A new survey by Association for Project Management (APM), reveals the scale of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the project profession. The research found that the majority of project practitioners (70%) feel their ability to do their jobs has been negatively affected by the impact of the pandemic,
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has partnered with social housing provider, Together Housing, to bring forward a £13 million affordable housing scheme in Nelson, Lancashire. Having completed the purchase of the land off Priory Chase from private owners, the site will be transformed into a housing development
Kensa Group CEO, Simon Lomax, has welcomed the Government’s long-awaited response to the recent Part L Future Homes Consultation, which states that from 2025, no new homes will be built with fossil fuel heating such as a natural gas boiler. Mr Lomax said: “Although we would always ask the Government
Top ten national and leading Partnership homebuilder Keepmoat Homes has launched its first ever graduate scheme as it looks to find six new recruits ready to follow in the footsteps of its Chief Executive Officer Tim Beale who started in the industry as a graduate trainee. The Doncaster-based company, which
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has submitted a planning application to Preston City Council for the delivery of a new affordable housing scheme on Blackpool Road, Preston. The proposal looks to transform the vacant site, which was once occupied by two car show homes, workshops and service
Building materials supplier CEMEX is providing over 40,000 tonnes of a complicated lining spray concrete for the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the UK water industry. The Tunnel is being built to upgrade London’s sewer system to cope with its growing population.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has called on the government and local authorities for urgent investment in housing to meet the growing demand for social housing. Homeless charity Crisis recently calculated that 90,000 homes need to be built a year in order to meet this demand. Paramount Timber
Panattoni, the largest speculative developer of logistics property in the UK, has sold Basildon 117 in a multi-million-pound deal to asset management giant Aberdeen Standard Investments. The speculative development, which was completed in Q4 2019, was the largest to be built within Basildon in over a decade. Last year saw
Roger Bullivant, the specialist ground engineering company, which is part of the global Soletanche Bachy Group, has appointed Jon Harris as Area Manager in the North West region. Based at the company’s office in Chorley, Jon will be responsible for managing and developing the business unit in line with RB’s
Homeowners looking to spruce up their abodes this year can look to the latest and emerging trends from interior design experts to add style and value to properties. From cleverly mixing modern with vintage, to maximising natural light and getting creative with carefully curated knick knacks, interior designer for North
A new survey by Association for Project Management (APM), reveals the scale of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the project profession. The research found that the majority of project practitioners (70%) feel their ability to do their jobs has been negatively affected by the impact of the pandemic, and that a quarter (26%) of all live projects are currently behind schedule or on hold. With England in the grip of its third national lockdown and tight restrictions in place in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the survey of over 1,000 project professionals, carried out for APM by research company Censuswide, reveals the impacts that the pandemic is having on the wider project profession. The main reasons given by those facing challenges since the start of the pandemic in March include: Balancing work with other responsibilities such as home schooling and caring for relatives – cited by 31% of respondents Difficulties in adapting to remote working – cited by 30% of respondents Important meetings and phone calls being cancelled for COVID-related reasons – cited by 30% of respondents Challenges of communicating with colleagues and stakeholders – cited by 29% of respondents Despite the findings revealing that the pandemic is having a negative impact in many areas, there have been a few positive effects. The majority of those surveyed (67%) reported that their employer has introduced new initiatives during the pandemic to support the mental health and wellbeing of staff. These include schemes such as mental health first aiders, dedicated wellness days and increased flexible working. Debbie Dore, chief executive of APM, said: “These continue to be challenging times, and many people in the project profession have been impacted, for reasons beyond their control. The importance of projects has never been clearer, and it is essential that project professionals are properly supported so that they can deliver positive change for the people, businesses and communities they serve. “It’s encouraging to see that new ways of working can have a positive impact when it comes to mental wellbeing and that employers are taking the mental health of their employees seriously. “As the chartered body for the project profession, APM has implemented and established new ways of working that are showing benefits to both our staff and the stakeholder groups we interact with. We have been working closely with our corporate partners to encourage them to do the same and share best practice. Working together with Mind we have also published a free-to-access mental health toolkit for project managers and their employers.”
