Work is progressing well on the new 70-apartment extra care development in Newport. Queenswood, located at Station Road, is being developed by The Wrekin Housing Group and is being built by Staffordshire-based Keon Homes. Ideally situated just a ten-minute walk into the market town, the scheme will provide high quality living space
Family-owned developer City & Country has announced several new promotions as the business continues to grow its operations across the UK. Amongst those promoted include Lee Kirtland, who has been promoted to Regional Design Manager based in the East region. Lee has been fundamental in helping to proactively solve problems
Directors optimistic for the future with a multi-million-pound confirmed order book and pipeline – James Dowds… A Ballymena Headquartered multi-disciplinary construction services group has achieved record sales and a return to profit for its financial year ending 31 March 2024. JF & H Dowds Limited whose principal activities include mechanical, electrical
The City of London Corporation has received a prestigious planning award for its involvement in developing a new home for the Migration Museum in the Square Mile. Planning permission was granted for a mixed-use scheme at 65 Crutched Friars, which will include a permanent home for the museum, interactive temporary
Construction has successfully completed on the final speculative unit at Apollo, a c.850,000 sq ft warehouse/logistics scheme at Ansty Park in Coventry. Apollo 5 delivers 301,591 sq ft of highly specified accommodation in a premier logistics and manufacturing location in the golden triangle, near Jct 2 of the M6 and
McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) Ltd has completed the first phase of planned works for the World Freight Terminal development, to the west of Manchester Airport. Delivered on behalf of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, the initial phase concentrated on the build of a 100,000 sq. ft warehouse next to the airport,
The BT Tower has been sold to MCR, which plans to transform the 620-foot structure into a luxury hotel. In a deal valued at £275 million, MCR Hotels has agreed to purchase the tower from the BT Group. They intend to collaborate with Heatherwick Studio to establish the Grade II
As the use of lithium-ion batteries on construction sites increases, so does the need for effective fire safety measures to handle the unique challenges they present. Here, Daniel Robins, projects director at CheckFire, explores the increasing risk of lithium-ion battery fires and the appropriate safety measures construction managers need to
Together Housing has been named ‘housing association of the year’ at the Yorkshire and Humberside Energy Efficiency Awards 2024. The award reflects the social housing landlord’s ambitious plan to move over 30,000 of its homes across Yorkshire and Lancashire away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and lead the way
Colliers EMEA has bolstered its Facilities Management Advisory service to Occupiers by appointing Denise Hoogendoorn as Director of Strategic Consulting. Hoogendoorn joins the EMEA Enterprise FM Advisory team from her previous role leading Colliers’ Occupier Consultancy Service in the Netherlands. In her new position, she will continue to work with
Work is progressing well on the new 70-apartment extra care development in Newport. Queenswood, located at Station Road, is being developed by The Wrekin Housing Group and is being built by Staffordshire-based Keon Homes. Ideally situated just a ten-minute walk into the market town, the scheme will provide high quality living space and wraparound care and support for people over the age of 55. Supported by Homes England, the £11.9m development will offer 70 one and two-bedroom apartments, all of which will be available for affordable rent to local people. Queenswood has been designed to promote independent living in a community setting, with a care team on-site 24/7 to deliver planned care packages if needed. Residents will also benefit from a range of facilities. It will be complemented by a café and landscaped gardens, which will also be accessible to the local community. Simon Thompson, Director of Development at the Wrekin Housing Group said: “Queenswood will bring huge benefits to Newport and its surrounding communities. This is an exciting project that is helping meet the growing demand for older people’s housing and has created much-needed job opportunities for local people. “Our ShireLiving brand has a strong track record when it comes to providing modern, secure and vibrant facilities that allow our tenants to enjoy a hassle-free retirement. We’re delighted to be working with Keon on this exciting development.” Paula Reynolds, Head of Retirement Housing at The Wrekin Housing Group, said: “The Wrekin Housing Group provides affordable homes for over 28,000 people, and we’re one of the largest providers of extra care housing in the region. “Queenswood, like all our ShireLiving schemes, gives people the provision to stay within their local communities and access services close to home. It has been designed in such a way that allows us to respond to individuals changing care needs with on-site care support. “We’re really looking forward to bringing an extra care scheme to the Newport community giving choice to individuals to live independently while providing numerous housing and care employment opportunities.” Matt Beckley, Head of Development at Keon Homes, concluded: “Queenswood was our first foray into the Extra Care scheme market and, thanks to the strength of our partnership with The Wrekin Group, has been a huge success so far. “Not only have we unlocked a vital piece of land for much-needed affordable older living, but we are also well on the way to completing the build ahead of the planned schedule – this is unheard of in this sector. “There is an acute shortage of older person’s accommodation in Shropshire, and we are keen to help solve this intricate puzzle by helping to build more high-quality Extra Care schemes – starting with a second development with The Wrekin Housing Group due to start shortly in Shrewsbury.” For further investment, please visit www.keonhomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Family-owned developer City & Country has announced several new promotions as the business continues to grow its operations across the UK. Amongst those promoted include Lee Kirtland, who has been promoted to Regional Design Manager based in the East region. Lee has been fundamental in helping to proactively solve problems ahead of construction, constantly striving to improve the performance and design of our developments. Sharyn King was also promoted to Head of Finance. Sharyn manages the finance team function at the company and will lead day-to-day operations. While Adam Van-West has been appointed Commercial Director in the West region in recognition of his contribution to the business in the last two years with commercial procedures, team improvements, and helping to enhance the Western region. Other promotions include David Haskell to Build Manager and Matt Ward to Project Manager. Lee Kirtland, comments: “Building on our reputation for high-quality design across our heritage and new build projects, I am committed to developing our exciting pipeline with a focus on retaining these details whilst ensuring our homes align with the forthcoming Future Homes Standard. I am delighted to be promoted to contribute to the business’ aspirations in the Eastern Region, as part of its wider five-year growth plan.” Wayne Douglas, Managing Director at City & Country, added: “I’m delighted to share our latest round of promotions at City & Country to help support our ambitious growth plans. We still have a lot to do and a long way to go but with the Team’s assistance to continuously improve our business, I’m confident we will get where we need to be sooner. Our people are crucial to our success and growth and this year’s promotions are a testament to the dedication and hard work of the team across our business. Congratulations to all these individuals and their achievements over the last 12 months.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Directors optimistic for the future with a multi-million-pound confirmed order book and pipeline – James Dowds… A Ballymena Headquartered multi-disciplinary construction services group has achieved record sales and a return to profit for its financial year ending 31 March 2024. JF & H Dowds Limited whose principal activities include mechanical, electrical and specialist construction contracting grew its turnover to £72.7m – up 37.4% on the previous year’s figure of £53.1m. The business generated a pre-tax profit of almost £1.5m. The directors attributed the strong performance to increasing operational efficiencies and focusing on an enhanced end-to-end supply chain to mitigate cost increases. Meanwhile, the company’s Working Capital position and liquidity remains strong with cash at the bank at year-end of £6.6m (2023; £2.1m). Managing Director, James Dowds said: “These results show a return to steady rate growth and profitability for the Company after previous years where results were constrained by Covid, war in Europe, inflationary pressures, and high interest rates, all of which impacted on company operations and slowed both private and public sector investment in the construction sector. “We believe we are now seeing the rewards of having a wide service offering for our customers across the UK and Ireland.” James Dowds said the directors were optimistic for the future with a multi-million-pound confirmed order book and pipeline for the next 18 months and line of sight further into 2026 and beyond. He added: “A key strategic goal for the company is to keep people at the centre of what we do. In the past two years, the company has invested in new offices to ensure our teams can work collaboratively and efficiently in a creative working environment. “The company invested in a new headquarters in Ballymena with occupation taken up in August 2023. As well as being Headquarters for the business, Ballymena is the hub for our Ireland and the rest of Great Britain operations. For London and the Southeast of England, the company purchased premises in Kings Cross, London. These significant investments demonstrate our commitment to our team employed in the various operating regions and our London investment has helped establish the company as a key player in the local market.” James Dowds said the business had continued to invest in its recently launched Energy Services division with sales more than doubling in the last 12 months. He said the directors believe this will continue to be a high-growth division over the next few years, adding the company will also continue to expand into the Fit-out sector through a joint-venture to seek out higher returns working direct to clients. In the past year, JF & H Dowds Limited has completed a number of high-profile projects including: Ongoing and pipeline projects: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The City of London Corporation has received a prestigious planning award for its involvement in developing a new home for the Migration Museum in the Square Mile. Planning permission was granted for a mixed-use scheme at 65 Crutched Friars, which will include a permanent home for the museum, interactive temporary and permanent exhibition galleries, a flexible learning suite, an event space, outdoor areas, a restaurant, and a shop. The project won the “Planning Permission of the Year” award at the Planning Awards 2024, held at Savoy Place. The judges commended the scheme for its focus and its potential to attract a diverse range of communities to the City of London. The museum will form part of a 769-bedroom (35 per cent affordable) student