Construction firm, R G Carter has recently completed the construction of two new secure inspection facilities for Hutchinson Ports along the East Anglia coast. R G Carter won the bid to design and construct both secure inspection facilities at two of the UK’s most important ports, Harwich International in Essex,
Planning Consent For Leeds Urban Extension White Laithe Developments Ltd, as part of a consortium of landowners, has secured planning consent from Leeds City Council to transform land at Whinmoor into a residential-led sustainable urban extension with 2000 homes, which could facilitate significant job creation. Approval has been granted for
New 68,374 sq ft distribution facility set to practically complete this month Harbert Management Corporation (Europe) LLC has announced that it has secured a pre-letting at Guinness Point, a brand new 68,374 sq ft industrial unit in Trafford Park. The new distribution facility will be practically completed this month. Sainsburys
–Training costs, lack of customer demand, and excess paperwork are main barriers to change- -Installers will play a pivotal role in supporting homeowners with future heating decisions- The transition to low carbon heating is at finely balanced tipping point with installers split on whether they will be installing heat pumps
As the Building Safety Act 2022 comes into force, a leading provider of building management services is urging facilities and building managers to ensure their emergency lighting systems are ‘fit for purpose.’ The call for action from Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) comes following a number of fires in high
Story Plant is a specialist plant hirer to the UK rail industry which operates a diverse fleet of road rail vehicles fitted with SITECH® Trimble Technology to ensure quality, safety, and delivery in a sector where timescales are tight, and delays are costly. Based in Carlisle, Cumbria, Story Plant have a historic relationship
Hindle House on Traffic Street in Nottingham, which has been developed by KMRE Group Ltd, has reached practical completion with the last few apartments remaining. The new three-storey scheme sees 62 contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments brought to market, of which only 9 properties remain available for sale, including top floor
Keepmoat Homes, one of the UK’s leading homebuilders, have worked in partnership with Network Rail to enable the regeneration of the disused railway yard in Heaton with new energy-efficient homes. Following a public consultation in June, which saw the majority of the local residents supportive of the proposals, Keepmoat Homes
Roann Limited, the premium granite and quartz worktop supplier, has celebrated reaching a six-month sales total of over £4.7 million – a record-breaking achievement for the Wakefield-based business. Established in 1990, Roann Limited has secured a number of projects with credible house builders, property developers and construction businesses in recent
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Construction firm, R G Carter has recently completed the construction of two new secure inspection facilities for Hutchinson Ports along the East Anglia coast. R G Carter won the bid to design and construct both secure inspection facilities at two of the UK’s most important ports, Harwich International in Essex, and the Port of Felixstowe, Suffolk, to inspect goods such as fresh produce and plants entering the UK. Completing the new border control posts at Harwich within 42 weeks, the project was slightly larger in scale, and more complex in design and build compared to the second inspection facility delivered at Felixstowe. The new site at Harwich is situated close to a newly constructed port exit and features state-of-the-art, steel-framed buildings housing temperature-controlled conditions to maintain ambient, chilled, or frozen temperatures, dependent on the goods being inspected by DEFRA agencies. With over 100 years of construction expertise, the East Anglian-based construction firm has racked up experience working on the ports and similar projects in the past. One of the key tasks was managing their 200-strong workforce of staff and sub-contractors at Harwich International. James Wilson, General Manager and Director from R G Carter is delighted to be handing over another successful project to Hutchinson Port, he said: “This has been an exciting and truly collaborative project for us to be involved in and we are delighted to have delivered these essential facilities at these busy regional Ports. We are very proud to see them successfully open for operational use and hope they provide the very highest standards of efficiency required at this important checkpoint.” The Felixstowe project includes ten dock levellers and two loading bays, both featuring temperature-controlled rooms with commercial fridges and freezers. Both sites at Harwich and Felixstowe include high specification offices and welfare facilities for the Port and DEFRA staff. The completion of these projects has resulted in significant benefits to each respective Port. The site at Harwich also includes a new exit road which allows freight to access the facility and then exit directly on to the A120, reducing freight congestion and allowing for free-flowing traffic.
Planning Consent For Leeds Urban Extension White Laithe Developments Ltd, as part of a consortium of landowners, has secured planning consent from Leeds City Council to transform land at Whinmoor into a residential-led sustainable urban extension with 2000 homes, which could facilitate significant job creation. Approval has been granted for the creation of a new community including 2000 homes, a local centre, a primary school, public open space and part of the East Leeds Orbital Road. The circa 250 acre site comprises three adjacent parcels of land, off Coal Road and Skelton Lane, between the A58 Wetherby Road and the A64 York Road. The residential development, which will be the primary land use within the site, will incorporate a mix of market and affordable homes from two bedroom apartments to five bedroom townhouses. Leeds City Council is required to deliver 51,952 new dwellings between 2017 and 2033, with a target that 3,247 dwellings per year should be delivered. The land at Whinmoor will significantly assist in contributing to housing delivery as it will accommodate 2,000 units of the wider East Leeds Extension site, which has an allocated capacity of 3,771 homes. The new primary school will be a two-form entry school and the mixed-use local centre will provide a variety of retail, community and health uses as a focal point for the new community. The development will also provide the first phase of the East Leeds Orbital Road between the A58 Wetherby Road and the A64 York Road, connecting surrounding communities. Peter Garrett, Managing Director of Keyland Developments – one of the JV partners, said; “The planning consent has facilitated an entirely new extension of Leeds to bring about much-needed housing and associated community facilities as well as a vital new road connection. The development has the potential to deliver a multitude of economic and social benefits, including significant job creation, and we are pleased to have played a role in unlocking its potential.” John Carter, Director at Evans Property Group – a JV partner, commented; “Developments of this scale have the ability to ensure the long-term success of cities and we are delighted that this strategic site at Whinmoor will be brought to life as a vibrant mixed-use development with a community at its heart. Development of sites like this is crucial and we are looking forward to seeing the scheme progress.”
New 68,374 sq ft distribution facility set to practically complete this month Harbert Management Corporation (Europe) LLC has announced that it has secured a pre-letting at Guinness Point, a brand new 68,374 sq ft industrial unit in Trafford Park. The new distribution facility will be practically completed this month. Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd has signed a 15 year lease on the facility which will provide the retailer with a prominent, high-quality, new build development within the heart the North West’s prime industrial/logistics location. Having identified a lack of supply within Trafford Park and the wider Greater Manchester region, Harbert Management Corporation committed to speculatively develop the unit with strong occupational demand received immediately. Steve Capper, Director, CBRE’s Industrial & Logistics team, comments; “Given the lack of development within Trafford Park, coupled with the prominent location and specification of the unit, it is no surprise that an excellent company such as Sainsburys has committed to the property.” Howard Hill of Harbert Management Corporation (Europe) LLC further comments; “We are excited to welcome Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd to the Trafford Park portfolio. It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Sainsburys on the scheme and we look forward to seeing them operating from the unit very soon. We have seen record levels of take-up and rental growth across the Trafford Park holding and occupancy levels remain at an all-time high.” CBRE and B8RE acted for Harbert Management Corporation (Europe) LLC and Avison Young acted for Sainsburys Supermarkets Ltd.
–Training costs, lack of customer demand, and excess paperwork are main barriers to change- -Installers will play a pivotal role in supporting homeowners with future heating decisions- The transition to low carbon heating is at finely balanced tipping point with installers split on whether they will be installing heat pumps in their customers’ homes. That’s the main finding of a new report from heat solutions provider Baxi which assesses what would encourage installers to take the leap to low carbon sources of heat. Baxi’s research with installers found that nearly a third – equivalent to about 37,000 of the more than 130,000 of the UK’s heating engineers – are prepared to embrace heat pumps in the near future. By contrast, around 30% say they are extremely unlikely to install heat pumps. The government is targeting 600,000 heat pump installations every year by 2028. That is ten times the current market and represents a transformation from early adoption to a mass market proposition. It would require an army of low carbon heating installers to be assisting homeowners and encouraging to make the change. Amongst the main findings in the report “Heating Installers: Taking the Leap to a Low Carbon Future” are that the government and the industry will need to address the important issue of training costs, ensuring there is enough demand from customers and reducing paperwork. On training costs – 39% said they would be more likely to install heat pumps if they received help with training costs. They currently pay the full cost of training and forgo work in order to receive heat pump training On customer demand – 56% of installers said customer demand needed to be addressed and 38% of installers are concerned about lack of government support for the market. The current Boiler Upgrade Scheme which pays a max £5,000 grant to support air source heat pump installations ends in 2025. On paperwork – 44%wanted support to reduce the burden of paperwork, for example in applying for government assistance schemes Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Baxi UK & Ireland, said: “Installers will play an important role as we decarbonise the nation’s heating and it will be vital that the government and industry support them with the right information, incentives and training. “They will need to be advocates for low carbon sources of heat and recommend to the nation’s homeowners that they should make the leap to a heat pump. To achieve this, we will need to address their concerns, support them with training, and explain more clearly the financial and non-financial benefits of these appliances.” Baxi’s report makes a series of recommendations which include spelling out stronger government initiatives that will drive demand for heat pumps over the coming decade; support for training costs on a first come-first served basis; and an industry wide campaign to market the role of a low carbon heating installer to attract new entrants. For more information, and to download the report, click here
As the Building Safety Act 2022 comes into force, a leading provider of building management services is urging facilities and building managers to ensure their emergency lighting systems are ‘fit for purpose.’ The call for action from Abtec Building Technologies (Abtec BT) comes following a number of fires in high rise buildings in recent months, and at a time when the call for the ‘stay put’ policy to be abandoned. Welcoming the new legislation, the company believes such incidents place a much-needed spotlight on the need for more integrated approaches secure, robust emergency lighting reporting solutions which allow occupants to safety exit the building. Abtec BT, who launched ARGOHub – a software as a service (SaaS) offering, believes too many buildings reman ill-equipped with outdated emergency lighting systems and testing practices. This means they are not fit for purpose and cannot be relied upon in the event of an incident. Fully supportive of the current industry standards, ARGOHub can be tested in accordance with BS EN 50172:2004/BS 5266-1:2016, which specify the minimum provision and testing of emergency lighting for different premises. “Emergency building services is about more than fire alarms,’ comments Dave Watkins, Director of Abtec Building Technologies. “As the focus on building safety continues to increase, it is absolutely vital that those with responsibility for building safety take a good look at their existing systems and ask whether they are truly fit for the purpose they were installed for?. “Building managers must be sure they can control, monitor and test their emergency lighting systems with ease and confidence. We know from experience that integrating technology such as ARGOHub into building management systems will enhance overall building safety and bring peace of mind to building owners, operators and users everywhere. For any building manager who remains unsure of how things can be improved or made more robust and reliable, we are here to help.” For more information and to download ARGOHub’s white paper visit www.argohub.com.
Story Plant is a specialist plant hirer to the UK rail industry which operates a diverse fleet of road rail vehicles fitted with SITECH® Trimble Technology to ensure quality, safety, and delivery in a sector where timescales are tight, and delays are costly. Based in Carlisle, Cumbria, Story Plant have a historic relationship of using SITECH machine control systems spanning over 15 years, so when an influx of new operators and a transition from the Trimble GCS900 system across to Trimble Earthworks meant they needed training support they approached the team at SITECH. Story Plant carry out works with multiple clients across the UK, and they are now growing their customer base within the Midlands which has led to an increase in their fleet and number of operators. Mark Bruce, head of technical development at Story Plant, said: “We rely heavily on our machines and the Trimble system to get things right and we currently have six dozer machines configured with the tech. “We found that different clients want to use different configurations of the Trimble system, often our operators would only use one system for a period of time and would then require a refresher when they needed to switch to a different configuration. “Solving that skill fade was important because we need our teams to have confidence in the system they’re using. Working within the rail industry you must get the work done right first time, because timescales are tight and as there’s a closure on the rail network there are severe consequences for delays. “As well as meeting tight timescales, we place significant importance on carrying out our work safely. This involves working in areas with restricted space, such as tunnels and viaducts, so having confidence in the systems they are using allows our teams to focus on safe delivery.” “We’re also in the process of transitioning from the old Trimble GCS900 system across to Trimble Earthworks, so we approached SITECH to see if they could create a series of quick reference videos as refreshers for our operators on things like setting up the system and simple fault fixes, which they can watch on their tablet or mobile phone. “The training videos are just one example of our good relationship with the team at SITECH, as they also supported us earlier this year when we bought a Caterpillar D6K2 dozer, the largest dozer on the UK rail infrastructure. Because of the restricted space it operates in, it has a unique folding blade fitted which the SITECH team analysed to ensure the mast is located in exactly the right position when the Trimble system is in use.” To find out more about the construction technology, software and services SITECH UK & Ireland offers, visit the website https://www.sitechukandireland.com.
Hindle House on Traffic Street in Nottingham, which has been developed by KMRE Group Ltd, has reached practical completion with the last few apartments remaining. The new three-storey scheme sees 62 contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments brought to market, of which only 9 properties remain available for sale, including top floor penthouses. Apartments at Hindle House feature open-plan living spaces, ensuite bedrooms, modern kitchens with integrated appliances, on-site cycle storage, secure entry, a reception area and lift access. Optional car parking is also available for residents. The development in Nottingham is conveniently located just one mile from the city centre and is less than half a mile from Nottingham Railway Station – with regular travel available to London St Pancras in as little as one hour and 32 minutes. Areas surrounding the development are also undergoing extensive regeneration, opening up previously underused parts bordering Nottingham city centre – as well as the ongoing redevelopment of Broadmarsh shopping centre, which will likely see the site split into different zones for residential, retail and commercial developments as well as green spaces. Just a short walk away from Hindle House are some of Nottingham’s finest attractions, prime retailers and lively food and drink scene, such as the historic Nottingham Castle complete with its network of underground caves, and high street stores including Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, Ted Baker and Flannels. Julia Day, sales and development progression manager at KMRE Ltd, said: “We’re very pleased to see works at Hindle House reach practical completion, with the majority of the properties selling off plan very quickly. Only a handful of these modern apartments remain available, including spacious penthouses which boast excellent views. “This development’s location is very well-connected to transport links and the rest of the city, making it an ideal place to live for professionals and those who commute further afield with Nottingham Railway Station conveniently close by. “Nottingham itself is a thriving and bustling city – and is home to many major employers and company head offices, including Queens Medical Centre, the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University, Boots, Experian, HMRC and Capital One. The development also offers close proximity to Castle Marina retail park and NG2 business parks, with Nottingham’s canal network, the River Trent and Victoria Embankment beauty spots within walking distance. “As our second scheme in the city, the first being our 81-home luxury apartment development known as The Yacht Club situated on the banks of the River Trent, we are proud to be investing in the city to bring quality new homes to the area.” Interested buyers wishing to enquire about the remaining apartments at Hindle House are invited to contact selling agent – Pygott & Crone. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Keepmoat Homes, one of the UK’s leading homebuilders, have worked in partnership with Network Rail to enable the regeneration of the disused railway yard in Heaton with new energy-efficient homes. Following a public consultation in June, which saw the majority of the local residents supportive of the proposals, Keepmoat Homes and Network Rail has agreed the legal transfer of the land to transform the derelict rail sidings at Heaton Down Yard into 143 new homes and a planning application has been submitted to Newcastle City Council. The plans include a range of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses, each featuring enhanced insulation as well as energy-efficient designs for a lifetime of low energy bills. Of the new homes built, 21 will provide affordable housing. 14 will be offered for either discount market sale or First Homes and 7 will be affordable rent, to be delivered in partnership with Bernicia Housing Group. The scheme will include a number of unique biodiversity features including a noise attenuation bund alongside the railway that also creates a series of ecological habitats ensuring that wildlife is able to thrive within the development. A swale will be installed which will run through the site to a SUDS pond to accommodate any surface water at times of high rainfall. These features will help create an attractive landscaped setting for the new homes. A group of mature trees along Marleen Avenue located on the northern boundary of the site is to be retained, and as part of the homebuilder’s commitment to build a sustainable community and promote a healthier lifestyle for its residents, a dedicated cycling and pedestrian route is proposed. In addition to the new housing development, Keepmoat Homes has committed to delivering an array of initiatives that will support the local community and residents of Newcastle upon Tyne. Upskilling and employment opportunities will be generated by hiring local contractors to undertake the work on site, and a programme of apprenticeships and pre-employability training programmes will be available following the creation by Keepmoat Homes of the NHBC Training Hub in Scotswood. The housing developer will also be supporting the local community and charity groups throughout the lifetime of the development. Ian Worgan, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes said: “We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with Network Rail to deliver much-needed new housing in Heaton. We have a strong track record of breathing new life into brownfield land in the city and this scheme follows on previous successes in this respect at The Grove in Byker, The Rise in Scotswood and Dunblane Crescent in West Denton, all delivered in partnership with the Newcastle City Council. “Our aim is to build 143 new sustainable homes on the disused site, which will provide an increased choice of quality homes for prospective homeowners, including first-time buyers and those looking to up-or-downsize. “As a company, not only do we strive to create better places for people to live, we place a strong emphasis on supporting and investing in the local community within which we work, and are driven to work in partnerships with Local Authorities such as Newcastle City Council to maximise local labour, employability and skills within the construction industry, creating apprenticeships and opportunities for young people to kick-start their career within the region.” Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail said “We are proud to have created a partnership with Keepmoat Homes on the redevelopment of this regionally important brownfield site. It will enable the delivery of 143 new sustainable homes, much needed affordable housing for the North East. “This is a partnership that aligns with the Government’s strategy to accelerate the rollout of sustainable housing to drive local economic growth. It’s a project that demonstrates the pivotal role the railway can play in unlocking important development sites. “The public and private partnership that we’re delivering it through is an approach we are replicating in other towns and cities across the country. It will provide long-lasting benefits for the local community and the region.” Newcastle’s commercial real estate agency, Naylors Gavin Black LLP, advised Network Rail on the redevelopment of the site. Newcastle Quayside based law firm Ward Hadaway advised Keepmoat Homes on the site purchase and Addleshaw Goddard LLP acted for Network Rail. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Roann Limited, the premium granite and quartz worktop supplier, has celebrated reaching a six-month sales total of over £4.7 million – a record-breaking achievement for the Wakefield-based business. Established in 1990, Roann Limited has secured a number of projects with credible house builders, property developers and construction businesses in recent years, which has contributed to extensive business growth. Key partnerships include Taylor Wimpey, Crest Nicholson, Midgard Construction, and Hill Partnerships. The company has reported a £975,000 increase on last year’s six-month sales figures and is on track to exceed 2021’s annual sales figures. The business has experienced substantial progression and now produces over 15,000 worktops per year and this year, Roann is set to complete over 400 projects by the end of 2022. “We are delighted to have experienced such a successful six months here at Roann Limited. We have worked on some very exciting projects across the country, and we look forward to continuing this period of growth. As the demand for our products and service continues, we strive to meet the needs of our clients and stay competitively priced,” said Scott Wharton, Sales Director at Roann Limited. Established in 1990, Roann Limited specialises in manufacturing, supplying and installing high-quality granite and quartz worktops within the house building, property development and construction sectors. With more than 30 years’ experience, Roann Limited is dedicated to procuring stone worktops that help developers significantly reduce costs on their projects by selling direct to them. Roann Limited’s purpose-built factory in Wakefield houses more than £2 million worth of state-of-the-art stone manufacturing machines and equipment, enabling the business to fabricate more than 15,000 worktops every year. Roann Limited proudly holds accreditations with many of the industry’s leading health and safety schemes, including SSIP certification, and is also ConstructionOnline Gold Approved. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
