The John F Hunt Group is pleased to confirm that it has secured a majority shareholding in RKD Consultant Ltd. Specialists in geotechnical and structural engineering design, RKD has a reputation for being one of London’s leading designers of Temporary Works schemes. The award-winning company has worked on some of
Sodexo has been awarded a three-year contract with The Insolvency Service to provide strategic programme and advisory services to support the organisation’s ‘Transforming Workplaces Project’. Partnering with Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), global construction and property consultancy, Sodexo’s Property Professional Services business and RLB will support The Insolvency Service to rationalise
Later living provider Anchor is seeking development consultant partners to help realise ambitious plans to deliver 5700 new homes over the next ten years. Anchor, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, will deliver the schemes across England, developing retirement communities that comprise 60
Supreme Court Decision Today: Fearn & Others v Trustees of Tate Gallery Ends Six-Year Battle With Wide-Ranging Implication For Developers and the Laws on Visual Nuisance In a milestone decision today the Supreme Court has allowed the appeal and found in favour of the flat owners overlooked by the Tate
Responding to the initial findings of the Regulator of Social Housing on damp and mould in social housing, Cllr Darren Rodwell, Housing spokesperson at the Local Government Association, said: “Councils continue to fully support efforts to inspect homes and drive up standards in both the social housing and private rented
Qualis Commercial has appointed Davis Construction as its contractor on the former Conder site in Epping Town Centre. The development will provide 45 high quality sustainable new homes consisting of 29 apartments across three buildings and 16 townhouses. These will be centred around the existing pond with extensive landscaping and
LSBUD, the UK’s leading online safe digging resource, finished 2022 with 3.75 million search enquiries for underground pipes and cables passing through its central system. This is a 12 percent increase on the previous year. The portal also registered 43,190 new Users in 2022. This represents a 14 percent increase
From acoustics to furniture to flooring and fabrics, Workspace Design Show is the perfect place to discover the workplace trends for 2023. The show, taking place between 27- 28 February 2023, brings you an extensive exhibitor line-up where the workplace interiors community can gather and celebrate the latest in office
Likewise Group Plc sign-up for brand new unit at Belgrave Logistics Park. Knight Property Group has concluded a 50,000 sq ft deal at the first phase of Belgrave Logistics Park, in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire. The £55m brand new speculative development on the site of the former Devro manufacturing facility is
Housebuilders grappling with regulatory requirements to measure the airtightness of new buildings are benefitting from an industry-leading scheme providing in-demand skills for the construction sector. Elmhurst Energy recently launched its Elmhurst Airtightness Scheme (EAS) to train and authorise professionals to carry out the essential testing buildings need to produce lower
The John F Hunt Group is pleased to confirm that it has secured a majority shareholding in RKD Consultant Ltd. Specialists in geotechnical and structural engineering design, RKD has a reputation for being one of London’s leading designers of Temporary Works schemes. The award-winning company has worked on some of the most iconic and complex projects in the capital, including Battersea Power Station, Chelsea Barracks, Kensington Odeon, and recently but very topically, the basement extension of Claridge’s. Mark Blackmore and Dr Adam Pellew’s management remains unchanged, together with their engineering team, who will continue to operate out of their existing offices in East London. John F Hunt Directors, Davinder Rehal CEng, and Dr Adam Fisher, who have over 25 years’ experience in the rail sector and ground engineering respectively, will ensure the adoption of a collaborative approach between the two Engineering Design disciplines and that RKD’s client interests are not conflicted. Mark Blackmore, RKD’s Managing Director, commented, “It will be ‘business as usual’ for us, as we will still work independently with our existing clients. We have combined forces and delivered many projects with John F Hunt in the past, and we appreciate their excellent reputation within the construction industry. The amalgamation of technical engineering minds and the support the Group can offer is an exciting prospect for all of us.” John Hall, John F Hunt Group Chairman, said, “The incorporation of the highly regarded RKD business within the Group will greatly strengthen John F Hunt’s geotechnical and structural capabilities. However, we recognise the importance of RKD retaining their autonomy and existing client base; this, I am sure they will achieve whilst being able to expand the business through our network of regional offices.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sodexo has been awarded a three-year contract with The Insolvency Service to provide strategic programme and advisory services to support the organisation’s ‘Transforming Workplaces Project’. Partnering with Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), global construction and property consultancy, Sodexo’s Property Professional Services business and RLB will support The Insolvency Service to rationalise and transform its existing estate and help deliver the five-year programme of major and minor fitouts, building closures and disposals. Together they will deliver a range of services including: Dan Weiss, managing director of Sodexo’s Property Professional Services said: “We are delighted to be appointed as a strategic partner to The Insolvency Service to help rationalise and transform their estate. We look forward to working together with The Insolvency Service and RLB to bring to life their vision which is aligned to the Government Property Strategy for a smaller, better and greener estate.” Sodexo’s services have been procured via the Crown Commercial Service Estate Management Framework (RM 6168) where Sodexo is a supplier on three lots: Lot 1 – Total Estate Management Lot 4 – Surveying and Strategic Advice Lot 7 – Integrator The framework has recently been extended by a year expiring in July 2025. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Later living provider Anchor is seeking development consultant partners to help realise ambitious plans to deliver 5700 new homes over the next ten years. Anchor, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, will deliver the schemes across England, developing retirement communities that comprise 60 or more homes for sale, shared ownership and rent. The not-for-profit provider, through its new developments consultancy framework, is tendering for four-year partnerships with architects, employers’ agents and cost consultants, structural and civil engineers, mechanical and electrical engineers, planning consultants and principal designers. The total estimated value for delivering projects over the life of the framework is £800m. Steve Hogben, head of technical and commercial services for Anchor, said: “We have ambitious plans to further our provision for older people across the country. As a result, we are looking to secure long term partnerships with various practices from architects and designers to engineers and we have invited tenders from selected providers, with the view to award these tenders in June 2023.” Oliver Boundy, Executive Director of Development at Anchor, said: “Helping people enjoy later life is our passion. With an ageing population and a lack of supply, our housing, care and support is needed more than ever. “Anchor is proudly not-for-profit, which means every penny we make is reinvested into our properties and services, building more and innovating for the future so that people can have a home where they love living in later life. Our mission is to create communities that bring people together, encourage neighbourliness and reduce isolation while providing support services that give residents peace of mind. “Anchor manages 54,000 homes for both rent and sale to those aged 55 and over, operating across almost 1,700 sites and serving more than 65,000 residents. Our 10-year plan is to build on that success and help address the gap in service provision for older people in England.” Companies wishing to be considered can access the submission information here. The initial SQ stage will close on the 12 February 2023. Submissions must be received by this date to be considered. To find out more about the company’s growth strategy and vision for the future, or if you are a landowner, developer or site agent with suitable land then visit: www.anchorhanover.org.uk/professionals/land-acquisition. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Supreme Court Decision Today: Fearn & Others v Trustees of Tate Gallery Ends Six-Year Battle With Wide-Ranging Implication For Developers and the Laws on Visual Nuisance In a milestone decision today the Supreme Court has allowed the appeal and found in favour of the flat owners overlooked by the Tate Modern’s public viewing gallery, putting an end to this long running case.. The claim concerns the Tate’s public viewing gallery on the top floor of the Blavatnik Building. The viewing gallery attracts between 500,000 – 600,000 visitors per year and can hold up to 300 people at once. The distance between the viewing gallery and the flats is some 34 metres and the flats have floor to ceiling glass windows. The viewing gallery is open all day, 7 days a week and provides a clear and uninterrupted view of the flats. The owners of the flats complained of being constantly viewed by visitors to the museum, of people taking photographs and videos on their smartphones and uploading them to social media. The flat owners seek an injunction to prevent the Tate from permitting people to view their flats from the viewing gallery. The claim was dismissed at first instance on the basis that the Tate’s use of the land was reasonable, the flats (with floor to ceiling glass windows) were exceptionally sensitive and the owners could install blinds or curtains if they chose. The claim was appealed but dismissed at the Court of Appeal where it was held that “mere overlooking” could not constitute a nuisance. In a majority decision today the Supreme Court allowed the appeal and found in favour of the flat owners. The essence of the decision is that the law of nuisance seeks to prevent substantial interference with the ordinary enjoyment of land. The ordinary use of land, done conveniently and with due regard for your neighbours, cannot constitute a nuisance. However, the Court found that the near constant visual intrusion went well beyond “overlooking” and would be regarded by ordinary homeowners as substantially interfering with their use and enjoyment of their property. The viewing gallery was a particular and exceptional use of the Tate’s land and not an ordinary incident of the use of the land as an art museum. As a result, the use of the viewing gallery in this way constituted a nuisance. Thomas Freeman Senior Associate Solicitor in the Real Estate Disputes Team at Irwin Mitchell said, “ In the short term, the case is likely to be misunderstood as having been decided on the grounds of “privacy”. There are likely to be many people concerned about the use of neighbouring land or its proposed development who will seek to rely on it. However, the case was concerned the law of nuisance and not privacy. The Judgment is clear that the ordinary use of land, including for ordinary instances of overlooking or development, will not constitute a nuisance.” “The case is important because the Supreme Court has re-stated the law of nuisance. In doing so, it has rejected the notion that there is a “reasonable user” test, or that the “reasonable use” of land in all the circumstances will provide a defence to claim in nuisance. Rather, the questions of whether the interference is substantial, and whether it emanates from an ordinary use of the land or not, are of paramount importance. In the longer term, it is the question of “ordinary use” which is likely to generate satellite litigation. It is difficult to assess ordinary use by reference to locality in highly developed mixed areas, or where new uses are to be introduced to an area or are developed incrementally over time.” “Finally, the Supreme Court avoided the question of whether the owners should be awarded damages or an injunction. This is a missed opportunity for the Court to provide guidance in an area which, as the Court itself acknowledged, has been uncertain since the issue was last examined by the Supreme Court in Coventry v Lawrence.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Responding to the initial findings of the Regulator of Social Housing on damp and mould in social housing, Cllr Darren Rodwell, Housing spokesperson at the Local Government Association, said: “Councils continue to fully support efforts to inspect homes and drive up standards in both the social housing and private rented sector. While this study shows that the vast majority of social housing is safe and decent, councils are determined to improve housing conditions for all social and private tenants. “The LGA continues to work with professional bodies, as well as the Government, to discuss possible solutions on improving housing standards – including those relating to damp and mould in tenanted properties.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Qualis Commercial has appointed Davis Construction as its contractor on the former Conder site in Epping Town Centre. The development will provide 45 high quality sustainable new homes consisting of 29 apartments across three buildings and 16 townhouses. These will be centred around the existing pond with extensive landscaping and tree planting. Simon Rutter, Managing Director for Qualis Commercial comments, “This is a significant milestone for Qualis Commercial and we are pleased to be working with Davis Construction on our first residential development in Epping Town Centre. Demolition has recently been completed and I am looking forward to seeing activity on site. “ The new homes have been designed with sustainability in mind, with air source heat pumps, increased insulation to prevent heat loss in the winter and keep them cooler in the summer months, photo voltaic panels, charging for electric vehicles and green and blue roof systems. Tom Davis, Managing Director of Davis Construction said, “Davis Construction (South-East) Ltd is delighted to be working with Qualis Commercial on what will be a significant development in Epping town centre to create 45 new homes. “We take the role of main contractor very seriously and will endeavour to listen and be sensitive to the needs of local community as construction progresses.” Work will be starting in February, and we are expecting to complete in phases from the Spring 2024. As part of its developments in Epping Town Centre, Qualis will be making contributions of over £3 million to improve healthcare, education, enhancements to green spaces and other community wide benefits. With this project it will take the total contributions so far to over £750,000. Funding has already been used for improvements to Lower Swaines Playground and Stonards Hill recreation ground. For further information about Qualis Commercial please visit www.qualiscommercial.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LSBUD, the UK’s leading online safe digging resource, finished 2022 with 3.75 million search enquiries for underground pipes and cables passing through its central system. This is a 12 percent increase on the previous year. The portal also registered 43,190 new Users in 2022. This represents a 14 percent increase compared to 2021, and is 35 percent up on 2020. Richard Broome, MD at LSBUD, comments: “In 2022, our portal received more search enquiries than we take breaths. It’s absolutely extraordinary. At the start of 2022, our aim was to break through the 3.5 million enquiries barrier, so to achieve 3.75 million is credit to those safe digging industries who are more committed to best practice than ever before. “People operating within the farming, construction, highways, telecoms, water, gas and electricity sectors need to be praised for their part in this substantial growth, as do UK consumers who are increasingly undertaking home projects with greater care than ever before.” Growth in coverage was also seen across all industries, in particular the gas sector, with Northern Gas Networks joining the collaborative portal in 2022. This means LSBUD now has complete coverage of the UK’s major gas distribution networks, with 100 percent of them collaboratively sharing their data on the free-to-use, central portal. Fibre networks also jumped on the safe digging momentum, with Voneus, Ogi, Wildanet and Toob joining the likes of broadband key players Gigaclear, Gamma, Neos Networks and Zayo, in recognising the importance of having their asset data shared on a central portal. Richard Broome concludes: “2022 was the best ever year for the safe digging community. Pipes and cables were better protected than ever before, and those working near them were safer. Of course, there is room for improvement, and that is what we push for, however we wanted to extend a thank you to every farmer, construction, highways, telecoms, water, gas and electricity worker, that searches before they dig. It is good practice, it is safe, and it is sensible. Remember, always search before you dig.” For more information about LSBUD, visit http://www.lsbud.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
From acoustics to furniture to flooring and fabrics, Workspace Design Show is the perfect place to discover the workplace trends for 2023. The show, taking place between 27- 28 February 2023, brings you an extensive exhibitor line-up where the workplace interiors community can gather and celebrate the latest in office innovation. With many new as well as returning exhibitors, London’s Business Design Centre will be the place to explore cutting-edge workspace solutions. Get your free ticket to attend here. Workspaces are increasingly requiring multifunctional products. Furniture designer Pedrali will be exhibiting the multifunctional BuddyHub Desk, a functional and efficient workstation where users can concentrate and isolate, to partition open spaces and create collaborative and meeting areas. Spacestor will be launching their newest product development, Arcadia, a space-making toolkit for designers which brings the New Landscape for Work. RS Barcelona will showcase other fully flexible products, among them its ‘you and me’ ping pong table which caters for the recent trend ‘microbreaks’ which are proven to increase productivity. With mental and physical well-being at the forefront of workplace design, Technogym will be showcasing elements of its product ecosystem: connected smart equipment for end-user access wellness. ‘Personal Line’, for example, was created using over three decades of biomechanical experience and feedback, combined with the design skills of iconic Italian designer Antonio Citterio. Workspace Design Show has every surface covered from flooring to fabrics, which are increasingly used to define different spaces within an office floorplate. Flooring specialists Tarkett and Strata Tiles will both be exhibiting, demonstrating their latest surface solutions. Exploring the importance of colour and texture through fabrics is Kvadrat, a well-renowned textiles company, which produces high-performance, design textiles, rugs, acoustic and window covering solutions for both commercial and residential uses. BIOHM will present the bio materials exhibition, with biological systems at the heart of its inspiration. Workspace Design Show is showcasing a vast range of products that aid privacy and sound control. Amongst these are award winning firm The Meeting Pod Company, known for their commercial and domestic, indoor and outdoor meeting pods. Mute, meanwhile, will be displaying various solutions to regain focus and allow conversations to flow. Making a return to the show are leaders in sustainable and acoustic finishes, Woven Image, who will be demonstrating the importance of ceilings in acoustic control. Fora Form, one of Scandinavia’s largest furniture manufacturers for social areas will also be exhibiting. The event will also host some of the industry’s leading architectural lighting specialists, demonstrating the move away from harsh office lighting towards more human-centric solutions. Collaborators include FUTURE Designs, sponsors of the bar area. This UK-based firm specialises in quality bespoke lighting solutions and has recently gained the Carbon Careful sustainable accreditation. Lighting exhibitors include Erco which has a whole portfolio based entirely on LED technology and Delta Light, recognised throughout the world for its subtle blend of ambiance, elegance, functionality, and design, both in interior and exterior lighting. The Indoor and Outdoor intelligent lighting specialist, iGuzzini will also be exhibiting their latest products. A wide array of leading architects and designers will also be showcasing their perspectives on the latest workplace trends. A series of stunning features will be presented, including The REVIVAL Bar by Moser Associates; The Entrance ‘Destination Workplace Rebirth’ by Gensler, The Lounge: Change by Design, by BDP; International furniture specialist, The Furniture Practice will curate this year’s Design Talks Lounge in collaboration with multidisciplinary studio Acrylicize. The main stage space will bring together key pieces from leading furniture manufacturers, including Moroso, Andreu World, Arper, Fredericia and Vitra, alongside an immersive installation celebrating material innovation within furniture and interiors. Workspace Design Show 2023 is bringing together the latest innovations and trends under one roof, with an extensive range of unmissable products. Get your free ticket to attend here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Likewise Group Plc sign-up for brand new unit at Belgrave Logistics Park. Knight Property Group has concluded a 50,000 sq ft deal at the first phase of Belgrave Logistics Park, in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire. The £55m brand new speculative development on the site of the former Devro manufacturing facility is being developed over three phases, to provide 261,193 sq ft over five buildings. The first two phases were completed in November 2022, with the final phase scheduled for completion in September this year. Likewise Group Plc, one of the UK’s largest and fastest growing distributors of floor coverings and matting, has agreed a 20 year lease on Unit D, which extends to 50,013 sq ft. The Group started trading in 2019 and is relocating its Scottish distribution centre from Motherwell to Belgrave. Over the past two years, the Group has made major investment in the infrastructure with new operations in Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham and Newbury, with the new Glasgow base being fully operational in quarter two of this year. Tony Brewer, Chief Executive of Likewise Group Plc said: “We have made significant progress on expanding our sales teams and point of sale displays to expand and create a much greater market presence. We remain focussed on accelerating growth and delivering a return on this investment. “We are very pleased with our new facility at Belgrave which provides high-quality space in an excellent accessible location. It provides the ideal base for our expanding Group and will help achieve our business objectives.” Howard Crawshaw, Managing Director of Knight Property Group added: “We firmly believed Belgrave Logistics Park would be a success and would attract strong interest and quality tenants from the outset and this deal reinforces our strategy of developing high quality speculative product in prime locations. “Occupier interest has been excellent for the remaining units, with several discussions ongoing and we have now commenced the final phase, a 126,960 sq ft unit, which will be completed in September this year.” Belgrave is one of the greenest industrial/logistics parks in Scotland at the current time. Each building is ‘all-electric’ and has an EPC rating of ‘A +’ and has a BREEAM ‘excellent rating’, in line with occupier and investor expectations. It is in the heart of Scotland’s ‘golden triangle,’ within the popular Bellshill Industrial Estate. It offers excellent transport links and quick access to the A725 dual carriageway