accommodation-led development, remaining at its current Lewisham venue until the new site opens in 2027. The Migration Museum celebrates how migration has shaped the UK over the centuries, with current exhibitions including “Migration and the Making of the NHS” and segments of the Berlin Wall. Developer Dominus Donates £500,000 Towards Museum Staff Costs Developer Dominus Real Estate, founded by Ugandan refugee Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, is currently on site delivering the project, which will feature over 3,000 square metres of space. Dominus has guaranteed to underwrite the museum’s first three years of operating costs and has proposed a donation of £500,000 to fund a team of museum staff to lead the fundraising drive. Migration Museum CEO, Sophie Henderson, stated: “We cannot think of a more exciting or resonant location for Britain’s missing museum than the City of London, site of some of the oldest and most intriguing migration stories from the Romans to medieval times and the present day. The Migration Museum will be a high-profile, stylish and welcoming new cultural institution that puts our long, rich and complex story of the movement of people both to and from Britain over the ages right at centre stage, where it belongs. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with the City planning team and developers Dominus to bring this important project to fruition.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction has successfully completed on the final speculative unit at Apollo, a c.850,000 sq ft warehouse/logistics scheme at Ansty Park in Coventry. Apollo 5 delivers 301,591 sq ft of highly specified accommodation in a premier logistics and manufacturing location in the golden triangle, near Jct 2 of the M6 and Jct 1 of the M69. It is the largest of four new speculative units built in the second phase of development at Apollo, Ansty Park, which are all available for immediate occupation. Apollo 4, 6, and 7 vary in size from c.117,000 – c.269,000 sq ft and have been designed to suit a range of occupier types. Each of the four units contain industry-leading ESG credentials, including BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A, with roof-mounted PV arrays and EV charging points as part of the base build. Apollo, Ansty Park is a 52-acre site with access to a high quality, landscaped park, and benefits from a running track, nature trail and wildlife corridor, 24/7 security and out of hours access. More than 240,000 sq ft of accommodation was constructed during the first phase of development, which is fully let. John Vincent, Head of Asset Management, UK at Cromwell Property Group, asset manager for the scheme, said: “The Apollo units at Ansty Business Park offer occupiers looking for the highest quality space in a prime location the best solution available in the current market. The flight to quality will lead logistics operators and high-value manufacturers straight to our client’s scheme. The combination of very strong connectivity, sustainability credentials, best-in-class design and proximity to a substantial, skilled labour pool will help us deliver an outstanding investment performance at this location.” David Binks, International Partner, National Logistics & Industrial Agency (Midlands) at Cushman & Wakefield, said: “The completion of Apollo 5 completes the construction of all four buildings, which includes Apollo 4, 6 and 7, and shows the quality of the development to occupiers and agents alike. As well as being a sustainable and wellbeing focused scheme, the location of Apollo is unparalleled. Currently, Apollo, Ansty Park is available for immediate occupation.” Richard James-Moore, Director at JLL, said: “The West Midlands continues to go from strength to strength when it comes to its attractiveness as a logistics hub. Apollo ensures that when it comes to looking for sustainable, high spec space with strong connectivity credentials, occupiers would be hard pressed to find a better home than the Midlands.” Ansty Park is a major commercial location strategically positioned at the heart of the UK’s logistics, manufacturing and aerospace sectors, with strong public transport links and unrivalled access to the motorway network. Birmingham Airport is in close proximity and the site has excellent connectivity to London and regional freight terminals. Existing occupiers at Ansty Park include Rolls-Royce, Sainsbury’s, Cadent Gas and Meggitt. For more information on Apollo, Ansty Park, please contact retained agents, Cushman & Wakefield and JLL, or visit: www.apolloanstypark.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) Ltd has completed the first phase of planned works for the World Freight Terminal development, to the west of Manchester Airport. Delivered on behalf of Columbia Threadneedle Investments, the initial phase concentrated on the build of a 100,000 sq. ft warehouse next to the airport, sub-divided into three commercial units, with internal office spaces. The multi-phase scheme will focus on doubling on-site warehouse space at the terminal, which is a pivotal international gateway for northern distribution networks, located at junction six of the M56 motorway. The largest of the sub-divided industrial units is 36,000 sq. ft, with the two smaller units totalling 27,000 sq. ft. and 21,000 sq. ft, comprising warehouse space. All units have been constructed to a ‘BREEAM Rating of Excellent’ with an EPC ‘A+’ Rating and were built to CAT A specification. McLaren worked alongside the wider site teams during the demolition process, which included the removal of the SkyChefs production facility on the corner of Avro Way and Pinfold Lane. During the design stage, feasibility studies were also undertaken to find ways of economically reducing embodied carbon in the build process and cladding and structural steel packages were placed during the PCSA period to ensure guaranteed programme delivery and fixed cost. Once all phases are complete, the project will transform the World Freight Terminal, modernising its offering and solidifying it as a sustainable logistics park for a vast range of industry operations. The World Freight Terminal currently comprises 650,000 sq. ft. of logistics space in total across 57 acres, providing a range of freight, transit, and integrator solutions. The new warehouse space will cater to the growing demand for units in south Manchester, alongside increasing freight traffic. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: We are delighted to have delivered the first phase of our client’s vision for the World Freight Terminal, having actively worked on the design and plans for the site, 12 months prior to starting. The high-specification units are ideally suited to a wide range of sectors including environmentally conscious businesses, with unrivalled international transport links to the UK, Europe, and rest of the world.” Columbia Threadneedle Investments is a leading global asset management group that provides a broad range of actively managed investment strategies and solutions for individual, institutional and corporate clients around the world. Suppliers working on the first phase included Workman as project managers, Abacus as quantity surveyors, RPS as architects, Aecom as structural engineers and MEP consultants. To find out more about McLaren Construction (Midlands and North) Ltd, please visit: www.mclarengroup.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The BT Tower has been sold to MCR, which plans to transform the 620-foot structure into a luxury hotel. In a deal valued at £275 million, MCR Hotels has agreed to purchase the tower from the BT Group. They intend to collaborate with Heatherwick Studio to establish the Grade II listed building as “an iconic hotel, opening its doors for generations to enjoy.” The communications tower, inaugurated in 1965 by Prime Minister Harold Wilson, has served as a hub for the UK’s communication networks and a key global interchange point for live television. With the shift to cloud-based services, BT Group will now relocate to more “modern and efficient premises.” The top floor of the BT Tower was open to the public as a restaurant until 1971, but has since been used exclusively for BT’s corporate and charity events. The tower’s “infoband” screen, known for displaying adverts and messages, was notably utilised during the COVID-19 pandemic to convey public health messages. Simplifying BT Group’s Portfolio The sale of the BT Tower aligns with BT’s strategy to reduce the number of offices in its estate from over 300 to around 30, streamlining its property footprint. Brent Mathews, Property Director of BT Group, commented: “The BT Tower sits at the heart of London and we’ve been immensely proud to be the owners of this important landmark since 1984. It’s played a vital role in carrying the nation’s calls, messages and TV signals, but increasingly we’re delivering content and communication via other means. This deal with MCR will enable BT Tower to take on a new purpose, preserving this iconic building for decades to come.” MCR anticipates that it will take several years for the BT Group to completely vacate the premises. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As the use of lithium-ion batteries on construction sites increases, so does the need for effective fire safety measures to handle the unique challenges they present. Here, Daniel Robins, projects director at CheckFire, explores the increasing risk of lithium-ion battery fires and the appropriate safety measures construction managers need to take to ensure property and lives are protected. With the proliferation of lithium-ion batteries in modern devices, the risk of fire incidents has become a pressing concern. This type of battery can power everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles, and industrial equipment – including that found on construction sites, where rechargeable electric devices are commonly used and stored.In the UK, fire services responded to 46% more fires linked to lithium-ion batteries in 2023 compared to 2022. This surge underscores the urgency for construction sites to be adequately prepared to address these fires. As set out in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO), all responsible person(s) have a legal duty to provide and maintain satisfactory fire precautions – including the consideration of lithium-ion batteries in all fire risk assessments. Lithium-ion battery fires are typically caused by thermal runaway and catastrophic battery failure. Overcharging, overheating, physical damage, or internal malfunctions can all trigger these dangerous events. Once a battery ignites, the fire rapidly propagates across all the cells and results in explosion, causing significant property damage and posing serious risks to lives. To mitigate these risks, construction managers must implement robust fire safety protocols tailored to the unique nature of lithium-ion battery fires. Implementing fire safety measures First and foremost, staying up-to-date with the latest safety standards and regulations is essential. Construction managers should engage with fire safety experts to continually refine their protocols and ensure compliance with legal requirements. This proactive approach can help prevent incidents and minimise the impact of any fires that do occur. There are an endless number of fire risks that could present on construction sites depending on what and where the project is. Regulation 29 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) states: Suitable and sufficient steps must be taken to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, the risk of injury to a person during the carrying out of construction work arising from – (a) fire or explosion; (b) flooding; or (c) any substance liable to cause asphyxiation. This