A development of high-quality homes is being built in the Narbeth area, with local construction firm R&M Williams already starting work on the site. The Maes Yr Orsaf development will contain 19 four-bedroom properties and will comprise of private and affordable social housing, with work due for completion in 2019.
The construction industry is booming. 2018 alone saw work valued at over £100 billion take place in the UK and the number of construction firms operating in the country rose by 6.2%.* In addition to the usual tools and equipment you’d expect to find in the toolkit of any operator
Lafarge Cement, part of the Aggregate Industries business, is calling on housebuilders to insist on tighter controls around the use of mortar, following claims that the use of substandard product is causing damage to hundreds of new homes. The report by the BBC focused on the use of weak mortar
A Coventry company has started work on the final piece in its Belgrade Plaza jigsaw – 12 years on from its first development in the area. Deeley Construction has been appointed to complete a new £6.8 million development on Bond Street in Coventry City Centre. The project, which will be
A development of high-quality homes is being built in the Narbeth area, with local construction firm R&M Williams already starting work on the site. The Maes Yr Orsaf development will contain 19 four-bedroom properties and will comprise of private and affordable social housing, with work due for completion in 2019. Darryn Parry, managing director of R&M Williams said on the project: “We’re delighted to be providing new-build housing for residents in Narbeth this year. This is a highly sought after area for homeowners, particularly with the reputation Narbeth has for being a shopper’s haven and being so well connected to Haverfordwest, Tenby, Cardigan and Carmarthen. “The development will also be within close reach of Canaston Woods, which offers residents a wealth of opportunity for walking, cycling and horse riding so we expect that there will be high demand once the properties are open for occupancy.” The properties at Maes Yr Orsaf are set to be laid out over two floors, with three bedrooms on the second floor and the master bedroom in the attic with en suite attached. Each property will be valued between £210-£240k and will be available for sale from 2019. Darryn added: “This is a great opportunity for more families to enjoy everything that Narbeth has to offer. The development of Maes Yr Orsaf has been designed to help provide quality, affordable housing for people in Pembrokeshire and attract new residents to the community. We’re very much looking forward to breaking ground on the project today.” R&M Williams is an award winning house builder which has construction, maintenance, development, mechanical and electrical installation, as well painting and decorating divisions, has experience across an extensive range of sectors and was recognised for its services to construction this year, earning a Local Authority Building Control Building Excellence Award and a silver Considerate Constructors National Site Award for its work on the Urban Quarter. For more information about the Maes Yr Orsaf Development, contact FBM Estate Agents in Narberth: https://www.fbm.co.uk/branches/narberth
The construction industry is booming. 2018 alone saw work valued at over £100 billion take place in the UK and the number of construction firms operating in the country rose by 6.2%.* In addition to the usual tools and equipment you’d expect to find in the toolkit of any operator in the industry there is something extra that needs to be considered to give your business the ultimate edge: a lawyer. The construction industry contends with a wide range of legal issues, each of which needs addressing swiftly by practitioners with a thorough understanding of that industry**. This is where leading law firm Prettys steps in. Based in Ipswich, the firm has experts in all areas of commercial law and an experienced Construction team that can provide responsive support on the full breadth of matters faced by businesses throughout the supply chain, both contentious and non-contentious. Rebecca Palmer, Senior Associate in Prettys’ Construction team gave her insights into how a lawyer can become an integral part of the toolkit of construction businesses of every tier of the supply chain. Solutions not problems Prettys’ lawyers tackle a variety of construction-based legal issues on a daily basis – from reviewing, negotiating and finalising documentation, to analysing the client’s position in respect of a brewing dispute and navigating the client through next steps. A client’s needs determine Prettys’ approach – sometimes the appropriate tools are a chisel and some sandpaper; on other occasions an axe may be called for! Whatever the requirements, the team offers a bespoke package of services and a client-centred approach. The Construction team’s members make sure they are available for those ad hoc queries and present clients with solutions, not problems. Regular communication Prettys differentiates itself from competitors by delivering tailored solutions in a jargon-free way. This ensures letters are moulded to fit how they talk to their clients so that delivery is packaged in a manner that works for the client’s business. This could mean short emails with straight to the point bullets, phone calls or face-to-face visits. As well as this, to take away any administrative burden from the client, the team will ghost-write letters of correspondence on their behalf. Going above and beyond For many clients, Prettys acts as an instantly available helpline for any construction law issues they may have. The firm is very much an extension of its clients’ businesses. Price transparency is key. Prettys prioritises certainty for its clients and steers clear from issuing invoices that contain surprises. But it’s the level of support the client requires that dictates the level of input supplied – sometimes clients need urgent support, on other occasions all that is required is a quick chat and corroboration on an approach. Fighting for clients Prettys always puts clients’ interests at the forefront of everything it does. It is important to get the balance right between being approachable and friendly and being able to go into that tense negotiation ready to fight the client’s corner and achieve a timely solution. Prettys will not let clients be bullied. Moulding its service to match the needs of each and every client, Prettys’ lawyers pride themselves on being more than just providers of legal advice. Instead, they quickly become an extension of the clients’ own teams and share with everyone they work with the benefits of: industry-leading advice; commercial insight; cost effective solutions; one-to-one support; and exemplary levels of flexible, prompt and responsive service. The Construction team will be on hand to provide their expertise at The Doyle Club’s January event. The Doyle Club is an exclusive organisation that provides businesses within the construction sector the chance to network with others in the industry. The next meeting will take place on 3 January and see Rebecca and her colleague, Michael Booth, deliver a presentation on updates in Construction law in 2018. For more information on Prettys’ construction team, get in touch by calling 07770 287 967 or email rpalmer@prettys.co.uk. Sources: *https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/number192018edition **Thomson Reuters and The Lawyer’s report entitled “Standing out from the crowd: What businesses value most from their law firms”
Lafarge Cement, part of the Aggregate Industries business, is calling on housebuilders to insist on tighter controls around the use of mortar, following claims that the use of substandard product is causing damage to hundreds of new homes. The report by the BBC focused on the use of weak mortar – not meeting required industry standards – leading to crumbling found in properties across 13 estates in the UK[1]. The news has caused widespread concern amongst residents and across the construction industry. Jeremy Lee, Commercial Director at Lafarge Cement, comments: “This latest report is concerning, especially as it has been identified as a potential industry-wide problem affecting hundreds of homes. As acknowledged by the BBC, mortar performance is a complex issue, with a myriad of factors including weather and correct specification and application having a potential detrimental impact. “However, this is why it’s critical that all building products, including mortar, meet required industry standards – which according to the NHBC should be one part cement to 5.5 parts sand for most of the UK but for areas that experience extreme weather conditions such as Scotland, it’s recommended that a higher proportion of cement is used to increase durability. “Building standards are in place for a reason and tighter controls are needed to ensure that the correct products are specified, as well as being mixed and applied properly on-site. From housebuilders to the wider industry, it is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that adequate and suitable products are used, through a robust specification process and due diligence during all stages of the construction process.” As part of Aggregate Industries, Lafarge Cement offers a solutions-based packed cement portfolio, underpinned by robust technical knowledge and the latest product innovation. Through continual research and development with builders and builders’ merchants deployed by a highly skilled team, Lafarge Cement has an unrivalled track record for customer-focused innovation in cement products. The range includes the premixed and ready to use Mortar Mixed product, which is made up of a selected blend of cement, lime and aggregates and is suitable for laying all types of brick and block. For further information, please call 01285 646900, email packedcement@aggregate.com or visit www.aggregate.com [1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46454844
A Coventry company has started work on the final piece in its Belgrade Plaza jigsaw – 12 years on from its first development in the area. Deeley Construction has been appointed to complete a new £6.8 million development on Bond Street in Coventry City Centre. The project, which will be known as Bond’s Lodge, has broken ground and is expected to be completed by April 2020. Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities has appointed Deeley Construction to carry out the project, which has been designed by Nicol Thomas Architects. The completed scheme will see a three-storey building erected, featuring 45 self-contained apartments for the elderly. It marks the company’s first project awarded from Homes England’s DPP3 Framework. It is being funded from the Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities’ own resources, fundraising, together with a grant from Homes England and a loan from the Charity Bank. The Almshouses, now run by Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities, were founded in the early 1500s and today are both sheltered housing schemes for elderly citizens in the city. Since the Second World War, the charity has engaged in two major projects in Hill Street, the building of Bond’s Court in 1985 and the extension of Bond’s Hospital in 2004. With the completion of Bond’s Lodge, the number of residents will have risen from 22 in 1509 to more than 150 in 2020. Victor Keene MBE, Chairman of Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities, added: “We have acquired the long lease of a site opposite Bond’s Hospital Almshouse, which will see 45 apartments built for the elderly. “We have engaged Deeley Construction as the building contractor on this project and are very happy to be working with a company of Deeley’s integrity to complete it. “Work is now underway on site and we expect it to be completed, with the flats ready for occupation, in the autumn of 2020.” The project is the third development carried out by Deeley in the area, with the nearby multi-storey car park completed 12 years ago and the Belgrade Plaza development in 2008. Belgrade Plaza is now a thriving mixed-use scheme, home to restaurants, residential and fitness facilities – serving the community in Coventry city centre. Peter Deeley, Managing Director of the Deeley Group, said: “The ground-breaking at Bond Street marks an important milestone in the company’s development of the area. “The apartments created in this development will be a vital resource for elderly people who are looking to live in the city centre. “We’re looking forward to working in partnership with Coventry Church Municipal Charities to deliver this project.” Councillor John Blundell, Lord Mayor of Coventry, added: “There is a clear need for more accommodation of this type in our city centre and the development on Bond Street will help to cater for this need. “Coventry Church (Municipal) Charities have done some excellent work in regenerating properties across the city, including the Bond’s Hospital, and providing homes for the elderly. “It was fantastic to be on hand with the charity and Deeley Construction to mark the start of building this development.”
