January 29, 2020

Helping homeowners to save money and the planet this winter…

For many people, household bills are by far the biggest expense.  So, how can homeowners and tenants save money on their bills this winter, and help the environment while doing it? These tips below offer some advice: Save money by choosing a lower temperature When it comes to washing your

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Issue 323 : Dec 2024

January 29, 2020

Torus Investing £9.8m into Developing Historic Liverpool Residential Site

Leading North West property developer, Torus, has broken ground on an exciting new development in Liverpool’s thriving Baltic Triangle which will see 56 modern one and two bedroom apartments created for Rent to Buy and sale. With sites across Liverpool, St Helens and Cheshire and an ambitious new build programme of 5,300 homes by 2024, Torus is one of the largest developers of affordable homes in the North West. The James Street investment of £9.8m will see Torus partnering with Crossfield Construction, a division of Speke-based Crossfield Group, and international award-winning architects, Brock Carmichael. More than 150 people will be employed during the build to regenerate the former brownfield site. Local suppliers will be used wherever possible, helping to harness the potential that exists in the city and unlock opportunities for the wider community. Crossfield Group  has a number of projects already underway in the Baltic Triangle, including the Baltic View scheme to create 130 one, two and three bedroom apartments for the private rental market, and a four star hotel on the site of the former Liver Grease Oil and Chemicals building. Chris Bowen, Managing Director of Torus Developments, said: “St James Street historically housed a number of small terraced properties which were demolished in the mid-20th Century, so we are excited to reinvigorate the area and once again see it as a residential site. “St James Street is in the heart of the Baltic Triangle and the development will put residents at the creative epicenter of Liverpool. This contemporary development is an important step in providing much need affordable housing options in the city center and as a developer we are passionate about giving people the opportunity to live in locations which may otherwise be unattainable.” Michael Macaulay, Commercial Director at Crossfield Group, said: “This scheme is part of our ongoing commitment to regenerating the Baltic Triangle as we have a further two developments underway on adjacent plots of land,  each of which is seeing derelict and disused sites brought back into use. “The fact that our partnership with Torus will lead to 56 affordable new homes is even better as it will help contribute to the continued demand for high quality living space in the City.”  Leading North West property developer, Torus, has broken ground on an exciting new development in Liverpool’s thriving Baltic Triangle which will see multiple one and two bedroom apartments created for Rent to Buy. With sites across Liverpool, St Helens and Cheshire and an ambitious new build programme of 5,300 homes by 2024, Torus is one of the largest developers of affordable homes in the North West. The James Street investment of £9.8m will see Torus partnering with Crossfield Construction, a division of Speke-based Crossfield Group, and international award-winning architects, Brock Carmichael. More than 150 people will be employed during the build to regenerate the former brownfield site. Local suppliers will be used wherever possible, helping to harness the potential that exists in the city and unlock opportunities for the wider community. Crossfield Group  has a number of projects already underway in the Baltic Triangle, including the Baltic View scheme to create 130 one, two and three bedroom apartments for the private rental market, and a four star hotel on the site of the former Liver Grease Oil and Chemicals building. Chris Bowen, Managing Director of Torus Developments, said: “St James Street historically housed a number of small terraced properties which were demolished in the mid-20th Century, so we are excited to reinvigorate the area and once again see it as a residential site. “St James Street is in the heart of the Baltic Triangle and the development will put residents at the creative epicenter of Liverpool. This contemporary development is an important step in providing much need affordable housing options in the city center and as a developer we are passionate about giving people the opportunity to live in locations which may otherwise be unattainable.” Michael Macaulay, Commercial Director at Crossfield Group, said: “This scheme is part of our ongoing commitment to regenerating the Baltic Triangle as we have a further two developments underway on adjacent plots of land,  each of which is seeing derelict and disused sites brought back into use. “The fact that our partnership with Torus will lead to 56 affordable new homes is even better as it will help contribute to the continued demand for high quality living space in the City.”  “The fact that our partnership with Torus will lead to 56 affordable new homes is even better as it will help contribute to the continued demand for high quality living space in the City.” 

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ADDINGTON CAPITAL SELLS REFURBISHED LEEDS CITY CENTRE OFFICE BLOCK FOR £3 MILLION

Addington Capital, the property investment and asset management specialist has sold Aireside House, a 9,500 sq ft office block immediately behind the railway station on Aire Street in Leeds City Centre for £3.05 million. The purchaser is the Wesleyan Assurance Group, a financial services company. The building was fully occupied and the sale equates to a 6.66% net initial yield. Addington acquired the building in a £42 million mixed-use portfolio with its joint venture partners and has since completely refurbished the building to offer a modern and creative office environment over four floors, with cycle storage and shower facilities added as part of the renovation. Phil Symonds of Addington Capital said, “This is an excellent example of what Addington is best at – buying and  re-working old, under-utilised buildings to develop a contemporary renovated office environment well suited to the local market in terms of location, floorplate size and, in particular, specification and finish. The Leeds office market has performed very well lately, with strong occupier demand across the size and specification ranges, alongside increasingly constrained supply.”  Agents on the deal were Cushman & Wakefield for Addington Capital and Lambert Smith Hampton for the Wesleyan Assurance Group.

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Helping homeowners to save money and the planet this winter…

For many people, household bills are by far the biggest expense.  So, how can homeowners and tenants save money on their bills this winter, and help the environment while doing it? These tips below offer some advice: Save money by choosing a lower temperature When it comes to washing your clothes, choosing a lower temperature is an easy way to save money. Simply turning the temperature down from 40 to 30 degrees can be up to a third cheaper. Over the space of the year it could add up to a saving of £52.[1] An occasional ‘hot’ wash is still a good idea though as it helps to ensure the washing machine is kept clean. Insulate With the right insulation in place, you could be making significant savings. In fact, it’s estimated that a quarter of all heat from your home could be lost through your roof if proper insulation isn’t in place.[2] Insulation grants are offered as part of the Government’s Energy Company Obligation Scheme, so insulating your home could be easier than you think. Alternatively, smaller ‘quick fixes’ can also help – foam tubes that cover your pipes can keep your water warmer for longer and cost just a few pounds. You can also use a ‘lagging jacket’ which fits over your gas boiler and helps retain heat. At around £10, they’re a cost effective way to prevent you from using extra energy to reheat water. Deal with draughts Draughty doors, windows and floors can be a major contributor to energy wastage. Although they might seem small, gaps and cracks have the potential to let out a large amount of heat, while allowing cold air in — impacting on your bills unnecessarily. One way to tackle this is by installing draught excluders on your doors and windows. Even keyholes and cat flaps can make a big difference, so try to keep them covered where you can. Alternatively, sealants, insulating strips and even rolled up newspaper can go a long way to ensuring heat stays in your home. Finally, double-glazing is extremely effective at keeping your home well insulated. Whilst installation can be costly, it’s a definite way to save on heating bills. What about off grid living? For those living in rural areas off the mains gas grid, choosing an energy efficient fuel is central to keeping bills low. This can be done by switching from more traditional off-grid fuels like oil to a cleaner, greener alternative, such as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). With the lowest carbon footprint of any off-grid fossil fuel, off grid gas is better for the environment and it’s cost-effective.[3] Its abundance of supply This can be achieved via a LPG bulk tank) also makes it reliable, so you never need to worry about running out. Shop around With utility bills taking up a sizeable chunk of household expenditure, switching energy providers could save you hundreds of pounds each year. Remember, it’s not just the Big Six that offer competitive deals, switching to a smaller energy supplier could also mean a reduction in bills. It’s estimated that 62% of bill payers didn’t switch last year, so don’t miss out on a cheaper tariff.[4] Efficient tech When your household appliances need replacing, it’s always worth thinking long-term and investing in an appliance with a high efficiency rating. Whilst it may cost more initially, the long-term payoff will help reduce your bills. Look out for products that score an A+ and above. An A+++ fridge for example, could save you around £190 over ten tears when compared to an A+ model. [5] Savings with innovation As we all look to slash our energy bills, improvements in technology are now helping us get to grips with our energy usage. Devices such as smart thermostats can go a long way to reducing heating bills by allowing greater control. As well as giving you the option to heat specific rooms, smart thermostats have the capabilities to learn your home heating habits – allowing you to consistently maintain the right temperature at the right time of day. Latest innovations, such as handy apps, have been designed to make smart technology even more convenient. If used correctly, it’s estimated that they could save households around £150 a year.[6] Switch off appliances Through habit, you may be used to using the standby button to turn off electrical appliances, when in fact it’s actually far more energy efficient to turn them off completely. TVs, laptops and mobile phone chargers are still switched on even when they’re on standby, which means they’re using energy unnecessarily. According to the Energy Saving Trust, you could save around £30 a year just by switching off appliances properly, whilst households with more gadgets could save between £50 and £80.[7] [1] https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/energy-saving-tips/ [2] https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-insulation/roof-and-loft [3] https://www.liquidgasuk.org/uploads/DOC5A5F2DC5A7907.pdf [4] https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/home-insulation/roof-and-loft [5] https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/energy-saving-tips/ [6] https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/energy-saving-tips/ [7] https://www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-and-electricity/energy-saving-tips/

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