Locals are being invited by Heathrow Airport to give their opinion on its future. The Airspace and Future Operations consultation is asking communities to help shape the plans for the airport’s existing runways, as well as its proposed third airstrip. The consultation will explore the local factors that Heathrow needs
Master developer Nakheel has started constructing the rooftop infinity swimming pool at The Palm Tower, its 52-storey, luxury hotel and residential complex at the heart of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Perched 210 metres above ground and covering 775 square metres, the infinity pool – one of the highest in the
Cavanna Homes, a homebuilders from the South West, has announced another year of steady growth and a record number of sites in development across its region. The Torquay-based firm, which currently has new homes for sale in seven locations in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, will be bringing forward an additional
Polished concrete floors are more popular than ever – not just in industrial environments but in homes, hotels and even restaurants. But what’s behind their popularity? The team at Total Concrete are here to tell you. Style Concrete as a material is not commonly associated with beautiful decor and surfaces,
The refurbishment of Manchester Town Hall has been handed over to Lendlease, who will oversee the project as management contractor. Under the contract, the firm has pledged to create 150 apprenticeships and 45 new jobs for local people. “Manchester Town Hall is one of the city’s most recognisable and well-loved
Accuracy can be one of the most important aspects to ensuring that a construction project runs smoothly. This is especially true when it comes to measurements, as an inexact figure can negatively affect the entire process. Precise readings, therefore, could save huge amounts of time, labour and money for people
Building professionals understand that there are many steps to ensuring that the power system in a construction runs properly– but what are the essential power requirements to remember for large projects? These three tips will highlight the key areas to aim for when incorporating secure power sources and appliances into
Access to the internet has become an essential aspect of everyday life, so much so that in recent years, high-speed internet has actually been legally recognised and classified as a human right. Over the past couple of decades, there has been a fundamental shift in normal society, with much of
Locals are being invited by Heathrow Airport to give their opinion on its future. The Airspace and Future Operations consultation is asking communities to help shape the plans for the airport’s existing runways, as well as its proposed third airstrip. The consultation will explore the local factors that Heathrow needs to consider in different geographic areas in order to deisgn the flight paths, as well as examine ways to manage noise and minimise impact through runway and airspace alternation, once all three are operational. Marked as the latest milestone in Heathrow’s £14 billion expansion, the Airspace and Future Operations consultation will run for eight weeks and span more than 30 events across the local boroughs surrounding the airport. “Heathrow’s aim is to design a sustainable, fair and more efficient future airport while connecting the UK to global growth,” said Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, Emma Gilthorpe, who is urging locals to get involved and offer their take on the development. “It is crucial that our plans maximise the benefits of expansion across the country, including for the communities closest to us—and working in partnership with our neighbours is just one way of ensuring they do so. We are committed to delivering expansion responsibly, and we encourage everyone to have their say and take part,” she added. Receiving green light in Parliament last summer, the Heathrow Airport project submitted an application for development consent straight after. A previous consultation, conducted this time last year, collected views on how the airport should deliver the expansion while keeping to promises made to locals and meeting strict environmental tests.
Master developer Nakheel has started constructing the rooftop infinity swimming pool at The Palm Tower, its 52-storey, luxury hotel and residential complex at the heart of Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. Perched 210 metres above ground and covering 775 square metres, the infinity pool – one of the highest in the world – borders all four sides of the building, boasting unrivalled, panoramic views across Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf and the Dubai skyline. The pool – which will hold 930,000 litres of water – is on the 50th floor of The Palm Tower. Above the pool will be a podium housing a 51st level speciality restaurant and a 52nd storey public viewing deck, 240 metres high. Construction of the rooftop dining viewing deck complex will begin soon. Located at the heart of the world-famous, award winning Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Tower comprises a 289-room St. Regis hotel, 432 luxury residences and an array of dining and leisure facilities. The hotel occupies the first 18 floors, with fully-furnished studios and one, two and three bedroom apartments on the upper floors. Currently, around 850 construction workers are on site at The Palm Tower, rising to more than 1,500 when internal fit out gets in full swing in the next few weeks. Fit out of the St. Regis – due to open later this year – has already begun. The Palm Tower is directly connected to the under-construction Nakheel Mall – the access point for the public viewing deck – and its 350 shops, restaurants and attractions. Nakheel Mall, which has its own Palm Monorail station, is due for completion this year. Several other dining, leisure and entertainment venues are nearby, including the St. Regis Beach Club, part of Nakheel’s Palm West Beach complex, to which hotel guests and residents will have priority access; Al Ittihad Park, the UAE’s first indigenous park, spanning 1.1 million square feet across the heart of Palm Jumeirah; and the newly-opened Pointe at Palm Jumeirah, with 70 seafront restaurants and shops. For more information on The Palm Tower apartments, visit the Nakheel Sales Centre, call +971 4 390 3333 or log on to www.nakheel.com
Cavanna Homes, a homebuilders from the South West, has announced another year of steady growth and a record number of sites in development across its region. The Torquay-based firm, which currently has new homes for sale in seven locations in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset, will be bringing forward an additional five sites this year, including Wincanton in Somerset, making it the busiest construction year in the company’s 95 year history. Pre-audited figures show a £64.7 million turnover in 2018 which represents a 6.4% increase on the previous year. Moreover, a total of 290 new homes were sold; 201 open market and 89 affordable homes for rent or shared ownership through a housing association. Last year’s results have been welcomed by the company, especially in light of the decline in the property market. “It’s been well publicised that nationally the housing market has taken a bit of a downturn, and the South West is no exception. The uncertainty over a Brexit ‘deal or no deal’ is causing people to wait and see what this will mean for the country and their own personal circumstances. Whilst there has been a dip in numbers of visitors to our showhomes over the last few months, the prospective buyers we’ve seen have been extremely positive of both the quality and specification of our new homes as well as the overall developments,” explained Cavanna Homes’ Managing Director Keith Miller. For 2019 the company has a range of new homes for sale at seven Westcountry locations: Bodmin in Cornwall and Holsworthy, Barnstaple, Stoke Gabriel, Paignton, Torquay and Newton Poppleford in Devon. Cavanna is also bringing-forward a further five new developments; Barley Meadow at Dawlish, Cavanna@Wolborough Hill, Newton Abbot, Broadleigh Park at Tavistock, Bellevue at Bude and Cales Reach at Wincanton. “Our business plan for 2019 has been adjusted to reflect the current market conditions, especially in the first quarter,2 said Looking forward, Keith Miller. “Whilst we anticipate a slowdown, we are proceeding with cautious optimism during this unprecedented and unpredictable period.” Cavanna Homes’ 95th anniversary was market by the launch of a new brand and a new portfolio of house styles – The Westcountry Collection – which can be viewed at new showhomes opening in the New Year at Kings Orchard – Stoke Gabriel, Alfred’s Gate – Newton Poppleford and Moorland Vale – Bodmin.
Polished concrete floors are more popular than ever – not just in industrial environments but in homes, hotels and even restaurants. But what’s behind their popularity? The team at Total Concrete are here to tell you. Style Concrete as a material is not commonly associated with beautiful decor and surfaces, however, polished concrete can be a superb surface that can complement almost any interior design. The sleek aesthetic works perfectly in kitchens and bathrooms, as well as wider spaces like hotel lobbies – it still possesses the uniform presence of concrete, but the polished aspect gives it a little more class. Longevity Providing you make sure to maintain the concrete floor as necessary, it can last for years on end. Its strength means that it can withstand even the heaviest of footfalls – perfect for busy commercial environments like shops and restaurants – and there’s no need for major facelifts or maintenance like there may be with other types of flooring. For all commercial cleaning needs contact CHOR Services. Maintenance Concrete floors require hardly any maintenance compared to other services. All you need is a pH-neutral cleaning agent, some warm water and a mop. Wiping the floor down once every so often will ensure that marks are removed and the hygiene levels of the floor are preserved. It is recommended that you re-seal or wax the concrete every two to three years to ensure it retains its water-resistance. Cost A polished concrete floor is an investment, owing to its fantastic lifespan and the lack of costs associated with its upkeep and maintenance. It’s on-trend at the moment, too, so if you were to sell a property with a polished concrete floor in it, you can be sure the pricetag of your property would benefit from its presence. Colour options The days of concrete only being grey are long gone; now, concrete is available in a spectrum of colours. There are a couple of ways concrete can be coloured; acid staining is one such method, but a modern technique is using pre-cut coloured overlays – thin pieces of concrete – and placing them on top of the floor itself. Concrete floors needn’t just be used for warehouses and and hangars, they can be used for anything – kitchens, bathrooms, shops, you name it. All you need is a trusted installer and some high quality concrete . This article is produced by Total Concrete , proud suppliers of the highest quality concrete for customers throughout Surrey, Woking and the surrounding areas.
The refurbishment of Manchester Town Hall has been handed over to Lendlease, who will oversee the project as management contractor. Under the contract, the firm has pledged to create 150 apprenticeships and 45 new jobs for local people. “Manchester Town Hall is one of the city’s most recognisable and well-loved landmarks. Lendlease has a long track record of working with heritage buildings and enhancing them for contemporary use and we will bring all of this experience to bear at Manchester Town Hall,” commented Neil Martin, Managing Director, Construction at Lendlease, Europe. As part of the work done to refurbish the Town Hall, parts of the Grade I-listed building will be restored. The project aims to safeguard the building for current and future generations and improve public access, as well as enhance Albert Square. “This appointment is an important milestone in the Our Town Hall project to improve access to this icon of Manchester and safeguard it for current and future generations,” said Councillor Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council. “There aren’t many construction firms with the expertise and resources required to deliver a heritage project of this scale and complexity on behalf of the city and after a rigorous selection process we are confident that Lendlease offered the best overall value. There will also be millions of pounds worth of opportunities for local businesses and people to get involved in the project through this contract, including apprenticeships and other training opportunities,” the Councillor added.
Accuracy can be one of the most important aspects to ensuring that a construction project runs smoothly. This is especially true when it comes to measurements, as an inexact figure can negatively affect the entire process. Precise readings, therefore, could save huge amounts of time, labour and money for people in the building trade. But why exactly are accurate measurements so valuable in construction? Let’s explore the three main reasons for this. It is Easy to Do Every step is critical during construction – from area calculations to framing measurements – and the right equipment can aid the process even more. When it comes to vital elements like power sources, equipment like function generators offer a simple and effective way to test, troubleshoot and repair devices at the installation stage of construction. Spectrum analysers can be useful for testing electrical systems, too. So, identifying brands that provide effective testing equipment like MCS Test could make the measurement element of construction easier, and may even guarantee a smoother building process. It Saves Huge Amounts of Time, Money and Labour Measurement inaccuracies can often result in having to restart a building project completely. But companies that specialise in reliable tools can help to ensure that this kind of mistake is avoided. Likewise, businesses that can do this and deliver to onsite locations could save additional time for project workers by eliminating pick-up duties entirely. So, equipment providers such as MCS Test may hold the key to massively reducing the number of unrelated duties attached to the construction process. It May Improve Company Reputation Reducing excess labour costs and securing services for measuring equipment can lead to faster project completion. Quick completion rates and reliable infrastructure could also improve company reputation, an outcome that may result in heightened popularity, and perhaps a higher level of investment. As measuring resources can often deliver the fastest and most accurate means of ensuring successful a building process, investment could lead to a reduced requirement for staff. A decrease in staff expenses can often heighten company funds hugely, leaving more money to be spent on improving the business, its aims and its performance. Making accurate measurements is vital for ensuring that the construction of any infrastructure is successful. What’s more, understanding the benefits of accurate measurements in this area could help businesses improve and gain more outside attention as a result. The advantages to measuring precisely show that it is not only necessary, but can also maximise company spending and performance.
Building professionals understand that there are many steps to ensuring that the power system in a construction runs properly– but what are the essential power requirements to remember for large projects? These three tips will highlight the key areas to aim for when incorporating secure power sources and appliances into the process of building on a large scale. Speedy energy sources are vital for any building, especially if built to host a range of different activities simultaneously, such as an apartment block or a hospital. Cost-Effective Outlets When planning a large-scale construction, such as an apartment block or school, ensuring that energy can be consumed as cheaply as possible can help maintain the reputation of both businesses in a building partnership. This can be achieved most easily through smart planning by the building and design team, a process that benefits immensely from regular engagement with the buyer. Advice from energy-efficiency as well as financial experts may also help to produce a power source design that is affordable for both the buyer and the prospective property users and works to protect the environment through conserving energy. Locating cost-effective power sources is, therefore, an important requirement, and hugely advantageous, for a large construction project. Green Energy Sources Building regulations are greener and more sustainable than they have ever been: initiatives like the Code for Sustainable Homes ensure that a high percentage of properties built in the UK are as energy-efficient as possible – but unfortunately, this is yet to extend to all buildings. So, when it comes to large structures, it is especially important to use the greenest products on the market. Construction project leaders that locate brands offering AC-DC power supplies for multiple applications, who comply with the latest global energy efficiency standards such as XP Power, are able to power large buildings through efficient energy sources. As this benefits the reputation of a building company as well as the planet, professionals who adopt a greener power supply service may even benefit from more building business partnerships in the future. Back-up Power Supplies Once power has been installed in a large property or construction, a back-up system is necessary for making sure that operations expected to take place in the building can still function should the original supply cut out. This can be particularly critical for large buildings where supplementary power facilities can guarantee that a large number of people are not left without means to carry out essential activities like cooking when one power source fails. Power failures that have occurred in densely-populated areas like East Midlands Airport highlight how full accessibility to all power systems can help to secure the constant and reliable running of energy in a large, heavily-used area. Large Construction Projects require a huge amount of attention and consideration in their planning, particularly when it comes to power sources. However, the environmental and financial advantages that successful power systems bring to most people underlines the significant role that building continues to play in everyday life.
Access to the internet has become an essential aspect of everyday life, so much so that in recent years, high-speed internet has actually been legally recognised and classified as a human right. Over the past couple of decades, there has been a fundamental shift in normal society, with much of our infrastructure being rehomed online, meaning that functioning to capacity would be almost impossible without both computer literacy and reliable access to the web. Not just an adjustment that has been felt in our personal lives, but professionally too, businesses have had to revaluate their practices from the ground up too – including the construction industry. While in the past internet access was hardwired in much the same way other electrical outputs were, technology has long since evolved. With buildings able to be constructed in much the same way as they always have been in years gone by, with access provided either underfloor or via hollow ceilings, the process of designing and constructing was fairly settled and straightforward. However, since the arrival, growth and now near-dependency on strong, high-speed Wi-Fi access, having that same approach to constructing for business is no longer fit for purpose, as wires are no longer as central to the infrastructure as they had been previously. With so many offices vast, wide open and open plan areas with multiple high frequency and volume bandwidth users present at all times, the issue has now become how to best serve those needs via commercial networks, routers and extenders – safely and securely – without walls, distance and interference becoming an issue. In the modern office environment, portability and flexibility are paramount, with many users now laptop and tablet based, rather than traditional desktops. With many of the newest laptops not even featuring the LAN ports required to access a wired internet connection, the only option is reliable wireless coverage. Construction and design have adapted to this change by creating more open working environments, with the likes of booths, cubicles and even individual offices on their way out, so that wireless networks can be more easily accommodated throughout an area, without interruption or breakages in coverage. Without the use of Wi-Fi, we would return to an age where large reels of wire would be required to spread internet access from a central access point across a wider space, likely with outdated desktop or bulky laptop terminals attached to them at the other end – which sounds massively inconvenient, knowing what we do now.