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has partnered with social housing provider, Together Housing, to bring forward a £13 million affordable housing scheme in Nelson, Lancashire. Having completed the purchase of the land off Priory Chase from private owners, the site will be transformed into a housing development of 114 new homes, comprising of a mix of one and two bed apartments, two bed bungalows and two-, three-, and four- bedroomed houses. All the properties will be available for affordable rent which will be managed by Together Housing. “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Together Housing for the first time to deliver this residential scheme at Priory Chase. We were keen to work with a partner who had the same vision to transform the site into a thriving inclusive community, providing local people and local families with the opportunity to live in a new energy efficient new home at an affordable rent level. With 100% of the development being available for affordable rent, we’re excited to commence construction on site, and we look forward to delivering these much-needed new homes,” said Alex Wood, Regional Managing Director at MCI Developments. The development marks the first time MCI Developments and Together Housing have partnered to deliver an affordable housing project. “Together Housing are delighted to have partnered with MCI on this new development in Nelson, Lancashire. The residential housing scheme will provide excellent new homes and help to meet the demand for quality, affordable housing in the North West. We are very much looking forward to working with the team from MCI on this project,” added Russell Gallagher, Development Project Manager at Together Housing. Construction is due to commence in February 2021 and is expected to take approximately 3 years to complete.
Kensa Group CEO, Simon Lomax, has welcomed the Government’s long-awaited response to the recent Part L Future Homes Consultation, which states that from 2025, no new homes will be built with fossil fuel heating such as a natural gas boiler. Mr Lomax said: “Although we would always ask the Government to be prompter and more ambitious, we generally support the response which makes clear that heat pumps are expected to become the default heating choice at new build dwellings from 2025. We also welcome the continued opportunity for local authorities to specify planning conditions which mandate energy efficiency upgrades which are more demanding than mere compliance with the emerging regulations.” Based in Cornwall, Kensa has developed some unique solutions for the residential new build sector based upon the ultra-small Shoebox ground source heat pump which can be paired with a traditional cylinder or a heat battery. In most cases, the Shoebox is served by a shared ground array, thereby mimicking the system architecture in a traditional gas boiler arrangement. “A ground source heat pump provides the lowest carbon solution as the technology is far more efficient than an air source heat pump, particularly on the coldest days. The Achilles heel has always been the added cost of the array. Thankfully, we can now remove that cost from the housebuilder as there are many entities who will fund the underground architecture in return for a standing charge paid by the householder. A ground source heat pump now costs no more than an air source heat pump,” added Mr Lomax. The technology has been installed at a new build development in Bristol to help the city achieve its carbon-neutral pledge. 133 homes at Ashton Rise are being heated by individual Kensa ground source heat pumps connected to a shared ground loop array of boreholes. The installation will see each home making lifetime carbon savings of 30 tonnes compared to individual gas boilers, whilst also protecting local air quality from the harmful NOx emissions associated with fossil fuel heating systems.
Top ten national and leading Partnership homebuilder Keepmoat Homes has launched its first ever graduate scheme as it looks to find six new recruits ready to follow in the footsteps of its Chief Executive Officer Tim Beale who started in the industry as a graduate trainee. The Doncaster-based company, which employs more than 1,100 people, has launched a ground-breaking graduate programme in its Land & Partnerships team as it aims to develop not just homes and communities, but talent and rewarding careers. The drive is being initiated by Tim Beale who, 17 years after completing a graduate trainee programme, joined Keepmoat Homes as Divisional Chairman, promoted to Chief Operating Officer and became its CEO in January 2019. As well as securing a two-year graduate role rotating across technical, legal, technical, commercial, construction, sales and finance, successful candidates will be rewarded with a £25,000 annual salary, company car, 25 days’ annual leave, a pension, healthcare benefits and the chance to gain industry-relevant professional qualifications. “There’s nobody better-placed in this organisation to comment on the benefits of a graduate training scheme – my own CV tells the story. After completing a degree in Urban Studies, and then adding a Diploma in Town Planning, both from The University of Sheffield, I joined the industry as a land graduate trainee. That graduate scheme truly set me on my path and I progressed quickly from land buyer to land manager, land director, managing director and on to the role I do today,” said Tim Beale, Chief Executive Officer at Keepmoat Homes. “Our Land & Partnerships Graduate Programme will give six bright new grads that same chance I had, though today’s schemes offer far more diversity of learning. Our fast-moving, four-week rotations will give the successful candidates a broad understanding of the Keepmoat Homes business, developing their understanding of the operational model and allowing them to build a network of contacts. I’m delighted to be launching our first ever graduate scheme and welcoming tomorrow’s industry stars into the Keepmoat team,” Tim added. As a leading partnership developer, with a real people focus and broad social purpose, Keepmoat is a fantastic place to build an incredibly rewarding career.
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has submitted a planning application to Preston City Council for the delivery of a new affordable housing scheme on Blackpool Road, Preston. The proposal looks to transform the vacant site, which was once occupied by two car show homes, workshops and service areas into a new residential development of 73 dwellings. The proposed scheme has a wide range of properties comprising of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments, 1 bedroom maisonette apartments along with 2- and 3-bedroom houses. All the homes will be energy efficient and future residents will benefit from a well landscaped development. As a 100% Affordable Housing scheme, the homes are likely to be available for Shared Ownership and Affordable Rent which will be managed by a registered provider. “Our vision for the site on Blackpool Road is to create a place where people want to live and enjoy. If our plans are approved, all the 73 homes will be affordable, ensuring the development is a major social benefit to the existing community and provides much-needed new homes on a site that’s been left vacant for many years. We anticipate the site will prove popular for young couples and families, due to being close to Preston city centre, with excellent transport links and great amenities nearby,” said Alex Wood, Regional Managing Director at MCI Developments. MCI Developments is working alongside SATPLAN who are acting as planning consultants along with Trevor Bridge Associates, Crofts, IGE Consulting and E3P.
Building materials supplier CEMEX is providing over 40,000 tonnes of a complicated lining spray concrete for the construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel, the biggest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the UK water industry. The Tunnel is being built to upgrade London’s sewer system to cope with its growing population. Currently, London relies on a 150-year-old sewer system built for a population less than half its current size. As a result, during periods of heavy rain, the current infrastructure can become overwhelmed. The new 25km tunnel will intercept, store and transfer sewage waste away from the River Thames. Starting in Acton, west London, the Thames Tideway Tunnel will travel through the heart of London at depths of between 30 and 60 metres, using gravity to transfer waste eastwards and be processed and dealt with in a modern state of the art facility. “The Tideway project is one of incredible scale which will solve serious capacity issues with London’s sewer system and have considerable benefits for the area’s wildlife and population, while also creating jobs, a rejuvenated river economy and new areas of public space. This is a serious piece of engineering, and we’re proud to be working with world-class contractors to build this key infrastructure in the most sustainable and cost-effective way possible for one of the world’s greatest cities,” said Sergio Menendez, President of CEMEX Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia. CEMEX’s primary lining spray concrete is being used for the shafts and launch tunnels in the central part of the project – a 12.5km stretch of the tunnel moving under central London which is being constructed by a joint venture between Ferrovial Construction and Laing O’Rourke (FLO). The concrete is sprayed from bottom to top in one continuous operation until the shaft wall is complete. An extremely complicated mix is required, consisting of eight separate constituents which when combined give ultra-high strength of +60n/mm2, consistency of 600mm flow and a workability retention of two hours. “CEMEX’s primary lining spray concrete provided a good solution at Albert Embankment Foreshore for the construction of both connection tunnels and our 53m drop shaft through some challenging ground conditions. Having sprayed over 5,000 tonnes for this package of works meant we built a strong and reliable line of communication with CEMEX. Logistical planning was essential in the delivery of these works due to our central London location which CEMEX was able to coordinate and support with ease,” commented Borja Trashorras, Project Manager at FLO’s Albert Embankment site. When sprayed it has to adhere to the tunnel or shaft wall / ceiling and gain strength immediately to a very high rate of strength gain requirements. The concrete also needs to be highly pumpable, in some cases with a pipeline length of up to 400m. CEMEX manufactures the product at its dedicated Spray Concrete plant in Buxton, from where it is transported into central London at rates that peak at around 3,000 tonnes per month. Supply is likely to continue for a few months, although this may need to be extended due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has called on the government and local authorities for urgent investment in housing to meet the growing demand for social housing. Homeless charity Crisis recently calculated that 90,000 homes need to be built a year in order to meet this demand. Paramount Timber Frame have gathered recent studies in the industry to calculate that if these houses were built using timber frame construction rather than traditional masonry methods, it could save the government over £261 million. Timber frame construction responds to the wider housing challenges. In fact, building with timber would see the government’s existing target of building 300,000 homes per annum reached far more effectively and sustainably, generating cost savings across the board and arguably moving towards bursting the current housing bubble. Timber framed homes in the UK is the most traditional building method boasted by the UK’s oldest properties, surviving since the 15th Century. However, brick became the Victorian answer to mass housing production in the 19th Century. With sustainability becoming a core value for many businesses and individuals, the other benefits to building with timber are beginning to come into focus. Building with timber is cost effective, with timber frame coming in at around a 2.8% cost saving. It is also shortening construction time as Rider Levett Bucknall found in a study between the 2 methods. The build time for an average timber frame home was only 41 weeks compared to 49 weeks for masonry. The 2 months of saved time equates to further cost savings on labour most notably, as well as improve cash flow by completing projects sooner. The cost savings and efficiency aren’t the only benefit associate with timber frame, it is also highly sustainable. Timber is part of the circular economy, which is the most effective carbon store. When used instead of the more traditional building materials, a single cubic metre of timber will save around 0.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. When extended to the 90,000 homes a year – that can make a huge difference to the environment. Timber is also a renewable material, with up to 90% of the timber used in the UK coming from certified sustainable sources such as the FSC and the PEFC. The majority of the remaining 10% comes from well managed sources in countries which do not practice certification. For every one tree that is harvested, five are planted in its place which means that it is not only a sustainable method, but one that is integral to the governments Net Zero by 2050 initiative. Richard Swayne, Director of Paramount Timber Frame says: “The time has come for the industry to switch to timber frame more aggressively. The benefits for using timber instead of traditional masonry methods are tenfold. At Paramount Timber Frame, we know there is intense need for delivering high quality, good value housing and fast. Switching to timber frame is how we start to build for tomorrow. To not only alleviate the housing crises, but to evolve the industry to becoming more sustainable, for both the environment and society. Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive of the Structural Timber Association says: “It’s no secret that Britain’s housing construction has faced numerous challenges over the decades, from planning restrictions, cost of materials and safety issues. Timber construction provides a glaringly obvious solution to many of these challenges whilst also meeting housing needs efficiently and net zero carbon by 2050 target. With timber construction we believe we can build back Britain, Better, Greener and Faster. Our Time for Timber campaign embodies this, bringing together the science, data and industry thought-leaders, echoing that the time to change our outdated construction methods is now.”
Panattoni, the largest speculative developer of logistics property in the UK, has sold Basildon 117 in a multi-million-pound deal to asset management giant Aberdeen Standard Investments. The speculative development, which was completed in Q4 2019, was the largest to be built within Basildon in over a decade. Last year saw Swan Housing, one of the UK’s leading modular home builders secure a 15-year lease on the property. They will be making the unit its new headquarters in addition to its existing, adjacent factory, also owned by Aberdeen Standard Investments. “We are delighted to have concluded the sale of this asset to Aberdeen Standard. We were thrilled when Swan Homes decided to lease this development on a long-term basis to support the growth of their business. Aberdeen Standard’s purchase marks the end of our business plan on this project. We remain highly acquisitive for more development opportunities in the south east,” said James Watson, Development Director for Panattoni. The sale of the 117,000 sq ft unit by the developer, which completed in January 2021, was sold to Aberdeen Standard Investments in a £23.3 million deal to the investment firm, reflecting a net initial yield of 4.3%. “We are pleased to have completed the acquisition of Basildon 117 from Panattoni on behalf of South Yorkshire Pension Authority. The industrial unit increases SYPA investment in Basildon where Swan Commercial Services are already an existing tenant. We remain committed to increasing exposure into the industrial sector,” added James McLean, Fund Manager of Aberdeen Standard. JLL advised Panattoni and Burbage Realty acted for Aberdeen Standard Investments.
Roger Bullivant, the specialist ground engineering company, which is part of the global Soletanche Bachy Group, has appointed Jon Harris as Area Manager in the North West region. Based at the company’s office in Chorley, Jon will be responsible for managing and developing the business unit in line with RB’s ambitious strategic plan for growth. “I admire the company’s ethos and the fact that everything is driven around quality – from the aesthetics of the product and how its delivered, to the internal systems behind it. There’s also a consistency in standards and business culture which I am proud to be a part of. Although I have joined the company a very unusual time, I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead and working closely with the other regional teams,” commented Jon on his appointment as Area Manager. Jon has worked in the piling industry sector within the North West region for over 25 years. RB North West regions covers a geographical area from Carlisle in the north of England to Llandudno in north Wales. It is an exciting time for the region as it embarks on a new year to achieve business objectives and growth plans. “Jon has wide-ranging piling experience, industry expertise and knowledge of the market. He is the ideal candidate to lead our ambitious plans for strategic growth across the North West, where we design, deliver and install ground solutions across various sectors within the construction industry. We’re thrilled to welcome Jon to the team and wish him the best of luck in his new role,” added Managing Director at Roger Bullivant, Cliff Wren.
Homeowners looking to spruce up their abodes this year can look to the latest and emerging trends from interior design experts to add style and value to properties. From cleverly mixing modern with vintage, to maximising natural light and getting creative with carefully curated knick knacks, interior designer for North Sands Developments, Jules Upton of Oval Interiors, has compiled a list of her top eight trends for homeowners to watch if they want to incorporate these ideas into their homes in 2021. It’s no surprise that many of the trends that are predicted to be amongst the most popular this year, are those that have helped homeowners stay comforted and cosy throughout a difficult and uncertain 2020. Tradition, comfort and a touch of luxury feature heavily in the list – as a reflection of how homeowners’ lifestyles, behaviour and relationships within their homes have evolved as we all spend more time indoors. Seven interior design trends to watch: Cottagecore Cottagecore is a trend that has emerged over recent months, and reflects a common need for comfort and cosiness with a touch of elegance and British quirkiness. Think quaint patterns, leafy, nature-inspired prints, gold accessories and cute ornaments to add a splash of personality to your home. Search #cottagecore on Instagram and Pinterest and you’ll be flooded with inspirational images! Grandmillennial The ‘grandmillennial’ trend is a twist on the previously popular ‘granny chic’ style – it’s been on the rise throughout 2020 as people searched for added elements of relaxation and comfort in their homes – and it’s going to continue to grow. Imagine pieces of furniture, patterns, cushions and accessories you might encounter in your grandparents’ house, then team them with a few carefully selected modern pieces and you’re on your way to pulling off one of the most unique trends of the year. Natural textures A simple and easy trend to incorporate into your home décor is the introduction of different types of natural textures in similar colour shades – it’s an interesting way to add personality and character to a room without using bright colours. Blankets, throws, cushions and rugs are a straight-forward way of incorporating different fabrics and textures, but also consider adding unique wall-hangings and accessories, such as macrame made from rope, string or twine, to add a beautiful and natural element to your home. Houseplants with a twist One of the biggest interior design trends we can expect to see in 2021 is the use of dried flowers to decorate the home. A change from the usual green and vibrant houseplants – which are still as fashionable as ever – using dried flowers last longer and don’t require any maintenance. Their aesthetic is also very appealing – often dried flowers, seed heads and leaves are as attractive and beautiful as their living versions. Roof windows Homes with lots of natural light are always desirable and in style – but a growing trend is enhancing the daylight in your house even more by installing roof windows and skylights. This is a great addition to a study, studio or open plan living space if the layout of your home allows. As we spend more time indoors and many people have switched to working from home, ensuring a light and airy space to boost your productivity will be hugely beneficial to your wellbeing at home. Earthy colours Earthy, dark, natural colours are proving popular when it comes to selecting a bold shade for an accent wall, tiles or furniture in the home. This year will see many go for a dark blue or dark green colour to make a statement – the trick is to keep it subtle and not overdo it, so choose one part of the room décor, such as one wall, a rug or the sofa cushions to introduce the colour, making sure that the rest of the accessories in the room complement it well. Japandi One of our favourite trends to enjoy in 2021 is Japandi – the intriguing combination of Japanese and Scandinavian design influences within one style. Think of it as Japanese minimalism – simple lines, neutral colours and big leafy houseplants. The simplistic, natural elements of both Scandinavian and Japanese décor make this trend an easy one to get right.