November 24, 2016

Body found at Didcot Power Station

Brown and Mason paused removal of the debris so that specialists from Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue, and the South Central Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Recovery Team could enter the site. Thames Valley Police said the body had not yet been formally identified and that this would be

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How to install the T80Z Thermo from Triton Showers

How to install the T80Z Thermo from Triton Showers Published:  05 August, 2016 In this video, Triton Showers shows how you can easily replace an existing shower with its T80Z Thermo. Providing the existing electric supply complies with the relevant safety regulations, and the water supply is adequate, you can

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Second Tallest Tower in City of London Given Approval

Plans to build the second tallest tower in the City of London are set to go ahead after planning officers approved the scheme. Now known as the Trellis, 1 Undershaft has been recommended for approval, with the decision to get a formal approval from the City of London Corporation’s planning

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Plans Put Forward for Transformation of Former Yorkshire PO, Leeds

A planning application has been put forward to Leeds City Council to transform the former Yorkshire Post site in Leeds city centre into a new private rented sector (PRS) build-to-rent development. The project would provide 237 purpose built rental apartments for Grainger PLC, the largest specialist residential landlord in the

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LNT Group Posts £23m Profit for 2016

Garforth based LNT Group has reported an operating profit of £23 million for this year throughout the group’s five core companies. Around 2,000 people are employed by the group, which is made up of Ginetta, LNT Solutions, LNT Software, LNT Construction and Ideal Carehomes. The accounts have been published after

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South Devon Highway Scoops Another Major National Award

The South Devon Highway has picked up another major national award. At the British Construction Industry awards, the link road scheme won the Community Engagement Award. The project team, made up of WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Torbay Council, Devon County Council, construction firm Galliford Try and its designer Ramboll, accepted the

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Latest Issue
Issue 322 : Nov 2024

November 24, 2016

Body found at Didcot Power Station

Brown and Mason paused removal of the debris so that specialists from Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue, and the South Central Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Recovery Team could enter the site. Thames Valley Police said the body had not yet been formally identified and that this would be a matter for the coroner. In a statement, police said: “The families of the three men missing since the collapse have been informed and are being supported by specially trained Thames Valley Police officers. “The safe recovery of the body will take place and the Disaster Victim Identification process will commence.” RWE declined to comment when contacted by Construction News. The bodies of three Coleman & Co employees – Ken Cresswell, John Shaw and Chris Huxtable – have been trapped under the collapsed portion of the boiler house since its partial collapse more than six months ago, on 23 February. Another worker, Michael Collings, was found dead shortly after the collapse. Mark Coleman, managing director of Coleman & Company, said in a statement: “It’s been more than six months since the terrible accident at Didcot. I know these have been the most dreadful days for the families of our three missing friends and colleagues. “We continue and will continue to offer our full support to their families as the recovery operation continues. “It has been a painstaking and difficult operation on-site at Didcot and I would like to pay tribute to the dedication of the teams on the ground, who are working so closely with RWE Npower, the Health and Safety Executive and the police. I can’t thank you enough for all you are doing.” Brown and Mason is overseeing the removal and processing of the debris pile as principal contractor after taking over the recovery operation from Coleman & Co on 16 May. The demolition specialist had to previously pause work after reaching a 50 m exclusion zone around the debris pile. The remaining structure of the boiler house was brought down remotely using explosives on 17 July by Alford Technologies, allowing Brown and Mason to resume work soon after. Didcot: Timeline 23 February: Boiler house at Didcot A Power Station partially collapses. 26 February: First victim named as Michael Collings, 53. 2 March: Coleman & Co MD Mark Coleman speaks exclusively to CN about the incident. 16 May: Brown and Mason takes over recovery operation from Coleman & Company, before being halted shortly after due to safety fears. 17 July: Alford Technologies demolished remaining boiler house structure remotely using explosives, allowing Brown and Mason to resume shortly afterwards. 31 August: Body of one of the three missing men located.   Source link

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How to install the T80Z Thermo from Triton Showers

How to install the T80Z Thermo from Triton Showers Published:  05 August, 2016 In this video, Triton Showers shows how you can easily replace an existing shower with its T80Z Thermo. Providing the existing electric supply complies with the relevant safety regulations, and the water supply is adequate, you can fit a T80Z Thermostatic with the same kilowatt rating as the old shower in no time at all. Source link

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Second Tallest Tower in City of London Given Approval

Plans to build the second tallest tower in the City of London are set to go ahead after planning officers approved the scheme. Now known as the Trellis, 1 Undershaft has been recommended for approval, with the decision to get a formal approval from the City of London Corporation’s planning and transport next week. In February, Eric Parry Architects submitted plans for the 73-storey tower skyscraper. Measured from the ground, the office block will stand at 294.6 metres in height, which is just a few metres shorter than Renzo Piano’s 306 metre Shard across the river. When calculated from sea level, the buildings are even closer in height, with the new towers standing at 309.6 metres in height and the Shard at 312.7 metres. Situated next to Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners’ recently completed Cheesegrater building, the scheme will replace the so-called Aviva Tower, which was formerly the Commercial Union Building – a 118 metre-tall Miesian block by GMW dating from 1969. Eric Parry Architects’ 90,000 sq m proposal is backed by Singapore based Aroland Holdings and will feature external cross-bracing fins to reduce solar glare and an elevated reception lobby ‘allowing the public to walk freely beneath the skyscraper’. The proposals, which went out to consultation in December, include a free public viewing gallery ’served by dedicated lifts’ and London’s highest public restaurant. The original designs for a new public square were revised in response to feedback from the public. Last month it emerged that Parry’s 1 Undershaft plans had been lowered by 5m to comply with airspace concerns flaggged by aviation authorities, giving the new building a height of 304.94m. The new height will make the tower just over 70m taller than the Leadenhall Building, and 10m taller than PLP’s tower at 22 Bishopsgate which got the green light from its backers last month.

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Plans Put Forward for Transformation of Former Yorkshire PO, Leeds

A planning application has been put forward to Leeds City Council to transform the former Yorkshire Post site in Leeds city centre into a new private rented sector (PRS) build-to-rent development. The project would provide 237 purpose built rental apartments for Grainger PLC, the largest specialist residential landlord in the UK, and is one of the first PRS schemes to be brought forward in the city. Architects practice The Harris Partnership designed the scheme on behalf of Sterling Investments. It will feature a residential tower stepping from 18 to 11 storeys as it approaches the River Aire. The development will provide 121 two-bedroom and 116 one-bedroom apartments beneath a bronze-clad, rooftop residents lounge, with restaurant and bar provided at the ground floor and basement parking for 72 vehicle and 140 cycle spaces. Chairman of The Harris Partnership, Paul Mitchell commented: “This is one of the most significant redevelopment schemes in the city centre and a truly exciting opportunity to create a unique and visually arresting residential building on a key gateway location into Leeds. “Our proposals for the Yorkshire Post site are designed to maximise its land potential whilst delivering a transformational impact at the top of Wellington Street. The Harris Partnership is already involved in some of the largest commercial, leisure and retail developments in the Leeds City region, including Thorpe Park and White Rose, and we are delighted to extend our presence in the private rented sector on a scheme that will go some way to help meet demand for premium accommodation in the city.” Quod advised the planning application, while Fox Lloyd Jones acted as development managers on the project. Meanwhile, the transformation of a historic Leeds building from a fire-ravaged shell to a gleaming new office block will help create a world class new gateway to the city, it is hoped.

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Carter Towler and CBRE Appointed to Revamp Leeds City Centre Building

CBRE and Carter Towler have been appointed to manage Aireside House in Leeds city centre by Addington Capital. The office building, located at the heart of Leeds’ central office core on Aire Street within 200 metres of Leeds city centre train station, is a four storey brick built property which is currently undergoing a refurbishment. This is set to be completed in the first quarter of next year. Included in the work will be a refurbishment of common areas, air conditioning, LED lighting and brand new shower facilities. The office space will provide media/tech style accommodation featuring exposed original brick and beams. Prospective tenants will benefit from office studio space with suites available from 667 sq ft to 2,336 sq ft. The building will benefit from being within short walking distance of the retail quarter and the Trinity Shopping centre, along with being in close proximity to a number of restaurants and bars. Associate director at CBRE Leeds, Clair McGowan, commented: “We are delighted to be appointed to market Aireside House which holds an attractive position within Leeds’ traditional office area. “The property will appeal to tenants seeking creative and diverse office accommodation within a highly sought after area of Leeds.” Philip Shopland-Reed, senior surveyor at Carter Towler, added: “We are very excited to be marketing Aireside House which we think offers something unique in Leeds city centre. “The combination of quality, character and proximity to the train station make this a great option for any organization.” Earlier in the year, Leeds based chartered surveyor Carter Towler made several appointments and promotions across its business. The company has promoted two long-serving members of staff, and has added a further three new property professionals to its team of 48. Following a record number of instructions, the 67-year-old business is expanding its office and retail agency departments.

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LNT Group Posts £23m Profit for 2016

Garforth based LNT Group has reported an operating profit of £23 million for this year throughout the group’s five core companies. Around 2,000 people are employed by the group, which is made up of Ginetta, LNT Solutions, LNT Software, LNT Construction and Ideal Carehomes. The accounts have been published after the decision by LNT to refocus the care aspect of its business as both a developer and an operator. A major reinvestment has been made in Ideal Carehomes with an above living wage increase for its staff, improvements to the built environment and a focus on offering active lifestyles in the home. Furthermore, LNT took the chance to concentrate on its development and construction businesses. Reflecting the expansion of services in the care sector, LNT built on its turn-of-key offer to include assisted living facilities. Demand kept growing from third party operators for new purpose built care facilities which allowed LNT to build a strong pipeline of sites and pre sold facilities. The accounts state that LNT Construction and LNT Care Developments are on track to be on 13 sites by the end of the current financial year. LNT Chief Executive, Matt Lowe, commented: “We are such a forward-looking company that we’re always thinking about the next innovation or expansion, so preparing the accounts is a great moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made. “As ever, it’s been a fastmoving year with lots of changes within the businesses, typical of the entrepreneurial flair the company has inherited from its Founding Chairman, Lawrence Tomlinson. “With the improvements we’ve been making in Ideal Carehomes, and the successful drive to ramp-up our construction activity, I am delighted by how much progress we’ve already made this year.“ The LNT results also reveal that race car manufacturer Ginetta saw an increase of 28.5% in turnover. Improvements to its car range means Ginetta now offers a full portfolio of GT and prototype race cars which has led to growing demand from international markets, in particular for the G57 sports prototype range. LNT Chairman Lawrence Tomlinson has described this year’s figures as “brilliant”.

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South Devon Highway Scoops Another Major National Award

The South Devon Highway has picked up another major national award. At the British Construction Industry awards, the link road scheme won the Community Engagement Award. The project team, made up of WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Torbay Council, Devon County Council, construction firm Galliford Try and its designer Ramboll, accepted the prize at the London awards ceremony. They are considered the UK’s most prestigious awards for the entire built environment. The project has won a number of awards since it opened, including a gold Green Apple award for its environmental activities, a regional Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation South West award, an institute of Highway Engineers award, a gold Considerate Constructors award and two Institute of Civil Engineering regional awards. Devon County Council cabinet member for economy and growth, Cllr Andrew Leadbetter, commented: “Building the South Devon Highway was highly complex, involving many partners and engineering challenges. “The proximity of the project to residents meant engaging with the community was crucial to the success of the project. This award is therefore formal recognition of our thorough communication with residents and motorists throughout the project.” Gordon Oliver, mayor of Torbay, said: “This is brilliant news for the project and is well deserved. “We know the community engagement activities, including setting up a community liaison group, all helped to keep people informed of activity on the project and helped activity to progress smoothly.” Chris Hastings, Galliford Try project director, added: “The award is a tribute to the huge effort made by the team. “Close collaboration and strong working relationships with the community played a huge part in the project staying on programme. “The community was kept informed of developments at all times and had a say in the construction process through the community liaison group.” The scheme also received a highly commended rating in the major civil engineering project of the year (over £50 million) category and was shortlisted in the low carbon construction, judges special and Prime Minister’s better public building categories.

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CVS reveals stark contrast between business rates for Steel Works

  In the past 18 months, more than 5,000 steel jobs have been lost, with major events including the collapse of SSI in Redcar, Caparo going into administration, and Tata putting its UK operations on the block. Britain’s steel industry remains in crisis as it buckles in the face of competition from state-subsidised Chinese imports, high energy costs and a less favourable property tax regime than enjoyed by European rivals. Steel industry bosses and unions have long warned that a toxic mix of high business rates, rising energy and environmental costs, and the lack of a state-backed industrial policy are threatening Britain’s much-vaunted manufacturing renaissance. So will the recent business rates revaluation help the situation? The Government has now adjusted the Rateable Values of every business property in England and Wales to reflect changes in the property market. The new Rateable Value will be used to determine the basis of the tax calculation for rates next April. The revaluation of business properties usually happens every 5 years but was controversially delayed by 2 years as a result of the economic downturn. The last revaluation came into effect on 1st April 2010 based on the property market as long ago as 1st April 2008. What is a business rates revaluation? The purpose of a business rates rating revaluation is to achieve fairness by ensuring that tax liabilities are based upon up-to-date rental values. As a consequence, revaluations create ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ as ratepayers’ liabilities are shifted in line with relative movements in property values since the previous revaluation. Those whose properties have performed better than their peers – by dint of the quality of their property, location or business sector – since the previous revaluation can expect to see their bills rise. Equally, those whose properties have underperformed can expect to see their bills fall. Business rates for construction sites in Wales set to fall by over 20% In Wales, where property taxes such as business rates are devolved, the Welsh Government has signalled that there will be no cap on downward tax movements, i.e. no transitional relief scheme, other than for those ratepayers whose eligibility for small business rate relief is affected as a result of the revaluation of properties. The upshot is that the Steel industry in Wales will see the full and immediate benefit of falling rateable values next year. According to CVS business rates specialists, Tata Steel at Port Talbot has seen their property assessment fall from £20.9m to £16.88m- a 19% drop.  This year the site paid £10.16m in business rates but, from April next year, CVS projects that will drop to £8.42m. CVS surveyors also suggested that across the 5 main Steelwork sites in Wales, rateable values have fallen from between 16% to 29%, and the total rates payable, i.e. the business rates bills, will fall next April by a quarter from £16.64m to £13.26m. However, in England, the picture is very much different. Transitional Relief in England The problems caused by 5, and recently 7, yearly revaluations are aggravated further for some by the impact of Transitional Relief. The Transitional Relief scheme exists to cushion and phase in increases in bills for those ratepayers who would otherwise see significant increases in their rates liability. This relief is paid for in part by limiting the amount that bills can fall for ratepayers who would otherwise see a significant reduction. Under the scheme, limits continue to apply to yearly increases and decreases until the full amount is due. The Government has issued a consultation on a new transitional relief scheme for implementation of the 2017 revaluation, with two options indicating that option 2 is their preference. Therefore, in England, unlike Wales, a downward cap will apply to large reductions in rateable values for Steelworks and any large business. In year 1, Steelworks and large businesses will effectively be limited to a 4.1% downwards cap. The outlook for construction in England England’s largest steelworks in Scunthorpe has seen its rateable value plummet from £26.66m to £22.48m, a 16% drop. This year the plant will pay £13,250,020 in business rates but next year, without any downward cap, that would be £10,790,400 say CVS business rates specialists. However, the Government’s downward cap means next year the bill will only fall marginally to £12,889,379. Across the 10 main steelworks still remaining in England, CVS says rateable values have fallen by 17.57%, and if no downward cap was in place, as in Wales, they too would similarly save a quarter on their rates next year ; equating to 20.39% or £5.35m. The consequences of the 4.1% downward cap, say CVS, is that steelworks next year will only actually see a drop in real terms of 4.37% in their actual rates payable and only save £1.14m, £4.2m shy of what they would have saved if no transitional relief was applied as in Wales. Conclusion The revaluation in England and Wales of steelworks is undoubtedly good news. Rateable values have fallen. However, given the position of devolution of rates, and a very different position taken by the Welsh Government and Department for Communities & Local Government on how to deal with the volatility, the unintended consequences is to create a far more lucrative property tax incentive in Wales at the expense of their English counterparts. Mark Rigby, CEO of business rates specialists, CVS says; “Welsh steelworks will pay a quarter less in business rates next year as a result of the revaluation, saving the sector £3.38m across the 5 main plants. “Steelworks in England however, have seen rateable values drop by 17.57% on average, but given the effects of transitional relief, their overall bills will only fall by 4.37%, meaning their savings are £4.2m shy of what they should be. “If they were comparable to their Welsh counterparts their bills overall would fall by 20.39%. “The stark contrast here is frankly unbelievable for a sector in such crisis. “The Prime Minister’s new administration is signalling a willingness to think differently on economic

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