Leading affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes, is set to launch the second phase of its flagship development, Micklewell Park, delivering 72 more affordable homes to the area and eight market sale homes. The new phase will include a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes, including a limited number of
Work has started on transforming the former Typhoo Tea factory in Digbeth into the new BBC’s new Birmingham home. Stoford, the leading developer behind the new landmark 84,001 sq ft custom-built broadcast centre to be called The Tea Factory, located on Bordesley Street, marked the occasion with a start on
Oldham Council has pledged to get 500 new social homes built in the borough over the next five years. The announcement was made at the council’s inaugural Housing Roundtable, which took place at Oldham Civic Centre on Thursday 1 February and was led by Leader of the Council, Cllr Arooj
Roofing apprentices across the UK are being encouraged to showcase their skills by entering this year’s BMI Apprentice of the Year competition, which takes place on the 24th and 25th July. The event, hosted by BMI UK & Ireland – manufacturer of leading roofing brands Redland and Icopal – is
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has issued a warning to those overseeing personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety product procurement after their latest tests on non-member products highlight the widespread availability of substandard and even dangerous items. Between December 2022 and December 2023, the BSIF examined 123 non-member products,
The Government has recently announced the steps they will take to refresh the Help to Grow campaign, which it says will reassert their ongoing commitment to make the UK the best place to start and grow a small business. This package includes the introduction of a new ‘Small Business Council’
MKM Building Supplies founder David Kilburn has been honoured with the prestigious Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by HRH The Princess Royal at an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Mr Kilburn was named in the King’s first birthday honours last year for his remarkable contributions to
Dubbed ‘Google Maps for heavy industry’ Tended’s advanced Geofencing technology is currently used across the rail industry by leading organisations such as Network Rail, Siemens, Morgan Sindall and Amey to improve safety. Tended successfully closed out the £1.5 million EIS round with Wealth Club with participation from existing investor Blackfinch
Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has successfully completed the front-end engineering design (FEED) stage for key onshore elements of the East Coast Cluster (ECC) – Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power) and the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) – in the industrial heartland of Teesside. NZT Power, a joint venture between
A leading construction and fit-out company has captured the dramatic transformation of a major estate in a three-minute timelapse film showcasing the incredible rejuvenation of the 1960s-built neighbourhood. The film from Willmott Dixon shows remarkable footage of Barking’s Gascoigne East regeneration that sees a tired and outdated estate disappear to
Leading affordable housebuilder, Orbit Homes, is set to launch the second phase of its flagship development, Micklewell Park, delivering 72 more affordable homes to the area and eight market sale homes. The new phase will include a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes, including a limited number of bungalows, available via Shared Ownership and a choice of four and five bedroom homes available via market sale. The new homes at Micklewell Park will include Orbit Homes’ high specification as standard, meaning all purchasers can benefit from: The development will also feature Orbit Homes’ brand new sector-leading house designs, which have been matched against the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accident’s (RoSPA) Safer by Design framework and British Standard 5395-1 stairs to reduce the risk of falls. Works have already begun, with the first homes available to purchase early February and set to be ready March 2024. Colin Dean, Sales and Marketing Director at Orbit Homes, said: “Micklewell Park has proved incredibly popular thanks to its range of quality, affordable and energy efficient homes and picturesque location, so we are delighted to be able to expand the availability further for people living in and around Daventry. “Our collection of Shared Ownership homes are ideal for local first-time buyers, young couples, growing families and downsizers alike, whilst our market sale homes are perfect for local families. Our tenure-blind approach means all of our homes feature our all-inclusive specification, which offers customers so many essential finishes included as standard. “Given the popularity of new community at Micklewell Park, we anticipate high levels of interest in our new phase, so we encourage anyone who is interested in securing a new home via market sale or Shared Ownership to register their interest now.” Micklewell Park is nestled within an attractive rural setting and ancient woodland on the outskirts of Daventry, not far from the picturesque village of Welton. With a fantastic choice in terms of style and size of homes, Micklewell Park is the perfect place for every stage of life; to enjoy an enviable lifestyle and be part of a new, well-placed community. To find out more about the properties on offer at Micklewell Park, please visit https://www.orbithomes.org.uk/micklewell-park/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has started on transforming the former Typhoo Tea factory in Digbeth into the new BBC’s new Birmingham home. Stoford, the leading developer behind the new landmark 84,001 sq ft custom-built broadcast centre to be called The Tea Factory, located on Bordesley Street, marked the occasion with a start on site launch event, which was attended by Tim Davie, Director General of the BBC, as well as Hayley Valentine, BBC Head of Midlands; Councillor John Cotton, Leader of Birmingham City Council; Neil Dobson, Director, Aviva Investors; Andy Street, the West Midlands Mayor; Dave Hartley and Alan Bell of BAM Construction. Gerard Ludlow, Stoford Director, said: “After months of planning and preparing the site, it’s exciting to start work on revitalising this historic building and, in time, working with our partner The Gooch Estate, we will bring forward a much larger mixed-use scheme known as Typhoo Wharf which sits around the wider area adjacent to the Bordesley Street landmark. “With our strategic partners, we have created an exciting blueprint that will provide a stunning home for the BBC, which will be the corporation’s most sustainable and flexible centre yet. Over the next three years, as work progresses, anyone visiting Digbeth will be able to see the scheme unfolding.” When it completes in 2026, the custom-built scheme, which is located next to Digbeth Loc Studios, will house several BBC editorial teams, including The Archers, BBC Asian Network, BBC Newsbeat, BBC Radio WM and Midlands Today. Stoford is committed to retaining the historic legacy of the almost 100-year-old factory but also delivering a pioneering scheme using low carbon principles. The reuse of the original iconic 1930s building will be the heart of the Typhoo Wharf scheme and is on target to achieve a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC ‘A’ rating. BAM Construction is the appointed contractor to deliver the scheme, which is majority-funded by Aviva Investors on behalf of its Lime Property Fund, with a grant from Birmingham City Council. Neil Dobson, Director, Real Estate, at Aviva Investors, said: “As one of the largest investors in UK real estate, we are really pleased to contribute towards the development of this scheme, revitalising an area of underutilised land in the city and with the potential to add significant social value to the local economy through job creation and local business opportunities. We look forward to working with our partners in bringing the project to life as an enviable flagship site, whilst reflecting our focus on high-quality, sustainable and low carbon real estate.” Tim Davie, BBC Director-General, said: “This is a significant step, not just for the BBC, but for invigorating the wider creative industries in the Midlands. We are transforming The Tea Factory into a world-class state of the art production facility which will benefit the region for generations to come. “Digbeth will deliver world-class programmes, be a centre for excellence and bring investment and new opportunities to one of the most vibrant parts of the country.” Birmingham City Council leader Cllr John Cotton said: “The council has worked closely with the BBC, Stoford and The Gooch Estate, providing vital funding through the Enterprise Zone, to get this exciting project to this stage and I’m delighted that building work is now underway. “The Tea Factory will further cement Digbeth’s growing reputation as a hub for media and creativity and the rebirth of this historic site will be a catalyst for the wider regeneration and development, creating jobs and opportunities for the people of Birmingham.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This latest announcement marks a major step forward in the wider story of the resurgence of the creative industries in the West Midlands. The Tea Factory – set to be the BBC’s new home in Birmingham – has been years in the making and the spades now in the ground will help supercharge the regeneration already underway in Digbeth.” Over the next decade, Stoford plans to deliver up to 800,000 sq ft of new residential, office and hospitality accommodation around the new BBC building. The wider scheme will see more than 10 acres of underutilised land around Typhoo Wharf and the adjoining canal basin transformed into a new mixed-use neighbourhood characterised by attractive public spaces and open thoroughfares. The scheme will also benefit from a new tram stop and is just a couple of hundred metres from the planned HS2 Curzon Street terminus.For more information about Typhoo Wharf, visit: www.typhoowharf.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Oldham Council has pledged to get 500 new social homes built in the borough over the next five years. The announcement was made at the council’s inaugural Housing Roundtable, which took place at Oldham Civic Centre on Thursday 1 February and was led by Leader of the Council, Cllr Arooj Shah. Senior representatives from all of of Oldham’s major social housing providers were at the event, along with private landlords, letting agents, developers and housebuilders, charities and more. Together with the Council, they discussed Oldham’s housing crisis and how partners can work together to tackle it. Cllr Shah, who is also Cabinet Member for Reform and Regeneration, said: “Nationally, there’s been a growing issue with housing for years and now places like Oldham are bearing the brunt of it. “Thousands of social homes have been sold under right to buy with no government policies in place to replace them. Wages haven’t kept up with house prices or private rents and the cost of living crisis has piled even more pressure on. “I hear from local people every day whose lives are being ruined by this broken housing system. “For me, a home is a place where memories are created, where children and parents are safe and where there is love. “But for far too many families in Oldham, this is not the reality. And we know from our own work in communities that the dire situation is getting worse. “There are more than 7,500 families on the council housing register and thousands of applications waiting to be processed. There are over 500 families in temporary accommodation – and among them are 500 children. That’s 500 kids without their own bed, a place to do their homework, living in places like hotels and B&Bs. It’s tragic. “This is why we have to do everything in our power to respond locally to this national crisis. “With the support of our housing providers, we’ll be building 500 new social homes over the next five years. We have to act now, and we are.” Issues under discussion included the national problems with housing supply, driven by factors such as the high costs of renting and home ownership, the lack of Government funding to invest in social homes, differences in the definition of truly “affordable” homes, and a reduction in the supply of social and affordable housing. Nationally, Government has stopped incentivising developers to build truly affordable homes, with funding provided through the Government’s Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) being slashed. Figures from charity Shelter show that around 39,500 new social houses were delivered nationally in 2010, compared to 6,600 a decade later. At the same time, demand for those homes is increasing, as people are affected by the cost of living crisis and are struggling with rising mortgage interest rates – meaning they may not be able to afford to pay, or get on the housing ladder at all. Among those discussing the reality of the crisis were three members of Oldham Poverty Truth Commission, who shared their own experience of navigating the social housing system. They included Simon Carrigan who said: “I owned my own home but I was cockooed and forced to sell my house and declare myself bankrupt to pay off the debts they said I owed them. I got a social home but they found me and the cuckooing started again. “I asked for help and the housing association tried – but they put bars on the windows and that just trapped me. I had to walk away again. “I’m 41 now and I’m still in poverty because of this. A good life starts with a good home. It’s so important.” Nadia Masood talked about her battles with mould and the lack of action from her landlord to keep up repairs saying: “I have a lot of health conditions and I’m living in a house covered in mould. “I’ve had to rip up the carpets and I’m now living with concrete floors. The buzzer doesn’t work so I never know if there’s someone at the door, the bath leaks and living on my own, I’m trying my best to deal with it, but it’s really hard. It gave me a really serious asthma attack. “I’ve been asking for help since last summer, I’ve done so much myself to try and sort it, but nothing ever happens.” Yaasmin Mughees told the roundtable about facing homelessness with three young children immediately after being granted right to stay in the UK. She said: “I was new to the system and I was scared, I experienced things I wouldn’t expect any human to experience. “I did get temporary accomodation for six months and it was good – but I know the quality of it was far better than where many other people are living. It really hurts to know so many people are living in these situations.” The roundtable discussed housing standards, demand and supply in Oldham and called on partners from across the room to make a commitment to building a local solution to a national crisis. This included: social and private landlords pledging to improve the quality of the homes we already have; letting and estate agents signing up to charters aimed at raising housing standards and developers working with the Council to get spades in the ground. Cllr Elaine Taylor, Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said: “We promised the housing roundtable would put firm plans in place to tackle the housing crisis. “Social housing changes lives, giving people a stable, affordable home – but there’s not enough social homes to go round. “That’s why we’re building more – with the support of our partners – I’m proud to say Oldham will have an additional 500 new social homes for local residents with the highest need. “It’s a huge step in the right direction and we’ll keep bringing people together to make sure Oldham fights its way out of this horrendous housing crisis as soon as possible.” For more information and support with
Roofing apprentices across the UK are being encouraged to showcase their skills by entering this year’s BMI Apprentice of the Year competition, which takes place on the 24th and 25th July. The event, hosted by BMI UK & Ireland – manufacturer of leading roofing brands Redland and Icopal – is open to apprentices in both pitched and flat roofing. The competition will see finalists undertake a series of challenges, providing opportunities to showcase and develop their skills – from technical and practical capability and teamwork through to marketing and business acumen. Held over two days at the BMI Academy in Gloucestershire, each round of the competition is overseen by a panel of judges who are selected for their influence on the roofing sector. This provides finalists with an opportunity to learn directly from leading industry figures. BMI’s Apprentice of the Year competition aims to strengthen the future of the roofing industry and address the skills shortage by providing a platform for these new recruits to expand their skills and receive the necessary levels of support needed to develop quickly and succeed. More than just a contest of existing technical skills, the two-day event is designed to provide coaching and development so that all of the finalists walk away having benefitted from the experience. Reflected through this year’s theme of ‘Building New Horizons’, the competition provides a platform for new talent starting their careers through to the tutors and employers creating opportunities and sharing their expertise with apprentices. This year, two apprentices will earn the title of BMI Apprentice of the Year – one in flat roofing and the other in pitched – alongside a £1,000 cash prize and three years’ worth of training at the BMI Academy. To enter, roofing apprentices are invited to submit their entry online by 26th April. Fraser Biles, Commercial Director at BMI, said: “Apprenticeships provide a fantastic route in the industry, giving new entrants the opportunity to undertake their training and apply their learnings on jobs alongside experienced roofers.” “The BMI Apprentice of the Year event celebrates the commitment, enthusiasm, and growing skillsets of new roofers – as well as the continued support of employers, colleges, and training providers that help them on their journeys. The competition is the ideal platform for apprentices to showcase and develop their skills, and may even be an event that helps define their careers in roofing. We’re really excited to see the quality of candidates for this year’s competition!” This year’s BMI Apprentice of the Year competition opens during National Apprenticeship Week on 5th February, and applicants are invited to submit entries online by 26th April. This year’s finalists will be selected in May, before being invited to compete in the two-day final at the BMI Academy in July where the winners will be crowned. Find out more about the BMI Apprentice of the Year competition and how to apply, at bmigroup.com/uk/aoty Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) has issued a warning to those overseeing personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety product procurement after their latest tests on non-member products highlight the widespread availability of substandard and even dangerous items. Between December 2022 and December 2023, the BSIF examined 123 non-member products, assessing advertised performance, marking adequacy and compliance with standards. Shockingly, only 21% – 26 products – proved fully compliant, leaving a staggering 79%—97 products—falling short of testing criteria. Worryingly, many of these substandard products are still available and in use, posing serious risks to unsuspecting users. Examples of non-member product failures Some examples of products from non-BSIF-registered members that failed testing include a Flame Retardant Parka, bought from an online retailer. During flame spread testing, the outer layer burnt through, exposing the inner layer, which then caught fire, resulting in the entire coat being consumed by flames. The garment also lacked correct documentation and markings in line with PPE Regulation requirements. A pair of safety boots from the same retailer failed toe cap compressions tests. They were also over ten years old and supplied with outdated certification, didn’t have the correct documentation and were not correctly marked. Elsewhere, a pair of safety spectacles, acquired from a high street retailer failed an impact resistance test, with lenses cracking/breaking when struck by a projectile. The spectacles also lacked markings and the required documentation. Despite promises to remove the product from sale, it was still available over two months later. Three pairs of protective gloves from a high street retailer failed testing against abrasion, returning just half the claimed performance level. They were also incorrectly marked and missing the required documentation. When contacted by the BSIF, the retailer said they would take action but the products were still on sale four months later. Meanwhile, a Respiratory Protective Mask (FFP3) purchased from a PPE distributor performed at only half the required level during filter penetration tests against contaminants and had missing documentation. When contacted, the distributor didn’t act to remove the product from sale or initiate a recall. BSIF member test results The non-member test result findings sharply contrast the results of tests conducted on products supplied by BSIF Registered Safety Suppliers, who are committed to only selling certified PPE and trading honestly and ethically. Of the 348 tests completed on products from Registered Safety Suppliers between December 2022 and December 2023, 91% – 315 products – passed immediately. Even for the 9% – 33 products – initially falling short, all issues were promptly addressed and rectified. Check for the BSIF Shield For buyers and end users seeking assurance, the BSIF Shield is a respected mark of credibility. Companies displaying this shield have pledged a binding declaration that their offered PPE and safety equipment meets the correct standards, fully complies with regulations, and bears the necessary UKCA and/or CE markings. Choosing a Registered Safety Supplier ensures not only genuine products fit for purpose but also authentic information and guidance. Commenting on the latest statistics, BSIF CEO Alan Murray says: “Our latest test results show that you don’t have to look very far to find examples of inadequate and substandard PPE and safety equipment for sale in the UK. Shockingly, many unsuspecting users are relying on these compromised products for their safety. “Buyers and specifiers must urgently review their procurement processes and consider what assurances they have that the PPE and safety equipment they are being supplied with is fit for purpose. “Checking for the BSIF Registered Safety Supplier shield is the easiest way to ensure you only deal with compliant, competent and trustworthy suppliers. Remember, anyone can sell safety, but you shouldn’t buy safety from just anyone; always check for the shield.” For a full list of Registered Safety Suppliers, visit: www.registeredsafetysupplierscheme.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Government has recently announced the steps they will take to refresh the Help to Grow campaign, which it says will reassert their ongoing commitment to make the UK the best place to start and grow a small business. This package includes the introduction of a new ‘Small Business Council’ to be launched as early as next month. The Government has said the Council will build on the Department of Business and Trade’s (DBT) existing support for SMEs and provide a bespoke forum for small businesses to be represented within Government. The refreshed Help to Grow campaign will also see a new one-stop shop collating information on funding schemes, support, guidance on how to set up a business, and other resources all in one place for SMEs to help them grow. A 12-week intensive management course that is 90% subsidised by the Government will also be on offer to improve SME leadership and management skills. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) supports this announcement and after advocating for SMEs for several years, appreciates the recognition of the importance of SMEs to the economy. Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the NFB, said: “This announcement is good news; however, it will be vital for the council to understand the needs of specific industries, as well as promoting existing regulations that already support them. SMEs within the construction industry train 7 in 10 apprentices and makes up 90% of training capacity, so their health is front and centre to the construction industry, delivering 9% of the UK’s GDP and employing 2.7 million people.” Rico Wojtulewicz, NFB’s Head of Policy and Market Insight, added: “The Small Business Council must identify and tackle the specific policy barriers to support and enable small businesses. In planning, as one of many examples we can offer, design codes will bring much needed certainty, but disjointed decarbonisation and environment policy will remove those gains and add new costs and complexities, which will disproportionately harm SMEs the most.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MKM Building Supplies founder David Kilburn has been honoured with the prestigious Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by HRH The Princess Royal at an Investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Mr Kilburn was named in the King’s first birthday honours last year for his remarkable contributions to the construction industry and his extensive charitable work. At the investiture, which took place on January 31, 2024, David Kilburn received his award alongside 10 other CBE awardees, as well those receiving OBEs and MBEs. Accompanied by his wife Linda and daughters Vicky and Georgina, the event was a family celebration and was followed by a gathering with close friends and family at a London restaurant. Reflecting on the occasion, David Kilburn shared, “It was a once in a lifetime experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I am deeply honoured and humbled by this recognition. It’s a reflection of the hard work and dedication of everyone who has been a part of my journey, especially my family, friends, and colleagues at MKM.” David’s extraordinary career spans 60 years in the construction sector. Since co-founding MKM alongside Peter Murray in 1995, he has grown the company from a single site in Hull to over 100 branches across the UK, turning it into a £1 billion turnover operation. His community involvement extends beyond business mentorship. He has been instrumental in supporting local businesses, including his involvement with Hull City’s MKM Stadium, Hull KR and various community initiatives such as ‘For Entrepreneurs Only’ a local group dedicated to improving the local economy. The CBE is one of the highest-ranking honours below a knighthood, awarded to individuals playing a leading role in regional affairs, community service, or making a distinguished contribution in their field. David Kilburn’s recognition by King Charles III cements his status as a key figure in the national construction industry and a community leader in Hull. MKM looks forward to continuing David’s legacy and congratulates him on this momentous achievement. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dubbed ‘Google Maps for heavy industry’ Tended’s advanced Geofencing technology is currently used across the rail industry by leading organisations such as Network Rail, Siemens, Morgan Sindall and Amey to improve safety. Tended successfully closed out the £1.5 million EIS round with Wealth Club with participation from existing investor Blackfinch Ventures. In the UK, Network Rail is responsible for maintaining more than 20,000 miles of track – but despite a strong focus on trackside safety, accidents do happen causing significant financial cost and even cost lives. Network Rail has committed a specific allocation of its £44 billion, 5-year budget to improve safety, and has identified geofencing as a key technology for meeting the tightening regulations. With Tended’s solution, which uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and real time kinematics (RTK) to provide location to within 1cm, managers can set ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ locations on an easy-to-use dashboard. Meanwhile, high-precision wearables pinpoint where workers and other physical assets are located, and can alert users if they are unsafe. Tended’s commitment to workplace safety was internationally recognised when its product was featured in Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023 list. This recognition illustrates the type of impactful technological solutions Blackfinch Ventures and Wealth Club aims to support through its investments. In January, Siemens Mobility announced that it would be rolling out Tended’s technology across the UK following a successful six-month pilot and small-scale deployments in the South West, where the teams were impressed by its suitability for the varied and complex projects*. Following on from its success in the rail sector, Tended is also targeting other heavy industries including Highways and Utilities. Tended is now working in partnership with the European Space Agency on the next generation of its product. Gayle Bowen, Head of Direct company investments at Wealth Club said: “Tended has achieved a great deal since launching its Geofencing product in March 2023. Not only has it secured contracts and pilots with key industry players like Siemens Mobility but it has also secured major R&D funding to complete the next iteration of its technology. We expect the Department for Transport’s anticipated changes to safety standards to be an important catalyst in this market which could further underpin Tended’s growth plans. Tended is a great example of high impact UK innovation as part of a commercially compelling EIS investment.” Leo Scott Smith, CEO of Tended said: I’m delighted to welcome Wealth Club as a shareholder at this really exciting time in our growth trajectory. We’re already starting to see the profound impact we’re having on safety and efficiency in the rail industry through the implementation of our geofencing technology. With Wealth Club on board, I’m excited to increase this impact and together, work towards our mission of putting an end to preventable fatalities in heavy industries. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has successfully completed the front-end engineering design (FEED) stage for key onshore elements of the East Coast Cluster (ECC) – Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power) and the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) – in the industrial heartland of Teesside. NZT Power, a joint venture between bp and Equinor, aims to be the world’s first commercial scale gas-fired power station with carbon capture technology and could generate up to 860 megawatts of low carbon power – equivalent to the electricity requirements of around 1.3 million UK homes. The NEP, a joint venture between bp, Equinor, and TotalEnergies, is the CO2 transportation and storage provider for the East Coast Cluster. The front-end engineering design (FEED) phase commenced in April 2022 and has seen Costain planning new systems for both NZT Power and NEP in an integrated programme of activity. The completed FEED design for NZT Power includes natural gas supply pipework and a high voltage 275kV power network. For NEP, design work focused on the onshore CO2 gathering network. When finished, the c.12km of 22” pipeline will have an initial capacity to transport around 4m tonnes of CO2 per annum to be securely stored under the North Sea. The Teesside onshore NEP infrastructure will serve the Teesside-based carbon capture projects – Net Zero Teesside Power, H2Teesside and Teesside Hydrogen CO2 Capture – that were selected for first connection to the ECC by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in March 2023 as part of the cluster sequencing process for CCUS. To support this selection, Costain is currently updating the FEED design, due for completion Q2 2024, in readiness for detailed design. Net Zero Teesside Power and the Northern Endurance Partnership aim to take Final Investment Decisions in September 2024, and aim for first commercial operations from 2027. Laura Hughes, energy sector director at Costain, said: “This is an exciting and complex project and one that will leave an enormous legacy for the region. It won’t be long before Teesside will benefit from a world-leading, integrated decarbonisation system, with the East Coast Cluster bringing the UK closer to its net zero goals. “We have designed a CO2 gathering network that is the first in the world to be a wholly above-ground network. This presented interesting design and engineering challenges when considering the properties of CO2 and its ability to liquify at certain temperatures and pressures. However, extensive flow assurance simulations and data modelling has given us a better understanding of the dynamics of CO2 and its behaviours to successfully complete the design for a safe, resilient and efficient network.” Data-led innovation The Costain FEED team, operating out of Teesside and Manchester with partners px Group, used a variety of techniques and technologies to design the routing for the new carbon capture network. Key to the success was creating a new geographic information system (GIS) to act as a single source of truth to capture asset information and data from a variety of sources and stakeholders. This included extensive use of laser scanning, topographical information, and ground investigations in order to document, for the first-time, the above-and-below ground assets at the site location. Hughes added: “The digital footprint that has been generated for the area is pioneering. This is the first time that the assets, spanning across many decades, have been collectively documented, enabling us to design the integrated network accurately and safely. Not only does this knowledge help the many different stakeholders to work together effectively, but this digital footprint will be a legacy for the local industry and asset owners beyond completion of the project and first commercial operations in 2027.” Costain is a recognised leader in energy engineering, construction, and infrastructure. The infrastructure solutions company has been involved in carbon capture projects since the 1960s, and provides end-to-end services throughout the project lifecycle, from conducting feasibility studies to tunnelling and executing full EPCm programmes. Ian Hunter, managing director, NZT Power, said: “Net Zero Teesside Power has an important role to play in helping the UK reach net zero, and could generate up to 860 megawatts of low carbon power – equivalent to the electricity requirements of around 1.3 million UK homes. With Final Investment Decision fast approaching in September this year, we are delighted that Costain has completed the FEED stage which is an important milestone on our journey to deliver this world-first project.” Chris Daykin, general manager, NEP, said: “The Northern Endurance Partnership’s onshore CO2 pipelines are essential to connect carbon intensive projects across Teesside to offshore storage and will play an important role in helping the region achieve net zero. Completion of the design of the onshore Teesside CO2 gathering network by Costain is a crucial milestone as we work towards Final Investment Decision in September this year.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A leading construction and fit-out company has captured the dramatic transformation of a major estate in a three-minute timelapse film showcasing the incredible rejuvenation of the 1960s-built neighbourhood. The film from Willmott Dixon shows remarkable footage of Barking’s Gascoigne East regeneration that sees a tired and outdated estate disappear to be replaced by high quality, environmentally friendly homes and recreational space for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham’s direct delivery company Be First. Willmott Dixon director Steve Kitchen, who led the team behind the transformation, said: “The video is a testament to the huge amount of work that’s gone into transforming a large 1960s-era residential area into a beautiful and vibrant new community with green space and a bustling playground. It’s four years of hard work condensed into a fraction of the time, bringing the project to life in a truly impactful way.” The £164m phase two regeneration of Gascoigne East created 434 new homes and six retail units, as well as a large park and play area, a climbing wall and extensive planting and trees. The homes have been built around a landscaped internal courtyard and all properties have a balcony. With Willmott Dixon committed to active travel in the area, 300 cycle spaces have also been included in the full Gascoigne East development. Tim Porter, director of delivery at Be First, said: “This video brings to life the progress we’ve made across this phase of the Gascoigne neighbourhood since we began the regeneration project in 2019. When completed, over 2,800 homes will have been delivered across the entire neighbourhood. This project is part of our wider commitment to build 50,000 new homes by 2037 across the borough.” Further emphasising the project’s focus on placemaking, affordability and sustainability, Tim said: “Providing large green spaces, below market rent options, and helping residents reduce their carbon emissions and energy bills are core to our vision for Gascoigne neighbourhood.” Steve said: “This is the best way to capture for history what is happening across Gascoigne East, and the work to regenerate it into a modern, sustainable community that’s fit for the future, which we’re proud to be delivering in collaboration with Be First.” Throughout the Gascoigne East phase two development, Willmott Dixon has breathed new life into the area with: Beyond the physical transformation, Willmott Dixon made a significant impact on the local community through various initiatives: For more information on Willmott Dixon, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
