Developer Salboy has acquired a site and will begin construction this summer Housing developer Salboy has completed the acquisition of a development site at Tuckingmill, close to Camborne in Cornwall, and will soon be starting on the construction of 278 new homes. The first phase of 77 homes has had planning
Speaking on World Earth Day, Baxi calls emissions reduction an “important step forward” Baxi’s carbon emissions[1] last year were 35 per cent lower than they were two years ago, the company’s sustainability report will say when it is published next week. The biggest reason for this reduction was the decision
COMPLETE construction partner, Stepnell, has announced two new strategic hires with the appointment of Lewis Archibald as framework director and Sheona Macmillan as sustainability manager. Both roles will support Stepnell’s framework performance growth and bolster its sustainable commitments to project delivery for customers. Lewis joins with nearly 30 years of
Specialist equipment rental group Vp plc formalises its environmental ethos. To help mark Earth Day on April 22nd, global specialist equipment rental group Vp plc has officially launched its Short Term Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050. The roadmap was actually initiated in 2021 and has already marked a number
Leading Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has completed works to construct a new medical physics bunker at the University of Birmingham, which is due to house the UK’s first High Flux Accelerator-Driven Neutron Facility. The new bunker is located at the university’s Edgbaston Campus, on the site of the Physics
Developer Salboy has acquired a site and will begin construction this summer Housing developer Salboy has completed the acquisition of a development site at Tuckingmill, close to Camborne in Cornwall, and will soon be starting on the construction of 278 new homes. The first phase of 77 homes has had planning implemented and construction is due to begin in summer 2022. The development will include a range of two, three and four bedroom properties which will be positioned as starter and family homes. The full unit breakdown is yet to be finalised. Simon Ismail, MD of Salboy said: “This scheme will be bringing some much-needed housing to the area and is part of our wider plans in Cornwall, which also include our Narrowcliff project in Newquay and The Garrack retirement properties in St Ives. “The site at Tuckingmill has had planning approved for housing for some time and we’re really pleased to announce that we’ve completed the purchase and can finally get construction started.” The site, which is a brownfield just south of Pendarves Street, is included in the Tuckingmill Framework which was first submitted to Cornwall Council in 2010. The scheme, which will be completed in several phases, will aim to deliver a mix of open market and affordable homes – the full details of which will be available soon. DOMIS, the sister construction company of Salboy, will be the lead contractor on the development and has already started to approach local suppliers and trades. DOMIS is also planning to host a ‘meet the buyer’ event to further connect with local labour for its numerous upcoming projects in Cornwall. Simon continued: “We’re very aware of the need for good quality housing in Cornwall and hope this development in Tuckingmill will help to ease some of the pressure on the market as a result of the housing crisis. “We’ve got a fantastic history of delivering top quality homes across the UK. Being able to work with our sister contractor DOMIS means we’ll have full oversight on the project to ensure every stage is completed to the highest possible standard.” More information on Salboy and its work in Cornwall can be found on its website: https://salboy.co.uk/property-in-cornwall/
Speaking on World Earth Day, Baxi calls emissions reduction an “important step forward” Baxi’s carbon emissions[1] last year were 35 per cent lower than they were two years ago, the company’s sustainability report will say when it is published next week. The biggest reason for this reduction was the decision to buy electricity only from renewable sources. The company is targeting an annual five per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations from 2019 to 2030. This is in addition to a 30 per cent reduction in emissions in the supply chain producing the materials and components that go into its appliances, as well as the emissions produced ‘downstream’ by its products by 2030. The latest figures represent an important step in achieving that target, but the company says there is still much work to do. The company has recently changed its company car policy to electric/hybrid only and trialling the use of electric vans for use by its field engineers. Ian Robinson, Baxi HS&E and Quality Director, explains: “We’re working towards a sustainable future and the last year represents an important step forward in reducing the emissions from our own business. Even more importantly, we’re driving the energy transition with the aim of providing low carbon heating and hot water to customers across the UK & Ireland.” While there is still work to do, the figures represent an important step in achieving environmental goals. Baxi will report its progress on several other measures in its Sustainability Report. Having recycled nearly 99 per cent of its waste in 2021, Baxi is targeting a 50 per cent reduction in overall waste by 2025. By the same date, the company is aiming to ensure all of its packaging is recyclable, commencing with a pilot to replace difficult to recycle polystyrene packaging, with an alternative made from waste cardboard. Until now, more than 100 tonnes of Polystyrene have been used every year to protect Baxi appliances as they make their journey from the warehouse to the customer. Most goes to landfill, so Baxi’s trial of recycled packaging using cardboard pulp, aims to reduce the amount of packaging that ends up in landfill. Find out more by visiting www.baxiheating.co.uk
COMPLETE construction partner, Stepnell, has announced two new strategic hires with the appointment of Lewis Archibald as framework director and Sheona Macmillan as sustainability manager. Both roles will support Stepnell’s framework performance growth and bolster its sustainable commitments to project delivery for customers. Lewis joins with nearly 30 years of industry experience, having spent his career working across a variety of preconstruction and estimating roles. At Stepnell, Lewis will continue to add to the complete construction partner’s 15-strong portfolio of both regional and national frameworks. Lewis will also be responsible for increasing the number of framework projects, so that Stepnell can continue to provide better service, earlier contractor involvement and more certainty of delivery. Lewis said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this role during a time of significant growth for Stepnell. Our work to deliver construction excellence – via an increasing number of framework projects – is crucial to our service proposition and the success of the business. “I’m looking forward to accelerating delivery and efficiencies at project and programme level, as well as driving forward innovation for projects, helping to ensure they are on time and within budget. This is an excellent time to be joining Stepnell, with a huge amount of potential to enhance our position, which I hope to achieve.” Stepnell’s new sustainability manager, Sheona, brings seven years of environmental management experience to the role from across rail, construction and military sectors. Sheona will be instrumental to the implementation of sustainability solutions for projects across the entire business. Sheona said: “Supporting Stepnell to achieve and increase our sustainability goals is vital for success. I am therefore very much looking forward to leading the business on its sustainability journey and developing and driving forward new initiatives. By prioritising early engagement with our customers, and through using the most effective sustainable resources and technologies, Stepnell will further minimise waste, reduce carbon emissions, prioritise renewable energy and encourage biodiversity across our sites.” Tom Wakeford, joint managing director at Stepnell, added: “We are pleased to welcome Lewis and Sheona, who will both play an integral part in the continued growth and success of Stepnell. Investing in new talent helps our teams to unlock new and exciting opportunities, while expanding and strengthening our service offering. As they both develop in their roles, we are certain that Lewis and Sheona will make a significant and positive impact to the business, and we look forward to supporting them to do this.” To find out more about Stepnell, visit: www.stepnell.co.uk and for information about Stepnell’s framework partnerships visit www.stepnell.co.uk/frameworks . Join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
Specialist equipment rental group Vp plc formalises its environmental ethos. To help mark Earth Day on April 22nd, global specialist equipment rental group Vp plc has officially launched its Short Term Roadmap to Net Zero by 2050. The roadmap was actually initiated in 2021 and has already marked a number of milestones, including reviewing and modifying data capture procedures for greenhouse gas emissions, waste and water, committing and developing Science-based Targets for all scopes, and implementing actions from a water audit. Vp plc has also already collated group-wide environmental initiatives and promoted its sustainability report to stakeholders, switched to 100% REGO*-backed renewable electricity that has reduced Scope 2 emissions by 70%, and is conducting a comprehensive Scope 3 inventory. Between 2022 and 2023, Vp plc has pledged to optimise its fleet management by introducing PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) and EVs (electric vehicles) into the fleet where it is appropriate to do so. A behavioural change programme will see green driver training (most divisions have already achieved FORS Gold), travel reduced, the introduction of environmental and waste champions, and environmental toolbox talks. Last year, diversion from landfill stood at 94%, compared to 93% in 2020 and 80% in 2019. ISO 50001 will be achieved by September (2022) at all the group’s UK sites and divisions, although three of the group’s divisions – Brandon Hire Station, MEP Hire and ESS – have already achieved this accreditation. Diesel alternatives will be sourced by exploring the EV market for larger EV fleet options and HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel is available to customers at all branches. To build on its work in 2021, Vp in 2022 is looking to partner with a range of wildlife and rivers trusts around the country with exemplary nature conservation and restoration projects – some reintroducing white tailed eagles, lake sturgeon and bison, others tackling sand dune restoration and community rewilding. They are also pursuing an exciting close partnership with the Wildlife Trusts – the national umbrella organisation. “At home”, it is looking at biodiversity offsets such as the planting of trees and shrubs, installing bird boxes and feeders, and replacing lawns with wildflower meadows. Then between 2023 and 2025, it will support trials and encourage the adoption of hydrogen combustion engines and actively engage its supply chain in their own Net Zero agenda. The group’s sustainability programme manager Fred Pilkington, who has a MSc in Conservation Science, said: “Our roadmap strikes a balance between ambition and realism but what makes it distinguished is we have commitment from the very top of the organisation. Added to that has been the encouragement and motivation we have received from colleagues and suppliers who are putting some real time and effort behind it. We are now grabbing the bull by the horns and shouting about it.” To view a video about Vp plc’s Short Term Roadmap to Net Zero, please go to video link is https://youtu.be/4S-benpf-jo.
Leading Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, has completed works to construct a new medical physics bunker at the University of Birmingham, which is due to house the UK’s first High Flux Accelerator-Driven Neutron Facility. The new bunker is located at the university’s Edgbaston Campus, on the site of the Physics East Building which forms part of The School of Physics and Astronomy. G F Tomlinson oversaw both the design and build of the project. Construction of the bunker began in September 2020, with the grounds of an existing bank of land being excavated down eight metres from the high side, and four and a half metres from the lower side under guidance from geologists. The main contractor worked closely with concrete structure specialists Northfield Construction Ltd and M&E engineers Dodd Group, to erect a steel frame following excavation works and the installation of a concrete structure – with a 450mm thick floor, 600mm thick walls and a 300mm thick floor slab on top. In addition to this specialist radiation doors were installed. Landscaping works have also been carried out on site, with the sowing of grass seed and planting of trees along the bank leading up to the bunker. Now complete, the bunker will house a High-Flux Accelerator, which will allow researchers at the university to better understand how neutrons interact with matter, helping to pave the way for how this research and technology can be applied in nuclear medicine and the study of space. G F Tomlinson installed a gantry crane and roller shutter to enable the installation of the High-Flux Accelerator, which has now been lifted into place. The contractor is due to return later this year to then install a wall in place of the shutter, sealing the highly specialised equipment safely into its final location which is due to be fully operational by summer this year. The High Flux Accelerator-Driven Neutron Facility will be the first of its kind in the UK, and only the second such facility in the world – the other located in Helsinki in Finland. It forms part of the National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF), which is funded by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It will create a new hub for international research with applications extending to nuclear medicine and space, as well as enable a national training programme to boost the UK skills base in these state-of-the-art techniques. Chris Flint, managing director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have completed the construction of this new bunker. It will be home to an important international facility designed to perform crucial research in the nuclear sector, which can be used to further specialised nuclear medicine and the understanding of materials in space. “The bunker has been meticulously designed and built with safety and security of the utmost priority – the thickness of the concrete structure will ensure protection from radiation, as well as the installation of specialist radiation doors into the facility. Once fully installed, the facility will be operated in accordance with strict guidelines set out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency. “We worked on site whilst the adjacent Physics East Building was occupied and being used for studying and essential testing throughout each day of the project, we therefore took great care to ensure our works did not disrupt the existing building users. “The University of Birmingham has a long-standing history and track record of carrying out vital scientific research and it is wonderful to have worked with them to provide the ideal location for this unique facility, which will set a benchmark for further investment and development in the UK’s nuclear research future.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
