A report to the Council’s Cabinet next Tuesday (17 October) is recommending the adoption of a Tall Buildings Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which will be used to shape development in a proactive and positive manner. The guidance within the SPD will ensure that all tall building proposals make a positive
A Spanish-Norwegian consortium, supported by a large group of industry stakeholders, will conduct a feasibility study on an EU database defined in the Construction Products Regulation. The objective is to define a system for a digital product passport which considers the digital information needs of regulators, manufacturers and other actors
Today is World Mental Health Day, an expert has shared their top pieces of advice for UK tradespeople on how to avoid burnout, after research revealed that more than four in five (84%) experience mental health problems due to work-related issues. The research was commissioned by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest
Unbranded Finance, the UK based non-bank real estate lender, has recently closed a new revolving credit facility with Escapade Silverstone to assist with the completion of their flagship £90m development located in the heart of the Silverstone Circuit. The development, which is set to open in Spring 2024, and is
The multi-let industrial sector continues to offer a compelling investment rationale Lismore Real Estate Advisors yesterday released its review of the Scottish investment market for Quarter 3 of 2023. With a number of larger transactions, Q3 was more positive than anticipated, with activity trading at £398m, which is up 17%
St Andrews-based whisky and gin distillery, Eden Mill, has announced the appointment of a leading global construction specialist to oversee the extensive refurbishment of its multi-million-pound new distillery and visitor centre. ISG has been selected to lead the renovation of Eden Mill’s new investment, building on over two decades of
A major construction milestone has taken place at the £26.5 million new White Rose Rail Station in south Leeds. Rail infrastructure specialist Spencer Group has now installed two new link bridges from the main station buildings to platform level at the new station, which is being built next to the
Northern England the worst offender In a time when people are struggling to buy and rent homes, 676,000 of England’s stock worth £212 billion is sitting empty. The research comes from property purchasing specialist, House Buyer Bureau, which measures the number of vacant dwellings up and down England. Across the
Later living provider Anchor has recently announced the partners for its Development Consultancy framework helping to meet the not-for-profit provider’s ambitious plans to deliver 5,700 new homes over the next ten years. Anchor, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, will deliver the schemes
Gordon Ingram to move to Chairman role and Sam Wallis promoted to CEO GIA, the leading surveying consultancy, today announces its new leadership structure and new investment from Lonsdale Capital Partners, in readiness for growth. With specialist teams covering rights to light, daylight and sunlight, wind analysis, as well as
A report to the Council’s Cabinet next Tuesday (17 October) is recommending the adoption of a Tall Buildings Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which will be used to shape development in a proactive and positive manner. The guidance within the SPD will ensure that all tall building proposals make a positive contribution to Liverpool’s skyline, distinctiveness and image, the city’s growth and the delivery of high quality and sustainable places. On adoption of the document, which has been informed by significant public engagement, it will be used in the decision-making process for all future planning applications for proposed tall buildings. The new guidance, which sets out in detail what the Council considers to be appropriate in terms of height, design and location, will supplement Liverpool’s Local Plan and will help guide the Council’s forthcoming new waterfront strategy. As well as providing design guidance that complements the National Design Guide, this SPD ensures that future tall buildings will also protect the city’s historic character, heritage assets and city’s unique and world renowned image. Five locations in and around the city centre have been identified where clusters of taller buildings could be appropriate. They are: The Tall Buildings SPD has also mapped current developments and sets out guidelines for appropriate heights for new planning applications in these clusters. It also provides guidance based on nine core principles covering issues such as quality, sustainability, environment and economic growth. The policy also states that schemes will need to pass four tests by demonstrating: Reaction Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Economy and Development, said: “Liverpool’s skyline is world famous and its development needs to be sensitively handled. We need to ensure its historic character and charm are maintained, whilst allowing for economic growth and job creation. “This a very timely document as it will help guide and shape our new waterfront strategy and set a clear path as to how developments can provide growth for the future, without impacting on climate change and net-zero ambitions. “Maintaining that balance between environment and regeneration runs throughout