Quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy, Soben, has been named Consultancy of the Year at the National Building and Construction Awards for the second year running. Soben EMEA Managing Director, Andrew Gallacher, picked up the award at a prestigious ceremony in London’s Wembley Stadium attended by professionals from across the
The demand for decking materials has increased significantly during 2021, but the supply appears to be waning, according to a recent report from the Decking Network*. The report details how despite materials still being grown and felled in places such as Scandinavia, the USA, Canada, Russia, China, Asia and Indonesia,
Create Homes, the residential house-building arm of North-West construction & development experts Create Group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 115 acre site within the proposed Winsford Station Quarter. The proposed development will form part of Cheshire West‘s Masterplan for the location. Create Homes has luxury homes for
Suzannah Robin, an alcohol and drug safety expert at AlcoDigital, discusses the problem of alcohol misuse within the construction industry, and explains how online training can promote staff safety during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Alcohol misuse amongst staff is a problem that will be sadly familiar to many employers
The removal of most Covid restrictions in the UK has increased calls for clearer practical guidance and the setting of specific indoor air quality (IAQ) contaminant targets to support the health and wellbeing of building occupants. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has, therefore, produced a concise guide to good
Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “It’s probably fair to say that while an extension was welcomed, the stamp duty holiday is starting to linger over the market like a bad smell. For the vast majority, the intended benefit has now been nullified thanks to the huge rates
One of Nottingham’s premier Trent-side residential developments, The Waterside Apartments, has been named Apartment Development of the Year at the annual Insider Midlands Residential Property Awards. Held last night at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, the awards showcase the best residential projects and developers in the Midlands over the last
Quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy, Soben, has been named Consultancy of the Year at the National Building and Construction Awards for the second year running. Soben EMEA Managing Director, Andrew Gallacher, picked up the award at a prestigious ceremony in London’s Wembley Stadium attended by professionals from across the construction industry. The National Building Awards comprise 17 categories and provide successful businesses in the world of building the opportunity to highlight their work and achievements and be judged by a panel of national experts. Founded in 2011, Soben is the UK’s leading contractor-centric quantity surveying and commercial management consultancy. Its clients include blue chip national and international contracting organisations who construct prestigious and complex projects across the construction, civil engineering, rail, utility, and energy sectors. Commenting on the award win, Andrew Gallacher, said; “It is a fantastic endorsement of Soben’s commitment to excellence and our ambitious growth plans that we have been awarded this prestigious award for the second year running. “I am hugely proud of each and every member of our team. Their hard work and dedication to our culture and values are the reason that we are able to deliver on our ambitious plans year on year.” “It is fantastic to see Soben take home the prestigious Consultancy of the Year Award for the second year in a row” commented NBC Awards Director Damian Cummins. “Once again, Soben demonstrated that it is a true example of a high quality, client focused, and forward-thinking consultancy. To once again be recognised as the best at what they do in the UK is a marker of success for the Soben team.”
The demand for decking materials has increased significantly during 2021, but the supply appears to be waning, according to a recent report from the Decking Network*. The report details how despite materials still being grown and felled in places such as Scandinavia, the USA, Canada, Russia, China, Asia and Indonesia, a lack of personnel in local mills and transport systems is causing a delay in these products being exported. This has led to intensified competition between suppliers and an inevitable price increase, which is being passed on to the end consumer. William Hogg, Managing Director of Ecodek, a specialist manufacturer of Wood Polymer Composite decking boards, explains how both the increased demand and supply chain complications have been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: “Over the past 18 months people have been spending more time at home, for both work and pleasure. This has resulted in homeowners looking to improve their gardens or create new outdoor workspaces and, as a consequence, demand for decking has soared. “At the same time, the pandemic has resulted in a reduced workforce, either due to employees falling ill or having to self-isolate after encountering someone who has COVID-19. This combination of increased demand and a decreased workforce has led to frustration amongst many customers waiting for their timber decking.” William believes the answer is to buy British. Ecodek designs and manufacturers its wood composite decking boards in Wrexham, with products carrying the Made in Britain marque. As such, it does not rely on any imports from other countries to sustain its supply chain, as William continues: “Because our products are manufactured in the UK, using recycled and sustainable materials, we can guarantee a lead time of one week for stock products and three weeks for bespoke and made-to-order decking. “However, it is not just our location that has enabled us to maintain this steady supply. The stringent COVID-19 safety protocols and procedures we implemented at the beginning of the pandemic have enabled us to control the impact of coronavirus on our company processes. Combined, our location and rigorous health and safety practices have allowed us to continue trading, without disruption, over the past 18 months.” Ecodek has seen a marked increase in the number of customers, both trade and consumer, turning from timber to wood composite decking, due to its availability and the stability of the supply chain. “We have received many enquiries from customers who have been let down by timber suppliers and require a viable alternative. With all the beauty of timber but the many benefits of wood polymer composite, many have been coming to Ecodek to fulfil their requirements,” adds William. Slip resistant, low maintenance, splinter free, and rot and split resistant, Ecodek’s range of composite decking boards is offering customers a practical, sustainable, and attractive alternative to real timber. “I am sure that consumers who consider locally manufactured composite as an alternative to wood will soon realise the considerable advantages it provides, in the short, medium and longer-term both with regards to its supply and environmental benefits.” Further information about Ecodek and its range of wood composite decking boards can be found at www.ecodek.co.uk or by calling 01978 667 840.
Create Homes, the residential house-building arm of North-West construction & development experts Create Group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of a 115 acre site within the proposed Winsford Station Quarter. The proposed development will form part of Cheshire West‘s Masterplan for the location. Create Homes has luxury homes for sale in several countryside locations in the North-West, as well as a healthy pipeline of future residential housing developments. The acquisition at Winsford comes at an exciting period of growth for the Create Homes, with recently appointed Managing Director Andrew Booth and Create Developments’ Development Director, Tim Rackham spearheading the acquisition strategy, in order to support the growth of this relatively young housebuilder, now in its 6th year. The former Clive Farm site enjoys an unparalleled location between Winsford and the surrounding Cheshire countryside, sitting within land earmarked for development in Cheshire West‘s adopted Station Quarter Development Masterplan. The proposed development, earmarked to enhance the redevelopment of the town, would provide high quality new homes and essential services and infrastructure, as well as create new employment opportunities and better facilities for residents and visitors, whilst respecting the site’s setting and surroundings. Any future plans would ensure enhanced links for the new community to Winsford town centre, the station, (due to be upgraded as a consequence of HS2) and Bottom Flash, which will be developed into a nature reserve and country park. Managing Director of Create Homes, Andrew Booth commented: “Following initial positive discussions with Cheshire West and Chester Council, we will now work with them and the local community to produce more detailed proposals for the delivery of the land in order to support a high quality and sustainable new community.” + To express your interest, please contact Andrew Booth at andrew.booth@createhomes.com
Suzannah Robin, an alcohol and drug safety expert at AlcoDigital, discusses the problem of alcohol misuse within the construction industry, and explains how online training can promote staff safety during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. Alcohol misuse amongst staff is a problem that will be sadly familiar to many employers within the construction industry. Perhaps a member of staff has turned up on site after a heavy weekend or a long lunch, smelling of drink. Then there are the signs of longer-term alcohol dependency, when you’ve noticed a deterioration in a co-worker’s health and wondered whether alcohol might be to blame. While COVID-19 restrictions have kept many away from pubs and clubs, lockdown has left a legacy of harmful drinking at home. One study found that 36% of people increased their alcohol consumption during the first lockdown in 2020.1 Whether the result of an occasional binge or a chronic problem, alcohol abuse can wreak devastation on a staff member’s life. And while the cost to the individual can be catastrophic, the wider knock-on effects for staff morale and company reputation can be equally disastrous. In a safety-critical industry such as construction, a drug and alcohol-free workforce could not be more important. Yet research shows that a culture of risky drinking prevails. Indeed, a 2020 study revealed those who work in the trades and construction have the highest rates of drink-drive convictions of all occupations in the UK.2 The top five conviction rates by profession make grim reading for the industry: coming in at number one are roofers, followed by scaffolders, plumbers, labourers and ground workers. In another shocking study, industry body Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) reported that one third of construction workers had witnessed a colleague under the influence of drugs or alcohol on site.3 With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to increased addiction issues and associated mental ill health4, this is a problem that needs urgent redress. Alcohol misuse and the economy – what are the facts? According to Public Health England, the cost of alcohol misuse to the economy is £7bn annually in lost productivity through unemployment and sickness.5 The charity Alcohol Change UK reports that 40% of employers mention alcohol as a significant cause of low productivity.6 To an individual business, the exact impact can be difficult to monitor, as productivity can decrease slowly over time where an employee is struggling with addiction. Minor accidents are not always recorded as alcohol-related, and for companies without an alcohol screening policy, any link can be very difficult to prove. There’s no doubt that drinking alcohol impairs judgement, damages physical co-ordination and makes dangerous accidents far more likely. Yet the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) does not release data on how many accidents at work involve alcohol. The data we do have from HSE shows that in 2019/20, there were 40 fatal injuries to workers within the construction industry, with 61,000 non-fatal injuries.7 Falling from a height is the most common cause of death. The likelihood of accidents occurring in the construction industry is four times higher than for all other industries. Drugs and alcohol testing in the workplace – what is the law? While the construction industry is not required by law to screen employees for drugs or alcohol, employers are legally required to ensure the safety of workers under their care. Industry bodies such as the CCS advise employers to integrate some level of testing within the overall drugs and alcohol policy. The CCS states: “This ensures there is a formal and controlled procedure that can provide factual results and therefore support the decision to take the necessary actions with greater accuracy. The presence of potential testing also maintains a firm reminder to the workforce of the consequences of not taking the issue of drugs and alcohol seriously.”8 Random or regular testing can undoubtedly be a deterrent, and construction companies of all sizes are increasingly turning to screening to send a powerful ‘stay safe’ message to their workforce. While there is inevitably some time and financial investment involved in setting up a testing policy, breathalysers and other testing devices have become increasingly cost effective and user friendly over recent years. In the long-term, screening policies present an investment well worth making: if a serious accident occurs and an employer is found to have been negligent in any way, there is a clear risk of prosecution and hefty fines. In addition to breathalysers, alcohol interlocks can be used on construction site equipment or machinery, preventing them from starting until a negative breath test has been registered. Another form of interlock device, the Lifeloc Sentinel, requires no mouthpiece and can be fitted to unsupervised turnstiles, electric gates, and other barrier systems – preventing anyone impaired by alcohol from entering a work site. Covid-safe training for employers Setting up a testing programme is an important measure in supporting your workforce. But with so many screening methods available, it can be hard to know where to start, especially when Covid safety remains a primary concern. A good first step is to book an accredited training course that will offer all the knowledge and practical skills necessary to implement screening to suit the specific requirements of individual companies. Online ‘live’ training such as that provided by AlcoDigital gives comprehensive guidance while also remaining completely Covid-safe. Based on AlcoDigital’s award-winning workplace training days, these hosted Zoom webinars were designed specifically in response to the first UK lockdown, and have run successfully ever since. Webinar training ensures companies can keep up-to-date with latest industry recommendations and relevant legislation at a time when the need has never been greater. Hands-on demonstrations of the latest innovative screening methods can be given online, for example the fully automated Worksober device that uses facial recognition technology to prevent misidentification. Face-to-face training has now resumed, but many companies continue to opt for the convenience of Zoom webinars, allowing staff members to join in the session from any location. With professional and reliable training, a suitable testing policy can be implemented
The removal of most Covid restrictions in the UK has increased calls for clearer practical guidance and the setting of specific indoor air quality (IAQ) contaminant targets to support the health and wellbeing of building occupants. The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) has, therefore, produced a concise guide to good practice: ‘Indoor Air Quality for Health & Well-Being’, which is designed to help building owners, managers and engineers interpret IAQ data and turn it into useful strategies for improving the indoor environment. The UK’s chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance and the British Medical Association (BMA) have emphasised the role of building ventilation and IAQ in helping the country navigate the next stage of the pandemic. The BSI is also fast-tracking a new British Standard that will help to define the UK’s future approach to IAQ. The BMA, which represents all UK doctors, says setting legal standards for ventilation, should be part of the government’s strategy for dealing with the next stage of the pandemic. It added that financial support for businesses and educational settings should be made available “to implement these requirements ahead of the autumn and winter period, when respiratory viruses spread more easily and buildings must be kept warm, limiting options for natural ventilation”. The new BESA guidance, which is part of the Association’s wider Buildings as Safe Havens (BASH) campaign, sets out target limits for a range of airborne contaminants in a variety of indoor spaces. It explains how air quality data gathered during specialist surveys or from the wide range of low cost real-time and continuous IAQ monitoring devices, can be interpreted and acted upon. Achievable The advice it provides is also based on the experience of practitioners in the field who see what is possible and achievable in the real world. It is designed as a follow-up to the BESA publication H&W001: A Beginners Guide to Indoor Air Quality published in March in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric. Public Health England estimates the annual death toll in the UK from air pollution at between 24,000 and 36,000 with associated healthcare costs as high as £20bn. The role played by indoor air both in transmission of disease and the general health and wellbeing of building occupants became headline news during the pandemic and has prompted unprecedented interest in how buildings are ventilated. The BESA Guide has also been produced in the wake of a report commissioned by the government’s chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, which highlighted the importance of building ventilation in reducing the risk of Covid-19 and other infections. The report was published by the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), which is a group of 43 professional engineering organisations representing 450,000 engineers. It found that ventilation was often neglected, and that the Covid-19 crisis had revealed flaws in the design, management, and operation of buildings. It advised Sir Patrick that, unless these flaws were addressed, they could disrupt the management of this and future pandemics and impose high financial and health costs on society. Nathan Wood, chair of the BESA Health & Wellbeing in Buildings group, said this was a significant moment for anyone working to improve the indoor environment. “The very fact that such a senior adviser is taking a close interest in how the engineering profession can be deployed to tackle a health and wellbeing issue shows just how high this has risen up the political agenda,” he said. “People now need reassurance that buildings are being adequately ventilated, and the air monitored to minimise the threat from contaminants and viruses. This new BESA Guide aims to do just that, but it also goes further. “Rather than purely focusing on preventing infection and death, which is often the approach of academic and regulatory work, it also promotes a positive approach to setting IAQ standards that will give people a healthier, more comfortable, and more productive experience inside buildings.” He pointed to research carried out by Harvard University in the US that showed a 61% improvement in cognitive function for students in a well-ventilated, clean environment. “The outdoor, ambient air pollution guidance levels adopted by governments are usually based on mortality and morbidity, tempered by what is regarded as economically feasible. That compromise reduces investment in the health and wellbeing benefits,” added Wood. Enjoyment “By contrast, a health and wellbeing approach considers how good IAQ can improve productivity and enjoyment of a space and supports the principle that people should be able to inhabit ‘safe havens’ where the indoor air is better than the polluted outdoors. Unfortunately, in too many cases, the opposite is currently true.” The BESA Guide refers to established guidelines including those provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO), which are due to be updated later this year. It also signposts other sources of authoritative advice on volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, nitrogen dioxide/oxides, ozone, radon, and airborne micro-organisms. It also recommends monitoring CO2 and a range of IAQ factors to balance good air quality with reduction of internally and externally sourced contaminants. Its guidance will also be offered to the BSI to help shape the draft BS40101 ‘Building performance evaluation of occupied and operational buildings’, which is due to be published in November and is currently the subject of a public consultation. “I would like to thank the amazing people who contributed so much of their time and expertise to the preparation of this guidance, particularly Douglas Booker, Craig Booth, Peter Dyment, and Shaun Hill; supported by the wider membership and staff of BESA,” said Wood. The guidance can be downloaded for free here.
Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “It’s probably fair to say that while an extension was welcomed, the stamp duty holiday is starting to linger over the market like a bad smell. For the vast majority, the intended benefit has now been nullified thanks to the huge rates of house price growth seen since launch. With the long delays that have also ensued as a result of such unprecedented levels of buyer demand, it’s arguably never been less appealing to embark on the archaic process of buying a home. Despite this, homebuyers have, and will, continue to flock to the market in order to realise their dream of homeownership and this will help maintain the upward price trends seen of late.” Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented: “The recent heatwave may have subsided but the property market is still running red hot and, despite the odd month to month wobble, we continue to see double-digit annual growth which is a phenomenal rate to have been sustained so consistently.” Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “Even the apocalyptic wet weather seen over the weekend can’t dampen the UK housing market, with yet more strong upward movement despite the impending expiry of the stamp duty holiday. Even in London where the rate of house price growth has been less pronounced than the rest of the UK, homes are selling at a rate of knots and homesellers are achieving a far higher percentage of asking price than they were just a few short months ago.” CEO of Keller Williams UK, Ben Taylor, commented: “A severe shortage of housing stock, the low cost of borrowing and a high level of buyer confidence are the perfect ingredients to maintain what has been a pretty impressive run of house price appreciation. The widespread talks of a market cliff edge once the stamp duty holiday ends have now turned to hushed whispers and while record rates of growth will inevitably lead to some monthly ups and downs, the long-term health of the UK property market is looking very good at present.”
One of Nottingham’s premier Trent-side residential developments, The Waterside Apartments, has been named Apartment Development of the Year at the annual Insider Midlands Residential Property Awards. Held last night at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, the awards showcase the best residential projects and developers in the Midlands over the last 12 months. The Waterside Apartments, accessed on Pavillion Road, are in an iconic location overlooking Trent Bridge, and feature 125 contemporary apartments with stunning views up and down the river and out to West Bridgford. Developed by local award-winning firm Monk Estates and designed by Nottingham-based Leonard Design Architects, the homes have been popular since coming to market with selling agent FHP Waterside Living, part of FHP Living. With 13 two-bed apartments remaining for sale, priced from £285,000, and six penthouses which start at £695,000, there is still time for buyers to have a home in what is now known as the best residential building in the Midlands. “Hearing The Waterside Apartments called out as the winner of the award last night was just brilliant and myself, the team and wider supporting partners – who have all worked so hard to deliver this incredible place to live – are all really pleased. Since the outset, the uptake and response from buyers and residents of The Waterside Apartments has been phenomenal, which is a testament to the detail and thought that has gone into the homes and the high-spec public spaces in and outside the property,” said Sam Monk, director of Monk Estates. The Waterside Apartments feature an onsite gym provided by Hitboxx for high intensity training and a private communal rooftop terrace above the Waterside Bar + Kitchen, complete with a range of seating and sunbathing areas. “We are so pleased that The Waterside Apartments has been recognised in this category – the building maximises the beautiful waterside views on one side, and the expansive vistas of West Bridgford and beyond on the other, thanks to its design. All areas of the building, from the apartments themselves to the corridors, capture spectacular views of the surroundings and allow natural light to flood in – something which will be hugely beneficial to the residents living there.” “It has created an impressive gateway site into West Bridgford as you travel over Trent Bridge and it’s wonderful to see the development celebrated as a stand-out scheme, not just in Nottingham but in the Midlands as a whole,” added John Morgan, director of Leonard Design Architects. The Waterside Apartment’s was the only non-Birmingham development shortlisted for the Apartment of the Year Development award and was up against stiff competition with six other worthy schemes.
