Wates Group, one of the UK’s largest family-owned built environment, residential development and property services companies, has secured a £90m sustainability-linked loan (SLL) from a three-bank syndicate led by Lloyds Bank. The facility, for which Lloyds Bank also acted as the Sole ESG Coordinator, will help Wates achieve its ESG
New 6.5 acre park opening in autumn will be an urban oasis Re-use of materials, tree planting and sustainable irrigation to save hundreds of tonnes of CO2 MAYFIELD, Manchester’s landmark regeneration development, is setting a new standard for sustainability, helping the city meet its ambitious target of becoming zero
Leading engineering specialist, SES Engineering Services (SES), has announced its appointment to deliver an £84 million new development at the University of Glasgow. The Adam Smith Business School and Postgraduate Teaching Hub is the fourth major development to commence as part of the University’s Campus Development Plan. Appointed by Multiplex
South Coast Science supplies ambient air quality monitors to the Ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International and London Thamesport. 2 Praxis/Urban instruments have been supplied to each port for immediate deployment for measurement of NO2, SO2, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, temperature and humidity. Each is equipped with a solar power supply and data is transmitted via
FOLLOWING reports that Jacob Rees-Mogg is preparing to shake up government outsourcing as part of his new role as minister for Brexit opportunities and government efficiency, an industry heavyweight has said that while the rhetoric around such changes can be incendiary, there is a real need for social value principles
Oxford-based construction firm Beard is replacing 28 historic columns as part of a major refurbishment of a Grade I listed building, within the grounds of one of the UK’s most important architectural sites. The family-run firm, which specialises in the education sector, has been onsite from July at St
A new study from Juniper Research has found that the number of buildings globally deploying smart building technologies will reach 115 million in 2026, from 45 million in 2022. This growth of over 150% reflects increasing demand for energy efficiency from businesses and residents alike, as energy costs spike. Juniper
When you want to work in the real estate industry, you may need to think about ways to help you rise above other like-minded individuals. While it may be important for you to gain any required qualifications before embarking on your career, there are other ways that you can get
In the rush of everyday life, we all need something that can rejuvenate us. We all wish to enjoy some wonderful days every year, and it is essential for our mental well-being as well. However, it gets very hectic to organize a trip every time we plan to go out
Wates Group, one of the UK’s largest family-owned built environment, residential development and property services companies, has secured a £90m sustainability-linked loan (SLL) from a three-bank syndicate led by Lloyds Bank. The facility, for which Lloyds Bank also acted as the Sole ESG Coordinator, will help Wates achieve its ESG objectives and see it work towards three ambitious KPIs to achieve margin discounts on its funding. HSBC and AIB also provided equal funding on the deal of £30m each. The three-year facility is believed to be the second largest SLL provided in the sector. The first KPI is that 35% of Wates’ top 200 suppliers have Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) approved targets in place by December 2024. This is linked to the company’s Scope 3 emissions. These currently make up around 98% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Wates’ second KPI is to create nearly £370m of social value over the next three years. To achieve this objective, it will create jobs, support growth and promote healthier lifestyles in the communities it operates in. Finally, the business will continue to aim for more balanced representation as part of its existing inclusion and diversity strategy by improving the number of women in senior leadership positions. Wates employs around 3,800 people across its divisions. In 2020, it set out its ambitious strategy to eliminate waste and be carbon neutral from its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, alongside enhancing the natural environment of the communities it operates in. Recently, to mark its 125th anniversary, Wates also announced a programme to open doors for more women into construction across all levels, over and above its existing recruitment schemes. Philip Wainwright, chief financial officer at Wates Group, said: “Sustainability is a key element of our Guiding Framework – that’s why we launched our 2025 sustainability goals in 2020. “We are continually reviewing how we can embed sustainability into what we do and we’re pleased that we have been able to identify and agree on three additional metrics with our lenders that will drive sustainability outcomes and demonstrate our commitment around Scope 3, social value and diversity. “We already have a close working relationship with Lloyds Banking Group through the Wates Innovation Network and it’s encouraging to not only have the support of three banks, but also to see them being prepared to increase their level of exposure, which is a real vote of confidence in our ability to meet these KPIs.” Max Jones, relationship director in Lloyds Bank’s construction and infrastructure team, said: “Now’s not the time for firms within the built environment to rest on their laurels when it comes to creating a greener, more welcoming industry. Wates have long been a leader for sustainability in the industry – we’re looking forward to helping them reinforce and build upon that position.”
New 6.5 acre park opening in autumn will be an urban oasis Re-use of materials, tree planting and sustainable irrigation to save hundreds of tonnes of CO2 MAYFIELD, Manchester’s landmark regeneration development, is setting a new standard for sustainability, helping the city meet its ambitious target of becoming zero carbon by 2038, 12 years ahead of the Government’s target for the rest of the UK. Analysis commissioned by The Mayfield Partnership reveals the positive environmental impact the development is already having on the city centre, and which will only increase over time. The biggest environmental gain so far has been achieved through recycling and reusing materials during the construction of Mayfield Park, which has saved between 230-240 tonnes of CO2 alone. One tonne of CO2 is the equivalent of driving more than 3,700 miles in a diesel car, or a single flight from Paris to New York. The project team has reused the steel from a former concrete culvert over the River Medlock to make one of the three pedestrian bridges in the Park. In addition the use of reclaimed bricks, structural steel beams and river walls has also contributed to the saving. Around three quarters of the 140 new trees have now been planted at the 6.5 acre Mayfield Park, which is the due to open this autumn. The new mature and semi-mature trees which are creating a stunning, biodiverse natural landscape in an area of the city where few trees have ever been grown before, will remove more than three tonnes of CO2 (equivalent) from the atmosphere per year. The amount of carbon annually captured will increase over time as the trees grow and flourish in the Park. Re-using water from the Victorian wells, discovered during the construction of the Park, as a sustainable source of irrigation for trees and plants will also make a significant contribution to Mayfield’s sustainable credentials, saving approximately 1 tonne of carbon per year and up to 3 million litres of water per year. The 10-year, £1.4bn project to transform the previously run-down 24-acre industrial site near Manchester Piccadilly Station into a thriving urban neighbourhood, is one of the North’s largest regeneration projects, comprising 1,500 homes, 1.6m sq ft of market-leading commercial space and 300,000 sq ft of retail and leisure facilities. Arlene Van Bosch, Development Director at regeneration company U+I, which is delivering the Mayfield project alongside its partners Manchester City Council, developer LCR and Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “Mayfield Park will be a beautiful, green haven in the city centre and ahead of the formal opening later this year, we’re very pleased to be contributing to Manchester’s low carbon agenda.. “We have worked incredibly hard with our contractors and with the Environment Agency to make Mayfield an exemplar in sustainability as well as a place for all to enjoy and it’s great to see wildlife such as Canada Geese and Kingfishers returning to the riverside after many years of pollution and dereliction.” Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council who recently planted a tree at Mayfield Park said: “As a local authority we are planting more than 1,000 trees across the city this year. Mayfield Park will be an amazing addition to our city centre and I am delighted to see how sustainability has been such a focus as we collectively rise to the challenge of addressing the climate crisis.” During the Industrial Revolution Mayfield was at the beating heart of Cottonopolis – as Manchester was then known. High levels of pollution from coal-burning cotton mills and workers’ homes at Mayfield meant the area was inhospitable to trees and most plant life. Alongside the new trees in the Park, I40,000 bulbs, shrubs and bushes are being planted and the new lawns have been laid. In 2020, the UK Government pledged £23m of investment from its Getting Building Fund – one of the largest investments in any single project – to Mayfield Park. This investment, delivered through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, is part of the Government’s strategy to support ‘shovel ready’ schemes that will help to drive economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis
Leading engineering specialist, SES Engineering Services (SES), has announced its appointment to deliver an £84 million new development at the University of Glasgow. The Adam Smith Business School and Postgraduate Teaching Hub is the fourth major development to commence as part of the University’s Campus Development Plan. Appointed by Multiplex following a competitive tender, this latest project enables SES to draw on its recent experience gained on the University of Glasgow’s James McCune Smith Learning Hub which completed in early 2021 and was the first building to be delivered as part of the masterplan. Working again with main contractor and Programme Delivery Partner, Multiplex, SES will be providing a full MEP service, adopting the same strategy utilised when working on the Learning Hub including the production of a full BIM Level 2 model, which will essentially simplify building maintenance in the future. Once operational, the six-storey building, which has a gross internal floor area of 11,600m2, will provide specialised teaching, research and collaboration space for the University’s postgraduate taught student community, whilst delivering state-of-the-art premises for the world-leading business school.
South Coast Science supplies ambient air quality monitors to the Ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International and London Thamesport. 2 Praxis/Urban instruments have been supplied to each port for immediate deployment for measurement of NO2, SO2, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, temperature and humidity. Each is equipped with a solar power supply and data is transmitted via 4G cellular communication, as well as being stored on the device. The instruments will be used to start new air quality monitoring programmes which are linked to the Port Air Quality Strategy for each site (The air quality strategy for the Port of Felixstowe is published here.) UK Clean Air Strategy and Ports Following the UK Government’s Clean Air Strategy, published in January 2019, major ports in England were asked to develop air quality strategies, including plans to reduce emissions. In terms of emissions, the impact of SO2 generated by shipping is significant as are the NO2 emissions of dock-side mechanised handling equipment like cranes, forklift trucks and vehicles. For these kinds of projects, it is vital that all air quality benchmarking is done using products developed with academic rigour, as this ensures that all subsequent measurements are sound. The latest advances in low-cost sensor technology are now opening up access to air quality monitoring in a commercial context. It is now possible to gather real-time data from instruments whose accuracy has been independently certified. “At South Coast Science we’ve spent nearly four years working to improve sensor performance in our Praxis range of products, to provide a service that meets the commercial needs for reliable devices in a sometimes harsh environment. We’re very pleased to be working with Hutchison Ports.” – David Johnson, Sales Director at South Coast Science Real-world solutions for air quality monitoring A major blocker for large-scale, meaningful air quality monitoring in industry has been a lack of affordable devices which are known to produce reliable data. Low-cost sensors have historically had issues with variable performance in outdoor environments. Devices like the Praxis/Urban and Praxis/OPCube that offer validated monitoring data and operate reliably with minimal supervision, give much needed real-world solutions. This new generation of third-party certified monitors finally provides a commercially viable way to quantify which air quality interventions are likely to be most impactful and track progress. For more information about the Port Air Quality Strategies, please visit each site’s individual web pages. Visit the South Coast Science website for information on its monitoring products, or contact David Johnson, Sales Director.
FOLLOWING reports that Jacob Rees-Mogg is preparing to shake up government outsourcing as part of his new role as minister for Brexit opportunities and government efficiency, an industry heavyweight has said that while the rhetoric around such changes can be incendiary, there is a real need for social value principles to be reviewed. Gerard Toplass, executive chairman of The 55 Group that includes social value specialists Loop, said: “Social value is something that everybody in the construction industry has an opinion on. “The Social Value Act itself has been around for a decade now but hasn’t really been fully adopted, but the Construction Playbook has made everyone re-examine their approach towards innovating in that field. “If you take Jacob Rees-Mogg’s comments* in that context, I think what he’s doing is trying to have a grown-up conversation about how we move this forward. There is clearly still an understanding within government that there is positive potential for every pound spent on procured projects, so this is unlikely to be a wholesale move away from social value, particularly as it is a key cornerstone of levelling up and achieving net zero. “However, there is a serious need for better understanding of the impact and outcomes from social value, as figures are often used up front to try and win bids but are then not adequately followed through on. “With a lack of quantifiable measurement, throwing big social value numbers around can sometimes be seen as an unfair advantage for larger firms that have the resources and teams in place. “For example, a large contractor with a 1,000-strong workforce could say at procurement stage that it will commit to using ten apprentices on a certain scheme, while a smaller firm of 100 employees says it can commit five. “The absolute numbers look better for the larger firm, but you could argue that the smaller firm is taking social value more seriously as it is a bigger percentage of its workforce. “This review is a chance for Mr Rees-Mogg and his team to look at finding ways to level the playing field when it comes to social value and start encouraging the industry to take a more macro approach to measurement. I would also like to see efforts to support SMEs that don’t always have the resources in bidding generally. We need to make it easier for all companies to demonstrate social value. “When a company sets out what it’s going to do at procurement stage, let’s start properly measuring its impact. Government procurement is a powerful tool to do good – the best procurement teams know this and will integrate outcomes and impacts in the way that best serves the local area.”
Oxford-based construction firm Beard is replacing 28 historic columns as part of a major refurbishment of a Grade I listed building, within the grounds of one of the UK’s most important architectural sites. The family-run firm, which specialises in the education sector, has been onsite from July at St John’s College, Oxford, to work on the £10m project to refurbish the 16th century Old Library and 17th century Laudian Library extension, located in the Canterbury Quadrangle. The columns are a central part of the historic Quadrangle and had been beginning to fail structurally, ruling out a cosmetic repair. Once it was clear the columns would need to be removed, Wright and Wright architects and the Beard team set out to find the right replacements. As a world-famous seat of learning and listed building it was essential to ensure the aesthetic of the new columns remained in keeping with the rest of the building, however the site where the original stone was quarried has long closed down. The stone for the original columns is Bletchingdon marble and was mined locally. By working with expert stonemasonry firm, Szerelmey and Wright & Wright architects, a carboniferous limestone, Swaledale fossil, was identified as the ideal replacement. As the stone is not commonly used in Oxford, approval from Oxford City Planning Department and Historic England had to be sought. After passing these approvals, the stone was quarried and carefully worked to shape. The columns are particularly important as Canterbury Quadrangle is one of the few remaining examples in the UK of the high baroque architectural style, dating back to the early 17th century. The project manager at St John’s, Jonathan Brock from Beard explained: “It is a massive honour to be entrusted to work on a building of such huge historical and cultural significance. As the columns are vital for the structure, it was crucial we found the perfect stone. “By working with the expert team at Szerelmey and the team at the College, we’ve found the ideal replacement that will ensure the aesthetic of the College remains, while ensuring it is structurally sound. “The building has to be temporarily propped while the columns are removed and despite all the planning we’ve done it is still a nerve-wracking experience to replace the columns.” Beard, which has won a number of contracts from the University of Oxford in recent years, was trusted with this historically important building due to the quality of work and faultless delivery for phase one of the project, and its track record in the wider education sector. Zoe Hancock, Principal Bursar of St John’s College, said: “A site of such national importance requires a high calibre of expertise and quality of work which Beard and the team have delivered. “The replacement of the columns is a significant step in the refurbishment of this exceptionally historic building and to ensure it remains safe and sound for future generations.” The final phase of work is expected to be finished by early 2023 and consists of refurbishment of the College’s existing Laudian Library and Old Library, with remodelling of an area known as the Paddy Room under the Old Library.
A new study from Juniper Research has found that the number of buildings globally deploying smart building technologies will reach 115 million in 2026, from 45 million in 2022. This growth of over 150% reflects increasing demand for energy efficiency from businesses and residents alike, as energy costs spike. Juniper Research defines a smart building as a building that uses connectivity to enable economical use of resources, while creating a safe and comfortable environment for the occupants. The new research, Smart Buildings: Key Opportunities, Competitor Leaderboard & Market Forecasts 2022-2026, found that by enabling buildings to monitor and automate common functions, significant efficiency gains can be made, while improving the environment for workers and residents. The report recommends that vendors focus on building analytics platforms for the most value to be driven from deployments. Non-residential Smart Buildings Driving Spend The research found that non-residential smart buildings will account for 90% of smart building spend globally in 2026; at a similar level to 2022. This dominance is due to the larger economies of scale in commercial premises driving this spend, as well as the commercial focus of most smart building technologies. “Smart building platform vendors will understandably focus on non-residential use cases, as these provide a stronger return on investment, but they should not neglect the importance of residential deployments, as environmental concerns intensify,” explained research co-author Dawnetta Grant. Smart Building Sensor Shipments to Accelerate Quickly The research found that the global shipments of sensors used in smart buildings will exceed 1 billion annually in 2026 from 360 million in 2022; representing a growth of 204%. Sensors, when combined with intelligent management platforms, will allow smart buildings to adapt to conditions; matching elements such as lighting, heating and ventilation to live requirements. The report recommends that smart building vendors partner with AI vendors to maximise the benefits of automation, such as reduced energy costs and improved working environments. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
When you want to work in the real estate industry, you may need to think about ways to help you rise above other like-minded individuals. While it may be important for you to gain any required qualifications before embarking on your career, there are other ways that you can get yourself ahead of the game. Not only could this aid you in gaining promotions, but you may find that some tips also help you to become a better real estate agent as a whole. Firstly, you may want to think about the type of company that you opt to work for. The amount you can earn may vary across the board. However, not all companies may operate in a way that you deem to be acceptable. You might find yourself asking if Compass realty a pyramid scheme, as an example, to check whether this is the kind of company you want to work for – however, Compass is not this type of business and might be the perfect stepping stone into real estate for you. When potentially working on a commission basis, you may want to look into the history and reputation of your chosen real estate company prior to signing any contracts or beginning work. This way, you may be able to confirm that they are, in fact, legitimate. Reading any contracts thoroughly can also help you to understand your role, and negate the likelihood of any nasty surprises along the way. Although you might have completed your preliminary qualifications, that doesn’t mean that your days of research are long behind you. Looking into the current state of the property market, as well as any price increases or decreases could allow you a bit of insight into the trends that might be likely to occur in the coming months. From this, you might be able to give your clients more information, and even close sales easily. In addition to this, being knowledgeable about your local area, including the building styles and eras, could have the potential to make you highly sought after when a new client looks to engage with real estate. You may also want to consider improving the ways that you communicate with others. At times, clients may quickly switch off to some of the spiels that real estate agents give them, especially if they feel like they are being pushed into a hasty decision. Although you may want to make that sale, you may also want to ensure that people listen to your words, and take them to heart. This could involve in-person conversations, as well as those conducted by telephone or email. When you are better able to hold a conversation, make meaningful dialogue, and listen attentively, you may be able to put yourself in a position where you are able to meet the needs of your clients and even help to appease any doubts they might have. There can be a number of aspects that could help you to advance your real estate agent career. Ultimately, not shying away from doing various types of research and personal growth could be a great weapon to have in your arsenal.
