Announced during UKREiiF, Blackpool Council is seeking a development partner for 30,000 sqm of land at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. Work to build an £18m road to access the development plots has started and is expected to complete in late 2025, with the land released slightly earlier for construction. Once
A new aquifer-fed open loop heat pump-based energy centre has been designed to offer the University of Nottingham an effective route to decarbonising its campus with an initial focus on the Law and Social Sciences Building and the Hallward Library. Silcock Leedham Group, an RSK company, has worked on the
Construction has commenced on an 8-bed Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for Dorset HealthCare at their Alumhurst Road site in Bournemouth. Designed by Medical Architecture alongside the NHS Trust and being built by Kier Construction, the new building will take advantage of its
Comline Group, a global automotive parts supplier known for its Comline, Motaquip and Allied Nippon brands, is set to relocate its UK headquarters to Goodman’s Bedford Commercial Park. Following significant business growth, the company will occupy 70,000 sq ft of modern, high-bay warehousing and contemporary office space, supporting plans to
A night of glitz, glamour and safety excellence… The dazzling lights of the RoSPA Awards 2024, sponsored by Croner-i, illuminated a night to remember on May 14th, as over 1300 health and safety visionaries came together at the five-star JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London to celebrate their unwavering commitment to
Engineering, design, and advisory practice, Buro Happold, has been awarded a leading place on the National Heat Network Zoning Programme to provide National Zoning Methodology, Commercial, Technical and Project Management Support to the UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). From 2025 national Heat Network Zoning policy
Liverpool City Region has unveiled images of the new £100 million Liverpool Baltic Station scheme, one of four planned stations. Recently re-elected Liverpool City Region, Mayor Steve Rotheram, has committed to completing the project by the end of 2027 which is a year ahead of its current schedule. Plans for
Lanark Station has received a substantial boost following a significant investment from Network Rail and the Railway Heritage Trust. The renovation work on the Grade B listed platform 2 building roof and canopy at Lanark station was successfully concluded by the end of 2023. This effort has extended the lifespan
As over 12,000 delegates gather in Leeds this week for UKREiiF – the biggest property conference in the country – new research shows that younger people in Leeds are keen to stay in the ‘vibrant and friendly’ city but are worried about being priced out of the area because of
Leading deposit alternative provider flatfair has announced a major new partnership with Dandara Living, one of the UK’s leading independent property development firms and a renowned name in the Build to Rent sector. Dandara joins an impressive list of well-known players in the industry who are already using flatfair’s deposit
BDC 318 : Jul 2024
Announced during UKREiiF, Blackpool Council is seeking a development partner for 30,000 sqm of land at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone. Work to build an £18m road to access the development plots has started and is expected to complete in late 2025, with the land released slightly earlier for construction. Once the road is open, the site will be accessible by car and HGV just five minutes off the M55 motorway, while it also sits next to Blackpool Airport, which services chartered and business jets, and can operate aircraft up to B737 Max. The site already has been granted planning permission for employment purposes, with the preferred use a series of industrial units catered to the advanced manufacturing, energy, food and drink and digital sectors. The development plots, which could cater for units ranging from 15,000 sq ft to 75,000 sq ft, will be available from summer 2025 and will be targeted for industrial and warehouse use, specifically aimed at advanced manufacturing, energy, food and drink production and digital technology sectors. Plots on the Eastern Gateway will be provided with bell mouths off the highway, landscaping and access to individual secondary substations, while the wider site offers sustainable cycleways and transport routes, as well as green drainage and landscaping. Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone also hosts the ‘North Atlantic Loop’ subsea cable, carrying up to one-third of the world’s internet traffic. This means the site can access high capacity, ultra-low latency access to some of the world’s fastest, most reliable internet speeds. Equally, a data centre quarter – Silicon Sands – is being developed at a separate site on the Enterprise Zone in the coming years. Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Levelling Up (Place) at Blackpool Council, said: “The Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is becoming a premier business destination for the North West, with a number of leading national and international manufacturing companies already located here. “For developers, we have made great progress on the infrastructure, with power, internet and water being delivered to the site, and a brand-new landscaped access road available next year. With a large element of the risk taken out of the site, this allows a developer to work with us to realise our ambitions of creating more high quality jobs in the local area over the next few years.” The full Expression of Interest (EOI) document can be found at www.blackpoolez.com or by emailing ez@blackpool.gov.uk and developers are asked to submit proposals by 1 July 2024. Support to build the new access road at the Enterprise Zone has been provided through a £7.5m grant from HM Government Town Fund, while architectural support has been provided by Cassidy and Ashton and Wildes Consulting. The highway is being constructed by George Cox & Sons Ltd. For more information on the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, visit www.blackpoolez.com.
A new aquifer-fed open loop heat pump-based energy centre has been designed to offer the University of Nottingham an effective route to decarbonising its campus with an initial focus on the Law and Social Sciences Building and the Hallward Library. Silcock Leedham Group, an RSK company, has worked on the project with WM Saunders, the project’s lead designers. The Law and Social Sciences Building and Hallward Library, which officially opened in 1960 and 1973, respectively, are currently connected to a gas-fired district heating system commissioned in 1954 to heat the campus. The buildings are to be removed from the network as part of the university’s decarbonisation strategy, and an alternative, sustainable heating and cooling system will be introduced. Work on-site is expected to begin in July 2024 and will include building the water source heat pump infrastructure on campus. Once complete, the new infrastructure is estimated to save around 500 tonnes of CO₂ per annum, according to engineers at Silcock Leedham Group. This is the equivalent of 250 return flights from London to New York or enough CO₂ to fill 500 hot air balloons. Silcock Leedham Group Associate Sean Kitchingman said: “Finding a substantive viable alternative to the current heating system that meets the university’s carbon management plan was a challenge. These are big buildings that were built to older building construction standards and regulations when energy preservation and reducing carbon emissions were not a priority – we needed to find a system that offered sufficient low-carbon heat to maintain internal building temperatures required for learning and comfort and to maximise energy efficiency at the same time. A conversation between the Silcock Leedham Group team and Carbon Zero Consulting led to the mixed open loop water source heat pump energy centre and air source heat pump type solution that the university has opted to install. “To make this possible, the systems will use the abundant groundwater and atmospheric air renewable energy sources to supply the heat pump-based systems. The groundwater will be sourced from the Sherwood Sandstone aquifer, which flows directly below the campus. Once installed, these systems will be low carbon, using the heat energy contained within the surrounding air and groundwater to provide heating and cooling to the buildings at scale.” University of Nottingham Director of Property, Space and Development Andy Nolan said: “The programme of investment in the Law and Social Sciences Building and Hallward Library to improve energy efficiency and connect to a low-carbon energy centre is a key part of the university’s decarbonisation plan. We’re committed to decarbonising how we heat buildings and lowering our use of natural gas – this project is a key part of that.” Alongside the specialist mechanical and electrical engineering and energy and sustainability services brought by the team at Silcock Leedham group, sister company Carbon Zero Consulting provided hydrogeology advice. Carbon Zero Consulting Associate Technical Director Dr Anna Hitchmough said: “The groundwater in the aquifer that sits beneath the university will provide a low-carbon energy source to deliver energy to the new heating system. In order to use this as a resource, an open loop ground source heat pump borehole feasibility study enabled borehole drilling and field testing to be planned. This work allowed detailed design works to establish the most efficient way to harness the energy contained within the water through correct borehole design and placement. As the project progresses, the Carbon Zero Consulting team will assist in detailed borehole testing and gaining full Environment Agency approval and licensing for the works.” Sean said: “Decarbonising these buildings came with numerous engineering, sustainability and energy challenges. The current approach makes the most of the stable and abundant renewable heat energy from the Sherwood aquifer running directly below the campus and the surrounding air. By using a number of abstraction and reinjection boreholes for the ground source heat pump system, we can gain a direct connection to this source. The installation of modern high temperature heat pumps and air source heat pumps serving the air handling units in the Hallward Library will meet the existing heating and cooling demand of the buildings.” The works are expected to take one year after beginning in July Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction has commenced on an 8-bed Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for Dorset HealthCare at their Alumhurst Road site in Bournemouth. Designed by Medical Architecture alongside the NHS Trust and being built by Kier Construction, the new building will take advantage of its elevated woodland site to create a safe and therapeutic space for the recovery of a vulnerable patient group. There is currently a shortage of facilities in the south of England for children and young people with an acute mental health illness who cannot be safely cared for on a General Adolescent Unit. This proposed facility will enable staff to effectively treat patients who display highly complex and challenging behaviours, in a secure and dignified setting. Suitable for patients between 12 and 18 years old, the building includes 8 inpatient beds, day spaces, a two-classroom school facility, treatment spaces, tribunal room, seclusion room, de-escalation room and an extra-care suite. Utilising a site of natural quality The site for the new unit is close to an existing Grade II* Listed hospital building and features attractive grounds that provide a secluded and therapeutic setting. The building design has been influenced by the challenges and opportunities presented by the site’s constraints, as well as the very specific requirements of the patient group. Taking advantage of the steeply sloping site and woodland setting, the new building is located on an existing plateau, elevating the patient accommodation so there is a direct connection to the surrounding tree canopies. Staff accommodation is located at a lower ground floor level, with access to an external landscaped area and attractive views from their working environment. Specialist facilities for a vulnerable patient group Considering the complex needs of the patient group, the building has been designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients and staff. Clear zoning of accommodation enables patients to co-exist in harmony with opportunities for separation to de-escalate tension. All patient accommodation and clinical space is located on a single level, linked by comfortably wide circulation, enabling an ease of movement between zones, and clear sight lines for staff to manage risk. A large central courtyard acts as a focal point to the patient accommodation, providing a secure and accessible outdoor area for activity. Day spaces, including a television room, games room, and lounge, are arranged around the courtyard offering a choice of engaging views to the surrounding woodland. Characterised by generous amounts of glazing, they offer bright, vibrant environments with opportunities for passive observation. Through a choreographed approach to placemaking, strategically located rooflights highlight a series of special spaces within the building, including a snug seating area within the central corridor. A calming environment with personal spaces The ensuite bedrooms form an important safe sanctuary for the young patients and have been designed to provide a comfortable and private space with good daylight. A large secure window, combined with the stepped nature of the landscape, provides a sense of being nestled among the treetops. A generous window seat provides a personal space that encourages calm contemplation, while looking out onto a biodiverse landscape. The bed and wardrobe have been designed as bespoke built-in joinery, subtly integrating the requirements for safety and robustness, whilst providing a display for personal items to create a familiar environment. Delivering quality and value on a sensitive site The new building is to be positioned at the rear of the existing hospital site at a lower elevation to the main access route and listed building. As a result, the roof forms a prominent visual feature which is key to the sensitive response to the building’s context. The design proposes a high-quality standing seam zinc roof finish and a buff brick base which complement the heritage buildings on the site, creating a simple and elegant form. One of the early cohort of the New Hospital Programme, the scheme has helped to define future New Hospital Programme projects in terms of forward-thinking buildability and room standardisation. Early work to rationalise the required volume of accommodation will deliver a quality environment against challenging budgetary constraints. The new facilities will enable Dorset HealthCare to provide a high-quality service for young people closer to home and their support network, resulting in reduced waiting times for admissions, faster recovery, and reduced cost to the NHS. This will all be delivered in a healing environment which exploits the quality of its therapeutic setting. Yvonne Ophaus, Associate at Medical Architecture, said: “It has been a pleasure to contribute to the development of a much-needed facility in such a unique location. The unit’s distinctive requirements, coupled with the complex topography of the site, presented challenges that we successfully navigated through close collaboration with the client, the design team, and the contractor. Set against a stunning backdrop, the unit will enhance the provision of care, and provide a therapeutic environment for a vulnerable patient group.” Matthew Bryant, Chief Executive at Dorset HealthCare, said:“This facility will represent a major step forward for children’s mental health services in Dorset. It will allow us to care for seriously ill young people close to family and friends in purpose-built, modern accommodation, greatly reducing the need for out-of-area placements and improving their chances of recovery. “We are very pleased with the design of the facility, developed in conjunction with our construction partner Kier, alongside patients, staff and peer specialists. It has taken into account the constraints and sensitivities of the site, and we are confident it will provide a first-class environment which meets both the clinical and educational needs of our patients.” Cheryl Parsons, Regional Director at Kier Construction Southern, said: “Using our extensive expertise in the healthcare sector, we are proud to be working with Dorset Healthcare to deliver these much-needed new facilities to support the needs of local residents.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Comline Group, a global automotive parts supplier known for its Comline, Motaquip and Allied Nippon brands, is set to relocate its UK headquarters to Goodman’s Bedford Commercial Park. Following significant business growth, the company will occupy 70,000 sq ft of modern, high-bay warehousing and contemporary office space, supporting plans to expand its operations and strengthen its service offering to customers across the world. Strategically located, just seven miles from Junction 13 of the M1, Bedford Commercial Park is ideally situated to provide a highly efficient distribution and logistics operation. Just 30 miles from Greater London it offers excellent connectivity, reducing delivery times and placing 90% of the country within a four-hour drive. The high-capacity and efficient building design will not only maximise internal storage volumes but will see Comline Group realise significant efficiency gains in picking and packing customer orders. This includes an extensive product range of almost 14,000 parts, spanning 46 different product categories. Delivered to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification and achieving an A+ energy performance rating, the new facility will support the business in reducing its energy use. It features a maximised rooftop system of solar PV, electric vehicle (EV) charging points and infrastructure for future EV fleets, all helping to reduce its operational carbon footprint. The move signifies an exciting new era for the company as it targets future growth across its network of UK motor factor customers, owned subsidiaries in Greece, Ireland and Spain, and distribution partners in more than 50 countries worldwide. Comline Group Managing Director, Ishan Kamdar, commented: “Our relocation is momentous for the Comline Group business and marks the beginning of an inspiring new chapter. New headquarters represent not only a physical expansion but the opportunity to take every aspect of our business to new heights.” As one of the most significant growth areas in the country, Bedford benefits from a large local labour pool and excellent transport links. With specialisation in the advanced engineering, food manufacturing and technology sectors, the area is home to global companies such as Unilever, Richardson International and Fujifilm, and continues to provide an attractive base for businesses across a range of industries. Nigel Dolan, Development Director at Goodman, said: “We’re excited to be working with Comline Group as it enters its next phase of growth. With fast access to more than 30 million consumers within a two-hour drive, Bedford Commercial Park’s strategic location will support the business to achieve greater supply chain efficiencies and continue to provide the high levels of customer service the brand has built itself upon.” Phase 2 at Bedford Commercial Park is now fully let, with Comline Group set to join global customers Amazon and Expeditors, as well as Bedford Borough Council’s innovative i-Worx Engineering Hub, which provides modern workshop space for start-ups and expanding local businesses. Mayor Tom Wootton of Bedford Borough Council added: “It’s fantastic that another growing organisation chose Bedford Borough as its home. The Council has played a part by utilising its assets and directly supporting the business to relocate to Bedford. Any opportunity for business growth is always a positive indicator of the Council’s open for business position, which I champion. “Our strategic location, excellent infrastructure and skilled workforce will continue to make it a desirable location for investors. The Council will continue to work relentlessly to attract high value businesses to the borough.” To find out more about the remaining opportunities at the next phases of Bedford Commercial Park, please visit the website for further details. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A night of glitz, glamour and safety excellence… The dazzling lights of the RoSPA Awards 2024, sponsored by Croner-i, illuminated a night to remember on May 14th, as over 1300 health and safety visionaries came together at the five-star JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London to celebrate their unwavering commitment to safety leadership. Under the charismatic hosting of comedian Zoe Lyons, the evening sparkled with energy and excitement. A poignant speech by Lord Jordan stirred emotions, championing UK and international businesses, celebrating their passion for making the world a safer place. In what is her first year as RoSPA’s Chief Executive, Rebecca Hickman honoured the profound impact of the awardees’ dedication to safety, acknowledging guests as ‘the best of the best, saving lives before they were ever known to be in danger.’ She also announced that His Majesty King Charles III is the charity’s new patron following a review of more 1,000 royal patronages since the King ascended to the throne in 2022. King Charles succeeds his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who served as RoSPA’s patron for over 70 years. Who was awarded what? Facilities management company, EMCOR UK, clinched the highest accolade in the RoSPA Awards, the prestigious Sir George Earle Trophy, a testament to their unyielding dedication to safety standards. Their triumph resonated throughout the hall, with Jonathan Gawthrop, Executive Director Risk & Sustainability collecting the organisation’s trophy on stage. In the construction sector, Morrison Energy Services was presented with the Construction (commercial) Award, Chevron Traffic Management cinched the Construction (engineering) Award, and Berkeley Capital was awarded the Housebuilding and Property Development Trophy, highlighting excellence across diverse segments of the industry. Cambridge Weight Plan scooped the top award for food and drink manufacturing, while L’Oreal North Little Rock were crowned winners of the Manufacturing Award. Nordex UK and Ireland scooped the Renewable Energy Sector Award, sponsored by Alba, while the Public Sector and Local Government Award was won by Trent & Dove Housing, with the Department for Work and Pensions and Orbit Housing commended. For a full list of winners, please email the press office: pressoffice@rospa.com The RoSPA Awards are considered a valuable method for gaining international acknowledgment, for organisations who want to lead the way in health and safety excellence and get top-level recognition for their hard work and initiatives. RoSPA Award judges include a wealth of highly experienced senior occupational health and safety professionals and consultants, and a main award judging panel chaired by Dee Arp, Chief Operations Officer at NEBOSH, and other in-house experts and selection panels. Matt Cryer, Head of Awards at RoSPA, said: “Last night’s celebration isn’t just about accolades; it’s a testament to the profound impact of dedication, innovation, and collaboration in health and safety. These awards honour not only achievements, but the tireless efforts of individuals and organisations dedicated to making our world safer for everyone.” Ben Chaplin, Managing Director at Croner-i, said: “As proud sponsors of the RoSPA Awards, we are thrilled to stand alongside these distinguished leaders in safety excellence. Their unwavering commitment to fostering safer environments aligns seamlessly with our own values, and we are delighted to support their outstanding achievements.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Engineering, design, and advisory practice, Buro Happold, has been awarded a leading place on the National Heat Network Zoning Programme to provide National Zoning Methodology, Commercial, Technical and Project Management Support to the UK Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). From 2025 national Heat Network Zoning policy will come into force which will seek to decarbonise heat through zoning and scheme development across England and Wales. Government expects heat networks and heat pumps to be the preferred means of decarbonising heat from buildings. Almost 3% of the UK’s heat demand is currently met through heat networks. By 2050, this number is expected to reach 20%. Under heat network zoning, areas will be identified where heat networks are expected to provide the lowest-cost, low carbon heating. This should also provide developers and investors with more certainty about the number of likely connections to networks to help unlock the billions of pounds of investment needed to build them. Alasdair Young, Partner and Global Energy Lead said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Department with this important transformation of our energy infrastructure. Place based decarbonisation is key to reducing emissions and improving our energy security. Our energy specialists have been developing city and town-scale networks which capture waste heat recycling it to heat homes, schools, hospitals, and offices. Heat zoning can accelerate the deployment of these networks by de-risking the investment needed. In return the heat network sector needs to offer customers reliable and affordable heat as it becomes a regulated industry. Heat network zoning will help remove barriers to greener, cheaper heat that currently limit the scale and pace of developing heat networks and encourage investment. At the same time, this should allow for large-scale strategic heat networks to be built across the country. Under the plans: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Region has unveiled images of the new £100 million Liverpool Baltic Station scheme, one of four planned stations. Recently re-elected Liverpool City Region, Mayor Steve Rotheram, has committed to completing the project by the end of 2027 which is a year ahead of its current schedule. Plans for Liverpool Baltic station include step-free access from street to train, passenger waiting facilities, fully accessible passenger toilets, secured monitored cycle parking and links to an enhanced local active travel network. The new station is part of Mayor Rotheram’s “Merseyrail for All” commitment to reach communities that are currently not connected to the local rail network by utilising the region’s new pioneering battery-powered technology, which has made it possible to extend the lines beyond current boundaries. Additionally, there is hope that the new stations will encourage more residents to opt for public transportation over cars, aligning with the Mayor’s ambitious goal to achieve net zero by 2035, the most ambitious target set for a city region in the nation. Mayor Rotheram has also pledged to build three new stations in Daresbury in Halton, Woodchurch on the Wirral and Carr Mill in St Helens, with work on all three set to begin by the end of the decade, ensuring that every borough in the city region will have a brand-new station since he took office in 2017. Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Since I have been Mayor, I have worked around the clock to ensure our area has better connectivity so that people get to enjoy a reliable, accessible, affordable and integrated public transport network that helps, rather than hinders people getting around. “There are some unique challenges with the design of the site given that the station platform is subterranean. However, these plans for Liverpool Baltic further demonstrate our ambitions for the future of public transport in our area – a modern, fully accessible network with state-of-the-art infrastructure that unlocks opportunities for people and businesses. Liverpool Baltic is just the first in a pipeline of new stations we will be delivering over the next few years to ensure we are connecting local people to each other and to the opportunities we are creating.” Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for Growth and Economy, said: “The new Liverpool Baltic station has huge potential to help drive the economic growth of this part of the city centre and will act as a vital service for the long-standing residential community. Its development will also complement the Council’s plans to improve the public realm in the area for both residents and visitors alike. The next few years should define the future of the Baltic Triangle for decades to come and these new images and the pending public consultation is an exciting chapter in this unfolding story.” Maisie Hogan, Network Rail sponsor, commented: “We are pleased to see the CGI images bring the exciting plans for Liverpool Baltic station to life. We welcome the investment in the rail network and we’re delighted to be working with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and other stakeholders to deliver the design of this project.” Information gathered from the consultation will be used to finalise the designs ahead of the planning application. Subject to approval, it is expected work will begin on site in 2025, with the station planned for opening by the end of 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lanark Station has received a substantial boost following a significant investment from Network Rail and the Railway Heritage Trust. The renovation work on the Grade B listed platform 2 building roof and canopy at Lanark station was successfully concluded by the end of 2023. This effort has extended the lifespan of each component by up to 25 years. Prior to the renovation, both structures were in a state of disrepair, with deteriorating timbers posing a risk of the Georgian wired glazing panels slipping and potentially causing harm. Engineers conducted extensive rot repairs and implemented new slate coverings, lead flashings and a modern ‘twinfix’ polycarbonate glazing system. Furthermore, the building has been rendered wind and watertight for future occupants, with the Railway Heritage Trust providing £75,000 in grant funding towards the £310,000 project cost. Valerie McMillan, senior asset engineer, Network Rail, said: “We are delighted with the end result following the completion of works by our framework contractor CPMS, and sub-contractors Kerr Roofing and Eradakil Joinery and Preservation. We are grateful to the Railway Heritage Trust for their grant funding which has contributed toward this project becoming a reality. This completes our planned works at Lanark station which delivered the external restoration of the main platform 1 building, reinstatement of railings and renewal of the station access stairs.” Tim Hedley-Jones, executive director of The Railway Heritage Trust stated: “We are pleased to support Network Rail’s restoration of the Platform 2 building at Lanark. The first station was opened by the Caledonian Railway in 1855 so it is an important part of the heritage of the town.” Phil Campbell, customer operations director with ScotRail who manage the station, said: “We’re delighted to see the works completed at Lanark, securing the future for this historical station on the ScotRail network. ScotRail is grateful for the significant investment made by Network Rail and the Railway Heritage Fund, enhancing the station environment, and improving the customer experience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As over 12,000 delegates gather in Leeds this week for UKREiiF – the biggest property conference in the country – new research shows that younger people in Leeds are keen to stay in the ‘vibrant and friendly’ city but are worried about being priced out of the area because of the lack of affordable homes to rent or buy. The research – ‘Get cracking and build’ – carried out by digital communications experts, Shared Voice, and Just Build Homes, of over 350 18-44 years olds living in Leeds shows: The price many were willing to pay for a realistic chance of owning their own home within five years was high with four out of ten people saying they would forgo having children. Two-thirds said they were willing to give up foreign holidays and social activities to be in their own home. There was a lot of enthusiasm for life in Leeds among this age group who praised good public transport links to shops, parks, and other amenities as well as diverse cultural and nightlight experiences, a vibrant sense of community, friendly people, and excellent job opportunities. Wyn Evans, a Founding Director of Shared Voice, said: “This level of support for housebuilding is extraordinary and demonstrates that there are millions of people out there who are supportive of housebuilding. “This younger generation do not normally engage with the planning process and developers need to be asking why traditional planning communications are failing to reach this large audience. “It also demonstrates why Keir Starmer and the Labour Party have come out so strongly in support of new homes – there are votes in it, lots of votes.” Millie Dodd, Spokesperson for Just Build Homes, added: “Our findings in Leeds reflect the conversations Just Build Homes is having with people affected by the housing crisis all over the country. The cost of housing is continuing to rise and is becoming out of reach for many because there are simply not enough homes being built. We just need to ‘Get cracking and build’.” Shared Voice and Just Build Homes will be teaming up with planning experts Quod, to launch the survey findings at the UKREiiF conference, on Tuesday 21 May at 3pm. Emma Lancaster, a director at Quod’s Leeds office, said: “This report comes at a critical time. The Council is in the early stages of its work on Leeds Local Plan 2040, grappling with the question of how it should meet its housing needs over the next Plan Period. “Significant progress in housing land supply and delivery has been made in Leeds in recent years, but this report confirms that not all parts of the city are benefiting, and that a real step change is required if the Council is going to meet its identified needs for affordable housing and achieve its Best City ambition.” Shared Voice was launched in April 2024 to create a brand-new offer for the planning communications market, aimed at helping connecting developers with the silent, pro-housing majority for the first time. Shared Voice provide a single communications solution from pre-application to Committee. The offer is unique because it focuses on finding genuine supporters and making that the focal point of communications at every stage – rather than spending time and money trying to persuade objectors. It is challenging the traditional model of exhibitions and behind the scenes lobbying, in favour of leveraging the power of the silent supportive majority. Shared Voice is the team behind Just Build Homes, a YIMBY brand that has consistently and successfully mobilised thousands of people across the UK to support planning applications for new housing in their own area. A full copy of the report can be obtained here: “Get cracking and build” – Housing attitudes of 18-44 year olds living in Leeds – Shared Voice Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading deposit alternative provider flatfair has announced a major new partnership with Dandara Living, one of the UK’s leading independent property development firms and a renowned name in the Build to Rent sector. Dandara joins an impressive list of well-known players in the industry who are already using flatfair’s deposit platform, including Greystar, Native Residential and urbanbubble. With flatfair Deposits, residents have the option of flatfair’s popular deposit alternative alongside a traditional deposit. At a time when rental costs and therefore deposits, are reaching new highs month-on-month, thousands more residents now have the option to significantly reduce their upfront move-in costs. flatfair Deposits also saves agents and operators valuable time and improves their compliance by not having to manually register traditional deposits themselves. Gary Wright, CEO of flatfair, emphasises the company’s growing dominance in the Build to Rent sector as evidence that agents and operators are increasingly embracing flatfair’s deposit alternative, saying “We are delighted to be partnering with such a renowned name in the industry, and the growing popularity of flatfair Deposits, not just in the Build to Rent industry, is a mark of how beneficial and important our product is to all parties. Although deposit alternatives are still relatively new to the industry, agents and Build to Rent operators are increasingly recognising the multitude of benefits that our deposit platform offers. Providing a choice of deposit options to customers is now a necessity, reflecting the evolving needs of the market.” Sam Smith, Operations Director at Dandara Living said “We have been looking at the deposit alternative product offering for some time, and we have watched this product mature over the last few years and become a proven alternative that today’s renter wants to see. We are delighted to be partnering with flatfair on this new offering, and this further enhances our focus on the resident experience.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
