A major initiative on occupational health in the building services engineering sector has been launched by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and Constructing Better Health. Starting with a new sector-wide survey, the collaboration aims to provide essential baseline data which will
DECC axed by new Prime Minister Published: 15 July, 2016 The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has been axed as part of new Prime Minister Theresa May’s first Cabinet reshuffle. Instead, the responsibilities DECC held have been merged into a new ministry – the Department of Business, Energy
The Considerate Constructors Scheme is seeking a new board of directors in a major shake-up, which it said will take the organisation to the “next level”. Source link
Newcastle-based social housing landlord Home Group is planning to build a development of 345 homes on the edge of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Home Group has completed a deal to secure a 46 acre site on the Skipton Road in the outskirts of Harrogate. “This is a prime site in a
Gregory Property Group has announced the purchase of a one-acre site on Bingley Street in Leeds city centre, which is currently occupied by Maxi’s Chinese restaurant. WYG, on behalf of Gregory Property Group, has submitted a full planning application to demolish the existing restaurant and deliver a multi-storey purpose-built complex
PLACE (Pan-London Accommodation Collaborative Enterprise) Ltd, a not-for-profit company committed to tackling homelessness in the capital, has released an invitation aimed at modular homes specialists for a £75 million contract that involves the design and manufacture of houses that can be moved from site to site. What PLACE is looking
West Midlands Safari Park chose the Kingspan TEK Building System to provide research and educational space that will have minimal impact on the site due to the lightweight system. Delivery partners Glosford SIPS pre-cut to specification 5000 m2 of the Kingspan TEK Building System in a 142 mm thickness. “We
Energy Assets Group has appointed Jayson Whitaker to head-up its recently-launched Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) business – and to extend the utility offer to housebuilders, developers and contractors to include fibre-to-the-home. He joins one of Britain’s leading independent metering, asset management and utility network construction companies as Managing Director
Rising land price over the last few years has added a positive inertia to the development of townships and residential complexes in the major cities and metros around the globe. These vertical residences which are often offered by companies and factories to their employees and workers are taking the place
A major initiative on occupational health in the building services engineering sector has been launched by the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA), the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) and Constructing Better Health. Starting with a new sector-wide survey, the collaboration aims to provide essential baseline data which will lead to practical occupational health information and support for contractors. The move follows the recent construction industry ‘Occupational Health Summit’, which was attended by dozens of chief executives and directors of construction firms and trade bodies, including senior representatives from the building services engineering sector. According to Paul Reeve, director of Business Services at the ECA: “There are numerous examples of effective occupational health provision in our sector and, managed properly, it delivers business benefits and the career health of tens of thousands of engineering employees. But while there have been major sector-wide improvements in workplace safety, many contractors still struggle with occupational health. “Our survey – which is aimed primarily at employers – aims to find out much more about the current situation, to give us an informed baseline for helping contractors to engage with both physical, and mental, health issues.” Tim Rook, director of technical at BESA commented: “The contracting and construction environment is one of the most demanding sectors to work in, and the health of those working in our sector should be considered vital to success. By using the results of this survey we will be able to target and promote best practice, to help both on-site operatives and managers. “I would encourage everyone to take part as fully and honestly as they can to make this initiative really valuable to the sector, the wider industry, and their own businesses”. Bob Blackman MBE, chairman of Constructing Better Health, added: “Our collaborative survey will help us to further demystify the cloudy perceptions about occupational health and target those areas where our members and industry colleagues aren’t making the most of the resources at hand. “The most important message to share with employees is that occupational health management exists to ensure that your job doesn’t affect your health negatively. Ill-health impacts physical and economic well-being, so therefore, utilise all the occupational health services available to you. There’s help at hand.” Reeve concluded: “We urge all building services engineering companies to complete this short, confidential questionnaire, so we have the best possible information to help the sector move forward with cost effective occupational health management.” The overall survey findings will be shared with key stakeholders across the industry in the second quarter of this year. The occupational health survey can be completed here, and is open until Wednesday 13 April. Source link
DECC axed by new Prime Minister Published: 15 July, 2016 The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has been axed as part of new Prime Minister Theresa May’s first Cabinet reshuffle. Instead, the responsibilities DECC held have been merged into a new ministry – the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. The new department will be headed by Greg Clark, who was formerly the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). Amber Rudd, who was the Secretary of State responsible for DECC, has been made Home Secretary, while Sajid Javid, former business, innovation and skills secretary, has been moved to the DLCG. In a statement on his new role, Mr Clark said: “I am thrilled to have been appointed to lead this new department charged with delivering a comprehensive industrial strategy, leading government’s relationship with business, furthering our world-class science base, delivering affordable, clean energy and tackling climate change.” Others, however, have expressed concerns over the DECC’s abolishment, with former Labour party leader Ed Miliband describing the move as “just plain stupid” on Twitter. While some business leaders have welcomed the decision to merge the departments, others expressed their concern that energy policy could now slip down the agenda without a dedicated department. Phil Hurley, managing director of renewable heating manufacturer NIBE, said the decision was “unsettling”. He said: “Following the welcome boost provided by the launch of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) in 2014, this decision could throw the industry into a renewed state of uncertainty. It would be wrong to say that we at NIBE have no concerns about the potential implications of this for renewable heat in the UK – particularly as it comes during a pivotal RHI consultation period. “The fact remains that the UK is legally bound by statute to honour its 2030 carbon reduction targets, and technologies like heat pumps will be integral to ensuring this happens. That said, the news does leave plenty of room for speculation about the specific focus of the government’s future energy strategy. While the prime minister made it clear in her speech that fuel security and lower bills will be key priorities, what was noticeably absent was any mention of decarbonisation – and at NIBE, we find this potentially unsettling.” The UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC) described the new department as a golden opportunity to put sustainable business at the heart of jobs and prosperity. Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive officer of the UK-GBC, said: “As a priority [Greg Clark] needs to provide reassurance to businesses so they can invest with confidence in a low carbon future. However, the loss of a dedicated climate change department has the potential to send the wrong signal to the international community.” Source link
The Considerate Constructors Scheme is seeking a new board of directors in a major shake-up, which it said will take the organisation to the “next level”. Source link
Newcastle-based social housing landlord Home Group is planning to build a development of 345 homes on the edge of Harrogate, North Yorkshire. Home Group has completed a deal to secure a 46 acre site on the Skipton Road in the outskirts of Harrogate. “This is a prime site in a very popular town where there is a high demand for housing,” said director of development Sean Egan. “We intend to deliver high quality homes which will be sought after by those wanting to live in the area.” He said: “Our appetite for new land opportunities is strong… The deal supports our growth strategy which is to build more mixed tenure communities and overall 50% of our development programme will involve homes for private sale.” Commercial Estates Group (CEG) secured outline planning permission for the site and has worked with Harrogate Borough Council to masterplan the scheme. This article was published on 28 Jul 2016 (last updated on 28 Jul 2016). Source link
Gregory Property Group has announced the purchase of a one-acre site on Bingley Street in Leeds city centre, which is currently occupied by Maxi’s Chinese restaurant. WYG, on behalf of Gregory Property Group, has submitted a full planning application to demolish the existing restaurant and deliver a multi-storey purpose-built complex to house around 400 bedrooms for a brand new student residential development. “We are pleased to have secured this site through competitive tender which recognises the credentials of our long-established business to deliver sustainable development,” said Barry Gregory of Gregory Property Group. “The appetite for high quality student accommodation continues to grow apace with Leeds being one of the top ten university destinations in the UK. With a growing student population of around 60,000 students in the city there remains sustainable demand,” he continued. In Leeds, more than half of the student population is made up of University of Leeds, which has seen a growing number of international students who want to stay in purpose built student accommodation (PBSA). Moreover, this particular site sits within a PBSA location, where accommodation is most needed. The University of Leeds is the city’s largest institution with over 30,000 students, more than half of the full-time student population. Leeds Beckett University attracts nearly 19,000 students, whilst the city’s three smaller, specialist institutions account for over 5,000 full-time students. Acting on behalf of Gregory Property Group in the acquisition of the site was Michael Leonard of Carisbrooke Estates. Subject to planning consent, Gregory Property Group aims to start construction work on site in February 2019.
