Welsh-manufactured Durisol UK is supplying the primary construction materials for the first phase of a new Cambridgeshire housing development. Cityglades at Ditton Meadows, Cambridge, is a development of 14 two, three and four-bedroom homes. Each home is complete with a self-learning system that can adapt heating, lighting and security according
The regeneration of a key area in Sunderland, which will create thousands of homes and jobs in the city, has been included in a new masterplan. The Riverside Sunderland Masterplan – a 176-page document that details a number of projects to reimagine the area – sets out how the council
Axis Communications, the global industry leader in network video, has called for a reinvigorated emphasis on the outer layer of security, the physical perimeter, in its latest whitepaper, Perimeter protection with intelligent surveillance. As the global threat landscape continues to evolve with new enterprising methods to breach organisations’ physical and virtual barriers,
Nottingham Castle is a step closer to becoming a world-class visitor destination and heritage site following the completion of major improvement works. As part of the £30m transformation of Nottingham Castle – specialist restoration works and a brand-new visitors centre has now been handed over by Midlands contractor G F
Halifax’s The Piece Hall Trust has secured almost £1 million from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. 445 organisations will share £103 million, including The Piece Hall, to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on heritage sites, keeping venues open and
Bluestone National Park Resort has secured the green light for a restaurant development proposal and outlined plans for a £15 million investment into new lodges. A change of use application has been approved by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Planning Authority, paving the way for Bluestone to restore Black Pool Mill
The built environment contributes around 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. Unfortunately, around half of this is from the energy used in buildings. Whilst many newly constructed dwellings are designed to be more energy-efficient, a major priority is decarbonising the existing building stock, of which 80% will still be
V7 Asset Management and BauMont Real Estate Capital have appointed LSH as letting and managing agents on their new project at Thames Valley Park, Reading. BauMont acquired buildings Four and Five from Microsoft in March 2020 and retained renowned redevelopment and asset management company V7 for their exciting new project.
Landwood Group has marked the launch of its new Project and Building Consultancy division with a string of new instructions. Property firms, administrators and private investors, including London & Scottish Investments, DFDS, Assetcorp, Derwent Lodge Estates and RBH Properties, are among those already benefiting from the dynamic, director-led commercial advice
Plans for the next phase of the £15 million redevelopment of privately-owned estate Lambton Park have been unveiled, with new retail and office space set to be provided. Located near Chester-le-Street, Miller Homes is creating a 109-home scheme known as Miller Homes at Lambton Park, which has achieved a build
Welsh-manufactured Durisol UK is supplying the primary construction materials for the first phase of a new Cambridgeshire housing development. Cityglades at Ditton Meadows, Cambridge, is a development of 14 two, three and four-bedroom homes. Each home is complete with a self-learning system that can adapt heating, lighting and security according to the owner’s routines, therefore saving time, money and the environment. “It’s a pleasure to work with an emerging and ambitious house builder that has the vision to embrace new technologies and help move the industry forward, for the benefit of all stakeholders,” said Neil Bussey, Durisol UK’s managing director. In line with embracing cutting-edge technology, Cambridge-based development company This Land is departing from traditional build methods and building eleven of the first phase homes from Durisol insulated concrete formwork (ICF), a woodcrete ICF made from recycled wood. “As a responsible developer, we must do what we can for the environment, so we are delighted to be using this modern method of construction. It means our homes will hold more heat in, and our customers will benefit from using less energy,” added Dave Gelling, managing director at This Land. The Durisol will introduce thermal efficiency and performance in the new build homes.
The regeneration of a key area in Sunderland, which will create thousands of homes and jobs in the city, has been included in a new masterplan. The Riverside Sunderland Masterplan – a 176-page document that details a number of projects to reimagine the area – sets out how the council will kick-start the redevelopment of an approximately 88.2-acre site on both sides of the River Wear, creating the UK’s first carbon-neutral urban quarter, building 1,000 new homes and creating office space for up to 10,000 workers. The plans, which were underpinned by a £100m investment commitment from Legal & General, involve the construction of 1,000 sustainable homes to rent and buy in four riverside neighbourhoods housing 2,500 residents, one million sq ft of modern office space, a new city centre site for a major life sciences/ healthcare facility and the Culture House – a library and community hub – that is expected to attract 600,000 visitors a year to a new site in Keel Square. Additionally, Sunderland City Council has outlined proposals to upgrade St Mary’s Boulevard into a new main street, transform Galley’s Gill into a landscape park and implement new smart city infrastructure. “Riverside Sunderland will transform a part of the city that has vast potential. It’s a masterplan that will reinvigorate the city in a wider sense too – creating a place we can be proud to call the heart of Sunderland. Riverside Sunderland is just the beginning. Sunderland is springing back to life. We’re seeing more and more investment flooding into the city. The private sector is alive to the opportunities and that is bringing about transformation at a pace not seen for decades,” said Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council. “It’s a vision that we know is deliverable, and that will be truly game-changing for Sunderland. We’re aiming high because it’s what our residents deserve and it’s what the city needs – vision backed by a determination to deliver.” Sunderland City Council’s plans are already underway, with the first wave of projects moving forward, including the construction of new City Hall and the 450-seat auditorium, part of the Fire Station arts complex. Work will start soon on the 120-room Holiday Inn in Keel Square and a planning application has been lodged for two new buildings in the central business district that will create 200,000 sq ft of modern office space. “Right now, the North East of England provides huge opportunities for businesses wishing to invest, with great transport links by sea and air, road and rail to all parts of the United Kingdom and indeed around the rest of the world. But now, particularly with the Riverside development, the investments by Legal & General and others, providing office space living accommodation and so much more, I encourage everybody to take a fresh look at what the city of Sunderland really is capable of providing any ambitious business,” added James Ramsbotham, chief executive of the North East England Chamber of Commerce.
Axis Communications, the global industry leader in network video, has called for a reinvigorated emphasis on the outer layer of security, the physical perimeter, in its latest whitepaper, Perimeter protection with intelligent surveillance. As the global threat landscape continues to evolve with new enterprising methods to breach organisations’ physical and virtual barriers, more advanced perimeter protection methods capable of providing verifiable real-time alerts, location data, target tracking and the ability to package the evidence and data for post incident investigation, is urgently needed. With the identification of new threat vectors, it’s important to continuously risk assess the types of attack and the resulting protective measures required. In the face of more stringent government and industry regulations and standards around perimeter protection, a need to reduce manpower costs, and more awareness around increasing terrorist threats of different means and sizes, the security of the perimeter has never been more vital. The whitepaper explains the importance of employing comprehensive protection at the perimeter, and offers a breakdown of sensor options and applications, highlighting the key points for consideration across all industries when choosing and implementing such a solution. In the case of critical infrastructure sites, a breach could be catastrophic, with the possibility of someone tampering with water quality or altering gas pressure bringing huge risks and potential loss of life. In addition to this, a physical attack can often coincide with a cyber attack; the dual approach serving to confuse staff and leave key assets vulnerable. Yet while many organisations already implement effective cyber security strategies, an inadequately guarded perimeter can prove to be the weak link in the chain, enabling criminals to access premises and cause damage to key assets, or launch a well-orchestrated attack. Intelligent physical security solutions can play a vital role in securing a site. While barriers and gates will work to slow down an intruder, or delay someone entering a premises, it is the installation of automatic intrusion detection technology that will prove a formidable defense against today’s threat actors. Lucas Young, Business Development Manager, network surveillance, transportation and critical infrastructure at Axis Communications, commented: “As threats and countermeasures evolve, one critical aspect remains constant; the integrity and security of the perimeter; a fundamental consideration in providing a safe and secure environment for all staff, visitors and members of the public. With regulations placing ever more onus on industry sectors to demonstrate security understanding and compliance, a scalable, future-proof solution, backed by the full support of a trusted partner will create a formidable barrier against the next generation of attack.” Network cameras offer high quality video surveillance both inside and at the perimeter of a site, with options such as thermal image detection further enhancing this capability. The capture of real-time evidence of a physical attack in progress, rather than the after-the-fact forensic video typically offered by legacy systems, provides authorities with timely evidence of any attack on the premises as it occurs. IP audio systems, comprising digital speakers on a network, can be used to sound alarms and issue live or pre-recorded verbal warnings, complementing video for a combined audio-visual deterrent and surveillance solution. Understanding current technology capabilities as well as an appreciation of future trends is a sound operational security and procurement approach for any security practitioner. To aid in knowledge building and enable customers to make an informed decision around the adoption of such solutions, this whitepaper covers the following key areas: Perimeter protection solutions – Physical solutions and intrusion detection Video-based solutions – The application of cameras, thermographic and visible light options Modern enhancements – Processing speeds, deep learning, AI and analytics Cost evaluation – Establishing total cost of ownership (TCO) and measuring ROI Axis’ proposal – Summarising Axis’ own approach to integrated perimeter protection Through the multi-layering of different measures, commonly referred to as ‘defence-in-depth, comprehensive protection is achieved when all of these layers work together. Security is not significantly reduced with the loss of any single layer. This converged approach to security is the best line of defence as the dynamic threat evolves, with strategies employed across physical and cyber security to address vulnerabilities and maximise resistance. Working with partners and vendors to build trusted relationships across the supply chain establishes guarantees as to the authenticity and integrity of such systems, and helps to build a smarter, safer world.
Nottingham Castle is a step closer to becoming a world-class visitor destination and heritage site following the completion of major improvement works. As part of the £30m transformation of Nottingham Castle – specialist restoration works and a brand-new visitors centre has now been handed over by Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson. Funded by the National Lottery through the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF), D2N2, Nottingham Castle Trust and Nottingham City Council, the works involved an extension to the Ducal Palace, significant mechanical and electrical works, specialist restoration, improved access to the underground cave network and the construction of the new visitors centre. The completion of the construction phase of the overall transformation, is a significant landmark and keeps the project on track for the castle to re-open early next year. The improved destination is expected to attract more than 400,000 visitors a year, celebrating the last 1,000 years of Nottingham’s heritage. The regional contractor, G F Tomlinson, was appointed by project lead, Nottingham City Council, due to its established history of delivering heritage sector projects across the region. Preservation of the site was paramount throughout the project, and one of the key and most complex elements of the build was work to the Grade I listed Ducal Palace, which will house the new Robin Hood and Rebellion galleries, telling stories of the city’s legendary outlaw. Working closely with Historic England, stonework and lime plaster restoration was undertaken to bring the building back to its former glory. A particular focus of the sensitive restoration was ensuring repairs remained in line with the heritage of the original building. Externally the Ducal Palace, which dates back to the 1660s, with the museum opening in the 1870s, now benefits from extensive roof repairs including the refurbishment of roof tiles and the addition of new slate, roof lights and lead gutters. The scaffolding and temporary roof required to safely carry out the restoration works was designed to be free standing, with the structure ballasted with water butts, ensuring the scaffolding didn’t touch the building preventing damage to the masonry. New to the site is the contemporary visitors centre, which will house the ticketing office and café with an outdoor seating area. This was constructed using a steel frame and timber core insulated walls, with the external oak cladding chosen due to its association with Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest. For future tours, access to the caves within the castle rock has also been improved with new handrails and lighting for increased safety and accessibility. The history and heritage of the site, which dates back to Norman times, meant any excavations had to be carefully considered. Extensive surveys were carried out to ensure areas of archaeological interest were identified, and the unique archaeology of the site was preserved, recorded and protected. Whilst on site, G F Tomlinson recycled 97% of its construction waste, contributing positively to the local environment and the climate change agenda. The contractor also provided many opportunities for local people including 27,000 hours of employment, training and social value initiatives. Further opportunities included local school and college site tours, graduate work experience placements, apprenticeships and employment opportunities, alongside support for local charity Framework – which focuses on housing, health, employment, support and care for people across the Midlands. Nottingham Castle is set to open to the public in early 2021, once all internal fit-out works including state of the art digital installations in the Robin Hood and Rebellion Galleries, and landscaping of the grounds including a new play area are complete. Chris Flint, director and general manager for G F Tomlinson, said: “After two years, we are incredibly proud and honoured to be handing over this project which has been a big part of our lives. It has brought much joy to our hardworking team to provide works for such a pivotal, historic landmark site – promoting and enhancing the rich heritage of Nottingham. “Whilst on site, we’ve been able to offer some amazing opportunities for people in the local vicinity and we are proud to have provided over 27,000 hours in social value initiatives. 97% of local labour was also sourced within 40 miles of site, with many Nottingham SMEs employed, including scaffolding company, Empire Scaffolding and mechanical and electrical specialist, Amptron. “I’d like to thank the entire project team, which includes the core G F Tomlinson team and our supply chain of specialist contractors. Despite the challenges that 2020 has presented with the COVID-19 pandemic, the project team has shown ambition and adaptability, quickly adhering to the government health and safety procedures implemented onsite. “This is a flagship project for any contractor, particularly a regional SME like ourselves, and we are pleased that it will be a part of our legacy for many years to come.” Nottingham City Council Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Dave Trimble said: “The completion of this part of the castle works on such a historic site and despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and periods of adverse weather is a big achievement. “I’d like to thank G F Tomlinson for its commitment and dedication during the period they have been working for us on this project. “The impact of these works will have a lasting impression on the city, bolstering tourism with the restoration of fascinating buildings which lie on an iconic cave network and the construction of the new visitor centre. “We are now well on track for completing the final redevelopment work including brand new digital installations featuring Robin Hood and Rebellion as the excitement builds towards the castle reopening early next year.” G F Tomlinson worked alongside Purcell as lead designer, Mace Group as project manager and Gleeds as quantity surveyor. Other specialist contractors within the supply chain include Messenger, Martin Brooks, Trent and Peak Archaeology, Amptron, Standard Patent Glazing, Jericho Joinery, Van Elle, MJ Robinson, Cantifix and Diomet.
Halifax’s The Piece Hall Trust has secured almost £1 million from the government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help them through the coronavirus pandemic. 445 organisations will share £103 million, including The Piece Hall, to help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector. The £995,000 funding for Piece Hall will be used to ensure that the building can continue be safely operated and open to visitors, support its community and allow the trust to invest in equipment and skills which can help to generate income. “2020 has been a year which has posed unprecedented challenges for venues across the UK, particularly those with an offering focussed around heritage, retail and events. The response we’ve already received from a range of partners and also the public has been absolutely amazing, giving us great confidence for a bright and successful future. We’ve already seen fantastic demand for the live events we’re putting on in 2021, and while we are continuing to manage footfall in a sensible and effective way, things are moving in the right direction,” said Nicky Chance-Thompson, chief executive at The Piece Hall Trust. “This Culture Recovery Fund grant is brilliant for The Piece Hall and is something we are extremely grateful to receive. It allows us to safeguard our activities and plan effectively for the future, alongside funding already committed from our local partners such as Calderdale Council. These funding streams will allow us to plan for the long-term, and we believe this will make a huge impact on the local economy,” Nicky added. The Culture Recovery Fund is financed by government and administered at arm’s length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Bluestone National Park Resort has secured the green light for a restaurant development proposal and outlined plans for a £15 million investment into new lodges. A change of use application has been approved by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Planning Authority, paving the way for Bluestone to restore Black Pool Mill into a heritage restaurant and creating a cafe and exhibition space in the adjacent former cottage and forge building. The Black Pool Mill heritage restaurant will be open to locals and visitors to the county, as well as Bluestone resort guests, serving lunches, cream teas, and dinner throughout the year. The upscale restaurant will be able to accommodate around 160 diners, creating over 35 year-round jobs and showcasing produce from local suppliers. Bluestone has also launched a pre-application consultation to build 80 new lodges at the resort. The proposed lodge development will be set within Bluestone’s 500-acre site. It will provide an additional 80 environmentally sensitive, self-catered lodges. Bluestone will be investing £15m into the development, which will create and support more than 250 jobs in the construction phase as well as nearly 90 operational jobs on-site following the completion of the works. Bluestone said the new lodges were expected to increase spending in the surrounding area by up to £1m per year. “We are really pleased to have the application approved and are truly excited about our plans for Black Pool Mill. We will shortly begin work to restore the building, to be enjoyed once again by local people and visitors to the county. The Mill is a unique historic building that sits in a beautiful position on the Cleddau River. We are committed to breathing new life into the Mill whilst preserving and restoring its historic past,” said Liz Weedon, head of projects. “We are also really excited about our proposed development – which cements Bluestone’s firm commitment to further investment, job creation, and supporting the wider regional economy. It has been a very challenging year for everyone; we proud and privileged to be based in Pembrokeshire and see real potential for the county to significantly benefit from staycation demand in the future,” Liz added. The Narberth holiday resort employs more than 700 people and welcomed almost 155,000 visitors in 2019.
The built environment contributes around 40% of the UK’s total carbon footprint. Unfortunately, around half of this is from the energy used in buildings. Whilst many newly constructed dwellings are designed to be more energy-efficient, a major priority is decarbonising the existing building stock, of which 80% will still be standing when the UK is to meet its carbon-neutral status by 2050. In light of Energy Efficiency Day, Stacey Lucas from Sontay explains how the presence of building sensors optimise energy performance in both new and older buildings, driving the stock towards the all-important smartness and efficiency that is essential to the current and future health of our environment. Building sensors, installed as part of an efficient central management system, offer an ingeniously smart and effective way of remotely monitoring elements such as temperature, air quality and ventilation. In doing so, not only do they help maintain a healthy indoor climate for the occupiers’ comfort and peace of mind, sensors give property owners more agency over energy usage; a benefit that not only helps reduce heating and lighting costs, but also facilitates a significant reduction in a building’s carbon footprint. Their usage could therefore be crucial in driving environmental initiatives, such as the UK government’s pledge for carbon-neutral status by 2050. It is in no doubt, then, that sensors have found themselves at the heart of what we call smart buildings. According to the ‘Smart Building: Energy efficiency application’ document produced by the European Commission’s Digital Transformation Monitor, a smart building is defined as ‘a set of communication technologies enabling different objects, sensors and functions within a building to communicate and interact with each other and also to be managed, controlled and automated in a remote way.’ Sensors are smart devices that sense when and how a building’s energy performance can be adapted, consistently monitoring, measuring and evaluating data which feeds into a central management or control system. The rise of smart sensors A control system’s sustenance, sensors play an essential role in the energy-efficient operation of a smart building. Sontay’s smart sensors in particular offer full environmental sensing in a single device. This ingenious sensor can measure a myriad of elements including temperature, RH, CO2, light level, and occupancy or local devices independently. Typically, traditional sensors require up to seven cable inputs into a controller, making for a lengthy installation. A Sontay smart sensor, however, only needs a single cable connection to perform the same duty with greater efficiency, and can be mapped to any device or freely programmed into a building’s network. Efficiency can also be related to the health and wellbeing of occupants, as well as the climate. In terms of air quality, airborne volatile organic compounds (VOC), pollutants which are found in paints and other building materials, are known to have a detrimental effect. The same harmful chemicals are also present in hand sanitisers, aggressive cleaning products and detergents, the demand for which has been unprecedented since the onset of the coronavirus crisis. Air quality sensors are able to measure VOC levels and alert the control system or occupants of the need to take action when a potentially hazardous reading is recorded to allow for ventilation to kick in. There are also sensors available which prevent the unwelcome pervasion of CO2 in an over-inhabited space. A CO2 sensor with an LED traffic light-style display is a potential remedy for this issue. When showing green, the sensor is indicating that a room isn’t over-occupied and the risk to air quality is low. Should the sensor show amber, it’s a sign that windows require opening or fewer people need to be in the room to maintain the same healthy indoor environment. When the sensor turns red it is a call to action, as it indicates there is not enough ventilation and possible over occupancy in the room. At these last two stages, if a sensor is connected to a building management system, it will activate relevant ventilation procedure in order to ensure a space’s occupants do not feel uncomfortable. Controlling a whole host of elements including heating, cooling and lighting, smart building sensors can ensure dwellings run as energy efficiently as possible. Although small in size, sensors offer fierce capability, and will go some way to enabling both new and older buildings perform well into the future, for the benefit of our beloved environment. It only seems natural, therefore, to celebrate the humble building sensor on this Energy Efficiency Day.
V7 Asset Management and BauMont Real Estate Capital have appointed LSH as letting and managing agents on their new project at Thames Valley Park, Reading. BauMont acquired buildings Four and Five from Microsoft in March 2020 and retained renowned redevelopment and asset management company V7 for their exciting new project. The properties will undergo a comprehensive refurbishment which will focus on wellness and sustainability, creating an exciting prime office environment that brings the best of the town centre amenity and workplace trends to Thames Valley Park. The buildings comprise of a total of 155,585 sq ft and are located just off Junction 10 of the M4, perfectly situated for access to Heathrow airport within 30 minutes and Reading train station is just two miles away. Tom Fletcher, Head of LSH’s Reading office, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with V7 and BauMont on this exciting project. We’re seeing a solid level of activity in the Reading office market and we truly believe that, once complete, this workspace will transform the perception of business parks leading to it becoming a magnet for occupiers migrating from London who are seeking to diversify their operational footprint.” Hazel Nancarrow, Director of Property and Asset Management at LSH, added: “We are excited to be working with an asset manager who is as passionate about transforming underperforming buildings as we are providing stand out management and occupier experiences, and we look forward to supporting V7 and BauMont in realising the true potential of these two buildings over the coming months and years.” Chris Hunt, Co-founder and Director at V7 Asset Management, commented: “We have had a really positive experience of working with LSH on several other properties and were particularly impressed by their enthusiasm for results in lettings and their drive for community and environmental sustainability across the properties that they manage, so they were the natural agent of choice for this instruction.” The refurbishment will see Building Four (69,370 sq ft is PC in 2021) and Building Five (86,215 sq ft PC summer of 2022) undergo an extensive refurbishment offering new amenities including a concierge reception and event management, outdoor terraces, indoor and outdoor gyms, tree-house meeting rooms and independently run Cafés by local baristas.
Landwood Group has marked the launch of its new Project and Building Consultancy division with a string of new instructions. Property firms, administrators and private investors, including London & Scottish Investments, DFDS, Assetcorp, Derwent Lodge Estates and RBH Properties, are among those already benefiting from the dynamic, director-led commercial advice it provides. The new service lines are delivered by directors Chris Mann (ex Hollis) and John Edwards (ex Avison Young), who are both RICS chartered surveyors. Between them they provide in excess of 35 years of project management, cost consultancy and building surveying experience alongside extensive practical, design and consultancy expertise. Landwood Group Director Anna Main comments: “We’re delighted to expand the services we offer with our new Project and Building Consultancy lines. “Chris and John bring with them considerable knowledge and experience that will allow us to provide clients with unbeatable expertise alongside best-in-class commercial advice. “While the economic outlook is uncertain, we remain committed to identifying opportunities that will drive meaningful commercial results.” Chris Mann adds: “There is a clear demand in the market at the moment for concise, expert commercial advice. “The Project and Building Consultancy service lines are a natural fit alongside Landwood’s current offering. “We’ve hit the ground running with our new client wins demonstrating how we’re already trusted to add value to businesses. “Myself, John and our colleagues look forward to working closely with Landwood’s existing teams to grow this division further.” The new division, which launched in September, will offer advice across the whole life cycle of assets with typical instructions including project management, dilapidations and advice on acquisitions and disposal. Headquartered in Manchester, Landwood Group are experts in property, plant and machinery and business assets. Their team of chartered surveyors, asset managers and auctioneers provide unrivalled expertise. Among the services they provide clients are property and machinery asset valuations and appraisals for secured lending and recovery situations; residential and commercial property management and property and business asset sales.
Plans for the next phase of the £15 million redevelopment of privately-owned estate Lambton Park have been unveiled, with new retail and office space set to be provided. Located near Chester-le-Street, Miller Homes is creating a 109-home scheme known as Miller Homes at Lambton Park, which has achieved a build milestone with the completion of the eastern side of Bowes Gate Drive, the new entrance onto the estate. This streetscape includes the show home and a newly-opened show apartment. There is also a selection of four and five-bedroom homes which have been sold, as well as two-bedroom apartments. “Lambton Park is not only an incredibly special place in which to live, but it will be a fantastic place to work and visit. Our buyers aren’t just purchasing a home; they are joining an exciting new community and have exclusive access to beautiful walks around the estate. In the near future they should also have a great selection of amenities right on the doorstep,” said Andrew Somerville, sales director at Miller Homes North East. The next phase of the redevelopment of Lambton Estate involves the construction of a community hub adjacent to the homes. Known as Bowes Gate, Known as Bowes Gate, the community hub offers retail space across the ground floor, designed to be a traditional high street of approximately eight independent local shops. Plans also include a standalone café/bistro, as well as space across the first and second floors of the main building, which could accommodate conventional offices, serviced office space and meeting rooms, a wellness centre with a yoga/pilates studio or gym. “We have been hugely encouraged by the speculative interest which potential operators have expressed in the building. In response we have pressed on with this critical component of our plans for Lambton Park,” added Calum Gillhespy, a director with the estate’s managing agents GSC Grays. “We have an exciting design for Bowes Gate which complements the fantastic job Miller Homes is doing on site and we hope to be inviting formal expressions of interest in the space which we have available next month.”