Glass Futures, Network Space Developments, St Helens Borough Council, Liverpool City Region, MPs Marie Rimmer and Connor McGinn and contractor Bower & Kirkland welcomed UKRI and BEIS to the site to mark the ground-breaking of the Glass Futures Centre of Excellence. The 165,000 sq ft transformational global glass research and
NATIONAL construction company Clegg Food Projects has begun work to convert the former Phillips Avent facility in Glemsford, Suffolk, into a world-class cocoa & chocolate production factory after being appointed as the Principal Contractor. International Malaysian-owned cocoa manufacturer Guan Chong Berhad (GCB) appointed Clegg Food Projects to part-demolish and construct a new
The latest research by the new-build sales optimisation platform, Unlatch, has highlighted which towns and cities in England and Wales saw the highest value of new homes sold in 2021 as almost £6bn worth of new-build property was purchased. Unlatch analysed property transaction records from the Land Registry looking specifically
Work on the UK’s longest railway bridge ramped up this week as HS2 began production of 1,000 enormous concrete segments that will form the deck of the Colne Valley Viaduct. Stretching for 2.1 miles (3.4km) across a series of lakes and waterways just outside London, the viaduct will carry high-speed
Cruden has started work on a new housing development in East Lothian, its fourth active site in the region. Situated in Wallyford, on the outskirts of the popular coastal town of Musselburgh and its historic racecourse, the much-anticipated £20m new development lies just 8 miles from the Capital and will
Nationwide Platforms, the UK’s leading provider of powered access hire for working at height, has invested in over 1,100 new machines, increasing its 13,500-machine fleet by more than 8%. With higher capacity models, improved safety features and either fully electric or hybrid engines, the investment ensures the company’s portfolio of
1. As the attachment revolution continues apace, what are some of the new innovations that have come to market in recent years in the excavator attachment space? In recent years, Mini-Excavators (MEX) have developed into real Tool Carriers. This is thanks to the application of new technology and improved machine stability
Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson is celebrating after its recent project for Nottingham Trent University was crowned an award winner at the national LABC Building Excellence Awards last week. The contractor, which has offices in Derby, Newark and Birmingham, saw its Medical Technology Innovation Facility (MTIF) for client Nottingham Trent
Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has officially opened the doors to its two show homes at Cavanna @ Elm Park, a new community of 245 open market and affordable homes near Exeter city centre. Cavanna Homes employees Craig Oldham, Senior Site Manager, Liana Smith, Sales Advisor and Sarah Bowden, Sales Manager
Most aspiring homeowners prefer buying already-built homes, while others prefer building one themselves. The buying option is pretty straightforward; make a budget, get on the market for a home within your budget, buy, and the house is yours to live in. On the other hand, building a house is quite
Glass Futures, Network Space Developments, St Helens Borough Council, Liverpool City Region, MPs Marie Rimmer and Connor McGinn and contractor Bower & Kirkland welcomed UKRI and BEIS to the site to mark the ground-breaking of the Glass Futures Centre of Excellence. The 165,000 sq ft transformational global glass research and innovation facility is expected to complete in January 2023, ready for internal fit-out. Network Space Developments (NSD) has appointed building contractor B&K to deliver the building at Saints Retail Park, occupying a site with links to the historic glass industry for which the town is famed. Delivery of the project was conceived and is being managed by landowner and developer NSD, on behalf of a partnership including not-for-profit research organisation Glass Futures , St Helens Borough Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and UKRI (UK Research & Innovation). This dynamic and fast-moving partnership has rapidly turned the Glass Futures concept into a deliverable and contracted scheme in less than two years. NSD will continue to manage the delivery of the project through to practical completion. The building has been presold by NSD to global investor Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust, part of abrdn, to secure forward funding and conclude a viable delivery strategy. Property Agents B8 acted for