Nicola Sturgeon has marked the connection of the UK’s tallest and most efficient onshore wind turbines to the national grid. The 200-metre structures are part of Banks Renewables’ Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire that will consist of 15 new ultra-efficient turbines. Lying just south of Strathaven, Kype
Luxury retailer Nest appoints award winning contractors to carry out refit Refurbishment works at the former Scottish Queen public house are now underway, with new owner Nest appointing award-winning contractors from across Yorkshire to turn the site into a luxury furniture and lighting retail destination. A landmark building at the
The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee on 3 November, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps of the Local Plan allocation for housing development. Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the
The first freight train arrived at HS2’s newest Bucks construction hub this week as the high speed rail project confirmed that the new facility is expected to take the equivalent of 300,000 lorry movements off local roads. Situated on an existing freight line north of Aylesbury, the new railhead will
Developer Charterpoint, in a joint venture with landowner, The Drummond Estate, has applied for planning permission to build a new local centre and a 66-bed care home on land at New Lubbesthorpe, a pioneering new community in Blaby, Leicestershire. The mixed-use scheme features a two-storey local centre which will house
Construction and fit-out specialists, Chisholm & Winch, have reached a key milestone at the ground-breaking project, Hope Street, celebrating the topping out ceremony on 18 October 2022. The unique project for client, One Small Thing – a charity that supports women affected by the justice system – will provide a
HID, worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, announces today the successful implementation of its mobile access solution, HID Mobile Access, and mobile-enabled Bluetooth® readers at the new Skyliner skyscraper in Warsaw, Poland. Located in the vibrant Wola business district, Skyliner is one of the tallest buildings in the capital
Clean Planet Energy today announced a new joint venture with private equity firm Crossroads Real Estate to fund Clean Planet Energy’s flagship ecoPlant currently under construction in Teesside, North East England. This will be the first of 10 new ecoPlants that Crossroads Real Estate and Clean Planet Energy are jointly
VELUX Group and BayWa r.e. today announce a groundbreaking dual-site deal to address the world-leading roof window manufacturer’s European operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2024. The Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will drive the development of two new solar parks in Gerena and Alhendín in Southern Spain. The Alhendín park
Studying accessible data from the 20 largest contractors in the UK, a shocking fact emerges that wastage in the construction and civil engineering industries falls between 30% and 38%. James Maclean, CEO of leading wet civil and environmental engineering firm Land & Water, has a driving passion to reduce this
Nicola Sturgeon has marked the connection of the UK’s tallest and most efficient onshore wind turbines to the national grid. The 200-metre structures are part of Banks Renewables’ Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire that will consist of 15 new ultra-efficient turbines. Lying just south of Strathaven, Kype Muir Extension’s turbines will have an installed generation capacity of up to67.2MW of renewable electricity, providing around 53,700 households with green electricity annually[1] over its 30-year lifetime – the equivalent of taking 23,550 petrol cars off the road each year[2]. The First Minister marked the turbine connection at a key time for renewable energy in Scotland. Just a year on from Glasgow playing host to COP26, clean, green energy is high on the Scottish Government’s agenda, with onshore wind power a key player in the country’s drive towards its net zero ambitions. During her visit to Kype Muir Extension on the morning of the 16 November, the First Minister unveiled a plaque at the site, as well as having the opportunity to discuss the future of renewable energy with members of the Banks Renewables team. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Onshore wind is the biggest source of renewable energy in Scotland, making it a vital part of our mission to become a net zero economy by 2045. “In addition to being a cheap and reliable source of electricity that harnesses one of our most abundant resources, onshore wind can also help us meet that target in a way that benefits communities – through the creation of high quality jobs, and investment in local businesses and supply chains – as part of a just transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy. “The damaging impacts of the climate emergency recently highlighted at COP27 and the spike in energy prices since the war in Ukraine demonstrate the importance of accelerating that transition. Kype Muir extension is a significant example of that in action, and the Scottish Government will shortly outline how we plan to boost the country’s onshore capacity by up to 12 gigawatts by 2030, which could produce enough electricity to power 10 million homes for a year, or every home in Scotland for more than four years.” The South Lanarkshire wind farm is an extension of Banks Renewables’ 26-turbine Kype Muir Wind Farm site. The extension will feature four 156m, three 176m and eight 200m-tall wind turbines. Scottish civil engineering firm RJ McLeod (Contractors) Ltd which was originally appointed by Banks to construct the first Kype Muir wind farm has also been appointed as the contractor for the extension site. The adjacent Kype Muir wind farm and the new extension will have a combined capacity 155.4MW which will generate enough electricity for around 124,000 households each year. Banks Renewables’ existing Kype Muir site was chosen as the location for the launch of the Scottish Government’s Onshore Wind Policy consultation just last year and was praised by the Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, Michael Matheson MSP, for its positive impact on the surrounding South Lanarkshire community. Andrew Liddell, development director at Banks Renewables said:“To welcome the First Minister to the site and have her mark such a major milestone for Scotland’s renewable energy sector is an incredible privilege and proud moment for everyone involved in the project. “Kype Muir Extension and its impressive turbines are an excellent example of a project that can make a real and positive impact towards the Scottish Government’s ambitious net-zero targets. “Not only does the wind farm have the tallest and most efficient turbines on UK land, but it will also play a key role in providing the surrounding community with major benefits – something that is high on our agenda. Over its 30-year lifetime, there is no doubt that Kype Muir Extension will prove valuable in many different ways for South Lanarkshire and Scotland as a whole.” The Kype Muir project is a flagship development for Banks Renewables and its site is where the company’s first Scottish Community Partnership, the Kype Muir Community Partnership was launched, pledging to support local projects that are charitable, educational, philanthropic or benevolent in purpose through the distribution of funding. Funding is also available for Banks’ flagship Connect2Renewables Charter to maximise the benefits of its renewable electricity developments for local people and the local economy. With the introduction of Kype Muir Extension, the Hamilton-based firm will look to reinforce and enhance the principles of community partnership originally founded at Kype Muir. Kype Muir and Kype Muir Extension are set to deliver community benefits equating to more than £700,000 per annum, with funds available to surrounding communities each year. The impressive Kype Muir Extension is set to be fully complete and producing clean, renewable electricity to the national grid in early 2023. To find out more about Banks Renewables Kype Muir Extension Wind Farm, please visit; https://www.banksgroup.co.uk/KypeMuirExtension Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Luxury retailer Nest appoints award winning contractors to carry out refit Refurbishment works at the former Scottish Queen public house are now underway, with new owner Nest appointing award-winning contractors from across Yorkshire to turn the site into a luxury furniture and lighting retail destination. A landmark building at the heart of Phase 1 of the award-winning Park Hill redevelopment which once housed one of the four original onsite pubs, the Scottish Queen spans an impressive 3,500 sq. ft and includes a basement and terraces to both sides. Nest’s CEO and founder, Christian Hawley, is overseeing the project, with contractors including Sheffield’s Maquina Architects, Pontefract-based flooring specialist, Milestone Group and South Yorkshire heating and ventilation firm Airmaster Air Conditioning amongst the companies delivering on the works. Commenting on the ‘carefully collated team of contractors’, Christian said he was confident that they would be able to replicate Nest’s ethos and aesthetic within the new space, delivering a ‘unique design destination’ that will attract residential and commercial clients from across the country. The interior concept for the new showroom, visualised by the internationally acclaimed interior designer Harriet Paterson, explores the concept of Urban Spaces, with the layout consisting of ‘intimate room vignettes’. When asked about the visual inspiration behind the concept, this being “Verdant Brutalism”, Harriet explains: “The drama of the Barbican conservatory meets the elegance of the Ricardo Bofill’s Spanish cement factory conversion, La Fabrica, combined with bold monochrome statement signage”. Green living and plant life will also be a strong feature within the aesthetic, bringing the outdoors in. The design incorporates a purpose-built staircase, sympathetic to the space with an industrial style, perforated folded steel softened with natural oak treads, supplied by Stoke-on-Trent’s Metal Staircase Company. For staff and customers, a sleek and compact open-plan kitchen area, supplied courtesy of fellow Sheffield Business, Concept Interiors Ltd, also features. Other Sheffield suppliers and contractors working to deliver the project includes electrician New Phase LED, IDAQ Networks, Steven Slack Joinery Services, and Croft Security. Blackburn-based commercial lighting supplier Tyson Lighting are contracted to supply the track lighting throughout the space with spot lights and a linear fitting for the office area. Tom Crookes, Commercial Manager at Tyson Lighting commented on the project: “TYSON were delighted to be invited to assist Nest in finding a dynamic lighting solution for their new Park Hill showroom. “The brief was to provide a system that would allow for all the lighting needs of a retail show-room with a simple, clean aesthetic that allowed for adaptation as the needs of the space evolve. We love a technical challenge, and we cannot wait to see the finished showroom beautifully lit.” Wakefield-based Quadrant Inspections and Pontefract’s Milestone Group are also supporting with the build, with the flooring expected to be fitted in October. Nest is partnering with Sheffield business, Concept Interiors Ltd, to design and fit the design destination’s kitchen space. The chosen spec accentuates the urban style of Park Hill, consisting of stylish units from both the Zerox light and dark Concreto range and Cosentino Dekton worktops. The partnership, based on a referral agreement between both party showrooms, aligns with Nest’s commitment/belief to support fellow businesses in the North. Commenting on the project Nest’s CEO and Founder, Christian Hawley, said: “The Park Hill development is Europe’s largest Grade II listed building. The industrial interior of the Scottish Queen perfectly encapsulates Sheffield’s history, while the breath-taking’ views over the city centre provides the business with excellent display and photoshoot opportunities. “It is very important to us that we make the most of the space, and complement it with the design of the interior, and so we have invested a lot of time into perfecting the group of contractors that will help us to deliver on this project. “Now that work is underway, we anticipate it will take around two-three months to complete, opening at the end of November. We are very much looking forward to seeing the space transformed, and to welcoming clients from across the country to our new design destination.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee on 3 November, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps of the Local Plan allocation for housing development. Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the first phase of access road into the site, and outline details for the provision of new community facilities and up to 350 new homes. The application also supports the delivery of high-quality pedestrian and cycle facilities connecting to the new signalised site access junction at the existing Forge Lane / Lees Hall Road junction, as well as the ability to connect to the new Ravensthorpe Railway Station which is part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The next steps include the council working with local people to progress an Inclusive Communities Framework for the area which will feed the community’s future needs into the next stages of developing the site alongside external partners. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This is an exciting step towards the creation of a vibrant and welcoming new community which has been made possible by collaborative working with local people, the council, Homes England, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail. We are committed to ensuring that the new Riverside development works for new and existing residents, many of whom have had their say about the proposals during the consultation phase, helping us better understand the aspirations and needs of the local community.” The first phase of construction has recently been completed by local company, The Casey Group Ltd with the creation of a new allotment site that will replace the original site of 25 plots with 43 plots. The transition of the existing allotment holders will start in the coming months. The planning application can be viewed on the council’s planning portal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first freight train arrived at HS2’s newest Bucks construction hub this week as the high speed rail project confirmed that the new facility is expected to take the equivalent of 300,000 lorry movements off local roads. Situated on an existing freight line north of Aylesbury, the new railhead will welcome approx. 1,800 freight trains over the next three years as construction of HS2 – which will improve links between London, Birmingham and the north – gathers pace. Delivering this material by rail instead of HGV is expected to save 27,903 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon), the equivalent of 126 million miles driven by an average petrol car – or 156,408 return journeys between London and Edinburgh. The news comes two years after HS2 began delivering construction material to its other Buckinghamshire sites by rail. In that time 655 trains have delivered 1.1 million tonnes of aggregate, removing more than 116,000 truck journeys from the road and saving an estimated 13,000 tonnes co2e. The new site near Quainton, will allow HS2 to continue shipping material by rail as construction ramps up and is expected to handle 3 million tonnes of material – mainly aggregates used for construction. Once on site, most of the material will be stockpiled before being moved up or down the trace of the new high speed line on a series of dedicated haul roads to keep it away from local road users. Welcoming the news, HS2 Ltd Senior Project Manager Paul Marshall said: “We are serious about reducing the impact of construction on the local community and promoting sustainable construction methods. That’s why we started delivering materials by rail two years ago and this new railhead will help us continue to take huge numbers of trucks off local roads. “We’ve been working closely with Network Rail, EKFB and the Freight Operators for a number of years to make this possible, and to deliver not only low carbon journeys for our passengers, but also cut carbon in construction.” The railhead was set up by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB – a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall. EKFB is delivering the 80km central section of the route, including 17 viaducts, 81 bridges and three cut and cover ‘green tunnels’. They worked with a team from Network Rail who have completed a series of alterations which will enable freight services to operate in and out of the new railhead at Quainton. Simon Winfield, head of delivery unit for Network Rail, said: “Our team have worked at pace to complete adjustments on this section of railway which will help our partners at HS2 to reduce carbon by taking lorries off the roads in Buckinghamshire. “Network Rail staff will continue to support the material by rail freight operation in Quainton by ensuring that trains are safely operated in and out of the new railhead.” EKFB’s Head of Logistics & Security Chris Barton is delighted with the new railhead, commenting: “EKFB and our supply chain partners, Fishbone Solutions, DB Cargo and Hanson, are extremely proud to be introducing our fourth railhead into the project and in less than two years. Our local communities are important to us and the railhead allows us to transport material efficiently, with minimal distribution to those living close to our construction works. “Establishing a new railhead in Bucks also means we are reducing our carbon footprint and the number of HGVs on local roads, as well as helping us to deliver our works on time.” The railhead will be operated by Fishbone Solutions on behalf of EKFB with trains operated by DB Cargo UK Ltd on behalf of Hanson. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Charterpoint, in a joint venture with landowner, The Drummond Estate, has applied for planning permission to build a new local centre and a 66-bed care home on land at New Lubbesthorpe, a pioneering new community in Blaby, Leicestershire. The mixed-use scheme features a two-storey local centre which will house a Sainsbury’s Local store and four additional units for retail, including a café/bistro on the ground floor. The first floor will be occupied by Forest House Medical Centre. The plans submitted to Blaby District Council include a 66-bed modern care home to be built over two and three storeys, which would be delivered by senior living specialist Charterpoint. New Lubbesthorpe Local Centre is the first retail scheme for the new community, which will eventually feature more than 4,000 new homes. The local centre and the care home – designed by Franklin Ellis Architects – have already received outline planning permission and will complete the development of the Tay Road feature square that also includes the successful New Lubbesthorpe Primary School. Charterpoint Managing Director, Giles Nursey, said: “New Lubbesthorpe is an exciting, vibrant community set in a great countryside location just 20 minutes from Leicester city centre and ten minutes from Fosse Park Retail Centre. “Charterpoint has carefully developed designs for the first of two local centres planned for the site, plus an adjacent care home, and we are very pleased to have now submitted a reserved matters planning application to Blaby District Council as the next part of the development process.” Martin Ward, a trustee of the Drummond Estate, said: “Community facilities, such as these, are vital to maintain the fantastic sense of community we have created at New Lubbesthorpe. The new local centre will complement the successful primary school and will be welcomed by those already living here and the new residents moving to site.” New Lubbesthorpe is a pioneering new community set in 325 acres of new parklands and wetlands, south of Leicester Forest East. Around 780 of the 4,250 homes have so far been built and occupied. It is expected that work will begin on site for the new local centre and the care home in spring 2023, subject to planning permission. Charterpoint, which is based at Edwalton near Nottingham, specialises in developing mixed-use and sustainable housing schemes, first-class senior living accommodation, and primary care premises. For more information about Charterpoint, visit www.charterpointgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction and fit-out specialists, Chisholm & Winch, have reached a key milestone at the ground-breaking project, Hope Street, celebrating the topping out ceremony on 18 October 2022. The unique project for client, One Small Thing – a charity that supports women affected by the justice system – will provide a positive and healing environment for women and their children to rebuild their lives with peer support. Located in the Southampton Conservation Area, Hope Street combines residential accommodation with a creche and community hub building including a cafe; where residents can mingle, gain access to support and workplace skills and take part in therapies and wellbeing activities. As main contractor on the project, Chisholm & Winch has been pivotal to the project from the design stages, working closely and collaboratively with architects Snug, subcontractors, Harris Bugg Studio, as well as client, One Small Thing. The Chisholm & Winch team has now completed the final stages of the roof area over the main Hub, by installing a cold applied liquid waterproofing solution from Bauder, as well as completing the 42 sq. m zinc roof over the Hub building. Oriel frameless box windows are now in place, enhancing the centre’s trauma-informed approach to design which has focussed on introducing lots of natural light, the use of tactile materials and creating a connection to the outdoors. The windows have also added improved thermal efficiency to the building as a sustainable glazing solution. The team has also installed the floor deck within the Hub and completed the plastering of the walls. The final floor finishes within the residential apartments are also complete. Hope Street is on target to meet the top BREEAM rating of ‘Outstanding’, thanks to its excellent levels of thermal insulation, air source heat pump heat supply, natural daylighting and reduction of the embodied energy of the fabric through a cross laminated timber frame. In attendance at the topping out celebration were members of the Chisholm & Winch project team, as well as Snug Architects and attendees from One Small Thing: Chief Executive, Claire Hubberstey, and the charity’s Chair and Founder, Lady Edwina Grosvenor. Commenting on the topping out, Stuart Honey, Project Manager at Chisholm & Winch, said: “This is a really important stage of the project as we have installed the main roof and windows of the building and have completed the first stages of fit-out inside the apartments and Hub building. “The scaffolding has now been removed from the main residential area as we approach the final phase on site. This is such a special and impactful project to be involved in, we’re all proud of how it’s coming together and we are really looking forward to handing it over.” Claire Hubbertsey, Chief Executive of One Small Thing, commented: “Women who are in prison are some of the most disadvantaged in our society, many having had long histories of trauma. The majority are on short sentences for non-violent crimes. In this time, women can lose their children, their homes, their jobs, and much more. “The conception, evolution and development of Hope Street has been at the cutting edge of innovation in re-imagining how women interact with the justice system so that their lives, and the lives of their children, are no longer torn apart and can instead be positively impacted. “The underpinning principle of working with Chisholm & Winch is about harnessing that common ambition to re-imagine the justice system. I am delighted that this topping out ceremony marks a significant milestone in the journey towards the completion of a pioneering residential community that will transform lives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HID, worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, announces today the successful implementation of its mobile access solution, HID Mobile Access, and mobile-enabled Bluetooth® readers at the new Skyliner skyscraper in Warsaw, Poland. Located in the vibrant Wola business district, Skyliner is one of the tallest buildings in the capital at 195 metres high. It is the first skyscraper commissioned by the developer, Karimpol Group, a developer of office and business parks in Europe. With 42 stories, it offers 49,000 m2 of leasable space with the lower levels dedicated to retail. In terms of physical access control, the strategy has been to segment the building and create various zones based on usage: office space for tenants, free access areas for the public, along with underground parking. To meet security protocols, people are prevented from going directly from the garage to the office floors and are routed to the lobby area first. Szymon Zduńczyk, Karimpol Group’s technical department head, explains, “Another key goal was to introduce touchless entry as people pass the turnstiles in reception, with a lift automatically called to take them to the correct level. We wanted to keep everything as simple as possible for people who work and visit the building.” To achieve this and add value to tenants, Karimpol Group has installed a feature-rich workplace platform developed by Hellopark—the SkylinerAPP. The SkylinerAPP provides a range of functionality for each tenant and their staff: the ability to reserve car parking places, book desks and conference rooms, as well as receive information and news about the building or events going on within it. It is also a tool to log any maintenance requirements: the building’s facility managers are informed about them via the system so they can be dealt with promptly. A HID Mobile Access solution has been integrated with the SkylinerAPP to allow physical access to the building, with both Apple iOS and Android-based smartphones supported. Leveraging Seos® as its underlying credential technology, the HID solution was sourced and installed by GMP Power, who also managed the programming of 300 door readers so they integrate with the mobile access solution. Simplified setup and integration To date, 1,600 users are registered in the SkylinerAPP. The process of adding and authorizing staff to use it is straightforward. On the backend, an office administrator first registers them in the building’s security management system. Each employee then downloads the SkylinerAPP by visiting Google Play or the Apple App Store. Maciej Kizlich, Hellopark’s chief executive officer, explains further, “To make this work at the door level, we’ve integrated HID’s SDK into our mobile app, along with HID’s Origo portal which links to our admin panel. Origo allows us to manage the credentials based on available licences and assign batches of virtual cards to specific tenants. It also integrates with the security management system, so that as long as the user is registered in it, all they need to do once they’ve downloaded the SkylinerAPP, is confirm their identity by clicking on a registration email and they get access.” The system has also been designed so that tenants can manage the virtual credentials themselves from within the SkylinerAPP. At the outset of the project, Karimpol Group specified an access control solution which offered the option to use physical cards as well as an app-based mobile approach. “We expected to run a dual system. As it turns out, 95% of tenants have only ever used the mobile one, with physical cards just given to visitors. That’s due to the success of the SkylinerAPP,” Zduńczyk continues. Integrated mobile access control drives workplace app usage Having mobile-based access control tightly integrated with the SkylinerAPP has added considerable value and driven its usage. Traffic is high and tens of thousands of requests are made within the app. “The amount of interaction people have had with it shows we’ve done a great job. It’s not just another building management app that no one uses. It really helps people get the most out of the building and be more productive in their day-to-day work,” Kizlich adds. Tenants in the building are very positive about it, too. Bolt—the European mobility super app offering ride hailing, shared cars, e-bikes and scooters along with a food and grocery delivery—is one such organization. Karolina Cieślak, Bolt’s regional office manager, explains, “In our previous building, we just used plastic cards. But staff were always losing or forgetting them which wasted my time. Our reception would have to call me to confirm that an individual was really an employee and I’d then have to reissue a card. The attraction of the SkylinerAPP in conjunction with HID’s mobile access solution is one of convenience as frankly no one leaves their home without their phone, I can activate and deactivate virtual credentials easily and, as physical plastic cards aren’t used anymore, it helps us be more green.” Looking to the future, Karimpol Group is preparing to start work on the second phase of the Skyliner masterplan. “We’re collecting feedback from tenants and going through a lessons-learned process, but the expectation is that we’ll implement a HID and Hellopark solution in the next project based on our experiences,” Zduńczyk concludes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Clean Planet Energy today announced a new joint venture with private equity firm Crossroads Real Estate to fund Clean Planet Energy’s flagship ecoPlant currently under construction in Teesside, North East England. This will be the first of 10 new ecoPlants that Crossroads Real Estate and Clean Planet Energy are jointly seeking to build and operate across the UK. The new joint venture could see over £400m of new UK investment deployed for the future construction of these facilities to tackle the plastic waste crisis. Potential sites have already been identified in Lincolnshire, Gloucestershire, Lancashire and South Wales , with further locations and announcements to be made in the months ahead. Clean Planet Energy’s ecoPlant is a green, advanced recycling facility intended to process non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle waste plastics that would otherwise be sent to landfill. Each ecoPlant is designed to accept 20,000 tonnes of plastics each year and to convert this waste into (a) ultra-low sulphur fuels to replace fossil fuels in the transport and heavy-machinery sectors, and (b) petrochemical feedstocks, including naphtha, which can be used to make new plastic products without the need to use fossil-based feedstocks. Clean Planet Energy’s ultra-low-sulphur diesel can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 75% compared to the use of traditional diesel, while the joint venture could also lead to over 200,000 tonnes of hard-to-recycle waste plastics being repurposed for use in the circular supply chain each year. The news comes as COP27 is currently underway and where world leaders are seeking solutions to reduce global GHG emissions and plastic pollution. Data from 2021 shows that the UK still generates over 2 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with well over 60% of this not suitable for recycling. In November 2022, the UK government’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee published a report focusing on accelerating the reduction of plastic waste, with advanced recycling identified as a key policy recommendation. By developing new ecoPlants throughout the UK, Clean Planet Energy and Crossroads Real Estate are opening a route for traditionally non-recyclable plastic waste to be repurposed into sustainable and circular-economy products; thereby cutting plastic pollution, reducing the amount of waste entering UK landfill, and also lowering greenhouse gas emissions when the waste is converted into ultra-low-sulphur diesel and used as a low-carbon fuel replacement. David Gillerman, Founding Partner and CEO of Crossroads Real Estate said, “At Crossroads, we are committed to green opportunities and impact investing as demonstrated already through our sustainable hotels strategy. We look forward to partnering with Clean Planet Energy to roll out ecoPlants across the UK, including the flagship ecoPlant already under construction in Teesside. The negative impact of plastic waste on our environment, plus the challenges we face from excess carbon emissions, made the joint venture with Clean Planet Energy a very compelling opportunity. With this investment, we have the ability to make a significant environmental and social impact across the UK.” Bertie Stephens, Group CEO of Clean Planet Energy, commenting on the extension of their vision that this joint venture enables, said, “Clean Planet Energy’s mission is to remove over 1 million tonnes of non-recyclable plastic waste from our environment, every year. This exciting partnership gives us the capacity to make a significant dent in this target. Having Crossroads Real Estate join us, not just for the development of potentially 10 new UK ecoPlant projects, but also for the construction of the current Teesside ecoPlant, means in Crossroads we have a partner who, like us, is focussed on making a sustainable difference with its investments; delivering on a vision of a greener United Kingdom and beyond. We’re now reaching out to local councils and private partners across the UK who could benefit from a reduction in plastic waste entering their landfill”. Earlier this year, Clean Planet Energy announced a 10-year agreement with global energy company bp plc to offtake its circular products from its ecoPlants into the market. Each new ecoPlant will be able to process hard-to-recycle plastics in the UK; at their peak, the facilities should create over 750 direct new jobs, and potentially thousands of indirect jobs when the ecoPlants move from development into the construction and operation phases. About Crossroads Real Estate Crossroads European Real Estate Funds have invested in various real estate asset classes throughout Europe, such as hotels, residential, light industrial, retail and co-working. Since its inception in 2015, Crossroads has generated an exposure in excess of €1.3 billion in European real assets on behalf of its various investors. Crossroads have an extensive background in growing multi-jurisdictional platforms across various asset classes and capital structures, and unlocking value from complex situations, providing both downside protection and a visible upside Crossroads’ key target markets are Germany, the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Spain, with other potential target markets being Central and Southern Europe and the Nordic countries. About Clean Planet Energy Clean Planet Energy (CPE) is a cleantech, renewable and alternative energy company, that has a special focus on converting hard-to-recycle waste plastics into naphtha, a petrochemical feedstock that can be used in plastic production to support a circular supply chain and converted into ultra-low-sulphur diesel. CPE’s mission is to remove over 1 million tonnes of hard-to-recycle plastic waste from our environment every year. It will achieve this mission by seeking to continuously devise and implement green technologies and processes (such as the Clean Planet ecoPlant) that can prevent plastic waste from entering the Earth’s environment and oceans, while also reducing the world’s demand for non-circular products. CPE’s ecoPlants aim to divert hard-to-recycle waste plastics away from the world’s landfills, incinerators and oceans, which would represent a major environmental win. CPE have operations in the UK, USA, France and South East Asia. 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VELUX Group and BayWa r.e. today announce a groundbreaking dual-site deal to address the world-leading roof window manufacturer’s European operations with 100% renewable electricity by 2024. The Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) will drive the development of two new solar parks in Gerena and Alhendín in Southern Spain. The Alhendín park includes BayWa r.e.’s first installation of innovative Agri-PV technology in Spain, which will allow for crops growing in between the solar panels. Bringing more renewable energy online Connecting to the grid in 2023 and 2024 the two plants will generate 167 GWh of renewable electricity every year for VELUX, equivalent to the electricity consumption of approximately 45,000 European homes. 80% of the total electricity generated by the plants will be generated due to the PPAs with VELUX. The new PPA will reduce the carbon footprint of VELUX with appr. 40.000 ton CO2e from the company`s European operations and activities on a yearly basis. Commenting on the project, Lars Petersson, CEO of the VELUX Group, said: “VELUX has always been about bringing daylight into people’s lives, and now we are very excited to apply the use of daylight, or more specifically solar power, to decarbonize our operations with renewable energy in the coming years. In our company we have committed ourselves to fight the climate crisis and show sustainable leadership. And with this agreement, we are well on our way to achieving our aim for a 100% reduction of our emissions from operations by 2030”. Pioneering solar plant symbiosis About 10% of the Alhendín solar park will be an Agri-PV installation, a new solar application that combines energy generation and food production, of which BayWa r.e. is a pioneer and leader. This installation will be specially designed with taller rows of panels, more widely spaced to allow farming to continue and modern farming machinery to pass between the panel rows, in this case to produce crops. The PV modules will also be used to collect rainwater, which will help the farmer manage the continuing risks posed by climate change and droughts in a very dry area. This PPA is pioneering the concept of solar plant symbiosis – a concept integrating solar power production with nature and community for mutual benefit. The development of both the Alhendín and Gerena plants will include a comprehensive plan and suite of community and environmental measures that will enhance local biodiversity and foster community involvement. To ensure that the parks will always prioritize their local environment and communities, BayWa r.e. will be partnering with nearby universities – namely Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Universidad de Córdoba – to form an interdisciplinary research group whose findings will ultimately inform a comprehensive and bespoke site strategy. “This project is so exciting because it perfectly embodies the synergies between new solar generation, Agri-PV, community partnerships and biodiversity. It also underlines our deep commitment to sustainability initiatives,” commented Matthias Taft, BayWa r.e.’s CEO. “Leading companies such as the VELUX Group play a crucial role in the fight against climate change and can be a game-changer in unlocking more sustainable pathways and solutions. Advancing the corporate energy transition is a huge focus for us, so it’s a major milestone for BayWa r.e. to help the VELUX Group achieve its renewable electricity targets with these PPAs.” Helping to deliver on VELUX Group’s historic carbon capture commitment Once connected to the grid, the new solar farms will enable VELUX to achieve its 2030 target to reduce emissions from its own operations and activities by 100%. This target is part of the company`s 2030 sustainability strategy commitment to pioneer climate and nature action. The commitment also includes targets to capture its historical carbon footprint since its founding in 1941 and up to 2041 through forest conservation projects with World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) and halving its value chain emissions by 2030. Schneider Electric, the leading advisor on global corporate renewable energy procurement, supported VELUX in the selection of the projects and their negotiations.
Studying accessible data from the 20 largest contractors in the UK, a shocking fact emerges that wastage in the construction and civil engineering industries falls between 30% and 38%. James Maclean, CEO of leading wet civil and environmental engineering firm Land & Water, has a driving passion to reduce this figure. As the firm looks to lead the civil engineering and construction industries in reducing their carbon footprint and become carbon net zero by 2030, he has launched a campaign “What a Waste”. James explains: “We all have the ability (at every level and within every role) to respond to waste and it’s time the industry took action in order to drive down our impacts and act with responsibility. Responsibility can be broken down into two words, response and ability and there are immediate changes we can all make.” Starting close to home by looking at its own company, Land & Water has identified eight key areas that can be tackled quickly by the sector in order to minimise time, energy and resources being wasted. These eight areas are: James Maclean says: “I’m appalled by the waste I see and what impact this is having on the environment. We need to open the dialogue of attacking waste to drive down the sector’s carbon footprint. “I just cannot understand why the construction industry seems happy to settle for net profit margins of 1-5% (data analysed from the 20 largest contractors in the UK’s published accounts), yet study after study shows the sector is hamstrung by inefficiencies of 30-38%. “At Land & Water, we pride ourselves on having conversations on anything that might make our business better which is why we’ve involved our whole team in identifying bad practices we undertake that create waste. “Our aim is to tackle these head on by putting the right solutions in place. We hope that by being honest to ourselves, showing warts and all, that this informs not only our company but our supply chain and other businesses within our sector. “It’s a really simple, triple bottom line behaviour…. Attacking wastage improves your profit, lowers your impact on the planet and makes for a happier more productive project.” James has filmed a series of videos exploring waste within Land & Water and the solutions it is putting in place to reduce its impacts and carbon footprint. The videos, which can be accessed by the public, have highlighted key impacts of waste and areas that need to be addressed: James continues, “Everyone in the construction process needs to accept their personal responsibility for planning their work effectively and using materials efficiently so we get things right the first time on projects, it breaks my heart to drive past major projects where there’s mountains to be done and people’s heads are down, looking at their phones…what a waste?”. The What a Waste videos can be accessed here: What a Waste introduction Damage and abuse Energy and fuel Planning and coordination People’s time Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals