Brentwood Borough Council recently resolved to in principle grant planning permission for Dunton Hills Garden Village. The planning application, submitted by CEG in autumn 2021, provides for up to 3,700 new homes, three care homes, a village centre and two neighbourhood hubs which will provide easy access to shops, facilities
Collaborative approach to retrofit and reuse generates 91 tonnes in equivalent carbon savings Fit out and refurbishment specialist, Overbury, has helped multidisciplinary sustainable development firm, Arup to bring to life its vision for a larger, more sustainable, fully hybrid workspace in Manchester. Arup has been based at 3 Piccadilly Place
1000 Aztec West is a game changer for out-of-office headquarters. The South West’s first Net Zero Carbon in operation out-of-town development has reached practical completion. Commissioned by CEG and delivered by Beard Construction, 1000 Aztec West in South Gloucestershire near Bristol ambitiously reused the existing frame and shell to deliver
Award winning housebuilder Cruden Homes is bringing 56 high quality homes to North Toryglen after receiving planning approval from Glasgow City Council. Supporting Glasgow’s large-scale regeneration initiative – Clyde Gateway – the growing development is situated next to one of the city’s eight Transformational Regeneration Areas and champions wider plans
As energy security continues to be a cause for concern for the UK, an industry report has identified the potential role of hot water cylinders in balancing demand on the electrical grid. The report from the Hot Water Association (HWA), entitled Connected Homes, explores the potential for hot water cylinders
Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) has upgraded its student accommodation alarm systems via the implementation of IoT connected smart home sensors from Aico. The university offers guaranteed accommodation, to all students during their first year. Following the most recent British Standard revision for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance
The versatile W40 window profiles, specifically developed by the Steel Window Association (SWA) for its members, are a stylish and modern solution that suit both new-build and refurbishment applications. While the classic W20 section continues to be preferred by conservationists and many property owners for early 20th century and older
It is difficult to imagine improving the incredible views over Lake Windermere, in Cumbria’s Lake District. Yet Kendal-based groundworks contractor Andrew Harvey does just that, providing a range of groundworks services, hard and soft landscaping, external works and construction up to DPC, for many customers in the area. The company
The ISO 9001 certification covers all of Farasis Energy Europe’s business processes. These include business development, purchasing, finance, product development, project management, operations, quality assurance, logistics, human resources, IT, calibration and maintenance. Strategic planning and after-sales services were also audited. The audit process lasted several days. As a result, the
This World Soil Day (December 5th), leading topsoil and growing media supplier, Boughton is calling on landscapers, specifiers and garden designers to take time to consider the benefits of natural soils. Boughton – a firm advocate for single-source natural ‘as dug’ topsoil – is keen to use this significant day
Brentwood Borough Council recently resolved to in principle grant planning permission for Dunton Hills Garden Village. The planning application, submitted by CEG in autumn 2021, provides for up to 3,700 new homes, three care homes, a village centre and two neighbourhood hubs which will provide easy access to shops, facilities and services. There will also be three primary schools, a secondary school, children’s nurseries and a community sports hub, as well as a football and cricket pitches. About half of the site will be green and blue space, which will include trees, hedgerows, grassland and habitats, as well as a village green, community growing space, an orchard, ponds and new informal parkland. There will be a 20% net biodiversity gain when compared to the existing site. Designed to be a healthy place to live and work, it will include new walking and cycling routes, as well as formal sports facilities. A mobility hub will provide a forward-thinking approach to the sustainable travel proposals which include a community concierge, hire and repair of cycles, car sharing schemes, traditional bus and demand responsive transport infrastructure. An improved pedestrian/cycle link to West Horndon railway station is to be provided which will complement the Council’s aspirations to enhance the facilities available at the station. Charlotte Robinson, Head of Planning at CEG, said: “This decision follows many years of engagement with the Council, local stakeholders and residents. It is a locally designed and landscape led scheme which will provide a mix of new homes and employment