The weeks of lockdown have accelerated the creation of liveable streets and green spaces, according to speakers at the latest e-Roadshow on Realising Resilience presented by Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation. “It was interesting to see the changes that have already taken place in London and to learn about how
GLP, investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announces that it has leased an 84,000 SQ FT unit at its G-Park Biggleswade site in Bedfordshire. The 84,000 SQ FT warehouse has been let to Focus International, part of the JD Sports Group. Focus will be utilising the
According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), 60 per cent of construction projects are not completed on time. Modular builds can provide faster project completion, but what are the risks and benefits of this growing construction method? Here, Nick Cowley, managing director of window and door supplier
A 3,500-capacity venue could be constructed in Derby, creating 200 jobs, according to new plans. A site in the Becketwell area has been earmarked for the scheme by developer St James Securities and Derby City Council. The new entertainment and conference venue would be located on the site of the
Commercial real estate developer Network Space has promoted Catherine Chilvers to Development Director, with immediate effect. Catherine joined Newton-le-Willows based Network Space as Senior Development Manager in 2016 and has since developed and expanded her role within the business whilst delivering key projects across the North West. Her recent projects
Plans for The Mere Golf Resort & Spa to significantly expand its operations, in a move which will create jobs and help boost the area’s economic prosperity, have been backed. A range of enhancements are proposed, the main aspects being 64 new bedroom suites, the enlargement of the conference and
Toxic air pollutants from vehicle and industry emissions are entering the mitochondria of the heart tissue causing cardiac stress or a ‘silent heart disease epidemic.’ Indeed, air pollution is an issue that affects the health of the people with some unknown consequences. One of the ways to fight environmental pollution is to
The weeks of lockdown have accelerated the creation of liveable streets and green spaces, according to speakers at the latest e-Roadshow on Realising Resilience presented by Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation. “It was interesting to see the changes that have already taken place in London and to learn about how upcoming policy changes – as well as the pandemic – will push things even further,” said Sean Robinson, Specification Director, who hosted the event, Shaping City Policy to Support Biodiversity and Green Urbanisation. The first phase of the Ladderswood Estate regeneration in Enfield provided a practical example of green urbanisation in action, as described by Nicholas Wright, National Specification Manager – City & Landscapes. This complex scheme, which took just nine months from design to delivery, required check dams and flow controls to accommodate multiple areas, with the end result providing play spaces, grass, pathways and planting for the 517 households. Ecologist Dr Julia Baker, of Balfour Beatty, shone a spotlight on the future policy of biodiversity net gain. Changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the Environment Bill, expected in late 2020, are likely to demand a 10% improvement in biodiversity but Julia urged developers to aim higher. “Better is different from best,” she said. “We must ask ourselves, at a project level and at a policy level, whether we have achieved the best outcome?” Careful design could, Julia argued, not only enhance biodiversity but be targeted to add social value such as improving areas of social deprivation. “Green Bounceback” is how Luke Hilson, Design Director at Barton Wilmore, described a post-Covid future where the urban streetscape has been reclaimed from traffic. Homeworking, active travel, and outdoor dining have already affected change, he said, with the creation of ‘parklets’ in our city streets: “One of the most visible things we have seen in the last few weeks and months, across London and the UK, is that we are taking space that was previously highway space and reclaiming it for people.” “The pandemic is leading us to accelerate what we had already planned to do,” said Peter Massini, Principal Policy Officer for Greater London Authority. Climate change had already made urban greening a priority, he noted, a thread which runs through the new London Plan, The Mayor’s Transport Strategy and the London Environment Strategy. “We need to blur the space between parks, green spaces and developments,” he said, pointing to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park development in East London as a practical example. This high-density housing development incorporates green roofs and SuDS that ends in a reed bed system before draining into the River Lea, providing both greater biodiversity and amenity. Peter also spoke of the need to rethink the role of parks in London’s transport system, for instance using sections around their perimeters for rental bike storage, as long as they were well designed. “We must make green space a functional part of the infrastructure of our cities,” he said. “Some people think of it as the urban realm intruding into parks, but I like to think of it as the parks intruding into the urban realm.” The next event of the series is on August 11th and concentrates on Ireland and covers Changing Legislation and Growing Ambition – Planning for Green Infrastructure and SuDS in Northern Ireland. The series concludes on August 18th, with a rescheduled Scotland event which considers the challenge of Delivering for the Climate Emergency in Scotland’s Green Network. All of the guest speaker presentations for the London e-Roadshow event can be viewed at https://www.polypipe.com/news For information on the full programme and details of how to register visit: – https://www.polypipe.com/roadshow-2020 Pic caption: Adapting streetscapes and parks to promote active travel will be at the heart of the post-Covid ‘Green Bounceback’.
