The latest research from Searchland, the development site sourcing specialists, has revealed that when it comes to current market appetites for land and development investment, land plots are most in demand amongst the nation’s developers, with farm/agricultural land also proving a popular option. The research by Searchland analysed demand for
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Maintaining a safe worksite is vital all year round, but different seasons bring with them a variety of different safety concerns. And with World Day for Safety and Health at Work taking place on the 28th of April this year, what better time to evaluate the conditions of your construction
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has started the speculative, net zero carbon development of a 417,570 sq ft logistics facility at Doncaster. Panattoni’s contractor, Winvic Construction, has commenced the construction of Panattoni Doncaster 420, following the approval of planning consent from Doncaster Council
The specialist lender Atelier has launched a comprehensive lending framework to finance residential property developments built with offsite and modular construction techniques. The drive marks the first time a major lender has addressed the challenges that SME developers face in financing modular and offsite construction. Research by Savills predicts that by 2030,
Work is underway on the last phase of Radbrook Village – a luxury housing scheme on the site of a former college in Shrewsbury. Floreat Homes and building contractor S J Roberts Construction will be releasing just 27 homes in the final phase of development, with the first properties becoming
Architecture company Jeffrey Bell + Company has unveiled renders of what new developments at Manchester’s iconic Rylands building could look like. Global real-estate investment firm AM Alpha is set to redevelop the Grade II listed former Debenhams building into a mixed-use development site comprising retail, leisure and office space. Originally
HS2 has once again begun tunnelling under the capital, launching its third giant Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in London. The tunnel won’t be used by HS2 trains, but instead will be used to deliver materials and remove spoil from the northern portal where HS2’s Euston twin bored Tunnel will be
Leading corporate office FM specialist, Anabas, has won an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council in recognition of its commitment to keeping its employees and workplaces healthy and safe. Now in its 65th year, the International Safety Awards recognises and celebrates organisations from around the world which have
Leading construction and fit-out company Gilbert-Ash has been appointed main contractor for a £26million redevelopment at Barnfield College in Luton, part of the West Herts College Group. The works, which are due to begin in late May, will mark the second phase of a major project to transform the existing
Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) has announced the launch of the first-ever diploma in Collaboration in Construction. The organisation charged with driving real change in construction has partnered with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to deliver the programme which is designed to equip delegates with the tools
The latest research from Searchland, the development site sourcing specialists, has revealed that when it comes to current market appetites for land and development investment, land plots are most in demand amongst the nation’s developers, with farm/agricultural land also proving a popular option. The research by Searchland analysed demand for development plots of all varieties across each region of England based on the proportion of all plots listed for sale that have already been sold subject to contract or gone under offer from developers. Overall Development Plot Demand The research shows that demand for all available development opportunities is high in the current market, with 47% of all development plots already going under offer or being sold subject to contract. It’s the East of England that ranks top with respect to this overarching demand for development opportunities, with current development plot demand levels at 54.5%, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (52.9%) and the South West (50.5%). Highest Demand by Plot Type However, when dissecting current market stock by the type of plot, the research by Searchland shows that it’s land only plots that are currently most in demand. Across England, 48.4% of all land only plots have already been snapped up, with agricultural and farm land plots also proving popular with current demand at 47.3%. Residential development opportunities are the next most sought after (39.4%), followed by industrial sites (37.2%) and finally commercial development plots (35.9%). Differing Demand by Region When breaking the data down by each region of England, the research by Searchland shows that land-only plots remain the most in-demand development opportunity across London (33%), the North East (34.9%), North West (44.7%) and South East (£48.5%). However, across the South West (75%), Yorkshire and the Humber (75%) and West Midlands (75%), it’s farming plot opportunities that investors and developers have their sights firmly fixed on. In the East of England, commercial plots are most in demand (55%), while in the East Midlands, it’s industrial sites (50%). Co-founder and CEO of Searchland, Mitchell Fasanya, commented: “Despite the wider economic landscape there remains a robust appetite for the development of all land site types across England, but it’s certainly land only and agricultural plots that are proving the most popular amongst investors and developers. This is hardly surprising given the clean slate that a land only plot provides and the time and cost saved during the development stage as a result. It’s also become increasingly common for developers to look to the agricultural sector to secure land suitable for commercial projects, such as logistical sites and warehouse storage. This demand is predictably focussed across the regions with a traditionally more prominent agricultural DNA such as Yorkshire and the South West. But while demand remains high, the challenge facing developers is staying ahead of the game when it comes to identifying potential opportunities that suit their individual needs and being able to act quickly enough to secure them before their competitors. The good news is that, like much of the UK property sector, technology is helping to streamline this process, removing much of the heavy lifting during the laborious search process, so developers can concentrate on the more important tasks at hand.” Data tables Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Maintaining a safe worksite is vital all year round, but different seasons bring with them a variety of different safety concerns. And with World Day for Safety and Health at Work taking place on the 28th of April this year, what better time to evaluate the conditions of your construction site? To help you and your employees get prepared for the lighter evenings, warmer days, and those inevitable April showers, industrial tool and PPE supplier Zoro have shared their top tips for creating a safer, more supportive worksite this spring and summer. Expect the unexpected While the weather might finally be turning, the Great British springtime can still be notoriously unpredictable as we make the transition from a long, cold winter. It’s therefore important to keep a close eye on the weather forecast while running a worksite, even if conditions seem to be fairly stable or mild for the time being. As well as keeping up with regular, reputable weather forecasts, be sure to keep your winter or wet weather equipment on stand-by, stored in a convenient location. This allows you to be prepared for all eventualities and means that you and your employees won’t be caught off-guard by a sudden turn in the weather. Working through cold, wet conditions with insufficient clothing and PPE can leave workers vulnerable to illness as well as make your worksite liable to accidents. Slip hazards You’ve probably heard of the term April showers, and this is a real weather phenomenon that means there are a higher number of sporadic rain showers throughout April. They might be lighter and shorter than standard rain, but these showers result in frequently changeable conditions for outdoor vocations like construction. As the rain isn’t heavy enough to postpone work onsite, this often means that workers must adapt to some on-and-off wet conditions throughout the day. Light rain like this can make surfaces much more slippery than usual, meaning that one of the key hazards of springtime construction is slips, trips, and falls. It’s important that every worker is provided with the proper equipment to help prevent this, such as good-quality boots with sufficient traction, wet floor signs, and tools with textured, non-slip handles. Keep walkways free of standing water and remind your team to be extra-cautious when positioning ladders or scaffolding, as these can become even more dangerous in wet conditions. It’s also important for workers to stay visible with bright, reflective clothing when working in fog or grey, rainy weather. Uneven surfaces In spring, the ground gradually thaws after winter due to a slow rise in temperature. This might make breaking ground easier for your construction company, but it’s always wise to proceed with caution in between seasons. This is because thawed ground or even melted ice can lead to uneven, unstable surfaces for builders to work on. Clearly communicate to everyone in your team that they must check the stability of the ground before using any heavy machinery, positioning ladders, or even just digging the soil — especially on slopes or key parts of the foundations. Sun protection and hydration As we edge into the summer months, onsite health and safety should shift to beating the heat. By its very nature, the majority of construction takes place outside and it is an inevitably physical career. So, when temperatures begin to rise, it’s vital that all the workers on your site are equipped with everything they need to stay cool, hydrated, and protected from the sun. Firstly, ensure that there is a supply of fresh drinking water onsite at all times, so that workers can take as many drink breaks as they need throughout the day. They are likely to lose plenty of water through sweat, and it’s important that this is replaced in order to avoid dehydration or even heatstroke. Secondly, on particularly hot days, sites should also encourage breaks in the shade, so that no-one becomes overexposed to the sun. If you don’t have an existing spot of shade available, an affordable and effective solution would be to erect a gazebo or add an awning to the site of the building, where workers can take a moment to cool down before heading back to the task at hand. It’s also wise to remind employees about using suncream to prevent getting burned, or even provide some for them onsite. “Onsite safety is paramount all year round, and as World Day for Safety and Health at Work is taking place on the 28th of April, it’s the perfect time to assess whether your construction zone is ready for the change in seasons. Lighter evenings and warmer temperatures might be more comfortable to work in than ice or snow, but spring and summer bring their own set of challenges to a worksite. “The changeable British springtime means a sunny day can quickly turn blustery, and April showers can add extra slip hazards to a busy construction site. In the height of summer, you will also require measures to protect staff from sun exposure and dehydration. Providing your workers with adequate PPE and clear communication about the right safety measures for the season is vital to keeping everyone within the construction industry safe and healthy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has started the speculative, net zero carbon development of a 417,570 sq ft logistics facility at Doncaster. Panattoni’s contractor, Winvic Construction, has commenced the construction of Panattoni Doncaster 420, following the approval of planning consent from Doncaster Council in February. Completion of the development is expected in January 2024. Panattoni Doncaster 420, which is the largest speculative logistics facility under construction in Yorkshire, is strategically located close to junction 3 of the M18, the M1, A1(M) and M62 motorways. It also benefits from its easy accessibility to the ports of Hull, Immingham and Liverpool. The facility continues Panattoni’s commitment to developing sustainable buildings. It will be net zero carbon, with a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’. Other sustainability features include 20% electric vehicle charging spaces, 15% roof lights and the roof being designed to hold up to 100% photovoltaic panels. It will also have 37 loading doors, an 85m deep yard with parking for 74 HGVs, 358 parking spaces, 15m clear internal height and up to 1.5 MVa of power. Dan Burn, Development Director at Panattoni, said:“We are delighted to be underway with another sustainable speculative commitment in the South Yorkshire region and we were very pleased to welcome Cllr Glyn Jones and representatives of Business Doncaster to the site to witness the early progress we have made. “Panattoni Doncaster 420 occupies a prime location in South Yorkshire with fantastic transport links, providing easy access to both national and international consumer and industrial markets”. Danny Nelson, Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics at Winvic, said: “It’s great to be working in partnership with Panattoni once more and we’re delighted Winvic was selected to construct this facility due to our expertise in delivering projects with net zero carbon credentials and delivering social value. “We will be working in partnership with Panattoni, our supply chain and the local authority to take an active role in the community, committing through an Employment and Skills Plan, to prioritise training and employment opportunities for local people and businesses. The team has just commenced the initial groundworks programme and we aim to build on our already excellent relationship with Panattoni throughout the project”. Letting agents are CPP, Colliers International and Cushman & Wakefield. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The specialist lender Atelier has launched a comprehensive lending framework to finance residential property developments built with offsite and modular construction techniques. The drive marks the first time a major lender has addressed the challenges that SME developers face in financing modular and offsite construction. Research by Savills predicts that by 2030, 1 in 5 of all new homes will be built using offsite or modular construction. While there is widespread acceptance of the new technologies’ transformative potential, developers wishing to build this way have, until now, been underserved by the development finance market. The launch of Atelier’s framework comes after the lender completed an industry-wide consultation with the modular and offsite manufacturing community, including real estate professionals and trade bodies such as the NHBC (National House Building Council) and BOPAS (Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme). Atelier has also created a simple guide for SME developers and intermediaries, providing clear lending and eligibility criteria where offsite and modular technology is used. Atelier’s offsite and modular framework will run in parallel with the Carbonlite Challenge, the pioneering sustainable finance solution it created to incentivise developers to build greener, more sustainable homes by offering highly competitive rates of interest. Chris Gardner, Joint CEO at Atelier, commented: “Everyone agrees offsite construction technology has the potential to transform residential property development. But it’s time for that potential to be turned into reality, and that’s why Atelier is determined to help developers build more homes this way. “We’ve collaborated across the construction industry, incorporating the expertise of more than 30 leaders in offsite technology to give developers, intermediaries and contractors a clear and practical guide to the opportunities and challenges that these new ways of building offer. “Above all, we’re working to be the lender of choice for developers who decide offsite is right for them – a trusted, expert partner who understands the technology and can provide reliable finance, a competitive interest rate and ongoing support, right through to the successful completion of their scheme.” Chris Hall, Innovation Services Manager at NHBC, commented: “The potential benefits of offsite construction are clear; consistent build quality, reduced costs and time on site, and strong sustainability credentials. More developers are considering these modern methods of construction, and that’s why Atelier’s lending framework is so timely. By making it easier for residential developers to incorporate offsite technology into their plans, and by providing the finance and support they need to build their schemes successfully, Atelier is addressing market challenges in a clear and concise way.” Terry Mundy, BOPAS Consultant, added: “For all the good work that has gone into raising industry standards in the design, manufacture and installation of offsite construction systems across the UK, one of the challenges that has proven harder to overcome is reassuring lenders to provide finance for such offsite schemes. By introducing its offsite and modular construction lending framework, Atelier is now raising the bar in the development finance sector, to facilitate the positive shift towards modular and offsite construction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work is underway on the last phase of Radbrook Village – a luxury housing scheme on the site of a former college in Shrewsbury. Floreat Homes and building contractor S J Roberts Construction will be releasing just 27 homes in the final phase of development, with the first properties becoming available later this year. The homes will be a mix of three, four and five-bedroom houses. Twenty-three of the homes will be made available for sale on the open market and four for shared ownership – a first for the development. Walker House, a large double-fronted property in use when the site was a college, will be transformed into two large semi-detached homes, offering period styling with modern features. It follows in the footsteps of Radbrook Hall, a large Victorian schoolhouse, which was sensitively refurbished in an earlier phase of building work, creating a centrepiece for the luxury scheme. Sharon Rivers, development manager at Floreat Homes, said: “This is such an exciting phase of the development and a fitting way to complete work on the site. “As well as showcasing contemporary design in our new build homes we’re eager to keep as much of the original architecture of Walker House as possible. The history of the site allows us to offer these unique places to live, and we can’t wait to release these homes to the market. “We anticipate there to be considerable demand for these high quality, high specification homes with buyers already requesting to be on our early bird list.” Mike Sambrook, Managing Director at S J Roberts Construction, said: “S J Roberts Construction has worked closely with Floreat Homes for over five years delivering fantastic homes on Radbrook Village and we are delighted to have been selected to construct the final phase of this prestigious development.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Architecture company Jeffrey Bell + Company has unveiled renders of what new developments at Manchester’s iconic Rylands building could look like. Global real-estate investment firm AM Alpha is set to redevelop the Grade II listed former Debenhams building into a mixed-use development site comprising retail, leisure and office space. Originally built as a warehouse, the building on the corner of Market Street and High Street later saw use as a department store until Debenhams’ collapse in 2021 saw its closure. The refurbishment will include redevelopment of the existing business and conversion of the upper floors into high-quality office space. The ground floor will see the development of a shopping arcade. Work on the site is expected to begin in the coming weeks with completion expected in early 2025. Construction company Russell WBHO is acting as a construction partner for the project while property companies OBI and Barker Proudlove are letting agents for the building. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 has once again begun tunnelling under the capital, launching its third giant Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) in London. The tunnel won’t be used by HS2 trains, but instead will be used to deliver materials and remove spoil from the northern portal where HS2’s Euston twin bored Tunnel will be constructed. Engineers from HS2’s contractor, Skanska Costain STRABAG joint venture (SCS JV), launched the 847 tonne machine from the Atlas Road site in North Acton, from where it will build an 853 metre tunnel to the Old Oak Common Station site. The tunnel drive will be completed in around six months, with the tunnel constructed using 4,264 concrete segments forming 533 tunnel rings. The segments, each weighing over 3 tonnes, have been produced by Pacadar in Kent. The tunnel will be used to transport 8,010 tunnel segment rings to construct the Euston tunnel. The segment rings are being manufactured by STRABAG in Hartlepool and will never be transported by public road – utilising rail, and the logistics tunnel – all part of HS2’s commitment to sustainable construction. A conveyor system will also run through the logistics tunnel, and will connect to an existing conveyor at Atlas Road, taking the London clay being excavated to construct the Euston Tunnel to HS2 London Logistics Hub at Willesden Euro Terminal. From there, the spoil will be taken by train for re-use at sites in Kent, Cambridgeshire and Rugby. Malcolm Codling, HS2’s Project Client for the London Tunnels, said: “The Atlas Road Logistics Tunnel is key to how we will be constructing the Euston Tunnel between Old Oak Common and HS2’s Euston station. The logistics tunnel allows us to take 70,000 lorry journeys off the local roads that would otherwise have been required and will reduce the impact of HS2’s construction on the local community.” The TBM being used to construct the tunnel has been repurposed using components from a TBM, ‘Ellie’, that was previously used on the Crossrail project. ‘Ellie’ dug two sections of the Crossrail tunnels in the Capital – from Limmo Peninsula in Canning Town to Royal Victoria Dock, and between Pudding Mill Lane and Stepney Green – boring a total of 2.23 miles. Specialist TBM manufacturer, Herrenknecht, has designed a TBM specifically for HS2’s requirements and has expertly remanufactured components including the shield and the cutting wheel. Following a longstanding tradition of naming TBMs after women, members of the local community have selected the name ‘Lydia’ for the TBM. Lydia Gandaa is a former teacher at nearby Old Oak Common Primary School and a founding member of the Bubble & Squeak social enterprise in the area. She is an active member of the local community, running after school and holiday clubs at the Old Oak Community Centre. Speaking about having the TBM named after her, Lydia said: “I’m delighted to have been invited to come down to the HS2 site and am honoured see the TBM that has been named after me. I am passionate about the local community and thank them for choosing my name for the TBM.” The TBM was switched on following a naming and blessing ceremony at the Atlas Road site. Lydia was at the event to see her name unveiled on the giant machine, alongside pupils from Old Oak Primary School. James Richardson, Managing Director of Skanska Costain STRABAG JV, said:”This is our third TBM to launch in London and later this year we will have five machines operating. Four of these will be boring the HS2 tunnels, linking West Ruislip and Old Common. Today’s launch is significant as it is not used for the operational railways, but will create a direct link to between our logistics hub and Old Oak Common, allowing us to transport tunnel segments and spoil without using local roads.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading corporate office FM specialist, Anabas, has won an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council in recognition of its commitment to keeping its employees and workplaces healthy and safe. Now in its 65th year, the International Safety Awards recognises and celebrates organisations from around the world which have demonstrated their commitment to preventing workplace injuries and work-related ill health. Spearheaded by Anabas Account Manager, Richard Bostelmann, the award was given to the Anabas facilities management team at global advertising and media giant, WPP’s iconic Sea Containers building in London. Commenting on this achievement, Richard Bostelmann, Account Manager at Anabas said: “I am thrilled that we have been awarded a merit for the International Safety Award. “The award is reflective of the fantastic work the Anabas team does at Sea Containers, which includes the diligence to processes and the maintenance of our safety culture. “The award is also a direct result of the guidance and governance provided by Anabas, and I am immensely proud of the achievement.” Anabas continuously seeks to improve its processes and maintain the highest standards of health and safety in the workplace through various training programmes, rigorous external auditing and implementing market-leading health and safety software, where data can be analysed and trends identified and improved upon. Alistair Craig, managing director at Anabas, said: “The importance of health, safety and wellbeing in the workplace is championed in all that we do at Anabas. “This external recognition is fantastic validation and shows our commitment to keeping our people and customers safe in the workplace.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading construction and fit-out company Gilbert-Ash has been appointed main contractor for a £26million redevelopment at Barnfield College in Luton, part of the West Herts College Group. The works, which are due to begin in late May, will mark the second phase of a major project to transform the existing Barnfield College into one campus, with scope for future growth. Gilbert-Ash’s contract includes the design and build of a four-storey concrete frame specialist teaching block, providing teaching spaces, staff spaces and break-out areas. In addition, the project will include landscaping, car parking and external walkways. The new building will provide state-of-the-art facilities for the College’s construction and engineering students. It is also set to create employment opportunities with student numbers expected to rise significantly as a result of the new campus. Gilbert-Ash Managing Director, Ray Hutchinson said the company was delighted to be working on a project which will deliver a stand-out teaching resource for Barnfield College for generations to come. He said: “Gilbert-Ash has a reputation for delivering world class teaching facilities with a growing portfolio of excellent projects in the education sector. “We view projects like this as not only delivering new buildings but instead creating opportunities for young people to receive the best training so they can build rewarding careers through securing high value jobs. “It is also particularly pleasing that the new Barnfield College campus will cater for the next generation joining the construction and engineering industries. At Gilbert-Ash we are committed to attracting people into our industry and one way we can do this is by constructing buildings which help inspire them.” Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. Sustainability is a key focus for Gilbert-Ash with a number of initiatives underway to help the company to drive down its carbon footprint. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com.
Constructing Excellence South West (CESW) has announced the launch of the first-ever diploma in Collaboration in Construction. The organisation charged with driving real change in construction has partnered with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to deliver the programme which is designed to equip delegates with the tools and techniques to positively disrupt traditional ways of working within the industry. During an online 10-month programme, this academically benchmarked level five diploma explores exactly what individuals need to ensure that a collaborative culture is successfully adopted within construction. Those taking part will not only study the principles of collaboration and integration in construction but will also benefit from networking with like-minded peers, studying technology-led approaches and learning about new behaviours which are much needed in the industry. Andrew Carpenter, CEO of Constructing Excellence South West, said: “The need for collaborative work within the UK construction industry has never been greater. With the economy expected to go into recession in late 2022, the need for our sector to adopt lean principles is essential and to be able to do this we must embrace collaboration. “In a sector that is excessively fragmented, we have identified a will to work together to deliver consistent solutions. Delegates undertaking this diploma will learn important skills in collaborative working to the advantage of themselves, their organisation and any projects they’re involved in. “This diploma course provides individuals with the chance to be an early adopter in this critical area which is essential for the future of the industry. Collaboration is the way forward.” Following a successful pilot project which ran last year, the new programme will welcome 12 new delegates in January 2023. The course runs for 10 months which includes one-half day a month followed by additional reading material and homework. If you are passionate about collaboration and want to know more about being part of this essential change visit: https://constructingexcellencesw.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Diploma-2023-Mids.pdf Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals