Peel L&P is set to revise its current Liverpool Waters plan, 10 years after being awarded outline planning consent by councillors. The developer said “how we all live, work and socialised has changed” since Liverpool City Council granted consent in 2013. The £5.5bn thirty-year development is due to finish in
Leading Architecture and Design Practice, HKR Architects, in response to client needs, has recently confirmed its move to a new London office and its intention to reopen their offices in Dublin. The practice, which is in its 30th year has recently moved to new premises in Southwark, London, and has
London residential developer Mount Anvil has appointed Katie Rogers as Chief Financial Officer. The new hire is an integral part of the developer’s drive to Pursue Better, Differently as it delivers estate transformation schemes in partnership with local authorities and housing associations in central London. Rogers brings more than 20
A North East firm of engineers has won a six-figure contract to support the construction of a new multi-million-pound care home and assisted living facility in North Yorkshire. The move will see RWO provide onsite civil and structural engineering services around the £8m extra care development of 12 bungalows and
Leading global boiler manufacturer, Navien, has further expanded its unique range of Combi Crossover boilers – adding a compact new option which packs a big punch. Navien’s recently launched an NCB ON range of boilers that do not need a cylinder to consistently deliver hot water to larger homes. Building
Fareham College had a visit from the Managing Director of a Hampshire housebuilder this week to help accelerate next generation learning programmes for future construction workers. James Dunne, Manager Director of Barratt Homes Southampton Division, attended Fareham College’s Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) and toured its state-of-the-art facilities, set up
The softwood category started 2023 on a high, with volumes up 12% compared to January 2022, according to the latest Timber Development UK statistics. Softwood imports totalled 426,000m3 in January this year, with volume increases from Sweden, Finland and the Republic of Ireland largely responsible. Despite softwood increases, overall timber
MGISS, one of the UK’s leading geospatial technology companies, has signed a partnership agreement with Leica Geosystems to drive a data-driven approach to the capture, management, and exploitation of asset information. AI, Data Analytics and Machine Learning are increasingly being used to drive value within utility and infrastructure organisations and it’s essential
Leading UK-based manufacturer Ebac has unveiled a new mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system in order to tackle the UK’s damp and mould problem. The UK manufacturer, based in Newton Aycliffe has designed the system to be an easily installed, self-managing, ‘hands-off’ eco-system for tenants and homeowners, offering a
Housing provider, Orbit, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and VINCI Facilities Building Solutions have begun work on upgrading the Energy Performance of 70 properties across the West Midlands, after securing funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 1. The project is one of two successful bids for
Peel L&P is set to revise its current Liverpool Waters plan, 10 years after being awarded outline planning consent by councillors. The developer said “how we all live, work and socialised has changed” since Liverpool City Council granted consent in 2013. The £5.5bn thirty-year development is due to finish in 2043. Currently, the planning permission will see the redevelopment of almost 150 acres of former dockland space into 500,000 sq ft of food and beverage space, 570,000 sq ft of hotels, 3.3m sq ft of business space, 9,000 homes, and up to 4.4m sq ft of parking space. Peel L&P has put forward a number of proposals it is planning to implement, including the creation of a new heritage space in the Clarence Dock neighbourhood, a more diverse mixture of homes, and a 2.3km riverside walk from Everton’s new stadium to Pier Head. The developer is inviting stakeholders and members of the public to put forward their views. Two public consultations will take place on the 17th and 18th of April. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading Architecture and Design Practice, HKR Architects, in response to client needs, has recently confirmed its move to a new London office and its intention to reopen their offices in Dublin. The practice, which is in its 30th year has recently moved to new premises in Southwark, London, and has agreed terms on a new purpose designed building in Dublin 2, the Southside Quarter of the capital which will be completed in 2024. Jerry Ryan, Managing Director of HKR Architects comments, “As we enter our 30th year of operation we are delighted to announce the expansion of our London Office and the re-opening of an office in Dublin, our core business locations. As with most companies during the pandemic, working practices changed with much more flexible working within our team, but with many high-profile projects in our core locations, it’s now time to resurrect the traditional workspace.” HKR has recently worked as part of a team including Atkins to gain planning for a 100% affordable development for A2Dominion at Hounslow West, working with Transport for London’s commercial property company (TTL Properties). The 348 one, two three and four bedroom homes will be delivered across four buildings, providing a mixture of shared ownership and London Affordable Rent. In addition to the affordable housing, the scheme will provide a new public realm with a retail store, a public square with a cafe and additional flexible community spaces. It will improve pedestrian connectivity through the