The Office for National Statistics has warned that the number of Londoners under the age of 40 setting up their own home in the capital is to fall significantly over the next 15 years. However, the report goes on to say that the borough of Barking and Havering, will buck
The key issues facing the construction industry are usually budget and time constraints. We are increasingly pressured to complete projects within strict programmes whilst sticking to allocated budgets. The rise of power tools has been critical to making construction projects more efficient, quicker and less expensive. In the early ‘80s,
National Grid and its contractors Murphy Eltel Joint Venture have finished building the new 20km high voltage electricity line between Richborough and Canterbury to connect the Nemo Link®, into the UK’s electricity transmission system. The new line, consisting of 60 new pylons is the first to be built in Kent
A POLICE station has been officially opened by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales after being transformed into a contemporary build fit for 21st century policing. The Prince of Wales visited King’s Lynn Police Station on Thursday, 29 November to tour its modern new facilities, meet the officers and
The Workplace Summit is a one-day conference and exhibition which takes place on February 6th2019 at Croke Park. It is the first conference in Ireland to centre on the three key areas of Workplace, – People, Place and Technology, attracting Senior Professionals from Facilities Management, Property, HR & IT. We
Following a £3.1 million transformation, King’s Lynn Police Station was opened by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales toured the new facilities and met the officers and staff, before officially declaring the building open. Delivered by Pick Everard and Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure, the St James Street building
One of the most prestigious residential development projects in the UK has recently been completed using a number of different products from Sto. StoTherm Classic external wall insulation and StoDeco profiles have been used to provide high levels of thermal insulation and an outstanding external appearance for the 11 new
The Office for National Statistics has warned that the number of Londoners under the age of 40 setting up their own home in the capital is to fall significantly over the next 15 years. However, the report goes on to say that the borough of Barking and Havering, will buck the trend and show projected increases. Thurrock lies a mile away to the east of where Bellway launched Renovo, a development of 200 new homes on 27thOctober with a second phase to follow. In the past five years property in Thurrock, Essex has seen a rise in value of 37.04%, and the average value of property in the area is currently just under £220,000 according to Zoopla’s Zed Index. Bellway’s Renovo development, offers a selection of new homes and apartments which will include one and two-bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses starting from £219,995. Renovo includes a collection of two, three and four bedroom houses, and one and two bedroom apartments, ideal for families, investors or commuting professionals looking for a new modern pad. Thurrock is a fantastic commuter location, with an excellent range of nearby facilities and amenities, good transport connections and plenty of green spaces, offering residents a versatile and reasonably priced locality. “Often homebuyers are struggling to find competitively priced new-build homes within easy striking distance of London, so we’re pleased to be offering Renovo, an attractive development with a varied selection of homes at affordable prices. This is an area on the fringes of London that is ripe for development and will provide excellent commuter homes for professionals and families alike,” said Paul Timson, Sales Manager at Bellway Homes Essex. This regeneration of West Thurrock gives residents wonderful open space; the 200-acre Chafford Gorges Nature Park just 20 minutes on foot; perfect for a family day out or just getting away from it all with stunning views across the gorge. Less than a 10 minute drive away, Rainham Marshes RSPB Nature Reserve is popular with the more active members of the community; cyclists, runners and walkers can all enjoy this idyllic Essex countryside. Various sports amenities are close by, including Mardyke Valley Golf Club and Blackshots leisure centre, which hosts two swimming pools, a fitness suite and exercise studios. Residents of Renovo are also ideally placed to enjoy the Intu Lakeside Mall which is home to a myriad of restaurants, bars, cafes and a wide range of shopping amenities. Further afield there is easy train access to the heart of East London and the Docklands where visitors can explore a wide range of dining and leisure options. Ideal for commuters, Chafford Hundred is the nearest train station, which is a 20 minute walk from the development, reaching London Fenchurch Station in as little as 30 minutes and providing excellent transport links to Barking, Limehouse and Southend. Major road connections accessible from the development include the A13 to East London and Docklands, which is also a great link to London City Airport in a short 25 minute drive and the M25 Orbital. Prices start at £219,995 for a one bedroom apartment. For further information please visit www.bellway.co.uk or call 0845 548 8026.
