PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, has entered into an agreement with Wentworth Clean Power Limited (WCP) to bring a £230 million, state-of-the-art, waste-to-energy project to Teesside. WCP, developers of advanced waste-to-energy projects in the UK, together with its partners, will develop, finance and deliver the project on Dockside
2020 Art of Building photography competition now open… The world’s biggest photography competition for the built environment, the Art of Building, returns on 12 October 2020. Each year the competition attracts thousands of entries, as keen amateurs and experienced professionals battle for international recognition and two £1,500 cash prizes.
The high performance, reliable and easy-to-install Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System from Brett Martin has been specified for a new housing development in Tutshill, Gloucestershire, the village where JK Rowling spent her childhood and which inspired many Harry Potter books. Located in the stunning Forest of Dean, on the
Industry has a huge opportunity to attract the emerging generation, according to new research released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) today. The Future of the Workplace report, produced by ACE’s group for emerging professionals as part of their contribution to the Future of Consultancy campaign, urges our
If you have a wealth of experience as a full time employee in the construction sector, the chances are you have contacts across the industry. This could enable you to break free from your employer to set up on your own. Launching a business within the construction sector can be
PD Ports, owner and operator of Teesport, has entered into an agreement with Wentworth Clean Power Limited (WCP) to bring a £230 million, state-of-the-art, waste-to-energy project to Teesside. WCP, developers of advanced waste-to-energy projects in the UK, together with its partners, will develop, finance and deliver the project on Dockside Road, to the south of Teesport Commerce Park. The advanced project, which will be named the Teesport Renewable Energy Centre, will sit on a 9-acre footprint and create between 250-300 full time jobs during construction, with a further 40 permanent jobs created when the plant becomes operational – which is expected to be in the second half of 2024. The sustainable plant will utilise a variety of waste streams, characterised by rigorous environmental credentials, and employ proven technologies from first-class providers, positioning PD Ports, and the Tees Valley, at the forefront of the clean energy sector. Michael McConnell, PD Ports Group Property Director, said, “We are delighted to have signed this agreement to bring such a large and important investment to the Tees Valley and look forward to working with WCP and its partners to progress the project and bring the waste-to-energy plant to fruition. “This huge private investment from outside of the UK further demonstrates our trusted and proven track record when it comes to delivering large-scale projects, investments and real jobs to the region, whilst reinforcing our commitment to environmentally sustainable practices.” The plant, when complete, will have an annual capacity of 300,000 tonnes of feedstock and deliver an electrical output of 30 megawatts – enough to power up to 27,000 homes with the potential to provide decentralise energy to existing and planned industrial users via combined heat and power. Philip Spanos, CEO of WCP, commented, “WCP is truly delighted to enter into this partnership with PD Ports for the development of such an exciting project on their land. “PD Ports is an extremely supportive, mature and experienced landowner, who fully understand the complexities of developing such projects. “WCP looks forward to playing its role, alongside PD Ports and local stakeholders, in contributing to the realisation of the immense potential of the Tees Valley as host to this project and the pool of highly skilled labour for its construction and operation. “We also hope, through the guidance of Redcar and Cleveland Council as the Local Planning Authority, to contribute actively to the local area.” James Ramsbotham, Chief Executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, said, “This announcement is such welcome news on many levels. Attracting such investment at this time of global crisis is a testament to the strength of the region and these jobs are so important to our community. “Our collective commitment towards Net Zero remain a top priority and this project will bring us closer to delivering a more sustainable and greener economy for the future. We hugely congratulate PD Ports and everyone involved with this development – it will be a huge morale boost for our area.” The next steps for the project is to hold discussions with Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, the local Planning Authority, to formulate, prepare and submit a full application for consideration so that construction can commence. Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Mary Lanigan, said, “This is a major investment proposal which has the potential to bring the kind of high quality jobs we need, subject to planning approval. We have a world-class port in our borough and it is wonderful to see its owners, PD Ports, securing further inward investment for our region. “I’d like to congratulate both WCP and PD Ports and, as a very business-friendly authority, we look forward to continuing to work with everyone concerned.” Throughout negotiations, which have taken place over the last 18 months, PD Ports was advised by Jacksons Law Firm whilst WCP was advised by Slater Heelis LLP, Manchester.
2020 Art of Building photography competition now open… The world’s biggest photography competition for the built environment, the Art of Building, returns on 12 October 2020. Each year the competition attracts thousands of entries, as keen amateurs and experienced professionals battle for international recognition and two £1,500 cash prizes. Last year’s winners included Alexandr Bormotin, from Ivanovo in Russia, who won the Public Choice Award for his incredible futuristic image of a new underground train station in Moscow, entitled Metrostation, and Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz, a professional photographer from northern Spain, who was awarded the Judges’ Prize for capturing Hemisferic, a science museum in Valencia, designed by Santiago Calatrava. The competition is free to enter and open to anyone aged 18 or over. Entries can be made from 12 October 2020 until 15 November 2020. Up to three photographs per person may be entered. Winners will be announced on 26 January 2021 following the voting rounds. There are two awards to be won: the £1,500 Judges’ Prize, chosen by the judges, and the £1,500 Public Choice Award chosen by the public through an online vote. Entries will not be accepted outside of the advertised closing date or if they are embedded with borders or locks. Caroline Gumble, Chief Executive of the CIOB and part of the judging panel for this year, said: “I am proud to be involved again this year in my second CIOB Art of Building competition. Every year I am inspired by the beauty that the public see in the world’s structures, and I greatly look forward to seeing what’s submitted this time. As someone who can’t resist taking photos of buildings, construction sites and architecture, I know there must be lots of people out there with amazing and stimulating images to share.” For more details about the competition and to enter, log on to www.artofbuilding.org The competition can also be found on Instagram at www.instagram.com/charteredinstituteofbuilding About the CIOB’s Art of Building: Art of Building is an annual international photography competition run by the Chartered Institute of Building. The competition is open to anyone aged 18 or over. Art of Building is free to enter and entries are welcome from anywhere in the world. Pictures can be taken on any style of equipment, but they must be in digital format. Art of Building 2020 timeline: Open for entry – 12 October 2020 Closed for entry – 15 November 2020 Public vote begins – 7 December 2020 Public vote ends – 11 January 2021 Winner announced – 26 January 2021
The high performance, reliable and easy-to-install Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System from Brett Martin has been specified for a new housing development in Tutshill, Gloucestershire, the village where JK Rowling spent her childhood and which inspired many Harry Potter books. Located in the stunning Forest of Dean, on the banks of the River Wye near Chepstow, Birch Grove includes 45 new three, four and five-bedroom family homes all built to a high-specification for discerning buyers. In order to achieve the desired performance and aesthetics, housebuilder ButlerWall Homes chose a comprehensive and cost-effective range of rainwater and drainage systems which met their demands for quality, durability, low maintenance and ease-of-installation. The specification across these family homes included Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System comprising a 112mm Half Round Gutter and 68mm Round Downpipe in Classic Black. Significantly lighter than traditional cast iron rainwater systems, Cascade is much quicker, easier and safer to install at height, helping to offer the developer huge savings in terms of on-site installation costs. The system also features external fixing lugs designed to facilitate the use of power tools, further speeding up installation. Fascia boards in Foil Black were also supplied by Brett Martin to provide a seamless match across the rooflines of the homes. In addition to the popular Classic Black colour specified on the Birch Grove Development, Cascade is also available in a further seven heritage colours including Anthracite Grey, Oxford Blue, Chartwell Green, Olive Green, Graphite Grey, Sandstone and Porcelain White – all of which cater to the subtle nuances of local vernacular architecture. The complete colour range delivers the traditional appearance of real cast iron with the convenience of modern plastic materials. Cascade is also UV stabilised for a maintenance-free system that will stay looking great and working well for years, and comes with a 10-year guarantee. The development also saw the installation of Brett Martin’s underground drainage systems including the new Adoptable Access and Inspection Chamber Assemblies. Using a reputable manufacturer such as Brett Martin offers far more than the quality and versatility of the product itself – they provide superior technical support, detailed installation instructions and maintenance guidelines to ensure rainwater systems perform exactly as promised. With this fabulous new village development now complete, Brett Martin’s Cascade Cast Iron Style Rainwater System and a range of underground drainage solutions have met the aesthetic and performance requirements of the developer whilst ensuring a fast, efficient and economical installation.
