Belgian logistics, real estate and motor-racing company Weerts Group has chosen Suffolk Park at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, for its first UK warehouse location and has secured just over 42-acres from developer JAYNIC for a new 870,000 sq ft logistics unit to be delivered by JAYNIC in summer 2021. This
Initiative to ensure registered providers don’t miss out on mountain of ‘ethical’ investment cash A group of more than 60 housing associations, lenders and investors have come together to launch a standard designed to help the housing sector harness the £2 trillion ethical investment market. The Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social
The Government has opened a consultation on mandatory installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in England. While the consultation, which closes on 11 January 2021, primarily focuses on social housing it also covers aspects of the private rented sector and is an opportunity to make the case for reform
Vonder, a global co-living brand, has launched its latest PRS development, Vonder Skies. The first phase will consist of a 127-apartments in the heart of Brentford with over 50% of the properties already pre-let. The second phase, which will launch in spring 2021, will add a further 144 apartments to
As Scotland continues to attract international attention as a green energy pioneer, the influential trade association for plumbing and heating professionals is forging closer bonds with the leading body representing hydrogen and fuel cell technology interests in the country. SNIPEF, the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, is signing
Victoria Bathe a London South Bank University (LSBU) Civil Engineering apprentice, employed by construction firm FM Conway Ltd has won Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Apprentice of the Year 2020. CIHT’s Apprentice of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of apprentices who work in the highways and transportation sector, and
A new stainless steel and concrete bridge, the first of its kind in the UK, has opened to pedestrians and vehicles in Pooley Bridge, Cumbria. It replaces its 250-year-old stone predecessor, which was destroyed during severe flooding as a result of Storm Desmond in 2015. The new single-span bridge has
BAM Nuttall and BAM Construct UK have signed a solus agreement with Polypipe Group plc’s market-leading divisions Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation and Polypipe Building Products to supply drainage products to all BAM’s infrastructure and building projects in the UK. The move signals a closer relationship in procurement between BAM
Homeowners or buyers wishing to settle down in a ‘forever home’ can look to these six simple considerations when creating a house to call a home. A ‘forever home’ is a property that suits requirements in the short and long term – so it needs to be a flexible space
Work has begun on the first phase of the refurbishment project to modernise Stockport College, with new buildings and upgraded teaching facilities. Delivered for The Trafford College Group, the scheme first gained planning consent from Stockport Council in 2018, and will see major improvement works across the campus, resulting in
Belgian logistics, real estate and motor-racing company Weerts Group has chosen Suffolk Park at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, for its first UK warehouse location and has secured just over 42-acres from developer JAYNIC for a new 870,000 sq ft logistics unit to be delivered by JAYNIC in summer 2021. This is the largest ever warehouse transaction to be undertaken in Bury St Edmunds and the West Suffolk region bringing major new investment and jobs to the region. The 870,000 sq ft logistics facility will be developed in two phases with a first phase of 476,000 sq ft to be completed in Summer 2021 and the second phase following immediately. A detailed planning application has just been submitted to West Suffolk Council. Weerts Group is renowned across Europe for its buildings where sustainability is an important feature. Weerts Group has chosen Suffolk Park because of its proximity to the Felixstowe ferry connection with the European continent and its proximity to Junction 45 of the A14 providing fast links into the UK motorway network. Ben Oughton, development director of JAYNIC, said: “This is a very significant deal for Suffolk Park, Suffolk and East Anglia. This transaction with Weerts Group comes swiftly on the heels of the sale of our SP206 unit to Chinese consumer goods importer M H Star and re-affirms the rapidly increasing popularity of the A14 as a logistics location. In under six months these two transactions amount to 1.1m sq ft of warehousing and the creation of around 700 jobs for the local economy,” Weerts Group is headquartered in Liège, Belgium and has operations in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Hungary and Romania. Its General Logistics Services division offers its clients comprehensive solutions for warehousing, transport and value-add logistics services, with a strong focus on innovative solutions and engaging in continuous improvement projects with its clients. In 2017, it significantly expanded its operations through the acquisition of the in-house logistics of the Audi manufacturing plant in Brussels (65,000 sqm), where it operates all in-house logistics activities for the Brussels plant and is actively involved in preparing for the construction of the first full electric vehicle of the Audi group. Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “We welcome this new investment and the creation of new jobs here in West Suffolk helping to deliver the vision that the Council worked so hard to achieve when it set out to create the Suffolk Business Park.” Richard Pyatt, a director of Hazells Chartered Surveyors, comments: “Acting on behalf of JAYNIC we were delighted to introduce Weerts Group to Suffolk Park and assist in the negotiations for this transaction. This is a stellar example of the increasing demand from major logistics companies who see Felixstowe and the A14 as an alternative to the Kent ports for their links to the European continent. Securing a major occupier of this nature represents a significant boost for the local economy in Bury St Edmunds and underlines Suffolk Park as the pre-eminent logistics park in the region.” Elsewhere at Suffolk Park the 112,000 sq ft first phase of Treatt Plc’s new global headquarters, being developed by Jaynic is due for completion imminently. The 114-acre Suffolk Park has outline planning consent for 2 million sq ft of business, distribution, and industrial space. Suffolk Park agents are Bury St Edmunds based Hazells Chartered Surveyors, Cambridge agents Bidwells and Savills London’s logistics department. www.suffolk-park.uk
Initiative to ensure registered providers don’t miss out on mountain of ‘ethical’ investment cash A group of more than 60 housing associations, lenders and investors have come together to launch a standard designed to help the housing sector harness the £2 trillion ethical investment market. The Sustainability Reporting Standard for Social Housing has been set up to ensure housing associations are able to prove their ethical credentials to institutions looking to invest in so-called ESG – Environmental, Social and Governance – assets. The market for ESG investments is thought to be worth £2 trillion in the UK, money which housing associations are increasingly being asked to justify their ethical credentials to access. The new standard, published for consultation today, has been pulled together with the support of 34 housing associations and 27 lenders and investors, including Lloyds, NatWest, LGIM and M&G. Housing associations backing the project include a number of the biggest in the sector, including Peabody, Clarion, Optivo, Sovereign, the Guinness Partnership, and Home Group. The standard has been drawn up by consultants Centrus and the Good Economy following a consultation in May this year. The social housing sector is thought to be the first to organise itself to create a standard of this kind to make ethical investing easier. If it is widely taken up, the standard should mean that housing associations will know what information any ESG investor will ask from them in order to ensure they meet ESG criteria. Housing associations currently use loans from banks and bonds raised on the capital markets to finance their activities, including homebuilding. Gareth Francis, director of treasury and corporate finance at the UK’s largest housing association, Clarion, said the initiative had the potential to allow housing associations to borrow more money at cheaper rates to finance the construction of new homes. He said: “Without a doubt more capital will be interested in housing associations if they can see how the sector is organised along ESG principles. This could be huge.” However, Francis warned the initiative would also reduce the risk housing associations could see current sources of funding dry up as ethical investing increasingly becomes the mainstream. “If you’re not engaged with this,” he said, “Over time you’re likely to find it more difficult to raise money.” Mark Davie, head of social housing at fund manager M&G said: “Social housing has always been seen as an ethical investment, because it’s housing. But that’s no longer good enough for ESG investors. Increasingly they’re answering more searching questions about what exactly your business does. “This initiative can make the process easier for both housing associations and investors,” he said. The Standard covers 48 criteria across ESG considerations such as affordability, fire safety and net zero carbon emissions, and will be overseen by a new Sustainability Reporting Standards Board, to be established in early 2021. Susan Hickey, a former chief financial officer at Peabody Trust, will oversee the setting up of the board. Lord Bob Kerslake, Chair of Peabody Trust, said: “This sector-wide reporting standard makes a significant contribution to the aim of increasing private capital flows into social housing, and will help a better and fairer economy and society to emerge after Covid-19.”
The Government has opened a consultation on mandatory installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in England. While the consultation, which closes on 11 January 2021, primarily focuses on social housing it also covers aspects of the private rented sector and is an opportunity to make the case for reform of existing regulations, where they could be improved. This consultation follows on from the government’s social housing green paper which was published in August 2018, the social housing white paper that was published in November 2020 and the government review of carbon monoxide alarm requirements that concluded in January 2019. This consultation is launched alongside the social housing white paper and forms part of a wider package of measures designed to ensure that people are safe, and feel safe, now and in the future. It seeks to bring greater parity between the rental sectors in respect of safety. The proposal is to amend several pieces of existing legislation so that carbon monoxide alarms are mandatory in all private and owner-occupied homes in any room with a fixed combustion appliance, for example a boiler, cooker or water heater. Gas cookers are excluded from this requirement. The regulations apply to all properties, including houses, flats, and HMOs (houses in multiple occupations). The property owner must ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed. In rented properties, the landlord guarantees these sensors are installed and working correctly at the start of a tenancy. Tenants are then responsible for testing the detectors regularly and reporting any faults to the landlord. The property owner or landlord can be fined if a property does not have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed. In addition to this, failure to comply with the regulations can also lead to legal repercussions. Therefore, ensuring that smoke alarm installation is attended to before occupying a home is crucial. Propertymark will be responding to the consultation process and we are encouraging members to respond individually as well as feeding into our collective response through your regional representative, whose details can be found on the website. The consultation proposes that:
Vonder, a global co-living brand, has launched its latest PRS development, Vonder Skies. The first phase will consist of a 127-apartments in the heart of Brentford with over 50% of the properties already pre-let. The second phase, which will launch in spring 2021, will add a further 144 apartments to the complex. With over €1.5 bn assets under management across Europe, Vonder Skies joins the brand’s co-living portfolio in key cities including Berlin, Warsaw and London. Located on Great West Road in the town of Brentford, Vonder Skies comprises over 100,000 sq ft of residential development spanning five floors, and includes 3,550 sq ft of amenities and 12,270 sq ft courtyards. Formerly the Sky TV Headquarters, the building has been converted and tailor made for Vonder to provide a range of properties, from studios to one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats. All 271 apartments come fully furnished with modern fixtures and fittings, designed to create a contemporary look and feel. As a global brand, Vonder takes a consumer-led approach when selecting key locations for its renters. Vonder provides an array of on-site amenities to make life easier for its ‘Vonderers’; a term endorsed by the brand to acknowledge all tenants staying within any of their properties. Similar to its other sites, Vonder Skies provides a courtyard, car parking and cycling facilities, with a gym, yoga studio, cinema room, dedicated co-working spaces and on-site games room to come in Spring 2021. According to Cushman and Wakefield’s latest report there is a continued demand for the co-living target demographic despite the ongoing crisis. Offering consumers flexible leasing options with a minimum of three months available, as well as a wide range of amenities, Vonder caters to this target demographic by providing the opportunity for those who require the freedom of moving, travelling and working around the world. Vonder delivers a safe, all-inclusive, and hassle-free living solution. Due to Covid-19, Vonder is currently operating increased hygiene measures to ensure the safety and health of both tenants and staff. Commenting on the opening of Vonder Skies, Tomer Bercoviz, CEO of Vonder, said: “Our approach at Vonder is to create a safe community for like-minded individuals finding their feet in a new city. Vonder Skies is our latest development to bring to the market and we are excited to continue to grow our portfolio by adding key developments to our ecosystem of co-living homes at achievable prices.” As one of the fastest growing boroughs in London’s Zone 4 Brentford provides the ideal solution to those who want to live in a safe and upcoming area within easy reach of the West End. Located by Brentford’s main station, commuters can also access National Rail Services from the adjoining Syon Lane Station and get to the capital in just 35 minutes via London Waterloo. Vonder Skies is also within a 20-minute drive to Heathrow airport. Tomer Bercoviz, CEO of Vonder, added: “We are a consumer brand, and our research-led approach means we have been able to gain a greater understanding of what our Vonderers are looking for when searching for a new home, and where they want to be. After the great success of our Vonder Village site with 177 apartments, just a 5-minute walk away from Vonder Skies, it was clear to us that Brentford is a key suburban town in West London. It is very appealing for those wanting to be able to access high street amenities, but also be in great proximity to the city centre where rent prices are over three times higher.” Joining the existing London properties, with over 1,000 apartments, such as Vonder Hill, Vonder Shoreditch, and Vonder Village, and the latest flagship development, Vonder Skies, strengthens the growth of the brand’s global portfolio of over 30 locations spread across London, Berlin, Warsaw and Dublin.
