We will be sharing, news, reviews and features in the New Year Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BLOCWORK, the partnership between Network Rail and property developer bloc Group has completed its first build-to-rent scheme for Grainger plc in Nottingham. The Barnum – a 348-home scheme situated adjacent to the city’s railway station – was delivered in partnership between blocwork and Grainger, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, and marks the regeneration of a significant area of
Glenigan’s December Review indicates a pick-up in momentum as economic certainty starts to return Yesterday, Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the December 2024 edition of its Construction Review. This Review focuses on the three months to the end of November 2024, covering all major
PERMAGROUP, the parent company of PermaRoof UK LTD, PermaRoof Commercial, and other leading solutions-based brands, is celebrating another successful year, achieving a record 16.4% growth in revenue. Despite challenging industry conditions, the company has gone from strength to strength, and in 2023 launched its latest innovation in rubber technology, Elevate
BOOSTING regional regeneration efforts, work has commenced on the redevelopment of previously derelict railway arches in Greater Manchester, which will be transformed into new destinations for food and drink, leisure and retail businesses. The arches on Norton Street, Salford, are located in Greengate, an area of the city currently experiencing
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
Veriforce CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is encouraging employers to make a habit of addressing mental health in 2024 as new figures indicate that stress, depression or anxiety now account for almost half (49%) of all cases of work-related ill health. According to the latest data from the HSE,
Ellis Osborn, Ecommerce Manager at IronmongeryDirect, said: “As we begin a new year, it’s always useful to look back to reflect on our industry’s challenges and successes, and the latest government data suggests we’re in a positive place moving into 2024. “While the value of construction output fell slightly (0.5%)
Leading UK powered access provider Nationwide Platforms has seen the second cohort of trainers graduate from its new IPAF trainee programme. Currently holding a 100% pass rate, the programme is designed to close the trainer skills gap and encourage younger people to become certified instructors. Jessica Taylor, Jennifer Roddis, Paulina
Plans for a new £25 million rail station in West Yorkshire are making significant progress, with completion expected by late 2026. Survey work is currently underway to finalise detailed designs for the long-awaited Elland Rail Station. Contractor Keltbray Infrastructure Services Limited is aiming to complete the final stages of development
We will be sharing, news, reviews and features in the New Year Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BLOCWORK, the partnership between Network Rail and property developer bloc Group has completed its first build-to-rent scheme for Grainger plc in Nottingham. The Barnum – a 348-home scheme situated adjacent to the city’s railway station – was delivered in partnership between blocwork and Grainger, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord, and marks the regeneration of a significant area of brownfield land. The scheme is the first delivered in partnership between blocwork and Grainger, and follows the recent announcement that they will partner again with the potential to deliver some 2,000 new purpose-built BTR homes across sites in major cities across the UK. Richard Thomas, development director at bloc Group, said: “blocwork was created with the aim of repurposing railway land and buildings into sustainable long-term assets, and The Barnum has been a great project to kick the partnership off. “As well as the partnership with Network Rail, we’ve worked very closely with Grainger and the contractor Graham to create a development that not only brings much-needed new homes to Nottingham, but also brings life to an area of the city that had previously been restricted to railway infrastructure.” blocwork specialises in bringing forward sites owned by Network Rail, making use of under-used land and buildings adjacent to railway infrastructure. Robin Dobson, group property director at Network Rail said: “Combining Network Rail’s infrastructure experience with the private sector development expertise of bloc Group has proved to be a fruitful partnership, which is clear by the successful launch of The Barnum. “Delivering developments through Partnerships like blocwork are important for Network Rail Property as we look to build housing and mixed-use regeneration across our brownfield estate in a way that can be accelerated and scaled across our portfolio.” blocwork is one of several partnerships bloc Group is undertaking, with the aim of sustainably and sensitively regenerating challenging sites for residential development. Alongside the work it is doing with Network Rail, bloc Group has a long-term partnership with the Canal & River Trust, which has delivered hundreds of new homes while providing funds for the upkeep of the nation’s historic rivers and canals. Richard said: “Our success has been down to our partnership approach with occupiers, property and infrastructure owners. By working closely with the right partners, we can deliver impactful developments that maximise economic and social value from sites that were previously underperforming or underutilised. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glenigan’s December Review indicates a pick-up in momentum as economic certainty starts to return Yesterday, Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the December 2024 edition of its Construction Review. This Review focuses on the three months to the end of November 2024, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. The latest data paints a generally positive picture. Project-starts and main contract awards showed promising year-on-year growth, highlighting returning socioeconomic stability after an extended period of market uncertainty. However, tempering these activity boosts, detailed planning approvals suffered a significant decline, indicating that persistent cost pressures and dented industry confidence continue to hinder sector-wide revival. Commenting on the December Review, Allan Wilen, Economic Director at Glenigan, says “There’s definitely work to be done and the latest figures show glimmers of recovery, with modest growth in project-starts and contract awards offering a degree of optimism. The Autumn Statement and some of the immediate actions taken by the Government to kickstart building in some verticals, particularly housebuilding will have helped. However, the sharp decline in detailed planning approvals highlights investors will be keeping their powder dry until more stability returns to the market, inspiring the confidence needed to turn on the development pipeline tap. “In line with our Forecast predictions, H.1 2025 will unlikely see significant growth, however, H.2 will likely see a sudden spurt, following the Government’s Spring Spending Review and sector-specific strategic announcements. A sustained focus on public infrastructure, health, and housing projects will be critical to driving recovery in 2025 and beyond. The industry will be watching closely to see how these fiscal policies and investment commitments translate into on-the-ground activity.” Underlying Sector Analysis – Residential The Review period was relatively stable for residential construction, with project-starts falling 1% against the preceding three months to stand 6% lower than a year ago. Private housing construction-starts were largely responsible for the decline, falling by 3% against the preceding three months and by 1% compared with last year. However, this was balanced out by social housing-starts which increased 4% during the three months to November, despite coming in 20% down on the year before. Underlying Sector Analysis – Non-Residential Overall, non-residential performance rallied during the Index period, with starts up against both the previous quarter and last year. Hotel & Leisure experienced a strong period, with starts increasing 37% against the preceding three months to stand 71% up on the same time a year ago. Education project-starts also grew, rising 31% against the preceding three months and increasing 29% against the previous year. Offices had a good period, with the value of underlying project-starts increasing 24% against the preceding three months and standing 2% up on a year ago. Industrial project-start performance was dismal, suffering a 22% fall during the three months to November to stand 4% lower than a year ago. Community & amenity also fared poorly, with the value of project-starts falling back 14% against the preceding three months and 15% against the previous year. Civils growth was poor, with starts decreasing 17% against the preceding three months and remaining flat against the year before. This was boosted slightly by infrastructure activity, with starts increasing by 1% against the preceding three months and by 36% on a year ago. Utilities starts didn’t perform well, declining 41% against the preceding three months to stand 34% down against the previous year. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PERMAGROUP, the parent company of PermaRoof UK LTD, PermaRoof Commercial, and other leading solutions-based brands, is celebrating another successful year, achieving a record 16.4% growth in revenue. Despite challenging industry conditions, the company has gone from strength to strength, and in 2023 launched its latest innovation in rubber technology, Elevate RubberGuard SA, while a further two new products aimed at the commercial roofing market will be launched this month. PermaGroup also strengthened its internal team throughout the course of the year with eight new recruits, including Duncan Kirkwood, who will take on the position of managing director full time from 2024, following Adrian Buttress’ 23 years in the role. Adrian Buttress said: “It’s been another fantastic year for us at PermaGroup, and we’ve enjoyed a number of really exciting developments in the company. Not only have we seen record revenue growth, but we’ve broadened our product range, maintained our impeccable staff retention record, and created an incredibly strong management team to drive the business forward. “We’ve also continued to maintain strong working relationships with all of our clients despite material shortages and challenges in the industry, which is a real triumph.” In 2023, PermaRoof UK LTD became one of the first distributors in the industry to receive membership into the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA), strengthening its position in raising industry standards and as a leader in the field. The company had to undergo a thorough inspection of its office and warehouse, as well as prove its compliance with the SPRA Quality Charter in order to receive membership, which has been one of the first initiatives pushed forward by Duncan. Duncan Kirkwood said: “2024 is already shaping up to be another successful year. We’re welcoming two new senior recruits to help build our middle management team and are looking forward to seeing our improved CRM system assist us with the strong growth we’re predicting for the business over the next few years, so we can’t wait to see what the future holds. I’d like to thank the whole team for their continued hard work in making PermaGroup such a huge success and I’m eager to lead the group forward from the new year, having taken over the reins from Adrian.”
BOOSTING regional regeneration efforts, work has commenced on the redevelopment of previously derelict railway arches in Greater Manchester, which will be transformed into new destinations for food and drink, leisure and retail businesses. The arches on Norton Street, Salford, are located in Greengate, an area of the city currently experiencing a period of intensive development activity and growth. The scheme forms part of Project 1000, The Arch Company’s £200m plan to bring a thousand empty or derelict spaces into use across England and Wales by 2030. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the project on Norton Street, delivering mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), and civil and structural engineering services in partnership with Stephen George + Partners (SGP), operating closely with main contractor Triton Construction. Improvements will include new glazed frontages, new services and drainage, and an internal lining to make the spaces dry and ready for occupation. Matt Barron, associate structural engineer at Pick Everard, said: “After investigating the existing arch structures and local ground conditions, we developed a structural design and drainage scheme. “Our building services team then coordinated with utility providers to provide sufficient utility connections to the new development, and has designed the necessary ventilation, power and lighting solutions for the new arch fitouts. “We look forward to seeing the completion of this project and its contribution to the regeneration of the local area.” SGP studio director, Alan Soper, said: “We are excited to see work commence on thetransformation of these historic arch structures on Norton Street into spaces for businesses to develop and thrive. “The development is located in a key area of regeneration and renewal within Greater Manchester and The Arch Company’s investment will help to create a vibrant destination for Salford’s new neighbourhoods, while also supporting local businesses and the wider community.” The design for the scheme also incorporates high-quality materials that will generate an attractive appearance to the elevations on Norton Street, creating a ‘street’ of arches that will appeal to potential occupiers in the current marketplace. Danny Joss, director of capital programmes at The Arch Company, added: “We are really pleased to be investing in transforming these arches. We anticipate strong demand given their location, and we look forward to seeing new businesses move in, supporting the local economy and creating jobs for this growing community.” Norton Street is just one of several projects Pick Everard has worked on with The Arch Company. Other projects include the regeneration of four dilapidated railway arches on America Street in Southwark to deliver vibrant new spaces for restaurants, cafés, bars, and other leisure businesses, as well as the transformation of six vacant railway arches on Witan Street, in Bethnal Green, to create a range of new commercial spaces. Pick Everard also worked with The Arch Company on the redevelopment of ten derelict railway arches on Corporation Street in Manchester. To view the full range of services Pick Everard provides, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk 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.”
Veriforce CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is encouraging employers to make a habit of addressing mental health in 2024 as new figures indicate that stress, depression or anxiety now account for almost half (49%) of all cases of work-related ill health. According to the latest data from the HSE, during the 2022/23 period, approximately 875,000 workers experienced work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, resulting in 2,590 cases per 100,000 workers and an estimated loss of 17.1 million working days. Underscoring the need for businesses to proactively address mental health concerns in 2024, Veriforce CHAS Managing Director Ian McKinnon comments: “The latest HSE statistics on workplace ill health shows mental health issues continue to loom large, which is why we are encouraging businesses to make a habit of addressing mental health in the coming year. “We urge businesses who haven’t already done so to sign the Causeway mental health pledge and commit to promoting good mental health as a routine part of their business operations.” The good news is that there are a range of free workplace mental health resources that can support businesses in this aim. Find out more in the Veriforce CHAS FREE Mental Health Resources Guide for Businesses. Prepare for new standard Taking action around mental health now will help businesses prepare for a future where mental health assessments become a standard component of the prequalification process. Veriforce CHAS is working to contribute to this shift by launching a dedicated mental health accreditation in 2024. This initiative aims to set benchmarks for how businesses and their supply chains address mental health, fostering a healthier and more supportive work environment. Ian adds: “At Veriforce CHAS, we have a long history of setting compliance benchmarks and raising health & safety standards, and we are resolved to use this influence to drive improvements in workplace mental health in 2024 and beyond.” Find out more about CHAS at: http://www.chas.co.uk/ or call 0345 521 9111. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ellis Osborn, Ecommerce Manager at IronmongeryDirect, said: “As we begin a new year, it’s always useful to look back to reflect on our industry’s challenges and successes, and the latest government data suggests we’re in a positive place moving into 2024. “While the value of construction output fell slightly (0.5%) in October to £15,485m, this was largely due to planned work being delayed by bad weather, and the figure is still 1% up compared to the same month last year. “The number of workers in the sector has also risen over the last 12 months, and now stands at 2.25m, which is 36,000 more than in 2022, representing a 1.6% increase. “The biggest increase in workforce was seen in the West Midlands, where there are now 29% more employees. The South East takes second place, with a 10% rise, and remains the most popular place for construction workers, with 350,000 in total. “Interestingly, a significant proportion of the growth has been seen in the self-employed section of the industry. At 310,000, the current number is the highest it’s been for four years, and is 22% higher than it was 12 months ago. The amount of female self-employed workers has doubled to 24,000. “With vacancies dropping – they’re currently 28% lower than at this stage in 2022 – this suggests that companies feel confident and have recruited for the positions they need ahead of the new year. “We hope that everyone in our industry can have a well-deserved break over the festive period, and return in 2024 to a really positive situation.” For more information about IronmongeryDirect, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/
Leading UK powered access provider Nationwide Platforms has seen the second cohort of trainers graduate from its new IPAF trainee programme. Currently holding a 100% pass rate, the programme is designed to close the trainer skills gap and encourage younger people to become certified instructors. Jessica Taylor, Jennifer Roddis, Paulina Stempnakowska, Robbie Hayhurst and Matt Dawson were the latest five participants to graduate. Previously, prospective trainers had to have a minimum of three years of operator experience before advancing to training others. However, this has resulted in many trainers retiring with no replacement, creating a subsequent skills gap. Designed and created by Nationwide Platforms’ Operational Training Manager Brian Sneddon and Senior IPAF Instructor Neil Laws in partnership with the International Powered Access Federation, (IPAF), the new programme accelerates the education process through a mix of face-to-face classes, on the job training and complimentary e-learning, over an intensive 10-15 week course. The course covers all aspects of operation, including an expected minimum of 150 operating hours, as well as administration and trainer management. The programme is tail ended by an intensive two-week assessment period that vigorously tests applicants’ knowledge and practical skills. Jessica, Jennifer, Paulina, Robbie and Matt had to travel to different locations to gain experience and knowledge from a variety of Nationwide Platforms depots. 23-year-old Jessica, from Teesside, came from an agricultural background and was used to operating machinery but lacked the management skills required to be a trainer. The course equipped her with the knowledge and tools to train others to match her operational experience. She commented, “The jump from operator to instructor is significant. It was eye-opening to learn how much I didn’t know, but the course quickly filled the gaps in my knowledge. I had the most amazing experience, with some great people who were always there to offer support. I would highly recommend this course to everyone.” Jennifer, 22, hailing from Hereford, previously worked on farms and construction sites, much like Jessica. Similarly adept at operating machinery, Jennifer found the IT side of the training the most challenging but the programme gave her all the support she required. She said, “Nationwide Platforms were extremely helpful, offering hands-on guidance. All the instructors were brilliant and went the extra mile to help us out. It could be extremely challenging having a great deal of information to absorb and memorise. However, as you progress, the wealth of technical information and safety information start to seep into the practical, hands-on training. I plan to take forward all I’ve learnt and do further training.” Paulina, mid-30’s and based in Leicester, was inspired by previous applicant Kelly-Ann Macgillivray to apply for the course. As a member of Nationwide Platforms’ fleet management team, Paulina had plenty of management and administration experience but far less hands-on operative knowledge. She said, “I saw how much Kelly-Ann benefited from doing this course, so when the opportunity arose, I didn’t hesitate. It’s been a tough but rewarding journey and I couldn’t have done it without the wonderful support of the tutors and other participants. One challenge I faced was the pronunciation of certain English words, as it’s my second language. Communication is vital when training other operatives, so I had to make sure my pronunciation was clear and correct. I’m now in a learning groove, and I’m keen to continue gaining more qualifications.” Robbie, 39, from Liverpool, previously worked as a regional driver within Nationwide Platforms and even before the IPAF programme came out had expressed interest in becoming an instructor. His goal now he has qualified is to upskill within the training department as much as possible. Matt, 57, from St Helens, has almost three decades experience as an SV (Specialist Vehicles) operator for Nationwide Platforms. Matt has extensive knowledge with the kit and has travelled the country operating the largest machines on prestigious projects. Now he’s qualified, he hopes to learn as much as possible with the training department. Now fully rounded trainers, the cohort are looking forward to advancing their careers with Nationwide Platforms, through further training and career development. Brian Sneddon said, “This course is a fantastic way to build your skill set in a safe and supportive environment. It’s been wonderful having a new cohort who embody the talented people we work with, displaying amazing passion and commitment to their education. “We couldn’t have done this without the support of Neil Laws, who continues to take this course from strength to strength, giving up much of his personal time to provide a high-quality training experience for the participants. I can’t wait to see more cohorts come through the programme and encourage anyone looking for a new career path or to continue their own development to apply.” As Nationwide Platforms continues to finetune the course, applications for the next intake are currently open to internal and external applicants to increase the number of IPAF certified trainers. For more information on the IPAF training programme visit: https://training.nationwideplatforms.co.uk/en-gb/ipaf-training-courses
Plans for a new £25 million rail station in West Yorkshire are making significant progress, with completion expected by late 2026. Survey work is currently underway to finalise detailed designs for the long-awaited Elland Rail Station. Contractor Keltbray Infrastructure Services Limited is aiming to complete the final stages of development work by summer 2024. Following this, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will review a full business case for the station, moving the project closer to construction. The initiative is a collaboration between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Calderdale Council. The council is nearing completion of designs for ambitious access routes, which include two new pedestrian and cycling bridges. A key milestone was recently achieved with the council’s approval of a planning application for the station’s access infrastructure. Tenders for the final design phase of the access package were submitted last month, and the council is now in the process of selecting a contractor. The new station, set to be a valuable addition to the Calder Valley line, will strengthen Elland’s transport links to key regional hubs, including Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, and Manchester. This transformative project is expected to deliver improved connectivity for the town, fostering economic growth and offering enhanced travel options for residents and visitors alike. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
