Monkwearmouth Development Ltd “MDL”(a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited “SRMCV”, and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited “APDS”), with funding from Railpen, proudly handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland last month. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital,
Hilton has today announced the opening of Elmbank York, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Signed as part of a franchise agreement with Cairn Hotel Group, the 62-room hotel overlooks the picturesque Knavesmire Strays. It features Leetham’s Brasserie, a restaurant serving seasonal British cuisine, Peacock Bar,
Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has completed construction of a 209,000 sq ft speculative industrial/logistics facility at G-Park Basingstoke developed for long-term and valued customer Wrenbridge, it’s funding partner Bridges Fund Management and leading global
Hiab, part of Cargotec, launches the MyHiab mobile app, to improve operator productivity and safety. The digital companion provides features and content about Hiab equipment throughout its lifecycle. It also establishes a communication channel between Hiab and the end-users. MyHiab provides operators with immediate access to the tools they need
Yorkshire Water has appointed EJ Peak Technology Solutions, part of the Edwin James Group, to its Motor Control Centres and Systems Integration framework following a competitive tender. The contract will run for an initial period of four years with an optional four-year extension. Peak has recently opened a new office
meteocontrol introduces new platform “mc Assetpilot” at Smarter E Europe 2024 meteocontrol GmbH, a leading provider of energy and asset management solutions in the renewable energy sector, announces the introduction of its latest product, “mc Assetpilot,” at this year’s Smarter E Europe in Munich. Under the motto “Your assets under
A scheme which could help new-build home buyers access lower mortgage rates is now available at Vistry Group locations across the Peterborough area and Cambridgeshire. Vistry East Anglia, which incorporates the Linden Homes and Bovis Homes brands, is rolling out Own New’s Rate Reducer product at all its developments across
Shropshire Council’s plans to transform the Smithfield Riverside area of Shrewsbury town centre have taken a major step forward with the appointment of specialist demolition company, Cawarden. Chosen for its vast experience of working on similar projects, Cawarden will start work next week (17 June 2024) to demolish the Riverside
Leading high-performance drylining solutions provider British Gypsum is bringing metal profiles with lower embodied carbon to market. British Gypsum, part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, is working closely with suppliers to deliver metal profiles manufactured from steel with lower embodied carbon under its Gypframe® metal profiles range. Branded Gypframe Carbon Low
The ENA Connect Direct platform has successfully processed applications from 1000 installers in its first month of operation. ENA Connect Direct aimed to modernise and simplify the application process, which used to be slow and reliant on manual processes. For installers of domestic low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and
Monkwearmouth Development Ltd “MDL”(a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited “SRMCV”, and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited “APDS”), with funding from Railpen, proudly handed over its first development to NTW Solutions Ltd at Monkwearmouth Hospital in Sunderland last month. Located within the grounds of the existing hospital, the new modern fit for purpose building provides a welcoming, level and accessible front entrance to the main outpatient facilities. In addition to the new entrance and reception area, the new accommodation includes meeting rooms, flexible open-plan workspaces and breakout areas, and consultants’ offices on upper floors along with areas for their support teams to work in. The new building has created the perfect office environment for employees at the site and encourages collaborative working and support; all of which service users should benefit from. The building also houses a Changing Places facility, and the new ‘Café Bede’ community café is open to the general public, visitors, staff and service users across the Hospital. The new café includes areas for inside and outside dining and is home to a time capsule that was placed in the ground during the construction works; telling the story of the build, the history of the site and the previous building for people to read in years to come. Sir Robert McAlpine completed the construction of the 3,287 sq. m, three-storey building for MDL over 19 months with the facility achieving a Design stage BREEAM Excellent standard. In addition to a replacement tree lined staff car park, the development delivers level access and a beautifully landscaped piazza area including seating and extensive planting, along with a memorial garden. The external works have transformed the previous parking area that fronts onto Newcastle Road and creates better connectivity within the estate for hospital users, staff and visitors. MDL worked with NTW Solutions Limited, a limited company established by Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, to provide premises that will enable NTW Solutions to deliver improved facilities and a range of important services to the Trust. Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and disability Trusts in England. Monkwearmouth Development Ltd is a Joint Venture between Sir Robert McAlpine Capital Ventures Limited and Argon Property Development Solutions Limited. It was appointed to this work through SRMCV’s place on the Pagabo Developer Led Framework, a nationwide procurement framework available for public sector organisations that focuses on delivering social value for each development. David Peck from Monkwearmouth Development LTD, said, “We could not be more delighted with the outcome, that has been a true collaboration between all the parties involved, who have created a building that is streets ahead of the one it replaced and that will make a significant difference to patients that rely on it for their care and the people that use it as their place of work.” David Hosken, Project Director at SRMCV, said, “We are immensely proud of delivering a unique facility using an innovative development solution, helping NTW Solutions Limited renew their estate with a quality building designed for modern ways of working. This fantastic project allows us to continue to build on our successes working alongside NHS Trusts to deliver developments with positive outcomes for the people who will use them.” Richard Wilks from Argon Property Development Solutions Ltd, said, “It has been a pleasure working with NTW Solutions, the Trust and the team on the ground who made this happen. Knowing that what we have delivered is already making such a positive difference to the staff, clinicians and service users is testament to everyone’s efforts to make this happen. We are so pleased to have been able to play our part in improving mental health services and the positive impact this development will have across the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hilton has today announced the opening of Elmbank York, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking the brand’s debut in the city. Signed as part of a franchise agreement with Cairn Hotel Group, the 62-room hotel overlooks the picturesque Knavesmire Strays. It features Leetham’s Brasserie, a restaurant serving seasonal British cuisine, Peacock Bar, an opulent space featuring original fireplaces and jewel-adorned walls, and convenient onsite parking. The hotel joins a portfolio of over 120 Tapestry Collection by Hilton hotels, each with a unique and vibrant personality shaped by elevated design and locally inspired food and beverage, offering guests authentic experiences in diverse destinations. With a strong pipeline of more than 100 properties, the opening continues Tapestry’s expansion in high barrier-to-entry markets in Europe, where small boutique properties are looking for an engine to help them grow. Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, EMEA, Hilton, said: “We are seeing growing demand for our lifestyle brands in the UK, as travellers increasingly seek out distinctive, locally inspired stays. The opening of Elmbank York, Tapestry Collection by Hilton underscores our commitment to providing truly unique, authentic experiences for guests, and we look forward to working closely with Cairn Hotel Group to bring this vision to life.” Located on The Mount, a charming residential area only a short walk away from York’s historic city centre and train station. The hotel offers convenient access to several world-famous attractions, including York Racecourse, National Trust properties such as Goddards Garden and Treasurer’s House, York Castle Museum, and The Shambles, one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval shopping streets. The city’s rich heritage extends to the hotel itself – a unique 19th-century mansion that was once home to the city’s elite and a venue for York’s most lavish parties. The Elmbank celebrates its Yorkshire roots through its thoughtfully designed and styled rooms, artwork, and signature details. Housed inside Elmbank’s main house is one of the UK’s finest Art Nouveau collections, featuring stunning stained glass, beautiful murals, and detailed stencils, carefully preserved to allow guests to immerse themselves in Art Nouveau history, whilst enjoying modern comforts and amenities. Aneil Handa, director, Cairn Group “We are thrilled to launch the first Tapestry Collection property in the North of England, continuing our longstanding relationship with Hilton. The Elmbank Hotel’s rich history and exceptional Art Nouveau collection offer a distinctive experience that aligns perfectly with the Tapestry brand, providing guests with a unique blend of local charm and high standards of service.” Guests of all Hilton properties can benefit from the award-winning Hilton Honors guest loyalty programme, allowing members who book directly with Hilton to earn Points for hotel stays and experiences. Hilton Honors members can also unlock access to instant rewards and benefits, such as contactless check-in with room selection and exclusive member discounts. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has completed construction of a 209,000 sq ft speculative industrial/logistics facility at G-Park Basingstoke developed for long-term and valued customer Wrenbridge, it’s funding partner Bridges Fund Management and leading global logistics operator GLP. The building which took just 12 months to construct features a highly sustainable specification designed to meet the needs of a modern occupier, achieving EPC A+ and BREEAM ‘excellent’ rating. The building boasts an impressive specification and benefits from 15M clear internal height, 50kN sq m floor loading, 47M wide yard depth, 19 dock doors, 2 level access doors, 9 HGV/162 car parking spaces, a gatehouse, an abundant power supply together with 10,829 sq ft of office space over two storeys. Speaking about the development, Glencar Managing Director, London and South, Roy Jones said: “Delivering another successful project for our much valued repeat customer, Wrenbridge, marks a significant milestone for us. The advanced features of this facility, including intelligent energy-saving systems and PV panels, enhance operational efficiency and contribute to significant cost savings. Our team’s dedication has resulted in a top-class development that we are excited to showcase.”. The site, on Priestley Road, is part of the established Houndmills Industrial Area, which is home to major occupiers including Sainsburys, Royal Mail, XPO Logistics, Leverton Clarke and GAME. It benefits from excellent infrastructure links and offers an unrivalled opportunity to service the London and wider South-East markets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hiab, part of Cargotec, launches the MyHiab mobile app, to improve operator productivity and safety. The digital companion provides features and content about Hiab equipment throughout its lifecycle. It also establishes a communication channel between Hiab and the end-users. MyHiab provides operators with immediate access to the tools they need to better plan their working day and troubleshoot when things are not working as expected. If they need further assistance the app enables them to call their nearest Hiab service centre. In the initial release, Hiab can contact end-users directly with essential information about the equipment and proactive service information. “Hiab operators are our biggest fans and the most influential advocates of our solutions. This app is designed to support and simplify their workday and is our way of giving something back. It also makes it possible for us to reach them directly and learn more about their challenges to create better solutions for tomorrow,” says Michael Bruninx, Senior Vice President, Services, Hiab. The app can be downloaded in local language versions from Apple’s App Store and Google Play in Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, the UK and the US. More markets and language versions will be added during the year. The initial release contains mostly content about HIAB loader cranes, MULTILIFT demountables and MOFFETT truck mounted forklifts. However, there is also content of interest for users of other Hiab load handling equipment. While the app enhances the operators’ understanding of their equipment, it will also provide essential data, encrypted, to Hiab. This information will be used to improve Hiab’s services and product development. “MyHiab makes it possible to have daily touchpoints with our users, not limited to visits to workshops or on-road assistance. We aim to have an industry leading service experience and this is a natural evolvement of our HIPERFORM offering,” adds Michael Bruninx. HIPERFORM is a suite of smart solutions to maximise the Hiab equipment lifecycle value by optimising the performance and productivity of operators, equipment and fleets. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yorkshire Water has appointed EJ Peak Technology Solutions, part of the Edwin James Group, to its Motor Control Centres and Systems Integration framework following a competitive tender. The contract will run for an initial period of four years with an optional four-year extension. Peak has recently opened a new office in Leeds and is now further recruiting in the local area to support the contract. Projects under the framework will include work on existing Yorkshire Water assets and the integration of new assets into the network, such as PLCs and intelligent motor control centres. Michael Thomas, executive director at Peak Technology Solutions, commented: “We are pleased to secure this new framework with Yorkshire Water and look forward to collaborating with them on their business plan. We work with several utilities clients, and our team has been supporting systems integration, automation, and digital technology innovation in the sector for 20 years. “Last year, we opened a new digital academy that is equipped with the latest hardware and software platforms used in the sector. This has allowed us to recruit and train talent from diverse engineering backgrounds, adding capacity to support the delivery of AMP7 and AMP8 schemes.” Yorkshire Water provides essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region. It currently serves over 5 million households and 140,000 business customers, collecting and treating approximately one billion litres of wastewater and rainwater every day. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
meteocontrol introduces new platform “mc Assetpilot” at Smarter E Europe 2024 meteocontrol GmbH, a leading provider of energy and asset management solutions in the renewable energy sector, announces the introduction of its latest product, “mc Assetpilot,” at this year’s Smarter E Europe in Munich. Under the motto “Your assets under control,” trade fair visitors can get an exclusive insight into the comprehensive platform for financial asset management of renewable energy projects from June 19 to 21, 2024, at booth B5.210. Customer benefits in focus The mc Assetpilot offers a solution that helps plant operators effectively manage the financial tasks andies responsibilit in the area of financial asset management and optimize their processes. Users of the cloud-based platform receive clear financial insights, recognize potential issues early, and can easily manage documents and contacts. It is suitable for both individual projects and large portfolios. The mc Assetpilot is aimed at companies that are new to financial asset management as well as experienced asset managers looking to increase team efficiency and reduce manual workloads. Tailored solutions for practical use Dr. Stijn Stevens, CTO and Managing Director at meteocontrol, explains: “The mc Assetpilot is a significant advancement for asset managers who face daily challenges in financial management. Our solution provides a central platform that allows maximizing financial