As an acknowledged specialist in dealing with the presence of lead paint, as well as the restoration of all types of metal windows, Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) has carried out a detailed contract on behalf of Collins Construction during the refurbishment of 35 Dover Street in London. The London-based
Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, visited HS2’s headquarters to show support for HS2’s Young Adults programme, which upskills women who are out of work so they can begin new careers in construction. HS2 delivers the Young Adults programme in partnership with Women into Construction, an independent not-for-profit organisation.
More than three tonnes of glass from a London building that dates back to the 1800s, has this week arrived in Leeds at the headquarters of the UK’s leading manufacturer of sustainable glass surfaces. Diamik Glass has teamed up with contractors Ambit Moat to provide sustainable surfaces for the renovation
Propertymark has pledged its continued support for the annual Smart Meter Awareness Week. Launched by Smart Energy GB, the UK Government backed campaign body, the first drive ran from 18 to 22 October 2021, with a plan to boost awareness and the number of smart meter installations across the UK.
Regional construction company I&G have opened new premises in the North East, following a growth in demand for work in the area. I&G, who are headquartered in Elland, West Yorkshire, with additional offices in East Yorkshire and Leeds, specialise in complex construction projects in the health, education, food and commercial
Design-led revitalisation of Hatay province underway with international consortium developing masterplan, spearheaded by Türkiye Design Council Internationally renowned Bjarke Ingels Group also appointed architects, alongside Turkish practices DB Architects and KEYM Following the devastating earthquake on 6 February 2023, Türkiye Design Council (TDC) has brought together the world’s best architects
Recent data analysed by ERP software supplier RedSky has highlighted disappointing growth in the number of female construction workers within the last two decades. Since 1995, the number of women working within the industry has risen a measly 3%, with less than a fifth choosing a construction-based role in 2023.
An Aggregate Industries contracting team is being featured in a prime-time television show which shines a light on how England’s roads are maintained. The third series of Motorway is back on Channel 5’s screens. The docu-series follows National Highways and what it takes to look after the road network. A
Orbit Homes is set to deliver 220 properties at a brand-new development in the village of Reydon, Suffolk. The proposed scheme located on Copperwheat Avenue, will comprise 44 affordable rent, 74 shared ownership and 84 market sale houses, as well as 11 self-build plots, and seven coastal erosion replacement properties.
Wavensmere Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments have submitted a full planning application to Derby City Council for the redevelopment of one of the final plots of vacant land within Derby’s newly revitalised Cathedral Quarter. 186 one- and two-bedroom apartments are proposed for ‘Cathedral One’ within a u-shaped finely detailed red
As an acknowledged specialist in dealing with the presence of lead paint, as well as the restoration of all types of metal windows, Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) has carried out a detailed contract on behalf of Collins Construction during the refurbishment of 35 Dover Street in London. The London-based company was selected to carry out the painstaking work, which required multiple applications of a non-toxic poultice strip, as the result of its previous involvement with the main contractor on other high profile projects. ASWS’s team of highly trained operatives was involved across four of the five storeys to the former ‘Empress Club’ and office building, striping and restoring a total of 36 large steel windows and screens. The use of lead paint was banned 30 years ago on health grounds, which means its presence is almost always masked by later coats of modern gloss paint; but trying to remove the build up by sanding or heat risks exposing workers to inhaling the harmful heavy metal. ASWS can offer other methods of paint removal, but chemical stripping was the best option for Dover Street, to take the frames back to bear metal for repairs to commence. Director of ASWS, Kris Bennell, commented: “The options for on-site paint removal are limited, but they do include grit blasting which can be noisy, has to be tented, and requires the provision of cleaning and changing facilities allocated just to the operatives involved. The second alternative is using hand-held chipping and scraping tools, which still generate significant vibration and dust hazards; or there is the poultice chemical removal.” Kris continues, “At Dover Street we applied between five and seven coats of the epoxy paste to the windows – some of which were quite large – and this has to remain for 24 to 72 hours before being scraped off. Not only is the paint retained within the ‘poultice’, but the lead is neutralised and converted into a manageable form, which is bagged and removed by an approved waste management company. The actual repairs involved replacing broken hinges and some corroded frame sections and the overhaul and the fitting of new single glazing into the very shallow, 3mm upstands. We also undertook the full redecoration of the windows.” ASWS can provide a full range of services for the repair or replica replacement of metal windows – from the early wrought iron and traditional Medium Universal section, through to mid and late century aluminium curtain walling. Options include the addition of draught-striping and a switch from single to double-glazing for improved energy performance, as well as the replacement or polishing of all ironmongery. For more information on ASWS, please visit asws.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, visited HS2’s headquarters to show support for HS2’s Young Adults programme, which upskills women who are out of work so they can begin new careers in construction. HS2 delivers the Young Adults programme in partnership with Women into Construction, an independent not-for-profit organisation. Women aged 18-30, who are unemployed and live locally, qualify for the scheme, which combines work experience, mentoring and construction safety training. Mrs Phillips, a passionate equalities campaigner, joined the final session of the programme to inspire the young women ahead of their next career move. Over 9,000 people in the West Midlands are helping to build HS2, and investment in bespoke training programmes, like the Young Adults scheme, has helped hundreds of local people who were out of work to launch new careers. 79% of candidates that graduated from the Young Adults programme over the last four years secured employment or progressed into further education or training. Mrs Phillips encouraged this year’s graduates to seize the opportunities in front of them. Jess Phillips MP said: “The more we can encourage women and girls to seize opportunities, follow their dreams and build our future, the stronger our country will be for all of us”. Amrutha Puthumana Meleppattu, who lives in Mrs Phillips’s Yardley constituency, is one of 15 women taking part in this year’s programme. Originally from Kerala, Amrutha joined the Young Adults scheme as she was struggling to find work in the UK. Amrutha said: “Joining the Young Adults programme has given me a real confidence boost. “Securing work experience with HS2’s engineering team, and making new connections in the industry, is exactly what I needed to take my career forward.” Amelia Morris from Stourbridge had also worked in construction before, but she chose to leave the industry as she didn’t feel women were treated equally. Amelia said: “This placement opportunity with HS2 has completely re-ignited my passion and reaffirms why I got into the construction industry in the first place. It’s been an invaluable experience. It’s changed my outlook and set me on track to a prosperous career.” Beatriz Ramos Albert, HS2’s Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Apprentice, coordinates the Young Adults programme. Earlier this month, the 32-year-old from Birmingham was crowned West Midlands Apprentice of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards in recognition of her commitment to inspiring others. Beatriz said: “Creating training programmes which allow women to step inside and see what we do is a great way of encouraging more new entrants into the sector. “Female representation is on the increase, and we’re proud that women account for 38% of the workforce here at HS2 Ltd. “I’m exceptionally proud of all today’s graduates and hope they feel inspired to come and work with us.” Kath Moore, MBE, Managing Director at Women into Construction commented: “We are delighted that this latest programme has supported another 15 young women to explore the world of construction, building their confidence and aspirations to join our sector. We look forward to continuing to support them all on their Journeys into Construction and would like to thank HS2 for their support in this long-standing partnership.”For more information about careers and opportunities with HS2, visit hs2.org.uk/careers Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than three tonnes of glass from a London building that dates back to the 1800s, has this week arrived in Leeds at the headquarters of the UK’s leading manufacturer of sustainable glass surfaces. Diamik Glass has teamed up with contractors Ambit Moat to provide sustainable surfaces for the renovation of the building in Farringdon Road known as ‘The Waterman’ to significantly reduce the embodied carbon of the project. The BGO owned building has been designed by Fathom Architects and will see the office units, spanning 70,000 square feet, redeveloped into a modern space that reduces the carbon footprint of the building and has an extensive sustainability commitment. The glass, removed from 360 windows which were no longer fit for purpose, has been shipped to Leeds and are set to be replaced with double glazed units to reduce unnecessary heat loss, paying back the embodied carbon from replacing the units within six years. Instead of condemning the waste glass to landfill, the project will ensure that the material fulfills a new purpose by being transformed into ecorok™ – a product by Diamik Glass that repurposes waste glass to create modern, luxury surfaces. The surfaces created from the glass will then be installed in the tea points and worktop spaces on Level 4 of the building. Michael Pickup, Managing Director at Diamik Glass explains: “We’re thrilled to receive the glass from The Waterman’s previous windows. This is a great opportunity for us to manufacture a unique product that gives back to the original building in a very exciting renovation project. We’re passionate about working with partners to find bespoke solutions to avoid sending any glass to landfill. “At Diamik Glass we know how important sustainability credentials are to businesses working with older building stock, and we’re delighted to be chosen by Ambit as a delivery partner. Once recycled, crushed and produced into hard wearing surfaces made to measure, each square meter of the ecorok™ surfaces will consist of 85 percent window glass.” Matt Robinson, Sustainability Manager at Ambit Moat added: “Maintaining heritage materials within the building was something that both the developer, BGO, and Ambit were keen to achieve. We knew the windows could never be kept as is, due to their poor insulating performance, the next best thing was to see where we can introduce the material back into the building, reducing waste, and furthering the materials lifecycle. “Ambit is always looking for innovative ways to reduce our carbon footprint and introduce a circular approach to our fit outs. Working with Diamik on a project like this is a great example of some of the interesting forms materials can take on after their intended life.” To find out more about Diamik Glass, please visit: www.diamik.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Propertymark has pledged its continued support for the annual Smart Meter Awareness Week. Launched by Smart Energy GB, the UK Government backed campaign body, the first drive ran from 18 to 22 October 2021, with a plan to boost awareness and the number of smart meter installations across the UK. This year, Smart Meter Awareness Week is taking place between Monday 30 October to Sunday 5 November. Smart meters are a part of UK Government plans for a smart energy system that will support carbon emissions cuts. In June 2020, the UK Government stated the policy framework for energy suppliers to deliver a market-wide rollout of smart meters as soon as practical in the period after 2020. This included considering policy measures to proactively support the uptake of smart meters in the private rented sector, such as measures to help ensure that landlords do not unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to install a smart meter where the tenant is the energy customer and whether to add smart meters to the mix of measures that may be implemented to meet minimum energy efficiency requirements in the private rented sector. Timothy Douglas, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Propertymark, said: “Propertymark is pleased to support the third annual Smart Meter Awareness Week for the private rented sector. Letting agents, tenants, landlords and energy companies all have a role to play in improving smart meter take up because installing a smart meter can help tenants understand how much energy is being used at the property and for agents and their landlords whether this can help to influence any energy efficiency improvements that are needed.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Regional construction company I&G have opened new premises in the North East, following a growth in demand for work in the area. I&G, who are headquartered in Elland, West Yorkshire, with additional offices in East Yorkshire and Leeds, specialise in complex construction projects in the health, education, food and commercial sectors. They are known for being experts at working in live environments, such as hospital wards, food production facilities and educational spaces. Recent major successes have included the new Critical Care Unit at Barnsley Hospital, the £6m refurbishment of the ophthalmology unit at St James Hospital in Leeds, and a food production factory extension in Pontefract for KP Snacks. The company have opened a new office in Stockton-on-Tees, giving them a base to be closer to their North East clients, and creating new employment opportunities throughout the region. I&G Managing Director Christopher Carline said: “In the last five years, we’ve seen our turnover increase from £6m to over £21m, as we’ve taken on multi-million-pound projects and seen our partnerships with existing clients develop. “We’re now getting more and more work in the North East, so it feels like the right time to expand into the area. Our new Stockton office will give us a base from which we can work across the North East, giving us more opportunities to work on projects across the area. “As an employee owned business, our people are really important to us, and we’re keen to create more opportunities for existing staff, whilst also looking to recruit locally.” The I&G team will also be looking to develop their supply chain in the North East, and are inviting interested local subcontractors and suppliers who would like to work with them to get in touch via www.iandgltd.co.uk. I&G was founded over 50 years ago, initially as a specialist joinery contractor. Since their early years, they’ve diversified and moved into refurbishments, design and build, taking on complex projects that others would think twice about tackling, such as acute care ward refurbishments in live hospital environments and working in operating food production facilities. In 2017 I&G joined the Sewell Group, a multi-disciplined group of built environment businesses, headquartered in Hull, which is expanding across Yorkshire and the North of England. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Design-led revitalisation of Hatay province underway with international consortium developing masterplan, spearheaded by Türkiye Design Council Internationally renowned Bjarke Ingels Group also appointed architects, alongside Turkish practices DB Architects and KEYM Following the devastating earthquake on 6 February 2023, Türkiye Design Council (TDC) has brought together the world’s best architects and designers to start the long-term process of revitalising the historic province of Hatay, situated in southeast Türkiye. TDC has convened 13 design practices composed of leading experts in architecture, design, engineering, environmental sustainability, culture, heritage, and archaeology, including Foster + Partners and Bjarke Ingels Group. Collectively they are working towards a vision for the next era of Hatay that ensures it is resilient, sustainable and liveable for generations to come, while preserving its 2,300-year-old cultural heritage and identity. At the heart of the initiative is a visionary new masterplan for the city of Antakya (known to antiquity as Antioch), which is being developed under the leadership of internationally acclaimed Foster + Partners, alongside renowned Turkish practices DB Architects and KEYM (Urban Renewal Center), that will lay the foundation for its future. The masterplan is expected to be revealed fully in 2024. Over the coming months and years, Türkiye Design Council aims to create a new global approach to rebuilding cities after natural disasters that brings together the world’s best architects whilst giving the local community of Hatay a voice in their city’s recovery. Hatay will become a global exemplar for earthquake recovery, taking best practice principles from around the world and applying them to its truly unique context. With an estimated 80% of the central city of Antakya destroyed during the earthquake, there is an urgent need and opportunity to reimagine the city for future generations with improved climate resilience, connectivity, and social and environmental wellbeing. The location of central districts, administrative buildings and new infrastructure must all be considered. Described as a mosaic of archaeological and historic religious features, it is the site of two significant ancient cities: Seleukeia Pieria and Antiokheia. Plans will be reflective of this, incorporating the restoration of important sites such as the Uzun Bazaar, churches, mosques, bathhouses and synagogues to reassert its skyline and reputation for religious tolerance, while also being attuned to its natural geography, including the plains of the Asi River. Türkiye Design Council’s revitalisation planning is being supported by the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urban Planning and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Mehmet Kalyoncu, Chairman of the Türkiye Design Council, said: “Following the earthquake, we experienced the biggest ever global co-operation for the relief effort. Now, we want this to be the biggest ever global collaboration of experts to shape the next era of Hatay. This province, and its centre Antakya, are places of great significance to humanity, both culturally and historically. It is a centuries-old place, and we have an enormous responsibility to its people and to honour its rich past while ensuring its vitality as a modern city continues for generations to come. “As the relief effort continues, this is the first step towards Hatay’s next chapter and with the support of our project partners we can ensure it becomes an example for the world of design-led revitalisation. If we are successful in Hatay, we can integrate this spirit of collaboration into other Turkish and international recovery and revitalisation efforts where local people most need them.” Nigel Dancey, Senior Executive Partner at Foster + Partners, commented: “Following the terrible tragedy that occurred on the 6th of February, we are looking forward to working with local communities and collaborating with architecture, planning, urban design and engineering experts in Turkey, to help develop plans for the historic city of Antakya.” Cem Yılmaz, Founding Partner of Keym Urban Renewal Center, said: “Through our partnership, we embarked on a journey to transform Hatay into a beacon of hope. In this journey, I can say that our national and international collaborations will teach both our country and the world to work and live together, addressing one of the most significant urban problems of our time – disconnected public spaces. First, we will revive the city of hope, Hatay, and then it will in turn revive our hopes.” Bünyamin Derman, Founding Partner of DB Architecture, said: “Hatay has been destroyed by major earthquakes at least seven times in history – some experts suggest as many as 33. In February, 80% of the city was devastated, putting Hatay in a unique position. Its archaeological and religious mosaic features require special urban planning, which needs to be combined with the creation of self-sufficient, resilient structures. “Being a city within walls, Hatay requires a pedestrian-centric approach. Our planning will also revolve around water, forestry, olive cultivation, and livestock, as we retain the prevalent agricultural courtyards incorporated throughout the city while addressing challenges related to global warming, such as emerging flood issues necessitating the restructuring of riverbeds.