British Land has bolstered its leading retail park portfolio with £240 million worth of acquisitions, reflecting a strong blended net equivalent yield of 7.4%. These strategic acquisitions align with the company’s plan to reinvest the £360 million from the sale of its stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre into expanding its
Rund has been appointed as Countryside and Abri’s Joint Venture Supervisor for a significant development on the former Ford Airfield in West Sussex. The plan will transform the site with a 60-bed care home and 1,500 homes, of which 960 of the homes form the joint venture with the remainder
The regeneration masterplan for the Grey Mare Lane estate has been met with broad approval from the east Manchester community a new report going to the Council executive committee (Weds 11 September) has concluded. The Council-built estate is more than 50years old and represents a key regeneration location as part
TaperedPlus, a national leader in the design and supply of flat roofing and insulation systems, is currently evaluating a bespoke Augmented Reality (AR) system that could prove a gamechanger within the roofing industry. Developed by award-winning digital innovators Alt Labs on behalf of the Teesside-headquartered company, the software enables smartphones
With over 65 years of experience, Concrete Repairs Limited (CRL) has built a strong reputation in the repair and refurbishment industry based on their outstanding quality of work and innovative engineering. As one of the leading specialist contractors in the UK, CRL offers comprehensive services that are by their nature
North East-based Harlyn Solutions Ltd (Harlyn) has signed an agreement with Ocean Winds for the collection, storage, and emergency preparedness of Moray West’s spare inter array cables (IACs). Moray West is a new offshore wind farm in the outer Moray Firth and this exciting project is set to make a
Heat networks in the UK are on the verge of a transformational development. Through the UK government’s 2050 Net Zero ambitions, targets are in place to increase district heat networks from 3% today to 20% by 2050, alongside the National Heat Network Zoning Policy, the number and extent of heat
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland has welcomed the creation of a new Planning Hub, which aims to support the work of local authorities, build skills and capacity, and leverage specialist expertise from outside the planning profession. Dr Caroline Brown, Director of RTPI Scotland, said: “Whilst recent budget announcements from
Commercial interior design and fit out company APSS has created a stunning interior design for Lincolnshire charity Naomi’s Garden part of a volunteer project bringing together construction and professional service companies across Lincolnshire. Louth-based Naomi’s Garden provides a conductive education and special education needs consultancy. It also provides Bowen Therapy
Hot on the heels of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, a young engineer from the UK is aiming to fly the flag at this month’s “Skills Olympics’’ in France, with continued backing from Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK. Luke Haile, a refrigeration technician from Lightfoot Defence, will represent the UK
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
British Land has bolstered its leading retail park portfolio with £240 million worth of acquisitions, reflecting a strong blended net equivalent yield of 7.4%. These strategic acquisitions align with the company’s plan to reinvest the £360 million from the sale of its stake in Meadowhall Shopping Centre into expanding its retail park footprint. These acquisitions are set to enhance British Land’s earnings, with projections indicating an increase in FY26 earnings per share by 0.7p, fully offsetting the dilution from the Meadowhall sale. Pro forma leverage, following the Meadowhall disposal, was 34.6% for FY24, with the new acquisitions raising this by 1.8%. The six retail parks acquired since April feature an impressive weighted average unexpired lease term of five years. They are let to strong multi-channel and essential retailers, known for their stable financial performance: Simon Carter, Chief Executive of British Land, commented on the acquisitions:“We’re seeing great opportunities to invest in retail parks, and we’ve quickly delivered on our plan to fully offset the earnings dilution from the £360 million Meadowhall sale with the acquisition of £240 million in high-quality retail parks at attractive yields. With low capital expenditure requirements and 99% occupancy, our retail parks portfolio is generating strong rental growth and offers attractive cash returns.” British Land’s investment in these prime retail parks highlights its commitment to capitalising on opportunities within the retail sector, ensuring strong returns while continuing to grow its portfolio across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rund has been appointed as Countryside and Abri’s Joint Venture Supervisor for a significant development on the former Ford Airfield in West Sussex. The plan will transform the site with a 60-bed care home and 1,500 homes, of which 960 of the homes form the joint venture with the remainder retained by Vistry Group. This includes shared ownership, first home and rental tenures. A minimum of 30% will be affordable housing, with a further 20% allocated as either build to rent (BTR) or additional affordable housing. Alongside this, the development is set to bring multiple benefits to the community, including plans for a new local centre with commercial and retail amenities, extensive community and leisure facilities, allocated land for a new primary school, and expansive public areas such as sports fields and allotments. As Joint Venture Supervisor, Rund will manage and facilitate decisions between all parties to understand and advise, where necessary, on all aspects and phases of the construction programme. The expert team will help ensure long-term positive relationships by providing regular reporting, support, review of financial modelling, and guidance in board meetings, to keep the project moving forward whilst maintaining a duty of care to Countryside and Abri and their partners. Leading to this appointment Rund provided Technical Due Diligence services to Abri, a large housing provider with more than 50,000 home and various community assets, on its 50/50 joint venture acquisition of the former Ford Airfield, as part of the JV acquisition with Countryside. The expert team provided technical due diligence surveys and reports focused on risk identification, mitigation and management as well as development funding agreements, carefully tailored to Abri’s requirements. Rund’s role has been instrumental in structuring a deal that works for both partners, giving them confidence in the site’s potential from the earliest stage. Jo Rothery, Senior Surveyor at Rund commented, “We’re looking forward to working with the team on this significant project, using our experience to make sure it delivers the best outcomes at all stages. This is a substantial project that is set to significantly impact the supply of affordable housing in West Sussex, and bring extensive benefits to the local community. “Rund understands the complete process to achieve success for JV stakeholders and has a proven track record, with the team currently working on leading JV and strategic developments nationwide, totalling over 10,000 residential units.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The regeneration masterplan for the Grey Mare Lane estate has been met with broad approval from the east Manchester community a new report going to the Council executive committee (Weds 11 September) has concluded. The Council-built estate is more than 50years old and represents a key regeneration location as part of the ongoing transformation of east Manchester. (See notes to editors) An 8-week consultation started in May this year and gathered feedback from local people via both online submissions and an in-person engagement event held in the estate. A community steering group made up of residents, elected members and Council officers also meet regularly to discuss and input into the planning process for the estate investment. The masterplan is a high-level overview of the regeneration opportunities within the estate, which envisages a highly sustainable investment programme that will deliver at least 1,000 new homes – including a significant number of affordable homes and new green spaces. Feedback from local residents included: This feedback will be included in the final masterplan document for the estate, which will help guide investment in the area in the years to come. Future investment in the Grey Mare Lane estate will include: Architect BDP have delivered the masterplan on behalf of the Grey Mare Lane partnership. First Development sites – update Concurrently with the masterplan consultation, Great Places Housing Group undertook targeted engagement around their development site at the corner of Grey Mare Lane and Ashton New Road. The proposed scheme will deliver a block of 69 apartments for social rent providing a landmark gateway development into the Masterplan area. A planning application for this site is expected to be submitted in the Autumn. At the same time, One Manchester is continuing to prepare their development sites and demolitions are ongoing to enable future development. Any affected residents have been part of this conversation for some time and we have made a commitment that anyone who has had to move to allow the regeneration of the estate will have the right to return to the estate if they want to. Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “The feedback we receive directly from local people – both through the consultation and the community steering group – is quite often the most impactful. Knowing what a neighbourhood needs is best explained by the very people who live and use the area every day. “Through this investment we will see at least 1,000 new homes – including lots of affordable homes – a new heart and focal point of the estate with new shops and community facilities, and lots more green and play spaces. “Thank you to everyone who took part – your feedback will help guide future development proposals for the Grey Mare Lane estate, and we’re looking forward to the first planning applications being submitted late this year.” Helen Spencer, Executive Director of Growth at Great Places, said: “We’re delighted to see the community’s positive response to the Grey Mare Lane estate regeneration plans. The project is a great opportunity to provide much-needed affordable housing in the area and vibrant green spaces, enhancing residents’ quality of life. “The feedback will provide invaluable input to ensure our planned developments meet the community’s needs, and we look forward to continuing to work with Manchester City Council, One Manchester, and This City to bring this vision to life.” Barry Wears, Chief Financial Officer, One Manchester, said: “It’s great to see things moving forward for the community. As we prepare our development sites and carry out necessary demolitions to make improvements for the community, we’re committed to making sure any affected residents are part of the conversation. We’ve pledged that those who’ve had to move due to the works will have the right to return to the estate if they want to. Our ongoing collaboration with partners and keeping the community involved will make sure that the development will boost the area and support the needs of local residents.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
