The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) has announced the winners of their 2024 National Site Awards, which recognise the highest performing construction sites in the UK and Ireland. Out of over 5,500 eligible sites, five (5) construction projects stood out at the absolute peak of performance and received the highest possible
Doka, a renowned provider of formwork and scaffolding solutions, has introduced its cutting-edge Xsafe Catch Fan system to the UK! 🌟 This innovative solution helps redefine benchmarks for construction site safety, making work environments safer and more efficient. Let’s dive into the details: Enhanced Safety: Falling materials, tools, and debris
In a move aimed at progressing the development of a new £65 million university campus, a council has initiated a compulsory purchase order to acquire necessary land, paving the way for ambitious construction plans. Blackpool Council has previously granted approval for the demolition of 59 residential properties within the designated
John F Hunt has been employed directly by Belgian developer Ghelamco to undertake demolition, enabling works and the construction of ‘The HiLight’, a new 24-storey structure on the site of the former 1830s Price’s Candle Factory in Battersea. This includes the demolition of the existing steel showroom, which sits above podium level,
Arco chairman Thomas Martin has been honoured with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his ‘exceptional contribution to the safety and health industry over almost four decades’. He was bestowed with the award at Wednesday’s [MAY 1] Safety and Health Excellence Awards, part of the three-day Health & Safety Event, where
Nationwide Platforms, the UK’s leading provider of powered access for working at height, has recently announced its new game-changing tracking service, HireTracker. HireTracker allows a customer to track their hire through every stage of the rental process, with a live tracking link that remains active from the moment the order
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced yesterday that it has handed councils new powers to buy cheaper land in a bid to support the delivery of more social and affordable housing. The change came into force on 30 April and allows councils to buy land for
Proud to partner the trades, Jewson’s rebrand brings to life its journey to serve the UK’s tradespeople as their merchant of choice Leading national builders’ merchant Jewson has unveiled its new company rebrand, marking the progress it’s making to help the UK’s hardworking professional tradespeople grow their businesses and shape
The Sovini Group Golf Day brought together 80 golfers from the housing and commercial sector at Childwall Golf Club to compete in the sold-out event, which was hosted by local comedian Willie Millar. The guests and 20 sponsors in attendance collectively raised £19,000 for Zoe’s Place Cycle India Challenge. Zoe’s
Huge retrofit opportunity as decarbonisation drive launches nationwide SCOTTISH businesses are being urged to put their names forward to secure a spot on a new major framework worth up to £120m over four years to support the delivery of crucial retrofitting and decarbonisation works and services. The new retrofit and
The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) has announced the winners of their 2024 National Site Awards, which recognise the highest performing construction sites in the UK and Ireland. Out of over 5,500 eligible sites, five (5) construction projects stood out at the absolute peak of performance and received the highest possible accolade given by the Scheme, the Most Considerate Site of 2024 Award. We are proud to share that these are: During this year’s edition, the Scheme also recognised 522 Bronze, 121 Silver and 66 Gold Awards winners. A full list of all winners is available on the CCS website. The National Site Awards recognise site performance against the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice, independently evaluated by our Monitors, who audit and score how considerate a site is towards their local community, the environment and their workforce. In the awarding process, sites are divided in project value bands to ensure fair competition. The Awards have been reintroduced in 2024 by popular demand after a four-year break and they recognise site performance recorded during 2023. At the Awards, CCS also recognised the outstanding commitment made by a small number of construction projects that chose to become Ultra Sites, the Scheme’s highest and most demanding level of registration, representing the pinnacle of considerate construction. The Awards were presented over six ceremonies in Manchester, Edinburgh and London to an attending public of nearly 2000 guests across all venues, who gathered to receive their Awards and cheer their teams on stage. Celebrations were opened by a special recorded message to the industry from the Rt. Hon. Lee Rowley MP, Minister of State for Housing & Planning. Each ceremony was presented by an influential organisation in the construction landscape: the Royal Town Planning Institute, SCAPE Procure, the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland. Amit Oberoi, CCS Executive Chairman commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have brought back the National Site Awards format for 2024. These Awards are much loved by the construction industry, and we received an overwhelming show of support for their return. “Winning a CCS National Site Award is the mark of the highest levels of performance in the three areas of our Code of Considerate Practice: Respect the Community, Care for the Environment, Value the Workforce. “Our Awards are very selective, and the bar was set extremely high. Only the top performing sites of the UK have been receiving an Award. “On behalf of the CCS, I would like to congratulate all our National Site Awards winners, with extra special congratulations to the winners of the Most Considerate Site of 2024.” This year’s edition of the National Site Awards was sponsored by Build-Zone Insurance, Procure Pro and TCM Capital. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Doka, a renowned provider of formwork and scaffolding solutions, has introduced its cutting-edge Xsafe Catch Fan system to the UK! 🌟 This innovative solution helps redefine benchmarks for construction site safety, making work environments safer and more efficient. Let’s dive into the details: Enhanced Safety: Falling materials, tools, and debris pose significant risks on construction sites. The Xsafe Catch Fan provides a safe, high-quality catch system that can be quickly deployed and repositioned with ease. Minimise unnecessary hazards! Efficiency Boost: The Xsafe Catch Fan minimises the workforce needed for assembly and application. Clever mechanisms, including an easy-lock system and quick-folding net, streamline installation. Plus, it reduces the need for multiple workers on different levels during repositioning and cleaning. All-Round Winner: Doka designed the vertical extensions of the Xsafe Catch Fan to meet customer needs. Square tubes simplify installation without requiring hole alignment for securing with bolts. And guess what? No adjustments are needed when moving it from floor to floor! Corner Solution: Since early 2024, the Xsafe Catch Fan also features a unique foldable and EN 1263-compliant corner solution. It’s perfect for those tricky areas that are sometimes hard to cover. Few additional parts, maximum protection! 🔗 Learn more about Xsafe Catch Fan here:https://www.doka.com/uk/system-groups/doka-safety-systems/xsafe-catch-fan/xsafe-catch-fan 🚀 #ConstructionSafety #Innovation #DokaXsafeCatchFan
In a move aimed at progressing the development of a new £65 million university campus, a council has initiated a compulsory purchase order to acquire necessary land, paving the way for ambitious construction plans. Blackpool Council has previously granted approval for the demolition of 59 residential properties within the designated area, endorsing an outline proposal for the erection of three substantial buildings on the site. The envisioned campus, dubbed University Centre Blackpool, is poised to play a transformative role in the locality’s educational landscape. Residents impacted by the compulsory purchase order have until 24th May to lodge any objections, as the council proceeds with its ambitious £350 million Talbot Gateway rejuvenation initiative. This collaborative effort between Blackpool and the Fylde College, alongside Lancaster University, signifies a significant leap forward in educational infrastructure. Acknowledging the upheaval caused by the project, Alan Cavill, the council’s director of regeneration, affirmed their commitment to supporting affected residents. He stated, “We continue to support any residents who have to move as a result, and nobody will be asked to move out without reasonable warning and support to find somewhere else suitable to live.” In a bid to ensure transparency and accessibility, the council has established an independent advice service for affected residents, offering assistance and guidance throughout the transition period. Emphasizing the site’s strategic significance, authorities underscored the area’s suitability for the campus due to its robust transport links. Interested parties can review the details of the order at the Bickerstaffe House council offices in Talbot Road or at the Town Hall, as the council remains steadfast in its commitment to community engagement and consultation. A previous public consultation in 2021 revealed overwhelming support for the project, with 86% of respondents expressing positivity towards the proposed scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
John F Hunt has been employed directly by Belgian developer Ghelamco to undertake demolition, enabling works and the construction of ‘The HiLight’, a new 24-storey structure on the site of the former 1830s Price’s Candle Factory in Battersea. This includes the demolition of the existing steel showroom, which sits above podium level, followed by the excavation of a single-story basement, complicated owing to the presence of an existing Thames Water sewer which bisects the site. Following demolition, enabling works will commence by installing a combination of sheet and secant piling followed by the bearing piles to create a large basement box. The RC structure will then be carefully built back to ground level in a sequential manner, around and above the Thames Water sewer. Basement completed, John F Hunt will build the 24-storey RC frame, starting with the core using the slip form method, following on with the RC slabs. Hunt will then hand over to Ghelmaco’s in-house construction team, ready for the next phase in the creation of The HiLight’s luxury waterfront apartments. John F Hunt’s Head of Civils and Structures, Lance Wimble, said, “We are delighted to have been given the opportunity to work with Ghelamco on this high-profile historic building. However, it does have its complications, as the site is on a busy bus route and has a significant sewer running underneath it.” The 250,500 sqft ‘The HiLight’ development will transform the site into 113 landmark luxury waterfront homes with amenities that are heavily focused on health and wellbeing, views of the Thames and easy access to London’s transport links. ‘The HiLight’ will also meet the gold standard in sustainability with credentials such as EDGE Certification as well as being carbon neutral. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Arco chairman Thomas Martin has been honoured with a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising his ‘exceptional contribution to the safety and health industry over almost four decades’. He was bestowed with the award at Wednesday’s [MAY 1] Safety and Health Excellence Awards, part of the three-day Health & Safety Event, where Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has made its return for 2024, coinciding with the celebration of its 140th anniversary. Also on the night, Arco was commended in the Distributor of the Year award, with judges recognising the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and its joined-up approach to safety products and services. Thomas said he was honoured to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award. He said: “I’ve always surrounded myself with experts, and this has enabled me to make an impact on our industry. Market leaders earn the right to comment, and career learnings ensure this is done responsibly. The award celebrates the first 36 years, and there’s plenty more to do; I’d better get on with it.” As the fourth-generation leader of the family business, Thomas started his journey in a London advertising agency before joining Arco in 1988. With a clear passion for the business, Thomas assumed pivotal roles within Arco, including Trading Director (Safety) in 1993, Supply Chain Director in 1998, and Joint Managing Director in 2002, before taking the helm as Chairman in April 2017. Presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award, host Dara Ó Briain said during Thomas’s time as Joint Managing Director and now Chairman, he had helped shape Arco into one of the ‘premier businesses in health and safety, by both scale and impact’. Testament to this, Arco has led the industry on responses to global emergencies and best practice, pushing for regulatory changes and championing expertise and corporate responsibility. In 2007, Arco joined the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) an alliance of companies, trade unions and non-profit organisations that aims to promote respect for the rights of workers worldwide. Arco is the first and only safety distributor to join the ETI. During the Ebola outbreak in 2015, Arco was the leading PPE partner in the UK’s humanitarian response, supporting government agencies with advice on the correct products needed to keep volunteers safe but also in procuring and supplying the products to the front line. Most recently, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Arco stepped up to secure additional PPE for frontline workers, while advising government bodies on PPE regulations and standard. Following the crisis, Thomas gave evidence to the Public Accounts Committee on how the Government response could be improved for the future. Arco Also Commended in Distributor of The Year Award Read more about Arco here: www.arco.co.uk/about. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nationwide Platforms, the UK’s leading provider of powered access for working at height, has recently announced its new game-changing tracking service, HireTracker. HireTracker allows a customer to track their hire through every stage of the rental process, with a live tracking link that remains active from the moment the order is placed all the way up until the machine has been collected at the end of its hire period. The customer can check in on the delivery at any time by clicking on the link, which will direct them to a screen displaying real-time updates on the progress of the hire. The new tracking system is something that Nationwide Platforms’ customers have requested via customer feedback in the past. Many clients reported that more accurate delivery timings would enable them to plan projects more efficiently, which in turn would boost productivity across the industry as a whole. Customers who already have a machine out on hire when HireTracker goes live needn’t worry about missing out. Even orders that are midway through being prepared will begin to receive HireTracker updates as soon as the system is online. With HireTracker, there is a guaranteed three-hour delivery window. As with other courier systems, once the hire is out for delivery, customers can see the driver’s location in real-time. In addition, the tracking system informs the customer when they are the next stop away, as well as when the delivery has been made and the machine is ready to be used. HireTracker works on collections too, meaning a customer can also use the same system to ensure their machine has been picked up by the courier. Daniel Smith, Chief Operating Officer at Nationwide Platforms, said: “We make every effort to take on board customer feedback, and HireTracker is a direct answer to many customer requests. “Knowing the precise arrival time of a machine enables you to plan your day more efficiently. You’re no longer left waiting around all day, nor are you forced to rearrange your schedule for a vague delivery window. Instead, through real-time updates and accurate delivery estimates, HireTracker empowers you to make informed decisions about how to best manage your time and resources. Whether your machine is being dispatched or only a few doors away, you’ll be the first to know.” For more information on Nationwide Platforms, please visit: https://www.nationwideplatforms.co.uk/en-gb Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) announced yesterday that it has handed councils new powers to buy cheaper land in a bid to support the delivery of more social and affordable housing. The change came into force on 30 April and allows councils to buy land for development through compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) which removes ‘hope value’ costs. The intention is to make it cheaper and easier for local authorities to buy and transform land and to enables local authorities to build much-needed homes more quickly. Lawrence Turner, Director, Boyer considers whether the initiative will achieve this: “This may seem beneficial at first glance – giving local authorities the ability to overcome financial and viability barriers to delivering housing. “But my concern is that it will be ineffective and time-consuming, CPO is a lengthy and costly process, and many local authorities will lack the resources to do so. “The CPO process frequently involves negotiations with multiple landowners, legal challenges, and delays. Landowners may choose to challenge the decision through judicial review, further prolonging the process. As such, it is far from the quick and efficient means of unlocking land for new development which is needed. “Even if effective, CPOs are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to delivering new homes. “The wider planning system in the UK is excruciatingly slow and bureaucratic, with Local Plans and planning applications often taking years to complete and the intrinsic problems that have led to this situation must also be addressed. “We need to see a more holistic approach to addressing the housing crisis: including reforming the planning system and providing support to councils, reviewing the Green Belt and delivering new homes in sustainable brown and greenfield locations will be necessary to truly make a meaningful impact on the availability of affordable housing in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proud to partner the trades, Jewson’s rebrand brings to life its journey to serve the UK’s tradespeople as their merchant of choice Leading national builders’ merchant Jewson has unveiled its new company rebrand, marking the progress it’s making to help the UK’s hardworking professional tradespeople grow their businesses and shape the future of the construction industry. Proud to partner the trades, Jewson is building towards its vision to be the most trusted builders’ merchant for UK tradespeople. It introduced the refreshed visual identity, website, branch signage and truck branding at Jewson Live On Tour in Birmingham on Friday 26 April – an event designed to bring together customers, suppliers and colleagues with a celebrated programme of industry news and product innovation. Jewson’s identity has been refreshed to reflect its improved value proposition which provides the range of high-quality products and services that customers are looking for. The branding also adopts ‘Anton’ – a visual personification of the hard-working builder who is at the forefront of STARK Group, the parent company of STARK Building Materials UK (STARK UK), which acquired Jewson in March 2023. The colour palette showcases dark and sky blue, underpinning the company’s commitment to nurturing high-quality customer relationships, while a vibrant coral accent reflects Jewson’s fresh and innovative approach to merchanting. The introduction of Jewson’s new brand identity forms part of STARK UK’s Trust in Better strategy and symbolises the improvements the company has been making to its value proposition for customers, including range, availability, price and distribution enhancements. At the outset of the refresh, customers will see the new brand reflected on the Jewson website, along with regular communications, from delivery notes and invoices to the website and welcome packs. The brand will be rolled out in a phased manner, with the new Jewson brand coming to life in branches, too, from promotional materials and bulk bags – which are made from 30% recycled materials – to property refurbishments and delivery trucks. The new truck design was voted for by 70% of Jewson’s drivers – a clear commitment by the company to recognise and celebrate its valued colleagues. Jewson’s branches are benefiting from a comprehensive investment programme, ranging from light-touch improvements, offering a better, healthier and persistently safe working environment, to substantial refurbishments and new purpose-built ‘Branches of the Future’, offering the UK’s tradespeople a fundamentally different builders’ merchant offering. Complementing the launch of Jewson’s new brand is the relaunch of Build Aviator, Jewson’s estimating service, delivered by its team of construction experts to free up customers’ time so they can use their time where it matters most – with their own customers’ projects. Commenting on the rebrand, John Carter, CEO of STARK UK, said: “For any business that starts a new journey, just as Jewson did 12 months ago, there is always a reset and a new call to action. The rebrand – which we were excited to reveal at Jewson Live On Tour – allows us to demonstrate clearly that we are taking positive steps to be different. We have a new mindset that is centred on our customers, investment, ambition, and building pride in the industry. “The rebrand represents part of the transformation journey, but there is a bigger picture to consider. Jewson is proud to partner the trades, and our Trust in Better strategy is a framework we’re using to become the most trusted builders’ merchant for UK tradespeople. That involves investing in our branches, product range, availability, our people, technology and above all else, the quality of service we’re able to offer. “We have more than 450 branches across the UK, giving us a huge opportunity to put merchant relationships at the centre of tradespeople’s businesses. That’s what we aim to achieve, and we believe we’re on the path to transforming not only the Jewson business, but the entire customer-merchant experience. This is just the beginning.” Jewson plays a significant part of STARK UK, a portfolio of building merchant businesses, which are part of STARK Group, Europe’s leading builders’ merchant and distribution platform. Earlier this year, STARK Group celebrated its first 12 months of operating in the UK. Jewson is proud to partner the trades, building on its 180+ years of industry experience, offering the UK’s professional tradespeople the products and services they need to work smarter and grow their business faster, powered by a robust sourcing network and distribution platform. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Sovini Group Golf Day brought together 80 golfers from the housing and commercial sector at Childwall Golf Club to compete in the sold-out event, which was hosted by local comedian Willie Millar. The guests and 20 sponsors in attendance collectively raised £19,000 for Zoe’s Place Cycle India Challenge. Zoe’s Place cares for babies and young children with life-limiting, life-threatening or complex conditions. Their hospice in Liverpool has been on the same site for the last 28 years, but they now need to raise enough capital to ensure that their new hospice can facilitate their current services, providing the home away from home environment that the babies and families deserve. During the event, players had the opportunity to win a variety of prizes kindly donated by local companies and were also able to bid on auction items, including Peter Kay tickets and Liverpool Football Club signed shirts, to raise valuable funds. Gina Earnshaw from the Zoe’s Place said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with The Sovini Group so we can collectively raise funds to secure a new hospice and future home in Liverpool for our children and their families.” The Sovini Group’s annual golf day will focus on raising money for the Cycle India challenge in aid of Zoe’s Place. A team of seven colleagues will be pedalling 450 km through majestic Rajasthan, in aid of this great cause. Gina added “It’s our aspiration to raise enough capital to ensure that our new hospice can facilitate our current services, providing the home away from home environment that our babies and families deserve. We are so grateful for everyone who generously donated at today’s golf day, and we’ll look forward to more partnership opportunities with The Sovini Group in future.” The Sovini Group CEO Roy Williams said: “Our annual golf day is a great opportunity to raise valuable funds for Zoe’s Place, a very worthy local cause and one close to our hearts. I would like to thank our sponsors and guests who helped to make this event such a success, and for making a difference to the children and their families, as we strive to create opportunities and change lives.” To find out more about Zoe’s Place visit their website here. To find out more about The Sovini Group click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Huge retrofit opportunity as decarbonisation drive launches nationwide SCOTTISH businesses are being urged to put their names forward to secure a spot on a new major framework worth up to £120m over four years to support the delivery of crucial retrofitting and decarbonisation works and services. The new retrofit and decarbonisation framework extends beyond public buildings, encompassing both domestic and non-domestic requirements. This offers a significant opportunity for businesses of all sizes, particularly encouraging smaller firms to tender for these vital works. Known as N9, the Scottish Procurement Alliance says the new framework is designed to foster inclusivity and flexibility, particularly benefiting micro and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This approach ensures that organisations of various sizes have tailored opportunities within the framework to access works and services. Lesley Anderson, Regional Director at the Scottish Procurement Alliance, Scotland’s largest, free-to-join procurement organisation, said: “This framework is a brilliant opportunity for businesses of all sizes working in energy consultancy, insulation, HVAC, building controls, EV charging and infrastructure and other renewable technologies to support the nationwide upgrade effort at a crucial time. “N9 will provide comprehensive energy efficiency and decarbonisation support tailored to the unique needs of public sector organisations across Scotland. “This includes everything from outlining energy policies to implementing insulation works and building management and metering systems. “We’re committed to fairness and transparency, and with N9, we’ve particularly aimed to empower small businesses by reserving exclusive spots for them. This not only levels the playing field but also opens up opportunities for smaller companies, that may have previously been out of reach.” SPA has upgraded the N9 framework to include new support features such as consulting for PAS legislation as well as value bands in three ranges – up to £750,000, between £750,000 and £2.5 million, and over £2.5 million, along with guidance on energy policies. The framework features six workstreams covering consultancy, multi-disciplinary works, building insulations and performance, heating and ventilation systems, control and management systems and solar PV and EV charging. Places have been reserved specifically for micro and small businesses within various lots. Lesley added: “We’ve significantly enhanced N9, revamping its structure and expanding our HVAC services to include options like district and network heating. “These updates align with the broader clean heat and decarbonisation agenda, incorporating elements from the proposed Heat in Buildings Bill and the Heat in Buildings Strategy. “As with any changes these were made through wide-ranging and deep consultation with suppliers and partners to ensure that we are offering the best value for money and addressing industry needs head-on.” SPA works with 120+ partners across the public sector, including small cooperatives, RSLs, and local authorities, and partners with over 250 suppliers ranging from micro companies to national firms all capable of providing crucial support services. As a not-for-profit organisation, SPA directs its surpluses to local communities through the Community Benefit Fund (CBF) in partnership with Lintel Trust. SPA currently has over 500 live projects valued at over £1 billion, supporting 260+ suppliers. Since its inception in 2017, the CBF has distributed more than £2 million in grants and match funding to assist over 102 community groups, charities, and various causes, generating a social value exceeding £5.1 million. Companies meeting the relevant criteria can apply via the Scottish Procurement Alliance website: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/lhc/aspx/ProjectManage/18 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
