Glenbrook has launched a public consultation for a striking 44-storey residential development in the heart of Manchester city centre, near Deansgate Train Station on Whitworth Street West. The proposed development will feature 364 apartments spread across 44 storeys, along with over 7,750 square feet of active space on the ground,
Budget hotel chain Travelodge has unveiled plans for two new hotels on the east coast of England, in Skegness and Harwich, as it continues its expansion across the UK. Contracts have been exchanged for both sites, and construction has already commenced. In Skegness, an 80-room Travelodge is being built on
Weston Homes has announced a landmark forward funding partnership with Royal London Asset Management to transform the £110.1 million Bracknell Beeches site into a state-of-the-art Build-to-Rent (BTR) development. As part of the agreement, Royal London Asset Management will purchase the entire Bracknell Beeches site from Weston Homes and enter into
A special ceremony was held on the roof of the new Sidney Sussex building to mark the occasion and celebrate the excellent progress to date. Glencar, a leading UK construction company recognised for its past ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing businesses, recently held a topping out ceremony at Chesterford Research Park to
Building materials specialist Marshalls has approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making a bold commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2050. Marshalls’ near-term targets – to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by
Castlemere Developments has secured a prime location in London for its latest residential project. The company plans to construct five one-bedroom airspace apartments at Nicholas Court, Burnt Ash Hill, in Grove Park. The £1.35 million development will follow Castlemere’s signature approach, utilising offsite construction methods. Once completed, the prefabricated units
Valor Real Estate Partners (“Valor”), Europe’s fastest-growing last-mile real estate specialist, has made two strategic acquisitions in London, expanding its logistics portfolio. Acting on behalf of its joint venture with QuadReal Property Group (“QuadReal”), a global real estate investment, development, and management company, Valor has secured two prime last-mile logistics
Deal with Northstone at the housing developer’s Tulach development will see Casa by Moda operate 93 modern and energy efficient rental homes for the long term Casa by Moda is set to open its first family homes neighbourhood in the North West, having contracted to buy 93 homes from Northstone
Installing a large underground concrete structure is not an unusual task for any contractor working in the water industry. Whether it’s a filtration chamber, settlement tank or storage system, installing such a structure is always a challenge. It requires a large, deep excavation support that must be made safe for
Fife College Modern Apprentices were given a starring role recently (Friday 30 September) to highlight the College’s Earlseat Wind Farm Scholarship. The Scholarship received £82k this year from Earlseat owners, The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG), to support companies to take on and train Modern Apprentices (MAs). In practice, funds are
Glenbrook has launched a public consultation for a striking 44-storey residential development in the heart of Manchester city centre, near Deansgate Train Station on Whitworth Street West. The proposed development will feature 364 apartments spread across 44 storeys, along with over 7,750 square feet of active space on the ground, first, and second floors. Designed to respect the city’s architectural heritage, the building will incorporate a three-storey arched terracotta colonnade, creating a visually dynamic streetscape. In addition to the residential space, the landscaping plans include new green areas, improved pedestrian routes, and better connections to surrounding communities. Proposed avenues along Cameron and Bugle Streets will provide much-needed public spaces, with well-lit, thoughtfully designed landscaping for both residents and the local community. Commenting on the project, Daniel Roberts, Development Director at Glenbrook, said: “As a Manchester-based developer, we’re thrilled to be embarking on this landmark project in the heart of our city. The site on Whitworth Street West is a highly sustainable location, close to the cultural and leisure attractions that make Manchester so vibrant. With Whitworth Street West undergoing a transformation, Glenbrook is proud to play a key role in its revitalisation.” Tony O’Brien, Partner at Sheppard Robson, added: “This project offers an opportunity to create high-quality homes that harmonise with the character of Whitworth Street. Our design opens up the site, introducing a new public realm at the centre of the development, helping to animate the streets and enhance connections between the city, Knott Mill, and First Street. The building’s design takes inspiration from the area’s rich history, using a local palette of materials to link the scheme with the listed railway viaduct to the south and Deansgate Station to the west.” The public consultation is open from 9th October to 28th October, with a live event scheduled for 15th October at Home on First Street from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. The event will provide residents, businesses, and other stakeholders with an opportunity to view the plans in detail and share their thoughts. Representatives from Glenbrook and the design team will be available to answer questions and gather feedback to ensure the development meets the needs of the community. Input from the consultation will be crucial in shaping the final planning application, which will be submitted to Manchester City Council in the coming months. The public consultation is also accessible online at www.whitworthstreetwest.co.uk, and any enquiries during the consultation period can be directed to info@whitworthstreetwest.co.uk. Glenbrook’s planning adviser for this project is Deloitte. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Budget hotel chain Travelodge has unveiled plans for two new hotels on the east coast of England, in Skegness and Harwich, as it continues its expansion across the UK. Contracts have been exchanged for both sites, and construction has already commenced. In Skegness, an 80-room Travelodge is being built on a former crazy golf site on South Parade. The six-storey hotel will feature the chain’s in-house restaurant, Bar Café, located on the top floor with stunning sea views. The development is set to create 30 new jobs in the local area. In Harwich, a 68-room Travelodge is being developed on a six-acre site at Stanton Europark, next to Harwich Port and Enterprise Zone. Both hotels are scheduled to open by summer 2025. The projects are being developed by Burney Group and constructed by Faircloth Construction Ltd. Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director at Travelodge, commented: “We are thrilled to continue the expansion of our hotel network across the UK. These new locations in Skegness and Harwich are fantastic additions to our portfolio, ideally placed for both business and leisure travellers. We’re pleased to be working with Burney Group again, and are confident these hotels will perform well, creating new jobs and supporting the local economies.” Carter Jonas acted as Travelodge’s retained development manager for these projects. Travelodge has plans to open 300 additional hotels across the UK, with further sites targeted in Essex and Lincolnshire. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Weston Homes has announced a landmark forward funding partnership with Royal London Asset Management to transform the £110.1 million Bracknell Beeches site into a state-of-the-art Build-to-Rent (BTR) development. As part of the agreement, Royal London Asset Management will purchase the entire Bracknell Beeches site from Weston Homes and enter into a development contract for the construction of the project. The Bracknell Beeches development will comprise 349 high-quality one, two, and three-bedroom apartments spread across seven buildings, with heights ranging from four to 16 storeys. Designed to offer a premium living experience, the scheme will feature a concierge service, gymnasium, communal lounge and business suite, along with outdoor terraces and landscaped gardens for residents to enjoy. This deal marks a significant milestone for both companies, highlighting Weston Homes’ commitment to forming long-term partnerships with leading investment funds. Located less than 100 metres from Bracknell train station, the development provides easy access to London Waterloo in just over an hour, making it an attractive option for tenants seeking modern, convenient living. Royal London Asset Management, part of the UK’s largest mutual life, pensions, and investment company, shares Weston Homes’ dedication to quality, sustainability, and long-term community investment. This alignment of values underpins the partnership, ensuring that the Bracknell Beeches development will be delivered to the highest standards while creating lasting value for both investors and residents. ProperTies, a specialised operational firm, will manage the Private Rented Sector (PRS) aspect of the development. Bob Weston, Chairman and Chief Executive of Weston Homes, commented: “We are thrilled to secure our first major forward funding deal with Royal London Asset Management, one of the UK’s most respected investment managers. This project reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional developments that cater to the evolving needs of modern living. We look forward to building a lasting partnership with Royal London and contributing to the future of Bracknell’s residential landscape.” Mark Evans, Head of Property and Commercial Development at Royal London Asset Management, added: “Our collaboration with Weston Homes on the Bracknell Beeches project aligns with our strategy to expand our portfolio in the residential sector, providing our investors with strong, sustainable rental income. We are excited to see this development take shape and contribute to the growth of Bracknell’s community.” The Bracknell Beeches project is expected to set a new benchmark for Build-to-Rent schemes in the UK, combining innovative design and first-class amenities in a highly connected location. Weston Homes remains open to future long-term partnerships across their wider portfolio. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A special ceremony was held on the roof of the new Sidney Sussex building to mark the occasion and celebrate the excellent progress to date. Glencar, a leading UK construction company recognised for its past ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing businesses, recently held a topping out ceremony at Chesterford Research Park to celebrate reaching full height on the new 60,000 sq. ft. multi-occupancy life science R&D facility, known as the Sidney Sussex Building. This milestone marks a significant achievement in the ongoing development, showcasing the great progress being made across the site. The Sidney Sussex Building is located within the Park’s superb 250-acre landscape and is set to meet the growing demand from within the Cambridge Life Science cluster for facilities of the type. Upon completion, the building will feature a versatile mix of ten individual R&D suites within its multi-occupancy design. Intended to enable existing occupiers to grow whilst also attracting new names to the Park community, the Sidney Sussex Building will offer flexible suites ranging from 2,226 sq ft to 8,409 sq ft within a beautifully landscaped setting. Designed by architect BCR Infinity Architects, the building allows for the combination of spaces to accommodate larger requirements. Each fully fitted suite will comprise wet laboratory space with benching, sinks and fitted fume hoods, as well as heating and cooling systems, with separate open plan office areas. Storage rooms and shower facilities also feature, all centred around a communal, light-filled atrium with a dedicated reception area. Sustainability is at the core of the design, with renewable energy sources, efficient structural uses, and daylighting strategies to minimise carbon emissions. Ecological enhancements will include significant tree planting, bird and bat boxes, and a new pond, promoting biodiversity and offering green spaces for occupiers. The project is anticipated to be complete by October 2025. Speaking about the project and key milestone reached, Glencar CEO Eddie McGillycuddy said: “It is a testament to the hard work and specialised expertise of our Life Sciences team that we have reached full height, and we are delighted to have achieved this important milestone. Once completed, this 60,000 sq. ft, three-storey multi-occupancy building will directly address the growing demand for laboratory space within the Cambridge cluster and the wider Golden Triangle. “As Glencar’s third Life Science project, this development is a significant addition to our portfolio and further showcases our expanding expertise in this sector. We look forward to following the project’s progress and the key milestones that lie ahead. I would also like to extend our gratitude to the entire project team and our partners for their invaluable contributions to this achievement.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Building materials specialist Marshalls has approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), making a bold commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2050. Marshalls’ near-term targets – to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50.5% by 2030 and reduce absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 37.5% by 2033 – have been validated, as have its long-term targets, to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2040 and reduce absolute scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by at least 90% by 2050. The targets use 2018 as the base year. In 2019, Marshalls became one of the first businesses in its sector in the UK to commit to the SBTi programme, publishing an original set of targets which were validated in 2020. The newly validated targets are based on a recalculation of the Marshalls group footprint following its acquisition of roofing specialist Marley in 2022. They also encompass the requirements for any net-zero target to include scope 3 emissions, as first detailed in the Net-Zero Standard of October 2021. The new targets were submitted to the SBTi in January 2024 and validated in September. The SBTi said it commended Marshalls’ net-zero target, which it says is currently the most ambitious designation available through the SBTi process. To achieve its targets, Marshalls will work closely with its suppliers – particularly those who supply cement – to explore the technologies and innovations available to decarbonise its supply chain. The SBTi develops standards, tools and guidance which allow companies to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in line with what is needed to keep global heating below catastrophic levels. Michael Edwards, Group Head of Sustainability for Marshalls, said: “This is a true landmark moment for Marshalls and one we’re very proud to be telling people about. It’s a clear demonstration of our absolute commitment to become a more sustainable business, which is something we, along with our stakeholders, take incredibly seriously. “Additionally, achieving this robust, gold standard in validation will undoubtedly go on to influence and drive our product development and innovation, ensuring we meet customer sustainability needs and remain competitive in a market increasingly focused on environmental responsibility. Meanwhile, our Environmental Product Declarations allow us to demonstrate how our commitment is manifesting itself at a product level and give our customers the power to make informed, sustainable choices. “We’re now actioning the meaningful and measurable steps required to meet our targets – a commitment that’s set in stone.” Tim Clement, Director of Social Value and Sustainability for Morgan Sindall Construction, a customer of Marshalls, said: “Knowing Marshalls has made a net-zero commitment which has now been validated by the SBTi provides us with a greater level of confidence and reassurance that we’re working with a business that is absolutely committed to doing the right thing for future generations – something that’s incredibly important to us here at Morgan Sindall Construction.” Marshalls worked with the Carbon Trust on the development and submission of its targets to the SBTi. Samuel Lloyd, Sector Lead for Construction, Property and Infrastructure at the Carbon Trust, said: “Setting rigorous carbon reduction targets that are aligned to the latest science is a key step in any organisation’s path to net-zero. We’re pleased to have worked with Marshalls to develop these SBTi-validated targets, signalling the company’s strong commitment to accelerating its decarbonisation journey.” The work Marshalls is doing to reduce emissions is part of a larger sustainability strategy that includes continual improvements to its circularity of materials, water use and approach to responsible sourcing. Visit https://www.marshalls.co.uk/sustainability for more information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Castlemere Developments has secured a prime location in London for its latest residential project. The company plans to construct five one-bedroom airspace apartments at Nicholas Court, Burnt Ash Hill, in Grove Park. The £1.35 million development will follow Castlemere’s signature approach, utilising offsite construction methods. Once completed, the prefabricated units will be lifted into place to finalise the project, in line with the company’s other airspace schemes. This innovative construction method allows for efficient use of space and minimal disruption to the surrounding area, contributing to London’s growing need for residential housing. Nicholas Court, which is a three-story apartment block, will deliver aspirational and affordable modular penthouse living. The project is expected to be completed by early 2025, with the apartments expected to be on the market for around £260,000 – £270,000 each. Kris Collett, managing director of Castlemere Developments, said: “We have exchanged contracts on securing Nicholas Court and will be delivering properties that are focused on being starter homes and that appeal to first time buyers. “The price of these one-bedroom apartments is going to be very reasonable based on the London property market. “There is a huge demand for residential properties and we will continue to source suitable locations that we can develop to help meet this need.” Nicholas Court will be built off-site as Castlemere Developments purposely choses off-site MMC so that it can deliver projects much quicker than onsite developments, reduce the disruption to current residents, and ensure its developments are as environmentally friendly as possible. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Valor Real Estate Partners (“Valor”), Europe’s fastest-growing last-mile real estate specialist, has made two strategic acquisitions in London, expanding its logistics portfolio. Acting on behalf of its joint venture with QuadReal Property Group (“QuadReal”), a global real estate investment, development, and management company, Valor has secured two prime last-mile logistics sites in Barking and Enfield, with a combined gross development value (GDV) of £60 million. Both properties were acquired off-market. In Enfield, North London, the joint venture has acquired Trafalgar Trading Estate, the leading multi-let industrial park in the area. The 79,435 square-foot estate comprises 11 units spread across three terraced buildings and boasts high-quality specifications. Currently, 92% of the property is let to a variety of trade counter and last-mile logistics businesses, with an average lease term of two years. Situated close to the M1 motorway and A10 trunk road, the site offers access to around 6.4 million people within a 60-minute drive. Meanwhile, in Barking, East London, the partnership has secured a 3.49-acre vacant site. The intention is to develop a state-of-the-art, build-to-suit last-mile distribution hub. Future tenants will benefit from excellent transport links, including the nearby A13 and North Circular, as well as Barking’s position as a major industrial hub. Ongoing residential-led regeneration projects in Barking, such as Barking Riverside, are expected to further reduce industrial supply in the area, making the site even more strategically valuable. Jeremy Achkar, Senior Vice President at Valor, said: “The off-market acquisition of the Trafalgar Trading Estate marks our first purchase in Enfield, one of London’s key industrial submarkets. We look forward to expanding our presence in the area over the coming years.” Timour Wielemans, Vice President at Valor, added: “We’re excited to have secured this prime 3.5-acre site in Barking, which expands our London development pipeline to over 700,000 sq ft. Our goal is to deliver our first build-to-suit scheme here, and with the support of our newly established in-house development team, we are well-equipped to manage increasingly complex projects and provide tailored solutions that meet occupier needs.” Thomas Blangy, Senior Vice President at QuadReal Property Group, commented: “These acquisitions align perfectly with our strategy of focusing on high-growth urban logistics markets, where limited supply and strong demand create opportunities for long-term value generation. London’s last-mile logistics sector remains robust, and our partnership with Valor positions us to deliver strategically located assets that meet the needs of occupiers in these important submarkets, ensuring sustainable returns.” The joint venture received advisory support from Altus and SBY for the Barking acquisition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Deal with Northstone at the housing developer’s Tulach development will see Casa by Moda operate 93 modern and energy efficient rental homes for the long term Casa by Moda is set to open its first family homes neighbourhood in the North West, having contracted to buy 93 homes from Northstone at its Wigan development, Tulach. Once complete, Casa at Tulach will consist of 93 two-, three- and four-bedroom rental houses operated by Casa for the long term. Located in the Pemberton area of Wigan, the homes form part of Northstone’s wider 268-home scheme in the town, which now nears completion with this deal. With views over Tulach’s generous green spaces and contemporary house designs, Casa’s fourth neighbourhood will be a suburban oasis for renters on the doorstep of the region’s major cities and travel hubs. The neighbourhood is located a stone’s throw from Pemberton Train Station, with fast travel links to both Manchester and Liverpool, as well as Manchester Airport. A new pedestrian link from Tulach directly to the station platform is scheduled for completion later this year. The development also benefits from communal outdoor areas including a children’s play area, as well as close proximity to local amenities including schools, retail, leisure and medical facilities. As at all Casa by Moda neighbourhoods, Casa at Tulach will offer deposit-alternative, pet-friendly living which places service, technology, wellbeing, and sustainability at the heart of its rental communities. Each of the homes comes equipped with solar panels and are all EPC B rated. Rental packages also include superfast broadband, and smart technology such as home security systems, smart doorbells and environmental sensors from Casa by Moda’s technology partner Utopi. The smart home sensors enable renters to monitor everything from room temperature to air quality, assisting in cultivating a higher quality of life for tenants and creating energy efficiency through real-time data on energy usage. Residents will have access to the bespoke MyCasa app, which allows residents to communicate 24/7 with resident maintenance services. The app also supports the wider resident community, allowing residents to connect with their neighbours, form chats and clubs and engage with seasonal events run by Casa. Single Family Housing (SFH) is a significant driver for institutional flow of capital to the private rented sector. Recent research by Knight Frank reported that institutional investors spent a record £1.9 billion acquiring or funding SFH in the UK in 2023[1]. Matt Townson, Director of Development and Projects at Casa by Moda, said: “The success of our existing Casa by Moda neighbourhoods has shown there is a demand for high quality rental homes which offer more than just bricks and mortar. Given the outstanding homes, transport links and beautiful outdoor spaces at this location, we are confident Casa at Tulach is going to transform the way people rent in Wigan.” Joanna Allen, Land and Partnerships Director at Northstone added: “We are pleased to meet our plan to deliver mixed tenure developments and communities that give greater access and choice to customers with our new energy efficient homes. We believe that we provide something new to