The key issues facing the construction industry are usually budget and time constraints. We are increasingly pressured to complete projects within strict programmes whilst sticking to allocated budgets. The rise of power tools has been critical to making construction projects more efficient, quicker and less expensive. In the early ‘80s, the first battery powered tools hit the market. They were received with mixed emotions as many didn’t believe they would ever have the power to replicate cordless tools. But in recent years, cordless technology has advanced so far that most of us couldn’t see any other way to complete a job than with our trusted power tool in hand. The Power Of Volts One of the biggest advancements in power tools is the increase in voltage rating. Generally, if the voltage is higher, the tool will have more power to drive bigger bits. But bigger isn’t always better. If you work in small or confined spaces, you may benefit from a smaller voltage which will suit a smaller tool. This will be much easier and more comfortable to work with. Amp-hour Rating Our power tools have also been revolutionised by improved battery capacities. The Amp Hour (AH) specification tells us how much energy can be stored by the battery. Advancements in this technology means our cordless batteries can run for longer than ever before. Lithium-ion Batteries The creation of lithium-ion batteries has revolutionised the construction industry. Many batteries used for cordless power tools and machines are now lithium-ion and we can see why. They’re generally lighter than other types of batteries, making them easier to use. They can also store a much higher density of energy and hold their charge, so last a lot longer than traditional batteries. So, how has the development of power tools improved the construction industry? Shorter Programmes Power tools are much more efficient than traditional manual tools and make jobs much quicker to complete. This has allowed shorter project timescales to become a reality. Advance in Materials The rise of power tools has allowed the construction industry to advance massively. We can now use more ambitious materials and methods than ever before. Power drills allow us to penetrate materials that would be impossible manually. Cost Savings The rise of power tools and machinery has been hugely cost effective to the construction industry. Companies used to spend huge amounts of budget on man hours to get the job done. Now, our technological capabilities mean we can use less man-power and much quicker construction methods which massively reduces costs. There is no doubt that the rise of cordless power tools has revolutionised the construction industry. The power we now hold in our hands has made construction more efficient than ever before.
National Grid and its contractors Murphy Eltel Joint Venture have finished building the new 20km high voltage electricity line between Richborough and Canterbury to connect the Nemo Link®, into the UK’s electricity transmission system. The new line, consisting of 60 new pylons is the first to be built in Kent for 25 years. A total of 260km of high voltage cables have now been placed on the pylons and have been tested, paving the way for the final testing and commissioning of the Nemo Link® interconnector, which will allow electricity to flow both ways between the UK and Europe. The Richborough Connection was necessary as there is no high voltage transmission network in the Richborough area to carry electricity from the interconnector. The construction work, carried out by 250 skilled workers at the peak of operations involved more than 6,000 crane lifts to put the new pylons into place for a route that crosses eight roads, three rivers and three rail lines in its journey across the county. Graham Dolamore, Project Director for National Grid said: “The completion of the Richborough Project is a significant milestone in the programme for these two projects which will allow power to flow between Britain and Belgium early next year, providing security of supply and greater opportunities for the UK to trade with wider European energy markets. “I’m proud to have been a part of this project and of the fact that we’ve worked closely with landowners and communities to get the connection built on time and with minimal disruption. It is another demonstration of the crucial role National Grid plays in making sure people across Kent and far beyond have the energy they need, when they need it.” Shane Jestin, Murphy Eltel Construction Director said: “It has been a tough but successful job all round, thanks to the hard work of all those involved. We’ve carried out more than 6,000 lifts and managed to hit challenging project deadlines thanks to a mix of thorough planning and excellent delivery.” More than 750,000 working hours were spent building the new overhead line. In addition, works were also carried out at Canterbury North substation and the new Richborough substation with both substations extended and equipment either installed or upgraded. This work was carried out by ABB and Siemens. Some small-scale works will be carried out over the coming months in preparation for the removal of UK Power Network’s overhead lines in 2020. Work on building the new 20km overhead electricity line between Richborough and Canterbury is now complete Line ready to connect Nemo Link®, a 1000 megawatt undersea interconnector between Belgium and the UK, into the UK’s existing high voltage network when it becomes fully operational in 2019 The two projects together will play an important role in supporting the security of energy supplies across Britain and the continent
