Orthogonal Ltd, the engineering company, has relocated to Moorfield Group’s Aberdeen Innovation Park in Bridge of Don, as part of its business expansion plans. The company has agreed a five-year lease at Unit 7A of Crombie Lodge, moving into its new headquarters at the end of February. Orthogonal, founded in
Having taken more than 20 years to evolve into the successful sustainable community it is today, The Bridge at Dartford became independently run for the first time at the end of March. This is an important step in the development of this unique community, which provides an appealing place for
Yorkshire based multi-disciplinary construction company Harris CM has completed a board-level restructure and appointed a new managing director as it targets strong operational growth and £70 million turnover this year. Neil Silcock has been appointed as managing director and will assume overall operational responsibility from Jason Adlam, who will continue
Housebuilder Harron Homes has opened new showhomes at Shipley Lakeside in Shipley near Heanor, where prospective buyers can explore a range of elegant styles catering to a variety of tastes. The two showhomes were designed by Midlands based interior designers, Open Door Interiors. Managing Director Tracy Baker described the elegant
It has recently been announced that construction is underway on a purpose-built veterinary hospital for a company that provides care across 19 countries. The development forms part of St Modwen’s Longbridge regeneration project. “Strategically, West Longbridge represents a location that will support the growth of our organisation for years to
The Saving the Last Major Bellfoundry in Britain Project is entering its next stage as it invites main contractors to tender for a programme of capital works to protect and enhance Loughborough Bellfoundry’s Grade II Listed Buildings and museum, funded by a number of generous donors and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Loughborough
Orthogonal Ltd, the engineering company, has relocated to Moorfield Group’s Aberdeen Innovation Park in Bridge of Don, as part of its business expansion plans. The company has agreed a five-year lease at Unit 7A of Crombie Lodge, moving into its new headquarters at the end of February. Orthogonal, founded in 2020 by John Niven, provides industrial 3D CAD printing services and solutions for the engineering, electronics, architectural, aerospace and automotive sectors, as well as the oil and gas industry. Currently working towards ISO9001 certification, with support via Digital Boost, the company also develops bespoke prototypes or custom models and is planning to scale operations to enable production of a wide range of engineering polymers including PEEK, Carbon PEEK and ULTEM and a selection of metals. John Niven, Director of Operations at Orthogonal, said: “Having operated in the oil and gas sector for many years, I saw a gap in the market for 3D printing services and decided to set-up the business. Launching at the onset of the pandemic was certainly a challenge, but we have weathered the storm and have been steadily building a strong customer base. With an increase in demand for our services, we decided to look for suitable premises. “Crombie Lodge is an outstanding location for us and this move marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the development of our business. It offers great facilities, is modern and innovative, as well as being set in a beautiful green environment. It offers expansion options and we can easily access our markets. Quite simply, it is the perfect base for our business to develop and thrive. Hugh Canham, Head of Asset Management at Moorfield Group added: “Crombie Lodge is a well-located, high-quality base for Orthogonal which will give the business the flexibility it needs to scale at pace. We wish John and his team the very best in achieving their development plans and we look forward to seeing the business grow and develop here. “With the easing of work-from-home restrictions and more businesses returning to the workplace, recent months have seen an uptake in letting activity across both parks. We expect to see the positive momentum continue, particularly as companies adopt hybrid working arrangements and examine their office space requirements. “We remain committed to an ongoing programme of improvement and refurbishment across both parks to ensure that Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks remain in demand from occupiers across Aberdeen and the North East.” Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks comprise 200,000 sq ft of multi-let office and industrial space for more than 80 companies and a workforce of nearly 2,000 employees. The Parks offer a varied mix of office solutions, including leased offices, serviced offices and coworking space, catering to the needs of occupiers of all sizes. The Parks are conveniently located approximately three miles north of Aberdeen city centre and close to the Third Don Crossing. Crombie Lodge comprises 12,000 sq ft of serviced office space over two floors and has recently undergone a comprehensive reconfiguration and refurbishment programme, which was managed by Aberdeen-based architect Cooper & MacGregor. The programme of works was completed to Grade A standard and includes upgrades to the building exterior, along with the reconfiguration of the entire building, including reception and shared areas. The development incorporates the best achievable sustainability and environment standards. Knight Frank and Ryden are joint agents for Aberdeen Energy & Innovation Parks, which is managed by Avison Young.