As Scotland continues to attract international attention as a green energy pioneer, the influential trade association for plumbing and heating professionals is forging closer bonds with the leading body representing hydrogen and fuel cell technology interests in the country. SNIPEF, the Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation, is signing a Memorandum of Understanding with SHFCA, the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association, to help both bodies deliver their aims efficiently on behalf of their members. The move closely aligns the interests of the body which promotes and develops one of the most promising technologies of the green energy revolution with an association whose member firms are most likely to be called upon to implement it. The new links will support the growth and beneficial impacts of both sectors in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and will help develop and share best practice in the safe use and deployment of hydrogen technologies. Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, said: “SNIPEF has always been a progressive and forward-looking organisation which tries to foresee trends in the sector and there is no doubt that the direction of travel is firmly towards a greener future. “Our new association with one of the largest hydrogen and fuel cell membership organisations in the world will keep us abreast of the core technologies which are coming through and their remarkable economic and environmental potential.” Nigel Holmes, Chief Executive of the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (SHFCA), said: “Our association now has more than 115 members focused on helping Scotland achieve a major hydrogen and fuel cell economy. “SHFCA will work with SNIPEF to support all our members on the deployment of hydrogen for low carbon heat in industry and homes across Scotland. This will make a significant contribution towards delivering Scotland’s ambition for Net Zero by 2045, together with the key milestone of 75% GHG reduction by 2030. “We are delighted to be able to establish such a strong association with a body of professional firms which shares our values in terms of sustainable energy use and the promotion of Scotland’s expertise on the national and international stage.” According to Cleantechnica, the world’s leading source for cleantech analysis, Scotland has significant influence on the global wind energy industry and its resources could be used to decarbonize heavy transport by using wind to produce green hydrogen for fuel cells. Hydrogen, produced when water is “split” by an electrical current, can be used for bulk, long duration energy storage, creating the ability to store electricity at scale from wind farms. It also has applications in agriculture and food processing, refinery operations, metallurgy and scientific research.
Victoria Bathe a London South Bank University (LSBU) Civil Engineering apprentice, employed by construction firm FM Conway Ltd has won Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) Apprentice of the Year 2020. CIHT’s Apprentice of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of apprentices who work in the highways and transportation sector, and the organisations that put them at the heart of their business. CIHT represents and qualifies professionals who plan, design, build, manage, maintain and operate transport and infrastructure projects Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships at LSBU said: “Victoria was the one of the first apprentices to complete her Level 4 HNC Civil Engineering apprenticeship at LSBU this year. She has since gone on to study on our Level 6 BEng Civil Engineering Apprenticeship. “For LSBU, winning this award is further proof that the University excels at setting up apprentices for successful future careers.” Victoria Bathe, LSBU’s Civil Engineering apprentice, said: “I’m overjoyed to have won this award. But I couldn’t have won it without the support of the team I work with and backing of the company. They have given me the excellent experience and skills I have today. I’m so excited to be able to go on and develop these in future.” The CIHT awards were presented at the Young Professionals Festival of Learning. View the announcement on CIHT’s Twitter and Linkedin accounts.
A new stainless steel and concrete bridge, the first of its kind in the UK, has opened to pedestrians and vehicles in Pooley Bridge, Cumbria. It replaces its 250-year-old stone predecessor, which was destroyed during severe flooding as a result of Storm Desmond in 2015. The new single-span bridge has been designed to withstand extreme weather conditions and is in keeping with its location in Ullswater on the edge of the Lake District National Park. Hanson UK worked with contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering Ltd to create a bespoke concrete mix for the lower arch of the steel bridge, designed and constructed to provide structural strength, and also supplied and laid the asphalt to complete the project. The steelwork for the new bridge was manufactured off-site in two sections, fabricated and welded on an adjacent piece of land, where the concrete lower arch was installed to allow the whole structure to be lifted into place over the River Eamont. The high early strength concrete mix included Hanson Regen GGBS (ground granulated blastfurnace slag), a cement replacement product which enhances the durability of the concrete while adding to its sustainability credentials. It is a by-product and using it to replace one tonne of Portland cement reduces the embodied CO2 of the concrete by around 780kg. Its use in large pours also helps minimise the production of heat, reducing the risk of thermal cracking. In total 1,200 cubic metres of concrete containing Regen have been supplied by Hanson’s nearby Penrith concrete plant to create the lower arch, bridge deck, bridge abutment and walls, highway approach retaining walls and several temporary works. “Concrete supply to this project was always going to be a challenge due to the location, unique characteristics of the bridge and the tight deadline,” said Nick Graham, technical sales officer at Hanson Concrete. Technical services manager Terry Balmer added: “Our technical team was involved early in the design stage due to the complex concrete requirements, especially for the high-quality visual concrete that makes up the deck composite, and this partnership working was fundamental to the success of the project.” To complete the project, Hanson supplied 275 tonnes of asphalt from its nearby plant at Shap, which was laid by the company’s specialist contracting team. This included 130 tonnes of Tufflex, chosen for its durability and high resistance to cracking, for the surface course. In addition to the complex nature of the bridge, the final abutment work, concrete arch and composite deck – as well as the asphalt – were all supplied under the added pressure of the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated issues entailed with furloughed staff and social distancing protocols.
BAM Nuttall and BAM Construct UK have signed a solus agreement with Polypipe Group plc’s market-leading divisions Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation and Polypipe Building Products to supply drainage products to all BAM’s infrastructure and building projects in the UK. The move signals a closer relationship in procurement between BAM UK businesses, anticipated to be the first of several such arrangements. BAM believes carefully targeted deals will offer a competitive advantage for its clients, and benefits in quality and performance. “We are focused on meeting clients’ demands,” says Daniel Billinge, recently appointed as BAM Construct UK’s head of procurement. “This includes securing their key drivers like sustainability, faster programme delivery, and with modern methods of construction that demand more off-site manufacturing and standardisation. This step enhances all of those criteria.” The BAM solus agreement with Polypipe supports earlier and closer collaboration throughout the project life cycle. Economies of scale and a raft of benefits will reduce capital costs for Clients and add sustainable value. Using just one drainage supplier on a project means BAM can plug products into the design from day one. This component-led approach removes the need to alter drawings – or digital designs – further down the line. Reducing redesigns saves time and resolves clashes and interfaces before a project gets onto site. As all components are compatible, the system’s quality and performance are assured. “Ultimately this arrangement will not only take a lot of inefficiency out of the design, tender and construction stages, it will allow us to focus on what adds value for the customer on that particular project,” says James Lees, head of supply chain at BAM Nuttall. “Polypipe’s technical teams will be feeding into the design process which will help us look at a wider range of possible solutions, and take early decisions based on value not just capital cost”. For both Polypipe and BAM, working together collaboratively will establish a platform for innovation and continuous improvement particularly in areas such as carbon reduction and the wider use of recycled materials and SMART technologies. It will also allow the development of bespoke net-gain solutions based on the unique Green Urbanisation approach which allows the integration of optimised green assets within urban and infrastructure schemes. Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation became an approved supplier to BAM Nuttall around nine months ago, and the two organisations have already been working closely on projects for Highways England. BAM Nuttall is part of the LinkConnex consortium with partners Aecom and Mace which will work on Regional Delivery Framework projects on the M54/ M6 and the A38 in the Midlands and on the A27 in the South East. BAM Nuttall is also working on the M27 upgrade, part of the Smart Motorway programme, in joint venture with Morgan Sindall. BAM Nuttall and Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation have been collaborating to create a library of BIM models for highway drainage. As well as streamlining the design and construction phases, this approach aims to bring efficiencies to the operation and maintenance of the roads. “This deal is exciting because we are moving from a transactional relationship to a collaborative one,” says James Haddon, account manager for Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation, who has worked closely with James Lees and Daniel Billinge to set up the solus supply deal. “We are really happy about the way that our relationship has progressed and that we have been able to include other parts of our two groups in our journey”.
Homeowners or buyers wishing to settle down in a ‘forever home’ can look to these six simple considerations when creating a house to call a home. A ‘forever home’ is a property that suits requirements in the short and long term – so it needs to be a flexible space to fall in love with. Whether future plans are growing a family, downsizing and retiring, or making a return on investment, it’s important to consider how a living space can be shaped to meet specific needs and goals. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown has prompted many to consider whether it’s time to move to a new house or start improvements on current properties. When it comes to making your home work for you, the property experts at Stormclad have shared their thoughts on achieving your ideal ‘forever home’. John Evans, managing director of Stormclad, said: “With everyone spending more time in their own homes, now is the ideal time to either carry out exciting upgrades on existing properties, or search for your next home, to improve your quality of living. “Here at Stormclad, we have more than 20 years’ experience in helping our customers transform their houses into dream homes. Whether it’s deciding what can be done to a current property now, or assessing whether a new property has the potential for extensions and improvements in the future, we wanted to share our tips on ways you can add value and quality features to your home, that will last the test of time.” Here are six things to consider for your ‘forever home’ 1. An extension to create space Adding an extension is undoubtedly one of the biggest changes you can make to your home – whether you’d like to extend the kitchen, add a utility or study room, or an extra bedroom – there is plenty of scope for you to enhance your home with the additional space an extension provides. An extension will almost always add value to a property, so it is well-worth the investment once you have done your research and secured planning permission. If you are looking to buy a new home, consider whether there is potential to extend the house at some point in the future. Local estate agents will be able to offer you advice, and you can also look to other properties in the neighbourhood to see whether they have benefited from an extension, so you know that you have the option, if you decide it’s something you want. 2. Maximising the space available For the interior of your home, consider where you can create spaces of value for yourself and your family. In these uncertain times, with many people staying at home and working remotely, it is important to create suitable, comfortable spaces for yourself and your household to ensure a good living quality for everyone. Quiet, tranquil spaces for relaxation and reading, a study for working, and a well-maintained garden are just a few suggestions when considering how to ensure your property is a ‘forever home’. 