Birmingham City Council unveiled an ambitious masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community this week at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the
Beard Construction has broken ground on a new 3,700 square-metre hospice in Farnham in Surrey. The project, worth £11.9 million to the award-winning contractor, will see Beard build the brand-new Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, which provides a full range of services including critical end of life care. The new purpose-built hospice
For Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19th May), UK builders have shared their own mental health experiences, to encourage other people in the industry to speak about their feelings. IronmongeryDirect’s latest Mental Health in the Trades report revealed that more than four in five (82%) tradespeople experience some form of mental
The UK Government and wider economy lack the necessary skills and capacity to deliver ambitious plans for major infrastructure over the next five years, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has said. In a report released today (May 15th), the PAC calls for the Government to set out
Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has completed the installation of fall protection systems on the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster- brand new Hyperia! Due to open on Friday 24 May, Hyperia is the newest ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey. Built by Mack Rides, the new attraction stands at
Balfour Beatty VINCI has completed the excavation of the 22 metre deep west portal for HS2, marking a leap forward on work to build the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel bringing high speed trains into Birmingham. The portal at Washwood Heath has been finished in readiness for the two 1,600 tonne
The UK’s leading doorset manufacturer, JELD-WEN, has enhanced its product portfolio with a new, high quality bespoke interior doorset range by Swedoor. Forming part of the global JELD-WEN group, Swedoor is well known across Europe for its high quality craftsmanship, with a dedicated project factory in Denmark. The bespoke interior
Beard Construction has started work on a new 3,700 square-metre hospice in Farnham in Surrey. The project, worth £11.9 million to the award-winning contractor, will see Beard build the new Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, which provides a full range of services including critical end-of-life care. The new purpose-built hospice will include
A long-established housing developer has launched a new range of house types at one of its most popular developments. Russell Armer Homes has introduced 11 new house types to the market for the first time as it announces the release of the second phase of homes for sale at its
Birmingham City Council has revealed a masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the needs of
Birmingham City Council unveiled an ambitious masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community this week at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the needs of the people who live and work in Druids Heath. Staff were at the launch event to answer questions and receive the feedback from the community about the plans, with more events planned over the next few days. An extensive consultation on the plans will begin in the coming months before approval for the plans will be sought next year. The proposed regeneration aims to make Druids Heath a more sustainable and greener place to live in the long term. New high-quality, energy-efficient homes will be built alongside excellent green spaces. The commercial and community spaces in Druids Heath will also be revitalised as part of the plan. Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “The masterplan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the regeneration of Druids Heath. “This new plan shows how Druids Heath will be transformed into a healthier, more sustainable area by building on its key strengths – community spirit and abundance of green space. “This regeneration scheme will build the types of homes we need to tackle climate change, reduce fuel bills, and contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions. It will also bring much-needed provisions for older residents so they can live healthy, independent lives for longer. New greenways will be built to better connect the estate within the community and the estate to the surrounding city. “The scheme goes beyond delivering new homes; the regeneration will create a sustainable, healthy community that will allow anyone who lives there to thrive. “While the masterplan is a big step forward for the scheme, much more work remains, and there will be more decisions to be made with the local community about the scheme. With that in mind, an independent steering group representing residents, stakeholders, and businesses is being established to help influence future decisions regarding the regeneration. “We also understand residents’ concerns about being priced out of the area. For this reason, the council is looking at how we can use different financial models to give residents an opportunity to remain on the estate. We will let residents know more about these models as soon as we are able. It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so. “Regenerating an area is always a lengthy process. For this reason, the council will bolster services for tenants on the estate by installing more CCTV, implementing a specific repairs service for Druids Heath, and increasing cleaning provision to tackle fly-tipping.