March 20, 2023

Green light for Hammerson’s former department store redevelopment

Green light for Hammerson’s former department store redevelopment

Birmingham City Council has unanimously granted planning consent for proposals which would see the development of a former department store at Birmingham’s Bullring into a mixed-use space. Hammerson’s plans for ‘Drum’ will see the creation of 200,000 sq ft of offices with the 40,000 sq ft ground floor reserved for

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Construction gets underway on Passivhaus council housing in Midlothian

Construction gets underway on Passivhaus council housing in Midlothian

Work has started on-site to build 20 new affordable housing apartments in Midlothian. Situated on the High Street of Bonnyrigg’s popular town centre, Cruden Building is delivering the project on behalf of Midlothian Council. The new homes will support the Council’s wider ambition to reach net zero by 2030. Achieving

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Hochiki reveals the next generation of emergency lighting

Hochiki reveals the next generation of emergency lighting

World leaders in life safety, Hochiki Europe, have today announced the launch of their next generation of emergency lighting, FIREscape Nepto. This intelligent, self-testing and self-monitoring emergency lighting system is set to revolutionise the emergency lighting market. Building upon the success of the FIREscape range launched in 2009, this new

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South London campaign to help fill construction shortage

South London campaign to help fill construction shortage

Young people in schools and colleges across South London are being encouraged to consider an apprenticeship in a bid to help fill the shortage in the construction industry.  An initiative has been launched to find more construction apprentices who can help ensure building projects across the city are completed on

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Five tips to help you drive safety transformation

Five tips to help you drive safety transformation

The priority for managers in charge of safety is the health and wellbeing of their employees. But, when those leaders try to implement transformational measures, getting approval for the budget needed to guarantee and improve the safety levels can prove an obstacle. Demonstrating the value of safety in an organisation

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Wates delivers DfE’s first net zero school

Wates delivers DfE’s first net zero school

Wates has completed work on the first Net Zero school as part of the Department for Education (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme, the £10 million Littleborough Community Primary School in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The 2,243sq m two-storey project, has been constructed on land within the existing Littleborough campus. It will provide

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Latest Issue

BDC 321 : Oct 2024

March 20, 2023

Green light for Hammerson’s former department store redevelopment

Green light for Hammerson’s former department store redevelopment

Birmingham City Council has unanimously granted planning consent for proposals which would see the development of a former department store at Birmingham’s Bullring into a mixed-use space. Hammerson’s plans for ‘Drum’ will see the creation of 200,000 sq ft of offices with the 40,000 sq ft ground floor reserved for a mixed-use hospitality space. The ground floor will feature space for restaurants, a bar and food market, alongside a grocery store, gym and wellbeing amenities, and a flexible events space. Hammerson hopes that the redevelopment of an existing scheme will save approximately 14,000 tonnes of CO2, and are targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, an EPC A rating, a Gold WELL Building standard and WiredScore Platinum rating, to create a development which is 2030 LETI Band A-compliant. John Lewis pulled out of the scheme last year in what was a huge blow to Birmingham and Grand Central. Harry Badham, chief development and asset repositioning officer at Hammerson, said: “We welcome Birmingham City Council’s approval of our plans, with the decision a significant boost to Birmingham’s reputation as a city for business, one that is progressive, dynamic and setting the benchmark for others to follow across the UK. Drum is a great demonstration of how Hammerson’s creativity and a deep understanding of occupier needs can create assets that thrive by diversifying their purpose to accommodate an even greater range of uses and users.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Construction gets underway on Passivhaus council housing in Midlothian

Construction gets underway on Passivhaus council housing in Midlothian

Work has started on-site to build 20 new affordable housing apartments in Midlothian. Situated on the High Street of Bonnyrigg’s popular town centre, Cruden Building is delivering the project on behalf of Midlothian Council. The new homes will support the Council’s wider ambition to reach net zero by 2030. Achieving status as the largest Passivhaus development programme in Scotland, Midlothian Council is committed to building 182 green homes across the local community. Designed by award-winning architecture firm, AHR, eight of the new apartments will offer assisted living, with the remaining twelve apartments providing age-exclusive homes for those aged 55 and over.  Achieving Passivhaus certification, the homes will offer tenants bright and spacious living spaces paired with more affordable running costs. A series of measures are being incorporated to help reduce energy consumption levels, including the new homes being fitted with Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) units to provide a constant flow of fresh air, whilst also helping to retain energy that has already been used in heating the apartments.  The development will feature an attractive brick exterior to compliment its neighbouring buildings and keep with the original character of the surrounding community. With an array of local amenities available in Bonnyrigg town centre, Midlothian Council tenants will be able to embrace independent living with easy access to nearby shops, healthcare centres and transport links.  Work is due to complete in July 2024. Richard Crowther, Commercial Director at Cruden Building Scotland, said: “The Cruden Group is committed to delivering more energy-efficient homes across Scotland, so we’re delighted to support Midlothian Council in reaching their wider net zero goals through building these new apartments.  “Passivhaus homes can allow up to 90% of energy savings in comparison to other types of builds, which will bring life-changing benefits to local tenants, particularly at a time where living costs are at an all-time high.” Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Stuart McKenzie, said: “We’re extremely proud to be delivering the most ambitious Passivhaus building programme in Scotland. The people who will call these flats home will enjoy living in a comfortable, warm, energy-efficient and affordable home. These flats help us towards our goal of achieving net zero status by 2030.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Ground-Breaking Ceremony Takes Place at New Sixth Form Building in Sheffield

Ground-Breaking Ceremony Takes Place at New Sixth Form Building in Sheffield

A special ground-breaking event was held to mark the start of construction work by R G Carter on the new sixth form building at King Ecgbert School in Dore, south-west of Sheffield. Head Teacher Paul Haigh and staff from the school joined representatives from the school’s governance and the R G Carter team to celebrate this exciting milestone in the project. A time capsule was also created to commemorate the commencement of the works which will be buried on the site later in project.   By utilising the main school building for students aged 11-16, this one-storey, 1294 m2, building will provide a stunning, new, dedicated modern space for sixth form lessons and studying and is expected to be completed during the academic intake year of 2023. The new building will house 15 new state of the art classrooms and features a giant wall-to-floor glass study room where students will have access to university standard facilities and technology to support their learning. Designed around the feeling of university study spaces students will have the pleasure of learning in a relaxed, adult environment with stunning views out over the countryside. King Ecgbert School is a large 11-18 secondary school of around 1,450 students. The sixth form currently accommodates around 380 students; the new building will help increase its total capacity, allowing the school to absorb all current and future catchment needs and allow the school and sixth form to grow. Classed as a ‘System Leading School’, the school is rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, was awarded World Class School status in 2018 and was voted World Class School of the Year in 2019. King Ecgbert School has a reputation for helping to prepare a high number of students to progress to further education destinations, include Russell Group universities as well as having an inclusive ethos hosting Sheffield’s largest Integrated Resource for children on the autistic spectrum. The increase in capacity will only strengthen these offers. Headteacher Paul Haigh said: “We are delighted to mark the beginning of the construction of our new sixth form building. It has been a huge privilege for me to break the ground today in what will soon be a first-class learning setting and an exciting, inspirational, and creative centre for future lawyers, medics, nurses, sports stars, artists, and teachers.” Tim Owen, Senior Project Manager for R G Carter Lincoln Ltd, said:  “We’re extremely proud to be working in partnership with King Ecgbert School, its Multi Academy Trust Leadership team, and Sheffield City Council on this outstanding new sixth form building. Everything about the new building has been designed with the students in mind and to provide an educational space that will not only benefit current pupils but also future generations for many years to come.” Chris French, CEO for the Mercia Learning Trust, said: “It’s extremely exciting to finally get the ball rolling on the school’s new sixth form building. It will provide pupils with state-of-the-art facilities, modern classrooms and an environment and help provide the space to accommodate all catchment students as they progress through school.” Councillor Mick Rooney and Councillor Dawn Dale, Co-Chairs of the Education, Children and Families Committee, said:  “It’s fantastic news to see this work starting at King Ecgbert School which will result in an easing of pressures on school places from September 2023, especially in South-West Sheffield.  It’s an excellent example of how King Ecgbert School and Mercia Learning Trust and the council are working in partnership after securing funds from the Department for Education for this project. We have recognised the demand in the school and this new building will mean that pupils can progress through to sixth form and that we can provide high quality integrated resource places for pupils with special educational needs. It’s very reassuring to see such progress.” As part of the pre-construction design process students worked closely with HLM Architects and the interior designers to ensure the building reflected their needs and tastes. The student body chose soft colour pallets for the classrooms and thought about every detail, from the wooden flooring, to the quite spaces needed by some of its students with learning difficulties. This ethos will be continued throughout the construction process with Core Architects and the R G Carter site team. R G Carter Lincoln Ltd secured this project under the YORBuild3 Medium Works Framework. The project is funded by Sheffield City Council. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Telford Homes reaches milestone in BTR and affordable housing scheme in east London

Telford Homes reaches milestone in BTR and affordable housing scheme in east London

Telford Homes and Notting Hill Genesis have reached the latest milestone in the development of 267 new homes, more than half of which will be affordable housing, at the joint venture’s site in Royal Albert Wharf, east London. Phase 2b of the Gallions Quarter scheme, located on Atlantis Avenue in Beckton, part of the Royal Docks regeneration area, has now reached its full structural height. Telford Homes and Notting Hill Genesis celebrated the topping out of the two new buildings, which reach 11 storeys at their highest point. 132 of the homes will be for market rent, with a further 135 affordable rent and shared ownership homes. 40% of the total are 3 bedroom family homes. With completion expected in early 2024, residents will have access to communal landscaped podium gardens, secure parking, new public amenities provided across Royal Albert Wharf and benefit from a concierge for their security and convenience. The ‘topping out’ was marked by a ceremony attended by Telford Homes, Notting Hill Genesis, the Greater London Authority (GLA), Hunters, and the sub-contracting team. It closely follows a visit by Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, in an endorsement of the scheme’s role in the multi-billion pound regeneration of the Royal Docks, which will transform the area into a new creative hub with thousands of new homes. With more than half of homes on the joint venture’s site classed as affordable, the scheme is also ahead of the Greater London Authority’s and London Borough of Newham’s 50% target. Gallions 2b is the penultimate phase of the wider Royal Albert Wharf masterplan. The regeneration is the first to be delivered under the New London Plan, addressing London’s need for new homes. Community and placemaking are at the heart of Gallions 2b, with buildings that respond to and reinforce the character of the public space and green infrastructure. 81% of the homes are dual or triple aspect, designed to improve wellbeing. 614m2 of separate play space has been designed for under five years olds, youth and neighbours. Over the lifecycle of the development 450 construction jobs have been supported. Greg Scott, Construction Director at Telford Homes, said: “This latest milestone as we work towards completion early next year, including recognition from the Mayor of London, is a very proud moment for the whole team as we develop new, much-needed homes for the capital’s communities. Working alongside our partners at Notting Hill Genesis, these homes have been designed to be high-quality places residents can live in, stay in and enjoy for years to come.” Jake Brodetsky, Joint Ventures Director at Notting Hill Genesis, said: “Once complete, this latest phase of the Gallions Quarter scheme will deliver 267 new homes across two blocks, of which 51% will be affordable and 40% will be family homes. Developed to the highest standards, including in their environmental sustainability credentials, these new homes will be an example of how we can meet London’s housing needs, now and in the future. We remain immensely pleased to be a part of the Royal Docks regeneration and, in particular, to be working alongside Telford Homes on this exciting scheme.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Hochiki reveals the next generation of emergency lighting

Hochiki reveals the next generation of emergency lighting

World leaders in life safety, Hochiki Europe, have today announced the launch of their next generation of emergency lighting, FIREscape Nepto. This intelligent, self-testing and self-monitoring emergency lighting system is set to revolutionise the emergency lighting market. Building upon the success of the FIREscape range launched in 2009, this new design brings with it a suite of new features and benefits driven by technology improvements and innovations in the R&D process. FIREscape Nepto is BS 5266 compliant and, like its predecessor, is based around an addressable, emergency lighting control panel with addressable, self-contained LED-based luminaires and exit signs running on an extra-low operating voltage. And to ensure project continuity, the new system is backwards compatible with the existing panels and devices within the older FIREscape range. FIREscape Nepto can continually self-test and monitor itself, making installation and maintenance of the new system quick, easy and less costly compared to centralised battery or mains-powered systems. Another exciting new development for this release is a range of aesthetic enhancements and new recessed luminaire designs which negate the need for a recessing adaptor. These new recessed variants are available with both a standard and a high-power output. Customers and end users will now benefit from reduced project install and ongoing maintenance costs as improvements have been made to the photometry, increasing the maximum spacing between luminaires, reducing the amount required in any one space. And battery life has increased from four to ten years (dependent on system usage), reducing ongoing maintenance costs. Scalability is a key feature of the FIREscape Nepto system. The range has been designed and configured so that control panels can be networked to protect large, multi-site complexes all from a central point of control.  And for smaller projects, the new control panels are supplied with one 127 address line as standard, with the potential to achieve 254 addresses when upgraded to two lines, helping to make smaller systems more cost effective. Further to this, up to twelve panels can be directly networked together and operated from a single point, negating the need for a graphics package if it isn’t required. The team behind the new design are also working on a cloud-based subscription service which is set to be released later this year. This service will enable remote access via internet enabled devices, providing system notifications and the ability to monitor and interrogate multiple client sites from anywhere in the world. Speaking about the launch of FIREscape Nepto Robert Head, Commercial Project Manager for Hochiki Europe said “The release of this new product from Hochiki is very exciting and builds on the success of our existing FIREscape range.  I am particularly excited for the cloud-based service that is coming later this year. Our customers are going to benefit from a cost effective, fully compliant and cutting-edge emergency lighting technology that is second to none.” The Hochiki Europe team will be hosting a webinar to run through the new features and benefits on Thursday 23rd March as well as attending the Fire Safety Event at the NEC 25th – 27th April where they will be demonstrating the new FIREscape Nepto system. Visit them on stand 3a/D55 to see for yourself this next generation of emergency lighting. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Urban Group starts on final phase of seven figure fit out for Oxford client

Urban Group starts on final phase of seven figure fit out for Oxford client

Urban Group (York) Ltd has begun Phase Three of seven figure contract to fit out the new UK headquarters of NSF International. In 2022, Urban Group’s Interior Division took on a 15,000 sq. ft. office complex in the Hanborough Business Park, Long Hanborough, Oxford, before moving on to a second phase of circa 20,000 sq. ft in the autumn, with work completing last month. The final phase is due to commence next month (April). The two office schemes have enjoyed a full internal revamp including new office reconfigurations and partitioning, heating and ventilation systems, flooring and full decoration, with a high-quality finish throughout. Urban Interiors’ Commercial Director, Jimmy Crowe, said: “We have successfully combined three offices across Hanborough Business Park into two, in order to accommodate NSF’s growing UK team and provide a contemporary and more efficient working environment. “It is a challenging project which we are delivering in phases as this is a live site occupied by a busy team. We’re delighted with the progress so far and the interior specification is of a particularly high standard.” Public health specialist, NSF helps protect manufacturers, regulators and consumers through its development of public health standards and certification programmes that cover the world’s food, water, consumer products and environment. Roger Mann, Managing Director (Europe & Africa) at NSF, added: “Urban Interiors has turned this dated space office into a superb UK headquarters for NSF that has all the facilities and technologies we need for our growing team. It has been a pleasure to work with the Urban team on this project and the results speak for themselves. ”   Agents and Quantity Surveyors for the refurbishment were Smart Jones, with mechanical and electrical support offered by Martin Design Associates Ltd. The architects were NW Architects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Kirklees Council celebrates £5.6million funding boost to bring Marsden Mills back to life

Kirklees Council celebrates £5.6million funding boost to bring Marsden Mills back to life

During last weeks budget announcement, the government announced £5.6million of funding to redevelop Marsden Mills through the Levelling Up Fund (LUF). In August last year, Kirklees Council submitted a bid for the LUF aimed at bringing Marsden Mills, a long-vacant historic mill complex in Marsden town centre, back into use. Despite news that the bid had been unsuccessful, the project is now able to go ahead thanks to the unexpected funding boost from government. The plans include retaining parts of the mill’s façade, as a beautiful heritage piece, preserving the building’s history and personality.  The remainder of the building will be partially demolished to create a new, improved building, which will support the town centre and local businesses. Once completed, the new development will include commercial units and office space, with a potential for residential units on the upper floors – all surrounded by beautiful landscaping and an attractive new courtyard.  The historic façade will remain a key feature. Councillor Shabir Pandor, Leader of the Council, said: “I am pleased that the Marsden project has been given the funding it deserves. We knew when we submitted our Levelling Up Fund bids that the projects we put forward were strong ones. The fact that the government has approved another of those bids, alongside the successful bid for Batley town centre, goes to show that our vision for our towns is the right one. I look forward to seeing the work take shape.” Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, added: “This project will boost the local economy in Marsden, allowing it to thrive. I am very pleased that we can move forward on this important scheme and know that the people of Marsden and beyond will benefit from having high quality facilities in the heart of the town.” The plan is for the project to be led by private sector organisations with the support of the council.  Alongside the £5.6million of funding announced through the LUF, a further £11.7million will be contributed by private sector partners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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South London campaign to help fill construction shortage

South London campaign to help fill construction shortage

Young people in schools and colleges across South London are being encouraged to consider an apprenticeship in a bid to help fill the shortage in the construction industry.  An initiative has been launched to find more construction apprentices who can help ensure building projects across the city are completed on time. The campaign includes two virtual information events, which are taking place later this month.  Former apprentice Matt Alder is now a Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) Services Manager working with Walter Lilly on a number of their sites across the city. He said that getting work experience before applying for his apprenticeship gave him a clear idea of the career he wanted.  “When I was at school I knew a few other people that went into construction and it seemed like a good career for me,” said Matt. “I did work experience for a week during the last week of school with an electrical company where I ended up doing my apprenticeship. I decided that getting out and learning on the job was a better way forward for me.”  Matt studied for an electrical NVQ which included a mixture of on-site learning as well as going to college. “As the apprentice went on it became more site-based with less time in college,” he said. “As well as learning a range of electrical skills I also saw an increase in my ability to communicate and talk to different people at various senior levels. As my apprenticeship progressed I became more responsible and thought about my career and the future I wanted for myself.   “I manage the installation of services on more than one project, and that can include being on-site or sat in a meeting room looking at the drawings and coordinating everything that goes into a job. Anyone thinking of becoming an apprentice should just go for it – you gain the skills you need to do the job, you get paid while you learn and it’s a job for life.”  The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) released its annual Construction Skills Network (CSN) report which shows that Greater London needs 22,800 extra workers by 2027 – that means an annual recruitment boost of 4,560.  The initiative by South London Partnership (SLP) is supported by the Mayor of London and highlights the shortage of workers on building sites across the city.  The South London Partnership is a sub-regional collaboration of five London boroughs: Croydon, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Richmond upon Thames and Sutton. Apprenticeships are available in hundreds of careers including 3D Visualiser, Gas Service Installer, Building Technician and Glazier.  Tutors from a range of backgrounds are also needed to help apprentices achieve the qualifications they need to progress in the construction industry. They will be responsible for providing the support needed for apprentices to develop their technical skills as well as professional attributes such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork abilities.   The virtual events include one for anyone wanting information on becoming a tutor on March 27 at 5pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/become-a-tutor-in-construction-find-out-more-tickets-576344861997 and one for apprentices on March 30 at 4.30pm https://www.eventbrite.com/e/apprenticeships-in-construction-find-out-more-tickets-576195144187 For more information email csl@southlondonpartnership.co.uk or visit http://southlondonpartnership.co.uk/skills/mayors-construction-academy-hub/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Five tips to help you drive safety transformation

Five tips to help you drive safety transformation

The priority for managers in charge of safety is the health and wellbeing of their employees. But, when those leaders try to implement transformational measures, getting approval for the budget needed to guarantee and improve the safety levels can prove an obstacle. Demonstrating the value of safety in an organisation is not easy. That’s why Antonio Pereira, from MSA Safety, has prepared five tips for creating a business case that can effect change and help drive your safety transformation strategies forward. Tip one: Share the mission A shared safety mission does several things: It articulates the safety goals and values that should resonate throughout the company, unites workers and managers, and provides a single purpose that engages all employees. It also supplies some direction for creating a safety management system. In short, it drives safety at a company and is the first step toward creating a safe culture. A shared mission is an effective way to bring people together. The mission should be simple, straightforward, and meaningful. Fortunately, with safety, the mission is clear: “reduce risk and boost productivity.” When presenting your case in support of a transformational safety strategy, make sure everyone stays focused on the mission. Repeat it often, so that others will be able to repeat it, too. Tip two: Define and communicate the goal If you’ve ever heard the expression, “Let’s get everyone on the same page,” then you know exactly what this tip is about. As the safety professional, it’s your job to ensure that everyone understands what you’re asking for. Keep in mind that your goal is more defined than your mission. A goal is a clear and tangible achievement that supports the mission. Productivity experts suggest using SMART goals in which the goal is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound. The point here is to encourage you to take the time to think through what you’re asking for and why, then write it out in a format that’s easily understood. Smart Goal Example: Connected Safety Program, moving to the Altair io™ 4 Tip three: Offer insight Part of building a business case for change is to inspire a mindset shift in those who are potential barriers to safety transformation. Position your case for success by educating others, giving them information about how what you’re asking for aligns with both the safety mission and overall organisational objectives. One way to help gatekeepers understand and accept the change is by sharing success stories with them. Learning of others’ success is both inspiring and informative. More importantly, it adds evidence that supports your case and, ultimately, informs the business decision. Tip four: Demonstrate the benefits Of all the tips, perhaps this is the most crucial. It’s also the most challenging. Why? Because at the heart of this tip is an idea that is likely the complete opposite of the gatekeeper’s idea about expenditures: This is an investment, not an expense. Such an investment is a business decision not a personal one, so it’s up to you to substantiate the proposal by providing appropriate facts and figures. This is the time to talk about ROI considerations, with respect to both productivity and cost. Remember, your goal is to overcome the objection about spending time and money. So, here’s an example of how to pivot the discussion from expenditure to investment using elements of The MSA Connected Work Platform, driven by the ALTAIR io 4 Gas Detection Wearable. Tip five: Invest in future-forward solutions We live in a connected world and now safety has the technology that can connect workers, worksites, and workflows. Connectivity with an MSA+ subscription enables remote live monitoring, allowing managers to see all active users at any given time, including their live location gas exposures and man down alarms.  The move to an MSA+ subscription provides the ability to act at speed, reducing workplace injuries and providing actionable data, so you can have a better, more proactive control of your detection programme. Build Your Case for a Connected Work Platform Having a proven plan of action based on these five tips can help you prepare for and present your case most effectively. Because you probably want to garner buy-in from others, it’s important that you prepare them for transformation by taking them on the journey to it. You know – and they soon will, too – that creating a connected safety program is not only the practical thing to do, it’s how you’ll help advance the safety mission and support organisational objectives. If you need additional insight or help in creating a stronger, proactive culture of safety and performance, learn more about MSA Connected Work Platform here or request a call back from our specialists here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Wates delivers DfE’s first net zero school

Wates delivers DfE’s first net zero school

Wates has completed work on the first Net Zero school as part of the Department for Education (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme, the £10 million Littleborough Community Primary School in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. The 2,243sq m two-storey project, has been constructed on land within the existing Littleborough campus. It will provide 14 new classrooms, a library, a new sports/assembly hall, Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and a 420-place primary school providing 60 places for each year group along with a 26-place nursery. Procured through the DfE’s Modern Methods of Construction framework, the scheme used our Adapt 3.0 component-based design to maximise sustainability and ensure the building is Net Zero Carbon in Operation (NZCiO). This included an optimised thermal envelope with increased insulation and large, triple glazed windows to maximise daylight together with rooflights and lightwells, enhanced ventilation and Photovoltaic solar panels. “Littleborough represents a step change in how schools are built, designed to not only provide brilliant, state-of-the-art learning facilities for pupils, but for the long-term benefit of the wider environment. We’ve been a partner to the DfE for years and it was an honour to be chosen to deliver this pioneering project. It’s benefited from the latest evolution of our Adapt system, while our experience using MMC to find sustainability solutions – for both public and private builds – has helped us deliver the DfE’s NZCiO goal. I congratulate all our teams on making this happen and look forward to our next completion,” said Sarah Cooke, regional director for the Northwest at Wates. As part of Our Social Value commitments, £3.6m worth of initiatives were delivered to the local community, including nearly £80,000 invested in local charities and causes. All targets were exceeded, with 1,500 training weeks provided as well as a T-Level placement, 39 apprentices employed, and site visits and career advice given to 92 local students. The project is the first to be completed as part of the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme a 10-year scheme of works which is seeing the rebuilding or refurbishment of 500 schools and sixth form colleges across the country, transforming learning environments for pupils and teachers. Construction started in September 2021 with all works carried out while the existing school was still in operation. The project has been delivered on time, and completion was celebrated with an event attended by delegates from across the delivery partnership, Rochdale Borough Council and the DfE. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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