space, set within extensive green spaces, with schools, healthcare facilities, shops and services all within walking distance. “As well as including extensive investment into transport infrastructure, alongside the education and healthcare provision, there will also be much-needed affordable housing designed to enable local people and young people stay in the area. “CEG would like to thank the officers of the Borough and County Councils for working in collaboration with its own consultant team to enable Dunton Hills to reach this position. The consultant team was co-ordinated by David Barnes of Star Planning and included by Broadway Malyan, SLR/Vectos, WSP, Lichfields, Brookbanks and Clyde & Co” The development will create 1,150 jobs and will support a further 700 plus jobs in the local area. There is expected to be some £71million of additional expenditure each year, supporting the local economy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Collaborative approach to retrofit and reuse generates 91 tonnes in equivalent carbon savings Fit out and refurbishment specialist, Overbury, has helped multidisciplinary sustainable development firm, Arup to bring to life its vision for a larger, more sustainable, fully hybrid workspace in Manchester. Arup has been based at 3 Piccadilly Place since 2014, and earlier this year committed to a further 15-year lease on a total of 36,000 sq. ft for their 500 colleagues at the Grade A Manchester office building. Owned by Longmead Capital, 3 Piccadilly Place has undergone significant improvements to build on its sustainability credentials on a pathway to net zero carbon. The building already boasts a BREEAM Excellent rating, Certified 100% renewably sourced energy, and a WiredScore Platinum mark. As its previous lease ended, Arup opted to expand its presence within 3 Piccadilly Place to capitalise on the building’s enhanced sustainability and well-being credentials. The commitment to 3 Piccadilly Place aligns with Arup’s national estates investment strategy for net-zero by 2030. The Overbury team worked closely with the Arup team to transform its workspace using the most sustainable methods possible, including reusing furniture where possible. From the 1,109 pieces of furniture required across the project, Overbury reused 70 per cent (709 items) of existing furniture, working with circular economy partners from the local supply chain to limit the number of items being bought new or sent to landfill. Where furniture could not be reused, Overbury purchased items through its subcontractors to create cradle-to-cradle solutions. The repurposed items also included reupholstered sofas and lounge chairs, plus re-powder coated stools and media units. Also, 1,800m2 of carpet was returned via a local take-back scheme. Using this approach saved 91 kgCO2e of carbon – the equivalent to 42 return flights from Manchester to New York City. Overbury used Carbonica, its in-house carbon reduction calculator, to monitor carbon savings throughout the project and produce a report that was presented to Arup at the end of the project. Both companies also collaborated to create an inclusive and accessible design to promote productivity and well-being throughout the Arup Manchester team, ensuring perspectives of all employees were considered, including neurodiverse colleagues. Some design adjustments included dedicated quiet pods and semi-private focus booths to create a hybrid workspace for all. Finally, Overbury implemented a social value plan for the project, which aligned with Arup’s ESG commitments. Philip Westwood, director at Overbury, said: “We worked closely with Arup throughout this project to create a vibrant new workplace that meets the company’s broader net zero targets and aligns with their ambitious ESG strategy. By expanding into the existing premises at 3 Piccadilly Place using the most sustainable approaches to office design, including a strong focus on reuse, we’ve produced a future-proof office space for many years to come.” Mike Wilton, leader of the Manchester office, said: “Arup is a collective of designers, consultants and experts supporting a wide range of organisations across the globe with sustainable development. Practising what we preach is therefore key, so we are proud to be able to demonstrate state-of-the-art sustainability in our own office spaces. “There are intrinsic benefits to our Manchester offices. Proximity to Manchester Piccadilly rail station means we are in fact the UK Arup office with the lowest commuting carbon emissions. As an employee-owned organisation, we care what our employees want. Three quarters of our staff voted to stay and retrofit the space at 3 Piccadilly when our previous lease came to an end. “We believe that reusing existing assets is part of the future of offices in the city minimising carbon emissions involved in transitions. We are proud to have worked with Overbury to create a space fit for now, but sustainable for the future too. This project is an example of the benefits we find when we collaborate with partners using imagination, technology, and rigour to shape a better world.” Longmead Capital is completing a programme of substantial works to improve the ESG performance at Piccadilly Place through the implementation of a pathway to net zero carbon and delivery of a high-quality amenity hub, which will include 100 bike racks and lockers, as well as shower and changing facilities. Recent refurbishment of the common areas and on-floor office space has been completed, with the scheme now offering both conventional and fully fitted Cat B workspace solutions available from 8,000 sq. ft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
1000 Aztec West is a game changer for out-of-office headquarters. The South West’s first Net Zero Carbon in operation out-of-town development has reached practical completion. Commissioned by CEG and delivered by Beard Construction, 1000 Aztec West in South Gloucestershire near Bristol ambitiously reused the existing frame and shell to deliver a best-in-class development. The addition of a new floor and striking three-storey atrium to the centre of the stunning new, all-glass structure has expanded the building from 38,000 to 80,000 sq ft, capable of housing an 850-strong workforce. The development has been delivered by local company, Beard Construction. Matt Cooper, director for Beard in Bristol said:“We are immensely proud to have played a key role in the delivery of this striking office development. Not only does it bring a state-of-the-art facility away from the city centre and out of town, but it sets the benchmark for sustainable, low carbon construction. This aligns closely with our core values at Beard and provided a fantastic opportunity to utilise our skills and experience in this area. “Sustainable construction presents both challenges and opportunities. Repurposing the existing steel framework was certainly a challenge, but it provided the opportunity to retain a significant amount of the embodied carbon of the initial build. It now serves as a centrepiece of the entire build and a great example of CEG’s ambitions for the project. It has been a pleasure working with CEG and we hope to have the opportunity to work collaboratively again in the future.” Paul Richardson, investment manager at CEG said: “1000 Aztec West was redesigned with modern tenants’ key requirements in mind. From environmental sustainability and data connectivity, to the wide variety of onsite facilities designed to maximise staff wellbeing, we have delivered city-centre specifications not seen in out-of-town Bristol before.” The development has achieved BREEAM Excellent and EPC A. An all-electric building, it is powered by renewable energy and boasts energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting systems. As well as saving some 1.7 million kg of embodied carbon, coupled with its Net Zero in Operation performance, 1000 Aztec West is a game changer for out-of-office headquarters. The building incorporates a secure cycle block, with leisure club quality shower and changing facilities to encourage sustainable travel. The 1,300 sq ft state-of-the-art gym, wellness facility and daily classes on offer are designed to boost tenant health, fitness and productivity. The setting alongside Aztec Lake, landscaped gardens and picnic areas and the rooftop terraces, helps boost mood. There is also a myriad of indoor spaces, including café, provide places to eat, meet, drink and work, all with access to Wi-Fi and plug-in points. Architect Ed Hayden, director of Scott Brownrigg, said: “Aztec 1000 takes advantage of location, orientation and existing materials to maximise ‘fabric first’ design principles and create a stunning new addition to the architecture of Bristol’s workspace. “Sustainability is achieved by retaining as much of the existing material as is practically possible and building passive energy and carbon saving strategies into the layout and fabric of the design. Overheating in the summer is negated with the careful specification of extremely high performing solar control glazing and the inclusion of ‘light shelves’ which bounce daylight into the heart of the building. “The result is a strikingly contemporary reimagining of the workplace, which Scott Brownrigg is proud to have supported CEG in creating.” The agents marketing the development are Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), Cushman and Wakefield and Carter Jonas. Ian Wills, Director office agency and tenant representation at JLL said: “We knew the building would be good, but walking the finished floors it is clear just how inspiring this work environment is compared with the usual business park offer. The semi-exposed ceilings, full height glazing, views of the lake and park, the impressive reception, gym and café make this the most amazing place to work.” To entice new tenants to the space, CEG is providing an on-site Life concierge team to make occupier’s lives easier and healthier. A dedicated smartphone app will be used to book meeting rooms, organise events, arrange dry-cleaning, book bike maintenance or fitness classes, as well as offer local shopping and activity discounts. CEG also offers an innovative, flexible approach to leasing, even providing fit-outs to reduce occupiers’ capital spend. Its Core and Flex model also allows a business to expand and contract within the space to help manage uncertainty, growth and seasonal demand. CEG has £300m investment properties currently under management across Bristol, providing some 450,000 sq ft of the highest-quality city centre and out-of-town workspace for start-ups, scale ups or corporate headquarters. As well Quorum in the city centre, CEG is redeveloping The Crescent Centre and is delivering the 200,000 sq ft EQ development at 111 Victoria Street. More information is available at: www.1000aztecwest.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award winning housebuilder Cruden Homes is bringing 56 high quality homes to North Toryglen after receiving planning approval from Glasgow City Council. Supporting Glasgow’s large-scale regeneration initiative – Clyde Gateway – the growing development is situated next to one of the city’s eight Transformational Regeneration Areas and champions wider plans to enhance local communities. The new homes at Prospecthill Road follow several highly successful phases of Cruden’s award-winning King’s View development in the area, and will feature a range of high quality two- and three-bed terraced houses and three-bed semi detached properties, all with private gardens. The sustainable homes will be built to Glasgow Gold Standard, with solar PV panels and air source heat pumps to improve energy efficiency levels and reduce day-to-day running costs for homeowners. The latest phase of development encourages biodiversity and pays tribute to the natural surroundings in close proximity to the site, which feature extensive greenery and landscaping with attractive woodland, footpaths and cycle paths. Bird and bat boxes and bug hotels are also being incorporated into the new homes for local wildlife. As part of Clyde Gateway’s major urban regeneration plans, the wider area offers outstanding green spaces and high quality facilities to enhance lives for local residents. This includes the stunning nature reserve at Malls Mire Community Woodland, which enjoys direct links from the development. Homeowners will also benefit from an array of local amenities, including a public park and play areas, shops, a supermarket, schools and nurseries, a health centre and fantastic transport links to the city centre. Cruden has already built 273 private and affordable homes at King’s View, creating a vibrant community for families, downsizers and people of all age groups. This next phase of 56 new homes strengthens Cruden’s commitment to bring more quality, sustainable homes to the area. Work is due to begin on the new homes next year. Fraser Lynes, Managing Director of Cruden Homes, said: “Toryglen is a dynamic location with a wealth of amenities on the doorstep for new homeowners. Our next phase of homes will present the perfect option for those who are looking to join a growing and inclusive community with plenty of surrounding amenities and abundance of green space. “This area has been a key focus for Clyde Gateway’s urban regeneration in recent years, bringing major social and economic benefits to local people. Cruden has a strong track record of delivering multi-tenure new homes here and we’re thrilled to be once again contributing to this transformation by bringing even more sustainable properties to the locale.” Martin McKay, Chief Executive of Clyde Gateway said: “One of the biggest and most noticeable changes across Clyde Gateway over the past few years has been in housing. So, we are delighted that Cruden is delivering a further 56 new, energy efficient homes in this very popular area, situated in a thriving local community. “This development has a strong focus on biodiversity and sustainability, which is in keeping with our neighbouring nature reserve, Malls Mire Community Woodland. This all contributes to Clyde Gateway’s wider aim to continually improve the lives of residents and to be an attractive area for people to live, work and play.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As energy security continues to be a cause for concern for the UK, an industry report has identified the potential role of hot water cylinders in balancing demand on the electrical grid. The report from the Hot Water Association (HWA), entitled Connected Homes, explores the potential for hot water cylinders to be used as thermal stores for grid electricity to build resilience in peak periods. If the nine million cylinders in UK homes were connected through smart controls and used as batteries, the National Grid could unlock 23GWh of energy storage – around half the energy used per day in the UK. Due to the introduction of technologies, like heat pumps, which require hot water cylinders, this number could increase by 36%, increasing the energy capacity to 40GWh. To make use of this energy storage potential, cylinders will need smart functionalities introduced either via retrofitting smart controls or brand-new smart cylinders will need to be installed with gas boilers or heat pumps. Heating engineers will be key in the process of making this a reality, as Kevin Lowe, Technical Manager at the HWA, said: “Hot water cylinders’ potential role in the energy mix is substantial and there is work to be done to make the most of this opportunity. Installers across the UK installing and maintaining cylinders in homes can play a crucial part in this, as our report highlights, by making existing and new cylinders connected.” The report from the HWA also highlights the need for policy direction to incentivise the rollout of connected thermal storage in UK homes for homeowners. This is particularly needed to prevent people from changing their hot water system to remove the cylinder completely so the number of cylinders in the UK can increase to build capacity. In addition to incentives to drive more people to install smart cylinders and retrofit controls to existing cylinders, the report lays out next steps for improving uptake. This includes making smart controls and cylinders more beneficial to SAP and EPC ratings in new builds and reducing taxes and levies on off peak electricity to bring more value out of storing energy in a cylinder. Kevin continues: “The key to making this project a reality will be getting homeowners on side, so policy direction must incentivise adopting smart hot water storage. Whether installing a cylinder with a new heat pump installation, or fitting controls to an existing one, homeowners may require financial support to make it worth their while. They will also need to understand the benefits that thermal storage in their home may provide and in turn prevent them removing an existing hot water cylinder. “If we are to get the up to 40GWh of energy storage that our research predicts could be achievable in the UK, industry, Government and installers must work together to help homeowners understand these benefits.” To download the report and find out more about your role in the rollout of thermal storage in the UK, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) has upgraded its student accommodation alarm systems via the implementation of IoT connected smart home sensors from Aico. The university offers guaranteed accommodation, to all students during their first year. Following the most recent British Standard revision for the planning, design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire alarm systems in UK domestic premises, CCCU sought to upgrade all of its fire and smoke alarms to a Category LD1. This is the highest level of protection and incudes alarm coverage in all areas where a fire could start. Alongside fire detection, Aico’s HomeLINK Connected Home Solution has been designed to gather data on indoor environmental conditions. monitoring indoor air quality, Aico HomeLINK connected devices check temperature, humidity, ventilation, and carbon dioxide levels, enabling proactive maintenance and improved indoor conditions across CCCU’s student homes. The sensors give occupants actionable insights into the indoor environment in their student accommodation to help them prevent condensation, and damp and mould and provide a better experience within their accommodation The Aico HomeLINK solution also minimises nuisance and false alarms, by offering the university’s security and fire teams real-time data and trends in alarm activations to help them reduce call-outs that were not genuine fire or smoke alerts. Aico’s HomeLINK solution gives CCCU remote monitoring for property management so the right departments and people receive custom notifications and tags at the right times. This in itself has saved the university the cost of not-needed call-outs as the Aico Gateway only sends personalised notifications to whoever needs the alert and data. A CCCU Estates Team spokesperson said: “The Gateway system with instant notifications has helped us already to identify which students are triggering the alarms and then addressing the issue. The added benefit of the environmental sensors has led us to prioritise some remedial works to improve thermal efficiency of certain properties. Overall, so far it has shown how technology can benefit us as landlords, and plans are already in place to roll out across more of our properties.” The installation of the Aico Gateway sensors has tackled more problems than initially intended thanks to insights highlighting the key areas that need addressing in properties’ ventilation and insulation, and assuring the university that all of their alarm systems are working as they should. Chris Jones, Chief Executive Officer for Aico|HomeLINK, comments: “Canterbury Christ Church University is just one of the educational institutions we are working with to help keep their students safe and well. By leveraging IoT technology and integrating their teams with constant monitoring via sensors in real-time, the notifications allow the university to determine if there is a fire in progress or if the alarm is just a low battery or false activation in error by one of the students.” Aico|HomeLINK works with educational institutions across the UK, including the Universities of Bristol, Leeds and York, and Harper Adams University in Shropshire, to name just a few. Brad Wain, Regional Specification Manager, Aico, concluded: “I was thrilled to see CCCU implement Aico’s HomeLINK technology. Student accommodation providers play a key role in supporting these students as many leave home for the first time. Providing these properties with not only LD1 multi-sensor protection, but environmental sensors to monitor air quality, showcases the utmost care and consideration for the students staying in these properties.” To find out more about Aico’s HomeLINK Connected Home Solution, please visit: www.aico.co.uk/homelink Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The versatile W40 window profiles, specifically developed by the Steel Window Association (SWA) for its members, are a stylish and modern solution that suit both new-build and refurbishment applications. While the classic W20 section continues to be preferred by conservationists and many property owners for early 20th century and older properties, W40 exemplifies how steel fenestration systems have kept pace with modern tastes and technical demands, while retaining key attributes such as strength and excellent daylight transmission. Today’s W40 profiles, manufactured from hot rolled steel, provide greater flexibility than their predecessors, being able too accommodate thicker double or even triple glazing units. They are also capable of creating larger window openings without coupling individual frames together. Doors manufactured using W40 profiles and featuring double or triple glazing can achieve very good thermal performance, while further providing excellent security; with multipoint locking being an option. The preferred IG unit for a building regulations compliant W40 steel window now features a 4-8-4-8-4mm construction, with two soft-coat Low-E panes; plus warm edge spacer bars and argon gas filling. They can also contain acoustic glass, making W40 designs ideal for many inner-city areas where noise pollution is a common issue. The SWA represents steel window manufacturers, from expert restorers working with heritage bodies and local conservation officers, to large companies producing W40 frames for commercial offices and leisure destinations as well as modern apartment blocks, schools, hospitals, and other public buildings. Significantly, W40 profiles can be used to fabricate a wide variety of opening formats, including multi-leaf folding/stacking doors, in a full selection of RAL colours. The SWA offers UK wide coverage with member companies able to carry out the full range of contracts from the repair and restoration of heritage windows through to the installation of major fenestration packages in contemporary commercial, residential and other types of developments. For further information on the Steel Window Association or if you’re interested in becoming a member, please visit www.steel-window-association.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
It is difficult to imagine improving the incredible views over Lake Windermere, in Cumbria’s Lake District. Yet Kendal-based groundworks contractor Andrew Harvey does just that, providing a range of groundworks services, hard and soft landscaping, external works and construction up to DPC, for many customers in the area. The company completes that work with a range of compact machines, including the latest 2.5-tonne CASE CX25D and a 9.0-tonne CX90D, both recently supplied by local CASE Construction Equipment dealer Dennis Barnfield of Carnforth. The CASE mini and midi excavators are equipped with Engcon tilt-rotators and the company has a Digitec iDig 2D machine guidance system, that can be used with either model, to maximise versatility and productivity on site. Mr Harvey is no stranger to the CASE Construction Equipment brand. Initially from an agricultural background, he started the groundworks business in 1997, with a CASE 580 backhoe loader and has been using machinery from Dennis Barnfield since that time. “The support from the whole team at Dennis Barnfield over the last 25 years has given us the confidence to specify the machines the way they are today,” said Mr Harvey. “We know from our own experience that we’ve got a reliable product and a dealer that will back us up if there is ever an issue. That in itself is almost priceless to a smaller business in today’s climate.” Both excavators have been built to the company’s own specification, with additional counterweight on the smaller CX25D to offset the weight of the tilt-rotator. The CX90D is equipped with rubber bolt-on track pads, allowing the machine to work on finished driveways. Both machines have extra LED lighting, on top of that supplied by Dennis Barnfield to all CASE excavators, for maximum visibility in poor weather and light conditions. Perhaps most strikingly, the firm has had the side and rear glazing tinted, to prevent glare in the cab on sunny days. This modification has proven so popular with other businesses in the area, that Dennis Barnfield has already been asked if it can provide a similar specification. Mr Harvey’s son Mark, who joined the company four years ago, is also driving forward the use of technology within the business, including the investment in the tilt-rotators and the machine guidance system. The company has a growing range of attachments to suit the Engcon tilt-rotators, including pallet forks and a grading bar, which may soon be joined by a materials handling grab. “It’s just a completely different way of working,” said Andrew Harvey. “We looked at another brand, but we wanted to be sure of dealer back-up. We’d had the CASE machines supplied byDennis Barnfield and they are training up an engineer on the Engcon tilt-rotators, so we will have someone to talk to if necessary.” The company purchased its first 8.0-tonne CASE excavator in 2006 and had moved up to a 13-tonne model in the past. However, the CX90D offers the perfect combination of size, power and reach for Harvey’s mainly residential contracts. Having the main boom mounted in front of the upper structure, with an offset facility, also makes the CX90D ideal for tighter working conditions and, when combined with the tilt-rotator, it is possible to operate a cross a wider envelope around the machine, rather than relocate on the tracks. “The 9.0-tonne machine has bags of reach and it’s really stable,” said Andrew Harvey. “We can lift a full pack of blocks over the side on pallet forks, even with the Engcon tilt-rotator. It’s got the dozer blade as well, which makes it perfect for us.” Mark Harvey added: “The D-Series is a lot lighter on fuel than our previous machine. We are saving 1-1.5 litres an hour against the C Series. It’s fast and it’s smooth, you really can’t knock it.” With five full time staff, the business operates within a 20-mile radius of Kendal, in Cumbria. It has plenty of return business, though there is no intention to expand further in the short term. “We’re lucky, we are well established in Windermere, Ambleside and Bowness and we don’t need to get a lot bigger. We like to have a family relationship with our clients,” said Mark Harvey. It’s a similar story with the CASE dealer, as Dennis Barnfield works closely with the company to ensure that the machines are regularly serviced and maintained. “We’ve been happy with the dealer back-up since 1997,” said Mr Harvey. Quick SpecificationsCX25DOperating weight (with cab): 2,710kgEngine power: 13.7kW (18.6hp)Maximum digging depth: 2,700mmBucket breakout force: 22kNArm breakout force: 14.5kN CX90DOperating weight: 8,360kgEngine power: 50.7kW (68hp)Maximum digging depth: 4,590mmBucket breakout force: 56.9kNArm breakout force: 39.5kN Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The ISO 9001 certification covers all of Farasis Energy Europe’s business processes. These include business development, purchasing, finance, product development, project management, operations, quality assurance, logistics, human resources, IT, calibration and maintenance. Strategic planning and after-sales services were also audited. The audit process lasted several days. As a result, the inspection body attested zero major and zero minor non-conformities as well as exemplary handling. “Certification was one of our main goals for this year. We attach great importance to quality, and we wanted to have this officially confirmed. The entire top management level was therefore actively involved in the process. The successful certification is thanks to the commitment of the entire team. These efforts also enable us to further increase the satisfaction of our customers and partners – which is of course our main focus as a company,” says Dr. Stefan Bergold, General Manager at Farasis Energy Europe. “Every certification is an opportunity for Farasis Energy Europe to improve and develop. We closely follow industry trends, especially in the area of automotive quality standards. In the next phase, we are therefore aiming for ISO 14001 environmental management system certification,” Bergold continues. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This World Soil Day (December 5th), leading topsoil and growing media supplier, Boughton is calling on landscapers, specifiers and garden designers to take time to consider the benefits of natural soils. Boughton – a firm advocate for single-source natural ‘as dug’ topsoil – is keen to use this significant day to highlight the impact using natural topsoil and sourcing products sustainably can have on both your landscaping projects and the environment. Improving soil health As World Soil Day focuses on soil health and awareness in order to maintain diverse ecosystems, Boughton wants to remind the industry about the significant benefits of using a natural soil. Not only do these soils have good body and great moisture retention qualities – ideal for modern landscaping projects, given predictions of water shortages in the future – but Boughton soils also have a low pH, high organic content and boast both existing and developing organism biomass. The latter is a huge plus for planting schemes, considering the vital role microbial activity plays in the development and growth of flora within a soil. In fact, some natural topsoils have been establishing themselves for thousands of years, allowing their nutrient balance time to level out and cycle on a natural rhythm. This means they can provide host plants with accessible nutrients quickly, once installed. Providing soils to award-winning projects There are a number of enormous advantages to using sustainably sourced natural soils, which is why Boughton has supplied its products to several high-profile construction and landscaping projects, including the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station, which was awarded the title of ‘Grand Award Winner’ at the recent BALI National Landscape Awards. The team behind the gardens, Willerby, also received the Principal Award win within the ‘Regeneration Scheme – Over £500k’ category for the second phase of the roof garden. Within these gardens, Boughton’s IN1 substrate was selected to support the scheme due to its ability to support larger plants and to be installed at depths from 100 – 500cm, thanks to its sandy texture. Additionally, Boughton’s IN1 substrate offers significant moisture retention qualities, making it the perfect choice when so many plants are vying for attention within this three-hectare site. IN1 from Boughton continues to meet and exceed all G.R.O guidelines. Elsewhere Boughton’s Lightweight Substrate was used to provide growing media where weight loading for the green roof needed to be lighter than traditional green roof schemes, whilst Rootzone completed the offering. Supplied as a ready-mixed solution, Rootzone provided better planting conditions throughout the scheme. The right soil for your project Boughton supplies a range of natural topsoils to suit a wide variety of applications and projects. All of its ‘as dug’ certified topsoil can be supplied with an independent soil analysis, having been tested by independent MCERTS laboratories. The supply chain for Boughton’s soils is also fully transparent, with complete traceability. Find out more To find out more about Boughton’s complete offering for the amenity, landscape and construction industries, please visit www.boughton.co.uk Pull out box Boughton launches new SuDs Soils Boughton’s already extensive product portfolio is about to expand further with the introduction of three new SuDs soils, designed by the experts at The Environment Patnership. BLRG Rain Garden Soil, BLHP High-Permeability Soil and BLMP Multi-Purpose SuDs Soil all draw their inspiration from Boughton’s market-leading green roof substrates; together offering even more soil solutions for a wide range of landscaping projects. BLRG Rain Garden Soil is based on an extensive green roof substrate and is designed to support rain garden construction and planting via a free draining mixture with a large amount of porosity. A small amount of topsoil has been blended into the mixture to slow down infiltration, or saturated hydraulic conductivity, whilst also providing more body to the mixture to ensure water retention for a much longer period. In doing so, BLRG offers increased water storage performance, and improved water quality benefits. Boughton’s new BLRG is the perfect choice for those planting schemes that prefer a freer draining substance, but one that is sometimes saturated. BLHP High-Permeability Soil is a high-permeability soil, designed to be used in shallow swales, such as those that border pavements and paths. Sand dominant with additional green waste compost and coir fibre inclusion, BLHP is ideal for creating stable conditions with strong water retention capabilities. Additionally, BLHP is suitable for supporting the use of drought tolerant grass species. Finally, BLMP Multi-Purpose SuDs Soil is – as the name suggests – a multi-purpose blend of sand, PAS 100 green waste compost, crushed brick and coir, designed as a layer for swales and rain gardens, to support a range of intensive vegetation. Jason Lock, Boughton’s Business Development Manager, said: “At Boughton we are on a mission to bring to market soil solutions for all gardens and landscape architecture projects. Our new range of SuDs continues to build on our expertise for all things ‘as-dug’ and natural, without compromising on performance and reliance, and open up new opportunities for landscaper, garden designers and specifiers who are looking for soils that will not just support planting schemes but will enable them to thrive more than ever.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals