Hull City Council has today published a decision record that confirms that Royal HaskoningDHV has been appointed to provide planning consultancy support for the delivery of the Cruise Hull Yorkshire terminal project. The appointment of the specialist international firm comes following an open tender process in which bids were assessed
Scheme will deliver further 109,250 sq. ft industrial space along with 200 jobs Network Space has appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the £9.5m Phase Two of its Tunstall Arrow scheme after securing unanimous planning approval in the summer. The second phase of the Tunstall Arrow development will provide an additional
Living Space Housing – in conjunction with social housing provider Stonewater – has submitted a Full Planning Application to Malvern Hills District Council for 79 new homes on a 2.7Ha (6.7-acre) complex brownfield site located off Bath Road, south of Worcester. The proposal is for a mixed-tenure housing solution, to
Ibstock plc, a leading UK manufacturer of clay bricks and concrete products, is pleased to announce ambitious new carbon reduction commitments, including a target for the business to be net zero by 2040. Having substantially achieved their existing goal of a 15% reduction in CO2 per tonne of production, the
As part of its ongoing support for the decarbonisation of the electrical industry, Legrand has signed BEAMA’s Climate Commitment to industrial decarbonisation and sustainable product development across the whole electrical industry. The commitment has been made to support electrical industry professionals faced with the challenge of implementing energy efficient and sustainable solutions
Bellway South Midlands has appointed a new land manager as part of an ambitious growth plan across the region. Christy McLean has joined the housebuilder, which has its regional headquarters in Coventry, as the division sets its sights on increasing the number of houses it builds every year from 352
Davidsons Homes South Midlands has already secured over half of its projected sales for 2022 – before the year has even begun. A surge in demand during the second half of this year has seen the Blisworth-based housebuilder not only meet its benchmark for 2021 ahead of schedule but also
A team of Tenancy Gurus at Housing 21 have helped residents save a combined total of over £700k during 2021 as part of the organisation’s Helping Hands initiative. The savings have been made through giving advice across a range of services, including how to access the correct pension and housing
Hull City Council has today published a decision record that confirms that Royal HaskoningDHV has been appointed to provide planning consultancy support for the delivery of the Cruise Hull Yorkshire terminal project. The appointment of the specialist international firm comes following an open tender process in which bids were assessed on a ‘best value’ basis combining both price and quality. As a result of this process, the council will now be able to progress the project in completion of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA), and subsequently submit a planning application in 2022 for the Sammy’s Point site. Councillor Daren Hale, Leader of Hull City Council said: “Hull needs a dedicated cruise facility in the heart of the Old Town so that we can greet cruise passengers with a five-star welcome and an immediate experience of Hull, in addition to the region’s world class visitor attractions. “This could also be a carbon reduction measure, reducing the need for journey to south coast ports. “A new cruise facility would be a huge boost to our plans to increase tourism and create new jobs, therefore this appointment is welcomed.” The proposed design includes Shore-Side Electricity as a carbon reduction measure which allows cruise ship operators to turn off ship engines while in port and rely on more efficient power systems to reduce overall emissions. Work will begin immediately to progress the scheme at a total cost of £ 182,185, running until 2025.
Scheme will deliver further 109,250 sq. ft industrial space along with 200 jobs Network Space has appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the £9.5m Phase Two of its Tunstall Arrow scheme after securing unanimous planning approval in the summer. The second phase of the Tunstall Arrow development will provide an additional 109,250 sq. ft of industrial workspace on the 8-acre plot, bringing an additional 200 jobs to the area. The buildings will be ready for occupation in Autumn 2022. Acquired by Network Space in 2013, the Tunstall Arrow site is a 28-acre former colliery site adjoining the A527 (James Brindley Way) in Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent. The scheme is close to the A500, with access to Junction 16 of the M6 only minutes away. Phase Two comprises of five detached, self-contained, units ranging from 13,000 up to 30,000 sq. ft, bringing the long-term brownfield site back into productive employment use. The transformation will also include significant remediation to address historic coal workings and disused mine shafts. Caddick Construction started on site in November 2021 and will deliver the high-specification business premises for industrial or logistic uses. This follows quickly on from the demand seen for Phase One which opened early in 2019. It is currently fully let to a host of international tenants such as: the Dutch tool and equipment hire company Boels Rental, German global delivery service DHL Express, Australian fleet management company SG Fleet Group. Tunstall Arrow is a priority development for one of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, being one of the six sites in the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone.. The CVEZ is one of 48 enterprise zones across the UK with the potential to create up to 6,700 jobs. The zone covers 3.3 million sq. ft of commercial space across six key sites along the A500 corridor. Simon Peters, Development Director at Network Space, said: “We are delighted to have appointed Caddick Construction and to see work start on site . Phase Two will build on the success of Tunstall Arrow Phase One which has enjoyed full occupancy since opening. It has been particularly popular with international companies seeking a prime business location in the North West. “Logistics and industrial demand continues to be extremely strong across the North West,” he added. “Tunstall Arrow will attract further inward investment and secure hundreds of new jobs for the Stoke-on-Trent.” Ian Threadgold, Managing Director of Caddick Construction (North West) said: “We are delighted to be working again with Network Space on another exciting scheme that brings so many economic benefits to the North West. The team are keen to bring this brownfield site back to life, particularly with the additional challenges posed by the former colliery workings.” Caddick Construction is currently working with Network Space on the £15m Spitfire Court, Triumph Business Park, Speke, which is delivering 12 Grade A industrial units ranging in size from 3,000 to 34,000 sq. ft. This project is due to complete by early 2022. Network Space has been providing industrial workspace and warehousing for almost 40 years and intends to deliver 2.5 million sq. ft of industrial property over the next five years. Tunstall Arrow Phase Two is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022.
Living Space Housing – in conjunction with social housing provider Stonewater – has submitted a Full Planning Application to Malvern Hills District Council for 79 new homes on a 2.7Ha (6.7-acre) complex brownfield site located off Bath Road, south of Worcester. The proposal is for a mixed-tenure housing solution, to meet the needs for affordable housing within the burgeoning cathedral city. Located in Broomhill, on the outskirts of central Worcester, and north of the traditional village of Kempsey, the site – which is the former Aston Coaches depot – is positioned between an access road off Bath Road and the banks of the River Severn. Since the coach and minibus specialist’s move to a more suitable location in Earl’s Croome, the brownfield land is considered suitable for redevelopment. Living Space proposes to demolish a range of buildings to make way for a high-quality residential scheme. The site is within the Worcester South Urban Extension Area and was granted consent for residential use in April 2018. Living Space and Stonewater’s detailed development plans propose terraced and semi-detached two- three- and four-bedroom houses, two-bedroom bungalows, and one-bedroom apartments, catering for single occupancy, couples, and families of varying sizes. The plans also include provision for a minimum 30% of the available land to be dedicated to Public Open Space, creating net biodiversity gains. Chris Loizou, Land and Partnerships Director for Living Space Housing said: “We are very pleased to submit plans for this strategic site in conjunction with Stonewater. This scheme marks our third project with Stonewater in as many years, following on from our mutual successful developments in Malvern and Kidderminster. And, with 79 affordable homes, this project will become Living Space’s largest development to date. “As can be the case with brownfield sites, there are a number of technical complexities to overcome with this type of redevelopment project, which our plans fully address. There is also a public right of way across the land, which will be safeguarded, while the scenic riverside setting will be significantly enhanced. Our project team is looking forward to working alongside Planning Officers, Councillors, and additional consultees while the planning application is being considered.” The site is enclosed to the east and south by established trees and vegetation. A bus stop with three routes to Upton upon Severn and Hanley Castle is located on Bath Road, opposite the site. Approximately 0.3 miles south of the site entrance – a five-minute walk away – is another bus stop, with regular services running to Worcester city centre, ensuring this is a highly sustainable location to develop new affordable housing. Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West and South) for Stonewater said: “There is a chronic shortage of the range of homes that we are proposing, and so this scheme is important to enhance the provision of varying types of affordable housing in Worcester. Whilst working towards our vision of giving everyone the opportunity to have a place that they can call home, as with all our new developments, we’ll also be looking to enhance the public realm and convey a distinctive narrative of place, uncovering histories and nuances of the area, for the whole community to enjoy. “Upon completion, the homes at Bath Road will provide an affordable option for families and individuals looking to rent, or take their first step on the property ladder, helping to meet Worcester’s housing demands.” The public right of way across the site will be unchanged by the new residential development. A green corridor will be created, opening up the land for the enjoyment of the new residents and wider local community. Sustainable urban drainage and new attractive landscape features will have the potential to support a biodiversity of invertebrates, insects, amphibians, birds and small mammals. Designed by Worcester-based DJD Architects, the scheme design is tenure-blind, with local materials proposed to replicate nearby traditional dwellings. A contrast of varying red and buff bricks with grey and terracotta roof tiles defines the design principles. The houses are arranged into pairs of semi-detached homes and small terraces, addressing the new street layout, and creating secure rear gardens. There will also be continuous enclosed active street frontages with good natural surveillance. The house designs are all two storeys high, while the apartments will be situated in blocks of three-storeys. The bungalows are designed to be both accessible and adaptable, to cater for the future residents’ specific needs. A total of 152 parking spaces will be provided for across the scheme, to cater for residents’ use and for visitor parking.
Ibstock plc, a leading UK manufacturer of clay bricks and concrete products, is pleased to announce ambitious new carbon reduction commitments, including a target for the business to be net zero by 2040. Having substantially achieved their existing goal of a 15% reduction in CO2 per tonne of production, the Group has established new, more stretching targets to achieve a 40% reduction by 2030, and a commitment to become net carbon zero by 2040. This ambitious new net zero commitment will cover scope 1 & 2 emissions – including investment in more efficient production processes and in high quality environmental projects to offset residual carbon. A strategy to reduce indirect Scope 3 carbon emissions, which contribute less than 40% of the business impact, will be developed in 2022. These new targets build on the Group’s existing sustainability roadmap commitments, creating a framework of targets and critical milestones at the centre of a new 2030 sustainability strategy. Full details of the new sustainability strategy and net zero journey will be published in March 2022, as part of the Group’s 2021 results announcement. Pledging net zero by 2040 is yet another bold commitment from the Group – following significant announcements throughout 2021 – further demonstrating the Group’s active progress to address climate change and move the business into the low carbon economy. Just some of the 2021 announcements include: The launch of ‘Ibstock Futures’ a new business unit, directly addressing a number of exciting future growth markets – with sustainability and the industrialisation of traditional construction processes gathering pace Investment of over £115m committed to construct two state of the art, net zero factories within the existing footprint at Ibstock’s Atlas and Nostell sites Procurement of 100% of electricity from renewable sources The Group are also proud to have received multiple sustainability awards in reflection of both leadership and progress – following investment in new production capacity at multiple plants across the network over the last 20 years, reducing carbon intensity of the manufacturing process. Joe Hudson, Chief Executive Officer of Ibstock PLC, commented: “Whilst we know we have much more to do, I am delighted that we are making progress on our commitments and are able to announce further carbon reduction targets in such an ambitious timeframe. These new carbon commitments, including our pledge to be net zero by 2040, represent a bold step on our journey to address climate change and move the business into the low carbon economy. I am proud of our colleagues across the business who are driving forward our sustainability agenda and securing its place at the core of our purpose as a business and I look forward to presenting further details on our ambitions and targets in March 2022.’’
As part of its ongoing support for the decarbonisation of the electrical industry, Legrand has signed BEAMA’s Climate Commitment to industrial decarbonisation and sustainable product development across the whole electrical industry. The commitment has been made to support electrical industry professionals faced with the challenge of implementing energy efficient and sustainable solutions in buildings to meet Government targets for net zero emissions by 2050. Crucial to helping contractors and consultants deliver more sustainable buildings, signing this commitment is part of Legrand’s wider aim to drive sustainability across the UK’s electrical installations, as its CEO Pascal Stutz, explains: “As a leading manufacturer of electrical equipment across an entire breadth of buildings, it is our responsibility to support professionals with energy efficient products and expertise across all sectors of construction to achieve sustainability targets. This forms part of our wider mission of improving lives by transforming the spaces where people live, work and meet. “In signing this agreement, we want to show contractors and consultants that we are with them every step of this journey and are a trusted partner when it comes to decarbonising and futureproofing their projects.” Beyond providing the electrical solutions and experts who can help specify and implement technologies, Legrand is also transforming its own operations to be more sustainable. For example, the company upgraded its Consett manufacturing facility using its own energy saving lighting control innovations in conjunction with solar panels to reduce the consumption of operations. Pascal adds: “The work at Consett represents just part of our commitment to creating a more sustainable electrical industry. Not only are we demonstrating how our own technologies can help in the energy efficiency challenge, but we are also creating environments that promote wellbeing for our own people. “Our mission is to improve lives, not only of clients and their end users, but of our own teams of experts who are key in helping customers integrate solutions in their projects. We want our people and the wider industry to be proud to work with us, and signing the BEAMA Commitment is just part of us showing how we can drive this progress forward.”
Bellway South Midlands has appointed a new land manager as part of an ambitious growth plan across the region. Christy McLean has joined the housebuilder, which has its regional headquarters in Coventry, as the division sets its sights on increasing the number of houses it builds every year from 352 to 500. The division is looking for land opportunities throughout Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and West Northamptonshire as it seeks to expand its housebuilding operations. “I am delighted to be joining Bellway which has an enviable reputation as a national housebuilder of high-quality new homes. These are exciting times as the industry, and the country as a whole, starts to bounce back from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Christy, 27, from Solihull. “But these times are particularly exciting at Bellway South Midlands because the division has recently moved to new offices in Coventry and has assembled a new land team to help achieve its growth targets. I have just joined the team while the Land Director Dan Forrester has only been in his role for a while and land graduate Alice Fish has also recently been appointed. “The aim is to expand our operations so that we are increasing the number of houses we build from 352 last year to 500 a year within the next few years. That is an increase of 42 per cent which represents an ambitious target and a real challenge for us as a team.” Christy, who was formerly a land manager at another housebuilder, is looking forward to his new role which will include sourcing land, conducting land appraisals, negotiating land deals and using his knowledge and skills to secure new sites for development. “I spotted the job advert on LinkedIn and thought it was time for me to take a step up in my career,” added Christy. “The first challenge was to get the job which I did and now the next target is to help the land team at Bellway South Midlands grow and hit its annual build numbers.” Bellway South Midlands is currently building new homes at nine sites in Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire and Northamptonshire.
Davidsons Homes South Midlands has already secured over half of its projected sales for 2022 – before the year has even begun. A surge in demand during the second half of this year has seen the Blisworth-based housebuilder not only meet its benchmark for 2021 ahead of schedule but also achieve 56 per cent of its target for next year. With new sales offices due to launch at developments in Meppershall and Biddenham in 2022, the housebuilder is expecting the high demand and strong sales to continue well into the new year. “To be entering a new year with over 50 per cent of our projected sales for the forthcoming 12 months already achieved is completely unprecedented for us as a region. It is a reflection not only of the exceptionally high level of demand for homes in the South Midlands but also our success in meeting the needs of housebuyers whose priorities have shifted markedly since the start of the pandemic. Spacious family homes represent a core part of our product mix, and these have proved particularly popular with people seeking more space due to the rise in homeworking,” said Simon Tyler, Sales Director for Davidsons Homes South Midlands. “Location has also been a key factor in the strong sales rates across our developments. We build in carefully selected locations which offer an attractive setting and enviable quality of life – things which have become even more highly sought after over the past 18 months. “Demand has been especially high towards the back end of the year. We met our 2021 target in November and around half of the forward sales for next year have taken place within the past three months. We therefore expect this momentum to continue well into the new year, so would advise anyone interested in buying a new home with us in 2022 to act quickly to ensure they don’t miss out.” Davidsons Homes South Midlands is currently building and selling new homes at developments in Hanslope in Buckinghamshire, Houlton near Rugby, Meppershall in Bedfordshire, Rushden in Northamptonshire, and Market Harborough in Leicestershire. A sales office and showhome are due to open at the Woodlands Rest development in Meppershall in January, while the first homes at a new site in Biddenham will go on sale later in the year.
A team of Tenancy Gurus at Housing 21 have helped residents save a combined total of over £700k during 2021 as part of the organisation’s Helping Hands initiative. The savings have been made through giving advice across a range of services, including how to access the correct pension and housing benefit, to savings in broadband and helping with warm home discount claims. The ‘Helping Hands’ initiative involves colleagues working across the organisation to have open conversations with residents about money and how to help prevent arrears. As part of this, Housing 21 has recruited network of 45 ‘Tenancy Gurus’ and embedded them across the organisation in Retirement Living and Extra Care. The gurus all have a passion for tenancy sustainment and financial wellbeing, support colleagues, and can run sustainment-based activities for residents. Spearheaded by the Tenancy Gurus, a series of Make a Difference Days, or ‘MAD Days’ held throughout the year have proven successful in saving residents a combined total of over £700k and supported residents in having frank and honest conversations about financial wellbeing. Activities on ‘MAD Days’ include running a benefits awareness session, partnership working to resolve issues or helping residents with a benefits application. Nikki Dipper, Business Improvement Officer at Housing 21, said: “The gurus have received additional training and coaching around how to talk about money in a positive way and have those difficult conversations, as well as on benefits and budgeting specifically for older people. “Some amazing amounts of money in backdated claims have been passed on to residents. One colleague helped a resident apply for a private pension which will provide them with a total of £36,000 but it’s also the seemingly small things too, like supporting with setting up internet for a resident, which meant that £80 for a call out charge from their provider has been saved.” In 2021 colleagues have secured benefits residents were missing out on, applied to the National Lottery for funding for garden furniture, as well as making numerous agreements to help get people out of arrears and reduce anxiety around money. Simon, a resident at Denis Wilson Court in Cambridge said: “The services provided to me by the Tenancy Gurus here have been exemplary and courteous at all times. “They are on hand to answer and help with queries from any residents and the responses are always positive and swift. I often think they have large spoonfuls of patience stirred into their cups of tea. Truly a five star team and they add something special to the experience of living here.” Samantha Oliver is a Scheme Manager at Denis Wilson Court and a Tenancy Guru. Samantha commented: “Since starting the Tenancy Guru project I have helped many residents at my own scheme and neighbouring schemes, to ensure they are all getting what they are entitled to. “The role involves everything from arranging volunteers, to helping people access grants to improve their financial situation and benefits they didn’t believe they were entitled to – and helping my colleagues do the same at their schemes. “At a time when so many are struggling, being a Tenancy Guru means I really make a difference to people’s lives and give me job satisfaction.” For more information about Housing 21, visit www.housing21.org.uk.