Network Space with CBRE acting on behalf of abrdn. It has been pre let to St Helens Borough Council on a 15-year head lease and will be sub-let to Glass Futures, which will occupy and manage the building to deliver industry and government backed research and development projects focused on decarbonising glass production. It will also provide a platform for the industry to access an experimental scale furnace to test and run trials for implementation at commercial scale on a state-of-the-art line, both collaboratively and individually. Led by Bowmer & Kirkland the Centre’s construction will bring a host of social and economic benefits to St Helens and the wider Liverpool City Region including commitments to local employment opportunities and apprenticeship hours. Speaking at the ground-breaking event, St Helens Borough Council Leader, David Baines, said: “It’s great to be here today to see construction begin on Glass Futures, the state-of-the-art, globally significant project. Over the next year, the glass research and innovation facility will be built on the brownfield site of the former United Glassworks, with a focus on decarbonising glass production. “It will once again put St Helens at the forefront of glass innovation and help us play a significant role in the Green Industrial Revolution, leading the way for other industries to cut their carbon emissions. “The fact that work has begun only two years since the scheme was conceived is testament to some exceptional partnership working, and I’d like to thank Glass Futures and everyone involved for their efforts in getting us to this stage.” Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Just a few months ago, the UK hosted world leaders at the COP26 summit in Glasgow. It was agreed there that urgent action is needed to tackle the emergency we face from climate change. Glass Futures is a prime example of how we can do that – whilst also building back from the economic fallout from Covid-19. “St Helens has always been a global leader in the glass industry and Glass Futures will be a key part of making sure it retains that role in the future of the industry as it decarbonises, whilst being a key driver for jobs and skills.” Bruce Adderley, Challenge Director of the UKRI’s Transforming Foundation Industries challenge, said: “The goal of the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge is to help energy and resource intensive industries such as glass, steel, cement, ceramics, paper, and chemicals develop new green technologies and more efficient ways of working together. “This event at St Helens is an important milestone on the road to achieving this aim which is essential if the UK and its regions are to deliver world-leading net-zero carbon clusters. As we progress with its development, this global centre of excellence will support the glass and other foundation industries in their transitions to more efficient, productive, and environmentally conscious operating models.” Marie Rimmer, MP for St Helens South and Whiston, said: “For centuries glass has been a huge part of St Helens. It is part of the fabric that makes up our town. Glass Futures will keep St Helens at the heart of the global glass industry for many more years to come. “The ground breaking today represents a significant step towards a promising future for St Helens. Glass is going to be the green material of choice for decades to come. The research and innovation that takes places at Glass Futures will make sure that local people and our town benefits.” Catherine Chilvers, Development Director at Network Space, said: “Today’s event was a notable milestone for the project and follows two years of dedicated partnership working between ourselves, Glass Futures, St Helens Borough Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and UKRI. It is fantastic for all partners to see the works commencing on site as we transform a redundant former glass works site into a global R&D asset. The project will proudly secure St Helens at the forefront of glass innovation and sustainable glass production.’’ Glass Futures’ Chief Executive, Richard Katz, said: ““With the ground-breaking ceremony, Glass Futures has reached a real milestone in the delivery of its Global Centre of Excellence for glass in R&D, innovation and training. Due for completion next year, we will be targeting the elimination of carbon from mass production in the glass industry, as well as other Foundation Industries. “For the future of mankind, it’s essential the world wakes up to the damage it’s doing to itself and collectively acts now to dramatically reduce fossil fuel emissions whether from industry, transport, agriculture or domestic heating. The Glass Futures’ hot glass experimental facility is a substantial stepping stone to cutting emissions, designed to work both collaboratively or privately with industry to identify and deliver sustainable
NATIONAL construction company Clegg Food Projects has begun work to convert the former Phillips Avent facility in Glemsford, Suffolk, into a world-class cocoa & chocolate production factory after being appointed as the Principal Contractor. International Malaysian-owned cocoa manufacturer Guan Chong Berhad (GCB) appointed Clegg Food Projects to part-demolish and construct a new factory to enhance the processing and manufacturing facilities, that will produce cocoa butter, cocoa powder, liquor, and chocolate. The 17-acre site redevelopment will include new access, car parking and manufacturing facilities, warehousing and a biomass boiler to supply renewable energy for the production process as well as solar panels and electric car charging points. Oliver Jenkins, business development manager at Clegg Food Projects, said: “We are delighted that GCB appointed us to oversee and construct its new factory as it enters into the UK market for the first time. “GCB’s vision is to be a market leading cocoa supplier and the new factory will feature efficient and sustainable processing equipment to help make this a reality. “It is an exciting time. We have begun work and we cannot wait to see it completed. The new factory will bring jobs to the area and will hopefully just be the beginning for GCB as they grow into the UK market and wider.” GCB cocoa, which was established in Asia when it began trading cocoa beans in the 1980s, is principally involved in the manufacturing of cocoa derived food ingredients. With its move into the UK market, the firm has pledged to invest significantly and create jobs for the local area. Brian Bowen, general manager at GCB Cocoa UK Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to have appointed Clegg Food Projects as our Principal Contractor.Their understanding of what we need to achieve and the solutions they have provided will significantly assist helping GCB create its manufacturing footprint in the UK.” Clegg Food Projects has more than 40 years’ experience in the sector working with a number of household brands, both in the UK and abroad, across a wide range of sectors including bakery, beverages, dairy, fresh and frozen produce and many more. For further information visit www.cleggfoodprojects.co.uk or follow @CleggFoodP on Twitter.
The latest research by the new-build sales optimisation platform, Unlatch, has highlighted which towns and cities in England and Wales saw the highest value of new homes sold in 2021 as almost £6bn worth of new-build property was purchased. Unlatch analysed property transaction records from the Land Registry looking specifically at new-build purchases, ranking the nation’s towns and cities on the highest level of new-build value based on the sold prices of these transactions. The figures show that over the last year, the London market has remained the dominant force where the total value of new homes sold is concerned, with almost £1.4bn worth of new-build homes sold in 2021. Milton Keynes sits second, where new-build transactions totalled £89.7m in value during 2021. Bristol was also close behind with £89.4m worth of new homes purchased in the last year. In Bedford, £66.7m worth of new homes changed hands in 2021, with this total also exceeding £50m in Manchester (£56.3m), Northampton (£55.7m) and Worthing (£55.4m). The top 10 is completed by Birmingham (£48.7m), Nottingham (£47.2m) and Newcastle (£46.8m), while other areas to make the top 20 include Leicester, Ashford, Maidstone, Swindon, High Wycombe, Derby, Reading, Aylesbury, York and Liverpool. Lee Martin, Head of UK for Unlatch says: “The new-build sector has had to overcome a variety of obstacles during the pandemic including lockdown restrictions and a shortage of labour and materials, which has also increased costs. There have also been delays across the transaction timeline due to the requirement of EWS1 certifications, but despite all of this, new homes have still accounted for a sizable level of market value in 2021. While London remains the engine room of the new-build market, it’s clear that new homes are meeting a need the length and breadth of the nation, with towns and cities all over England and Wales ranking with the top 20 where total market value is concerned.” Data sourced from the Land Registry Price Paid data set, looking at new-build specific property purchases between Jan and Dec 2021 on residential homes.
Work on the UK’s longest railway bridge ramped up this week as HS2 began production of 1,000 enormous concrete segments that will form the deck of the Colne Valley Viaduct. Stretching for 2.1 miles (3.4km) across a series of lakes and waterways just outside London, the viaduct will carry high-speed trains as part of the HS2 project, designed to improve rail links between London, Birmingham and North, boost the economy and provide a low carbon alternative to car and air travel. The huge deck segments – which weigh up to 140 tonnes – are being made on site at a temporary factory built specifically for the project. The mammoth 100m long building, which is visible from the M25, has an internal volume of 105,000 cubic metres – making it larger than the Royal Albert Hall. HS2 Project Client, David Emms said: “We’re already making strong progress on the Colne Valley Viaduct – sinking the foundations, building the first piers, and now starting production at the new modular viaduct factory. Once complete, this iconic structure will carry trains at up to 200mph – improving connections across the UK, freeing up rail capacity and offering passengers low carbon travel options. “It’s great to see how much progress has been made and I look forward to seeing work on assembling the deck structure later this year.” Every segment will be a slightly different shape depending on where it fits into the viaduct and the modular approach was chosen to ensure quality, safety and efficiency in production and to avoid bringing them in by road. At the peak of construction, around 12 segments – each the size of a double-decker bus – will be cast every week using a ‘match-casting’ technique. This approach – where each segment is poured against the previous one – will ensure the whole arch fits perfectly when reassembled on site. The huge project is being led by engineers from HS2’s main works contractor Align JV – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick. Once construction is complete, the factory and surrounding buildings will be removed and the whole area between the viaduct and the Chiltern tunnel will be transformed into an area of chalk grassland and woodland as part of HS2’s ‘green corridor’ project. Daniel Altier, Align Project Director “Seeing the first deck segments being cast in the factory marks a significant milestone for the project. The design of the viaduct is such that each segment will be unique, delivering a structure which I have no doubt will be one of the most striking elements of HS2 once complete. “I would like to thank all the Align team and our supply chain partners that have enabled us to get to where we are today and in particular VSL, Danny Sullivan, Sendin and Tarmac.” The design of the Colne Valley Viaduct was inspired by the flight of a stone skipping across the water, with a series of elegant spans, some up to 80m long, carrying the railway around 10m above the surface of the lakes, River Colne and Grand Union Canal. Set low into the landscape, wider spans will carry the viaduct crosses the lakes, with narrower spans for the approaches. This design was chosen to enable views across the landscape, minimise the viaduct’s footprint on the lakes and help complement views across the natural surroundings. Work has also begun on the 56 giant piers that will support the viaduct, working from north to south. Weighing in at around 370 tonnes, the first 6m tall reinforced concrete pier was cast on site by a team of engineers who used a specially-designed formwork to create the shape of the structure. This was then removed after 4 days to reveal the final product. Each pier is designed to support the full weight of the deck above and rests on a set of concrete piles going up to 55m into the ground. This foundation work began earlier this year and will require the construction of 292 piles and 56 pile caps across the whole length of the viaduct. Once complete, the team will then use a specialised ‘launching girder’ resting on top of the piers to lift the deck segments into position. In another visible sign of progress on the project, the team have also completed the construction of the first two of four jetties across the lakes to get equipment into position to support the construction thereby taking construction vehicles off local roads. Where the viaduct crosses the lakes, the piles are being bored directly into the lakebed, using a cofferdam to hold back the water while the pier is constructed.
Cruden has started work on a new housing development in East Lothian, its fourth active site in the region. Situated in Wallyford, on the outskirts of the popular coastal town of Musselburgh and its historic racecourse, the much-anticipated £20m new development lies just 8 miles from the Capital and will see 101 new homes built as part of a wider masterplan development at Wallyford Farm and St Clements Wells Farm. Cruden Homes (East), part of the Cruden Group, is building 41 new homes for private sale and a further 60 much needed affordable homes, including 45 units for social rent and 15 for mid-market rent, on behalf of Dunedin Canmore Housing Association. The 7.39 acre development, which has been exclusively designed by EMA Architects and engineered by Will Rudd Davidson, will comprise a range of affordable homes including one and two bedroom cottage flats and two, three and four bedroom houses in a mix of mid-terraced, terraced and semi-detached house styles. The private homes will feature two and three bedroom terraced, three bedroom semi-detached and four bedroom detached houses. The first affordable homes are expected to be delivered in Summer 2022, with first completions of the private homes programmed for early 2023. A sales launch is anticipated in Autumn this year. Steven Simpson, Managing Director of Cruden Homes (East) said, “We are pleased to start work at this landmark development in Wallyford. Both private and affordable homes are in such high demand across the country, so bringing over 100 new homes to East Lothian is a highly-anticipated and welcome addition to our existing portfolio of new homes across the region. We have a long history of successfully working with Dunedin Canmore Housing Association and we will be supporting the local community by providing new jobs and work placements and working with local businesses.”
