March 6, 2024
‘Get Britain building’ to drive growth and end housing misery

‘Get Britain building’ to drive growth and end housing misery

On the eve of the Spring Budget, construction industry experts from Birmingham City University (BCU) have called on the Chancellor to kick start the new build homes sector in order to stimulate economic growth and combat the UK’s housing crisis. Mike Leonard, Visiting Professor from the Centre for Future Homes

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Green light for Smithfield Riverside’s new public park

Green light for Smithfield Riverside’s new public park

Shropshire Council’s Planning Committee has voted to approve the first stage of the Smithfield Riverside regeneration project in Shrewsbury, enabling the delivery of a landmark new public park. Led by Shropshire Council and its development manager, RivingtonHark, Smithfield Riverside is the ambitious regeneration project set to transform the area between

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North West geospatial firm scales up support for the utilities sector with satellite-enabled tech solution

North West geospatial firm scales up support for the utilities sector with satellite-enabled tech solution

One of the UK’s leading geospatial technology firms, MGISS, is enhancing its provision for major utilities companies, developing an integrated solution to support asset owners, operators and contractors to manage risks and minimise disruptions to gas and water supply. MGISS’s geospatial software platform enables its customers, which include Northumbrian Water

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McAleer & Rushe to build mixed-use scheme in the City of London

McAleer & Rushe to build mixed-use scheme in the City of London

McAleer & Rushe has been appointed to develop a landmark mixed-use scheme in the heart of the City of London, and a permanent home for London’s Migration Museum, worth a construction contract value of over £100 million. The 65 Crutched Friars development, due to be completed in Summer 2027, will

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Sod-cutting ceremony marks the start of new Tamworth school

Sod-cutting ceremony marks the start of new Tamworth school

A new primary school is coming to Dunstall Park Estate in Tamworth and will be open to students for the start of the new school year in 2024/25. Construction works for Dunstall Park Primary School are being led by Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, on behalf of Staffordshire County Council

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

March 6, 2024

McAleer & Rushe appointed by Dominus to deliver landmark student accommodation scheme in City of London

McAleer & Rushe appointed by Dominus to deliver landmark student accommodation scheme in City of London

Exemplary mixed-use scheme will comprise student units, cultural spaces and community amenities Construction contract value of over £100m… Specialist Design & Build Contractor McAleer & Rushe has been appointed by developer Dominus Real Estate to create a permanent home for London’s Migration Museum, as part of a landmark mixed-use scheme in the heart of the City of London worth a construction contract value of over £100m. The 65 Crutched Friars development, which is due to complete in Summer 2027, will include new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), to provide over 700 student homes in a 21-storey building. The student units will be complemented by green spaces open to the public, such as a new pocket park and public roof terrace, for the benefit of the local community. Located on the eastern edge of the City of London, the scheme has been designed to be sustainable in both construction and operation, targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating as well as utilising offsite manufacturing, including prefabricated bathroom pods, a precast and unitised façade and both blue and green biodiverse roofs. While demolition works have commenced, the major transformation of the former office block is due to begin in Spring 2024 with the accommodation ready for the 2027/28 student intake. Enhancing student living in London, Crutched Friars will help to meet the growing need for student accommodation within the City with an abundance of social and study spaces, including private dining rooms, gym and wellness zones, a TV lounge and entertainment spaces. The development also secures the future of London’s Migration Museum with a purpose-built, three-floor 30,000 sq ft space, which will be free-to-enter thanks to a 60-year lease granted by the Ahluwalia family, with no rent or service charge payable, alongside a new pocket park. Commenting on the announcement, Mark Diamond, Senior Director, McAleer & Rushe said, “We’re thrilled to be delivering this prominent mixed-use scheme in the City of London as Construction Partner with Dominus. Our decade-long collaboration, involving several successful projects throughout the UK, is rooted in shared values and a commitment to delivering positive social value impact and community outreach. Crutched Friars is a prime example of our early engagement approach in action and with our experienced teams behind us, we are looking forward to working on this landmark visionary scheme with all stakeholders involved.” Designed by award-winning Danish architectural studio 3XN, the student residences will feature a mix of Premium Studios, Studios, Twodios, Threedios and affordable Cluster bedrooms and contains generous communal spaces, private study areas, gym, laundry facilities and external roof top terraces. Lee Saywack, Executive Director at Dominus, commented, “Partnering with McAleer & Rushe is a great next step in bringing 65 Crutched Friars to life and delivering much needed new student accommodation to the City of London. “The scheme’s central location, proximity to universities, cutting-edge amenity spaces, customer-centric operating method, and the provision of a new and permanent home for the Migration Museum, illustrates our commitment to meaningful regeneration that benefits both people and place.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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McLaren Construction surpasses Net Zero Targets at Landmark Leeds Logistics Hub

McLaren Construction surpasses Net Zero Targets at Landmark Leeds Logistics Hub

A pivotal logistics warehouse scheme now completed in Leeds has met and surpassed its net zero carbon construction targets, delivered by McLaren Midlands and North. Successfully achieving an embodied carbon target to practical completion lower than first proposed, ensuring a more sustainable build and reducing the carbon offset payment, McLaren Construction Midlands and North completed works on Sherburn42 – a 660,000 sq. ft. logistics warehousing space located in Sherburn-in-Elmet at the end of November, appointed by commercial real estate investor and developer, Firethorn Trust. The 37-acre Sherburn42 scheme sits adjacent to the Sherburn Enterprise Park in Leeds and comprises the construction of four Grade-A industrial units ranging from 57,750 to 280,000 sq. ft., with industrial warehouse and office space to support core building services. The design concentrated on helping occupiers reach operational sustainability targets and the project will be accredited net-zero carbon in construction by the UK Green Building Council. Set to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, the logistical hub features EV charging, full PV coverage and LED office lighting, alongside 4MvApower. The Engineering Services Consultancy Ltd (ESC) was appointed by McLaren Construction Midlands and North to undertake a Whole Life Embodied Carbon assessment of the build at as-built RIBA Stage 5. The subsequent report showed that the contractor surpassed its project target of 550 kgCO2e/m2, achieving 458.32 kgCO2e/m2. Net Zero Carbon in construction is a term that refers to the energy used during the manufacturing of materials, combined with the emissions generated throughout the building’s construction, these are then offset through an internationally recognised carbon credit scheme. This was achieved following initial reductions in the embodied carbon, through a focus on material specification. At present, there is no mandatory requirement to report on Whole Life Carbon outside of London. However, the UK Government is committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction Midlands & North, said: “We’re proud to announce that our team has surpassed net zero carbon targets for this pivotal Leeds scheme. “Our project team worked hard to ensure the most sustainable materials were specified, liaising closely with our supply chain. While championing sustainability for the build through the reduction of embodied carbon in the project, we’ve also managed to ensure the offset payment is as low as possible for our client, Firethorn, of which we have a fantastic relationship. “Now complete, Sherburn42 will provide incredible opportunities for the region’s workforce, allowing occupiers of all sizes – from multi-national distributors to small and medium-sized enterprises, an attractive, fit-for-purpose, sustainable workspace, providing a head start on achieving their own net zero targets.” Rhiannon Butcher, Sustainability Manager of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “Firethorn was the first industrial and logistics project in McLaren Construction, to achieve net zero carbon in construction. We were able to reduce the embodied carbon in construction and meet the client’s target in part through a high use of cement replacement. “The project team worked hard to collate all of the data required for this assessment, and it has been a learning process for us. As-built assessments will become more commonplace, especially as McLaren Construction works towards its own net zero carbon in construction goals – of net zero carbon for Scopes 1 & 2 by 2025 and Scope 3 by 2045. “We are creating baseline carbon assessments in this sector to provide ourselves and our clients with more robust estimates of embodied carbon from the early RIBA stages.” Hugo Briars, Development Manager at Firethorn Trust, commented: “It has been a pleasure working in close collaboration with McLaren Construction, whose team clearly shares our passion for sustainability. Their knowledge, professionalism and commitment to quality and innovation has enabled us to exceed our environmental aspirations for Sherburn42, which we have developed on behalf of the site owner, Cain International.” James Sanders, Associate Director at Firethorn Trust, added: “We’re delighted to be bringing this state-of-the-art net-zero scheme into a market that continues to witness an erosion of committed development pipeline. “Sherburn42 benefits from an excellent road network alongside an immediate and plentiful supply of labour. Coupled with its ultra-modern specification, the scheme is ideally positioned for occupiers seeking to upgrade and expand their operations, whilst benefitting from significantly reduced running costs. We’re encouraged by recent levels of occupational demand and look forward to announcing new occupier relationships as we head into the new year!” Sherburn42’s close proximity to junction 42 A1 (M) provides direct connections to Leeds, the M1, M62 and coastal ports of Hull and Grimsby, as well as a number of regional rail stations and airports. For leasing enquiries, please contact the scheme agents, Colliers, Lambert Smith Hampton or Carter Towler. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Kingspan reduces scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds in four years

Kingspan reduces scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds in four years

Kingspan, the global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelope solutions, today launches its fourth annual ‘Planet Passionate’ sustainability report and announces a 65% absolute reduction in its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since 2020.[4],[5] In 2023 alone, the company achieved a further 40% absolute reduction in scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions since its base year, accelerated by the introduction of its business-wide internal carbon price in January 2023.[6] The report also shows that 49.6% of all wholly-owned Kingspan sites had solar PV systems installed by year-end, a marked boost to the company’s on-site renewable energy generation capacity. In addition to these operational achievements, in 2023 Kingspan made important headway in its innovation journey to reduce the embodied carbon of its product offering, introducing three lower embodied carbon products – QuadCore LEC insulated panels, RMG600+ raised access floor panels and the Tate Grid LEC structural ceiling solution – to some of its markets. The company also launched its bio-based HemKor range in November 2023, marking the first time a major insulation manufacturer has launched a product made largely of hemp. Other key developments highlighted in the report include: Kingspan’s 10-year Planet Passionate sustainability programme is the driving force behind its efforts to decarbonise its operations, product offering and supply chain, prioritising absolute emissions reductions. The company has committed to challenging science-based targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) covering scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions, including achieving a 90% absolute reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within its operations and a 42% absolute reduction in scope 3 GHG emissions from its 2020 base year. These targets are aligned with the IPCC’s goal to limit global temperature rise to 1.5⁰C by the end of this century. The programme also features measurable targets to harvest rainwater, eliminate waste to landfill and increase use of recycled PET as a raw material to help tackle three of today’s biggest global challenges: climate change, circularity and protection of the natural world. Bianca Wong, Global Head of Sustainability at Kingspan Group, said: “We are acutely aware that as the climate crisis intensifies, our mission to help accelerate a net-zero emissions built environment has never been more important. To play our part in keeping global temperature rises within the 1.5°C limit, we committed to absolute emissions reductions and focused on making tangible progress in the short- to medium-term through our Planet Passionate programme. In a business like Kingspan, that is only possible with significant structural and time investment and an unwavering dedication to delivering real results. Our global team of more than 100 people has completed over 300 projects across our business since 2020 to help realise our targets. With the majority of Kingspan’s value chain emissions coming from our upstream supply chain, we are working closely with our key supply partners to reduce the carbon intensity of our key raw materials. This work has enabled us to bring new lower embodied carbon products to market in 2023. We still have a lot of work to do and must continue to refocus and respond as the business grows and evolves, but I am incredibly proud of what our team has achieved in just four years and look forward to further progress towards our targets as Planet Passionate enters its fifth year.” The launch of Kingspan’s 2023 Planet Passionate report follows the recent announcement that the company was included on the globally-recognised CDP Climate Change A List, which recognises environmental leadership through transparency and meaningful climate action. Kingspan was one of just 346 companies to make the 2023 CDP Climate Change A List, of the 21,000 companies scored by CDP. In addition, CDP has also named Kingspan as a 2023 Supplier Engagement Leader in recognition of the company’s effectiveness in engaging with suppliers on climate change. Read the full report here: Kingspan Planet Passionate Report 2023 (ipaper.io) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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‘Get Britain building’ to drive growth and end housing misery

‘Get Britain building’ to drive growth and end housing misery

On the eve of the Spring Budget, construction industry experts from Birmingham City University (BCU) have called on the Chancellor to kick start the new build homes sector in order to stimulate economic growth and combat the UK’s housing crisis. Mike Leonard, Visiting Professor from the Centre for Future Homes at BCU, said: “Jobs are being lost, factories are shutting and we have massive shortfall in the delivery of new homes as homelessness and frustration grows amongst those directly affected. “Failure to act now will see a major loss of skills and manufacturing capacity. This will leave industry less able to meet demand when the market improves and more reliant on material imports and migrant labour. “The budget on Wednesday offers the Chancellor the opportunity to pull the levers to switch the housing market back on and inject swift growth into our stalled economy. “The multiplier effect of new build housing creates jobs and social value. Now is also the time to invest in retrofitting our existing homes and buildings. “The industry has the manufacturing capacity, skills, and oven-ready projects. The UK has a golden opportunity to grow the economy and get Britain building the homes and infrastructure this country so desperately needs.” Dr Steve McCabe, Associate Professor in Strategy, Management and Marketing at BCU, echoed Dr Leonard’s concerns. “At a time when we need to focus on economic growth and boosting productivity, politicians across the political spectrum need to focus on construction as a catalyst to drive the economy,” said Dr McCabe. “Construction contributes nearly 9% of GDP and critically has the potential to benefit every community across the UK.” According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), new mortgage lending has declined markedly which has significantly reduced demand for houses built by developers. Money tightening, which has led a consequential dip in confidence and slowdown in commercial and infrastructure projects, has combined with a knock-on impact on demand for labour and materials in new housing and home renovation that is undermining economic growth. According to Dr McCabe, there is no lack of demand for housing, however, he believes that consumers that are already suffering from the effects of the ‘cost of living crisis’ feel under pressure because of what are considered excessive mortgage repayments: “New purchasers are confronted by an affordability conundrum resulting from lack of market activity as sellers hold off moving,” he added. “What’s apparent is that the high cost of financing for companies in the UK construction, particularly for smaller companies, is making liquidity a tremendous challenge. “Without urgent intervention from the chancellor tomorrow, we’re likely to see an increase in insolvencies, administrations, company restructuring, factory closures and redundancies in construction which is so fundamental to this country’s economic development and collective prosperity.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Green light for Smithfield Riverside’s new public park

Green light for Smithfield Riverside’s new public park

Shropshire Council’s Planning Committee has voted to approve the first stage of the Smithfield Riverside regeneration project in Shrewsbury, enabling the delivery of a landmark new public park. Led by Shropshire Council and its development manager, RivingtonHark, Smithfield Riverside is the ambitious regeneration project set to transform the area between the River Severn, the Darwin Centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows in Shrewsbury town centre. This vote of confidence relates to the scheme’s first planning application, which was submitted in December 2023. Financed from the pot of almost £19 million of Levelling Up money Shropshire Council secured from the UK Government, this preparatory work will see the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre and former Riverside medical practice, paving the way for key enabling works on site for future phases of the scheme. It also permits the delivery of a landmark new public park adjacent to Roushill, helping to breathe new life and vibrancy into the area, as well as improving biodiversity in the town centre.  The attractive green park will feature play equipment, facilities for visitors of all ages, and a dedicated events and performance area.   The Smithfield Riverside project team are looking to appoint a demolition contractor in the coming months, with demolition work getting underway this Summer. Construction of the new park is expected to get underway before the end of 2024. Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of today’s committee meeting. The plans for the park on Roushill received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public and local businesses, so it’s great to now be able to make a start in turning the plans into a reality. “Today’s decision means we’re able to capitalise on the Levelling Up money we secured last year, ensuring that every penny is used to the benefit of Shropshire. It will help us to create a more vibrant and dynamic Shrewsbury town centre. “The Smithfield Riverside masterplan is a cornerstone project in our ambition to attract new visitors, residents, businesses and jobs into Shrewsbury, and help grow the county’s economy. This is just the beginning of the long-term vision but it’s truly exciting to get the ball rolling.” Spencer Winter, Project Director at RivingtonHark, added: “Today is a key moment in shaping the future of Shrewsbury town centre. “The plans that were approved are all about deliverability and laying the ideal foundations to build something truly transformational. Not only do we get to make the most of the Levelling Up capital and deliver a world class public park in the here and now, but the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre will create the perfect, clean-slate conditions that we’re confident will attract the private investment needed to deliver future parts of the scheme. This will include our evolving and upcoming plans for game-changing leisure, residential and office developments.” The project team is now set to turn their attention to future phases of the masterplan. Following the completion of the most recent public consultation, a second planning application will be submitted this Spring, introducing ‘outline’ plans to the develop three plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park. A third application, anticipated this Summer, proposes a new leisure-led destination at Pride Hill. Plans would see the existing Pride Hill shopping centre partly demolished, with the retention of the existing service yard platform and its embodied carbon helping to reduce the project’s overall carbon footprint. A stylish series of new buildings and connected courtyards will be developed to accommodate new restaurants, cafes, a cinema and some complementary retail. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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North West geospatial firm scales up support for the utilities sector with satellite-enabled tech solution

North West geospatial firm scales up support for the utilities sector with satellite-enabled tech solution

One of the UK’s leading geospatial technology firms, MGISS, is enhancing its provision for major utilities companies, developing an integrated solution to support asset owners, operators and contractors to manage risks and minimise disruptions to gas and water supply. MGISS’s geospatial software platform enables its customers, which include Northumbrian Water Group, Severn Trent Water and Galliford Try, to capture the location of buried assets, such as pipes and cables, through transforming GIS data into real-time augmented reality displays. The firm, which was founded by Mike Darracott in 2014 and operates from Liverpool, has also supported the likes of the National Trust and South West Peatland Partnership to map heritage sites and monitor large-scale environmental projects, ensuring the capture of accurate site data. Now, as part of a major project match-funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), the firm is scaling up its support for clients in the utilities sector through the development of an eye-in-the-sky solution, utilising satellite data to identify and locate development risks in proximity to critical utility assets. The development of this new, innovative risk alert platform, coupled with MGISS’s core range of geospatial solutions, is driving the development of a predictive, integrated offering to clients, enabling real-time decision making, reducing costs, and enhancing the visibility of buried assets. The firm’s progress on the ESA-funded project is especially timely, given the planned roll-out of the government’s National Underground Asset Register, a digital map of underground pipes and cables, which intends to revolutionise the way buried infrastructure is managed. MGISS are taking this innovation further, using satellite services to link directly into other national, web-based data sources. Along with securing a €500,000 award from the ESA in 2023 to carry out the two-year project, last month MGISS received a further £600,000 in funding from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF). Mike Darracott, managing director at MGISS, said: “Supply interruptions cost utilities companies billions of pounds each year, not only in trying to repair and restore supplies but also in paying compensation to customers. Construction work is a key cause of these disruptions and the situation is likely to worsen in the future if planning laws are relaxed. “Our systems help our clients to make the most of the available data, enabling a proactive approach to identifying and tackling hazards. This new platform will be the most integrated to date and will help companies to dramatically reduce downtime, regulatory fines and, in partnership with conservation organisations, their environmental impact.” Clive Surman-Wells, innovation partnerships manager at Northumbrian Water Group, added: “Driving forward innovations such as this one, in partnership with the European Space Agency, is fundamental in delivering value to companies within the utilities and construction sectors, and the customers and communities they serve. MGISS is an example of a technology firm operating on the cutting edge – developing unique solutions to reduce costs, minimise impacts on the environment, and improve visibility and decision-making.” Robert Hornby, venture capital investor at Mercia Asset Management, added: “MGISS has successfully pivoted from being a consultancy firm to a software business and has achieved impressive growth in recent years. The company addresses a key concern for utility providers, and we’re pleased to be able to support the development of this new solution, which we believe will have a huge global market.” Employing a team of 14 staff based at its headquarters in Brunswick Business Park, MGISS is in the process of expanding its team across product development, sales and marketing, following three years of high growth and a 300% increase in annual recurring revenue. The current NPIF investment phase has now completed, with the British Business Bank launching the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II in March 2024. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund project is supported financially by the European Union using funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020 and the European Investment Bank. For more information on MGISS and its geospatial solutions, please visit www.mgiss.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Almost 3,000 people have their say on Greater Manchester’s plans for new rail station at Golborne

Almost 3,000 people have their say on Greater Manchester’s plans for new rail station at Golborne

Almost 3,000 people have had their say on ambitious plans for a new rail station at Golborne in Wigan – the first to be built in Greater Manchester for more than 20 years. The consultation, which ran from 4 January 2024 to midnight Thursday 15 February 2024, received 2,898 survey responses. It gathered views on the proposed station facilities and links to the local area, as well as information from respondents about their potential future use of the station. It also sought feedback on the facilities within the station, the location of a proposed new eastern access to Golborne town centre, accessibility features, car park improvements and active travel measures to support walking, cycling and wheeling. The responses to the proposals will now be considered to inform detailed designs and planning, before a final business case is submitted to the government. Cat Morris, Rail Programme Sponsor at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “As part of the Bee Network, the plans for a new station at Golborne aim to improve public transport connectivity for people in Golborne, Lowton and Leigh, as well as the broader borough of Wigan. “It was good to see so many peopled engaged with the proposals, and their feedback will help shape the best scheme possible.”  Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said: “I am delighted that so many people have engaged with these ambitious proposals. “We want to deliver a station that people in Golborne are proud of, and it was hugely important that everyone had the chance to have their say to helps shape the plans. “This station would not only benefit those using public transport but also ease congestion for those who still need to drive – helping to reduce emissions and improve the health of the wider community. We are determined to transform how people travel across Greater Manchester and give them more choice through the Bee Network. “A new station at Golborne is a key step in our ambitions for local rail to be part of the Bee Network by 2030.” Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is working in partnership with Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to deliver the city-region’s first new railway station in more than two decades. Golborne currently has no direct bus, train or tram services to Manchester, so train services would reduce journey times into Manchester city centre by up to 30 minutes. The scheme forms part of significant investment locally to support GMCA’s ambitions to make local rail an integral part of the Bee Network – Greater Manchester’s vision for a joined-up London-style public transport system – by 2030. Leader of Wigan Council, Cllr David Molyneux MBE, added: “I’m really encouraged that so many people shared their views with us on the ambitious plans for a new rail station at Golborne. “Our team have been out and about in the community talking to people, sharing the plans and hearing opinions over the last couple of months. “Work is now taking place behind the scenes to capture the views shared and will form the final plan. This is certainly an exciting time for Golborne!” The consultation was launched in January at an event attended by around 100 people, while TfGM and Wigan Council hosted a series of public drop-in sessions during the 6-week consultation period. People can still find out more about the proposals for the new station at: A new rail station for Golborne | Bee Network | Powered by TfGM Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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McAleer & Rushe to build mixed-use scheme in the City of London

McAleer & Rushe to build mixed-use scheme in the City of London

McAleer & Rushe has been appointed to develop a landmark mixed-use scheme in the heart of the City of London, and a permanent home for London’s Migration Museum, worth a construction contract value of over £100 million. The 65 Crutched Friars development, due to be completed in Summer 2027, will include new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), to provide over 700 student homes in a 21-storey building. The student units will be complemented by green spaces open to the public, such as a new pocket park and public roof terrace, for the local community. Located on the eastern edge of the City of London, the scheme has been designed to be sustainable in both construction and operation, targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating as well as utilising offsite manufacturing, including prefabricated bathroom pods, a precast and unitised façade and both blue and green biodiverse roofs. While demolition works have commenced, the major transformation of the former office block is due to begin in Spring 2024 with the accommodation ready for the 2027/28 student intake. Enhancing student living in London, Crutched Friars will help to meet the growing need for student accommodation within the City with an abundance of social and study spaces, including private dining rooms, gym and wellness zones, a TV lounge and entertainment spaces. The development also secures the future of London’s Migration Museum with a purpose-built, three-floor 30,000 sq ft space, free-to-enter thanks to a 60-year lease granted by the Ahluwalia family, with no rent or service charge payable, alongside a new pocket park. Mark Diamond, Senior Director, McAleer & Rushe said: “We’re thrilled to be delivering this prominent mixed-use scheme in the City of London as Construction Partner with Dominus. Our decade-long collaboration, involving several successful projects throughout the UK, is rooted in shared values and a commitment to delivering positive social value impact and community outreach. Crutched Friars is a prime example of our early engagement approach in action and with our experienced teams behind us, we are looking forward to working on this landmark visionary scheme with all stakeholders involved.” Designed by Danish architectural studio 3XN, the student residences will feature a mix of Premium Studios, Studios, Twodios, Threedios and affordable Cluster bedrooms and contain generous communal spaces, private study areas, a gym, laundry facilities and external rooftop terraces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Sod-cutting ceremony marks the start of new Tamworth school

Sod-cutting ceremony marks the start of new Tamworth school

A new primary school is coming to Dunstall Park Estate in Tamworth and will be open to students for the start of the new school year in 2024/25. Construction works for Dunstall Park Primary School are being led by Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, on behalf of Staffordshire County Council and alongside project managers and concept architects, Entrust. The project was procured through the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) framework. Ideally located to accommodate a number of new housing developments in the area, the new one-form entry two-storey school will open its doors in September, catering for 210 primary pupils and 26 nursery places. The school also has the capacity for expansion to 315 places in the future, in line with the demand for school places generated by further housing growth. The 1,500 sq. metre state-of-the-art educational facility comprises seven classrooms, a separate nursery and practical area, an indoor school hall, staff offices and catering areas, alongside an outdoor space dedicated to a range of sporting activities. The school’s energy-efficient design prioritises daylight and natural ventilation into the building and, to ensure easy adjustment to temperature changes, high levels of insulation and thermal mass will be applied to walls and ceilings. The school will be part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP), which operates ten other successful schools in Staffordshire, among its new overall total of 22. G F Tomlinson previously delivered Anna Seward Primary School in Lichfield in 2023 for the ATLP. The contractor has established liaison with the local community and will continue to keep neighbours informed of progress and plans through frequent newsletters and public consultations. A sod-cutting ceremony to mark the start of works took place at the grounds at the end of December, attended by representatives from G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire County Council, Entrust and ATLP. Demonstrating its vast experience working in the education sector to provide quality school provision, this is the tenth scheme that G F Tomlinson will deliver for Staffordshire County Council, alongside Entrust. Recent projects include the current construction of the Garden Village Primary School in Amington and the Beaconfields Primary School in Stafford, both of which commenced in autumn last year. Chris Flint, managing director of G F Tomlinson, said: “Building on our strong relationship with Staffordshire County Council and Entrust, we’re pleased to be delivering our tenth project together and our second school project for the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP). “Providing modern facilities for primary and nursery pupils, with the capacity to grow in size year-on-year, Dunstall Park Primary School is ideally placed to accommodate the children of the residents in the neighbouring housing developments, offering new, enhanced teaching.” Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education Jonathan Price said: “This £8 million school has been planned for a number of years, and will add much-needed capacity to the local area. We always plan ahead to ensure there are enough school places to meet current and future demand. The school is taking shape already, and it was good to get on site in December to celebrate the official start of construction. I look forward to seeing this school develop over the coming months, ready to welcome pupils in September.” ATLP CEO, Richard Gill CBE said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the new school in Tamworth, where the ATLP has built a reputation for delivering excellence in education and creating opportunities for our young people. “Dunstall Park Primary will benefit from a talented and passionate teaching and support staff who all have children at heart of everything we do.” For more information, please contact Rebecca Morris or Jennie Holland at Jennie Holland PR on gftomlinson@jenniehollandpr.com or 0115 998 3048. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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