Prologis Europe is pleased to share its latest success in rooftop solar. Prologis wins 10 German renewable energy contracts Prologis Europe has been successful in winning ten on-roof solar contracts as part of the German government’s latest Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) tender. Prologis was one of the largest bidders
A renewables specialist in Suffolk has transformed the sustainability credentials of a spacious three-bedroom self-build property in Peasenhall by fitting a new air source heat pump with a host of manufacturer-led support along the way. The 2,600 sq ft self-build property, built by owners Jonathan and Emma Hayes, required a
Energy and technology group Octopus Energy has joined forces with The Hill Group, the award-winning five-star housebuilder and Clarion Housing Group, the largest social landlord in the country, in a landmark strategic partnership to revolutionise sustainable living in the UK. Hill and Octopus Energy are developing the nation’s most extensive
Reynaers Aluminium UK has underlined its commitment to supporting architectural excellence in the North West by sponsoring the Manchester Society of Architects. With Reynaers’ aluminium curtain walling systems already in use on high profile buildings within the city, the company has linked up with the society to raise awareness among
Whilst large swathes of the UK construction industry continue to demonstrate a ‘head in the sand’ attitude by failing to adopt more performance and energy efficient ways of building, surely now it’s only a matter of time before they radically rethink things. Enter the recent changes to the all-important Part
Works have now completed for Units 2 and 3, Omega West, Omega Business Park in Warrington delivered by McLaren Construction Midlands and North. Unit 2, developed by Omega St Helens Limited and managed by Miller Developments with Barings as Funder, is currently being marketed to potential end users and comprises
To support the UK’s focus on delivering sustainable regeneration and 5,800 new homes on a brownfield site, housebuilders can consider what these sites have to offer and how they can create sustainable homes at accessible prices. By committing to working towards the latest targets announced by the Department of Levelling
Plans for 280 apartments to be built in the centre of Preston have been formally submitted to the City Council. The new building, consisting of 67 two-bedroom and 213 one-bedroom apartments, will replace some of the existing buildings within the development site at 127-131 Church Street. It will rise from
Aggregate Industries has launched its drive for its 2024 apprenticeship scheme. The leading construction materials supplier has its headquarters near Coalville in Leicestershire and 200 plus sites across the country. The business is seeking to recruit to 74 positions this year, building towards around 200 active roles across the business.
A team of 90 specialist engineers have completed the assembly of HS2’s giant tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will start digging the second bore of the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel into Birmingham next year. In an assembly operation to move sections of the machine into a 12-metre deep launch pit,
Prologis Europe is pleased to share its latest success in rooftop solar. Prologis wins 10 German renewable energy contracts Prologis Europe has been successful in winning ten on-roof solar contracts as part of the German government’s latest Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) tender. Prologis was one of the largest bidders of the 88-contract auction, winning a contract for every bid submitted. The German government is accelerating the deployment of rooftop solar, announcing increased auction capacity from 650MW in 2023 to 900MW in 2024. Prologis Europe operates approximately 3.15 million square metres of logistics real estate within Germany, with a total generation of 25MW of rooftop solar. These 10 contracts will add more than 16MW to Prologis’ solar portfolio, supplying energy to more than 11,000 German households per year. It expects to be able to assist the German government in reducing their CO2 emissions annually by approximately 13,300 tonnes. Prologis Europe works with the public sectors in its 12 European markets to support the needs of local communities and businesses. These rooftop solar efforts increase capabilities of municipalities and local governments to generate clean, renewable energy locally, creating a more resilient and dependable source of energy as well as meeting sustainability goals. According to Sean Greany, head of Energy, Prologis Europe, “We’re proud of our efforts into solar energy production and battery storage, which provide our customers and communities with increased access to clean, renewable energy as they transition from fossil fuel. Since the installation of our first solar panel in 2005, we have been pushing the boundaries in our industry—leveraging our scale, global presence and local expertise to help expand the generation of solar power and support the transition to renewable energy.” Community Solar in Europe Community solar is still fairly new in Europe but is surely gaining traction. Governments and communities are looking for sources of clean, renewable energy at affordable rates. Industrial real estate, with large roofs on which to place solar panels, can be a tremendous source of solar power. The Spanish government, for instance, are prioritising clean, renewable energy within Spain. It has a goal to ensure 74% of electricity is generated from renewable sources by 2030, and 100% by 2050. Prologis Europe is working with one of its customers on a rooftop solar project in Madrid through its Prologis European Logistics Fund (PELF). In line with its clean energy strategy, it is part of Prologis Europe’s intent to be the largest community solar investor in Spain in 2024 and beyond, by expanding the size of this rooftop solar project and others in the pipeline. With these new contracts in Germany, Prologis Europe continues to expand the areas where it is partnering with government agencies to help support the transition to clean energy. Prologis achieves 500MW Solar Milestone Rooftop solar and storage installations on Prologis Inc’s global portfolio can now generate 500 megawatts of energy—a significant milestone that puts the company halfway to its 1GW by 2025 goal. Apart from providing customers with clean power and potential cost savings through the Prologis Essential programme, its energy generation also feeds directly into local electrical grids in select regions, provides emissions-reduction and grid resilience benefits to local communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A renewables specialist in Suffolk has transformed the sustainability credentials of a spacious three-bedroom self-build property in Peasenhall by fitting a new air source heat pump with a host of manufacturer-led support along the way. The 2,600 sq ft self-build property, built by owners Jonathan and Emma Hayes, required a heating system capable of improving energy efficiency while also being suitable for the off-grid application. With curtailing the property’s environmental impact also an important requirement, Jonathan reached out to renewable heat specialist, Renew East who recommended Baxi’s HP40 Monobloc Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). Like a third of the properties in Suffolk, the luxury self-build was off the mains gas grid, making it a prime candidate for a renewable heating system. Although an experienced heating engineer, Renew East Director Luke Nicholls Luke Nicholls welcomed the opportunity to benefit from Baxi’s full support services on his first installation of the new product that would maximise energy efficiency and carbon-saving capabilities. After carrying out complete heat loss calculations on the property, Luke recommended the 11kW Baxi HP40 Monobloc heat pump with a 250-litre hot water cylinder. This system feeds the underfloor heating, which will emit 11kw of heat even at temperatures as low as -5°C. The system control panel has a user-friendly interface which aided the commissioning process by allowing Luke and his team to view the performance of the outside unit from within the property. At the same time, the heat pump’s connection to Baxi’s uSense smart room thermostat ensures Jonathan and Emma have complete control over the temperature in their home. The Baxi monobloc design also aided in the smooth installation process as many of the standard components such as the mims controller, circulation pump and expansion vessel are housed in the main outdoor unit. This saves vital space inside the house for the homeowner and makes installation quicker and more straightforward. As part of the company’s support for its heating engineers, Renew East was able to access Baxi’s full heat pump services and expertise both before and during the project in the run-up to its installation. To familiarise themselves with Baxi solutions, the team was encouraged to attend hands-on heat pump training, covering design and application as well as the practical elements of the installation and commissioning of the system. Once the installation was complete, they were also able to benefit from commissioning supervision offered by Baxi’s expert heat pump engineers, who could ensure the solution was able to deliver its intended design performance prior to handover to the homeowners. Luke said: “We really enjoyed working on this installation and it has been very easy compared to most. The Baxi’s Monobloc design is a great option when there is limited space in the home and it was very quickly and easily installed. The intuitive, user-friendly controls also mean the customer has complete control over their new system now the property is handed over. “The top-notch extra support Baxi has given has also helped the project to run like clockwork. Often with other manufacturers there’s no return of an email, but every single one of my questions has been answered within just a few hours. “The training that they provided, even as an experienced air source heat pump engineer, was great and I would recommend it to anyone looking to get into installing the technology. The tutors really knew their stuff so we felt really comfortable with the design solution before the kit even arrived on site. The supervised commissioning support was something I had never experienced before with any other manufacturer, so I didn’t know what to expect, but having the engineer physically with me on site was really helpful. They know the product inside out, so it just made the whole process straightforward. “Overall, working with Baxi has been really easy from start to finish, from the training to the design of the system, to the commissioning. It couldn’t have run much smoother to be honest.” Harriet Evans, Renewables Director at Baxi, said: “Baxi has a wealth of knowledge on heating applications, a full suite of heat pump training courses, a range of product solutions and a nationwide network of commissioning engineers to offer that additional site support when required. We want to get installers comfortable using heat pumps – from initial design and application to installation guidance, commissioning and supervision support – and by being there throughout the journey, we can make sure every system delivers on efficiency and comfort.” “We expect to see a surge in demand for residential installations and engineers who come on the journey with Baxi will be able to fully support the homeowners who are taking up the technology. The time is now for engineers to start getting comfortable with heat pumps.” For more information on Baxi’s suite of ASHP training and to find out more about their ASHP products and services, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Energy and technology group Octopus Energy has joined forces with The Hill Group, the award-winning five-star housebuilder and Clarion Housing Group, the largest social landlord in the country, in a landmark strategic partnership to revolutionise sustainable living in the UK. Hill and Octopus Energy are developing the nation’s most extensive ‘Zero Bills’ housing development, comprising 89 meticulously designed homes at Hollymead Square in Newport, Essex. Residents will pay no energy bills for a minimum of five years, guaranteed. Of the 89 total, 64 will be sold on the open market. The remaining 25 will be made available for affordable rent and shared ownership by Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest social housing provider. These will be the first completed ‘Zero Bills’ homes under affordable rent. ‘Zero Bills’ is a world-first smart proposition that allows customers to move into homes which are fully kitted out with green energy technology and with no energy bills. Following the success of a ‘Zero Bills’ pilot in Essex, Octopus Energy has now accredited close to 1,000 homes through contracts with other prominent developers. Accredited plots span affordable, social, and private rent, as well as private and shared ownership. Situated in an idyllic village location, this groundbreaking project at Hollymead Square encompasses an attractive collection of two to five-bedroom houses and two-bedroom bungalows. Each property at Hollymead Square will be equipped with cutting-edge low-carbon technology, including solar panels, high-quality insulation, heat pumps, and home storage batteries. Designed to exceed the energy requirements for each property, this high level of home energy technology is seamlessly integrated and optimised by Octopus’ advanced tech platform, Kraken, to result in zero bills for homeowners. Octopus Energy’s ambitious goal of delivering 50,000 ‘Zero Bills’ homes across the UK and beyond by 2025 aligns with Hill’s strategic goal to deliver net-zero carbon homes by 2030. Hollymead Square is the first opportunity for the partners to work together to develop and provide net-zero housing and pioneer the way forward for a greener, more sustainable future. Construction of the new homes is underway, and the sales launch is due to take place on 20th January, with the first homes expected to complete in Spring 2024. Michael Cottrell, Zero Bills Homes Director at Octopus Energy, comments: “This partnership with The Hill Group is the first giant leap in transforming the way we live in our homes and consume energy. This will also mark both the biggest ‘Zero Bills’ development in the UK and the first with affordable rent options with Clarion. This partnership pioneers a future where sustainable living is the standard for everybody, no matter their situation.” Greg Hill, Deputy Chief Executive at The Hill Group, says, “We are excited to be working in partnership with Octopus Energy to provide our customers with the largest residential ‘Zero Bills’ development in the UK. The new homes at Hollymead Square in Newport will provide a blueprint for future sustainable housing and mark the start of our fruitful strategic partnership to deliver new homes complete with cutting-edge low-carbon technology that enable zero energy bills.” Richard Cook, Group Director of Development at Clarion Housing Group, says, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Octopus Energy and Hill Group on such an innovative project. It’s crucial that we cut emissions and cut bills for homes of all tenures. I am proud that Clarion residents will be among the first to benefit from a Zero Bills home. To find out more information about the ‘Zero Bills’ homes available at Hollymead Square, please contact Hill at 0808 168 7900 or visit www.hill.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Reynaers Aluminium UK has underlined its commitment to supporting architectural excellence in the North West by sponsoring the Manchester Society of Architects. With Reynaers’ aluminium curtain walling systems already in use on high profile buildings within the city, the company has linked up with the society to raise awareness among developers and architects of its aluminium systems and the bespoke services that it offers – as well as providing guidance on the latest building regulations. Projects on the Manchester skyline that feature Reynaers’ curtain walling systems include the Great Marlborough Street development – a 37-storey building that is part of the ‘Student Castle’ initiative, which uses Reynaers’ ConceptWall 50 (CW 50) and Concept Wall 60 (CW 60) curtain wall systems, including bespoke capping details. The X1, X2 and X3 Media City towers have Reynaers’ ConceptWall 65-EF (CW 65) curtain walling – which were bespoke project profiles – and ConceptSystem 77 HI (CS 77) window systems fitted to create a stand-out visual impact for the Salford Quays landmark buildings, while the company also provided aluminium systems for the city’s Middlewood Locks development, Two New Bailey Square and the New Wakefield Street Tower. (pictured) Darren Peel, Reynaers’ Consult Project Manager for the North West, West Midlands and Scotland works with architects, contractors, consultants, developers, project managers and design teams to address project challenges and provide solutions. He said: “As a company that strives to support architects and construction professionals in achieving the most innovative and sustainable facades possible, Reynaers Aluminium UK is delighted to be a key sponsor of Manchester Society of Architects.” Vice Chairman of the Manchester Society of Architects Paul Iddon added: “Reynaers is a great partner to have on board given the huge level of experience, learning and support that they can bring. Reynaers covers everything from a large residential complex to a hospital, or office development, and this depth and range of expertise supports everything from CPDs to interpreting and fully understanding regulations. “This expertise and advice is invaluable for our members from a regulatory point of view, such as the Building Safety Act, in helping to choose the right product for the job. “Partnerships such as this allow the Society to support architects in the region, covering everything from lectures to CPDs, meetings and events.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Whilst large swathes of the UK construction industry continue to demonstrate a ‘head in the sand’ attitude by failing to adopt more performance and energy efficient ways of building, surely now it’s only a matter of time before they radically rethink things. Enter the recent changes to the all-important Part L of the building regulations. Having come into force in June of last year, the period for compliance is now firmly behind us, with the overall industry heading beyond what is an interim step to more stringent legislation that will come under the Future Homes Standards in 2025. Based against a background that provides a further uplift to existing energy efficient standards and carbon emissions for homes, the new regulations apply to anyone involved in designing, constructing or renovating buildings in England, including architects, builders, developers, engineers, and other building professionals. Whilst the latest Part L updates precede all new homes having to be produced with 75% – 80% fewer emissions from 2025, let’s first look at what is required to comply with the new measures, which include a mandate for new energy efficiency targets and alterations to assessment methodology. Part L Update – The Key Components Separated into four volumes to include new dwellings, existing dwellings, new buildings other than dwellings, and existing buildings other than dwellings, a fabric-first approach features strongly in the latest updates. This is not surprising given that this has long been considered a cost-effective way of saving carbon and delivering energy efficiency over the whole life of a building. Key considerations here centre on construction techniques that deliver maximising airtightness, optimising insulation and eliminating thermal bridging. Obviously using more energy-efficient walls, floors, windows and roofs can help reduce the dependence on secondary technologies and their associated energy costs. And what about all-important U-values? These are the main changes that need to be met under the Part L regulations: Who Will Be Impacted By The Changes? Obviously the new standards need to be considered from the very early design stages to ensure compliance. And whilst architects will need to work closely at overall building design efficiency, it is traditional builders that will feel the biggest force of the change through the need to adapt to newer energy-efficient designs, materials and construction methods. In essence, they must ensure that the building envelope is well insulated to reduce heat loss and minimise thermal bridging. This is likely to necessitate the use of thicker insulation materials and the introduction of more adequate airtightness measures, such as vapour barriers, tapes and sealants. As for other trades, then plumbers and HVAC technicians will be looking to install more efficient heating and ventilation systems and increase the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, thermal or heat pumps, whilst electricians will focus on more efficient lighting systems that minimise unnecessary energy use. They will also be increasingly involved in installing renewable energy sources such as PV panels and wind turbines. Other Key Compliant Considerations Whilst all elements of the regulations need consideration, understanding and planning that starts at the design stage, builders and developers also need to keep detailed records of the materials and systems used in construction, along with step-by-step photographic evidence. Failure to do so may result in potential rework, build delays, and possible financial penalties. The Solution Obviously reducing the carbon footprint and maximising the energy efficiency of any building is a task for everyone. So it will be imperative that those in the industry work collaboratively to ensure the necessary measures are implemented and complied with effectively. Indeed the overriding solution is not new! It’s not about reinventing the wheel but encouraging builders and contractors to adopt new ways and means of building using proven off-site and MMC system solutions such as those provided by the likes of Excel Group. Whilst many builders still see MMC and off-site building as purely timber frame, this couldn’t be further from the case. The focus should be on the specific needs of the project and this is where the Excel approach differentiates themselves in the marketplace. Standing as a specialist sub-contractor and having developed relationships with dedicated and sustainable supply chain partners across a range of component manufacturing disciplines, on offer is a range of off-site solutions (SIPs, timber frame, CLT and light gauge steel). After all, one size doesn’t fit all! In support of each solution, Excel has engaged software from industry specialists, FONN that captures all relevant details, dates and time steps making Part L assessment easier, while providing full transparency to the ERC assessor and end user. FONN also provides the opportunity for highly efficient project management workflows benefiting all project stakeholders. In addition, Excel Group operates a proven window and door business in partnership with leading global brands to offer a complete sustainable glazing solution – either stand alone or as part of an offsite structural package. Further expansion into SFS infill and external cladding systems has also facilitated the offer of bespoke packages for customers, developers and contractors to suit specific needs. So for any builders or contractors unsure, sceptical or lack the confidence and knowledge to embrace MMC and all that off-site construction has to offer, Excel can provide an initial system agnostic consultative discussion that serves to build trust on the basis that it is never going to be a single solution offering. Surely adopting building solutions that already exceed the requirements of Part L makes sense, as is the case with many of today’s off-site construction solutions? And for those who remain uncertain, then the further profound implications that Future Homes Standards of 2025 are set to bring, must be an eye-opener and catalyst to start considering other, more sustainable ways of doing things. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Works have now completed for Units 2 and 3, Omega West, Omega Business Park in Warrington delivered by McLaren Construction Midlands and North. Unit 2, developed by Omega St Helens Limited and managed by Miller Developments with Barings as Funder, is currently being marketed to potential end users and comprises a portal steel frame building, with a single-storey office block and an extensive warehouse, the overall area of which is 300,000 sq. ft. Externally, a concrete service yard is situated to the north of the building and carparking for staff is located at the east elevation. Unit 3, funded by Aviva Life 7 Pensions UK Limited and now let to Iceland Foods Limited, is a large 510,000 sq. ft. cross dock distribution centre with 106No dock doors, two transport hubs, a Vehicle Maintenance Unit and extensive office space over two floors. The unit has provision for frozen, chilled and ambient storage within the building which will be installed as part of the upcoming Iceland fit out works. Starting in November 2022, construction works for Unit 2 (£22m) and Unit 3 (£40m), completed in October 2023. Both units have achieved a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent,’ fitting in with net zero targets, and include EV charging, 10% roof lights to warehouse and a score of 45/45 in the most recent Considerate Constructor’s audit. The McLaren Construction Midlands and North team overcame challenges during the build of Unit 2, including being in close proximity to existing overhead Scottish Power lines, meaning the Northwest corner of the build was constructed under strict controls. Exclusion limits meant that the erection of the steel frame and delivery needed to be extensively planned before execution. The challenges faced on Unit 3 included combatting poor ground conditions, managing, and removing asbestos found in the ground and completing numerous variations to the contract to meet Iceland Foods requirements, all within the original programme period. Providing social value-added opportunities, the contractor invited work experience candidates to join the Omega team, including 3No local trainees, a 1No trainee administrator, a 1No trainee site manager, alongside employing locally with the appointment of document controller, Rebekah Morris, and community and supply chain coordinator, Sarah Caine. Community workshops were also carried out during the build, with the involvement of local councils and charities and alongside this, McLaren Construction sponsored Martin Murray’s ThinkFAST academy to provide support and development for young people through the discipline and ethos of boxing. Teaming up with Miller Developments, £30,000 was donated to the St Helens-based Martin Murray Academy to help hard-to-reach young people with high quality social support and development through the ThinkFAST programme. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “We’re pleased with the completion of the second and third units of this pivotal logistics scheme and our teams have worked hard to deliver a high-quality end product. “Alongside the builds, we’ve worked with the local community to provide a range of social value-added opportunities, including supporting the fantastic work of Martin Murray’s ThinkFAST programme.” David Milloy, a Director of Omega St Helens Limited and Managing Director of Miller Developments said: “This was the second project we appointed McLaren Construction to build. The quality was first class and Gary’s team were both helpful and accommodating throughout.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
To support the UK’s focus on delivering sustainable regeneration and 5,800 new homes on a brownfield site, housebuilders can consider what these sites have to offer and how they can create sustainable homes at accessible prices. By committing to working towards the latest targets announced by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, housebuilders across the UK can bring lasting change that improves the economic and wellbeing outcomes of communities across the UK. Tim Wray, Group Development Director at top 10 UK housebuilder Keepmoat, reflects on these new targets and how planning, construction and development teams can pinpoint brownfield redevelopment projects to create sustainable communities in spaces that were once unused, to benefit populations across the UK . Redeveloping brownfield sites Sustainable land Developing brownfield land and creating thriving new communities is key to delivering the government’s housing targets, whilst also contributing to the UK’s sustainable regeneration advancements. With more than 67,000 acres of brownfield land across the country, if developed effectively, these unused sites can offer sustainable, social and economic benefits to the surrounding cities and towns. Brownfield sites also provide ideal opportunities to provide housing stock at accessible price points, creating employment opportunities, promoting conservation efforts and adding new social areas, such as playgrounds, playing fields or sitting areas. Developers may want to look at prioritising sustainable development practices as we look to the future of housebuilding. By purchasing formerly developed land, these sites continue to promote urban regeneration, providing new homes, workplaces, and amenities in areas that have suffered from neglect or lack of investment. Many local authorities also support regeneration in their communities, making it easier for developers to gain planning permission to create new housing stock at a price point that residents can afford. Keepmoat recently began work on a new site of 300 new homes in Northstowe, Cambridgeshire. The homes will be constructed using a closed panel timber frame technique to deliver part of the second phase of the new town which is located on former RAF military land. Developing this unused RAF site means the newest Cambridgeshire town, which in total will see more than 10,000 homes, eight schools, a new town centre with multiple facilities and open spaces provided, will become a sustainable, lively community. Land acquisition Revitalising communities through the delivery of high-quality multi tenure homes, in well-designed and well-connected neighbourhoods, is made possible through a strong local authority partnership approach. One such partnership is the Leeds City Council Brownfield Land Programme. Keepmoat is working with Leeds CIty Council to deliver 1,000 new multi tenure homes, across 13 brownfield developments across east Leeds. The scheme is widely considered to be the most prominent package of brownfield redevelopment in the Leeds area. The large-scale intervention will not only broaden the housing on offer in East Leeds but will aid the regeneration of three neighbourhoods, through local amenities, highway improvements and greenspace provision. The housing stock is multi-tenure and set at accessible price points to attract first time buyers and young professionals to the area. 68% of purchasers are between 18-30 years old. The Synergy development in Halton Moor is the latest in the Leeds Brownfield project to see construction begin. The project will deliver 109 new two, three and four-bedroom properties, of which a percentage are available for affordable housing provision through Leeds Federated Housing Association. Keepmoat and the Council have engaged with local schools, colleges and employment groups to recruit local young people through apprenticeship schemes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for 280 apartments to be built in the centre of Preston have been formally submitted to the City Council. The new building, consisting of 67 two-bedroom and 213 one-bedroom apartments, will replace some of the existing buildings within the development site at 127-131 Church Street. It will rise from four storeys to a part-19 storey building with 337 sq.m of ground floor commercial accommodation provided in addition to residential amenity areas, landscaped courtyard and cycle storage. The historic 131 Church Street will be retained and refurbished and the scheme will boast an outdoor seating area in the new central public realm core. If approved the 19,257 sq.m apartments scheme in Preston is expected to start on site during Autumn 2024. Luke Averill, Managing Director of developer TAG, said: “Preston City Centre continues to look forward and we are delighted to have submitted this planning application. “We believe our project will contribute significantly to the long-term success of Preston, which is outlined in the transformational 15-year vision ‘Preston’s City Investment Plan (2020 – 2035)’. I would like to thank the professional team that have got us to this stage and also say that we are actively seeking joint venture partners for this exciting scheme.” Consultants on the scheme include DAY Architectural Ltd, Zerum PDM, Scalia Planning, Futureserve, TPM Landscape Ltd, MB Heritage, ERAP, Adept Consulting Engineers (Manchester) Ltd, SK Transport Planning Ltd, Arcaero, GIA Surveyors, Noise Air, Jensen Hughes, TC Property and RAD. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries has launched its drive for its 2024 apprenticeship scheme. The leading construction materials supplier has its headquarters near Coalville in Leicestershire and 200 plus sites across the country. The business is seeking to recruit to 74 positions this year, building towards around 200 active roles across the business. Apprenticeships allow people in the early part of their career to earn while they learn and provide the opportunity to gain qualifications alongside practical experience within a business. Two types of qualification will be offered. Higher Apprenticeships, which require A-levels or the equivalent of 80 UCAS points, and Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3) which require five GCSEs. The company works with education partners including the University of Derby, UCLAN, Liverpool John Moores University, Tiro, Mercuri and Make UK in the delivery. A variety of apprenticeships will be offered in the following specialisms: New opportunities are also being offered as part of the 2024 scheme which include: James Roberts, HR Director for Aggregate Industries, said: “We are delighted to be offering a broad range of apprenticeships again this year. “There is a real need to attract the next generation of young people to become the future colleagues and leaders of Aggregate Industries. “Across the construction industry as a whole we recognise that there is an ageing workforce and there remains huge demand to fill roles across all specialisms. “The great advantage of an apprenticeship is it offers a fantastic opportunity to those seeking out a career to learn essential skills through first-hand on-the-ground experience, alongside studying for and gaining a qualification – all while earning. “We have a clear drive to continue to evolve and lead the way in decarbonising the construction industry through accelerating green growth and having more sustainable operations. We know this is something that is important to many young people, especially when it comes to something as important as a career choice. “I’m really looking forward to welcoming the next generation of our workforce during 2024.” Callum King (19) has just completed his first year of a Higher Apprenticeship within the Concrete Products division of the business and is based at Croft in Leicester. He said: “After finishing my A-Levels I felt as though I wanted to start working and gaining valuable experience in a real job role, however I also wanted to continue studying and gain a qualification. Doing an apprenticeship has allowed me to do this, it also taught me valuable skills such as time management. In my first year I learnt a lot about the industry but also about the role I am in. “For me, the best thing about doing an apprenticeship is the ability to learn onsite and take it back to the classroom, learning valuable skills whilst actually using them is very rewarding. Doing an apprenticeship was the best decision I made. The advice I would give is to consider how you learn best. If you learn something by doing it, an apprenticeship is a great opportunity.” Harry Folwell (19) from Coalville, Leicestershire is undertaking an advanced apprenticeship in Commercial and Sales with the Surfacing Solutions division of the business He said: “I was doing my A-Levels and had no idea what it was I wanted to do. All I knew was that university wasn’t for me so I just thought I’d get my A-Levels done and look for a job. I was looking around and fortunately my friend had just done his first year as an apprentice at Aggregate Industries and told me I should take a look at what was on offer and I ended up following in his footsteps. “For me the big benefit is that you are being paid to essentially learn. There’s a lot to learn about the business and the world of work but what is good is that any support or training you need is there for you and they take you step-by-step. You really feel like you are learning a trade and getting to know how a big business works. “Obviously, it all depends on the person, but if you are unsure and not sure that you want to go to university, then you should seriously consider an apprenticeship. Just go for it, you have nothing to lose. You’re being taught and being paid.” Katie Eyre is a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice at Cauldon Cement Plant in Staffordshire. She said: “I chose the apprenticeship route as you get to gain experience alongside the theoretical side. The best thing is the hands-on side. You get to learn from experienced people on the job who have a varied range of skill sets. “Aggregate Industries is really welcoming and you are helped all along the way. It’s a great place to learn and I would recommend it to anyone.” The opportunities are now live and applications are being accepted. Virtual candidate assessments will take place after which successful candidates will be invited to on-site assessment days in the Spring. For more information about opportunities with Aggregate Industries visit our Careers webpages. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A team of 90 specialist engineers have completed the assembly of HS2’s giant tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will start digging the second bore of the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel into Birmingham next year. In an assembly operation to move sections of the machine into a 12-metre deep launch pit, two 600 tonne cranes lifted the huge 125 tonne cutterhead into place at the front of the 125 metre long machine in the pit bottom. The first TBM, named ‘Mary Ann’ after Mary Ann Evans – the real name of Victorian writer George Eliot who was born in Nuneaton – started digging the first bore from the east portal site near Water Orton in August this year. It has already built more than 500 tunnel rings, which is 0.6 miles of the 3.5 mile long tunnel between North Warwickshire and Washwood Heath in Birmingham. The name of the second TBM will be revealed before it launches in Spring next year. ‘Mary Ann’ is set to break through at the end of 2024, with the second TBM planned to complete its journey in the middle of 2025. Both TBMs will remove 1.87 million tonnes of excavated material, which will be sifted at the on-site slurry treatment plant and reused on HS2’s nearby sites at Delta Junction, where a complex network of nine viaducts is being built. HS2’s Senior Project Manager Catherine Loveridge said: “With the first TBM ‘Mary Ann’ well on her way building the tunnel to take high speed trains into central Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station, it’s fantastic to see the second TBM assembled and being prepared to start digging. “We’re now at peak construction, with over 9,750 people working on HS2 in the West Midlands and around 450 people working on this site, including many from the local area. Launching the second TBM next year means there will be more exciting jobs up for grabs for local people.” The majority of the second TBM, including the gantries and the centre part of the cutterhead, have been re-used from TBM ‘Dorothy’ after completing the one-mile twin bore Long Itchington Wood Tunnel in Warwickshire earlier this year. Disassembled sections of ‘Dorothy’ have been moved to the Bromford Tunnel portal site near Water Orton over the last few months, where they have been lowered and reassembled into the underground launch area. At 8.62 metres in diameter, the Bromford Tunnel is smaller than the 10 metre diameter Long Itchington Wood Tunnel because trains will be travelling slower on the approach into Birmingham Curzon Street Station. For this reason, the TBM needed a new outer part cutterhead and a new shield, which were manufactured by Herrenknecht in Germany. The full Bromford Tunnel programme is being delivered by around 450 people working for HS2’s contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV). A specialist tunnelling team, including apprentices working for BBV’s sub-contractor Tunnelcraft will operate the TBM 24/7, with each bore taking around 16 months. Jules Arlaud, Tunnelling Director for Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “Completing the assembly of the second tunnel boring machine is another major achievement for the team working on HS2’s Bromford Tunnel – a complex section of the new high-speed railway. “Getting to this stage has required a huge amount of planning and preparation, including the disassembly and transportation of ‘Dorothy’ parts from Warwickshire, which forms the majority of the second TBM. “Over the next few months, the team will be busy testing, checking and carrying out the final preparations, to make sure the machine is ready to start digging in spring next year.” The Bromford Tunnel programme includes designers from Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Design Joint Venture, made up of Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA (MMSDJV). Rosa Diez, Tunnels Discipline Lead for MMSDJV: “Seeing the second TBM in position, ready to start, is a proud moment for our tunnelling team. We have learnt so much from the excavation of the Long Itchington Tunnel by our ‘Dorothy’ TBM, which has helped get ‘Mary Ann’ well on her way through the Mercia Mudstone in the Bromford Tunnel. The learning will continue for this second TBM, which once named and launched next year, will also become part of our family”. A total of 41,594 concrete segments will create 5,942 rings to make the twin bore tunnel, with each ring weighing 49 tonnes. The segments are being produced at Balfour Beatty VINCI’s pre-cast factory at Avonmouth near Bristol. In the concrete mix used at the factory 40% of the cement is replaced with Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) which has a much lower carbon footprint than traditional cement. 3D scanning is used in the production process of the segments to guarantee accuracy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
