Planning has been granted to speculatively build 170,000 sq ft of Grade A sustainable urban logistics space in Adlington, Cheshire potentially creating up to 250 jobs. A joint venture (JV) between Chancerygate and specialist sustainable and impact investor, Bridges Fund Management will deliver the scheme, which has a projected gross
Watkin Jones is pleased to announce that Bristol City Council Development Committee (‘the Council’) approved plans for the development of a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol earlier this week. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area
The eagerly anticipated Air and Space Institute (ASI) in Newark has now received its first intake of students. The £15.4m state-of-the-art facility provides world-class educational opportunities for future generations of the aerospace industry. Procured through the Pagabo National Framework for Major Construction Works and delivered by Midlands-based contractor, G F
Salford City Council has approved an ambitious £15 million redevelopment plan for Walkden Town Centre, spearheaded by Derwent Estates on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. This significant investment aims to breathe new life into the area, addressing high vacancy rates and underused retail spaces. The comprehensive scheme involves
Adaptavate, a global leader in the development and industrialisation of low-carbon and carbon-negative construction materials, has announced the production of the world’s first carbon-negative technology to produce plasterboards. The leap from producing low-carbon construction materials to now providing an additional carbon-negative product comes through the incorporation of char – produced
The North of England contractor secured the scheme after commencing a £1.8 million enabling works package in February Esh Construction is delivering a new bus station in Bishop Auckland after being awarded a £6.4 million contract by Durham County Council. The contract follows on from Esh’s £1.8 million package to
A former school site in Leeds is set to be transformed into a community sports hub. Proposals for the new development – on land in Holbeck once occupied by Matthew Murray High School – have been given the go-ahead. Work is now expected to start next year on the council-led
Fivemiletown headquartered Paving and Building Products firm, AG, has reinforced its position as a market leader in sustainable construction by reducing its carbon footprint by over 47%. With manufacturing sites in Fivemiletown, Toome, and Carryduff, the firm as part of its Climate Action Pledge has committed to cutting its absolute
Affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes, recently unearthed over 18,800 historical artefacts after excavations at its Calthorpe Gardens development discovered archaeological evidence dating from the Prehistoric Mesolithic, Late bronze Age-Middle to Late Iron Age, and through to early Anglo-Saxon times. The site is now considered one of significant regional importance after Border
Spencer Group is to develop a new dock gate as part of a £1.9 million project to preserve a historic vessel. The project to improve and repair Hull’s North End Shipyard is part of a wider £32m cultural regeneration project led by Hull City Council to celebrate the city’s rich
BDC 318 : Jul 2024
Planning has been granted to speculatively build 170,000 sq ft of Grade A sustainable urban logistics space in Adlington, Cheshire potentially creating up to 250 jobs. A joint venture (JV) between Chancerygate and specialist sustainable and impact investor, Bridges Fund Management will deliver the scheme, which has a projected gross development value of around £36m. Called Avro Business Park, the scheme is located on a 7.8-acre site off London Road, south of Poynton town centre, and will adjoin Adlington Business Park and Adlington Industrial Estate. It will comprise 11 units ranging from 7,000 sq ft to 29,000 sq ft, available on a leasehold or freehold basis. Construction is scheduled to commence in October, with practical completion expected October 2025. Neighbouring occupiers to the development include confectionery manufacturer Swizzels, tray sealing and packaging line specialist Proseal, and transport company William Kirk. All properties at the development will target an EPC rating of A+ and a BREEAM Excellent rating. They will feature electric vehicle charging points along with solar photovoltaic cells which provide occupiers with affordable green energy. In addition, the units will be constructed from high-performance building materials to reduce CO2 emissions. Chancerygate development director, Chris Brown, who is based in the company’s Warrington office, said: “Avro Business Park is in an excellent location, with fantastic connections to the airport and the M56 via the new Poynton Relief Road. “The area is witnessing an increasing shift to ESG-led developments, from both the occupational and investor market. “Our development will help satisfy this strong demand for sustainable, high specification urban logistics accommodation within the south Manchester and Cheshire markets.” Founded in 1995, Chancerygate is the UK’s largest urban logistics property developer and asset manager and the only one operating nationwide. The company currently has around 1.16m sq ft of urban logistics space under construction or ready for development across ten sites ranging from Edinburgh to Croydon. Bridges is a specialist sustainable and impact investor. Its property funds focus on sectors that are well-placed to benefit from the transition to a more sustainable and inclusive economy, including lower-cost living, healthcare and sustainable logistics. Guy Bowden, partner at Bridges Fund Management, said: “We’re delighted that we can begin construction on this great site in Adlington. We plan to deliver Grade A logistics space with best-in-class sustainability