Industry has a huge opportunity to attract the emerging generation, according to new research released by the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) today. The Future of the Workplace report, produced by ACE’s group for emerging professionals as part of their contribution to the Future of Consultancy campaign, urges our industry to make the most of its pivotal role in building society’s future, arguing that it has a unique appeal which can meet the emerging generation’s strong sense of purpose and values. Through a series of in-depth interviews with emerging professionals, business leaders and clients, the report has gathered insights on changing attitudes and aspirations, as well as workplace cultures and internal business structures in the built and natural environment. The timing of the project has also provided a snapshot of how the sector has been adapting – in real time – to the impact of COVID-19. To help achieve the necessary shift in workplace culture that will ensure the industry can successfully attract and retain emerging professionals, the report proposes a Workplace Promise to clearly establish a baseline for a new relationship which will outline what can be expected from employers. In return, it will also outline what is expected of employees if they are to progress to leadership roles within their company. Building on the foundations of this ‘promise’, the report has also outlined eight principles to help create a healthy and thriving workplace and suggested the introduction of ‘role families’ to develop new promotional pathways. The research recommends a vital role for ACE in supporting all members adapt, but especially for SMEs and around key issues such as diversity and inclusion. Commenting on the report, ACE’s chief executive Hannah Vickers said: “As the designers of society’s future, our industry is better-placed than many others to appeal to the best of the emerging generation. We can often meet their sense of purpose and values through the projects we work on, but where many have struggled in the past is in creating environments which attract, support and retain them. “The report will help businesses tackle these issues head-on and offers practical suggestions to nurture a workplace culture that enables whole organisations to thrive. “We cannot meet the challenges outlined by ACE’s Future of Consultancy campaign for a better-connected, technology-first approach to the design, development and operation of the built environment, without the next generation being fully on board.” Commenting on the research, ACE Emerging Professionals chair Georgia Hughes said: “We’re delighted to input into the vital debate around the future of our industry. The report’s findings demonstrate what many already know anecdotally – if given the right projects to work on and in the right environment, emerging professionals are extremely driven, productive, caring and passionate, and are a great asset for any forward-thinking company. Our recommendations, including around a new Workplace Promise between employers and the next generation, will help businesses create a framework to fully realise their potential.”The Future of the Workplace report is available to view now
If you have a wealth of experience as a full time employee in the construction sector, the chances are you have contacts across the industry. This could enable you to break free from your employer to set up on your own. Launching a business within the construction sector can be lucrative. The industry is booming even during these surreal global pandemic days and you could be the master of your own professional destiny. However, there are pitfalls that you need to avoid to make a success of your construction startup. Take a look at these three things that you should do to ensure business success. Pixabay – CC0 License Legal Stuff In the construction industry, you need to adhere to a whole host of legislation and regulations. As the industry is a little more dangerous than the usual office-based working, you have to look after your staff and protect them from accidents. This is why it is vital that you find professional indemnity insurance with the right business coverage for your industry. It’s crucial that you can find the right representation should you discover a negligence claim being made against you. Seek out professional advice to ensure that all of your documentation is above board. File it away and keep it safe so should any audit take place, you have the information to hand and can demonstrate your compliance. Funding To ensure that your cash flow remains buoyant at all times, you need to have funding avenues available to you. Think about seeking advice and money from an angel investor. You could choose to use a well-designed business plan to pitch to a business angel. These individuals have a lifetime of experience and are at the top of their game within the construction sector. You might want to start a bricklaying business, an office interiors outfit, or an insulation company. Find the business angel with the relevant experience. They will have money to invest in what they see as profitable ventures. Get suited and booted, know your gross from your net, and have your financial figures to hand. Your business plan needs to show off just how appealing your venture is. With any luck, they will invest time and money, and experience in your startup. Pixabay – CC0 License Staffing Working out the sort of staff you need for your startup is necessary to ensure its success. Hire too many people and you waste money. Think about how you will recruit. You could choose to go down the recruitment agency route. These companies have an excellent caliber of candidates on their books and are industry-specific. Alternatively, you could recruit on your own. Advertise in relevant publications and online before longlisting, shortlisting, and interviewing. Start slowly and only recruit the members of staff that you need. Anything else can be outsourced as and when you need a business function fulfilling. This can save you money, secure your cash flow, and keep your business financially efficient. If you are eager to start a business within the construction industry, follow this guide to ensure success.
