For nearly 40 years, Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd has run a successful family business and become one of the largest companies in the whole of Gloucestershire. Operated by two generations of the Smith family, the company offers a wide range of services to the Construction industry. The business is rapidly gaining
Heras has launched the next generation of perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDSs) to provide even greater levels of perimeter protection, for use at sites with specific security and perimeter protection requirements – such as warehouses and distribution centres with high value stockholding. The company – which is one of Europe’s
In collaboration with leading global off-site manufacturer CIMC, Chapman Taylor has developed an innovative and high-quality modular residential format for the UK market. Using volumetric, off-site technology, Chapman Taylor has designed multifamily apartment layouts for CIMC’s patented modular system, which is capable of quickly and flexibly delivering 1-bed, 2-bed and
A landmark 20 storey 100% affordable residential tower in West Ealing, London has been granted approval on Appeal, with the Inspector praising the ‘exemplary design.’ The development – 55 West – will provide 144 affordable apartments, with split level ground floor amenity and communal spaces. 50 of the homes will be London
Oxford University Development, a £4bn joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General Capital, today announces the launch of an international design competition to find a creative, forward-thinking masterplan team for its world-leading £1billion, 190-hectare mixed-use Innovation District at Begbroke Science Park. The winning design team will
Public sector procurement experts LHC London and South East will be hosting a free webinar on 16 November, 10am – 11am about their latest Public Buildings Construction and Infrastructure (PB3) Framework. The £1.6 billion framework will help local authorities, social landlords and other public sector bodies to source contractors for works
Creative consultancy and design studio, NewTerritory, presents a new, human-centric approach to smart technology in the home with the release of “Empathic Technology”: a collection of product concepts that explores how technological objects can be embedded within the domestic space in unconventional, yet meaningful ways. The series of future-focused home
Keepmoat Homes and Salix Homes are combatting the construction skills shortage in the North West with a series of training programmes. The two organisations have worked in partnership, along with Salford City Council, Connexions, Salford City College and Build Salford, to deliver a series of bespoke training programmes designed to
More than a third of the homes at a new development taking shape on a former dairy factory site in Hatfield Peverel have now been sold. Buyers have purchased 39 of the 87 properties for private sale at Bellway’s Hatfield Grove, where the first residents moved in last December. Bellway
For nearly 40 years, Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd has run a successful family business and become one of the largest companies in the whole of Gloucestershire. Operated by two generations of the Smith family, the company offers a wide range of services to the Construction industry. The business is rapidly gaining market share in the Waste Management and Recycling sector and is currently exploring the future of biomass energy. To continue to improve their C&D waste recovery facility and remain competitive, they have recently invested in a new Kiverco C&D static plant to future-proof their business. Commenting on the investment, Ian Watson stated: “We chose Kiverco to deliver our new plant as they have an exceptional reputation for quality and reliability. Our old plant had become unreliable and was not sustainable. Kiverco is the leading C&D plant provider in the UK, and we wanted to invest in the very best of waste separation plants to ensure higher levels of purity and greater throughput for our business to grow. Sustainability is very important to the Smith family, we’re very aware of the strains on our environment, and we see our new asset as an investment for generations to come.” For almost 30 years, Kiverco has been designing, manufacturing, and installing recycling plants for diverse sectors and waste streams including, construction & demolition; commercial and industrial; municipal solid waste; energy from waste; incinerator bottom ash; dry mixed recyclables; RDF/SRF fuel preparation; glass; compost; plastics and fines treatment. Commenting on the new project, Marcus McAlinden from Kiverco stated: “Smiths (Gloucester) Ltd had carried out extensive research over the past few years for a waste processing plant that would increase their throughput tonnages and achieve high levels of purity in their recyclables. Smiths is one of the largest construction and waste management companies in the South West, so equipment reliability and backup were crucial to the decision-making. They required a plant that would be capable of processing a huge quantity of C&D waste and we were able to sit down with them and design a plant that would meet all of their needs. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Smith family and their management team for choosing Kiverco to deliver their new plant, and we look forward to supporting them in any way we can. Kiverco recycling plants are utilised worldwide from the Middle East to North America and across Europe to Australasia – with more than 300 installations in the UK alone. Kiverco is raising the bar on recycling and transforming the value of waste for their customers and the planet. They provide innovative, high-performing waste processing plants, bespoke services, and their skilled workforce is advancing recycling solutions.
