Quality in building construction

Readers will know that this year's Awards Evening was cancelled owing to a lack of suitable nominations. This reflects the general downturn in the building trade and the lack of larger projects in the town in recent years. I have been looking at new-build schemes around the town recently and have been struck by the difference in quality of finish between some sites. These photographs of 'new builds' under construction were taken within a mile of each other.

One picture shows a traditional build chimney finished to a high standard. The second shows a pre-formed lintel over a window with disappointing brick finish around it. Better qualified people than myself comment on our built environment regularly on behalf of the Society and its members, but I am astounded that poor workmanship is not picked up and corrected by site agents or others charged with supervision of building sites. After all, once built and finished these buildings, whatever their scale and price, have an impact upon our street scenes for decades.

Hopefully one of these buildings will be nominated next year. I rather doubt that the other will. Readers' opinions on the impact of material and build quality upon our built environment are welcome.

Graham Smith