GLP, investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announces that it has leased an 84,000 SQ FT unit at its G-Park Biggleswade site in Bedfordshire. The 84,000 SQ FT warehouse has been let to Focus International, part of the JD Sports Group. Focus will be utilising the warehouse space for bulk storage and pick-and-pack of their portfolio of brands including ellesse UK, Yogi Footwear, Nautica Competition, Peter Werth, Fenchurch, Henleys, Ecko and Starter and using additional office space so we can ensure staff have enough space to socially distance. G-Park Biggleswade comprises five units in total, including a 61,000 SQ FT unit leased to SeeWoo Foods earlier this year, and a 97,500 SQ FT build-to-suit distribution centre leased to Dublin-based Zeus Packaging. There is also a further 106,000 SQ FT speculatively developed warehouse which is currently available for lease. Each warehouse is designed to BREEAM Excellent and built to meet the evolving needs of GLP’s logistics, distribution and ecommerce customers in the UK. In addition to this best-in-class specification, the development benefits from Biggleswade’s strong labour pool and excellent transport links to central London and the South East. G-Park Biggleswade forms part of Stratton Business Park, which is home to a number of leading businesses from the packaging, distribution, food and manufacturing sectors as well as a retail complex including M&S, Pets at Home, Boots, River Island, and Halfords. Andrew Ward, Operations Director at Focus, said: “We are looking forward to working with GLP and joining other leading brands at G-Park Biggleswade. A solid infrastructure and efficient logistics system is key to the success of any business, and for Focus, this is especially important with several brands under our umbrella, and continued growth in Central Europe. The position is perfect for our business as it is placed on the A1 and just 43 miles from central London. We look forward to bringing new work opportunities to the area and making this the perfect base to continue to grow our Focus brands. The last few months have been extremely challenging for retail with the global pandemic, so we’re pleased to make this positive move, eventually employing 40+ people in the area as we continue to drive future development.” James Atkinson, Development Manager at GLP Europe, said: “This development, which completed in January of this year, highlights GLP’s ongoing commitment to offering high quality space for our customers in established logistics locations. The built-to-suit logistics warehouses on site illustrate the strength of occupier demand in the area and we have responded by speculatively developing a range of different-sized units to maintain flexibility for our customers. We look forward to working with Focus International for the first time and are pleased with the success of this development so far, with only one unit now remaining to let.” A Central Bedfordshire Council spokesperson said: “We negotiated the sale of the Stratton Phase 4 land to GLP in early 2018 and have since been impressed with the quality and speed of delivery that GLP have orchestrated. “The addition to the existing business park of five high quality buildings, at pace, has attracted new businesses to Biggleswade and provided a significant boost to job creation in the town and beyond. “The development of G Park has helped reinforce Stratton Business Park as a key business location in the region.” Adroit Real Estate Advisors, BNP PRE, and CBRE acted for GLP.
According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), 60 per cent of construction projects are not completed on time. Modular builds can provide faster project completion, but what are the risks and benefits of this growing construction method? Here, Nick Cowley, managing director of window and door supplier to the offsite construction industry, Euramax, explains. Reports suggest that modular construction can deliver projects 50 per cent faster than traditional construction while maintaining the same high quality. No surprises then, that the technique is considered the next mega trend in construction. This enhanced completion time of modular construction has become vital for building classrooms, hospital wards and other facilities that requires immediate construction. In 2019, Europe’s tallest modular building, a block of housing apartments in Croydon, South London, was completed in just 35 weeks. Controlled environment Modular construction refers to building projects in which 60 to 90 per cent of a build is constructed offsite. Typically, inside a factory environment. Constructing the build elsewhere means work can start simultaneously alongside preparation of the site. Assembling modules in a factory also means there is greater quality control — unlike a site environment, faults can be resolved before the modules are fixed to the larger construction. This saves remanufacturing time and produces a more accurate build. Manufacturing in a controlled environment also means external factors, such as weather conditions, cannot interrupt the development. As site managers in Britain will attest to, nothing presses pause on a construction project like an unexpected downpour. For time-sensitive projects, minimising this risk is essential. Securing trustworthy relationships While modular construction is praised for its speed, these builds require extreme technical intricacy. Measurements must be exact to ensure modules can fix together seamlessly. A measurement slightly under or over the figures specified could mean the build is flawed, slowing down project completion. Suddenly, this speedy construction option isn’t so quick. Establishing relationships with trusted suppliers and contractors is vital to ensure project predictability. There are many unreliable and dishonest professionals that will exploit construction’s need for quick project delivery, often leaving projects in the lurch — meaning work must be extended, or even abandoned. Working with reliable companies for assistance on modular build projects can help to ensure that deadlines are met — and the same applies to features that are installed in the modules, such as windows and doors. Euramax has 70 years of manufacturing experience of windows and doors for modular construction projects. In fact, Euramax is supplying its windows and doors to modular home manufacturer, Ilke Homes, for the production of 2,000 of its modular homes, demonstrating Euramax’s reliability for the modular build sector. No matter how big or small a project — from hospitals to housing — extended completion times can cause problems. However, modular construction can ensure deadlines are met. With the BIS reporting 60 per cent of construction projects are not completed on time, modular construction methods could be increasingly looked upon to change this. While it’s not possible to predict that a project will run smoothly, choosing reputable suppliers for modular construction projects can reduce delays, ensuring efficient completion and minimise the risk of any construction hiccups. Euramax manufactures high quality windows and doors for modular buildings, here in the UK. More information on the company’s specialist expertise in this area can be found online: www.euramaxuk.com/offsite-construction.
A 3,500-capacity venue could be constructed in Derby, creating 200 jobs, according to new plans. A site in the Becketwell area has been earmarked for the scheme by developer St James Securities and Derby City Council. The new entertainment and conference venue would be located on the site of the former Pink Coconut nightclub. The applicants have said it is anticipated that the venue would hold hundreds of cultural and commercial events each year and attract an additional quarter of a million visitors to Derby. The scheme would generate more than £10m per year for the area, they added. “We are working together with experienced commercial sector partners to put the best venue option on the table. This is about creating a vibrant, thriving city centre, and rejuvenating areas that have seen a decline. A new venue like this will significantly aid our recovery efforts and boost business confidence by creating hundreds of jobs, putting millions into the local economy, and make a big contribution to Derby’s future prosperity,” said Deputy council leader Cllr Matthew Homes. The new music, entertainment and conference events venue would be housed in a purpose-built facility. It would be a fully flexible, scalable space, with a capacity of up to 3,500, with secondary space up to 400 capacity. The project, if panning permission is granted, would be delivered by St James Securities at a fixed priced to the council with the developer securing a national operator as tenant for at least 25 years. “We are tremendously excited to be working with Derby City Council on this ambitious scheme, which is set to bring an outstanding, modern performance venue to the city. We strongly believe that a new purpose-built city centre venue is the right way to deliver a new performance venue for Derby and are confident that the best location for that venue is as a key part of the Becketwell scheme,” commented Paul Morris, director of St James Securities. “Once the successful operator has been selected, they will help to inform the design, capacity and layout of the building and the mix of popular and mainstream shows, performances and events. We have created a great scheme which will fill a significant gap in the city cultural landscape.” The development team at St James Securities has already had “strong interest” shown from an excellent range of leading operators.
Commercial real estate developer Network Space has promoted Catherine Chilvers to Development Director, with immediate effect. Catherine joined Newton-le-Willows based Network Space as Senior Development Manager in 2016 and has since developed and expanded her role within the business whilst delivering key projects across the North West. Her recent projects included the successful completion of Central 23, a 1.75-acre brownfield site providing a single 23,500 sq. ft industrial unit with office provision, located on the northern fringe of Liverpool City Centre. She has also recently taken up a position on the newly-formed Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership’s Built Environment Board. This was established to advise on built environment issues and economic growth across the City Region. Network Space Developments’ Managing Director Stephen Barnes said: “This promotion is very much deserved and is recognition of the significant contribution Catherine has made to the business over recent years. Her experience and commercial expertise will be a great asset to Network Space as well as the LEP’s Built Environment Board as they look to strategically drive forward environmental improvements and economic growth across the city region.” About Network Space Operating across the Northern Powerhouse region, Network Space is a commercial property developer, investor and manager specialising in the industrial warehouse sector. Founded in 1982, the company is now in its second generation of family ownership by Chairman and CEO Richard Ainscough. Network Space has created and modernised over 10 million sq. ft of industrial warehouse property in over 150 locations. The company’s vision is to provide the best and most complete industrial workspace solution for all of its stakeholder partners, whether they are a tenant, investor or government body.
Plans for The Mere Golf Resort & Spa to significantly expand its operations, in a move which will create jobs and help boost the area’s economic prosperity, have been backed. A range of enhancements are proposed, the main aspects being 64 new bedroom suites, the enlargement of the conference and banqueting facilities, and the remodelling of the reception areas. “This is a momentous leap for us that will allow us to meet evolving market demands and encourage guests on both a national and international scale to experience Cheshire and the North West of England. We are confident that this will help improve the local economy and job creation for the surrounding areas and we look forward to seeing our vision come to life,” said Gary Johnson, general manager of The Mere Golf Resort & Spa. The amenities are geared towards increasing capacity to 950 guests. Also lined up are improvements to restaurants, external terraces and additions to the hotel spa, all of which will be carried out within the resort’s Green Belt setting. “This is a reflection of the excellent standing and reputation which The Mere Golf Resort & Spa enjoys in Cheshire, the careful design of these significant new buildings which are a key part of its future growth ambitions and the strong economic need case that underpinned the proposals,” added Gary Halman, principal at Avison Young, who promoted the planning application for The Mere. Avison Young led a multi-disciplinary team which included Leach Rhodes Walker, the designer and masterplanner of the project.
Toxic air pollutants from vehicle and industry emissions are entering the mitochondria of the heart tissue causing cardiac stress or a ‘silent heart disease epidemic.’ Indeed, air pollution is an issue that affects the health of the people with some unknown consequences. One of the ways to fight environmental pollution is to use technology advancement. Fortunately, technology is constantly evolving to combat the effects of pollution and produce cleaner air. Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Predict Spikes in Air Pollution There are several ways to control pollution by using scrubbers, air filters, cyclones, mist collectors, incinerators, and catalytic reactors for industries to reduce or remove impurities in the air. However, to ensure that air pollution control systems are working properly, Polsys recommends that the equipment should be maintained and serviced at regular intervals. If you fail to perform preventive maintenance, you risk equipment malfunction. The bottom line is, maintenance is essential for all devices to ensure optimal performance. For example, technology company, Now Wireless, has developed a new tech using AI that can predict air pollution levels one hour in advance using analyses from CCTV cameras, weather measurements and forecasts, and historic readings, among others. Based on vehicle and air quality data, the technology links to traffic lights and digital displays to direct and control vehicle movements. The pollution predictor technology is supposed to be 97% accurate according to the company. Predictive knowledge is continuously updated in real-time. For areas that are facing congestion and poor air quality, the predictor offers an alternative to immediate vehicle bans. It helps people and authorities plan given current pollution levels. In addition, air pollution information and forecasting can motivate citizens to change individual behavior if they are aware of the differences in the air quality they breathe and the effects of hazardous toxins on their health. The predictor system will also need to be maintained to make sure that it is running properly. Graphene Coating to Remove Pollutants Currently, the use of photocatalyst such as titania is an effective method to reduce air pollution. Activated by solar light, the material causes a chemical reaction that can degrade air pollutants. Photocatalysis is a powerful method to depollute the environment without consuming the photocatalysts. Hence, researchers at the Italcementi Heidelberg Cement Group and the University of Cambridge decided to combine graphene and titania to enhance the photocatalytic reaction. The result is a graphene solution that can be coated on surfaces such as the exterior of buildings to degrade 70% of nitrogen oxide (NOx). The residues of the reaction are harmless and can be washed away by rain or wind. The solution is in powder form and can be applied to different materials including concrete. According to the authors of the study, it is a low-maintenance and environmentally-friendly solution to remove air pollutants. Air pollution is the world’s largest environmental risk. The good news is technology is constantly being updated to remove, reduce, and prevent pollutants from circulating in the air. When used widely, technology can improve air quality and the health of the people as well as allow the environment to recover.
