Network Rail, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council have commenced work to transform Eaglescliffe railway station and make it more accessible for passengers. A multi-million-pound project will see accessibility at the station improved with the installation of a new footbridge, with lifts added for the first time. Contractors
NBS’ 2024 Building Safety Survey reveals industry still ‘unsure’ of high-rise legislation… A new study by NBS, the UK’s leading specification platform, has found that nearly half of specifiers are still unsure of the responsibilities attached to the Building Safety Act 2022, a worrying sign that a high number of ‘knowledge gaps’
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, is progressing works on the new Barwell Medical Centre in Leicestershire. The new two-storey doctor’s surgery, located off High Street, Barwell, will replace the existing centre on Jersey Way, which is at capacity and unable to meet the growing demand for its services from the
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have handed over United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA)’s newest office building at Culham Campus. The new facility provides expanded office capacity with agile working space, new shared meeting amenities and collaborative breakout areas. In addition, it also features a new staff canteen and
TODAY Greater Manchester is taking its first step towards offering a property check to renters across the city region, empowering those who feel trapped in substandard housing. This morning, in Moss Side, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced a £600,000 package of measures to support tenants and clamp
Affordable housing provider SO Resi has recently launched its newest Shared Ownership scheme in the capital, with 37 homes at its SO Resi Canning Town development in Newham. Eager buyers are invited to find out more at two launch events at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Docklands from 10am – 4pm
With sustainability being a key focus for the built environment, encouraging conversation and educating industry professionals on the importance of designing and building future-proof buildings is absolutely essential. To that end, Pexhurst recently hosted an Industry Insights/CPD morning in partnership with Landways and Mitsubishi Electric. The morning, held at
Orbit, one of the UK’s foremost not-for-profit housing groups, has published its 2030 Corporate Strategy, outlining its ambitions for the next six years, including investing a significant amount in its customer journey, building and regenerating over 5,700 homes, and becoming Net Zero Carbon in its own operations. The Strategy sets
Pennyfarthing Homes has created a partnership with VIVID to construct 106 affordable homes within its development in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Covering nearly seven acres of land, this deal signifies a step towards addressing housing needs in the local community, allowing VIVID to make an impact on affordable housing provision. This deal
Invest Gatwick Diamond will exhibit at the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds next week. In a collaborative effort between local and regional authorities alongside private sector partners, The Gatwick Diamond Initiative and London Gatwick have pioneered the establishment of the region’s inaugural delegation, ‘Invest Gatwick
Network Rail, Tees Valley Combined Authority, and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council have commenced work to transform Eaglescliffe railway station and make it more accessible for passengers. A multi-million-pound project will see accessibility at the station improved with the installation of a new footbridge, with lifts added for the first time. Contractors BAM, working on behalf of Network Rail and the Tees Valley Combined Authority, have started on site. Once open, the new bridge will allow passengers to enter the station from its west side with a multi-storey car park, a project led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, also to be created – with improved access to Yarm and traffic signals on the Cleasby Way junction. The improvements will also see the existing footbridge and ramps refurbished, with a new bridge deck installed. Improved station facilities, such as new waiting areas and taxi office, are also being added as part of the project. The scheme is designed to improve the experience of passengers and make it easier to use as they travel by train. The car park and wider cycle improvements linking to and from the station are being funded by the Government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the Levelling Up Fund allocation for Stockton South respectively, secured by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. The new bridge is expected to be in place by winter 2024, with the lifts installed and available for passengers to use by autumn 2025. The station’s existing footbridge will remain open throughout the work but will close for refurbishment when the new bridge and lifts are open for use. Anna Weeks, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail’s North & East route, said: “This is a major milestone in the improvements we are going to deliver for the people of Eaglescliffe as they use their station. We want to make sure that every passenger can travel freely and easily by train and these upgrades will allow passengers to be able to do that. “It’s great that we can work together with our partners at the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council on this project to deliver a better passenger experience for people in the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NBS’ 2024 Building Safety Survey reveals industry still ‘unsure’ of high-rise legislation… A new study by NBS, the UK’s leading specification platform, has found that nearly half of specifiers are still unsure of the responsibilities attached to the Building Safety Act 2022, a worrying sign that a high number of ‘knowledge gaps’ persist within the industry. Findings from NBS’ Building Safety Survey showed that half of respondents were either unsure or had no idea of duty holder responsibilities for Higher Risk Buildings (HRB). What’s more, just 12% felt ‘very clear’, demonstrating that more industry-wide training is needed in the run-up to the 1st of April 2024, when the grace period around the Act ends. The figures could be seen as concerning given that around two in three respondents (66%) have past experience working on HRB projects (although these are more likely to be suppliers and contractors than architects). Delving deeper, nearly half (44%) of respondents are unsure or have no idea what steps to take within the new building safety regime. These figures come nearly a year after the BSA was passed in Parliament, first introduced back in July 2021. Surprisingly, the figures are almost identical to that seen in NBS’ 2022 report (43%), showing that understanding of legislation has seen little improvement in this area. Worrying still, was that attitudes towards the Golden Thread and the crucial role it plays within HRBs appeared lax. As well as providing a continuous flow of information throughout the entire lifecycle of a building, it ensures all relevant safety-related information is readily accessible and up to date. However, only around half of respondents (45%) were clear as to how they would manage building information to realise the Golden Thread and just one in ten had a solid plan in place. Again, these are similar to 2022 figures, where in fact, more people felt confident managing building information than they did in 2023 (+2%). This is despite the increasing number of advanced construction-tech platforms designed to help specifiers capture each decision-making stage to form the Golden Thread. However, despite the obvious informational disparities, the study did highlight some more reassuring stats, particularly around third-party testing and the information being supplied by manufacturers – which is increasing safety within specifications. The report flagged that nine out of ten suppliers now provide ‘clear and accurate’ building product data in a digital format. At least eight out of ten also provide third-party certification with their products and have robust internal sign-off and version control processes. Commenting on the survey’s results, David Bain, NBS’ Research Manager, said, “Consistency is the backbone of progress and the stakes have never been higher when it comes to HRBs. These studies serve to highlight ‘trouble spots’ and importantly, offer an understanding of how to take the industry forward as a whole.” Russell Haworth, Chief Executive Officer UKI at Byggfakta Group, NBS’ parent company, said “At our Construction Leaders’ Summit last October, Dame Judith Hackitt told the audience, in no uncertain terms, that regulatory change is coming, and it’s unstoppable, so the construction industry needs to be fully prepared. Fast-forward to April 2024, and our research shows many specifiers are struggling to get to grips with the requirements, and this needs to be resolved. All designers must have the correct approach to specifications if the industry is to raise the bar on building safety. This includes getting to grips with the ‘nitty gritty’ of the BSA if they want to operate in the new regulatory landscape.” To download NBS’ Building Safety Whitepaper, click here. To find out more about NBS, its services, and expertise, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson, is progressing works on the new Barwell Medical Centre in Leicestershire. The new two-storey doctor’s surgery, located off High Street, Barwell, will replace the existing centre on Jersey Way, which is at capacity and unable to meet the growing demand for its services from the local community. Due for completion in June 2024, the new medical centre will provide modern healthcare facilities to many more local people, with demand expected to grow from its current 6,400 to 11,000 users over the next five to ten years. The additional space at the new centre will allow it to provide a greater range of much-needed health services, including physiotherapy and mental health support. The new L-shaped building will consist of 12 consulting rooms, a space for minor surgical procedures with recovery facilities, a health promotion area, as well as 52 car parking spaces and six cycle racks. The centre will be