September 2, 2024

McLaren Construction Selects OpenSpace for AI-powered 360° Reality Capture Across UK Projects

McLaren Construction Selects OpenSpace for AI-powered 360° Reality Capture Across UK Projects

McLaren Construction has chosen OpenSpace, the global leader in 360° reality capture, to integrate AI-powered computer vision and analytics into its projects throughout the UK. OpenSpace helps construction and real estate companies operate more efficiently and with less risk. The company’s AI-powered computer vision and analytics make OpenSpace the fastest

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Work completes on new SEND School in Leicestershire

Work completes on new SEND School in Leicestershire

A BRAND-NEW specialist school for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs has completed in Shepshed, Leicestershire, offering facilities for students aged 4-16 from September 2024. Bowman Academy, which is situated on the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School, located to the east of Shepshed on Loughborough

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Knights Brown appointed to finish off Portsea scheme

Knights Brown appointed to finish off Portsea scheme

Portsmouth City Council has selected Knights Brown to carry out the fifth and final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme, starting in September. Knights Brown previously constructed the second and third phases, so they have carried out the majority of this valuable scheme. The scheme as a whole, is

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Tilia Homes Central to deliver new homes on brownfield site

Tilia Homes Central to deliver new homes on brownfield site

Tilia Homes Central has secured approval on plans to develop a 12-hectare derelict brownfield site in Northampton, as part of a multi-million pound programme of regeneration. The housebuilder is collaborating with Homes England on the scheme, which was recommended for approval by the West Northamptonshire Council planning committee recently. The

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Insulation specialist introduces technical packs to support golden thread

Insulation specialist introduces technical packs to support golden thread

External wall insulation specialist Alsecco has introduced technical packs to support early, accurate specification and ensure that information required for the golden thread is in place from the start of a project. Providing brick slip systems, render and external wall insulation, the manufacturer has taken steps to give stakeholders, especially

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Latest Issue

BDC 321 : Oct 2024

September 2, 2024

Indurent Secures Approval for Major Lichfield Industrial Park, Tackling Regional Warehousing Shortfall

Indurent Secures Approval for Major Lichfield Industrial Park, Tackling Regional Warehousing Shortfall

Indurent, the newly formed logistics giant born from the merger of Industrials REIT and St. Modwen Logistics, has successfully secured planning approval for a substantial 432,000 sq ft industrial and logistics development in Lichfield. This ambitious project, named Indurent Park Lichfield, is set to address the critical shortage of mid-sized warehousing units in the region. Located off Cricket Lane and adjacent to the Swinfen Interchange roundabout, which offers convenient access to the M6 motorway, the development will comprise eight mid-box units ranging in size from 36,000 sq ft to 83,000 sq ft. Each unit is designed to achieve a minimum BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for sustainability and an EPC ‘A’ rating for energy efficiency, reflecting Indurent’s commitment to environmentally responsible construction. Jessica Evans, senior planning manager at Indurent, commented on the project’s approval: “The approval of Indurent Park Lichfield will help to address the region’s acute undersupply of modern mid-box warehousing and deliver significant social and economic value for the region. Having engaged extensively with the local community throughout the planning process, the approval builds on Indurent’s successful track record of development in Staffordshire, where we provide over three million sq ft of high-quality space and support the success of customers of all sizes seeking to benefit from the Midlands’ national connectivity and large, skilled workforce.” The development is expected to create 250 jobs during its construction phase, which is slated to begin in 2025. Upon completion of the first phase in 2026, the park is projected to support around 820 full-time jobs across various roles. Indurent, owned by investment funds managed by Blackstone, currently owns and operates 27 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space across the UK, supporting over 2,000 businesses across diverse sectors. This new Lichfield development is a significant addition to their expanding portfolio, underscoring their commitment to meeting the growing demand for high-quality industrial space in the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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McLaren Construction Selects OpenSpace for AI-powered 360° Reality Capture Across UK Projects

McLaren Construction Selects OpenSpace for AI-powered 360° Reality Capture Across UK Projects

McLaren Construction has chosen OpenSpace, the global leader in 360° reality capture, to integrate AI-powered computer vision and analytics into its projects throughout the UK. OpenSpace helps construction and real estate companies operate more efficiently and with less risk. The company’s AI-powered computer vision and analytics make OpenSpace the fastest and simplest way to fully document construction sites, visualise progress, coordinate with the field, and manage tasks. After a thorough RFP process designed to evaluate different vendors in the market, McLaren has come to the conclusion that OpenSpace provides the most value to their teams and overall operations. As one of the largest players in the UK construction industry, McLaren requires a solution that is capable of rapid and effortless scaling to support its growth. OpenSpace has proven to be able to deliver this level of scalability with a blend of cutting-edge technology and user-friendly design, ensuring a smooth roll-out and swift adoption in the field. The ability to access a comprehensive visual record of construction sites from any location, will simplify remote progress tracking, facilitate issue management, and expedite cross-team communication and decision-making. With OpenSpace BIM+, McLaren Construction further aims to empower its teams by enhancing on-site BIM utilisation and improving coordination between the field and the office. Thomas Flannery, Head of Digital Construction at McLaren Construction, comments, “As the firm approaches £1 billion turnover, McLaren is investing around £4 million over three years in the skills and rigorous systems required for project and business management. These skills and systems will ensure compliance with building safety legislation and give us robust digital information management for all aspects of design, procurement, change and quality control process. Following a very competitive tender process we are pleased to partner with OpenSpace who align with McLaren’s aspirations of an open and streamlined software stack to help drive efficiency for our customers.” OpenSpace’s Account Executive Lewis Campbell comments, “Working with the team from McLaren Construction on the initial test projects has been a real pleasure, and it’s been fantastic to see our solution get adopted so quickly by everyone involved. McLaren is a real industry leader and an exceptional company, at the forefront of leveraging technology to build better and achieve outstanding results for their customers. We are looking forward to working with their teams on the deployment of OpenSpace across all major projects in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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DEMOLITION TO MAKE WAY FOR SOUTHPORT’S NEW, £73 MILLION MARINE LAKE EVENTS CENTRE PROGRESSING WELL

Demolition to make way for Southport’s new, £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre progressing well

Demolition of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre is progressing well. Contractors, DSM, remain hard at work throughout the summer months to demolish the former theatre safely and considerately to make way for the £73 million Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC). Residents and local businesses have been kept regularly updated on the works and Sefton Council continues to hold face-to-face sessions for people nearby to ask questions and raise any concerns. Prior to the demolition, a number of historical heritage items were removed from the former theatre. They are now being held in safe storage and will be incorporated into the future MLEC site for public viewing. While most of the work so far has taken place inside the building, an annexe building on site has now been demolished. Away from site, Sefton Council and its partners remain fully committed to an impressive social value project which gives back to the community in a number of ways. Recently the MLEC team, which consists of the Local Authority and partners including architects AFL and contractor DSM, donated 45 ‘back to school’ kits to local charity Compassion Acts. The kits will help struggling families keep down costs for essential items pupils need when they return to school in September. Councillor Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said:“It’s great to see lots of work happening on site and the MLEC project is progressing very well. “With huge economic and tourism projects like the Marine Lake Events Centre, there are lots of things which need to happen behind the scenes that most will never be aware of so for people to be able to see physical demolition work taking place is great.  “Our social value work is a real credit to the kindness and generosity of our project partners and contractors and I would like to thank them again for their incredible kindness in supporting the community in and around Southport.” Updates about the Marine Lake Events Centre project are available via www.sefton.gov.uk/MLEC Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Bellway Essex development shortlisted in prestigious county housing awards

Bellway Essex development shortlisted in prestigious county housing awards

A Bellway development in Halstead has been shortlisted in the Essex Housing Awards 2024. Willow Park has been chosen as a finalist in the Large Housing Scheme category of the prestigious awards, with the winners to be announced at a ceremony at the Greenwoods Hotel and Spa in the Essex village of Stock on Thursday 7 November. The Large Housing Scheme award recognises the development of homes (new or refurbished) which make a significant contribution to meeting housing needs and placemaking and improving the image and perception of housing in the county. Bellway Essex has delivered 153 houses for private sale and 65 affordable homes for local people through rent or shared ownership at Willow Park, off Winston Way, alongside more than 30 acres of parkland, footpaths and a children’s play area. Although this project is now complete, Bellway is building on this legacy in Halstead at its Oakfields Park development in the town, where construction is currently in progress. Jenny Walker, Sales Director at Bellway Essex, said: “We are thrilled to have been selected in the finals of the Essex Housing Awards 2024. To be on a shortlist of three in the Large Housing Scheme category is testament to the hard work and effort put in by the whole team in Halstead. “We are very proud of the brand-new neighbourhood which has been established at Willow Park, where there is a distinct community feel. The development design promotes and encourages health and exercise with a large country park and footpaths and cycleways. “This attractive new development not only delivered 218 new homes to meet the specific needs of the local housing market but also brought new jobs in sales and construction during the build life of the site. In addition, Bellway contributed almost £1.7 million to local education, outdoor sports, community buildings and healthcare as part of the planning agreement. “We are now continuing our commitment to delivering high-quality new homes in Halstead at our Oakfields Park development off Tidings Hill. Like Willow Park, the new properties at Oakfields Park are from Bellway’s flagship Artisan Collection, with a wide mix of designs to suit different lifestyles and budgets and the same focus on exceptional quality and customer service.”      Bellway Essex is building 80 homes at Oakfields Park, with 52 homes for private sale and 28 affordable homes available for local people through low-cost rent or shared ownership. The team at Oakfields Park won the Showhome of the Year category at the Showhome Awards earlier this year, for the inclusive design of its Thespian showhome and has also been shortlisted in the EG Awards which will be announced in November. Joe Gracey, who has been site manager at both Willow Park and Oakfields Park, won a Quality Award in the National House Building Council’s Pride in the Job competition this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Work completes on new SEND School in Leicestershire

Work completes on new SEND School in Leicestershire

A BRAND-NEW specialist school for pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs has completed in Shepshed, Leicestershire, offering facilities for students aged 4-16 from September 2024. Bowman Academy, which is situated on the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School, located to the east of Shepshed on Loughborough Road, will see pupils benefit from a range of facilities to suit their needs. This includes classroom suites with vinyl areas to support practical learning, a sensory “dark room”, practical teaching spaces including a domestic kitchen, a library, a calming room, and a main hall with a demountable stage. The new build SEND school, which has been designed sympathetically to the needs of SEMH learning, has space for 64 pupils, with facilities for 16 primary-aged children across two ground floor classrooms, with the remaining 48 secondary-aged pupils split across two ground floor classrooms, and a further four on the first floor. The first floor also has an additional three classrooms for practical uses. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard was behind the scheme, providing architectural services for main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, which was procured by the Department for Education (DfE) under the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC1) framework. Joe West, associate at Pick Everard, said: “Working on SEND schools is always a privilege, with unique design applications and special consideration for the needs of a diverse range of learning. “Creating an environment that is both functional and comfortable for pupils was central to the aims of the project, which should in turn aid the school in attracting and retaining students in the area. “The construction technique employed on this project was a fully offsite solution, so thorough sequencing and planning was paramount to ensure all materials were delivered safely and successfully, as well as meeting the highest standards. “We’re delighted to have worked alongside Bowmer + Kirkland once again to deliver this fantastic academy for pupils in the area with SEMH needs.” Driving sustainability initiatives, Bowman Academy’s design includes a ‘fabric-first’ approach, which reduces the energy requirements of the building through measures including high levels of insulation, heat recovery and air tightness. High efficiency boilers have been installed at the school, which will be run by the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT), as well as LED lighting with occupancy and daylight controls for resource management. The building also has glare control and sustainable natural ventilation, providing a low energy cost solution. Additionally, the site includes a photovoltaic panel array, providing a ten per cent energy consumption offset from renewable technology. Steve Waldron, contracts manager at Bowmer + Kirkland, said: “We have been working for the DfE since 2013 and are proud of the 73 schools we have completed, but specialist schools are unique in the enormous difference they make to the pupils and their families. We are delighted to continue our relationship with Pick Everard to deliver another fantastic facility which will improve the lives of so many young people.” Cllr Deborah Taylor, cabinet member for Children and Families at Leicestershire County Council, said: “It is exciting to see the school completed and we’re looking forward to it opening and welcoming new pupils. “The building of Bowman Academy part of a wider program to ensure provision is available to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities in Leicestershire, as close to their homes as possible.  “This includes both the building of special schools and creating provision in mainstream schools.” James Ellis, CIT’s director of SEND education, said, “This is a very exciting time for Bowman Academy. SEMH is a unique sector of education requiring distinctive building design to support the delivery of specialist teaching and care for pupils. “We look forward to welcoming children in Shepshed and the surrounding area to our new setting and supporting them to develop the knowledge and skills they need to help them thrive in adult life.” The project at Bowman Academy builds on further work from Pick Everard in Shepshed, following its key role in the £2.5m regeneration of its town centre in March. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit: www.pickeverard.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Sainsbury’s Expands Footprint with Acquisition of 10 Homebase Stores for Supermarket Conversions

Sainsbury’s Expands Footprint with Acquisition of 10 Homebase Stores for Supermarket Conversions

Sainsbury’s has secured a deal to acquire 10 leasehold properties from Homebase, with plans to convert them into supermarkets. These strategic locations are spread across England, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, aligning with Sainsbury’s goal of expanding its presence in key areas. Once transformed, the new supermarkets will feature shop floors ranging between 15,000 and 40,000 sq ft, collectively adding 235,000 sq ft to Sainsbury’s trading space. The acquisition is set to be finalised by early September, with the first store expected to open next summer. Sainsbury’s aims to complete all conversions by the end of 2025. The retailer has earmarked approximately £130m for this investment, covering the total capitalised cost of leases, acquisition premiums, and fit-out expenses. Sainsbury’s anticipates strong financial returns from these stores, with return on capital employed expected to be comfortably in the low teens, surpassing its cost of capital. Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, stated: “Our food business continues to gain momentum as we advance with our Next Level Sainsbury’s strategy. We offer the best combination of value and quality in the market, attracting customers from our key competitors and consistently growing our volume market share. Expanding our supermarket footprint is a key part of our strategy to become the first choice for food across the UK, and these new stores will allow us to serve even more communities.” The Homebase stores set to become Sainsbury’s supermarkets are located in: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Knights Brown appointed to finish off Portsea scheme

Knights Brown appointed to finish off Portsea scheme

Portsmouth City Council has selected Knights Brown to carry out the fifth and final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme, starting in September. Knights Brown previously constructed the second and third phases, so they have carried out the majority of this valuable scheme. The scheme as a whole, is one of the largest local authority-led coastal flood defence projects in the UK and is crucial for the protection of Portsmouth residents. The defences will safeguard more than 4,000 homes and almost 500 businesses. It covers 8.4km of coastline from Tipner through to Milton. Most of the area is low-lying and many of the current coastal defences were approaching the end of their effective lives. The final phase of the work carried out by Knights Brown will take place along Ports Creek in North Portsea and will include 1.9 km of flood defences. The design consists of a sloped earth embankment, which provides the required flood defence level, with a rock armour toe. Rock armour dissipates wave energy, therefore preventing further breakup of the shoreline. Divisional Director, Mike Crook, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed as principal contractor to carry out the fifth and final phase of the North Portsea Coastal Scheme. This third award demonstrates our capability and trusted collaborative relationship with Coastal Partners. “Our extensive expertise in coastal civil engineering and our local knowledge will enable us to deliver this essential flood defence scheme, which will safeguard residents and businesses for the next 100 years. All of the improvements will be delivered with the highest standard in order to foster the growth of local marine life and enhance the social space for the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Tilia Homes Central to deliver new homes on brownfield site

Tilia Homes Central to deliver new homes on brownfield site

Tilia Homes Central has secured approval on plans to develop a 12-hectare derelict brownfield site in Northampton, as part of a multi-million pound programme of regeneration. The housebuilder is collaborating with Homes England on the scheme, which was recommended for approval by the West Northamptonshire Council planning committee recently. The land off Ransome Road in Far Cotton, Northampton, has been left abandoned since the Northampton to Peterborough Branch Railway closed in the 1970s, with the Grade II listed former Midland Railway Locomotive Shed located on the University site to the north of the proposed development. Approximately half of the site was previously used as a landfill area and there has been an ongoing process to remediate the land for future development. The site has had a long-standing allocation in the Local Plan for residential development. Tilia Homes will build 217 homes in a selection of styles, sizes, and designs, including a provision of affordable homes. The development will feature a high proportion of open space and a new play area. Amerjit Atwal, Regional Managing Director for Tilia Homes Central, commented: “Our vision to regenerate this neglected site off Ransome Road has moved closer to becoming a reality. “Restoring landfill land back into usable living and recreational space is essential if we are to meet housing targets and we look forward to turning this once-neglected space into a thriving new community that people are proud to call home. “Our energy-efficient properties would help to alleviate a general housing shortage in Northampton, as we aim to fulfil our mission of supporting people at every stage of the housing ladder. “As well as providing more green, open space that people can enjoy, our proposed development layout also pays particular attention to the provision of additional public parking and the needs of the local community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Insulation specialist introduces technical packs to support golden thread

Insulation specialist introduces technical packs to support golden thread

External wall insulation specialist Alsecco has introduced technical packs to support early, accurate specification and ensure that information required for the golden thread is in place from the start of a project. Providing brick slip systems, render and external wall insulation, the manufacturer has taken steps to give stakeholders, especially on high rise projects, the information needed to successfully specify projects at the initial engagement stage. Pulling together essential information including a U-value calculation for the project, condensation risk analysis, certification, technical and safety data, the packs contain all the information required to demonstrate that Alsecco’s systems meet the design specification – and are compliant with the relevant regulations. In addition, the technical team at Alsecco create a suite of drawings for the packs to support the application and installation of the systems, with the option to update and change this on site at a later stage within the design process. While providing the level of detail needed to demonstrate how the products would perform within the project specification, including thermal efficiency and weather performance, the packs also ensure that the level of detail required to support the golden thread is in place from the start. Ben Robinson, Technical Manager at Alsecco, said: “The introduction of the Building Safety Act has understandably seen the demand for comprehensive information around all building systems increase rapidly. “In meeting this need from the outset we aim to take a forward-looking approach that puts in place all the detail that is needed to support the progress of a project through the gateway system, and to provide the detail that will support the golden thread for the lifetime of the building. “As a manufacturer we are committed to supporting the highest standards in construction and have the digital tools and technical knowledge to offer that to specifiers, architects and contractors as soon as interest has been lodged in a scheme. “While having the correct certification will be vital for the gateway scheme it is also essential that calculations for U-values are correct and that an accurate condensation risk analysis is in place to inform the correct use of systems to fulfil the criteria, ensure lasting quality in the build and to increase application processing speeds for our valued partners.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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APM President celebrates women in project profession at 2024 Women in Project Management Conference

APM President celebrates women in project profession at 2024 Women in Project Management Conference

On 26 September 2024, over 700 project professionals will come together to network, interact and learn about the topics that really matter to women in the project profession. Hosted by the Association for Project Management (APM), the Women in Project Management Conference 2024 is one of the biggest dates in APM’s calendar. This year’s Women in Project Management Conference 2024: Leadership Unpacked will feature keynotes, speeches, and sessions on a variety of topics, including the three key streams; Women in Leadership, Celebrating Differences, and Career Develop Tools and Techniques. Additionally, the event will see APM’s new President Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL give her first major speech since being appointed to the role. Dr Thompson is the founder of the WinTrade Global Women in Business Network Summit and Awards and is part of a powerful network supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for greater gender and race equality and equity. Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL, APM President, said: “It’s an honour to have been appointed as the new President for the Association for Project Management. Not only is this an extremely proud moment for me personally, but it’s an important step for females in the project profession. “Currently the gender pay gap in the project profession is 16% higher than the national average and the number of females in leadership roles is at risk of stagnation. There are plenty of opportunities to improve the equality and diversity across the industry. “I can’t wait to hear from some of the many inspirational individuals at the conference and see so many project professionals come together to celebrate women in project management. “One of my main goals as APM President is to combat this issue of stagnation and break down barriers for women in the project profession. APM’s Women in Project Management Conference is a great opportunity to learn more about exactly what matters to women in the project profession.” The day includes a busy programme of speeches, panel sessions and workshops hosted by a wide variety of speakers from across the project profession and beyond. These sessions promise to provide attendees with the skills and behaviours required for their own personal and professional development. Most notably, the conference will feature keynotes from social entrepreneur and broadcaster Natalie Campbell MBE and England rugby world cup winner Maggie Alphonsi MBE. The event is concluded with a drinks reception that provides attendees with further opportunities to network and meet with like-minded individuals. APM is committed to improving the equality and diversity of those within the project profession in order to deliver improved project outcomes for the benefit of society. It supports businesses and individuals of all sizes with memberships, qualifications, chartered status, events and its online community hub. To learn more, visit apm.org.uk/apm-wipm-conference. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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