In the rush of everyday life, we all need something that can rejuvenate us. We all wish to enjoy some wonderful days every year, and it is essential for our mental well-being as well. However, it gets very hectic to organize a trip every time we plan to go out on vacation. LuxPalace has introduced a membership plan for making vacations more luxurious and fun without the hassle of booking hotels every time you plan a vacation. But how is that even possible? It is possible by taking Vacation Ownership at top-class hotels and most preferred vacation venues near the entrancing atmosphere of the Black Sea at LuxPalace. Let’s get to know everything in detail about the vacation ownership at LuxPalace Black sea. What is Vacation Ownership at LuxPalace Black Sea? Enjoyment at least once a year is very mandatory to keep our life balanced, and that is why vacations exist. But most of us spend our vacation at home engaged in daily chores. The reason behind this is the lack of motivation for booking good hotels, selecting an extraordinary place with a good environment, and other things as well. LuxPalace allows enjoying vacations at luxurious hotels with all the other benefits like dead sea spa, pool, casinos, and many more for a week every year near the most beautiful views of the Black Sea. Vacation ownership is a membership offer provided by LuxPalace to enjoy vacations a week every year for a lifetime. To be more precise, after buying this vacation ownership, you will be able to come and enjoy your vacations every year at the most elegant and deluxe hotels of LuxPalace without the hassle of booking and finding the desired hotels of the world standards. Top Reason for taking a Vacation Ownership LuxPalace is dreaming of building a vacation venue hub with the most luxurious and memorable experience near the black sea. Have a look at the reasons why you should take vacation ownership without any doubt: 1. Lifetime vacation We get very less time to enjoy our vacation, and wasting that time choosing a hotel and vacation venue is not a good idea at all. At LuxPalace, you can have the most enjoyable and elegant experience for a lifetime. Just check in whenever you plan to enjoy your vacation here and live your life to the fullest once a week every year at LuxPalace. 2. Luxurious hotels The LuxPalace signifies the true meaning of luxury and lavish lifestyle; the two buildings near the Black Sea have been built according to the needs of elite people like you. Properly spacious rooms where you can stay for seven days alone or with your partner while enjoying your time at extravagant LuxPalace Hotels. 3. Outstanding facilities Your lifetime membership will also include all the luxurious facilities and hospitality provided by LuxPalace. You can enjoy playing games in huge casinos, dead sea spa, gym, restaurant, bar, pool(without any extra cost), event, party halls, and conference center as well. All these amazing services will be available at the hotels. 4. The location of the Black sea The outstanding hotels of LuxPalace are planned to be built near the picturesque view of the Black Sea in Odessa city, also known as the pearl of the Black sea. A wonderful venue to enjoy the best moments of the year and create memories for a lifetime. The Waterfront location is just so alluring that you won’t be able to avoid taking photos every time you look at it. Not only this, a lavish nightlife, rich culture, and fascinating history is waiting for you at LuxPalace. The reasons mentioned above are enough to convince you to buy vacation ownership at LuxPalace for a lifetime. However, other things that you can consider are five-star hotel hospitality, easy paperwork, and many more. Price and ownership LuxPalace has concluded at a nominal price of 15,000$ for the buyers. Your luxurious lifetime vacation is just a choice away. Paying 15,000$ for a lifetime immersive experience is totally worth it, without any doubt. The vacation ownership will be given to the buyer, but the actual property will belong to the hotel only; the buyer can just access the membership for a week once every year. You may not get the same room every time you visit, but all the rooms have five-star facilities with maximum comfort. This ownership can be transferred to someone else as well, but first, you will have to contact LuxPalace. In a nutshell, your vacation ownership at LuxPalace is completely worth the investment, and you must not wait any longer to make your vacations even more luxurious and fun.
