Planning application submitted which will boost the city’s life science sector CEG has submitted a planning application seeking to revitalise Drapers Yard on Marshall Street in Leeds for Labcorp, a global diagnostics and drug development company at the heart of life-science innovation in Leeds. It marks further investment by Labcorp
Derwent Facilities Management Ltd have been awarded a place on Prosper’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Compliance and Facilities Management Services worth an estimated £250m. This DPS offers a range of compliance, hard and soft FM services as well as a full facilities management provision for public sector organisations across
Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today announced that is has been awarded a contract by leading technology-led global software and robotics platform business Ocado Group to fit out its newly built 164,000 sq ft warehouse development situated
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has submitted plans on behalf of William Davis Homes for the latest phase of 59 new homes at Copcut Rise, a popular development in Droitwich, Worcestershire. In the sixth phase of the ongoing scheme, the 1.55 hectare site will contain a mix of terraced
The logistics and supply chain sector is set to benefit from a dedicated new training and research facility that has been developed through a partnership between industry and education based at the heart of the ‘Golden Triangle’ at GLP’s Magna Park development in Lutterworth. The Centre for Logistics Education and
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announces the acquisition of seven logistics real estate assets in Italy. The 200,000 SQ M portfolio acquisition represents one of the largest logistics transactions in Italy this year and was made on behalf of GLP’s pan-European logistics
Civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale is to take the pioneering step of carrying out a set of simultaneous pipejacks from a single shaft at the North London Heat & Power Project in Edmonton. Two Iseki 1200 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) named after two deities – the Norse goddess Freya
Two members of design, engineering and project delivery company, BakerHicks’, Scottish architectural team, Michael Edgar and Katherine Gibson, have achieved certified Passive House designer status. This further extends the company’s expertise in sustainable and energy efficient construction. Both Michael and Katherine undertook the exam with the Passive House Institute, passing
Towns and cities across the UK were experiencing an exciting urban revival before the pandemic hit. The face of the high street was changing, green spaces were cropping up, and the demand for city centre living was continuing to drive how people enjoyed and experienced their local communities. The pandemic
In a bid to match the ‘creative disruption’ of its students, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has exclusively built, engineered and launched its new 2022 prospectus via social media platform Instagram. The new world first, which was developed in collaboration with leading design agency Bond & Coyne, has seen the specialist
Planning application submitted which will boost the city’s life science sector CEG has submitted a planning application seeking to revitalise Drapers Yard on Marshall Street in Leeds for Labcorp, a global diagnostics and drug development company at the heart of life-science innovation in Leeds. It marks further investment by Labcorp Drug Development into the local economy. The company currently operates out of two sites in Leeds and plans to consolidate the team into one building for more efficient, collaborative working, as well as having the opportunity to double in size, retaining and creating almost 300 highly skilled scientific and healthcare jobs in the city. Labcorp delivers vital medical research and has worked on most of the available COVID-19 vaccines and is currently involved in more than 400 studies for COVID-19 globally. The new facility offers an exciting opportunity to offer enhanced scientific outcomes and clinical trial testing, something which has become all the more vital during the current pandemic. “The new Covance by Labcorp facility will be a gold standard clinical pharmacology investigational unit, commensurate with the outstanding global reputation of the UK Life Sciences sector,” said Oren Cohen, M.D., chief medical officer and general manager, Clinical Pharmacology Services at Covance by Labcorp. “The new facility will allow us to continue our important work to test next-generation medicines that may improve health and improve lives in an exciting new environment that highlights the growing role of Leeds as a leader in life sciences.” CEG would manage the delivery of the new facility and aims to enable occupation by summer 2022. It would include a 100-bed clinic, pharmacy and Labcorp’s UK office headquarters. Drapers Yard would be dramatically transformed with a new façade, roof top amenity space with a green, sedum roof and new landscaping and planting on Marshall Street and Sweet Street. At the heart of the Temple area of Leeds City Centre, biodiversity will be enhanced and the setting of heritage assets protected, including the adjacent Grade 1 Listed Temple Works. It will provide employment opportunities and kick start high value economic development. Drapers Yard is located within the Temple masterplan area where CEG, alongside Leeds City Council, are bringing forward further development. Here, there is the potential to provide some 4 million sq ft of high quality accommodation with Temple Works as its heart as a cultural centrepiece. Antonia Martin-Wright, head of investment at CEG, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to deliver a UK Centre of Excellence for Labcorp. It will be a sustainable and energy efficient development, designed with occupant well-being in mind. “It will bring a welcome economic boost to Temple supporting the city’s post-covid recovery plans and helping to create a cluster for science, knowledge and innovation. The commitment to the site will also help to build further confidence that this is a fantastic business destination, just minutes from Leeds City Station, helping to attract future inward investment opportunities.” Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This is a hugely-exciting piece of news for Leeds, and one that will strengthen the city’s reputation as a place where cutting-edge tech and a sense of history come together to positive effect. “We already have an unrivalled health ecosystem, with four out of five NHS national offices being based here. In addition, Leeds is home to one of the largest concentrations of medical device companies in the UK and a rich pool of health, science and digital talent. “Labcorp’s medical research, drug development and clinical trial testing can change lives and Leeds’s supporting role in this work is a real source of pride. The commitment to retaining and creating high-quality jobs in the city is also a timely boost as we begin our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Furthermore, Labcorp’s choice of Drapers Yard is testament to the impressive momentum being generated in both the Temple district and the wider South Bank area, which is one of the largest city centre regeneration schemes in the country. The many transformative projects taking shape here include a collaboration between the council and CEG that is designed to bring Temple Works back into sustainable long-term use.” Roger Marsh OBE DL, Chair of the LEP and NP11 group of Northern local enterprise partnerships, said: “Labcorp has chosen Leeds City Region to build its new state-of the-art facility as our thriving health ecosystem matches their ambitious plans to create game-changing developments in clinical trials. Our region is a world-renowned centre of excellence in health and life sciences and Labcorp’s new facility will allow research to continue at the forefront of clinal trials – from their base in Leeds City Region. “I am delighted that our longstanding relationship with Labcorp is further strengthened as they continue to invest here. Their new facility will drive forward the efficacy of clinical trials, improving the effectiveness of medicines that will have impacts on the health of populations across the globe. This new facility at Drapers Yard places Labcorp at the heart of the city’s Temple District, connecting the city centre to the southern districts of Leeds and creating a vibrant, smart city. “Companies that commission a Labcorp clinical trial will see first-hand that our region offers an ideal location to invest and grow. I very much look forward to welcoming Labcorp to Leeds and the City Region later this year.”
Derwent Facilities Management Ltd have been awarded a place on Prosper’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for Compliance and Facilities Management Services worth an estimated £250m. This DPS offers a range of compliance, hard and soft FM services as well as a full facilities management provision for public sector organisations across the North East of England, Cumbria and North Yorkshire. The DPS caters for specific areas with eight lots including heating services, legionella and water treatment management, extraction/ventilation services, security systems and full FM provision. Neal Grant, Head of Business Development at Derwent fm said “Derwent fm are delighted to be awarded a place on Prosper’s Compliance & FM DPS, we look forward to working with the team at Prosper and expanding our public sector client portfolio in this important geographical region”. Tim Jennett, Head of Procurement – Design at Prosper, said: “It’s great to have Derwent fm on our DPS for Compliance & Facilities Management Services. We think the company will be a good fit on the solution and look forward to working with them.” All Prosper DPSs are compliant solutions and the organisation go through a robust selection process when awarding.
Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today announced that is has been awarded a contract by leading technology-led global software and robotics platform business Ocado Group to fit out its newly built 164,000 sq ft warehouse development situated within Tritax’s new 53-acre Symmetry Park development in Bicester. The project includes the full fit-out of freezer, chill and ambient internal sections and mezzanines within the warehouse. The works will include new internally piled foundations, an extension to the offices and significant alteration works to the building envelope/external facade. The facility once complete will be one of the most advanced of its type in the world featuring high-tech robotics and automation. It will be used to further improve Ocado’s distribution operations across Oxfordshire for its rapidly growing online grocery customer base. Speaking about the contract award Glencar Managing Director Eddie McGillycuddy said: “Ocado is a highly valued, long-standing customer of Glencar and the award of this project goes to demonstrate the strength of that partnership and Ocado’s trust in our ability to deliver complex projects on time and budget. This ultra-modern, state of the art automated facility will play an integral role in Ocado’s online grocery regional distribution network for many years to come. We are delighted to be part of that story and look forward to delivering a successful outcome. Also commenting Neil Bussey, Construction Project Manager Ocado Group, said “Following the successful delivery of our first mini-CFC in Bristol, on time, to budget, and in the most difficult of circumstances through the global pandemic, Glencar Construction proved themselves to be extremely committed, and professional, throughout the Bristol project, so I am delighted to be able to confirm that I will once again be working with them in the delivery of our second mini-CFC in Bicester.” Tritax’s Symmetry Park, Bicester extends to 53-acres and is home to Bentley Designs (88,000 sq ft); Medline Services (110,000 sq ft) and DPD Group (60,000 sq ft) which is currently under construction and due to be completed in April 2021.
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has submitted plans on behalf of William Davis Homes for the latest phase of 59 new homes at Copcut Rise, a popular development in Droitwich, Worcestershire. In the sixth phase of the ongoing scheme, the 1.55 hectare site will contain a mix of terraced semi-detached and detached, two-, three- and four- bedroom houses, 39% of which will be affordable homes. Explains Peter Brown, Studio Director at SGP: “SGP has been working with William Davis at Copcut Rise since 2012, and we are pleased to bring the latest phase to the planners. Our designs are complementary to the scheme as a whole and develops the vision of the existing masterplan.” SGP chose materials and architectural details that extend the themes already established in previous phases. The design uses warm brick colours and crisp render, and details such as porches and gablettes to articulate the street scene. David Dodge, Development Director for William Davis Homes, said: “We’re delighted to see these plans completed, as they reflect the high quality housebuilding we’re committed to delivering across all our developments. We hope that the planners share our view and will allow this next stage of Copcut Rise to go ahead. Our houses have been selling incredibly fast in recent months. If approved, we expect these homes to prove just as popular.” The homes generally face outwards, so careful consideration has been given to establishing active and passive frontages, as well as defined vistas and views which create a sense of openness without overlooking existing homes. Strong and well-defined building lines are opened up by adding soft landscaping, punctuated by trees and feature planting. Black metal railings and low level hedges, create a layering effect which draws the eye gradually into the scene. Concludes Peter: “This is a quality development which, when complete, will contain just under 700 houses, with just over 600 already built. The variety of housing types will appeal to a wide range of local people, with the social housing element integrated seamlessly.” If approved, it is expected that Phase 6 of Copcut Rise will start on site in May 2021.
The logistics and supply chain sector is set to benefit from a dedicated new training and research facility that has been developed through a partnership between industry and education based at the heart of the ‘Golden Triangle’ at GLP’s Magna Park development in Lutterworth. The Centre for Logistics Education and Research (CLEAR) will help the sector to address key challenges as the UK moves towards economic recovery and renewed growth following the coronavirus pandemic. North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College (NWSLC) is working in collaboration with Aston University, Wincanton, supply chain partner, and leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, GLP to provide skills training and professional development at all levels across the spectrum of logistics and supply chain roles, to enable the sector to become increasingly agile, flexible and resilient. CLEAR is due to launch in the summer of 2021 and will initially be based Bittesby House within the Magna Park Northern extension within the broader Magna Park Lutterworth development, eventually moving to a bespoke, state of the art facility. The ambitions of the centre were revealed to industry at a webinar last month with speakers hosted by Richard Atkinson CBE, Teaching Fellow, Leadership, Strategy, Engagement at Aston University and including NWSLC’s Principal and Chief Executive, Marion Plant, OBE FCGI, Professor Edward Sweeney from Aston University, and Dean Clamp, who is Group HSEQ Director for Wincanton and a board member of the Chartered Institute for Logistics and Transport (CILT). Outlining the challenges currently faced by the sector, Professor Edward Sweeney commented on the central role of skills development within logistics and supply chain in helping the UK to retain its leading role in the sector. He said, “Operating within a highly competitive environment with the challenges of harnessing new technology and ‘big data’ across businesses of all sizes in a changing political and environmental context requires a highly skilled and professional workforce. The aim is that working closely with industry, CLEAR will be ideally positioned to address its needs and provide skills training and development opportunities that are tailor-made for the sector.” Marion Plant said, “Our ambitions for CLEAR are based on offering a holistic one-stop-shop training service both from its base at Magna Park and also remotely online, enabling a flexible skills pathway tailored to meet the needs of specific businesses and providing individuals with well-defined opportunities to progress their careers. “Businesses can train one or many members of their team with flexible start dates and bespoke provision and students will be able to move seamlessly between training partners as their development needs progress and skills gaps are identified, improving retention, and driving down costs. “CLEAR can get training programmes up and running very quickly as it already has systems in place to fulfil training design briefs at all levels. Commissioning training through CLEAR will bring shorter lead times between the identification of training needs and students starting their courses or programmes. Businesses can also benefit from advice on funding for apprenticeships, whether organisations pay the Apprenticeship Levy or not, and can find out how levy-payers can share funds to support training across their supply chain.” Dean Clamp, Group HSEQ Director at Wincanton said, “Over the last twelve months we have seen how much the UK relies on the ability of its logistics and supply chain operators to keep the shelves stocked in the essential retail outlets that have remained open during lockdown. As clients demand increased efficiencies, higher safety standards and greater sustainability, we need to act smarter as a sector and make sure that we are attracting, developing and retaining the highly skilled individuals on which our business relies.” Also commenting GLP Planning Director Gwyn Stubbings said, “As the UK and Europe’s largest and most successful dedicated logistics park, it is fantastic to be able deliver CLEAR within that environment. This is a truly pioneering and exciting initiative that is focused on logistics led research, innovation, education, and training at the heart of Magna Park. “Situated as part of the Magna Park Northern expansion, CLEAR provides students and businesses with the opportunity to immerse themselves in Magna Park as the ‘classroom’ and be an integral part of the ongoing growth and evolution of Magna Park into the UK’s top logistics cluster.” Magna Park Lutterworth, the UK and Europe’s premier logistics hub, developed by GLP over the past 30 years is currently home to over 27 blue chip businesses within 33 buildings. The Park extends to over 10 million square feet of floor space and will expand to 16 million square feet over 1,350 acres via the Northern and Southern expansion project. It is centrally located within the so-called “logistics golden triangle’ between the M1, M6 and M69 motorways. The first phase of provision, commencing when CLEAR opens its doors this summer, will provide the platform for a future national centre of excellence with a campus that will accommodate, when fully operational, up to 1,000 students as well as providing applied research and associated facilities. Businesses that are interested in finding out more about should get in touch via CLEAR@nwslc.ac.uk.
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announces the acquisition of seven logistics real estate assets in Italy. The 200,000 SQ M portfolio acquisition represents one of the largest logistics transactions in Italy this year and was made on behalf of GLP’s pan-European logistics fund Europe Income Partners II (GLP EIP II). Daan van den Hoven, Head of Fund Management & Capital Deployment, Europe, said: “This latest acquisition gives us immediate scale in the Italian logistics market and is in line with our commitment to expand our footprint and deepen our presence in all of the 12 markets in which we operate through strategic acquisitions and developments. Since entering the European market in 2017, GLP has more than tripled its assets under management, and we intend to double this again over the next two years.” Roberto Piterà, Country Director of GLP Italy, said: “GLP’s first acquisition in the Italian market has been a great success and was completed in record time. This is in line with our strategy to acquire and develop well-connected, quality properties located in the main logistics hubs of the country as we grow our offering across both Italy and Europe as a whole. “The recent growth of ecommerce, driven by the pandemic, has significantly increased the importance of logistics in supply chains for businesses of all shapes and sizes. This was a driving factor in our decision to expand our portfolio using our sector-specialism to further support our customers.” The assets acquired in Italy are all grade A rated and are located in the two main logistics hubs in the country namely Milan (five assets, occupying approximately 60% of the total SQ FT) and Rome (two assets, 40% of the total SQ FT). The seven buildings all benefit from excellent connectivity being located close to the main motorway network and are occupied by leading operators in the supply chain, transport, cosmetics and hospital equipment sectors, with customers including XPO and Kuehne Nagel. The portfolio was sold by two funds advised/managed by Tristan Capital Partners and BNP Paribas REIM SGR. In Europe, GLP is one of the longest-standing fully-integrated logistics investors, developers and operators and manages approximately €10 billion (~US$12 billion) of assets under management (AUM) across Europe’s strongest logistics markets. Established in October 2020, GLP EIP II is the company’s fourth Europe-focused investment vehicle and has raised total equity commitments of approximately €1.6 billion (~US$2 billion), enabling the fund to reach €3.2 billion (~US$3.9 billion) of AUM once fully deployed. GLP was supported in this acquisition by CBRE, Dentons and Arcadis, respectively for the commercial, legal and technical aspects.
Civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale is to take the pioneering step of carrying out a set of simultaneous pipejacks from a single shaft at the North London Heat & Power Project in Edmonton. Two Iseki 1200 Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) named after two deities – the Norse goddess Freya and the Greek goddess Artemis – will complete two pipejacks of 122m and 210m to install two new 1200mm sewers diverting the existing Chingford and Angel sewers. The TBMs’ names were adopted from suggestions put forward by children from Mountnessing Primary School in Brentwood. Although COVID 19 meant that the children could not attend a naming ceremony, the Barhale team was able to video and share the official unveiling. The opportunity for simultaneous pipejacking was spotted by the Barhale team as part of the design phase for the works. Contracts Manager Jaimie Lawson believes that identifying and adopting innovative engineering solutions has been a hallmark of the team’s approach. “It is a point of principle for us that we scrutinise every job to try to find economies and efficiencies both in the design phase and also throughout construction,” he said. “Reducing overall programme time is a key focus. “This is a hugely important project for the capital and one which is very much in the public’s eye so we are pleased to have been able to find ways of not only accelerating our programme but also adding value and minimising any potential disruption to the community and reducing environmental impact. “Carrying out both pipejacks in unison will allow subsequent contractors to access the site earlier and help to ensure that this key phase of the project is brought in ahead of schedule. “It builds on our earlier design solution of relocating one of the reception shafts to help decongest the site, generating a significant programme saving for the client.” Terry Brandon, Senior Project Manager for North London Waste Authority welcomed Barhale’s innovative approach and paid tribute to the children for their imaginative names. “It’s a real testament to the Barhale team that they have decided to undertake both pipejacks at the same time,” he said. “This is an ambitious project with tight build parameters so we are keen to embrace all ideas and approaches which can accelerate the programme. “We also felt that the names the children came up with were particularly resonant. Artemis is the Greek goddess of the wilderness and a protector which links to NLHPP’s role to protect the environment and treat waste in the most sustainable way; while Freya’s Norse origins tie in with our ambition to build an Energy from Waste facility influenced by the best Nordic examples in Denmark and Sweden.” The new energy recovery facility at the Edmonton EcoPark is being built on behalf of North London Waste Authority, will deal with up to 700,000 tonnes of waste from the seven north London boroughs per year. It will generate around 70 megawatts of electricity – enough to power around 127,000 homes.
Two members of design, engineering and project delivery company, BakerHicks’, Scottish architectural team, Michael Edgar and Katherine Gibson, have achieved certified Passive House designer status. This further extends the company’s expertise in sustainable and energy efficient construction. Both Michael and Katherine undertook the exam with the Passive House Institute, passing an international written exam to achieve this status. The qualification gives them the in-depth knowledge and tools to design to the Passive House standard, helping the company’s clients reduce their ecological footprint through ultra-low energy buildings. Passive House buildings are truly energy efficient, comfortable and affordable, offering space related heating and cooling energy savings of up to 75% compared to the average new build. They require very little energy to achieve a comfortable temperature year-round, making conventional heating and air conditioning systems obsolete. Whilst it delivers superior levels of comfort, the Passive House standard also protects the building structure. It can be applied to all building types, from residential properties to schools and offices, and focuses specifically on ‘superinsulation’, airtight envelopes, high-performance window installation, minimal thermal bridging and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. This will make it a key element in the drive to halt global warming. Laura James, Head of Scotland at BakerHicks, says: “As a company, it is important for us to lead the way in setting sustainable practices. We recognise that governments, local authorities and our individual clients are all really driving the effort to construct more environmentally friendly buildings. And, with new net zero targets set out by the UK and Scottish Governments, this is becoming ever more prevalent. Passive House design will be one of the key ways we can help them achieve this. “We are already seeing a real appetite amongst our clients and are employing the principles on a number of projects, so it’s great to have that added in-house capability with certified designers. To design these buildings, you need an in-depth knowledge of the standard, so by supporting our architects and engineers through this qualification we are giving them the tools to do so. It also provides our clients with the confidence that we can deliver the level of sustainability they require.” Michael Edgar, Principal Architect at BakerHicks, added: “The holistic approach of Passive House necessitates earlier collaboration of design teams and a keener focus on the finest details to ensure all criteria are met. Ultimately, this delivers a project that is designed around sustainability from the very outset, making it a clear driver to achieving cleaner building design.” Katherine Gibson, Senior Architect at BakerHicks, says she is looking forward to applying the design principles to future projects: “The fabric-first approach of Passive House provides a clear framework to reducing harmful carbon levels and making buildings more energy efficient, ultimately creating more healthy spaces for occupants.” BakerHicks have committed to supporting others from across their design disciplines through the accreditation process, with four from their Mechanical and Electrical Engineering team registered to undertake the exam this year and more expected to follow suit in 2022. This follows their parent company, Morgan Sindall Group’s, recent announcement of their intention to achieve net zero by 2030.
Towns and cities across the UK were experiencing an exciting urban revival before the pandemic hit. The face of the high street was changing, green spaces were cropping up, and the demand for city centre living was continuing to drive how people enjoyed and experienced their local communities. The pandemic stopped us all in our tracks as people have been staying at home for prolonged periods of time and reassessing their priorities when it comes to where they live, how they shop, and how they spend their money. James Cook, Head of Planning at Blacks Solicitors, shares his thoughts on how recent planning changes will impact our towns and cities as we begin to ease out of lockdown and move to a post-Covid world. Covid has had a radical impact across almost every aspect of society, and it’s no different when it comes to town and city centre planning; it has accelerated many changes which were already being experienced. How has retail changed? The role of retail in our towns and city centres has changed dramatically in recent years. There are various reasons for this, from advances in technology and online shopping, to the lifecycle of certain retail formats. We were already in a position pre-Covid where evolution was critical to maintain footfall and keep people engaged. The growth in city centre living combined with more varied working hours had also highlighted the need for easy access to flexible format convenience shopping and other services within our towns and city centres. Post pandemic it will become even more crucial to offer a more diversified shopping experience alongside a wider mix of uses. From 1 September 2020 a new broad “Commercial, business and service” Use Class E was created, combining uses such as retail, restaurants, cafes, offices, gyms and health centres into one broad category. With certain exceptions, changes within this class will not require planning permission. The legislation has at its heart a more general desire from the Government to provide flexibility for businesses to adapt, diversify and respond quickly to the changing demands of communities. Supporting housing delivery in town and city centres, and on the high street Permitted development rights allowing the change of use of various premises have also evolved. In August 2020 a new permitted development right was introduced to allow the demolition of purpose-built detached blocks of flats, offices and light industrial premises, and replace them with purpose-built detached buildings for use as flats or a single dwelling house. Additional rights also provided for the construction of new dwellings on top of purpose-built detached blocks of flats; and certain other buildings. These rights are subject to certain conditions as well as a prior approval process. The Government has recently consulted upon further changes to support housing delivery including a new permitted development right to allow the change of use from a use or mix of uses within the new Class E to residential use, subject to conditions and prior approvals. The Government described this as going “significantly beyond existing rights, allowing for restaurants, indoor sports, and creches etc. to benefit from the change of use to residential under permitted development rights for the first time.” These changes are radical and controversial with questions being asked about the impact of the loss of commercial spaces and infrastructure investment the changes may generate a need for. Greener and healthier cities The pandemic highlighted the need for green infrastructure to be at the heart of the creation and regeneration of city centres moving forward, particularly to respond to the fact that many people living in urban centres have limited or even no private outdoor amenity space. This will not only enable us to adapt to climate change and reduce pollution, but make towns and cities more liveable. Looking ahead Covid has emphasised the changes that were already happening to our town and city centres. The Government has taken the opportunity to introduce further planning related flexibility for uses and changes of use which it hopes will kick start the post Covid economic recovery. It remains to be seen whether these changes strike the right balance between the flexibility and the correct amount of regulation needed to revive our town and city centres after lockdown.
In a bid to match the ‘creative disruption’ of its students, Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) has exclusively built, engineered and launched its new 2022 prospectus via social media platform Instagram. The new world first, which was developed in collaboration with leading design agency Bond & Coyne, has seen the specialist arts university build and host their 2022 prospectus entirely over Instagram; an environment where it says its audience is already crafting, creating and curating the artistic heritage of the future. Internationally recognised for its state-of-the-art specialist digital and creative facilities and graduate programmes, AUB is home to the UK’s first purpose-built arts school Drawing Studio for more than a century, and Bournemouth Film School, which fuses a raft of big screen and cinematic specialisms into an industry-renowned filmmaking institution. AUB’s concept has been underpinned by research demonstrating an increase in school-leavers using social media, particularly Instagram, to identify university choice. Reports by education research group EAB in 2017 and 2019 highlighted Instagram’s growth in popularity, as well as a decline in the use of competitor platforms Facebook and Twitter. AUB’s new prospectus creates a real-time conversation with an audience, offering an opportunity, for the first time ever, to discover and understand what content inspires one of Europe’s most thriving digital and creative environments. The entirely-digital platform presents the university a unique opportunity to host multimedia and live content. No longer limited by the restrictions of print media, course detail is dynamic and easily navigable, immediately immersing prospective students among the university’s creative narrative, or out to their website. Head of Student Recruitment and Marketing, Simon Pride, said: “In the highly competitive and increasingly global HE environment, innovation and disruption are key to standing out. Particularly if you are a small creative specialist university like AUB, vying for the attention of one of the most marketing literate/marketing cynical audiences there is to communicate with – young creatives. “For us, an important part of standing out was to avoid the “broadcast” nature of many university marketing campaigns. We wanted to take a step towards our audience and open a conversation with them through their own media – their own world. Our students use Instagram to stage their most creative and disruptive work, so why shouldn’t we?” “Working across a network of inter-connected accounts we’ve created an AUB brand experience that is richer in content than any printed prospectus could ever be. A ‘hero’ social media account gives an overview of AUB and signposts 28 individual social media accounts for every course or level of study.” He added: “AUB’s Instagram prospectus can host live events. It can start a conversation. It can be updated throughout the year, as and when information changes or exciting events happen that we wish to share. Content can be shared immediately with friends and family, not to mention a monthly live Instagram community of more than 1billion users. “Ultimately, our aim was to create a communication project that lived up to the values we strive to instil in our students – to be bold and innovative in their practice. And with the help of some super-talented AUB alumni, we think we’ve done that.” AUB’s digital prospectus is among a range of new online and digital content the university is using to showcase its collaborative approach to creative arts education; using student and staff work to demonstrate the quality of its arts practice. The digital-first approach also helps them reduce their impact on the environment. With a new website launched in June 2020, the university is also launching AUB:360, a new virtual campus experience and interactive glimpse of AUB’s specialist facilities, designed by the university’s In-House Digital Designer and Photographer. Founded as a specialist art and design institution more than 100 years ago, AUB’s notable alumni include Harry Potter and Star Wars Creature Designer Nick Dudman, Film Director Edgar Wright, Fashion Photographer Nick Knight and Architect Professor Sir Peter Cook. The TEF Gold university has won two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes and is the UK’s top specialist art and design university, according to The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2021.
