Propertymark is keen to see the UK Government clarify how it intends to deliver more homes following the King’s Speech. The professional body has previously argued that the new UK Government would need to build a large, new housing estate with over 1000 homes every day to hit its
Cityheart has revealed the new name for its 442-apartment scheme on Greek Street and Wellington Road in Stockport. The development, formally known as Royal George Village, has been rebranded Stopford Park in line with Cityheart’s vision to create a new neighbourhood community and landscaped public realm in the heart of
The call for solar continues to be strong, with more efficient panels being demanded by homeowners, housebuilders and contractors. In response, Marley has launched a new panel option in its SolarTile® range – the SolarTile® 410. The new panel delivers a peak power of 410W to increase total power from
Hull based construction firm, Hobson & Porter has achieved international certification through the British Standards Institute (BSI) for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS), which underscores the company’s dedication to creating a safe and healthy work environment for all employees and stakeholders. The company has secured the ISO 45001
Leading contractor MJ Church is driving a machine technology revolution working closely with construction technology specialist SITECH® UK and Ireland over the last decade. The partnership between the two companies began when SITECH began fitting a widespread use of machine technology on the contractor’s machines with Trimble® machine control systems. As well
Skanska has signed a contract with Baola Properties Limited, c/o Old Park Lane Management, for construction and mechanical and electrical engineering services for the redevelopment of 7 Millbank in London, UK. The contract is worth GBP 105M, about SEK 1.4 billion, which will be included in the order bookings for
Liverpool City Council is set to receive a £55m investment boost from Homes England to accelerate the regeneration of Liverpool’s historic northern docklands. A report to the Council’s Cabinet today is recommending the council enters into an agreement with Homes England to accept Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) grant funding.
Developer Chancerygate has been granted planning permission to speculatively build 103,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics space in Southwater, near Horsham. Called Audio Park, the development will comprise seven units ranging from 8,325 sq ft to 33,940 sq ft and the projected gross development value is approximately £27m.
Specialist property manager LB Navana has been appointed as the managing agent for two prestigious sites in London: The Arc and The Haydon. The Arc, situated at the heart of London, is a 340,000 square foot mixed use scheme with a mixture of retail and office space, and 100 residential
Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has completed construction of a new £16.5 million low carbon innovation hub in Leicester, on behalf of Leicester City Council. The Dock extension project has created three new buildings which deliver c.65,000 sq ft of purpose-built accommodation for hi-tech industries in an area of Space City
Propertymark is keen to see the UK Government clarify how it intends to deliver more homes following the King’s Speech. The professional body has previously argued that the new UK Government would need to build a large, new housing estate with over 1000 homes every day to hit its target of 1.5 million new homes by 2029. During the King’s Speech yesterday, His Majesty said: “My ministers will get Britain building, including through planning reform, as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing (Planning and Infrastructure Bill).” Prior to the King’s Speech, the new UK Government pledged to study reform of the national planning framework, including restoring compulsory housing goals for local authorities, as part of their plan to construct 1.5 million new homes by the end of this parliament. Propertymark has also previously called on the UK Government to redefine what the green belt is so that there can be a focused programme of building on brownfield sites first. Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, comments: “Pledges from the new UK Government to build 1.5 million new homes and to reform the national planning policy framework to restore compulsory housebuilding targets for local authorities are welcome, as this country desperately needs to ensure supply meets increasing demand and ultimately make home ownership more affordable. “However, Propertymark has previously highlighted that for the new UK Government to meet its ambitious housing targets there must be a full review and wide-ranging stakeholder engagement to ensure there is sensible infrastructure in place to enable new developments to flourish and compliment the areas they are built within. “It is imperative that existing areas which are available for use are strategically prioritised for redevelopment above greenbelt land – moving forwards there must be a ‘connected communities’ approach and one which integrates and enhances already established metropolitan areas.