which provides direct access to the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh and the M74 which is Scotland’s main road link south. Glasgow international airport is only 25-minutes’ drive west via the M8 motorway and Edinburgh international airport is only 40-minutes’ drive east. Alan Gilkison, Managing Partner of Ryden said: “This is a bold and ambitious project from Knight, who have gained the reputation for investing and delivering quality speculative developments in key geographical areas. This project has already secured quality occupiers and is generating significant interest for the remaining space. It will provide Knight with the results they deserve.” Ryden and JLL are agents for Knight Property Group. The project architect was SPACE Solutions’, with the developers being Muir Construction (for Phases 1 & 2) and Clark Contracts (for Phase 3). For more information, please visit BELGRAVE Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilders grappling with regulatory requirements to measure the airtightness of new buildings are benefitting from an industry-leading scheme providing in-demand skills for the construction sector. Elmhurst Energy recently launched its Elmhurst Airtightness Scheme (EAS) to train and authorise professionals to carry out the essential testing buildings need to produce lower energy bills, conserve heat and meet higher standards in lower carbon building and retrofit. This means industry will find a bigger pool of expertise to ensure residential and commercial buildings pass updated Building Regulations, which now set higher standards for energy and fuel conservation (Part L) and ventilation (Part F). EAS, previously the Independent AirTightness Testing Scheme (iATS), qualifies companies, as well as sole traders and partnerships, through training, assessment and accreditation. It also offers developers, building control bodies and members of the public a facility to find airtightness testers in their area. Stuart Fairlie, Elmhurst managing director, said: “The energy efficiency goalposts have really changed for new domestic and commercial buildings with the Building Regulations 2022, meaning we already seeing a significant rise in demand for airtightness testers. “This has been compounded by the energy crisis and sharp rises in fuel bills, meaning housing associations, local authorities, private landlords and homeowners have never been more concerned about putting energy saving measures into homes. “As well as raising the bar for energy and fuel conservation and ventilation, the regulations now require all new buildings to have an airtightness rating after construction. Any dwellings that don’t meet the required standards will need to be corrected if they are to receive building approval and certification. These test results are also used to calculate energy efficiency and are a factor determining a building’s EPC rating, so there is simply no escape from the importance of airtightness.” Professionals qualified through EAS can carry out airtightness pressure testing to measure uncontrolled air leakage through gaps and cracks in a building, not easily detected through visual inspection. Airtightness tester Ewan MacFarlane, based in southwest Scotland, qualified through the EAS (then iATS) after spotting a gap in the market. He saw it as an opportunity to expand his career as a chartered surveyor, which led to him forming his own company, MacFarlane Surveying and Construction. He added: “In Dumfries and Galloway there aren’t many air testers, so there’s a growing market which has given me a good base with clients. I’ve done everything from big, industrial units, to garden rooms and retail warehouses. Some jobs take an hour, others take five or six days for a house to comply to Passivhaus standards, so it’s very varied. But I’m finding I’m picking up new clients all the time and much of my work comes via recommendations, which is fantastic.” There are two EAS levels. The first covers domestic and non-domestic buildings up to 4,000m3, with level two up to and over 4,000m3. Registered airtightness testers can use EAS to develop their skills through three further courses: thermal imaging heat loss inspection training for commercial and residential buildings; training on Pulse – the new, approved method for airtightness testing; and background ventilation testing. Stuart Fairlie added: “At its core, this scheme is about equipping the built environment with confidence that new buildings are fit for higher standards of building and living, while moving us closer to carbon net zero.” EAS member benefits include professional indemnity and public liability insurance, a secure lodgement portal and dedicated technical support. Elmhurst’s residential building SAP and commercial building SBEM assessors can also search for airtightness testers using the company’s Design SAP software. For more information visit www.elmhurstairtightness-scheme.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals