The City of Edinburgh Council-led regeneration of Meadowbank has reached another major milestone this week as Councillors agreed to appoint a development partner for the next stage of the project at the Finance and Resources Committee today (3 March 2022). Following a competitive procurement process the £1.045million contract will be awarded
Insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has introduced RiskTalk, a voice-operated risk assessment tool for construction businesses – the first of its kind in the UK The app is suitable for phones or tablet devices, and removes the need for construction firms to complete lengthy paperwork and enter
J Tomlinson’s compassionate approach has been recognised on a national level after the company was announced Social Responsibility Company of the year at the recent National Energy Efficiency Awards. The coveted accolade, which marks the company’s fourth national award to date, was presented at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday
With Power over Ethernet (PoE), terminal equipment can be supplied with power directly via the Ethernet cable – now even powerful terminal equipment with up to 90 W, such as smart displays, intelligent PoE lights and actuators. R&M, the globally active developer and provider of cabling systems for high-quality network
Savills has expanded its building & project consultancy team with the appointment of Andrew Hezelgrave who joins as a director at the firm’s Margaret Street head office in London. Andrew has more than 15 years’ experience in the commercial property sector as a building surveyor specialising in technical due diligence
Top ten national housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has been recognised for its ambitious programme of systems and processes to maximise social value delivery with a certificate. The Doncaster-based business is the first private-market housebuilder to achieve a Level One Social Value Management Certificate from Social Value UK. The certificate acknowledges the
Roann Limited, the Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, celebrates over a decade working in partnership with global-leading architectural surface brand, Cosentino. Cosentino produces and distributes high value, innovative surfaces, including Silestone, the hybrid surface made from premium natural minerals and recycled materials. Manufactured exclusively with HybriQ technology, it’s a
Astley Hire is proud to be one of the first industrial equipment hire companies to achieve carbon-neutral status for December 2020 – November 2021 under PAS 2026 framework. In 2021 Astley Hire embarked on a 12-month long project to address how they could further minimise the environmental impact of the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
The City of Edinburgh Council-led regeneration of Meadowbank has reached another major milestone this week as Councillors agreed to appoint a development partner for the next stage of the project at the Finance and Resources Committee today (3 March 2022). Following a competitive procurement process the £1.045million contract will be awarded to the Edinburgh Meadowbank Group, to be referred to as EDMB, a consortium comprising of John Graham Holdings, Panacea Property Development and Miller Homes. They will progress design and pre-construction works by early 2023 ahead of the start of construction work on site. The ambition for the development of Meadowbank is to create one of the Capital’s greenest neighbourhoods by incorporating low-car, low-carbon infrastructure with energy efficient homes. The regeneration will deliver around 600 new mixed tenure homes for sale and rent, at least 35% of which will be affordable with a number being fully wheelchair adapted. Positioned on the site adjacent to the new Meadowbank Sports Centre off London Road, it will also include space for a range of commercial and community uses on the ground floor including the proposed location for a GP Surgery. High quality pubic realm and landscaping, focusing on the industrial and sporting heritage will provide new active travel routes through to Restalrig, while protecting and enhancing the existing trees and environment. During the pre-development period, work will be carried out to prepare for construction, including developing detailed designs and agreeing a net zero carbon energy solution for the site, contributing to the Council’s ambitious target to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. The Meadowbank masterplan for the site was approved in October 2020 following an extensive programme of community consultation. Regular engagement on proposals for the site has continued with the Meadowbank Sounding Board – a group consisting of local representatives, councillors, and council officers – which continues to review progress and ensure the site continues to best meet the community’s and council’s priorities. A wide range of community benefits and fair work proposals will also be delivered. These will include seven new apprenticeship positions and fourteen new job opportunities; site visits for local schools over the course of the development; employability support events; community enhancement projects, including donations of up to £100,000 to community groups; and all employees and sub-contractors will be paid the Real Living Wage. Councillor Rob Munn, Finance and Resource Convener, said: Strong and extensive scrutiny has gone into this procurement process to get us to this point. We’ve discussed this at committee today and agree that we have a pre-development partner in place that shares our vision while also offering us best value. We now want to deliver more affordable housing and space for retail businesses, while we hope to provide a much-needed