Circa 8,500 Jobs Pipelined For 2.26M Sq Ft Phase One Wilton Developments has unveiled plans for the first 2.26m sq ft phase of its Doncaster North industrial and logistics scheme, which includes the region’s largest stand-alone new build industrial unit currently in the planning system. Phase 1 at Doncaster North
Aim to be one of the largest BTR providers in the commuter belt by 2027 Star Living will first launch at sites in Harlow, Luton and Gravesend Strawberry Star Group aim to have an income generating portfolio with a target of £1 billion GDV by 2027 Specialist property developer and operator Strawberry Star Group continues to
National housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has officially started work on site at Westwood Park, Glenrothes, which kicks off the eight-year building programme to deliver 420 much needed residential homes to the area. The range of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses have been designed to cater for a range of needs and
Britain’s creative industries sector has received a major vote of confidence, with Weston Williamson + Partners – one of the UK’s leading architecture and urban design practices – joining Egis, one of the world’s biggest consulting, engineering and operating companies. A trio of advisers supported Weston Williamson + Partners with
Construction business accounting tends to differ from general accounting when it comes to construction business. Therefore, hiring someone specialising in laws, regulations, and techniques is necessary. Understanding the financial technicalities is essential if you want to put accounting matters in the right direction and enhance your business growth. Hiring accountants
Circa 8,500 Jobs Pipelined For 2.26M Sq Ft Phase One Wilton Developments has unveiled plans for the first 2.26m sq ft phase of its Doncaster North industrial and logistics scheme, which includes the region’s largest stand-alone new build industrial unit currently in the planning system. Phase 1 at Doncaster North could facilitate some 8,500 new jobs for the region. In January, Wilton Developments received Outline Planning consent from Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to transform 180 acres adjacent to Junction 6 of the M18 at Thorne, Doncaster into a 3.52 million sq ft logistics and industrial scheme. A Reserved Matters planning application for the delivery of the first 2.26m sq ft phase of development has now been submitted and this will incorporate a 1m sq ft stand-alone distribution building, the only unit of its scale in the region to progress to that planning stage. The remaining 1m sq ft in Phase 1 will primarily be made up of units ranging from 100,000 to 375,000 sq ft and the first phase can facilitate up to 8,500 jobs for the region including on-site jobs, construction roles and wider regional jobs following completion. A start on-site is scheduled for later this year with the first buildings due to be delivered in 2023. Wilton Developments has appointed agents CBRE and Knight Frank to market the scheme, now named Doncaster North. Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments, comments: “We are progressing plans for this major employment site and subject to successful consent, Doncaster North will be the only scheme to bring forwards a 1m sq ft stand-alone unit in the region. A key feature of the site is that whilst sitting beside Junction 6 of the M18 and having that visibility, it is only a 5-minute drive to Junction 35 of the M62 which makes it appealing to a host of occupiers seeking both east west as well as north south connectivity. We are looking forward to continuing our investment into South Yorkshire and delivering much needed industrial accommodation and jobs to the region.”
Aim to be one of the largest BTR providers in the commuter belt by 2027 Star Living will first launch at sites in Harlow, Luton and Gravesend Strawberry Star Group aim to have an income generating portfolio with a target of £1 billion GDV by 2027 Specialist property developer and operator Strawberry Star Group continues to expand its housing vision with the launch of a dedicated Built-to-Rent (BTR) arm, Star Living. Star Living is positioned in the market to provide a modern and convenient rental product within the commuter belt against a background of chronic supply issues, whilst serving investors as a resilient asset class poised for growth. Star Living will launch at its Harlow development in Essex, with phase one as a dedicated BTR block of 163 residential units with a GDV of £45m, due to start construction this year. Planning permission has also been granted for a Star Living site in Gravesend, Kent, with a first phase planned of around 100 BTR units with a GDV of £30m. An existing BTS site of Strawberry Star, Lu2on in Bedfordshire, will soon launch phase two with 564 units under BTR with an estimated GDV of £160m. Strawberry Star Group aim to have a portfolio within London commuter towns with a target of £1 billion GDV by 2027. Chairman of Strawberry Star, Santhosh Gowda, said, “Our vision for Strawberry Star’s Star Living arm is to be the leading income generating, diversified and scalable BTR investment platform through our unique, cost-efficient, build and operational expertise. We aim to be one of the largest BTR providers in the commuter belt by 2027. Star Living brings together our existing skillsets as an end-to-end provider combined with a panel of leading contractors and consultants for significant placemaking schemes that benefit each local community.” Santhosh continued, “With a strong pipeline of new Star Living sites due to launch in the next 12 months, we are one of the few developers responding in volume to the current supply crisis. We are focusing on commuter growth towns with a high proportion of young professionals and a low supply of rental properties, aiming to help redress the balance which is causing an upwards pressure on rental values. More choice and better supply will be a huge advantage to those now spending increasing time at home with flexible working here to stay, as BTR products are in a much better position to meet future needs and live-work trends.” Adding a dedicated BTR offering on top of development, residential sales, lettings, asset management and acquisitions, Star Living positions the business as a unique end-to-end provider for an integrated solution, providing one customer journey for both investor and tenant. Handling everything from letting the property to community engagement, Star Living’s purpose-built model is a one-stop-shop designed to secure peace of mind on both sides. The business has already tested out market appetite at their flagship Lu2on scheme in Bedfordshire, having recently completed on its first phase of 401 units, with one of the three finished blocks dedicated to BTL rental homes only. 65% of the 135 rental units havealready rented within the last 3 months of completion.Luton represents a key growing commuter hub for Strawberry Star, indicative of the future sites Star Living will target. Santhosh said, “Our Lu2on scheme has proven exceptionally popular with tenants, carving out a brand-new rental market for this product type. It’s the perfect location for commuting young professionals, with infrastructure improvements like the new DART train enhancing its appeal. Our proven track record of success here will support our transition into full BTR with a model based on both performance and customer satisfaction.” For tenants, the first Star Living site in Harlow will provide a single customer journey from reservations to end of tenancy, including digital concierge, maintenance, parcel storage, flexible co-working and multi-purpose room, shared roof terrace, ancillary services such as laundry, dry cleaning, and housekeeping, with pets allowed and flexible contracts on offer. Studios as well as one and two-bedroom apartments are expected to be available to rent with Wi-Fi and furniture included. Star Living Harlow is due to complete in 2024 and will eventually provide over 163 new homes. Other Star Living sites aim to fill a gap in the market by virtue of its chosen location. By choosing areas close to transport hubs that have very few new-build rentals on offer, Strawberry Star aim to be the first to market, providing invaluable new homes for growing commuter hubs. Nearly all BTR schemes under Star Living will be located in towns and cities identified as having increased housing targets, underlining the important role these homes have in meeting the UK’s national housing targets. A combination of robust demand for housing from the local population, new household formations, fewer private landlords and low levels of housing completions, has led to a structurally low level of rental vacancy. Recent analysis from Capital Economics concluded that the UK would need 230,000 new rental homes a year if the current trajectory of tenant demand continues. BTR could serve a vital role in boosting supply, remaining the fastest-growing part of the rental sector since 2016. Santhosh concluded, “2022 is without a doubt the year of BTR, providing an obvious solution to this highly pressurised market. Last year saw a near 80% increase of capital invested into the sector compared to 2020, so it’s not unreasonable to suggest investment could triple as we edge towards 2023, having shown incredibly strong resilience during an unpredictable year for the UK economy.” For more information visit www.strawberrystar.com.
National housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has officially started work on site at Westwood Park, Glenrothes, which kicks off the eight-year building programme to deliver 420 much needed residential homes to the area. The range of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses have been designed to cater for a range of needs and lifestyles, along with access links for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles within the development and to the wider area. The site will feature useable amenity space and children’s play areas, delivering a safe, pleasant and user-friendly public realm, encouraging active lifestyles and a community feel. Councillor Altany Craik, Convener – Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning & Transportation Committee, attended Keepmoat Homes’ ground-breaking ceremony. He said: “Today officially marks the beginning of Keepmoat Homes’ significant house building programme in Glenrothes; a milestone to initiate the start of works on a development of 420 residential homes, of which 42 homes will be affordable housing and serviced land for business use. “This is a tremendous step forward in the redevelopment of this vacant site to the south of Glenrothes, which was sold to Keepmoat Homes as part of a joint venture between Fife Council and Scottish Enterprise, together with adjoining landowner Land Team Scotland (Glenrothes) Limited. “I welcome the development of new homes; the vision to create a new thriving community and the benefits that it will bring; as well as the support to local businesses from the proposed land for business use retained by the joint venture partners. This will provide opportunities for businesses to locate in Glenrothes and invest and create jobs in the local economy.” Derek Wilson, Regional Managing Director of Keepmoat Homes said: “We are thrilled to have started work on the site at Westwood Park and we are looking forward to bringing a thriving new community to the area. We have designed the development to respond to the local surroundings, while also holding a strong character and sense of place.”“We will seek to employ local labour as we see this as an opportunity support local businesses, as well as delivering much-needed new homes. We build family homes that are energy efficient and are designed to provide a breadth of house styles that will suit a wide range of prospective homeowners, from first-time buyers to those looking to up-or-downsize and we are confident that the development will help many achieve their dream of owning a new home.”
Britain’s creative industries sector has received a major vote of confidence, with Weston Williamson + Partners – one of the UK’s leading architecture and urban design practices – joining Egis, one of the world’s biggest consulting, engineering and operating companies. A trio of advisers supported Weston Williamson + Partners with the deal – Menzies LLP and BCMS provided corporate finance advice while DMH Stallard advised on the legal aspects. Weston Williamson + Partners is an award-winning practice with studios in Manchester, London, Sydney and Melbourne, with particular expertise in large-scale infrastructure, masterplanning and city-shaping projects. The firm has designed and delivered major infrastructure projects in the UK and around the world, including two soon-to-be-revealed Elizabeth Line stations at Paddington and Woolwich, Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel project, and new residential and mixed-use developments across London. Egis is a leading international player active in the consulting, engineering and operating sectors, with operations in 120 countries worldwide. Egis recently produced the Paris 2050 Carbon Neutral Plan and already works with some of the world’s leading architecture firms. By investing in Weston Williamson + Partners’ talent and established global brand, the partnership expands the practice’s design capability and expertise, opens up new international opportunities for the firm, and strengthens Egis’ global presence in the infrastructure and design sectors. Together, Egis and Weston Williamson + Partners share a powerful combined skillset to address the climate emergency. Today’s announcement sees the purchase by Egis of a majority stake in Weston Williamson + Partners, with the practice’s name, brand and company leadership brought under the Egis umbrella. The deal will allow Weston Williamson + Partners to expand its global reach and compete for high profile projects in new markets. The new Weston Williamson + Partners’ Board will be led by founding partners Chris Williamson and Rob Naybour as Chairman and CEO respectively, alongside Weston Williamson + Partners’ managing partner, Philip Breese, and four senior Egis-employed board members. Rob Naybour, CEO at Weston Williamson + Partners, said: “The advisory team headed up by Andrew Sims at BCMS, Kevin Paget and Ralph Mitchison at Menzies LLP, Helen Mead at DMH Stallard and Oliver Jankowsky at Hall & Wilcox were superb in helping us navigate what was an incredibly complex sale process – our sincerest thanks to them all. “This was a challenging process, and we could not have done it without the teamwork and purpose displayed by our team. The advice was solid and collaborative, but the manner of working was superb; calm, considered yet firm when it was required.” Kevin Paget, corporate finance director at Menzies LLP, said: “It was a privilege to work with the Weston Williamson + Partners senior team and all the other advisers on this strategic cross border transaction, which will help Weston Williamson + Partners to strengthen its foothold in the global architecture market and continue to deliver major projects, including those helping to address the climate crisis.” Andrew Sims of corporate finance advisor BCMS added: “It has been a genuine pleasure to advise and support a sector-leading practice in our client Weston Williamson + Partners, which has built a global reputation for excellence in city shaping. Its strategic appeal to an experienced, international acquirer in Egis is clear to see, and the cultural fit between both parties was central to the deal. Due to the international footprint of both businesses, this transaction did have its complexities. But with advisors DMH Stallard, Menzies and Hall & Wilcox also on board, there was an extremely high level of skill, tenacity and professional expertise to hand, and a spirit of collaboration throughout.” Helen Mead, Partner, DMH Stallard, said: “We were delighted to help Weston Williamson +Partners move to the next exciting stage of their development, with the support of Egis. We look forward to watching their continued success as they offer clients an excellent service in all aspects of transport, infrastructure and the built environment in the UK and internationally.”
Construction business accounting tends to differ from general accounting when it comes to construction business. Therefore, hiring someone specialising in laws, regulations, and techniques is necessary. Understanding the financial technicalities is essential if you want to put accounting matters in the right direction and enhance your business growth. Hiring accountants for construction industry will help maintain the accounting records, understand the expenses, and grow the company. Benefits Of Hiring Construction Accountants Hiring a reputed construction accountants firm can be highly beneficial for a construction company. Here are some of the benefits of receiving their services: Taxes and regulations are something that a construction company cannot ignore. Every day the taxation laws and other regulations keep changing. In this light, having a team of experts working can be pretty helpful. Accountants are well aware of the taxes and everything related to the construction sector. They can guide and help meet the tax requirement, reducing liabilities’ risk. Various factors like equipment, tools, staff, crew, etc., are significant sources of company expense. However, not controlling the costs can lead to reduced revenue and profit. This can harm the finances of the company in the long term. Accountants can help keep the expenses in check and help plan the flow of money through various business departments. This will help keep the expenditure within the budget and help reach the long-term growth goals. When it comes to a business, different decisions are needed to be taken regarding capital investments. Accountants can help bring more significant financial decisions like capital budgeting and growth planning. They will help understand each asset’s risk and reward and the imminent tax implications of each decision. Finding The Right Accountant It would help if you kept in mind different factors while looking for an experienced construction accountant. Let’s see some of these factors: The first thing that you should pay attention to is the experience of the construction accountants. What projects they have worked in and their field of operations are two things you should pay attention to. Check the reviews and testimonials from past clients to get an idea about the satisfaction level of the services. Credentials, licensing, and certifications are factors that will define an accountant’s skill level and knowledge. An accountant should be certified by ACA or FCA. Also, they should be recognised by ICAEW, which monitors the ethics of the accountants in the field. One of the most crucial factors you need to pay attention to is the service provider’s tools and software. Most of the accountants for the construction industry prefer to work with cloud accounting software that can be easily integrated with the company’s IT framework. It is imperative to ask about the chosen software, its benefits, and how it matches the existing systems. Every construction accountant company tends to provide a range of services to their clients. It would help if you learned about their services and which ones align with the company objective and requirements. One should also check if the construction accountants company has indemnity insurance coverage. Every service provider will have its pricing. You should decide what your company’s current budget bracket is and where precisely the construction accountants fit in. talk about the cost of each service, the add-ons, and discounts you can get. Ask about their charges on VAT, tax digital, and CIS. Also, you should discuss the payment terms. Some companies ask for full payment, while others work around with monthly payments. Lastly, you should pay attention to the experts working on the accounting team. Talk to the accountants, and understand the flow of work and their communication skills. They should be open to communicating, sharing honest opinions, and having a fair way of judging a situation. Specialised accountants are trained to handle sector-specific taxation, laws, regulations, and financial requirements. You can pay attention to the business’s operations while taking the accounting part of it.
