The first Firethorn Trust UK development, called Northampton Cross, has been fully-leased by MH Star UK, who will occupy the 37-acre scheme from October 2021. The e-commerce retailer has signed a 15-year tenancy on the two units, which span a total of 354,000 sq. ft. MH Star UK, a specialist
The latest research by Birmingham and Newcastle-based property developer, StripeHomes, has revealed that new-build house prices boomed by as much as 20% across parts of England during the first half of this year, but transaction levels have ground to a halt as EWS1 requirements continue to prove problematic. StripeHomes analysed
Leeds-based building consultancy, C80 Solutions, is urging property owners and businesses to begin preparing for the arrival of stricter energy performance laws in the coming years. The government’s Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill was introduced earlier this month and will be debated by MPs this autumn, paving the way
A new division of independent housebuilder Dandara has been launched to create new homes in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Dandara Eastern, based at Braintree in Essex, already has four consented sites in the pipeline, with work expected to begin in the spring at its flagship Towerlands Park development of
Hörmann UK have announced the launch of a new, thermally efficient telescopic dock leveller the HTL2 ISO which provides up to 55% improved thermal insulation when compared to a standard dock leveller in both closed and loading positions. Used in conjunction with their new slimline recess profiled sectional door it
While the Covid-19 pandemic has caused challenges for many industries, it is also true that there has never been a higher demand for construction. New developments, properties, and commercial buildings are being scheduled for creation constantly, meaning that the construction industry needs an influx of skilled workers. The fact is
The first Firethorn Trust UK development, called Northampton Cross, has been fully-leased by MH Star UK, who will occupy the 37-acre scheme from October 2021. The e-commerce retailer has signed a 15-year tenancy on the two units, which span a total of 354,000 sq. ft. MH Star UK, a specialist in home, outdoor, office, pet and children’s products sold by several in-house brands, has experienced rapid growth over the last year, accelerated by the consumer shift to e-commerce following the Covid-19 pandemic. “As more consumers adapt their spending habits and shift to e-commerce, it has been increasingly important for us to source high-quality warehousing solutions so that we can effectively respond to ever-increasing demand. Northampton Cross delivered on every aspect, from modern, flexible office spaces to renewable energy provisions and welfare facilities for employees,” said Arvind Panchmatia, General Manager at MH Star. “It has been a pleasure working with Firethorn Trust, and we are delighted to be leasing both units at the scheme. This new site will put us in a strong position to drive forward MH Star UK’s expansion as the business continues to grow and evolve.” The new site, which is located directly off Junction 15A of the M1 and offers enhanced access to the UK motorway network, will put the retailer in prime position for continued expansion, whilst bringing a boost to the local jobs market. “MH Star’s tenancy is an incredibly exciting milestone for Firethorn. Northampton Cross is the first UK development opportunity that we acquired, we are proud to have agreed such a significant lease within a year of bringing the scheme to market, and prior to its completion in October,” added Chris Webb, Partner at Firethorn Trust. “This deal underpins Firethorn’s ongoing commitment to creating highly-specified, modern and adaptable industrial and logistics solutions in strategic locations across the UK, to help connect businesses, people and places.” Firethorn Trust has a current development pipeline of more than 3m sq. ft. nationwide, including an eight-unit scheme at Ascent Logistics Park in Leighton Buzzard, which will be available for occupation later this year. Knight Frank acted for MH Star, while Lambert Smith Hampton & DTRE acted for Firethorn Trust.
The latest research by Birmingham and Newcastle-based property developer, StripeHomes, has revealed that new-build house prices boomed by as much as 20% across parts of England during the first half of this year, but transaction levels have ground to a halt as EWS1 requirements continue to prove problematic. StripeHomes analysed the Land Registry sold price records for new-build homes sold during the first six months of this year (latest available data). The regions driving the new-build house price boom The research shows that on average across England, new-build homes sold for £314,000 between January and June – 5.6% higher than the same period last year. The West Midlands has enjoyed the largest rate of growth, with new-build homes selling for 20% more, hitting an average of £299,998. The North East also saw a considerable increase in the price paid for new-build properties during the first six months of the year, with the average price climbing by 17.1%. The South West (14.1%) is the only other region to see a double-digit increase, while the South East and East of England (6.2%) also saw a jump. However, Yorkshire and the Humber saw the average price paid for new-build homes plummet by -18.6% during the first half of this year when compared to the first six months of 2020. The North West also saw a decline of -6%, with the East Midlands seeing prices fall by -1%. Transaction volumes However, while new-build house prices are climbing, transaction levels remained muted. During the first half of this year, just 2,605 new-build transactions were completed, -92% less than the first six months of 2020 when 32,453 new-build homes were sold. The North East has seen new-build transactions fall by -95.4%, closely followed by the North West (-94.6%) and the East of England (-93.8%). London is the only region to see a decline in transactions lower than 90%. That said, the number of new-build homes sold in the capital during the first half of 2021 was still some -87% lower than 2020. Managing Director of StripeHomes, James Forrester, commented: “Much like the wider market, the new-build sector has enjoyed a strong uplift in property values and it’s great to see both the West Midlands and North East driving this growth as the best performing regions in England. However, transaction levels have all but ground to a half and this is predominantly due to the requirement of an EWS1 inspection. This requirement has seen many sales drag on four months on end, with inspectors unable to facilitate such a huge level of inspections and banks refusing to provide mortgages until they do. Despite the government’s attempts to address the issue by removing the EWS1 requirement on buildings below 18 metres, we now find ourselves in an industry stalemate. The banks refuse to adhere to these changes until ‘official advice’ is amended. But the RICS, in true archaic fashion, refuses to do so until they’ve ‘undergone a consultative process’ to ascertain if this would be in public interest. Ironically, while they drag their heels, thousands of new-build homebuyers remain in limbo and it doesn’t look as though a solution is on the horizon anytime soon.” Location Average NB House Price (Jan to Jun 2020) Average NB House Price (Jan to Jun 2021) Change (%) Change (£) ENGLAND £298,191 £314,883 5.6% £16,691 WEST MIDLANDS £250,000 £299,998 20.0% £49,998 NORTH EAST £204,950 £239,950 17.1% £35,000 SOUTH WEST £295,995 £337,748 14.1% £41,753 SOUTH EAST £365,748 £400,000 9.4% £34,253 EAST OF ENGLAND £325,000 £345,000 6.2% £20,000 LONDON £547,500 £572,800 4.6% £25,300 EAST MIDLANDS £254,950 £252,498 -1.0% -£2,453 NORTH WEST £224,580 £211,000 -6.0% -£13,580 YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER £215,000 £174,950 -18.6% -£40,050 Data sourced from the Land Registry Price Paid Records – Jan to Jun 2020 vs Jan to Jun 2021 (latest available data), excluding properties listed as ‘other’. Location NB transactions 2020 NB transactions 2021 Change (%) Change (n) ENGLAND 32,453 2,605 -92.0% -29,848 LONDON 4,823 619 -87.2% -4,204 SOUTH WEST 2,849 262 -90.8% -2,587 SOUTH EAST 5,362 491 -90.8% -4,871 YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER 2,671 219 -91.8% -2,452 WEST MIDLANDS 3,232 234 -92.8% -2,998 EAST MIDLANDS 3,007 194 -93.5% -2,813 EAST OF ENGLAND 3,962 247 -93.8% -3,715 NORTH WEST 4,869 261 -94.6% -4,608 NORTH EAST 1,678 78 -95.4% -1,600 Data sourced from the Land Registry Price Paid Records – Jan to Jun 2020 vs Jan to Jun 2021 (latest available data), excluding properties listed as ‘other’.
Leeds-based building consultancy, C80 Solutions, is urging property owners and businesses to begin preparing for the arrival of stricter energy performance laws in the coming years. The government’s Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill was introduced earlier this month and will be debated by MPs this autumn, paving the way for legislation which will require all private rented sector homes to be Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C by 2028. The government has also outlined targets which will have major implications for owner occupiers, mortgage lenders and commercial lettings. With thousands of properties likely to need significant energy performance upgrades, C80 Solutions believes that many landlords and building owners would benefit from an early assessment of their expected requirements to ensure they manage the necessary investments and meet the new standards in time. Harry Hinchliffe, Energy Consultant and BREEAM Assessor at C80 Solutions, said: “The bill is a key driver in the commitments set out in the government’s Energy White Paper and subsequent policy statements. It will have a widespread impact on the UK’s property sector, affecting a large percentage of people and businesses with a property investment. Its objectives include non-domestic commercial lettings to achieve EPC band B by 2030 and homes to be EPC band C by 2035 where practicable, cost effective and affordable. It will also affect financial services as mortgage lenders will be required to ensure an EPC band C average for their portfolios by 2030.” Dan Chadwick, Energy & Sustainability Consultant at C80 Solutions, said: “Recent studies have suggested that around 2.9m homes will need to improve to meet the proposed changes, with an estimated average cost of £9,872 per home and a total cost of £29 billion across the sector. Although the legislation needs to follow the usual process of parliamentary scrutiny, the bill is seen as an essential step in achieving carbon net zero – there is a clear direction of travel towards a much higher standard of energy efficiency and it’s unlikely to meet much resistance from MPs, especially in the context of the latest alarming reports about the climate emergency. An increase in minimum EPC from E to C is a substantial rise. With that in mind, many individuals and organisations would be wise to start the process of examining their properties and estates. For some, early planning could be vital in phasing the work and the costs required to achieve 100% compliance.” C80 Solutions provides expertise encompassing all aspects of Building Regulations and environmental performance, including energy, air tightness, sound testing, environmental noise and thermal modelling. Its services support construction across both the commercial and domestic sectors.
A new division of independent housebuilder Dandara has been launched to create new homes in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Dandara Eastern, based at Braintree in Essex, already has four consented sites in the pipeline, with work expected to begin in the spring at its flagship Towerlands Park development of more than 500 new homes at Bocking in Braintree. Dandara was established in 1988, but for the last two years has achieved a period of unprecedented growth – despite the pandemic – and is expanding to become a national player in the housebuilding market. As part of the company’s strategic plan for continued long-term growth, the new Eastern division will deliver around 500 homes a year in a prime commuter belt housing market. John Stanton will lead the new division following his recent promotion to Regional Director. John joined the business in September 2020 as Operations Director for Dandara Northern Home Counties based in Milton Keynes. Formerly Commercial Director at Bovis Homes, Stanton was tasked with managing Dandara’s team building and rapid growth in that region, while maintaining its reputation for building excellent homes and providing top-quality customer service. With experience working for both Bovis and Linden Homes in the east of England, and earlier experience with Crest Nicholson in Essex, he is ideally placed to bring the same growth and success to Eastern. Managing Director, Trevor Dempsey, said: “Dandara Eastern is getting off to a flying start, with four new sites including the major redevelopment of the former Towerlands equestrian and events complex at Bocking on the outskirts of Braintree, along with two sites at Elsenham in north Essex and another located at Buntingford in Hertfordshire. We have a fantastic land supply pipeline and are extremely confident that John and the new Eastern team will achieve the company’s plan to deliver around 500 new homes in the region each year within five years.” Towerlands Park will be one of Dandara’s largest projects, with 575 two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, plus schools, shops and community facilities, built on the site of a former events venue, golf course and equestrian centre. The local area is highly desirable for both commuters and families. Braintree Station is just over two miles away, with services to Liverpool Street in around an hour, while shoppers can enjoy both the traditional high street stores and the designer outlet at Braintree Village with its wide range of famous names. The development will have its own nursery school, and a primary school is also planned. All homes will have gardens and garages or off-road parking, plus a high specification and finish throughout. Meanwhile, at Elsenham in north Essex, near Bishops Stortford, Dandara Eastern will have two new smaller developments available next year – Millers View and The Bower, both of which will feature a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes and are within a 15-minute walk from the station with services to Liverpool Street in less than an hour. Schools and local shops at the centre of this pretty village are also a short stroll away. For more information visit www.dandara.com
Hörmann UK have announced the launch of a new, thermally efficient telescopic dock leveller the HTL2 ISO which provides up to 55% improved thermal insulation when compared to a standard dock leveller in both closed and loading positions. Used in conjunction with their new slimline recess profiled sectional door it offers operators of temperature-controlled facilities the most energy efficient dock leveller and door combination on the market. Pre-assembled with a 50mm insulation panel fitted below the platform, the HTL2 ISO also offers a unique, patent pending insulated panel under the moving lip. The lip features a 390mm overlap length which ensures easy bridging of the gap between the leveller and lorry, offering flexible loading options whilst maintaining ambient temperatures. All grooves, gap seals and vertical edges are optimally sealed to ensure that no heat transference is possible at these points. The HTL2 ISO is available in standard sizes up to 3000mm in length and has a standard rated load of 60 kN. The Hörmann new slimline recess profiled sectional door is equipped with a suspended bottom section making it suitable for loading bays with door operation in front of the dock leveller. When in the closed position the bottom seal of the door rests on the insulated panel of the dock leveller, ensuring consistent thermal insulation. Optimum sealing is achieved with the door being raised and lowered via a guide channel and a central sealing unit. Phil Thorpe, Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK comments, “The introduction of the HTL2 ISO dock leveller, along with the new slimline recess profiled sectional door means we now can offer developers and operators a market beating combination of Hörmann quality and reliability, together with excellent thermal insulation properties. Once again, Hörmann have responded to changing operational needs and developed products that are unique to the market, we can proudly say ‘only from Hörmann’.” To view information of Hörmann loading technology visit Loading Technology from Hörmann UK (hormann.co.uk) or call 01530 516868 to be added to our mailing list.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has caused challenges for many industries, it is also true that there has never been a higher demand for construction. New developments, properties, and commercial buildings are being scheduled for creation constantly, meaning that the construction industry needs an influx of skilled workers. The fact is that many roles in construction are in huge demand. Some of this is down to a lack of qualified professionals, while for others it may simply be that the workforce generally is unaware of the need for more staff taking on these roles. Here we take a look at six construction careers that are in high demand. 1. Plumbers All buildings need plumbing systems and getting this work carried out effectively is a hugely important aspect of a successful construction. The average wage for a plumber in the UK is over £35,000 – well above the national average. And those who get a reputation for skilled work during construction projects can command far more. Of course it is important to note that you will need the right qualifications and experience. Indeed, many plumbers tend to prefer work in residential properties so this role might not be perfect for you, even if you are a fully qualified plumber. 2. Electricians Like plumbers, electricians are generally in high demand, so perhaps it is not a surprise that more are needed for construction projects too. Once again, becoming an electrician takes a great deal of training as well as working experience – understandably, there are also a large number of potential career paths for electricians. So many systems across a building rely on electricity that this is an absolutely enormous job and one that it is necessary to get exactly right. Due to this responsibility, electricians on construction sites demand high salaries. 3. HGV drivers It is worth remembering that not all construction careers mean that you have to work at a construction site. A great deal of key work relating to construction projects actually happens well away from the sites, while others like HGV drivers only spend a short amount of time there. Effective and efficient logistics are essential, and there have been falling numbers of skilled and qualified drivers. Recent years have seen a renewed focus on training HGV drivers taking into account the changing needs of the industry and the opportunities surrounding working with the construction sector. It is hoped that this will start to bring in those with the required skills and moving good to and from sites efficiently and effectively is a huge hurden on sites. 4. Construction managers Another great example of those who may not spend all of their time at a construction site, but play an absolutely vital role is that of construction project managers. Great project managers are needed for a huge range of responsibilities in the smooth running of a project, and experienced, skilled managers are in high demand. The skills required of construction managers are actually transferable from a range of other industries, which could indicate the demand could potentially be filled by those looking for a change of scenery. The work typically involves everything from the hiring of workers and securing of permits to resolving site issues and tracking productivity. 5. Carpenters Carpenters are essential workers on construction projects. Responsible for creating the frame work for much of the building they take a role in the construction of the most crucial elements of building infrastructure: floors, ceilings, windows, doors and more. Carpenters on construction sites need to have the ability to work closely with other members of the team when bringing the project together. Experienced and skilled carpenters earn well too with a possible salary of around £40,000 at the top end of the profession. 6. Civil engineers Sometimes overlooked for their importance in a construction project, civil engineers are tasked with some of the most laborious and challenging jobs on the site. Civil engineers are qualified professionals who take on the projects relating to civil works around the site – this might involve alterations to roads, bridges and anything else used by the general public. Final thoughts A number of roles across the construction sector need more professionals to fill vacancies. With changes to the employment market due to the pandemic it may be the case that many workers who didn’t realise that they could be a part of the industry could find their dream job.
