BarNET ZERO, the new borough-wide campaign to help Barnet become one of London’s most sustainable boroughs is launching on 16 Jan. The campaign has been designed to bring residents, communities, and businesses on the borough’s journey to Net Zero, through advice, information and support. The initial five-week campaign will look
Commercial real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has agreed three new lettings at Ascent Logistics Park in Leighton Buzzard. The largest of the three units, spanning 79,493 sq. ft., will be accommodated by wholesaler and retailer AS Colour, whilst healthcare provider HCA UK has taken an 60,835 sq. ft.
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS) has become an official Supporter of susdrain, the community for sustainable drainage created by CIRIA, the construction industry research and information association. Susdrain is a community that provides a range of resources for those involved in delivering sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). It provides up-to-date guidance, information and
Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE President of the Royal Academy of Engineering welcomed last Friday’s publication of the ‘Net Zero Review: UK could do more to reap economic benefits of green growth’ report by former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore. Sir Jim says: “I welcome the publication of the Mission Zero
KICKING the new year off to a running start, leading commercial property agent Innes England has announced a number of key promotions – including the appointment of a new equity holder. Matt Howson, who joined Innes England in 2016, has been promoted to a shareholding director. Managing director Matt Hannah
In partnership with the leading environmental charity Changeworks, the City of Edinburgh Council is helping homeowners transform the energy efficiency of their homes. Making 166 homes in Oxgangs warmer and fit for the future by improving external wall insulation, more than 50 properties have already received major improvements with over
The Actis specification team is looking forward to taking part in a face-to-face technical roadshow with LABC later this month – which will provide delegates with three and a half hours of CPD training. The event, aimed at builders, specifiers, building control officers and architects in the central region, takes
Family-run Scottish housebuilder, Muir Homes, has purchased land with planning permission to build high-quality family homes at its first development in Midlothian. The new site is in Pathhead, a popular community close to Dalkeith. The site is allocated for housing in the Midlothian Local Development Plan and extends over 6.9
Colchester-based chartered surveyors Whybrow, which operates under the Beresfords property group umbrella, is on the development team on the Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure Park. Its dedicated team of chartered surveyors is advising its client, Turnstone Estate, with commercial needs throughout the construction of the 200,000 sq. ft. Northern Gateway Leisure
BarNET ZERO, the new borough-wide campaign to help Barnet become one of London’s most sustainable boroughs is launching on 16 Jan. The campaign has been designed to bring residents, communities, and businesses on the borough’s journey to Net Zero, through advice, information and support. The initial five-week campaign will look at each of these areas, showcasing some of the work already taking place across the borough, and how individuals can take small (or large) steps to become more sustainable. Launching at the same time is the council’s new Sustainability Newsletter which will provide regular updates on progress on the journey as a borough, as well as the opportunity for individuals to make pledges on their own personal journey to Net Zero. In May 2022, the council declared a Climate and Biodiversity Emergency and set the target of becoming a Net Zero council by 2030 and Net Zero borough no later than 2042, pledging to go further and faster than before. A Barnet Council spokesperson said: “We all need to work together to become one of London’s most sustainable boroughs, and we can only do that if we all play our individual part within it. Everyone can do something, and every small step will take us on the journey to becoming Net Zero. “The individual pledges we can all make are a great first step for those who may not have previously thought about this agenda. “Some of small things we can do include reducing meat consumption, switching to more sustainable transport options like walking and taking the bus instead of getting in the car, getting involved in local volunteering opportunities in the community and supporting local businesses to adopt more eco-friendly practices. “We also know that one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions in Barnet comes from domestic energy use in the home. So, another great option, for those who can, is to insulate homes, install solar panels and other energy saving technology like ground source heat pumps. “We are committed to supporting residents, businesses and communities make sustainable choices wherever they can, and our dedicated BarNET ZERO website provides more information on other steps you can take” In February 2023, Barnet will hold its first-ever Citizens Assembly in parallel with the launch of its Young’s People’s Assembly, tackling the question: Barnet has declared a climate emergency. What more can we do together to make Barnet more sustainable, now and in the future? More information on the progress of these assemblies can be found here: Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change and Biodiversity 2023 | Engage Barnet Working at pace in this ever-changing landscape, the Council has delivered many actions, some of the highlights so far include: We want to hear about the steps you take in becoming more sustainable – share them via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with the #barnetzero – we will upload the best ones to our website! To receive the latest sustainability news and events from Barnet Council, including grant funding opportunities and support you can subscribe to the BarNET ZERO newsletter: www.Engage.barnet.gov.uk/net-zero Let’s work together in becoming one of London’s most sustainable boroughs #barnetzero Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commercial real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust, has agreed three new lettings at Ascent Logistics Park in Leighton Buzzard. The largest of the three units, spanning 79,493 sq. ft., will be accommodated by wholesaler and retailer AS Colour, whilst healthcare provider HCA UK has taken an 60,835 sq. ft. unit, and Tate Business Group, a leading UK provider of essential business supplies, will occupy a 16,787 Sq. ft space. Accredited by the UK Green Building Council for its net-zero carbon construction, Ascent Logistics Park is built with sustainability in mind. With a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating, all units are integrated with smart design, delivering positive and lasting change for businesses and the environment. The latest round of lettings mean seven of the scheme’s eight units are now fully occupied, with existing tenants including Spreetail, Airbox UK, Solution EU and Stone Hardy. One 48,639 sq ft unit remains available at Ascent Logistics Park, which reached completion earlier this year. Chris Beer, Senior Associate at Firethorn Trust, said: “This is a significant milestone for Ascent Logistics Park, as we near to full occupancy. The diverse mix of tenants reflects the scheme’s high-quality, modern and flexible specification, in addition to our team’s commitment to working closely with occupiers to ensure we are responding to their operational requirements effectively.” Lawrence Railton, Managing Director at AS Colour, said: “At AS Colour, we are committed to manufacturing and delivering a premium product for our customers through efficient operations and responsible practices. The tenancy at Ascent will allow us to enhance our UK supply chain and grow our shipping capabilities to meet customer demand even more effectively.” Scottie Lambright, CEO in the Supply Chain function at HCA, commented: “As a business, we continue to set out and deliver on ambitious growth plans. Ascent will put us in a central location to further improve operations, ensuring HCA facilities can always access the right supplies and equipment, and in turn, deliver outstanding patient care across the UK.” Richard Beal, Managing Director at Tate Business Group, added: “Location, flexibility and specification is key to ensuring we can effectively meet diverse client requirements and provide a tailored solution that improves the efficiency of their supply chains. It has been a pleasure working with Firethorn to secure our new home at Ascent, which will allow us to maintain our exceptional service offering as our customer base continues to grow.” Situated off the Leighton Road, Ascent Logistics Park offers a quick and easy route to London Luton airport, Milton Keynes Central station and the M1/M25 motorways, which are within a 30-minute drive. To find out more about the site, or for information on the other Ascent Logistic Park units, please visit www.ascentlogisticspark.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS) has become an official Supporter of susdrain, the community for sustainable drainage created by CIRIA, the construction industry research and information association. Susdrain is a community that provides a range of resources for those involved in delivering sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). It provides up-to-date guidance, information and case studies that help to underpin the planning, design, approval, construction and maintenance of SuDS. The community of support is for all those – from flood risk managers and drainage and highways engineers through to planners, designers, landscape architects and developers – seeking to increase knowledge, confidence and the delivery of SuDS. Although a relatively new name in the UK, US-based ADS is a leader in the manufacture of corrugated thermoplastic drainage pipes and a specialist in water management systems. Its lead attenuation system in the SuDS environment is StormTech. Combining arch-shaped chambers with an innovative, integrated water quality treatment system, StormTech has been used successfully in over 50,000 projects worldwide employing in excess of 2.5 million units. In respect of their new relationship with susdrain, ADS’s UK manager Stuart Crisp says: “Our support for susdrain forms part of our commitment to provide class-leading information and solutions to the SuDS community, as well as improving awareness of our proven StormTech system. For instance, StormTech fully complies with the recently updated Design and Construction Guidance for foul and surface water sewers offered for adoption under the Code for adoption agreements for water and sewerage companies operating wholly or mainly in England. This means that water companies in England can accept StormTech when offered for adoption by developers under Section 104 Agreements in accordance with the Water Industry Act 1991. Additionally, recent structural modelling to Eurocodes has demonstrated that StormTech SuDS attenuation chambers can be installed to the minimum and maximum cover depths that are detailed within the standard ADS installation guidelines, originally based on US Standards. Through susdrain, we hope to contribute to the knowledge base of SuDS practitioners and illustrate the viability of StormTech, based on the hard empirical proof now available.” For more information on Advanced Drainage Systems, visit www.adspipe.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE President of the Royal Academy of Engineering welcomed last Friday’s publication of the ‘Net Zero Review: UK could do more to reap economic benefits of green growth’ report by former Energy Minister Chris Skidmore. Sir Jim says: “I welcome the publication of the Mission Zero review, with 129 recommendations that bring together many of the key enablers of a faster and better transition. Crucially, this report echoes calls from the engineering profession and beyond about the need for joined up decision making processes for policies and infrastructure, driven by a net zero delivery body at the heart of government and enabled by public engagement and empowering local communities to plan and act. We also strongly welcome the emphasis placed on overlooked but crucial and value-unlocking issues of materials and circular economy, energy efficiency, building regulations, planning, nature, and place-based approaches.” “With less than 30 years to meet the government’s own target for decarbonising the economy, it is imperative that policymakers can confidently take rapid actions alongside more complex and longer-term decisions. The UK’s ability to decarbonise at sufficient speed and scale, and to attract the necessary investment to deliver the transition, is dependent on key decisions made by government now.” “Crucially, this review properly emphasises the many benefits of pursuing a path to net zero and the risks of not doing so. Transitioning to net zero is in fact an opportunity to capture benefits for everyone through the creation of new markets, industries, innovation and skills development. This review is correct to place importance on delivering a supportive environment for mission-led R&D and demonstration projects so that the UK can become a hub of late-stage R&D investment and unleash net zero innovation.” “Mission Zero sets a challenge to government, engineers and all of society to begin in earnest the delivery and implementation of the net zero vision. The engineering profession is eager to supercharge and co-ordinate the net zero projects, operations and innovations that are ongoing to accelerate progress and prosperity at a crucial time.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
KICKING the new year off to a running start, leading commercial property agent Innes England has announced a number of key promotions – including the appointment of a new equity holder. Matt Howson, who joined Innes England in 2016, has been promoted to a shareholding director. Managing director Matt Hannah accredited his elevation to his ability to strengthen and develop important relationships with clients, and his consistently high-quality work. Explaining his new role, Matt said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to become an equity holding director in the company, and I’m looking forward to the more strategic role I will be playing for the wider business. “I joined Innes England as a chartered surveyor and have since seen my career grow exponentially thanks to the opportunities and support that Innes England has provided, for which I am immensely grateful. “This year, I hope to build the property asset management team’s successes from 2022 further, working alongside Gary Woodward and the rest of our hugely talented team, and am looking forward to see the new heights we can reach.” Innes England, which has offices in Nottingham, Derby, Leicester and Birmingham, has also announced several other promotions, including two new directors. Hannah Vassey is promoted to finance director, and Ross Whiting becomes director of business space agency. Hannah said: “I love working at Innes England. The company has supported me in carving out a role for myself that’s my own, promoting every step of my personal and professional growth along the way. “The new capacity this promotion provides will allow me to engage more with the strategic decisions that are driving the business forward and is more of what I enjoy in my work already. I’m immensely grateful and keen to continue my work in my new role.” On his promotion, Ross said: “In the eight years I’ve been with Innes England, I’ve had the opportunity to grow and develop massively as a surveyor. Since graduating, I’ve worked my way up through the ranks negotiating and delivering numerous successful deals for the business and am now excited to be taking this next step up. “I’m particularly looking forward to the opportunity this promotion affords me to be more involved within the company and I will continue to strive to provide results for my clients.” Innes England’s sweep of New Year promotions also sees chartered surveyors Andrew Smith and Sam Hall move up to associate director of professional services and associate director of retail and roadside respectively. Both were recognised by the senior team for their diligent work with many of their important clients, such as the high street hallmark retailer Greggs, and Well Pharmacy, working closely with them to achieve their business needs. Speaking on all the promotions announced, Matt Hannah said: “I want to congratulate all five members of the team that have been promoted. They have all proved themselves as significant contributors deserving of being rewarded for their hard work and determination to continue building on Innes England’s growing successes. “They have all shown the attitudes, values, and most importantly the ability to bring forward and work between our service lines for an all-encompassing offering to our clients that I believe sets our business apart. I look forward greatly to seeing how they will develop their skills and careers further with us in their new roles.” To find out more about Innes England, visit the company’s website: https://www.innes-england.com/
In partnership with the leading environmental charity Changeworks, the City of Edinburgh Council is helping homeowners transform the energy efficiency of their homes. Making 166 homes in Oxgangs warmer and fit for the future by improving external wall insulation, more than 50 properties have already received major improvements with over a hundred others to be completed by the Spring. Funding is provided by the Scottish Government through the Energy Efficient Scotland; Area based Scheme (EES:ABS). These area-based schemes are designed and delivered by councils with local delivery partners. They target fuel-poor areas to provide energy efficiency measures to a large number of Scottish homes while delivering emission savings and helping to reduce fuel poverty. The schemes in Oxgangs are helping households make major improvements to their home at a significantly lowered cost. Some households even qualify to have the work done for free, completely removing the financial burden for households at a time when that relief could not be more needed. Installing insulation makes it cheaper and easier to heat the home, meaning householders can expect to save on their heating bills. Oxgangs is an area that does suffer from a higher rate of poverty than other areas of the city and all houses included in the project are in Council Tax bands A to C. This project, with a total funding of £1.9 million, is targeted at reaching those most in need. The EES:ABS scheme is open to private householders and mixed tenure blocks have been targeted too, benefitting both social housing tenants and private householders. The Council is directly funding the works to Council homes. Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Most of the homes in the area are receiving external wall insulation which means their homes will keep more heat in. This is important because it means more Oxgangs residents are going to see their homes stay warmer for longer, at a time when temperatures are low but energy bills are worryingly high. “As people become more conscious of their energy use, these projects will have a real impact – both on the planet and Edinburgh’s net zero goals and on the lives of homeowners and tenants who need this support now, more than ever.” One resident who received the external wall insulation is Catherine Murray, who says she’s “delighted” with the difference it’s made. She said: “My house is warmer, much warmer, it’s really noticeable. I don’t need the heating on as much, I put it on in the morning and then the house is fine until I put it on again at about 7 or 8 until I go to bed. If I’m in the living room, it contains the heat. “We’re on the main road and the people that pass stop and look, it’s amazing. People stop to comment on it. “It really brightens the place up, I don’t get out much anymore but when I do, it makes you feel better when you do come into the area, you can really see the difference between the ones that have been done and the ones that haven’t been done, it’s great. I really appreciate the work that’s been done.” Most of the homes in the area are receiving external wall insulation installed by contractor SERS. Not only does this mean that their homes will keep more heat in, keeping them warmer for longer and requiring less energy to heat, it provides a complete refresh of the outside of the property too. With it being an external insulation measure, there’s no work done inside the house. Alongside the Oxgangs project which is currently underway there are four other retrofit schemes in Edinburgh which form part of the EES:ABS 2022/23 programme. These include an external wall insulation and solar PV scheme in Gilmerton, a fabric improvement programme in Murrayburn and Drumbryden, a citywide internal wall insulation roll out and hard-to-treat cavity and solar PV works across the EH16 and EH17 postcode areas. To register your interest in similar schemes should they become available in your area, fill in this simple online form.
The Actis specification team is looking forward to taking part in a face-to-face technical roadshow with LABC later this month – which will provide delegates with three and a half hours of CPD training. The event, aimed at builders, specifiers, building control officers and architects in the central region, takes place on Thursday January 26 at Redbourn Golf Club in St Albans, with doors opening at 8am and the event finishing at noon. Actis will present a mini version of its RIBA-approved CPD on changes to Part L, Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards, while other topics on offer include addressing warranty defects and modern solutions for old issues. The event is the latest of LABC’s monthly informative sessions, which are a mixture of face-to-face and virtual activities. This is the fifth year in a row in which Actis is working with LABC as a CPD partner. The free seminar will also see LABC looking at the latest building regulations news. The roadshows are aimed at helping other industry members gain greater insight into issues affecting the construction sector, with the Actis component focusing on thermal efficiency. Reserve your place here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Family-run Scottish housebuilder, Muir Homes, has purchased land with planning permission to build high-quality family homes at its first development in Midlothian. The new site is in Pathhead, a popular community close to Dalkeith. The site is allocated for housing in the Midlothian Local Development Plan and extends over 6.9 acres. The proposals include 34 high quality and energy efficient houses and four flats next to Tynewater Primary School at the southern edge of the village. The majority of homes are for private sale and the flats will provide affordable homes to be managed by Midlothian Council. Muir’s design will blend the much needed new family homes in Pathhead with the existing community. The plans incorporate existing footpaths and include new links from the new homes to the school, local parks and amenities. As well as creating routes to and from the new homes, Muir will also include additional landscaping to the existing tree line to provide a natural and sustainable buffer between the proposed homes and the primary school. “We are pleased to announce the completion of this new site at Pathhead. It is part of Muir Homes commitment to build quality new homes in new communities across Scotland. Muir is proven to be successful in providing superb quality homes where people want to live. Pathhead not only has its own vibrant community, it is a village on the edge of stunning countryside, with easy access to village, town, out-of-town and City shopping experiences nearby. It also has the advantage of being easily commutable to Edinburgh,” said Paul McKay, Managing Director, Muir Homes. “Our family homes are suited to this type of location. Families will be attracted to the range of education options and recreational activities. The homes also allow space for homes offices to support hybrid working. We aim to contribute positively to the development of Pathhead through the new homes we are providing and the enhancements to the existing facilities for the community.” Muir Homes will build larger family homes to accommodate the demand for houses in this area as it provides an attractive environment for children and good quality Primary and Secondary Schools; Pathhead also offers access to amenities at Dalkeith and easy accessibility to Edinburgh. The 9 new affordable homes will allow residents with lower incomes to stay in the area in good quality accommodation. The plans meet the requirements of the national and local design policies. As part of its commitment to the local community, Muir is working closely with the Tynewater Community Council to ensure the new homes are integrated into the existing village. It is also recommending any investment it provides will benefit directly the Pathhead community. Construction will start in March with the new private homes released for sale at Easter. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colchester-based chartered surveyors Whybrow, which operates under the Beresfords property group umbrella, is on the development team on the Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure Park. Its dedicated team of chartered surveyors is advising its client, Turnstone Estate, with commercial needs throughout the construction of the 200,000 sq. ft. Northern Gateway Leisure Park, having acquired this ten-acre site next to the A12 from the Council. The leisure park, which is due to complete in Autumn 2023, will include a 12-screen cinema for Cine UK, 20-lane bowling alley for Hollywood Bowl, a Puttstars indoor golf centre and Jump Street indoor play park. As well as this it will have a 96-bed Travelodge, drive-thru restaurants for Greggs and Wendy’s, an EV charging station and a high-quality landscaped piazza with parking for 750 cars. “We’re delighted to be assisting on transforming the Northern Gateway into a hub, which is a key part of our commitment to boosting the economy of the Borough. The whole development and Northern Gateway area will also benefit from the construction of a carbon-cutting, District Heat Network at Colchester Northern Gateway to supply heat and hot water to the developments’ homes and businesses. A digital network will also provide ultra-fast broadband to local homes and businesses, as well as encouraging biodiversity through bio retention ponds and the planting of native trees,” said Ewan Dodds, chief executive officer of Whybrow. Terms have now also been agreed to let three of the restaurants, one to Kervan Kitchen and two others to a regional buffet operator (4,000 sq. Ft.) and one to a gelato and meat restaurant (3,200 sq. ft.) with terms out on several others. Practical completion is due in September 2023. “We are pleased that our expert team of chartered surveyors at Whybrow are working on this exciting project, to bring the very best results. Northern Gateway Leisure Park will have a great impact on the local community and beyond, and we look forward to seeing it complete next year,” added Paul Beresford, chief executive officer of Beresfords. Established in 1985, Whybrow has been dedicated to providing property consultancy to local, regional and national companies – particularly those with a presence in the South East and London – for nearly 40 years. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