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard Construction has broken ground on a new 3,700 square-metre hospice in Farnham in Surrey. The project, worth £11.9 million to the award-winning contractor, will see Beard build the brand-new Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, which provides a full range of services including critical end of life care. The new purpose-built hospice will include a low level, single storey building, which consists of 18 bedrooms with ensuite wet rooms. Each room will have bifold doors which will open out into the courtyard or surrounding gardens. This will be supported by specialist suites for education, wellbeing and exercise. High-end materials and finishes, combined with Beard’s reputation for quality and excellence will ensure greater levels of comfort, dignity and privacy for patients and their families. The In-Patient Unit will be attached to a two-storey concrete frame building. The ground floor will include the main reception and lobby, as well as kitchens, cafeteria and lounges. It will also house the main plant room, utility room and clinical rooms. The first floor will provide office facilities for Phyllis Tuckwell staff, who have been relocated to various temporary sites. The new hospice is due to be completed towards the end of 2025 and will be a much larger and more modern facility. It replaces the existing building which was built over 90 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose. With the first spade in the ground, work has begun to clear the site ready for the foundations to go in. Beard is working with the local residents and stakeholders to ensure all work is conducted safely. With limited access around the site, Beard will use a tower crane to manage deliveries and help with construction. Beard staff are also supporting the hospice in its fundraising efforts. Tom Jenkinson, Beard’s Guildford director, said: “Many of our team here live locally, so they are really enthusiastic about the difference this building will make to the local community. We are thrilled to be involved in this build, and look forward to seeing it as it emerges from this ground-breaking event. It’s a great opportunity to utilise our expertise and experience in building high-quality, specialist healthcare facilities across the region and further afield.” Sarah Church, chief executive of Phyllis Tuckwell, added: “Around 17,000 people had been cared for on our In-Patient Unit, let alone the many thousands of others cared for at home, since the hospice was launched. As demand increases, this new chapter in our history means we will be able to care for many more thousands of local residents who will need us in the years to come. Given Beard’s reputation and experience in the sector, they are a tremendous fit to build our brand-new hospice.” Nic Hoar, director R H Partnership Architects said: “A well-designed hospice has a hugely positive impact on the experience of patients, their loved ones, and for everyone involved in delivering their care. rhp has designed many hospices and this continues to be one of the most rewarding areas of our work. After the huge efforts of the project team to get to this stage, it is fantastic to be working alongside Beard to see the building delivered for Phyllis Tuckwell.” Richard Allin, Director of BAQUS said: “BAQUS are delighted to see this project commence on-site following engagement in 2018. After a long journey with the Hospice Team we had to ‘go back to the drawing board’ during the pandemic to reconsider the design and accommodate new ways of working as they emerged. We look forward to be working once again with Beard on a project that will bring so much to the local community.” Across its 130-plus year history, Beard has completed on a number of specialist projects in the healthcare sector. This includes two deluxe Signature Senior Lifestyle care homes in Caversham and Farnham, Tadpole Medical Centre in Swindon – which achieved BREEAM Excellent and a major refurbishment of the operating and patient facilities at a private hospital in Bath. For more information, please visit www.beardconstruction.co.uk. To find out more about the new hospice, or to help the fundraising efforts, visit www.pth.org.uk/new-hospice. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
For Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19th May), UK builders have shared their own mental health experiences, to encourage other people in the industry to speak about their feelings. IronmongeryDirect’s latest Mental Health in the Trades report revealed that more than four in five (82%) tradespeople experience some form of mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, due to work. Ahead of the company’s Match for the Mind tournament – a charity football event being held at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium (25th May) to raise money for Mind – IronmongeryDirect asked workers to share their own mental health stories to inspire others, and reassure people that they are not alone in their feelings. Frazer Budd, Builder “I have struggled with my own mental health, but am lucky enough to have my children as a constant reminder of why I have to get up and carry on every day. Sadly I’ve worked with a lad that didn’t have the same family network, and one day he didn’t show up for work. He never spoke to anyone about his struggles and tragically died by suicide. It is so important to remove the stigma around people talking to someone about their feelings.” Craig Brown, Builder “I struggled massively through and after lockdown with really bad anxiety. I struggled to even leave the house at times. At some of my lowest points, I found myself laying bricks with tears running down my face. I managed to get through it with a great support network, speaking to my friends and family and two sons, and speaking to some people on site that had been in the same situation.” Paul Blanch, Builder “Our work is so dependent on weather and this becomes stressful, and can interfere with other parts of your life. I have experienced this on occasions, and in the last few years, I have had a few sessions with a therapist to release this pressure and talk openly about personal issues. I find this really helps and refocuses your mind.” Daniel McConnellogue, Builder “My father has been on the building sites since he was 16 and was in an accident in 2005, where he sadly lost two of his toes. This led to him being stuck in hospital for months, which led to his business being shut down. These unfortunate events meant he then suffered from PTSD a few months after the accident, which sadly saw him fall into a deep state of depression, which took him ages to escape. But he has now done it. He is the strongest and most hardworking man I’ve ever met.” Frankie Mason, Builder “Someone I worked with on site with always came to work with a smile. He was always positive no matter how negative the days could be. Last month, he died by suicide after experiencing mental health problems. No one noticed his symptoms, but no one asked. They just assumed his smiling face meant he must be feeling ok. It takes 5 seconds to text an old friend, a friend, or a family member to see if they’re ok. For them to know someone cares.” Ellis Osborn, Ecommerce Manager at IronmongeryDirect, said: “From both our research and from speaking to tradespeople across the UK, it’s clear how prevalent mental health problems continue to be within the industry. We thank the players from our upcoming Match for the Mind charity tournament for sharing their own stories, to encourage others to seek the support they need.” To read the full Mental Health in the Trades 2024 report, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/mental-health-in-the-trades To find out more about the Match for the Mind, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/enter-now-for-your-chance-to-play-football-at-chelsea Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK Government and wider economy lack the necessary skills and capacity to deliver ambitious plans for major infrastructure over the next five years, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has said. In a report released today (May 15th), the PAC calls for the Government to set out how it will address these issues and ensure future projects offer value for taxpayers’ money in the long term. Skills shortages in technical and engineering disciplines are set to worsen as gaps in the UK’s workforce are compounded by competition from major global development projects. Project management and design are also areas of concern, and skilled professionals in senior positions in particular. Of 16,000 project professionals that need to gain accreditation from the Government’s major project leadership academy, only 1,000 had done so at the time of the PAC’s report, which warns that failure to build market capacity could result in higher prices for scarce skills. In March 2023, the Government Major Projects Portfolio included 244 projects with an estimated total whole-life cost of £805 billion. The PAC’s inquiry heard that this scale of investment is unprecedented and projected spend over the next five years is very high as the Government looks to develop sectors including road, rail and energy. Despite this level of investment, the PAC believes government departments are failing to devote the time and effort needed to ensure they maximise the value that comes from projects. Only 8% of the £432 billion spend on major projects in 2019 had robust impact evaluation plans in place and around two-thirds had no plans at all. This is despite high quality evaluation being important to provide evidence for what works, demonstrate value and to make the case for or against further investment. Decisions are being made in the absence of evidence, putting value for money at unnecessary risk. In response to the report and its findings, Andrew Baldwin, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered membership body for the project profession, said: “We have been warning for some time that there is an ever-growing gap between project professionals’ demand and their supply. This is serious, as the skills shortage has impacted on the current Government’s ability to achieve its levelling up programme, will impact on the likelihood of achieving net zero by 2030, and unless addressed, will seriously undermine any attempt to implement a party manifesto post-election. “More must now be done to support the IPA to further professionalise project and programme management within government. Getting 1,000 accreditations per year is sterling work, but the IPA must be given the resources to rapidly increase numbers. “Beyond this, we need to encourage new entrants, either via university or by changing career, and upskill the current workforce much faster. The Government would also benefit from increasing the number of Chartered project professionals working on major infrastructure projects.” The PAC report also highlights good examples of effective cross-government working, which will be fundamental to delivering complex major projects. However, the PAC believes more must be done to incentivise departments to work together if this practice is to become systemic across all departments. Dame Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Committee, said: “Over the coming years, Government spending on major infrastructure projects is set to rise to unprecedented levels. Such projects present unique and novel challenges which Government must navigate if it is to secure value for public money. Without a robust market for essential skills in place, these are challenges the UK will fail to meet, as shortages push costs up in a globally competitive environment. “All too often we see projects and programmes that are poorly managed and delivered late and over budget. The failure to ensure projects have robust impact evaluation plans in place is symptomatic of the short-term mentality dominating these processes. The Government must encourage cross-departmental learning if we are to avoid repeating past mistakes.” Read more: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/127/public-accounts-committee/news/201373/uk-lacks-skills-and-capacity-to-deliver-major-infrastructure-pac-warns/ Learn more about APM: https://www.apm.org.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has completed the installation of fall protection systems on the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster- brand new Hyperia! Due to open on Friday 24 May, Hyperia is the newest ride at Thorpe Park in Surrey. Built by Mack Rides, the new attraction stands at an intimidating 72m (236ft) and will reach speeds of over 80mph. The safety systems installed by working at height specialists from Arco Professional Safety Services provide a continuous safe connection on the rollercoaster, allowing maintenance crews to carry out routine and reactive tasks with confidence. Arco installed Two MSA Latchways BridgeLatch fall arrest and restraint systems along the entire 111m (364ft) incline and crest of the rollercoaster, allowing workers to access the lift portion of the rollercoaster safely. They also fixed MSA Latchways Mansafe fall arrest systems along the station return brake platform and the station exit maintenance platform. Matthew Glass, fall protection manager at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “We were thrilled to be a part of this project for the Hyperia coaster, the latest attraction at one of the UK’s top theme parks. “This installation is the latest in a longstanding partnership with Merlin Entertainmentsthat has allowed Arco, the Experts in Safety, to demonstrate our expertise in working at height safety and love of (safe) thrills. “I know I speak on behalf of the whole team when I say we are looking forward to getting to experience the UK’s new tallest and fastest ride when it opens.” Dan Warwick, health & safety director at Thorpe Park, said: “Arco have been an instrumental part of the team, assisting us with the installation of working at height lines – a vital element of the Hyperia ride construction. “With the ride standing at an epic 236ft tall, these lines will be used to safely enable our engineering team to get up and down the incredible lift hill for all maintenance and daily pre-opening checks. “The lines will also be used by our staff and guests in the event of an evacuation being required on the ride. As part of this, the Arco team worked closely with us to ensure we have well-planned and expertly curated evacuation plans, which form a critical part of the overall project.” Arco Professional Safety Services provide consultancy, training, services and equipment to manage the most complex and high-risk, high hazard scenarios, specialising in working at height, confined spaces and respiratory management. Find out more at arcoservices.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty VINCI has completed the excavation of the 22 metre deep west portal for HS2, marking a leap forward on work to build the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel bringing high speed trains into Birmingham. The portal at Washwood Heath has been finished in readiness for the two 1,600 tonne tunnel boring machines (TBMs) building the twin-bore tunnel to complete their journeys from Water Orton in North Warwickshire. The huge earthworks operation has taken a team of 130 people from Balfour Beatty VINCI nine months to complete. Groundwork specialists from Coventry-based Duo Group supported Balfour Beatty VINCI with the complex excavation programme to extract 53,400m3 of earth from the ground. The spoil has been transported on specially built haul roads to support construction of the Delta Junction – a triangular section of 13 viaducts in North Warwickshire. The Washwood Heath portal is the deepest of four tunnel portals on the Midlands section of the HS2 route. A two-year programme of ground reinforcement works, delivered by the Bachy Soletanche and Balfour Beatty Ground Engineering joint venture (SB3), began in November 2021 to prepare for the portal’s excavation. The portal is at the start of a 750-metre-long cut and cover structure, which is currently being excavated and built by SB3. This is where HS2 trains will emerge from the tunnel and travel below ground level, before raising up onto a series of viaducts into Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station. ‘Mary Ann’, the first TBM to launch from Water Orton in 2023, is expected to break through the portal wall at Washwood Heath by the end of 2024, with the second TBM ‘Elizabeth’ set to finish her drive by Autumn 2025. At 65 hectares – the equivalent of 100 football pitches – Washwood Heath is one of HS2’s largest construction sites. Next to the tunnel portal, HS2’s Depot and Network Integrated Control Centre will also be built – acting the nerve centre of the high-speed rail network. From this site, trains will be serviced and stored and the real time operation of the railway will be controlled. The site has also spurred the development of a 24 hectare brownfield site which will unlock land for commercial use and logistics space, creating opportunities for employers and the community, and more than 1,000 new jobs for local people. Tim Cook, Project Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “The Bromford Tunnel portal at Washwood Heath will act as the gateway that will take HS2 trains in and out of Birmingham city centre. At a depth of 22 metres, completing this huge excavation operation is a significant moment for the project, and for the region. “The team is now focussed on the next challenge on this vast site – a 750-metre-long cut and cover structure next to the portal, where HS2 trains will emerge from the tunnel and travel below ground level, before heading into Birmingham.” Alvin Pedzai, HS2 Project Manager responsible for main works civils delivery at Washwood Heath said: “With two tunnel boring machines in the ground and excavation of the Birmingham tunnel portal complete, the complex feat of engineering required to bring HS2 trains into central Birmingham is well and truly underway. “Local businesses have played a huge role in this two-year programme of work, which has been taking shape alongside our plans to build the new network control centre and maintenance depot – the beating heart of HS2’s operation here in Washwood Heath.” On the wider 65 hectare site, over one million cubic metres of earth has been excavated, with the recycled material cleaned and reused to level the ground, paving the way for detailed design and construction of the new maintenance depot and control centre to start next year. By recycling and reusing material on the site, Balfour Beatty VINCI have eliminated the need to import aggregate, a strategy which has avoided over 50,000 lorry movements on local roads, minimising the impact of HS2’s work on nearby communities. Balfour Beatty VINCI have also diverted Wash Brook, which ran north to south through the site. The brook, which connects to the River Tame, is just one of the environmental design features planned for the site to provide local wildlife habitats and enhance its aesthetic appeal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The UK’s leading doorset manufacturer, JELD-WEN, has enhanced its product portfolio with a new, high quality bespoke interior doorset range by Swedoor. Forming part of the global JELD-WEN group, Swedoor is well known across Europe for its high quality craftsmanship, with a dedicated project factory in Denmark. The bespoke interior doorset range is now available to the UK commercial market with lead times from seven weeks, ideally suited for a range of commercial applications, including education, leisure and healthcare projects. Upholding JELD-WEN’s commitment to compliance, the Swedoor doorset range has been tested and certified to UK standards, with a fire rating of either FD30S or FD60S. Additional third-party IFC Certification gives customers complete assurance that the doors will perform beyond industry requirements for smoke and fire protection. Alongside a variety of configurations and the choice of a painted, laminated or veneer finish, customers can specify the addition of glass screens and partitions as required, allowing for a fully bespoke and multifunctional design. The glass partitions are independently tested and certified to EN standards in conjunction with the doorset, and offers up to 30 – 60 minute integrity and partial insulation protection (EW30-EW60). Providing enhanced acoustic performance, the doorsets carry noise-reducing benefits with an acoustic rating available up to Rw38dB, depending on the thickness of the door. Suited to both public and private areas, this insulating design ensures quieter spaces can be created without compromising the aesthetic of the building’s interior. Further customisation is offered through various door edge options, to improve durability and ensure it is fit for purpose; built-in finger protection, which helps to prevent fingers from becoming trapped in hinges and frames; and a wide range of ironmongery can be catered for, offering protection in high traffic areas, such as healthcare and education settings. The interior doorsets are also available as sliding doors, an ideal space-saving solution for connecting or adjoining rooms. Kate Painter, UK Marketing Manager at JELD-WEN, said: “Backed by our European brand expertise, the craftsmanship offered by Swedoor’s dedicated production facility in Denmark is showcased through the premium quality of every doorset. “With market-leading customisation options and a durable finish pairing aesthetics with functionality, we’re confident that this exceptional interior doorset range will improve the experience for our UK customers, providing them with even greater choice and design capabilities for their projects. “Every JELD-WEN product also carries independent certification to offer the ultimate assurance of compliance, further meeting the unique requirements of modern build projects.” As well as an industry-leading product range, customers can benefit from JELD-WEN’s sector knowledge and technical expertise, as well as dedicated, UK-based sales and customer service teams to provide support and solutions at every stage of a project. For more information about JELD-WEN’s Swedoor interior doorset range, visit www.jeld-wen.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard Construction has started work on a new 3,700 square-metre hospice in Farnham in Surrey. The project, worth £11.9 million to the award-winning contractor, will see Beard build the new Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, which provides a full range of services including critical end-of-life care. The new purpose-built hospice will include a low-level, single-storey building, which consists of 18 bedrooms with ensuite wet rooms. Each room will have bifold doors which will open out into the courtyard or surrounding gardens. This will be supported by specialist suites for education, wellbeing and exercise. High-end materials and finishes, combined with Beard’s reputation for quality and excellence will ensure greater levels of comfort, dignity and privacy for patients and their families. The In-Patient Unit will be attached to a two-storey concrete frame building. The ground floor will include the main reception and lobby, as well as kitchens, cafeteria and lounges. It will also house the main plant room, utility room and clinical rooms. The first floor will provide office facilities for Phyllis Tuckwell staff, who have been relocated to various temporary sites. The new hospice is due to be completed towards the end of 2025 and will be a much larger and more modern facility. It replaces the existing building which was built over 90 years ago and is no longer fit for purpose. With the first spade in the ground, work has begun to clear the site ready for the foundations to go in. Beard is working with the local residents and stakeholders to ensure all work is conducted safely. With limited access around the site, Beard will use a tower crane to manage deliveries and help with construction. Beard staff are also supporting the hospice in its fundraising efforts. Tom Jenkinson, Beard’s Guildford director, said: “Many of our team here live locally, so they are really enthusiastic about the difference this building will make to the local community. We are thrilled to be involved in this build and look forward to seeing it as it emerges from this ground-breaking event. It’s a great opportunity to utilise our expertise and experience in building high-quality, specialist healthcare facilities across the region and further afield.” Sarah Church, chief executive of Phyllis Tuckwell, added: “Around 17,000 people had been cared for on our In-Patient Unit, let alone the many thousands of others cared for at home, since the hospice was launched. As demand increases, this new chapter in our history means we will be able to care for many more thousands of local residents who will need us in the years to come. Given Beard’s reputation and experience in the sector, they are a tremendous fit to build our brand-new hospice.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A long-established housing developer has launched a new range of house types at one of its most popular developments. Russell Armer Homes has introduced 11 new house types to the market for the first time as it announces the release of the second phase of homes for sale at its Bowland Fold development in the Lancashire village of Halton. With just a handful of properties left in the initial phase, the new home builder is releasing a total of 22 three to four bedroom homes. The new phase of properties will be created at an elevated position on the site to give stunning views out towards Morecambe Bay, the city of Lancaster and the Forest of Bowland. The first of the new properties available for sale include the four-bedroom detached Howgill and Sanderling houses, and the three-bedroom detached Middleton home. Nicky Gordon, the Managing Director of Russell Armer Homes, said: “Launching brand new house types which have never been on the market before is a significant milestone for the company, and the team is really excited to see the reaction to the new homes. “Our houses at Bowland Fold have been an instant hit because of the high quality of build and energy efficiency levels, coupled with its location in the desirable village of Halton and its close proximity to the city of Lancaster. “The new homes we are rolling out guarantee the same excellent level of workmanship and will provide customers with modern features and extra comfort throughout the property. This is an extremely exciting development in Russell Armer’s long history.” In addition to its development at Halton, Russell Armer Homes has homes available at its Meadow Rigg development in the Lake District town of Kendal and is soon to launch new homes as part of the second phase of sales at Lunesdale Rise, in Kirkby Lonsdale. The company was founded in 1961 and is now owned by Penrith-based Genesis Homes following an acquisition deal in 2021. Find out more about the new developments at Bowland Fold in Halton by visiting www.russell-armer.co.uk/developments/bowland-fold. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Birmingham City Council has revealed a masterplan proposal for the regeneration of Druids Heath to the community at a launch event at Manningford Hall. The masterplan was developed after two years of work, talking with and listening to the community to create a plan that can meet the needs of the people who live and work in Druids Heath. Staff were at the launch event to answer questions and receive feedback from the community about the plans, with more events planned over the next few days. An extensive consultation on the plans will begin in the coming months before approval for the plans will be sought next year. The proposed regeneration aims to make Druids Heath a more sustainable and greener place to live in the long term. New high-quality, energy-efficient homes will be built alongside excellent green spaces. The commercial and community spaces in Druids Heath will also be revitalised as part of the plan. Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said: “The masterplan marks the beginning of a new chapter for the regeneration of Druids Heath. This new plan shows how Druids Heath will be transformed into a healthier, more sustainable area by building on its key strengths – community spirit and abundance of green space. “This regeneration scheme will build the types of homes we need to tackle climate change, reduce fuel bills, and contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions. It will also bring much-needed provisions for older residents so they can live healthy, independent lives for longer. New greenways will be built to better connect the estate within the community and the estate to the surrounding city. “The scheme goes beyond delivering new homes; the regeneration will create a sustainable, healthy community that will allow anyone who lives there to thrive. “While the masterplan is a big step forward for the scheme, much more work remains, and there will be more decisions to be made with the local community about the scheme. With that in mind, an independent steering group representing residents, stakeholders, and businesses is being established to help influence future decisions regarding the regeneration. “We also understand residents’ concerns about being priced out of the area. For this reason, the council is looking at how we can use different financial models to give residents an opportunity to remain on the estate. We will let residents know more about these models as soon as we are able. It is really important to the council that everyone who wants to stay in Druids Heath can do so. “Regenerating an area is always a lengthy process. For this reason, the council will bolster services for tenants on the estate by installing more CCTV, implementing a specific repairs service for Druids Heath, and increasing cleaning provision to tackle fly-tipping.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
