National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes has been granted planning permission from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council for the delivery of 125 brand new homes in Exhall. The £26m development, Exhall Gardens, will transform the previously vacant site on School Lane and provide much needed housing to the area. Comprising a mixed
Initiative Set To Maximise Value and Kick Start Development Of Unused Land Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has been appointed as the sole Land Broker on a new land brokerage and advisory framework designed to maximise the value and support
THE TRANSFORMATION of Bury St Edmunds’ former post office has now begun as part of a council’s investment in the future of its high street. The £8.4 million redevelopment project at 17-18 Cornhill will completely demolish the rear of the building to make way for 12 flats and two commercial units, while the Victorian frontage will be retained. Property, construction and infrastructure
Southwark Councill has acquired the former Toys R Us site at 760 Old Kent Road as part of its plans to secure the Bakerloo Line extension and increase housing supply in the borough. The 2.59-acre site was sold by CBRE, on behalf of the Joint Fixed Charge Receivers. It is currently
Top ten national and leading Partnership homebuilder Keepmoat Homes has launched its first ever graduate scheme as it looks to find six new recruits ready to follow in the footsteps of its Chief Executive Officer Tim Beale who started in the industry as a graduate trainee. The Doncaster-based company, which
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has submitted a planning application to Preston City Council for the delivery of a new affordable housing scheme on Blackpool Road, Preston. The proposal looks to transform the vacant site, which was once occupied by two car show homes, workshops and service
Building materials supplier CEMEX is providing over 40,000 tonnes of a complicated lining spray concrete for the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the UK water industry. The Tunnel is being built to upgrade London’s sewer system to cope with its growing population.
Landscaping was always prevalent during the 70s and 80s when people had fewer work hours and could afford to take the time out to decorate the space around their homes. In the early 2000s, most of this work was abandoned or given to professionals. Many people even started DIY landscaping
If you are the current owner of a commercial or residential property built back sometime in the seventies or sixties, there is a chance that asbestos-containing materials are present in the structure. If this is the case, it would be paramount you take an asbestos survey. But why would you
National housebuilder Keepmoat Homes has been granted planning permission from Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council for the delivery of 125 brand new homes in Exhall. The £26m development, Exhall Gardens, will transform the previously vacant site on School Lane and provide much needed housing to the area. Comprising a mixed tenure of two-, three- and four- bedroom houses and maisonette apartments, 25% will be made affordable and available for Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent in partnership with Flint Housing. Homebuyers will also benefit from great transport links, green open spaces along with enhanced planting to preserve ecology on site. Charlotte Goode, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: ‘’We’re delighted our planning application has been approved by Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, to deliver 125 stylish and spacious brand-new homes to Exhall. “The much-needed homes will be designed for both first time buyers and those looking to up-size, and we’re driven to make a big impact to the local area and aim to create a new community with great travel links, recreational paths, along with retaining the green spaces and existing pond at the development. ‘’The acquisition is a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our presence in the town and is another positive step for our ambitious growth plans in the West Midlands.’’ Eugene Schreider, CEO of Flint Housing, said: “Building more high-quality affordable housing is an imperative to help those who are unable to rent or buy in their local communities and to create positive broader social outcomes. We are therefore delighted to partner with Keepmoat on this scheme to bring 32 much-needed new build affordable homes to Exhall.’’ Construction is due to commence in May, with the first homes being available to purchase from Spring 2021. The development will take around two years to complete.
Initiative Set To Maximise Value and Kick Start Development Of Unused Land Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has been appointed as the sole Land Broker on a new land brokerage and advisory framework designed to maximise the value and support development of surplus land across the country. The Landsolve 2.0 Framework has been launched by EN:Procure, the specialist procurement arm of social housing consortium Efficiency North Holdings, to provide high-quality Land Brokerage and Advisory services to assist in generating capital and maximising the value of land for the benefit of the public and charitable sector and/or supporting the development of surplus land assets with the aim of delivering social infrastructure or other public policy objectives on a UK wide basis. Keyland has secured the coveted Land Brokerage position on the framework and was appointed alongside Land Advisors; Arcadis Consulting (UK) Limited, Aspinall Verdi Limited, BNP Paribas Real Estate Advisory & Property Management UK Limited, Edward Architectural Services Limited and GenR8 Developments LLP. Keyland proved to be a natural fit for the framework, clearly able to demonstrate the required socially responsible approach to land brokerage, having recently launched its own blueprint for sustainable development. Keyland is the first company in the UK to use a valuation tool to calculate direct, indirect and enabled value delivered from its developments. The tool is based on the ‘Six Capitals’ model and covers natural, social, human, intellectual, manufactured and financial value. Utilising this pioneering tool – created by leading sustainability consultants 3ADAPT, with support from Yorkshire Water and other world leading institutions – Keyland can measure its ‘Total Value’ as a company, addressing its ambitions to deliver exceptional places and enable sustainable living. This aligns well with Landsolve’s aspirations to shape and deliver exceptional places that provide a measurable long-term impact in a range of ways beyond the maximisation of the financial metrics of a scheme. The framework has an initial duration of four years with the option to extend for a further four years. Peter Garrett, Managing Director at Keyland Developments, said; “We are delighted to be appointed on this unique framework and look forward to utilising our extensive land brokerage expertise to add value to developments across the country. The framework’s approach to development is well matched with our Six Capitals method and the many synergies we have identified will prove advantageous as we progress our shared goal of creating exceptional places.” Lee Parkinson, Chief Executive, Efficiency North Holdings Limited, commented, “The Landsolve 2.0 framework is the first of a number of innovative procurement solutions in development that will expand the service offer and operating footprint of the company and we are excited by its potential. We very much look forward to working closely with the appointed Framework Members and implementing the framework across our Membership to deliver value adding developments.”
THE TRANSFORMATION of Bury St Edmunds’ former post office has now begun as part of a council’s investment in the future of its high street. The £8.4 million redevelopment project at 17-18 Cornhill will completely demolish the rear of the building to make way for 12 flats and two commercial units, while the Victorian frontage will be retained. Property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Perfect Circle was appointed by West Suffolk Council to provide quantity surveying, project management, and structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering and architectural advisory services for the scheme. The project was procured through SCAPE Consultancy, a direct award framework that drives collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings on construction projects. Victoria Brambini, managing director of Perfect Circle, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the regeneration of this site and can truly appreciate the importance of the historic front of this building and its preservation for the local community. “The frontage is iconic in Bury St Edmunds as it has been home to the town’s post office for more than 100 years, so we’re glad we can help to bring it back to economic use. “Not only will we be working to preserve the post office’s historic front, but we will also be helping to improve the masterplanning of the town centre by joining together two of its most popular shopping destinations.” The build will better links between the historic town centre – around Cornhill and Buttermarket – and the contemporary arc shopping centre by widening the adjoining walkway by more than 50% to encourage an increase in footfall between the two sites and improving visitor experience. Victoria continued: “The new, mixed-use development will bring many benefits to the town centre, including residential and commercial units that will act as a catalyst for community regeneration. It will also help to rejuvenate the local economy and aesthetically improve the overall environment of the shopping district in Bury St Edmunds, so we’re glad this is something Perfect Circle can be a part of, providing a lasting legacy for the area.” West Suffolk Council secured £2.75 million in government investment, which provides cost certainty for the redevelopment. Managing a strict budget has been a key part of Perfect Circle’s role. Paul Darlow, regional lead for the East of England at Perfect Circle, said: “One of the main challenges we have experienced with this project so far was creating a design that met the client’s brief, was visually cohesive with the rest of the town centre, and kept within the budget of the scheme. “However, we have worked closely with the client’s architectural consultants to create a design that not only meets these requirements, but also perpetuates a new legacy that will stay with Bury St Edmunds for years to come.” Councillor John Griffiths, leader of West Suffolk Council, said: “It is a challenging time for our residents, businesses and indeed the council, but we are continuing to invest in the long-term future of West Suffolk and Bury St Edmunds town centre as a place of economic, social and cultural activity. “Furthermore, we are delivering on what people asked for when they helped to shape the vision for the town centre in the masterplan in 2017. “Once completed this will deliver so much, including a better and wider walkway between the arc and the historic town centre, as well as a new commercial frontage onto St Andrews St South and improved access to the historic Cornhill front.” The building, which has remained vacant since the post office relocated in November 2016, will also benefit from a new commercial frontage on St Andrews Street South to help improve the town centre. Mark Robinson, group chief executive of SCAPE, said: “The long-term impact of Covid-19 on the high street is a key consideration for local authorities as they look to evolve their masterplans for town centres and help the nation to build back better. “This project is a great example of a historic site being redesigned to better support the community, not only through high-quality living but also by stimulating commercial activity through improved town planning. “West Suffolk Council, supported by Perfect Circle, should be commended for their bold vision, which will have a significant positive impact on the local economy while maintaining the historic features of the high street in Bury St Edmunds.” For more information on Perfect Circle, please visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk.
Southwark Councill has acquired the former Toys R Us site at 760 Old Kent Road as part of its plans to secure the Bakerloo Line extension and increase housing supply in the borough. The 2.59-acre site was sold by CBRE, on behalf of the Joint Fixed Charge Receivers. It is currently occupied by Lidl on a lease expiring in 2028. It will become one of two new underground stations on the Old Kent Road, with Southwark Council planning to build at least 500 homes over the station. This is the latest purchase by Southwark as part of its plans to provide 11,000 new council homes by 2043. In 2019 it acquired the former Currys PC World site at 589 Old Kent Road for c550 homes, 593-613 Old Kent Road for 110 homes and 711-717 Old Kent Road for 200 homes and commercial space. Earlier this month Southwark Council’s updated Old Kent Road Area Action plan was launched for consultation, with further regeneration and provision of housing, commercial, community, cultural and green spaces all part of the proposed changes. Montagu Evans has advised Southwark Council on most of the site acquisitions needed to fulfil its housing commitments, including this deal. All acquisitions were of properties with existing investment income but with medium to long term opportunities to redevelop. Sam Blake, Partner at Montagu Evans, said: “This is an important strategic site for Southwark, accommodating a new tube station and increasing housing supply to help meet its ambitious targets. Better transport infrastructure will be a huge advantage to the area and this this investment should make the process much smoother as well as providing the Council with a good income stream while longer-term plans are being worked up.” Jonathan Allen, Residential Development at CBRE, said: “The disposal of 760 Old Kent Road to Southwark Council followed a competitive open marketing campaign, symbolising strong current market appetite for assets which benefit from short term income, underpinned by improving infrastructure and significant residential latent redevelopment value. This important site is a key part of the Old Kent Road masterplan having been identified as a location for a new underground station for the proposed Bakerloo line extension. This purchase follows the news that TfL remain committed to delivering the extension, and that their immediate priority is safeguarding the route from Elephant & Castle to Lewisham; emphasising the importance of the project in transforming the lives of those living and working on Old Kent Road.”
Top ten national and leading Partnership homebuilder Keepmoat Homes has launched its first ever graduate scheme as it looks to find six new recruits ready to follow in the footsteps of its Chief Executive Officer Tim Beale who started in the industry as a graduate trainee. The Doncaster-based company, which employs more than 1,100 people, has launched a ground-breaking graduate programme in its Land & Partnerships team as it aims to develop not just homes and communities, but talent and rewarding careers. The drive is being initiated by Tim Beale who, 17 years after completing a graduate trainee programme, joined Keepmoat Homes as Divisional Chairman, promoted to Chief Operating Officer and became its CEO in January 2019. As well as securing a two-year graduate role rotating across technical, legal, technical, commercial, construction, sales and finance, successful candidates will be rewarded with a £25,000 annual salary, company car, 25 days’ annual leave, a pension, healthcare benefits and the chance to gain industry-relevant professional qualifications. “There’s nobody better-placed in this organisation to comment on the benefits of a graduate training scheme – my own CV tells the story. After completing a degree in Urban Studies, and then adding a Diploma in Town Planning, both from The University of Sheffield, I joined the industry as a land graduate trainee. That graduate scheme truly set me on my path and I progressed quickly from land buyer to land manager, land director, managing director and on to the role I do today,” said Tim Beale, Chief Executive Officer at Keepmoat Homes. “Our Land & Partnerships Graduate Programme will give six bright new grads that same chance I had, though today’s schemes offer far more diversity of learning. Our fast-moving, four-week rotations will give the successful candidates a broad understanding of the Keepmoat Homes business, developing their understanding of the operational model and allowing them to build a network of contacts. I’m delighted to be launching our first ever graduate scheme and welcoming tomorrow’s industry stars into the Keepmoat team,” Tim added. As a leading partnership developer, with a real people focus and broad social purpose, Keepmoat is a fantastic place to build an incredibly rewarding career.
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has submitted a planning application to Preston City Council for the delivery of a new affordable housing scheme on Blackpool Road, Preston. The proposal looks to transform the vacant site, which was once occupied by two car show homes, workshops and service areas into a new residential development of 73 dwellings. The proposed scheme has a wide range of properties comprising of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, 1 bedroom maisonette apartments along with 2- and 3-bedroom houses. All the homes will be energy efficient and future residents will benefit from a well landscaped development. As a 100% Affordable Housing scheme, the homes are likely to be available for Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent which will be managed by a registered provider. “Our vision for the site on Blackpool Road is to create a place where people want to live and enjoy. If our plans are approved, all the 73 homes will be affordable, ensuring the development is a major social benefit to the existing community and provides much-needed new homes on a site that’s been left vacant for many years. We anticipate the site will prove popular for young couples and families, due to being close to Preston city centre, with excellent transport links and great amenities nearby,” said Alex Wood, Regional Managing Director at MCI Developments. MCI Developments is working alongside SATPLAN who are acting as planning consultants along with Trevor Bridge Associates, Crofts, IGE Consulting and E3P.
Building materials supplier CEMEX is providing over 40,000 tonnes of a complicated lining spray concrete for the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the UK water industry. The Tunnel is being built to upgrade London’s sewer system to cope with its growing population. Currently, London relies on a 150-year-old sewer system built for a population less than half its current size. As a result, during periods of heavy rain, the current infrastructure can become overwhelmed. The new 25km tunnel will intercept, store and transfer sewage waste away from the River Thames. Starting in Acton, west London, the Thames Tideway Tunnel will travel through the heart of London at depths of between 30 and 60 metres, using gravity to transfer waste eastwards and be processed and dealt with in a modern state of the art facility. “The Tideway project is one of incredible scale which will solve serious capacity issues with London’s sewer system and have considerable benefits for the area’s wildlife and population, while also creating jobs, a rejuvenated river economy and new areas of public space. This is a serious piece of engineering, and we’re proud to be working with world-class contractors to build this key infrastructure in the most sustainable and cost-effective way possible for one of the world’s greatest cities,” said Sergio Menendez, President of CEMEX Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia. CEMEX’s primary lining spray concrete is being used for the shafts and launch tunnels in the central part of the project – a 12.5km stretch of the tunnel moving under central London which is being constructed by a joint venture between Ferrovial Construction and Laing O’Rourke (FLO). The concrete is sprayed from bottom to top in one continuous operation until the shaft wall is complete. An extremely complicated mix is required, consisting of eight separate constituents which when combined give ultra-high strength of +60n/mm2, consistency of 600mm flow and a workability retention of two hours. “CEMEX’s primary lining spray concrete provided a good solution at Albert Embankment Foreshore for the construction of both connection tunnels and our 53m drop shaft through some challenging ground conditions. Having sprayed over 5,000 tonnes for this package of works meant we built a strong and reliable line of communication with CEMEX. Logistical planning was essential in the delivery of these works due to our central London location which CEMEX was able to coordinate and support with ease,” commented Borja Trashorras, Project Manager at FLO’s Albert Embankment site. When sprayed it has to adhere to the tunnel or shaft wall / ceiling and gain strength immediately to a very high rate of strength gain requirements. The concrete also needs to be highly pumpable, in some cases with a pipeline length of up to 400m. CEMEX manufactures the product at its dedicated Spray Concrete plant in Buxton, from where it is transported into central London at rates that peak at around 3,000 tonnes per month. Supply is likely to continue for a few months, although this may need to be extended due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Landscaping was always prevalent during the 70s and 80s when people had fewer work hours and could afford to take the time out to decorate the space around their homes. In the early 2000s, most of this work was abandoned or given to professionals. Many people even started DIY landscaping projects with a level of enthusiasm, mostly propagated by the latest trends and innovative ideas available around them. According to experts like Sand4U, landscaping supplies have seen an increasing demand in the market since last year. If you are one of those looking to start their landscaping project but aren’t sure how to get the right materials, we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at some standard landscaping supplies and how you can make the right purchase. Soil If your plants don’t have good soil to rest, they will wither and die no matter how much care you give them. This is why it is essential to have the best quality soil you can find. Look for soil variants that have an even texture instead of clumps and stones. You can also smell the earth to check for any un-decomposed organic material or toxins. Rocks Rocks have a varied use in landscaping. They are mostly used for adding a more natural aesthetic to your garden. You can also use them to define certain limits and boundaries to your garden. For a completely natural look, go for rocks that are covered in moss and lichen. Smooth stones are appropriate for garden walls and fountains. Gravel Gravel can be used for making a pavement in your garden that blends with the natural surroundings. Gravel used for this purpose must have different particle sizes to provide a stable base when compacted. If you are using gravel for aesthetic reasons, you can go for coloured pebbles and make sure that the pebbles you buy are roughly the same size. Sand There are different types of sand when it comes to landscaping. If you are using sand for a child’s pit, then make sure that it is clean and free of sharp stones or pebbles. Bricklayers sand contains clay that helps it bind together more efficiently. If you like using sand as a base for paving, then coarse washed sand is the way to go. Mulches There are two types of mulches. Inorganic mulches contain pebbles and gravel, while organic mulches are made from plant materials and animal manure. If you are staying in a warm region, then sugar cane mulch is also an excellent option. Make sure you go for decomposed mulches to avoid nitrogen drawdown. This is a common problem with improperly composted organic mulches. Timber One of the main components of creating a boundary to your garden is a fence, and to make a strong fence, you need high-quality timber. Pine tends to be more resistant to termites, but this is only if the pine is well treated. The experts like Sand4U repeatedly stress that untreated pine is not very durable. Hardwood is another option for durability, but you must check for the drying period and the original material.
If you are the current owner of a commercial or residential property built back sometime in the seventies or sixties, there is a chance that asbestos-containing materials are present in the structure. If this is the case, it would be paramount you take an asbestos survey. But why would you need one? And what exactly is asbestos? We will answer these questions and learn more about the material in today’s post. Asbestos? What Is That? If you do not know about asbestos, this is a swell place for you to start. It is a naturally occurring compound you can find in many surface areas. It is an ideal construction material used by companies more than forty years ago due to it being heat-resistant, durable, and a perfect electrical insulator. Some companies even use it to manufacture all sorts of products – from vases, vehicle parts to kitchen utensils and ware. Asbestos is now illegal to use in most parts of the world. It is highly toxic and hazardous to health. And those who expose themselves to it are at risk of having lung conditions such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and so much more. Exposure happens when an individual disturbs or damages a location where asbestos is present. The fibers it contains will latch off the surface, get into the air, and enter a person’s lungs. Where Can You Locate The Material? You can find it in both commercial and residential settings. The material is fire-resistant. And as such, it can be present in areas where temperature changes are frequent. You can find it in the following. Piping systems Roof shingles Popcorn ceilings Old furnaces and stoves Asbestos fabrics Fire door centers Interiors of walls Water tanks Fuse boards Door frames Old windows Gutters Floorings Lifting shafts Insulation Asbestos can also be present in electronics, communication lines, fences, and even the soil. You might want to get a quote on how to test for asbestos. What Is An Asbestos Survey? An asbestos survey is a form of examination or analysis to unearth if a commercial or residential structure contains asbestos or asbestos-containing materials or ACM. There are many types of asbestos surveys. The types of asbestos surveys include: Asbestos management and abatement survey This type of survey is for the occupation and usage of buildings, such as condominiums, apartments, and so forth. This survey functions to identify and locate asbestos that may require management and abatement in the future. Asbestos Refurbishment and demolition analysis Asbestos Refurbishment and demolition analysis are for construction purposes. It aims to discover ACM in construction sites where repairs, demolitions, and refurbishments take place. Soil sampling One trick for asbestos sampling is done through soil sampling. This survey is done before any form of construction happens. Inspections and re-inspections Experts perform this method after construction is complete, and the building has been in use for quite some time. They will perform a preliminary inspection in hot spots where asbestos can occur and will do so once again after a set period. Why Is There A Need For One? An asbestos survey is crucial. It can determine if a building contains asbestos or traces of it. A survey should come first before any renovations or repairs must be done. Workers can continue and work without any survey taking place. But they might disturb or damage areas and surfaces that contain the toxic material, thus releasing the fibers into the air, risking them with exposure. And if the compound is present, further action can come in. Additional processes such as clearing and abatement can make a structure safer for its occupants. Complexes and buildings have various functions. It is necessary to know what happens in such structures to know what kind of survey is needed. And the survey is paramount for the many types of construction work out there. Such action will let you know about the following. The type of asbestos present. The quantity and condition of the compound. Location of asbestos. Any additional actions or processes Is The Survey Expensive? Many factors affect how much you will spend for an asbestos survey, but you should first know what kind your structure requires. You will receive all sorts of answers, but there is no such thing as an exact amount to pay. You can go ahead and contact a local asbestos contracting company, and they will mandate you to give out the following information: The location of the structure The property’s type How old the building is The estimated size of the building Type of survey Available plans Other requirements The endeavor will polish your research skills. As you will search for a company that is accredited, licensed, and insured. And you will get what you pay for, too. If a company charges cheaply for their services, you might want to reconsider and double-check their background. It is better to be safe than sorry later. Lack of preparation, appropriate materials, and equipment can lead to disaster. And it will take a toll on your financial capabilities. The Last Note Managing a property and making it safe for the occupants is not a walk in the park. You have to do a lot of things to guarantee everyone’s safety. An asbestos survey is one such way that you can do so. It will save you from additional expenses due to asbestos-related incidents in the future. Check around your area for companies that will fit your requirements and get the job done efficiently.