credentials – meeting the strong local demand and supporting local job creation.” Agents for Avro Business Park are Savills and Williams Sillitoe Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Watkin Jones is pleased to announce that Bristol City Council Development Committee (‘the Council’) approved plans for the development of a 484-bed purpose-built student accommodation (‘PBSA’) scheme on Malago Road, Bedminster in Bristol earlier this week. This development represents one of the final projects of the Bedminster Green regeneration area and follows two years of negotiation and engagement with the Council. Formerly an engineering works and foundry, the project is a prime opportunity to revive a disused brownfield site and contribute to the broader regeneration of the Bedminster Green area. The scheme will deliver high-quality managed homes for students ranging from six to ten storeys in height across three buildings. The proposals will deliver broad benefits to the local community, including the creation of a new public space and improvements to the highway infrastructure. The new student population is expected to support local businesses, including those along nearby East Street in particular. Compared to the proposals of previous developers, Watkin Jones’ proposal promoted significant changes including reducing the number and height of buildings across the site and decreasing the number of rooms to better reflect the local character and in response to public engagement. With support from the University of Bristol, this scheme will help to meet the higher education needs of the city that continues to be a premier destination of choice for both UK and international students as numbers continue to rise. Importantly, it has been designed sustainably to support the Group’s ESG strategy. The scheme will be BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and WiredScore ‘Gold’ enabling the best connectivity for students, in addition to an EPC rating B. Watkin Jones is expected to partner with its award-winning management company Fresh to deliver well-maintained, 24-hour on-site services for students. As a leading and long-standing student accommodation developer, Fresh can ensure the site is well cared for and that the student population is well integrated with the existing community. The site offers excellent public transport links and includes storage for 130 bikes, three disabled car spaces that can accommodate EV charging, significant new tree planting, and green landscaping along Malago Road, seamlessly integrating with the council’s highway improvements and river restoration works. Ben Wrighton, Head of Planning at Watkin Jones commented: “We are very excited to announce planning approval for our second project in one of Bristol’s key regeneration areas and our third active project within the city. “Our commitment to providing high-quality, and well-managed purpose-built student accommodation will in part address the significant growing demand from the University of Bristol. We look forward to continuing our efforts to meet this growing need alongside the City Council and the local communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The eagerly anticipated Air and Space Institute (ASI) in Newark has now received its first intake of students. The £15.4m state-of-the-art facility provides world-class educational opportunities for future generations of the aerospace industry. Procured through the Pagabo National Framework for Major Construction Works and delivered by Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, the new ASI facility provides a unique opportunity for students aged 16-18 to train for pilot, engineer and ground-crew roles in airlines, the military, airports and logistics companies across the UK and abroad. The new three-storey college building constructed for Newark College, which is part of the Lincoln College Group, sits adjacent to the Newark and Sherwood District Council offices on the former Cattle Market and is only the second of its kind to be built in the UK. The facility provides high tech training for the air and space industry, accommodating a full-sized Airbus A318 for enhanced hands-on teaching experience, alongside a double height entrance hall, large open space hangar, flight simulators, teaching zones, engineering workshops, lecture and seminar areas. It is anticipated that the building blueprint could form a model for future establishments of this type, across other areas of the UK. Introducing a full-sized commercial aeroplane into the building posed a number of complexities including ensuring the installation was successfully implemented within the tight tolerances of the building. The initial brief was just a section of the fuselage to be placed into the building. Through collaborative innovation with the client and designers on how the plane would be supported on specially designed wheel mounts, we were able to install the Airbus A318 as a whole unit, enhancing the learning experience for students. G F Tomlinson sourced specialist advice from a private Flight Director who provided industry expertise to collaboratively assist with the permanent installation in the hangar. The aircraft was transported from the Air Salvage International base in Cirencester and travelled 110 miles by police escort to Newark. Prior to arrival, reinforced concrete pads and beams were installed to strengthen the floor slab and a specialist hydraulic gantry was erected within the building to lift the fuselage from the low loader and temporarily suspend and support the aircraft mid-air. Specially designed structural steel supporting systems were manufactured and installed to stabilise and take the weight of the aircraft, fixing it in its final position. G F Tomlinson used BIM technology software from the conception of the scheme, to digitally map the complex build which comprised numerous articulated angles. Using world coordinate systems for its design and construction, the software allowed the contractor and client to work the design and use real time updates to navigate through all fundamental stages towards completion. This software helped ensure the plane installation could be completed accurately, with tolerances down to millimetres. Sustainability was an integral part of the project, with initiatives such as five air source heat pumps, two air handling units and three extracts incorporated within the building to reduce the overall energy building requirements. During the project, 1140 car miles were driven using low-emission vehicles and we sourced 92% local spend and 92% local labour within 40 miles of site. 135.53 tonnes of wood waste materials were rescued from the waste stream and 99.3% of site waste was recycled, aligning with the target of offsetting carbon during the project, in line with the Government’s Net Zero agenda. G F Tomlinson provided £25,315,802 of Total Social Value opportunities for the local community, which was calculated using social impact software, Loop. This included organised site visits, regular newsletters and career talks with students from nearby schools. 228 hours of work experience placements, 948 apprentice hours and 723 local student engagements were provided. Adrian Grocock, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It’s been an honour to turn Lincoln College Group’s vision into a reality, providing a world-class training facility for young people going into the aerospace industry. “We worked closely with the client using the latest technology and specialist advice to ensure the seamless construction of the new campus building and the installation of the large commercial aircraft for educational purposes – consulting with third party experts to manage the transportation and stabilisation of the aircraft to its final fixed position.” Councillor Matthew Spoors, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This is a huge moment not just for Newark but the whole district. We now have an amazing world-class training centre right in the heart of our community which will be giving local students opportunities to pursue successful and inspiring careers like they’ve never had before. “This goes beyond just education but will create exciting developments for our local community. It will provide employment opportunities and boost our local economy and will be home to over 200 students each year. “It will directly create almost 40 new jobs for the area and importantly will create many more over the coming generations to those wanting to embark on careers and pathways into better skilled, well-paid jobs in the civil and military aviation industries. “The ASI has all been made possible thanks to the successful Newark Town Board bid for £25m as part of the Government’s Towns Fund initiative in 2019 and it’s been great to see students already studying at the site after years of planning and construction.” Tom Marsden, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Lincoln College Group, said: “We are thrilled with the exceptional work done by GF Tomlinson and their team of contractors in constructing our new state-of-the-art facility. “Their dedication and expertise have truly transformed the space into a cutting-edge hub for education and training that will benefit not only the students of Newark but also the entire surrounding region. We are excited to see the positive impact this facility will have on our community for years to come.” David Llewellyn, head of construction and infrastructure at Pagabo Group, said: “Our goal is always to make procurement simple, effective and compliant, and this type of large-scale project is the
Salford City Council has approved an ambitious £15 million redevelopment plan for Walkden Town Centre, spearheaded by Derwent Estates on behalf of the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. This significant investment aims to breathe new life into the area, addressing high vacancy rates and underused retail spaces. The comprehensive scheme involves the demolition of 180,000 square feet of outdated retail space, specifically targeting large sections of Egerton Walk and Victoria Square, which have struggled with high vacancy rates in recent years. In their place, Derwent Estates plans to create modern commercial units and a landscaped public area designed to boost the centre’s appeal and functionality. This transformation is expected to enhance the vitality of Walkden Town Centre, providing a more attractive and sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors. A planning statement by Savills, who advised on the project, highlighted the potential for future redevelopment of the newly cleared plots. “Those future development plots will be landscaped areas that will host meanwhile uses in the interim period before development progresses on those plots, further supporting the centre’s vitality and viability,” the statement noted. This phased approach ensures that the area remains vibrant and functional throughout the redevelopment process. In addition to the new commercial units, the project will introduce a contemporary façade for Walkden Town Centre, significantly improving its aesthetic appeal. The plans also include enhanced public spaces, aimed at creating a more welcoming and user-friendly environment. With the council’s approval secured, Derwent Estates is now seeking a contractor to commence demolition work later this year. Scott Hall, asset manager at Derwent Estates, emphasised the project’s importance to the local community. “We fully understand the importance of Walkden Town Centre to the local area, which is why we have taken this proactive decision to significantly improve its current offering. We aim to create a more contemporary and attractive yet sustainable environment for both retailers