Every week, 1.5 million people join the global urban population. With limited resources and a changing climate, how can we build a healthy and sustainable urban future? Here Nick Cowley, managing director of aluminium building product supplier, Endurawood, shares insight into creating cities that can effectively support a growing number
Housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel have stepped up their efforts to help customers rise to new lockdown challenges. As well as visiting showhomes, the family-owned company are now offering homebuyers the option of sampling the delights of new homes from the comfort of their own living rooms – via virtual guided
Alba Developments is seeking potential buyers for the first phase of its £100 million Westfield development near Linlithgow, West Lothian. Savills & Scarlett Land and Development have been jointly appointed to market the scheme which could be made up of a total of 659 homes. Alba Developments, which is owned
Did you know almost 100,000 people filed their tax returns on 6 April 2020, which is the first day of the tax year? With the 31 January deadline fast approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shares some little-known facts about Self Assessment tax returns. The April ‘early birds’ are not
Participants guaranteed training and an interview for jobs at sites across London Leading construction training specialist The Skills Centre, has partnered with major building contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien to attract 1,000 people to new jobs on various construction projects around the Greater London area. A free, three-week, industry-led construction training
Roger Bullivant, the specialist ground engineering company, which is part of the global Soletanche Bachy Group, has appointed Jon Harris as Area Manager in the North West region. Based at the company’s office in Chorley, Jon will be responsible for managing and developing the business unit in line with RB’s
Homeowners looking to spruce up their abodes this year can look to the latest and emerging trends from interior design experts to add style and value to properties. From cleverly mixing modern with vintage, to maximising natural light and getting creative with carefully curated knick knacks, interior designer for North
Specialists at SavoyStewart.co.uk sought to uncover the sector with the most satisfied workers by surveying 4,000 professionals from 20 different sectors on a range of aspects and creating a points-based index, they can reveal which sectors are the most satisfied. Which sectors are the most satisfied? Childcare tops the list
Building contractor Pave Aways is opening a second office in Wales to support the growth of its work in Mid Wales. The firm is adding a new base in Newtown to its Welsh headquarters in Wrexham to underpin its increasing presence in the region. Its office at Ladywell House, which
Every week, 1.5 million people join the global urban population. With limited resources and a changing climate, how can we build a healthy and sustainable urban future? Here Nick Cowley, managing director of aluminium building product supplier, Endurawood, shares insight into creating cities that can effectively support a growing number of residents. The number of people across the globe that live in urban environments is expected to reach 68 per cent by 2050. It’s vital that these residents move into modern urban areas that promote environmental sustainability and resident wellbeing. Governing bodies must work with civil engineers to upgrade towns and cities now in order to effectively prepare for the influx of urban residents. Sustainable buildings According to the World Green Building Council, the construction and operation of buildings currently accounts for 39 per cent of global carbon emissions. A growing urban population isn’t the only change expected for 2050. In line with legislation passed by parliament in 2019, the UK’s net emissions of greenhouse gases must reduce by 100 per cent relative to 1990 levels by the same year. If we’re to continue to build while working to reach net zero targets, it’s vital that urban buildings are made to be more environmentally friendly. A number of sustainable features can be incorporated into new buildings, or retrofitted onto existing ones. Installing solar panels onto building roofs will incorporate more renewable energy into the building’s overall supply. As well as lowering reliance on fossil fuels, this can save the owner six to ten pence per kilowatt hour (kWh) in energy bills. Additionally, roofs can be adapted to form green roofs, which involves growing a layer of vegetation on top of the building. Green roofs remove carbon dioxide from the surrounding air and add an extra layer of insulation. They have also been shown to increase the efficiency of solar panels by keeping the area cool through evapotranspiration. Another beneficial feature that can be added to the exterior of buildings is cladding. Exterior cladding adds another insulating layer over walls that traps heat in and keeps cold out. Cladding also improves the durability of the building by forming a weatherproof coating that protects walls from damage. Spruced up streets What’s more, cladding serves as architectural enhancement, which can be used to create modernised city centres. This is especially important, as city dwellers are 39 per cent more likely to develop mood problems such as depression, and living in run down urban environments could play a contributing role. It’s important that urban areas are aesthetically pleasing and kept clean to benefit the wellbeing of residents. Naturally, a higher number of people living in an area means more waste is created. This waste must be correctly managed to promote good health and sustainability practices. More disposal areas must be implemented across the city to reduce littering and provide frequent opportunities for recycling. Large areas of commercial waste should be separated from the streets and concealed from view. Endurawood is an aluminium building product that looks like wood, and can be used to build enclosures that create an aesthetic cover for areas of waste. The material can also be used for external cladding to create a sleek and unique look to buildings with added insulation. Aluminium is highly durable as it’s weatherproof, insect proof and non-warping. When end of use does come, Endurawood is 100 per cent recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly building material. Endurawood comes in a range of finishes from solid grey, red and green to woodgrain colours of driftwood and western red cedar, providing a versatile and attractive appearance that can revamp urban areas. The world is becoming more urbanised, and we should adapt city planning to accommodate a growing number of residents. By adding environmentally friendly features to buildings and renovating streets to promote positive living, urban areas can become valuable metropolises, successfully housing future generations.
Housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel have stepped up their efforts to help customers rise to new lockdown challenges. As well as visiting showhomes, the family-owned company are now offering homebuyers the option of sampling the delights of new homes from the comfort of their own living rooms – via virtual guided viewings. They are being rolled out in Scotland and England as an alternative to carefully planned Covid-safe visits to Mactaggart & Mickel’s new homes and are aimed at customers who are unable to travel or just want to avoid long journeys to new areas. The hi-tech initiative has been unveiled to pave the way for people who are unable to make in-person visits to Mactaggart & Mickel showhomes to press ahead with plans for the future amid a series of new lockdown rules intended to curb the spread of Covid-19. Mactaggart & Mickel, who are headquartered in Glasgow and have offices in Cheltenham and London, remains open for business in line with heightened government Coronavirus-related restrictions. The company’s sales consultants are still welcoming customers on Covid-secure appointments at their sites with Government guidance granting freedom of movement to people buying new homes. But now, in a bid to support all its potential new homebuyers, through its new virtual viewing platform, Mactaggart & Mickel are making it easier than ever for customers to wander around new homes at their developments in Scotland and England. Joanne Casey, Director of Mactaggart & Mickel, said: “Our colleagues’ and customers’ health and wellbeing has always been our top priority, and never more so than now. “We are working closely with customers, partners and businesses to provide the best, safest standards during the coronavirus pandemic, in line with new Government guidance. “We want to support customers who want to keep moving ahead with their lives and are keen to move into new homes which is why we’re so pleased to see the virtual guided viewings prove to be popular in Scotland and England. “We pride ourselves at meeting changing customer requirements by harnessing new technology. That’s why our guided virtual yours will have a genuine personal touch – which is more welcome than ever amid these current lockdown restrictions.” The virtual guided viewings keep Mactaggart & Mickel at the forefront of innovation as the family-owned company introduced virtual tours a decade ago to help customers look round prospective new homes from the comfort of their own living rooms. The innovation reflects the emphasis that Mactaggart & Mickel place on exceptional quality and service with the company having been awarded a 5-Star Rating for customer satisfaction by the Home Builders Federation for eight consecutive years. The new virtual viewing platform has paved the way for homebuyers to enjoy an accompanied walk-through their new properties with easy-to-use software combined with family-friendly gadgets such as tablets, laptops and PCs. It means customers can enjoy guided tour of new homes, led by members of the Mactaggart & Mickel sales team who are available to navigate every room in the property while answering questions along the way. Joanne added: “We’re proud of our prestigious HBF 5 Star Rating for customer satisfaction – which we’ve been awarded eight consecutive years in a row. “It embodies our reputation for high levels of customer service and dedication to making the home-buying process a happy and stress-free journey. “We have taken steps to ensure customers can still visit sales offices and make appointments to view showhomes in a safe environment if they wish to do so. “But we’re keen to explore ways to help our customers begin the next chapter in their lives from the comfort of their own homes or workplace if that’s the most suitable option.” The virtual guided tours are the latest measure taken by Mactaggart & Mickel to combat coronavirus by and followed a series of special protocols to more traditional personal visits. Its sites range from Broom Grove in East Renfrewshire to St Jude’s Meadow, near the famed Cotswolds town of Burford, and from Kelso Gardens in South Ayrshire to Childrey Park, near Wantage in Oxfordshire. Safety measures introduced in July included appointment-only visits, an enhanced cleaning regime to a high level of hygiene, two-metre social distancing protocols, protective screening in marketing suites and sanitising stations.
Alba Developments is seeking potential buyers for the first phase of its £100 million Westfield development near Linlithgow, West Lothian. Savills & Scarlett Land and Development have been jointly appointed to market the scheme which could be made up of a total of 659 homes. Alba Developments, which is owned by the Alba Group, took ownership of the 80-acre site in 2018 and is seeking a joint venture partner or a land sale. The site, located in the small village of Westfield and which once contained the Westfield Paper Mill, was granted full planning consent in 2010 for 550 houses and acquired by Alba Developments in 2019. The first phase, Phase A, to the west of the site compromises 217 homes across 5 phases and has recently been redesigned and approved by West Lothian Council to meet current market demand. This is on the back of the new approved access consented in April 2020. Alba Developments has also submitted plans for proposed changes to the layout for Phase B which would increase the development to a total of 659 units. The planned extension of Westfield has been proposed for around 20 years and has been allocated in the Local Plan and subsequent Local Development Plan for most of that time. Shane Ticklepenny, managing director of Alba Group said: “These homes have been promised to the local community for a number of years now and Alba Developments will finally bring the site to life. These homes will bring an economic boost and new amenities, attracting families to the area and leading to upgrades to the local school and bus links to improve the connectivity with neighbouring towns.” Will Scarlett of Scarlett Land and Development said: “Westfield presents a significant place-making opportunity of scale. Located within the catchment of Linlithgow Academy, and surrounded by fabulous amenity (913 acre Beecraigs Country Park) we firmly believe that homes at Westfield will have strong appeal to families.” Savills Ben Brough said: “West Lothian has one of the fastest growing populations in Scotland, its popularity being driven by some successful large-scale developments and its easy commutability to the city of Edinburgh. The site at Westfield will create a new expansion to the existing village with attractive, quality family homes and beautiful open space along the river. It will also benefit from excellent schooling within Linlithgow.”
Did you know almost 100,000 people filed their tax returns on 6 April 2020, which is the first day of the tax year? With the 31 January deadline fast approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shares some little-known facts about Self Assessment tax returns. The April ‘early birds’ are not the only ones to make HMRC’s list of Self Assessment facts; it is also 20 years since the tax authority introduced online tax returns. In 2001, 38,000 online tax returns were filed and this year, HMRC estimates around 11 million online tax returns – quite the increase and in line with the digitisation of the tax system. HMRC’s seven Self Assessment facts are: 96,519 people filed their tax return on 6 April 2020 (first day of the tax year) It’s the 20th anniversary of Self Assessment internet filing, the service began on 3 July 2000 – with 38,000 individuals successfully sending their digital tax return by 31 January 2001 In January 2011, 3.4 million taxpayers completed a Self Assessment tax return online. This has increased to an estimated 5 million in January 2021 This year’s deadline (31 January 2021) is on a Sunday. The last time the deadline was on a Sunday was in 2016 Last year, the busiest filing day was 31 January with 702,171 returns completed The peak hour for filing last year was between 16:00 to 16:59 on 31 January when 56,969 customers filed HMRC has increased the self-serve Time to Pay threshold to £30,000 to help Self Assessment customers spread the cost of their tax bill Karl Khan, HMRC’s Interim Director General for Customer Services, said: “It’s 20 years since Self Assessment online was introduced and it’s how the vast majority of customers complete their tax return these days. Fewer and fewer people are doing it on paper each year. “There’s still time for customers to complete their tax return before the deadline, and help and support is available on GOV.UK.” HMRC expects more than 12.1 million people to complete a Self Assessment tax return. Figures released earlier this month revealed that 55% of customers have already filed their returns, with more than 6.2 million choosing to submit online (93% of all returns filed). Once customers have completed their tax return, and know how much tax is owed, they can set up their own payment plan to help spread the cost of their tax liabilities. They can use the self-serve Time to Pay facility to set up monthly direct debits online. This year, in light of the additional pressures caused by COVID-19, HMRC has increased the self-serve Time to Pay threshold to £30,000 to help Self Assessment customers spread the cost of their tax bill. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balance from 1 February 2021. To see if they’re eligible, customers can visit GOV.UK to find out more about the service. Be aware of copycat HMRC websites and phishing scams. Customers should always type in the full online address www.gov.uk/hmrc to get the correct link for their Self Assessment tax return online securely and free of charge. They also need to be alert if someone calls, emails or texts claiming to be from HMRC, saying that they can claim financial help, are due a tax refund or owe tax – it might be a scam. Check GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact.
Participants guaranteed training and an interview for jobs at sites across London Leading construction training specialist The Skills Centre, has partnered with major building contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien to attract 1,000 people to new jobs on various construction projects around the Greater London area. A free, three-week, industry-led construction training programme will be offered when lockdown ends to all that apply, together with a guaranteed job interview for work on a number of major London building projects. All the project sites are still open and have strict Covid-safe protocols in place to ensure working on site is not just productive but also protects all workers. Jon Howlin, Chief Executive of The Skills Centre, said that in a year that has rocked the construction industry, as well as the economy as a whole, it is great to launch this scheme to help those who may have been made redundant or who are looking for work in construction: “It has been great to partner with the O’Halloran & O’Brien on this project, and we encourage those who have been dealt a bad hand in the past few months to consider this chance for a new career. “The pandemic has decimated many industries such as hospitality, aerospace and manufacturing, to name but a few. What we are offering here is an amazing chance for people of all ages and from all walks of life to get free, top-notch training with our experienced construction experts though our site-ready programme. Not only that, but candidates are also guaranteed a job interview at the end of it. Some of the jobs may even turn into full apprenticeships.” All those who complete and pass the three-week course will get a Green Labourers CSCS card, Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in a Construction Environment, and Construction health and safety certificates (including manual handling). Following the training, they will be guaranteed a job interview for one of the thousand jobs on offer – including shuttering-carpenters, steel-fixers, pipe-layers, ground-workers and strikers throughout the Greater London area. Martyn Price MBE, Workforce Development Director from O’Halloran & O’Brien Ltd and Chairman of the Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force, said: “The industry really needs investment in new people joining the sector and so we are incredibly excited to see this programme begin. Our commitment to training is the bedrock of our business and builds on our strong foundations to deliver a safe, competent and qualified workforce for the future, and we look forward to strengthening the construction workplace with well-trained new recruits through this fantastic joint initiative with The Skills Centre.” The initiative is supported by the Construction Skills Fund, which was established in October 2018 to train a site-ready workforce to meet the needs of the construction industry. The £20 million Construction Skills Fund (CSF) comprises £17 million from the Department for Education (DfE) and £3 million from Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). In its first year of operation the CSF helped create 26 new on-site training hubs across England, of which 14 of the hubs have been approved to continue operating to June 2021. CITB’s Strategy and Policy Director Steve Radley said: “The creation of 1,000 new construction jobs in London would be a fantastic achievement as the country continues to deal with the pandemic, and every one of those 1,000 jobs will mark a turning point in that new recruit’s life. Construction urgently needs skilled new workers to build the houses, hospitals and infrastructure Britain needs to rebuild its economy, so congratulations to The Skills Centre and O’Halloran & O’Brien in providing this brilliant initiative.” The training take place in six different centres across London and the South east, in Brixton, Barnet, Bermondsey, Earls Court, Elephant and Castle and Gravesend. Anyone interested in applying should go to https://theskillscentre.co.uk/welcome-to-a-new-start-in-construction
Roger Bullivant, the specialist ground engineering company, which is part of the global Soletanche Bachy Group, has appointed Jon Harris as Area Manager in the North West region. Based at the company’s office in Chorley, Jon will be responsible for managing and developing the business unit in line with RB’s ambitious strategic plan for growth. “I admire the company’s ethos and the fact that everything is driven around quality – from the aesthetics of the product and how its delivered, to the internal systems behind it. There’s also a consistency in standards and business culture which I am proud to be a part of. Although I have joined the company a very unusual time, I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead and working closely with the other regional teams,” commented Jon on his appointment as Area Manager. Jon has worked in the piling industry sector within the North West region for over 25 years. RB North West regions covers a geographical area from Carlisle in the north of England to Llandudno in north Wales. It is an exciting time for the region as it embarks on a new year to achieve business objectives and growth plans. “Jon has wide-ranging piling experience, industry expertise and knowledge of the market. He is the ideal candidate to lead our ambitious plans for strategic growth across the North West, where we design, deliver and install ground solutions across various sectors within the construction industry. We’re thrilled to welcome Jon to the team and wish him the best of luck in his new role,” added Managing Director at Roger Bullivant, Cliff Wren.
Homeowners looking to spruce up their abodes this year can look to the latest and emerging trends from interior design experts to add style and value to properties. From cleverly mixing modern with vintage, to maximising natural light and getting creative with carefully curated knick knacks, interior designer for North Sands Developments, Jules Upton of Oval Interiors, has compiled a list of her top eight trends for homeowners to watch if they want to incorporate these ideas into their homes in 2021. It’s no surprise that many of the trends that are predicted to be amongst the most popular this year, are those that have helped homeowners stay comforted and cosy throughout a difficult and uncertain 2020. Tradition, comfort and a touch of luxury feature heavily in the list – as a reflection of how homeowners’ lifestyles, behaviour and relationships within their homes have evolved as we all spend more time indoors. Seven interior design trends to watch: Cottagecore Cottagecore is a trend that has emerged over recent months, and reflects a common need for comfort and cosiness with a touch of elegance and British quirkiness. Think quaint patterns, leafy, nature-inspired prints, gold accessories and cute ornaments to add a splash of personality to your home. Search #cottagecore on Instagram and Pinterest and you’ll be flooded with inspirational images! Grandmillennial The ‘grandmillennial’ trend is a twist on the previously popular ‘granny chic’ style – it’s been on the rise throughout 2020 as people searched for added elements of relaxation and comfort in their homes – and it’s going to continue to grow. Imagine pieces of furniture, patterns, cushions and accessories you might encounter in your grandparents’ house, then team them with a few carefully selected modern pieces and you’re on your way to pulling off one of the most unique trends of the year. Natural textures A simple and easy trend to incorporate into your home décor is the introduction of different types of natural textures in similar colour shades – it’s an interesting way to add personality and character to a room without using bright colours. Blankets, throws, cushions and rugs are a straight-forward way of incorporating different fabrics and textures, but also consider adding unique wall-hangings and accessories, such as macrame made from rope, string or twine, to add a beautiful and natural element to your home. Houseplants with a twist One of the biggest interior design trends we can expect to see in 2021 is the use of dried flowers to decorate the home. A change from the usual green and vibrant houseplants – which are still as fashionable as ever – using dried flowers last longer and don’t require any maintenance. Their aesthetic is also very appealing – often dried flowers, seed heads and leaves are as attractive and beautiful as their living versions. Roof windows Homes with lots of natural light are always desirable and in style – but a growing trend is enhancing the daylight in your house even more by installing roof windows and skylights. This is a great addition to a study, studio or open plan living space if the layout of your home allows. As we spend more time indoors and many people have switched to working from home, ensuring a light and airy space to boost your productivity will be hugely beneficial to your wellbeing at home. Earthy colours Earthy, dark, natural colours are proving popular when it comes to selecting a bold shade for an accent wall, tiles or furniture in the home. This year will see many go for a dark blue or dark green colour to make a statement – the trick is to keep it subtle and not overdo it, so choose one part of the room décor, such as one wall, a rug or the sofa cushions to introduce the colour, making sure that the rest of the accessories in the room complement it well. Japandi One of our favourite trends to enjoy in 2021 is Japandi – the intriguing combination of Japanese and Scandinavian design influences within one style. Think of it as Japanese minimalism – simple lines, neutral colours and big leafy houseplants. The simplistic, natural elements of both Scandinavian and Japanese décor make this trend an easy one to get right.
Specialists at SavoyStewart.co.uk sought to uncover the sector with the most satisfied workers by surveying 4,000 professionals from 20 different sectors on a range of aspects and creating a points-based index, they can reveal which sectors are the most satisfied. Which sectors are the most satisfied? Childcare tops the list as the sector with the most satisfied workers with 239 points overall. The sector scored the most points for positive impact on others (99), indicating nannies and childminders are most happy with how their job affects people’s lives. Although only behind Finance/Banking (90 points) when it comes to satisfaction with employee empowerment (86 points), childcare professionals scored the lowest (-76) for personal remuneration, followed by Education (-75 points). Finance & Banking comes in second place with 232 points. It seems that these workers feel valued by their employers as satisfaction for employee empowerment (90) was the highest of all sectors! The few negative points (-2) taken for personal remuneration makes Finance/Banking the most satisfied with their salaries, but despite this, the sector ranked third worst for mental health (-78), right behind Health Care and Education. Last on the list is Hospitality (83 points), revealed as the least satisfied job sector. With the lowest points for career prospects (42) of all sectors, it seems that the professionals from this industry don’t see many opportunities to progress in their careers. The numerous negative points that were taken for mental health (-52) and personal remuneration (-75) also show that they are not completely satisfied in the industry. Mental health and toxic culture: which sector is the most negatively affected? SavoyStewart.co.uk found Health Care and Education sectors were the least satisfied when it comes to the mental health of employees, with an alarming -92 and -82 points respectively. When it comes to toxic cultures, Marketing & Digital Media (-54) and Technology (-44) were the most unsatisfied sectors. With this in mind, SavoyStewart.co.uk spoke to Lee Chambers, Psychologist and Wellbeing Consultant, to get a better understanding of how to ensure job satisfaction: “While our work is important, nothing is more important than our health and long-term happiness. For that reason, healthy boundaries are vital and reduce the impact that work has on other areas of your life. Starting to look for a positive work environment will fuel you by showing it’s possible to have a balanced life, and you are boosted by the fact you are taking action. When it comes to a toxic workplace, these are the tips I suggest to my clients: Stay focused on the important goals, and distance yourself from the gossip and blaming. By not participating, you are not adding your fuel to the fire.”
Building contractor Pave Aways is opening a second office in Wales to support the growth of its work in Mid Wales. The firm is adding a new base in Newtown to its Welsh headquarters in Wrexham to underpin its increasing presence in the region. Its office at Ladywell House, which will open when the country’s latest lockdown ends, will be led by construction director Jamie Evans and used by its Mid Wales based team. Pave Aways completed the £2.1m conversion of the former office building into a hub for small business for the Heart of Wales Property Service last year. The firm is currently working on contracts valued at more than £26m with a third of that, including new homes for Powys County Council in Newtown and Sarn, taking place in Wales. Pave Aways, which has a Shropshire base near Oswestry, recently handed over the council’s first Passivhaus school in Welshpool in 2020 and has also been appointed to the Welsh Procurement Alliance’s Dynamic Purchasing System for Housing Construction. Managing Director Steven Owen said: “We already have a strong presence in Mid Wales and have worked on some key schemes in the region but this will allow us to provide a specific focus for our clients in the county. “We believe in having a positive impact on the area where we work and the addition of our new office will have a beneficial effect on the local economy. It will enable us to enhance the community support and education and training opportunities we can offer.” He added: “It’s a very exciting development for us and a great way to start 2021, especially after such a challenging year generally for construction. This is a positive step forward and signals our commitment to our clients in Mid Wales.”
