Contractor GRAHAM’s major refurbishment of the famed Europa Hotel in Belfast has been showcased at a launch event, marking the end of the extensive project which spanned five years and saw £15m invested. The redevelopment of the Hotel’s business suite included substantial upgrades to the 12th-floor penthouse suite and seven
HS2 has begun foundation works for a key bridge that will take a major A road over the new high-speed railway just outside Brackley, after successfully completing the temporarily realignment of both carriageways. The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has crowned the winner of its Fall Prevention Trophy following a virtual event this week that saw three shortlisted companies go head-to-head for the industry accolade. L’Oréal Pune, based in India, were awarded the top trophy following a vote by event
In a move set to redefine excellence within the building services engineering industry, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) proudly introduces the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme. This innovative initiative marks a significant step towards shaping the future of the profession and fostering a culture of unparalleled standards. At
Although the construction industry has seemingly lagged behind in adopting digital transformation, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly accelerated its advancement and innovation. As covered in a previous post about global IoT connectivity, the interconnection of networks and devices can range from smart appliances and cellular
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, and DOMIS, Salboy’s dedicated construction partner, have launched their tenth central Manchester development in seven years, to deliver more urgently-needed homes to Manchester’s fast-growing population. The scheme named Obsidian will be located in the Greengate area towards the north of Manchester
A significant milestone in the construction of the first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) was cause for celebration this week for the project partners committed to making the facility a reality. IHP, a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, hosted the formal ‘Topping Out Ceremony’ at the
National property consultancy, Carter Jonas, acting on behalf of a private landowner client, has completed the sale of a residential development site at King’s Lynn to Barratt Homes. This follows Carter Jonas having obtained planning consent on behalf of the developer in November 2023. The 38.2 hectares (94.39 acres) site,
Commercial property investment volumes across the UK reached approximately £8 billion in the first quarter of 2024, according to Savills. In its latest Market in Minutes report, the international real estate advisor says that, subject to upward revision, at this trend rate the remainder of 2024 would deliver approximately a
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) put the spotlight on skills yesterday, when it hosted its members at the Houses of Parliament for a reception focused on ensuring the provision of quality support and improving access to training and talent are identified as top policy priorities. In a room full of
Contractor GRAHAM’s major refurbishment of the famed Europa Hotel in Belfast has been showcased at a launch event, marking the end of the extensive project which spanned five years and saw £15m invested. The redevelopment of the Hotel’s business suite included substantial upgrades to the 12th-floor penthouse suite and seven meeting rooms. The luxurious function space was recently showcased at a launch event in the penthouse suite, featuring an audience with internationally renowned artist, Colin Davidson, who unveiled one of his famous blur paintings that will take pride of place in the hotel’s reception. The painting, called ‘The 71’, depicts a blurred image of a Belfast bus. Davidson is also known for his portraits of many well-known public figures, including Queen Elizabeth II and Ed Sheeran, and his critically acclaimed work ‘Silent Testimony’, a series of 18 portraits of people connected by their experiences of loss through The Troubles. Gary Holmes, regional managing director for GRAHAM’s Building North region, said: “This project is the latest in a long series of high-quality projects GRAHAM has undertaken for Hastings Hotels during our 30 year relationship, including the creation of the £53m Grand Central Hotel and a significant makeover at the Culloden Hotel and Spa Resort. “The quality of the finish is testament to our exacting approach, and it has been satisfying to see this long-awaited project complete.” GRAHAM also delivered the renovation of many of the hotel’s guest rooms, with 100 front-facing superior bedrooms, 80 classic bedrooms and five suites now boasting new furnishings and bathrooms, automated window blinds and individual air conditioning. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 has begun foundation works for a key bridge that will take a major A road over the new high-speed railway just outside Brackley, after successfully completing the temporarily realignment of both carriageways. The A43 – which links Oxford, Brackley and Northampton – is a vital route, providing access to Silverstone and connections between the M40 and M1. Just two weekend closures were needed during the seven-month realignment project, with HS2 working closely with National Highways to create an ‘island’ between the two carriageways big enough for the construction of the new bridge deck. HS2 engineers have now begun work on the 52m deep piled foundation that will support the weight of the bridge. These will be topped with concrete pile caps and piers supporting the 66-metre-long bridge deck that will carry the road. Once the deck has been completed, the road will be moved back over the new bridge and excavation can begin to create space for the railway to pass underneath. This multi-stage approach was designed to keep traffic flowing and reduce disruption. HS2’s Senior Project Manager Elizabeth Longinotti said: “It’s great to see the start of foundation works for the A43 overbridge. Once complete, HS2 will boost connections between Britain’s two largest cities while freeing up space for more local services on the existing network. But it’s also vital that we keep the local routes which people depend on open while we build the railway. “That’s why we’ve worked closely with National Highway and our contractors to design and deliver a complex multi-stage project which will keep disruption to a minimum while we deliver this key overbridge.” The almost 80km stretch of railway that passes Brackley – including the A43 bridge – is being delivered by HS2’s main works contractor EKFB, a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall – working with ASC (a joint venture between Arcadis, Setec and COWI). They worked with National Highways and EKFS’s sub-contractor, Kier Highways, to construct the temporary realignment over a seven-month period last year. National Highways Network Planner for the East Midlands, Phil Shaw, said: “We always strive to minimise disruption for people using our roads when any work is being carried out and have liaised closely with our HS2 partners to do so on this complex project. “Working together we have not only been able to limit the impact on drivers of building the overbridge but have also been able to take advantage of any road closures to carry out some routine maintenance work which means we won’t have to come back and close the road another time.” EKFB’s Project Director, Tony Wehby, said: “EKFB’s priority was to minimise disruption for local road users and to keep communities connected as best as possible. The road closures were minimised to short periods and often overnight. “The team is thrilled to be at this point in the construction programme and the start of piling works signifies outstanding team collaboration to get it to this stage. This a complex set of works and is a unique construction project in itself, that heavily leans on the expertise of the multiple contractors involved in delivering these works to a high and safe standard.” The A43 is one of around 500 bridges on the HS2 project – which is designed to improve connections between London, Birmingham and the North while freeing up space for more local trains on the most congested southern end of the existing West Coast Main Line into London Euston. These range from small footbridges and underpasses, to innovative ‘green bridges’ designed to help wildlife cross the railway, massive motorway bridges and the record-breaking Colne Valley Viaduct. The last few months has also seen significant progress at HS2’s other major viaducts, with the first deck slide for the enormous Delta Junction over the A42/M6 link road outside Birmingham and the start of a half-kilometre deck slide at Wendover Dean. Route wide, HS2 is now at peak construction, with 28,000 people employed directly and across the UK-wide supply chain. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has crowned the winner of its Fall Prevention Trophy following a virtual event this week that saw three shortlisted companies go head-to-head for the industry accolade. L’Oréal Pune, based in India, were awarded the top trophy following a vote by event attendees, comprised of award winners from the RoSPA 2024 awards scheme. The other two shortlisted companies were support services company Compass Group Healthcare sector, and engineering firm Jacobs Field Services – who were both commended. RoSPA’s Fall Prevention Trophy seeks to draw on best practice and showcase innovation around fall prevention, both by selecting a high-performer as the overall trophy winner, and also sharing advice and learning on the subject with the wider awards community as part of the selection process. L’Oréal Pune’s three-step initiative saw a communication campaign that saw all its workforce take RoSPA’s Fall Fighter course, the formation of an exemplary risk assessment strategy and the successful implementation of L’Oréal’s Safe@Work-Safe@Home programme. The programme, which seeks to take the lessons learned from occupational health and safety into homes and communities, was rolled out to over 2,500 people on the Pune area, including orphanages and assisted living centres. L’oreal Pune’s main objectives included site surveys of old age homes and identification of STF improvement opportunities, inspections by in-house tech experts and a steady commitment to the Fall Fighters programme. This holistic approach was especially for combatting the high rate of slips, trips and falls (STP) within the over 65 age bracket, whereby Pune factory workers pledged themselves “Fall Fighters” (a RoSPA-developed slips, trips and falls-prevention course). Mayur Raut, Head of EHS and Facilities at L’Oréal – Pune Factory, said: “We are incredibly proud to have won RoSPA’s Fall Prevention Trophy and commend the other shortlisted organisations. At L’Oréal, “people” are at the heart of everything we do, and by talking about safety at home and passing on effective solutions we learn at work to a wider community is a great way to reduce the chance of accidents. With fall prevention in particular, our initiatives have helped reach thousands of people and equip them with the necessary knowledge and awareness to live more safely – and we are grateful that our actions have been acknowledged internationally.” Faiza Patel, Assistant Manager (EHSF) at L’Oréal – Pune Factory, said: “I thank the leadership at L’Oréal for ensuring we grow stronger together, rallying towards one vision of making workplace and community safer and discovering innovative ways to do it while adhering to nonnegotiable health and safety standards. We are always determined to challenge the status quo and demonstrate that “CARE” can be done differently. This recognition by RoSPA is a testament to our approach in ensuring everyone feels safe and valued as employees, families, partners and stakeholders.” Barry Oliver, Group Executive for Health & Safety at Berkeley Group Holdings Plc, said: “At Berkeley Group we are committed to providing the best possible health and safety for our staff, supply chain and customers, so we are delighted to see this dedication to care echoed within L’oreal’s Pune plant, and beyond its factory’s walls. We were particularly impressed to see the high level of inspiring collaboration and teamwork, where teams of Fall Fighters responsibly showcased health and safety procedures among their friends, families and other societal groups, creating a great ripple effect among the surrounding community.” Matt Cryer, Head of Awards, said: “This year, the shortlisting for the 2024 RoSPA Fall Prevention Trophy saw a wide range of exceptional approaches, initiatives and innovations being delivered by RoSPA Award entrants and this variety was reflected in our shortlisted candidates. “Congratulations to our overall 2024 winner L’Oréal Pune for their outstanding presentation and to those who took part in the webinar and contributed to the voting process and to Compass Group Healthcare Sector and engineering firm, Jacobs Field Services Limited, who also showed exceptional dedication to fall prevention.” Also present at the virtual event was Jules Robinson, RoSPA’s Fall Prevention Lead and former winner of the trophy in her previous role at housing provider, Trent & Dove. Jules said: “L’Oreal Pune have done a fantastic job of showcasing the impact that fall prevention training has inside and outside of the workplace. Using Fall Fighter training, staff learned how to protect family, friends and their wider community from the serious consequences of falls, the second leading cause of accidental death globally. “By sharing their lived experience and the impact of falls on their loved ones, employees were better able to relate to the risks and motivated take action with their new knowledge to help those most vulnerable.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In a move set to redefine excellence within the building services engineering industry, the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) proudly introduces the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme. This innovative initiative marks a significant step towards shaping the future of the profession and fostering a culture of unparalleled standards. At its core, the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme represents a commitment to professionalism and excellence. It offers organisations a unique pathway to not only demonstrate their dedication to best practices but also to achieve the prestigious status of being chartered with CIBSE. Far beyond a mere certification, this program symbolises exceptional standards, embodying professionalism in its truest sense. Designed to facilitate the demonstration of competence within organisations, the programme provides a robust framework for showcasing levels of competency, professionalism and adherence to the highest standards. By participating in this initiative, organisations can differentiate themselves in terms of quality, ensuring they remain at the forefront of an ever-evolving legislative landscape. Speaking on the occasion, Adrian Catchpole, CIBSE’s President, emphasised the significance of this groundbreaking initiative. He stated, “Under the overarching theme of my presidential address ‘Taking a Lead,’ the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme aligns perfectly with our focus on competency, a crucial aspect of the Building Safety Act. Drawing inspiration from successful programmes in other professional bodies, we have tailored this initiative to meet the unique needs of our industry.” Inclusivity lies at the heart of this initiative, with CIBSE ensuring that organisations of all sizes can benefit from the programme. Extensive market research, involving consultations with organisations ranging from one-person consultancies to tier-one multidisciplinary firms, has been instrumental in crafting a programme that caters to every organisation’s journey towards excellence. The launch of the CIBSE Chartered Organisation Programme marks a significant milestone in CIBSE’s ongoing commitment to advancing excellence within the industry. With its comprehensive framework and unwavering dedication to professionalism, this programme is poised to set new benchmarks and elevate standards within the building services engineering profession. More information about the CIBSE Chartered Organisations programme can be found at https://www.cibse.org/membership-registration/company-partnerships/cibse-chartered-organisations Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Although the construction industry has seemingly lagged behind in adopting digital transformation, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has significantly accelerated its advancement and innovation. As covered in a previous post about global IoT connectivity, the interconnection of networks and devices can range from smart appliances and cellular connectivity with IoT sim cards to machines and automobiles. Although a truly connected IoT network on a global scale remains a work in progress, the industrial benefits of IoT are already being realized in construction. For instance, the use of sensors enables managers to remotely monitor parameters crucial to site safety and building integrity, such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure. Meanwhile, drones with wireless connectivity can also contribute to occupational health and safety by surveying job sites and detecting potential hazards, on top of reducing the need for manual labour through efficient transport of materials. However, such devices can only be leveraged for managing job sites and improving productivity with the help of a high-speed internet connection. This is where the internet service provider Zzoom comes in. It offers reliable broadband services to fully exploit IoT in the UK’s construction industry. Zzoomm’s business broadband services The success of IoT implementation in construction sites and projects highly depends on reliable internet connectivity. As a network builder and UK ISP, Zzoomm responds to this need by offering full fibre broadband services, which utilise fibre-optic cable technologies to provide greater bandwidth at faster speeds. Besides broadband services for residential use, Zzoomm’s network plans with giga-fast and symmetrical speeds of up to 2,000Mbps are also available with free setup and installation for businesses, including building, design, and construction companies. While the advanced router connection already ensures real-time data transmission and progress monitoring, Zzoomm’s local customer assistance further reduces the risk of downtime and productivity losses caused by service errors and interruptions. Growing customer base and service coverage Aside from high implementation costs, a notable disadvantage in adopting IoT for construction is the possibility of limited connectivity in remote or rural job sites. However, Zzoomm’s role as one of the UK’s emerging alternative broadband networks (altnet) directly addresses this concern. To illustrate, the Oxford-based ISP has doubled its customer base in the last few months, reaching the 20,000 customer milestone. This achievement is mainly attributed to Zzoomm’s commitment to completing a series of local network extensions across the UK, stretching from Henley-on-Thames into neighbouring Shiplake. The expanded service coverage enables the UK’s construction sector to deploy projects even in less industrial areas without worrying about whether or not their IoT devices and networks can operate effectively. What’s next for Zzoomm Currently, Zzoomm aims to achieve its target of passing 200,000 properties by the first quarter of 2024 and 1 million domestic and business premises across 85 UK towns by the end of 2025. Though ambitious, the future remains bright for the altnet provider, as it is being fuelled by significant investments and partnerships. Besides the £100m equity investment from Oaktree Capital, Zzoomm is also among the bidders for Trooli, a peer altnet provider. Having made it through the second round of auction with Virgin Media O2 as one of its contenders, Zzoomm’s prospects for connecting semi-rural and rural postcodes like Dorset to fibre broadband become increasingly possible. Should the merger go through, construction companies and stakeholders located in such areas can look forward to reliable connectivity and bandwidth. Nonetheless, Zzoomm is already transforming the UK’s construction sector with its ability to generate, deliver, and transfer real-time data with advanced fibre connections for IoT systems and networks.
Salboy Group, the nationwide property development and funding company, and DOMIS, Salboy’s dedicated construction partner, have launched their tenth central Manchester development in seven years, to deliver more urgently-needed homes to Manchester’s fast-growing population. The scheme named Obsidian will be located in the Greengate area towards the north of Manchester city centre. It will comprise a 26-storey tower of 250 units: 30 studios, 93 one-bed, 110 two-bed and 15 three-bed apartments. The scheme, which will have a GDV of £84.5 million, will be delivered by DOMIS, and marketed and sold by Salboy. Works have already commenced on site and are expected to complete by Q4 2026. Rising up from a narrow and complex slice of brownfield land (at the intersection of Trinity Way and William Street), Obsidian puts efficient living and space-saving at its heart. The scheme’s studio apartments will maximise floor space for occupants. Features including hideaway beds, collapsible tables, built in office cabinetry and slide-away kitchen panels prevent any wasted space in residents’ living areas. All residents will enjoy access to high-quality communal amenities including a private dining room, gym, cinema room, coworking spaces and package storage. At the base of the building there will be 1,000 sq ft of commercial space. The architecturally ambitious development, designed by Studio Power, is crafted to attract younger residents – both students and young professionals who have chosen Manchester to pursue their studies and careers. ONS data shows that Greater Manchester has more young people aged 20 to 29 years old living in the region than any other region in the UK. Simon Ismail, Managing Director of Salboy, comments: “The schemes we develop with younger professional people in mind are often some of the most complex and creative – bringing together modern designs, compact inner-city locations and our future residents’ discerning tastes. Obsidian will deliver beautifully and thoughtfully designed homes for people who want to live a stone’s throw from everything that Manchester and Salford have to offer without compromising on quality and comfort.” Obsidian is Salboy’s fourth development in seven years in the Greengate area – a well-established and well-connected part of Salford that is only a few minutes’ walk from central Manchester’s offices, restaurants and national transport links. The launch of Obsidian follows Salboy’s completion of Fifty5ive (a 18-storey tower with 220 one to three-bed apartments), Local Blackfriars (a gated community of 380 apartments, townhouses and penthouses) and the Black Friar pub (a 140-year old historic landmark that Salboy restored to its former glory). Ismail continues: “We are delighted to return to Greengate – an area that connects the twin cities of Salford and Manchester and whose overdue regeneration we have been involved with for more than seven years.” The 221,000 sq ft site on which Obsidian will be constructed sits within Salford City Council’s Chapel Wharf Framework and has been identified as a development opportunity site. Development on the site can be traced back to 1791 and the Salford Iron Works, one of the largest manufacturers of cast-iron products and stationary steam engines which powered mills around Manchester. The ironworks closed in the 1930s and were replaced by low-level housing in the 1970s and 1980s. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A significant milestone in the construction of the first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) was cause for celebration this week for the project partners committed to making the facility a reality. IHP, a joint venture between VINCI Building and Sir Robert McAlpine, hosted the formal ‘Topping Out Ceremony’ at the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough yesterday afternoon. The event began with a piper leading guests onto the roof of the brand-new three-storey NRC, before key individuals were invited to cement their involvement in the programme by signing their names in concrete. Topping out is a common tradition within the construction sector, which marks a building reaching its highest level. For the NRC, this also means the completion of the building’s frame, symbolising another important milestone in the journey of this pioneering rehabilitation centre. The £105million NRC programme is building a 70-bed, state-of-the-art and highly energy efficient new facility, run by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme. Research, innovation and training will be led by academic partners Loughborough University and the University of Nottingham. The NRC is due to open in 2025 and aims to transform clinical treatment for patients in the East Midlands, and set a new standard for research and innovation, and education and training in rehabilitation for the whole of the UK. The celebration was attended by key stakeholders including Sir Andrew McAlpine – partner at Sir Robert McAlpine on behalf of IHP, the Black Stork Charity, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University, and the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, located on the same estate. Following the formalities, guests from the wide range of organisations enjoyed refreshments – courtesy of IHP – in the spring sunshine. Miriam Duffy, NRC Director, said: “We began this journey almost eight years ago in 2016, and so today’s milestone is testament to the teamwork and perseverance that have brought us to this point, which is another step towards opening our doors to patients in need of rehabilitation. “The NRC will not only serve as a centre rehabilitation excellence, but also as a symbol of hope for countless individuals and families across the country. We look forward to welcoming patients next year so we can help them start their own journey towards a better future with as much independence as possible.” Nick Carver, Chairman of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “I continue to be proud that NUH has been chosen to develop and run the UK’s first dedicated NHS rehabilitation centre, and it’s inspiring to see it taking shape here in the beautiful countryside. “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in this project to date – without whom we wouldn’t be able to mark this milestone. This celebration is really the culmination of months of hard work, dedication and collaboration of a huge range of partners and organisations.” General Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman, DNRC Programme Director, said: “The DNRC Programme has always been about improving the way we do clinical rehabilitation in this country. It is about ‘repairing’ more people after serious injury or illness, about creating better outcomes and, where possible, returning people to life and work. “From the outset in 2010, this is what the late 6th Duke of Westminster, with the ongoing support of the Grosvenor family, set out to achieve. The NRC, as the national hub, is the first vital step on the national rehabilitation journey.” Mark Bessey, Sector Director, IHP, said: “This topping out ceremony provides an opportunity to celebrate the exemplary collaboration and the technical excellence of the project team. “IHP is proud to be working with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust on delivering this flagship facility for the New Hospital Programme. The NRC sets new standards in terms of healthcare innovation and sustainability, providing world class rehabilitation for patients and outstanding facilities for ongoing research and development.” National property and construction consultancy EDGE is providing project management and NEC supervision services for the delivery of the NRC scheme, with key project team members joining the event to mark the occasion. Joanne Hardwicke, Project Manager and Associate Director at EDGE, said: “We’re really pleased to see such an important milestone being reached on the NRC scheme this week, and it was excellent to come together with our delivery partners to celebrate the progress being made on site. “EDGE is delighted to play its part in bringing together patient care, research, training and education under one roof through this high-quality bespoke treatment facility to positively contribute to patient wellbeing.” Pip Logan, Professor of Rehabilitation Research and Occupational Therapist at the School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, said: “The University of Nottingham’s partnership with the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) represents an essential part of our commitment to uplifting – through our world-leading experience in rehabilitation research and education – the health of the people in our region and across the UK. “It’s a pleasure to celebrate this great milestone in construction of the NRC and we look forward to utilising this fantastic new integrated facility. “Embedding our training courses in rehabilitation, alongside our research in robotics, physiology, mental health, rehab technology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, rehab medicine and rehab nursing, with patients, families, clinical professionals, and industry is vital for our institution and for developing world-class rehabilitation patient services.” Professor Mark Lewis, Loughborough University’s NRC lead and Dean of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, said: “It is fantastic to see the progress being made on the construction of the National Rehabilitation Centre. “Loughborough University is proud to be a core partner for this state-of-the-art facility. We look forward to using our expert knowledge in research and innovation to help transform treatment and outcomes for patients, and to developing education and training programmes in rehabilitation that are truly world leading.” Recently, a timelapse of the first six months of the build and drone footage were released to give the public an insight into the ongoing development of the project. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The
National property consultancy, Carter Jonas, acting on behalf of a private landowner client, has completed the sale of a residential development site at King’s Lynn to Barratt Homes. This follows Carter Jonas having obtained planning consent on behalf of the developer in November 2023. The 38.2 hectares (94.39 acres) site, known as Knight’s Hill, will feature both the Barratt and David Wilson Homes brands in eight distinct character areas and will provide 574 homes, of which 108 are allocated as affordable housing. Over 30% of the land will be retained as public open space, featuring woodland, allotments, play areas, a football pitch and wildflower meadows, whilst a further 10% will be retained as ecological mitigation zones. The new development will encourage active travel through the provision of cycle and pedestrian links throughout. Toby Lambert, Head of Residential Development (East) and a Partner in Carter Jonas’ Cambridge office, commented: “We are extremely pleased to have completed the sale of this site to enable the new community to go ahead. It is a scheme with which Carter Jonas has been closely involved – gaining the original allocation in the Site Allocations and Development Plan in 2015, achieving outline consent at Inquiry in July 2020, and full planning consent in November 2023 – and now culminating in this successful sale. We look forward to seeing Knight’s Hill emerge as an attractive, sustainable community, one which will go some way to addressing the housing shortage in this part of west Norfolk.” A spokesperson for Barratt and David Wilson Homes Cambridgeshire, said: “We would like to thank Carter Jonas for it’s support in the planning of the Knight’s Hill development. We’re very much looking forward to delivering a range of homes to the area, as well as supporting the local economy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commercial property investment volumes across the UK reached approximately £8 billion in the first quarter of 2024, according to Savills. In its latest Market in Minutes report, the international real estate advisor says that, subject to upward revision, at this trend rate the remainder of 2024 would deliver approximately a 12% increase on the £28.4bn total recorded for the whole of 2023. Savills says that a major driver of increased investment volumes this year could be the regional office market as the sector’s prime yield currently sits higher than that of the retail and industrial, despite them historically sitting in-line, reflecting specific post-pandemic concerns about the sector, with the yield gap between London offices and the rest of the UK also at its highest point in 32 years, at 2.6%. “With rental levels for top quality offices in regional cities increasing and the yield gap to other prime markets being the largest this century, wider UK offices provide a very interesting opportunity for investors”, comments Richard Merryweather, joint head of UK commercial investment at Savills. He continues: “The yield gap between London and regional offices is at its widest since 1991, so despite there being some headwinds still to dissipate, there is a real opportunity for buyers to take advantage of the difference now, while many geared buyers are finding the cost of debt for this sector prohibitively high.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) put the spotlight on skills yesterday, when it hosted its members at the Houses of Parliament for a reception focused on ensuring the provision of quality support and improving access to training and talent are identified as top policy priorities. In a room full of a experts from all corners of the industry, from housebuilders and contractors to scaffolders and trainers, members were addressed by the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, the Rt Hon Gillian Keegan, MP. She commented, “I know that the construction industry has serious skills challenges and I know how important it is to educate people who take an out of date, short term, view about the careers offered by your sector. I understand that it (construction) offers great opportunities here and around the world. We need to make sure it is showcased in schools so that young people can see what’s available to them. I welcome the work that the NASC and NFB are doing to highlight how dynamic and rewarding construction can be.” This reception was held as part of a joint initiative with the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC). Mark Wakeford, incoming Chair of the NFB, stated, “The reception highlighted the need for more skilled people within our two essential and allied sectors, and allowed us to make our case for a coordinated approach across Government to work with industry to enable access to our sector and to support professionalisation. We are confident that there are friends across Government and industry who will work together to help solve this national skills crisis.” In respect of ensuring learners have employment security, Richard Beresford, Chief Executive of the NFB added: “Effective planning and procurement reform is also key to securing a strong pipeline of work so that employers can train and retain a new generation of learners and upskilled workers.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals