Plans for the regeneration of the Wester Hailes area have taken a big step forward. The City of Edinburgh Council today announced the appointment of the consultancy team that will work with the community to translate their vision into a masterplan for the area. This important commission has been awarded
BDP has helped complete the delivery of phase one of the new St James Quarter, Edinburgh, working with client Nuveen Real Estate to create a new destination in the heart of the capital. A new and modern 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking, it is one of the
The UK’s built environment is under enormous pressure to meet net-zero carbon targets by 2050 and cut its use of fossil fuels in new homes when the ban is introduced in 2025. But in order for the UK to meet these aims, a huge obstacle has to be overcome –
Comments attributed to Jeff House, Head of External Affairs at Baxi Heating The energy transition is upon us and we are shifting today’s energy use to low and zero carbon sources. The way in which we heat and provide hot water to our homes and businesses will change, and we
The latest research from the homebuying platform, Yes Homebuyers, reveals the biggest homebuyer turnoffs, from subsidence to nuisance neighbours, and the financial consequence they can have on the value of a home. Homebuying is a complex process that requires due diligence and thorough attention to detail. It is also likely
Buying a generator set outright is only feasible if a business has the funds to afford the initial investment and is working on a long-term project that requires stable off-grid power. Because in most businesses this is not the case, rental is a compelling option. But not all rental options
Plans for the regeneration of the Wester Hailes area have taken a big step forward. The City of Edinburgh Council today announced the appointment of the consultancy team that will work with the community to translate their vision into a masterplan for the area. This important commission has been awarded to a multi-disciplinary consultant team led by Turner & Townsend, who will act as project managers, together with partners Stallan Brand (architects, lead designer and community engagement), Atelier 10 (building services and sustainability), OOBE (landscape architects) and Goodson Associates (engineering and transportation). Setting out a comprehensive, phased approach for the next 10 to 15 years, the Wester Hailes masterplan will build on community aspirations as set out in the Local Place Plan as well as a number of early action projects that are already under way. These include improvements to existing Council homes and estates, delivery of new-build affordable homes at Dumbryden Gardens, early design work for the replacement of the high school, as well as improvements to Westside Plaza. The plan will seek to maximise distinctive characteristics of the area including its canal-side location, existing assets, opportunities for wider economic and social benefits and the role of key partners and the local community. Working with the Council and the community, the masterplan team will look at opportunities to implement improvements to existing transport and active travel infrastructure, new housing-led developments and adapting public sector delivery models, all firmly rooted in the Council’s new 20 Minute Neighbourhood model. Wester Hailes is also one of the first communities in Scotland to start to develop its own Local Place Plan following their introduction within the Planning (Scotland) Act in 2019. City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: This is a hugely important project that will offer real opportunities for people in Wester Hailes. The investments which the masterplan sets out will include improvements to existing homes as well as new affordable housing that is so desperately needed in our city, together with employment opportunities and facilities for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the area to prosper. Throughout the development of the masterplan we will look to actively engage with people in Wester Hailes and nearby communities to feed in to help these improvements benefit everyone. The appointment of the right team to take the community’s ambitions for their area forward was critical and we believe the award-winning team, led by Turner & Townsend will meet our goals. We look forward to working together with the team and community as the masterplan develops over the coming year. Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: It’s fantastic to be getting this regeneration project under way with this key appointment. A priority for us, on awarding this commission, has been to engage fully with the local community and ensure that the Council’s regeneration programme reflects the aspirations, ideas and actions emerging from the Local Place Plan process to date. The community consultation process will include speaking to key public sector partners, those who have assets within the area, those who use existing land and buildings on a long-term or meanwhile basis, and the communities within the regeneration area and surrounding neighbourhoods. All this will be fundamental to the overall success of the proposals the team produce for us to take forward to the next phase. James Darrie, Director and Edinburgh office leader at Turner & Townsend, said: From upgrading transport systems to delivering new affordable homes, this much needed regeneration promises to bring transformative long-term benefits to the Wester Hailes area. Our local team will work closely with the community to ensure it becomes the thriving and flourishing neighbourhood that residents want and deserve. Eoghan Howard, Chair of Wester Hailes Community Trust and Leah Black, Chief Executive at WHALE Arts said: We welcome the news that Turner & Townsend have been appointed and that this important project will be starting in 2021. WHALE Arts, Wester Hailes Community Trust and Prospect Housing have been working alongside the Council for the last 18 months following a piece of work in 2019/2020 working towards a Local Place Plan.The goal has been to ensure that the community-led Local Place Plan will be aligned to the regeneration project so that local views and ideas are at the heart of changes and improvements to the area. This builds on the Westside Plaza design process which was led by the Wester Hailes Community Trust and has resulted in an improved social area, giving local residents an idea of how important it is for regeneration to be led by people living in the area.
BDP has helped complete the delivery of phase one of the new St James Quarter, Edinburgh, working with client Nuveen Real Estate to create a new destination in the heart of the capital. A new and modern 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking, it is one of the UK’s largest inner-city regeneration projects. BDP’s Glasgow studio, which worked alongside Allan Murray Architects in the design stage, saw its role develop from co-designer to lead consultant and technical architect for the design of the scheme, and delivered the master plan as part of the Laing O’Rourke construction team for the £1billion development. Works started on site with the demolition of the existing shopping centre, office block, hotel, and car park, in 2016 with the retail-led development seeing shoppers flock to its curved four-storey galleria since its opening in June. Designed with movement of people in mind, St James Quarter is a highly accessible, permeable development with multiple entry points situated at different levels. The brief from the outset was to create a step change from typical retail developments and to incorporate various uses on the site that would deliver a sustainable model for development in the historic town centre. The design makes use of the surrounding inner-city topography, integrating with Edinburgh’s busy shopping areas and encouraging visitors to weave their way through the city. The commercial benefits to creating this organic flow of people through St James Quarter is a boosted footfall that is presented with unexpected opportunities to shop, or to dine, resulting in increased dwell time helping businesses to thrive. Oliver Wilson, BDP Architect Director, said, “St James Quarter is Edinburgh’s largest development in a generation and creates a distinct area in the Scottish capital. Incorporating new and existing development, it transforms Edinburgh’s retail offering delivering an enriched social experience and creating a lifestyle destination which people will repeatedly revisit.” “Consumers are faced with a myriad of options when it comes to their leisure time and they want to spend it in a well designed, engaging and accessible place that offers them everything they want, and not simply a place to shop. Destinations need to make more efficient use of the space and work harder to meet consumers’ needs and St James Quarter does this by presenting a truly unique offer.” The BDP team is now working to complete the shell and core works to the remaining phases of the development in advance of them being fitted out, which include a cinema, hotel and aparthotel, and a high profile residential element occupying the upper level of the galleria. The apartments offer a truly special place to live in the heart of the city with an extensive roof garden and take advantage of the spectacular views across the city and out towards the Firth of Forth. Work on further phases will see the completion of entertainment, residential, and hotel accommodation as part of the £1bn scheme.
The UK’s built environment is under enormous pressure to meet net-zero carbon targets by 2050 and cut its use of fossil fuels in new homes when the ban is introduced in 2025. But in order for the UK to meet these aims, a huge obstacle has to be overcome – the cost of air source heat pumps. Alex Hill from Whitecode Consulting asks the all-important question: Can we afford to be green? It was only a matter of weeks ago that the Energy Saving Trust joined over 20 businesses and civil society organisations to lobby for a Fair Heat Deal which would make heating affordable for all. Not only does this recent call to the UK government ask for air source heat pumps and insulation to be made free for fuel poor households, it requests that the cost of heat pumps be brought in line with boilers, to generally be more affordable for the average UK household. These offerings will not doubt put the UK on better footing to reaching its net zero aims, providing important support and assistance for those who need it most. A greener appetite The majority of consumers are aware of their responsibilities to make the world a cleaner place for all. A report produced by the thinktank, Ember, revealed that renewable energy generated by wind, sunlight, water and wood constituted 42% of the UK’s electricity last year compared with 41% generated from gas and coal plants together. These findings represent quite a milestone and showcase consumers are steadily weaning themselves off unsustainable heat supplies. As time unfolds there will be a growing appetite for greener solutions. Yet, there are a few obstacles that are standing in the way. The main caveat is the cost of electricity. When I started out as an engineer around 20 years ago the cost of electricity was 8p per kilowatt. Fast forward to 2021 and the amount peaks at 17p! In comparison, the price of gas hasn’t changed much at all and has remained at the cheap price of 3p. The reason why electricity has become so expensive is because the electrical companies are hiking up the price. They are doing so in order to cover all of the additional costs they’re accruing to decarbonise the grid. As a result of electricity’s high costs, we are seeing some homeowners receiving extortionate energy bills each month, sums well above the average running costs. Everyone is talking about going green and being carbon neutral, but what about fuel poverty? What are the solutions? If you have a gas boiler that runs cheaply in comparison, where is the incentive for you to change your boiler and supply? The ban on fossil fuel heating is solely for new homes and does not account for the existing stock. Some boiler manufacturers are exploring other options including hydrogen, which derives from water and has the potential to be very sustainable. It could be that this technology is another option to electricity. At the moment electricity is financially unviable for many consumers. Eliminate the obstacles The drive towards electrification has highlighted a few alternative solutions to gas boilers. The ‘Future support for low carbon heat’ document, which was out for public consultation between April-July 2020, brings to the fore several low carbon heating prospects. One of these methods is air source heat pumps, a low-carbon producer of heat which has been widely tried-and-tested in the likes of Scandinavia and the Netherlands. Air source heat pumps have been lobbied and heralded as the solution to cleaner heat, yet, as they are powered by electricity, the financial burden of this form of supply will weigh heavy on consumers. It is why I and many others welcome the news that the Energy Saving Trust is actively campaigning for air source heat pumps to be made affordable. We need to do all we can to eliminate the obstacles to greener, cleaner heat. Another topic within the air source heat pump debate is maintenance. In 15 years, a homeowner of a new-build might have to upgrade their heat pump as they would do their boiler. A new boiler would cost you around £2000 in total, yet a heat pump comes in at around £5000 at least. This is under the proviso that there are a sufficient number of F Gas-qualified installers who are licensed to service heat pumps. Many boiler installers will need to upskill, and this may come at a higher cost both for installers and homeowners. Earlier this month, prominent UK housebuilder Taylor Wimpey featured in the news as it was revealed the housebuilder questioned the affordability of heat pumps. The housebuilder’s position was revealed through a freedom of information request by environmental charity Greenpeace. Whilst Taylor Wimpey recognised the need for urgent action to tackle the climate crisis, it raised an important concern regarding the practical implementation of heat pumps and whether we can afford to be green. In our pursuit to be green we must take a more holistic approach and be sensitive to the significant financial burden that the cost of electricity will place on the average consumers. Whilst it is positive to see that we are steadily eliminating carbon-hungry fuel, someone has to pay for the decarbonisation of our national grid. At present the reality isn’t moving in tandem with the expectations, and if things remain unchanged, I fear it will push many into even deeper fuel poverty.
Comments attributed to Jeff House, Head of External Affairs at Baxi Heating The energy transition is upon us and we are shifting today’s energy use to low and zero carbon sources. The way in which we heat and provide hot water to our homes and businesses will change, and we are developing technologies that will support this transition. A bold and pragmatic policy framework will encourage investment and drive change. We therefore welcome today’s publication of the Hydrogen Strategy from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS). This important document details the role and vision for clean hydrogen deployment at scale in the UK, building upon the ambitions in last year’s 10 Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. As an energy carrier, hydrogen has many uses that will help to decarbonise heating, transport and industry. We therefore welcome the government’s assurance to the the public today that hydrogen can be made as safe as natural gas. Alongside the Strategy, the Government is publishing its proposed business model for supporting hydrogen production in the form of a Contract for Difference. This approach has been utilised successfully for offshore wind and will enable the sector to invest in early-stage projects and reduce the cost of hydrogen. The availability of low-cost hydrogen at scale is a key enabler of the deployment of hydrogen for heat. We believe there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution, and a whole range of heating technologies will need to be deployed for a range of properties. Baxi Heating, as part of BDR Thermea Group, is at the forefront of developing clean heating solutions, including our ground-breaking development of hydrogen boilers. Our work with the Hy4Heat project and associated demonstration sites in the UK show technical feasibility of this solution. We believe the Government should act upon advice from the Climate Change Committee and other sources advocating a mandate that all boiler sales from 2025 should be hydrogen-ready in order to help pre-populate a swathe of the housing stock ready for a future conversion. Technology, energy efficiency and business models are all bit parts in the wider picture. Skilled installers and contractors will be utterly essential to success, so we are glad to see the announcement of a hydrogen sector development action plan in early 2022 setting out how the government will support companies to secure supply chain opportunities, skills and jobs in hydrogen. Following the Hydrogen Strategy, we look forward to several important publications in the lead up to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), including consultations on the role for hydrogen-ready appliances, off gas grid heating measures and the UK Heat and Buildings Strategy. Find out more about Baxi Heating’s pathway to the energy transition here.
The latest research from the homebuying platform, Yes Homebuyers, reveals the biggest homebuyer turnoffs, from subsidence to nuisance neighbours, and the financial consequence they can have on the value of a home. Homebuying is a complex process that requires due diligence and thorough attention to detail. It is also likely to be the biggest financial commitment a person has made throughout their life. As such, potential pitfalls or problems with a home can dramatically impact its desirability and, ultimately, its value. Yes Homebuyers has identified the biggest homebuyer turnoffs and calculated what impact each can have on the value of a property, and in a list of 15 problem areas, nothing is considered more of a deterrent than subsidence. Subsidence refers to situations when the ground beneath a property is sinking, pulling the foundations of the home down with it and it’s estimated that it can reduce the value of a home by an average of -20%. For the average home which, in the UK, is currently valued at £254,624, this -20% loss equates to £51,000. Second on the list is Japanese Knotweed, a destructive plant that can grow up to 10cm in a single day. It can cause severe damage to the structural integrity of a property and thus reduces the value of a home by -15% – a drop of just over £38,000. If a property is suffering from poor upkeep or the garden has been allowed to overgrow it could reduce the value of a home by as much as -14% on average, or £36,000. If new power lines, mobile phone towers, or wind turbines are planned nearby to your property, especially if visible from the house itself, buyers are going to be far less inclined to pay top price for your home. Typically, such a scenario can see an average of -13%, or £33,000, wiped off in value. Both nuisance neighbours and flood risks or water damage can reduce a property’s value by -10%, equal to just under £25,500; lack of convenient parking can reduce value by -7.1%, or £18,000; and unlucky house number, such as 13, can, believe it or not, reduce the value of a home by -6%, just north of £15,000. Structural issues (-£13,500), local power stations (-£12,700), damage or odours left by pets in the home (-£10,200), cluttered rooms (-£10,200), damp and mould (-£2,500), asbestos (-£2,500), and woodworm (-£1,300) can also have a negative impact on the value of your home. However, the latter issues, like asbestos and woodworm can be very hard to detect and so you might not even know they’re there yourself. Matthew Cooper, Founder & Managing Director of Yes Homebuyers, commented: “Many of these buyer turnoffs can be easily and cheaply fixed, a process which should be well worth the effort and money thanks to the value they will restore to your home. Some of them, however, can be very expensive indeed. Severe damp issues and subsidence, for example, could cost as much to rectify as the value they restore. Furthermore, they can take an awfully long time to fix. “In such instances, it might be worth considering selling your home at a reduced price rather than undertake the task yourself. Of course, you might struggle to find a buyer, as a result, but in most cases, a bonafide quick buy platform should take your property off your hands. Leaving you stress-free and able to focus on your onward purchase.” Table shows the biggest homebuyer turn offs based on the average percentage each issue can reduce value by and what this means based on the current average UK house price Turn-offs Ave est % impact on property price Potential property value decrease Sources Subsidence -20% -£50,925 link link Japanese Knotweed -15% -£38,194 link link Poor upkeep and overgrown gardens -14.1% -£35,902 link link New powerlines, mobile phone towers, wind turbines -13% -£33,101 link Bad/nuisance neighbours -10% -£25,462 link link Water damage / known flood plain/flooding risk -10% -£25,462 link link Poor parking / no parking available -7.1% -£18,078 link link Unlucky house numbers (number 13) -6.0% -£15,277 link link Structural issues/damage -5.3% -£13,495 link Power stations within local area -5% -£12,731 link Evidence of pets -4.0% -£10,185 link link Untidy / messy/dirty/cluttered -4.0% -£10,185 link Damp/rising damp/mould -1% -£2,546 link link Asbestos -1% -£2,546 link link Woodworm -0.5% -£1,273 link link Potential property price impact based on each percentage applied to the current UK average house price of £254,624 – Gov.uk UK House Price Index (May 2021 – latest data available)
Buying a generator set outright is only feasible if a business has the funds to afford the initial investment and is working on a long-term project that requires stable off-grid power. Because in most businesses this is not the case, rental is a compelling option. But not all rental options were made equal. Here Dean Harris, Sales Engineer at Energyst UK & Ireland, explains the difference between short and long-term genset rental. Renting a genset allows businesses to avoid paying out a large initial sum. One example is a recycling plant, which recently took out a five-year contract because it does not have access to a mains power supply for the foreseeable future. The customer did not want to spend three quarters of a million pounds on the three gensets that it required, so opted for rental to bridge the power gap. Rental also gives businesses the opportunity to have a genset on site in a matter of days, rather than waiting 16 to 20 weeks for a purchased system to be custom built and installed. Rental customers can also pass the maintenance costs and challenges that come with purchasing onto their supplier. If a business decides to rent, there are two main options — short-term and long-term rental. Short-term rental can be from a few days to just under a month and long-term rental typically is anywhere up to two years, but some businesses opt for even longer periods of up to ten years. Short-term rental Businesses can quickly get their project’s power requirements met by opting for a short-term rental. A rental genset can be quickly introduced to prevent downtime when an existing embedded generator is faulty and needs maintenance work or for projects that only last a few days or weeks. Consider this example. A company performs five major services each year to check its systems can run up to 2000 kVA, during which the gensets powering the operation must be taken offline. The business could not justify spending half a million pounds on a supplementary genset, only to use it for five or six weeks of the year. Instead, it chose to rent a genset during testing, saving footprint space, the large initial investment and ongoing maintenance costs. Long-term rental In addition to the financial benefits of renting a genset, customers can also pass on the operational costs to the rental supplier when renting long-term. The rental supplier can monitor the performance, load and operating hours to see when the genset needs maintenance work, rather than the business carrying this out themselves, providing peace of mind. The renter can also hand over fuel management to the supplier, as well as negotiate a cheaper price per litre when buying in bulk. Long-term rental can be suitable for standby applications for critical facilities, such as hospitals, airports or data centres. Critical facilities have stringent testing requirements to ensure the equipment kicks in when needed, so leaving this in the hands of experts can save time, money and hassle. In addition, long-term rental provides flexibility to businesses during times of changing demand. If a manufacturing business wants to extend its production line and increase the power supplied, it can easily swap out the current rental genset for a bigger one or rent an additional system, without investing large sums of money for the expansion. Ultimately, the value of the rental agreement depends on the project length and the specific requirements of each business. Renting for a longer period will reduce the daily rental rate, but short-term rentals provide more flexibility for businesses who may want a genset for a week. Fully understanding the power requirements of each project before renting a genset will help businesses make an informed decision. Visit the Energyst website to learn more about our genset rental options https://www.finning.com/Energyst.