TaperedPlus, a national leader in the design and supply of flat roofing and insulation systems, is currently evaluating a bespoke Augmented Reality (AR) system that could prove a gamechanger within the roofing industry. Developed by award-winning digital innovators Alt Labs on behalf of the Teesside-headquartered company, the software enables smartphones and tablets to be used to scan a flat roof, providing instant and highly accurate measurements. Unlike other applications currently being used within the roofing industry, it does not require significant investment in hardware or expensive monthly subscription packages, which can cost many thousands of pounds per user per year. The Alt Labs technology automatically uploads the data to TaperedPlus’s internal system, converting it into technical blueprints – a process at least ten times quicker than traditional measuring methods, particularly when applied to complex flat roof designs. It also eliminates the element of human error. Alt Labs, based in Middlesbrough, was approached by TaperedPlus to deliver a solution that would enhance efficiency. It developed bespoke software utilising light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors incorporated into Apple smartphones and iPads. This uses light emitted from a sensor to measure the range to a target object, allowing augmented reality to place markers that plot key points of a roof for precise measurements. The technology is both highly secure and easily scalable and can be adapted for immersive technology, including Virtual Reality headsets. Part of TaperedPlus’s ambitious growth plans, the project follows a recent £5.5 million investment by equity investor BGF along with achieving B Corp accreditation, reflecting its commitment to targeting inefficiency within its procedures. It is also working with academics at Teesside University as part of a separate initiative to develop a unique system that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline its technical drawing processes. Aman Chahal, co-founder and CEO of TaperedPlus, said: “We are thrilled to be at the forefront of technological innovation within the roofing industry. This AR system will significantly enhance our efficiency and accuracy, allowing us to better serve our customers and contribute to more sustainable building practices. The integration of AR and AI marks a significant milestone in our digital transformation, opening up new possibilities for growth and innovation.” Imran Anwar, CEO of Alt Labs, added: “Our bespoke solution leverages cutting-edge technology to transform how roof measurements are captured and processed, setting new standards for the industry. This technology is not only innovative but versatile, with the potential for wide-ranging applications across multiple sectors. By utilising LiDAR and augmented reality, we are able to provide unprecedented accuracy and efficiency, which could prove a real gamechanger.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With over 65 years of experience, Concrete Repairs Limited (CRL) has built a strong reputation in the repair and refurbishment industry based on their outstanding quality of work and innovative engineering. As one of the leading specialist contractors in the UK, CRL offers comprehensive services that are by their nature sustainable to inspect, repair, rehabilitate, and strengthen structural concrete assets in various sectors, including Highways, Water, Marine, Nuclear & Power. In order to expedite their sustainability and social value aims and goals, CRL recently entered into a partnership with Tunley Environmental. As they begin their new financial year, their focus on building a sustainable future for all and reinforcing their goals will be bolstered by the strong support of Tunley Environmental. Following the measurement principles BS EN ISO 14064-1 and the Greenhouse protocol for SERC reporting, CRL and Tunley will work together to accurately baseline existing carbon usage and produce a targeted carbon reduction plan for the business. Steve Jones Southern Regional Director at CRL said “CRL are delighted to be working with Tunley Environmental to develop our Carbon reporting and subsequent reduction plans, as well as the production of lifecycle assessments for our repair processes that will be used in conjunction with procedures for PAS2080”. “We are pleased to join forces with CRL, supporting them in their sustainability journey,” said Dr William Beer, CEO at Tunley Environmental. “It’s brilliant to have the opportunity to work with such a well renowned company in the repair and refurbishment industry”. As proud supporters of the Institution of Civil Engineers, their work strongly incorporates the guidelines laid down by ICE’s Carbon Project Initiative. This will include working with Tunley Environmental to gain PAS2080 accreditation for the project management of carbon in infrastructure incorporating lifecycle assessments in line with ISO 14067 to demonstrate the carbon credentials of asset maintenance using repairs, coatings and corrosion control systems. With Tunley Environmental in partnership, CRL looks forward to delivering significant change and furthering their sustainable and social value initiatives, backed up by quality data and meaningful assessments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
North East-based Harlyn Solutions Ltd (Harlyn) has signed an agreement with Ocean Winds for the collection, storage, and emergency preparedness of Moray West’s spare inter array cables (IACs). Moray West is a new offshore wind farm in the outer Moray Firth and this exciting project is set to make a vital contribution to Scotland’s renewable energy and climate change targets. Moray West is overseen by Ocean Winds, the 50/50 joint venture between EDP Renewables and ENGIE. Moray West, a key part of the energy transition and the drive to Net Zero emissions, started generating power to the grid in July and will consist of 60 wind turbines, each with a generating capacity of 14.7 megawatts. Harlyn, a UK engineering company, has been appointed to collect and store the spare inter array cables at its facility in the Port of Blyth. This comes after Harlyn successfully delivered two other projects for Moray West, including the transportation of both substations and the cleaning of monopiles infield. Harlyn has an excellent track record of delivering flexibles. Last year, the engineering company designed bespoke baskets to transport two fibre optic cables and also delivered six 1,500 tonne baskets of flexible pipe. Hamish Adamson, managing director of Harlyn, said: “I am thrilled that our unique problem-solving approach to projects has been picked up and understood by Ocean Winds. Our teams have worked hand-in-hand across multiple scopes and this long-term project shows the dependability of the team we have at Harlyn as being the partner of choice for these complex challenges.” Pete Geddes, Moray West Project Director at Ocean Winds, said: “We’re delighted to be using Harlyn to store our cables in the UK. Delivering local content is important to Ocean Winds and working with Harlyn for a third scope we are able to support a thoroughly competent UK supplier.” Joanna Stewart, Harlyn project manager, said: “I am excited to be leading on and delivering this complex multi-disciplinary project collecting the cables and storing them for years to come. It highlights the skills and expertise that Harlyn has to offer, from complex project management through to detailed spooling and flexible engineering.” The work will be delivered over the next few months before the cables and cable accessories will enter storage. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Heat networks in the UK are on the verge of a transformational development. Through the UK government’s 2050 Net Zero ambitions, targets are in place to increase district heat networks from 3% today to 20% by 2050, alongside the National Heat Network Zoning Policy, the number and extent of heat networks is expected to increase substantially. To effectively support with the delivery of the planned roll out of district heat networks, Ramboll has developed District One, an AI-optimised heat network design platform. District One will support landowners, energy companies, developers, and national and local government authorities explore potential heat network routes, using a bespoke spatial machine learning algorithm that rapidly generates intelligent designs. Using local data, District One is designed to assist with the installing of citywide heating and cooling network routes, significantly speeding up their design by identifying the best-suited areas for the installation of heating networks. The platform has already demonstrated its applicability, with District One having been used to create a combined multi-nodal district energy network consisting of 12 independently operating but connected systems. This case study showed that District One can increase the accuracy of a business case when deployed onto a citywide zonal programme by enabling existing infrastructure plans to be more quickly incorporated into modelling. Crucially the use of District One, which avoids reliance on the usual ‘rules of thumb’, enabled a far more accurate design and cost estimation of district heating network assets than would be typically expected for master planning projects on this scale. Commenting on the launch of the District One platform, Guy Milligan, Head of Department – District Energy at Ramboll said: “Heating and cooling networks will have a vital role to play in decarbonising the ways we heat our homes and communities, as well as providing a more affordable alternative to, for instance, individual gas boilers. “We expect to see a significant expansion of heat networks over the coming years, and are pleased to be able to support this through our development of the District One platform, which provides city-scale mapping, allows for more collaborative discussions between stakeholders and more informed decisions early on in the network planning process.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Scotland has welcomed the creation of a new Planning Hub, which aims to support the work of local authorities, build skills and capacity, and leverage specialist expertise from outside the planning profession. Dr Caroline Brown, Director of RTPI Scotland, said: “Whilst recent budget announcements from the Scottish Government raise concerns about the impact on funding for nature recovery, active travel, and climate action, we are really pleased to see a more positive announcement about the creation of a new Planning Hub. This is a very positive step, investing new resources into Scottish planning with the potential to bring in diverse expertise and drive innovation in the profession. “The Sottish Government has taken great initiative in setting up a hub that will operate to support the work of local authorities, building skills and capacity by leveraging specialist expertise from outside the planning profession. In our consultation response earlier in the year, we voiced concerns that an initiative like this could create new bottlenecks in local authorities, and it is encouraging to see those concerns addressed in the architecture of the proposed Hub. “The true benefits of the planning hub are likely only be visible over time. Sustained funding is necessary for its long-term viability, and it will need to expand beyond hydrogen to truly impact Scotland’s communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commercial interior design and fit out company APSS has created a stunning interior design for Lincolnshire charity Naomi’s Garden part of a volunteer project bringing together construction and professional service companies across Lincolnshire. Louth-based Naomi’s Garden provides a conductive education and special education needs consultancy. It also provides Bowen Therapy along with running a Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) in conjunction with Lincolnshire County Council. Conductive education is based on a ‘simple’ concept of human potential, meaning that everyone has the capability to learn and develop irrespective of their starting point. The Bowen technique comprises a series of precise movements over muscle and connective tissue to naturally assist the body in re-balancing and re-setting itself. Between each set of moves there is a pause allowing the nervous system to adjust the tension level in the muscles. The charity is currently raising funds for its new HQ in Manby Park near Louth to transform it from a motorcycle repair shop into a fit-for-purpose facility, where it can deliver its life-changing services to more people who need them. APSS designer Caitlin Maginess created the interior concept which steered away from a usual clinical interior and made it a more welcoming and fun experience for the children and adults who require the services. Caitlin said: “It was important to have a home away from home for people to visit, so we focused on creating a homely feel with a contemporary industrial design using a lot of soft furnishings. “There are areas within the design where we toned the concept down to focus on the needs of the people who will be using the space. “In addition to providing the primary service, there will be a space for people and businesses to rent out for classes like Zumba or spinning and birthday parties. There is also a communal kitchen that everyone can use in addition to therapy rooms, meeting rooms and counselling rooms as well as the classroom which will be the heart of the facility.” When complete, the new centre will enable the charity to extend its working hours, provide group sessions and create a dynamic learning environment for all – no matter what their disability – resulting in 50% more adults and children being supported each year. The building will also give them the option to run group sessions and be used for the wider community. Sarah-Jayne Walker, Lead Conductor at Naomi’s Garden, said: “When we received the designs from APSS, I cried. We were blown away with how beautiful they were and exactly what we were after. “Now we need to continue our fundraising journey while we gather as many Lincolnshire-based companies to make this dream a reality. We are in awe at the generosity we have already received from these local companies and businesses along with other charities who have stood shoulder to shoulder with us. “We currently have a waiting list across Lincolnshire who are keen to benefit from the unique therapy we provide. We desperately need our new more accessible hub to be functional so we can continue our work and expand to help those families who are relying on us as the only service provider of our kind in our area.” To make a donation towards Naomi’s Garden’s new premises please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/naomis-gardens-big-move?utm_campaign=p_nacp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hot on the heels of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, a young engineer from the UK is aiming to fly the flag at this month’s “Skills Olympics’’ in France, with continued backing from Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK. Luke Haile, a refrigeration technician from Lightfoot Defence, will represent the UK at WorldSkills 2024 in Lyon (10-15 September) on equipment supplied by Fujitsu in France, having completed his training on similar kit donated by Fujitsu in the UK. The former apprentice, from Hampshire, won the WorldSkills UK-RACHPSkills UK gold medal in 2022, when Fujitsu was headline sponsor of the event. That victory earned him the right to compete at WorldSkills 2024, known as the “Skills Olympics’’. In keeping with their efforts to help develop the next generation of engineers, Fujitsu has maintained its relationship with Haile and continued to offer support by providing equipment for him to train on, under the guidance of Mark Forsyth, a WorldSkills UK training manager and owner of Coriolis International. Haile said: “Fujitsu General Air Conditioning has supported my WorldSkills journey from the very beginning. Its sponsorship during the early stages encouraged not only myself but other young and up-and-coming engineers. “Fujitsu’s backing extended far beyond sponsorship; offering me access to their technical experts and a wide range of advanced equipment to train on, as well as onsite visits. This invaluable support has not only sharpened my skills but also shaped me into becoming a better engineer. I am deeply grateful and am certain the friendships forged will extend beyond the WorldSkills final.’’ Martyn Ives, Commercial Director, Fujitsu General Air Conditioning UK, said: “Fujitsu is extremely proud of its efforts to help improve standards across the air conditioning and heat pump sectors. We have formed partnerships with a number of colleges across the UK and we are delighted to have been able to help Luke on his way to Lyon. “We donated a wall mounted split system for Luke to train on and hopefully that training will help him to prove his worth against the best young engineers from around the world.’’ Ben Blackledge, Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “We are extremely grateful for the continued support from Fujitsu towards Luke’s training programme for WorldSkills Lyon 2024 and for our National Finals which will take place in Greater Manchester in November. “We couldn’t be prouder of Luke and Team UK; they are fantastic role models. We will use their participation at WorldSkills to boost the prestige of technical and vocational education, inspiring many more young people to take up technical and vocational training across the UK.” WorldSkills UK, a four-nation partnership between education, industry and UK governments, is responsible for selecting, mentoring and training Team UK for WorldSkills Lyon 2024. Pearson, the world’s leading learning company is the official partner of Team UK for WorldSkills Lyon 2024. WorldSkills Lyon 2024 will host over 1500 young people from 65 countries, who will compete in 62 different skill disciplines. To discover more about the Fujitsu product range, visit https://www.fujitsu-general.com/uk/ or email sales@fgac.fujitsu-general.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
