Invesco Real Estate, the USD 90bn global real estate investment business of Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), has partnered with GARBE Industrial Real Estate GmbH (“GARBE”), in a joint venture to develop a circa 550,000 sq ft Class A logistics site in Worksop, located in the prime East Midlands logistics UK
Five more projects have been awarded over £57 million from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF). These projects, integral to comprehensive urban renewal plans, will provide sustainable, low carbon heat to 17,000 new homes, commercial spaces, and public buildings, contributing to vibrant, future-proofed communities. Expected to save over 385,000
Logicor, a leading owner, manager and developer of logistics real estate in Europe, has begun construction on its multi-let industrial (MLI) site in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, UK, which will deliver three new, high-quality units for the region. The redevelopment, known as Logicor Park Altrincham, provides c.43,000 sq ft of warehouse
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has committed to investing £83 million into revitalising a former RAF base in Weston-super-Mare as part of a wider regeneration scheme across the seaside town. The Winterstoke Gate development, part of Parklands Village, will provide 425 high-quality new homes, with 135 set to be carbon
Mitie has been awarded a new decarbonisation consulting contract with the University of Essex. The contract will see Mitie help the University achieve its goal of reaching net zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2035 by forecasting its future energy consumption and developing a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy. Across
Liverpool City Council is set to seek a development partner to help transform a prime waterfront spot into Liverpool’s newest residential community. A report to Cabinet on Tuesday, 10 September, is recommending the Council embarks on a competitive procurement exercise to appoint a high calibre development partner to lead on
Construction works to deliver Phase 2 of industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire, have commenced. Horizon 29 is a new landmark distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1. Once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq. ft and have a total of eight
Mike Brodie, Managing Director of Chemstore UK, outlines the critical differences between fire-rated and fire-resistant storage and emphasises the importance of correctly distinguishing between them. As the UK experiences increasingly extreme weather patterns and record-breaking temperatures, the importance of proper fire safety measures has never been more critical. With rising
MEDITE SMARTPLY, the market-leading manufacturer of sustainable wood-based panels, has successfully completed extensive testing with a UKAS-accredited laboratory on flooring solutions featuring SMARTPLY MAX DB and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB. The OSB panels used in timber flooring systems for internal residential floors have achieved the airborne sound insulation performance of
Bouygues UK, the construction company currently building the Cotswolds Designer Outlet, has joined forces with Skanska UK to showcase local construction projects and possible future construction careers to schoolchildren in Tewkesbury. Tewkesbury, which will create 136,000sq ft for 56 high quality retail and food and beverage brands when it opens
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Invesco Real Estate, the USD 90bn global real estate investment business of Invesco Ltd. (NYSE: IVZ), has partnered with GARBE Industrial Real Estate GmbH (“GARBE”), in a joint venture to develop a circa 550,000 sq ft Class A logistics site in Worksop, located in the prime East Midlands logistics UK market. The two-unit scheme, comprising of separate 462,500 sqft and 86,500 sqft facilities spread over 28.9 acres, will see construction commencing September 2024 and completion in Q3 of 2025. Both units target BREEAM Excellent and EPC A+ standards.[1] Strategically located in the East Midlands, Worksop benefits from a catchment area of circa 3 million people within 45 minute drivetime, with the major cities of Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Sheffield reachable within less than two hours drive. The site is located equidistant between the M1 and A1(M) providing easy access to the UK’s national motorway network. GARBE, one of the leading specialists for logistics and industrial properties across Europe currently has c. EUR10,6 billion of assets under management, with around EUR2.8 billion in its development pipeline. Chris Hornung, Country Head & Managing Director at GARBE UK, said “This is an excellent opportunity to capitalise on the dearth of supply of large logistics units of 450,000sq ft plus in the region. This development is in line with our strategy to speculatively develop in undersupplied markets with the added benefit of Worksop providing occupiers with a strong labour pool”. Rob Johnston, Managing Director – Head of Investments, UK & Nordics at Invesco Real Estate, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with GARBE to secure this rare opportunity to acquire a prime logistics site in the East Midlands and to further expand our UK and European logistics portfolio.” GARBE and Invesco were advised by agents Atlas Real Estate. Carter Jonas, DTRE and Moriarty & Co have been appointed as joint letting agents. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Five more projects have been awarded over £57 million from the Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF). These projects, integral to comprehensive urban renewal plans, will provide sustainable, low carbon heat to 17,000 new homes, commercial spaces, and public buildings, contributing to vibrant, future-proofed communities. Expected to save over 385,000 tonnes of CO2, these networks will help to ensure that urban developments lead the way in sustainable living[1]. This investment demonstrates the UK’s commitment to modernising its urban areas for resilience, sustainability and future regulations, whilst helping to deliver the Government’s mission of clean power by 2030 and accelerate plans towards net zero. Heat networks present a fantastic opportunity to expand access to low carbon heating and provide a cost-effective solution for decarbonising dense urban areas. The funding will also help new developments to meet mandated requirements under the Future Homes and Buildings Standard, as the Government seeks to improve the energy efficiency of new buildings. By using a range of innovative low carbon heat sources, these networks will ensure that new residents benefit from reduced heating bills and lower carbon footprints. Today, GHNF is providing over £57 million to support the commercialisation and construction of five heat network projects connecting to major developments: Minister for Energy Consumers, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: “Building new, greener heat networks is just one of the ways we are investing in clean power, helping to finally secure our country’s energy independence. These exciting new projects will see thousands of homes and businesses benefit from cleaner, low-cost heating – leading to lower energy bills and creating hundreds of jobs.” Ken Hunnisett, Programme Director, said: “The Green Heat Network Fund, like the Heat Networks Investment Project before it, has helped to prove the technical and commercial efficacy of district heating in a variety of different use cases. The projects announced today are a reminder that modern heat networks are at their brilliant best in our large, densely built towns and cities. The £57 million investment announced today is great news for the Fund, great news for the 17,000 homes and buildings that will benefit from low-carbon, low-cost heating, great news for an industry that is growing almost before our eyes, and great news for the planet. It’s a relative drop in the ocean of course when you consider the £80 billion the sector is forecast to require if it is to fulfil its enormous potential.” Below is a summary of the projects each receiving a share of £57 million to support: Leeds South Bank (£24.5 million commercialisation and construction funding). Extending the highly successful LeedsPIPES project which received funding from HNIP to construct a heat network utilising waste heat from a Recycling and Energy Recovery facility, Leeds will receive a further £24.5 million for the South Bank extension. The original LeedsPIPES project connected over 1,900 homes and non-domestic buildings to the energy-from-waste (EfW) scheme, whilst helping to employ over 400 people. The South Bank extension is located in one of Europe’s largest brownfield regeneration sites. Funded by GHNF, the scheme will connect an additional 16km of pipework to the heat network for up to 8,000 new residents and mixed-use customers, across 28 buildings, representing the most significant investment to the project since its inception. The project will support an additional 81 new jobs across the heart network sector, and 16 apprenticeship positions. GHNF is also supporting the connection into two new low carbon EfW heat sources, providing a total of 30GWh of waste heat per year to both residential and non-domestic buildings across Leeds. John Lewis, Head of Building Engineering (UK and Ireland) at AECOM, said: “Heat networks will play a critical role in facilitating the UK hitting its 2050 net zero target, providing energy-efficient heat to support new and existing communities. With more and more local authorities developing heat networks, Leeds’ PIPES network and this latest extension into the South Bank area will continue to act as a flagbearer for how our cities can operate more sustainably. The city is ahead of the curve in developing a rapidly expanding heat network and we are delighted that this extension will not only supply low carbon heat to a host of new customers but will also further decarbonise the existing heat network and facilitate its growth. The AECOM team has been leading the technical design of this key infrastructure to support Leeds City Council’s ambition to transform and regenerate South Bank. We’re delighted our work will enable a resilient, low carbon energy platform for local communities.” Brent Cross (Over £14 million commercialisation and construction). Brent Cross Town is a major regeneration scheme in London providing 6,700 new homes, workspace for 25,000 people, a new high street, new buildings for three schools, extensive sport and leisure facilities, set alongside 50 acres of green space and supported by the recently opened Brent Cross West mainline station. GHNF is awarding £14 million of construction and commercialisation funding for Brent Cross Town’s heat network, supporting the project to become net zero carbon by 2030. Low carbon heat will be generated through a fully electric energy centre and supplied to all 6,700 residential properties, and commercial and leisure buildings. The network, enabled by GHNF funding, will meet the town’s demand of 30MW of heat and 20MW of cooling peak capacities. Alongside providing affordable low carbon heat, the project is expected to create 121 new long-term jobs whilst supporting a range of new apprentices. The scheme is being developed as a joint venture between Related Argent and Barnet Council. André Gibbs, Executive Director at Related Argent, said: “The Green Heat Network Fund allocated to Brent Cross Town will help make our ambition to achieve low carbon district heating across the whole of the development a reality. This will also include low carbon cooling to offices in the 25,000-workspace business and innovation district. When complete, Brent Cross Town will have one of the largest fully electric energy centres in Europe, developed in partnership with Vattenfall. This network points to the future of how the
Logicor, a leading owner, manager and developer of logistics real estate in Europe, has begun construction on its multi-let industrial (MLI) site in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, UK, which will deliver three new, high-quality units for the region. The redevelopment, known as Logicor Park Altrincham, provides c.43,000 sq ft of warehouse space across three units c.21,000 sq ft, c.15,500 sq ft and c.3,500 sq ft, strategically located in an established trade location within Greater Manchester. The park benefits from convenient links to the A56 and A560 and easy access to coveted distribution routes across the North of England, which combined hold the potential to reach 7.6 million people within a three hour drive. Designed with sustainability in mind, Logicor Park Altrincham is targeting EPC A+ and at least a BREEAM Very Good rating with extensive EV charging facilities, LED lighting and a roof-mounted Solar PV system that ensures individual units offer customers the flexibility to fit additional solar installations to suit their needs. These features combined will help to reduce costs and minimise the carbon footprint for customers. In addition, the redevelopment is targeting a significant biodiversity net gain increase by prioritising a ‘green zone’, which will see the planting of more than 1,000 new plants and trees, and additional landscaping provisions. Charlie Howard, Managing Director for Logicor UK said “We’re really excited to have begun construction at Logicor Park Altrincham. There is proven demand for high-quality, sustainable logistics space in premium locations and we look forward to welcoming new customers in the second half of next year. “Being able to meet this need while delivering state-of-the-art, sustainable space that meets the highest of today’s standards is a great privilege. It also marks another step towards our goal of increasing the capacity of our on-site renewable energy generation, in turn helping us to reduce our carbon footprint by 36% by 2030. Logicor has a number of developments under construction in the North West and Golden Triangle, including Logicor Park Daventry, Derby 507, Bolton 330 and Logicor Park Altrincham, which will deliver over 1.7m sq ft of modern, sustainable warehouse space over the next 12 months. Units at Altrincham, Greater Manchester, UK will be available to occupy from the second half of 2025. For more information, please visit: www.logicorparkaltrincham.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat, has committed to investing £83 million into revitalising a former RAF base in Weston-super-Mare as part of a wider regeneration scheme across the seaside town. The Winterstoke Gate development, part of Parklands Village, will provide 425 high-quality new homes, with 135 set to be carbon neutral, while the remaining 290 will meet the anticipated Future Homes Standard – featuring a smart design and constructed using the latest eco-friendly materials to offer low-cost living to residents. As part of its commitment to its partnership model, the housebuilder will also support North Somerset Council in creating 125 affordable homes at the development, which makes up part of the wider Parklands Village development being delivered alongside multiple partners. The regeneration and expansion of the seaside town from Keepmoat will total £78 million, with an additional £5.6 million being invested in the local authority across multiple services including healthcare, education and local transportation. Located between Mendip Hills and Golden Sands on the edge of Weston-super-Mare, Winterstoke Gate is a picturesque development with easy access to schools, supermarkets, restaurants and shops, ready to create a thriving new community. John Owen, Land and Partnerships Director at Keepmoat, commented: “It’s extremely rewarding to hear positive feedback from residents and provide much needed housing to the area. “At Keepmoat, we are committed to transforming communities and improving the lives of local people. Our Winterstoke Gate development is adding value to the area, providing much needed regeneration to Weston-super-Mare. We’re delighted to be able to offer 20 apprenticeships during the development of this project to upskill the industry’s future workforce.” Councillor Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy, added: “Winterstoke Gate is the first major residential project to be taken forward as part of North Somerset’s Development Programme, so it’s great to see the progress made in creating this new community. The homes we’re building will meet top standards of sustainability and energy efficiency, cutting residents’ fuel bills and reducing their carbon footprints through modern, high quality design. “We’re proud to be working with Keepmoat to provide a mix of affordable and accessible homes, so that vibrant and diverse communities can grow at Winterstoke Gate. Building on council-owned land has enabled us to prioritise this strong and community-focussed approach to housing development with an understanding of resident’s needs, fitting the development alongside other new community facilities including primary and secondary schools and a GP surgery.” The site has also benefited from £10m from the Government’s Local Authority Accelerated Construction Fund administered by Homes England. To find out more about the Winterstoke Gate development please visit: www.keepmoat.com/winterstoke-gate-weston-super-mare Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mitie has been awarded a new decarbonisation consulting contract with the University of Essex. The contract will see Mitie help the University achieve its goal of reaching net zero Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2035 by forecasting its future energy consumption and developing a comprehensive decarbonisation strategy. Across the University’s three campuses, Mitie’s expert engineers will carry out detailed audits to understand the needs of iconic student buildings and ensure their architectural value is taken into consideration. Mitie’s Plan Zero consultants will use this information, alongside a series of data-led forecasting methods, to create a decarbonisation pathway. This includes measuring the baseline energy use of the university’s building equipment, from boilers to heating and air ventilation systems. Mitie will also use 3D digital modelling software to predict how each of the university’s buildings will react to different sustainability solutions. Mitie’s Plan Zero consultants have created digital versions of the University’s buildings, based on insights from data, enabling them to model the outcome of decarbonisation plans and visualise these in real-time using virtual reality. By modelling different combinations of low and zero Carbon solutions, like heat pumps and solar panels, against this data, Mitie’s consultants can identify the best solutions to fit building requirements. The new contract builds on Mitie’s experience helping organisations across the UK to achieve their decarbonisation targets. Over the last decade, Mitie’s Plan Zero experts have helped save customers hundreds of thousands of tonnes of carbon for customers through its energy management, engineering and sustainability expertise. Mark Caskey, Managing Director, Projects, Mitie said: “Using learnings from successes in our own net zero journey, and our innovative technology and data-led approach to decarbonisation, we are proud to support the University of Essex in pushing towards its ambitious sustainability goals. We look forward to helping the University’s 19,000 students and wider research community benefit from a greener future.” Nimish Shah, Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction, University of Essex said: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council is set to seek a development partner to help transform a prime waterfront spot into Liverpool’s newest residential community. A report to Cabinet on Tuesday, 10 September, is recommending the Council embarks on a competitive procurement exercise to appoint a high calibre development partner to lead on creating a new neighbourhood as part of the city’s famous International Festival Gardens site, which was originally opened in May 1984. The ambition is to significantly boost the city’s housing supply with a diverse range and mix of housing types, including affordable properties, together with local amenities, creating a thriving new community in this prime south Liverpool location, which is well connected and within 10-minutes of the city centre. The scheme, which is a flagship project outlined in the city’s draft housing strategy, will connect with and enhance its natural surroundings and biodiversity and provide a high standard of desirable and multi-generational living for all. Significant remediation and enabling works were recently completed in January 2024 to enable development, and since that time a team of experts have been curating an ambitious, and deliverable development brief which will provide an essential framework to market the site. Clear objectives are outlined which state the council’s intentions to make the 28-acre site a sustainable, healthy and inclusive neighbourhood which has a strong identity and high design quality. If the report is given the green light, the initial phase of the procurement process will begin in October, with a view to securing a partner towards the middle of next year. The development brief will form the central part of a procurement process, seeking viable expressions of interest from developers with a proven, successful track record in delivering transformative schemes at pace, which are built on strong community engagement. Montagu Evans will be running the procurement process on behalf of the Council. It is expected that the contract with the successful development partner will be finalised in Autumn 2025 once thorough due diligence has been undertaken. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction works to deliver Phase 2 of industrial and distribution hub, Horizon 29, in Bolsover, Derbyshire, have commenced. Horizon 29 is a new landmark distribution development located one mile from Junction 29A of the M1. Once fully complete, it will span 1,150,256 sq. ft and have a total of eight warehouses, delivered over three phases by McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), on behalf of clients BGO Wire PropCo Ltd and Equation Properties. Phase 2 is the construction of two single-storey base build distribution warehouses. Units 7 and 8 will be 249,995 sq. ft and 249,866 sq. ft respectively, and each will include a two-storey office, with associated mechanical and electrical installations, 23 loading docks and a transport office. The contractor will deliver earthworks, CMC and VSC piling, concrete foundations, steel framing and cladding, lift shaft and stair installations. All external works are also being undertaken by McLaren (Midlands and North) and include general hard standings, car-parking, landscaping, mains services and drainage. There will be cycle racks for 60 cycles per warehouse and a gate house. Sustainable features will include solar PVs, air source heat pumps, enhanced cladding, responsibly sourced sustainable materials, LED lighting, electric vehicle charging points, and bird and bat boxes. The units will be constructed to a BREEAM Rating of ‘Excellent,’ with an EPC ‘A’ Rating. Phase 2 has a 49-week build programme. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “Horizon 29 is going to be a premier distribution centre for Derbyshire and the wider East Midlands. It provides an ideal opportunity for tenants looking for direct and easy access to the M1 north and south. “Progressing on to Phase 2, we are building two more units at the site – and as with earlier phases – they will be highly energy efficient buildings, with the potential for the whole of the roofs to be used to gather energy from PV to not only power the units, but to put energy back into the National Grid. “We were pleased to be working alongside BentallGreenOak and Equation Properties for the next phase of this landmark scheme.” Phase 1A and 1B of Horizon 29 completed in February of this year, which comprised four warehouse units (units 1, 2, 4 and 5). McLaren Construction serves both the public and private sectors in core areas including commercial offices, residential, education, retail, distribution and logistics, hotels, and leisure. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Mike Brodie, Managing Director of Chemstore UK, outlines the critical differences between fire-rated and fire-resistant storage and emphasises the importance of correctly distinguishing between them. As the UK experiences increasingly extreme weather patterns and record-breaking temperatures, the importance of proper fire safety measures has never been more critical. With rising temperatures and heatwaves becoming more frequent, the risks associated with improper storage of flammable materials are amplified. This makes it imperative to understand the difference between fire rated and fire-resistant storage, as the consequences of getting it wrong can be devastating. When it comes to protecting valuable or hazardous items, the terms “fire-rated” and “fire-resistant” are often used interchangeably. This common misunderstanding can lead to dangerous consequences, especially when products that require fire rated storage are mistakenly placed in less effective fire-resistant units. To avoid these pitfalls, it’s crucial to understand the differences between the two and why choosing fire-rated storage from trusted experts like Chemstore is essential. Understanding Fire Rated vs. Fire Resistant Storage The confusion often starts with the assumption that “fire-rated” and “fire-resistant” are synonymous. Many believe that a fire rating simply means the storage unit can stop the passage of flames. However, the reality is more complex, especially when safety is on the line. Fire-resistant storage typically refers to materials or structures that can physically resist the passage of flames but this falls well short of the rigorous standards required for fire-rated storage. Fire-rated storage, is designed to not only resist passage of flames but also to control the internal temperature of a storage module, preventing thermal heat transfer that could ignite the contents within. According to HS(G)51, an essential guideline on fire safety in the workplace, fire walls (and by extension, fire rated storage units) must be imperforate and provide a minimum of 30 minutes of fire resistance in terms of integrity, insulation, and load-bearing capacity where applicable. This means that a fire-rated storage unit must be capable of maintaining its structural integrity, insulating against heat, and bearing loads even under intense fire conditions. In terms of spotting the difference between a fire-resistant panel and a fire-rated panel, a fire-resistant panel made of single sheet steel is thin, smooth, and solid, often with a shiny or matte finish but lacking visible insulation. Its primary function is to resist flames, but it provides minimal insulation and may warp or fail under intense heat. In contrast, a fire-rated panel featuring non-combustible insulation such as Rockwool is much bulkier, with insulating material encased between protective layers. This panel offers superior structural integrity and high insulation performance, effectively delaying heat transfer and maintaining a barrier against flames for extended periods. The key differences are in thickness and construction, which impact how each panel performs in fire situations. The importance of temperature control in fire-rated units One of the critical benefits of a fire-rated storage unit is its ability to control the temperature inside the unit. This feature is often overlooked but is vital in scenarios where the stored materials are sensitive to heat. In the case of highly flammable substances or lithium-ion batteries, even a slight increase in temperature can lead to disastrous outcomes. The assumption that stopping flames is enough to protect the contents of a storage unit can lead to tragic mistakes. For instance, a single-skin metal box, which many mistakenly believe to be fire-rated, offers minimal insulation. In direct sunlight or during a fire, such a box can act like an oven, leading to the overheating and possible ignition of the materials inside. This risk is especially pronounced during hot weather when ambient temperatures can already push the limits of what stored items can safely endure. It is good practice to maintain lithium-ion batteries at 19°C ±1.5°C to maximise safety yet is not possible for a single skin storage module to provide this level of environmental control as it will consistently overheat and freeze throughout the year. The dangers of mislabelling and the importance of expert advice A significant issue in the UK market is the influx of products labelled as “fire-rated” without meeting the necessary standards. Many of these products are sold based on the misconception that fire rating merely involves preventing flames from passing through. This misunderstanding can lead to businesses and individuals purchasing storage solutions that are woefully inadequate for their needs. The consequences of using improperly rated storage can be severe. In the event of a fire, a unit that does not provide sufficient insulation and temperature control can allow heat to build up inside, potentially causing primary containers to fail and lead to the release of harmful fumes, or the destruction of critical materials. To ensure safety, it’s imperative to purchase fire-rated storage from trusted experts like Chemstore. We are a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier and our products are designed and tested to meet the rigorous requirements set out in HS(G)51, ensuring that you have the highest level of protection. Conclusion Understanding the difference between fire rated and fire-resistant storage is not just a matter of semantics—it’s a matter of safety. In scenarios where the contents of a storage unit are sensitive to heat or flammable, relying on inadequate storage can lead to catastrophic consequences. By choosing fire rated storage solutions from reputable providers like Chemstore, you can ensure that your materials are protected not just from flames, but from the heat that can be just as deadly. Don’t take risks with fire safety; understand what you’re buying and why it matters. For more information, visit www.chemstore.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MEDITE SMARTPLY, the market-leading manufacturer of sustainable wood-based panels, has successfully completed extensive testing with a UKAS-accredited laboratory on flooring solutions featuring SMARTPLY MAX DB and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB. The OSB panels used in timber flooring systems for internal residential floors have achieved the airborne sound insulation performance of 40dB as required by the Building Regulations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Compared to the traditionally used chipboard solution, these flooring systems offer a host of benefits. Opting for SMARTPLY MAX DB enables a thinner, stronger and 30% lighter alternative. Opting for SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB provides an airtight, durable, and slip-resistant solution, ticking all the boxes for operational goals. Roly Ward, Head of Business Development at MEDITE SMARTPLY, commented: “Peace and quiet are essential for a comfortable and healthy home environment. We are excited to bring to the market new applications for our products that have been tested in flooring systems and offer sound reduction while providing the construction industry with a lighter, safer, airtight, and sustainable flooring solution as an excellent alternative to traditionally used materials.” MEDITE SMARTPLY has tested its new 18mm SMARTPLY MAX DB in flooring systems. The panel helps achieve 40dB, which is required for internal residential floors under the Building Regulations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The panel also offers weight savings, allowing for easier handling on the construction site, as well as simpler transportation and reduced costs. SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB is an airtight, tongue-and-groove panel with a high-performance coating. Using it as an airtight layer for flooring or decking can contribute to sustainable building practices and reduce energy consumption for heating. This solution complies with building regulations and is certified as airtight. What’s more, SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB’s unique coating enhances durability during the construction phase and ensures slip resistance in all site conditions. SMARTPLY OSB panels are highly durable because of their manufacturing process. The cross-orientation of the wood strands is key; this alignment allows for greater surface coverage for the adhesive, resulting in the panel’s superior strength. SMARTPLY OSB is a sustainable material that can add value throughout the supply chain. Sourced from sustainably managed and accredited Irish forests, SMARTPLY wood-based panels not only store carbon during the growth of trees but also continue to lock it in throughout the manufacturing process and the entire lifespan of the product and the buildings in which they are used. SMARTPLY’s OSB panels are fully certified, UKCA and CE marked, legally sourced, and sustainable. Because OSB is made of wood strands, the whole tree is used, and nothing is wasted. The entire SMARTPLY OSB range has been manufactured using no added formaldehyde, contributing towards healthier environments for dwellers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. “SMARTPLY OSB has one of the lowest embodied carbon of any mainstream building material. This makes it ideal for building energy-efficient homes – offering a warmer home and a reduction in energy consumption – keeping us on track towards a net-zero future,” added Roly Ward. SMARTPLY MAX DB and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB are engineered OSB wood-based panels that meet regulatory requirements and exceed expectations, making them a smarter choice for specifiers, housebuilders, contractors, and homeowners. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK, the construction company currently building the Cotswolds Designer Outlet, has joined forces with Skanska UK to showcase local construction projects and possible future construction careers to schoolchildren in Tewkesbury. Tewkesbury, which will create 136,000sq ft for 56 high quality retail and food and beverage brands when it opens in Spring 2025. Skanska UK is also working in Tewkesbury, modernising the British Army’s vehicle hub nearby. In order to offer STEM engagement and promote the construction industry and career routes to nearby Tewkesbury Academy and Alderman Knight School, the two construction firms decided to work together to provide a joint delivery of STEM engagement, using ‘Building Aspirations’ sessions. Bouygues UK’s social value advisor for the Cotswolds Designer Outlet project, Nick Toulson, said it is a great example of collaborative working between competitors to increase learning opportunities for the local community as well as offering an insight into the many careers available in the construction industry. He said: “It’s quite a collaboration between two tier one construction companies working in Tewkesbury with major building contracts in close proximity, underway at the same time. Following a conversation between Bouygues UK, Skanska UK and Tewkesbury Academy at the school’s careers fair, we agreed to trial some joint delivery to increase learning opportunities for the students. “It makes perfect sense as we are both working with the same school audience to offer STEM engagement, promote the construction industry and career routes. It’s been great working with Skanska and has really benefited the children we’re working with.” Alex Green, Trainee Quantity Surveyor for Skanska UK added, “It has been a rewarding opportunity to shine a light on the diverse range of careers and opportunities in the construction industry. I myself, as a degree apprentice have been able to share first hand the path I have taken into the business, which is becoming ever more prevalent as another education option. Collaborating with Bouygues UK has been enjoyable, and I truly believe we have opened the minds of the young people to our industry.” The collaboration has already led to four workshops which have been successfully delivered to 100 pupils. Using a Building Aspirations session and showcasing Bouygues UK’ s and Skanska UK’s local construction projects, the team were able to: Bouygues UK has also run Building Aspirations and Construction Challenge Lessons to local primary school children to two groups of pupils at Abbey View School and a Building Aspirations session and two Construction Management Challenge activities to Year Five at Carrant Brook Junior School. Kelly Jefferies, Mathematics and Design Technology Lead, Carrant Brook Junior School said: “The pupils were extremely engaged and thoroughly enjoyed both sessions. These opportunities don’t come up very often for schools these days and so it was a fantastic experience for the children that they wouldn’t normally have in relation to STEM. The construction activity was great. It kept all children engaged and was an excellent high ceiling low threshold exercise which meant all abilities could be challenged.” When working on any project, Bouygues UK takes great steps to add to the social value of the community in which it is working and is also working with the Department for Work and Pension’s (DWP) Gloucester and Tewkesbury Job Centres as part of their SWAP programme. The sector-based work academy programme (SWAP) gives jobseekers who are 16 and over and are claiming benefits, the opportunity to apply for jobs. This programme can last up to six weeks and includes pre-employment training, on-site training and mentoring, a short work placement and a guaranteed job interview or help with the application process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