site and create a new Green Link from Beavers field Park to the SINC. Jonathan Sutherland, Development Manager Special Projects at A2Dominion said, “It has been a fantastic team effort with all parties including Atkins, HKR and TFL working in partnership to get planning for this important site, which will provide high quality affordable homes and wider public realm for the Local Community. We have a strong working relationship with the HKR team, who completely embed themselves in every project they work on, ensuring the design can be delivered on time and to budget. I would like to congratulate them on their 30th anniversary.” Working for Niche Living, progenitor of co-living developments we have delivered a state-of-the-art facility at Eblana Avenue, Dun Laoghaire which will be the precursor of many more co-living projects. the development in South Dublin. Co-living is very appropriate for a young transient dynamic demographic and should be encouraged to form a part of the ultimate solution to the Country’s Housing need. Niche Living offers fully serviced studios, with multiple shared facilities creating a carefully curated community. Services include a furnished private studio, concierge, superfast internet, all utilities and taxes, suite cleaning, exciting weekly events, movie theatre and gym membership. James Cormican, Head of Development at Niche Living comments, “We worked with HKR from initial planning meetings through to delivery. By working together and utilising their great experience and understanding of quality design and the market we have delivered an extremely successful project. We look forward to working with the team on forthcoming projects.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London residential developer Mount Anvil has appointed Katie Rogers as Chief Financial Officer. The new hire is an integral part of the developer’s drive to Pursue Better, Differently as it delivers estate transformation schemes in partnership with local authorities and housing associations in central London. Rogers brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, including 15 years in the sector spent building partnerships, securing debt funding, raising equity, and delivering quality homes. Most recently Rogers had an 11-year tenure as Chief Financial Officer of leading developer Telford Homes, with three years of that time spent also as their Chief Operating Officer. Additionally, she is currently a Non-Executive Director of Essex housing association CHP. Mount Anvil has been focused on London for more than 30 years and has a current pipeline of over 4,000 homes primarily in estate transformation partnerships with local authorities and housing associations. Recently the developer broke ground in Islington at the Barnsbury Estate where 914 new homes will be delivered for current residents and those on the council waiting list, and handed over the first block of quality affordable homes at Friary Park in Ealing to the residents who so enthusiastically support the estate’s transformation. Mount Anvil has been shaping London by creating quality, safe and sustainable places for over 30 years. Proven to deliver some of the city’s best residential developments, Mount Anvil has a proud record of working with London’s boroughs, housing associations and the GLA (including a one-of-its-kind £50m investment partnership) to create high-quality, tenure-blind homes for Londoners. As part of its mission to pursue better, differently Mount Anvil is nurturing unique wellbeing and sustainability partnerships with Peloton and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Darragh Hurley, Mount Anvil’s Managing Director, said: “Katie’s arrival is great news for the partners for whom we’re focused on delivering. This year we’re bucking the trend in London – we’re able to keep on building in six boroughs because we’ve secured planning and funding and are committed to doing what we said we’re going to do. Katie’s 15+ years of experience driving results in central London joint ventures is exactly what will help us keep delivering the quality places that London needs, whatever the economic weather.” Katie Rogers, Mount Anvil’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “Mount Anvil has a clear vision for growing its contribution to London and its impact in the communities that welcome them. They’ve got an unusual culture that drives results, and I’m excited to join a leadership team that I respect as amongst the best in the business as we partner with local authorities, housing associations (and our trusted banking providers) to deliver much-needed quality housing in London.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A North East firm of engineers has won a six-figure contract to support the construction of a new multi-million-pound care home and assisted living facility in North Yorkshire. The move will see RWO provide onsite civil and structural engineering services around the £8m extra care development of 12 bungalows and 70 fully equipped apartments in Guisborough, which is being built for care home operator Housing 21 by Countryside Partnership North East. Engineering services to facilitate the development of six pairs of semi-detached units, each featuring a private garden area and off street parking, will be part of a comprehensive package of support provided by the Newcastle-based engineers to bring forward the complex. A mix of one and two bedroomed fully equipped and self-contained apartments to provide independent living are also being designed and engineered by RWO along with a café/bistro, hair salon, communal lounge and gardens among other communal facilities. The work will also see RWO provide designs for both civil and structural engineering associated with the development. With 30 people employed across its North East and Yorkshire offices and targeting revenues in excess of £2.5m in the next 12 months, the Countryside Partnership work comes as RWO continues to see strong growth and recruit skilled engineers to meet demand for its services. RWO’s managing director Ross Oakley, who said two more new care home projects were in the pipeline, said: “Demand for care homes and assisted living accommodation is strong. So, it’s a real privilege to work with Countryside Partnerships and Housing 21 on this latest scheme and to deliver on their vision for the highest quality living spaces for residents.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading global boiler manufacturer, Navien, has further expanded its unique range of Combi Crossover boilers – adding a compact new option which packs a big punch. Navien’s recently launched an NCB ON range of boilers that do not need a cylinder to consistently deliver hot water to larger homes. Building on this success, the new NCB500-1S+/32K brings the same benefits – but at 32kW is specifically designed for smaller properties. For installers, the cylinder-free design means easier installation and space-saving benefits for their customers, particularly for those where space is already at a premium. Navien’s unique design ensures that this compact model delivers a flow rate of 13.1L/PM – noticeably outperforming alternative boilers at a similar price point which provide around 10L/PM. This means that the NCB500-1S+/32K can comfortably supply one shower and one tap simultaneously, as described by the 1S+ in its name. Jason Davies, National Business Manager at Navien UK, said: “The NCB500-1S+/32K is a reliable and easy to install boiler which never compromises on power or performance. Installers are already fitting the NCB ON range for their customers with larger properties and have been asking us to extend the range. Now their clients in smaller homes can also benefit from efficient, future-proofed boilers that deliver superb energy savings.” The new model is equipped with Navien ON technology, which delivers consistent temperatures and endless hot water. The latest addition to the NCB ON range is also backed up by an up to 10-year warranty while high efficiency helps homeowners save up to 38% in energy costs every year. Designed to be 20% hydrogen-blend ready, it is also prepared for the future of home heating. A best-selling brand in the USA and Canada, Navien is rapidly growing in the UK thanks to reliable availability of products, competitive pricing, ease of installation, and a host of end user benefits. Installers are further supported by a dedicated UK technical support team, while Navien has also opened nine new training centres in the UK and Ireland in the last four years. Installers can also earn prizes through the new ‘Navien Choice’ rewards programme. Those who register with the programme online can earn points for fitting Navien boilers and exchange these points for a range of tech and gadgets from top-quality brands. Be eligible for brand-new Apple AirPods by installing just 8 NCB500 ON boilers or save the points and save up for a Samsung TV! The South Korean manufacturer launched its new, state-of-the-art NCB Combi Crossover boiler range in late 2022, offering a fresh approach to home heating. Three new models help installers meet the changing demands of Britain’s heating systems, from small two-bedroom homes to larger five-bed properties with multiple bathrooms. The new range is also lighter in weight and far more compact. The NCB500-1S+/32K is the latest addition to the range and is available now. With the technology, pedigree, and network of a trusted supplier to the trade, Navien prides itself on rapid supply, reliable stock availability, unmatched prices, and future-proofed quality products. To learn more visit: https://navien.co.uk/professional Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fareham College had a visit from the Managing Director of a Hampshire housebuilder this week to help accelerate next generation learning programmes for future construction workers. James Dunne, Manager Director of Barratt Homes Southampton Division, attended Fareham College’s Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) and toured its state-of-the-art facilities, set up in 2017 to address the skills shortage hindering civil engineering growth and expansion in the south of England. Its high-profile apprenticeship programme has been supporting the industry ever since, by creating more jobs and opportunities for skilled groundworkers in the region. James was shown around CETC’s purpose-built two-acre mock construction site, dedicated to the delivery of its specialist Civil Engineering and Groundworks Apprenticeship, and looked around neighbouring classroom areas, where relevant theory is taught to support the students’ practical training. Barratt Homes is committed to providing career prospects for young people in the local area, and the MD was keen to see how the developer could widen its support for budding construction workers in the region, in collaboration with CETC. James said: “At Barratt, we want to provide young people with an alternative to full-time university study by helping them to explore their potential in the building industry. “We already offer apprenticeship schemes to the next generation of tradespeople but are looking to expand this support. CETC is offering an incredible facility here in Fareham, and I’m thrilled to have been offered the chance to look around today. Hopefully we can discover a way we can work together in the future.” Director of CETC, David Richardson, said: “CETC was set up to tackle the skills shortage in the civil engineering and construction industry, and to nurture the talent of our young people in the area. “It has been a real pleasure to show James from Barratt around today, and it would be fantastic if we can work alongside the developer in providing these important apprenticeship schemes to the local community.” CETC was created after a group of local civil engineering employers set up the Solent Civil Engineering Employer Group (SCEEG) in conjunction with Fareham College to produce a unique apprenticeship training programme to support the construction industry across the region and create more jobs and opportunities for skilled groundworkers. Barratt Homes works in tandem with the communities where it is building new homes, to offer career opportunities for young people. For more information on the housebuilder’s new developments in Hampshire, visit: Harbour Place and Pebble Walk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The softwood category started 2023 on a high, with volumes up 12% compared to January 2022, according to the latest Timber Development UK statistics. Softwood imports totalled 426,000m3 in January this year, with volume increases from Sweden, Finland and the Republic of Ireland largely responsible. Despite softwood increases, overall timber import volumes were 8.7% lower than in January 2022. This is due to significant declines in panel product imports, with plywood and particleboard down 42% and 18% respectively. Hardwood imports also dropped by 37% following a record year in 2022. Looking long-term, there is room for positivity, with yearly import volumes around 100,000m3 higher on average than in 2013. TDUK Head of Technical and Trade, Nick Boulton, said: “It is great to see softwood imports on the up once more following a tricky 2022. “This growth is largely attributable to returning construction activity, with recent Department for Business and Trade figures reporting increased RM&I work in early 2023. “These latest softwood figures suggest that normality may finally be returning to the market after a tumultuous few years of Covid, conflict and general uncertainty. “The panel and hardwood sectors are a little further behind, with imports well below 2022 levels. This, however, is due in part to unusually high imports in January 2022 rather than downward market trends. “Looking long-term, the stats paint a positive picture with timber imports consistently on the up since 2013. “This is likely to continue in the years ahead as the UK Government looks to decarbonise the built environment using timber.” Members can read the full statistics report here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MGISS, one of the UK’s leading geospatial technology companies, has signed a partnership agreement with Leica Geosystems to drive a data-driven approach to the capture, management, and exploitation of asset information. AI, Data Analytics and Machine Learning are increasingly being used to drive value within utility and infrastructure organisations and it’s essential that the asset data being used is accurate and richly attributed to deliver the required results. The development of Digital Twins, BIM and GIS are demonstrating the value of a data-driven approach to industry challenges surrounding productivity, resilience, and asset performance. By placing easy to use Apps leveraging high accuracy satellite positioning in the hands of field users, the capture, management, and utilisation of authoritative asset information has become more accessible to those tasked with maintaining the asset estate. MGISS have been servicing the needs of utility, infrastructure, and environmental clients for more than 10 years. With asset data management often seen as a cost centre, the team are keen to ensure clients can leverage their leverage investment in asset information as part of MGISS’s development of insight services to build asset management as a value centre. The inclusion of Leica Geosystems Zeno range of products to the portfolio will enable MGISS to operate with increased confidence across the UK’s Utility, Infrastructure, and environmental communities to drive economic value, resilience, and improved sustainability. The Zeno product range will allow us to support our clients on their preferred Windows, iOS or Android platform and enable workflows that easily integrate with GIS systems including Esri. Michael Darracott, Managing Director at MGISS, said: “This wider and more customer-focussed relationship with Leica Geosystems will strengthen our solution portfolio, support our plans for growth, and provide our customers with more readily integrated technologies to underpin their customer, operational, and sustainability goals in an increasingly challenging environment”. Jonn Hicks, Managing Director at Leica Geosystems, said “It was a very easy decision for us to partner with the team at MGISS. With their extensive industry experience and expertise, we are looking forward to working with them to provide Leica Geosystems GNSS sensors to deliver accurate data for the asset management market.” Find out more by visiting www.mgiss.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading UK-based manufacturer Ebac has unveiled a new mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR) system in order to tackle the UK’s damp and mould problem. The UK manufacturer, based in Newton Aycliffe has designed the system to be an easily installed, self-managing, ‘hands-off’ eco-system for tenants and homeowners, offering a major solution to the UK’s damp and mould problem. The unit, which is designed to be installed in any loft opening, is a ‘whole-house’ solution, continually extracting polluted, humid air from within a building and replacing it with fresh air taken from outside the building through a heat exchange system. The unit offers offers further significant cost savings through its patented Smart Control System. Smart Control, which is unique to Ebac, adjusts airflow and performance levels based on live readings from the building’s internal climate, reducing energy usage and requiring no