August 28, 2020

PLANNING APPROVED FOR 77 PUDSEY HOMES

Keyland Developments Launches West Yorkshire Site To Market Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has unlocked the development potential of a site in Pudsey, West Yorkshire by securing planning consent from Leeds City Council for 77 new homes under a Planning

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7 Mistakes Rookie Contractors Make

The construction business is a booming one, and there are huge incentives to venture into this field. The industry also offers a wide range of opportunities for newbies – from public infrastructure and ground-up development to residential renovation, just to mention a few.  However, the difference between becoming a successful

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Working With A Web Design Agency

Broadly speaking, an agency that can offer a broad range of web design services is one that can help your business grow. You may not need e-commerce services right now, but if they’ve got that capability, they’ll be ready to step in – and know your business well enough –

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Latest Issue
Issue 324 : Jan 2025

August 28, 2020

Goodman given green light for M25 340,000 sq ft prime e-commerce and deliveries site

Purfleet 338 Will Include 29,000 Sq Ft of Offices Green light granted for one of the largest warehouses available within the M25, meeting demand for quality logistics space close to the Capital Customers to benefit from access to a skilled workforce, including 1.6 million qualified locals1 Planning has been granted for a high specification 338,267 sq ft single unit warehouse at Purfleet Commercial Park, Essex.  Available to pre-let with the ability for an immediate start on site, Purfleet 338 is just 16 miles from Central London and at the heart of the M25 and A13 corridors, providing excellent connectivity across Greater London and the South East.  This location has prime access to the national motorway network, only half a mile from junctions 30 and 31 of the M25. This sees it able to efficiently service potential e-commerce, retail and third-party logistics customers, with capability of reaching 21 million consumers, with a combined purchasing power of £453 billion per annum2, within two hours.  Purfleet 338 also benefits from a sizeable base of potential employees – with 9,300 job seekers within a 30-minute radius and access to 1.6 million locals with qualifications relevant to logistics and distribution.     The warehouse will be developed to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification and will include more than 29,000 sq ft of high quality office space. Sustainably designed and energy efficient, the property will feature electric car charging points and infrastructure for future electric vehicle fleets, solar thermal heating and hot water, and carbon neutral cladding. The wider park has been designed to meet the business, health and wellbeing needs of Goodman’s customers with outdoor seating alongside a pond, mature landscaping, and a delineated running track. George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman, said:  “Purfleet 338 sees Goodman continuing our commitment to provide critical infrastructure for delivery of essential goods and services.  “With this new development, we will further connect our customers with their consumers both in the Capital and wider South East region, helping them meet growing expectations for faster deliveries.” Purfleet 338’s plans also include an 18 metre clear internal height, 55 metre yard depth, 4MVA of power and a cladding system designed to meet chill-store requirements – offering customers flexibility in usage while maximising operational efficiency.   Glennie continued: “Goodman focuses on securing key sites for properties that stand the test of time. We know that well located, designed and managed properties are better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Our Purfleet investment allows for rising demand in flexible, high-specification spaces that support supply chain efficiencies.”    To find out more about Purfleet Commercial Park, please visit the website for further details. Joint agents marketing the scheme are Cushman & Wakefield and JLL.

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PLANNING APPROVED FOR 77 PUDSEY HOMES

Keyland Developments Launches West Yorkshire Site To Market Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has unlocked the development potential of a site in Pudsey, West Yorkshire by securing planning consent from Leeds City Council for 77 new homes under a Planning Promotional Agreement (PPA) with a local landowner. The site has now been launched to market with planning permission in place by the Leeds office of Cushman & Wakefield. Located mid-way between the centres of Leeds and Bradford, adjacent to Owlcotes Reservoir on Owlcotes Road, the 5.5 acre site comprises former Yorkshire Water land owned by Keyland Developments and land owned by a local private individual. The agreement with the local landowner in Pudsey is Keyland’s eighth PPA initiative following on from agreements with landowners in Wakefield, Leeds, Calderdale and Kirklees. The PPAs involve Keyland working with independent landowners, corporates or regulated bodies to overcome obstacles to development on strategic sites to facilitate regeneration by securing planning consent for future use. The planning consent for 77 new homes will enable the regeneration of the largely vacant site and make a significant contribution to the local housing supply. A mix of affordable and market housing with 1-4 bedroom apartments, semi-detached and detached homes with landscaping will add to the sustainable location which is close to amenities, services and transport. Beth McQue, Development Planner at Keyland Developments Ltd, said; “This site had already been allocated for residential development in the Leeds City Council Site Allocation Plan (2019) and the consent will now enable a housebuilder to bring forward a high quality scheme to complement the site’s surroundings. Our PPA agreements are designed to enable landowners of any scale to maximise the potential from their sites without incurring any risk and in this case we have been able to bring about regeneration of a redundant site and contribute to the local authority’s long-term housing targets.” Phil Roebuck, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield commented; “This is an attractive site in a very popular location making it ideal for much needed family housing. The housing market has bounced back strongly post lockdown and we anticipate high levels of demand from regional and national housebuilders.”

