The first phase of the £1.4 billion regeneration of Manchester’s Mayfield has been approved for development. This will see a derelict part of Manchester’s industrial heritage transformed into a distinctive and imaginative mixed-use neighbourhood around a new public park. It will include extensive public space; 319,900 sq ft of world-class
Plans for Cambridgeshire’s new town, Northstowe, have taken a major step forward. Proposals for Inholm, a contemporary Fenland village and the second phase of Northstowe, have been granted approval by South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Planning Committee. Innovative modern house builder ‘House by Urban Splash’, a new company backed by regeneration
Bristol continues to build on its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 with a highly sustainable development of 50 affordable homes currently underway. Community development, high levels of energy efficiency and environmental enhancements are leading values of the Shaldon Road scheme, being delivered by National contractor United Living in partnership with United
UK housebuilder Harron Homes has named a new Construction Director to lead its Yorkshire team. Robert Kerr will join the Leeds-based firm with almost four decades experience in the construction industry and on the back of a recent role as Construction Director at a Bradford based housebuilder. The Rotherham man,
A major residential scheme at Salford’s MediaCityUK has reached a key project milestone. The first phase of Lightbox is nearing full occupation following the completion of the 20-storey building along the waterfront. AHR’s development for Peel L&P consists of 237 private for sale apartments, including a mix of studio, one,
A national developer has voiced its support to help tackle the housing shortage in Warrington. Timescales for Warrington’s Local Plan are yet to be finalised, with Elan Homes expressing keen interest in acquiring land for new homes in the area. The homebuilder, who has delivered three successful developments in Warrington,
Oxford Brookes University’s Sinclair building has been given a new lease of life courtesy of a £6.25 million refurbishment project. National contractor Stepnell delivered works at the health and life sciences building over a 92-week project. These works aimed to improve the building’s spatial and environmental efficiency and included the
Scaffolding is a vital part of building and constructing, and if you are planning on doing home renovations, you will likely be needing scaffolding services. However, before you hire a scaffolding firm, it is essential to consider some factors that will help you choose the right Scaffolding company and also
Plans have been put forward for a new flagship library at the University of Bristol’s Clifton campus. The state-of-the-art library will accommodate learning and research space, with capacity for around 2,000 new study seats, approximately 420,000 books and 70,000 journals and new study spaces. There will be exhibition galleries open
The development of Carlisle’s £35 million cancer centre has officially got off the ground thanks to a recent brick-laying ceremony. Construction has commenced on the project for the Cumberland Infirmary following the recent demolition of the redundant 1970s infirmary tower block. Situated next to the main hospital, this two-storey structure
The first phase of the £1.4 billion regeneration of Manchester’s Mayfield has been approved for development. This will see a derelict part of Manchester’s industrial heritage transformed into a distinctive and imaginative mixed-use neighbourhood around a new public park. It will include extensive public space; 319,900 sq ft of world-class commercial space across two buildings, The Poulton and The Republic; and a 581-space multi-storey car park equipped with electric vehicle charging points. The neighbourhood is designed around a new 6.5-acre park, which will be built along the banks of the newly uncovered River Medlock and will be overlooked by the two new commercial buildings. The Poulton, designed by Bennetts Associates, will provide 75,900 sq ft of commercial space and feature a double-height, flexible ground floor that will be open to the public throughout the day and evening for uses that could include wellbeing activities, leisure and co-working. It is complemented by The Republic, designed by Morris+Company, a 13-storey, 244,000 sq ft flagship office development that includes larger floorplates and landscaped roof terraces. The park, new commercial spaces and car park will sit alongside a range of historic buildings, including the landmark former station on Fairfield Street, which are being retained and redeveloped as part of the wider regeneration plans. The vast depot building has already been transformed into a new cultural venue, Depot Mayfield, which contributed to bringing 330,000 visitors to Mayfield in 2019, after more than 30 years of decline. Work is expected to commence on-site on the park and the buildings this year. This project is being brought to life by the Mayfield Partnership, which comprises Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), LCR and regeneration specialist U+I. Richard Upton, Chief Development Officer at U+I, said: “Mayfield will be one of the UK’s defining urban developments this decade. These plans for the first phase bring together exceptional new workplaces with cultural space, centred on a beautifully landscaped park that will provide a transformative and sustainable public amenity for the people of Manchester long into the future. “From welcoming tens of thousands of visitors every week at one of the UK’s best new cultural venues – Depot Mayfield – to the range of enterprises that already call Mayfield home, this long-dormant area is already playing an active role in the city’s life once again. “When work begins this year, we will channel that energy into the soulful regeneration of Mayfield to create an inclusive, diverse, socially and economically productive neighbourhood which will attract businesses, residents and visitors, all drawn by the quality and vibrancy of the environment. “We are incredibly excited about its future as an imaginative and distinctive place in a globally significant city.”
Plans for Cambridgeshire’s new town, Northstowe, have taken a major step forward. Proposals for Inholm, a contemporary Fenland village and the second phase of Northstowe, have been granted approval by South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Planning Committee. Innovative modern house builder ‘House by Urban Splash’, a new company backed by regeneration specialists Urban Splash, Homes England and Japan’s biggest house builder, Sekisui House, is bringing the project forward. Inholm comprises a total of 406 modular homes sitting within the context of Northstowe’s masterplan and is inspired by the area’s rich history and previous settlements. The new neighbourhood quarter will be defined by a perimeter of landscapes; country park, sustainable drainage swales, ecological zones and an education campus. When complete, it will be the largest in the UK to be manufactured offsite using modern volumetric construction. Proctor & Matthews Architects is the lead architect and master planner of the site. The village will encompass a range of housing typologies, later living homes and mixed-use buildings. The modular homes will include designs by architects shedkm, which can be configured by the buyer to their own design before being built in a factory and delivered to site. Mark Latham, Regeneration Director at House said: “We are delighted to launch our first homes in this part of the country and are excited about the opportunities ahead at Northstowe as we contribute to this emerging town. “We want to break new ground and surprise people using the latest building methods combined with bespoke designs. We are offering a range of customisable homes and apartments to suit a wide range of modern families, lifestyles and budgets. We can’t wait to get going.” Stephen Kinsella, Chief Land and Development Officer at Homes England, added: “I’m delighted that planning permission has been granted for the first homes to be built on Homes England land at Northstowe, which is a significant step forward for the new town and an important milestone for our joint venture with Urban Splash and Sekisui House. “This is a really ambitious proposal for 406 homes using modern methods of construction, and the quality design of these homes really reflects our ambition to deliver outstanding places.” The customisable homes will be launching officially late Spring/ early Summer 2020.
Bristol continues to build on its ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030 with a highly sustainable development of 50 affordable homes currently underway. Community development, high levels of energy efficiency and environmental enhancements are leading values of the Shaldon Road scheme, being delivered by National contractor United Living in partnership with United Communities and the Bristol Community Land Trust, with support from Bristol City Council and Homes England. The homes will provide residents with a high level of occupant comfort while using very little energy for heating and cooling minimising each home’s carbon footprint. Built to ‘PassiveHaus’ principles, the energy efficient properties will each feature a mini ‘Shoebox’ ground source heat pump connected to an ambient shared ground loop array, supplied and installed by Cornish manufacturer Kensa Heat Pumps and Kensa Contracting. Complementing the low-carbon ground source heat pumps will be a MVHR (mechanical vented heat recovery) system, making the homes even more energy efficient and further lowering fuel bills for the residents. Encasing these renewable heat technologies, the homes will be constructed using a single skin ‘Porotherm’ block, cutting construction time and delivering improved thermal properties over traditional construction. Solar PV panels will also feature in the development to further reduce costs, whilst supporting a green transport plan which features electric car charging points, a car share scheme and improved pedestrian and cycle access. Communal green space around the homes is also being created with a dedicated and protected green corridor for biodiversity and wildlife including bats, birds, bees and other insects. Further to the development’s ultra-green credentials, Shaldon Road is also one of the biggest ‘self-finish’ projects ever undertaken in Bristol. The development will provide a mix of two, three and four bedrooms which are a mixed tenure of shared equity and affordable rent. Future residents have committed to taking part in the ‘self-finish’ process which involves them making design decisions enabling them to tailor their new homes interior elements, as well as undertaking physical works on their properties including second fix carpentry, fitting kitchens and decorating. The ‘self-finish’ approach is aimed at making properties more affordable and coupled with the lower energy costs associated with the ‘PassivHaus’ design principles and renewable technologies, the project hopes to set a new standard for truly sustainable development. Caroline Lewis, New Business Manager at United Living, said: “The start of this project represents the culmination of a lot of hard work and dedication from the whole project team. United Living are very proud to be involved in this project as it embodies all of our core value, especially our commitment to creating communities not just building homes. We are acutely aware of the need to develop and implement solutions to tackle the housing shortage and climate change, at United Living we are constantly working with our partners to deploy innovative ways to address these issues, the solutions we are using at Shaldon Road are a small part of this.” Anna Klimczak, Interim CEO at United Communities, said: “We are thrilled that work has started on this site. The Shaldon Road scheme will bring much needed new homes to the Lockleaze area and transform the lives of the incoming residents, many of whom are from the local community. The scheme has empowered residents to make decisions about their new homes many of whom have been involved from the start. Residents will also be gaining valuable practical skills through the self-finish model. Communities are at the heart of what we do at United Communities; 30% of our new homes will be community-led projects by 2024. We look forward to the scheme progressing and the residents enjoying their new homes.” Lindy Morgan, CEO at Bristol Community Land Trust, said: “I am thrilled that this pioneering scheme has now started on site. It has been an immense learning curve for the Bristol CLT board and staff, and even more so for the future residents, some of whom have been involved for a number of years. The passion of all those involved has driven the project forward, and we cannot wait to see it coming out of the ground. The scheme will deliver life-changing opportunities to those who have been matched with a home at the scheme and has always had community at the heart of it.” George Gillow, Business Development Manager, Kensa Contracting: “It is a pleasure to be involved in the development of high quality, energy efficient housing, specifically built for local families, whilst also helping Bristol to reduce their CO2 emissions and improve local air quality with British-made ground source heat pumps.”
UK housebuilder Harron Homes has named a new Construction Director to lead its Yorkshire team. Robert Kerr will join the Leeds-based firm with almost four decades experience in the construction industry and on the back of a recent role as Construction Director at a Bradford based housebuilder. The Rotherham man, who is known as Bob, was attracted to Harron Homes because of the high specification of the properties it builds and the opportunity the role offered to develop the construction and customer care teams to further improve customer satisfaction. Noel Adams, Managing Director for Harron Homes Yorkshire, said: “Bob’s wealth of experience means he was an obvious choice for the post. “Our operational area boasts some of the UK’s most attractive locations, some of its richest history and some of its most charming communities. “I am proud to say that the company has experienced great success over the past two decades years bringing high quality, family homes to these areas and with Bob’s input we look forward to playing our part in meeting the continued demand.” Harron Homes is currently building a range of executive new homes across Yorkshire, from Harrogate to Barnsley and Huddersfield to Howden, including a number of new developments due to launch in 2020 in Pocklington and Carlton.
A major residential scheme at Salford’s MediaCityUK has reached a key project milestone. The first phase of Lightbox is nearing full occupation following the completion of the 20-storey building along the waterfront. AHR’s development for Peel L&P consists of 237 private for sale apartments, including a mix of studio, one, two and three bedrooms, boasting balconies with waterfront views overlooking the Manchester Ship Canal, Old Trafford Stadium and close to the BBC and Coronation Street studios. Dominic Manfredi, director at architecture and building consultancy practice, AHR, said: “This has been an exciting project for us to work on, close to home for our Manchester team. Our design prioritised the building’s fantastic location and views, offering residents a truly unique living experience beside the tranquil waterfront of the Manchester Ship Canal and nearby creative hub of MediaCityUK. The building is light, airy and sophisticated, with modern features that attract the people of today who wish to live in a thriving area, within a home that delivers a high quality of living.” With open plan living, kitchen and dining, the design maximises natural light thanks to the generous floor to ceiling glazing, adding to the sense of openness and space. High quality fittings have been used throughout to ensure that the apartments look both impressive and are easy to maintain for residents. The concierge facility and impressive entrance area to the building help create an atmosphere of luxury and distinction. Lightbox incorporates two retail units to provide local and convenient amenities to the community, in addition to the flourishing leisure and shopping facilities nearby. The development integrates excellent transport links to Manchester and Salford, with car parking and bike storage also available for residents. AHR’s second phase at MediaCityUK ‘The Green Rooms’, neighbouring the Lightbox development has now also handed over for fit-out, accommodating 238 PRS apartments with further generous ground floor residents’ amenity spaces including concierge reception, various lounges, gym and private dining areas. MediaCityUK is a joint venture partnership between Peel L&P and Legal and General Capital.
A national developer has voiced its support to help tackle the housing shortage in Warrington. Timescales for Warrington’s Local Plan are yet to be finalised, with Elan Homes expressing keen interest in acquiring land for new homes in the area. The homebuilder, who has delivered three successful developments in Warrington, has a proven track record and is well-placed to help deliver the target of 18,900 new homes (945 per year) by 2037. Philip Palmer, land director for Elan Homes in the North, explained: “Timescales for the updated Warrington Local Plan are yet to be confirmed, but in order to maintain momentum in delivering housing it’s imperative that we continue to work with land owners and local authorities to tackle the housing shortage. “The developments we’ve progressed in the Warrington area demonstrate our ability to take a flexible approach, adapting our plans to fit the local housing market. We look forward to speaking with landowners and their representatives to understand where we could unlock development potential and contribute to the council’s targets for delivering new homes.” The developer has already contributed around £700,000 in affordable housing with its three Warrington projects. Culcheth Green, which saw a truck dealership transformed into an enclave of 15 executive family homes, is close to selling out. In Walton, an intimate gated development of 14 homes has been created on a former garden centre and restaurant site, while the successful transformation of the former RAF Croft site, which had been redundant for more than 50 years, demonstrates perfectly the sensitivity and flexibility of Elan’s land team. “Elan is proud to be playing its part in delivering much-needed new homes across Warrington and the surrounding area,” Philip added. “Housing developments bring added value to communities. Along with providing new homes, they generate investment in facilities and offer employment.” Elan’s Northern business will consider development sites, with or without planning up to 10 hectares in size, with the strategic arm of the business seeking and working on much larger parcels of land, within the region and across the country.
Oxford Brookes University’s Sinclair building has been given a new lease of life courtesy of a £6.25 million refurbishment project. National contractor Stepnell delivered works at the health and life sciences building over a 92-week project. These works aimed to improve the building’s spatial and environmental efficiency and included the remodelling of internal space across three of the building’s five storeys. The build was given a sleek, modern look to complement the other facilities that currently populate the Headington campus, transforming it into a modern teaching, research and study space for the university’s faculty of health and life science. The scheme was designed by BGS Architects and created ten main laboratories with preparation and test spaces, two computer laboratories and 34 open plan offices with associated meeting and interview rooms. The renovation not only made the build more sustainable, but it also increased natural ventilation and daylight which is unusual for laboratory design. Rob Speirs, regional director at Stepnell, said: “We were delighted to have been given the opportunity to modernise one of Oxford Brookes’ key learning spaces. It is important that students have access to flexible working areas to enhance their learning experience and give them the flexibility that they need for different types of study. We hope that the refurbishment will increase efficiency both environmentally and educationally.” He added: “The team worked closely with Oxford Brookes to ensure there was minimal disruption caused to the daily activity of both students and staff. We’re very proud of the project and hope it will help to facilitate some amazing projects of the future.” This represents Stepnell’s third project for the university. Mary Pierre-Harvey, director of estates and campus services at Oxford Brookes University, added: “The Sinclair refurbishment has transformed the environment for the University’s faculty of health and life sciences. The building provides industry standard laboratories that offer a real-world experience for students, while high specification areas support our research and innovation. “Along with the new home for the Bioimaging Unit specialising in microscopy research, the Sinclair building provides world-leading campus spaces to match the University’s high-quality teaching and research.”
Scaffolding is a vital part of building and constructing, and if you are planning on doing home renovations, you will likely be needing scaffolding services. However, before you hire a scaffolding firm, it is essential to consider some factors that will help you choose the right Scaffolding company and also evaluate if there is a need for Scaffolding. To make your job easier, you can read through some of these factors below. But first, what is a Scaffolding? Significance of the Scaffolding Scaffolding refers to the temporary structure used to support workers, equipment, and materials during construction. Scaffolding may also be necessary during house renovations and repairs. Its primary function is to get workers and materials to where would ordinarily be too high or difficult to go and to support workers while working above ground level. Factors To Consider Before Hiring Scaffolding Services For Home Renovations 1.Do You Need a Scaffolding: The first thing to consider is whether you really need Scaffolding or not. You may need a professional opinion to make this decision. For example, repainting a ground-level house might not need Scaffolding, but you will definitely need the services of a scaffolding company if you are repainting a story building. Nonetheless, your decision to use a scaffold should be determined by the difficulty and risks involved in the renovation project. 2.Hiring the Right Scaffolding Firm: The kind of Scaffolding services you hire can either result in an excellent job or ruin your renovation plans. Hence, making sure you hire the right firm is one of the things you will have to consider. Location matters a lot when hiring the ideal scaffolding company. You will need to know that they are capable of reaching your site quickly and vice versa. This might mean going for a local scaffolding service or hiring one that can adequately cover vast areas such as Cambridgeshire Scaffolding Firm that caters to Cambridge and its environs and a more significant part of the United Kingdom(UK). The right scaffolding firm should also be able to provide the necessary certifications to assure you of quality service and equipment that suits your needs and budget. 3.Type of Scaffold: Another factor you need to consider is the type of scaffold you need. There are basically three types of Scaffolding, they are Suspended Scaffolding, Supported Platform Scaffolding, and Adjustable Scaffolding. Suspended Scaffolding, as the name suggests, is suspended in the air and built with wood, metal, and ropes. This type of scaffold is ideal for construction and renovation projects that require workers to work at a very high position or an uneven terrain. Supported Platform Scaffolding, on the other hand, has an elevated platform raised from the ground. It is also the most common type of Scaffolding and ideal for almost all types of projects. Last but not least is the adjustable scaffold. It is a type of suspended scaffold that can be adjusted to your suit your needs. The flexible platform gives you control; you can either lower or raise the platform and direct it to wherever it is needed. Now that you know your options, your choice of Scaffolding should be based on your renovation needs. 4.Budget and Financial Costs: one of the most important things you will need to resolve is your budget and the financial costs of hiring a scaffolding company. It might help if you use a local scaffolding firm such as hiring Royston Scaffolding for your home renovation services in Cambridge and its environs. Using a local company will reduce the cost of moving equipment and workforce. You will also need to consider the cost of the type of scaffold you want to use. Suspended Scaffolds are the most expensive, and this is because they are usually custom-built for a specific project. Adjustable Scaffolds are also costly, but one advantage is its flexibility of use. The least expensive is the Supported Platform Scaffold. Whichever you decide to go with, make sure it is proportionate to your needs and budget. 5.Safety Concerns: Scaffolding mostly involves working from an elevated position, and with working at heights comes safety concerns. If your renovation projects include working from far heights or unusual designs, then you need to make sure that the Scaffolding Firm you hire has all the necessary safety measures in place, including licenses and permits. You also need to ensure that the firm carries out a thorough risk assessment before starting any work. A good Scaffold company will have a safety guideline and insurance in case an accident occurs. Some of the safety measures that should be in place include sturdy and secure platforms, handrails and guardrails, etc. 6.Company’s Experience: You must check the scaffolding company’s experience, track record, and reviews; this will help you evaluate their efficiency and integrity. Besides, you will also need experienced workers to deliver quality service and reduce the risks of accidents while working. Conclusion Scaffolding can make your renovations safer and faster when used appropriately, and it is only wise to consider certain factors to ensure you get the right scaffolding companies. Factors such as verifying if Scaffolding is necessary for your home renovations, considering the cost, your budget, and the expertise of the scaffolding firm can determine the type of performance you get at the end of the day. This post was written by Royston Scaffolding Ltd- a fully CISRS qualified and CITB accredited Cambridgeshire Scaffolding Firm, providing industrial, commercial and domestic scaffold services.
Plans have been put forward for a new flagship library at the University of Bristol’s Clifton campus. The state-of-the-art library will accommodate learning and research space, with capacity for around 2,000 new study seats, approximately 420,000 books and 70,000 journals and new study spaces. There will be exhibition galleries open to the public, an events space, a programme of activities, new public art and a café, all of which will be open to the whole community. Designed by a collaborative team formed by Schmidt Hammer Lassen, Hawkins\Brown and local engineers BuroHappold, the development forms part of the University’s wider plans to remodel its precinct around Tyndall Avenue. The library will replace The Hawthorns – a former hotel which currently houses some student accommodation, catering facilities and various offices. While modern in design, the library will be built in natural stone to be in keeping with the historic nature of listed buildings nearby. It features a stepped design to integrate with the local built environment. It will meet high sustainability standards, with a focus on natural light, a high level of energy efficiency, a low environmental impact, and green roof terraces. Plans also include a new civic square, with proposed new road layouts to improve traffic flow and public transport, enhance the pedestrian and cycling routes and make the whole area safer and accessible for everyone. A number of changes have also been implemented into the proposal thanks to last year’s public consultation, which sees a reduced scale above ground and new traffic management measures. Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at the University of Bristol, said: “We are grateful to everyone for the feedback they gave as part of the consultation in October. Their comments have helped shape our latest plans for the creation of a world-class new University Library. “It will not only provide an outstanding new space for our students and staff to research and learn but provides a unique opportunity for the University to create a new cultural space for all the citizens of Bristol to enjoy. The ground floor will be open to all and will be home to a new Cultural Collections Centre as well as a cafe, gallery and event spaces to host talks and exhibitions. “We are also planning to enhance the public realm around the new University Library, turning a congested road junction into a calm and welcoming civic space, making the roads safer and creating new accessible public space for everyone to enjoy.” Dr Mike Entwisle, Partner and Global Education Sector Lead at BuroHappold Engineering which helped design the library, has shed some light on the engineering behind this major project. “Central to our engineering response was the University’s requirement to achieve a truly sustainable building, promoting health and wellbeing, while meeting their ambition of moving towards a zero-carbon future. “Floor to ceiling windows and an atrium at the heart of the space maximises natural daylight and views to the study spaces, promoting social connectivity. Suspended ceilings have been omitted in order to expose the elegant structure and utilise the thermal mass of the concrete frame to provide climate change resilience. “Extensive building modelling has been undertaken to optimise passive and active environmental strategies and analyse a variety of future usage scenarios. The building will transform the student experience and enhance community engagement, and become an exemplar of sustainable and healthy building performance,” Dr Entwisle added.
The development of Carlisle’s £35 million cancer centre has officially got off the ground thanks to a recent brick-laying ceremony. Construction has commenced on the project for the Cumberland Infirmary following the recent demolition of the redundant 1970s infirmary tower block. Situated next to the main hospital, this two-storey structure will allow the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust to bring all its core oncology services under one roof, while remaining connected to the Cumberland Infirmary for the benefit of those patients requiring additional treatment. It will house a chemotherapy day unit, comprising 15 chairs and three single bedrooms, two medical linear accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machines and a CT scanner suite, as well as consultation and examination rooms, and clinical planning areas. In addition to the extensive medical facilities, there will also be a small cafe area for use by patients, visitors and staff. Andrew McNulty, director at Gleeds, who is serving as cost advisor on the project, said: “North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust has shown a huge commitment to improving the experience of those touched by cancer with this new building. It will not only ensure that patients benefit from the latest equipment but will also immeasurably improve the environment in which they receive the treatment they need. “Gleeds has extensive experience in the healthcare sector and I am delighted to be playing a role on this incredibly worthwhile project.” Suzanne Stanley, radiotherapy services manager at North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, added: “This is a landmark moment for the project and we’re really excited that we’ll be able to provide such wonderful facilities to further enhance cancer services that is truly patient focused here at Cumberland Infirmary. “The new building will be state-of-the-art but it will also be homely. We want to make sure that when people come for their cancer treatment they are receiving it in a relaxing and comfortable environment, an environment that can put them at ease at what is often a frightening time.” Cumberland Infirmary’s new cancer centre is scheduled for completion in summer 2021.