McAleer & Rushe have been appointed by Fusion Group to deliver 420 new residences at a 7-storey purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Liverpool, Fusion’s first student residence in the city. The scheme will transform the vacant Hondo supermarket site, located on Upper Duke Street in Liverpool’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’, and
Leading building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans Construction, has been appointed by Inspired Villages to begin construction of a £45m retirement community in Sonning Common, South Oxfordshire. Farrans’ first phase of works will include 73 high-quality, bespoke homes for over 65s and a state-of-the-art wellness suite within the village centre.
The LABC will be hosting its next technical roadshow in 3D later this month – with Actis sharing part of its RIBA-approved Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards CPD with delegates from across the West of England. The CPD, which covers part L, will be presented by one of
Local housebuilder Crest Nicholson has secured planning approval for homes at its brand new Windsor Gate development, in Windsor, Berkshire. The development will comprise 135 energy efficient new homes, with 54 affordable homes, across the 13-acre site, and has a focus on enhancing biodiversity and sustainability. Each of the 117
Last week, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill became law. However, 61% of housebuilders believe that the 534-page bill, which will underpin the government’s levelling up agenda, needs to go further to enable them to reach housing targets. In fact, two thirds (66%) of housebuilders had supported the government’s initial
Housebuilder The Hill Group has submitted plans for the Amerind Grove site on Raleigh Road in Bristol, which was once the site of the Wills Tobacco Factory, to develop over 100 high-quality, sustainable new homes. Hill will deliver three, four, and five-bedroom family houses, as well as one and two-bedroom
McAleer & Rushe have been appointed by Fusion Group to deliver 420 new residences at a 7-storey purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme in Liverpool, Fusion’s first student residence in the city. The scheme will transform the vacant Hondo supermarket site, located on Upper Duke Street in Liverpool’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’, and runs adjacent to the Ropewalks Conservation Area and Liverpool Cathedral, which have significant historical and cultural importance. Construction has commenced on site and completion expected by June 2025, in advance of the 2025/26 student intake, delivering high quality accommodation and amenity space for students in the city centre. Ideally located opposite the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) and within walking distance of both the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, the building will provide an unrivalled space for students including a recording studio, half basketball court, fitness studio, library and zero waste shop. Designed to a BREEAM Very Good rating, the scheme will also provide ample external landscaping features such as two private courtyards, a private dining area, outdoor bar and performance stage and a serene area for yoga, meditation and study. The leading design and build contractor will use offsite manufacturing techniques in the delivery of this project utilising light gauge steel frame structures and bathroom pods to deliver increased efficiency on site, reducing material deliveries and carbon emissions. This will allow McAleer & Rushe to achieve programme savings in the delivery of the scheme. McAleer & Rushe has extensive experience of providing quality student accommodation and has successfully delivered over 11,500 PBSA units across the UK and Ireland, including in Liverpool, with another 2,500 under construction. Commenting on the appointment Peter Devlin, Contracts Director at McAleer & Rushe said: “With our extensive experience delivering PBSA schemes across the UK and Ireland, we are well placed to deliver a scheme for Fusion Group that will help to revitalise the Upper Duke Street area of Liverpool and provide young people with a high-quality student living experience. “As Construction Partner and building on our successful early engagement approach, we are making use of offsite manufacturing to deliver benefits throughout the construction process delivering the scheme efficiently and sustainably.” Paul Miles, Construction Director, of developer Fusion Group commented: “We believe that every aspect of student living should be carefully considered and designed to create positive living spaces and inspire those who are living there. “Our Construction Partner McAleer & Rushe bring expert knowledge and experience in delivering quality student accommodation in the PBSA sector and their approach to the project will provide modern and comfortable living accommodation with unparalleled social facilities and exemplary communal amenities.” McAleer & Rushe has completed several major construction projects in Liverpool and is currently on site at Park Lane, overlooking the Royal Albert Docks, delivering a new build Maldron hotel. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans Construction, has been appointed by Inspired Villages to begin construction of a £45m retirement community in Sonning Common, South Oxfordshire. Farrans’ first phase of works will include 73 high-quality, bespoke homes for over 65s and a state-of-the-art wellness suite within the village centre. The Sonning Common scheme, once delivered in full, will provide 133 age-appropriate, sustainable homes for around 150 over 65s, as well as impressive facilities including a restaurant, cafe, hairdressers, library and craft rooms and a wellness centre comprising a swimming pool, steam room, treatment rooms and a gym with a fitness studio. Some of these features such as the gym, pool, restaurant and café will be open to the wider community. The development will provide further benefit to the local area and economy by creating over 100 construction jobs, and in excess of 40 operational jobs once complete. Farrans has over 80 years’ experience of delivering world-class projects across the UK and Ireland. It specialises in luxury, sustainable, senior living residential properties, including the recently completed Hendon Hall. The company, which employs more than 600 people, has offices in London, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds and Belfast with further site offices connecting its regional network. Inspired Villages is an award-winning developer and operator of integrated retirement communities supported by joint venture funding to the tune of £500m from NatWest Group Pension Fund and Legal & General. Sonning Common joins a fast-growing pipeline that puts Inspired Villages on track to deliver its plan of creating 34 communities comprising of 5,100 homes for 8,000 over 65s. It currently operates nine villages with an additional three sites under construction and aims to address the considerable shortage of appropriate housing for older people in the UK. Its latest village, Millfield Green, opens this month in Bedfordshire and is the UK’s first Net Zero Integrated Retirement Community (regulated energy). Glenn Gilmore, Regional Director for Farrans Construction, said: “Sonning Common is an exciting development in the heart of an area which is experiencing significant demand for retired living accommodation, and we are looking forward to working with Inspired Villages to deliver their vision. The design has brought in elements which will encourage a true community spirit, with opportunities to socialise, relax and keep active. We have an extensive later living portfolio in the UK and we understand how important it is to consider and deliver for the end users who will call this home. We will be engaging with the local community throughout our work on site and we look forward to leaving a positive lasting legacy in the area.” Neal Dale, Chief Property and Development Officer at Inspired Villages, commented: “We are really pleased to be progressing work at our Widmore Park village in Sonning Common with the appointment of Farrans for the first phase of construction. Having recently opened our ninth village and the UK’s first Net Zero Retirement Community (regulated energy), Millfield Green in Bedfordshire, we are excited that Widmore Park will follow in the footsteps of this trailblazing village with its sustainability credentials centred around ground source heat pump technology. All of the buildings will accommodate solar panels and will be designed with excellent insulation and ventilation. We’re also enabling electric car charging points; a crucial part of delivering cleaner transport across the country. We are leading the IRC sector’s approach to sustainability and social impact. “By creating vibrant, sustainable communities carefully designed for the needs of over 65’s and focused on promoting a connected and active lifestyle, we know our villages improve the holistic wellbeing of residents and have positive impact to the wider community also. Sonning Common is an important step in our portfolio expansion, allowing us to support the shortfall in specialist later living housing in the South Oxfordshire area.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The LABC will be hosting its next technical roadshow in 3D later this month – with Actis sharing part of its RIBA-approved Tomorrow’s Insulation Solutions for Future Homes Standards CPD with delegates from across the West of England. The CPD, which covers part L, will be presented by one of the Actis regional specification team at the monthly LABC technical seminar on Wednesday November 22. Delegates and presenters can meet face-to-face at the free event, which takes place at The Players Golf Club in Bristol – and may even get to eat cupcakes, used to illustrate key points in the CPD. This is the sixth year in a row in which Actis is working with LABC as a CPD partner. The club, which like many of its ilk acts as a conference centre and wedding destination, as well as offering fishing, will provide an excellent location in which builders, specifiers, architects and building control officers can benefit from three and a half hours of CPD training. Actis, along with LABC’s other CPD partners, will each offer insight into a specific technical issue and a proposed solution designed to educate and inform. Actis’ contribution will focus on insulation to meet the new tighter Building Regulations Part L requirements, while other experts will talk on issues such as warranty defects. Doors open at 8am and close at 11.30am. Reserve your place here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local housebuilder Crest Nicholson has secured planning approval for homes at its brand new Windsor Gate development, in Windsor, Berkshire. The development will comprise 135 energy efficient new homes, with 54 affordable homes, across the 13-acre site, and has a focus on enhancing biodiversity and sustainability. Each of the 117 homes will incorporate air source heat pumps, whilst the 18 apartments will utilise hot water heat pumps and electric panel heaters. Residents will benefit from landscaped open spaces that also provide a haven for wildlife, including a wildflower meadow, community allotments, three play areas and further informal play spaces. Additional features across the development include 50 bat bricks and 50 swift bricks in homes and apartment buildings, 10 bee homes, hedgehog highways, tree planting and attractive nature-based drainage features. The drainage features double up as informal recreational spaces, whilst providing ecological benefits and managing water during high rainfall events. With the build due to start in January 2024, the first completions are anticipated for July 2024. Nicholas Daruwalla, Land Director at Crest Nicholson South, comments: “We are pleased to have been granted planning permission to deliver much needed new homes in Windsor. The planning approval will enable us to provide a collection of new homes that meet local demand, and to continue our delivery of high-quality homes in sought after locations across the region. “As well as delivering much needed new homes and affordable housing, we are committed to creating sustainable communities, where residents benefit from access to greenspace and important amenities on their doorsteps, such as play areas.” Mark Kershaw, Group Head of Sustainability at Crest Nicholson, adds: “In line with our commitment to sustainability, we aim to make Windsor Gate a sustainable development for future generations. With a strong focus on community wellbeing, landscaped areas will provide recreational space while delivering a 14% biodiversity net gain. Carbon emissions from the use of the homes will be 76% lower than 2013 building regulations, supporting our customers to live a lower carbon lifestyle and contributing towards our target to be net zero across our value chain by 2045.” Philip Allin, Director at Boyer Planning, adds: “We are really pleased to have worked closely with both Crest Nicholson and planning officers at the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council to achieve a positive outcome. We are sure that Windsor Gate will be a high-quality development, and one that will deliver on the aims and objectives of the Local Plan site allocation.” Situated on the edge of the historic market town of Windsor, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, residents will have access to plenty of amenities and activities on their doorsteps. Within Windsor itself, there are numerous restaurants and pubs, including a royal-themed brewery, Windsor and Eaton Brewery, plus an array of independent shops. Windsor is an idyllic base for exploring the surrounding countryside, parks and gardens such as Windsor Great Park, activities on the River Thames, like paddleboarding, and Ascot and Royal Windsor Racecourses. Windsor benefits from excellent transport links, including direct trains into London from Windsor and Eaton Riverside in under an hour. The M4 is easily accessible, providing connections into London and beyond via links to the M25, M3 and M40. For more information, or to register your interest ahead of the launch, please call 01932 911 434 or visit www.crestnicholson.com/windsor-gate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Last week, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill became law. However, 61% of housebuilders believe that the 534-page bill, which will underpin the government’s levelling up agenda, needs to go further to enable them to reach housing targets. In fact, two thirds (66%) of housebuilders had supported the government’s initial plan to scrap nutrient neutrality laws and 75% said that the amendment would have been a ‘major win’ for the industry. So, when this was dropped, many were left disillusioned and concerned about the housing crisis, a reduction in economic activity, and how the removal of the amendment could impact jobs and businesses. According to the House Builders Federation (HBF), the scrapping of nutrient neutrality laws would have unlocked 150,000 homes, helping housebuilders to meet ambitious governmental housing targets. The bill could have, therefore, provided some relief to a sector that continues to face a multitude of immense challenges. However, nutrient neutrality only makes up a fraction of the blockers that housebuilders are currently navigating to achieve housing delivery targets. According to the recent research on 100 housebuilders by Polypipe Building Products, aside from a downturn in the housing market, 63% of housebuilders say that the government’s overall approach to planning is an issue and 62% said that the lack of resources in Local Planning Authorities is a major barrier. Furthermore, 65% said they didn’t believe Gove’s claim that the reform would unlock the prompt construction of 100,000 new homes, arguing that the legislation must go further. Commenting on the findings, Dan Love, Head of Commercial at Polypipe Building Products said, “The scrapping of nutrient neutrality has been a nuanced debate. Of course, both environmental standards and the ability to meet housing targets are key issues for the housing sector and we know that housebuilders and developers are passionate about both these issues, too. “While the intent of nutrient neutrality rules are appreciated by developers, there is an overwhelming feeling that stopping new homes being built disproportionately impacts housing developers and those seeking housing needs, rather than root causes of negative impacts on nutrient neutrality. “With so much uncertainty ahead and with numerous updates to environmental, planning and building regulations ongoing, it’s more crucial than ever that housebuilders, contractors, and specifiers have access to adequate resources and information to support them through the changes. This remains a key focus at Polypipe Building Products as the industry navigates a period of significant change, and our technical team will continue to work with housebuilders and specifiers to support them through planning stages and the design of compliant heating systems to aid them in meeting housing targets.” For helpful resources on the updates to building regulations, legislation, and further information, please visit: https://www.polypipeufh.com/futurehomeshub/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder The Hill Group has submitted plans for the Amerind Grove site on Raleigh Road in Bristol, which was once the site of the Wills Tobacco Factory, to develop over 100 high-quality, sustainable new homes. Hill will deliver three, four, and five-bedroom family houses, as well as one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom maisonettes, building on its reputation for developing sustainable community-focused residential projects. Approximately one-third (30%) of the homes will be affordable. Hill’s plans will revitalise the 3.5-acre site previously occupied by a care home, significantly increasing housing availability in the popular Southville neighbourhood. Hill has selected a Bristol-based architect to partner with on the design of the homes, drawing on the area’s classic terraced vernacular to create well-appointed, high-quality modern homes. The development will link to the surrounding area by two new tree-lined access roads. Hill has appointed a professional guardian service to provide short-term, affordable accommodation for local people during the planning process. All applicants seeking to be a short-term guardian living at the property will be independently assessed and required to sign a code of conduct. Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, commented: “There is an acute housing shortage in Bristol, particularly for family homes. We have worked with the local Southville community to ensure our planning application for the Amerind Grove site will help address local housing needs. It will provide a sustainable development of over 100 high-quality, energy-efficient family homes, including over 30 much-needed affordable homes for local people, and we look forward to working with Bristol City Council to successfully progress this application.” Built with sustainability in mind, the homes at Raleigh Road will feature high levels of insulation and airtightness. The properties will exceed energy regulations through the use of low-carbon technology and energy-efficient design, including air-source heat pumps to provide gas-free heating and hot water. Permeable paving, green roofs, rain gardens, and underground water tanks will also be included within the development to minimise surface water run-off; Hill is committed to environmental conservation and aims to achieve over 20% biodiversity net gain on this development. To encourage sustainable transport and reduce the total number of cars, approximately 185 cycle parking spaces will be provided. The construction phase will also provide local residents with employment and training opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