GP surgery provision to benefit everyone within the local community. It’s great that these homes are located a short distance from the city centre and will be both cost effective to heat alongside some that will be wheelchair accessible. With the Meadowbank masterplan also having been awarded a ‘Building with Nature’ accreditation we know that development will be setting standards for sustainable design, implementation and maintenance of high-quality green features so I look forward to seeing the results of this stage of the development and what EDMB can bring to that. Councillor Joan Griffiths, Vice Convener, said: Seeing another stage of our masterplan getting closer to becoming a reality is very exciting, especially as it will provide so many homes for the city, contributing to our ambition to deliver 20,000 affordable homes by 2027. This development and wider neighbourhood, shaped by the local community, will bring a great regenerative feel to this area of the city. While, through the community benefits programme we have agreed as part of this contract, we also hope to bring new jobs and training opportunities for local people, offer opportunities for local school leavers and children to be part of the vision for Meadowbank. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/meadowbank
Insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has introduced RiskTalk, a voice-operated risk assessment tool for construction businesses – the first of its kind in the UK The app is suitable for phones or tablet devices, and removes the need for construction firms to complete lengthy paperwork and enter data manually when carrying out risk assessments, with users conducting the process through recording voice notes The tool cuts down on the time and effort required by construction businesses to undertake health and safety duties with the average UK firm currently spending the equivalent of 36 days a year completing risk assessments However, despite this time commitment and the associated cost, many UK firms (49%) admit they are concerned they are not carrying out risk assessments thoroughly enough Two thirds of businesses (68%) claim the current manual way of completing risk assessment is complicated, leading to concerns they may not have an adequate defense in the event of an incident Failure to complete comprehensive risk assessments can lead to significant Health and Safety Executive (HSE) penalties for construction firms – with £64 million worth of fines paid by businesses in the sector over the last five years[i] – [i] https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/tables/prosecutions.xlsx Insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting firm Gallagher has introduced RiskTalk – a user-friendly voice-operated risk assessment app – to help construction businesses cut down on the time and expense of undertaking workplace safety assessments, and benefit from increased reporting reliability. The health and safety app helps construction businesses perform fast and efficient risk assessments to manage the risks on site to the health, safety and welfare of their employees and visitors to their premises. The app allows users to record observations and report hazards by simply speaking into their phone or a tablet device – removing the need for completing lengthy paperwork. Through a set of prescribed questions, RiskTalk guides users through the process of assessing and identifying risks present in the work environment, and detailing how they will control them. RiskTalk also makes theprocess much easier for managers to review risk assessments. Users can take photos in-app and send recorded voice memos straight to a cloud storage system, with managers able to approve assessments by using a voice sign-off feature. Reports can be generated via the app avoiding the need for a lengthy data entry process which can then be converted to PDF files if hard copies are required. In-built speech recognition technology can understand and process recordings in 220 languages to ensure it is accessible for a wide range of users. All entries are time, date and author stamped – making it easy in the case of a health and safety-related incident to locate risk assessments to prove they were completed in full prior to the event occurring. The app works offline – allowing users to conduct risk assessments and store data while working in areas with limited or no network coverage. Undertaking risk assessments is a significant time commitment for businesses and research commissioned by Gallagher, conducted last month among 200 UK firms, found that one in two companies (49%) are concerned they are not carrying out risk assessments thoroughly enough to protect their organisation, employees and clients – potentially leaving them without a strong defence in the event of legal actions, insurance claims and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) enforcement action. Cost was highlighted as another frustration among businesses regarding the completion of risk assessments. Over two fifths of firms (45%) feel that completing risk assessments is an expensive process – costing their business an average of £1,500 a year. This could be due to paying wages for employees undertaking assessments or for contractors who need to be paid to do them. Neil Hodgson, Managing Director of Risk Management at Gallagher, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing this innovative risk assessment tool to UK construction businesses. It is easy to use, makes the process of undertaking risk assessments quicker and more reliable, and firms within the sector will benefit from increased peace of mind that in the event of an incident they are more likely to have a robust defence. “This is particularly important when you take into account that half of UK firms are unsure whether they are completing the risk assessment process correctly. Evidence of risk assessments carried out and the steps taken to mitigate any identified risks can be crucial for construction firms in the defence of an insurance claim for personal injury or illness, or intervention by the HSE or other regulatory authority. Penalties can be severe – with the average fine paid by construction businesses across the past five years costing £86,000.” For further information, visit https://www.ajg.com/uk/risktalk/
J Tomlinson’s compassionate approach has been recognised on a national level after the company was announced Social Responsibility Company of the year at the recent National Energy Efficiency Awards. The coveted accolade, which marks the company’s fourth national award to date, was presented at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday 18 February, with over 650 professionals working in the energy efficiency sector in attendance. Nine companies were shortlisted for the title, with J Tomlinson announced as the winner following a comprehensive judging process in which all nominees were assessed on the impact they have had within their local communities. The building, maintenance, energy and refurbishment specialist, was commended for its targeted and far-reaching approach to social responsibility, spanning key areas such as employment, emotional and physical wellbeing, skills-building, decarbonisation, boosting local economies, and promoting affordable warmth. Some of the comments from the judging panel included: “[J Tomlinson], through its application process, demonstrated a commitment to deliver a level of responsibility across the business, its customers and environments that it operates. This would appear to be a company that has pride in its position, a considered delivery of social responsibility and measured interactions that support all around the business.” “A very impressive broad range of support and dedication to education and local employment, charity donations and volunteering whilst also demonstrating care for their own staff and sub-contractors.” The company also took home third place in the National Renewable Heat Installer and Multi-Measure Project of the Year categories – the latter in recognition of the highly sustainable refurbishment and restoration of Ilkeston’s Toll Bar House building, which is not only forecast to reduce carbon emissions by 13 tonnes per annum, but also to create over 90 jobs in the local area. Mark Davis, chief executive at J Tomlinson, commented: “On behalf of the entire team at J Tomlinson, we are extremely proud to have been recognised for our commitment to enhancing the lives of the individuals and communities we work with every single day. “I have always been a very firm believer in the power of excellent partnerships, and I am all-too-aware that the impact we have collectively had would not have been nearly as significant or far-reaching if it was not for the strong relationships we have with our clients – all of which are built upon striving to achieve and exceed shared goals. For this reason, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our clients and our people for playing such a vital role in transforming lives in line with our One Team ethos. This award is for you.” J Tomlinson has experienced a consistent string of success at previous regional and national energy efficiency awards ceremonies, including winning Renewable Heating Project of the Year following a ground source heat pump project that is saving residents 40% on their heating bills and providing client Bromford with over £570k worth of RHI and ECO funding.
With Power over Ethernet (PoE), terminal equipment can be supplied with power directly via the Ethernet cable – now even powerful terminal equipment with up to 90 W, such as smart displays, intelligent PoE lights and actuators. R&M, the globally active developer and provider of cabling systems for high-quality network infrastructures, based in Wetzikon, Switzerland, provides information about new and simpler methods of PoE planning for building installation in an expert interview. Correctly planning cable installation in a smart building With Power over Ethernet (PoE), terminal equipment can be supplied with power directly via the Ethernet cable – now even powerful terminal equipment with up to 90 W, such as smart displays, intelligent PoE lights and actuators. This is why such systems are being used more and more frequently in building installations. With the introduction of remote power categories, PoE support is now also regulated for generic building cabling. However, in practice, the table-based interpretation of the installation standards turns out to be a complex task for planners. Matthias Gerber from R&M explains the problem – and the solution. Matthias Gerber, following an increase in the number of PoE devices on the market, more and more building operators and planners are focusing on the topic, and initial experiences with large-scale PoE installations are now also available. But the standards seem complicated and the feedback from the market is not always positive. Is the connection with PoE cables really so complicated or what is the problem? Gerber: «The problem is more in the way they are installed, not in the cables themselves. However, the two aspects are closely related. The EN 50174-2 standard for Europe and the ISO/IEC 14763-2 standard worldwide have been published since 2015 and describe the planning and installation of universal cabling systems. EN-50173 and ISO/IEC 11801, on the other hand, describe the specification of the individual cabling links. The installation standards build on the cabling standards and describe how cabling has to be installed in buildings. PoE end devices are now being used more and more frequently, and the growth in sensors and drives is exponential. This is why more and more building operators and planners are addressing the issue and are realizing that it is highly complex. In addition, the performance of PoE applications is constantly increasing: Today we have reached 4PPoE with 90 W. To take this increasing performance into account, the remote power categories RP 1 to 3 (Remote Power Category) were introduced to the standards two years ago. But that made the topic even more complex.» Are these standards mandatory? Gerber: «A standard is not mandatory per se; it reflects the state of the art. But most tenders for the installation of universal building cabling are based on these standards. In other words, the planner has to take this into account.» And what do these RP categories mean, why did they make the issue so complex? Gerber: «Initially, the power transfer of PoE was 13 W. Since 2018, 4PPoE has been able to transfer up to 90 W. However, where more current is flowing, the resistance generates more heat. That is why the remote power categories (RP1 – RP3) were introduced in 2020 to ensure the long-term reliable operation of the building installation even at higher currents. For RP1, up to an average of 212 mA are permitted and no special planning measures are required. But during operation, it must be ensured that the average current does not exceed the permitted limit. With 4PPoE devices, however, the supply current in a cable can be up to 500 mA. If a 4PPoE device is connected, in other cables of this installation bundle no PoE devices can be connected in order to compensate for the increased current. The standard therefore stipulates that appropriate warning signs must be attached to RP1 and RP2 installations. Before another PoE device is connected, compliance with the maximum permissible current must always be checked. RP1 and RP2 are easy when it comes to planning an installation, but it is very time-consuming for the building administrator in operation.» Is that different with remote power category 3? Gerber: «With RP3, the cabling is already configured during the planning phase so that all cables can transfer the maximum PoE current at the same time. This makes planning time-consuming, but during operation it makes the plant very reliable, as no further measures are required. For the operator, this is thus the preferred state of cabling – and the EN standard therefore recommends compliance with the RP3 category. It is even prescribed by the ISO/IEC standard. However, the challenge for the planner now is that with RP3 cabling, care has to be taken to ensure that the attenuation budget for data transmission is always adhered to even at increased temperatures and that the maximum permissible temperature in the cable is not exceeded. This is achieved by adjusting the link lengths depending on the ambient conditions of the installation. The installation standards offer tables for this purpose that show the temperature increase.» But the planning and correct design of an RP3 installation does not seem to be that easy with these tables? Gerber: «That’s the problem. In order to reduce the complexity of the tables and keep the number of tables manageable, considerable simplifications have been introduced. The consequence of this is that it has become very difficult to find the right parameters. What’s more, the conditions along a cable are not always the same. The standards require the temperature increases in the various sections to be determined individually and then averaged using a complex weighting procedure. The maximum permissible cabling length can then be taken from another table using this average temperature.» That does sound very complicated, mistakes must be almost inevitable. Couldn’t it be made easier? Gerber: «Yes – R&M developed a PoE Calculator back in 2015 and has now expanded it to include functionalities for the new RP categories. The PoE Calculator offers building operators and planners several benefits: First of all,
Savills has expanded its building & project consultancy team with the appointment of Andrew Hezelgrave who joins as a director at the firm’s Margaret Street head office in London. Andrew has more than 15 years’ experience in the commercial property sector as a building surveyor specialising in technical due diligence (TDD). He joins Savills from Black Cat Building Consultancy where he worked across all sectors, looking at both single asset and large portfolio instructions for clients including Investcorp and Brydell Partners in both the UK and Europe. Prior to this he also held positions at Paragon Building Consultancy and Lambert Smith Hampton. At Savills Andrew will join the technical due diligence team, working on major instructions offering tailored, commercial advice on transactions for clients across all asset classes. Andrew Hezelgrave, director in the building & project consultancy team, comments: “This is an exciting time to join the Savills TDD team, especially as we continue to see a number of considerable transactions take place across the UK investment market. One area of focus will be the industrial & logistics sector, which continues to break records when it comes to investment volumes. I look forward to working with colleagues across the business in order to provide top quality advice to clients.” Steve Page, building & project consultancy director and head of the Savills TDD team, adds: “We are very pleased to welcome Andrew to Savills. His experience and expertise will undoubtedly help to further strengthen our capability and ensure we can continue to offer a best in class service to our clients.”
Top ten national housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has been recognised for its ambitious programme of systems and processes to maximise social value delivery with a certificate. The Doncaster-based business is the first private-market housebuilder to achieve a Level One Social Value Management Certificate from Social Value UK. The certificate acknowledges the commitment Keepmoat Homes has made to implement systems and processes that are consistent with the Social Value Principles. These systems and processes have helped the homebuilder measure, manage and maximise its social value in the areas which it serves. The Social Value Management Certificate is accredited on behalf of Social Value International by Social Value UK, the national network for social impact and social value. The Social Value Management Certificate is an internationally recognised assurance seal that assesses the standard of an organisation’s practice in managing the social value that it creates through its activities. Consisting of three levels (Commit, Implement, and Maximise), the certificate will take Keepmoat Homes on the pathway to maximising social value in the way it operates, as the company looks to obtain levels two and three. Keepmoat Homes is one of the UK’s leading partnership homebuilders and a leading brownfield builder. 70% of its homes are built on previously developed land, with 56% of these located in the regeneration areas (in the bottom two deciles of the indices of multiple deprivation). The company specialises in partnership projects with Homes England, Registered Providers and local authorities, and aims to deliver sustainable and affordable homes for first-time buyers, as well as up-sizers and downsizers alike. Tim Beale, CEO at Keepmoat Homes, said: “As a company, we’re driven to go beyond bricks and mortar and improve places, enhance the environment and deliver real social value and outcomes. We have a clear responsibility to help deliver a sustainable future and meet our customers’ expectations and those of the communities in which we operate – it’s a key factor that sets us apart from other homebuilders. “High energy prices and the need to protect the planet makes the provision of warm, affordable and efficient homes more important than ever. In developing these homes, we also provide training and job opportunities in the area to support the people who live and work in our communities. “This contribution to society is our social value and I’m delighted that we’ve been awarded with the Level One Social Value Management Certificate, which recognises our commitment to enhancing this value in accordance with the very highest standards.” Craig Foden at Social Value UK said: “Keepmoat Homes are social value pioneers and achieving the Social Value Management Certificate recognises them as being strongly committed to social value best practice. We were particularly impressed with their commitment to involving stakeholders at each stage of the impact management process, and their outcomes-based approach which places the changes experienced by stakeholders as a core element of decision-making and resource allocation. “Through a systematic approach which focuses on understanding the impacts on stakeholders, and making decisions informed by this information, Keepmoat Homes will continue to improve their social value. “To be the first private market sale housebuilder to achieve the Social Value Management Certificate is to be thoroughly commended. We hope to work closely with Keepmoat Homes in the coming years as they continue on their social value journey.”
Roann Limited, the Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, celebrates over a decade working in partnership with global-leading architectural surface brand, Cosentino. Cosentino produces and distributes high value, innovative surfaces, including Silestone, the hybrid surface made from premium natural minerals and recycled materials. Manufactured exclusively with HybriQ technology, it’s a more sustainable approach to architectural surfaces. “We’ve been working with Roann Limited for over 10 years now and we’re thrilled with our working relationship. It is a great, commercially-focused business to work alongside of and every project we work on together is smooth-running and successful. We look forward to increasing our portfolio together over the coming years,” commented Claire Eagling, Senior Commercial Project Sales Manager at Cosentino. Roann Limited and Cosentino have collaborated to provide kitchen worktops to hundreds of projects across the UK, including the £130 million project, New Victoria apartments in Manchester, delivered by Muse Developments. “It’s great working so closely with the team at Cosentino. We have an established professional relationship, and our business objectives and values align closely, which means we have delivered and continue to deliver great results across our projects. I look forward to continuing our work together,” said Scott Wharton, Sales Director at Roann Limited. With further large-scale projects already in the pipeline up until 2024, the professional partnership continues to grow in scale and profits. This comes shortly after Roann Limited reported record revenue last year, with a 40% increase in sales in just 18 months. Established in 1990, Roann Limited specialises in manufacturing, supplying, and installing high-quality granite and quartz worktops within the house building, property development and construction sectors. With more than 30 years’ experience, Roann Limited is dedicated to procuring stone worktops that help developers significantly reduce costs on their projects by selling direct to them.
Astley Hire is proud to be one of the first industrial equipment hire companies to achieve carbon-neutral status for December 2020 – November 2021 under PAS 2026 framework. In 2021 Astley Hire embarked on a 12-month long project to address how they could further minimise the environmental impact of the business. The company has held the ISO 14001 environmental standard for many years but was inspired to make the big push for carbon neutrality by the UK’s target to become carbon neutral by 2050. The industrial hire firm engaged with consultancy service Charis Ventures Ltd to assist with the project. By working together to form and implement a comprehensive carbon scheme, Astley Hire and Charis Ventures were able to reduce a potential carbon footprint of 142.08 tons down to a residual value of 48.24 tons, which has been offset via the government approved Carbon Footprint scheme. “We have always been aware of the impact of our business activities on the outside world. I am pleased to have reached this significant milestone of zero-carbon neutrality and be one of the first hire companies in the UK to have achieved this status. Our customers who prioritise their green credentials can benefit greatly from knowing they are hiring equipment from a carbon-neutral provider,” said Astley Hire’s General Manager, Martin Doran. Being carbon-neutral is the first milestone in a long term effort to reduce the business’ carbon output and the requirement for carbon offset. Astley Hire’s aim for 2022 is to reduce carbon offset by a further 10%, with similar targets for future years. Over 2022 and beyond, Astley Hire will examine business processes and seek ways to improve key areas such as their vehicle fleet efficiency, fuel for hire equipment, employee commuting, and the digitalisation of processes. The next stage of Astley Hire’s carbon-neutral journey is to get the PAS 2060 result certified by an external body, with a long term strategy to target every aspect of the business as technology advances and greener solutions become available.