and visitors. We recognise the changing attitudes and expectations of all stakeholders, which is why these plans are so imperative to ensuring a vibrant future for the centre.” The architectural design for the redevelopment has been crafted by RGP, while project management is being handled by Artal. Barker Proudlove and Graham Sibbald are the retained letting agents, responsible for leasing the new commercial spaces. Derwent Estates is also in the process of liaising with current tenants as part of its relocation programme, ensuring minimal disruption during the redevelopment. Beyond the town centre, Derwent Estates is demonstrating its commitment to the local community through additional investments, notably at the nearby Little Hulton Community Centre. Hall explained, “The charity’s commitment to enhancing and improving amenities in the area is further indicated by the works currently underway at Little Hulton Community Centre. A grant has been awarded to redevelop the existing pavilion, which has been underused since its construction in 2008. Funds from The Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation will provide an enhanced and permanent place for the community to come together, with a commitment to investing in and maintaining the building for the next 125 years. The full refurbishment and extension of the existing facility has already started on site and will be handed over to Community Little Hulton in October of this year.” This dual focus on both Walkden Town Centre and the broader community underscores the holistic approach of Derwent Estates and the Albert Gubay Charitable Foundation. Their coordinated efforts are set to provide lasting benefits, creating vibrant, functional, and attractive spaces that cater to the evolving needs of the local population. The redevelopment of Walkden Town Centre, coupled with the revitalisation of the Little Hulton Community Centre, marks a significant investment in the future of the area, promising enhanced amenities and a more dynamic local economy.
Adaptavate, a global leader in the development and industrialisation of low-carbon and carbon-negative construction materials, has announced the production of the world’s first carbon-negative technology to produce plasterboards. The leap from producing low-carbon construction materials to now providing an additional carbon-negative product comes through the incorporation of char – produced by the pyrolysis of ligno-cellulosic materials. This locks the CO2 sequestered by plants into a stable state, and subsequently into the board, preventing it from being released through decay. Incorporating char makes the current technology to produce Breathaboard genuine permanent carbon-storage, as an alternative to plasterboard which absorbs and stores more carbon than it produces. Importantly, this has been quantified by Adaptavate’s independent, industry verified carbon calculation tool to the latest EN 15804+A2 standard. Adaptavate’s innovative technology allows for CO2 savings through both its product formulation and manufacturing methods. The company repurposes ligno-cellulosic wastes, combining them with minerals and a small amount of water to create a flat board material. Unlike conventional board production, this process requires no natural gas and can absorb low concentration CO2 in the curing process, which can be sourced from industrial emissions during the curing stage. Tom Robinson, founder and CEO at Adaptavate, says: “Our new carbon-negative and carbon-storing technology marks a significant milestone and step forward not only for Adaptavate, a business I founded a decade ago, but also for the global construction industry as a whole. Plasterboard is one of the most heavily used construction material after cement and steel, in an industry that produces around 40% of the world’s carbon emissions. As a former builder, the potential impact of putting carbon storing building materials in the hands of every builder, architect and developer around the world as a drop-in solution is massive in our global endeavour to decarbonise construction. This announcement demonstrates with a real-world example of how we can do this and have a successful business on a global scale.” The development of this new climate-positive technology and the pilot line for the board’s production has been made possible by UK Government grants (Innovate UK), and investment from a group of climate-focused businesses dedicated to accelerating carbon removal within the construction industry, including Counteract, Perivoli Innovations, Low Carbon Innovation Fund 2 (LCIF2), and SEMIN Group. Jeff Ive, CTO at Adaptavate, says: “The production of full-sized permanently carbon-storing plasterboard is a major step forward for Adaptavate and the scale up of our regenerative material solutions. We have brought together a systemic solution for carbon dioxide removal that is required on a global scale, and matched it with a product that is used on a similar scale. With our licencing business model, we aim to deliver these systemic innovations at a rate that the planet needs them. The innovations’ development is thanks to the expert international team we have at our Bristol headquarters. With their knowledge, skills and dedication we have produced a game changing carbon-storing product with a comparable performance to the incumbent. The past few years of innovation in this space have been exciting for us, and we can see that this core technology has some important attributes that could be well used in a diverse product portfolio.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The North of England contractor secured the scheme after commencing a £1.8 million enabling works package in February Esh Construction is delivering a new bus station in Bishop Auckland after being awarded a £6.4 million contract by Durham County Council. The contract follows on from Esh’s £1.8 million package to carry out enabling works on the site. The new station will offer modern and accessible facilities to passengers, with eight stands and improved passenger information. It will also house a retail kiosk, CCTV, and more toilet facilities, including an accessible toilet, changing places unit, and a parent and child facility. Alongside it there will be a new 124 space car park, with high quality paving, street lighting, landscaping and cycle stands. The scheme forms part of an £11.8 million investment in the town with funding secured through the Future High Streets Fund and an additional £3.6 million from Durham County Council. Esh’s Divisional Director, Steven Garrigan, said: “There are some exciting projects happening across Bishop Auckland and as a Durham-headquartered contractor we are proud to play a part in the regenerative journey for the town and its residents. We’re pleased to be working with Durham County Council to enhance the transport infrastructure while maximising the social and economic value in the local community throughout the project.” Esh Construction commenced the enabling works in February, with works including the excavation and clearance of the existing hard surface to facilitate a new drainage system for the new bus station. Seven attenuation tanks have already been installed. A new sub station will be built to provide the necessary power requirements as well as new retaining walls and the installation of a sub base. Ducting for the lighting and CCTV along with concrete foundations will be installed before the main bus station build commences in late June. In 2020, Durham County Council successfully bid for funding from the Future High Streets Fund to improve Bishop Auckland’s transport and parking facilities. The development forms part of the council’s wider plans to regenerate the town centre through a range of leisure and recreation projects, including the repurposing and reopening of vacant properties and improving public spaces. Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are pleased to have made an exciting step forward in delivering Bishop Auckland’s new bus station with Esh Construction on site carrying out enabling works. “The new bus station will be modern and fit for purpose, helping support businesses by attracting visitors to the town, address shortages in car parking and increase footfall into the town centre. It forms part of our wider regeneration plans to bring new life to Bishop Auckland town centre and enable the town to become thriving place to live, work and visit.” Bishop Auckland was also successful in securing a further £33.2 million of Stronger Town Funding to help the town build on its unique heritage and develop as a visitor destination. To find out more about Esh Group, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A former school site in Leeds is set to be transformed into a community sports hub. Proposals for the new development – on land in Holbeck once occupied by Matthew Murray High School – have been given the go-ahead. Work is now expected to start next year on the council-led project, which will include three full-size artificial grass football pitches, two multi-use games areas and a two-storey building with facilities such as changing rooms, a gym and a café. The building will also be home to a GP surgery and pharmacy, with these services contributing to the wide-ranging health and well-being benefits that the development as a whole will bring to local residents. Other elements of the scheme will include the creation of a children’s play area and improvements to a portion of existing green space at the site, which covers 6.3 hectares and sits off Brown Lane East and Ingram Road. Outdoor seating areas, footpaths and a segregated cycle route are also planned, along with a 267-space car park and dozens of bike storage bays. The scheme is one of three new sports hubs planned for Leeds as part of the national Parklife programme, which aims to deliver improved facilities for grassroots football using funding from the Football Association, the Premier League, Sport England, the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the Football Foundation charity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fivemiletown headquartered Paving and Building Products firm, AG, has reinforced its position as a market leader in sustainable construction by reducing its carbon footprint by over 47%. With manufacturing sites in Fivemiletown, Toome, and Carryduff, the firm as part of its Climate Action Pledge has committed to cutting its absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by at least 30% as well as reducing its Scope 3 emissions by 2030, irrespective of business growth. AG’s most recent carbon emissions analysis showed a significant 47.8% reduction from its 2019 baseline. A notable achievement for the firm, given the introduction of extended operational hours and construction of a new £3 million factory in 2023 to meet heightened product demand. Surpassing its science-based targets for a consecutive year, over one-third of AG’s car fleet is now electric, complementing the company’s transition to manufacturing with 100% renewable energy and 100% recycled water. AG has recently invested over £5.4m into its operations enabling the firm to modernise its plant, equipment and technology further improving efficiencies and productivity, enabling the firm to lower its fuel consumption. As an engaged member of the Responsible Plastic Management Programme, AG has pledged to send zero plastic to landfill, showcasing its proactive approach to responsible plastic usage, further benefiting AG’s carbon reduction journey. Under the leadership of CEO Stephen Acheson and supported by AG’s CSR team, the company’s CSR strategy focuses on producing low-carbon products whilst reducing the firm’s overall carbon footprint. The firm has continued to thoroughly analyse the composition and core ingredients within its products, enabling Scope 3 carbon reductions due to the introduction of supplementary cementitious materials to reduce cement content, while maintaining and improving on the exceptional quality AG is renowned for. In addition, AG has made two key appointments to further drive and support its decarbonisation journery. Michael Davies has been promoted to Head of Innovation and Carbon Reduction, while Barry Scott has been promoted to Senior Quality & Sustainability Technician. In recognition of its sustainability efforts, the specialist building products business is among the first to achieve recertification to the latest version of the BES 6001 Standard at its Toome site for its flag products. AG has also earned Platinum status, the highest accolade available, in the 2023 Northern Ireland Environmental Benchmarking Survey. The award recognises companies that drive change through integrating sustainable practices into corporate strategies. In addition, AG’s dedication to sustainable practices seen them shortlisted earlier this year for Outstanding Commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) at the Business Telegraph Awards and awarded Sustainable Manufacturing Business of the Year at the Business Eye Sustainability Awards. CEO, Stephen Acheson commented on the firm’s sustainability strides, stating, “Each of our sites brings our corporate environmental philosophy to life, the latest carbon emissions analysis reinforces our dedication to environmental stewardship and continuous improvement throughout the business. We are delighted to have exceeded our BITC pledge target and look forward to maintaining or improving upon this figure as we pursue our ambitious growth plans throughout 2024 and beyond.” For more information about AG and its CSR strategy, please visit ag.uk.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes, recently unearthed over 18,800 historical artefacts after excavations at its Calthorpe Gardens development discovered archaeological evidence dating from the Prehistoric Mesolithic, Late bronze Age-Middle to Late Iron Age, and through to early Anglo-Saxon times. The site is now considered one of significant regional importance after Border Archaeology, Orbit Homes’ archaeology partner for the site, discovered the remains of what is thought to be a small sized settlement from the Late Bronze Age to Middle/Late Iron Age along with a later Anglo-Saxon cemetery containing the remains of at least 52 individuals. Amongst the artefacts recovered were finds from the prehistoric settlement (handmade pottery and textile tools) and rich grave goods from the Anglo-Saxon burials (bead necklaces, pendants, personal objects and weapons) in addition to the 9,310 litres of paleoenvironmental samples also taken to help shed light on the human activity of the past. A selection of the artefacts were also recently put on display to the public for the first time during an exclusive event hosted by Orbit Homes and Border Archaeology. Colin Dean, Sales and Marketing Director for Orbit Homes in the Midlands, commented: “The finds at Calthorpe Gardens are fascinating. It’s been an incredible experience for the whole Orbit Homes team to watch the archaeologists undertake excavation at the site and see the sheer number and quality of the artefacts that were discovered. We’re delighted that the location has been declared as ‘significant’ and after all the work to excavate and study the finds it was wonderful to finally share some of these discoveries with the local community as well as be able to help piece together the history of the people living in the area over centuries. We look forward to finding out more about what life was like in the area as Border Archaeology continue their investigations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Spencer Group is to develop a new dock gate as part of a £1.9 million project to preserve a historic vessel. The project to improve and repair Hull’s North End Shipyard is part of a wider £32m cultural regeneration project led by Hull City Council to celebrate the city’s rich maritime heritage. The North End Shipyard is set to become the new home for the country’s last remaining sidewinder trawler, the Arctic Corsair, which will form a new visitor attraction when in place. The city council has appointed Hull Esteem Consortium LEP as the principal contractor for the shipyard project, with Spencer Group designing and delivering the vital lock gate element for the dry dock. Spencer Group will remove the existing gate, before installing the new 15m by 6m, 50 tonne steel replacement from the River Hull following berthing of the vessel. The gate will then be sealed in place by forming a reinforced concrete wall, providing a permanent home for the Arctic Corsair. The new dock gate is being produced in Grimsby before being installed at North End Ship Yard. Hull-based Spencer Group has already completed work to create a new home for another iconic vessel, the Spurn Lightship, as part of the Hull Maritime project. The company created a new wet berth for the lightship in Hull Marina earlier this year which is set to become another local maritime visitor attraction in the coming months. Neil Hewitt, Pre-Construction Project Manager for Spencer Group, said: “This is a really important project for us. “The Arctic Corsair is one of the flagship vessels of the city’s maritime history and we’re extremely proud to be playing our part in preserving it for future generations. Having previously been involved in constructing her berthing outside the Streetlife Museum over 20 years ago, the business is proud to play its part in settling her into her new home. “It means a lot to everyone at Spencer Group to deliver projects like this, particularly in our home city of Hull.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