Nationwide Platforms, the UK’s leading provider of powered access hire for working at height, has invested in over 1,100 new machines, increasing its 13,500-machine fleet by more than 8%. With higher capacity models, improved safety features and either fully electric or hybrid engines, the investment ensures the company’s portfolio of machines for hire continues to have an unmatched level of capability across the UK. The increase in its fleet as a result of this investment means they are well equipped to meet the needs of customer requirements, whatever they need and wherever they may be across the UK – Nationwide Platforms will be able to deliver. The increased number of machines is also designed to meet the growing needs of Nationwide Platform customers, ensuring a diverse range of products are available for hire featuring cutting edge technology. Customer demand for new systems and capabilities grows every year, and this feedback has determined the choices made in this investment cycle. The investment includes eight new boom lifts from JLG, which feature SkySense™ enhanced detection system. SkySense™ uses strategically placed object detection sensors to provide operators an added level of awareness of their immediate surroundings as they operate, minimising the occurrence of incidents and damage. Being the market leader of powered access hire means Nationwide Platforms take responsibility for continuously developing safety systems such as these, ensuring that the safety of the customer is always the highest priority. New to the company’s delivery fleet are nine 32-tonne rigid trucks and 19 44-tonne tractors, with the latest Euro 6 engines, and 27 trailers, improving safety, delivery reliability and emissions output. As Europe’s largest provider of specialist at-height training, Nationwide Platforms has also invested in brand-new scissor lifts for use exclusively at its 29 training locations. The company offers a range of courses, including IPAF, PASMA, IOSH and many more accredited courses delivered by its highly trained, award-winning instructors. Glyn Brearley, Business Director for Procurement, External Training & BlueSky Solutions commented: “This investment, one of our biggest to date, will ensure Nationwide Platform’s clients have access to the latest in machinery technology that supports high levels of safety and productivity. In addition, the new machines have highly efficient batteries to provide longer running time, reducing downtime. “We’re also delighted to have been able to upgrade the machinery at our training facilities so we can provide customers with the best training experience and environment. It’s a busy time for many of our customers and we are pleased to be able to announce this investment that will ensure we remain their trusted powered access solutions provider.”
1. As the attachment revolution continues apace, what are some of the new innovations that have come to market in recent years in the excavator attachment space? In recent years, Mini-Excavators (MEX) have developed into real Tool Carriers. This is thanks to the application of new technology and improved machine stability due to new designs and a better centre of gravity. At Bobcat attachments, we are always working on new solutions to meet the needs of MEX customers. For example, we have recently put more focus on developing our Depth Check and laser system to support the operator in completing trenching works and to make jobs more efficient. As a result, Bobcat is proud to announce the addition of the updated Depth Check System to our portfolio. This system is a solution that uses three sensors placed strategically on the machine to accurately achieve or sustain the desired grade depth, working from the cab. The Depth Check system is fully integrated with the Bobcat panels and display, which offers simple operation and eliminates the need for an add-on Monitor inside the Cab. This simple, durable kit is wired in, so job conditions or the lack of a wireless signal never interfere with digging accuracy, and also remove the inconvenience of lag time with no batteries to replace. The Bobcat Depth Check System is also compatible with the laser receiver, so the operator can ‘bench’ on a laser signal to create slope, or to sustain a grade in multiple locations on a jobsite, which increases flexibility. Bobcat is also offering new Flail Mower and Plate Compactor attachments for MEX. The flail mower has a number of unique features on the market such as the 12 second drum stop after the power is switched off, no need to drain lines as this is integrated in the attachments, a self-levelling system for following the ground surface as a standard feature and the best balanced motor design in order to cut the grass while travelling. The compaction plate attachment is a great tool to maximize compaction, even where workers cannot go with classic compaction plates, thanks to the great reach of the mini-excavator in all these conditions. Bobcat will continue to bring to the market more attachment solutions to make the Mini-Excavator even more of a real Tool Carrier. 2. What are some of the market needs addressed by these attachments? Compact Excavator customers want to work efficiently, with the same solutions as those on the bigger excavators and with easy to use solutions. 3. There have also been major advances in coupling technology. What are some of the developments you have seen in this space? The coupling technology is not moving as fast as machine or attachment technology but is concentrated more and more on safety features, to make the jobsite safer and to avoid any kind of potential accident. One development I see expanding in this area is in hydraulic quick solutions, to reduce spending time in connecting hoses every time you change the attachments and to avoid wasting time getting in and out of the cab. 4. Which attachments are seeing increased demand in the market at this stage and why? The commodity attachments are always the most requested like buckets and couplers or Breakers, probably because the construction and demolition industry is growing thanks to government subsidies but we also see growth in Hydraulic Clamps, flail mowers and augers due to growth in cleaning and landscaping work. 5. What are some of the innovations we are likely to see in this area in the next few years? Our Attachments team will follow the Market trends and will create solutions to meet these requirements. I’m sure the biggest innovations will come because of three fundamental things: automation, digitalization and recognition. At Bobcat we are working hard on our Long-Range plan to bring the easiest to use and more integrated solutions to the market. Our aim is to make life for the customer as easy and efficient as possible. For more information about Bobcat and Bobcat products, visit the website www.bobcat.com
Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson is celebrating after its recent project for Nottingham Trent University was crowned an award winner at the national LABC Building Excellence Awards last week. The contractor, which has offices in Derby, Newark and Birmingham, saw its Medical Technology Innovation Facility (MTIF) for client Nottingham Trent University named nationally as Best New-Build in the non-residential category. The construction of the £5.5 million Medical Technology Innovation Facility was completed in winter 2020, with G F Tomlinson working alongside Maber Architects on the scheme. The project was supported by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership with funding received by the University through its Local Growth Fund allocation. The facility focuses on the research and development of innovative products and advanced materials to meet future healthcare needs – the key aim is to improve patient care by speeding up medical product development and ensuring innovations reach the market as quickly as possible, which is critical for patients, business, the NHS and regional economic growth. The contractor scheme was offered the award at a ceremony held at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London, with more than the 700 guests in attendance at the prestigious event. This national award win comes after the contractor celebrated success at LABC’s regional Building Excellence Awards last year, winning three accolades which were subsequently named as finalists in the national awards. As well as the success of the Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, the regional awards saw G F Tomlinson’s flagship project for Nottingham Castle win Best Non-Residential Conversion, with its Tower Garden Pavilion scheme in Skegness winning Best Public or Community Building – a project which was successfully delivered via the company’s ongoing involvement on the Scape Regional Construction framework. Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are extremely pleased to have won this national accolade at the LABC awards – it is wonderful to be recognised amongst such strong competition that highlights all of the fantastic work that has been happening in the industry over the last year. “The Medical Technologies Innovation Facility at Nottingham Trent University is an impressive building for many reasons – both in the way it has been designed and constructed, and in its purpose in progressing the development, clinical production and commercialisation of new medical technologies. “There were several technical aspects we had to get absolutely right in order to provide the best possible working environment – including ensuring that the facility has the correct pressure, ventilation and seals needed, as well as the placement and optimum performance of highly-specialised laboratory equipment. “It is exciting to see our other two regional-winning projects recognised as national finalists, too – Nottingham Castle is our flagship project to date and we were pleased to work with so many different local and regional specialists and teams to complete the work on time. It is also rewarding to see a smaller value project like the Tower Gardens Pavilion in Skegness pick up so many regional awards over the last 18 months and go on to national recognition. Working jointly with our partner, Scape, this project has a strong community story to tell.” G F Tomlinson works across multiple sectors within the construction industry including education, civic, healthcare, heritage, residential and industrial. Over the years, it has partnered with a number of framework clients including Scape’s Regional Construction framework, delivering local projects with the aim of providing social value initiatives in order to benefits the communities, environment and economy within the midlands region.
Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has officially opened the doors to its two show homes at Cavanna @ Elm Park, a new community of 245 open market and affordable homes near Exeter city centre. Cavanna Homes employees Craig Oldham, Senior Site Manager, Liana Smith, Sales Advisor and Sarah Bowden, Sales Manager marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting at the newly launched Sales Arena. “It’s fantastic to have officially opened the new show homes at Cavanna @ Elm Park and invite prospective buyers to book an appointment to visit us. We’ve already secured ten reservations off-plan, which is brilliant and shows a real appetite for new homes in Exeter,” said Liana Smith. The two show homes; a four-bedroom Langcombe townhouse and three-bedroom detached Lakehead have master bedrooms with en-suites, modern open plan kitchen/ dining areas and spacious living rooms each showcasing the firm’s highest specification of fixtures and fittings. Cavanna @ Elm Park offers a selection of two, three and four-bedroom homes surrounded by large open green space for residents to enjoy. Homeowners can also take advantage of the 40 hectares of Riverside Valley Park, alongside the River Exe for walking, running or cycling. The new development in Exeter has been designed to promote a sense of community, improve biodiversity and encourage green travel, thanks to new cycle routes connecting to the existing network. A bus stop will also be located on the development to ensure easy access to the city centre is available to the new residents. A bespoke sensory garden is also being designed for the development to include separate seating pods, each with its own special feature such as a sculpture, scented plants, and fruit trees to create a relaxing and tranquil environment that entices all the senses. Bird and bat boxes will also be added to encourage wildlife alongside the planting of new trees. The local area has excellent primary and secondary schools, and a college, plus a fitness centre, supermarkets, retail parks and restaurants. As part of the firm’s community contributions, it will provide over £3 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to the local council and community to support roads, education, recreation and public transport.
Most aspiring homeowners prefer buying already-built homes, while others prefer building one themselves. The buying option is pretty straightforward; make a budget, get on the market for a home within your budget, buy, and the house is yours to live in. On the other hand, building a house is quite different and may not be as straightforward. However, being complicated doesn’t mean it is not a viable option. If you are yet to decide on building or buying a home, this post can make your decision-making process easier. It Starts With the Design The best part of building a house as opposed to buying is that you have the privilege of choosing the design you want for a home. While you may also get your design through buying, you may not have the luxury of customizing your home to the last detail of your expectation. You may have an idea of the type of house you need, but bringing the concept to life may not be your thing, and it doesn’t have to. All you will need is to communicate your dream house’s mental picture to a home builder and designer, and they will help bring your mental picture to life. Cost of Building a Home The cost of building a house from scratch is dependent on the cost of land and construction. Going by the data from UDIA, the cost of land and building a 222.5sqm was at $857,638.50 in 2019. During the same period, the cost of buying an already-built house sitting on was $1,134,809.50. Going by these figures, Building is $277,171 cheaper than buying one. But the cost isn’t the only factor to consider when determining the complexity or simplicity of building a house. Other factors such as time, convenience, and access to funding are also important. Benefits of Building a Home You get what you want. If you have a design that you do not want to compromise on, getting a house to fit your exact need will be a challenge. You may find building a house easier than buying one from such a perspective. You can guarantee the condition of the home’s appliances and fittings. When moving into an old home, there is always a chance that some fittings and appliances such as the weather conditioning systems, pipes, and electrical fittings are old and require an overhaul, driving the expenses involved in acquiring a home even higher. Cons of Building a Home Getting funding for building a house can be more of a challenge than taking a loan to buy an already built house. This is because the lending company will need collateral. The home will be the collateral for the already built home, so the lender knows they can recover their money if you default on payments. If money is a challenge, you may see buying the home option as the easier one. Time. If you are looking to move in fast, building a house may not be an option. Signing contracts, having your plans approved and finishing the construction can be quite a process. Building a home can easily overwhelm anybody. While most of the heavy lifting will be with your contractor, the burden of financing will be on your shoulders and can at times be more than anticipated, which can result in stressful situations. Final Words If the focus is entirely on the financial aspect, building a home is cheaper than buying one. Other factors also play a role when determining the complexity or the simplicity of building a home, so the choice will largely depend on what you want and when you want it.
