Bellway is building hundreds of homes as a part of an award-winning project within Kings Hill in Kent. The housebuilder is delivering a total of 542 new homes across five developments at Aviation Park, part of the huge Kings Hill regeneration project which has been taking place over the past
Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has completed the development of a new £10M truck park and Roll on Roll off (RoRo) ferry vessel port facility for leading UK Port Operator and repeat customer Peel Ports
Construction businesses will be called on to pledge greater support for mental health at the launch of a major lobbying campaign at Frameless in London on 22 November. The campaign, which is being led by Causeway Technologies, will ask for mental health provision to be included in Health & Safety
The North London Heat and Power Project (NLHPP), a £1.5 billion nationally significant infrastructure project under construction in Edmonton commissioned by North London Waste Authority (NLWA), has been named the Most Innovative Project of the Year at the Institute of Economic Development (IED) Annual Awards 2023. The awards, which were
Underfloor heating specialists Gaia are designing, supplying and installing energy-efficient underfloor heating in over 250 houses within Taylor Wimpey’s new development in Barham, Suffolk. Taylor Wimpey is a national residential construction company, building more than 15,000 homes across the UK each year. Their new residential development – Churchfields – is
Leicester Royal Infirmary’s radiotherapy department is celebrating the opening of a full extension and significant enhancement works which will ensure that more patients can receive new state-of-the-art treatments. The larger building can house the latest equipment, alongside comfortable waiting spaces, and pleasant office spaces for staff. Delivered by Midlands-based contractor,
Digital billboards have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to capture the attention of passersby and convey information in a dynamic and engaging way. While these billboards are often associated with large outdoor displays and advertising campaigns, they can also be used in more unconventional ways,
Bellway is building hundreds of homes as a part of an award-winning project within Kings Hill in Kent. The housebuilder is delivering a total of 542 new homes across five developments at Aviation Park, part of the huge Kings Hill regeneration project which has been taking place over the past 30 years on the site of the former RAF West Malling base. Within Aviation Park, Bellway Kent is building 140 properties at Blenheim Green and 52 homes at Liberty Quarter, both off Park Drive, where homes are currently under construction and for sale. The first of 70 apartments at Gloster Chase, off Kings Hill Avenue, have also just been released for sale, with 42 for private ownership and the remaining 28 as affordable homes for the local community. DeHavilland Place, off Jubilee Way, which comprises a further 210 homes, and Westland Place, off Abbey Wood Road, which will bring 70 apartments, are due to be launched in spring next year. These five sites will provide a total of 402 properties for the private market and 140 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. Aviation Park will also see the creation of hundreds of jobs in sales and construction. Bellway won an award for its part in the Kings Hill regeneration project, claiming the Best Regeneration Project category at the Evening Standard New Homes Awards 2023 in September. The description for the Best Regeneration Project category stated that the judges were looking for inspired schemes that have transformed a neglected site or zone into a vibrant new quarter, typically with a mix of residential, retail and commercial premises, and green space, and where the lives of local people and businesses have improved as a result. Chris Moore, Bellway Kent Managing Director, said: “At Bellway, we are proud to be playing a part in this landmark project which is seeing the regeneration of this historic site and transforming it into a vibrant modern community. The award win is a tribute to its success. “RAF West Malling played a major part in helping Britain defend itself from the German aerial attacks during the Second World War and was an important base during the Cold War. Aircraft based at the site took off from the base to fight the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and to shoot down the V1 flying bombs launched from across the Channel in 1944. “Although Kings Hill is a project that looks to the future, we also wanted to acknowledge the past and have named Aviation Park and its developments in homage to aircraft manufacturers or planes involved in the Second World War and Cold War. “Construction work is progressing well at all five sites within Aviation Park, where we are delivering a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to five-bedroom houses to help meet the specific requirements of the local housing market. “Many residents have already moved into their new homes at Liberty Quarter, while the build programme is advancing at Blenheim Green and Gloster Chase, where the first homes are now available to reserve.” Aviation Park is part of the wider Kings Hill project, where more than 3,500 homes have been built or planned since work began in 1990, along with a million square feet of commercial floor space, three new schools and 23 shops. Bellway has previously delivered 381new homes in Kings Hill since 2011, which has been masterminded by Kent County Council and Liberty Property Trust. Residents are able to enjoy the green spaces on their doorstep within Kings Hill, which features 100 acres of public open space including a new linear park as its focal point. Part of the military heritage of the site takes centre stage within the linear park, where a Pickett-Hamilton, a rare example of a sunken concrete gun fort built to defend the RAF base’s runway, is on display. The structure, which has been restored, takes centre stage as the focal point of a grassed amphitheatre on the slope of a sculpted grass mound. Also preserved at Kings Hill are a Bofors light anti-aircraft gun tower and a hexagonal concrete pill box, which, along with the fort, form part of a scheduled monument as defined by Historic England. For more information about all five of the Bellway developments at Aviation Park, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/kent. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has completed the development of a new £10M truck park and Roll on Roll off (RoRo) ferry vessel port facility for leading UK Port Operator and repeat customer Peel Ports at the QEII Dock in Liverpool. The works which started onsite in June 2023 created the UK’s first Green Automotive Manufacturing Hub. This included recommissioning the existing berth, creating a new lorry park, gatehouse and welfare facilities, installation of a new ISPS fence line with gates, removal of an oil collection weir, new RoRo ramp, new bollards, fenders, ladders and lifesaving equipment, service modifications, demolition of an obsolete building on the quayside and dredging operations. The works also included new services and diversions. Commenting on the completion of the project Glencar Operations Director Tom Kearsley said: “We are absolutely thrilled to once again have worked with our partners at Peel Ports to construct this important new QEII Dock, RoRo and Truck Park facility. The award of this contract was following the appointment on Alex dock multi-user development which we are currently constructing. Achieving the handover date and the arrival of the first ship into the birth on 16th October is a testament to the outstanding project team that assembled on this scheme, they have delivered an outstanding result. This is the second portside related project in quick succession we have been instructed to in recent times and is a great example of what the business can showcase as we continue to cement our knowledge and specialist skillset in this area in the complicated nature of this type of dock construction. As a direct consequence of the construction of this new facility Peel Ports and its customers will be removing 14,700 HGV journeys off the road, as a result saving 28 million kilometres (Circa 17.5 million miles) and reducing 37% in energy consumption.’’ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction businesses will be called on to pledge greater support for mental health at the launch of a major lobbying campaign at Frameless in London on 22 November. The campaign, which is being led by Causeway Technologies, will ask for mental health provision to be included in Health & Safety and Social Value procurement conditions in construction contracts. At the event, Causeway will reveal the results of a unique industry survey of 1,439 construction site workers, which show that 56% are currently experiencing or have experienced mental health problems including anxiety and depression. 12% of respondents said they had experienced or were experiencing suicidal thoughts. The survey was conducted by Causeway’s mental health ambassador Trevor Steven – ex-England and Everton football player – who visited sites up and down the country between May 2022 and September 2023. While most surveys in the sector tend to be completed by office-based employees, Causeway’s approach has been to use the subject of football to encourage construction workers to open up about their mental health. Crucially, this includes labourers and site-based workers who very rarely complete questionnaires. As a result, the vast majority of respondents were employed full time or self-employed trades and subcontracted staff on site. “Shockingly, we are still losing on average two construction workers to suicide every working day,” Trevor said. “Studies have shown that male site workers are disproportionately affected by mental health issues. However, they are often deemed the most vulnerable but hardest-to-reach demographic in the construction industry. “We need to do more than just hanging a few signs up around sites. Mental health needs to be approached in the same way as health and safety – which is why we are asking businesses to step up and pledge to provide greater and more meaningful support.” In addition to the pledge, Causeway will lead a political lobbying campaign that will call for mental health provision to be part of the Health & Safety and Social Value procurement conditions for future construction contracts. Causeway CEO Phil Brown explained: “We have seen some encouraging signs that businesses are engaging with mental health at an industry level and we are grateful to the progressive businesses that have worked with us to help complete the survey. However, the industry’s mental health crisis still shows little sign of abating and we need to approach the issue from multiple directions. “Mental health is the true health and safety crisis in construction today. That’s why we are proposing that mental health be an integral part of future construction contracts.” The full results of the mental health survey will be published at www.causeway.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The North London Heat and Power Project (NLHPP), a £1.5 billion nationally significant infrastructure project under construction in Edmonton commissioned by North London Waste Authority (NLWA), has been named the Most Innovative Project of the Year at the Institute of Economic Development (IED) Annual Awards 2023. The awards, which were hosted in Birmingham last week following the IED Annual Conference ‘Grow for Good? Reappraising the UK’s Growth Objectives’, recognise achievers in the public and private sector through a series of individual, team and organisational categories. The Most Innovative Project of the Year award is for innovative economic development projects which have pushed the boundaries beyond traditional approaches and delivered additional beneficial outcomes as a result of the innovation. The nomination for the Schools Engagement Programme, which is managed by NLWA contractor AECOM’s Economic Development team, detailed awareness-raising of the NLHPP and its offering with local schools throughout north London. With the aim to stimulate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects, as well as construction, engineering and waste infrastructure related careers, sessions involve staff from across the project volunteering to run workshops and interactive forums for local students. The programme covers four main topics related to recycling, energy from waste, construction and career pathways, which are adapted to the needs of the students. Student site tours of the NLHPP and an onsite activity session are also offered. Since March 2021, the project team has run over 70 sessions at more than 50 local schools, engaging over 2,300 students. Over the course of the last year, the programme has expanded to primary schools and to those outside of mainstream education, including Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools and Pupil Referral Units (PRU), with further expansion of the primary, SEN and youth group offering planned. NLHPP contractor ACCIONA has also developed a specific programme to encourage female students to consider a career in the industry, ‘She can Construct’, which showcases examples of women in a range of roles on the NLHPP and therefore the diversity of career paths. Commenting on the significance of the IED award, NLWA Chair Cllr Clyde Loakes said: “From the outset of NLHPP, one of our main priorities has been to ensure that the project creates new opportunities for young people. The fact that students who have attended our school sessions say they are more likely to pursue STEM subjects and careers after hearing from professionals working on NLHPP, is testament to the value of incorporating extensive social value into the framework of infrastructure projects. Thank you to the Institute of Economic Development for recognising our work with this prestigious award.” After the ceremony, AECOM’s Senior Economic Development Consultant Beth Parsons said: “We are honoured to win the Most Innovative Project of the Year award for our work on the NLHPP Schools Engagement Programme. This is a key part of our social value workstream which we are delivering on behalf of NLWA. The programme is inspiring students to consider STEM and construction careers, with involvement from over 140 professionals across the project at multiple organisations. I am very proud of our team for their efforts in continuing to deliver such a successful initiative.” Separately, Beth was shortlisted in the IED’s Social Value Champion of the Year award category, which recognises individuals who have championed and made a significant contribution to social value creation, developing best practice in their field and making positive impacts in their communities. IED Director Bev Hurley CBE, who hosted the IED’s 40th anniversary awards evening sponsored by Key Cities, said: “Many congratulations to NLHPP as the winner of our Most Innovative Project of the Year award. Our judges determined that the scale of activity in this project was high. It was described as future facing, collaborative in nature, with strong supporting feedback from young people involved.” IED Executive Director Nigel Wilcock added: “The awards dinner was a wonderful evening, following on from a highly successful conference in the day, and both were a fitting celebration of our 40th anniversary as a professional body. Congratulations to all our winners, those who our judging panel determined should be Highly Commended for their nomination, and indeed everyone who was shortlisted and took the opportunity to enter the awards. Thanks to Key Cities for sponsoring the awards evening, and our individual award sponsors for their support.” The IED is the UK’s leading independent professional body for economic development and regeneration practitioners, supporting them to create stronger communities and sustainable economies. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Underfloor heating specialists Gaia are designing, supplying and installing energy-efficient underfloor heating in over 250 houses within Taylor Wimpey’s new development in Barham, Suffolk. Taylor Wimpey is a national residential construction company, building more than 15,000 homes across the UK each year. Their new residential development – Churchfields – is located in the Suffolk village of Barham and will provide 257 homes. Suffolk-based underfloor heating experts Gaia are delivering wet underfloor heating systems for the new-build homes, after Taylor Wimpey opted to fit low-carbon and future-proof heating solutions in the development. “Gaia HQ is local to the Churchfields site, so once we heard Taylor Wimpey were looking for low-carbon heating, we approached their team to provide a full design and quotation. Not only are our wet underfloor heating systems low-carbon, but they’re future-proof too – which is ideal for meeting new regulations!” says Steven Rooney, Director at Gaia Underfloor Heating. The new regulations implemented by the UK government mean that carbon intensive gas boilers will soon be unsuitable for future homes and should be replaced with low-carbon alternatives. To adhere to the new legislation, Taylor Wimpey have chosen air source heat pumps which are known as the ideal pairing for wet underfloor heating – to create a low-carbon heating system. When used together, underfloor heating and heat pumps can be 40% more efficient than a gas boiler and radiator system. Plus, underfloor heating runs at a lower temperature than radiators, so consumes significantly less energy for the same warmth. “The energy efficiency of combining underfloor heating with heat pumps is a significant benefit for the future residents of the Churchfields development. It’s more cost-effective and produces a more comfortable, even warmth too” adds Steven. Gaia are delivering the design, supply and installation of wet underfloor heating systems on the ground floor of the residential units, as well as their expert guidance from the concept stage through to delivery and aftercare. “We have extensive experience working with housing developments across the UK and are proud to be providing underfloor heating for this project. It’s great to work with another significant national developer like Taylor Wimpey and we’re looking forward to seeing the completed site” concludes Steven. The Churchfields development features two-, three-, four- and five-bedroom homes which are surrounded by green open space and convenient amenities. Construction began in September 2023 and is due to be completed in 2028. Gaia specialise in the design, supply and installation of underfloor heating for residential, commercial and industrial projects across the UK and Ireland. Trusted by architects, contractors, M&E consultants, builders and developers, they have worked with some of the UK’s leading housing developers.For more information about Gaia, visit www.gaia.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leicester Royal Infirmary’s radiotherapy department is celebrating the opening of a full extension and significant enhancement works which will ensure that more patients can receive new state-of-the-art treatments. The larger building can house the latest equipment, alongside comfortable waiting spaces, and pleasant office spaces for staff. Delivered by Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, on behalf of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, works involved a significant extension to the existing Radiotherapy department in Leicester Royal’s Osborne Building to deliver a secure treatment facility as part of the improved health care provision for local people in the region. The £3.5m scheme commenced in the summer of 2022 and completed in August this year, with construction comprising two blocks – a radiotherapy bunker, control room and plant room, and an ancillary accommodation block, both of which connect to the existing Osborne Building via link corridors. The treatment area incorporates high security controls to prevent unauthorised access and provide a safe environment. A specialist force protection engineering consultant was appointed to review the structural design of the room and the building was also reviewed by the Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSA), to ensure compliance. As part of the new building’s green credentials, 32 PV panels were installed on the roof to provide power to the facility, alongside air source heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling through the building, generating fewer carbon emissions. To safely deliver construction works within the fully operational hospital site, a site-specific traffic management plan was implemented to minimise disruption and provide safe access and egress to local residents, hospital visitors and staff. A full-time logistics manager was appointed onsite to assist with the running of the car park, deliveries and to maintain a safe environment. A web-based system was utilised to plan and monitor materials deliveries in order to avoid congestion on the surrounding road networks of the busy hospital site. Social value was incorporated into the project with the site team instigating several initiatives including over 20 hours of litter picking which took place in the surrounding area to improve the environment and help make for a better experience for hospital visitors. A local supply chain was utilised on site which resulted in 77% of local labour being sourced within a 40-mile radius and 94% of all construction waste was recycled locally. As part of G F Tomlinson’s other social value commitments, the contractor provided work experience for a local student studying at a nearby college to provide them with practical experience on site. Six apprentices were also allocated to the site for a combined total of 113 weeks. During their time at the radiotherapy facility, they had the opportunity to monitor the programme and plan works on site, manage quality assurance, supervise health and safety, and assist with the traffic management within the car park, as well as attending colleges and universities on day release programmes. Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It was an honour to be part of the extension and improvement of the current [..] facilities at Leicester Royal Infirmary, to ensure that patients are getting the very best treatment and care possible. “We have extensive experience working in a live hospital environment and we implemented special measures during construction to ensure that the site always remained safe and accessible to patients and staff, working closely with the hospital team in achieving this. “We are very pleased that the client is happy with the quality of the build and that the enhanced, secure facility is in operation and open to the public.” Dr. Jenny Marsden, Head of Radiotherapy Physics, said: “We are extremely pleased with the new facility which meets the requirements of various external agencies to allow us to perform our work. It provides a lovely environment for patients and staff alike. The team are looking forward to welcoming patients and giving cancer care in a bespoke environment which meets their needs. We are also very keen to develop our service in the future, which is now possible as we have space for clinical development and improvement.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Digital billboards have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their ability to capture the attention of passersby and convey information in a dynamic and engaging way. While these billboards are often associated with large outdoor displays and advertising campaigns, they can also be used in more unconventional ways, such as on scaffolding and building facades. The Power of Digital Billboards Digital billboards have revolutionized the advertising industry by providing a dynamic and eye-catching way to display content. These billboards are becoming increasingly popular due to their ability to grab the attention of passersby and deliver a message effectively. In this section, we will discuss the power of digital billboards and how they can be used to enhance advertising impact, expand market scope, improve technology and performance, and enable customized communication. 1. Advertising Impact Digital billboards have a significant impact on advertising due to their ability to display high-quality images and videos. These billboards can be used to create a sense of urgency, highlight promotions, and showcase products and services. They are also effective in creating brand awareness and building customer loyalty. Digital billboards can be used to target specific audiences and demographics, making them a powerful tool for advertisers. 2. Market Scope Digital billboards have expanded the market scope for advertisers by providing a platform for advertising in areas that were previously not accessible. These billboards can be placed in high-traffic areas such as busy streets, highways, and public transportation hubs, providing exposure to a large number of people. They also have the ability to display multiple advertisements, making them a cost-effective solution for advertisers. 3. Technology and Performance Digital billboards use advanced technology to deliver high-quality content to viewers. They are equipped with LED lights that provide bright and vibrant colors, making them visible even in bright sunlight. They also have the ability to display content in real-time, making them ideal for displaying time-sensitive information such as traffic updates and weather forecasts. Digital billboards are also energy-efficient, reducing the environmental impact of advertising. 4. Customized Communication Digital billboards enable advertisers to communicate with their target audience in a customized and personalized way. They can be used to display content that is relevant to the viewer, such as location-based advertisements and personalized messages. Digital billboards can also be used to interact with viewers, such as through social media integration and interactive content. Digital Billboards for Scaffoldings Digital billboards have become increasingly popular in recent years, not only for traditional advertising but also for displaying artwork, public service announcements, and other types of content. One area where digital billboards have proven particularly useful is on scaffolding structures during construction or renovation projects. In this section, we will explore the benefits of using digital billboards for scaffoldings, as well as some of the challenges that must be overcome during the installation process. Structural Integration One of the primary advantages of using digital billboards on scaffoldings is the ease of structural integration. The lightweight and modular design of digital billboards allows them to be easily mounted onto scaffolding structures, without requiring any major modifications to the underlying framework. This means that digital billboards can be quickly and easily installed, and can be removed just as easily once the project is complete. Installation Process The installation process for digital billboards on scaffoldings is relatively straightforward. The first step is to ensure that the scaffolding structure is stable and secure, and that all necessary safety precautions have been taken. Once this has been done, the digital billboard can be mounted onto the scaffolding using a variety of different mounting systems, depending on the design and specifications of the billboard. In some cases, it may be necessary to install additional support structures or brackets to ensure that the billboard is securely anchored to the scaffolding. Engineering Challenges While the installation process for digital billboards on scaffoldings is relatively simple, there are some engineering challenges that must be overcome in order to ensure that the billboard is safe and secure. One of the main challenges is wind load, which can cause the billboard to sway or even detach from the scaffolding in high winds. To prevent this, digital billboards must be designed to withstand the wind loads that are typical for the area where they will be installed. This may require additional bracing or reinforcement, as well as careful consideration of the billboard’s size and weight. Digital Billboards for Building Facades Digital billboards have become a popular choice for building facades due to their versatility, high resolution, and dynamic content. They offer a unique way to enhance the aesthetic appeal of buildings while also providing an effective advertising platform. In this section, we will discuss the architectural compatibility, dimensional aspects, and urban impact of digital billboards for building facades. Architectural Compatibility One of the most significant advantages of digital billboards is their compatibility with various architectural styles. They can be seamlessly integrated into modern, contemporary, and traditional buildings without compromising their aesthetic appeal. Digital billboards can be designed to match the color, texture, and material of the building facade, making them appear like a natural extension of the structure. Because most digital billboards are built with modular LED panels, they can also be customized to fit irregularly shaped facades, making them an ideal choice for buildings with unique architectural designs. Dimensional Aspects Digital billboards offer a wide range of dimensional aspects, making them suitable for buildings of different sizes and shapes. They can be designed to fit small, medium, and large facades, and can also be customized to fit curved or irregularly shaped buildings. Digital billboards can be installed as a single panel or as a series of panels, depending on the size and location of the building. They can also be designed to be freestanding, allowing them to be used as standalone structures. Urban Impact Digital billboards have a significant impact on the urban landscape. They can transform the appearance of buildings, making them stand out in the cityscape. They can also be