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Recent data analysed by ERP software supplier RedSky has highlighted disappointing growth in the number of female construction workers within the last two decades. Since 1995, the number of women working within the industry has risen a measly 3%, with less than a fifth choosing a construction-based role in 2023. There are now mounting pressures and initiatives to increase the representation of female workers within construction. Encouraging a more diverse workforce offers significant benefits for all areas of construction, such as greater access to top-tier talent, enhanced critical thinking and even improved workplace culture. In a male-dominated industry, it’s clear construction firms must do more. What’s Causing the Gender Skill Gap? With over 3.1 million workers in the construction industry, it’s a popular sector within the UK. Around 9% of Britain’s working population is employed in a construction-based role, ranging from on-site contractors to data analysts. Despite popularity, the industry is heavily male-dominated, with women making up only 16% of all workers, so why is this? According to one study, just 21% of board members identify as female, meaning many construction firms have minimal to no female representation higher up in the chain. Without vocal representation, many women will disregard construction as an industry to work in. Despite living in 2023, discrimination is still rife against women in the workplace. Sadly, this is also true in construction, with around 12% of female construction workers expressing they’d been ignored for a promotion because of their gender. Whilst it’s a problem in the industry, it’s still an issue in the UK overall. Around 75% of the UK’s population believes gender stereotypes still exist. If 75% of the UK population believes that gender stereotypes still exist, then unconscious bias is still common, even in an industry like construction. Unconscious bias is the act of judging or making decisions about someone based on your own experiences. From a young age, we tend to prefer people who are like us, because we see them as safe and predictable. This is why some workplaces may seem to be full of very similar people, and why HR teams need to be mindful of unconscious bias when hiring. For example, many women may be passed up for promotions because people assume that they want to have children and therefore cannot commit to the job, or that they are physically weaker than men and therefore not strong enough for the job. These judgments are made without talking to the individual to find out if they are true. As 12% of female workers have said, they have been passed over for promotion in the construction industry. It is possible that unconscious bias played a role in this. It is also likely that male candidates are preferred over female candidates in the recruitment process. However, this does not mean that a female worker should always be selected for a role simply to combat unconscious bias. It simply means that we should judge people based on their merits and qualifications, not their gender. What Initiatives are Driving Female Talent Into Construction? 1. Sponsorship and Mentoring Programmes There are a handful of sponsorship and mentoring programmes for women looking to start and progress a career within construction. For example, Moving On Up by Women Into Construction supports companies in retaining and progressing women within their workforce. From demonstrating gender diversity in tenders to improving work culture, this initiative offers significant benefits. 2. Attractive Pay Package Out of Britain’s major industries, construction is in the top 10 for average weekly earnings. Workers in the industry earn an average of £742 a week, beating industries like Education (£531) and Transport (£679). Its attractive pay package is an incentive to bring many into the industry, not just women. 3. Flexible Working Arrangements With huge deadlines and completion dates to adhere to, many construction workers have experienced long hours to get their jobs done. For many people, this lack of work-life balance is unattractive, meaning it can also turn women off, especially those who value their free time or have young families. Now, construction firms are devising ways to improve flexible working. 4. Inclusive Company Culture Introducing more women is just one step to creating an inclusive company culture. By embracing a range of genders, ethnic backgrounds and abilities, construction firms can start to demonstrate a level of inclusion and acceptance amongst their workforce. Creating an inclusive company culture also aids retention rates. 5. Opportunities for Progression Around half of the construction workforce expressed they’d never had a female manager. Of course, many companies are already looking to change this, and are seeing major benefits in return. From improved productivity to having an extra pair of hands, female workers bring many skills to the industry that must be recognised. It’s Time for Construction Firms to Act and Embrace More Female Talent The construction industry offers significant opportunities for women, yet their representation remains at a mere 16% of the workforce. To bridge the skill gap and address the current shortage, construction firms must act swiftly. By reassessing workplace culture, actively recruiting female workers, and implementing effective mentoring programs, these firms can tap into a vast pool of untapped talent. Prioritising the inclusion and advancement of women will not only address the gender imbalance but also drive innovation and success in the industry. According to Monique Campbell, Customer Services Director for RedSky, the time for action is now. She states, “Women in our industry not only bring diversity but also fresh perspectives and innovation. We bring a vast range of skills that benefit all areas of construction, from board management level to business analytics and independent contractors to project managers.” She continues, “Closing the gender skill gap is essential if we want this industry to keep thriving and evolving. The industry has seen shortages in labour and resources in recent years, which can easily be filled by skilled female workers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An Aggregate Industries contracting team is being featured in a prime-time television show which shines a light on how England’s roads are maintained. The third series of Motorway is back on Channel 5’s screens. The docu-series follows National Highways and what it takes to look after the road network. A film crew from the show’s makers, Fearless TV, spent a night shift with Aggregate Industries’ Contracting team in the north-west, as they resurfaced part of the M62 between Broad Lane and Rakewood between junctions 21 and 22. The cameras captured the Aggregate Industries team as they had to close three lanes of the motorway to plane and resurface a 1 km stretch of the road.The show follows the team as they raced against the clock to ensure all works were safely completed in time for a 6am reopening, in time for the morning commuter traffic. The programme features Contracts Supervisor Leigh Brusby as he oversees the evening’s work and liaises with the company’s Salford Asphalt Plant at Weast to organise truck deliveries of the surface layer product. Tom Edgcumbe, Managing Director for Aggregate Industries’ Surfacing Solutions division, said: “It was great to be able to work with Channel 5 to take the cameras out and showcase what we do as a business. “National Highways are a key customer. We work very much in collaboration with them to deliver an excellent service and our technical expertise. “The programme follows a very typical night shift showing the time pressures we face to make sure we get the job done well, safely and finished on time. “We hope people enjoy getting an insight into what it takes to resurface such a busy section of road.” QUOTE from National Highways in here Episode six of Motorway airs on Channels 5 on Monday 30 October at 8pm or people can catch up on the show via My5. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Orbit Homes is set to deliver 220 properties at a brand-new development in the village of Reydon, Suffolk. The proposed scheme located on Copperwheat Avenue, will comprise 44 affordable rent, 74 shared ownership and 84 market sale houses, as well as 11 self-build plots, and seven coastal erosion replacement properties. A choice of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes will be available. The development has received funding from the Homes England Strategic Partnership scheme for the delivery of affordable homes. Orbit Homes purchased the site from WM Denny & Sons, and Chartwell Industries. The expected start date for the scheme is 2025, with work expected to conclude in 2029. Ray Winney, Regional Managing Director at Orbit Homes, said: “We are excited to unveil plans for our brand-new development in the village of Reydon, Suffolk. This is an area of high affordability pressure, so we are pleased to be delivering 118 affordable properties for the local community, as well as 84 available to purchase through market sale. The site is located less than two miles from the desirable seaside town of Southwold, making it the perfect location for families, as well as couples and those looking to size-down. “All of our Orbit Homes developments are designed to be tenure-blind, which means customers receive the same commitment to design, specification, and safety, whether they purchase through shared ownership, market sale or affordable rent. I look forward to seeing the site progress over the years, and to creating a thriving new community in the East.” Orbit Homes currently has nine thriving new communities underway in East Anglia, comprising a range of affordable two-, three- and four-bedroom homes, including some rarely available new build bungalows. A mixture of purchasing options is available, including market sale and shared ownership. To find out more about the range of properties Orbit Homes offers, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wavensmere Homes and Wilson Bowden Developments have submitted a full planning application to Derby City Council for the redevelopment of one of the final plots of vacant land within Derby’s newly revitalised Cathedral Quarter. 186 one- and two-bedroom apartments are proposed for ‘Cathedral One’ within a u-shaped finely detailed red brick building that rises to nine storeys. The 0.2Ha site is bounded by Full Street to the west and the River Derwent to the east. Measuring approximately 50m wide by 50m long, the site was previously occupied by a police station, which was constructed in the 1960s and demolished in 2013. Phase One of Wilson Bowden’s Full Street development was completed in 2016. It includes the refurbishment of the Riverside Chambers office complex, delivery of 46 new apartments at Number One Cathedral Green, and a Premier Inn hotel. The remaining parcel of land had been earmarked for an office development of up to 100,000 sq ft, but it will now be brought forward by Wavensmere Homes for an apartment scheme, benefiting from a vibrant waterside location, with views of the 16th Century Derby Cathedral and its 212ft tower. Also lying adjacent to the site is the Museum of Making at the restored Derby Silk Mill, which re-opened to the public in 2021. The Cathedral One residential development proposals are designed to complete the jigsaw of this prime Derby city centre site by providing dual aspect landscaped public realm over Cathedral Green, whilst enhancing the activity along Full Street. Nottingham-based Franklin Ellis Architects has drawn up plans for a red brick apartment building, inspired by the traditional architecture and heritage assets within the vicinity. In addition to the apartments, 2,000 sq ft of mixed-use space has been accommodated at ground floor level to overlook Cathedral Green and Full Street, providing an active frontage. A range of uses are earmarked for this space, including a new café and high-quality residential facilities such as a gymnasium, co-working zone, and concierge point. James Dickens, Managing Director of Birmingham-based Wavensmere Homes, said: “This challenging brownfield site occupies one of the best locations within Derby city centre and benefits from rich views of the Cathedral Quarter and the River Derwent. It has been vacant for 10 years and the opportunity to create an exemplary development, reflective of the prime gateway location is exciting. “The plans we have submitted for Cathedral One would help towards Derby City Council’s target to provide a minimum of 11,000 new homes throughout the city over the coming decade. By appropriately densifying this derelict brownfield site within such a prized and popular city location, we will create highly energy-efficient homes for well over 250 people who will then spend their time and disposable income locally. We look forward to continuing to work with Derby City Council’s Officers, Councillors, and wider stakeholders, as this planning application is considered.” The Cathedral One plans include two communal staircases, courtyard car parking provision and secure bicycle spaces. The latest green energy features will be incorporated into the design for the new homes, to enable a high EPC rating to be targeted, whilst exceeding the new Part L building regulations. Cathedral One will promote sustainable development through the use of low carbon materials, modern methods of construction, and renewable energy generation via a vast amount of roof mounted solar PV panels. Matthew Branton, Managing Director of Franklin Ellis Architects, said: “Whilst designing Cathedral One, our team at Franklin Ellis were conscious of the need for this proposed development to carefully close the wider urban block and positively front Full Street, Cathedral Green and the waterside, improving the safety, attractiveness, and animation of the adjacent public areas. “We have taken a context led approach to a layered facade design, incorporating quality detailing and a refined material palette whilst paying homage to the surrounding architecture and heritage assets, ensuring the Cathedral is always the star of the show. We have spent many months refining the design and generating these comprehensive plans, which reflect feedback from the recent public consultation, together with the Council’s Design and Heritage Review Panels – creating Derby’s most sought-after apartment development.” Derby’s array of city centre shops, amenities and attractions are located within moments of the site on Full Street, with Derby Train Station being one mile away, and reachable by foot and public transport in under 10 minutes. Regular services to London St Pancras take less than 90 minutes, while trains to Birmingham city centre take 34 minutes. Wavensmere Homes has become one of Derby’s most prominent residential developers, with the £175m multi-award-winning Nightingale Quarter becoming one of the finest regeneration and restoration assets in the region. The former Derby Royal Infirmary on London Road – which had laid derelict for a decade – has been transformed into a vibrant new community, including over 900 houses and apartments. The company has also submitted plans for the 11.5-acre (4.96Ha) historic Friar Gate Goods Yard in central Derby, which could be transformed into 276 houses and apartments, and over 110,000sq ft of commercial space. Wavensmere Homes is currently constructing two other major urban regeneration schemes, located in central Birmingham and Ipswich, and has further projects across middle England in the immediate pipeline. The Edgbaston-headquartered housebuilder has around 3,500 new homes either under construction or in planning. To view the plans and read more about the project, please visit: www.fullstreetderby.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals