Right to Light Consultation

In February, the Law Commission published a consultation paper on the topic of ‘Right to Light’. The project looks into the law concerning the right to light from the interests of landowners in addition to the need to facilitate the appropriate development of land.

The ‘Right to Light’ is an age-old entitlement that gives landowners or home-owners the right to retain the flow of light into their building or land, meaning objections can be made should a development threaten to block natural light into their property.  The Right can aid not only in the prevention of developments deemed to interfere with the flow of light, but there are documented cases where building work has been halted or even demolished as a result of an infringement.

The new consultation project by the Law Commission is investigating whether the law provides an appropriate balance between the interests of home or landowners and the development of land, as well as looking at how the Right of Light fits within the current planning system.

We are seeing a large increase in the use of our 3D modelling and visualisation data, which provides architects with a highly-accurate, real-life representation of an existing site or building.   The digital data not only provides an opportunity to view separate layers for items such as walls or roofs, but also streets and trees, meaning architects are able to visualise how a new development might work within existing surroundings, including analysing whether natural light would be impacted for neighbouring buildings.  This makes 3D models an important tool for feasibility studies, BIM compliance and, of course, Right to Light analysis.

The Right to Light consultation period closes on 16 May 2013.  For details on how to respond to the consultation, visit: http://lawcommission.justice.gov.uk/consultations/rights-to-light.htm

Promap On Tour

Throughout 2013, the Promap team will be participating at a number of commercial property events across the UK.  There are therefore many opportunities for you to come and meet the team to ask any questions you may have about Promap, digital mapping datasets or any specific CPD-related topics.

Our current schedule includes:

RIBA Manchester CPD Roadshow
4 April 2013
http://www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/Home.aspx

Pro Conferences – Commercial Surveyors
‘Current Property Issues 2013’
2 May 2013
Leeds
http://www.proconferences.com/surveyors-conferences/ 

Pro Conferences – Commercial Surveyors
‘Current Property Issues 2013’
9 May 2013
Basildon
http://www.proconferences.com/surveyors-conferences/ 

RIBA Reading CPD Roadshow
30 May 2013
http://www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/Home.aspx

Pro Conferences – Commercial Surveyors
‘Current Property Issues 2013’
5 June 2013
East Midlands
http://www.proconferences.com/surveyors-conferences/ 

Pro Conferences – Commercial Surveyors
‘Current Property Issues 2013’
11 June 2013
Peterborough
http://www.proconferences.com/surveyors-conferences/ 

RIBA London CPD Roadshow
13 June 2013
http://www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/Home.aspx

Pro Conferences – Commercial Surveyors
‘Current Property Issues 2013’
18 June 2013
Southampton
http://www.proconferences.com/surveyors-conferences/ 

RIBA London CPD Roadshow
5 September 2013
http://www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/Home.aspx

RIBA Birmingham CPD Roadshow
19 September 2013
http://www.architecture.com/WhatsOn/Home.aspx

Back to University

We have just started working with the Civil Engineering & Geosciences team at Newcastle University to give their students a helping hand towards their studies.  In partnership with the University, we are providing the opportunity for students currently studying for a Master’s degree to access our Promap digital mapping software.  The aim is for its students to gain real-life practice of using the commercial tools that are widely-used by property professionals, agents and firms throughout the UK.

Over 50 students are benefiting from using our Promap Contaminated Land module as part of their studies, which will provide valuable knowledge and practical hands-on experience of the commercial mapping application before they graduate and move into their chosen careers in the environmental, engineering and related industries.  In addition, students will receive a certificate to verify that they have used the Promap software as part of their Master’s Degree, which can be provided to future employers.

We are proud to be playing our part towards equipping the next generation of property professionals with valuable knowledge that they can tap into, once they have moved into their chosen careers in the future.

A news story regarding the Newcastle University partnership can be seen here:

http://www.geoconnexion.com/news/landmark-helps-map-students-career-paths-at-newcastle-university/

A Promap tutorial taking place at Newcastle

Making an Impression at PropSKI

At Promap, we are proud to sponsor PropSKI – an annual ski trip for young property professionals to meet and network with like-minded post graduate peers, but on the snow-capped Alps. The 2013 event took place earlier this month in Val Thorens, France, and was a fantastic success.

Over 100 people from 40 different companies enjoyed an informal week in the snow, getting to meet new contacts, share stories and have the chance of winning some trophies along the way.  The aim of PropSKi is to bring together traditional networking opportunities for property professionals. It is run by graduate peers and this year, it was keyed towards 1st and 2nd year post graduates sitting for their accreditation or who have recently qualified in a property-related discipline.

A reunion event is taking place on 31st January 2013 at the Builder's Arms on Kensington Court Place at 7pm.

More details are available on the PropSKI Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/PropSKI/409317232421546

Land and property professionals urged to make sure they always rely on licensed mapping data

Ordnance Survey – Great Britain’s national mapping agency – has launched a data integrity campaign aiming at educating data users about the value of having up-to-date and fully licensed mapping information. Promap stands fully behind the campaign and works together with the Ordnance Survey to always provide mapping that is copyright protected.

With the importance of property data significantly growing for making sound business decisions, land and property professionals are being urged to ensure they are only using correctly licensed and latest location data.

A research by the Ordnance Survey found that three thirds of the interviewed senior decision makers from the land and property industry believe that using location data delivers tangible cost efficiencies to their business, which makes the quality of the information even more important. Strikingly however, 34% of these companies don’t hold an Ordnance Survey license.
 
When it comes to digital location-based information, organisations need to make sure that not only is the data up-to-date, but that they have the rights to use it. Unlicensed information can risk the reputation of land and property businesses, which is something they shouldn’t forget as it has both legal and cost implications.

Unlicensed data is often unreliable, old and inaccurate, which can damage a property project and potentially prolong its duration, as well as putting the company-client relationship at risk.
What’s more, relying entirely on accurate, up-to-date and consistent data is a vital prerequisite for a positive organisational reputation, because companies can otherwise face law implications that can badly harm their image. With the face of Britain changing up to 10,000 times a day (ref: Ordnance Survey video), businesses don’t have a choice but to ensure their license is kept up to speed as it’s their defence to an allegation of copyright infringement.

The campaign is backed by the key industry bodies: RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) and RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).

To complement the campaign the Ordnance Survey have also developed a ‘Land and property unlicensed data and mapping information toolkit’ which can be found here.
For more information, have a look at the three official campaign videos:

Why businesses should be licensed

Why surveyors should be using licensed data

 

Why conveyancers should use licensed data



 

 

As a provider of mapping data to individuals and organisations that require instant access to Ordnance Survey information, Promap makes sure it keeps company data and software up-to-date allowing clients to prepare an accurate location plan, develop a clearer picture of an area, create more efficiencies and protect against legal action.

 

To ensure you have the necessary licenses, take a look at our website, where you will find detailed information about paper map copying, licence management, OS license changes and more. For further licensing options you can also call us on 0844 844 9960 and email customerservice@promap.co.uk

What's the future of British cities and do you want to shape it?

Perhaps as little as ten years ago, cities were seen as vital contributors to the global economy. That's no longer true. Today, cities are the global economy. More than 50% of the world's population live in cities and the 40 largest cities, or mega-regions, account for two thirds of the world's output.

In the UK, one of the most rapid areas of growth has been the knowledge economy, and this expansion has played out in our cities. With every new job in other industries being matched by 12 new jobs in knowledge-intensive industries between 1995 and 2005 (and perhaps at a similar rate since then in spite of the economic slump), the cities attracting these industries are the ones that have boomed. The expansion in British cities of knowledge-intensive industries, from financial services to hi-tech manufacturing, has reshaped the UK economy. Successful cities have attracted skilled workers, affluent consumers and thriving cultural centres but there is a growing disparity between "resurgent" cities and those that appear to be "stuck".

What is needed is a vision. A plan and the tools to implement that plan. What people consider as an urban environment, whether in theory or practice, is being redefined and is a turning point. Cities across the world, not just in the UK, are facing complex and rapidly evolving challenges. To create the vision we need to cope with these challenges requires ingenuity and versatility in policymaking, investment and people’s everyday lives. Programmes and initiatives like The Oxford Programme for the Future of Cities are seeking to re-think the city, in theory and practice, as a flexible and evolving space that better responds to contemporary urban challenges.

Right now politicians and commentators are tinkering around the edges. ‘Streamlining’ planning legislation, standardising school design and championing the refurbishment of homes is all well meaning – but lacks cohesion. The UK built environment, especially its cities, needs a strategic vision.

To find out more go to http://www.futureofcities.ox.ac.uk/home; why not sign up for the http://www.ubmfuturecities.com/ join the debate and consider how our cities need to evolve in the future.

Going for gold at Architect of the Year Awards 2012!

Promap customers have recently excelled in the 2012 Architect of the Year Awards with two thirds of the announced finalists having purchased Promap products and services over the past year to assist with some of their projects.
 
The Architect of the Year Awards celebrate excellence in British architecture practices across 13 different sectors including Environment, Housing, Sport and Entertainment, Interior amongst others. Besides these categories they also recognise achievements such as the specialist Autodesk Young Architect of the Year Award, Schueco Gold Award and the IE School of Architecture & Design ‘Class Of’ Scholarship.

The finalists in each category will now be judged by a panel of industry experts, who will be looking for “the practice that has done the most to shift expectations in its particular field, whether it is a small office or a team of hundreds.” The winners will be announced at the Architect of the Year Awards Ceremony on 4th December at The Brewery in London – an event which has become one of the largest gatherings of UK architects.

The Awards organisers Building Design admitted this year has been unique because they received the highest number of entries to date since they started hosting the awards for the first time in 2004.
The Promap team wishes all finalists the very best of luck and is looking forward to the announcement of the winners, especially for the Sports and Entertainment Architect Award, since the company is the sponsor of that category.