The Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into housebuilding noted that councils’ local plans were crucial for gauging the number of permission approvals needed to meet housing need. The HBF has pointed out that since housing and levelling up secretary Michael Gove’s decision to make housing targets ‘discretionary’ last Autumn, 64
Doka’s versatile ParaTop bridge formwork provided the ideal solution for the rapid, high-specification creation of concrete decks that are integral to providing patients with a crucial new transport link to a cancer care centre. The 56-metre single-span bridge will improve road access to the Velindre Hospital in Cardiff. Known as
The pressing need for a skilled retrofit workforce was once again the topic of much industry debate at the UK’s inaugural National Retrofit Conference, which took place at London’s ExCeL last week. Curated by The Retrofit Academy, the three-day Conference, in partnership with Futurebuild saw policymakers, industry leaders and other
Electricians can now upskill in sustainable technologies, thanks to a new Electrical Skills Bootcamp focussed on Solar Installation, EV Installation and Energy Storage Systems. Led by accredited training provider Option Skills, this program is fully funded as part of the UK government’s Skills for Life campaign, delivered by the Department
Ford’s iconic stamping plant factory in Dagenham, East London, which gained fame through the historic equal pay strikes depicted in the film “Made in Dagenham,” is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The 45-acre site, once a key part of the powerhouse of East End industry where nearly 11 million Ford
Natural habitats created by new biodiversity laws could absorb up to 650,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of nearly 200,000 round trip flights from London to New York, according to new research from biodiversity tech start-up Joe’s Blooms. Based on the Government’s Net Gain Impact Assessment which shows
Southwark Council and Bouygues UK have celebrated reaching the ‘topping out’ stage at the significant housing project Tustin Estate alongside London’s Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development Tom Copley. Phase 1 of the project is 100% replacement affordable homes with all existing residents moving into new homes. Tustin Estate,
360° image-handling enhancement will achieve richer visual documentation on projects, increasing accuracy, enhancing transparency and reducing rework. Today, PlanRadar, one of the leading digital construction, real estate and facilities management platforms, announces the upcoming AI-powered ‘SiteView’ feature, enhancing the platform’s already robust documentation, communication and reporting capabilities. SiteView empowers users
Dove Valley Park at Foston just off the A50 between Derby and Uttoxeter has seen terrific growth over the last few years, with just under one million sq. ft. built and either sold or let to expanding local and indeed national companies including Hines, MEG, GXO, TopHat and JCB to
The union representing the overwhelming majority of firefighters has slammed new government guidance on building evacuation, saying that failings have left residents vulnerable to further Grenfell-style tragedies. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended in October 2019 that the government develop guidelines for the evacuation of high-rise buildings. It finally published these
The Competition and Markets Authority’s investigation into housebuilding noted that councils’ local plans were crucial for gauging the number of permission approvals needed to meet housing need. The HBF has pointed out that since housing and levelling up secretary Michael Gove’s decision to make housing targets ‘discretionary’ last Autumn, 64 councils have paused or withdrawn their plans. The number of plans adopted last year was the lowest for a decade. Planning consultancy Lichfields’ research points to the fact that this could cause a drop of 77,000 homes a year. The trade body said most councils who have done this are concentrated in southern England and accused Mr Gove of pandering to ‘nimbyism’. The Housing Pipeline Report shows the number of units approved in 2023 was the lowest since 2015 in the Southeast, the lowest since 2013 in London and the lowest since 2012 in the Southwest. Year-on-year, each of these regions saw falls of 13, 26 and 18 per cent respectively. The same regions have already seen annual falls of more than ten per cent in new build completions. Unit approvals for the North of England dropped 18 per cent for 2023 compared to 2021, 23 per cent for the Midlands and 28 per cent for the South of England. Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders were concerned the planning process had become so complicated and underfunded causing unacceptable delays for SME housebuilders. Developers were disappointed the chancellor Jeremy Hunt failed in last week’s budget to help first-time buyers with getting a deposit together to enable them to get their foot on the property ladder. They argue this is a further blow to the government’s target of building 300,000 a year by the mid-2020s. The construction industry is also blaming Natural England’s policy on maintaining nutrient neutrality of rivers across different parts of England for halting 150,000 new homes. They argue that intensive farming rather than housebuilding is the main pollution culprit. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Doka’s versatile ParaTop bridge formwork provided the ideal solution for the rapid, high-specification creation of concrete decks that are integral to providing patients with a crucial new transport link to a cancer care centre. The 56-metre single-span bridge will improve road access to the Velindre Hospital in Cardiff. Known as the ‘Hospital of Hope’, the facility offers specialist and complex cancer services to more than 1.5 million people in south east Wales and beyond. Doka’s ParaTop bridge formwork was selected by principal contractor, Walters, as the ideal system for the rapid, effective formation of the bridge’s concrete parapets. ParaTop was created using modular principles, whereby the system can be adapted to specific applications. Its strength is its versatility, allowing ParaTop to be fixed to concrete or steel superstructures. The system contains an innovative insert-shoe, making it simple to erect whilst its cantilever formwork makes it easy work for cranes to install and lift when required via hard-plated insert-cones. ParaTop removes the need for platforms or scaffolds beneath the superstructure and fewer bracket planes are also required. Erection and dismantling times can be significantly reduced by using bolted, rather than threaded joints. In addition, ParaTop’s cantilever arm formwork eliminates the threading of tie rods in readiness for the concrete pouring process. For the Velindre Hospital Bridge project, the ParaTop bridge formwork was installed by Wyndham Construction. It was attached, via crane, to the bridge’s 2.3 metre-high, 1.2 metre-wide Corten steel beams. In total, the composite ladder beam-type plate girder bridge comprises 293 tonnes of steel. Rhodri Jones, Sub Agent at Walters, said Doka’s ParaTop bridge formwork ensured an installation that was rapid and issue-free. “The system hooked on quickly and easily to the bridge’s beams” he said. “The dismantling process was equally as straightforward, requiring the removal of just three bolts in what was a very simple and time-effective process. Overall, we’re delighted with the ParaTop bridge formwork’s performance on this incredibly worthwhile project for south east Wales.” The Velindre Hospital Bridge means visitors can travel to the cancer care centre, which is staffed by clinicians and scientists who are world leaders in their field, with greater convenience and comfort. Doka is proud to have supplied the high-quality formwork that is core to the structure’s long-term stability. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The pressing need for a skilled retrofit workforce was once again the topic of much industry debate at the UK’s inaugural National Retrofit Conference, which took place at London’s ExCeL last week. Curated by The Retrofit Academy, the three-day Conference, in partnership with Futurebuild saw policymakers, industry leaders and other interested parties share their views on the best retrofit practice that will accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future. Day one of the Conference was focused on Retrofit Policy, Programmes and Leadership with keynote speakers such as Lord Martin Callanan, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero. Discussing the Government’s plans to help decarbonise 27 million homes, Callanan and the wider panel outlined how the industry can support the Government’s plans to retrofit homes at scale. The Retrofit Academy also launched a proposed Retrofit Workforce Roadmap to highlight specifically how the business intends to train and upskill thousands of individuals to join the retrofit revolution within the next five years. This year, The Retrofit Academy will be opening a consultation with local government and industry professionals with the aim of agreeing a collaborative roadmap geared towards achieving this goal. The second day of the Conference saw the focus shift to an exploration of how the Government and industry is rising to the challenge of decarbonising 27 million homes. Multiple panel discussions addressed topics such as keeping residents at the heart of the process and the importance of creating a close team of PAS 2035 professionals capable of delivering the quality required. One of the sessions, ‘Developing our Workforce and Growing the Supply Chain’ was chaired by David Pierpoint, CEO of The Retrofit Academy, and enabled the audience to understand in real terms the approaches they can take to develop their own partnerships capable of delivering high-quality retrofit successfully. Finally, the third day of the Conference concluded with a focus on Unblocking Skills and Unlocking Innovation. This included the panel discussion on ‘Retrofit at Scale’ chaired by Loreana Padron, Associate Director at ECD Architects where the shortage of retrofit-literate architects and design professionals was addressed. The discussion followed Loreana’s contribution to The Retrofit Academy’s Domestic Retrofit Designer course. Developed by over 20 leading industry professionals over an 18-month period, the new course will help to address this skills gap by upskilling architects and design professionals around retrofit design best practice. David Pierpoint said: “The UK’s very first National Retrofit Conference was a huge success. During the three-day event, multiple industries were able to come together and discuss ways that we can tackle the challenges we face, all the way from MPs to those on the ground conducting the work. In a conference arena that was twice the size of last year, and with the apparent lack of empty seats, it was evident that the industry is really engaging with retrofit and the challenge at hand. Our team was able to have multiple meaningful conversations with interested individuals looking to upskill into retrofit and help become part of the solution, especially those looking to become retrofit designers. “As a partner to the event, we were able to shine the light on vital topics such as tackling the skills gap through our Retrofit Workforce Roadmap and how we are striving to qualify competent professionals to complete projects to the PAS 2035 standard. At the 2025 National Retrofit Conference, it will be amazing to measure the progress made and see how far we have come in achieving net zero.” Excellence celebrated at The Retrofit Academy Awards Day one of the conference concluded with this year’s The Retrofit Academy Awards which celebrated both individuals and businesses making significant effort to help decarbonise the UK housing stock. The full list of 11 award winners is as follows: Commenting further on the Awards, David added: “All of the individuals and businesses who took home awards are setting the standard for how retrofit should be conducted to achieve high quality results and pleased residents. They are showing those interested in a career in retrofit what could be achieved and how this booming industry has so much to offer those who upskill into it. Throughout the next year, all these people and businesses will go on to decarbonise the UK housing stock and lead the way for others to become next year’s nominees.” For more information about The Retrofit Academy, please click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Electricians can now upskill in sustainable technologies, thanks to a new Electrical Skills Bootcamp focussed on Solar Installation, EV Installation and Energy Storage Systems. Led by accredited training provider Option Skills, this program is fully funded as part of the UK government’s Skills for Life campaign, delivered by the Department for Education. The Electrical Skills Bootcamp offers comprehensive training in Solar (PV) Photovoltaic Systems, Electric Vehicle (EV) Charge Points, and Electrical Energy Storage Systems. These skills are essential in a world increasingly focused on renewable technologies. Mick Fitzgerald, Director at Options Skills, said, “Our Skills Bootcamp is a unique opportunity for electricians to stay ahead in their field by mastering sustainable technologies. It’s not just a course; it’s an investment in the future of our trade and our planet.” “To thrive in the evolving landscape of electrical work, it’s crucial to adapt and expand your skill set,” added Fitzgerald. “Our Skills Bootcamp does exactly that, preparing electricians for a future where these technologies are the norm.” The Skills for Life – Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible courses giving people the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills. Eligible candidates must hold an N/SVQ 3 in Electrical Installation or equivalent and have the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) certification. The program includes 80 guided learning hours combining centre-led training and webinars across 6 – 8 weeks. Currently available at their Birmingham training centre, the Options Skills Electrical Skills Bootcamp will soon be offered in Manchester and London, bringing this vital training to electricians across the UK. For more information on training opportunities, visit here. Or call 0800 802 1306. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ford’s iconic stamping plant factory in Dagenham, East London, which gained fame through the historic equal pay strikes depicted in the film “Made in Dagenham,” is undergoing a remarkable transformation. The 45-acre site, once a key part of the powerhouse of East End industry where nearly 11 million Ford cars were manufactured, will soon be home to a dynamic new neighbourhood with thousands of much-needed homes and amenities, including a new urban park. Ford’s stamping plant, which closed in 2013, was the site of the pivotal 1968 strike led by female sewing machinists, who were advocating for equal pay for comparable work. Their courageous stand ultimately paved the way for the Equal Pay Act in 1970. Dagenham, with a heritage dating back 4,000 years, has witnessed a remarkable transformation from a historic barrier along the Thames to the site of Europe’s largest car plant. Notable for its history as a hub of industry and commerce, it once hosted a timber dock and shipping company. In 2021, the Mayor of London provided a £80m grant from the Mayor’s Affordable Housing Programme to enable Peabody to acquire the site. The Hill Group then entered a joint venture with Peabody to deliver the development of the first phase, with construction getting underway in March 2023. The shared vision is to redefine the landscape of East London once again and bring new life to the area over the next decade. Spanning multiple phases, the ambitious project aims to deliver more than 3,500 homes, with 1,640 set to be affordable for local residents. Once complete, Dagenham Green will also boast 10 acres of expansive parks and play spaces. Phase one, which constitutes just over a quarter of the total homes, will see the construction of 935 homes, 35 percent of which will be affordable. Situated in the south-west corner of the site, adjacent to Dagenham Dock railway station, it will serve as the gateway to the broader masterplan area, which received outline planning approval in March 2022 following extensive consultation with the community. Drawing inspiration from the marshland, a key feature of phase one will be the first section of a new five-acre urban park complete with a large pond, children’s play areas, and a heritage trail commemorating the legacy of the Dagenham women who championed equal pay rights in the 1960s. There will also be a market square linking Dagenham Green to the nearby railway station, fostering connectivity and a strong sense of community. Phase one will also incorporate more than 1,600 square metres of non-residential space, for commercial, social, and leisure activities. The first residents are expected to move in from the summer of 2025. The project also prioritises sustainability, with plans for biodiverse green spaces and an air-source heat pump energy centre for the production of low-carbon energy. During construction, the partners are committed to providing 48 apprenticeship opportunities and employing 25 percent of the workforce from the local area, with extensive training programmes offered to participants. Peabody and its partners, including Hill, the Greater London Authority (GLA), Barking and Dagenham Council, and Be First Regeneration Ltd came together on Thursday 22 February to see how the redevelopment is progressing. Philip Jenkins, Executive Director of Development at Peabody, said: “At a time when all development is challenging, it’s always exciting to see tower cranes at work and construction progressing so rapidly. With thousands of much-needed new homes and facilities on their way for Dagenham, the development promises to be a landmark project, blending modern amenities with features that celebrate the area’s rich heritage. From its industrial heyday to becoming a symbol of progress in the fight for equal pay, Dagenham Green will create a vibrant new neighbourhood, and we look forward to welcoming new residents from 2025.” Andy Fancy, Managing Director at The Hill Group, said: “It is truly inspiring to gather here alongside Peabody, esteemed council members, and representatives from the GLA, to celebrate the remarkable strides achieved here in Dagenham. The realisation of a project of this magnitude takes years of meticulous planning and collaboration with partners and stakeholders. This collective effort is instrumental in the continual growth and success of this exciting new community.” Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader of the Council, said: “We’re proud of our history in Barking and Dagenham and I’m pleased that this nationally important site, where women fought for equal rights in 1968 and 1984, will once again play a key part in our community – providing new, safe homes for residents. “I’m glad to be working with Peabody on this project and I think it’s fantastic that they’re not just focusing on homes but also on creating green spaces and a market for the community to come together and enjoy. “And not only that, with a large proportion of the workforce coming from B&D and dozens of apprenticeships being created for local people this project will be a huge boost to the borough as a whole.” The Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said: “I’m delighted that Dagenham’s famous Ford factory is being revamped to deliver over 3,500 high-quality new homes, with nearly half of these set to be genuinely affordable for local residents. “This promises to be a truly impressive development utilising the very best in modern architecture and design, whilst maintaining the unique heritage and character of the local area. The green spaces and parks, fantastic new amenities and community spaces, job and apprenticeship opportunities, and excellent transport links on offer will have huge benefits for the local community – helping to build a fairer, greener, more prosperous London for all.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Natural habitats created by new biodiversity laws could absorb up to 650,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, the equivalent of nearly 200,000 round trip flights from London to New York, according to new research from biodiversity tech start-up Joe’s Blooms. Based on the Government’s Net Gain Impact Assessment which shows that new regulations could see England benefit from over 15,000 hectares of biodiversity each year, the research analysed the carbon storage potential of the natural habitats that this increase could create. Looking at the distribution of different habitats across the UK, the research found that the carbon storage potential of woodland, heath, grasslands, and wetlands equates to emissions released from 4.6 billion kilometres of driving an average car. The increase in habitats that absorb carbon dioxide is down to the new Biodiversity Net Gain law (BNG) – a first-of-its-kind planning policy that requires developers to invest in measures that increase the amount of plants and wildlife in the local area by 10%. As well as the carbon absorption potential, increasing woodlands, heath, grasslands, and wetlands through the new BNG policy will protect England’s native plant and animal species – with recent data from the Woodland Trust finding that one-third of all woodland species are diminishing. The analysis comes as recent data from the European Earth Observation Agency shows global annual temperatures have for the first time breached the critical benchmark of 1.5C above pre-industrial levels set by the United Nations, with January 2024 being the hottest start to a year on record. Scientists around the world have long argued nature restoration is central to tackling the climate crisis. Research shows that over the past 10 years, ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain have absorbed 54% of human-made carbon emissions. Natural habitats also provide important solutions to more extreme weather patterns such as increased rainfall, with analysis showing that biodiverse land decreases flood exposure by up to 70%. With the policy mandatory for small developments as of April 2, this research demonstrates that BNG will play a key role in boosting natural habitats across England and supporting the UK’s efforts to fight global warming. Robin McArthur, Chair of the Joe’s Blooms Advisory Board, said: “This analysis adds to mounting evidence that nature recovery fuelled by BNG, whether it’s restoring wildlife-rich habitats or creating green corridors to bridge together fragmented habitats, will play a central role in boosting the UK’s resilience to climate change. Developers and local authorities have an opportunity to build the homes we so desperately need whilst also making a nature-positive contribution to the climate crisis.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Southwark Council and Bouygues UK have celebrated reaching the ‘topping out’ stage at the significant housing project Tustin Estate alongside London’s Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development Tom Copley. Phase 1 of the project is 100% replacement affordable homes with all existing residents moving into new homes. Tustin Estate, the first large-scale project procured through Pagabo’s Developer Led Framework, will provide nearly 700 new homes. The scheme includes 250 replacement council homes and shared equity properties, 220 additional council homes including keyworker homes, and 220 homes for private sale. It will include a new central park, refurbishment of existing council homes and around 1,800 sqm of commercial floorspace. The public realm and landscaping across the estate will be significantly enhanced and will include new pedestrian, cycle and vehicular routes throughout, greenways, and improvements to Tustin Common. Work commenced in autumn 2022 and the whole project is planned to complete in 2030. The partners will deliver the project in four phases. Community engagement has been central to the project from the outset. The mandate for the project was established through a community ballot and residents have so far been able to influence the design, construction strategy and social value activity at masterplan level and for the details of phase 1. Extensive consultation has already taken place to gather residents’ feedback and input on the details of phase 2, with the application for ‘reserved matters’ planning permission being submitted later this year. Engagement will continue throughout the later phases. Giving back to the local community is a key priority for Southwark Council and Bouygues UK. Bouygues UK have held workshops for young people in the local area and educational workshops including interview skills at London South Bank University, a pre-employment course and longer-term apprenticeships and training opportunities. Local family events and excursions are regularly held in the community. Employing local labour is also a key priority with positions such as resident liaison officer and traffic marshall given to local people. Phillippa Prongué, Bouygues UK’s Managing Director for London and the South East said, “It’s amazing to think that it was only last summer we were breaking ground here in the sunshine and construction work had only just started. It’s fantastic to see the progress that’s been made in that time. We are proud that this scheme is very much being designed with the residents, for the residents, with collaboration at the heart. When everybody pulls together and the community comes together in the way that it has done here, we can achieve great things. Thank you all for being here today to celebrate how far we’ve come.” Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said, “I was delighted to join the Tustin community for the topping out ceremony of one of London’s most ambitious and exciting regeneration projects. “This project is not only delivering new, modern homes for existing residents but also creating more than 200 of the new council homes Londoners so desperately need, alongside a host of new amenities and job opportunities for the local community. The Tustin Estate is a shining example of how we are working together to build a better, fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.” The Leader of Southwark Council, Cllr Kieron Williams, said, “I’m thrilled to celebrate this important progress milestone on a redevelopment where we’re building new homes for existing residents as well as additional new council homes. We’ve worked with residents to bring about the much-needed transformation of Tustin Estate and it’s inspiring to see these ideas, plans and visions start to become tangible reality. I look forward to seeing residents enjoy their new warm, dry, safe, sustainable homes and to seeing this community continue to go from strength to strength.” Andrew Eke, Chair of Tustin Estate’s Community Association said, “Here at Tustin Estate, the council, Bouygues UK and the residents are all working together as a unit. I am so proud that the people living here, myself included, have been involved at every stage of the project and have helped shape it. We’ve been kept up to date with progress through our weekly site walks, monthly resident project group meetings, drop-in sessions, and community events. In fact, some people living here now have jobs on the project. Alongside Bouygues UK and Southwark Council, we have shown, when you look for solutions and you don’t give up, miracles can happen.” The new estate is expected to achieve a 94% reduction on carbon emissions when in use, with clean energy being supplied by the local waste-to-energy district heating network, high-insulation building fabric, solar panels, SUDs, and air-source heat pumps for individual houses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
360° image-handling enhancement will achieve richer visual documentation on projects, increasing accuracy, enhancing transparency and reducing rework. Today, PlanRadar, one of the leading digital construction, real estate and facilities management platforms, announces the upcoming AI-powered ‘SiteView’ feature, enhancing the platform’s already robust documentation, communication and reporting capabilities. SiteView empowers users to capture 360° imagery of a project while walking the site, with the images automatically mapped onto a 2D plan, creating a detailed visual record of activity across every stage of the build. Group Co-CEO Ibrahim Imam noted, “This feature’s a game changer for PlanRadar users, combining the easy-to-use experience with the highest levels of accuracy, making it possible to achieve complete visual as-builts, field progress and photo documentation in place of taking thousands of photos. In addition, with our core documentation, communication and ticketing platform, SiteView means anyone working on a project can now easily go back and look ‘behind the wall’ to see exactly what was built or installed, often reducing rework.” While powered by cutting-edge technology, the simple solution means construction teams can walk a site with a 360° camera attached to a helmet, and SiteView does the rest. Reality capture images are automatically transferred from camera to app and ready to review in PlanRadar shortly after a site walk is completed, aligning the path walked onto the 2D plan. This provides a level of efficiency that makes it easy to document visual ‘as-builts’ in minutes once images are transferred, as well as quickly maintain any visual site documentation required. Additionally, a compare feature makes it easy to view images captured on two dates side-by-side during the build to see progress and spot any deflections. Clemens Hammerl, Chief Product Officer, comments, “SiteView reduces on-site inspection time and speeds up team collaboration, allowing a complete view of the site, even when working remotely. 360° photographic images provide all the documentation needed to see what has happened, delivering complete project transparency. With minimal training required, users simply set a starting position on a 2D construction plan within the PlanRadar mobile app, walk the site, and press stop when finished; our sophisticated algorithms take care of the rest.” SiteView uses SLAM technology (Simultaneous Location and Mapping), the same tech used to power driverless automobiles, to survey unknown environments while simultaneously moving through them. It operates by estimating the path of the site walker on a digital construction plan, with algorithms constantly aligning sequential data to determine position and path. The path is then aligned to the plan, using AI-powered computer vision algorithms, which integrate depth estimation and accurate localisation. Crucially, it provides project teams with a detailed, 360° overview of activity and progress, all within the easy-to-use interface of PlanRadar’s platform. The addition of SiteView adds another layer of functionality to PlanRadar, which already includes document management, reporting and integration features, enabling customers to connect all project processes in one place. With a comprehensive view of works available throughout each phase of the build, all project stakeholders can experience full transparency of activities. This not only helps prevent miscommunication but also mitigates potential disputes. The upcoming launch is just the beginning for SiteView, with ongoing updates to follow, including BIM integration, and the ability to link to Tickets on the 360° images. To read more about PlanRadar’s SiteView feature, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dove Valley Park at Foston just off the A50 between Derby and Uttoxeter has seen terrific growth over the last few years, with just under one million sq. ft. built and either sold or let to expanding local and indeed national companies including Hines, MEG, GXO, TopHat and JCB to name a few. It’s also one of the few locations in the East Midlands where bespoke built warehouse or manufacturing space can be offered for sale as well as to rent and it’s possibly the reason why we are seeing increased levels of activity centred on the park in early 2024. Design and build is very much a ‘posh phrase’ for having something built to an occupiers’ needs and their exact specification, but the message that such buildings can often be delivered within as little as 12 months from initial discussions seems to be permeating the local and regional market, particularly as with Dove Valley Park where freeholds can be offered as well as leasehold opportunities. Given that buying an existing building can often take many months and even then, it might not be ideal for an occupier, if of course a vaguely suitable building can be found, then design and build becomes a more and more keenly followed route when occupiers try and procure new space. Dove Valley Park can offer property solutions to buy from as little as 30,000sq ft upwards in what is an excellent location, just off the A50 between Derby and Stoke on Trent, providing great access to both the East and West Midlands markets. Tim Gilbertson, Director, FHP Property Consultants added, “Plots are ‘ready to go’ at DVP and if you and your business are equally ‘ready to go’ but you have been frustrated by the real lack of supply of opportunities to buy or indeed rent throughout the East Midlands, then my colleague Darran Severn or myself would be delighted to chat through this great location and see how we might be able to help you secure the right building, in the right location, in the right time period.” For further information, please contact Tim Gilbertson on 07887 787 893 or email tim@fhp.co.uk or Darran Severn on 07917 460 031 or email darran@fhp.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The union representing the overwhelming majority of firefighters has slammed new government guidance on building evacuation, saying that failings have left residents vulnerable to further Grenfell-style tragedies. The Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended in October 2019 that the government develop guidelines for the evacuation of high-rise buildings. It finally published these in February 2024, more than four years later. Now, in a letter to Home Secretary James Cleverly, Fire Brigades Union leader Matt Wrack said it was a “disgrace” that it had taken so long and described the guidance as containing “little of real substance”. The guidance was based on live tests of an evacuation conducted by the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC), but these did not take place on anything like the scale of Grenfell Tower. They also did not use smoke. The letter describes the guidance as a “tick-box exercise” which “adds almost nothing to improve evacuation policy for high rise buildings”. Commenting on the letter, Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “This evacuation guidance is too little and too late. Nearly seven years on since the Grenfell Tower fire disaster, very little has changed on the regulations covering this critical area of safety. “The Home Office has left residents in high rise flats vulnerable to a repeat of the Grenfell Fire tragedy. Ministers have engaged in what looks like a tick-box exercise to evacuation guidelines for people’s homes. “The Grenfell Tower fire was a tragedy created by politicians and big business. For decades, the profits of developers were prioritised over human life. Cutting corners on regulation, funding and firefighters’ health and safety will not keep people safe. “It may only be a matter of time before we face another tragedy, unless there is a dramatic policy shift. Ministers must wake up, and listen to the voices of firefighters and residents.” THE FULL LETTER CAN BE SEEN HERE — CLICK Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
