August 21, 2024

Bicester Motion & TeamSport unveil new ultimate indoor e-karting centre plans with £6 million investment in young talent

Bicester Motion & TeamSport unveil new ultimate indoor e-karting centre plans with £6 million investment in young talent

Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Bicester, Oxfordshire and TeamSport, the ultimate indoor karting experience company, have agreed a partnership to invest £6 million in grassroots motorsport to deliver a new indoor electric go-karting centre. The proposed two-level track will be built inside Bicester Motion’s Hangar 137, a

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Wavensmere Homes submits plans for Canalside South

Wavensmere Homes submits plans for Canalside South

Wavensmere Homes has submitted plans to City of Wolverhampton Council for the proposed £150 million residential-led Canalside South development. The 17.5-acre former industrial site is located within the city centre and benefits from frontage onto the Wyrley & Essington Canal and the Wolverhampton Branch of the Birmingham Main Line Canal.

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Mitie Secures Five-Year Grounds Maintenance Contract at Edinburgh Airport

Mitie Secures Five-Year Grounds Maintenance Contract at Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport has awarded Mitie a new five-year contract for grounds maintenance across its airfield and terminal buildings. As part of this contract, Mitie will provide essential landscaping services at Scotland’s busiest airport, which handles over 14 million passengers travelling to 152 destinations annually. The services will include lawn care,

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Zephyr X secures Puma Property loan

Zephyr X secures Puma Property loan

Puma Property Finance (Puma) has announced that it has facilitated £20 million in loans (£13 million and £7 million) for Zephyr X to develop two new care homes in the South-East. The projects will create new facilities in areas with a significant shortage of care beds, specifically in Reigate, Surrey,

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Latest Issue

BDC 321 : Oct 2024

August 21, 2024

Bicester Motion & TeamSport unveil new ultimate indoor e-karting centre plans with £6 million investment in young talent

Bicester Motion & TeamSport unveil new ultimate indoor e-karting centre plans with £6 million investment in young talent

Bicester Motion, the 444-acre future mobility estate in Bicester, Oxfordshire and TeamSport, the ultimate indoor karting experience company, have agreed a partnership to invest £6 million in grassroots motorsport to deliver a new indoor electric go-karting centre. The proposed two-level track will be built inside Bicester Motion’s Hangar 137, a 31,000 sq ft (2,880 sq m), Grade 2 Listed building with access from Skimmingdish Lane. The partnership will enable Bicester Motion to invest £4 million to restore, rejuvenate and conserve the historic hangar’s external building fabric and for TeamSport to deliver a new £2 million state-of-the-art 500 metre electric go-karting track and centre to boost grassroots and women in motorsport talent. A planning application has been submitted to Cherwell District Council for the proposed change of use for e-karting purposes to deliver a long-term, viable use to facilitate the hangar’s repair and conservation. TeamSport has forty e-karting centres across London and the UK which are open for children aged eight onwards and adults to experience this form of highly competitive and popular motorsport. Also, TeamSport will offer a membership scheme and discount for student, NHS staff, emergency services and military personnel. TeamSport’s new electric go-karting track experience will support Bicester Motion’s strategy to continue to boost future mobility. Its 50-strong business community includes NEOM McLaren Electric Racing, Polestar’s UK HQ, Zapp, and record-breaking synthetic fuel manufacturer Zero, amongst many other pioneering specialist brands. The proposed new centre is adjacent to its new innovation project, a £60 million investment pioneering future mobility discovery and will deliver seven prestigious HQ buildings with views across the airfield and will total 215,000 sq ft (19,698 sq m). The first three buildings have been pre-let to Mercedes Benz-owned YASA for its new UK HQ as it continues to pioneer new electric drive technology. Daniel Geoghegan, chief executive, Bicester Motion said: “We warmly welcome TeamSport to Bicester Motion and our community. Being in the heart of Motorsport Valley and home to Motorsport UK’s HQ, the synergies are clear. Our estate is uniquely placed to offer this new experience for future young talent in Bicester and Oxfordshire and for the local community to enjoy and enable us to invest in sensitively restoring our much-loved hangar and secure its health for its second century.” Dominic Gaynor, chief executive officer, TeamSport said: “Our future talent starts on the go-kart track and for some time we have been looking to open in Motorsport Valley surrounded by the many F1 teams. Finding the right place and location were key and our new home at Bicester Motion is the perfect match. We will be providing an innovative and exhilarating new two-level track for everyone to enjoy and creating jobs in both the construction and operational phases. We look forward to progressing the planning application and starting work to deliver our latest adrenalin-filled indoor go-karting experience.” Hugh Chambers, chief executive officer, Motorsport UK which is based at Bicester Motion, added: “TeamSport is a valued partner of Motorsport UK delivering the British Indoor Karting Championships, the largest motorsport championship in the world, and the F1 Academy Discover Your Drive programme. With more than 5,500 annual participants in the BIKC, TeamSport provides an affordable route into the sport through their racing leagues, while Discover Your Drive has played a groundbreaking role in growing female participation in karting for 8-12 year old girls. We look forward to having them as our neighbours and opening the sport to the Bicester and Oxfordshire and wider community.” Richard Morris represented TeamSport. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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McLaren Construction Midlands and North announces start of Omega West Unit 4 in Warrington

McLaren Construction Midlands and North announces start of Omega West Unit 4 in Warrington

McLaren Construction Midlands and North has announced the commencement of works on Omega West Unit 4, a £28million major industrial and logistics (I&L) development within the Omega Business Park, in Warrington. Due for completion at the end of June 2025, Unit 4 follows the successful completion of Units 2 and 3, also on behalf of Omega St Helens Limited, but with a fund managed by Blackstone as the purchaser. The unit is to be a 420,000 sq. ft. development featuring state-of-the-art facilities, including two-story offices, extensive warehouse space, a hub office, car park facilities, and comprehensive external works and landscaping. The team has worked to tackle challenging elements of the site including an existing watercourse along its southern and western boundaries, which requires an eight-metre buffer zone to maintain construction safety. Additionally, a 132kva cable diversion below ground on the northern boundary will necessitate careful planning to ensure safe excavation and groundwork activities. In line with McLaren Construction’s sustainability commitment, the development will incorporate 10% natural roof light implementation, future capacity for EV charging, and a full cut and fill balance of the existing ground to reuse all on-site cohesive materials. The site will also include a wild meadow planting arrangement and increased green space areas through extensive landscaping. During construction, all generators and plant machinery will run on alternative fuels, and all site waste will be managed through an online data system, Smartwaste, with recycling targets monitored monthly. The project will utilise locally sourced materials and suppliers, wherever possible, to support the local economy. Upon completion, the development is expected to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of A. With careful consideration of the local community at its heart, throughout the project McLaren Construction Midlands and North will continue to regularly engage with local schools and colleges, including job fairs and mock interview sessions, to promote industry opportunities for young people. For the wider community and stakeholders, monthly meetings with the local council and planning teams will be hosted, presenting newsletters and updates to keep the entire community informed. Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “We are excited to start work on Unit 4, building on our successful track record at the Omega Business Park. Our team is dedicated to delivering a high-quality, sustainable project while continuing to engage and support the local community.” David Milloy, Managing Director of M2 Group (owner of Omega St Helens), added: “We are very pleased to continue our partnership with McLaren Construction on this pivotal development. Their commitment to quality and community engagement aligns with our values and vision for Omega Business Park.” The commencement of Omega West Unit 4 underscores McLaren Construction Midlands and North’s ongoing dedication to fostering sustainable growth and innovation in industrial and logistics infrastructure. With a steadfast commitment to quality, environmental responsibility and community engagement, the contractor is poised to deliver a project that not only meets the highest standards of construction excellence but also contributes positively to the Warrington community and beyond. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Wavensmere Homes submits plans for Canalside South

Wavensmere Homes submits plans for Canalside South

Wavensmere Homes has submitted plans to City of Wolverhampton Council for the proposed £150 million residential-led Canalside South development. The 17.5-acre former industrial site is located within the city centre and benefits from frontage onto the Wyrley & Essington Canal and the Wolverhampton Branch of the Birmingham Main Line Canal. Over 530 high EPC-rated homes, seven acres of vibrant green space, and a range of commercial amenities are proposed to regenerate the site, which has lain derelict for 15 years. Designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects, the low-rise development plans emulate the surrounding conservation area and maximise the canalside setting. The scheme is also set to open up a new walkway to the city core, reducing the previous walk time by 20 minutes, and igniting investment into a commercial corridor. The waterfront development opportunity sits on the eastern edge of the city centre and is made up of the Canal & River Trust-owned former Crane Foundry site, and the Council’s former British Steel site and land off Qualcast Road – all brought together to ensure a comprehensive development takes place. Wavensmere Homes is proposing 378 two-and three-bedroom townhouses, designed to target an EPC-A rated specification, together with 145 one-and two-bedroom apartments. A building of 10 co-living units – each containing six bedrooms – is also proposed. The multi-award-winning urban regeneration specialist has also submitted plans to redevelop and reanimate disused railway arches on the site into 1,338sqm (14,400 sq ft) of lettable commercial space. Wavensmere Homes proposes future-proofing the Canalside South site by installing electric only heating systems. A range of technologies will be utilised across the development, consisting of air source heat pumps, solar panels and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR). The development plans also feature EV charging to each house or parking space, alongside an array of EV chargers for visitors. The overall vision for the Wolverhampton Canalside masterplan is the delivery of around 1,000 homes to meet both the city and wider region’s housing needs, with sustainability and place-making at its heart. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Mitie Secures Five-Year Grounds Maintenance Contract at Edinburgh Airport

Mitie Secures Five-Year Grounds Maintenance Contract at Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport has awarded Mitie a new five-year contract for grounds maintenance across its airfield and terminal buildings. As part of this contract, Mitie will provide essential landscaping services at Scotland’s busiest airport, which handles over 14 million passengers travelling to 152 destinations annually. The services will include lawn care, tree and shrub maintenance, litter collection, and weed control across the entire airport estate, from the terminal front to the airfield. The team will also be responsible for mowing and maintaining approximately 2 million square metres of grass—a space equivalent to 280 football pitches. In addition to landscaping, Mitie will provide winter maintenance services at the airport. This will involve gritting car parks, walkways, and roads across the site, as well as supporting the maintenance of taxiway systems when needed. Given the harsh winter weather often experienced at the airport, ensuring the grounds remain safe and accessible for passengers and staff is a crucial responsibility that Mitie will undertake. Sustainability is a key focus of the contract. Mitie plans to use white marine salt, derived from evaporated seawater, for gritting, rather than salt obtained through mining. The company will also aim to eliminate the use of plastic and is working on several initiatives to introduce more sustainable planting and wildflower areas at passenger entrances to enhance biodiversity at the airport. This contract further strengthens Mitie’s presence in the UK aviation sector, where the company already provides a range of services, including cleaning, engineering, and waste management, as well as baggage security, at major airports such as Heathrow, London Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, and Belfast City. Tim Howell, Managing Director of Mitie Landscapes, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Edinburgh Airport to deliver grounds maintenance services over the next five years. Our experienced team is dedicated to maintaining the airport’s extensive grounds using the most sustainable methods available, ensuring they remain safe, functional, and visually appealing throughout the year.” Brian Anderson, Head of Engineering at Edinburgh Airport, added: “Effective grounds and winter maintenance are crucial to the airport and our daily operations, and we are pleased that Mitie will be working with us on this over the next five years. Their experience and expertise, along with their plans for future improvements, will help ensure the best service for passengers and staff across the campus.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Zephyr X secures Puma Property loan

Zephyr X secures Puma Property loan

Puma Property Finance (Puma) has announced that it has facilitated £20 million in loans (£13 million and £7 million) for Zephyr X to develop two new care homes in the South-East. The projects will create new facilities in areas with a significant shortage of care beds, specifically in Reigate, Surrey, and Whitchurch, Reading. The £13m loan will deliver an 80-bed all electric new care home in Reigate, Surrey, the site of a former independent hospital. The new home will include amenities such as a hairdresser, cinema/entertainment room, private dining room, café area and a gym. With 100% wet room provision the new home will address the significant shortfall in the well populated Reigate area with only 25% of the existing supply having been built since 2000 and a 474 wet room shortfall1. Construction is underway and the care home is expected to reach practical completion in December 2025. The £7m loan will deliver a new 45-bed care home in Whitchurch, Reading to address significant demand in the area. In particular, there is a notable shortfall in ensuite wet rooms, with only 29% of the existing supply providing this product. The new care home is being built in a well populated area where the demand for care beds exceeds 800 per 100,000 people1. The home will offer all ensuite wet rooms, plus extensive amenities for residents including lounges, dining rooms, therapy room, hair salon plus a café/bistro. Construction is progressing and the care home is expected to reach practical completion in January 2025. Puma has now supported Zephyr X on four care home developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Shropshire Council Launch ‘Riverside Remembered’ Social History Project as Shopping Centre Demolition Gets Underway

Shropshire Council Launch ‘Riverside Remembered’ Social History Project as Shopping Centre Demolition Gets Underway

Demolition of the former Riverside shopping centre and medical practice is underway, kickstarting the transformation of the Smithfield Riverside area in Shrewsbury town centre. To mark this significant milestone, Shropshire Council is asking for the public’s help in compiling a history of the area over the last 50 years. Named ‘Riverside Remembered,’ the social history initiative will see Shropshire Council and the Shropshire Archives work together to curate a collection of memories from the area between the years of 1974 and 2024. Members of the public are encouraged to submit their photos online at smithfieldriverside.com for inclusion in the project. For those with physical photographs, videotapes or even mementos, a drop-in event will be held at Shropshire Local in the Darwin Centre on 5th September from 9am – 3pm. On 1st October, an event will be held at Shropshire Archives on Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, which will include a display of images submitted, and screening of a film about the historical development of Raven Meadows. The demolition marks the first visible sign of change as part of the wider Smithfield Riverside regeneration scheme – an ambitious plan led by the Council and its development manager, RivingtonHark, to revitalise the area between the River Severn, The Darwin centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows in Shrewsbury town centre. Funded by £19 million from the UK Government, the demolition – carried out by specialist demolition contractor Cawarden – is expected to take around three months. Once the site has been cleared, work can begin on the first phase of the Smithfield Riverside project – the creation of a landmark park adjacent to Roushill. This attractive green space has been designed to help breathe new life and vibrancy into the area, as well as improve biodiversity and flood resilience in the town centre. It will feature play equipment, accessible facilities for visitors of all ages, and a dedicated events and performance area. Mark Barrow, Shropshire Council’s Executive Director of Place, said: “This is a significant moment for Shrewsbury. The start of demolition at the Riverside site is the first step in an exciting period of change for this area of our town centre – one that will ultimately help us attract new visitors, residents, businesses and jobs. We’ve been working hard with the project team towards this moment for many months, so it’s truly fantastic to see the project now officially moving forward. “The Riverside area has a rich history going back centuries, and for many people in Shrewsbury and across Shropshire the old nightclubs and shops in this area held a wealth of happy memories. Riverside Remembered is the perfect way to celebrate those memories and mark the beginning of a new chapter for this part of the town centre” Spencer Winter, Project Director at RivingtonHark, added: “Seeing work start on site is naturally an exciting moment for ourselves, having been involved in the project since 2022, but it is truly a testament to the hard work of Shropshire Council and the entire project team over the last 12 months. “This is the beginning of a transformational journey for Shrewsbury town centre. Phase One of the project is taking full advantage of the Levelling Up funding by delivering a high-quality public space that reflects the town’s character, but also creating the right conditions and environment to drive forward further regeneration as part of the Smithfield Riverside masterplan.”  The next planning application for Smithfield Riverside will be submitted later this year, introducing ‘outline’ plans to the develop three plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Housebuilder reveals plans to regenerate unused land in Milton Keynes

Housebuilder reveals plans to regenerate unused land in Milton Keynes

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has committed to regenerating nearly seven acres of unused land in Milton Keynes to build 115 new homes – 50 of which will be built to the anticipated Future Homes Standard.  With a planned total build budget of £21.5million, the project is due to be completed in March 2026, and will provide a range of high-quality, multi-tenure homes to add to the thriving community already in the area.  The housebuilder will also create multiple types of housing for residents at the site to be named Haworth Place, including much-needed affordable housing stock through a local housing association. The development is located on the edge of Milton Keynes and is close to a variety of amenities such as shops, parks and transport links.  The Future Homes Standard legislation update, which is due in 2025, requires all new homes to reduce 75 percent of the carbon emissions and is set out to replace traditional Building Regulations for new dwellings.  Keepmoat has invested in new research and development to create an advanced delivery programme of new builds called ‘Echo’ homes, equipped with air source heat pumps, solar PV panels, increased levels of insulation and EV charging points to reduce carbon emissions from the homes. These new technologies will be rolled out across key selected developments in the house builders’ portfolio to begin the advanced delivery project, including within 50 homes at the development in Milton Keynes.  Ian McFaul, Interim Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat, South Midlands, said: “We’re thrilled to be regenerating this underdeveloped piece of land in Milton Keynes to deliver 115 high-quality, multi-tenure homes for the local area, including much-needed affordable housing options. The project is also creating a raft of new local jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities, further boosting the local economy and the industry’s future workforce. “As the project continues into the next phase, it’s extremely rewarding to see the excitement about the plans to deliver these homes in this fantastic new town. We’re also proud to be delivering homes featuring anticipated Future Homes Standard technology ahead of the Government-enforced delivery model set to come in next year – a further step in our mission to create sustainable communities for the future.” Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track-record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford.  To find out more about Keepmoat, please visit: www.keepmoat.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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