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April 6, 2023
GMI secures place on prestigious Pagabo Medium Works Framework

GMI secures place on prestigious Pagabo Medium Works Framework

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

GMI Construction Group has secured a place on the £1billion Pagabo Medium Works Framework. Securing a place on the framework, which runs until 2027, enables GMI to be considered for medium-sized public sector construction projects valued up to £10million.  It is the second instalment to the original framework that was

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Sovini Property Services begin milestone three-year partnership with Torus

Sovini Property Services begin milestone three-year partnership with Torus

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

April marks the beginning of the launch of the new repairs and maintenance contract for North West housing group, Torus, which will see trusted contractors Sovini Property Services help to manage and maintain its 40,000 homes. Following the successful completion of a robust and transparent procurement exercise, Sovini Property Services

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Modular Specialist Rollalong Joins Homes England Delivery Partner DPS

Modular Specialist Rollalong Joins Homes England Delivery Partner DPS

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

Rollalong Ltd has become the only specialist offsite manufacturer of modular homes to join the Homes England Delivery Partner Dynamic Purchasing System, which makes it easier for housebuilders of any size to access Homes England land. Homes England is the Government’s housing delivery agency. The framework is one of the

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Is it time for a more proactive approach to Health & Safety?

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

To be by-lined to Richard Brookes, Group Head of Health and Safety, South Staffordshire Plc… When we use the words Health and Safety, our first thoughts usually aren’t that; real work is messy, events have multiple causes, you should trust your experts or, you should be focusing where nothing has

Read More »
Marchini Curran Associates delivers interior design works

Marchini Curran Associates delivers interior design works

Cristina Diaconu April 6, 2023

Award-winning architects and interior designers, Marchini Curran Associates, has delivered architectural and interior design services for the landmark Grange Park development in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Working on behalf of Wesleyan, Grange Park business park – formerly the Zurich building in Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham – is undergoing a transformative refurbishment to upgrade

Read More »
KMRE Group reveals show apartment and gym at development

KMRE Group reveals show apartment and gym at development

Cristina Diaconu April 6, 2023

Leeds-based developer, KMRE Group, has revealed its new show apartment, gym and co-working space at The Yacht Club, a luxury waterside development located on the banks of the River Trent. The show apartment offers a first look at the idyllic riverside lifestyle of The Yacht Club development, situated to the

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

April 6, 2023

BSI launches an update of the world’s first specification for the decarbonization of buildings and infrastructure

Kenneth Booth April 6, 2023

BSI, in its role as the National Standards Body (NSB), today announces the launch of the revised carbon management standard, PAS 2080:2023, designed to help built environment organizations accelerate progress to a sustainable world by reducing their carbon emissions. The scope of the standard has expanded to accelerate progress with a move from ambition into action on decarbonization, by detailing steps to reduce the carbon footprint of both buildings and infrastructure over the whole lifecycle of an asset. The new standard, developed with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Green Construction Board (GCB), covers everything from the materials to design, construction, and the use of a structure, including demolition and disposal. In addition to demonstrating how to integrate carbon management into decision-making from the earliest origins of projects through to end of life, PAS 2080 is designed to support organizations with reviewing their carbon emissions by encouraging early collaboration between project parties. This involves setting out roles and responsibilities to maintain a low carbon focus throughout. The updated specification includes methods for all organizations involved in a built environment project to understand the impact of their activities on their wider network, revealing interdependencies that could influence and support decarbonization across built environment systems. Anthony Burd, Associate Director and Head of Built Environment at BSI said: “The original standard on carbon management has been well used within the built environment and this update is designed to further empower behavioural change on carbon reduction by helping organizations recognize and respond to the urgency for climate action. “We are delighted to be introducing this specification for the decarbonization of buildings and infrastructure to the built environment sector and would like to thank all those organizations that have been involved. I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this will have on accelerating the reduction of carbon emissions, ultimately bringing wider benefit to society.” PAS 2080 has been sponsored by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Green Construction Board (GCB), enabling the standard to be offered free of charge. An updated Guidance document, also published today, offers a range of case studies where the standard has been applied, and provides worked examples to further assist organizations with the application and integration of PAS 2080. Keith Howells, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers , said:  “As civil engineers and technicians, we are at the forefront when tackling global challenges, such as enabling a cleaner, greener, more resilient future in the face of the climate and nature emergency. PAS 2080 sets out a strategic approach to empowering countries, cities and communities to reduce carbon emissions and reach net zero.  “In sponsoring this standard, the ICE wanted to remove financial barriers to organisations accessing this important guidance on how they can build decarbonisation into procurement.  “By implementing the advice set out in PAS 2080, we can inspire behavioural change and accelerate the pace of change as we take a systems-based approach to design, construction and operation of the low-carbon solutions of tomorrow.”  Chris Newsome, Chair of the Infrastructure Working Group, Green Construction Board, said: “This revised PAS 2080 standard recognises the need to consider carbon reduction at a systems level, across the entire built environment sector. “The emphasis on considering climate and environmental resilience within the carbon-management and decision-making process will help the industry better meet the needs of society now and in the future. “PAS 2080 gives organisations and individuals the knowledge required to play their part in responding to the climate emergency.” For further information on PAS 2080, visit: https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/pas-2080/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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GMI secures place on prestigious Pagabo Medium Works Framework

GMI secures place on prestigious Pagabo Medium Works Framework

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

GMI Construction Group has secured a place on the £1billion Pagabo Medium Works Framework. Securing a place on the framework, which runs until 2027, enables GMI to be considered for medium-sized public sector construction projects valued up to £10million.  It is the second instalment to the original framework that was launched in 2019. GMI is one of 94 contractors to be selected by Pagabo, which works closely with public sector organisations by providing EU compliant framework agreements. With a strong track record of delivering projects for the public sector, GMI, which operates in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Midlands, has delivered a range of schemes for clients including the Department of Work and Pensions. Lee Powell, Group CEO of GMI Construction, said: “We are very proud to be named on this framework, which is a testament to the high standards of construction, project engagement, and value for money we deliver at GMI.  It will also contribute to our commitment to levelling up in the economy by supporting the public investment in new buildings in the regions we operate, generating and sustaining employment and the use of local supply chains.”  Jason Stapley, Chief Procurement Officer at The 55 Group, Pagabo’s parent organisation, said: “Our latest announcement sees the return of our popular Medium Works Framework – one of our most active construction offerings, which has seen more than 160 projects procured through it to date. This time, we’ve increased the total number of suppliers by 50 and are expecting to see the results from the old framework improved upon.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Sovini Property Services begin milestone three-year partnership with Torus

Sovini Property Services begin milestone three-year partnership with Torus

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

April marks the beginning of the launch of the new repairs and maintenance contract for North West housing group, Torus, which will see trusted contractors Sovini Property Services help to manage and maintain its 40,000 homes. Following the successful completion of a robust and transparent procurement exercise, Sovini Property Services were appointed as a key contractor. This latest milestone marks the beginning of a three-year partnership. The framework, worth £1.2 billion, will see the award-winning specialist maintenance provider use their wealth of expertise on several workstreams, including responsive and void repairs, cyclical maintenance, estate services and facilities management. The contract will enable Sovini Property Services to support Torus on their agile approach, responding quickly and appropriately to the needs of tenants and providing reassurance that all services delivered are of a high standard. Sovini Property Services has experienced exceptional growth since its establishment in 2010, and now has a workforce of over 300 specialists. In the last financial year alone, the North West maintenance provider have proved their commitment to their customers, with successful completion of over 44,000 repair works and over 13,000 emergency repairs. Sovini Property Services are equipped for this momentous contract with Torus, with both company’s sharing an equal view on commitment to their customers, communities, and ensuring works are completed to the highest standard. Mike Dale, Head of Property Services and Growth at Sovini Property Services, commented: “Like ourselves, Torus is a customer orientated organisation, committed to investing in the communities they work in. We’re committed to delivering an outstanding service to Torus’ 40,000 homes, bringing a wealth of experience in repairs and maintenance service delivery.” He added: “We recognise the importance our collaborative partnership is set achieve in supporting our shared vision of enabling the development of economically vibrant communities”. Discussing the launch, Margaret Goddard, Torus Group Assets Director, commented: “We are thrilled to begin works with the added support of Sovini Property Services to enable us to provide a long-term, sustained service to our customers.” “The three-year repairs and maintenance framework has been developed to fulfil the current and future expectations of the Group, its tenants, and the Regulator of Social Housing. As a framework it sets the principles for engagement and will be supported by an action plan to ensure delivery and continued progress.” For more information about Sovini Property Services, visit www.sovinipropertyservices.co.uk For more information about Torus, visit www.torus.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Modular Specialist Rollalong Joins Homes England Delivery Partner DPS

Modular Specialist Rollalong Joins Homes England Delivery Partner DPS

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

Rollalong Ltd has become the only specialist offsite manufacturer of modular homes to join the Homes England Delivery Partner Dynamic Purchasing System, which makes it easier for housebuilders of any size to access Homes England land. Homes England is the Government’s housing delivery agency. The framework is one of the largest vendors of residential land in the UK and Homes England’s largest procurement exercise to date, valued at £20 billion. The DPS is a primary route for Homes England’s land disposal which offers housing providers like Rollalong the exclusive opportunity to bid for Homes England sites. Other public bodies may also use the DPS to procure developers, broadening housebuilders’ exposure to potential projects. Established in 1932, Rollalong has a wealth of experience in the residential, defence and education sectors and is currently manufacturing and installing modular homes all across the south of England. Steve Chivers, Managing Director of Rollalong, said: “After a rigorous application process, we are delighted to be appointed to this framework alongside major housebuilders. “This demonstrates Homes England’s confidence in our ability to deliver new quality homes at scale. “Our land-led development arm Newship Developments, which is part of our parent company the Newship Group, has extensive experience in land and property acquisition which complements and supports our work in the residential sector.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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RE:GEN Group improving energy efficiency for more than 1,600 homes in the North East

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

North East-based regeneration specialist RE:GEN Group has delivered £9.5m worth of decarbonisation works to over 1,600 social rented homes. Achieved in little over eight months, the team has delivered more than 4,100 energy improvement measures as part of the UK Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF). Working with a range of partners including Gentoo Group, believe Housing and Karbon Homes, 1,619 homes have been upgraded to have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C. Lee Francis, CEO of RE:GEN Group, said: “As a direct result of this work, more people are now living in warmer, more comfortable, energy efficient homes. “In partnership with our clients and with the support of a fantastic supply chain, this first scheme of work has been delivered on time, within the original deadlines set out by the UK Government – a fantastic achievement for all involved.” RE:GEN Group installed 4,179 efficiency improvements, from deep retrofit measures including external wall insulation, new windows and doors, PV panels, and whole house ventilation strategies, to more light touch measures of loft insulation and installing energy efficient lightbulbs Following the recent announcement of SHDF wave 2, RE:GEN Group will deliver approximately £20m of decarbonisation works over the next 20 months to homes across the North East Brian Bedford, head of sustainability at RE:GEN Group, said: “Here at RE:GEN, we are passionate about sustainability, whether that’s reducing the carbon footprint of our own operations, or sharing our knowledge and expertise with those we work with and the wider construction industry. “The last eight months have been both a steep learning curve and huge success in equal measure. To have improved the efficiency of over 1,600 homes in such a short space of time is an incredible achievement which has only been achieved by the hard work of all involved with the projects.” The SHDF was launched to help landlords with the costs of decarbonising their properties to achieve an EPC rating of C across all homes by 2030. The funding supported the installation of energy performance measures to tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions and deliver warm, energy efficient homes. Marc Edwards, director of asset and sustainability at Gentoo Group said: “Gentoo appreciate the impact that the current cost of living crisis is having on our tenants. When energy bills are at an all-time high, it’s now more important than ever that we do everything we can to provide our tenants with safe, decent and energy efficient homes. “Through the funding we received from wave 1 of the SHDF, we were able to improve the energy efficiency of more than 400 homes with our delivery partner RE:GEN Group.” Ruth Dent, director of assets and compliance at believe housing, said: “Working with RE:GEN Group, we’ve successfully upgraded the energy efficiency of more than 1,200 homes. “The measures installed are helping our customers to feel warm and comfortable at home, and to manage their energy costs. “Importantly for believe housing, everyone working on the scheme was from the area, so the local economy has also benefitted, and we’re reducing the impact of our housing stock on the environment. “This has been a brilliant scheme of works, which is making a real difference to our customers and the planet. “We now look forward to working together to reach even more homes and customers with the next phase of decarbonisation works, part funded by SHDF wave 2.1.” RE:GEN Group supported Karbon Homes with the delivery of a £2.5m retrofit project, which included improving the energy efficiency of homes in Ouston, County Durham. Works included the installation of external wall, cavity wall and loft insulation, to tackle the fabric performance of the property, and integration of PV panels into the roofs to help reduce fuel bills and support grid resilience. Craig Lonsdale, asset and sustainability at Karbon Homes, said: “With the cost of energy rising fast, our work to improve the efficiency of our homes for our customers has never been more important. It’s been great to work with RE:GEN on this project, taking a fabric first approach to delivering energy efficient measures and insulation upgrades to homes in Ouston.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Is it time for a more proactive approach to Health & Safety?

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

To be by-lined to Richard Brookes, Group Head of Health and Safety, South Staffordshire Plc… When we use the words Health and Safety, our first thoughts usually aren’t that; real work is messy, events have multiple causes, you should trust your experts or, you should be focusing where nothing has gone wrong. The traditional and most common way to manage safety is to investigate after something has gone wrong, to identify the single root cause and, typically, put a person fix or new admin control in place to prevent the same thing happening again. We’ve become very fixated on this approach, and have perhaps, started to run the risk of over simplifying how we manage risk improvement. As the world, work, systems and technology become ever more complex, we become more reliant on subject matter experts to help us manage our facilities and the equipment we depend on. As supply chains and contractual relationships become wider and deeper, we should ask ourselves some questions: Waiting for the bad outcome or assuming high risk tasks are well managed can no longer be good enough as work becomes more complicated. A relatively recent development in safety management uses a Human and Organisational Performance viewpoint (or HOP). HOP takes a systems and person approach to work as a means to understand the conditions in which people are set to and work in. It emerged from the US Department of Energy and has been shared by safety thought leaders such as Todd Conklin. HOP has five guiding principles; error is normal; blame fixes nothing; systems and conditions drive behaviour; leadership response to failure matters; and learning is deliberate. Taking the guiding principle of ‘learning is deliberate’, one of the changes that organisations can undertake is to implement ‘Learning Teams’ to adopt a HOP approach to safety. What are Learning Teams? They are a proactive way to understand how normal work gets delivered successfully. When we say successfully, we mean in the absence of anything going wrong, or anyone being hurt. It’s the inverse approach to traditional safety. Don’t wait – you investigate when nothing happens. That might sound strange, but things going wrong are an ever-shrinking data pool. You can conduct a learning team on anything, but a great place to start is with highest risk tasks; anything that has the capacity to kill or have life altering consequences. Who should be involved? The most important people to be involved are those who actually do the work. They know the job best and understand the changes and adaptations they make every day to get things done. This is one of the biggest benefits; deeper insight into work as it’s actually done, not as it’s imagined in the written process. You can start to understand how workers make decisions and how systems and procedures can alter overtime. If we are only interested after something’s gone wrong, it’s all too easy to see this gap. How often do we investigate what’s happened, after the bad outcome, to conclude that workers didn’t follow the process? That’s because processes often change slowly overtime, as work exists in the real, complex world and constantly changes to meet the demands of various trade-offs. Having a coach, or facilitator is also essential; someone who can get people talking and make it ok to share. Creating a psychological safe environment is essential to learning. The benefits of learning teams Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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MERSON GROUP PROVIDE 4 MAJOR INSTALLATIONS AT EAST BANK WATERFRONT

Merson Group are set to provide 4 major installations at East Bank Waterfront

BDC News Team April 6, 2023

Merson Group are set to provide 4 major installations at East Bank cultural quarter in east London. Merson Group, one of the UK’s largest signage companies, has announced the completion of the brand-new V&A East Museum signage at the new East Bank cultural quarter on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London. The illuminated letters, each standing six metres high and weighing around 1.5 tonnes each, took a cumulative 3 months to build in Glasgow-based Merson Group’s design and production facility, before they arrived in London for their three-day install. The complicated 3D designed steel structures were clad with aluminium before the edges and perimeters were bronze powder coated to remain in harmony with the façade of the building itself. To allow for optimum illumination, a white polycarbonate facing with internal lighting using LED modules were also incorporated. There were multiple challenges for the Merson design and build team, but the most critical was to ensure that the structures connected with the building exactly and that the signage could be maintained safely from the rear whilst they sit 40 meters up on the ledge where they now stand. Robert Murray, Chief Design Officer, said: “I’m truly proud of what the entire Merson design and implantation team have achieved here, especially Senior Designer, Ross Cloughley. Merson Group seek out these landmark projects because we have the expertise to deliver. V&A East will be one of the world’s leading arts and culture institutions and we are delighted to be a small part of the journey.” East Bank is a new powerhouse for innovation, creativity and learning on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It is a unique collaboration between world-leading universities, arts and culture institutions that will create 2,500 jobs, generate £1.5 billion for the economy, and open up opportunities for everyone who visits, lives, and works in east London. Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development at London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “The new signs are a wonderful addition to these incredible buildings. What’s particularly pleasing is that we’ve been able to draw on the skills and talents of companies from all across the UK, like Merson’s, to deliver this amazing legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games”. V&A East Museum is the first of four East Bank buildings to which Merson Group are supplying external signage this year. The high-level letters at the University of the Arts London (UAL) were also completed last month whilst the low-level letters will be installed shortly. Likewise, signage at Sadler’s Wells East is on track to be installed in May. The BBC’s building is also set to have external signage installed in the second half of this year. With over 250 employees across two sites in UK and one in Europe, Merson Group has a global footprint when it comes to signage. Servicing clients such as Aston Martin, Lotus, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s, and most recently the Crossrail Elizabeth Line – Merson Group have a long history of providing high quality signage and wayfinding solutions across several sectors. Merson Group are experts and sector leaders in wayfinding signage in the UK. They also provide signage for Network Rail, Heathrow Airport, Spurs FC, British Land & Crown Estates. To find out more, visit: www.mersongroup.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Marchini Curran Associates delivers interior design works

Marchini Curran Associates delivers interior design works

Cristina Diaconu April 6, 2023

Award-winning architects and interior designers, Marchini Curran Associates, has delivered architectural and interior design services for the landmark Grange Park development in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Working on behalf of Wesleyan, Grange Park business park – formerly the Zurich building in Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham – is undergoing a transformative refurbishment to upgrade the existing office building with a focus on sustainable retrofit design to modernise the facilities. Set in 14 acres of parkland with over 100 mature trees and access to a further 11 acres of amenity space, Grange Park features three buildings: The Manor, a Grade II listed Gothic Revival house built in 1865 for Cheltenham solicitor Frederick Thomas Griffiths, The Coach House (the Manor’s carriage garage and stables) and The Grange, a 1990s purpose-built office headquarters offering approximately 185,000 sq. ft of high-quality office space. Works started in December 2021, and Marchini Curran Associates are the lead architects and interior designers for the CAT A refurbishment of the existing Grange premises – architecturally a well-considered building in need of modernisation. Phase One of the Cat A refurbishment is due for completion in June. The design approach focuses on upgrading the existing buildings and creation of collaborative shared spaces to encourage interaction between businesses. The refurbished facilities will align with market expectations, celebrating the best of the existing building and its surrounding environment. Key elements include opening up the existing atrium volume, refurbishment of retained key features, considerate integration of accent lighting to model the interior spaces and the use of natural materials referencing the green space of the parkland and rural surroundings. Flexible office suites surround the ‘Street’ (the central atrium) which has been re-imagined as an interior boulevard with shared bench furniture sitting under the canopies of newly planted trees and greenery. Upgrades to space heating and heat recovery ventilation ensure that The Grange is now more energy efficient and benefiting from the addition of roof mounted photovoltaics contributing to the generation of renewable energy. The target for the office suites is to achieve an EPC rating of B, post refurbishment. The approach of retaining and refurbishing existing building elements helps to hugely reduce reliance on landfill and supports the spirit of improving the built environment whilst reducing impacts on the natural world. EV charging points will also be available on site, and a bus service runs every fifteen minutes, helping to further reduce travel emissions. “Fundamentally, our design approach was simply to reinvigorate the existing office building and to celebrate the best of its substantial natural surroundings,” said Antony Phillips, design director at Marchini Curran Associates. “Collaborative and open spaces integrated with the environment, free flowing interiors, and sustainable elements all formed part of our wider design vision and once complete, Grange Park will provide a high-quality business destination in the South West, attracting clients looking for an inspirational, integrated base to adapt and grow from.” Grange Park is situated in a prime location close to the M5, just three miles from Cheltenham town centre and approximately four miles from GCHQ. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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KMRE Group reveals show apartment and gym at development

KMRE Group reveals show apartment and gym at development

Cristina Diaconu April 6, 2023

Leeds-based developer, KMRE Group, has revealed its new show apartment, gym and co-working space at The Yacht Club, a luxury waterside development located on the banks of the River Trent. The show apartment offers a first look at the idyllic riverside lifestyle of The Yacht Club development, situated to the south of Trent Lane, in close proximity to The Hook nature reserve, Central Avenue and Nottingham City Centre – which can be reached in just a 25-minute walk. The energy-efficient apartment comes complete with two bedrooms, including an ensuite bathroom and main bathroom, an open integrated kitchen and living space, as well as a south-facing private balcony with breath-taking riverside views. The development – which is now 70% sold – boasts an on-site gym, with panoramic windows looking out onto the river and nature reserve, providing convenient state-of-the-art exercise facilities without the need to commute. A dedicated co-working space is also available to residents who want to work alongside the calming riverside, which is an ideal spot for those in hybrid or remote working roles who are looking for a change of scenery during the working week. A concierge service will be on hand to ensure that the buildings are maintained, and security is monitored, for convenience and peace of mind. To celebrate the completion of the new show apartment, co-working space and gym, KMRE hosted a ‘First look’ launch event to showcase the new spaces to prospective buyers, with exclusive viewings and consultations with agents Pygott & Crone and FHP Living. The development will also benefit from a pedestrian footpath which stretches along the riverside, creating a safer and more convenient public access to the river’s network of paths and cycle ways, and in front of the development a decked communal seating area will be situated for residents to enjoy, as well as access to water sports such as paddle boarding. Over the next five years, council plans will see the surrounding areas regenerated and brought to life including a long-awaited pedestrian footbridge which will connect Lady Bay with Trent Basin. This will be the first bridge to be built on the River Trent in more than 60 years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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