requires the principal contractor to set reasonable safety measures to avoid the harm of those working onsite. For example, flammable materials should not be stored near an ignition source, appropriate fire extinguishers must be clearly visible and accessible, and high-risk tasks should be performed by a qualified person. Each class of fire has to be tackled by a fire extinguisher specifically designed to address its unique causes and characteristics. Alongside putting out the flames, a lithium-ion battery fire extinguisher should be endothermic, drawing out the heat from the battery in order to halt thermal runaway in its infancy, preventing other cells from heating and exploding. This type of fire extinguisher should also boast high Class A ratings to help protect from any secondary fires that could be caused by the exploding battery. Collaborating with local fire services Finally, working closely with local fire services is crucial, as they can provide valuable insights and assistance in developing effective fire safety strategies. Regular consultations and drills can help ensure construction teams are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively in the event of a fire. And – as with any other setting – users of the area must all be made aware of plans and tasks should a fire break out. Everyone should be clear on escape routes, fire exits and assembly points. Emergency signage is crucial in helping people off the site and directing them to safety, and site workers should be aware of the location of fire extinguishers to aid their escape. The increasing use of lithium-ion batteries on construction sites necessitates a proactive and informed approach to fire safety. By adhering to current safety standards, implementing specialised lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers, and collaborating with local fire services, construction organisations can protect both property and lives from the dangers associated with lithium-ion battery fires. Recognising the fire industry’s need for specialist lithium-ion battery fire extinguishers. CheckFire, a leading specialist in fire safety solutions, launched its LFX range as part of its ‘The Green Range’ in 2024. These revolutionary fire extinguishers get to work instantly, removing a large amount of excessive heat, rapidly reducing the temperature, and cocooning the fuel of a lithium-ion battery fire in its infancy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Together Housing has been named ‘housing association of the year’ at the Yorkshire and Humberside Energy Efficiency Awards 2024. The award reflects the social housing landlord’s ambitious plan to move over 30,000 of its homes across Yorkshire and Lancashire away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and lead the way in greener social housing. This plan is part of Together Housing’s decarbonisation strategy supporting the drive to net zero. Through all its actions, products and services, the organisation is minimising its carbon footprint by reducing waste, cutting vehicle mileage and moving to an electric fleet. In Together Housing’s approach, each home has an initial survey and ventilation assessment to check the home is suitable for energy efficiency improvements. Then, depending on the measures needed to make the home warmer and cheaper to heat, additional insulation is added along with fitting an air source heat pump and solar power system. Jon Schofield, Assistant Director of Property (Net Zero) at Together Housing, said: “I’m delighted our decarbonisation programme has been recognised in these prestigious awards. Moving towards energy efficient and greener social housing is vital to ensure a sustainable future for all our residents. “As well as improving the energy performance of our existing housing stock and helping our most vulnerable residents to live in warmer, more comfortable homes, we’re also leading the way to deliver more environmentally friendly communities across the north of England. We plan to share our lessons learnt with other housing associations so they can follow our example.” The prestigious awards recognise the great innovators and achievements in the energy efficiency industry. Energy Efficiency Awards chairman Gary Braybrooke said: “This is our 10th anniversary, and we think it’s more important than ever that we continue to honour companies and individuals working in the energy efficiency industry, carrying out some of the most vital work in the UK today. The work that they do – helping people save energy, reduce bills and help the environment – is key to all our futures.” Together Housing was also commended in the ‘large scale project of the year’ category for the landlord’s carbon retrofit booster scheme improving the energy efficiency of 581 homes in Calderdale. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colliers EMEA has bolstered its Facilities Management Advisory service to Occupiers by appointing Denise Hoogendoorn as Director of Strategic Consulting. Hoogendoorn joins the EMEA Enterprise FM Advisory team from her previous role leading Colliers’ Occupier Consultancy Service in the Netherlands. In her new position, she will continue to work with clients across all sectors and global markets, spearheading the strategic development and growth of innovative delivery models that incorporate dynamic FM solutions tailored to occupiers’ varying operating models and occupancy strategies. Nicholas Marsh, Head of Enterprise Consulting, EMEA Occupier Services, stated: “We’re delighted to have Denise onboard. Over the last 10 years, she has been a driving force behind the development and success of our FM business in the Netherlands. Her unique skills and experience will further strengthen our strategic FM consulting capabilities – both regionally and globally – and extend our support to even more organisations.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals