Arcadis, Gardiner & Theobald and Turner & Townsend have been picked on the four-year framework and will provide a range of commercial services as well as project and programme management resources on the scheme. Arcadis has been working with Thames Water for the last four years throughout the procurement phase,
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Thu, Apr 21st 2016 With the Government viewing brownfield land as a key enabler for delivering new housing, Landmark Information Group, the UK’s leading supplier of digital mapping, property and environmental risk information, is addressing delegates at
CBRE Global Investors, represented by international real estate advisor Savills, has sold Yorkshire Bank’s headquarters in Leeds to a private Spanish investor for £16 million. The deal reflects a net initial yield of 7%. The landmark city centre property offers 76,344 sq ft (7,092 sq m) of office space across
After last week’s shock decision for the UK to leave the EU, Bsria says it is ‘business as usual’ for its members and that the construction industry should remain confident and optimistic about the opportunities out there for existing and new industry projects. Indeed Bsria is committed to giving
Government Leader of the House and Chief Whip Jane Hutt AM has welcomed plans to build a unique £6.5m construction training centre which will train 1,100 people per year across Wales. Addressing CITB Wales’ Board Dinner, the Minister spoke about the potential of the new Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC),
Heathrow Airport has revealed that cargo volumes have increased by 7% as it is buoyed by the expansion decision. The rise has capped a buoyant month for the transport hub after the government decided to expand the airport at the end of last month. Heathrow officials said that cargo volumes
Scottish Highlands capital Inverness could be a step closer to the construction of 49 new “affordable” homes after a new planning application was submitted. However, almost immediately after the document was signed, one city councillor warned that such an expansion would require additional school provision before the houses could be
Foresight Group has ploughed £3 million into Manchester bases civil engineering firm Utilities Design & Planning from the Foresight Regional Investment Fund. UDP, a provider of traffic management and civil engineering services, offers inspections, planning works and project management of utilities, sewer connections and highways and rail schemes. The firm
In response to the Welsh Government’s newly published budget, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru has said that the announcement of a new £111 million fund for apprenticeships must be followed by a sector-specific plan as to where this training will be targeted. Director of FMB Cymru, Ifan Glyn,
The government has revealed a portfolio of 13 projects to offer £5 billion of opportunities to potential investors from China in the Northern Powerhouse. Chancellor Phillip Hammond presented the schemes to a delegation led by Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai. Hammond commented: “As we seek to take to take the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Arcadis, Gardiner & Theobald and Turner & Townsend have been picked on the four-year framework and will provide a range of commercial services as well as project and programme management resources on the scheme. Arcadis has been working with Thames Water for the last four years throughout the procurement phase, and worked on the transfer of the project from Thames Water to Tideway in 2015. Gardiner & Theobald has also worked on the tunnel programme since 2013. Commenting on the deal, Tideway chief operating officer Mark Sneesby said: “We’re delighted to have Arcadis, Turner & Townsend and G&T on board. “As we start main construction work on the Thames Tideway Tunnel, we are confident that having the knowledge and expertise of three of the most prominent consultancies will be a huge asset in our work to clean up London’s river.” In December last year, Aecom, Mott McDonald and an Arup / Atkins JV were named as design partners for the major works packages on the super sewer, while in February three joint ventures were picked for a £2.3bn deal for the project’s construction contracts. Source link
Category: Construction Industry Today | Subscribe to Construction Industry Today Feed Published Thu, Apr 21st 2016 With the Government viewing brownfield land as a key enabler for delivering new housing, Landmark Information Group, the UK’s leading supplier of digital mapping, property and environmental risk information, is addressing delegates at the BRE ‘City Regeneration’ Cities Convention regarding the importance of data in understanding the history – and associated risks – relating to brownfield sites. Posted via Industry Today. Follow us on Twitter @IndustryToday The one day conference, which takes place on 17 May at K&L Gates’ offices in London, will explore what brownfield land development means for planning authorities and developers, examining issues around the effective use of data and mapping, environmental risk and financial viability. It will also seek to create the case for developing more sustainable and connected communities supported by effective infrastructure. The event is open for registration and invites planners, developers, consultants/advisors, housing associations, utilities companies and local authorities to attend to understand the opportunities, and risks relating to brownfield land development. William Kirk, Head of Asset Management at Landmark Information Group said: “There’s a big push for brownfield development right now. With local authorities required to specify which brownfield sites are suitable to Planning Permission in Principle, combined with a new Brownfield Register pilot underway with 73 councils across the country, it is clear that the government is focused on achieving its target for extensive development of these sites. This conference brings together those professionals with a vested interest in regeneration and housing developments to discuss some of the challenges, opportunities and risks relating to construction projects on brownfield land.” During the conference, William Kirk will be hosting a workshop where he will be seeking feedback on the prospective development of a ‘LandSearch’ managed service to assist Local Authorities, developers and landowners in supporting decision making on the suitability and developability of land. Source link
CBRE Global Investors, represented by international real estate advisor Savills, has sold Yorkshire Bank’s headquarters in Leeds to a private Spanish investor for £16 million. The deal reflects a net initial yield of 7%. The landmark city centre property offers 76,344 sq ft (7,092 sq m) of office space across five floors and has been let in its entirety to the bank since it was built in 1980. The annual rental income is £1.19 million, with circa nine years unexpired on the current lease. Located at Twenty Merrion Way, the building is adjacent to the First Direct Arena and Merrion House which is being redeveloped as a 170,000 sq ft (15,793 sq m) headquarters for occupation by Leeds City Council. The city’s civic quarter and main retail quarter are also nearby. Simon Lister, investment director at Savills, comments: “This asset combines a secure income with excellent development prospects and an integral position in a booming area of Leeds city centre. We received significant interest from both overseas and domestic investors, and are very pleased with the strong sale price achieved.” Source link
After last week’s shock decision for the UK to leave the EU, Bsria says it is ‘business as usual’ for its members and that the construction industry should remain confident and optimistic about the opportunities out there for existing and new industry projects. Indeed Bsria is committed to giving ‘extra service to members’ throughout this uncertain time. Julia Evans, chief executive, Bsria, said: “Now that the dust has settled a week on from the Brexit decision – for Bsria it is definitely business as usual – we are where we are. There are opportunities out there for our members to garner new work and deals – we all just need to find them. “Against a backdrop of political and ‘economic spaghetti’ Bsria can lead and support its members into a bright new future. It is a brave new world. We appreciate there is certainly political turmoil, noise and volatility in Westminster – but Bsria needs to join in this debate. “As an industry – we must now start to shape future policy. Indeed it is a chance to revise industry regulations and to renegotiate the framework for the future and find new trade rules. “We need to protect what has already been invested in and make the most of our assets – especially – investments and buildings. And ensure that investors have confidence in our industry. “I was especially encouraged to learn that government ministers have begun efforts to reassure industry leaders that housing and infrastructure spending will not drop and in fact both will become ‘more important, not less’ after Brexit. The Mayor of London has also announced to boost housing. “Industry cannot afford any period of parliamentary inaction and uncertainty on non-EU related issues, whether two years or more in length, and Bsria seeks urgent reassurance from government that this will not be the case.” Source link
Government Leader of the House and Chief Whip Jane Hutt AM has welcomed plans to build a unique £6.5m construction training centre which will train 1,100 people per year across Wales. Addressing CITB Wales’ Board Dinner, the Minister spoke about the potential of the new Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), and also highlighted the Welsh Government’s: Intention to provide industry with a clear pipeline of public sector projects; Support for construction being recognised as an attractive career choice; Commitment to developing the skills base in Wales, as an imperative to its commitment to tackling poverty and disadvantage. The CWIC will see partners from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and CITB develop a unique ‘Hub and Spoke’ training framework to deliver specialist construction training at all levels across all sectors and supply chains in Wales. The CWIC’s “Hub” will be based at the University’s SA1 Swansea Waterfront. The “Spokes” will be located at colleges across Wales including: Coleg Sir Gâr, Coleg Ceredigion, Coleg Cambria in North Wales and Coleg y Cymoedd in South East Wales. The CITB-funded CWIC (which will be constructed and open in September 2018) will also work closely with the first new school of architecture in Wales for 120 years, which is part of UWTSD. Speaking on CWIC at CITB Wales’ Board Dinner the Minister said: “I’m pleased that the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and a consortium led by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, is establishing the Construction Wales Innovation Centre (CWIC), to offer state-of-the-art facilities and world-class training for individuals and construction companies. Congratulations, it’s really great to hear about this centre. “The Welsh Government is committed to supporting the construction sector and our joint investment program with CITB, Construction Futures Wales, which is targeted at facilitating the growth and development of companies has been, and continues to be, a success.” Mark Bodger, Strategic Partnerships Director for CITB Cymru Wales, said: “Over the years some apprentices have had to leave Wales to gain industry-recognised construction skills across the border. The CWIC will help ensure Wales has home-grown skills in place to meet the construction industry’s current and future needs. CWIC will be a major step forward for the construction industry in Wales.” Gerald Naylor, Director Construction Wales Innovation Centre, said: “CWIC is already making strong connections between employers and the collaborative partnerships formed to deliver the specialist training courses and engagement events. The combined CWIC event with the Royal Society of Architects Wales and Constructing Excellence Wales drawing over 70 delegates is a perfect example of working together for the benefit of the wider industry.” In addition to the CWIC, the Minister spoke of the “importance of the construction sector, one of our key priority sectors” and welcomed the contribution made to the sector by CITB Wales. The Minister acknowledged how the construction sector has “come together to develop “GoConstruct, the first industry wide interactive portal showcasing the wide variety of jobs in construction”. She added that the Government’s intention was to “provide industry with a clear pipeline of public sector projects” stating that “with several large infrastructure projects in the pipeline it is crucial that construction is recognised as an attractive career choice. Large projects will bring their challenges, as well as opportunities to promote construction careers, so providing good career advice is vital.” She added: “The Welsh Government wants to showcase opportunities and broker strong links between employers, colleges and universities, to help young people and jobseekers get the skills employers need. Developing the skills base of our citizens is imperative to the Welsh Government’s commitment to tackling poverty and disadvantage.” Concluding her speech the Minister, who said the Welsh Government is “committed to apprenticeships”, citing their aim to create at least 100,000 all age apprenticeships over the next 5 years, said: “With many strategic infrastructure projects planned, offering huge opportunities, these are exciting times for the construction sector.” Source link
Heathrow Airport has revealed that cargo volumes have increased by 7% as it is buoyed by the expansion decision. The rise has capped a buoyant month for the transport hub after the government decided to expand the airport at the end of last month. Heathrow officials said that cargo volumes increased by 7% in October, although the total number of passengers went down slightly to 6.5 million from 6.8 million in September. This is along with a 1.2% year on year fall which it blames on last month’s Hurricane Matthew in the US. The airport accounted for 30% of all exports from the UK by value outside the EU last year, and Heathrow has seized upon the latest increase in cargo numbers to further argue that the government’s decision to green light expansion was the right one. Consultations on a draft policy statement are set to get underway next year, though it is expected to be a long and arduous road to securing the construction of a third runway at the London airport with continued opposition and legal battles set to carry on taking place. John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow Chief Executive, said that the airport had already started planning how to deliver a third runway and was keen to emphasise that the benefits of expansion would be felt right across the UK. He added: “With the support of communities across the UK, Heathrow is now working at pace to deliver the benefits of Britain’s new runway – an affordable plan that creates more jobs, boosts exporters and builds an economy that is stronger and fairer for everyone – as quickly as possible.” The third runway at Heathrow threatens to worsen air quality in central London, according to the Government’s own analysis. It also raised doubts over whether another runway could be opened in 2025 at the west London airport without breaching EU legal limits on air pollution. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has said that meeting air quality legal requirements is a condition of planning approval.
Scottish Highlands capital Inverness could be a step closer to the construction of 49 new “affordable” homes after a new planning application was submitted. However, almost immediately after the document was signed, one city councillor warned that such an expansion would require additional school provision before the houses could be built. Albyn Housing Society has lodged a proposal for 49 homes at Balvonie Street as part of the Balvonie Braes development on the south side of the capital Highland city. It is proposed to be situated across from the site of the controversial and publicly-subsidised “Scotland’s Housing Expo”, which was created to showcase eco-friendly housing. The plans are a revised version of documents that were submitted to the Highland Council just more than a year previously. Calum Macaulay, Chief Executive at Albyn, commented: “We have submitted plans for 49 homes at Balvonie Street. “We’ve worked closely with local architects Colin Armstrong Associates to design a range of houses and flats for affordable rent and sale.” However, in keeping a close check on expansion in the Milton of Leys suburb and the surrounding district, local SNP councillor Ken Gowans responded: “While this is planned expansion, these houses will simply compound the school roll pressures at Milton of Leys Primary. “It is all very well building houses, but we should concentrate on building a community. “For that, we need greater capacity in our schools as well as significant improvements in our community facilities first.” Ranging styles of property have been proposed for the project, ranging from one bedroom flats to two, three and four bedroom homes. The surrounding roads may be extended to serve the expanded site. The local development plan has the greenfield site zoned for housing. Albyn bought it from the Highland Housing Alliance which ran the expo. The HHA eco scheme won awards, but made a financial loss.
Foresight Group has ploughed £3 million into Manchester bases civil engineering firm Utilities Design & Planning from the Foresight Regional Investment Fund. UDP, a provider of traffic management and civil engineering services, offers inspections, planning works and project management of utilities, sewer connections and highways and rail schemes. The firm has sales of around £6 million and employs 33 members of staff, a number that will rise through the use of sub-contractors. The investment will allow the continued expansion of the company and the ability to make the most of the major infrastructure investments in the North West. UDP was established in Salford 20 years ago by the current directors Noel Gallagher and David Hilton who will stay with the firm as part of the transaction. Former MD at Enterprise, Richard Fraser, will join as non-executive chairman, and former FD at Amey Plc, David Atherton, will join as finance director to support the current management team. This is the third investment from the £40 million FRIF which is led out of Foresight’s office in Manchester and invests in high growth SMEs in the North West area. Managing Director UDP, Dave Hilton, commented: “The Manchester market is fast providing more opportunities for expansion with focus on a growing economy and infrastructure. Foresight’s support will allow us to engage with this growth in activity through driving sales, and by expanding services into adjacent geographies to meet emerging demands.” Among UDP’s clients are Manchester and Salford City Councils, Transport for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Police and property developer Argent. Claire Alvarez, senior investment manager, Foresight added: “UDP has demonstrated strong growth in recent years, and is a great example of the type of SME that we look for in the FRIF.” Foresight WAS advised in the transaction by a team from Addleshaw Goddard led by Katie Simpson and Andy Green with financial due diligence provided by Stephen Green’s team at RSM, commercial diligence carried out by Roger Penny of RPL and management due diligence carried out by Mike Hicks of Catalysis.
In response to the Welsh Government’s newly published budget, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru has said that the announcement of a new £111 million fund for apprenticeships must be followed by a sector-specific plan as to where this training will be targeted. Director of FMB Cymru, Ifan Glyn, said that they welcome the Welsh Government’s announcement of a new £111 million apprenticeship fund, aimed at creating 100,000 all-age apprenticeships. He added that is it now important that the Welsh Government focuses on the task of allocating those funds to training in industries where skilled workers are needed most and where the impact will be most beneficial for the wider economy. Glyn said that for that reason, it would be helpful to provide a sector break down of where these 100,000 apprenticeships will be created, so that key industries and businesses can plan ahead. Glyn concluded: “In particular, the construction industry is still waiting on a clear skills strategy from the Welsh Government. Our sector is already suffering from an enormous talent shortage, and this is only likely to worsen as the Welsh Government embarks on its drive to build more homes in addition to the obvious pressures that will be created by major infrastructure projects such as the new Wylfa nuclear power plant. “Businesses need to know whether the projected number of construction apprenticeships to be funded will be adequate to plug this skills gap. At a time of continued reductions in UK-wide spending and economic uncertainty in the wake of Brexit, creating jobs with a virtual guarantee of high value, well paid employment that will help generate activity throughout the Welsh economy is a no brainer. Few industries are better placed to provide such opportunities than construction. This is something which we hope the Welsh Government recognises.”
The government has revealed a portfolio of 13 projects to offer £5 billion of opportunities to potential investors from China in the Northern Powerhouse. Chancellor Phillip Hammond presented the schemes to a delegation led by Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai. Hammond commented: “As we seek to take to take the golden era of UK China relations to the next step, we have a major opportunity to open up investment opportunities across the Northern Powerhouse. “This portfolio, opening up billions of pounds of investment ready projects to Chinese investors, will support our work to grow and create jobs across the north, as well as underpin our ambitions to bring world class infrastructure to every corner of Britain.” The Department for International Trade has also confirmed that they are working with 15 investors from China on property development and infrastructure schemes in the North of England. Some of the projects within the Northern Powerhouse Investment Portfolio are: AeroCentre, Doncaster: working with Sheffield Airport in the next phase of development to create new offices, logistic units and aviation hangars. Future Carrington, Trafford: opportunities for investment in a large scale residential and employment development in a prime location, providing over 14,000 new jobs and contributing an additional £720m GVA per annum. Kampus, Manchester: an exciting opportunity to create new city centre apartments and retail including bars, cafes and shops. Kirkstall Forge, Leeds: an opportunity to develop a new neighbourhood of 1,050 new homes, office space, retail, leisure and community space. Liverpool Waters, Liverpool: this offers sale of land to develop a full range of uses, as part of an overall £5 billion project which transform the city’s northern docks. MediaCityUK, Salford, Greater Manchester: home to the BBC, ITV and more than 250 smaller creative and digital businesses, an investment would double the size of MediaCityUK, creating studio, office, residential and retail space.
