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September 14, 2022

Johnson Controls offers open-protocol FireClass fire detection technology 

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

Unveils an open-protocol, easy-to-install digital solution Designed to appeal to both end-users and installers to deliver safety, security and choice across industries  Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, offers an alternative approach to fire detection through its FireClass range, a class of open-protocol fire

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HOW TO AVOID GRAND DESIGN HEADACHES

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

“People often skip ahead to their dream of what the project’s going to look like but have little understanding about the process of how to get there.” Planning and designing your own interiors on a construction project as a non-professional should come with a health warning. Dan Grimshaw says proceeding

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New CEO appointed at Scottish environmental tech firm

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

Scottish technology firm, Recycl8, has announced the appointment of new CEO, Mark Gillespie. The former energy executive will be working with the Recycl8 team to drive the firm’s business strategy as they enter the next stage in their development. Recycl8 founder and nationally regarded authority on waste management, Ian Skene,

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Encon Construction Products launches first edition Product Guide

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

Encon Construction Products, a specialist division of The Encon Group, continues to invest in growth with the launch of its first edition Product Guide. The new digital Guide includes an extensive range, helping specifiers, contractors and builders’ merchants find the right products for their building and infrastructure projects, easily and

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Issue 324 : Jan 2025

September 14, 2022

Boyer achieves Planning Consent for Vibrant mixed-use community on former Tyneside shipyard

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

National planning consultancy Boyer (part of Leaders Romans Group)has secured a positive resolution to approve planning permission on behalf of Hebburn Riverside Development Ltd for the development of 446 homes, community and commercial space at the former Hawthorne Leslie Shipyard on Ellison Street in Hebburn. This resolution was achieved at South Tyneside’s Planning Committee on Monday 5 September. The development will represent a significant regeneration project, transforming the 3.7ha former dockyard into a vibrant new community with homes, flexible community spaces, shop and restaurant. The new community will be set in an attractively landscaped setting on the banks of the River Tyne. A range of community uses, including ‘pop up’ uses, are envisaged for the new pavilion building, which will also host a permanent exhibition depicting the rich history of the site. The design has been influenced by the site’s shipbuilding heritage: the design of the larger scale apartment buildings pays homage to the ships that were once constructed within the shipyard, with design elements providing subtle references to marine construction. The houses will reflect the Victorian style of architecture found elsewhere in Hebburn. In acknowledgement to the site’s important wartime history, it is proposed that the development is named ‘Kelly’s Yard’ in honour of the World War II K-class destroyer, HMS Kelly, which was built and launched at the site in 1938. HMS Kelly was named after the Admiral of the Fleet, Sir John Kelly. Phillip Allin, Director of planning consultancy Boyer said, ‘We are delighted to have achieved this positive outcome which will lead to the transformation of this brownfield site bringing a vacant and inaccessible section of the riverside back into active use, creating a vibrant and sustainable community though an appropriate mix of much-needed homes and community uses. ‘The new scheme will result in the remediation of this former industrial site, making it safe for future generations. It will ensure the protection of local mudflats and saltmarshes which are of importance ecologically, and reduce the pressure on the Green Belt – a significant consideration in the emerging Local Plan.’ Mark Russell and Barry Holmes of LDA Design conceived and masterplanned the vision for the redevelopment, supported by consultants Design Division, Tetra Tech, Wardell Armstrong, Andy Clay Consulting, UES ecology, GIA, Ollio, Purcell, Turner Townsend, Avison Young and RPS. –

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Johnson Controls offers open-protocol FireClass fire detection technology 

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

Unveils an open-protocol, easy-to-install digital solution Designed to appeal to both end-users and installers to deliver safety, security and choice across industries  Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, offers an alternative approach to fire detection through its FireClass range, a class of open-protocol fire detection products, and seen as a step away from its previously perceived perception in the market of only offering managed or closed-protocol systems. FireClass consists of a comprehensive range of industry-approved products for use in commercial, residential, corporate, retail, leisure, care home, and manufacturing and warehouse environments to make spaces safer and more secure in the event of a fire.    Johnson Controls FireClass is the culmination of digital fire detection technology built on over 50 years of dedication and performance. It uses the latest fire detection technology and is packaged in an easy-to-install, out-of-the-box, and digitally open-protocol solution with ISO 9001-2000 quality registrations and major international performance standards and approvals.    “Opening up our fire detection portfolio by offering open-protocol with FireClass solidifies our commitment to providing a flexible approach to safety in the places and spaces that surround us. We pride ourselves on having an acute understanding of fire safety and protection and these product innovations are based on our knowledge of customer needs to make our places safer and more secure.” said Adam Norris, Head of Product Management at Johnson Controls. “Our mission is to advance safety by finding smarter ways to save lives, improve businesses and protect where people live and work. Individually, each product represents the highest levels of research, development and proven performance, but together, they add up to most encompassing source of protection a customer will find.”   The FireClass product range was specifically designed to provide the most effective and efficient system for the environment and for those responsible for installing and maintaining the system. Open protocol for fire detection, open choice for the future.   To learn more about FireClass and the full suite of products, please visit: https://www.johnsoncontrols.com/en_gb/campaigns/fireclass-open-protocol   

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Downwards Transition (Plus Inflation) Could Cost the Retail Sector £2.7 billion in extra Business Rates Says Colliers

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

With high inflation rates on the cards Ratings Experts tell  Government it’s even more important to abolish downwards transition to support beleaguered sector Business rates experts at Colliers are urging the government to remove fears that the expected cut to business rates bills for the retail sector in England will be significantly watered down by transitional relief –  to the cost of around £2.68 billion for the sector alone over the three years of the new 2023 list. And the highest inflation rates since the early 1990s have been making the situation worse. With August CPI announced today at 9.9% and expectations it will be 11% for September, Colliers is urging the government to announce it will pass on the expected reductions in business rates bills following the next revaluation in April 2023 immediately, rather than to phase them in slowly over the three years of the new list. In the first commercial property revaluation since 2017, retailers who currently pay about £7.625 billion of the £26 billion tax are expecting substantial reductions in one of their biggest outgoings, since in most regions of the country rental values for the retail sector have fallen sharply in recent years. However,  as part of each revaluation, the government decides whether to implement transitional relief which phases in reductions and increases. The retail sector overall has a total rateable value of c£15.8 billion, which according to Colliers is expected to drop toc £12.64 billion* following an estimated average 20% drop in rents. On paper this should mean that next year from April 2023 businesses in the retail sector should be paying c£6.46 billion in business rates. Yet if phased reductions are introduced due to a downwards transition policy, Colliers estimate the sector will in fact pay c £8.11 billion, £1.65 billion more than they should be and for some retail businesses, because of levels of inflation, higher bills than they are paying now. And over the three years of the list,  retailers that should be paying a total business rates bill of c£21.45 billion will in fact be pay c £24.13 billion if downwards transition is introduced – an extra £2.68 billion more. According to Colliers downwards transition following the last revaluation in 2017 was one of the key factors in keeping rate bills higher in the struggling retail sector than they should have been and led to the closure of retailers such as ToysRUs and Laura Ashley- even before the pandemic hit. John Webber, Head of Business Rates at Colliers said, “We have been campaigning for the removal of downwards transition and have strongly made our arguments to government in their recent consultation on the topic which closed in August. “Many retailers have been battered in the last few years, and really need to see the reductions on their business rates bills immediately in 2023- not phased in slowly. The sector is already coming under immense pressure following the energy crisis and high business rates could tip many over the edge. Operators in the sector will be considering their business plans now for next year and will be looking closely at their future business rates liabilities, particularly now the Covid-related reliefs have come to an end. Some may well end up making drastic decisions. He continued, “Our figures – based on an average 20% drop in rental values – are actually very conservative.  For many stores particularly in shopping centres and on non-prime high streets, rents have fallen further reaching 40% or even 60% falls. For these businesses an out of step phased reduction of their business rates bills will be disastrous. “There is no downward transition in Scotland or Wales, so why is it considered sensible for England?”* “It is essential the new Prime Minister take this issue seriously and provides reassurance that rates bills next year will immediately reflect the lower rents we are seeing in the market today – providing incentives for businesses to keep or expand space and for property investors to invest in the sector. Without this reassurance, the government’s  “levelling up agenda” will be meaningless and the revival of the high street will be pie in the sky thinking.“

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HOW TO AVOID GRAND DESIGN HEADACHES

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

“People often skip ahead to their dream of what the project’s going to look like but have little understanding about the process of how to get there.” Planning and designing your own interiors on a construction project as a non-professional should come with a health warning. Dan Grimshaw says proceeding without detailed drawings that specify how a building is to be constructed can lead to frayed tempers and out of control budgets. “Too often to save on costs or because they have simply failed to understand the whole construction process, clients opt to do without them,” said Dan, from Beam Development. “’Spec’ing-as-you-go’ can be overwhelming, with the whole construction timespan involving making thousands of decisions – from flooring choices to bedroom storage, to picture lights – on the hoof. “This will also, inevitably, involve frequent consultations with the site manager which is a drain on resources and diverts funds from the efficient running of the site. “Almost always disputes, misunderstandings and problems could have been avoided had detailed drawings been in place.” Dan, who works on premium residential projects in London, says many people are influenced by TV shows and aspirational images on social media sites like Instagram. “People often have a picture in their mind of the home they want and assume the process will be as simple as going into a shop and walking out with a product. “However, the reason these properties look amazing is because someone has spent a lot of time, effort, skill, and money – and probably quite a lot of styling – creating that image. “People often skip ahead to their dream of what the project’s going to look like but have little understanding about the process of how to get there. “They don’t really understand what architects or interior designers do and why should they. “As an industry we must do more to help people to understand the process, how to engage in it and to respect it and value it.” Dan says he would like to see more construction companies raising the issue at the tender stage and either provide costings should they wish to carry out that work themselves, or else volunteer their own recommended architect or interior designer. “The key is to identify the gap in the first place. If the client is unwilling to pay for that work, then maybe they are not prepared to pay for your time, in which case it might be better to pass on the work. It’s about finding the right fit in both directions.” Dan Grimshaw is a design and construction specialist based in Bath and London. He is a mentor to the British Library’s prestigious Innovating for Growth programme. For further information visit: www.beamdevelopment.co.uk

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New CEO appointed at Scottish environmental tech firm

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

Scottish technology firm, Recycl8, has announced the appointment of new CEO, Mark Gillespie. The former energy executive will be working with the Recycl8 team to drive the firm’s business strategy as they enter the next stage in their development. Recycl8 founder and nationally regarded authority on waste management, Ian Skene, will move into the role of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), where he will work closely with Mark and the wider team to bring their ground-breaking low carbon green concrete to market. Mark is a high-profile figure in the energy and renewables industries, having held senior executive roles across various companies including Global Marine Group, Royal IHC, Ecosse Subsea Systems as well as TechnipFMC and GE Oil & Gas. Founded by Ian Skene in 2019, Recycl8 works in collaboration with the waste-to-energy and global construction industries to transform Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) normally destined for landfill into a high-performing, low-carbon concrete solution.  Ian said, “I’m delighted to welcome Mark to the Recycl8 team, and have no doubt he will excel in the role. Mark’s strong track record as a leader in the energy industry, with his particular expertise in the renewables sector, places us in a very strong position to work with all our stakeholders to bring our unique product to market. By working with us, concrete manufacturers can deliver a significantly reduced carbon footprint to our ever-growing demand for concrete, and waste-to-energy facilities have an alternative, circular economy solution to sending ash to landfill. “Mark’s appointment is extremely timely. We were recently awarded patent status for our low-carbon concrete solution, which means we are the only company in the UK permitted to process IBA and transform it into our concrete mix. As we look to build on this milestone, Mark’s appointment will strengthen our team and drive our progress in this next exciting phase of the business.” Mark added, “I’m excited to join Recycl8 and work alongside Ian and the team. I’ve long admired Ian’s pioneering work in the waste management industry, and I’m passionate about helping Recycl8 in their bid to foster the circular economy and reduce the carbon footprint of the construction and waste-to-energy industries. I look forward to building on the excellent work that Ian and the team have done over the past three years.” Recycl8 is a socially and environmentally conscious company which is committed to contributing to the circular economy and to supporting businesses and communities reach their net zero goals. The company is currently exploring potential bases in the Central Belt area, in a bid to be closer to waste-to-energy incinerator plants, and to be more centrally located for concrete manufacturers and other stakeholders across the UK. Recycl8 previously secured a 7-figure investment from energy industry figures, Mike Wilson founder of Ecosse Subsea Systems and Doug Duguid founder of global engineering firm, EnerMech, as well as a 6-figure grant by Innovate UK to assist with the testing process. Since then, Reycycl8 have achieved several milestones, including being awarded their patent status for their solution, appointing Lloyd Duncan to assist with expanding into the renewable sector specifically targeting wind farms, as well as being shortlisted for Innovation of the Year at this year’s Elevator Awards. Both Mark and Ian will be attending RWM – the recycling, resource and environmental services conference in Birmingham this week (14th to 15th September). For more information visit https://www.r8iba.com

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Encon Construction Products launches first edition Product Guide

Kenneth Booth September 14, 2022

Encon Construction Products, a specialist division of The Encon Group, continues to invest in growth with the launch of its first edition Product Guide. The new digital Guide includes an extensive range, helping specifiers, contractors and builders’ merchants find the right products for their building and infrastructure projects, easily and quickly. Working with leading industry suppliers such as Ancon, Birtley/Expamet, GCP, RIW, Sika, Tecties, Visqueen and Weber, the Guide includes comprehensive product information across six core categories: Concrete & Reinforcement Accessories, Construction Chemicals, Geotechnical, Groundworking Products, Masonry Components and Waterproofing. Each category is colour-coded for ease of reference and customers can also access further information and technical data sheets online, in a newly developed area of the website. Vaughan Taylor, Strategy Director – Encon Construction Products comments: “We’re delighted to offer our first ever digital Product Guide specifically for Encon’s growing choice of construction products. We take pride in our wide range, specialist knowledge and technical expertise and feel this is truly reflected in our new Guide. We’re also extremely pleased to integrate this information into our website giving customers instant access across all our solutions and in a format that suits them best. The Guide and website also detail our growing Infrastructure support, which plays an integral role in large scale building projects.” Encon Construction Products was launched in 2019, strengthening the Group’s position as the leading distributor in specialist markets. The team has grown significantly over the last two years, underpinned by the strong demand in the sector and the company’s expert knowledge, widespread experience and national distribution. Earlier this year, the specialist division welcomed Richard Wade as its new Sales Director. Download the new Guide here or visit www.encon.co.uk.

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