Construction works have started and are progressing well at Eastern Gateway, Ipswich, on an 8-acre scheme that Trebor Developments and Hillwood acquired earlier in 2023. Main Contractor, Magrock Ltd, started on site in July 2023 on the five unit industrial and logistics scheme that ranges in size from 12,905 to
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has secured planning permission on behalf of London Square Developments and NHS Property Services Ltd for the development of 125 new apartments, commercial and community uses in the London Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The scheme will provide flexible commercial and community uses at ground
Alumno, the specialist student accommodation developer, has officially opened a striking mixed-use six and seven-storey building in Leeds that will provide accommodation for the city’s growing student population and features an onsite Asian street food restaurant. The Terry Frost Building, named after the celebrated abstract artist who taught at Leeds
Local housebuilder Story Homes recently held a corporate golf day and raised £8,000 for its charity partner, Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The golf day, hosted at Macdonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Club in Northumberland, saw 20 teams of four compete in a Texas scramble style format. Prizes were awarded
Specialist contractors are being sought to help influence a multi-million-pound framework dedicated to tackling the energy-efficient retrofit and decarbonisation of Great Britain’s public sector buildings and social housing stock. Not-for-profit public sector construction framework provider LHC Procurement Group (LHC) is looking for specialists to take part in market engagement and
ACHIEVING PRODUCT SET VERIFICATION FOR SINGLE PLY ROOF SYSTEMS Global building product manufacturer Sika has become an early adopter of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) which has been published to drive higher standards in the presentation of construction product information within the manufacturing industry. A response to Dame
Westminster City Council has given its backing to Squire & Partners-designed proposals for a 10-storey luxury care facility near the River Thames and Smith Square. The practice’s plans for care-home operator Medici Lifecare will see the demolition of 1930s Art Deco block Dean Bradley House, which stands on Horseferry Road,
Leading property management company Rendall & Rittner has appointed Alan Todd as Programme Manager to oversee the delivery of its technology transformation project including MyPlace, its market-leading new customer portal. Alan will have responsibility for the implementation of the whole programme across all stakeholders internally and externally. His remit includes
Odevo, the fast growing international property management group, strengthens its UK presence as The Vegner Group joins. The move takes Odevo’s homes under management globally to over one million. The Vegner Group is the fifth company joining Odevo this year across Europe and the US. Vegner Group Limited is
Kent-based Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd has added a state-of-the-art Suction Excavator to its fleet, thanks to financing from Paragon Bank. The plant hire specialist, based in Ashford, secured £450,000 from Paragon’s SME Lending Construction team to acquire the new asset, helping it to meet escalating business demands and expand its
Construction works have started and are progressing well at Eastern Gateway, Ipswich, on an 8-acre scheme that Trebor Developments and Hillwood acquired earlier in 2023. Main Contractor, Magrock Ltd, started on site in July 2023 on the five unit industrial and logistics scheme that ranges in size from 12,905 to 52,250 sq ft. Steelworks are planned to be going up from September 2023 and the development is on programme to complete in May 2024, as planned. The units are being built speculatively by National property developer Trebor and will offer much needed accommodation to local occupier requirements when complete, in an area that remains undersupplied with good quality new build space. When finished the scheme is expected to create approximately 250-350 jobs for Ipswich and the surrounding area, in addition to the construction jobs already secured. The units will also be highly sustainable, built to BREEAM “Excellent” standards and EPC “A”. The scheme is being marketed as “Access @ Eastern Gateway, Ipswich” and will complement the existing units already developed on site for Amazon and La Doria. Councillor Neil MacDonald, Ipswich Borough Council Leader commented: “Eastern Gateway is a development that is attracting new business into the local area, to boost the economy and create more jobs. I am really pleased to see Trebor take the next steps to support our goal of redeveloping this brownfield site to create new employment opportunities.” Lambert Smith Hampton and Savills are retained as marketing agents for Trebor and Hillwood. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National property consultancy Carter Jonas has secured planning permission on behalf of London Square Developments and NHS Property Services Ltd for the development of 125 new apartments, commercial and community uses in the London Borough of Kingston upon Thames. The scheme will provide flexible commercial and community uses at ground floor level and 125 apartments above. The apartments will be provided in a variety of sizes including 1, 2 and 3 bedroom options and 50% will be on-site, tenure blind, affordable units. Private and communal amenity space is also included. The design of the two buildings is intended to respond to the mixed character of the surrounding area, which has low rise buildings to the north and west and emerging high-rise development to the east associated with the regeneration of the Cambridge Road Estate. The approved design is car-free with four blue badge holder spaces and London Plan compliant cycle parking facilities. The scheme is located on the site of the former Hawks Road Clinic, which had become surplus to the NHS’s requirements and was vacated in 2020. It entails the reuse of brownfield land whilst making a meaningful contribution of 63 dwellings to the Borough’s affordable housing stock. All jobs and services associated with the previous clinic use have been relocated within the Borough. Jessica McSweeney, Partner, Planning and Development, Carter Jonas commented: “We are extremely pleased to have achieved this planning permission, which follows 18 months of work alongside the Council’s planning officers, the Greater London Authority, neighbouring landowners, the community, the Design Review Panel and other statutory consultees. The scheme will bring much needed housing, including a substantial proportion of affordable housing, to the Borough.” In achieving planning success, Carter Jonas worked alongside Fuse Architects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Alumno, the specialist student accommodation developer, has officially opened a striking mixed-use six and seven-storey building in Leeds that will provide accommodation for the city’s growing student population and features an onsite Asian street food restaurant. The Terry Frost Building, named after the celebrated abstract artist who taught at Leeds College of Art, was designed by architects Howarth Litchfield, built by GMI Construction Group and project managed by RPS Group. The new 11,955 square metre project on Whitelock Street in the Sheepscar district of the city has regenerated a run-down, disused site and comprises 105 units that will house 411 students. Facilities include a range of communal areas, including a central hub, gym, cinema, laundry room, roof terrace with a garden and extensive secure bicycle storage. “Sheepscar was a thriving Irish quarter with many industries including coal extraction, brickmaking and, perhaps most notably, Burmantofts Pottery nearby,” explained Jonathan Yates, Managing Director at Howard Litchfield. “The predominance of brickwork in the facades is a clear reference to this urban, industrial and artisan heritage and celebrates the former clay pits to the west. We are delighted with how the design has evolved, which cascades down from west to east to the dramatic prow at the Sheepscar Interchange creating a new landmark gateway for the northern city and offering spectacular views of the city to the south.” As part of its ongoing commitment to the communities living adjacent to its projects, Alumno has commissioned artworks that have been integrated into the public areas surrounding the development. The atrium features a large frieze based on an abstract painting by Frost. Inspired by Frost’s work, Yorkshire-based poet Zaffar Kunial has written a poem cast into the brickwork at the building’s entrance. Meanwhile, Kunial’s work based on the ‘hidden river’ Sheepscar Beck, which runs to the rear of the site before disappearing under Leeds city centre, is built into the retaining wall of the development’s ‘eternal rain garden’ where ceramics by local artist Ameila Wood will also be permanently displayed. At the recent opening event, Frost’s son Anthony unveiled a plaque in honour of his late father. Specially commissioned photography on Leeds by Peter Dench is also on display, along with work from finalists of Photo North, an annual photography exhibition and student competition sponsored by Alumno. Cocktails and refreshments were provided by a local distillery and brewery. “We have been creating student accommodation around the UK for over 15 years and are delighted to be opening our latest completed project in Leeds,” said Alumno Managing Director David Campbell. “Whitelock Street is the perfect location due its proximity to the universities and city centre, and we believe this development will be a great addition to the Sheepscar district and offer significant regeneration benefits. It will also make more housing available to local people by alleviating the need for students to rent family homes privately in the area.” Andrew Hurcomb, Divisional Managing Director Yorkshire, from GMI Construction, said: “We are exceptionally proud to have delivered this landmark development as part of our ongoing and successful relationship with Alumno. The Terry Frost Building is helping to set the standard for purpose-built student accommodation, which is sustainably designed and built to meet the needs of Leeds’ growing student population.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local housebuilder Story Homes recently held a corporate golf day and raised £8,000 for its charity partner, Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The golf day, hosted at Macdonald Linden Hall Golf & Country Club in Northumberland, saw 20 teams of four compete in a Texas scramble style format. Prizes were awarded for nearest to the pin’ on each par 3, ‘longest drive’ on one of the par 5s and ‘hole in one’ competition. Most teams donated a prize for a charity raffle or offered a charitable donation in return for hole sponsorship and paid an entry fee with all proceeds going to CRUK. Story Homes reached out to employees, subcontractors and agents in a bid to fill the team spaces and had an overwhelming response; as a result, the event was a huge success raising thousands of pounds for the housebuilder’s charity partner. Dan Ferguson, Assistant Quantity Surveyor for Story Homes in the North East organised the event. He said: “We wanted to organise an event that would raise a significant amount of money for our charity partner and it was great to see subcontractors, agents and employees come together for this very important cause. “We were blown away by the generosity of those who attended the golf day and are delighted at the amount we managed to raise. I’d like to thank all those who entered a team and made the event such a success.” Each year Story Homes colleagues vote for a charity partner to dedicate its colleague and company fundraising to, with activities and events planned throughout the year to raise funds for the charity. Commenting on the charity partnership and the golf day, Nicky McKenna, Relationship Manager for CRUK said: “Cancer Research UK is incredibly grateful that employees of Story Homes organised the fundraising golf day in September. “In a world where 1 in 2 of us will get cancer, we’d like to sincerely thank everyone involved for helping us to beat cancer. Every pound that we receive helps us fulfil our strategy to beat cancer sooner, supporting scientists, doctors and nurses. This money will help fund our ground-breaking research, our work to develop improved cancer drugs and our programme of practical information for people diagnosed with cancer. Cancer Research UK is working towards a world where everyone can live longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer. Story Homes’ dedicated fundraising will help us create this world. Thank you.” To find out more about Story Homes in the North East, visit https://www.storyhomes.co.uk/north-east/, or to find out more about CRUK, visit https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Specialist contractors are being sought to help influence a multi-million-pound framework dedicated to tackling the energy-efficient retrofit and decarbonisation of Great Britain’s public sector buildings and social housing stock. Not-for-profit public sector construction framework provider LHC Procurement Group (LHC) is looking for specialists to take part in market engagement and provide feedback on initial proposals for its Decarbonisation and Retrofit (N9) framework. It is hosting a pre-tender engagement (PTE) webinar on 20 September for contractor and consultancy organisations interested in shaping the new framework. Some of the key areas that LHC aims to explore during PTE include the PAS requirements, emerging technologies, and SME inclusion to identify any changes required to ensure a more balanced and inclusive framework. Set for launch in mid-2024, N9 is the successor to LHC’s Energy Efficiency Measures and Associated Works (N8) framework and builds on the provider’s 30-year heritage of delivering energy efficiency procurement solutions. It will offer public sector clients more access to suppliers offering a wider range of technologies and services, while targeting EPC improvements for housing stock. The public sector is faced with the challenge of retrofitting housing and other buildings to make vital energy-efficient fabric improvements. The exact scale of the task is unknown, but the social housing sector owns 4.4 million properties in the UK, while – according to the Climate Change Committee – there are another 1.9 million non-domestic public buildings. Dean Fazackerley, LHC’s Head of Technical Procurement, said: “At this stage, we are focusing on ensuring our N9 framework meets needs across the public sector, matches marketplace capability, and works to achieve government targets and future policy requirements. It’s clear our selection criteria must align with relevant standards to ensure N9 is robust, meets the expectations of all stakeholders and supports LHC’s drive to becoming a Gold Standard framework provider. “We’d encourage would-be suppliers for our N9 framework to attend the webinar, as it presents a unique opportunity to work in collaboration with our dedicated technical team to shape the framework in its early stages.” N9 is currently divided into seven workstreams, each containing multiple lots. The workstreams include Building Insulation and Performance; Heating Systems; Control and Management Systems; Electrical, Servicing and Maintenance of Renewable Systems; Multi-Disciplinary Works; and Consultancy. All bidders will be required to meet relevant industry standards, such as PAS 2035 and 2038, and there will be specific requirements for each lot. Dean Fazackerley added: “In the coming months we will be working with suppliers and clients to set out individual requirements for each lot, as different standards will be necessary depending on the nature of the work. “N9 will be operating within a highly competitive market, with the potential for changes in government policy and the rapid evolution of the energy sector during its four-year term. That’s why pre-tender engagement is so important for us in helping to identify opportunities to futureproof the framework as much as possible for the years to come.” The framework will be available nationwide through LHC’s five business units: London and South East (LSE); Consortium Procurement Construction (CPC); South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA); Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA); and Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA). LHC has been developing frameworks specifically dedicated to energy efficiency and net zero construction via retrofit and new build for 30 years, when discussions around the topic were still in their infancy. Clive Feeney, LHC group director, said: “In the early days of our energy efficiency frameworks, there were other issues that were more pressing for public sector organisations. These included economic recession, regulatory changes, and technology adoption. While those all remain relevant today, the journey to net zero is now the biggest challenge facing our industry. “LHC frameworks are underpinned by 57 years’ experience, and we are here to support local authorities, housing associations, schools and a range of other public sector organisations in delivering a range of energy efficiency and decarbonisation works. We are passionate about improving lives and places through quality procurement solutions, as well as awarding grants for community projects and schemes through our Community Benefit Fund.” Prospective suppliers can register early interest in this framework opportunity to receive further updates by registering on LHC’s eTendering portal: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/lhc/aspx/ProjectManage/18 For more information on LHC and to register for the PTE webinar, visit: www.lhcprocure.org.uk/pte-n9 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ACHIEVING PRODUCT SET VERIFICATION FOR SINGLE PLY ROOF SYSTEMS Global building product manufacturer Sika has become an early adopter of the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) which has been published to drive higher standards in the presentation of construction product information within the manufacturing industry. A response to Dame Judith Hackitt’s independent review into Building Regulations and Fire Safety, the Code was developed by the Construction Product Association’s Marketing Integrity Group following two years’ engagement with industry. It has been created to promote an urgent and positive culture and behaviour change in the way the construction product manufacturing industry manages and provides information on its products. Globally renowned for high quality construction solutions and with a commitment to raising industry standards, Sika is one of the first product manufacturers to have achieved CCPI verification of its first product set for Single Ply Roof systems. The company maintains a strong focus on transparency and by committing to the code it will provide further independent assurance and greater confidence in the information associated to its CCPI-verified product-set. There are 11 Clauses within the CCPI assessment which cover a wide range of matters from responsibility for product information, to transparency of performance, proof of stated claims, general information and competency. The CCPI is built around five ‘acid tests’ – product information must be ‘Clear, Accurate, Up-to-date, Accessible and Unambiguous’. The 11 clauses are underpinned by a requirement to demonstrate the highest levels of integrity, ethics, leadership and culture. “We are delighted that Sika is an early adopter of the code,” said Mark Gatrell – Head of Business Unit Roofing for Sika in the UK. “The Code is aiming to drive the highest standards in product information, setting a level playing field for all construction manufacturers to ensure that the information they provide is clear, accurate, up-to- date and unambiguous. We’re proud to be working proactively with the CCPI to raise standards in product information management.” For more information visit the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Westminster City Council has given its backing to Squire & Partners-designed proposals for a 10-storey luxury care facility near the River Thames and Smith Square. The practice’s plans for care-home operator Medici Lifecare will see the demolition of 1930s Art Deco block Dean Bradley House, which stands on Horseferry Road, to make way for the development. The eight-storey office building is not nationally listed, but is a local “building of merit” in the Smith Square Conservation Area. Squire’s proposals are a rejig of a 2017 approval for the site for developer Mayfair Charities. That consent was for a new office, retail and residential block, but it was not implemented. Members of Westminster’s Planning Committee on Tuesday granted Squire and Medici Lifecare consent for a “flexible” scheme allowing the new building to be used either as a care home or as a post-operative care facility with clinical and retail elements. The care-home version would include 134 living units along with a library, restaurant, communal lounges and quiet rooms, therapy rooms, an art studio and a hydrotherapy pool. The alternative plan would offer 40 post operative care units, a hydrotherapy pool, 6,152sq m of space for clinical use, and two non-food shop units at ground-floor level. Both versions deliver new structures with a gross internal area of around 10,360sq m – an uplift of more than 3,000sq m on the current building. Squire said its proposals were a low-carbon development that would deliver much-needed healthcare infrastructure in an all-electric building. Partner Murray Levinson said the practice’s design took inspiration from the adjacent grade II-listed Belgravia House building, while its red-brick panels and Portland stone piers reflected styles found in the conservation area. “Our design complements the grandeur of brick and stone buildings in the conservation area, where a tripartite elevation of a central stone bay is flanked by brick wings,” he said. Toby Burgess, Head of Corporate Strategy and Property Development at Medici Lifecare said: “Successfully obtaining planning consent, for one of prime Central London’s few Landmark Healthcare Facilities, continues to demonstrate our ability to overcome the high barriers of entry within our healthcare model.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading property management company Rendall & Rittner has appointed Alan Todd as Programme Manager to oversee the delivery of its technology transformation project including MyPlace, its market-leading new customer portal. Alan will have responsibility for the implementation of the whole programme across all stakeholders internally and externally. His remit includes co-ordinating the rollout of the system across Rendall & Rittner’s entire portfolio of developments over the next 12 months, ensuring training for staff, facilitating ways of working and managing customer impact. He has already established a cross-functional programme steering group with involvement from senior management to help ensure employees are engaged and on board. MyPlace has been developed as a bespoke, next generation online platform that will provide an easy to use, one-stop shop for customers. Also being introduced is a Customer Engagement System to enhance customer communications, whilst a client portal will start to be built from late this year. Alan has over twenty years’ experience in leading large programmes for a wide range of major companies including Mastercard, Western Union, Co-op and the Football Association. His expertise is in supporting and enabling major change within organisations, and he has broad experience across a variety of business sectors. Alan says: “I am very pleased that I can bring my broad experience and skills to deliver this major change to Rendall & Rittner effectively and efficiently. My role is to make sure that there is a plan in place that brings everything together at the right time to ensure our technology transformation project, including MyPlace, is implemented in a structured and successful way.” MyPlace and the Customer Engagement system are live and being used by the first group of properties, following their successful trials earlier in the year. More developments are being added constantly with the rollouts continuing in the coming months and into 2024. Richard Daver, Group CEO of Rendall & Rittner comments: “Successfully carrying through this sort of transformational change requires collaborative and joined up working across the business. We are delighted to welcome Alan to the team, who will be pivotal in driving the delivery of our digital transformation project forward and leading our company-wide commitment to make it as successful as possible for our customers, clients and ourselves.” Find out more at: https://www.rendallandrittner.co.uk/about-us/technology/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Odevo, the fast growing international property management group, strengthens its UK presence as The Vegner Group joins. The move takes Odevo’s homes under management globally to over one million. The Vegner Group is the fifth company joining Odevo this year across Europe and the US. Vegner Group Limited is a leading residential property management group in the UK managing over 100,000 homes with nationwide reach across 20 office sites. Vegner specialises in Residents Management Company (“RMC”) clients, bringing further expertise and specialism to the Odevo Group range of competences. The group also has unique proprietary accounting software and incorporates a high-performing tech team. Odevo is on a mission to become the leading force within the residential property management industry by leveraging the combined power of people and technology. The Vegner Group are the fourth business in the UK to join Odevo, following Rendall & Rittner, Premier Estates and Trinity Property Group, further strengthening Odevo’s footprint across the UK. Odevo has grown more than 30 times in just four years and is now home to over 5,000 employees with an annual revenue of close to 300 million GBP. Odevo has a unique approach to building a leading international group by empowering strong teams and companies while creating value across the group. By being part of the group, these companies can leverage their strengths and expertise while benefiting from the collective resources and support of Odevo in areas such as technology, financial services, human resources, and compliance, to mention a few. This approach results in substantial buying power, technical and operational resources which are of considerable value to clients, helping them to navigate the increasingly complex world of property management on a cost-effective basis. “Both The Vegner Group and Odevo have a shared ambition to develop people, deliver excellent performance to clients, and push the boundaries of the property management industry. By joining forces with Odevo, The Vegner Group will gain from extended pooled resourcing across multiple areas of our operation as well as best-in-class technology solutions, and pass those benefits on to our customers along with continuing to build upon existing alliances with our business partners. We look forward to working in close collaboration to deliver an industry-leading service together.” remarked Alec Guthrie, CEO of The Vegner Group. “The Vegner Group is a leading property management operator in the UK, and we are delighted to welcome them to Odevo. Vegner will bring a high penetration of ancillary services and market leading expertise to the Odevo UK range of competences. With The Vegner Group joining Odevo, it will give us an even stronger presence in the UK market and in turn mean we now have over 5,000 colleagues serving over one million homes across Europe and North America as we continue our ambitious expansion plans.” said Odevo CEO Daniel Larsson. Odevo plans to continue its strong growth journey, both organically and by attracting additional companies to join the group. This approach has secured leading positions in Sweden, Finland, the United Kingdom and the United States in just a few years. The company has greatly increased its investment in technology and digital transformation and now employs close to 100 software engineers developing bespoke industry solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kent-based Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd has added a state-of-the-art Suction Excavator to its fleet, thanks to financing from Paragon Bank. The plant hire specialist, based in Ashford, secured £450,000 from Paragon’s SME Lending Construction team to acquire the new asset, helping it to meet escalating business demands and expand its service offering. The firm’s Managing Director, Andrew Keaveney, developed a strong rapport with Paragon’s SME Lending team having previously secured financing from the bank. Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd is a division of the wider family-run business founded in 2007, The Keaveney Group. It’s recognised as a key supplier in the industry and combines family values and innovative technology, resulting in a cost-effective service with strong client partnerships. The newly acquired ESE 6 RD RSP Suction Excavator is mounted on a Mercedes Benz Arocs 8x4x4 Chassis Cab with cutting-edge features, such as a fully hydraulic articulated hose carrier, and is the ideal solution for working at distances ranging from zero to six metres. Thanks to the support of Paragon’s Construction team, Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd can further commit to providing an array of equipment to its clients. Tracey Cronin, Business Development Manager in Paragon’s Construction team, led the deal on behalf of the bank. Commenting on the funding secured from Paragon, Andrew Keaveney said: “Thanks to the support from Paragon Bank’s SME Lending division we have secured the necessary financing to elevate our operations. The acquisition of the Suction Excavator enables us to meet the growing demand for this asset.” Commenting on the support provided to Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd, Tracey Cronin, Business Development Manager in Paragon’s Construction team, said: “We are thrilled to assist Keaveney Plant Hire Ltd in its journey of growth and fleet expansion. Our partnership withAndrew Keaveney andhis dedicated team has been further strengthened, and we take pride in continuing to provide financing solutions that drive its success.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