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cityheart has revealed the new name for its 442-apartment scheme on Greek Street and Wellington Road in Stockport. The development, formally known as Royal George Village, has been rebranded Stopford Park in line with Cityheart’s vision to create a new neighbourhood community and landscaped public realm in the heart of the town. The three-acre site was acquired last year by Cityheart, the development team behind Stockport’s award-winning Interchange and is being supported with a £9m GMCA brownfield development grant. The new branding and placemaking campaign was unveiled last night at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery in partnership with Sheila Bird Studio who will also be designing the interior spaces. Jon Humphreys, Creative Partner at Sheila Bird Studio said: “Stopford Park is a place for all Stopfordians to live work and socialise. It’s a place for a community to put down some roots as the town looks to the future with optimism and pride. Cityheart are building homes, not ‘investment units’ and the new landscaped gardens at the centre of the neighbourhood will be there for all to enjoy. “Culture is major catalyst for urban regeneration and Stockport is thriving with creative talent. Stopford Park will feature a selection of art installations, a creative thread that celebrates culture and connects our neighbours with The War Memorial Art Museum and the Stockport Art College.” The new homes at Stopford Park will span three principle residential buildings. The 115,000 sq ft Torkington will be converted into 122 apartments, while the 60,000 sq ft Lyme Centre will be demolished and replaced with a 16-storey apartment block called Lyme which comprises 258 units. A third building, Bosden, will provide 62 homes for sale and will be the first building to be delivered on the site. The grade-two listed Greek Street Building, the former Metropolitan Girls’ School, will be converted into a collaborative co-working space for local businesses called Cheers & Smith, named after the architects responsible for its design. The buildings are connected by a new landscaped south-facing ‘Art Park’ creating additional public open space and private gardens for residents. The placemaking project features work by local photographer Madeline Penfold, celebrating the people of Stockport across the site hoardings. Many of the subjects who took part in the project were at the event to see Cityheart’s plans for Stopford Park. Commenting on the launch Jonny Wrigley, Group Chief Executive for Cityheart said: “The campaign celebrates the hard-working people of Stockport who are playing their part in delivering the incredible changes the town has seen in recent years and who have help us shape our vision for Stopford Park. These are the local people at the heart of Stockport’s renaissance, and we are delighted that so many of them joined us last night to celebrate the launch.” “Stopford Park will be a new neighbourhood, firmly rooted in Stockport and connected to its rich history and heritage. It is in a superb location for commuting and accessing the town centre and is right next door to Stockport’s historic War Memorial Art Gallery. Its design has been informed following lengthy consultation with Stopfordians including local businesses, residents, creatives and artists and it will deliver a thriving new neighbourhood with homes for people to live, spaces to work and places to socialise.” Construction commenced late 2023 and the buildings will be completed in phases throughout 2026. For more information on Stopford Park visit www.stopfordpark.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The call for solar continues to be strong, with more efficient panels being demanded by homeowners, housebuilders and contractors. In response, Marley has launched a new panel option in its SolarTile® range – the SolarTile® 410. The new panel delivers a peak power of 410W to increase total power from a roof area, while allowing for the installation of fewer solar panels to achieve the desired output. By adding a more powerful 410Wp panel to the SolarTile® range, alongside the existing 335Wp solution, specifiers, housebuilders and contractors can benefit from increased versatility depending on project size and output requirements. The new Marley SolarTile® 410 offers simple roof integration with a clean, low-profile aesthetic making it a desirable and efficient solution for new build and retrofit projects. Compatible with Marley’s existing range of concrete and clay tiles, and including special fixings for different batten thicknesses, the 410 panel is accompanied by a complete family of colour-coded flashing kits, for ease of installation. The 410 panel achieves exceptional fire performance, wind resistance and weather tightness, making it an ideal solution for solar roofing projects. Stuart Nicholson, Roof Systems Director at Marley, comments: “Since launching with 270Wp and 310Wp solar panels in 2021, Marley has continued to focus on pushing for enhanced solar panel efficiency. Alongside the current 335Wp panel, the new SolarTile® 410Wp panel widens specification choice for the market. “It is further evidence of our continued commitment to delivering an ever-improving, complete renewable package – which now includes battery storage, inverters and EV charging solutions – to support the construction industry in its drive to build more energy efficient properties. Solar panel specification on roofscapes is increasing as regulatory changes look to improve housing stock, provide access to renewable energy and make homes more energy efficient ahead of the 2050 net zero target. “The new Marley SolarTile® 410 panel allows specifiers, housebuilders, and contractors to incorporate fewer panels to attain a desired power output. It also reduces installation timescales to optimise resource planning and further reduce cost. The Marley SolarTile® range integrates perfectly with our full roof system, meaning specifiers, housebuilders and contractors can also benefit from the reassurance of Marley’s 15-year warranty. Additionally, Marley’s team of experts are also on hand to offer complete technical support for the roof design and panel installation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hull based construction firm, Hobson & Porter has achieved international certification through the British Standards Institute (BSI) for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS), which underscores the company’s dedication to creating a safe and healthy work environment for all employees and stakeholders. The company has secured the ISO 45001 standard, which is the world’s first international standard for managing OH&S risks and achieving the certification is a testament to Hobson & Porter’s unwavering commitment to health and safety. The accreditation process involved a comprehensive review of the company’s occupational health and safety policies, procedures and practices. This rigorous evaluation ensures that Hobson & Porter meets the highest standards of risk management, regulatory compliance and proactive health and safety measures. This is the third certification that Hobson & Porter has secured directly from BSI. In recent years the company has also achieved the world’s most recognised environmental management system, ISO 14001, as well as ISO 9001, which is the internationally recognised Quality Management System standard. David Blades, safety, health, environment and quality (SHEQ) director from Hobson & Porter, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive the ISO 45001 accreditation. This achievement reflects our continuous efforts to prioritise the well-being of our employees, clients and partners. By adhering to the highest standards of occupational health and safety, we aim to foster a culture of safety that permeates every aspect of our business. “Our entire SHEQ team worked hard to secure this accreditation and our commitment to excellence, attention to detail and persistent pursuit of safety have been instrumental in this accomplishment. “Crucially, when we combine ISO 45001 with our existing ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 accreditations, which have all been achieved directly through BSI’s own very demanding and robust audit process, it gives us full and proper integration, to a common assessment standard, across all management systems within our SHEQ team. “All this brings significant benefits to clients and partners, demonstrating our commitment to minimising workplace risks and continuously improving our health and safety performance. Clients can therefore be confident that Hobson & Porter’s projects are executed with the utmost regard for safety, quality and efficiency. It also goes way above what the law requires in many areas, meaning it’s something that we are all take great pride in.” Hobson & Porter, which employs a 120-strong team and is headquartered in Hull, is currently working on a wide range of projects across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire spanning the education, healthcare, housing, industrial and renewable energy sectors. This latest accreditation follows Hobson & Porter being presented with The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) President’s Award, after the company scooped gold awards for 11 consecutive years for its health and safety performance. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading contractor MJ Church is driving a machine technology revolution working closely with construction technology specialist SITECH® UK and Ireland over the last decade. The partnership between the two companies began when SITECH began fitting a widespread use of machine technology on the contractor’s machines with Trimble® machine control systems. As well as providing the hardware/software, SITECH also provided access to Beta test new Trimble products. So mutually beneficial has the relationship been, that MJ Church’s investment in increasing their knowledge of machine technology has led to the development of an industry-leading 3D machine modelling approach. Sam Lemon, Construction Technology Lead for MJ Church said that the ‘old way of doing things’ with batter rails was a distant memory with technology enabling them to run ‘timberless sites’. He said: “Site technology has gone from a ‘nice to have’ to standard practice across all our projects – because we are utilising it to such a high standard with the support from the teams at SITECH and Trimble. “When I started at MJ Church five years ago our technology was relatively small scale, but now, GPS enabled machines are standard across our fleet. It includes Trimble Business Centre, Trimble WorksOS, Trimble Connect, Trimble Siteworks and Trimble Drawing. “What’s really changed in the business is we’ve seen the value of machine control. It’s taken a lot of work to get to this point, and thanks to our relationship with SITECH we’ve been able to get involved in Beta testing new Trimble products and feedback with improvements so we can really unlock the full potential of our fleet. “Having begun using machine control on a few excavators in 2015 it’s really ramped up and SITECH have been instrumental in that, supporting us with practical help in setting our machines up and keeping our machines running when core components need replacing.” SITECH technical sales consultant Carl Parsons, said: “MJ Church is really driving a revolution in machine technology because they’re constantly looking for different ways to use it and develop their knowledge of it. “We have continued to support MJ Church with frequent software training, hardware support and installation training, and we’re proud to act as a technology consultancy service for them. “We’re very proud to support them on their journey and in their achievements which are encouraging innovation within the industry.” To find out more about more about SITECH machine control systems support, training and software solutions go to www.sitechukandireland.com
Skanska has signed a contract with Baola Properties Limited, c/o Old Park Lane Management, for construction and mechanical and electrical engineering services for the redevelopment of 7 Millbank in London, UK. The contract is worth GBP 105M, about SEK 1.4 billion, which will be included in the order bookings for Europe for the third quarter of 2024. Skanska will lead the construction of a new nine-storey office building with two basement levels. The design and build of approximately 12,100 square meter flexible workspace will include reconstruction of the original historic façade, which has been carefully deconstructed and stored before being rebuilt into the new structure to maintain and enhance the building’s historic character. The building is targeting environmental standards to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, WELL Platinum and Design for Performance to secure a Nabers 5* accreditation. Construction will begin in July 2024 and is expected to be completed in January 2027. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool City Council is set to receive a £55m investment boost from Homes England to accelerate the regeneration of Liverpool’s historic northern docklands. A report to the Council’s Cabinet today is recommending the council enters into an agreement with Homes England to accept Brownfield Infrastructure Land (BIL) grant funding. The public funding relates to Central Docks, the largest neighbourhood within Liverpool Waters, and the city’s largest brownfield site. The site, owned by waterside regeneration specialists Peel Waters, is projected to unlock more than £500m in private investment. The Central Docks scheme includes the establishment of a public park and vital infrastructure to accommodate approximately 2,350 new homes. The funding for this site, which is subject to final approval from HM Treasury, comes just a week after Rachel Reeves MP, referenced the scheme in her first speech as Chancellor of the Exchequer in which she set out the new Government’s commitment to unlock stalled housing schemes. The Central Docks scheme was also identified by the Liverpool Strategic Futures Panel, chaired by Mayor Steve Rotheram, and forms part of Liverpool’s ambitious 20-year plan for the whole of its iconic waterfront. Liverpool City Council has also made a similar brownfield site commitment in its draft housing strategy, currently subject to a public consultation, which supports the delivery of 2,000 new homes every year to 2030 and to double the number of affordable homes across the city. Peel Waters has stated that the key infrastructure within the 10.5 hectare scheme, which would comprise of utilities, thoroughfares, green spaces, and public amenities, would lay the groundwork for future investments and the development of housing and commercial ventures would also support new community, retail and leisure facilities. With full planning approval for the site preparation work, the comprehensive plans for Central Docks include the creation of an interconnected network of public spaces. The proposed new landscape will be enriched with the planting of hundreds of trees, with the centrepiece being ‘Central Park,’ a sprawling 2.1-hectare oasis, set to become one of the city’s largest urban green spaces. Central Park’s design will celebrate the site’s industrial heritage and coastal location, blending coastal and woodland plantations, wetlands, community gardens, and open parkland. Embracing inclusivity and sustainability, the park will feature amenities such as shelters, recreational facilities, and wildlife habitats, to be enjoyed by both residents and visitors. The development will also significantly enhance connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists, with the aim of creating seamless open access between the city centre, Princes Dock, Central Docks and Everton’s new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Chancerygate has been granted planning permission to speculatively build 103,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics space in Southwater, near Horsham. Called Audio Park, the development will comprise seven units ranging from 8,325 sq ft to 33,940 sq ft and the projected gross development value is approximately £27m. Units will be available on both a freehold and leasehold basis. The 4.59-acre site, which was formerly a logistics hub for global manufacturers Sony, is located in a country park setting at Southwater Business Park approximately four miles south of Horsham. Its strategic position close to the A24 between Crawley and Worthing provides excellent connectivity to the mid-Sussex and wider south coast markets. Neighbouring occupiers to the scheme include esteemed British audio technology developers Bowers & Wilkins. Local amenities within walking distance include retail convenience stores, a pharmacy and GP surgery. All units at Audio Park will benefit from electric vehicle charging points, low air permeability design and solar cells on their roofs which provide green energy on an affordable basis to occupiers. In addition, the units will have enhanced levels of roof lighting and will be constructed from high-performance building materials to reduce CO2 emissions. The scheme is targeting a BREEAM accreditation of Very Good and for all units to achieve an EPC B rating as a minimum. Chancerygate development director, Matthew Young said: “There is strong demand for sustainable, Grade A urban logistics units in Horsham and the wider Sussex region. “Audio Park will meet this demand and enable occupiers in the locality to access high-specification, strategically located industrial warehouse accommodation. “Much of the existing urban logistics stock in mid-Sussex is second hand with low sustainability credentials and is only available on a leasehold basis. We have already seen strong interest in the scheme and anticipate this will only further grow now planning has been granted.” Founded in 1995, Chancerygate is the UK’s largest urban logistics property developer and asset manager and the only one operating nationwide. The company has offices in London, Warrington, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Madrid and Lisbon. It currently has more than 1.16m sq ft of industrial space under construction or ready for development across 19 sites ranging from Edinburgh to Croydon. Agents for the development are Graves Jenkins and JLL. For more information, visit www.chancerygate.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Specialist property manager LB Navana has been appointed as the managing agent for two prestigious sites in London: The Arc and The Haydon. The Arc, situated at the heart of London, is a 340,000 square foot mixed use scheme with a mixture of retail and office space, and 100 residential apartments. With its iconic architecture and unparalleled amenities, the site is a short walk away from Old Street and Liverpool Street stations. LB Navana has been involved with the mobilisation of the site for a number of years and recently welcomed its first residents. Similarly, The Haydon, a flagship development by Regal London, epitomises contemporary living in the heart of the Square Mile. The Haydon represents modern urban living, comprising of 87 luxury homes, set in a landscaped courtyard. LB Navana will bring to life its vision for elevating the residential experience and will work to foster a sense of community within the development. LB Navana will be responsible for the day-to-day estate management, including the maintenance of the common areas and ensuring the compliance with all the latest health and safety legislation. With a focus on proactive maintenance, personalised service, and community engagement, LB Navana says it is dedicated to enhancing the living experience for residents while maximising the value for property owners. Ian Jones, Group Chief Operating Officer, LB Navana, said: “We are thrilled to be entrusted with the management of The Arc and The Haydon. Both developments represent the pinnacle of luxury and sophistication in London’s property landscape, and we are committed to delivering unparalleled service to residents and stakeholders alike.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Brackley Property Developments (BPD) has completed construction of a new £16.5 million low carbon innovation hub in Leicester, on behalf of Leicester City Council. The Dock extension project has created three new buildings which deliver c.65,000 sq ft of purpose-built accommodation for hi-tech industries in an area of Space City formerly known as Pioneer Park, within Leicester’s Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone. Known as Docks, 3, 4 and 5, the new buildings include two new offices that cater for up to 45 businesses across c.43,000 sq ft. A terrace of nine manufacturing units provides more than 21,500 sq ft for innovative start-ups and established businesses seeking grow-on space. New buildings are net carbon zero in operation and require no gas heating. They house a range of environmentally sustainable features, such as low energy LED lighting, roof-mounted photovoltaic panels on the offices, air source heat pumps, and super-thick insulation. Externally there is cycle storage and 12 electric vehicle charging points in a new parking area. The Dock extension has been designed to complement the look and feel of the original Dock workspace buildings and is part of Space City Leicester, one of the largest and most connected Enterprise Zones for space-related activities in the UK. Stephen Pedrick-Moyle, managing director of BPD, said: “We are very pleased to have delivered the expansion of the successful Dock managed workspace development for Leicester City Council. “These three new energy efficient units deliver purpose-built space for exciting new businesses in a range of sectors. Extending the Dock innovation hub will undoubtedly support the attraction and retention of local talent and hi-tech entrepreneurs, ensuring Leicester continues to be a hub for research, production and manufacture in the space industry.” Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “It’s fantastic to see the next chapter of our innovative workspace development for hi-tech businesses take shape. “Space City Leicester is helping to put our city firmly on the map for research, production and manufacture in the space industry. “We’re proud to contribute to that momentum by further expanding our Dock innovation hub with three new, low carbon buildings which will help meet demand from businesses keen to locate here from the UK and overseas. The new buildings will also provide valuable grow-on space and much-needed manufacturing facilities for our local talent and high-tech entrepreneurs. “The new buildings are looking fantastic and I’m particularly pleased that we have been able to work with locally-based Brackley Property Developments as our development partner on this ambitious project.” The development was supported by £12 million from the previous government’s Levelling Up Fund, with The Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership providing £3.5 million from Enterprise Zone retained business rates. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
