A NEW government office development in Darlington has been given the go-ahead by planners. The application to construct a 5-storey, 10,000m2 government hub in Brunswick Street, put forward by the Government Property Agency (GPA), has been approved by the town planning committee. The new office on Brunswick Street will build
The topping out ceremony at Ireland’s first citizenM hotel took place recently, marking a significant construction milestone for the project. citizenM Dublin St Patrick’s will be a nine-storey hotel from the award-winning hotel and lifestyle brand, situated at the former Molyneux House site opposite St Patrick’s Cathedral. Led by award-winning
Green light for 462 new rental homes in second phase of 2,400-home New Garden Square masterplan Moda Group has secured planning permission for the next phase of its city gateway masterplan in Edgbaston, paving the way for a further 462 much-needed new homes in the Birmingham district. Plans for the
Working for The Arch Company, four railway arches situated on America Street, Southwark, SE1 were comprehensively renovated and turned into space designed for businesses to thrive. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that is has completed a project
Council employees start moving into transformed Dunedin House premises. Esh Construction has completed the major refurbishment of Dunedin House to create a new headquarters for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. The Council purchased Dunedin House, situated in Teesdale Business Park in North Thornaby, in September 2021 and it has since undergone a
Aramark UK has committed to helping turn Everton Stadium into one of the most revolutionary and advanced venues for fan experience in Europe. Recognised as one of the world’s leading foodservice providers, and as industry experts in creating food and beverage led venue experiences, Aramark partners with the Club in
Multimillion-pound FEED project will enable new hydrogen distribution network in Teesside. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a multimillion-pound front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract by bp for a new hydrogen pipeline network in the Teesside area. Costain’s multi-disciplinary in-house engineering team will deliver the FEED to enable
ONE of the North East’s largest business parks is to welcome two new retailers. UK Land Estates is developing a new store for Wickes on the former Huwoods site on Team Valley and a drive-thru Starbucks outlet. The Wickes outlet will see the national DIY chain open a new 25,000sq
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has expressed support for Government’s steps to tackle the constraints of housing delivery in an industry statement published recently. The statement, which has been signed by more than 30 home builders, comes in response to the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Raynor’s statement in the House
Alsecco UK has become a member of the Offsite Alliance to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and sustainability in the built environment. The Offsite Alliance is a forward-thinking community of businesses dedicated to transforming the construction industry through offsite manufacturing and modern methods of construction (MMC). As a specialist in
A NEW government office development in Darlington has been given the go-ahead by planners. The application to construct a 5-storey, 10,000m2 government hub in Brunswick Street, put forward by the Government Property Agency (GPA), has been approved by the town planning committee. The new office on Brunswick Street will build on the success of the Darlington Economic Campus (DEC), currently comprising Feetham House and Bishopsgate House, both situated in the town centre. With works on site set to begin later this year and completion earmarked for 2027, the modern, energy efficient office complex will be part of the wider DEC, and home to 1,400 civil servants from across a number of government departments. The campus incorporates HM Treasury, the Department for Business and Trade, for whom Darlington will be the second headquarters, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the Competition and Markets Authority. It also includes the Department for Education who have been based in Darlington since the 1960s. The DEC forms part of the Government Hubs Programme supporting economic growth across the UK through the redevelopment of brownfield sites or repurposing existing buildings to create efficient, sustainable and productive workplaces. Georgia Gould, Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, said: “The new development will support Darlington’s economy and allow the Civil Service to draw on talent and skills across the region. This Government is committed to economic growth in every region of the UK and we will get behind cities and towns to deliver new jobs and opportunities for their communities.” Mark Bourgeois, the GPA’s CEO, said: “This is excellent news for our departmental clients and for the town of Darlington. We are delighted to achieve planning permission for this development which will help deliver on the Government’s mission in supporting economic growth in the region.It also supports the transformation of the Civil Service through delivery of a modern, inspirational and energy-efficient office complex.” Second Permanent Secretary to the Treasury Beth Russell said: “This is a great step forward in developing the Darlington Economic Campus.With over 920 new civil service jobs already created in the town and 480 more to come, we are offering the opportunity for people in the north east to do government jobs that were traditionally only available in London, making government policy-making more reflective of the communities we serve.” Jo Crellin, DBT, Director General, Domestic and International Markets and Exports said: “Having the Darlington hub as our second HQ means we can recruit people from all kinds of backgrounds into the civil service, securing this permission will enable us to build on the 250 brilliant staff we already have. The new site will also continue to ensure we are listening directly to businesses all over the UK as we are designing and delivering our support”. There has been extensive public consultation prior to the submission of the Darlington government hub application in March this year. The new hub in Brunswick Street will create extensive employment opportunities in the town, creating wider economic benefits for the region. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The topping out ceremony at Ireland’s first citizenM hotel took place recently, marking a significant construction milestone for the project. citizenM Dublin St Patrick’s will be a nine-storey hotel from the award-winning hotel and lifestyle brand, situated at the former Molyneux House site opposite St Patrick’s Cathedral. Led by award-winning construction and fit-out firm, Gilbert-Ash, which is currently growing its team in Ireland, the 245-room hotel is set to open in 2025. The façade of Molyneux House redesigned by the renowned Dublin architect, Sam Stephenson, will be retained as part of the new build citizenM hotel. The hotel will feature 245 of citizenM’s signature bedrooms, with XL king-size beds, an HD TV offering streaming options via free super-fast Wi-Fi, a relaxing rain shower and customisable room ambience fully controlled by an in-room iPad or the guest’s own smartphone via the award-winning citizenM app – enabling a fully contactless experience for everything from the TV to the temperature, blinds and lights. In terms of public spaces, guests will be able to enjoy an art-filled ground floor ‘Living Room’ which will include a 24/7 canteenM bar, pantry and servery, self check-in area, comfortable seating areas with designer furniture from Vitra, and four inspiring societyM meeting rooms available for half-day and full-day use. Art and culture are key to citizenM’s brand – art and styling items are carefully selected and site specific for each hotel, drawing inspiration from the local community. To date, citizenM has worked with 140+ artists across its 34 hotels. citizenM Dublin St Patrick’s is designed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards. It operates without a mains gas connection, powered by purchased renewable electricity and making use of a solar water collector. This ensures that guests can enjoy their stay while minimising their environmental impact, significantly reducing emissions per room night. It is the second project Gilbert-Ash has worked on with citizenM after the team completed the modular construction of citizenM London Victoria. Gilbert-Ash Project Director, Sean Doran, said the company is proud to be once again working with citizenM on a hotel which will complement Dublin’s existing hospitality offering. He said: “It’s always pleasing to get to the topping out stage as the building really starts to emerge from the plans. “This building has a lot of character and we will be retaining part of the façade which will give the hotel’s appearance a nice balance of tradition and cutting-edge innovation. “There have been many technical elements to the job, but we are progressing well and working alongside citizenM and our other partners on this project has been hugely satisfying. “I have no doubt that when complete, citizenM Dublin St Patrick’s will be extremely popular with guests as it will step outside the traditional hotel model with the focus on affordable luxury for the people.” Klaas van Lookeren Campagne, CEO of citizenM, said he is excited to see the Dublin hotel progressing well, as the Irish capital has been high on the company’s list of target cities for some time. He said: “We are thrilled to have reached this milestone for our first ever hotel in Dublin, and our first entry into the Irish market. We believe our affordable luxury concept is a great fit for the city, and we look forward to connecting with this vibrant community.” citizenM has 34 hotels across the UK, North America, Europe and Asia. This marks the brand’s first venture into Ireland, and it is actively seeking further opportunities in Dublin city centre. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com, and for more about citizenM visit www.citizenM.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Green light for 462 new rental homes in second phase of 2,400-home New Garden Square masterplan Moda Group has secured planning permission for the next phase of its city gateway masterplan in Edgbaston, paving the way for a further 462 much-needed new homes in the Birmingham district. Plans for the 37-storey build-to-rent development were submitted in January. After being recommended for approval on 1 August, the building was given the go ahead by Birmingham City Council this afternoon. Moda, in partnership with landowner Calthorpe Estates, will now deliver the striking building with an innovative ‘stepped bar’ design, creating a new and instantly recognisable local landmark. The consented plans include 462 high-quality homes for rent with flexible, all-inclusive tenancies. Featuring a mix of 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom homes, residents will also benefit from best-in-class amenity spaces such as a roof terrace, 24-hour gym, co-working space and resident lounges, along with 230 new cycle parking spaces to encourage sustainable travel in the city. The development is the latest phase of Moda and Calthorpe’s ambitious New Garden Square masterplan, which will also see the next part of the linear one-acre park being delivered running east to west along the whole length of the masterplan. Anchored by 2,400 new homes in a mix of tenures, the 11-acre masterplan will include the new park, along with retail space, a range of cafes, bars and restaurants, as well as community amenities and industry-leading workspace. Immediately adjacent to Edgbaston Village Tram Station, New Garden Square has lifestyle, wellness and convenience built into its spaces, providing a canvas for a new, multi-generational community to thrive. The first phase of the New Garden Square masterplan – 398-home BTR neighbourhood Moda, Loudon’s Yard – opened last month with the first phases of homes pre-let before doors had opened. Named for the family behind the nearby Botanical Gardens, John and Jane Loudon, the neighbourhood has set the benchmark for the high quality of homes the New Garden Square masterplan will deliver. James Blakey, Planning and Engagement Director at Moda Group, said: “This is a hugely exciting moment for Moda and a big step forward for our wider 2,400-home mixed use masterplan, New Garden Square. Birmingham is in great need of quality new homes, and we are now that bit closer to delivering 462 outstanding quality homes, and a new city neighbourhood providing a gateway to the city centre. “Working with Calthorpe Estates, the local community and our investors and stakeholders, plus Birmingham City Council, we are dedicated to delivering something that is transformational not just for Edgbaston and Birmingham, but also for the wider Midlands region.” Ralph Minott, Masterplanning and Development Director at Calthorpe Estates, added: “The approval of this landmark development marks a significant milestone in the transformation of New Garden Square. Our partnership with Moda represents a new era of living and working to Edgbaston, delivering high-quality rental homes and outstanding amenities that reflect our commitment to creating vibrant, sustainable communities. We are thrilled to see our vision come to life, providing much-needed high-quality homes and contributing to the continued growth and prosperity of Birmingham.” The New Garden Square masterplan is one of several Moda Group projects underway in the city, with 4,000 rental homes operational, under construction or in development. Committed to being a long-term custodian of its communities, Moda is committed to using its significant footprint in the city to drive skills, training and economies for the long term. During construction of the 487-home Moda, The Mercian, local people were offered free construction training and a guaranteed job interview after completing a course through the Skills Hub, which was funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority in partnership with Birmingham City Council. The Hub exceeded the initial targets it had been set and resulted in 300 people being employed on site. Following the success of this scheme, the Skills Hub will also be used on site during construction of the 722-home Moda, Great Charles Street in the city’s Jewellery Quarter. A further 1,000 new homes are also planned at Stone Yard in Digbeth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Working for The Arch Company, four railway arches situated on America Street, Southwark, SE1 were comprehensively renovated and turned into space designed for businesses to thrive. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that is has completed a project to renovate four railway arches situated on America Street, Southwark SE1 for new customer The Arch Company. The scope of works encompassed demolition, groundworks, fire rated façade installation, waterproofing, a new substation and extensive sustainable fit-out. Commenting on the appointment, Glencar Commercial Director – Special Projects Neil Johnstone said : “This development breathes new life into these spaces and provides a blank canvas for restaurants, cafes, bars, and other leisure businesses looking to contribute to the local community and economy. We were very happy to work with the team at The Arch Company for the first time to not only revitalise these historic structures into high-quality, repurposed spaces but also to deliver a development that meets high sustainability standards, an area where Glencar leads the way. Energy efficient elements that featured in the restoration included the re-lining of all arch spaces, new insulated floor slabs suitable for restaurant use and the installation of new LED smart lighting and glazed front infills. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the exceptional project team that worked on this development and we look forward to collaborating again with The Arch Company in future”. Roger King, Operations Director at The Arch Company, said: “We’re pleased to complete the transformation works of these arches, turning them into spaces for businesses to thrive in the heart of Southwark. Designed for restaurant, bar, retail, or gym use, we encourage anyone interested in letting to get in touch directly.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Council employees start moving into transformed Dunedin House premises. Esh Construction has completed the major refurbishment of Dunedin House to create a new headquarters for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council. The Council purchased Dunedin House, situated in Teesdale Business Park in North Thornaby, in September 2021 and it has since undergone a major programme of remodelling and refurbishment to provide a more collaborative and flexible working environment for the Council’s employees. Esh was appointed to the contract through the NEPO framework, and the development was part of the Council’s plan to consolidate its existing buildings, allowing for better service delivery and financial efficiency. The building has been fully stripped out with bespoke mechanical and electrical works undertaken on the ground, first and third floors. Along with complete redecoration, new ceilings, toilets and kitchen facilities have been installed as well as specially designed office and collaborative learning spaces and meeting hubs. In a bid to reduce carbon emissions, more than 600 photovoltaic (PV) panels have been installed on the roof of Dunedin House. The PV panels will produce 214,650kWh of energy annually, equating to a carbon saving of 41.51tCO2e each year – the equivalent of planting 1,906 trees. Andrew Schofield, Operations Manager at Esh Construction, said: “At Esh, we pride ourselves on building and maintaining strong working relationships with our clients and we are thrilled to handover the refurbished Dunedin House to Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, aligning their vision for the headquarters by creating inspiring and accessible workspaces for their employees. “Being a local contractor, Esh committed to supporting communities near our projects by sourcing locally and reinvesting into the Tees Valley area.” Councillor Nigel Cooke, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “The purchase and refurbishment of Dunedin House gave the Council the opportunity to look at an existing building in North Thornaby which is of a good standard and to bring it back into prime use. “It will allow staff and visitors enjoy a fantastic new working environment and with the building being brought back into full occupancy and with its close proximity, it is certain to be a significant footfall generator in Stockton Town Centre and the wider area.” As part of its Constructing Local strategy, Esh re-invested £2.8 million in the Tees Valley region through responsible procurement on the Dunedin House project. Stokesley-based P+HS Architects and Stockton-based Sine Consulting Ltd worked as local consultants on the project with Middlesbrough-based Maval Electrical and Mechanical Engineering delivering substantial mechanical, electrical and plumbing works. AtkinsRealis provided contract administration and quantity surveying services in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Workpattern supplied workspace design and furniture solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aramark UK has committed to helping turn Everton Stadium into one of the most revolutionary and advanced venues for fan experience in Europe. Recognised as one of the world’s leading foodservice providers, and as industry experts in creating food and beverage led venue experiences, Aramark partners with the Club in one of the biggest commercial deals in the Club’s history. As part of the agreement, and in a demonstration of their commitment to the venue becoming a flagship for their European operation, Aramark will take a position as a Founding Partner of Everton Stadium, with construction of the new waterfront home nearing completion in advance of being fully operational for the 2025/26 football season. The long-term partnership, which marks the industry giant’s first step into English football, will see Aramark deliver world-class food, drink and experiences across Everton Stadium’s footprint all year round, incorporating matchday and non-matchday events. Working in partnership, the Club and Aramark will deliver new innovative experiences for Evertonians at the new stadium, using the most modern technologies to revolutionise fan experience, with the quality of food and beverage provision and speed of service at the forefront. Aramark will be drawing on the solutions it has deployed so successfully across a vast range of sports venues around the globe. These include some of the most high-profile NFL venues such as Philadelphia Eagles Lincoln Financial Field, Denver’s Mile High Stadium, and the Cleveland Browns’ Stadium. Also within Aramark’s impressive portfolio are nine La Liga stadia, including Atletico Madrid’s Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium and eight Bundesliga stadia, including Olympiastadion in Berlin. All offer innovative technology-enabled experiences tailored for fans and event attendees, coupled with diverse, exciting food and drink concepts. Embracing Everton’s vision for a digital-first stadium, Aramark will implement market-leading technology aimed at minimising wait times and enhancing fan satisfaction with support on hand from dedicated staff. Everton Stadium will boast ‘frictionless’ operations, which will significantly reduce queuing through ‘walk-in walk-out’ technology solutions. Alongside modern-day kiosks, these retail outlets will be established at key locations across the stadium to create inclusive and vibrant destinations where supporters will be able to enjoy first-class food and drink quickly and easily. These frictionless stores will include self-service beer systems, immersive food and beverage offers and kitchen collection points – which specialise in producing food exclusively for online order pick-up. Development of The Plaza – an accessible 30,000m sq. space at the eastern entrance to the stadium footprint – will showcase a wide range of specially curated food and drink concepts. Alongside pre-match entertainment and activities, Aramark will work alongside the Club to design food and drink offerings that will be flexible and on-trend, seasonally adapting to the needs of Evertonians and visitors, as well as any events taking place throughout the year. The partnership between Everton and Aramark is rooted in community spirit and driving opportunities for local people. More than 1,200 new roles will be created at Everton Stadium and through wider development initiatives established. In partnership with Everton in the Community (EitC), a new social enterprise will be introduced. This will see Aramark and Everton work in partnership to promote the career opportunities available at the stadium and support local food and drink suppliers in bringing their concepts to life. Richard Kenyon, Everton’s Chief Commercial and Communications Officer said: “This is a landmark partnership for the Club and we are delighted to welcome Aramark as a Founding Partner. “Their mission to set the standard for excellence and their alignment with our vision to create exceptional experiences for Evertonians really resonated with us. “Aramark understands what goes into and what is required to deliver high profile and multi-purpose venues. As we look forward to the Club’s bright future at our new home, we are focused on working together to deliver the right type of experience for every fan and every visitor, both within the stadium and on The Plaza. “By utilising Aramark’s global expertise across many industries, we will be adopting the very latest in retail technology to make a visit to Everton Stadium an amazing experience for every Evertonian. “Evertonians deserve the best and we are working with a global industry leader in Aramark to offer unrivalled experiences at our new home.” By becoming a Founding Partner at Everton Stadium, Aramark will also receive enhanced commercial opportunities and media rights at the Club’s new home once it opens in the summer of 2025. Helen Milligan-Smith, CEO and President at Aramark UK added:“We are thrilled to be a Founding Partner and chosen as the Culinary Experiences Partner for Everton. Our shared commitment to delivering remarkable experiences means we are developing something truly extraordinary for the launch of the new stadium. “It’s important to us that we go above and beyond to forge strong connections not only with our venues, but with the wider community too. The introduction of a new social enterprise programme is a great example of this, and we look forward to working with Everton in the Community to champion local produce and provide training and job opportunities to local people across Liverpool.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Multimillion-pound FEED project will enable new hydrogen distribution network in Teesside. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a multimillion-pound front-end engineering and design (FEED) contract by bp for a new hydrogen pipeline network in the Teesside area. Costain’s multi-disciplinary in-house engineering team will deliver the FEED to enable the construction for a new, 31km onshore pipeline distribution network that will deliver purified and dehydrated hydrogen from bp’s new hydrogen production facility to industrial end users. Costain is expected to complete the FEED project in 2025. Operated by bp, as part of the East Coast Cluster, H2Teesside (H2T) is aiming to be one of the biggest blue hydrogen production facilities in the UK and will produce approximately 160,000 tonnes of low carbon hydrogen per annum. The blue hydrogen that H2T creates will ultimately displace natural gas consumption by industrial end users, establishing the hydrogen economy and enabling decarbonisation across the region. Earlier this year, Costain successfully completed the FEED for the onshore CO2 pipeline and associated utilities and was recently selected by bp to continue the work to the next stage and oversee and manage the engineering, procurement and construction of the CO2 system. Detailed engineering design and preparatory works will commence later this year, subject to final investment decisions. Sam White, managing director of natural resources at Costain, said: “This exciting project is a step change for UK decarbonisation. Our in-house engineering expertise will design a world-leading network that will safely transport hydrogen to provide industrial users with an alternative to natural gas, a key step in the development of the hydrogen economy. “In addition to the environmental benefits, this is a project that will be transformative for Teesside and its people, creating jobs and developing skills throughout the region. In transportation, water, and energy, we’re committed to delivering critical infrastructure that improves lives and prosperity across the North-East of England.” In addition, Technip Energies has been selected by bp to deliver FEED for the H2Teesside hydrogen production site. This will include establishing the execution methodology, a robust schedule and project cost. It is expected to complete FEED in 2025. Andy Lane, VP for hydrogen and CCUS at bp, UK, said: “These agreements mark further critical milestones for H2Teesside as the project continues to move towards EPC contracts and then construction. The project could play a critical role in decarbonising industry on Teesside, helping to transform the region into a leading hydrogen hub and kickstart the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ONE of the North East’s largest business parks is to welcome two new retailers. UK Land Estates is developing a new store for Wickes on the former Huwoods site on Team Valley and a drive-thru Starbucks outlet. The Wickes outlet will see the national DIY chain open a new 25,000sq ft store, creating around 25 jobs. The Starbucks’ drive-thru outlet would see the global coffeehouse occupy a 1,800sq ft unit, creating approximately eight jobs. The moves follow a significant investment into Kingsway North by Team Valley Trading Estate owner, UK Land Estates, over recent years. As well as the new retail outlets, the company is also set to construct three detached, Grade A industrial units totalling 128,410sq ft. Tim Witty, development director at UK Land Estates, said: “We are delighted to be regenerating this important site at the entrance to Team Valley and look forward to bringing Wickes and Starbucks onto the estate. “Over recent years, the development and refurbishment of numerous industrial and retail units have created hundreds of jobs for local people and the arrival of Wickes and Starbucks will further build on that success.” UK Land Estates also plans to continue expanding Team Valley estate over the coming years, having also submitted planning applications for three new industrial units elsewhere on the estate. Tim added: “The three proposed industrial units are to be built speculatively and will bring new, much-needed industrial stock to the region’s commercial property market. “As a region, we have a real shortage of prime industrial space, therefore it is vital that we continue to back developments like these which can help plug that gap and ensure we remain an attractive place to do business. “Hopefully those plans will also find favour with the planning authorities and we’ll see spades in the ground on those developments by 2025.” For more information on UK Land Estates, visit: https://www.uklandestates.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has expressed support for Government’s steps to tackle the constraints of housing delivery in an industry statement published recently. The statement, which has been signed by more than 30 home builders, comes in response to the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Raynor’s statement in the House of Commons outlining proposed planning reforms, including the reintroduction of mandatory local housing targets and releasing of ‘grey belt’ land. In the statement, the home building industry says it ‘stands ready to’ deliver high-quality and affordable homes at pace, provide skilled jobs and contribute to economic growth. The statement also makes clear that a range of different actors, including mortgage lenders, housing associations and councils will need to come to together and support the government’s very ambitious housing targets. Setting out the scale of the challenge, signatories point to the headwinds affecting housing supply today, including a lack of affordable mortgage finance for prospective first-time buyers, nutrient neutrality restrictions holding up the delivery of 160,000 new homes and a lack of capacity in the housing association sector which is making it increasingly difficult for to find providers to acquire and manage new social and affordable homes. Neil Jefferson, Chief Executive at the Home Builders Federation says: “Today represents the first and most important step ministers have taken in addressing the barriers to delivering new homes. “The scale of the government’s housing ambition has given hope to the home building industry that stands ready to increase supply and tackle the country’s housing shortage. “The planning system has long failed to provide the amount of land needed to address affordability pressures, but in recent years the elimination of housing targets has led to housing supply plummeting. A reformed, more progressive planning system that requires local authorities to meet their communities’ housing needs is a major step forward to address the barriers to delivery. “The housing market is complex and bringing more land through the planning system will help to turn around ailing housing supply provided affordable mortgage finance can be accessed and buyers are able to purchase new homes.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Alsecco UK has become a member of the Offsite Alliance to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and sustainability in the built environment. The Offsite Alliance is a forward-thinking community of businesses dedicated to transforming the construction industry through offsite manufacturing and modern methods of construction (MMC). As a specialist in efficient, low-carbon building envelope technologies, Alsecco’s expertise in offsite-manufactured façade systems aligns with the ambitious aims of the Offsite Alliance. These include no lesser goal than to create a transformed construction industry, with productivity, innovation, and sustainability at its heart, streamlined in all its processes, loved by the masses, and exciting to the next generation. Dean Broughton, Managing Director of Alsecco UK, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “Joining the Offsite Alliance represents a significant step forward for Alsecco. “We believe that offsite construction is key to addressing the challenges facing our industry, including the need for faster, more efficient, and sustainable building practices. By collaborating with like-minded organisations within the Alliance, we aim to drive innovation and contribute to the wider adoption of MMC across the UK.” The membership in the Offsite Alliance will provide Alsecco with valuable opportunities to engage with industry leaders, share best practices, and participate in collaborative projects that push the boundaries of offsite construction. This aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to develop cutting-edge façade solutions that can be seamlessly integrated into offsite manufacturing processes. Broughton added: “As part of the Offsite Alliance, we look forward to sharing our expertise in building envelope technologies and learning from other members. This knowledge exchange will not only benefit Alsecco but also contribute to the advancement of the entire construction sector towards more sustainable and efficient practices.” Gaynor Tennant, founder and Chair of the Offsite Alliance, commented: “We work alongside leading organisations, industry bodies, and the government to raise awareness of the opportunity for a more efficient and sustainable construction industry and increase the uptake and delivery of offsite construction methods. “Alsecco’s joining strengthens the Alliance’s collective expertise, particularly in the crucial area of building envelopes and energy efficiency. As the construction industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this will play a vital role in driving innovation, improving productivity, and addressing the pressing need for low-environmental-impact, high-quality housing and infrastructure in the UK. So, we are delighted to have Alsecco on board” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