Heras has launched the next generation of perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDSs) to provide even greater levels of perimeter protection, for use at sites with specific security and perimeter protection requirements – such as warehouses and distribution centres with high value stockholding. The company – which is one of Europe’s leading end-to-end supplier of permanent and mobile perimeter protection solutions – is building on the first generation of PIDSs with significant innovations that have resulted in a new, simplified portfolio with next-generation capabilities. Its new GeoMic and GeoPoint systems – which both have pro versions – are designed to complement and greatly increase the overall effectiveness of both existing and specified perimeter protection fence and gate lines. PIDSs are usually perimeter fence mounted (but they can also be wall or ceiling mounted) and are installed on the fence fabric to detect any potential intruders attempting to enter the site by climbing over, cutting through or even going under the fence. When an intrusion at the perimeter meets the alarm criteria, PIDSs will transmit an alarm signal directly to an alarm panel and/or integrated software management system (SMS) so that the onsite security team (or designated staff) can verify, and act upon, the alarm in an appropriate and timely manner. Three critical attributes to increase performance Heras has identified three critical attributes that will increase the performance capability of its PIDSs. The first is the improved analyser algorithms to deliver added intelligence and categorisation of threats. The second is the multiple configuration options to match the site situation and reduce false alarms. The third is the improved communication and integration options. These improvements mean that the PIDS performs more accurately, delivers better information and can be used in combination with other security measures. Chief Marketing and Technology Officer Ian Crosby says that the launch of the PIDSs in the UK is part of a strategic, Europe-wide rollout by the company as it brings to market the most advance PIDSs with next-generation capabilities. He added that GeoMic and GeoPoint have been developed specifically for UK sites requiring higher levels of perimeter security, such as secure datacentres or where the nature of a site’s operations may draw protests from the public – such as animal processing for food products. “Listening to customer feedback and that of our own installers and security integrator partners, we have taken advantage of developments in multifunctional components, coding and IP technology to significantly update and simplify our product range,” he said. “For the GeoMic products, we maintain the fantastic performance of our alpha cable and now couple this with updated and upgraded analysers to deliver best-in-class performance for perimeter detection. The brand–new GeoPoint products deliver a step up in technology, offering more flexibility and opening up new opportunities for the detection of intrusion or tampering on the perimeter but also inside it.” GeoMic GeoMic uses a discreet microphonic sensor cable (alpha) that listens for sounds – such as those generated from an intrusion attempt – around the entire perimeter. These sounds are converted into electrical signals that are transmitted to the GeoMic, which analyses the signal and then generates an alarm output, if the signal meets the configured alarm criteria. The GeoMic Pro in addition, has double the sensor range to cover a greater zone area, therefore being more cost-effective and it has twice the amount of monitored inputs and relay outputs so it can integrate with more third-party security equipment. GeoPoint The new GeoPoint sensor system utilises multiple sensors that are distributed along the fence line to detect movement and vibration. These sensors can be set up individually with reference to sensitivity and functionality, dependent on the mounting location. The sensors can be grouped into multiple unique zones around the perimeter. This enables more-accurate visual verification of an intrusion when used in conjunction with video security management. GeoPoint is not limited to fence lines only: it can also be used to bring smart detection to critical assets inside the perimeter. The pro version communicates via an IP network and is completely scalable, which is ideal for large sites and those that may grow and expand in the future.
In collaboration with leading global off-site manufacturer CIMC, Chapman Taylor has developed an innovative and high-quality modular residential format for the UK market. Using volumetric, off-site technology, Chapman Taylor has designed multifamily apartment layouts for CIMC’s patented modular system, which is capable of quickly and flexibly delivering 1-bed, 2-bed and 3-bed apartments within medium to high-rise developments, in accordance with market demand. Chapman Taylor’s Interiors team worked closely with CIMC to create the concept design and full specification for the homes, which fully meet National Space Standards. Alongside the many benefits which arise from using off-site technology such as waste, cost and quality, this product will deliver higher-quality finishes than traditional construction thanks to the precision manufacturing processes undertaken off-site while also delivering attractive commercial savings. The off-site method can help to reduce material waste by between 50% and 90%, compared to traditional construction methods, and the high quality of finishing can lead to much better energy performance, airtightness and long-term resilience, among other sustainability benefits. It is anticipated that carbon reduction will be realised through the consolidation of assembly processes all occurring within a single factory location, as opposed to demanding various materials and suppliers delivering individual components through more traditional vehicular methods on our roads. CIMC recently obtained BOPAS (Build-Offsite Property Assurance Scheme) certification, which allows a New Homes Warranty to be obtained through BLP Insurance. Certified for medium to high rise developments, this accreditation provides developers, funders and operators with the peace of mind that developments built using our residential template can obtain new homes guarantees underwritten by a major insurer as well as allowing residents to obtain a mortgage. The achievement of BOPAS certification illustrates the joint commitment of Chapman Taylor and CIMC to providing a high-quality and sustainable multifamily living solution that will help to tackle the UK’s housing shortage while providing enjoyable places to live across the country.