the new build homes market at our Tulach development which has been a great success. “At Northstone we are incredibly committed to setting a new standard for new builds – in every possible way – from the quality and leading eco innovations in our homes, to the exacting standards in overall design with our Scandi principles and style and industry leading sustainability initiatives and this is all evident at our Wigan scheme which we are fiercely proud of.” The first phase of the new Casa at Tulach homes will be available from early 2025. Pre-registrations of interest now being taken, ahead of reservations becoming available towards the end of this year. JLL advised Casa by Moda on the deal. [1] Knight Frank, Betting Big on Single-Family Housing – key part of the solution to the UK housing crisis, offering a viable alternative to home ownership through secure, long-term leases. It is also seen as Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Installing a large underground concrete structure is not an unusual task for any contractor working in the water industry. Whether it’s a filtration chamber, settlement tank or storage system, installing such a structure is always a challenge. It requires a large, deep excavation support that must be made safe for people to work inside, considering ground pressure, any adverse surcharge loadings, safe access/egress and emergency procedures. Normally, once the excavation has been completed and a shoring system installed to prevent the sides collapsing inward, then the construction team can erect the formwork, pour the concrete and install any associated components such as pipework, valves or culverts. At the Mannofield Water Treatment Works near Aberdeen, contractor ESD (a joint venture between Binnies, Galliford Try and MWH Treatment) is carrying out an £8 million upgrade for Scottish Water to improve the resilience and function of the plant and ensuring a continuous supply of fresh drinking water for the city of Aberdeen. The site team is nearing the end of the first phase of the three-phase scheme, part of which has involved the construction of a large in-situ reinforced concrete access chamber below ground. This was installed in early 2023 but, due to the complex sequencing of the works, while the chamber itself was completed, the pipework serving it was not installed at the same time, creating the design dilemma of supporting adjacent existing embankments and retaining walls and exposing the structure and pipe network to be installed. So earlier this year, specialist sub-contractor CHAP Civils was appointed to excavate the soil surrounding the chamber to expose three of its four sides and create space in which ESD could carry out the pipework installation in a safe working environment. “That’s the whole complexity of it,” says CHAP Civils’ contract manager Sarah Herd. “Ideally, the shoring should have been installed and both the chamber and pipework completed at the same time. Instead, we had to excavate around the chamber and find some way of supporting the sides of the excavation while the pipework was installed.” To find a solution to this challenge, CHAP Civils worked very closely with Groundforce Shorco, the specialist ground support division of hire group Vp plc to carry out Temporary Works Design solutions for approval with main contractor ESD. “My job is basically the middle-man, the temporary works co-ordinator liaising between the main contractor and the temporary works supplier,” explains Ms Herd. “We subcontracted the support structure design to Groundforce Shorco. CHAP has worked with Groundforce Shorco several times before and although I’ve only been with CHAP for four months, I had also worked with Groundforce Shorco in my previous employment,” says Ms Herd. The excavation extended around the north, east and west sides of the chamber with support needed on all three sides, plus a section to the south. The excavation was lined with steel sheet piles and braced on two levels to the concrete structure. The longest side, to the north, measured almost 24m in length; the eastern side was 13.3m long, the southern section 6.7m long and the western side was 7m long. The irregularity of the excavation was more of a challenge than the lateral forces imposed by the retained sides of the excavation, explains Ms Herd: “The excavation was about 5.250m deep and the ground conditions were fantastic – you couldn’t have better ground conditions, really, so the lateral loads were not massive.” This was just as well because, with the concrete chamber already installed, Groundforce Shorco had to provide a bracing design that transferred the loads from the sides of the excavation to the chamber itself. Groundforce Shorco produced the temporary works design for CHAP Civils and these were passed to ESD for approval. Akil Jasm, chief engineer for Groundforce Shorco, said: “We were expecting very high loads, to be honest, but when the contractor started to dig we soon realised that the ground was better than we first thought.” “But the fact that the access chamber had already been installed made the job very challenging, so we had to find a bespoke solution which was not only safe but also provided adequate room for the installation of the pipework. Also, we needed to ensure that the integrity of the concrete chamber was not compromised due to the loads coming on to the tank from the props. Although the ground conditions were good, there were earth embankments behind the sheet piles and the sides were not self-supporting.” The design utilised Groundforce Shorco’s modular propping system. Two levels of hydraulically-adjustable Mega Brace beams were ranged along all sides of the sheet-piled excavation and the corresponding sides of the concrete chamber. These were supported by a combination of MP50, MP60 and MP150 props to brace the sides of the excavation. Mega fixed extensions were installed against the concrete chamber to uniformly spread the load on the concrete chamber rather than fixing the props directly on to the chamber. This would have subjected the chamber to high concentrated or point loads. To provide as much working room as possible, Groundforce decided to use a single prop on the eastern side, resulting in 6.7m long unsupported span. Here, Groundforce Shorco used one of its 150 tonne-capacity MP150 hydraulic props to brace the lower level of Mega Brace beams. The top of the excavation was braced with one MP50 prop – a 50 tonne-capacity unit. The rest of the excavation was braced with 10 MP60 props – three pairs along the north side and the other two pairs to the western side. Groundforce Shorco used KD6 overlapping steel sheets to line most of the excavation but those along the western side were interlocking GFI sheet piles. The western side of the excavation was open-ended and too narrow to close the end. Therefore, there was risk of lateral movement of the Mega Beam on the western side. Hence why it required interlocking sheet piles and to weld the beam to the piles. Because they are interlocking, the GFI sheets
Fife College Modern Apprentices were given a starring role recently (Friday 30 September) to highlight the College’s Earlseat Wind Farm Scholarship. The Scholarship received £82k this year from Earlseat owners, The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG), to support companies to take on and train Modern Apprentices (MAs). In practice, funds are given to employers to subsidise wages, making it easier for them to employ Fife College Apprentices. This innovative partnership between Fife College and Earlseat Wind Farm complements the existing work the College does to deliver one of the largest MA college contracts in Scotland. This example of private and public sector partnership benefits local people, local businesses and the local and national economy. Speaking at the site, days after the Prime Minister announced the new publicly funded clean energy company, GB Energy, was to be based in Scotland, Fife College Principal Jim Metcalfe said: “It’s so inspiring to see Fife College Modern Apprentices in action at Earlseat Wind Farm. “The College is dedicated to the skills needed for the future workforce to make the transition to clean energy. We are proud to be helping shape a cleaner, greener future for our economy – and ensuring well-paid, sustainable work for Fife’s communities. “This month, as the third-largest engineering modern apprenticeship provider in the country, we welcomed a record intake of 350 first-year modern apprentices. Working with a large number of employers, including wind farm operators RES at Earlseat, we can provide more opportunities than ever before for these talented apprentices to earn while they learn.” After touring the site and meeting with the Modern Apprentices, Glenrothes and Mid Fife MP Richard Baker said: “It is brilliant for Fife that such an innovative partnership has been developed between Fife College, TRIG and RES, providing opportunities for apprenticeships with local renewables firms. This is a fantastic way to secure community benefit from renewable energy generation in our area, investing in the skilled workforce we need to grow the renewables sector in Fife. “This collaboration between RES and Fife College provides an excellent model for collaborations to boost skills and innovation, and as GB Energy is established in Scotland I hope this will lead to more partnerships to boost renewables in Fife in the future.” Callum Whiteford, Head of Corporate Affairs at RES, who operate Earlseat Wind Farm on behalf of The Renewables Infrastructure Group (TRIG), said: “This excellent training programme, funded by TRIG, has enabled our long-term partnership with Fife College to become a prime example of how the renewables industry can bring wider benefits to the local economy by supporting future careers, and how this can play an integral part in the wider transition to renewables. It is so rewarding to see the programme grow as apprentices are given the opportunity to thrive in such a variety of environments and we look forward to welcoming future intakes here on site at Earlseat.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
