the back of the tomb.