A sustainable housebuilder has set out its vision for the future – and how it will help tackle climate change and promote biodiversity in the communities it builds. Cora, based in Northamptonshire, has released its new Sustainability Report, setting out clear targets on cutting emissions and construction waste, nature stewardship,
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has been awarded a c.£90 million contract by Fife College for the design and construction of a new learning campus in Dunfermline, Scotland. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the delivery of three interlinking buildings spanning over 20,000m2, which will house state-of-the-art teaching facilities
In response to the announcement that £60m will be made available to revive brownfield sites, Mark Powell, managing director of EDAROTH – a wholly owned subsidiary of Atkins – said: “Any investment in housing is a positive move. But looking at the scale of the problem across the UK today,
Leading specialist plant hire firm Land & Water Plant has made the commitment, alongside the rest of the Land & Water Group, to become Carbon Net Zero by 2030. In order to do this, the firm is expanding its fleet to offer more specialist hybrid and fuel-efficient solutions that fulfil
A Suffolk construction firm has been named within a £1 billion national framework to deliver projects across the public sector. SEH French, based in Ipswich, is among 94 companies included in Pagabo’s Medium Works Framework to deliver projects worth up to £10 million. The company was also included within the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
A sustainable housebuilder has set out its vision for the future – and how it will help tackle climate change and promote biodiversity in the communities it builds. Cora, based in Northamptonshire, has released its new Sustainability Report, setting out clear targets on cutting emissions and construction waste, nature stewardship, social responsibility and reducing its carbon footprint. Luke Simmons, Managing Director of Cora, said: “This is a very exciting time at the company. “Last year the company underwent a complete rebrand and we developed our new Sustainable Building Framework, our new vision for the future. “This new Sustainability Report shows some of the progress we have already made and sets out what we want to achieve in the years ahead. “We want to be at the forefront of tackling the climate emergency and building sustainable, environmentally-conscious communities and hope other companies in our sector do the same.” The company has current sites in Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire. The report reveals that last year more than 96% of Cora’s construction waste was diverted from landfill – a total of almost 375 tonnes – while in the office, 3.48 tonnes of paper was recycled. Of the 106 new homes that it delivered in the last financial year, 78% were EPC rated A or B – approximately 40% more energy efficient than existing housing stock in England. The company has also joined the UN’s Race to Zero campaign, pledging to halve its greenhouse emissions by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050, and is committed to voluntarily reporting its annual carbon emissions. Over the next two years, Cora aims to increase its affordable housing provision to more than 50%, reflecting the business’ growing social ambitions. Cora is also pushing ahead with research into modern methods for off-site construction with the aim of reducing its carbon footprint and harmful emissions even further. Mr Simmons added: “Sustainability and climate responsibility is at the heart of everything we do at Cora, and I am very proud of the progress we have already made. “We are committed to achieving our goals – to help combat the climate emergency and provide families with energy efficient, climate-resistant homes in sustainable, biodiverse communities.” Cora has recently been shortlisted in the SME of the Year category at the prestigious Edie Awards, the UK’s largest awards celebrating sustainability and climate leadership. For more information on Cora and its Sustainability Report, visit https://cora.uk/about-us/sustainability/impactreport2022/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has been awarded a c.£90 million contract by Fife College for the design and construction of a new learning campus in Dunfermline, Scotland. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the delivery of three interlinking buildings spanning over 20,000m2, which will house state-of-the-art teaching facilities and learning spaces for students, staff and business clients. As part of its commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy for the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty has committed to 50% of its workforce being made up of people from the local, surrounding area. Once complete, the campus will bring together c.4,500 school pupils and college students from Fife College, St Columba’s RC High School and Woodmill High School. Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to design and construct the new Fife College campus in Dunfermline, testament to our significant experience and expertise in delivering further education projects in Scotland. “Throughout, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to positively impacting local communities and stimulating economic growth, providing numerous employment opportunities for local people as well as work experience placements for students.” Main construction is scheduled to commence later this month. At peak construction, Balfour Beatty will employ approximately 400 people including a number of apprenticeship and graduate positions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In response to the announcement that £60m will be made available to revive brownfield sites, Mark Powell, managing director of EDAROTH – a wholly owned subsidiary of Atkins – said: “Any investment in housing is a positive move. But looking at the scale of the problem across the UK today, this is barely a drop in the ocean, especially compared to the £1.6bn spent on temporary accommodation from 2021 to 2022, according to government’s own figures. “There are currently in excess of one million households on social housing waiting lists across England, so an extra 5,800 homes by 2027 as quoted in the statement is in no way adequate. And it is a long way short of widely accepted estimates that we need to build at least 90,000 new social homes per year. “It’s a challenge that requires a proportionate response. However the recognition that brownfield sites have a role to play in the solution is welcome, as we have been calling for, and integral to that development is the use of modern methods of construction. “In addition to traditional methods, MMC represents a very real opportunity to accelerate the delivery of new homes across the UK which are not only energy efficient but can also be built faster with greater cost certainty. “But the MMC sector needs a strong pipeline of developments in order to sustain it and make it viable in the UK, which we would hope funding announcements like this will support.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading specialist plant hire firm Land & Water Plant has made the commitment, alongside the rest of the Land & Water Group, to become Carbon Net Zero by 2030. In order to do this, the firm is expanding its fleet to offer more specialist hybrid and fuel-efficient solutions that fulfil its client’s needs. The firm is thrilled to have recently taken delivery of the first Hitachi ZX130-7 super long reach excavator in the UK. Land & Water Plant Hire is already home to the largest range of long reach excavators and the most comprehensive fleet of amphibious plant and road transportable marine equipment in the UK. The Hitachi ZX130-7 model is ideal for dredging rivers and lakes, as well as bank maintenance. It is exceptionally durable and stable, and does not compromise on user-friendly operation. The environmental benefits of the Hitachi ZX130- 7 include: Dan Jackson, Strategic Account Manager at Land & Water Plant Hire, said: “We strive to ensure we have the very best offering for our customer’s needs. Increasing our offerings with more fuel-efficient machines like the Hitachi ZX130-7 helps us meet our own environmental targets as well as our clients. We will continue to adapt along with the market and requirements whether it be additional hybrid, fully electric or hydrogen in the near future. “As part of our company’s drive towards a net zero future, we are committed to ensuring that our clients have access to sustainable solutions. Innovation is one of our key values at Land & Water and we are extremely proud to be bringing new environmentally conscious technology to the UK.” The construction and civil engineering industry makes up almost 40% of the world’s CO2 emissions. The Land & Water Group is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and becoming Carbon Net Zero by 2030, making it one of the industry’s key pioneers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Suffolk construction firm has been named within a £1 billion national framework to deliver projects across the public sector. SEH French, based in Ipswich, is among 94 companies included in Pagabo’s Medium Works Framework to deliver projects worth up to £10 million. The company was also included within the initial framework launched in 2019, before being named in the second instalment which launched on 17 January 2023. Simon Girling, Director at SEH French, said: “It’s an honour for SEH French to be included in the second generation of this framework. “This provides significant opportunities for the company and our staff, and our appointment is testament to the quality of work we provide.” Pagabo helps public sector organisations to connect with suppliers to deliver a full range of works, services and goods through framework agreements. Every company is pre-approved by Pagabo and includes a range of national and regional contractors. The Medium Works Framework will run for four years until 2027 and cover construction projects between £50k and £10 million. Mr Girling continued: “The new year is off to a fantastic start already and we look forward to seeing the opportunities this news brings.” SEH French already works on a number of other frameworks led by organisations including Suffolk County Council, Essex County Council and Wellcome Genome Campus. The company operates throughout East Anglia with projects covering sectors including education, residential, industrial and more. To find out more about SEH French, please visit www.sehfrench.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
