Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has opened its second show home at the prestigious Cavanna @ Wolborough Hill development in Newton Abbot, having sold the first, along with over half of the exclusive homes available in the past year. The new show home is a five-bedroom detached Blenheim, one of 26 modern
Regional contractor G F Tomlinson has completed construction works on five new industrial units at Ashroyd Business Park, Barnsley. Constructed on plots 4 and 5 of the business park, the units have been speculatively built for developer Network Space, to meet a shortage of industrial space in the Sheffield City Region, in
Prydis and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) have sealed a deal to turn a former House of Fraser outlet In Exeter into a new Hotel Indigo. Prydis announced its acquisition of the 70,000 sq ft city centre building, which overlooks Exeter Cathedral, earlier this year. “Exeter has the perfect mix
Later this week, the plans for a replacement terminal building at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to be discussed by councillors. The airport submitted an application earlier this year for the construction of a three floor, 365,000 sq ft replacement terminal on an alternative site within the airport’s boundary. This
SD, the UK’s leading sealant and cosmetic repair company, is looking to expand its workforce across England and Wales with 50 new employees. The company, which provides sealant application and cosmetic repairs for homeowners, housebuilders and commercial businesses, saw continuous growth prior to the covid-19 pandemic and is now looking
Carter Towler has secured two new tenants for a newly refurbished industrial estate in Huddersfield. Simply Door Handles will move to the Ringway estate from its former site on Leeds Road into Unit 29 on the estate, which measures 1,940 sq ft, while Kirklees Council will establish a 15,200 sq
There’s always a certain magic to a night at the casino. It could be the flashing lights, the excitement of the games, or that feeling of having absolutely nowhere else to be. Maybe James Bond has something to be thanked for; after all, there’s little more glamorous than a martini
Overuse or repetitive motion injuries have become a frequent occurrence in the workplace and it is why ensuring good musculoskeletal health has become such an important issue for workers. These musculosketal disorders (MSDs) cost construction employers £646 million a year and is one of the most common causes of sickness,
The pandemic has truly tested our relationships with our neighbours that a new survey by Share to Buy revealed more than half of UK homeowners (65%) are closer to their neighbours more than ever before post lockdown. Around 15% admit their neighbours were total strangers before lockdown, but with a
Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a leading global provider of comprehensive software and digital twins services for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure, has announced the availability of OpenGround Cloud, a new cloud service that enables geotechnical professionals to access reliable geotechnical data for better engineering decision support and to
Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes has opened its second show home at the prestigious Cavanna @ Wolborough Hill development in Newton Abbot, having sold the first, along with over half of the exclusive homes available in the past year. The new show home is a five-bedroom detached Blenheim, one of 26 modern homes built around a park and with a shared tennis court for residents, on a commanding hilltop site with panoramic views over Newton Abbot and out towards Dartmoor and the Teign Valley. As well as showcasing this stylish development, the show home offers an exciting investment opportunity with a leaseback scheme, which allows buyers to secure the house and then lease it back to the sales team for the duration of use. As part of the scheme, the buyer receives a fixed rental of five percent per annum and Cavanna Homes will cover the costs or maintenance so the house is kept in good condition. There are no management fees, utility or council tax bills. The Blenheim show home has a professionally landscaped garden and inspired interior décor which includes top specification features, such as a fitted wine cooler, a spacious family lounge with a fireplace and sliding pocket doors leading into the dining room creating a large open plan living space, a study with a bay window, a master bedroom with an en-suite and underfloor heating. Sarah Bowden, Sales Advisor said: “Having successfully sold 15 of the new homes, we have a selection of four-bedroom Brompton and Hampton style homes available, as well as our five-bedroom Blenheim, all fitted with luxury fittings and bespoke designs. “Homebuyers can also make significant Stamp Duty savings and benefit from our buying schemes including Move Assist and Part-Exchange.” As well as holding the Home Builder’s Federation (HBF) five-star award and the coveted national title of Housebuilder Awards winner 2019, Site Manager Gary Gregory is recognised in the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Pride in the Job Awards for his work at Cavanna @ Wolborough Hill.
Regional contractor G F Tomlinson has completed construction works on five new industrial units at Ashroyd Business Park, Barnsley. Constructed on plots 4 and 5 of the business park, the units have been speculatively built for developer Network Space, to meet a shortage of industrial space in the Sheffield City Region, in partnership with Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council. The established business park, which is located adjacent to the Dearne Valley Parkway close to junction 36 of the M1, already houses a range of businesses in its current units, including self-storage and car part companies, and window, door and shower enclosure manufacturers. “We are pleased to be able to hand the site over now that construction works are complete and the units are a welcome addition to the local area and its economy, providing plenty of opportunity for prospective tenants – especially small to medium enterprises that are looking for an ideally situated, accessible base for operations,” said Andy Sewards, managing director at G F Tomlinson. “It’s been a great opportunity to work with Network Space, a highly regarded developer in the region and we have built a good relationship with the company which we look forward to continuing in the future.” Units that G F Tomlinson has recently completed comprise one single 52,871 sq. ft unit on Plot 4B, which is suitable for use as an industrial or distribution unit, as well as four smaller units on Plot 5 ranging from 11,049 sq. ft to 21,882 sq. ft, which will be used as trade counters, storage, industrial and smaller business units. “Good quality industrial space is in very short supply. The range of space at Ashroyd Business Park has been designed to meet significant occupier demand from smaller and medium sized occupiers and we are receiving a high level of enquiries,” commented Simon Peters, development director of Network Space. “Thankfully, we have been able to offer virtual video tours, as well as socially distanced visits as lockdown has eased. Now that the units are complete, we are seeing increased interest, particularly due to the flexibility of the space, prime location and great transport links.” Cllr Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture at Barnsley Council, also commented: “We are delighted to be assisting Network Space with such a high-quality development in a first-class location in Barnsley. This is great news for the borough, providing further opportunities to boost our local jobs market and Barnsley’s economy.” “Our award-winning Enterprising Barnsley business centre team, which offers free guidance on access to finance, recruitment and training, as well as business growth coaching, has supported the development and we look forward to supporting future businesses that move into the units.” The scheme was delivered with investment from the Sheffield City Region JESSICA Fund and support from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and is expected to bring more than 140 jobs to the local region.
Prydis and Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) have sealed a deal to turn a former House of Fraser outlet In Exeter into a new Hotel Indigo. Prydis announced its acquisition of the 70,000 sq ft city centre building, which overlooks Exeter Cathedral, earlier this year. “Exeter has the perfect mix of heritage and innovation. We want to raise the profile and set the standard for the region. Hotel Indigo is without a doubt the perfect brand for this iconic building. We are looking beyond the pandemic and can see a future of conversational commerce, shoppertainment and customer experience as king. A Hotel Indigo flagship development in the heart of the city is the crown to help us achieve our vision,” said Joe Priday, managing director of Prydis. “The layout of the site is being constructed with a clear purpose. The design will reflect the changing needs of the retailer, the high street and the consumer. We are providing something that does not yet exist in the city and a beacon for the region that will become a hive of activity,” Joe continued. “We are excited to bring Hotel Indigo to Exeter. Boutique hotels are as popular as ever in the UK, with guests looking to stay in something unique when they travel. Just as no two neighbourhoods are alike, no two Hotel Indigo properties are designed alike – each is inspired by its unique neighbourhood story yet marries the certainty of quality and comfort with local style and flavour – making it the perfect brand choice for Exeter. The redevelopment has been planned to make the most of the beauty of the nearby cathedral, the city centre and the surrounding area,” Anna Corkill, director of development in the UK and Ireland for IHG, added.
Later this week, the plans for a replacement terminal building at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to be discussed by councillors. The airport submitted an application earlier this year for the construction of a three floor, 365,000 sq ft replacement terminal on an alternative site within the airport’s boundary. This would replace the existing building, built in 1965. The fact that this building has three Airport Floors is showing how the sector is rising upwards… The proposal aims to dramatically improve passenger experience, create one of the UK’s most environmentally efficient airport buildings, and support the region’s economic prosperity. It would support a potential increase in LBA’s passenger numbers to seven million by 2032, form the current level of about four million. The airport has estimated that, as a result of the development, it will support 12,650 permanent jobs across the Leeds City Region, as well as creating 850 construction related jobs over the period of the build. LBA has also committed to a £4m Sustainable Travel Fund, which would be used to fund a range of sustainable travel measures and public transport improvements, particularly the new rail link off Scotland Road. A new dedicated bus terminal would be created at the front of the main entrance. The new proposal was first revealed in January 2020 and replaces a previously consented scheme. The project will be privately funded by LBA’s owner AMP Capital. A position statement on the plans will be considered by Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel on 25 September. Members will be asked for their views on the project in areas including climate change, traffic and public transport, noise, air quality, health, design, landscaping, ecology and economic benefits. The council has received 1891 objections to the application, with concerns including the impact on the environment as well as issues surrounding highways, health and noise. MPs Alex Sobel, Hilary Benn, Richard Burgon, Fabian Hamilton and Rachel Reeves have also objected. “It would be totally wrong to allow the airport to double its greenhouse gas emissions in the middle of the climate emergency. In fact, expansion would mean that from 2030, the airport would pump out more greenhouse gas emissions than are allowed in the carbon budget for the whole of the rest of Leeds. And there’s no prospect of carbon free aircraft for decades,” said Chris Foren, chair of the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA). There have also been 1274 support letters, including backing from the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and airline KLM.
SD, the UK’s leading sealant and cosmetic repair company, is looking to expand its workforce across England and Wales with 50 new employees. The company, which provides sealant application and cosmetic repairs for homeowners, housebuilders and commercial businesses, saw continuous growth prior to the covid-19 pandemic and is now looking to expand its workforce after successfully weathering the storm for the past six months. The recruitment drive aims to bring in up to 50 new recruits, from experienced/ skilled workers to those starting out in the trade, who will join the company as it begins to relaunch its full range of services, from marine and cruise repairs to providing the finish for new build developments. “This has been a really tough time for everybody in our industry, between construction projects halting and many workers being furloughed or having lost jobs over the past six months. We’ve been very lucky to have seen through the pandemic unscathed and being in such a fortunate position, we want to offer as many hard-working, skilled people as possible the chance to get back to work,” said Nick Jones, Managing Director at SD. “We pride ourselves on having the best team in the business and our door is always open for talented new recruits. I’m thrilled that we’re in a position to be able to grow our team again, especially in such difficult times, and we really look forward to welcoming some new faces this year who can help us as we start back on our trajectory of growth.” The SD team have been involved in a number of significant construction projects in the UK, including five of the emergency NHS hospitals that were erected in response to the rise in Coronavirus cases this year. They have also seen particular growth in the North of England, with recent projects including Liverpool FC’s training ground, Lincoln Cathedral and the Dewsbury and District Hospital, Yorkshire. In the financial year 2019-20, SD turned over more than £1million in what was a record-breaking 12 months for the firm. This August, the company marked its return to full steam with the launch of SD Claims, an insurance service for claims made on household and commercial damage that needs repair. Launched in 1973, SD Sealants and Cosmetic Repairs originated as a family run business in Somerset that specialised in the supply and application of sealant. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength, becoming one of the UK’s largest sealant companies, with eight offices across England, Scotland and Wales.
Carter Towler has secured two new tenants for a newly refurbished industrial estate in Huddersfield. Simply Door Handles will move to the Ringway estate from its former site on Leeds Road into Unit 29 on the estate, which measures 1,940 sq ft, while Kirklees Council will establish a 15,200 sq ft warehouse facility in Unit 9/10. Hazel Cooper of Carter Towler said: “The improvement programme has been a wise and timely investment by the landlord, it has significantly enhanced the appeal of the estate. We have seen a marked increase in the number and quality of enquiries which is now beginning to manifest as positive lettings. “New tenants as well as existing occupiers such as Tool Station, Rexel, Edmundson Electrical, Crown and Johnstone’s Paints have fully endorsed the modernisation. There are just two units remaining now, one is 5,430 sq ft and the other 14,400 sq ft with a further 23,000 sq ft under offer.” The Ringway estate, located on Beck Road in Huddersfield is asset managed by CBRE Global Investors and Howlings Hodgson. Jonathan Hodgson of Howlings Hodgson added: “This is no longer the Ringway Estate that people remember. It’s been completely refurbished to provide a modern business offer capable of supporting a range of businesses so we shouldn’t be surprised that the market is responding despite the challenges of Covid. “The refurbished units have received new roofs, automatic roller shutters, modern and remodelled office, kitchen and welfare facilities and eco-efficient LED lighting. The common areas such as the secure yards, fencing and landscaping have all been enhanced too and the estate has been rebranded to reflect its new improved status.” Carter Towler is joint agent for the estate with Knight Frank Leeds office.
There’s always a certain magic to a night at the casino. It could be the flashing lights, the excitement of the games, or that feeling of having absolutely nowhere else to be. Maybe James Bond has something to be thanked for; after all, there’s little more glamorous than a martini and a spin of the roulette wheel. Whatever it is, that feeling is only amplified in a beautifully designed casino. Incredible architecture has the ability to turn a great night at the casino into one that you’ll remember forever. These casinos are some of the most spectacular in the world. Casino de Monte Carlo, Monaco Whilst online casino games offer good entertainment and can be played from the comfort of your own home, there’s a certain charm in visiting the actual casino. Those who are fans of playing slots online will be delighted at the variety on offer in the Casino de Monte Carlo. There are no less than 1000 different slot machines, each with differing price levels, so there’s one to suit all budgets. Better still though, is the table games room. This room is heavily decorated with golden chandeliers, red velvet drapes and dark wood paneling. It feels like the most sophisticated club room you could imagine. This combined with classical portraits adorning every inch of free wall space makes the building feel almost gallery-like. Views across the Riviera complete the feeling of opulence. Stepping outside you’ll immediately notice the ornate baroque facades. Whilst minimalism has been the prevailing trend for some time now, when maximalism looks as good as the Casino de Monte Carlo, you wonder how it ever went out of fashion. The Venetian, Las Vegas Anything that’s inspired by a visit to Venice is likely to feature some stunning architecture, and the Venetian in Las Vegas is certainly no exception. It recently celebrated 20 years of roaring success, in no small part down to the relatively tasteful design of the building. Whilst many of Vegas’ casinos are, to put it nicely, rather tacky, the Venetian has a genuinely classy atmosphere, both inside and out. Perhaps the largest stroke of genius in the casino design is the canal that encompasses the entire building. This means that guests each receive a valet gondola service, from car door to casino door. This kind of detail is exactly the sort of thing that creates the right mood at the beginning of the evening – and also encourages guests to stay and play a little longer. Of course, being in Vegas, the Venetian is no small operation. At 36 stories high and 120,000 square feet, it more than holds its own against the big boys. Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore Up until fairly recently, the largest casinos were almost exclusively found in Las Vegas. However, over the last decade, Asia has increasingly found itself at the center of mega-casino building. Sentosa, a small island off Singapore, opened Resorts World Sentosa back in 2010, at an eye-watering cost of nearly $5 billion. Although nowhere near as enormous as the Venetian, the casino still boasts an enormous 16,000 square feet of playing space. Not only this but the resort also includes a huge aquarium, a Universal Studios park, and plenty of restaurants. Whilst some resorts can feel a little disjointed, this one was designed entirely by Michael Graves. This single architect-approach creates a sleek, futuristic feel throughout. There are no jarring design differences, just clean lines, smooth flowing shapes, and an overall feeling of being somewhere really rather special. There are certainly plenty of very special casinos in the world. One thing that seems to unite all of these ones, though, is a single visionary approach. Allowing one person to create their dream casino does seem to reliably yield beautiful results. Whether it’s the dream of a time gone by, the memories of a special vacation, or a trip into the future, each of these casinos shows what a strong individual vision can bring to building design.
Overuse or repetitive motion injuries have become a frequent occurrence in the workplace and it is why ensuring good musculoskeletal health has become such an important issue for workers. These musculosketal disorders (MSDs) cost construction employers £646 million a year and is one of the most common causes of sickness, absence, and productivity loss at work. In the plasterboard sector, what can everyone in the supply chain do to control the risk of musculoskeletal injury when their workforce handle plasterboard? When a worker is asked to do work that is outside their body’s capabilities and limitations, they are being asked to put their musculoskeletal system at risk. It might well be a one-off event and the body gradually heals but repeated or awkward handling of heavy items can cause the greatest risk and lead to long-term problems. Such is the extent of the problem in the UK that nearly seven million workdays are lost annually due to musculoskeletal disorders. In construction, the rate of MSDs is the highest of any profession, with back or shoulder pain one of the most common reasons for people to be off work or having to give up work early. At a time when the health of the workforce has never been more important, musculoskeletal problems should never be seen as an inevitable part of some jobs. Most injuries are not accidents, they can be prevented through planning and better working practices. It’s also vitally important for workers to keep physically fit and seek advice if they experience musculosketal problems. In order to reduce the health risks to construction workers from lifting, moving and handling large amounts of plasterboard, manual handling should be kept to a minimum and if it is carried out, then as safely as possible. The journey of plasterboard from factory to site involves many people, all of whom need to be able to work with a reduced risk of injury. The risk is predominantly due to the weight and unwieldy nature of the plasterboard. Any manual handling needs to be minimised by good planning and using equipment. There needs to be good training and implementation of those practices. Most importantly, everyone needs to have the right attitude and behaviour so that no one in the industry is exposed to short or long-term risks that will affect their musculoskeletal health and ability to do their everyday activities, now or in the future. There should be good planning and good communication between everyone involved throughout any construction project. Principal contractors should be encouraged to engage with all parts of the supply chain before the logistics plan is developed. Any changes in plans need to consider the effects on the supply movement and installation of plasterboard. Furthermore, people need to know how to look after their own musculoskeletal health, but others must not expose them to avoidable risks. A new FIS Best Practice Guide produced by members of the Plasterboard Material Handling Group aims to improve health and safety when plasterboard is delivered, moved and stored and how risks can be reduced. It covers material-handling arising from the journey that plasterboard takes when delivered to sites that include homes, commercial, high-rise multi-occupancy, new builds and refurbishments. The guide is broken down into stages from planning to engagement with manufacturers and distributors, delivery and offloading, storage, vertical and horizontal movement, storage of off-cuts and finally the removal and egress of waste. Training, planning and good working practices will ensure that people can work in the industry until they wish to leave it with good health and not have to leave the industry because of debilitating musculoskeletal problems. By Joe Cilia, Technical Director
The pandemic has truly tested our relationships with our neighbours that a new survey by Share to Buy revealed more than half of UK homeowners (65%) are closer to their neighbours more than ever before post lockdown. Around 15% admit their neighbours were total strangers before lockdown, but with a large portion of the country being housebound over the last few months, it seems most of us have spent time getting to know next-door a little better. For those renting, 24% described next-door neighbours as strangers before lockdown, with 54% saying they’re much closer now. Across the UK, 56% of Brits felt they have gotten to know their neighbours better thanks to an increased sense of solidarity from clapping for carers every Thursday to lending a helping hand with tasks during the outbreak. This new connection to our neighbours means around 50% of people say they’d be happy to shop for a neighbour. They’d also be willing to walk their dog, mind their house or give them a lift, with a few even prepared to cook up a meal for them. Interestingly, research shows that those who rent are twice as likely to avoid their neighbours as those who own their property. Living in the same location for an extended period, it seems homeowners are more likely to make an effort to get to know their neighbours better, with only 5% admitting to dodging the people next door, compared to 13% of renters. Quickest Chats Across the UK, most people don’t mind bumping into their neighbours for a quick chat, but 62% of time-short Brits say it had better be quick! Neighbours in Greater London and Kent are the most likely to want shorter catch-ups with their neighbours, with 65% of Londoners saying ‘I’m up for a chat but keep it quick!’, followed by 62% of people in Kent. Friendliest Counties Neighbours in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire were close even before lockdown began, with 23% admitting they were on excellent terms with their neighbours and knew them well before the pandemic started. However, those living in East Sussex have seen the most significant change since lockdown began, with 17% of people describing their neighbours as total strangers before the pandemic started, but 10% admitting that post-lockdown, they’ve become better friends than ever! Plants over pets People in Greater London, Surrey and Essex are least likely to ask a neighbour to check in on their pets or plants while away. Around 12% of people in Surrey would rather have a neighbour water their plants than feed their pets, with less than 1% of people willing to trust a neighbour with an animal family member. This trend is similar across every county, with more Brits happy to let their neighbours tend to a plant than care for a beloved pet. Most Helpful Places When it comes to helping out the people who live around us, those in Buckinghamshire and East Sussex are most willing to lend a hand. At 68%, locals in Buckinghamshire said they’d be happy to shop for a neighbour, walk their dog or give them a lift, but would prefer to avoid cooking or minding their house. The same goes for East Sussex at 61%.
Bentley Systems, Incorporated, a leading global provider of comprehensive software and digital twins services for advancing the design, construction, and operations of infrastructure, has announced the availability of OpenGround Cloud, a new cloud service that enables geotechnical professionals to access reliable geotechnical data for better engineering decision support and to improve collaboration across the entire supply chain. OpenGround Cloud offers a complete solution for planning, data entry, borehole log production, lab data management, reporting, visualization, and more. The cloud service improves collaboration across multidisciplinary project teams and significantly increases the value of geotechnical data by making it easily accessible to key project stakeholders. “OpenGround Cloud provides a single enterprise repository of multiple data sources for all ground investigation projects—a long-sought improvement for geotechnical and geological professionals. It eliminates the need to retain copies or to exchange data and ensures that everyone in the supply chain has the correct access rights to the most current version. As a result, OpenGround Cloud helps minimise project delays due to encountering unforeseen ground risks during construction,” said Scott Devoe, senior director, geotechnical information management, Bentley Systems. Geotechnical project team dynamics and the applications and services they require to manage natural resources are changing rapidly. Relevant geotechnical data is typically dispersed across various applications and devices and can be cumbersome to gather and consolidate, complicating the effective and timely use of this data. Now, with OpenGround Cloud, geotechnical engineers can readily access reliable, high-quality current and historical geotechnical data for the modeling, simulation, and analysis of infrastructure projects’ ground conditions. “From a risk management perspective, we are now able to more easily identify the gaps in data, to highlight risk items and, if required, assist in the planning of targeted ground investigations. From the tender process, when local site data availability is limited, through to detailed design, we are now able to undertake data-driven assessments to aid in our decision-making,” commented Richard O’Brien, principal process engineer with Atkins. “OpenGround Cloud gives us the ability to determine and cross-reference the organization’s geotechnical parameters and correlations with those available from literature sources. Tender design is made more efficient and we can consider a wider range of site properties leading to reductions in geotechnical risk. Ground investigations are planned more effectively taking into consideration multidiscipline and multiproject data leading to reduced costs. And, detailed designs are delivered from a more complete perspective, which leads to greater value for the client,” Richard added.