A new survey from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), The Environmental Services Association (ESA), Groundwork, and ESS Expo (Environmental Services and Solutions Expo), has revealed a significant green skills gap, with 58% of respondents feeling UK businesses are unprepared for the transition to a sustainable future. Findings from
Construction work has started on an impressive new 157-bedroom hotel in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh after property development company, S Harrison, appointed Ogilvie Construction as the principal contractor on the project. The development will see a 1970s office building, which is currently known as Osborne House, transformed into a
LLDC and Ballymore partnership given green light in Stratford London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and Ballymore have this week been awarded detailed planning consent for 700 new homes neighbouring East Bank, the new cultural quarter for innovation, creativity and learning in Stratford. Stratford Waterfront, designed by Howells alongside O’Donnell+Tuomey and
LEADING housing developer Lovell Partnerships has been awarded a contract by Leicester City Council, which will bring forward 38 new low-carbon and energy efficient homes on the site of the city’s former velodrome. The vital brownfield regeneration plans will bring this derelict land back into use, with support from the
Green or Living Walls are becoming a familiar feature of the built environment. Often incorporated as components of newer and more sustainable construction projects, they provide a visible statement of green intent and benefit city biodiversity, air purity, thermal environment, and noise abatement, and are of proven benefit to wellbeing
Nearly 400 have their say on how to improve construction quality A recent construction industry-wide survey seeking views on the issue of Contractor Design Portions (CDP) has been flooded with responses reflecting how important it is as a topic across the sector. The survey, issued by the Construction Quality Improvement
Leading groundworks specialist McCoy Contractors is delivering the earthworks package for the £30 million upgrade of the Arle Court Transport Hub (ACTH) in Cheltenham, as part of the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme. The project aims to support Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan and carbon neutral goals by enhancing the park
A new survey from the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), The Environmental Services Association (ESA), Groundwork, and ESS Expo (Environmental Services and Solutions Expo), has revealed a significant green skills gap, with 58% of respondents feeling UK businesses are unprepared for the transition to a sustainable future. Findings from the National Environmental Services Survey,[1] highlight that 58% of respondents feel there is or will be a green skills gap in UK businesses. When asked about what challenges they foresee in measuring and achieving biodiversity net-gain, the most cited answer was the [lack of] knowledge and skills gap. Meanwhile, 99.7% of respondents believe technology has a role to play in accelerating the path to net zero emissions. The latest findings show acute shortages underscoring the need for educational programmes to equip the workforce with the expertise needed. Leading the list, one in four (25.69%) respondents indicated a high demand for skills in waste management and the circular economy, followed by over one in 10 (12.33%) calling for expertise in resilience building and developing strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change. Other shortages revealed lie in sustainability and environmental management (11.41%), carbon management and offsetting (8.41%), and environmental law and policy (8.06%). The rise of roles such as the Chief Sustainability Officer – which saw more individuals hired in 2021 alone[2], compared to the previous five years combined – highlights an important shift towards organisations prioritising sustainability. However, the report data from ESS Expo suggests that many businesses are still struggling to find qualified candidates to fill these newly emerging positions. The research also touched on the path to net zero emissions, with a staggering 99.7% of respondents agreeing that technology has a role to play in accelerating the path towards carbon neutrality. Technology will likely offer numerous opportunities for bridging the green skills gap. For example, online learning platforms can deliver specialised green training skills to a wider audience, while virtual reality simulations can provide immersive training experiences for complex green technologies. Additionally, artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to personalise learning pathways and identify skill gaps within a workforce. By harnessing these technological advancements, organisations can equip the workforce with the necessary knowledge and expertise to effectively navigate the green transition. Dr. Adam Read, Chief External Affairs and Sustainability Officer at SUEZ and member of the Government’s Green Skills Delivery Group, commented: “These results, while not unexpected, are concerning given recent efforts by CIWM and others to highlight the need for future skills. The resources and waste management sector will expand from 150,000 to nearly 450,000 staff in just under a decade and in order to prepare for this, the sector must continue improving its attractiveness and upskilling the current workforce to ensure staff retention. “There are immense opportunities to rethink engagement and form new partnerships with schools, colleges, universities, and professional bodies. Key skills in demand lie in technology, design, AI, communications, engineering, policy implementation, regulation, and data analysis, plus of course in recycling, reuse, repair, upcycling, and refurbishment. “Although the sector is feeling both policy and skills demand uncertainty right now, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Together, if we work hard, we can make huge strides in our sector’s transformation and reinvention, delivering exciting new skilled jobs that underpin the fight against climate change.” Rob Mowat, Managing Director of ESS Expo, said: “The results of the survey make it abundantly clear that there is a green skills gap across the UK workforce. As we move forward, we are going to see more organisations increasingly chasing sustainability-related goals, driven in part by a younger generation that is passionate about environmental issues. However, these objectives will only be met if businesses are able to acquire the necessary green skills. This lack of preparedness could potentially hinder the UK’s ability to achieve its ambitious environmental targets and capitalise on the economic opportunities presented by the transition to a net-zero economy. “With this in mind, it’s crucial for businesses to invest in initiatives that bridge this gap, such as upskilling training programmes, nurturing apprenticeship schemes in green sectors, and fostering collaboration with educational institutions. By working together, we can ensure the UK workforce has the capabilities to deliver a sustainable future. “At ESS Expo, we’re using our platform to raise awareness and equip businesses with everything they need to navigate this transition. As part of our new series of educational webinars, we recently held our first session on green skills. The webinar was hugely well-attended and featured presentations and discussions on government initiatives, apprenticeship schemes, regional differences, and collaborations between UK universities and the industry. We look forward to continuing this focus at the upcoming event in September.” The survey gathered data from 1,498 professionals from across the environmental services industry from April-May 2024. Download the full report for free on the ESS Expo website here. To register to attend ESS Expo 2024 from 11-12 September at the NEC, Birmingham, visit the website here. [1] The survey gathered data from over 1,498 professionals from across the environmental survey industry from April – May 2024. https://www.ess-expo.co.uk/national-environmental-services-survey-insights-2024 [2] https://www.pwc.com/mt/en/publications/sustainability/the-rise-of-chief-sustainability-officers.html#:~:text=Yet%2C%20integrating%20sustainability%20across%20all,the%20previous%20five%20years%20combined. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work has started on an impressive new 157-bedroom hotel in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh after property development company, S Harrison, appointed Ogilvie Construction as the principal contractor on the project. The development will see a 1970s office building, which is currently known as Osborne House, transformed into a new hotel, complete with a residents’ bar, restaurant and lounge area on the ground floor and an outdoor seating terrace. Following part demolition of the existing building, two new accommodation wings will be built to the rear, together with a new storey above the existing building. Late last year, S Harrison announced a deal with European hotel group MEININGER Hotels to operate the hotel, which is set to open in spring 2026. MEININGER Hotels, a key player in the hybrid hotel market, operates 36 hotels across 26 European cities. Each hotel features its own unique design, offering flexible and affordable modern accommodation. S Harrison acquired Osborne House in 2018 and worked with Edinburgh based architect, Comprehensive Design Architects on the transformational plans, incorporating impressive green credentials including the retention of the majority of the existing building structure. The building is located just west of Edinburgh city centre, a few minutes’ walk from Haymarket railway station and tram stop and easy walking distance from Princess Street. S Harrison will hold the completed investment, further strengthening the company’s property portfolio. Andrew Wharton, from S Harrison, said: “Appointing Ogilvie Construction to deliver another landmark project in Edinburgh and seeing work start is obviously a key milestone for this development and follows several years of diligent work to secure both planning permission and the right occupier for the scheme. We’re now looking forward to seeing our plans progress on site over the coming months.” Grier Edmead, operations director at Ogilvie Construction, said: “We are proud to be working with S Harrison on this project which has energy-efficiency and strong sustainability credentials at the heart of its design. Our team brings unrivalled specialist knowledge of the hotel and leisure sector, and we look forward to successfully delivering a first-class destination in the city, making both S Harrison’s and MEININGER Hotels’ vision for this building a reality.” S Harrison has made a substantial investment in Edinburgh in recent years and this latest hotel project follows the company delivering the landmark boutique hotel for Malmaison in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. The work saw the Grade A listed Buchan House, on the north-west corner of St Andrew Square, converted into a stylish 72-bedroom hotel complete with Malmaison’s renowned Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie. The developer is also currently working on two PBSA schemes consisting of 64 studio apartments on East Newington Place, off Newington Road, and 76 studios within the historic surroundings of Canongate, just behind the Royal Mile. In addition, the planning committee recently confirmed they are minded to grant planning consent for a major new £80 million mixed-use development in a prime waterfront location in Leith. The development, known as Ocean Point 2, will comprise of residential and PBSA, along with commercial, co-working and amenity space. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LLDC and Ballymore partnership given green light in Stratford London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) and Ballymore have this week been awarded detailed planning consent for 700 new homes neighbouring East Bank, the new cultural quarter for innovation, creativity and learning in Stratford. Stratford Waterfront, designed by Howells alongside O’Donnell+Tuomey and LDA Design, comprises a family of four residential-led buildings of up to 27 storeys, to be set within Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The plans also include circa 1,750 sq m of commercial space at ground level, as well as over 4,000 sq m of public open space that will prioritise biodiversity and play. 35% of the homes will be affordable, with a total of 50% affordable homes planned when combined with Bridgewater Triangle, a second site to be delivered by the partnership, together with Pudding Mill Lane and Rick Roberts Way. At the most northern part of the site, a marker building known as the ‘Prow’ has been designed by O’Donnell+Tuomey, who have also designed the neighbouring V&A East and Sadler’s Wells East. The three mid-block buildings of Stratford Waterfront, designed by Howells, feature strong textured masonry bands that connect them to their East Bank neighbours. The buildings make the most of its setting within the centre of the Park, with each staggered to maximise the long range views of the City and to the north. Sustainability has informed their design, and will ensure each home will receive good quality sunlight and daylight, while minimising overheating. In addition, residents can enjoy amenities such as a gym, concierge, co-working spaces, and podium play areas, all next to Waterworks River. The palette of all four residential buildings complements the materiality of prestigious neighbours: the V&A East Museum, London College of Fashion: UAL, BBC Music Studios, and Sadler’s Wells East. The four buildings share characteristics of strong vertical and horizontal lines, which harmonise with East Bank’s distinctive identity of earthen tones and cast materials, reflecting the making heritage of east London. At ground level, the scheme will offer future residents, workers, or visitors to East Bank multiple café and restaurant options alongside a south-facing waterfront promenade with views and connections into Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Landscape designed by LDA Design features play space, seating, and diverse tree planting, all contributing to a green and walkable neighbourhood. Simon Ryan, Development Director at Ballymore “East Bank is transforming Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with the most ambitious cultural project in a generation. With the London College of Fashion, UAL and UCL East already open, Sadler’s Wells East will follow later this year with V&A East, and BBC Music Studios soon after. So, this site demanded new homes of design excellence – in keeping with the bar that has already been set by our cultural and academic partners and neighbours and the site’s most incredible setting by the water and on the park. We’re so proud of what has been achieved by our partnership with LLDC, and with the support of a brilliant design team. It’s fantastic to have the green light so detailed design work can commence with a view to beginning construction in early 2026.” Rosanna Lawes, Executive Director of Development at LLDC, said: “As East Bank, one of the country’s largest cultural and education districts, nears completion it is exciting to move onto the next phase of development. The joint venture partnership with Ballymore means that we can rapidly build on the Park’s successful legacy to create another thriving and sustainable community of well-designed and sustainable homes.” Areta Soare, Director at Howells, added: “We’re excited to share the plans for Stratford Waterfront with its unique offering that will complement the cultural hub at East Bank. Situated on a constrained site, we have worked closely with clients and collaborators throughout to ensure this scheme represents high-quality designed and crafted homes for this prominent location.” Construction is anticipated to be underway in spring 2026, with completion anticipated for late 2029. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING housing developer Lovell Partnerships has been awarded a contract by Leicester City Council, which will bring forward 38 new low-carbon and energy efficient homes on the site of the city’s former velodrome. The vital brownfield regeneration plans will bring this derelict land back into use, with support from the government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund in preparing the site ahead of the work which is planned to commence over the summer. All 38 new homes will be for affordable rent, and will include a range of low carbon elements to ensure environmental efficiency and longevity for the local community into the future. All homes will be fully electrical, with works set to showcase a fully fabric-first approach to construction, and each dwelling set to achieve an EPC A (92+) rating. The installation of ASHPs, PV panels, triple-glazed windows, electric vehicle charging points and MVHR will be delivered as standard, in line with the housing developer’s U-values. Beth Bundonis, regional managing director for the East Midlands at Lovell Partnerships, said: “there is high demand for affordable homes to support local communities around the country, and revitalising brownfield sites like this one is crucial to be able to increase the much-needed housing stock in the region. “This particular development will bring the historic velodrome area that has stood derelict for so long back into use for environmentally friendly and affordable homes. Our team in the East Midlands has extensive regeneration knowledge that we’re looking forward to leveraging to support the council in this latest development. The Saffron Lane regeneration project is one of a collection of projects that the Lovell Partnerships team in the East Midlands is currently working on, as it continues to solidify itself as a leading developer for the region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Green or Living Walls are becoming a familiar feature of the built environment. Often incorporated as components of newer and more sustainable construction projects, they provide a visible statement of green intent and benefit city biodiversity, air purity, thermal environment, and noise abatement, and are of proven benefit to wellbeing and mental health. Credible as these facets are, there remains a need to consider the implications that the provision of Living Walls may have for the resilience of the building, and the continuity of business or provision of services that are provided from it. Many Living Walls are of a scale and location that presents no additional risk to the scenario that would warrant further consideration, but others, applied at larger scale to a building, might have the potential to exert great influence on the safety and insurability of a building – and others around it – if not properly designed and maintained. Green and Living Walls as External Cladding: A Joint Guide to Managing Risk has been produced collaboratively between key Living Wall (LW) providers and UK insurers via the FPA’s RISCAuthority research scheme to address the potential risks from fire, escape of water (EoW), and weather events that these systems may present if incorrectly designed or managed. With endorsement from the FPA, RISCAuthority, Vertical Meadow, Viritopia, ABI, Biotecture, Growing Revolution, and Scotscape, the document is arranged in two key parts: The guide provides a comprehensive review of the core principles of risk control for Living Walls, outlining the documentation, materials, design and maintenance of Living Walls systems, as well as providing an in-depth questionnaire that allows the opportunity for the specifier, façade designer, or architect to describe the proposed Living Wall system to any authority having jurisdiction. Commenting on the release of the joint guide, Professor Jim Glockling, consultant and former RISCAuthority Director who contributed significantly to its authorship said, “This new risk management document, produced with exceptional collaboration between all stakeholders, sets out an agreed suite of core control principles, provides a framework for information exchange with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), and establishes methods of control so that the design may be tailored to meet the needs of all. With some solution parameters currently unverified, the document is as much a call for further research and testing as it is a guidance document.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nearly 400 have their say on how to improve construction quality A recent construction industry-wide survey seeking views on the issue of Contractor Design Portions (CDP) has been flooded with responses reflecting how important it is as a topic across the sector. The survey, issued by the Construction Quality Improvement Collaborative (CQIC) which was established in early 2023 to further embed and promote a quality culture across Scotland’s construction sector, sought the views on what needs to change to improve the CDP process. In total there were 380 respondents from a wide spread of organisation types and sizes covering a variety of professions and occupations from across the construction sector. Over the last 25-30 years there has been an increasing tendency to use CDP for construction projects where a range of specialist sub-contractors are required to contribute towards the overall design and construction of major buildings. However, many believe the CDP system is being used inappropriately and too late in the process. The top line results from the survey show: Colin Campbell, Associate Director at the Scottish Futures Trust, who co-chairs and provides the secretariat for the CQIC work, said: “This has been a phenomenal response to the survey, showing just how passionately industry feels about the issue. We will now begin sifting through all the submissions with a focus to engage further with industry later this year, with the aim to produce best practice guidance for the sector to follow.” Iain Kent, Commercial Director of Morgan Sindall Construction and co-chair of the CQIC, which is the Quality Working Group within the Construction Leadership Forum’s Transformation Action Plan, noted: “The use of CDP has grown over the years and it can have an impact on the quality of the design and construction. Whilst there is undoubtedly a need for CDP in specialist areas of construction, the level of response to this survey shows change is needed that will benefit the whole of the construction industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading groundworks specialist McCoy Contractors is delivering the earthworks package for the £30 million upgrade of the Arle Court Transport Hub (ACTH) in Cheltenham, as part of the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme. The project aims to support Gloucestershire’s Local Transport Plan and carbon neutral goals by enhancing the park and ride facility with expanded parking, electric vehicle charging points, a café, and an indoor bus passenger terminal with amenities. Appointed by principal contractor Kier, McCoy Contractors is responsible for delivering the comprehensive groundworks package. Working ahead of the project programme, the team is committed to completing all final groundworks by June 2024. McCoy’s scope of works for the 14,000 m2 project encompasses earthworks, foundations, ground floor concrete slabs, external drainage, service trenching, reinforced concrete upstands, and hard landscaping. The company’s expertise in groundworks construction is vital for establishing the infrastructure required for the new four-storey, wood-faced steel-framed car park building and bus hub. “We are honoured to contribute our groundworks capabilities to this sustainable transport initiative that will benefit the entire Gloucestershire region,” said Chris Haughey, Managing Director of McCoy Contractors. “Our team is working diligently to lay a solid foundation that will enable the seamless delivery of this modern transport hub.” Once complete, the upgraded Arle Court facility will offer expanded park and ride services with additional bus routes, improved connections to walking and cycling paths, and electric vehicle charging amenities. It is hoped this will reduce congestion and pollution levels in Cheltenham’s city centre whilst promoting a greener, more connected transportation network. The M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme is a transformative infrastructure project funded through the UK Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) to reduce congestion, enhance safety and support economic growth in the area while aligning with environmental targets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