PLACE (Pan-London Accommodation Collaborative Enterprise) Ltd, a not-for-profit company committed to tackling homelessness in the capital, has released an invitation aimed at modular homes specialists for a £75 million contract that involves the design and manufacture of houses that can be moved from site to site. What PLACE is looking for is precision-manufactured family homes that will have the quality of permanent housing, but can also be moved from one site to another as required. Those homes will be placed on vacant sites that would otherwise remain underused over the short to medium term. Modular building will be used in order to provide high quality, local and temporary accommodation for people who need a home. This is the first time UK local authorities have collaborated to acquire modular housing for this purpose, with PLACE being hosted by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This project has an initial target of delivering 200 modular homes across the capital. “Our aim is to challenge and inspire the housing design and construction industry to create an innovative and high-quality product to meet London’s opportunities and needs head-on,” said Mark Baigent, PLACE Ltd’s Director. “We want to procure attractive and spacious factory-built homes that can be easily moved from site to site around London. We look forward to sharing our vision and seeing what the rapidly growing modular market can offer,” he continued. The launch event will be hosted by PLACE on Wednesday, the 25th of July at London Borough of Tower Hamlets Council Chambers, with the winning firm expected to be delivering a mixture of two and three bedroom family properties. The deadline for submissions of the Expression of Interest Selection Questionnaire is the 15th of August 2018.
West Midlands Safari Park chose the Kingspan TEK Building System to provide research and educational space that will have minimal impact on the site due to the lightweight system. Delivery partners Glosford SIPS pre-cut to specification 5000 m2 of the Kingspan TEK Building System in a 142 mm thickness. “We needed to provide large teaching spaces within a quick construction period that would leave no footprint on the land if it was returned to grazing land in the future. The Kingspan TEK Building System was an obvious choice as it is low maintenance and lightweight. It also provided a well-insulated structure to help us meet Simplified Building Energy Model (SBEM) compliance,” explained Richard Painter, director of Painter Architects. Manufactured off-site, the building envelope was transported to the park and then craned into position above screw pile foundations. “With the installation having to be completed during the closed season, there had to be a quick turnaround. We have had lots of experience working with Kingspan though and the system is really quick – the entire envelope was up in two weeks! We also really enjoyed working alongside the Safari Park construction team and the wild animals too,” said Mike Fleming, director of Glosford SIPS. For the design, the Kingspan TEK panels were clad with cedar and African art panels on the walls. Dark green corrugated tin sheeting was then added on the mono pitched roof to blend in with the landscape and fit the aesthetic of the park. By erecting a Kingspan TEK Building System envelope, the project could accomplish ‘excellent’ levels of thermal performance by achieving U-values of 0.20 W/m2.K or better for the walls and roof. The insulated spline jointing detail, in combination with its OSB/3 facing bonded to a highly insulated core, was said to have ensured minimal thermal bridging through the insulation layer and resulted in a very airtight building shell which offered air permeability of less than 1 m3/hr.m2 at 50Pa. Once the system was sealed with a breather membrane, the entire structure became watertight.
Energy Assets Group has appointed Jayson Whitaker to head-up its recently-launched Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) business – and to extend the utility offer to housebuilders, developers and contractors to include fibre-to-the-home. He joins one of Britain’s leading independent metering, asset management and utility network construction companies as Managing Director of Energy Assets Networks, which is licensed to own, adopt and operate ‘final mile’ electricity networks. The move coincides with Energy Assets’ plans to add fibre infrastructure to the Group’s network design and operator portfolio. Mr Whitaker brings with him considerable experience in the Competition in Connections (CiC) market, having worked in leadership roles for network operators and supply chain providers. Most recently, he was responsible for the start-up and strong organic growth of Utility Power Systems and Utility Fibre Systems, now part of Wolseley UK Infrastructure. He is also a well-known industry figure, sitting on the Ofgem CiC panel alongside DNOs, IDNOs and customer groups, and is active in the Metered Connections Customer Group, which lobbies for greater market place competition. Jayson Whitaker commented: “I am excited to be taking the lead at Energy Assets Networks at a time of considerable opportunity, given the scale of Britain’s house building plans and the structural changes underway in the UK utility market. With the projected growth in electric vehicles and increasing demand for fibre services, we need design solutions that will future-proof our local networks, embracing the technological advances that will drive operational efficiency.” Since its launch earlier this year, Energy Assets’ electricity network business has grown strongly through partnerships with independent utility construction contractors and residential and commercial developers, thanks to innovations in asset-based finance and in network design, compliance and management. Colin Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Energy Assets Group, commented: “We are delighted that Jayson will be leading our IDNO and Fibre business. He brings a demonstrable track record of delivering organic growth, which combined with his industry insight and prominence in stakeholder relationships creates exciting opportunities for our network asset expansion across Britain.” www.energyassets.co.uk
Rising land price over the last few years has added a positive inertia to the development of townships and residential complexes in the major cities and metros around the globe. These vertical residences which are often offered by companies and factories to their employees and workers are taking the place of a lucrative alternative in congested living situations. The high-quality amenities offered by these apartments to its residents also serve as another important factor adding to its demand. Today we shall take a look at the best amenities which are provided by the housing accommodations to its residents. Spacious building designs which facilitate multilevel vehicle parking are much favored. Reserved parking space for guests is another practical requirement which should not be missed. Adequate space should be available for conducting business and social gatherings such as a multipurpose or community hall. Some other conveniences which you need to look out for are pre-planned vehicle-free plazas, green rooms for relaxation and well-planned building layout paving the way for maximum access to scenic landscapes and natural light. Our hectic lives filled with stress pertaining to both work and personal lives making it essential to engage in sports and recreation activities for maintaining a proper balance. Gliding in the skating rink or opting for a quick game of table tennis can do miracles in rejuvenating your soul. A multipurpose court or sports arena can include indoor games such as fuss-ball, carom, squash, pool and a large number of other options. Outdoor recreational provisions in the backyard sport court can include basketball, football, badminton, cricket, etc. A hobby room or amphitheater can serve as pure bliss for the residents who wish to engage in cultural activities such as theatre, singing, dancing or poetry. If you are a voracious reader, then make sure that a reading room or library facility is there in the accommodation provided by your company. Coupled with such recreational facilities, you can easily discover the finer side of life amidst the rat race of maintaining your supremacy both at work and play. Can anything be more convenient than purchasing the items of your daily needs from the departmental store which is located just around the corner? We bet not, and that is why it is essential to ensure if the accommodation has a departmental store to cater to your requirements round the clock. The additional value might be added with the presence of provisions for car washing, energy-efficient lobby lights, solar panels to ensure running hot water, etc. Health conscious buyers are bound to look for swimming pools, yoga centers, meditation spaces, spa, cycling and jogging tracks and shaded walkways while moving in an accommodation provided by their company. These amenities can have a tranquilizing effect on our tired and stressed mind by helping us be at peace with our surroundings. Families having small children will be on the lookout for amenities such as sandpit areas, toddler play areas, kid’s swimming pools, etc. in the complex. Real estate experts, however, advise families having kids or infants to look beyond the boundaries of the complex as well. They need to ensure if adequate schools, day-care centers, colleges, and hospitals are present in the vicinity. If you have some senior citizens in your family, then make sure that your housing complex has structural aids for the elderly such as benches and ramps. Easy accessibility to healthcare facilities also becomes a topmost priority in such cases such as the presence of a medical section in the department store within your complex. A modern apartment ensures that the buildings don’t share walls so that you can make the most of your privacy without sacrificing on the important aspects of ventilation and free air flow. Also, make sure that your building has adequate power backup so that you don’t have to take the stairs in the case of a power failure.