programming from the tenant or homeowner. Ebac, which has manufactured and sold over 2 million commercial and domestic ‘plug in’ dehumidifiers globally, has launched the MVHR as a long-term solution to damp and mould in residential and commercial buildings, which is estimated by the UK government to stand at 3-4% of the four million social housing homes, with 0.2% of those falling below the ‘decent homes standard’. The scale of the UK’s damp and mould problem has come to the fore recently following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in Rochdale which has prompted new legislation that is due to come into force later this year. Awaab’s Law will place mandatory obligations on private and social landlords to ensure that damp and mould issues are investigated, and serious complaints resolved quickly. The Housing Ombudsman will also be given new powers to help landlords improve performance, in amendments to the Social Housing (Regulation) Bill and social housing landlords will have to investigate and fix damp and mould in their properties within strict new time limits. Andrew Hobson, Sales and Marketing Director at Ebac said: “There are currently around 4.5 million cases of damp and mould across the UK which equates to around 19% of the housing stock- and those are the cases that have been reported. With the new legislation and retrofit requirements for commercial and residential buildings in the lead up to 2050, our system will offer a more cost-effective solution for housing associations, councils and private landlords to ensure that their tenants are living in healthier, more energy-efficient spaces. Our Smart Control feature means that tenants and homeowners do not have to touch the units, only requiring a filter change every 12-24 months depending on usage.” The unit has been launched this month following successful trials across the UK and will be showcased at the Installers Show in Birmingham in June of this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housing provider, Orbit, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and VINCI Facilities Building Solutions have begun work on upgrading the Energy Performance of 70 properties across the West Midlands, after securing funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 1. The project is one of two successful bids for funding that Orbit submitted as part of the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) Wave 1 scheme. The programme will benefit from a total of £1.4m of SHDF funding, along with an additional £4.6m investment from Orbit, to provide more customers across the region with a more energy efficient home using the latest technology and innovation. The scheme will take a deep, fabric first, retrofit approach using energy efficient doors and windows, along with loft and wall insulation and some low carbon heating, to increase the energy performance of the homes located throughout the West Midlands. Work is scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2023. The programme follows the success of the Demonstrator project, which saw Orbit and its partners successfully upgrade 69 poor energy performing social homes (EPC rating D or below) in and around Stratford-upon-Avon. Ted Pearce, Director of Strategic Asset Management at Orbit, commented: “We are delighted to be starting work on upgrading our next portfolio of homes in partnership with WMCA and VINCI Facilities. “As the cost of living continues to bite, it’s now more important than ever that we reaffirm our commitment to taking the steps required to provide our customers in the region with more energy efficient homes and sustainable communities in the long term.” Jeanette Hodges, Head of Carbon and Operations added “This in-depth programme of works also plays a key role in delivering on net zero carbon targets and reducing carbon emissions, even within harder to treat homes. Committing to a deep retrofit while customers remain living in their home is a complex undertaking, but we have learnt invaluable lessons from the Demonstrator project which will steer our approach and ensure our customers can soon begin enjoying the benefits of a more energy efficient home.” George Simms, who leads the West Midlands Combined Authority’s (WMCA) SMART Hub (Sustainable Market for Affordable Retrofit Technologies), said: “The WMCA is working closely with our partner local authorities and their registered housing providers to use our expertise to help them tap into Government funding to ramp up retrofit activity. So far we’ve supported successful applications for almost £50million, including this £1.4 million that will benefit Orbit residents. “We’re also helping to grow local supply chains and train up the retrofit workforce. Alongside more sustained, longer-term retrofit funding that will come to the region through the Deeper Devolution Deal, this will mean we can help make even more homes warmer and more energy efficient, reducing residents’ energy bills and supporting the West Midlands #WM2041 drive towards net zero.” Barry Boxall, Divisional Director VINCI Facilities Building Solutions said “Working in partnership with Orbit and WMCA we will deliver excellent quality, safe and warm, energy efficient homes for residents. As a trusted main contractor, we ensure that the customer’s experience is at the forefront of all that we do. The partnership encourages innovative solutions that are delivered with discipline and in strict accordance with PAS 2035. The measures installed will future proof people’s homes in line with Orbit’s net zero ambition. Residents will benefit from a better quality of life and reduced energy consumption.” Wave 1 will upgrade more than 20,000 social housing properties that are currently below an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) C rating. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals