Richardson and Ask Real Estate have secured £57 million funding from Legal & General’s Build to Rent Fund (BTR Fund) and Access Development Partnership (a joint venture between Legal & General Capital and PGGM), for the development of Tower Works, a new major Build to Rent site in Leeds City
RoSPA has welcomed the establishment of a new national regulator of house building materials, which was announced by the Government on Tuesday (January 19). The regulator will be introduced following testimony from the Grenfell Inquiry, and will have the power to remove products from the market if they present safety
Hundreds of businesses look towards a smarter future for construction The Supply Chain School working with Build Offsite has today launched the Smart Construction Network, building on a Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Innovation in Buildings Workstream review. The review identified a need for “Centres of Excellence” to support the uptake
Leading residential managing agent, Rendall & Rittner has appointed Shreya Lakhani as Property Team Manager for the South Midlands. This is a new role for Rendall & Rittner’s Midlands division, created to support the ongoing expansion of the business in the region. Shreya will head up the teams of property
The publication of the new CIBSE/ADE CP1 (2020) Heat Networks Code of Practice is a welcome step in increasing the uptake and quality of design, installation and operation of low-carbon heat networks in the UK, says polymer pipework specialist REHAU. The long-awaited revision was developed by the Chartered Institution of
British company, Osprey Group, has won the multi-million-pound contract to deliver all of the oversized equipment needed in the next phase of construction at Hinkley Point C (HPC). Through their innovative shared services logistics model, the team will use its expertise in both marine and heavy land transport to provide
Panattoni, the largest speculative developer of logistics property in the UK, has sold Basildon 117 in a multi-million-pound deal to asset management giant Aberdeen Standard Investments. The speculative development, which was completed in Q4 2019, was the largest to be built within Basildon in over a decade. Last year saw
Richardson and Ask Real Estate have secured £57 million funding from Legal & General’s Build to Rent Fund (BTR Fund) and Access Development Partnership (a joint venture between Legal & General Capital and PGGM), for the development of Tower Works, a new major Build to Rent site in Leeds City Centre. Having secured planning for Phase 1 of the scheme last year, Richardson and Ask Real Estate will act as developers for Legal & General’s latest 245 unit BTR development at Tower Works. Once complete, the mixed development will provide two new residential buildings with 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments to the south of Leeds railway station. Sir Robert McAlpine is in place as lead contractor and works will start on site in the coming weeks. Leeds is one of the UK’s largest cities in terms of population and economic output, yet supply of housing in the city centre has been severely constrained over the past decade. Current housing stock is unable to meet the growing demand for rental accommodation. Recognising the prospect for rental growth in Leeds, Legal & General has acquired two BTR sites in the city centre; Mustard Wharf in 2017, and now Tower Works. Both sites are central to the landmark South Bank regeneration area, and together will deliver 500 homes, offering one, two and three bedroom apartments, alongside over 16,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. Ben Holmes, Real Estate Director for Richardson added: “Tower Works is one of Leeds’ most exciting residential development opportunities and we are very proud to have secured funding with Legal & General to bring this superb site forward and create much needed new homes for the city.” Dan Batterton, Senior Fund Manager, BTR, LGIM Real Assets said: “As Covid-19 drives secular changes and a fundamental rethink of many areas of the real estate sector, BTR has remained largely unaffected. It has delivered stable income returns throughout the crisis, with occupancy, rent collection and demand remaining high. In the last two weeks we have let our 1,000th apartment and welcomed the first residents to our Mustard Wharf scheme in Leeds. This continued demand further demonstrates the need for homes with functional space to work, alongside convenient access to local cultural and leisure amenities.” “The Tower Works development further strengthens our existing portfolio. Today, it has committed over £2 billion in the sector, with nearly 2,000 operational apartments and a pipeline to deliver a further 7,000 apartments by 2025.” Legal & General was advised by global property consultancy Knight Frank.
RoSPA has welcomed the establishment of a new national regulator of house building materials, which was announced by the Government on Tuesday (January 19). The regulator will be introduced following testimony from the Grenfell Inquiry, and will have the power to remove products from the market if they present safety risks, as well as to prosecute companies flouting the rules. Before the Covid pandemic, our homes accounted for 40% of the accidental injuries that were treated by hard-pressed NHS hospital Emergency Departments. RoSPA has been campaigning to make new-build homes safer – for those who live there throughout the life of the building – through its Safer by design initiative, which provides a framework for “designing out” common household accidents. The charity’s chief executive Errol Taylor said: “We are delighted by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick’s announcement, which implements recommendations from the Dame Judith Hackitt report on building regulations, and recognises some of the issues highlighted through the Grenfell Inquiry. “We have been doing a lot of work with the housebuilding sector in producing our Safer by design initiative, which encourages developers to adopt zero- and low-cost designs and materials to reduce the number and severity of accidental injuries. Having a new national regulator in place will certainly help us meet this aim.” The move to incorporate the national regulator within the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), with additional funding, is also welcome. RoSPA has been working with the product regulator since its inception on a range of safety issues. Errol added: “This announcement demonstrates the value the country places in the pragmatic, evidence-based approach to safety that is taken by OPSS, which is incredibly important for keeping people safe from potentially dangerous products. RoSPA uses a similar, evidence-based approach for its own charitable activities. “We understand that OPSS will be seeking to address the culture within the construction industry, aiming to take effective regulatory action – backed by strong enforcement powers – against weaknesses and poor practices to protect communities. We look forward to working with them on this new programme of work.” Safer by design has been produced in partnership with housebuilders and other industry experts, with the first homes developed in line with its standards expected to be unveiled later this year. For more information, see www.rospa.com/built-environment
Hundreds of businesses look towards a smarter future for construction The Supply Chain School working with Build Offsite has today launched the Smart Construction Network, building on a Construction Leadership Council (CLC) Innovation in Buildings Workstream review. The review identified a need for “Centres of Excellence” to support the uptake of Smart Construction techniques, materials, and processes amongst construction suppliers, sub-contractors, and contractors. By providing a free and easy to use tool that locates these centres, the Network aims to encourage the uptake of Smart Construction across the sector, connecting businesses to a national network of leading research and development organisations. These Centres of Excellence are universities and innovation organisations, which will allow the sharing of skills and knowledge to enable best practice, inspire collaboration and showcase new opportunities. There are over 20 organisations in the Network with the Manufacturing Technology Centre, National Composites Centre, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre and the Universities of Cambridge, Reading, Salford, and Huddersfield all speaking at the conference. Keith Waller, Programme Director, Construction Innovation Hub who provided the keynote address said: “Collaboration between the universities and research centres that are leading innovation in our sector is essential to help construction businesses accelerate and focus their investment on R&D. The Smart Construction Network provides a simple, quick and easily accessible way for businesses to find those centres with the right knowledge local to them.” Smart Construction Network helps address the government’s goal to “build back better”, which will require improved skills, processes, techniques, and materials to achieve higher performing buildings and infrastructure. The Network will foster collaboration and ultimately accelerate innovation in the industry. Ian Heptonstall, Director of the Supply Chain School commented, “Build back better is a great phrase, but to do this, we as an industry need to do things differently. That means we need to innovate and invest in research and development. The Smart Construction Network will allow businesses large and small to engage with the organisations leading the thinking in innovative construction techniques, materials, and processes. Through this knowledge and collaboration, we hope to see an acceleration in innovation.” The UK construction industry is second bottom in the league of R&D investment, while construction productivity has flat lined over the last 30 years, compared to the near doubling of productivity in manufacturing, according to leading consultants, McKinsey. Shelagh Grant, Chief Executive of the Housing Forum, who chairs the Smart Construction Network, said that although many businesses are keen to become smarter in construction, they are lacking a tool that will help them make the first steps. She said “We know there are many construction businesses out there that would like to make the journey towards smarter construction but are perhaps uncertain about how and where to begin that journey. Across the Smart Construction Network, our members offer an extensive range of world-leading expertise. In collaborating to create this free digital resource, we want to help accelerate the pace of transformation in our sector by making it easier for businesses of all sizes to identify and access the type of expertise and support that is right for them.” The Supply Chain School, who is a member of the Network, provides training free training to industry to enable businesses to build more efficiently buildings and infrastructure that performs better and help us tackle the key sustainability challenges our industry faces. You can find the tool here.
Leading residential managing agent, Rendall & Rittner has appointed Shreya Lakhani as Property Team Manager for the South Midlands. This is a new role for Rendall & Rittner’s Midlands division, created to support the ongoing expansion of the business in the region. Shreya will head up the teams of property managers responsible for developments across locations including Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire and Watford. Based out of the Milton Keynes office though currently managing teams remotely, Shreya’s focus will be supporting her staff to ensure they consistently deliver excellent levels of customer service and meet the highest standards across all parts of their roles. With almost six years’ experience in residential property management, Shreya joins Rendall & Rittner from chartered surveyor Fifield Glyn, where she led the residential management department. Shreya comments: “Rendall & Rittner is a large and reputable company with an exciting portfolio of developments including high-end schemes with a wide range of facilities, and I am thrilled to join the team.” Richard Daver, Managing Director of Rendall & Rittner comments: “We are very pleased to welcome Shreya to Rendall & Rittner as we continue to strengthen our team and expand the company in the Midlands and nationwide.” For more information on Rendall & Rittner please visit www.rendallandrittner.co.uk.
The publication of the new CIBSE/ADE CP1 (2020) Heat Networks Code of Practice is a welcome step in increasing the uptake and quality of design, installation and operation of low-carbon heat networks in the UK, says polymer pipework specialist REHAU. The long-awaited revision was developed by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE), and takes into account the trend toward low-carbon heat networks since the previous guidance was published over five years ago. Specifically, CP1 (2020) recommends a maximum flow temperature of 70°C on new schemes, encouraging specifiers and contractors to consider fourth generation heat networks. These networks, which typically favour low-carbon heat sources like heat pumps and waste heat, are suited to polymer pipework. The guidance goes on to describe how these pipework solutions can also play a major role in the implementation of district heating schemes across the UK. With renewable heat networks increasing in popularity as a means of decarbonising buildings in line with Government net zero emissions targets, CP1 (2020)’s messaging comes at a crucial time, says Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, a leading district heating pipework supplier. He says: “We have long asserted that the implementation of district heating schemes will be vital to the decarbonisation of the country’s building stock, and are therefore pleased the latest CP1 guidance shares this view. In particular, the guide’s highlighting of the benefits associated with polymer district heating pipework, like lower installation costs and the lack of expansion loops required, clearly demonstrate the key role they will play in reducing emissions. “We also welcome the guide’s practical recommendations around fitting polymer pipework. This includes highlighting their compatibility with specialist installation methods like horizontal direction drilling, and how compression sleeve joints reduce the potential for failures during installation.” CP1 (2020) also provides a series of checklists and a toolkit for verifying compliance to ensure quality assurance and regulations within the heat network market, and more detailed guidance on diversity calculations. Taken alongside funding initiatives like the Heat Networks Investment Project and its 2022 replacement, the Green Heat Networks Scheme, Steve is confident CP1 (2020) will ensure new district heating schemes are as efficient and futureproofed as possible. He concludes: “Government support is helping increase uptake of district heating schemes, and through following guidance like CP1 (2020), heat network providers will be able to more effectively maximise carbon savings while increasing efficiency through reduced heat losses. We view these efficient, low-carbon heat network solutions as instrumental to constructing carbon-neutral new-build properties ahead of the Future Homes Standard introduction. “As ADE members, we work closely with CIBSE and are fully committed to our role in the delivery of efficient low carbon heat networks. Along with Government policies and funding, CP1 (2020) marks a fantastic turning point in favour of renewable heat networks as one answer to the low-carbon transition, and we are hugely excited to be part of this revolution.” For further information on REHAU’s pre-insulated pipework systems, and their use in renewable heat pump and district heating networks, visit: www.rehau.uk/districtheating.
British company, Osprey Group, has won the multi-million-pound contract to deliver all of the oversized equipment needed in the next phase of construction at Hinkley Point C (HPC). Through their innovative shared services logistics model, the team will use its expertise in both marine and heavy land transport to provide centralised logistics and management for all major critical assets coming into the site – giving project-critical support to Hinkley Point C and its suppliers. Osprey Group is a British-owned company that’s local to Hinkley Point C, in Somerset. It is the only British firm with the cumulative experience, skill sets, and in-house resources to deliver this new, innovative shared services model of special logistics support that’s now needed for Hinkley Point C (HPC). Hinkley Point C’s new nuclear power station will deliver a long-term socio-economic legacy for the nation. Its primary purpose is to deliver energy that is cleaner and greener – a major contributing factor to UK net zero targets – but the construction programme is also opening up sustainable career opportunities. Suppliers to HPC are encouraged to showcase innovative methods than can help overcome the challenges of major infrastructure logistics. This is Osprey’s forte: by using their learnings from a range of offshore oil and gas construction projects, Osprey’s multi-disciplined team identifies efficiencies and improves reliability in its delivery of logistics to major construction projects onshore. Osprey will become a strategically important, collaboration-focused Tier 1 supplier. The team’s shared services model removes many of the risks faced by one-off, critical asset suppliers – some delivering unique components weighing over 750 tonnes per piece – many of whom might not have the experience or local knowledge needed for organising specialist logistics to this particular site. Now, HPC is moving into the major next phase of its build: visibly constructing buildings on the carefully prepared site in Somerset. The Tier 1 suppliers are liaising on tight schedules to install key critical permanent equipment, which includes steam generators, turbines and the nuclear reactors themselves – everything needed to generate low-carbon electricity for around six million homes. Won through an international tender, Osprey’s innovative approach to shared services is making a step-change possible that will have a tangible positive impact on the environment, the local community, and HPC’s construction programme overall. John O’Connor, Commercial Director, Osprey “We’re exceptionally proud to partner with EDF to deliver strategic logistics for the project. Normally, critical assets are called forward by the Construction Director, and multiple contractors complete the delivery. It’s an enormous task to perform this to the tightest of schedules, with so many contractors and interlocking phases of construction. You need a detailed plan and the right specialist heavy-logistics’ resources – all applied intelligently with a best for project, one team mindset. HPC is an inspiring project driven by exceptional people – our job is to provide safe, flexible and reliable service every time. It’s an exciting time for Osprey and we look forward to supporting EDF and all Tier 1 contract partners in delivering success together.” Osprey’s new working model is the result of close collaboration over a period of several years with the HPC team. By drawing on learnings from other sectors and being involved in much more of the planning than might be expected, the leadership team at Osprey has created an approach to construction logistics that will make life easier not just for key project teams at HPC, but also their suppliers, and potentially for other projects of this scale too, such as Sizewell C. Nigel Cann, Delivery Director for HPC, said: “It’s fantastic to see a local company step up to the challenge of delivering this volume of critical components for our project. Osprey has already proved to us that they have the capability and expertise to deliver to the high standards of safety, quality and efficiency required for such a complex construction job. We set out to ensure that businesses in the region would benefit from HPC and this is the latest example of us delivering on that commitment.” Osprey will be transporting all of HPC’s largest assets – critical, one-off pieces of equipment manufactured around the world and delivered by water via a dedicated muster port at Avonmouth. From there, deliveries will be made to the build teams on site in line with predefined construction scheduling. Each consignment will be received direct from a delivery vessel before onward movement to the HPC terminal, cutting down on road use, disruption, and emissions. John: “This is a brand new, specialist logistics model for receiving critical equipment. All in all, over £1billion of essential, critical assets will move through this operation over the coming years.” The team’s experience in importing and transporting critical assets has provided the evidence needed to shape an accelerated marine logistics model that works well for just-in-time deliveries. This has been made possible by injecting land and marine expertise into the engineering disciplines that work as the core of the business. It is a model that is adaptable to specific project requirements and should be transferrable to all major infrastructure projects in the UK and, where adopted, will play an important role in improving interoperability between site teams, and cutting down on road-transport emissions and disruption usually associated with over-sized loads. John: “HPC’s lead here, in embracing this innovative new approach, provides an opportunity for projects like HS2 and large-scale renewables projects to see ways in which assets can be delivered faster, against more flexible schedules, and with an improved impact on both the environment and the bottom line. As the centralised logistics provider, we will be taking the pressure off for some of HPC’s own logistics teams too – and it’s an innovation legacy for the region, as we often work with local sub-contractors.”
Panattoni, the largest speculative developer of logistics property in the UK, has sold Basildon 117 in a multi-million-pound deal to asset management giant Aberdeen Standard Investments. The speculative development, which was completed in Q4 2019, was the largest to be built within Basildon in over a decade. Last year saw Swan Housing, one of the UK’s leading modular home builders secure a 15-year lease on the property. They will be making the unit its new headquarters in addition to its existing, adjacent factory, also owned by Aberdeen Standard Investments. “We are delighted to have concluded the sale of this asset to Aberdeen Standard. We were thrilled when Swan Homes decided to lease this development on a long-term basis to support the growth of their business. Aberdeen Standard’s purchase marks the end of our business plan on this project. We remain highly acquisitive for more development opportunities in the south east,” said James Watson, Development Director for Panattoni. The sale of the 117,000 sq ft unit by the developer, which completed in January 2021, was sold to Aberdeen Standard Investments in a £23.3 million deal to the investment firm, reflecting a net initial yield of 4.3%. “We are pleased to have completed the acquisition of Basildon 117 from Panattoni on behalf of South Yorkshire Pension Authority. The industrial unit increases SYPA investment in Basildon where Swan Commercial Services are already an existing tenant. We remain committed to increasing exposure into the industrial sector,” added James McLean, Fund Manager of Aberdeen Standard. JLL advised Panattoni and Burbage Realty acted for Aberdeen Standard Investments.
