Derbion, Derby’s leading shopping and leisure destination, has announced that work will soon commence on creating a striking new gateway to Derby city centre, following final funding approval from Derby City Council. The Eastern Gateway project, a partnership between Derbion and the government’s Future High Streets Fund, will introduce a
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has acquired a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development site in Hackney Wick London, under its growing Living platform. Firethorn purchased the site for an undisclosed sum, with planning permission to develop 204 high-quality student beds, 35% of which will be affordable
By Andrew Leah, General Manager of Duraproducts As World Green Building Week draws to a close, it’s imperative to reflect on the industry’s progress and the challenges that lie ahead. The shift towards sustainable construction is driven by a growing awareness of the urgent need to address climate change and
A landmark agreement has been signed for the first ever affordable housing development of its kind on Portland. Dorchester-based Koori Limited, part of the Redtale Group of companies, has joined forces with Portland Community Land Trust (CLT) and East Boro Housing Trust (EBHT), part of the Aster Group, for this
Ipswich-based facilities management company OCS has acquired Exclusive Services Group, a leading provider of contract cleaning services across the UK and Ireland. This marks OCS’ fourth acquisition within the past year, following the acquisitions of Accuro, Abate Pest Management, and Profile Security Services. The addition of Exclusive Services Group allows
As the country girds its loins for what Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has warned will be a ‘painful’ October Budget, trade press headlines and social media channels have been inundated with more doom and gloom for the Private Rented Sector (PRS). The prospect of rises in Capital Gains and Inheritance
Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, today announces that it has been awarded a £363 million contract by National Grid to deliver the Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement project. The contract has been awarded through National Grid’s RIIO-2 framework. On completion, the project will reinforce the electricity network in East Anglia and
Works will reinstate historic routes, boost habitats and biodiversity, and enhance local economic activity Alongside Chesterfield Canal Trust, landscape architecture practice, Influence Landscape Planning & Design, has announced the commencement of works on the next section of the Chesterfield Canal restoration project. The works, which are taking place on a
Launched this week at the Energy & Utility Skills Conference and Awards, the Workforce Demand Reports from Energy & Utility Skills highlight the significant skills and workforce challenges facing industries in the sector over the next six years. The reports outline what will be needed to enable the UK to
Derbion, Derby’s leading shopping and leisure destination, has announced that work will soon commence on creating a striking new gateway to Derby city centre, following final funding approval from Derby City Council. The Eastern Gateway project, a partnership between Derbion and the government’s Future High Streets Fund, will introduce a modern façade and urban garden, transforming the area opposite the bus station and Derbion’s eastern entrance. The project aims to revitalise the space, making it a more attractive and welcoming entrance to the city centre. Construction is set to begin this month, with the project scheduled for completion in the first half of 2025. Beth McDonald, Managing Director at Derbion, said: “The Eastern Gateway will provide a fresh, inviting entrance to the city centre, transforming the area into a vibrant urban square. We’re excited to begin the development and to see the positive impact it will have on footfall and visitor experience.” Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for city centre regeneration, added: “I’m delighted that this project is moving forward, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of Derby’s city centre. This development will not only enhance the appearance of the area but also create an inclusive space that everyone can enjoy. It’s a key step in better connecting the city and ensuring Derby’s future is bright and full of opportunities.” The Eastern Gateway is part of Derby’s broader city centre regeneration, with £3 million allocated from the £15 million awarded to the council by the government’s Future High Streets Fund. Derbion is contributing an additional £1 million to the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has acquired a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development site in Hackney Wick London, under its growing Living platform. Firethorn purchased the site for an undisclosed sum, with planning permission to develop 204 high-quality student beds, 35% of which will be affordable accommodation. It will feature generous amenities, including modern co-working study spaces, common rooms and an outdoor roof terrace. In line with the London Plan, 51% of the accommodation, including the affordable rooms, will be nominated to a London university partner. The remaining beds will be available for direct let to students. The development will also create approximately 1,400 sq. m. of affordable and incubator workspace, working closely with community interest groups to support local businesses and entrepreneurs. With a focus on building quality living spaces with an enhanced specification, this is the second student accommodation scheme to sit within the growing Firethorn Living portfolio, following the acquisition of a 230-bed PBSA site in Leith Walk, Edinburgh earlier this year. Marcus Weeks, Director and Head of Living at Firethorn Trust, commented: “This acquisition reflects our ambition to create modern, sustainable living spaces in prime university locations across the UK. “We are pleased to be playing our part in addressing the significant supply and demand imbalance for high-quality, affordable student housing in London, and look forward to working closely with local stakeholders to deliver a best-in-class development that will make a positive impact on both students and the neighbouring community.” Set on the grounds of the former Broadwood piano factory, the development will preserve and incorporate the site’s historic brick chimney, originally built in 1902. Neighbouring the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick is a 15-minute walk to both University Arts London and UCL East. The area is a vibrant student hotspot, offering a mix of bars and restaurants, with the convenience of Westfield Stratford nearby. Work on site is expected to commence in 2025 and completion targeted for the 2027/28 academic year. For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Andrew Leah, General Manager of Duraproducts As World Green Building Week draws to a close, it’s imperative to reflect on the industry’s progress and the challenges that lie ahead. The shift towards sustainable construction is driven by a growing awareness of the urgent need to address climate change and reduce our environmental impact. However, sustainable construction is more than just building green infrastructure. It’s about designing, constructing, and operating buildings in a way that minimises their environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle. This requires a holistic approach that considers factors such as materials sourcing, energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. One of the key challenges facing the industry is the need to balance sustainability with affordability. While sustainable building materials and technologies can sometimes have higher upfront costs, their long-term benefits, such as reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance expenses, can offset these initial investments and cannot be disputed. Another challenge is the lack of standardised metrics and guidelines for measuring sustainability. This can make it difficult for building owners and developers to compare options and make informed decisions. Developing a common framework for assessing sustainability can help to drive innovation and promote best practices. At Duraproducts, we believe Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are essential tools for our sustainability journey. Since receiving these certifications in 2023, we’ve been able to expand our business further into Europe, thanks to the standardised assessment of our products’ environmental performance and impacts throughout their lifecycle. It’s also been encouraging to see a growing demand from architects, engineers, and designers for EPDs and LCAs, as they too recognise the importance of measuring and mitigating the whole-life carbon footprint of their projects. To overcome these challenges and accelerate the transition to sustainable construction, the industry must invest in research and development, promote education and training, and collaborate with stakeholders. Find out more about how Duraproducts contributes to a healthier, safer, and more sustainable built environment here: https://www.duraproducts.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A landmark agreement has been signed for the first ever affordable housing development of its kind on Portland. Dorchester-based Koori Limited, part of the Redtale Group of companies, has joined forces with Portland Community Land Trust (CLT) and East Boro Housing Trust (EBHT), part of the Aster Group, for this trailblazing scheme. Nine affordable homes will be built for local people as part of the regeneration of Portland’s former Southwell Primary School site off Sweet Hill Lane. The CLT properties will be available to rent at below market rates to local people with a connection to Portland, giving tenants a chance to live in their community with peace of mind over security of tenure and affordability. The properties will not be available as second homes or as holiday lets. Koori has provided land and is building the development for the CLT scheme – the first on Portland – as part of its circa £15m May Bower Gardens scheme. The first phase of May Bower Gardens is on course for completion in the autumn of this year. CLTs, which are a form of community-led housing, are set up and run by people within their local communities to develop and manage homes as well as other assets. The CLTs act as long-term stewards of the properties, ensuring the homes remain genuinely affordable, not just for now but for every future occupier. Representatives from Koori, EBHT and Portland CLT have now signed a contract for the site. The first residents are expected to move in before Christmas of this year. The homes, a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom properties, will be built by Koori and managed by housing association EBHT on behalf of the CLT, which will own the freehold. Portland CLT board is greatly encouraged to see this project moving forward. They said: “We are aware that demand continues to increase for good-quality, affordable housing on Portland. “The aim is for May Bower Gardens to be the first of a number of CLT projects on the island. We’re very grateful for the support of all partners in the project.” There are currently 500 applicants being processed on the housing register who have a Portland connection or who have expressed Portland as their preferred option. Malcolm Curtis, Chief Executive the Redtale Group, said: “As a local business with its heart in the community, we’re pleased to support this pioneering project to create the first CLT on Portland. “The homes will match the high-quality and environmental sustainability of Koori’s traditionally built properties and where possible we use the best local materials, including Portland Stone quarried on the island, and tried and tested energy-efficient solutions as well as a local workforce. “Putting pen to paper with the Portland CLT is a significant milestone on our journey to deliver these desirable affordable homes for local people and marks another major step forward in the regeneration of this important site in a stunning location on the Jurassic Coast.” Kevin Hodder, Director of Partnership and Engagement at Aster Group who also oversees EBHT’s development programme, said: “EBHT specialises in developing small groups of affordable homes in villages within Dorset for the benefit of local communities. “CLTs are a brilliant way to deliver affordable housing which local communities both want and need. “We’re looking forward to working with Portland CLT and Koori to deliver these properties which will provide long-term security to those who eventually get to call them home. “With energy-efficient design and technologies, customers living in these homes will also benefit from lower energy bills. Coupled alongside the affordable rent, it should help keep overall costs down.” Councillor Gill Taylor, who is Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, said: “The site has been transformed from redundant school buildings on the old primary school site to provide nine affordable rented homes for local residents. “Dorset Council supported this work by providing a Community Housing grant and we worked collaboratively from start to finish with our partners including Middlemarch Community Led Housing, who have supported Portland CLT and EBHT. “This development demonstrates our commitment to community land trusts in Dorset and we hope it will encourage more community led housing to provide the affordable homes we need for local people.” May Bower Gardens will comprise 48 homes in total. The first phase of 14 properties – a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses – on the 1.3 hectare site is due for completion autumn 2024. There are about 25 people working directly on the site, all local trades people including apprentices. The workforce also includes three specialist stone layers, all from Portland, who walk to work carrying on a generational tradition of stone laying on island. Stone used in the development is cut from Albion Stone’s Bowers Quarry, just up the road from May Bower Gardens. The development is due for final completion in 2027. The CLT homes form part of Koori’s affordable housing contribution for the site. The properties are being built using air-tight and thermally efficient construction methods along with low zero carbon (LZC) technologies. They include electric vehicle charging throughout and air source heat pumps. Portland CLT is a community benefit organisation run by an elected board of members from the community to meet the housing needs of local people. It is among several CLTs in Dorset, which work closely with the Dorset Council housing department to progress sites across the county. Koori Limited, as part of the Redtale group of companies, has a long track record of delivering high quality, well-designed and customer-focused developments. Koori’s recent property developments include The Grove, the multi award-winning Lorton Park and Monterey Place, all situated in Weymouth, Dorset. The nine-strong company aims to make a difference in everything it does. Its objective is to ‘do better: better planning, better by design, better build and better customer service’. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ipswich-based facilities management company OCS has acquired Exclusive Services Group, a leading provider of contract cleaning services across the UK and Ireland. This marks OCS’ fourth acquisition within the past year, following the acquisitions of Accuro, Abate Pest Management, and Profile Security Services. The addition of Exclusive Services Group allows OCS to further strengthen its cleaning division, particularly in the education, data centre, leisure, media, and retail sectors. As a specialist in data centre cleaning, a key growth area for OCS, Exclusive also brings valuable experience in the leisure sector. Daniel Dickson, CEO of OCS UK & Ireland, commented: “Exclusive has built an excellent reputation for delivering outstanding service to its clients. Their expertise in education and data centres, along with their skilled management team, will enhance our ability to provide exceptional outcomes for our customers. This acquisition is a pivotal step as we aim to double our revenue in the UK and Ireland within the next five years. We’re excited to welcome Exclusive’s team to OCS and look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create.” Jim Melvin, CEO of Exclusive Services Group and former Chairman of the British Cleaning Council, added: “Exclusive has always been committed to delivering high-quality, tailored services to meet our clients’ needs. Joining OCS enables us to tap into the Group’s vast resources and expertise, which will allow us to enhance our service offerings and support further growth. This is an exciting new chapter for Exclusive, and we’re confident it will bring significant benefits to both our customers and employees.” The acquisition strengthens OCS’ position in the FM sector, enhancing its service range and industry expertise as it continues its ambitious growth plans. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the country girds its loins for what Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has warned will be a ‘painful’ October Budget, trade press headlines and social media channels have been inundated with more doom and gloom for the Private Rented Sector (PRS). The prospect of rises in Capital Gains and Inheritance Tax would appear to have sparked a flurry of selling activity among some landlords. Latest figures released by Rightmove revealed that the proportion of former rental homes moving into the sales market is the highest on record – at 18% of the total. But Rightmove insists this does not point to a mass exodus of PRS landlords, although it does say the situation will have to be monitored for any long-term impact. And I read the comment from Benham and Reeves’ Marc Grundherr with interest. He said that if the Labour government imposed a significant tax increase on landlords, this would be another blow to those who provide vital housing stock. He added: “Despite this, we’re simply not seeing the exodus of landlords that is so often reported…buy to let remains a strong investment – it’s certainly one that most take with a very long-term view and they expect ups and downs, but generally speaking, the returns are consistently good.” Luxury apartments This is the point – fundamentally, rental properties in the PRS are in short supply, demand remains strong and yields remain healthy. Added to which the property market is changing. From the latest figures available from Uswitch, a third of first time buyers are aged over 35, 20% are aged 35-44 and 13% are over 45. So renters are staying in the PRS much longer and individual tenancy lengths are increasing, too. This is just one of the reasons that Build to Rent has taken off so dramatically in the UK in recent years. Only last week, Legal and General announced that its Slate Yard development in Manchester was being offered as an investment opportunity with a guide price of £110 million. It comprises 424 luxury apartments across three buildings and provides a gym, a residents’ lounge, co-working spaces and 24/7 concierge service. Legal and General have deployed over £3bn of institutional capital into the sector in 24 schemes across 13 UK cities. Clearly, they believe there is a future in the rental market. ‘It’s all very well for the big boys, but what about the small private landlord?’ I hear you say, ‘The bureaucracy is becoming overwhelming.’ It’s true that there are political moves to introduce higher standards, warmer homes and to regulate the sector more thoroughly. But, in the long run, this can only be good for business. Build to Rent is predominantly focused on city centres, but who is catering for the suburbs and the hundreds of small towns and villages all over the UK? Don’t they deserve a thriving rental sector, too? And as for the bureaucracy, this is where technology comes in – it saves time and money and provides evidence of compliance. Reduce move-in costs Using ourselves as just one example, through integrations, flatfair Deposits utilises open banking technology and partners with the major UK deposit schemes to automatically register traditional deposits into the agent’s preferred scheme. Deposit administration can carry the risk of hefty fines, reputational damage and sometimes worse. flatfair Deposits removes the potential of missed deadlines and human errors while saving agents and landlords around an hour of admin time per tenancy. It also provides tenants with the important choice of a deposit alternative, to reduce their move-in costs by an average of £1000, while landlords double the protection on their property for potential damages or unpaid rent. flatfair Deposits integrates with leading referencing providers, HomeLet and Homeppl, and cross-references these results against our own criteria to ensure the highest quality tenants are occupying the property. Technology like flatfair Deposits is the solution and the way forward for the PRS. Increased regulation doesn’t have to mean an increased workload. We’re all going to have to work smarter, not harder. If that’s the brave new world for the PRS, we’re looking forward to it. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty, the international infrastructure group, today announces that it has been awarded a £363 million contract by National Grid to deliver the Bramford to Twinstead Reinforcement project. The contract has been awarded through National Grid’s RIIO-2 framework. On completion, the project will reinforce the electricity network in East Anglia and ensure that it can continue to reliably and securely transport the cleaner, greener electricity required for the UK’s transition to Net Zero. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the replacement of the existing high voltage electricity network between Bramford Substation in Suffolk and Twinstead Tee in Essex, with a new 400 kilovolt overhead line spanning 18 kilometers. In addition, the company will also deliver 11 kilometres of underground cable through the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Stour Valley. The company will work closely with ecologists and conservationists throughout to mitigate any disruption to local wildlife and has committed to delivering a 10% biodiversity net gain over the project lifecycle. Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, said: “This award demonstrates the momentum we are capturing in the energy security and transition market. As the largest power transmission provider in the UK, we have a long and proud history of working with National Grid. This latest award will once again enable our expert teams to deploy their proven capability to successfully deliver overhead lines and underground cabling works in complex and challenging landscapes.” Main construction is expected to commence in the first half of 2025 with completion expected in 2028. At peak construction, Balfour Beatty will employ over 200 people including 10 apprenticeship and graduate positions as part of the company’s commitment to The 5% Club. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Works will reinstate historic routes, boost habitats and biodiversity, and enhance local economic activity Alongside Chesterfield Canal Trust, landscape architecture practice, Influence Landscape Planning & Design, has announced the commencement of works on the next section of the Chesterfield Canal restoration project. The works, which are taking place on a 2.6km stretch of the canal, from Staveley Basin to the south of Renishaw, Derbyshire, will revitalise the historic canal for people to enjoy and for nature to thrive. Funded in part by the Staveley Town Deal, these works will see the reconstruction of up to 850 metres of canal channel, the construction of two new bridges – including a bridleway bridge to carry the Trans Pennine Trail over the canal – a new lock, and the enhancement of footpaths and cycleways. Following planning permission in 2021, on behalf of Chesterfield Canal Trust, Influence Landscape Planning & Design was appointed to produce a landscape masterplan for the project, which led to detailed landscape plans and a Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP). Working alongside Peak Ecology and Rodgers Leask Consulting Engineers, the team successfully discharged the planning conditions related to the works. The design features of the landscape plan include attractive seating areas, viewing points, areas for families to play, information boards and clear wayfinding – as the scheme is integrated with the surrounding network of public rights of way. The landscape proposal includes native tree and shrub planting, areas of wildflower meadow, and aquatic planting along the length of the canal, creating a picturesque backdrop and a robust habitat for wildlife. Since restoration began in 1989, 12 miles of the Chesterfield Canal have been restored, alongside 37 locks, 11 bridges, and two marinas. The most recent sections completed include Staveley Basin in 2012 and Hartington Harbour in 2018. This phase of construction works is being delivered by midlands-based O’Brien Contractors, who are leading the first phase of this 18-month project, which includes major groundworks to clear the canal route and the landscaping. Following this, the abutments for the new Trans Pennine Trail bridge will be constructed, and by October, the 38-meter-long structure will be installed. Subsequent phases will see the reinstatement of the canal length, a new lock, another accommodation bridge at the bottom of Bellhouse Lane, a pumping system, and the creation of Bellhouse Basin. The towpath will be upgraded to a multi-user trail, extending across the Doe Lea Valley to Renishaw. This restoration project not only enhances outdoor spaces and creates new leisure infrastructure, but it is also expected to increase visitors to the Staveley area by 20%, boosting local economic activity. George Rogers, Development Manager at Chesterfield Canal Trust, said: “This project represents a major advance in the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal, as we move out of Staveley and into the Doe Lea valley. Moving into a more rural environment, it was really important to us that we gave proper consideration to the landscaping and to ensure that the restoration has a positive impact upon its surroundings for both wildlife and the community. “Working with Influence and Peak Ecology on these plans has been enlightening and rewarding, and we are excited to see the new landscape maturing over time and the local community being better able to access this wonderful corner of Derbyshire.” Kathryn Dunk, Principal Landscape Architect at Influence Landscape Planning & Design, said: “It’s been such a pleasure to be involved in a project that marries engineering heritage with new public spaces for all to enjoy, and importantly, this scheme gave us the opportunity to reinstate and enhance native planting to create new habitats for wildlife. “It’s fantastic to see these former canal routes coming back to life and the historic importance of this site is truly fascinating. The team and I look forward to seeing people spending leisure time on the newly restored pathways and on the water.” Chesterfield Canal Trust invites the public to follow the progress of these works on its website, which shares the ongoing efforts to bring the historic canal back to life. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Launched this week at the Energy & Utility Skills Conference and Awards, the Workforce Demand Reports from Energy & Utility Skills highlight the significant skills and workforce challenges facing industries in the sector over the next six years. The reports outline what will be needed to enable the UK to achieve the Government’s ambition of becoming a clean energy superpower and delivering improvements to our environment. Phil Beach, CEO of Energy & Utility Skills, opened the conference with a welcoming address, setting the scene for the sessions to follow. Mark Wild, OBE, CEO of SGN and Chair of the Energy & Utility Skills Partnership CEO Council, then delivered a keynote speech ‘Taking on the Skills Gap,’ offering valuable insights into workforce development, talent attraction, and the scale of the skills challenge. Phil Beach returned to the stage to lead the session ‘The Skills Opportunities of Net Zero and Environmental Goals,’ focusing on the sector’s key challenges and opportunities and the potential for Government, employers and unions to work in partnership to deliver change. Panels of experts, industry leaders, and regulators then explored the data in the reports. The demand for both current and planned skilled roles is exceptionally high and is exacerbated by challenges in filling these positions. The volume of people needed to be working in the sector is growing, and excluding staff turnover, over 205,000 new jobs are expected. Labour market forecasts further complicate the situation, predicting that over 105,000 workers (1/6 of the current workforce) will retire by 2030. This raises the total number of new workers needed to over 312,000. Notably, more than half of these roles (52%) will require low to mid-level skills, highlighting the need for better alignment between national skills policies and industry demands. With the sector operating in a highly competitive environment for scarce skilled resources, the focus on recruitment, development, progression, and retention is more critical than ever. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) are vital components of this strategy, helping to broaden the talent pool and ensure the sector remains resilient amidst rapid growth and evolving demands. A successful social impact commitment and coordination of EDI initiatives will reduce barriers to opportunity and expand access to high-quality jobs within the sector to meet the requirements for net zero. Phil Beach, closed the conference by thanking participants and highlighting the skills opportunities arising from net zero environmental goals, commenting, “We need an additional 200,000 people in the energy and utilities sector by 2030 to deliver the Government’s missions. This requires a more demand-led skills system that delivers competent people. Government, industry, and unions need to work together to identify these compeEnergy tencies and ensure the skills system is sufficiently agile and responsive to deliver them. The introduction of Skills England is a huge opportunity and will hopefully herald increased flexibility in apprenticeship funding and delivery whilst preserving them as a critically important feature of the skills landscape.” For more detailed insights and to explore the strategies essential to addressing these pressing workforce issues, please refer to the Workforce Demand Estimates 2024 to 2030. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