3. Outdoor space An often under-utilised area of the home is the garden – whether you’d like to transform it into a children’s play area, a space for your pets or an alfresco dining and relaxing spot, there are easy ways you can improve your outside space for the long run. If you want a dry outdoor space for your summer barbecues or winter fire pit, then consider adding a veranda to your property. Whatever the British weather has to throw at you, adding a veranda to the exterior of your home provides a stylish shelter from the sun and the rain. 4. Invest in upkeep and quality appliances One of the easiest ways to ensure your house is a ‘forever home’ is to commit to a regular maintenance regime to keep everything running smoothly and looking and feeling fresh. Adding a new layer of paint, deep cleaning carpets and investing in new blinds or stylish shutters are just some of the ways you can update and refresh your home quickly and easily, so that it remains a place you enjoy being. If you’re moving into a new home, these are simple steps you can take to stamp your own personality on a property straight away. It is also worth investing in quality fixtures in the home – appliances and electronics such as ovens, fridge freezers, tech, heating controls and dishwashers are worth spending a little extra money on as their quality means they will last much longer than cheaper alternatives. 5. Money-saving double glazing Windows are one of the areas most prone to heat loss in the home, with single paned windows capable of emitting around 84% of a room’s heat. To safeguard your home for the future, consider investing in double glazing to retain heat in your property and save money. Installing double glazed windows will retain the heat in your home by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass which stops the air from circulating, resulting in a decrease of heat loss across the window. With modern double-glazed windows, the space between the panes is often filled with denser argon gas which will slow down heat loss even further. Older windows can look outdated, so replacing them with a durable frame such as aluminium, will transform the look of your home outside and in and continue to look smart over time. 6. A spacious conservatory A brand-new conservatory extension is a great way to add a light and airy room to your home. The versatile space is ideal for a whole host of uses, and can function as a dining room, playroom, living area or home office. This option may suit you and your family more than choosing a traditional extension, as it provides a space with a different feel to the rest of the home and helps to bring the outdoors in with plenty of natural light.
Work has begun on the first phase of the refurbishment project to modernise Stockport College, with new buildings and upgraded teaching facilities. Delivered for The Trafford College Group, the scheme first gained planning consent from Stockport Council in 2018, and will see major improvement works across the campus, resulting in an enhanced learning environment for students, staff, and visitors. The plans include the construction of a new arts building within the shell of the former arts department, together with the refurbishment of Vernon Tower to provide new teaching accommodation. “Following extensive feedback from students, staff and local residents, we are pleased to say that work has now begun on the revitalisation of Stockport College. After what has been a challenging year, this project is just the boost we need to help us meet our goals for the college in 2021 and beyond, and we look forward to sharing updates with staff, students and the wider community as building progresses,” said Michelle Leslie, vice principal of corporate services at The Trafford College Group. Classes will continue on-site for the duration of the works, with the college remaining fully operational outside of the site boundary. Seddon is completing the project on behalf of The Trafford College Group, with work expected to complete in July 2021. In the wake of a second lockdown across England, and as has been the case throughout the pandemic, Seddon is taking extra steps to ensure health and safety is a priority on-site. Work on phase one – which is valued at £7.1m – will continue with social distancing and improved hygiene measures in place to protect staff and contractors. Seddon has also teamed up with The Trafford College Group to offer places for five apprentices, including a quantity surveyor, assistant site manager, joiner, painter, and a plumber. Partners on the project include Project3 architects, WSP planners, Planit-IE, Abacus CM, Rider Levett Bucknall, Hydrock and CBO Transport. “Stockport College is part of the town’s fabric, offering fantastic educational opportunities for local young people in open space that both students and visitors can enjoy. For both us and The Trafford College Group it was vitally important that the campus be updated to a high standard to attract new talent and create a modern, vibrant campus that would benefit all. Work is progressing well, and we look forward to completing ahead of the 2021/22 academic year,” added John Shannon, divisional director at Seddon.