A landmark 20 storey 100% affordable residential tower in West Ealing, London has been granted approval on Appeal, with the Inspector praising the ‘exemplary design.’ The development – 55 West – will provide 144 affordable apartments, with split level ground floor amenity and communal spaces. 50 of the homes will be London Living Rent and 94 will be Shared Ownership. DMWR Architects was appointed by developer Southern Grove and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing to prepare a detailed Planning Application for the landmark building in a highly sustainable, brownfield location adjacent to West Ealing Crossrail station. Following previous attempts by others for a 26-storey tower, DMWR was asked to put forward a fresh approach. Through intelligent and efficient planning, a significantly lower design was conceived, losing seven storeys but only five residential units. The design evolved through detailed consultation process with the local community, London Borough of Ealing and the GLA. Jeff Stokes, Director of DMWR Architects said, “We are extremely pleased that the planning inspector has overturned the original decision and granted permission for this much needed 100% affordable residential development. We have worked closely with Southern Grove and MTVH over a two-year period, developing a design concept, which has involved through extensive consultation and has led to the Inspector describing the scheme as ‘’an exemplary piece of design that would make a positive contribution to the area.” The conclusion of the report stated: “The proposal would deliver one hundred and forty-four units of much needed affordable housing in a tall building of exemplary design that would have no harmful impact on the character or appearance of the area, or the setting and thereby the significance of heritage assets. On that basis, it would optimise rather than maximise the use of the site.” Tom Slingsby, CEO of Southern Grove, said: “We couldn’t be happier with the design of 55 West.” “In a world where developments often look identical, 55 West has character, texture and personality in abundance. It really raises the bar for affordable housing everywhere and just shows that it can be accessible and aspirational all at the same time, with no compromise. If considered design like this is viable in London on a fully affordable scheme, there’s no excuse for any developer to create mundane and uninspirational architecture anywhere in the country.” Horizontal and vertical banding was used in the design to create a layered and distinctive, elegant form while a robust pallet of three brick shades articulate different elements within the façade, including a darker brick ‘shadow gap’ to separate the tower and shoulder buildings. Both winter gardens and balconies were placed on the extremities of the floorplates to reduce the building’s silhouette and make the most of the views across London. The scheme also benefits from large rooftop amenity and various carbon reducing initiatives, exceeding GLA requirements. Work is expected to start on site in early 2022. For further information about DMWR Architects please visit https://www.dmwr.co.uk
Oxford University Development, a £4bn joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General Capital, today announces the launch of an international design competition to find a creative, forward-thinking masterplan team for its world-leading £1billion, 190-hectare mixed-use Innovation District at Begbroke Science Park. The winning design team will set the bold ambition and design intent for a project that will transform the area around the University’s Begbroke Science Park, to the north of Oxford. The project will also create a community of up to 2,000 quality homes, with new schools, public park and nature reserve. OUD’s aspiration is to create a boundary-pushing scheme that demonstrably achieves a step-change in sustainable design, delivery, and operation. The new district will seek to attract the very best minds, while driving economic growth, improving transport connections, delivering benefits for local people, as well as enhancing the surrounding natural landscape. The site will provide an exemplary new setting for the University’s world-leading science and innovation, which will help address key global challenges facing humanity – from food security and biodiversity to climate change and the urgent need to move to a zero-carbon economy. The competition invites interest from international, UK-based and local teams, encouraging large, established practices to join forces with individuals or emerging practices – to provide new perspectives on how to develop the area to its full potential. The competition is being managed by Colander Associates, who have created a hashtag, #OUDcompetition, for firms to find each other online. The winning team will be expected to offer both gravitas and experience alongside fresh thinking and radical ideas. The regeneration programme will be multi-phased. The first phase of the scheme will bring forward new facilities for the University’s research and development, as well as providing space to incubate spin-out companies. Anna Strongman, CEO, Oxford University Development, said: “We’re looking for a stellar team to design a masterplan that both responds to Oxford’s housing needs and propels the economic attraction of the new centre as a place to live, work, and foster innovation and enterprise. We want to bring together the best minds in the industry, to work with us, Cherwell District Council, and our local communities to create a masterplan of global significance.” Dr David Prout, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning and Resources) at the University of Oxford, added: “For nearly two decades, the University’s Science Park at Begbroke has been home to a wide range of research and development activities across our Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences departments, playing a vital role in contributing to the wider local, regional, and national economy. Oxford University is and will remain the freeholder of the majority of the land, and its strategic goal is to create an exemplary new community that the University and local residents can be proud of – a world-leading Innovation District with sustainability at its heart.” Laura Mason, CEO of Legal & General Capital: “Science, engineering and innovation have never been more important, and new schemes like Begbroke will help ensure UK universities continue to be world-leading. We are helping realise their potential by investing in much needed science infrastructure, which can incubate the great talent and innovative spin-outs which come from these first class institutions. In addition to Begbroke, Legal & General has brought forward projects, in partnership with world-leading universities, worth £2bn this year alone.” The ambition is anchored by Cherwell District Council’s Local Plan Partial Review, which has identified the site for a high-quality mixed-use development, comprising a range of research & development, residential, and associated social and physical infrastructure uses, such as schools, local centres, amenity space and recreation/leisure uses, as well as excellent connectivity to the City of Oxford by sustainable means. Aspiring entrants should visit www.colander.co.uk/architectural-competitions for more information on the criteria, and are asked to submit Stage 1 submissions by Friday 3 December 2021.
Public sector procurement experts LHC London and South East will be hosting a free webinar on 16 November, 10am – 11am about their latest Public Buildings Construction and Infrastructure (PB3) Framework. The £1.6 billion framework will help local authorities, social landlords and other public sector bodies to source contractors for works relating to the construction and refurbishment of educational, health care, emergency service and community buildings. It can also be used for residential properties within mixed-use developments, student accommodation, conversion of commercial building for residential use, and can include associated infrastructure works. Attendees to the webinar will learn everything they need to know to get the full benefit from the framework. They will have the chance to speak to LHC’s technical experts and get first-hand insight on the scope of the framework, its currently appointed contractors, technical evaluation, tender call-off procedures, and most importantly, how to access it. There will also be an opportunity at the end of the presentation for a Q&A session where attendees will be able to put forward any questions to the London and South East panel. Worth up to £750 million in England, PB3 has awarded places to forty-seven contractors. It replaces the previous Schools and Community Buildings framework, which has been updated and expanded to build on its success. It now offers a wider selection of construction contractors and will be able to assist even more public sector building projects through its four workstreams and value bands lots. Ethan James, acting regional manager at LHC London and South East said: “The launch of our Public Buildings Construction and Infrastructure framework couldn’t come at a more crucial time as the built environment faces the urgent challenges brought about by the energy and climate crisis, and the need to produce increasingly low carbon and efficient buildings. “The Government’s Autumn Budget announced an £11.5bn investment in affordable homes, and £3.9bn to aid in the decarbonisation of UK buildings, and we’re ready to support this plan with PB3 being the latest of our frameworks to make it easier to achieve low energy and zero carbon buildings. “We hope to see lots of new and familiar faces at our launch webinar this month, and I look forward to sharing all the details, answering questions, and helping local authorities and public sector workers to deliver efficient, cost-effective and zero carbon projects in their communities.” Sign up to the free PB3 framework webinar taking place on 16 November 2021, 10am – 11am by registering on the link: https://bit.ly/3EHOYXX For more information on PB3 and LHC’s other frameworks, visit the website: www.lhc.gov.uk/
Creative consultancy and design studio, NewTerritory, presents a new, human-centric approach to smart technology in the home with the release of “Empathic Technology”: a collection of product concepts that explores how technological objects can be embedded within the domestic space in unconventional, yet meaningful ways. The series of future-focused home and wellbeing devices and architectural fixings is a response to the ever-evolving notion of “home”, which has become increasingly multifunctional, whilst remaining a private temple for our physical and mental health. Split between three different categories, namely Connect, Sense, and Enhance, the concepts sensitively combine emerging technologies with sophisticated design to unveil innovative forms to help us connect, sense our needs and enhance our living environment. NewTerritory’s three Empathic Technology concepts are: Connect – Connect features a central connective router tray with dispersible elements, (i.e. omnidirectional speaker and wifi booster) migrating throughout the home to provide network connection, power & sound, allowing users to more easily communicate with one another, empowering the new realities of domestic experience. Sense – Sense is a set of monitoring devices that integrate into the home to generate data and build a richer picture of our physical and mental needs. It includes a switch, a pendant, and a surface that monitor people and place through sonics, atmospherics, visual references, touch and sound. Enhance – Enhance is a class of devices that act on sensed data, transforming and enhancing our living environments discretely and in line with deep observation and analysis of our human needs. It revolves around an architecturally integrated smart window frame that has sensors and active filtering technologies embedded within it to filter particulates and pollutants and actively cancel disruptive noise and light. NewTerritory suggests that all objects could be connected to one another and controlled via a digital platform, helping users see real time visualisations of their private data and the enhancements that connected products are making to the home and their personal wellbeing. The thoughtfulness element of the concepts is translated in the material philosophy proposed by NewTerritory, expressed in three principles of empathic technology, Living Cycle, Aesthetic of Purpose, and Humane Touch. Living Cycle – Acknowledges, respects and utilises natural cycles of growth, use and decay, to inform a palette of natural or reclaimed materials. Aesthetic of Purpose – Celebrates the inherent surface qualities of materials which use a reclaimed feedstock. Humane Touch – A humane palette with a nuance of character and haptic qualities, satisfying our need for surfaces with integrity. With this concept, NewTerritory hopes to push a new agenda around the look and feel of future intuitive technology, considering how houses can be further enabled by different implications of devices and materials.
Keepmoat Homes and Salix Homes are combatting the construction skills shortage in the North West with a series of training programmes. The two organisations have worked in partnership, along with Salford City Council, Connexions, Salford City College and Build Salford, to deliver a series of bespoke training programmes designed to give young people an introduction into the construction industry. In total, over 30 young people in the area have undertaken the programme across four years. The programme is designed to enable students with an interest in the construction industry to deliver real work outcomes. The course not only developed their skills in construction, but it also helped them choose the right career path, develop their employability skills and ensure they progressed into further education, employment or training. “Our bespoke training programmes, tailored towards young people living in Salford, have been a huge success in raising young people’s aspirations and giving them a direction for their careers. All the participants gained a great deal of experience and confidence to start their working life, and it’s great to see so many moving onto employment, training or further education,” said Gareth Roberts, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes. “At the start of the programme this year some of the students thought they knew exactly which trade they wanted to progress into but after trying it first-hand, realised it wasn’t the trade for them. We wish them all the very best in their future careers.” During the six-week course, the students undertook a series of professional training and workshops, including taster sessions in a variety of trades such as joinery, plastering, tiling and bricklaying, along with site visits at Keepmoat’s Riverbank View development. This has provided an opportunity to work alongside skilled employees and contractors, along with resilience sessions to improve their ability to cope with adversity and help them to adapt to change more effectively. This year, seven 16-years olds signed up and completed the programme, with two going onto an electrical course, two to a brick laying course, two to a plastering course and one to a plumbing course. The work is part of Keepmoat’s ongoing commitment as part of its Riverbank View development in Salford. The new development will bring over 425-much needed homes to the area, along with a new park which will be available for all the community to use. “Salix Homes is committed to supporting young people in our communities with opportunities to learn new skills and gain valuable experience, which will help them to build themselves a bright future. This construction programme is a huge success story for Salford, transforming the lives of young people, helping to create the workforce of the future and proving just what can be achieved when partners work together,” added Sian Grant, Executive Director of Operations at housing association Salix Homes. “Young people have been hit hard by the impact of the pandemic, so it’s more important than ever that we continue to provide these sorts of opportunities to give young people the best chance to secure meaningful employment and get their careers on track.”
More than a third of the homes at a new development taking shape on a former dairy factory site in Hatfield Peverel have now been sold. Buyers have purchased 39 of the 87 properties for private sale at Bellway’s Hatfield Grove, where the first residents moved in last December. Bellway is building a total of 145 homes at the development, including 58 for affordable rent or shared ownership. Construction work has now been completed on 40 of the homes – just over a quarter of all properties being delivered on the site off Station Road, which was occupied by the Arla Dairy factory until its closure in 2016. “This new development is proving extremely popular with lots of people. The location of Hatfield Grove is particularly attractive to local buyers and it’s clear to see that a solid community is developing. Having Hatfield Peverel railway station right on the doorstep is a huge draw for London commuters. However, the village itself has much to offer, with a primary school, shops, pubs, and eateries all within a short walk of the development. This combination is ideal for those who lead a busy working life and want to go home to relax in a peaceful and welcoming village setting,” said Jenny Walker, Sales Director at Bellway Essex. “Developments situated close to railway stations can often be dominated by apartments aimed predominantly towards commuters. Hatfield Grove features a wide range of housing which has also attracted families and downsizers, helping to create a strong sense of community.” The homes at Hatfield Grove feature a range of detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses, as well as a bungalow and a selection of two-bedroom coach houses. All properties at the development are from the Artisan Collection, Bellway’s flagship range of house types which showcases the best in contemporary home design and flexible living spaces. A selection of two, three and four-bedroom homes are currently available, with prices starting from £340,995.