Having taken more than 20 years to evolve into the successful sustainable community it is today, The Bridge at Dartford became independently run for the first time at the end of March. This is an important step in the development of this unique community, which provides an appealing place for local people to live, work and play. The vision for The Bridge at Dartford took shape in the early 2000s, when property company, Prologis UK, joined forces with Dartford Borough Council to turn a 264-acre former historic isolation hospital site, into a thriving, attractive place for local people and businesses. The site’s regeneration included plans to place residential homes alongside a range of employment uses, effectively bringing jobs into the heart of the community. The site’s proximity to Junction 1 of the M25 offers excellent access to the London area and this has proved a major draw for businesses. The site also benefits from excellent public transport links, with the Fastrack A bus service, operated by Arriva, which connects Greenhithe, Bluewater and Dartford. A variety of businesses are located at The Bridge, including Sainsbury’s, and several high-tech engineering businesses including motor tech company, SEM, and bathroom design company, Crosswater. The Nucleus Business and Innovation Centre is also onsite alongside a number of prestigious dealerships, including Mercedes, a Premier Inn and a Beafeater restaurant. With 1,500 new homes and 80 acres of public open space, including three lakes with excellent biodiversity, the site benefits from a range of education and leisure facilities, including a local triathlon club, a primary school, Leigh University Technical College and SusCon, a sustainable construction training and research centre. There will soon be a new care home and new play park, both currently under construction. Paul Weston, Regional Head at Prologis UK, said: “The Bridge as it is today is even better than we could have imagined 20 years ago, and I am delighted that the community is now taking this important step towards a self-managed future. With two primary schools and a university technical college for 14-18-year-olds on site, The Bridge is particularly well served with amenities that are attractive to families in the area and the lifestyle benefits that come from living and working in the same place are highly valued by local residents. “I am proud of the legacy that Prologis UK and Dartford Borough Council have left at The Bridge and hope that it will inspire similar regeneration projects across London and the South East. “I wish the community at The Bridge every success as they continue to pursue their path to a more self-sufficient and sustainable future.”
Yorkshire based multi-disciplinary construction company Harris CM has completed a board-level restructure and appointed a new managing director as it targets strong operational growth and £70 million turnover this year. Neil Silcock has been appointed as managing director and will assume overall operational responsibility from Jason Adlam, who will continue as Harris CM’s CEO, focussing on building new and existing stakeholder relationships. In addition, Jason will continue to deliver property development projects, which has become a key growth area for the company in recent years. Silcock brings a wealth of experience to the role after spending the last 14 years at construction company Simpson (York) Limited, where he was managing director for the past five years. In addition, Rhys Davies has been appointed as finance director at Harris CM. The position will form part of his wider role as group CFO for Tate Group, which is headed up by Harris CM’s chairman Shane Tate, who provides strategic direction, whilst delivering opportunities in the industrial, commercial and residential development sectors. The board also comprises of commercial director, Jason Collins and construction director, James Phillips. Silcock commented: “I am thrilled to be joining Harris CM and to be working alongside such a respected and successful group of people. The business has an excellent reputation and an authenticity which I have found to be particularly appealing and relatable. I’m looking forward to supporting the team in their current roles and in doing so, strengthening the business as a whole as we continue to expand.” Jason Adlam, CEO, said: “Whilst all construction contractors are facing challenges as a result of inflationary pressures, Harris CM remains committed to providing the best possible value for money on its projects and it’s an exciting time for the business. We have already secured a strong pipeline of work for the next 18 months across a wide spectrum of sectors, and we’re on track to hit £70 million turnover in 2022. “To deliver this effectively and continue our growth trajectory, we needed to expand our senior team. We are very pleased to welcome Neil and Rhys to Harris CM and look forward to their experience and industry knowledge helping to shape our strategic direction going forward.” Harris CM is a privately owned construction company that provides new-build and refurbishment property solutions throughout the UK, with nearly 50 employees in 2022.
Housebuilder Harron Homes has opened new showhomes at Shipley Lakeside in Shipley near Heanor, where prospective buyers can explore a range of elegant styles catering to a variety of tastes. The two showhomes were designed by Midlands based interior designers, Open Door Interiors. Managing Director Tracy Baker described the elegant style of the two showhomes: “We genuinely love working with Harron Homes because its product has that ‘hotel’ feel and bespoke finish,” she said. “This provides a beautiful template for us to decorate the tasteful and refined interiors we pride ourselves on.” “The larger of the two showhomes is the three-bedroom Warkworth. It’s a build ideally suited to families looking for a tasteful, elegant design. The colour palette is selected with that audience in mind. Delicate tones of beige meet lighter ivory shades, balanced finely against French blue for a subtle contrast. It’s perfect for that tasteful hotel feel. “The smaller four-bedroom Windsor is ideal for families looking for a bright, spacious design with a work-from-home appeal. Our base colour palette of white, silver grey and mauve helps compose suave, comfortable spaces with a clear, open and peaceful feel to them. “The high-specification kitchen is the focal point of this home. Harron Homes incorporates glass in its homes, which gives a natural feeling of light and spaciousness. The use of a bay window lends a wonderful brightness to the kitchen that’s perfect for the upcoming spring and summer seasons. We were then able to supplement this with beautiful wood-panelling, balancing the boutique finish of the overall style with a touch of the traditional.” The showhomes will appeal to buyers looking to make a fresh start in a lovely home located in peaceful, natural surroundings right by Shipley Lake. The lakeside area boasts a multitude of walks and nature trails set against the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. There is an onsite country park on the development as well, offering access to the Nutbrook trail, a 10-mile traffic free-route that takes you between Shipley Country Park, Long Eaton and Heanor. Amenities are aplenty in the area too. Shipley Lakeside benefits from a multitude of local superstores nearby should you need to do a spot of shopping, plus a shopping park for those weekends dedicated to some retail therapy. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
It has recently been announced that construction is underway on a purpose-built veterinary hospital for a company that provides care across 19 countries. The development forms part of St Modwen’s Longbridge regeneration project. “Strategically, West Longbridge represents a location that will support the growth of our organisation for years to come, while being conveniently situated for pet owners whose pets require treatment at the state-of-the-art facilities,” said John Turkington, head of referral business development at IVC Evidensia. The two-storey veterinary hospital will provide a facility for IVC Evidensia and will be located adjacent to open parkland which is complimented by foot and cycle paths providing access to Longbridge town centre. Once complete, the hospital will create more than 100 jobs and operations will feature research, treatment, diagnostic, laboratory and administrative space. “IVC Evidensia will be a valuable addition to West Longbridge Business Park and will benefit the entire region. Longbridge is now home to a number of specialist organisations and we are looking forward to welcoming more in the future,” added Elliot Sellars, development director at St Modwen. “With each new business addition there is further value being added to the local community, the economy and a prosperous future for this historical site. It is a privilege for the entire St Modwen team to be involved from the start of this regeneration project and seeing elements such as this come to fruition.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
The Saving the Last Major Bellfoundry in Britain Project is entering its next stage as it invites main contractors to tender for a programme of capital works to protect and enhance Loughborough Bellfoundry’s Grade II Listed Buildings and museum, funded by a number of generous donors and the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Loughborough Bellfoundry – which is in the centre of the Leicestershire town – is also known as John Taylor’s Bellfoundry, and is the last major bellfoundry in the UK and Commonwealth. More than 25,000 bells, which can be heard in more than 100 countries, have been cast there since the present bellfoundry was built in 1859, from London’s St Paul’s Cathedral to Washington National Cathedral in the US capital, and from the National Carillon in Canberra, Australia to Cape Town City Hall in South Africa. In 2016, the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust was set up to begin the project of restoring the bellfoundry’s buildings, redeveloping the site’s museum and protecting the bellfoundry and the ancient craft of bell making for generations to come. Plans for the comprehensive restoration of the Victorian site have been drawn up by a team lead by Caroe Architecture Limited and the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust is now in a position to invite tenders from main contractors to deliver the project. Works are expected to begin later this year and complete towards the end of 2023. Main contractors are invited to submit their proposals by the deadline of 16th May 2022. The programme of works will include reconfiguration of the buildings’ archive room, office spaces and workshop facilities, as well as the creation of a new entrance into the historic site. The museum will be improved and enhanced by increasing its footprint to incorporate additional exhibition space and room for an administration office. Chrissie Van Mierlo, museum director at the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust, said: “We are incredibly pleased and excited to have issued our invitation to tender on this project. The works are going to preserve and protect these historic and important buildings for years to come and provide a wonderful place for people to visit and learn about the highly specialised craftsmanship that the process of bellfounding entails. “Our vision is for Loughborough Bellfoundry to become the global centre for the art of bell making and learning. We have been very fortunate to have benefitted from funding over the years to address the most urgent repair and conservation works required, and we’re thrilled to be in a position to enter the next stage of this project to secure the legacy of the Bellfoundry’s bells for future generations.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
