Housing and regeneration specialist – Vistry Partnerships North East – is developing a reputation for projects in the care sector. Working with a number of major housing providers – and one of the region’s councils – the company will soon have six projects in development, from Teesside to Tyneside, with
But flexibility of the renewable heat solution is key, not just efficiency, says Kensa Heat Pumps New commitments to reduce CO2 emissions from homes by up to 30 percent over current standards has been welcomed by the UK’s leading supplier of ground source heat pumps, and UK-based manufacturer, Kensa Heat
Midas Construction has been appointed to build a new warehouse and GB headquarters for leading global power tools company STIHL. The project in will see the creation of a new 11,285m2 purpose-designed facility off the A331 in Camberley, Surrey. The investment follows a period of sustained growth for STIHL GB
THE developer behind a sustainable neighbourhood of 88 low-energy homes has been inundated with enquiries from potential buyers after the first batch of plots went on sale. Stonewood Partnerships has opened its sales office at Orchard Field in Siddington, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, for homebuyers to book appointments, which are
Platform Housing Group has completed the acquisition of its largest land-led deal to date following the exchange of contracts for a site in Gloucestershire. The development will deliver around 270 new homes and is the seventh phase of the overall Perybrook development that has an outline consent for 1,500 homes.
Is your construction business slowing down because of many reasons? If you think that marketing strategy is not up to par And it is failing your business big-time, it is time to go back to the basics. The truth is that direct marketing can still work wonders in this age
European Union’s smallest member state is on the verge of becoming the first on the continent to allow adults to grow and possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use. On Tuesday, members of the parliament voted on the proposal, and the president is expected to sign it into law
As with other states and counties, a person arrested for a crime in Texas is often taken to the local county jail. There, the defendant will spend time waiting for a meeting with the judge, who will set a bail amount for the defendant’s temporary release. While the court acknowledges
Housing and regeneration specialist – Vistry Partnerships North East – is developing a reputation for projects in the care sector. Working with a number of major housing providers – and one of the region’s councils – the company will soon have six projects in development, from Teesside to Tyneside, with a combined investment value of almost £60 million They will deliver over 400 homes, specifically designed for the over 55’s, those with age related care needs and younger people requiring supported living arrangements. New deals include a project with Beyond Housing for a 75 unit scheme, including an extra care facility, with specialist housing, flats and bungalows at Redcar. Planning consent was also recently granted for a Gateshead Council initiative for 44 homes at Wrekenton, comprising bungalows, apartments and two and three bedroomed homes. Construction is expected to be underway by summer. Nearing completion are a community wellbeing project at Lobley Hill, Gateshead, with Home Group, which will deliver 83 homes for residents requiring a broad range of support – including people with dementia – and two developments with Housing 21 – a 64 one and two bedroomed apartment complex at Tynemouth and a 71 unit scheme at Peterlee. Completing the portfolio is a three storey building, comprising 72 apartments for affordable rent at Penshaw. There would also be communal facilities including a shared lounge and an enclosed walled garden for the residents to use. Sean Egan, Managing Director with Vistry Partnerships North East, said: “Through our successful partnerships with the region’s housing associations and local authorities, we are ensuring that we are delivering modern, purpose built homes for those most in need across the North East. “These six projects are a perfect example of how construction can help build communities and not just homes, by creating specialist accommodation that will stand the test of time, whilst stimulating local economies through investment in jobs, training and suppliers. “Rather than simply being a contractor bidding for work, we are working with housing associations to create exciting opportunities driven and created by our land and development skills. We devise housing solutions which specifically meet local needs and fit the criteria of the housing organisations. We then mange the process from planning to delivery, so that during construction any new ideas, innovations and efficiencies can be adopted, benefitting the housing association, local community and ultimately the residents.” Debbie Hope, Head of Development at Housing 21 added: “Housing 21 is a leading not for profit provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care properties. As a registered provider, we are one of the largest developers of specialist housing for people over the age of 55, and the largest provider of Extra Care housing in England. “Through successful partnerships such as with Vistry, we are able to provide high quality housing and care for older people of modest means. The partnership with ourselves and Vistry has been very successful and both schemes, Poppy Dene in Peterlee and Clifford Mews in Tynemouth, will be delivered within budget. We very much hope to work with Vistry again in the near future.”
But flexibility of the renewable heat solution is key, not just efficiency, says Kensa Heat Pumps New commitments to reduce CO2 emissions from homes by up to 30 percent over current standards has been welcomed by the UK’s leading supplier of ground source heat pumps, and UK-based manufacturer, Kensa Heat Pumps. Coinciding with the manufacture of it’s 10,000th heat pump, the Cornish-based company calls for the revised Building Regulations standards for newbuild homes, due to be brought in from June 2022, to be a catalyst for flexibility to be viewed as a key factor when assessing renewable energy solutions rather than efficiency alone, and hopes for Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) ratings to reflect this following the Part L and F revisions to the regulations. Simon Lomax, CEO of the Kensa Group explains: “We welcome the launch of the latest Part L standards which will encourage more housebuilders to consider low carbon heating choices. We remain convinced that our solution – small ground source heat pumps in each dwelling, linked to a communal ground array – provides the best outcomes for the house builder, house purchaser, environment, and electricity system especially as our ‘split ownership’ model divorces the cost of the ground array from the housebuilder. To support deployment, it is vital that SAP can accurately assess the performance of emerging system architectures and technologies. Many ground arrays can utilise waste heat to bolster the source temperature to improve efficiency and reduce running costs and carbon emissions. This advantage must be reflected in SAP. Equally, the most appealing solutions, for house builders and house owners, will be heat pumps integrated with heat batteries to maximise the ability of the heat pump to operate when electricity is both low cost and low carbon. Pure efficiency is no longer the key metric: flexibility is more important to deliver the best outcomes for all stakeholders.” Kensa’s ‘split ownership’ model is currently being demonstrated through an ERDF funded scheme in Cornwall called Heat The Streets, featuring street-by-street ground source heat pump deployment delivered by Kensa Utilities. Kensa Utilities, and other entities, will fund, own and maintain the underground infrastructure in return for a small standing charge levied on each connected property. Simon says, “the superior efficiency, flexibility, reliability, and durability of a ground source heat pump will ensure total running costs and ownership costs fall below those of an air source heat pump.” Kensa’s Green Streets augmented reality experience, premiered at COP26 and modelled on the real ‘Green Street’ in Glasgow, demonstrates how a 30% reduction in carbon emissions in new builds along with the decarbonisation of heat in existing homes and business can be achieved, and the flexibility the technology brings to the electricity grid, whilst lowering environmental and societal costs. Visit Green Street here.
Midas Construction has been appointed to build a new warehouse and GB headquarters for leading global power tools company STIHL. The project in will see the creation of a new 11,285m2 purpose-designed facility off the A331 in Camberley, Surrey. The investment follows a period of sustained growth for STIHL GB and will allow the business and its local workforce of 95 employees to move from their existing premises nearby in the Yorktown area of Camberley which the company has now outgrown. The Southampton-based Southern Division of Midas Construction, part of the Midas Group, is expected to begin preparatory work on site in December 2021. The project will deliver an automated industrial warehouse for storage of machines and spares with ancillary office and workshop space, as well as a retail display area and staff facilities such as canteen. New road access will be constructed from the A331 into the site, together with associated parking, earthworks and landscaping. Steve Lee, Director of Midas Construction’s Southern Division, said: “We are delighted to be working with STIHL GB and to have been entrusted to deliver this important project for the company. “As well as being a high-profile international brand, STIHL has been an important local employer in Surrey for the last four decades and we are pleased to be playing a role in this major investment by STIHL which secures its future in the area and will allow the business to continue to thrive and grow.” Kay Green, Managing Director of STIHL GB, commented: “Our new purpose-built headquarters represents a significant capital investment and is a commitment to the future for our local workforce. This cutting edge facility will allow us to plan for many years of future growth which will continue to benefit the local economy. We are looking forward to working with Midas Construction on this vital project.” The new building has been designed by architects Hale to combine contemporary materials with crisp, modern and simple detailing, creating a high-quality appearance. Extensive landscaping will include habitat creation and significant tree, native shrub and wildflower planting. The first stage of works will see Midas Construction carry out site clearance and levelling of the former Thames Water Utilities site, in readiness for a start on the main build project in February 2022. The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2022.
THE developer behind a sustainable neighbourhood of 88 low-energy homes has been inundated with enquiries from potential buyers after the first batch of plots went on sale. Stonewood Partnerships has opened its sales office at Orchard Field in Siddington, near Cirencester in Gloucestershire, for homebuyers to book appointments, which are available Monday to Saturday, so they can view in safety. “We have a fly-through video of the development to showcase what the homes will look like,” said marketing manager Jasmine Endersby. “We can also arrange plot visits when pre-booked to give our customers a feel for the beautiful views around the site and the space throughout the neighbourhood.” A range of three and four bedroom homes have been released for reservation with move-in dates estimated for next summer, with further two and five bedroom homes being released in the near future. Each Cotswold stone, red brick or rendered home on the development has been designed to meet stringent Association for Environment Conscious Building standards that demand excellent construction and low energy consumption. They have been built on a ‘fabric first’ principle – with their fundamental design aimed at making them as airtight as possible. Solar panels are embedded into the slate roof, 45cm thick walls are filled with eco-friendly insulation so the draught-free airtight interiors allow the energy-efficient heating system to cut bills by up to 70 per cent compared to standard new-built houses. The woodland-bordered site is 35 acres in total but just 11 acres will be developed. Hundreds of trees will be planted across the community, beginning with an orchard to the west of the development and dozens more lining the parkland road into Orchard Field. Two new ponds have already been built on a two-acre nature reserve away from the homes to provide a haven for Great Crested Newts, birds and other wildlife. A new dropping off point will be created for parents bringing children to nearby Siddington C of E Primary School. The new community is expected to provide at least 30 new pupils. Ms Endersby said: “We have been overwhelmed by the interest in the scheme and have made five reservations in our first week. We think we’ve had such high interest because it’s a really special development with high sustainability credentials, coupled with the design and build quality of a Stonewood home. “Cirencester’s location at the gateway to the Cotswolds makes it such a desirable place to live and we are so fortunate to be able to offer such beautiful homes all surrounded by meadows and a chance to really be part of a community. It’s something the whole team here is passionate about.” Work on the site is well under way with the homes’ revolutionary airtight wooden frames being craned into place. The frames are sealed together to form the floors, walls and roof, which not only makes the house better insulated but quicker to produce. “They effectively leave a dry shell for us to put the masonry around the outside and then fit out the inside,” said Stonewood Partnerships managing director Sam Smart. “It takes a week to erect a pair of houses when normally it would take four to six weeks. It allows us to start working inside straight away, which makes it a much quicker and cleaner process.” Ms Endersby said an increasing interest in sustainability and rising energy prices have also fuelled interest in the development. “I think people are really conscious of the environmental impact now so people are really keen to learn more about the building standards we are working to,” she said. “People have been really interested in the attention to detail we put into the energy-saving design, such as thicker walls, triple glazing, small bore pipes to reduce loss and the air source heat pumps. They are very energy-efficient but they are also beautiful.” To book an appointment to view the homes available at Orchard Field 01454 809780 or email orchardfield@stonewoodpartnerships.co.uk. Find out more about Stonewood Partnerships at stonewoodpartnerships.co.uk.
Platform Housing Group has completed the acquisition of its largest land-led deal to date following the exchange of contracts for a site in Gloucestershire. The development will deliver around 270 new homes and is the seventh phase of the overall Perybrook development that has an outline consent for 1,500 homes. The proposed scheme will feature a range of tenures for customers including rent, affordable home ownership and outright sale. Platform’s Executive Director of Growth and Development Gerraint Oakley said, “This is our first significant land acquisition of this size and highlights our ambition to develop a sustainable land pipeline as we work towards our target of providing 2,000 homes a year.” “Providing affordable homes in this way gives our customers even greater piece of mind about the product we’ll deliver. I’d like to thank all our partners that have worked so hard to get us to this point and I look forward to continuing those relationships when we start on site.” The group worked alongside agents Carter Jonas and Bruton Knowles who acted for the sellers, as well as key consultant team Shakespeare Martineau, plus Clarkebond, Pad Design, Fellows Construction Consultants, Ridge & Partners LLP and Utilities Connection Management Ltd. Michael Baggett, Regional Head of Land said, “This is an extremely exciting time for the Group, we are looking forward to progressing the planning for this site and providing much needed new homes to the area. In addition to our project team, I would also like to thank the Housing Strategy and Enabling Team at Tewkesbury Borough Council and Bryn Howells in particular, for the advice and support given on this site to date. We are actively seeking further land opportunities of similar size and nature in Gloucestershire and across Central England, with or without planning permission.” The group are anticipating a reserve matters submission in early 2022 with an estimated start on site later in the same year.
Is your construction business slowing down because of many reasons? If you think that marketing strategy is not up to par And it is failing your business big-time, it is time to go back to the basics. The truth is that direct marketing can still work wonders in this age where people depend on the internet for almost everything. How Direct Marketing Can Work? Using an envelope supplier, you can start with direct marketing for your construction business. Email addresses are flooded with spam and most people do not read all the emails they get. But direct mailing can work a lot when it is done properly. Sending your business materials by mail can do a lot for your business. Ways To Make It Work For Construction Businesses People Want Quality When it comes to construction work they want to get done, most people want quality every step of the way. And it all starts with how you reach out to customers for the first time. With quality customized envelopes you can get your company logo embossed and then use it to send the marketing materials by direct mail. This will ensure that customers understand that your business is all about quality. It also is important that customers who want to buy luxury homes see the quality you offer them. Remain Local Another reason why direct marketing works so well for construction businesses is that it helps you stay as local as possible. Emails and online methods of marketing may be effective, but they can take away that ‘’local;’’ feeling that most people want when they are dealing with a service provider. Make sure that your construction company gets the best of the local market by remaining local. Address your customers by direct mail so that they know that you are an essentially local company. Use High-Quality Envelopes Direct mail does not always work. However, if you do it correctly, it can work very well. Use high-quality envelopes that are customized for your construction business. Hire a reputed envelope printing agency for the job so that you get envelopes that will speak up for your business. Strong Promotional Material For your marketing to work, the promotional material that your company writes up should be strong, clear and concise. This is super essential because unless the material is good, it is not going to show your business in a positive light. So make the effort to come up with great promotional material. Get Involved In Community Affairs To promote your construction business, it is a good idea to become involved in community matters. Whether you are a business owner that builds houses or does renovation work for existing houses, getting involved in local affairs will help people get to notice you. For this, you may have to spend some money making donations to local charities but it will be money well spent. To Conclude Choose your marketing strategy well and make sure you keep in mind that what people want most is the feeling of connection. Your business should be able to provide just that.
European Union’s smallest member state is on the verge of becoming the first on the continent to allow adults to grow and possess small quantities of cannabis for personal use. On Tuesday, members of the parliament voted on the proposal, and the president is expected to sign it into law by weekend. Not For Profit The language of the bill allows anyone aged 18 years or older to grow up to 4 plants from cannabis seeds at their place of residence. It will be also legal to store at home up to 50 grams of finished product. As for public possession, the rules are going to be much stricter—you’ll be allowed to carry only 7 grams of dried flowers on your person. Personal cultivation will not be the only legal way to obtain the substance. The proponents of the initiative did their best to come up with a working system of legal distribution. It will be similar to that of Spain where there are numerous associations of smokers providing their members with cannabis. It should be noted that in Spain these associations, also known as cannabis social clubs, have quickly morphed into a kind of cafes, virtually open to everybody, including tourists. The Maltese government obviously hopes to maintain stricter control and not let social clubs turn into for-profit businesses. According to the law, the members of a club will have a right to obtain up to 7 grams at a time but no more than 50 grams per month. Some members of the club will be charged with growing the needed amount of cannabis for other members. Opposition Was Fierce While in many other countries and states that have legalized marijuana or only think about it the economic incentives play major role, authors of the legalization bill in Malta have always stressed that it wasn’t about the money. Instead, they have been touting the harm-reduction argument. Owen Bonnici, the country’s minister for equality, research, and innovation, said in an op-ed in the Sunday Times of Malta that the initiative is not meant to promote cannabis culture or the recreational use of the substance. The government is still committed to helping adults make healthier choices. However, legalizing the drug may resolve some issues associated with illegal trafficking. But the opposition wasn’t convinced. Malta’s Nationalist Party voted against the move, drawing on support from medical associations and the church. They complained that their requests to water down the proposal were ignored. Despite the strong opposition, the bill passed in the Parliament with 36 votes in favor and 27 against. Playing Into the Hands of Albanian Mafia? The critics of the new law also express doubts that it will help curb illegal trafficking. If anything, they insist, it can make life easier for organized crime. It is doubtful that any substantial percentage of cannabis users will decide to grow their own supply. On the one hand, it’s relatively simple, and a modern strain of cannabis grown from Gorilla Glue seeds for example can easily bring the 50 grams permitted by the law. On the other, it’s even easier to buy from someone else, and with laxer possession standards, the police will find it much harder to control illegal trafficking. Currently, the black market in Malta is dominated by Albanian gangs that smuggle cannabis through Sicily. They cultivate the plant in remote mountainous regions from Tropoje to Nivica, but have also created a network of grow operations in warehouses throughout Europe. Despite many high-profile busts of drug-trafficking rings in recent years, the police in Malta admit that the majority of illegal shipments find their way into the country. It remains to be seen whether criminal organizations find their place in the cracks of the new legal system or lose their profits and move elsewhere. More Legalization Efforts Expected in EU Next Year With its legalization initiative, Malta has beaten Luxemburg at the post, another tiny European state that wanted to be the first to enact reform. Now, Luxemburg will probably do it in 2022. And, more importantly, the new ruling coalition in Germany has announced its plans to legalize the adult use of cannabis and regulate and tax its sales in the nearest future. When enacted, the proposed law will create the largest legal market in the world, surpassing in size both Canada and California. Switzerland has also announced similar plans for 2022.
As with other states and counties, a person arrested for a crime in Texas is often taken to the local county jail. There, the defendant will spend time waiting for a meeting with the judge, who will set a bail amount for the defendant’s temporary release. While the court acknowledges that there’s no need to keep the accused in jail until proven guilty, the defendant has to provide a bond to regain freedom. Spending jail time can be overwhelming, and family members often don’t know what to do once they are caught up in the situation. Apart from approaching a lawyer, it’s in the defendant’s best interest to seek help from a bail bondsman in Austin, TX, and similar companies. Bail bond companies stand as guarantors before the court, providing the necessary funds needed to release a defendant as soon as possible. If someone you love is facing jail time, it’s imperative to know how bail bonds work and how to handle this legal option properly. Read this guide to help you navigate through the bail bond process with more confidence. 1. Choosing A Reputable Bail Bonds Company The bail bond process starts after an Austin court judge sets the bail amount. Families can choose whether to pay on their own or seek the help of bond companies such as bailbondsbros.com. When working with the latter, families don’t need to worry about paying the bail amount in full. Bail bonds will only ask for a premium, typically anywhere from 10% to 20% of the total amount. This fee isn’t refundable. Additionally, some may ask a defendant to provide collateral to represent the entire cost. These practices are standard in the industry, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked for these things in exchange for jail release. However, some do exploit the bail bonding system to engage in fraudulent transactions. Before committing, families must have due diligence. Visit the company’s office and ask for licenses or certifications. Like other states, cities, and counties, Austin bail bond companies operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 2. Making An Estimate Of The Bail Amount Some states, like Texas, have a bail bond table, where a defendant can check the possible cost of bail. Information may be available on the state sheriff’s official website or you can ask the jail for more information. Generally speaking, bail bonds in Austin are not cheap. As expected, the more serious the charges are, the higher the amount you’re expected to pay. If you’re facing drug possession or trafficking charges, your bail amount will depend on how many illicit drugs were recovered. In some cases, the court may ask you to produce as much as USD$250,000 for a drug trafficking case. Conversely, bail bonds in Austin for misdemeanors, like driving under the influence, can cost anywhere from USD$3,000 to USD$7,500. 3. Understanding How The Bail System Works The court dictates bail bond amounts and the statutes applicable in your area. Texas law stipulates that the court must set the cash bail amount within 24 hours for misdemeanors and other minor offenses and 48 hours for severe offenses, which may include a personal injury lawsuit. Some states have a bail schedule or a list of the pre-set bail amounts for each violation. In some locations, the judge is authorized to set an amount that’s higher or lower than the rate. The magistrate may even refuse bail by looking at the person’s criminal record and risk to the community. Presenting bail bonds before the courts in Austin isn’t a form of payment. Instead, it’s a form of collateral, assuring the court that the defendant will show up during the trial schedules until the case is closed. Once a decision is reached, the court will return your bail amount, less the administrative fees. 4. Knowing Your Options Austin bail bonds can take various forms. Apart from cash and credit card payments, the court may accept a valuable asset as collateral and a surety bond. In some instances, the judge may consider a “release on one’s recognizance.” If you don’t have enough cash, this may be the best option for you. Under this scheme, the court waives the bail amount, so you don’t have to pay for anything for your temporary freedom. The defendant will only have to sign a document assuring a diligent court appearance. This option is entirely up to the judge to decide. While a subjective exercise, magistrates look at critical factors in granting this release option. Factors may include a defendant’s criminal history (or ideally, the lack of it), community and family support, gainful employment, among other social aspects. In cases where the judge rejects a request for own recognizance release, the person in question can request a reduced bail amount. In Conclusion The bail bond system is a legal remedy that an accused person can avail of while the case is ongoing. By securing temporary freedom, the defendant can go on with their lives while waiting for the court’s decision. Following the release, the defendant must comply with all the legal conditions to avoid problems down the road. Failure to do so could forfeit the bail amount and assets used as a surety bond.