constructed to BREEAM Excellent standards, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the new Medical Centre. Demolition works at the unused brownfield site have already taken place which saw the removal of a former vehicle workshop and warehouse. Adrian Grocock, Group Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “To be delivering this new contemporary medical facility which will enable more local people to access vital medical care, as well as its expanding specialist services, is a privilege. “G F Tomlinson is vastly experienced in the delivery of healthcare schemes and understand the incredibly important role they play in the local community. The team and I are looking forward to seeing this significant facility progress over the coming months.” Dr Mark Findlay, GP Partner at Barwell and Hollycroft Medical Centres said: “We are excited that after 17 years of planning, we will be moving into a purpose built, modern medical centre later this year. Over the last 10 years our practice list has increased by 50% to 14,600 patients across our two sites, and we have desperately needed a new building at Barwell. “After a challenging process obtaining NHS agreement and issues with planning and funding, we are relieved that we are close to providing the building our patients and staff deserve. The new medical centre is less than 500 metres from the existing site, closer to the local pharmacy and more accessible – being situated on the High Street, on the local bus route and having 52 parking spaces. “We have been delighted by our choice of contractor, GF Tomlinson, who have been incredibly supportive and professional throughout as well as being very considerate to our neighbours. Going above and beyond, they have been supporting the local community with food bank donations, Christmas tree collection and wood recycling.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have handed over United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA)’s newest office building at Culham Campus. The new facility provides expanded office capacity with agile working space, new shared meeting amenities and collaborative breakout areas. In addition, it also features a new staff canteen and coffee bar, external plaza space, and car parking provision located at the site entrance. Works included the construction of a four-storey office building arranged in an L-shape to provide two dual aspect office wings to the east and south, wrapping around a centralised core and atrium. The design ethos of the new office building is based around efficiency, adaptability and flexibility, identity, wellness, innovation, and sustainability. The building has achieved this vision, providing a flexible office environment that can be easily modified according to future needs and conditions. The central shared atrium space promotes wellbeing for its occupants and encourages innovation through collaboration. UKAEA’s Culham Campus is central to UKAEA’s mission to develop fusion energy. UKAEA believes that meeting the challenges of fusion requires collaboration across multiple industries and disciplines. UKAEA’s vision is for its facilities, such as the new office building, to support Culham Campus becoming a destination to inspire and grow the fusion community. External works also included the construction of an associated car park, the installation of incoming utilities, and the creation of a central landscape square and ‘garden’ spaces for staff and visitors. McLaughlin & Harvey has been identified as a supplier by UKAEA under the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework Construction Works & Associated Services. This was the third UKAEA scheme awarded to us through the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework Construction Works & Associated Services. Michael Kieran, McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Director, said, “We have enjoyed working in collaboration with our Client UKAEA to successfully complete their new office building. This is the third project we have completed for UKAEA under the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework. We look forward to continuing to deliver excellent results for UKAEA in the future.” Tim Bestwick, Deputy CEO at UKAEA commented, “The expansion and redevelopment of Culham Campus is an important part of UKAEA’s objectives – it is becoming an international centre of innovation, scientific advancement and excellence, fostering collaboration in pursuit of a more sustainable future.” Simon Peck, Interim Head of Campus and Property Development said “We aim to create an attractive and sustainable working environment as we strive to realise our goals for Culham Campus’ development and growth. The new office building embodies these objectives and has been built to a BREEAM Excellent standard.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TODAY Greater Manchester is taking its first step towards offering a property check to renters across the city region, empowering those who feel trapped in substandard housing. This morning, in Moss Side, the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham announced a £600,000 package of measures to support tenants and clamp down on rogue landlords, as part of a plan to rewire the rental system so it works for people, not against them. The Good Landlord Charter, set to be rolled out later this year, will work with landlords who are willing to improve the standard of the properties they rent out. The first in the UK, the Charter scheme will cover social and private rented sector housing and set out clear, practical, and accessible standards to drive up the quality of renting in Greater Manchester. For tenants whose landlords are not willing to work with us voluntarily, we will be launching a Property Check scheme – another UK first. This will help those who feel trapped by their housing situation by giving them the right to request a property check, carried out by local teams and followed up with enforcement action where necessary. Data shows that, throughout Greater Manchester, around 23 per cent (56,000) of private rented homes and just under 17 per cent (82,000) of all rented homes do not meet the legal Decent Homes Standard. But since many tenants feel unable to raise complaints for fear of eviction, it’s thought the true number of substandard rentals may be as high as 40 per cent. Our recent survey of private tenants in Greater Manchester found that in the past year: Greater Manchester is investing £150,000 in a pilot with Salford City Council and central government to explore how these checks can be used effectively and proactively and help identify properties that fall short of the Decent Homes Standard – a legal requirement when the Renters (Reform) Bill comes into law later this year. The Mayor will be asking the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to support the delivery of Property Checks. Our fire crews already visit around 30,000 homes a year, providing fire safety checks and work is under way to explore how they could deploy Property Checks as part of their work with our communities. To drive forward Greater Manchester’s plans to tackle the housing crisis, the Mayor has announced two more new pilot projects that will come into effect in the next 12 months, supporting the implementation of the Good Landlord Charter and the vision to become the UK’s first Housing First city-region: Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Today we drive forward the next phase of Greater Manchester’s mission to tackle the housing crisis and get serious about housing standards. “Everyone across our city-region deserves a good, safe, and secure home. It should be the starting point for a good life. It should not damage your health or be a source of concern and anxiety. “Sadly, too many people in Greater Manchester still find themselves in those situations, trapped in poorly maintained properties and in fear of unlawful eviction. But the days of bad landlords renting out unsafe and unfit homes are coming to an end. This new right to a property check for all residents, backed up with new measures to protect renters and take action against rogue landlords, will empower people across Greater Manchester and put us on course to become the UK’s only Housing First city-region.” The three pilot programmes, currently in development, support Greater Manchester’s plan to make sure every resident in our city-region can live in a good, safe home. Galvanising this plan will be the creation of a multi-agency Greater Manchester Housing First unit within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which will develop a strategy to drive up standards and bolster enforcement capacity across the board. The Mayor announced the package of measures today (Thursday 16 May) on a visit to a housing estate in Moss Side, Manchester. He was joined by Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council Executive Member for Housing and Development. Manchester City Council is currently consulting on proposals for new selective licensing schemes, which require private landlords or their managing agents to obtain a license before renting out a property. Their proposals would see the total number of private rented sector properties in the borough covered by selective licensing schemes rise from 2,000 to just under 4,000. For further information please contact the Communications and Engagement team on: news@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk. Find us on social media @greatermcr. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Affordable housing provider SO Resi has recently launched its newest Shared Ownership scheme in the capital, with 37 homes at its SO Resi Canning Town development in Newham. Eager buyers are invited to find out more at two launch events at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Docklands from 10am – 4pm on 18th & 25th May, strictly by appointment only. The apartments at SO Resi Canning Town have all been stylishly designed with comfort in mind, offering low maintenance modern living. All homes come with Koncept kitchens and integrated Zanussi appliances, whilst the wider development offers landscaped communal areas and gardens. Offering an accessible pathway onto the property ladder, SO Resi Canning Town presents an opportunity for individuals and families to own a stake in vibrant London living. The development will introduce 37 Shared Ownership homes, with a range of one to three-bedroom apartments and is set to hit the property market off-plan this May, with a show home following shortly in June with prices from £96,875 for a 25% share (full market value £387,500). Shared Ownership offers lower deposit requirements and the flexibility to gradually increase ownership over time. Prospective buyers can secure a share of their desired property, ranging from 25% to 75% of its market value at SO Resi Canning Town, while benefitting from below-market rent on the remaining portion. As such, the launch of SO Resi’s new development marks a significant step towards addressing the need for affordable options in London, particularly in sought-after locations like Canning Town. Kevin Sims, Director of Sales at SO Resi, commented: “With Newham Council’s £3.7 billion regeneration project for Canning Town, the area is quickly becoming a sought-after area of London. The unpredictability of the housing market coupled with high pricing has been putting aspiring homeowners at a major disadvantage compared to previous generations of home buyers. At SO Resi, we aim to level the playing field by offering more opportunities for Shared Ownership solutions. “Our properties at our Canning Town development are the perfect example of this aim. Proposed plans from Newham Council means the new town centre is set to be home to a new community hub, cinema, shops, office spaces, as well as brand new Shared Ownership homes, underscoring the increased popularity of Shared Ownership as an option for prospective homeowners[1]. By choosing from our 37 Shared Ownership properties available at our SO Resi Canning Town development, prospective homeowners are set to gain a foothold in London’s property market alongside becoming a part of a vibrant and emerging community.[2]” Canning Town is an up-and-coming area of London with excellent transport links. Canning Town Station serves both the DLR and Jubilee Line. On the DLR, residents can access Tower Gateway to the east in 15 minutes and Gallions Reach to the east within 12 minutes. On the Jubilee Line, residents can commute to Canary Wharf within five minutes and London Bridge within 10 minutes. Canning Town is also in striking distance of London City Airport for locations further afield. Plus, regular bus services connect Canning Town to destinations like Trafalgar Square, Bethnal Green, Newham Hospital, Aldgate, Walthamstow Central and Romford Market. Canning Town also boasts a diverse range of restaurants, cafes and grocery options, excellent for adventurous foodies looking to find a new home. SO Resi Canning Town is expected to launch off-plan in May, with properties ready for occupancy by the end of 2024. Prospective buyers are invited to the launch events on May 18th & 25th from the Crowne Plaza Hotel Docklands from 10am-4pm strictly by appointment only. To register your interest for this event, please visit: https://soresi.co.uk/find-a-property/so-resi-canning-town [1] https://www.newham.gov.uk/regeneration-1/canning-town-custom-house [2] https://www.newham.gov.uk/regeneration-1/canning-town-custom-house Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With sustainability being a key focus for the built environment, encouraging conversation and educating industry professionals on the importance of designing and building future-proof buildings is absolutely essential. To that end, Pexhurst recently hosted an Industry Insights/CPD morning in partnership with Landways and Mitsubishi Electric. The morning, held at Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in Liverpool Street, London, began with a warm welcome and registration at 8.15am, followed by breakfast that provided all attendees with an opportunity to network and connect with like-minded professionals from various sectors across the industry. Landways delivered the opening CPD session on multi-use digital and DC power infrastructure design and how this can help deliver smarter, greener solutions. The in-depth Q&A session that followed allowed those attending to engage directly with the experts, address queries about the sustainability advantages it could bring and deepen their understanding. Mitsubishi Electric then took to the stage to present the importance of retrofitting building stock and why choosing heat pump technology as a low-carbon solution could be pivotal for the future of the industry. Additionally, the session highlighted what good looks like and how it can be achieved. Following the event, the attendees completed a survey to review the Industry Insights morning and give their feedback. The respondents highlighted the importance of face-to-face interactions and the networking opportunities in-person events offer. One attendee commented: “The morning was incredibly informative and there was a good mix of clients and consultants in attendance. Great work team Pexhurst!” Delighted with the turnout for the event and the conversations created, Pexhurst Director Nick Tagliarini said: “This was our second Industry Insights/ CPD morning, following the success of our first, last year. We were absolutely thrilled with the turnout and the attendees were keen to learn and engage with the content. “It was another hugely successful event and we were incredibly grateful for the valuable contributions from our partners, Landways and Mitsubishi Electric.” Pexhurst remains committed to industry excellence and creating opportunities for professionals to keep up-to-date on the latest advancements and best practices in the industry. Follow us on LinkedIn to stay informed on all relevant industry news – https://www.linkedin.com/company/pexhurst-services-limited/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orbit, one of the UK’s foremost not-for-profit housing groups, has published its 2030 Corporate Strategy, outlining its ambitions for the next six years, including investing a significant amount in its customer journey, building and regenerating over 5,700 homes, and becoming Net Zero Carbon in its own operations. The Strategy sets out how Orbit plans to continue to provide safe, sustainable, and affordable homes that its customers are proud to live in, by delivering and regenerating 5,700 new homes sustainably, investing in the safety, quality, and energy efficiency of its homes, and ensuring a laser-sharp focus on its customers’ priorities. Developed in collaboration with customers and colleagues, Orbit’s 2030 Strategy will also see a significant amount invested in its customer journey, to further improve its customer experience and ensure it delivers the services its customers value the most. Orbit will also focus on building on its commitment set out in its Sustainability Strategy to deliver £100million worth of Social Value by 2025, by optimising efficiencies and value for money, to enable it to do more for its customers and society, as well as deliver more new affordable homes. Phil Andrew, Chief Executive of Orbit Group, commented: “We are at an exciting and pivotal point in Orbit’s journey. Our 2030 Strategy is a valuable opportunity to renew our strategic approach and realise our ambition of striving to provide amongst the best customer experience of any housing association in the country. We’ll look to achieve this by building and maintaining safe, quality homes that our customers love, both sustainably and at scale, all supported by excellent customer service. “We have a lot to do within a complex and ever-changing external environment. However, as a socially-driven, not-for-profit organisation, with a growing reputation as a quality developer, we are confident that we will be able to sharpen our operational focus through the lens of our customers, as well as play our part in tackling the UK’s housing crisis through the delivery of 5,700 new homes.” Orbit’s 2030 Strategy focuses delivery in two phases with a stage gate in 2026 to check progress and adapt if necessary: “Our 2030 Strategy reshapes our approach to create a more sustainable and resilient business model in the long-term.” Phil continues. “By implementing a stage gate to both review progress and take stock of the external environment in which we are operating, it will allow us to further increase the positive impact we can make now and in the future.” Orbit’s 2030 Corporate Strategy is also supported by its Sustainability Strategy which sets out how it will ensure everything it does maximises its positive social and environmental impacts from becoming Net Zero Carbon and delivering on its 30×30 biodiversity target, to improving energy affordability for customers today, whilst also providing energy efficient homes that meet the needs of the future. To read Orbit’s 2030 Strategy visit: https://orbitgroup.org.uk/about-us/our-2030-strategy/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pennyfarthing Homes has created a partnership with VIVID to construct 106 affordable homes within its development in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. Covering nearly seven acres of land, this deal signifies a step towards addressing housing needs in the local community, allowing VIVID to make an impact on affordable housing provision. This deal strengthens an ongoing relationship between Pennyfarthing Homes and VIVID, following the sale of 14 affordable homes in its Whitsbury Green development. Matt Dukes, Managing Director of Pennyfarthing Homes, comments: “This housing transaction is poised to start a new chapter of affordable, high-quality homes for Fordingbridge, promising lasting benefits for the town and its neighbouring areas. Working in collaboration with VIVID, we are committed to building residences that epitomise the high standards of any Pennyfarthing home, ensuring that the VIVID customers enjoy quality and comfort. We look forward to working with VIVID on this development and hope we can continue to work closely with this leading housing provider in Hampshire.” Construction of the affordable homes will commence in November this year preceded by groundworks starting in June. VIVID will take delivery of a mixed-tenure development which will include market housing, shared ownership and affordable rent options. The scheme will include a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments, two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and two- and three-bedroom bungalows, appealing to a wide customer profile. Surrounded by open space, including an area of play and a natural recreational green space, residents will enjoy easy access to walking and cycling paths across the community connecting to the town centre and schools safely. Each property will come with allocated parking, with larger homes boasting a garage or carport, while every house or bungalow will include a private rear garden. Tristan Samuels, Group Development and New Business Director of VIVID, comments: “We are really pleased to be working in partnership with Pennyfarthing Homes on this project. We firmly believe that everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home and this investment is a step towards addressing the shortage of affordable homes in the south. We are committed to making a positive impact on communities by providing accessible housing solutions that enhance lives and creating communities to thrive in”. This phase of new homes in Fordingbridge will also include six First Homes which will be available directly from Pennyfarthing Homes. The Government’s initiative supports home ownership for local first-time buyers and key workers living and working in the New Forest area. Completions are expected from Autumn 2025. This development sits alongside Pennyfarthing’s current scheme at Whitsbury Green. These interlinking phases in Fordingbridge ensure there is something for the whole community to enjoy, with expansive outside space on the doorstep, including a trail play area, comprising an obstacle course to promote fitness and outdoor activity for young people. This is combined with extensive accessible countryside alongside footpaths with beautiful vistas and attractive walkways for strolling to the village. With 140 miles of cycle tracks and footpaths close by residents will have no shortage of options for enjoying all the New Forest has to offer. For more details on the homes available from Pennyfarthing please visit https://www.pennyfarthinghomes.co.uk/developments/ or call 01425 541818. For more details on VIVID visit VIVID | Leading providers of affordable housing (vividhomes.co.uk) Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Invest Gatwick Diamond will exhibit at the UK Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds next week. In a collaborative effort between local and regional authorities alongside private sector partners, The Gatwick Diamond Initiative and London Gatwick have pioneered the establishment of the region’s inaugural delegation, ‘Invest Gatwick Diamond’. This delegation will present the region’s offerings to over 10,000 attendees. Representatives from Sussex, Surrey, West Kent, and South London, including Crawley Borough Council, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Croydon Council, Develop Croydon, Invest West Kent, SHW, and Oander, comprise the delegation, supported by The Gatwick Diamond Initiative and London Gatwick. Located in the UKREiiF exhibition hall, the stand will provide a premier platform for engagement with investors, developers, occupiers, and local authorities throughout the three-day event. The Invest Gatwick Diamond stand will also play host to a Sparkling Wine Tasting event on 21 May and Wednesday 22 May at 3:30pm, sponsored by Birketts. The event will offer participants the opportunity to learn about the region’s unique viticulture, whilst sampling award-winning sparkling wines from the renowned Ridgeview Wine Estate. Brett North, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, expressed anticipation, stating, “We are delighted to bring the region’s unique selling points and investment potential to UKREiiF, recognising the significance of positioning our region to the UK’s real estate, infrastructure, and inward investment professionals.” Alison Addy, Head of External Engagement and Policy at London Gatwick, underscored the importance of promoting the region for inward investment. She added, “As the UK’s second largest airport, a vital piece of infrastructure that helps drive the national economy, and as the region’s economic anchor, London Gatwick is proud to be a partner and advocate for a thriving and resilient local economy. It is important that we promote the region to drive inward investment and position it as an attractive place to live, work and invest. So, we’re looking forward to doing just that in partnership with the local authorities and major stakeholders in the region at UKREiiF in May.” Keith Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of UKREiiF, said: “We’re pleased that Gatwick Diamond will be joining us at UKREiiF 2024. Their commitment to economic growth and regional development perfectly aligns with the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our event.” Organised by Built Environment Networking and supported by prominent UK property and infrastructure companies, the third annual UKREiiF event is set to take place in Leeds from 21-23 May 2024. The forum aims to foster inward investment, stimulate economic growth, and champion sustainability and inclusivity within the property and construction industries. For further details, please visit: https://investgatwickdiamond.co.uk/ukreiif-2024/ For interview or meeting opportunities with our delegation, please contact Amy Crawford acrawford@wlcreative.org.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