performance, eliminating structural inefficiencies, and significantly reducing the work.” Innovative features for maximum efficiency The mc Assetpilot stands out with its comprehensive features specifically tailored to the needs of the renewable energy industry: Test phase and market Launch Numerous meteocontrol customers are already testing the mc Assetpilot under real conditions. The final market launch is planned for July 1, 2024. Interested customers can contact the meteocontrol sales teams now to test the mc Assetpilot in advance. Rouven Lenhart, Executive Vice President at meteocontrol, adds: “With the mc Assetpilot, we offer our customers a powerful and user-friendly solution to meet the challenges of financial management in the renewable energy sector. We create a seamless connection between the technical requirements of portfolio management and the commercial needs. Our goal is to help our customers make their projects more efficient and maximize their investments.” Launch event and live product demo at Smarter E Europe 2024 On June 19, 2024, at 10:00 AM, a launch event with a public product demo will take place at the meteocontrol booth at Smarter E Europe. Interested visitors are invited to attend this event and learn about the new features of the platform. Visit meteocontrol at Smarter E Europe at booth B5.210 In line with the motto “Your assets under control,” meteocontrol invites all visitors to Smarter E Europe 2024 to stop by booth B5.210 and discover the latest solutions from the company. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A scheme which could help new-build home buyers access lower mortgage rates is now available at Vistry Group locations across the Peterborough area and Cambridgeshire. Vistry East Anglia, which incorporates the Linden Homes and Bovis Homes brands, is rolling out Own New’s Rate Reducer product at all its developments across the region. The scheme is designed to help first-time buyers and home movers by enabling them to unlock reduced mortgage rates as low as 3.14 per cent from participating lenders over an initial fixed term, usually two or five years, reducing their monthly payments during this time.* Fraser Hopes, managing director of Vistry East Anglia, said: “Own New will provide more options for people looking to take their first step onto the property ladder as well as those wanting to move into a larger property. It offers a regular mortgage, just with lower monthly payments for the initial period which is often when buyers have additional expenses. “We’re already seeing a great deal of interest in this innovative new mortgage product and are looking forward to helping even more people secure a high-quality Vistry home which meets their needs.” Own New Rate Reducer was launched in February and works by using the housebuilder’s incentive budget to access lower mortgage rates with the lender and therefore reduce the customer’s monthly mortgage payments over a fixed term. For example, if the housebuilder offers a three per cent incentive on a home, Own New Rate Reducer takes this sum and offsets it against the mortgage interest to reduce monthly payments. In addition to cutting monthly outgoings during the fixed-rate period, the customer will pay more off the capital value of their mortgage because the interest charged on the loan is lower. Lenders still carry out their usual affordability assessment to check the purchaser can afford repayments if the interest rate increases once the fixed-term benefit ends. Halifax, Virgin Money, Perenna and Furness Building Society are the lenders which have already signed up to the scheme. Eliot Darcy, founder of Own New, said: “In today’s challenging economic climate, we’ve partnered with national house builders like Vistry Group to introduce a straightforward solution—a regular mortgage with lower monthly payments. This initiative is making homeownership more accessible, allowing people to pursue their dream homes without compromising their financial stability.” Own New is available at developments across the Vistry East Anglia region, including Bovis Homes’ and Linden Homes’ developments in; Once a buyer has found the new-build home they want to buy, the sales advisor at the development will put them in touch with an approved Own New mortgage broker. More information can be found at bovishomes.co.uk, lindenhomes.co.uk or countrysidehomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Shropshire Council’s plans to transform the Smithfield Riverside area of Shrewsbury town centre have taken a major step forward with the appointment of specialist demolition company, Cawarden. Chosen for its vast experience of working on similar projects, Cawarden will start work next week (17 June 2024) to demolish the Riverside shopping centre and former Riverside medical practice, paving the way for key enabling works on site for future phases of the Smithfield Riverside scheme. Smithfield Riverside is an ambitious plan led by the council and its development manager, RivingtonHark to transform the area between the River Severn, The Darwin centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows in Shrewsbury town centre. Mark Barrow, Shropshire Council’s executive director of place, said: “We’re pleased to have Cawarden on board for what will be the first real visible sign of change following the recent closure of the former Riverside shopping centre. “The company has lots of experience of working on similar projects and a great track record of keeping nearby residents and businesses informed of their progress, as well as care and consideration for the environment in which they are working. Minimising disruption in the town centre as much as possible was a key consideration when awarding the contract.” Oliver Crooks, Cawarden’s commercial director, said: “We are thrilled to announce that we have been awarded the contract for Smithfield Riverside shopping centre, a significant demolition project that will pave the way for an important development in Shrewsbury. “We are pleased to bring our extensive expertise in managing similar projects and environments, whilst ensuring that our social value commitments are met throughout the process. We look forward to working in partnership with Shropshire Council to deliver this transformative project, which will bring substantial benefits to residents and visitors alike.” Once the site has been cleared, work can begin on the first phase of the Smithfield Riverside project – the creation of a new landmark park near Roushill which was granted planning permission in March (2024). This attractive green space has been designed to help breathe new life and vibrancy into the area, as well as improve biodiversity and flood resilience in the town centre. The park will feature play equipment, facilities for visitors of all ages, and a dedicated events and performance area. It is expected that work to build this will start by the end of 2024. These developments are being financed from a pot of almost £19 million of external funding which was secured by Shropshire Council last year. Following the completion of the most recent public consultation, the next planning application will be submitted later this year, introducing ‘outline’ plans to the develop three plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading high-performance drylining solutions provider British Gypsum is bringing metal profiles with lower embodied carbon to market. British Gypsum, part of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, is working closely with suppliers to deliver metal profiles manufactured from steel with lower embodied carbon under its Gypframe® metal profiles range. Branded Gypframe Carbon Low metal profiles, the new product is made from steel manufactured using an electric arc furnace rather than a blast furnace. They have been proven to perform the same as British Gypsum’s existing Gypframe metal profiles but have up to 58%* less embodied carbon over the whole product life cycle versus British Gypsum’s standard metal profiles. Charles Morris, Head of Framing and Systems at Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, said: “We are focussed on net zero carbon and want to help our customers achieve their goals as well, so this product targets the impact of Scope 3 carbon emissions as well as contributing towards BREEAM and LEED points. “Our Gypframe metal profiles are well established in the market, however, we have taken an innovative approach to now provide a version with lower embodied carbon which has the same grade material, is made through the same process, has the same dimensions, and was tested in the same way; so it looks, feels and performs like any other Gypframe metal profile. The profiles with lower embodied carbon will be printed Carbon Low to distinguish them from standard profiles. “We are very excited by this development, but it is just one part of a wide range of activities to reduce carbon emissions across our production portfolio as we are committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050.” Using an electric arc furnace means Gypframe Carbon Low metal profiles embodied carbon, compared with current Gypframe metal profiles, is reduced by up to 58%* over the whole product life cycle. Testing for the product was carried out at an independent UKAS-accredited test centre and includes fire and acoustic test data. For more information, visit british-gypsum.com/carbon-low. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The ENA Connect Direct platform has successfully processed applications from 1000 installers in its first month of operation. ENA Connect Direct aimed to modernise and simplify the application process, which used to be slow and reliant on manual processes. For installers of domestic low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels, ENA Connect Direct upgrades the process with an intuitive interface and by automating many of the inputs which speeds up the application creation time. It provides a streamlined system which uses artificial intelligence to provide instant approvals for most routine applications. When transferred to the DNO, the system has an average processing time of 1.5 days, reflecting the additional time more complex applications take to review and process. The digital system has also helped eliminate the manual transposing issues that potentially slowed applications in previous years. ENA Connect Direct is also succeeding in providing the efficient delivery of accurate data to network operators. In turn this provides increased visibility to aid network design and operations, a major step forward in creating a smarter UK energy system. With the uptake of low-carbon technologies anticipated to continue at a considerable rate in the coming years, ENA Connect Direct supports installers with completing faster and safe installations. Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation at Energy Networks Association, said: “I am delighted so many installers have made use of the platform already, and the feedback from users has been incredible, with one installer stating, ‘this platform is a dream come true!’ It is the sort of tangible improvement that the installers, manufacturers, the distribution network operators and ultimately the customer, will benefit from. The insights and data the system helps to centralise also supports network operators in having a live overview of LCT installations that they need to operate a smarter and more efficient network in the years ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