the heart of this policy and it has set out clear principles around design, quality and sustainability and what the city expects from developers to meet those standards. “We want to ensure our next generation of tall buildings will have a long-term purpose and can instil pride when we look up at them – both for how they look – and what they offer. “The Spine in Paddington Village is a prime example and shows we can deliver world-class buildings fit for the 21st century and I’m confident the city can curate and foster many more in the years ahead.” Samantha Campbell, Liverpool City Council’s Director of Planning and Building Control, said: “This Tall Buildings SPD sets out a framework, with a clear objective to guide the development of tall buildings in a positive and proactive manner. “Tall buildings can play an essential part of Liverpool’s growth and regeneration. Indeed, Liverpool has a great tradition of building tall, notably with the Liver Building on the Waterfront and sky scraper construction used at Oriel Chambers, Water Street. “The SPD is part of a suite of placemaking documents, including the recently adopted Local Plan, which seek to secure the best possible development in terms of location, quality and design to further enhance the very special and unique character of Liverpool.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A Spanish-Norwegian consortium, supported by a large group of industry stakeholders, will conduct a feasibility study on an EU database defined in the Construction Products Regulation. The objective is to define a system for a digital product passport which considers the digital information needs of regulators, manufacturers and other actors in the construction value chain. The consortium of Cobuilder, TECNALIA and UNE will deliver a technical assessment for different solutions of an EU database or system for construction products to the European Commission. This system is envisioned in the Construction Products Regulation (CPR), which is currently still under development. The expected changes will have both a practical and legal impact for the construction industry, through the potential implementation of Construction Digital Product Passports, as well as detailed documentation of environmental data. “The revised CPR aims to make the construction industry contribute to the digital and green transition and promote efficiency in the value chain,” says Aitor Aragón, responsible for Sustainable construction and BIM at the Spanish Association of Standardization (UNE), one of the consortium participants. A first step will be to decide on the future data infrastructure to support the changes needed. This is where the creation of an EU database for construction products becomes important for the EU market and member states. The goal is to ensure that all stakeholders in the industry across different regions can share construction product data in a standardised way. “We need to understand and decide how product data should be structured, shared and managed on a cross-industry level. The reason why we haven’t succeeded with this earlier is the fragmented nature of the construction industry and its complexity. The push and sense of urgency now coming with the European Green Deal and the need for digitalisation, will definitively take us to the next level,” says Lars Chr. Fredenlund, CEO of Norwegian tech company Cobuilder. Feasibility study for a digital product passport and registry for construction productsThe main objective of the project is to do a feasibility study on five different options for setting up a database or system at EU level, storing information regarding construction products. TECNALIA, a centre of Applied research and technological development in Spain, is the third partner in the consortium. “The study will evaluate combinations of centralised and decentralised solutions, analysing pros and cons from the technological point of view, and from the perspective of different stakeholders such as the EU Commission, manufacturers, market surveillance authorities and information consumers,” says Amaia Castelruiz Aguirre, senior researcher at TECNALIA. Industry partners on board In addition to the contracted consortium participants, the bid is supported by a broad group of industry stakeholders across Europe, including Construction Products Europe, FIEC, Construction SMEs Europe, GS1, BuildingSMART International, and more. Figuring out how a common EU database or system for construction products can be set up, how to exchange data via a digital declaration of performance (smart CE-marking), and how to use data dictionaries, represents an opportunity and an important step towards solving how ambitious legislation and regulative initiatives can be merged and implemented in practice. This will be instrumental in helping the industry to meet the European Green Deal targets. The work on the study is already underway and a start-up meeting with the European Commission has been carried out on 5 October. COBUILDER is a privately-owned international company located in Oslo with wholly-owned subsidiaries in England, France and Bulgaria. The company offers a software platform that employs all relevant international standards for data management to help the construction industry unlock the potential of product data. Fit-for-purpose and accurate product data improves quality and reduces time-use, cost and environmental footprint. Cobuilder is a major driver for the digitization in construction and is a strategic contributor to ISO, buildingSMART, CEN and CENELEC. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Today is World Mental Health Day, an expert has shared their top pieces of advice for UK tradespeople on how to avoid burnout, after research revealed that more than four in five (84%) experience mental health problems due to work-related issues. The research was commissioned by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, and the results have been published in its annual industry report. To help tradespeople avoid burning out, and explain the importance of managing workload, IronmongeryDirect has partnered with Liz Sebag-Montefiore, director and co-founder of HR consultancy 10Eighty, to share some expert advice. What is burnout? What does it feel like? Liz says: “With burnout, some will be depressed, lethargic and lack motivation, while others will find it difficult to slow down, hard to focus and struggle with priorities. “Burnout is a state of mental, emotional and physical exhaustion resulting from ongoing or repeated stress. The main characteristic of a burnout is that the person feels that they are not in control of how a job is carried out, nor in control of their workload and autonomy, and this compromises their sense of self.” What are the potential consequences of doing too much work? Liz says: “There are risks to physical as well as mental health. Overworking affects cortisol levels (the primary stress hormone) which can lead to brain fog, high blood pressure and other health problems. “Fatigue, apathy, depression and dissatisfaction and a whole host of other symptoms can make it difficult to see for what it is.” “Burnout can also lead to slip ups, mistakes and accidents which could be serious for the tradesperson, their client, colleagues and employer.” How can you avoid or recover from burnout? Liz says: “Even the most committed employee who enjoys their work will find that long hours of intense work can lead to serious repercussions – stress, burnout, absenteeism, decreased job satisfaction and poor physical health. “When they feel that they have little in the way of resources to manage their situation, it can lead to the feeling of being ‘burned out’. They need to regain control, motivation and commitment to the job but that’s easier said than done. “Try to pace yourself and reward yourself for what you can do. You could try mindfulness to relax and reconnect with self, purpose and wellbeing. “Take a hard look at your priorities. Get clarity on what really matters. Is there a real deadline? Is it urgent because of who is asking for it? Will it impact productivity or profitability? Where can you adjust, what can you decline, who can help? “Take breaks from work. Be sure to use any annual leave and leave work behind when you’re off – don’t work in your downtime! Try not to check work emails when you are off and say if you are not contactable.” Why is it important to take breaks throughout the working day? Liz says: “We need to be aware of the importance of recovery time in maintaining the wellbeing of employees. We should aim to formulate strategies that build in time for breaks from work and routine, with time for recovery activities, and policies and guidelines that address workflow, overtime and availability. “Better work-life balance will make you more productive and healthier overall. It seems counter-intuitive but taking a break makes you more productive. You need to reset and recharge and reinvigorate from time to time.” Why do you think so many tradespeople suffer from burnout? Liz says: “There are skills shortages in many sectors, including the trades. The work is there to be done and it can be hard to turn down. It can also be difficult to refuse contracts and stay on good terms with employers and colleagues.” Do you have any specific advice for self-employed workers? Liz says: “Rethink priorities. Establish boundaries, make and stick to schedules that work for your whole life not just your working life. “It’s hard to talk about burnout at work. It’s perceived as weakness, or lacking control, ambition or toughness, which makes it even harder for the self-employed. Friends and family may not understand the pressures and when people are relying on your income, it may feel like you are letting them down if you can’t cope. You have to be realistic about how much you can take on without damaging your health and future earning potential.” What is the best way to speak to your manager if you think you have burnout? Liz says: “Take some time to identify your concerns and make notes. Outline your concerns and any adjustments to your work that might help. Ask for support, ask for time if you need it. Burnout can lead to mistakes and accidents; nobody wants that to happen. “A good manager puts workers first by understanding how they work and what they need to work well, then they focus on personalised interventions that maximize job satisfaction, high quality performance, and productivity. “ To read IronmongeryDirect’s full Mental Health in the Trades report, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/mental-health-in-the-trades Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Unbranded Finance, the UK based non-bank real estate lender, has recently closed a new revolving credit facility with Escapade Silverstone to assist with the completion of their flagship £90m development located in the