May 31, 2022

THE BUILD-TO-RENT OPPORTUNITY AND HOW DE-RISKING IS KEY FOR DEVELOPERS

The build-to-rent (BTR) market is bigger and more diverse than it has ever been. Once largely the domain of students and young professionals in big cities, the demand for rented property is skyrocketing, with developers that had previously worked to more well-worn revenue models now looking at how to get a slice of the pie. What’s more, getting

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Vehicle safety in construction still cause for concern

Safety on construction sites has improved greatly over the past fifty years. However, the latest report by HSE (Health & Safety Executive) shows that construction tops the most dangerous occupations in the UK for fatal injuries. One of the main causes of fatal incidents for workers is being struck by

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

May 31, 2022

Britishvolt partners with Prologis to build £200m West Midlands scale up facility to create “battery corridor”

Britishvolt has partnered with logistics real estate operator Prologis to build its UK battery cell scale-up facility in the West Midlands, home to the internationally renowned battery ecosystem of WMG, Advanced Propulsion Centre and UK Battery Industrialisation Centre With a budget exceeding £200m, the plan looks to create upwards of 150 highly skilled, well-paid jobs; unifying the Britishvolt Northumberland Gigaplant with a centrally located scale-up/technology hub The “Battery Corridor” concept enhances the UK’s existing battery ecosystem and powers the country ahead in the next industrial revolution The Hams Hall site will spearhead new cell formats and electro chemistries to create higher performance, production ready, batteries of the future whilst helping lower cell costs for more affordable EVs, aiding mass adoption New facilities, based at Prologis Park Hams Hall, are net zero carbon in construction and will achieve an EPC A Rating in operation Battery pioneer Britishvolt will anchor its UK battery scale up facilities in the West Midlands, with an investment exceeding £200 million, with partner Prologis that will create and sustain upwards of 150 highly skilled and well-paid technology jobs. Leasing the facility enables Britishvolt to rapidly ramp up cells that are production ready to be manufactured in larger volumes at its Northumberland Gigaplant. Paul Franklin, Property Director, Britishvolt: “This is another important milestone for Britishvolt, UK plc and its world class automotive industry. The UK’s battery ecosystem is a global leader in integrated technology development and industrialisation with the Warwick Manufacturing Group, Faraday Institution, UK Battery Industrialisation Centre and the Advanced Propulsion Centre. I am delighted to see Britishvolt lead the UK’s journey into re-industrialisation with the first full-scale battery Gigaplant. The new R&D and scale-up facilities announced today will help the UK build on its home-grown battery intellectual property and level up the country ready for the energy transition.” To summarise the importance of the facility: Hams Hall is destined to become a centre of excellence for all things EV/Electrification, with major automakers close by. The facility will complement the Britishvolt value proposition for customers at Cambois, Northumberland and support the smooth startup of Gigaplant operations in 2024. Practical completion of the development is anticipated in July with fit out and equipment installation to be undertaken through to end Q3, 2023. Tom Price, Capital Leasing & Deployment Director, Prologis UK: “Partnering with innovative technology brand Britishvolt has been a pleasure. The reputation of Hams Hall and the location’s connections to the UK automotive sector has allowed us to embark on a wider conversation with Britishvolt. With battery technology seen as the way forward, it’s exciting to be working in this growing sector. “Prologis is committed to embedding sustainability into every aspect of our business. When looking at “last-mile” logistics, that is the final delivery of goods to people’s homes, it’s clear that the work Britishvolt are embarking on will contribute to reducing emissions in supply chains” The West Midlands is already a “golden triangle” of international battery excellence with the Warwick Manufacturing Group, Advanced Propulsion Centre and UK Battery Industrialisation Centre. This new investment and commitment to the region will further unlock the huge economic potential of the UK’s world-class battery cell ecosystem. Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands: “Britishvolt’s investment in the West Midlands is another seismic vote of confidence both in the future of our region and our automotive prowess. We are already the heartland of the UK’s automotive industry with the country’s biggest car manufacturer, Europe’s largest research centre of its kind, the UK’s only battery industrialisation centre, and a world-leading supply chain. So, it is incredibly exciting that as we accelerate our Gigafactory plans for Coventry Airport, Britishvolt are adding their expertise to our cluster. “I am determined the West Midlands becomes a global leader in the research and production of state-of-the-art battery technology, and today’s announcement is another step towards achieving that.” Charles Spicer, Industrial and Logistics Director at Savills Birmingham, comments: “This is a hugely exciting emerging sector that Savills has been tracking for number of years. We are delighted to have acquired this new site for Britishvolt at the heart of the UK’s automotive industry, which is a major endorsement for the wider West Midlands industrial market.” Britishvolt has already developed pre-A battery samples at WMG in Warwick and is scaling up its unique A-Sample cell formulations at UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in Coventry. This new £200 million investment, coupled to the unique regional battery expertise, enables Britishvolt to develop new formats and formulations helping to make both higher performance and more affordable cells for the world’s future electric cars & commercial vehicles. Britishvolt’s collaborations with academia, industry and private enterprise will also help transition the UK from fossil fuels to a low carbon, battery-based electric future. Britishvolt has already confirmed MoUs with Lotus Cars and Aston Martin Lagonda, which, alongside other commitments to be announced shortly, have cumulative demand in excess of 7GWh in 2024 and 2025, and set the stage for the full 38GWh factory capacity that will be supplied annually from its Gigaplant site in Northumberland. The release of an official A-sample battery cell to customers, which is scheduled in 2022, will help to further accelerate commitments. Britishvolt is one of the fastest growing battery technology companies in Europe and globally. The company is also in discussions with the Canadian Government regarding its expansion plans in the country. https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6935860075269926912 Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News

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THE BUILD-TO-RENT OPPORTUNITY AND HOW DE-RISKING IS KEY FOR DEVELOPERS

The build-to-rent (BTR) market is bigger and more diverse than it has ever been. Once largely the domain of students and young professionals in big cities, the demand for rented property is skyrocketing, with developers that had previously worked to more well-worn revenue models now looking at how to get a slice of the pie. What’s more, getting the right partners involved can help steer the direction of travel down the most profitable road, according to Paul Staley, managing director of BTR specialist Wise Living.   The BTR market has grown rapidly in the past decade or so, largely off the back of investment from the U.S and Europe. While the rental market in the UK is behind the curve set in central Europe – where in some countries around half of homes are rented – the rising cost of owning a home is going to be a catalyst for the ever-increasing number of people in this country viewing renting property as a viable, long-term option.   With the average house price in this country in the region of £270,000, households would realistically need to have a sizeable deposit and combined income in excess of £50,000 to even be considering a mortgage of that size. Factor in the cost-of-living crisis, and the challenges of society are beginning to stack against home ownership.   The make-up of the BTR market is something that has developedorganically, and while investors are beginning to see the nuance, it can often be difficult to proceed without the right partners involved.   The student market has been well established for decades now and is often seen as an easy win for investors, but it is the emerging sectors in which the most opportunity lies.   The new breed    What is clear is that BTR now means so much more than the previous perception of student flats, and as the sector grows, this will start to become more apparent to investors, housebuilders and – most importantly – prospective tenants.   The newest element to the BTR mix is the single family – those cohabiting rather than sharing, typically with dependents and looking more at suburban housing rather than city centre apartments. This market is usually based around two-or-three-bed family homes and is one that is going to be of increasing relevance to investors and developers.   The main barrier is therefore not the lack of opportunity, but how we as an industry make the transition to delivering more BTR schemes by changing perceptions. For instance, if a developer has become quite comfortable selling houses on the open market, making a reasonable margin and ticking over, BTR is usually a topic that may only be discussed once a year before being shelved.   However, in times where money is tight and the spectre of recession continues to loom, BTR becomes a highly viable way to de-risk a developer’s expansion. If they can work with the right partner, an upfront block of units is taken off their hands and begins to generate income at a quicker rate.   The critical point there, however, is that it needs to be the right partner – one which can work with the developer on an end-to-end basis. Only then is the majority of risk ushered away, and only then will BTR be the best option.   The key starting point is establishing the criteria for the where, how, and what of a BTR development. The wrong type of BTR in the wrong place will not maximise returns, and the standard open housing market model won’t work. As a result, developers and investors must factor in the planning early on to truly achieve a partnership model that is successful.   Pinpointing the correct location   As an example, at Wise Living the first thing we consider is the location. For those renters looking at the two-to-three bed single family homes we specialise in, being close to local amenities and good transport links is often a make-or-break situation. However, we also need to be aware on behalf of our partners of areas where capital values outpace rental values.   The next step is looking at the product type with the housebuilder and ensuring that what is being offered is right for the target market and area. This is often a sticking point with developers when they ask for pricing against certain specifications, but equally it is where early engagement and clear discussions are most worthwhile.   By working together closely at an early stage, schemes can be finessed. Fresh house layouts and types can be looked at and specifications developed to maximise return on investment, while also providing housing that is both high quality and value for money.   This de-risking conversation is particularly pertinent when large and challenging sites are involved. Anywhere with potential groundwork issues and lots of remediation to be done would usually throw up significant red flags for developers and investors. Identifying a partner at an early stage that can take that risk on – paying for the land upfront, then dealing with the groundwork and infrastructure side –  has its clear advantages.   The earlier the conversation, the more the risk is shared, and the less capital is drained at the start of the project, where typically costs are at their highest. It’s a value solution that may not have been on the table before, but will be increasingly viewed as viable as the public demand for rented accommodation grows.   Changing a mindset   It’s no secret that private rental properties are some of the worst maintained properties in the UK, which is why there’s a lot of pressure through legislation to try and rectify standards across the board. At Wise Living, our end-to-end service proposition provides an altogether different experience and means that we can ensure quality at every stage.   Because Wise Living also handles the letting process, vetting of tenants and the continued maintenance of the homes and surrounding greenery, this type of service is helping to debunk the perception that some rented housing can be unpleasant and not well-built or maintained.    We can add value to a scheme, rather than detract from it as we work with our partners to create genuine family homes that are professionally managed without hidden fees. So, not only can a BTR partner like Wise Living provide reassurance in the early stages by helping to design the best scheme, take on challenging locations and buy the units as fast as they can be built – the tenants will also be happy.   It’s a mindset that is changing among tenants, and investors and developers are catching on that there is a growing niche in the market, but only if you

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Vehicle safety in construction still cause for concern

Safety on construction sites has improved greatly over the past fifty years. However, the latest report by HSE (Health & Safety Executive) shows that construction tops the most dangerous occupations in the UK for fatal injuries. One of the main causes of fatal incidents for workers is being struck by a moving vehicle. In fact, when compared to the causes of non-fatal injuries, incidents involving a moving vehicle resulted in at least one death on all reported occasions in 2020/2021.  Since the introduction of the latest set of Construction Design and Management Regulations (CDM) in 2015, those found guilty of breaching health and safety rules have faced even heftier fines. In 2021, BAM Nuttall Limited was ordered to pay more than £700,000 after an employee was run over and killed by a dumper vehicle at one of its sites. The construction company was found guilty of breaching section 15 (2) of the CDM Regulations, which specify that a contractor must plan, manage and monitor construction work carried out either by the contractor or by workers under the contractor’s control, to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, it is carried out without risks to health and safety. But what does this mean exactly? In BAM Nuttall’s case, the HSE found that the company had failed to adequately assess the risks to their employees while they were repairing and replacing equipment. It also found that the company had failed to provide a place or places where such work could be carried out safely and which segregated people from vehicles. Clearly, vehicle safety should always be taken seriously. But regulations can also be open to interpretation. Certainly, there are question marks over the duties and responsibilities of companies, operators and individuals when it comes to ensuring hazards posed by vehicles on worksites are prevented. The CDM Regulations for vehicles state where a person may be endangered by the movement of a vehicle, suitable and sufficient steps to give warning to any person who is liable to be at risk from movement of the vehicle must be taken by either or both: the driver or operator of the vehicle, or where another person is directing the driver or operator because, due to the nature of the vehicle or task, the driver or operator does not have full visibility Large construction vehicles are notorious for having complex and numerous blind spots and visibility has long been an issue for drivers and workers on the ground. While the CDM Regulations don’t indicate precisely what the suitable and sufficient steps operators should take to prevent incidents are, it is clear that operators and their drivers have a legal obligation to ensure people are not endangered by vehicles under their control. In the event of an incident, an operator or driver could be prosecuted and face hefty fines if they were found to be in breach of these rules. So how can operators and drivers ensure they do not violate these rules? Standards introduced by the industry, such as CLOCS, specify fitting vehicle safety equipment to address such safety concerns. This equipment includes technology like 360-degree cameras, radars and warning alerts. Emily Hardy is a vehicle safety expert and Marketing Manager at Brigade Electronics UK – a leading supplier of safety devices and solutions for construction vehicles. She said: “Construction sites can be extremely challenging and unpredictable environments. Therefore, maintaining safety at all times can be very difficult. On construction sites, the need for safety is paramount, particularly as the slightest mistake can have devastating consequences. “Smart technology is helping to address the problem of restricted visibility and blind spots on vehicles operating on construction sites. These include the very latest RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, such as Brigade’s ZoneSafe proximity warning system.” Ideal for construction sites, ZoneSafe usesvehicle-mounted antennas that communicate with detection tags, which can be worn by workers, set up in restricted areas or placed on objects or property. When a tag enters a detection zone, the vehicle operator will automatically receive a visual and audible alert via the in-cab control unit, which will enable them to take the necessary action. Tags worn by workers on foot will also vibrate to warn of an approaching vehicle. Due to the RFID technology, which does not require line-of-sight, tags will be detected regardless of obstructions, blind spots, adverse weather conditions or poor visibility. Each tag can be uniquely identified and linked to individual people. Emily continued: “This technology is ideal for all types of construction vehicles that frequently operate within close proximity of workers and other machines. The system provides fast, reliable and accurate data exchange without any limitation on the number of tags or antennas in operation, making it perfect for large areas like busy construction sites.” As the industry prepares for Hillhead in June, safety remains top of the agenda. Emily added: “Driver training is key to ensuring safety standards are adhered to. However, vehicle safety technology can add an additional layer of security and peace of mind for operators who are keen to ensure that their workplaces remain hazard free.” Brigade Electronics will be attending Hillhead 2022 at Hillhead Quarry Buxton Tuesday 21st to Thursday 23rd June and exhibiting its range of plant and construction vehicle safety systems, including ZoneSafe. Find them at Stand RF1. Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News

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