Taggart Homes has commenced works on the first phase of 100 high spec outdoor work pods suitable for home working and a range of small businesses including beauty salons and gyms. The pods will come in a variety of sizes and designs and will be available to the public in
THE Derby branch of national M&E consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW) has expanded its offering within the city with an exciting new appointment after taking on increased office space. John Rode has joined the team as a senior mechanical engineer following more than nine years’ experience in the industry,
According to research from energy consultancy Energy Management LLP, NHS Trusts spend an average of half a billion pounds each year on gas and electric. Powering patient care is a costly exercise, however there are solutions that can deliver power generation in a cost-effective way. One example is combined heat
The largest harbour crane in the UK arrived at Able Seaton Port on Thursday 20th February, marking a major step forward in Able UK’s expansion of its port facilities on both the Tees and the Humber. See featured images which shows the crane arriving at Able Seaton Port (home page
With the unpredictable weather and ever-changing lockdown rules, ensuring your outdoor space is functional and welcoming when you need it most has never been more important. Homeowners looking to make the most of their outdoor space, can look to the experts for guidance on easy to integrate features that will
Commuters looking to relocate from London and other major cities could be considering Nottingham as a go-to location due to its low house prices and good travel links, according to property experts. From its central location in the country and extensive transport links, to its two universities, rich history and
Taggart Homes has commenced works on the first phase of 100 high spec outdoor work pods suitable for home working and a range of small businesses including beauty salons and gyms. The pods will come in a variety of sizes and designs and will be available to the public in the UK and Ireland, as well as buyers of Taggart Homes properties this week, at a starting price of £10,000 + vat. With the rising trend in home working due to the COVID-19 pandemic and many business closures causing economic uncertainty, the pods will offer customers an outdoor office option, and a dedicated outdoor space, from which many sole traders and small business owners such as personal trainers and beauty therapists can run their own businesses away from the rest of the house, with room for supplies and equipment. There is also scope to be creative with the pods for personal use – as a personal gym, bar, or a place to rest and relax, or to indulge in a hobby. The first phase of garden pods by Taggart Homes will be available to purchase from this week, and existing Taggart homebuyers will be offered the opportunity to have a pod installed on their property. Selling agent Pygott and Crone has been appointed as the UK agent to launch the garden rooms. Michael Taggart, CEO of Taggart Homes, said: “As living and working habits continue to shift for many given the present circumstances, there is a growing movement to home working and as people look to optimise their living environment, and they are looking to upgrade properties. “With this trend for home working and many businesses having to close their doors – the outdoor work pod is a versatile asset and can work as a home office, or a space for small business owners – adding value and versatility to homes. “We are excited to introduce these pods to the public and will be offering our existing Taggart homeowners the chance to snap one up for their property. This is just the first phase and we plan on creating more in the future as we believe they will continue to be a desirable and valuable addition to any home. “At Taggart Homes, we always put ourselves in the mind of the customer and we have a duty of care to the buyer. Practicality, aesthetic and energy efficiency are all key aspects that we try to incorporate into all of our homes to guarantee value for money and quality that will last several lifetimes of wear.” Tim Downing, director at Pygott & Crone, said: “With a change in people’s working practices and a shift to working from home – the Taggart garden rooms offer an ideal solution and the team at Pygott and Crone are receiving an incredible number of enquiries.”
THE Derby branch of national M&E consultancy Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW) has expanded its offering within the city with an exciting new appointment after taking on increased office space. John Rode has joined the team as a senior mechanical engineer following more than nine years’ experience in the industry, including a relocation from Canada. His appointment therefore marks an important step in the Derby office’s growth. The team is based in St Peter’s Churchyard and has taken on the floor above its original space to accommodate current social distancing restrictions as well as future proof its growing team. John said: “I’m delighted to join CPW at such an interesting time. The Derby office is doing incredibly well and expanding despite a challenging year, so I’m looking forward to really getting stuck in! “It’s exciting to be back at a larger company with all the resources and in-house expertise that it offers. I moved to Derby from Bombardier Canada almost six years ago and wanted to remain working in the city. CPW is one of the few national M&E firms with a Derby office so the opportunity to have a greater work/life balance really sealed the deal. “The team is currently working on some exciting projects – such as a number of universities, retail shells, and care homes – and I’m really enjoying the opportunity to contribute on a wide range of developments. It’s also great to get involved at an early stage and see a project from inception to completion.” Craig Waldron, director at CPW, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome John to the Derby team as he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge with him. We’ve got some great schemes at the moment and John’s input will be invaluable. “We’re also very pleased to be taking on a bigger office within Derby city centre. It’s really important to us that we support the city as we’re proud to be part of the professional community. We love our location so it’s great that we’ve been able to expand upstairs! “We’ve got a number of exciting projects in the pipeline such as schemes at Derby City Hospital, the University of Derby and an exciting cutting-edge vertical farming scheme. John’s appointment and our bigger office will really help with the delivery of our developments and deepening our ties with the city.” CPW is a national M&E consultancy, with more than 200 staff across its ten regional offices. The firm specialises in designing and integrating the full range of energy solutions into existing and new buildings by using innovative and contemporary engineering techniques. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CpwEastMids on Twitter.
According to research from energy consultancy Energy Management LLP, NHS Trusts spend an average of half a billion pounds each year on gas and electric. Powering patient care is a costly exercise, however there are solutions that can deliver power generation in a cost-effective way. One example is combined heat and power (CHP). Here Jason Harryman, UK Sales and Business Development Manager at energy and transportation expert Finning UK & Ireland, the exclusive distributor of Cat® equipment in the UK and Ireland, explains the benefits of using CHP in hospitals. Keeping medical equipment like ventilators running, as well as providing light and heating for large facilities, means hospitals typically have very high baseloads. The outbreak of COVID-19 has put added pressure on healthcare facilities, due to larger numbers of patients in intensive care. One major use of energy is heat, which is at the heart of every hospital — it is used for sterilising tools, heating water and for keeping wards warm. Conventional electricity generation is typically only around 40 per cent efficient and the heat generated by the equipment is wasted. This can lead to high energy costs as hospitals must consume more energy to compensate for what is lost. One way to reduce energy costs in hospitals is combined heat and power. As well as generating electricity, CHP systems use waste heat to generate steam and hot water for medical hygiene purposes. This means that hospitals can achieve energy efficiency gains and cost reductions in one. While the efficiency of traditional power generation is around 40 per cent fuel effective, CHP means hospitals can increase efficiency to over 75 per cent. For example, Finning supplied Rotherham Hospital with a Cat® G3516B gas generator that had an electrical output of 1.1 M We, alongside heat recovery modules and an external radiator cooling system. The CHP solution produced heat as a by-product and fed it back into the hospital’s heating system. After only 30 days, the hospital achieved an efficiency rate of 90.2 per cent. Two for the price of one It is easy for hospitals to end up paying for energy twice — for electricity to power the hospital and for gas to heat it. Using a CHP system means they will only need to pay for the gas to power the system. Meanwhile, it will produce electricity and heat simultaneously at effectively half the price of coal and gas-fired plants. CHP systems can run in periods of low thermal demand so that hospitals can benefits from cheaper power. According to a report by NHS England and Public Health England, it was suggested that CHP could save the NHS £26.4 million per year by 2020. Cleaner energy As more hospitals commit to reducing their carbon footprints, CHP can help management teams meet sustainability goals. Because CHP captures the heat that would otherwise be lost from power generation, less fuel is required to produce the same amount of energy. Less fuel means less carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide is produced from the combustion process — hospitals can reduce emissions by at least 20 per cent by using CHP. With hospitals spending an average of half-a-billion pounds a year on gas and electric, CHP provides a way for management teams to recovering costs while achieving cleaner and more efficient energy. To find out how you can get more out of your electric power generation, visit https://www.finning.com/en_GB/industries/electric-power-generation/chp.html.
The largest harbour crane in the UK arrived at Able Seaton Port on Thursday 20th February, marking a major step forward in Able UK’s expansion of its port facilities on both the Tees and the Humber. See featured images which shows the crane arriving at Able Seaton Port (home page image) and leaving Rostock Port, Germany (below) on board the 105-metres long vessel MV Merry. The multi-million Leibherr LHM600SHL mobile crane is being delivered from Rostock in Germany. It has been specially adapted to meet Able’s specialist requirements…it is able to lift 208 tonnes, has a 58 metres radius with its hook height increased from the standard 45 metres to 64 metres, together with an increased fulcrum height in order to reach over tall structures such as semi-submersible oil rigs. It will be used for wide range of activities associated with handling project cargo, particularly components for the offshore wind sector, as well as maintaining offshore oil and gas drilling rigs and other general port-related activities. It is expected that around 40 new jobs will be created as a result of this investment. The arrival of the crane follows on from a recent series of positive announcements for the company–—including the granting by the Government of a development Consent Order for its 900-acre Able Marine Energy Park project on the South Bank of the Humber It was also announced recently that Able has been awarded a contract for the disposal of four offshore structures from the Shell operated Brent Field in the North Sea. The contract will see three platform topsides, as well as a 138m high steel platform jacket, transported from the Brent field over 100 miles north east of Scotland to Able Seaton Port. Says Able UK Managing Director Andrew Jacques “The acquisition of this specialist crane underlines our future proofing to ensure that we continue to provide the best possible service to meet the needs of our customers…it will certainly help to attract more business to Seaton Port and the Tees. providing more opportunities for local businesses and further complimenting the construction of new quays at Seaton Port—one of which will be used for loading of single-piece offshore structures of up to 48,000 tonnes.”
With the unpredictable weather and ever-changing lockdown rules, ensuring your outdoor space is functional and welcoming when you need it most has never been more important. Homeowners looking to make the most of their outdoor space, can look to the experts for guidance on easy to integrate features that will take their outside space – be it a garden, terrace or balcony – to the next level, and all in time for when we can invite friends and family around again. Research shows that being outside improves your mood and reduces stress*, so when things are out of our control, relaxing in your own outside space is unbeatable. “Since the start of the pandemic and for the majority of people, gardens and balconies have become the only accessible outdoor space, so ensuring it maximises its potential is key. Simple, contemporary modifications can enable homeowners to create a space they love and that they want to spend time in, and are always a good investment in terms of maintaining or increasing the value of their property. Plus, showing it off always feels good once we can entertain again. We’ve outlined our tips on how to make outside space work best – even in an unpredictable Britain,” commented David Hough from home improvement specialists, SMART Balustrades. Weather adaptability Whilst we can’t predict the weather, what we can say is Britain’s weather is diverse, from downpour one day to scorching heat the next. Installing glass balustrades to your patio or balcony area will create a windbreak, keeping you warmer against the spring and autumn breeze, whilst still allowing natural light to shine through. A removable canopy will ensure that you can be protected from the wetter weather, but also allow you to enjoy the sun when it’s out. A mix of green and landscaped space For garden owners, fitting a patio gives you a new area to enjoy your outside space which is much steadier for garden furniture and puts you less at risk of getting muddy. Having both a patio and garden area provides a stylish and modern upgrade, whilst still having nature to enjoy. For those with limited or no existing greenspace such as balcony and terrace owners, you can introduce greenery through potted plants on the floor or baskets attached to the balustrades, allowing those without the option of a garden to enjoy nature. Accessibility for all the family Ensuring that your outdoor space is safe and useable for all the family will allow it to be used it much more often. Installing handrails to steps and level changes, and enclosing your decking with secure balustrades are practical measures to reduce the chances of tripping and causing injury. Lighting around your garden will also improve its accessibility for the darker days and nights. The patio area can often be slippery when wet, and hard structures can hurt when banged into, so installing lighting to this area is recommend. Festoon and string lights are popular options for both balcony and garden owners, as they can be easily hung from surrounding structures. Suitable seating areas Sitting outdoors is the ultimate way to enjoy the fresh air, so if homeowners have the space, having a dedicated seating area brings a great focus point to a garden. When the rules permit, we will be able to mix households again, so having suitable seating to host guests will allow you enjoy the great outdoors more with friends. Where possible, choose non-fixed outdoor seating – so it can be moved at leisure to create different spaces, and packed away when not in use for those with smaller outdoor spaces such as balconies.
Commuters looking to relocate from London and other major cities could be considering Nottingham as a go-to location due to its low house prices and good travel links, according to property experts. From its central location in the country and extensive transport links, to its two universities, rich history and burgeoning riverside communities, Nottingham could be one of the most desirable hot spots for home buying, with the average house price in the city now £210,977*. In recent years, the city has seen an influx in London dwellers relocating from the capital, and with the COVID-19 pandemic and the major shift to working from home, the trend of moving away from London has accelerated, with many companies giving up office overheads altogether – a change which has led to London workers having less reason to pay bigger price tags for properties in the capital, prompting a desire to live in more affordable areas. The increase in people moving from London to Nottingham was first highlighted back in 2018, when ONS data showed that there had been an increase in Londoners migrating to the city, in a movement which marked the first of its kind in five years. Many local experts including the chief executive of Invest in Nottingham put the influx of people from the capital down to the city’s attractive affordable house prices and lower cost of living**, and property experts at FHP Living have seen a 23% increase in enquiries from prospective buyers interested in moving from London to Nottingham this year. According to new research from Totaljobs, which includes a combined analysis of ONS data*, COVID-19 has accelerated the trend of migration from the UK capital, with as many as 1.6m Londoners (26%) working outside of the city during lockdown. The research revealed that the number of workers moving away from London has been increasing in recent years – and showed that for every nine adults moving to the capital, 10 were moving out. Research carried out by PwC also suggests that London’s population could fall this year, which would be the first time the capital has seen a decrease this century. In its latest UK Economic Outlook report, the professional services firm highlights how many workers chose to leave London during the first UK lockdown to live with family members, and have since decided to make the move more permanent. The report also cites a survey conducted by the London Assembly in August last year, in which 4.5% of the 450 Londoners polled – the equivalent of 416,000 city residents of the total population – said that they would move out of the capital within the next twelve months*. Nottingham has exceptional green credentials, with city council plans working towards becoming the first carbon neutral city in the country by 2028, and with East Midlands Airport in close proximity and dozens of trains each day to London – the quickest being just one hour 32 minutes, the city provides an excellent location to commute to the capital when needed, as well as other cities to the north and south. Attractions in and around the city are plentiful – with The Peak District, Sherwood Forest and Attenborough Nature Reserve all within easy reach, as well as the world-class Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, Holme Pierrepont Country Park and The National Water Sports Centre located close to the River Trent. Nottingham’s riverside area is currently undergoing an extensive regeneration, with several residential developments along the banks of the river under construction – including The Yacht Club; an 81-home, £25million waterfront development situated at the end of Trent Lane, Trent Bridge Quays; a 92-home riverside scheme, which is in the early stages of construction on Meadow Lane and The Waterside Apartments; a recently complete £30m development – offering panoramic views over the River Trent, the city, Trent Bridge Cricket Ground and West Bridgford.
