McBains, the leading construction consulting and design agency, has appointed Mark Baseby as the new Director of the Architecture team. “Mark is an excellent example of how committed we are at McBains to invest in high quality members of the team, supporting them to grow and develop their careers within
LCP’s latest LCPAca Residential Index found that new build sales are falling 13.8% in Prime Central London. Sales in Greater London have also slowed, with growth falling from 25% to 5.2%, resulting in a fall in market share to 15.6% from 20% a year ago. These concerning findings have now
Monolith Brick & Stone Ltd received a coveted A1 rating for its cutting-edge BrickPlus Pro brick slips and, as a result, owner Stephen Waring says the potential for job creation at the firm’s base on St Asaph Business Park in Denbighshire is huge. The new non-combustible building product was developed
Barratt Homes, an award winning housebuilder, will soon launch a new development in the popular town of Kirkintilloch. Braes of Yetts consists of three and four bedroom homes, with a mix of semi-detached and detached options that are suitable for both first-time buyers and homeowners looking to take their next
Viewpoint, the construction software provider, is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (14th to 20th of May) by providing its clients with a way to deal with stress, under the guiding beam of The Lighthouse Club. The Lighthouse Club statistics reveal stress, depression or anxiety accounts for a fifth of all
Shay Casey, Sales Manager at Sika-Trocal, argued that the roofing industry has undergone massive changes over the past decade, with technology behind its growth. Now the industry can carry out BIM modelling, digital presentation and even refurbishment surveys using a drone or virtual programmes. Technical advancement has led to a
The refurbishment work on the grade-II listed offices in Bradford has begun. The £480,000 transformation of the 6,332 sq. ft. stone building will see Priestley Construction, the Leeds-based contractor which specialises in the refurbishment of historic buildings, turn it into luxury apartments and a ground floor commercial space. “It’s an
Transport Scotland has appointed a joint venture of UK engineer Mott MacDonald and Swedish planning firm Sweco as consultant for dualling a 29-mile stretch of the A96. Above: A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness The Mott MacDonald Sweco joint venture (MMS JV) will explore options for dualling of the A96 between
Construction employers have awarded the sector a score of only 4.5 out of 10 for its overall performance in managing workplace stress, according to a recent CITB ‘stress test’ survey. Released to coincide with Mental Health Awareness week (16 -22 May), the telephone survey of over 100 construction employers found
Wheatcroft Land was initially established by Clinton Bourke in 1989 after he worked as a civil engineer and managing director at Wilson Bowden Plc. Unfortunately, recently ill health has meant that Clinton has been unable to continue running the development company. Coming forward to take over is his daughter Catherine
McBains, the leading construction consulting and design agency, has appointed Mark Baseby as the new Director of the Architecture team. “Mark is an excellent example of how committed we are at McBains to invest in high quality members of the team, supporting them to grow and develop their careers within the business. Mark’s promotion recognises his integral role in the Architecture team’s success over the years, including his personal commitment, hard work and achievements, in particular leading McBains’ blue light and custodial sector success and expertise over the last 10 years,” said Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive at McBains. Mark Baseby has been working within the McBains family since 2000, rising up through the ranks, from Architecture to Associate, and most recently to Project Director. He has led on many significant projects for McBains including BAE Systems’ new world class training facility at the defence giant’s submarine yard in Barrow-in-Furness; the new divisional headquarters for Lancashire Constabulary and the expansion of Windsor Boys and Girls Schools. In his new role as Director of Architecture, Mark will take the lead on a number of residential schemes and projects for BAe, as well as seeking further development in the blue light and custodial sector. Mark Leeson, Director of Design will keep providing senior support on the day to day commercial and financial management of the Architecture team over the immediate period of 3 to 6 months. In addition, he will also retain a role in the larger schemes that the team has already secured. McBains is a consulting and design agency specialising in property, infrastructure and construction. It has operations in the UK, Europe and the Americas and it was previously known as McBains Cooper.
LCP’s latest LCPAca Residential Index found that new build sales are falling 13.8% in Prime Central London. Sales in Greater London have also slowed, with growth falling from 25% to 5.2%, resulting in a fall in market share to 15.6% from 20% a year ago. These concerning findings have now been verified by an analysis undertaken by LCP of new build data from the latest LOREMA report for 2017. In Inner London, new build starts fell by 25.4% in 2017, compared with 2016. The largest falls were recorded in Southwark, with 61.8%, and Tower Hamlets, with 43.3%. Applications increased by 4%, even though there were falls in seven of the 11 boroughs with the largest at just over 42% in both Wandsworth and Westminster. Moreover, planning permissions also fell by 7.4% and completions by 6.1%. “Findings from LCP’s April LCPAca Residential Index, LOREMA’S 2018 report and the ONS all show a troubling picture for the new build sector in London,” said Naomi Heaton, CEO of London Central Portfolio (LCP). She argued that these findings prove the construction sector is suffering its worst performance since 2012. Although the ‘Beast from the East’ contributed to its fall, the sector was in trouble even before that. According to the ONS, a large portion of the fall was due to a sharp 2.6% decline in January. The report shows that tower starts dropped from 46 in 2016 to 32 in 2017, resulting in units falling at 33%, from 8,200 to 5,500. The applications also fell at almost 10% from 74 to 67, with far fewer in Zone 1 than previously. Naomi stated that a downturn in international buyer sentiment contributed to the fall of the new build sector. “It is quite possible new build transactions will continue to decline, particularly in Inner London, given the 25.4% fall in new build starts reported by LOREMA. This situation could well worsen over the next two to three years, as schemes under construction which fail to sell off-plan come to completion.” “This may well impact developers’ desire to commence new build projects, resulting in a negative impact on the provision of new housing, one of the Government’s key aims. However, an increase in activity in Outer London may help mitigate this, particularly given the tower blocks being developed in the more peripheral areas of London, The fact that 30% of new tower starts are for the rental market compared with zero four years ago is also encouraging for the burgeoning generation of renters,” Naomi concluded.
Monolith Brick & Stone Ltd received a coveted A1 rating for its cutting-edge BrickPlus Pro brick slips and, as a result, owner Stephen Waring says the potential for job creation at the firm’s base on St Asaph Business Park in Denbighshire is huge. The new non-combustible building product was developed as a response to the “natural and understandable” concerns raised by the Grenfell Tower tragedy last year. Achieving the A1 fire rating was, he said, a “game-changer” that would “put people’s minds at ease”. “After the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London there is a huge amount of cautiousness in relation to putting fabrication on buildings and it emphasised the huge importance of having a product with A1 fire rating that everyone can trust,” said Stephen Waring. “Because of the understandable fears and the perceptions about safety following the Grenfell Tower disaster, the availability of this new product will reinforce peace of mind that developers, specifiers and of the course the public are looking for.” The rigorously tested product comes in panels of 12 brick slips held together by an integrated mesh fused right through the brick slips which give a building a non-combustible façade. BrickPlus Pro can dramatically reduce overall construction costs because the bricks fit together like a jigsaw and are quick to apply. The product can be used in the construction of new buildings or applied to existing properties, replicating almost any brick facade to order. “If you for example buy normal tiles and they’re a mosaic, sometimes the tiles will actually drop off. But our mesh is actually within the product, so they’re far more robust,” said Stephen. “We’re adding one non-combustible element to another non-combustible element to create something that gives people peace of mind, but in the same instant we’re helping them to save money by speeding up the process, because our brick slip system is very quick in its installation.” “There’s massive potential with the product and the opportunity for growth in the future is great. The potential in terms of employment is also huge. Once the ball starts rolling we’re going to certainly need more people. The fact that it’s made in Wales is very important to us. I’m very proud of that,” he concluded.
Barratt Homes, an award winning housebuilder, will soon launch a new development in the popular town of Kirkintilloch. Braes of Yetts consists of three and four bedroom homes, with a mix of semi-detached and detached options that are suitable for both first-time buyers and homeowners looking to take their next step up the property ladder. “We’re already seeing substantial interest in Braes of Yetts, with Kirkintilloch a hugely popular area for people looking for a new home. We anticipate that the first release of homes will be snapped up quickly which is why we have set up a pre-register for interested buyers,” said Estelle Sykes, sales director, Barratt West Developments. “I would encourage those who are interested to get in touch so we can keep them informed about our sales launch and our show home opening. We can’t wait to bring our five-star homes to Kirkintilloch, and we’re confident this will be a truly special community,” Estelle continued. Braes of Yetts is located close to Kirkintilloch town centre and is also only ten minutes from the M80, providing easy links with Glasgow and beyond. The site is in a rural location but has the local amenities and transport links associated with urban life. Being on the border of the Merkland Nature Reserve, it also makes for a fantastic area to get some fresh air or spot the local wildlife. Barratt Group was awarded a maximum five star rating for the seventh consecutive year in the 2015 Home Builders Federation Customer Satisfaction Survey. Its site managers won 81 awards for quality workmanship in the 2015 NHBC Pride in the Job Awards and, in total, Barratt has won more Pride in the Job awards than any other housebuilder for the last eleven years.
Viewpoint, the construction software provider, is supporting Mental Health Awareness Week (14th to 20th of May) by providing its clients with a way to deal with stress, under the guiding beam of The Lighthouse Club. The Lighthouse Club statistics reveal stress, depression or anxiety accounts for a fifth of all work-related illness and, shockingly, every year more than 400 construction workers take their own lives. It is a vital port of call for construction families in crisis and is the only charity that provides financial and emotional support to the industry’s community, reaching out following injury, long term illness or to simply offer a helping hand. People logging into Viewpoint for Projects and Viewpoint Field View – for which there are over 450,000 registered users – will be signposted to the charity which provides support to those in the construction industry coping with stress, depression, anxiety or illness. “Since 1956 our charity has been dedicated to the welfare and support of construction families in the UK and Ireland. Our 24/7 helpline is free and available for everyone in our industry. We are delighted that Viewpoint are promoting our charity’s Construction Industry Helpline during Mental Health Awareness week and reaching out to families and individuals in crisis,” said Bill Hill, CEO of The Lighthouse Club. “Since our inception we have delivered more than £17.5 million in charitable services and supported over 16,500 families. We know we have a major issue with the mental health of the construction workforce and thanks to companies like Viewpoint spreading our message we can deliver even more,” he continued.
Shay Casey, Sales Manager at Sika-Trocal, argued that the roofing industry has undergone massive changes over the past decade, with technology behind its growth. Now the industry can carry out BIM modelling, digital presentation and even refurbishment surveys using a drone or virtual programmes. Technical advancement has led to a marketplace brimming with new products and systems, with greater choice and increased competition. The introduction of a wide range of new membranes has seen contractors adapt specifications to ensure the most cost-effective installation; an option not available to architects or clients who no longer have the power to uphold the original specification. Due to the rise of extended payment terms and retentions which have proven a huge burden to buyers and suppliers, roofing contractors must be more financially aware. In addition, firms have also had to adapt to new ways of self-marketing such as social media. A large LinkedIn or Twitter presence can spread positive word of a contractor’s service offering in a matter of seconds. Other factors that brought change into the roofing industry include the environmental concerns that led to the introduction of green and cool roofs, solar panels and further developments in roof lighting. The Green Guide has led to vast improvements in recycling, manufacturing footprint and roofing performance in terms of thermal values and sustainability. A hi-tech revelation is virtual reality, available for those with a taste for risk-averse exhilaration. In the coming future, it is likely that virtual reality will also prove useful to the roofing sector, allowing stakeholders involved in a project to visualise how it will look when completed. This will help minimise misunderstandings between parties which can lead to frustrating, costly delays for the client. The roofing industry will doubtless face many challenges over the coming decade, and as practices and systems change, members will be required to adjust accordingly. With the support of trade associations such as SPRA and NFRC, the future should hold no fear for those involved in the roofing sector.
The refurbishment work on the grade-II listed offices in Bradford has begun. The £480,000 transformation of the 6,332 sq. ft. stone building will see Priestley Construction, the Leeds-based contractor which specialises in the refurbishment of historic buildings, turn it into luxury apartments and a ground floor commercial space. “It’s an honour to be entrusted with bringing a building as stunning as 12 Piccadilly back to its former glory. We have a raft of experience in transforming properties of this nature across Yorkshire into much-needed, high quality apartments and office spaces,” said Rob Pell, head of the construction at Priestley Construction. In total, 15 studio apartments will occupy the second and third floors of the three-storey former bank, with Priestley Construction combining original features with new, high specification details. The ground floor space will comprise fully managed, self-contained offices for local businesses to rent. Located at 12 Piccadilly in Bradford city centre, the building was acquired in March 2017 as part of a joint venture between developers Muniment and Immedi-let. This popular area is close to amenities, shopping and transport links. “Bradford’s regeneration is going from strength to strength and a residential development of the stature and quality of 12 Piccadilly will play a key part in attracting a new generation of residents to the city centre. Priestley Construction has an excellent track record in delivering high-specification renovations and its in-house design team ensured our vision for this scheme was exceeded,” said Danny Imman, director at Immedi-let. The refurbishment work is anticipated to be completed in November this year and once finished, the apartment will be retained by the developers for the rental market, aimed at young professionals in particular. “We’re thrilled to see potential of this stunning property being realised by Priestley Construction, while bringing new homes to Bradford city centre,” said Trevor Walker, director of Muniment.
Transport Scotland has appointed a joint venture of UK engineer Mott MacDonald and Swedish planning firm Sweco as consultant for dualling a 29-mile stretch of the A96. Above: A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness The Mott MacDonald Sweco joint venture (MMS JV) will explore options for dualling of the A96 between Hardmuir and Fochabers and then take on detailed design work. Transport Scotland said that the value of the contract was up to £50m. The upgrade is expected to cut driving times between Inverness and Aberdeen. The entire 86 miles of the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen is planned for improvement by 2030. The Hardmuir to Fochabers section consists mainly of single lane carriageway which passes through or close to various towns and villages. Regular bottlenecks occur which leads to traffic congestion and disruption. MMS JV will begin design and assessment work this summer with the route options assessment process expected to take up to two years to complete. There will be a number of grade separated junctions along the length of the new road where bypasses are created for a number of communities, such as Forres and Elgin. There will also be crossings of the River Findhorn, the River Lossie and the River Spey as well as the Aberdeen to Inverness rail line. Details of the A96 dualling programme can be found at: http://www.transport.gov.scot/project/a96-dualling-inverness-aberdeen This article was published on 15 Jun 2016 (last updated on 15 Jun 2016). Source link
Construction employers have awarded the sector a score of only 4.5 out of 10 for its overall performance in managing workplace stress, according to a recent CITB ‘stress test’ survey. Released to coincide with Mental Health Awareness week (16 -22 May), the telephone survey of over 100 construction employers found that more than a third (36%) described their workplace as a ‘high’ or ‘very high’ stress environment. One in five (20%) however, were unsure how they would support an employee suffering from work-related stress. While most respondents (71%) were able to suggest a personal response that they would make to help a workmate, less than half (47%) were inclined to suggest formal solutions to tackle the problem. The top three likely reactions from employers were: to offer informal support or friendship (34%) suggesting counselling or where to find it (23%) paid time off work (20%). When asked how they would know an employee was suffering from stress, about half (53%) said that they would probably detect a problem by just chatting to an employee. However, about a third (33%) thought they would only hear about it when a problem on the job occurred. The HSE Stress Management Standards describe stress as an adverse reaction to excessive pressure. While pressure can create a “buzz” and be a motivating factor, stress can lead to depression, anxiety and an increased risk of suicide. Kevin Fear, Head of Environment and Health & Safety, CITB said: “While it’s good news that many construction employers recognise stress in the workplace, we need to do more to support individual colleagues. Mental health has been a taboo subject that’s been brushed under the carpet for far too long. “We need to put an end to the culture of ‘silently coping’, which can be damaging to both worker health and business performance. Encouragingly, some contractors are starting to develop policies and great initiatives to promote good mental health and wellbeing. We’d like to see the organisations that are making good inroads in this area share their experiences widely so that others across the industry can learn from them. We want others to pick this mantle, and Mental Health Awareness Week is a great time to start.” For more information on how to support employees visit: http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/ For stress management tools and templates go to: http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/downloads.htm Source link
Wheatcroft Land was initially established by Clinton Bourke in 1989 after he worked as a civil engineer and managing director at Wilson Bowden Plc. Unfortunately, recently ill health has meant that Clinton has been unable to continue running the development company. Coming forward to take over is his daughter Catherine Haward, who will be following her father’s footsteps and ensuring that his legacy is maintained. Catherine is currently in her final year of a degree in real estate alongside running Wheatcroft Land by herself and being a mum to two teenage children. Catherine wanted to make sure that her father’s legacy continued but also wanted to take over the Leicester-based development company and ensure that it thrives going forward. Before making this decision, Catherine was working as a member of the Leicestershire Police force as an Inspector. Her diverse knowledge base will no doubt allow Catherine to drive the company forward, supported by her incredible work ethic which is demonstrated with her wide ranging responsibilities. While in charge of Wheatcroft Land, Catherine intends on building the company and expanding into new markets. At the moment people are finding themselves priced out of the housing market in and close to London, which means more people are looking to commute. Also on top of this the Midlands has a range of development opportunities as the north/south divide narrows. Catherine is looking to expand Wheatcroft’s commercial property portfolio while also entering new markets such as residential property. The company’s new projects have been progressing well and Catherine is sure that she will be able to re-establish and expand the business in order to meet her own ambitions as well as contribute to the development of the region and make sure that her father’s hard work and commitment to the company is continued.