Delivery of New Student Loans Company HQ Marks Final Point of Clydeside Regeneration – SLC to relocate in the Autumn The final building phase at Drum Property Group’s £500 million regeneration of Buchanan Wharf on Glasgow’s Clydeside has reached practical completion with the successful delivery of the new office headquarters for
Rail infrastructure specialist Spencer Group is making significant progress on the construction of a £26.5 million station in South Leeds. Situated between Morley and Cottingley, the White Rose Rail Station will be located on the main trans-Pennine route to Manchester via Huddersfield. It will be a two-platform station providing improved
Chapman Taylor, working with Turley, Stace LLP, and Churchman Thornhill Finch, is delighted to announce the submission of a detailed planning application for the prestigious Queen’s Hospital Close development in Birmingham. The proposed mixed residential development aims to revitalise the historic site and contribute to the vibrant urban fabric of
Leading developer City & Country is hosting its first webinar titled ‘Next Stepping in the Current Market’ on Wednesday 31st May at 6pm which will provide digestible and practical information on how to navigate an ever-changing property landscape. The webinar will be the first in a series aimed at supporting buyers at every market entry point. The webinar will be hosted by renowned property and finance journalist and former editor
The latest research from Searchland, the development site sourcing specialists, has revealed that reclassifying just 1% of the nation’s green belt could unlock the potential to deliver almost 738,000 new homes with an estimated market value of £317.5bn. The green belt across England currently covers an estimated 1,638,150 hectares, or
● Integrated ramp management system paired with cyber-secure airfield solutions provides enhanced arrival readiness, docking process support, turnaround and departure management ● Smart visual docking system allows for more precise and informed decision-making across gate operations Honeywell announced the launch of an updated suite of airside solutions, boasting enhancements to its gate
CONTRACTORS OFTEN get calls from property owners and managers who mistakenly think the roof is leaking. Many leaks are the result of a gutter block, often caused by leaves from overhanging trees or moss growth on the roof. This leads to gutters regularly overflowing causing damage to buildings. When gutter
Delivery of New Student Loans Company HQ Marks Final Point of Clydeside Regeneration – SLC to relocate in the Autumn The final building phase at Drum Property Group’s £500 million regeneration of Buchanan Wharf on Glasgow’s Clydeside has reached practical completion with the successful delivery of the new office headquarters for the Students Loans Company (SLC). SLC will now progress the internal fit-out of the six-storey, 75,000 sq ft building with occupation scheduled for autumn this year. SLC staff are now set to relocate to the purpose-built complex from its Bothwell Street office as part of a 20-year deal. The build was forward funded by Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, providing another regional government office for the company’s portfolio and strengthening its ongoing relationship with Drum Property Group. The completion of the SLC building represents the final piece in the jigsaw for the Buchanan Wharf site, one of Scotland’s largest ever development projects. The site provides a mix of local amenities, cycle lanes and landscaped public spaces on the banks of the River Clyde and is already home to Barclay’s state-of-the-art Northern European campus HQ and the award-winning Solasta Riverside, an 18-storey, 324-apartment residential complex also owned by Legal & General. Welcoming the SLC completion at Buchanan Wharf, Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum Property Group said: “The practical completion of the Student Loans Company’s new office complex finally realises Drum’s ambitious five-year vision for Buchanan Wharf. We have now successfully transformed a neglected industrial brownfield site into a thriving living and working community, re-energising this waterfront area and once again making the River Clyde an integral part of Glasgow city centre. Buchanan Wharf is one of Scotland’s largest and most important commercial and residential projects, delivered whilst facing the extreme economic and logistical challenges created by the pandemic. The project is now recognised as a development of national significance and sets the direction of future regeneration of Glasgow’s city centre.” The new Student Loans Company headquarters supports the organisation’s vision and mission to continue to enable student opportunity and deliver an outstanding customer experience to its eight million customers. SLC colleagues played a lead role in the design of the new office space to optimise opportunities for collaboration and blended working to deliver a new flexible office experience. David Wallace, Deputy Chief Executive at the Student Loans Company added: “This is not only an important milestone for us but for the wider development which has reached its practical competition. Buchanan Wharf has transformed the landscape of this part of the city and it’s been great to watch our building progress over the last year. To reach the point where we can start to fit out our space, creating a collaborative and modern working experience for our colleagues, is really exciting. We are starting to bring our vision to life and we are looking forward to becoming part of the Buchanan Wharf community later this year.” The investment by Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to UK regions, levelling up and the growing strength of regional hubs across the country. Neil Dovey, Head of Annuity Transaction for LGIM Real Assets, said: “This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to regions across the UK and levelling up, particularly as part of a mixed-use regeneration opportunity, and adds another high-quality government building to our portfolio.” For more information on Buchanan Wharf, visit www.buchananwharf.com
Rail infrastructure specialist Spencer Group is making significant progress on the construction of a £26.5 million station in South Leeds. Situated between Morley and Cottingley, the White Rose Rail Station will be located on the main trans-Pennine route to Manchester via Huddersfield. It will be a two-platform station providing improved access to the adjacent White Rose office park, shopping centre and bus interchange. The fully accessible station will include cycle storage next to the White Rose Park, along with improved walking and cycling routes between Cottingley, Churwell and Millshaw, and the White Rose Shopping Centre and bus interchange. Hull-based Spencer Group is delivering the project for White Rose owner Munroe K in conjunction with Network Rail, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council and the Department for Transport. Construction of the new station, which will replace Cottingley Rail Station, is scheduled to be completed later this year and is expected to open in early 2024. Joe Bennett, Operations Director at Spencer Group, said: “We’ve been working closely with key stakeholders to bring the White Rose Rail Station to fruition and, as a local contractor, are pleased to play our part in helping our infrastructure in the North. “Over the coming months, the commitment and hard work the partnership and key stakeholders have demonstrated in getting the scheme to this point will be rewarded with significant physical progress on the site. “The erection of the lift cores and link bridge walkways, connecting the platform works already undertaken, will transform the look of the project and enable people to see the facility for the first time. It’s an exciting time for all involved.” Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, visited the site to see the progress being made on the project. The visit included a first look at the steel frames for the new station buildings, which will house two lifts and the stairs to the station platforms. This work follows the installation of the station platforms on the railway line embankment. Ms Brabin said: “We’re determined to create a stronger, fairer and better-connected region so that everybody has the same opportunity to get on in life. Investing in transport that supports economic growth is absolutely vital. “I’m proud that together we’re investing £26.5 million in a new White Rose Rail Station. “This investment will bring new opportunities for people in Cottingley, Churwell, Millshaw, Morley and beyond by boosting transport links and local regeneration, including housing and job growth.” The scheme has received funding from the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme and £5 million from the Department for Transport’s New Stations Fund, alongside contributions from Munroe K. David Aspin, CEO of Munroe K, said: “For a long time now I’ve had the ambition to bring a fully accessible new station to White Rose Park and to see it nearing completion is immensely rewarding. “Delivering the UK’s very first railway station through public and private sector partnership has been a real testament to everyone involved. “The new station can be the catalyst to unlock real economic development in this area of south Leeds, providing our local communities with better links to education and employment opportunities. Its location at the White Rose Park makes it accessible to many more people living in the area and beyond.” Students from nearby Elliot Hudson College have taken part in work experience with Spencer Group at the site to learn more about the project and careers in the industry. Rosie Quashie, Vice Principal at the college, said: “Work experience placements such as those our students have been able to access at the White Rose Rail Station construction site are so important. “Working with the staff at Spencer Group has provided our students with a wide range of transferable employability skills and enabled them to gain invaluable experience of the scheme and the different career opportunities in engineering and construction, and this has really supported them in deciding their career destinations after leaving Elliot Hudson College. “Many of our students rely on public transport and will benefit from the new station when it opens next year.” To find out more about Spencer Group’s rail infrastructure expertise, visit www.thespencergroup.co.uk/our-work/rail/
Chapman Taylor, working with Turley, Stace LLP, and Churchman Thornhill Finch, is delighted to announce the submission of a detailed planning application for the prestigious Queen’s Hospital Close development in Birmingham. The proposed mixed residential development aims to revitalise the historic site and contribute to the vibrant urban fabric of the city. The plans encompass an innovative blend of 189 Build to Rent apartments and 759 Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) residential bedrooms. Located on the grounds of the former Birmingham Accident Hospital, the development will breathe new life into the site while honouring its rich heritage. Part of the proposal involves the careful refurbishment of the two remaining listed buildings, ensuring their preservation and activation. These buildings will house communal facilities, including a public café and a gym, fostering a sense of community within the development. Designed with a landscape-led approach, the site layout seeks to transform the currently gated area into an inviting environment. It features a series of landscaped courtyards responding sensitively to the adjacent canal, and generous new public ream creating a harmonious setting for the listed buildings. The new buildings have been thoughtfully conceived as a family grouping, gradually stepping up in height from east to west. At the junction of Bath Row and the Birmingham Old Line Canal, a tall building will serve as a distinctive landmark. While each building boasts its own unique identity through variation in colour, a common architectural language ensures a cohesive and visually appealing whole. Sustainability lies at the core of the project’s design philosophy, with a commitment to achieving a BREEAM Excellent for the new buildings and Very Good for the listed buildings. Through the implementation of a high-performance building envelope and efficient technical systems, the development aims to minimise energy consumption and carbon emissions. Ecology and biodiversity are woven through the site, with buildings carefully placed to allow retention of the majority of the existing trees, and set back from the canal to provide an ecologically rich edge, preserving the Canal Wildlife Corridor. Additionally, a strong emphasis on connecting residents with the outdoors will enhance their well-being, offering spaces for both active enjoyment and calm reflection. Currently, the planning application is under review by the local authority, with a decision anticipated in early autumn 2023. We look forward to a positive outcome that will pave the way for the realisation of this exceptional development in the heart of Birmingham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading developer City & Country is hosting its first webinar titled ‘Next Stepping in the Current Market’ on Wednesday 31st May at 6pm which will provide digestible and practical information on how to navigate an ever-changing property landscape. The webinar will be the first in a series aimed at supporting buyers at every market entry point. The webinar will be hosted by renowned property and finance journalist and former editor of the Times’ Bricks & Mortar segment Anne Ashworth, with panellists made up of experts from leading property agents Savills; well-known property search portal, On The Market; mortgage specialists, The Mortgage Brain; alongside City & Country’s Sales Manager. The webinar will focus on the challenges buyers are facing in the current market, with the well-experienced panel offering advice and guidance to combat this. There will also be a question – and – answer section, with attendees able to submit questions live and receive personalised advice about their property situation from specialists in the field. City & Country’s interactive approach also allows attendees to submit their queries prior to the event through a selection of platforms, for example, via Instagram and emailing cityandcountry@building-relations.co.uk. David Cox, panellist and Sales Manager at City & Country, said: “The webinar is a fantastic opportunity for those buying for the first time, upsizing, downsizing, or otherwise to really get an understanding of what is happening in the market at the moment. Demand has been steadily increasing since the beginning of the year and with house prices recently rising for the first time in seven months, we are potentially starting to see a bounce back from the economic turbulence since the mini-Budget; as a result many people are dusting off their previous plans to move – it’s an important time to be informed. We would encourage anyone who’s interested in making a move this year to sign up – it’s a great chance to get the very best advice from our experienced panel.” Alex Leigh, panellists and head of office and head of new homes at Savills Chelmsford, said: “There’s no doubt the market has been a little more subdued when compared to the heights of the previous two years or so. The cost of living and rising interest rates have forced many buyers to reassess their budgets. However I think we’re now starting to see things settle down and return to what you might describe as a ‘post pandemic-norm’. Demand remains robust and long-term house price forecasts are broadly positive. Reports the Government is considering reviving the Help to Buy scheme could also be good news for first time buyers. Although some way from becoming a reality, it has at least brought the challenges in the housing market to the front pages of newspapers; the hope being that it may prompt a more balanced debate about housing policy. “Our own buyer/seller survey shows that commitment to move continues to be strong – especially among those at the higher end of the market who are perhaps less reliant on borrowing to fund a move. Consequently, while there might not be quite the same level of urgency in the market as there was 12 to 24 months ago, there are grounds for cautious optimism. For those selling, setting a realistic guide price remains key to driving activity, while for those buying it’s important to have all your ducks in a row. If you have a property to sell make sure it’s on the market, instruct a solicitor as soon as possible and – if you need a mortgage – make sure all your finances are agreed in principle. It’s also important to understand exactly what it is that you want – both in terms of the property itself and the location. Take some time to view a variety of properties and visit the area you’re hoping to move to. Looking at somewhere as a buyer is very different from if you’re on holiday or just passing through.” City & Country offer a number of initiatives for prospective buyers including the Deposit Unlock scheme at selected developments across England and Scotland, which allows buyers to purchase with just a 5% deposit*, as well as providing customers with competitively priced mortgage products. The developer also offers schemes such as Assisted Move, helping buyers who are facing the challenge of selling their current property, as well as Early Bird reservation which allows buyers to secure their dream home before it is put on the market. City & Country is a family-owned business, with over 60 years experience in the restoration and conversion of the very best of Britain’s historic and listed buildings. As the UK’s leading heritage developer, the company has one of the most eclectic porfolios in the industry with sites including former schools, hospitals, factories, and mansions. Current projects include Bristol’s former General Hospital, King Edward VII Hospital, FN1, Donaldson’s College in Edinburgh, Springfield Hospital in South West London and the Mansion at Sundridge Park. Increasingly, the business is taking the expertise, skill, and attention to detail demanded by heritage sites to creating beautifully crafted new build homes, often within the grounds of nationally important heritage assets or within sensitive conservation area. Recent developments include Manningtree Park, Sanderling Reach and St Osyth Priory developments in Essex and Burderop Park in Wiltshire. To find out more about City & Country, call 020 3811 6170 or visit www.cityandcountry.co.uk. To register for the webinar, please visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XpohIR1MRYCcjAH419szpQ *Terms and Conditions apply. Visit https://www.cityandcountry.co.uk/promotion-terms-and-conditions/ for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The latest research from Searchland, the development site sourcing specialists, has revealed that reclassifying just 1% of the nation’s green belt could unlock the potential to deliver almost 738,000 new homes with an estimated market value of £317.5bn. The green belt across England currently covers an estimated 1,638,150 hectares, or 16.382bn square metres, accounting for some 12.6% of the nation’s total land area. With the average new-build plot requiring an estimated 222 square metres of space, England’s entire greenbelt could facilitate some 73.790m new homes. Its development has long been a controversial topic but there have been numerous calls for wrongly classified areas of green belt to be opened up for development in order to help address the housing crisis. Should just 1% of the nation’s green belt be reclassified for housing development, it would enable the delivery of an estimated 737,905 new homes across England. With the average new-build commanding £430,229 in the current market, that’s a potential £317.468bn in new housing stock reaching the market. The South East is home to the greatest level of green belt property development potential, with the region home to 18.6% of England’s total green belt. Developing on just 1% of this green belt would enable house builders to deliver 137,581 new homes with a total market value of £72bn. Developing just 1% of green belt land across the West Midlands (119,347), Yorkshire and the Humber (118,144), the North West (115,063) and East of England (104,306) would also enable the delivery of more than 100,000 new homes in each region. Even in London, where green belt land accounts for just 2.1% of the national total, reclassifying and developing on 1% would bring a housing stock boost to the tune of 15,667 new homes. Co-founder and CEO of Searchland, Mitchell Fasanya, commented: “With whisperings of yet another Help to Buy reboot, it seems as though the government intends to maintain their strategy of fuelling buyer demand while maintaining a head in the sand approach to actually building more homes. The result of which is a dangerously inflated market and record high house prices that the average homebuyer simply can’t afford. The development of green belt land is an unpopular solution, largely due to the misconception that it involves concreting over areas of outstanding natural beauty. The reality is that there is a great deal of green belt that simply isn’t classified correctly and the green belt itself is actually a buffer between urban sprawl and the countryside. There have been recent examples whereby green belt land has been successfully reclassified to provide much needed homes and it really does beg the question, why does the government remain so intent on ignoring a solution that is staring them in the face?” Data tables Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here.
● Integrated ramp management system paired with cyber-secure airfield solutions provides enhanced arrival readiness, docking process support, turnaround and departure management ● Smart visual docking system allows for more precise and informed decision-making across gate operations Honeywell announced the launch of an updated suite of airside solutions, boasting enhancements to its gate and turnaround and airfield lighting portfolios, including the Honeywell NAVITAS™ Smart Visual Docking system. To help airports maintain a smoother traveler experience amidst increasing air traffic, the latest solutions help optimise gate operations and improve situational awareness for pilots and airside operations teams, resulting in faster turnaround times for aircraft. The latest solutions were unveiled at the 2023 Airport Show in Dubai. As the number of air travelers continues to increase[i], the air travel industry needs continued innovation to keep up with the demand. However, the industry has faced a shortage of staff since pandemic conditions started, like air traffic controllers, with 1,200[ii] fewer controllers today than a decade ago. These challenges are reflected in on-time departure rates of less than 70%[iii] for U.S. flights in December 2022. “Honeywell provides the latest technology solutions that help airports be more resilient, efficient and sustainable, topics that are more critical than ever as we approach the busy summer travel season,” Alex Cowen, general manager, Global Airports, Honeywell Building Technologies. “The Honeywell solutions are designed to meet the challenges that impede efficiency and safety, such as ramp obstacles, adverse weather conditions, maintenance and management of gate downtime and capacity optimisation like airport congestion.” The expanded range of solutions include: To learn more about Honeywell’s latest solutions, please click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CONTRACTORS OFTEN get calls from property owners and managers who mistakenly think the roof is leaking. Many leaks are the result of a gutter block, often caused by leaves from overhanging trees or moss growth on the roof. This leads to gutters regularly overflowing causing damage to buildings. When gutter brush systems first came on the market, contractors thought they had found a simple, cost-effective solution to offer clients. New builds began to incorporate gutter brushes at the time of construction to counter known risks, for example from trees which had to be retained to gain planning for the development. Contractors thought their problems were solved, until they began to receive angry callbacks. Many returned to find that the gutter brush or infill systems they’d installed were impeding rainwater flow, in itself causing overflows, or the systems were accumulating debris and getting blocked so frequently they’d become more hindrance than help. LiabilityDoug Basen of Local Authority Building Control highlighted the problem when he cautioned inspectors to advise clients to choose anti-blocking gutter systems carefully. Citing Building Regulations part H3, and BS EN 12056-3:2000 Clause 7.3.3, which states “the reduction in outlet capacity due to strainers being installed shall be taken into consideration”, Doug warned that installers might find themselves liable if they had fitted a product which ultimately caused building damage. Doug compared the various products on offer, assessing rainwater flow rates when they’re installed. Foam, fibre, rubber or acrylic systems are designed to sit in the gutter and absorb water moving it to a downpipe without allowing any material to find its way into the system. Three products were examined: firstly, foam, fibre, rubber or acrylic systems designed to sit in the gutter and absorb water moving it to a downpipe without allowing any material to find its way into the system. Secondly, gutter brushes were evaluated: also designed to sit in the gutter and catch debris while still permitting waterflow. Thirdly, gutter guards, which are a mesh fitted to the open top of the gutter. Reduction in flow capacityAfter conducting his investigation Doug concluded: “It would seem the first two examples will immediately cause a reduction in flow capacity as a direct result of their installation. The moral here is make sure you do check if guttering anti-blockage has been incorporated before completion, and, if it has, that the flow rate of the gutter has not been impeded. Mesh gutter guards are the clear winner here because, sitting on the top of the gutter, they clearly don’t impede water flow.” Not all equalBut, not all gutter guard meshes are created equal. For example, a mesh construction allowing for a slope is vital: flat gutter guards do not perform optimally. If the gutter mesh is not sloped towards the outer edge of the gutter where it’s fitted, it risks leaves still accumulating on the mesh surface where they will start to decompose and form a mulch, over which rainwater can run off. Whereas a sloped mesh will help debris to sluice harmlessly of the mesh surface, while rainwater is channelled away. Tests conducted by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to the principle of BS EN 12056-3-2000 confirm these findings. BRE tests showed that, firstly, any product that sits within the gutter can impede rainwater flow by as much as 50-80%. CONTRACTORS OFTEN get calls from property owners and managers who mistakenly think the roof is leaking. Many leaks are the result of a gutter block, often caused by leaves from overhanging trees or moss growth on the roof. This leads to gutters regularly overflowing causing damage to buildings. When gutter brush systems first came on the market, contractors thought they had found a simple, cost-effective solution to offer clients. New builds began to incorporate gutter brushes at the time of construction to counter known risks, for example from trees which had to be retained to gain planning for the development. Contractors thought their problems were solved, until they began to receive angry callbacks. Many returned to find that the gutter brush or infill systems they’d installed were impeding rainwater flow, in itself causing overflows, or the systems were accumulating debris and getting blocked so frequently they’d become more hindrance than help. LiabilityDoug Basen of Local Authority Building Control highlighted the problem when he cautioned inspectors to advise clients to choose anti-blocking gutter systems carefully. Citing Building Regulations part H3, and BS EN 12056-3:2000 Clause 7.3.3, which states “the reduction in outlet capacity due to strainers being installed shall be taken into consideration”, Doug warned that installers might find themselves liable if they had fitted a product which ultimately caused building damage. Doug compared the various products on offer, assessing rainwater flow rates when they’re installed. Foam, fibre, rubber or acrylic systems are designed to sit in the gutter and absorb water moving it to a downpipe without allowing any material to find its way into the system. Three products were examined: firstly, foam, fibre, rubber or acrylic systems designed to sit in the gutter and absorb water moving it to a downpipe without allowing any material to find its way into the system. Secondly, gutter brushes were evaluated: also designed to sit in the gutter and catch debris while still permitting waterflow. Thirdly, gutter guards, which are a mesh fitted to the open top of the gutter. Reduction in flow capacityAfter conducting his investigation Doug concluded: “It would seem the first two examples will immediately cause a reduction in flow capacity as a direct result of their installation. The moral here is make sure you do check if guttering anti-blockage has been incorporated before completion, and, if it has, that the flow rate of the gutter has not been impeded. Mesh gutter guards are the clear winner here because, sitting on the top of the gutter, they clearly don’t impede water flow.” Not all equalBut, not all gutter guard meshes are created equal. For example, a mesh construction allowing for a slope is vital: flat gutter guards do