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7 Mistakes Rookie Contractors Make

The construction business is a booming one, and there are huge incentives to venture into this field. The industry also offers a wide range of opportunities for newbies – from public infrastructure and ground-up development to residential renovation, just to mention a few.  However, the difference between becoming a successful contractor vs folding up your construction business after a few months lies in proper planning and attention to detail right from the start. A lot of work goes into the planning and preparation stages, which will ensure that your business takes off on the right footing. There are also some rookie mistakes you need to avoid if you want to have a smooth start. Let’s take a look at some of the avoidable mistakes. Failure to nail down your service offering As we have already mentioned, the construction industry offers a wide range of opportunities for a newcomer. In fact, the vast number of options usually end up tempting a lot of newbies into venturing into as many of them as they want. This is a rookie mistake. Even if you intend for your operations to cover a wide range of construction services, you need to begin by focusing on one (at most two) specific areas of service. Attempting to become a Jack of all trades right from the beginning is likely to cost you a lot. Picking up any job and every kind of job offered to you may seem like a good idea, especially when you are trying to make in-roads into the business field. But this can also leave you with a lot of unprofitable projects and wasted time. Plus, the chances that you may not complete most of the projects are very high – already started on a wrong footing. Thus, to carve a niche for your business, pick one or two specific services to start with. These services should suit your strengths and should also not cost you a lot of money or time to offer.  2. Not planning out the structure of your business It is a bad idea to enter into the construction business – or any other business for that matter – without thinking about what your business structure is. This is very important whether you are setting up your business alone or working with a partner. There are usually three main things to consider when it comes to the structure of your business. The first structure has to do with a partnership. A partnership agreement is very important if you are entering into business with one or more other people. The agreement should spell out the rights, obligations, and rewards of each partner. The second structure is for a sole trader. This structure is usually a very simple one, as it involves only one person at the helm of operations. With this structure, there is usually no legal distinction between your business and you. The third structure is for a limited company. This structure can be an ideal alternative for different partners with stakes in the business. Getting the right advice from an experienced professional about which structure best suits you will help you avoid certain costly situations in the future. 3. Not having any source of funding The fact that the construction industry is booming and is a very rewarding one does not mean that you will start raking in revenue as soon as your business starts operating.  Several factors will determine how quickly the profits start trickling in or how long it will take even to start breaking even. But the certainty of this period (that is, the first couple of months after starting operations) requires that you have a source of funding to rely on. Workers need to be paid, whether you’re making profits or not. Some projects may need to finish before payment is made into your account. Some customers may fail to pay up on time and leave your hanging. Generally, it will cost you some money to run your business on a daily basis. Having a source of funding will enable you to test the waters and ride the storm until you start reaping some rewards. It will also enable you to recover from certain setbacks you may face that might cost your business money. You can also open a small business account at the beginning stages, and, if possible, acquire a loan with an overdraft facility in place. It is always a safer option to have some sort of emergency funding available to you should your business hit the red. Unfortunately, ignoring this important tip is one of the huge mistakes that most rookie contractors make. 4. Ignoring the importance of technology One of the reasons why the construction industry continues to grow is the fact that it makes use of different kinds of technology and software. As the industry continues to grow, different kinds of soft and hard technology are introduced. In order to stay ahead of the game and remain relevant in the business, you need to take advantage of the relevant technology available that allows you to be efficient in the way you manage products, reduce the amount of time it takes you to complete those projects, yield better results, and be cost-effective.  From accounting software to LMS software consulting solutions, it is important to take advantage of all the ‘help’ you can get with respect to online tools and software that will help make the running of your business less difficult. There are always easier and less expensive ways of doing things. And most of these technologies could help your business reach success. 5. Underestimating the power of your reputation Even with the power of social media and the internet, one of the most effective ways of attracting new clients is through the old-school word of mouth channel. Indeed, it can even be far more effective than having a plush-looking website or creating expensive advertising campaigns. Unfortunately, a lot of rookie contractors ignore this. Thus, right from the start,

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The Material of Choice: 7 Things to Keep in Mind About Granite Countertops

Remodeling a kitchen is exciting, but also presents homeowners with an almost overwhelming number of options. One of the most important is the choice of countertop materials. Shoppers need to consider their budgets, decorating themes, kitchen functions, and the overall value of their investment. With these factors in mind, many buyers are drawn to granite. The elegant stone is sturdy, durable, and in demand by house hunters. However, anyone considering granite should speak with their contractor and make sure they understand the most basic facts about the stone. 1) Granite Is a Natural Material There are dozens of counter materials that look like stone, but many are replicas. Some, like quartz, are engineered materials that include resins designed to enhance the stone. Granite is a completely natural stone that is sold in slabs. Clients visit providers’ shops and choose the slabs that will eventually become their counters. The process of forming the stone into finished countertops is called Granite Fabrication and is provided by skilled craftsmen. 2) The Colors Come From Earth’s Elements Granite counters are considered luxury additions to homes, primarily because they are so gorgeous. Surfaces include stunning color patterns that are part of the stone that is quarried from the ground. According to Forbes, granite can have colors ranging from white to black, with many variations in between. The original slabs are actually igneous rock that contains various minerals, including feldspar, mica, and quartz. These elements provide the stunning hues that run through granite. 3) Countertops Are Usually Sealed Most homeowners have their granite countertops sealed to protect them and ensure they last as long as possible. However, granite is one of the hardest counter materials and does not actually need to be sealed unless it is porous. Depending on where it was quarried, the stone may not be porous. It is easy to find out by pouring a little water in a small area. If it is still on the surface in 30 minutes, the stone is not porous. 4) Granite Makes a Tough Countertop Surface Despite its fragile-looking beauty, granite can take a lot of abuse and still remain beautiful. Per SFGate home improvement specialists, granite resists scratches, stains, and bacteria. Owners can place hot pans directly on surfaces without harming them, although most avoid this to prevent weakening the surface. It is also possible to chop food directly on counters, but most people use cutting boards because the stone will dull knives. 5) It Is Easy to Take Care of Countertops Homeowners choose granite counters because they can be cleaned with just soap and water. Most other types of cleaners are too abrasive and could dull the finish. A lot of people have granite resealed every five years or so to ensure it always looks fresh. 6) Damages Can Be Repaired It is very hard to damage granite but heavy impacts may cause it to chip or develop cracks. It is important to have damages professionally repaired immediately to prevent the problem from worsening and causing pieces to break off. 7) Choosing Granite Is a Smart Investment Although the initial cost to install granite counters is higher than some other materials, homeowners usually consider it a wise investment. Granite’s timeless beauty matches any decor, and surfaces look beautiful for decades. Countertops also increase property values and can make it easier to sell homes. Granite is a stone that contains stunning colors caused by minerals in the ground. It is a popular material for kitchen countertops because it is tough, beautiful, and easy to maintain. Granite counters increase home values and last for decades without losing their beauty.

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Working With A Web Design Agency

Broadly speaking, an agency that can offer a broad range of web design services is one that can help your business grow. You may not need e-commerce services right now, but if they’ve got that capability, they’ll be ready to step in – and know your business well enough – to implement an effective solution in the future.  So what services other than e-commerce should you be looking for? Obviously, search engine optimization (SEO) is critical. Here, look for an understanding that optimizing your website isn’t just about getting you to the top of the search engine rankings. Of course, you want your company to stand out from your competitors. But it’s equally important that the agency you choose for web design has a plan for converting those visitors into paying customers. This is called conversion rate optimization: essentially, identifying and removing any barriers to potential customers spending money on your site. That can be done in many ways, from optimizing existing text on your landing to directly address any questions visitors may have, to simplifying a complicated buying process, to inserting clever calls to action.  Similarly critical is ensuring that your website is fully mobile responsive, to take advantage of the increasing numbers of consumers shopping on the go. Finding an agency that offers expertise in services such as those listed above will give you a better ROI than an agency that simply offers a slick-looking website design. They should also keep you informed on website performance, sending you screenshots of the data. Head to https://setapp.com/how-to/screenshot-on-mac for steps on screenshotting on your Mac if you’re unsure. Why Choose A Web Agency That Offers WordPress Design? As a small business owner, it’s likely you’ll have to become a jack-of-all-trades, expected to turn your hand to any role as and when needed. You’ll, therefore, be looking for tools that keep your website both up and running and up-to-date with minimal fuss and effort. What you don’t want is to have to spend a fortune and wait forever for your web design agency to make every little change to your price list or add new text to your website. That’s one reason why the better web developers offer WordPress design to small business clients.  WordPress has grown to become the most popular website content management system today. That’s partly because it’s one of the easiest for beginners to get their heads around; but also because it includes plenty of advanced features for the more experienced user. In short, there’s all the potential there for a WordPress developer to create a stunning website for you, which you can then maintain on a day-to-day basis without needing a ton of training or years of experience. Equally, though, there may be times when you come unstuck and need assistance with your website. The best design agencies are genuinely interested in your success and will work with you in partnership on an ongoing basis to grow your business.  Our final recommendation, therefore, is to check that the agency you’re thinking of hiring offers additional and follow-on services. Will they be there to help you when things go wrong? Will they offer ad hoc advice on wider queries relating to social media or email marketing, for instance?

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