A POLICE station has been officially opened by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales after being transformed into a contemporary build fit for 21st century policing. The Prince of Wales visited King’s Lynn Police Station on Thursday, 29 November to tour its modern new facilities, meet the officers and staff and see some of the new equipment used by the force. The new station was delivered by independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard and national construction company Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure. Paul Darlow, regional director at Pick Everard – which provided full, multi-disciplinary services for the project – said: “We are delighted to have worked on transforming such a significant building in the heart of King’s Lynn into a state-of-the-art station, which caters for modern policing needs. “The original police station, built between 1953 and 1955, was in need of modernisation. The works have given the building a new lease of life on the inside while its historic exterior has been maintained for years to come. This modernisation has enabled the police force to provide an enhanced service to the community, while also delivering greater cost efficiencies.” £3.1 million has been spent on renovating the St James Street building, which has improved facilities for response and Safer Neighbourhood Team officers, forensic services, criminal investigation department (CID), offender rehabilitation teams and multi-agency teams. Paul added: “The original police station was too big for the force’s current requirements so it was decided that the building needed to be reduced and remodelled to provide modern, high-quality accommodation for its officers with lots of natural daylight. “We have designed a contemporary building, which features texturised stainless steel cladding and treated hardwood. Buff brick and feature stone cornices were also incorporated into the designs, sitting within the building’s facade to ensure it complements nearby buildings. “The open-plan office space allows the police force to work more closely together, while special side rooms for victims and witnesses provide privacy and protection when needed. There is also a conference room with video calling technology and hot desks, giving officers the opportunity to work remotely.” Saul Humphrey, managing director of Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure’s east region, said: “King’s Lynn Police Station is a key asset for the force and we’re pleased and proud to have utilised our project team’s expertise to deliver this future-fit station, which will enable our policewomen and men to carry out their duties in a purpose-built environment. “It was a great honour to welcome The Prince of Wales to King’s Lynn and we hope he enjoyed his tour of this excellent station.” Staff moved back into the station earlier this year, having been housed in temporary accommodation while the building work – which took almost a year to complete – was carried out. Norfolk Constabulary chief constable Simon Bailey said: “Norfolk, in particular the west of the county, has close associations with the Royal Family and it was a great pleasure to have HRH The Prince of Wales officially open the station in what will be a very memorable occasion for those involved. “The modernisation of police buildings is a key part of our effort to improve efficiencies within the force and provide a cost-effective solution, compared to maintaining costly buildings which will no longer fulfil the needs of a modern police force. The reduction of floor space in Lynn will save the force £50k a year.” Pick Everard employs more than 500 staff across its 11 UK offices, providing a range of project, cost and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk.
The Workplace Summit is a one-day conference and exhibition which takes place on February 6th2019 at Croke Park. It is the first conference in Ireland to centre on the three key areas of Workplace, – People, Place and Technology, attracting Senior Professionals from Facilities Management, Property, HR & IT. We intend the Workplace Summit to be innovative, interesting, disruptive and fun! We have some of the best people in their areas to deliver talks which will inspire those involved in the Workplace professions in Ireland to influence their own organisations and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We are delighted to announce Chris Kane(ex -Disney and BBC) will chair the Workplace Summit. Already the following speakers are confirmed: Margot Slattery(Sodexo Country President Ireland); Bashar Kassab(Facilities Director, the Burj Khalifa & Dubai Mall), Hannah Dwyer(Head of Research, JLL), Fionnuala Byrne(Director of Facilities CEMEA, Google), Neil Usher(Workplace Director Sky); Chris Moriarty(Head of Insight, IWFM), Euan Semple(business strategist and facilitator), Hung Lee(CEO, Workshape.io), Mary Connaughton (CIPD Ireland Director), George Harold(CEO, Integrated Facilities Solutions), Martin Pickard(Managing Director, FM GURU), George Muir(Futurist, LiveTiles) . Workplace Summit tickets are available on Eventbrite or contact us on email info@advancedworkplacesolutions.ie
Following a £3.1 million transformation, King’s Lynn Police Station was opened by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. The Prince of Wales toured the new facilities and met the officers and staff, before officially declaring the building open. Delivered by Pick Everard and Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure, the St James Street building now has improved facilities for response and Safer Neighbourhood Team officers, forensic services, criminal investigation department (CID), offender rehabilitation teams and multi-agency teams. “We are delighted to have worked on transforming such a significant building in the heart of King’s Lynn into a state-of-the-art station, which caters for modern policing needs. The original police station, built between 1953 and 1955, was in need of modernisation. The works have given the building a new lease of life on the inside while its historic exterior has been maintained for years to come. This modernisation has enabled the police force to provide an enhanced service to the community, while also delivering greater cost efficiencies,” said Paul Darlow, regional director at Pick Everard – which provided full, multi-disciplinary services for the project. “The original police station was too big for the force’s current requirements so it was decided that the building needed to be reduced and remodelled to provide modern, high-quality accommodation for its officers with lots of natural daylight. “We have designed a contemporary building, which features texturised stainless steel cladding and treated hardwood. Buff brick and feature stone cornices were also incorporated into the designs, sitting within the building’s facade to ensure it complements nearby buildings. “The open-plan office space allows the police force to work more closely together, while special side rooms for victims and witnesses provide privacy and protection when needed. There is also a conference room with video calling technology and hot desks, giving officers the opportunity to work remotely,” concluded Paul. The project took almost a year to complete, while staff were housed in temporary accommodation during the work, before moving back into the building earlier this year.
One of the most prestigious residential development projects in the UK has recently been completed using a number of different products from Sto. StoTherm Classic external wall insulation and StoDeco profiles have been used to provide high levels of thermal insulation and an outstanding external appearance for the 11 new properties which make up the development in St John’s Wood, London, close to the world-famous Abbey Road Recording Studios. Created by the Dwyer Property development group, the Hamilton Drive scheme includes a terrace of 10 homes – each with three storeys above ground and two below – plus a separate larger property. The houses were required to achieve a very high standard of architectural finish and detailing, plus a BREEAM Excellent rating for construction sustainability. Sto solutions were selected for this project as they offered a unique combination of speedy construction and outstanding quality of finish. “Building the properties with traditional methods and using stone detailing for the façades would have taken considerably longer, and the client was looking for a fast-track solution,” explains Sto’s Regional Sales Manager, Pete Bishop. “Our StoTherm Classic system was specified as it provides outstanding thermal performance and can be installed quickly and easily. StoDeco Profiles were chosen for the intricate ‘stone’ architectural detailing, providing the same look as stone, but in a material that is both lightweight and easy to cut and shape.” The StoTherm Classic external wall insulation used on the 70,000sq ft project was installed onto an NHBC-compliant pvc rail system, using a drained cavity designed to ensure that water and moisture is excluded from the main wall structure. The cement-free StoTherm Classic EWI System offers market-leading impact resistance, being able to withstand impacts of up to 60 joules – up to 10 times more than a cementitious system – and as it needs no additional expansion joints the system allows greater freedom of façade design. For this project the system was finished with a 1.5mm coat of StoSilco silicone resin render to provide a high degree of water repellence and resistance to the effects of weathering. “The architectural detailing on the building façades was created using StoDeco Profiles,” explains John Tehan of Smallwood Architects of London. The range of profiles, manufactured using the remarkable Verolith material, are weather resistant, durable, lightweight and easy to work and install. Available in a wide range of standard designs, including sills, cornices, and many other decorative architectural elements, StoDeco Profiles can also be custom made to provide a unique visual appearance. “At Hamilton Drive the profiles were used to create cornice, window and chimney detailing, plus a wealth of columns, arches, dentil courses and other features that were required to enhance the building’s classically-inspired design,” adds John Tehan. “Sto were closely involved with this project, and many of the individual StoDeco Profiles were manufactured to bespoke sizes and designs, to allow the required detailing to be created.” “There was an enormous quantity of detailing required on this project and the standard of finish had to be the very best,” comments John Bishop of Kennet Construction, a Sto authorised applicator who completed the installation work. “Fortunately, the Sto products were very easy to work with. Many of the StoDeco Profiles were pre-cut prior to delivery, and they proved to be very easy to work, shape and sand on-site so that we could achieve a perfect finish.” Picture caption: One of the most prestigious residential development projects in the UK has recently been completed using a number of different products from Sto. StoTherm Classic external wall insulation and StoDeco profiles were used on the project in St John’s Wood, London.