heart of the Silverstone Circuit. The development, which is set to open in Spring 2024, and is already over 85% sold, comprises 60 Residences and a trackside Clubhouse. It includes a swimming pool, sauna, driver-focused gym, restaurant and roof terrace. Escapade was advised in the transaction by London based residential and hospitality financing experts, RCP Finance, who were also responsible for arranging the construction financing for another recently completed development at Silverstone. Escapade Silverstone provides the opportunity for individuals and corporates to own a piece of the world-famous Silverstone venue, home of the British Formula 1 Grand Prix. Two-, three- and four-bedroom residences are available for purchase, all sitting within the 14-acre Escapade Silverstone site. Located just 12 metres from the edge of the track and next to Silverstone’s fastest and most beloved series of corners, the Clubhouse and Trackside Residences have far-reaching views across much of the Silverstone estate. Owners will be able to uniquely benefit from the hospitality returns generated from the 1.2 million+ visitors that are attracted to Silverstone each year, the 7 million visitors that head to nearby Bicester Village, and a central UK location which ensures 50% of the population are within a 90-minute drive. It will also offer a private space to stay and entertain, owners will have year-round access to the Clubhouse and all its amenities, even when not staying overnight, as well as priority access to the legendary tarmac and tickets to all events. Unbranded co-founder, Oliver Holt, said: “Escapade Silverstone is an ambitious, creative and original concept which has proven to be highly successful. With construction now 70% completed, and only a few properties remaining, it demonstrates the huge demand for this motorsport centric ownership and investment opportunity. We were immediately impressed with Will Tindall and the wider Escapade team’s vision and execution of this exciting project. Unbranded remains committed to providing funding for best-in-class borrowers with high quality property assets like Escapade Silverstone. Will Tindall, Founder and CEO of Escapade, said: “The Unbranded team have personal interests in motorsport, deep knowledge of the hospitality sector, and a strong understanding of the project requirements. They have proven to be a highly flexible partner, quick to respond, and a pleasure to deal with at each stage. We have now sold over 85% of the properties and are nearing construction completion. We’re looking forward opening in Spring 2024 and being able to work with Unbranded on our future projects”. Christopher Khoi, Managing Director of RCP Finance, said: “I’m thrilled to have teamed up with the Unbranded team and the dynamic Will Tindall at Escapade to put together this financing solution. We can proudly announce that this is our second successful transaction at the racetrack. We are looking forward to closing more hospitality and lifestyle related financing transactions across the UK, Europe and overseas”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The multi-let industrial sector continues to offer a compelling investment rationale Lismore Real Estate Advisors yesterday released its review of the Scottish investment market for Quarter 3 of 2023. With a number of larger transactions, Q3 was more positive than anticipated, with activity trading at £398m, which is up 17% on Q2 of 2022 and 8% below the five-year average. There is an increase in stock coming to the market and Lismore anticipates that Q4 volumes are likely to be lower than the five-year average. The key transactions in the quarter included the £62.5m (7.8% yield) acquisition of Craigleith Retail Park, in Edinburgh by US investor, Realty Income from Nuveen. Also in the capital, the prime mixed-use block, 40 Princes Street was bought by Remake Asset Management for £29.525 (7.5% yield) from Redevco. Scotland’s largest outlet centre was acquired by Global Mutual and Patron Capital for a price of £57m (14% yield), whilst pension fund manager, Weslayan, acquired a prime industrial asset let to Biffa at Eurocentral from Capreon for £6.74m (6.2% yield). In terms of pricing, the gap between buyers and sellers has started to narrow. Confidence remains elusive but there is an acknowledgement that we are starting to “find a level” where valuers are more comfortable. Logistics and multi-let industrials remain stable, whilst offices remain the hardest sector to call with a real divergence of opinion on future prospects and where true value lies. Retail warehousing looks like offering good value and in the living sector, appetite remains robust, but the number of relevant transactions has been limited. When looking at buyer activity, funds remain selective and quite opportunistic, with core-plus buyers starting to see some value in offices, leisure and retail warehousing where values have fallen to a level that debt can be accretive. Stock selection remains paramount, and the patience shown by opportunistic buyers looks like it will be rewarded in the not too distant future. Chris Macfarlane, Director of Lismore comments: “While there are encouraging signs at a macro-level, with interest rates peaking, inflation easing and build costs plateauing, it still feels like there are some challenges ahead, particularly for those with historic debt, grappling with the prospect of more expensive re-financing. “The market will settle and we are anticipating an improvement in investment volumes, as confidence improves over the next 12 months. The recovery is unlikely to be uniform across all sectors but multi-let industrials seem to have weathered the storm better than others and are well-placed to see improvement. It offers good letting prospects, is less capex hungry and a lack of new development all make for a compelling investment rationale.” Investors expect next year to be a buying opportunity in the multi-let industrial sector Recently Lismore investor research showed that more than two-thirds of respondents will be seeking buying opportunities in the multi-let industrial sector during Q4, with property companies and investment managers, with 69% and 88% being most positive. Over the next 12 months, 46% of respondents expect prime yields in the sector to remain the same, with considerable positive sentiment from investment managers with 56% expecting yields to harden. With prime yields having moved out by 150-200 bps, the sector should provide opportunity for the weight of capital targeting the sector to acquire prime assets offering genuine value. When asked to rank the key drivers of occupational demand, location was identified as the most important by 54% of respondents, with macro-economic sentiment second on 34%. Surprisingly total occupational costs was a distant third on 9%,suggesting there is potential for rental growth to continue its upward trajectory. Only 3% of respondents identified ESG credentials as the key driver, suggesting that sustainability in the multi-let sector is still being driven by landlords. For an expert view on the multi-let industrial sector, Lismore spoke with Will Lutton, Head of Investment, Industrials REIT who said: “We have ambitious growth plans, so portfolio acquisitions will form the lion share of transactions by value. The multi-let industrial sector remains fragmented and we have always seen value in aggregating smaller individual estates along the way and we want to continue to benefit from this. “In the short term, we expect rates to remain high and economic conditions to be uncertain, which may to lead to investment opportunities for well capitalised investors, as others struggle to refinance existing holdings. When the underlying risk free rate starts to come down as central banks get comfortable that inflation is under control and we move into a more normalised debt market, yields are likely to harden. In the short term, we anticipate rates remaining high and uncertain economic conditions to continue which may lead to investment opportunities for well capitalised investors. Chris Macfarlane concludes: “No sector has been immune from the wider macro-economic challenges and the effect that they have had on the market, however, it has not been a uniform slow-down. While the logistics, office and retail markets have seen more significant adjustments, the multi-let industrial sector has fared better. We predict that yields will stabilise into 2024 and investment volumes will increase in the sector as confidence starts to return.” The full Lismore Quarter 3 2023 Review, including Research Findings & Expert Views is available to download from: HERE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
St Andrews-based whisky and gin distillery, Eden Mill, has announced the appointment of a leading global construction specialist to oversee the extensive refurbishment of its multi-million-pound new distillery and visitor centre. ISG has been selected to lead the renovation of Eden Mill’s new investment, building on over two decades of experience delivering drinks manufacturing facilities across the country, including both the Scottish mainland and islands. ISG’s expertise delivering experiential visitor centre projects encompasses many projects requiring specialist fit out requirements, working alongside creative content writers tasked with developing rich audio-visual displays and exhibitions for visitors. The building – which is located on the banks of the Eden Estuary at the University of St Andrew’s Eden Campus in Guardbridge – has entered a renovation period of up to a year, following the completion of initial works on the building and an exterior renovation at the start of 2023. ISG’s remit sees the transformation of the building interior and a comprehensive fit out scheme of both the production areas and the visitor centre. The stunning new gin and whisky visitor experience will guide people through the spirit-making process and demonstrate how Eden Mill crafts its award-winning products. The project also includes the creation of a well-appointed retail space, café and premium bar overlooking the beautiful Eden Estuary. Eden Mill Distillery is progressing its ambition to achieve net zero status by partnering with ISG to undertake a renovation that is as sustainable as practicable – from the selection of bio-based materials and the re-use of components wherever possible, to using HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) fuel as a substitute for diesel. ISG’s on-site infrastructure will maximise energy efficiencies and reduce carbon emissions through smart metering and ethical procurement practices. The construction specialist’s use of the advanced ERICA monitoring system – a real-time power management system, provides data on actual energy usage and will enable ISG to deliver a minimum 30% reduction in demand over the lifespan of the project. Rennie Donaldson, chief executive officer at Eden Mill, said: “We’re really looking forward to seeing the next stage of this project commence and to have ISG on board to manage this as our construction partner is an exciting new collaboration for us. “It was key for us to bring on board a company that not only has exemplary credentials and is one of the best in their industry, but also shares Eden Mill’s values and ethos, and we believe ISG are a perfect fit to create what will be an iconic distillery in Scotland.” In a collaborative engagement, ISG will be working with Eden Mill directly to mobilise a localised supply chain throughout the project. ISG has also created three new job roles to complete the Eden Mill distillery renovation and is encouraging its subcontractors to employ apprentices as part of this project, with the view to also upskill people in the local community. Paul Beaton, regional director at ISG, said: “This is the start of an exciting and rewarding partnership and we are really looking forward to continuing with the renovation for Eden Mill and play our role in creating a world-class distillery and visitor centre. “We measure the success of our projects around the extra value that we create for our customers, teams and local communities, and work hard to maximise opportunities and outcomes that deliver genuine legacy. This purpose driven approach is instantly recognisable in Eden Mill’s values and vision for the distillery so we have core alignment in our ambitions to really drive transformational change with this project.” Following the refurbishment, the new Eden Mill Distillery is set to open in 2024 and will continue to produce its contemporary Scottish gins and restart distillation of its premium Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. Its unique selection of single malts includes the Art of St Andrews Collection and the recently released Cask Mastery Collection, and its extensive gin portfolio features its core range comprised of Golf Gin, Love Gin and Original Gin – the distinctive flavours of which are all inspired by the Fife coastline and St Andrews itself – alongside its Red and White Wine Cask Aged Gins. Established in 2012, Eden Mill was the first to make spirits in the region for over 150 years, resurrecting the distillation process on the banks of the Eden Estuary. The full range of premium gins and whiskies are available to purchase at: www.edenmill.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A major construction milestone has taken place at the £26.5 million new White Rose Rail Station in south Leeds. Rail infrastructure specialist Spencer Group has now installed two new link bridges from the main station buildings to platform level at the new station, which is being built next to the White Rose Park between Morley and Cottingley on the main trans-Pennine route to Manchester via Huddersfield. The new station will make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport, connecting more people with jobs, training, education and leisure activities. It will provide improved access to the White Rose Park, shopping centre and bus interchange. Alongside 80 cycle parking spaces, the scheme also includes better walking and cycling routes for local communities, including to the White Rose Shopping Centre and bus interchange. The scheme is being delivered in partnership by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Munroe K, Leeds City Council, Network Rail and the Department for Transport. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’re determined to create a better-connected region where everyone has the same opportunity to get on in life. “Investing in transport schemes that support economic growth, like the White Rose Rail Station, has a key role to play in that. “This investment will bring new opportunities for people in nearby communities by boosting transport links, regeneration and jobs.” The two link bridges were installed overnight over the course of two weekends. A 1,200-tonne crane – about 200 times the weight of an elephant – was built on site. It had to be transported in sections and took a week to assemble with more than 25 lorry deliveries of components. The east link bridge, which had to be built in two halves and welded together on-site, is 40m long and weighed 84 tonnes. The west link bridge is 20m long and weighs 46 tonnes. The works follow the installation of platform canopy sections earlier this year. Leeds City Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, said: “It’s really pleasing to see a significant milestone achieved in the construction of Leeds newest Rail Station. The changes when complete will improve access to the city centre for residents in surrounding neighbourhoods, visitors to Leeds and thousands of young people who learn in the city’s schools and colleges each day. White Rose Station along with other improved transport links we’re working on provide more opportunities to reduce our city’s carbon impact and realise our economic potential.” David Aspin, CEO of Munroe K, said: “Seeing the two foot bridges installed marks a significant milestone in the project and is real testament to the workmanship of the whole team at Spencer Group. In the recent weeks the station buildings have come to life as the external cladding has been added and now the passenger walkways. We’re excited to see the progress continue as we head towards the new station opening next year.” Anna Weeks, Principal Programme Sponsor at Network Rail, said: “It’s always special to reach milestones such as this in the large-scale infrastructure projects that Network Rail supports alongside its partners. We’re proud to be playing our part in delivering a new accessible railway station for local residents and the wider public, offering them more sustainable ways to travel into Leeds city centre and beyond.” Joe Bennett, Operations Director at Spencer Group, said: “The installation of the two link bridges represents a major milestone in the project. “We had to work around external obstacles with the bridge lifts, including gas main renewals on the main road, but it went very well. The station is now really beginning to take shape. “We’re excited to be working closely with our partners to deliver this important project, which will provide a significant upgrade to the rail infrastructure in the North.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Northern England the worst offender In a time when people are struggling to buy and rent homes, 676,000 of England’s stock worth £212 billion is sitting empty. The research comes from property purchasing specialist, House Buyer Bureau, which measures the number of vacant dwellings up and down England. Across the country 2.7% of the nation’s stock isn’t utilised, a travesty at a time where supply is so lacking. North of England The North East is the worst region for vacant properties, where 3.3% of homes are empty, followed by the North West and Yorkshire and the Humber, where 3.0% isn’t used. Looking in more detail, Liverpool has the highest proportion of rental stock that’s lying vacant, with 10,769 vacant dwellings out of 229,863, amounting to 4.7% of all stock. The third and fourth worst areas are also in the North East, as 4.4% of properties are left empty in both Burnley and Blackpool. Is it time to bring back the Empty Home Programme? England used to have an Empty Homes Programme, which provided funds to social landlords and housing groups to bring empty homes back into use. This was established by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government and ran between 2012 and 2015, as the Tories failed to continue with the scheme after winning an overall majority in parliament that year. Individual councils can penalise owners for leaving their properties empty, as the City of London gradually charges owners more council tax the longer they leave them empty. London Greater London makes use of the highest proportion of its stock, as just 2.4% of total dwellings are thought to be sat vacant. This puts the capital ahead of areas like the East of England, the South East and the South West, all of which leave 2.5% of their stock unused. There’s a different trend in Prime areas however, as in the City of London district a sizable 4.5% of homes are left empty, despite the efforts of the council. This amounts to 351 properties out of 7,775. The most valuable empty stock The region with the most valuable set of vacant dwellings is the Prime Kensington and Chelsea, where 3,196 dwellings are unused worth £4.3 billion. After that comes another area in the capital, as Camden’s 4,498 empty dwellings are worth £3.73 billion. Due to the sheer quantity of empty homes, the third and fourth highest regions are outside of London. In Birmingham there are 13,251 vacant dwellings worth £3.04 billion, while in Leeds 11,861 empty homes have an overall value of £2.85 billion. Managing Director of House Buyer Bureau, Chris Hodgkinson, commented: “The UK has long struggled to supply enough properties for renters and aspiring buyers, and one factor that doesn’t help is that hundreds of thousands of homes are left picking up dust. “The problem seems to be especially bad in the North, with Liverpool being one of the worst offenders, while some valuable areas of London are also not being properly utilised. “To improve the issue of vacant properties the government could sink money into another empty homes scheme, or do more to tax those owners who fail to rent out or use their homes. It’s also fair to assume that with the continued high cost of living and borrowing, coupled with a cooling property market where prices are concerned, we could well see more properties become vacant as the nation’s landlords continue to exit the sector in order to balance their books.” Data tables Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Later living provider Anchor has recently announced the partners for its Development Consultancy framework helping to meet the not-for-profit provider’s ambitious plans to deliver 5,700 new homes over the next ten years. Anchor, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, will deliver the schemes across England, providing communities for people aged 55 and over with homes available for sale, shared ownership and to rent. The framework will run for 4 years from August 2023 to August 2027, with the partnerships involving a total of 43 consultants including architects, structural engineers, employer agents, cost consultants, principal designers and planning consultants. Steve Hogben, Director of Technical and Commercial services for Anchor, said: “With such a large framework stemming from our ambitious plans to further our provision for later living across the country, it was important we sourced the correct experience and expertise for our long term partnerships. We were very impressed by the submissions we received and are looking forward to working with our chosen partners to help deliver Anchor’s development strategy.” Oliver Boundy, Executive Director of Development at Anchor, said: “With housing, care and support for our older population needed more than ever, we are passionate about helping people enjoy later life.” “Anchor is proudly not-for-profit, which means every penny we make is reinvested into our properties and services, building more and innovating for the future so that people can have a home where they love living in later life. Our mission is to create communities that bring people together, encourage neighbourliness and reduce isolation while providing support services that give residents peace of mind.” “Anchor manages 54,000 homes for rent, sale and shared ownership to those aged 55 and over, operating across almost 1,700 sites and serving more than 65,000 residents. Our 10-year plan is to build on that success and help address the gap in service provision for older people in England.” To find out more about the company’s growth strategy and vision for the future, or if you are a landowner, developer or site agent with suitable land then visit: www.anchorhanover.org.uk/professionals/land-acquisition. The full list of all appointed suppliers to the framework include: Lots 1& 2 – Architects: Lot 1 – North: Lot 2 – South: Lots 3 & 4 – Structural Engineers Lot 3 – North: Lot 4 – South: Lots 5 & 6 – Employers Agent/Cost Consultant Lot 5 – North: Lot 6 – North: Lots 7 & 8 – M & E Consultants Lot 7 – North: Lot 8 – South Lot 9 – Principal Designers Lot 9 – National Lot 10 – Planning Consultants Lot 10 – National Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Gordon Ingram to move to Chairman role and Sam Wallis promoted to CEO GIA, the leading surveying consultancy, today announces its new leadership structure and new investment from Lonsdale Capital Partners, in readiness for growth. With specialist teams covering rights to light, daylight and sunlight, wind analysis, as well as building consultancy, measured survey and neighbourly matters, GIA aims to improve the planning and design of the built environment. Over its 30-year history, it has been involved in some of the UK’s most complex and significant projects, from The Shard, Chelsea Barracks, and 20 Fenchurch Street to Tottenham Hotspur stadium, Manchester’s Northern Gateway, Media City, and the Central Mental Hospital redevelopment in Dublin. The firm is supporting clients as they navigate the complexity of development in a fast-changing policy and technological environment, amid climate change and other global factors. The advisory work GIA does is integral to successful placemaking: daylight and sunlight, rights of light and wind are some of the issues that matter most to the public amid new development. Being able to provide greater clarity and certainty in these areas can also support engagement and consultation – as well as reduce the risk for the client. Gordon Ingram, who founded the business in 1993, becomes Chairman in the newly integrated business, following the incorporation of GIA and GIA North. Sam Wallis, formerly the managing partner of GIA North, has been promoted to CEO. Michael Beatty takes over from Sam to lead GIA’s Manchester office. Gordon remains central to the business and its future; his time will be focussed on strategic direction and technological development. Sam is now responsible for GIA’s growth across the UK and Ireland, as well as retaining its market leading position in London. The new leadership structure also sees promotions and new responsibilities for Equity Board Directors: Stephen Friel, Simone Pagani, Jerome Webb and Kevin Francis. The investment from Lonsdale Capital Partners will enable GIA to accelerate its growth across its offices in London, Bristol, Manchester, Belfast and Dublin. Expansion will focus on its existing services such as wind analysis, building consultancy, measured surveys, the expansion of GIA’s investment in technology, as well as continuing to be at the forefront of daylight, sunlight and rights of light. GIA’s vision is “Unlocking potential for a better Built Environment”. The company has been a pioneer of ‘PlanTech’, through its investment in the formation of smart cities platform VU.CITY and the development of ‘Phoenix’, an app which allows complex daylight, sunlight and overshadowing analysis to be undertaken within minutes. Sam Wallis, Chief Executive Officer, GIA, comments: “Our new leadership structure, substantial investment, and a fresh strategy enables our future-facing business to confidently step forward as our technology advances and capabilities evolve. “We are now in an exceptionally strong position to make the most of the leap in the quality of information that digitisation offers, and to support our clients to meet the challenges the property sector is set to face in the years ahead. The ability to integrate large amounts of data and make accurate, speedy assessments will bring huge benefits to our clients and the industry more widely.” Gordon Ingram, Chairman, GIA, adds: “It’s exciting to be turning the page to a new chapter. GIA’s digital capability enables our clients to best manage risk – it is a game-changer. This is in part because it can save client time and money, but also because we’re enabling greater transparency by democratising planning through data.” For more information see www.GIA.uk.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals