Leading energy, services and regeneration specialists, ENGIE, has started work on a £9 million project in East Grinstead. The development, named Lingfield Lodge, will comprise of 48 contemporary extra care sheltered apartments, complete with associated communal facilities and landscaping, and will be carried out in partnership with Eldon Housing Association in addition to local charitable providers. Work is set to be completed in January 2021, with the scheme aiming to provide a better standard of affordable housing and facilities for residents and the community, with ENGIE working in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council through Eldon Housing Association.   The site, located in East Grinstead, saw the demolition of the existing apartments to make way for the new modern facilities. Simon Lacey, Regional Managing Director at ENGIE, commented: “It’s great to be involved in a project that will make a real difference to residents’ living standards with brand new apartments and the development of communal areas. “The project will see us make the most efficient use of the land, without disrupting existing amenities in the surrounding area. It’s an exciting project, and we’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact providing 100% affordable homes will have on the local area.” Working in conjunction with FUSE Architects, ENGIE plans to build a variety of high quality properties, ranging from 1 – 2 bedroom appartments. 

Triton Construction has bookended a successful 2019 by announcing its best ever trading year. The Yorkshire firm has reported a consolidated turnover of £58 million with a 76% increase in net profits for the year ending 31 March 2019. This represents an impressive 106% increase on 2017 and the previous two years where turnover averaged at £36 million. Much of its recent success has been attributed to the growth of the North West operation which opened in 2014. Throughout 2018/19 Triton has continued work on the ongoing Premier Inn hotels extensions framework and developer led Premier Inn new build hotels such as the new 85 bed hotel in Skegness. The company has also recently handed over a 66,000 sq ft commercial development over three units for J Pullan Developments in Leeds, a 60,000 sq ft flagship Big Yellow storage facility in Manchester and the new Kirkhamgate Primary School in Wakefield. Triton also remains cautiously optimistic for the next 12 months in the advent of two Brexit deadlines and the snap election. Paul Clarkson, Managing Director at Triton said: “Mike Parkinson, our founder and Chairman has built a strong business with a great reputation in the industry for delivery and collaborative working, leading to an exceptional level of repeat business. I am looking forward to continuing this legacy through maintaining our core values of client first and delivery foremost. “For this financial year we have a solid workload and good forward order book but, with a number of contracts not reaching financial close and order due to the current political uncertainties, we anticipate a year of consolidation and the subsequent pent up demand in the market driving future growth over the years to come.”

Major refurbishment works on Channel 4’s new Leeds-based media hub has been completed by the Caddick Group. Caddick Group, a family-run property development and construction business, has finished transforming an old six-acre printworks in central Leeds into a creative complex just 15 minutes from the Majestic, where Channel 4 will be opening its new headquarters. Acquired by Caddick Group in October 2017, the site will now host 110,000 sq. ft. of studio space after extensive refurbishment, including the demolition of the Petty House office building and removal of abandoned plant machinery and asbestos. New landscaping and access points have been provided, along with charging points for electric vehicles. Local contractor CBM Construction carried out the refurbishment. The history of the former printworks spans almost 150 years, starting in 1865 when Petty & Sons family printing company first opened its doors. In 1981 it was acquired by Robert Maxwell, who used it for his British Printing and Communications Corporation. The site subsequently changed hands a number of times before finally shutting for good in December 2014 with the loss of 250 jobs. A fire which broke out on 07 October 2016 destroyed the old Bindery building and the site was then abandoned. Caddick has already secured Opera North as a tenant for a 9,000 sq ft. unit on the six-acre site which is being using for storage and rehearsals. The remaining space will be occupied by studio operator Leeds Studios, who are subletting the property from Leeds City Council after a landmark deal with Caddick Group that saw the local authority take the head lease. Leeds Studios will now undertake internal fitouts of the six units they occupy, with the facility due to open in May 2020. Leeds’ media scene is booming, and the city is the UK’s fastest growing, with the largest professional and financial services cluster outside of London and now an emerging creative cluster following Channel 4’s decision to relocate to the city. Completion of refurbishment works at the Polestar Petty site follows the start on-site at New York Square. The official ground-breaking ceremony took place in the nearby Leeds Playhouse earlier this month and involved live performances from local artists and musicians. Offering 515 apartments designed and built exclusively for rent, New York Square is the largest city centre residential project to begin construction in Leeds this year and will be developed and managed by Moda Living, Caddick Group’s rental housing brand. Sister company Caddick Construction is the main contractor. The 515 homes mark the first phase of Caddick Groups’ SOYO neighbourhood, a £300m mixed-use development, in Leeds city centre right next to Leeds Playhouse, Northern Ballet, Leeds College of Music and BBC studios. In addition to the Moda Living apartments, SOYO will provide further residential, a hotel, restaurants, bars as well as new high-quality public realm and green space that will host outdoor activities throughout the year. Caddick Group has a £5bn development pipeline spanning residential, industrial/logistics and mixed-use city centre regeneration projects. Johnny Caddick, director at Caddick Group, said: “There is huge demand for studio space across the UK and in Leeds particularly thanks to the arrival of Channel 4. The broadcaster’s move will prove a massive boost to the city’s economy and Caddick Group is proud to be part of that growth story by transforming a derelict site into a world-class film and TV complex.” Tony Bashforth from CBM Construction, said: “The refurbishment of the former Polestar Petty works has received a lot of interest locally, due to the connections many in Leeds have to the site. Our works have helped transform the old warehouses into a modern workspace for the 21st century, including new electric car charging points and upgraded services to power the studios. It’s great to have been involved in this project bringing the space back into employment use.” Dawn Carlisle, partner in the commercial property team at Shulmans LLP, who represented Caddick Group on the granting of the lease, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Caddick Group and, as two Leeds-based organisations, it has been a pleasure to have played a role in this significant cultural project, Channel 4 in Leeds, which will help to bring wider economic benefits to the region in 2020 and beyond.”

Adur District Council has approved a planning application for the regeneration of The Mannings in Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex, designed by AHR for Southern Housing Group. The regeneration on Surry Street will see the existing, aged 40-flat building replaced by 74 welcoming and attractive new homes, 100% affordable, with a mix of social rent and shared ownership tenures. All homes at The Mannings will enjoy access to a private balcony or terraced gardens, plus a communal roof-top garden and enhanced public realm. WaiLun Ho, director at AHR, said: “The Mannings will bring value to the community with a development that sets a new standard for living in the local area, enabling the neighbourhood to flourish. We have created a living environment that will be desirable and safe, encourages environmentally friendly travel with 86 bicycle spaces and complements the wider context and architectural styles to ensure the residents’ will feel at home. “The affordable accommodation will help more people take their first step to buy their own home. We’re thrilled that it’s had planning approval granted and look forward to continuing to work with Southern Housing Group towards our shared vision for the area.” The Mannings follows AHR’s previous collaboration with Southern Housing Group on Passivhaus scheme Cameron Close in the Isle of Wight, also made up of entirely affordable housing. Cathy Bacon, head of regeneration at Southern Housing Group, said: “We are delighted the Council has approved this much-needed investment. It will benefit the residents of The Mannings and the wider community. Of course, Southern Housing Group will be working closely with the existing residents, neighbours and the council to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum and properly managed. This redevelopment scheme is part of our long-term commitment to Shoreham. It is great to know that the Council shares our vision.” Resident consultation throughout has ensured the input of the community’s aspirations into the design, with key priorities of inclusiveness and accessibility being met, as well the creation of an engaging and transparent development. Cllr Brian Boggis, executive member for regeneration at Adur District Council’s added on the planning decision: “The Mannings redevelopment is a great example of how developments that include genuine regeneration can deliver real benefits for Shoreham. This scheme will help to revive a local area, promote cleaner transport and improve housing options for local people.” AHR is working across several areas in the south and further afield on residential regeneration projects, with recently completed schemes including The Ridgeway in Hertford, Peterhead Court in Ealing, London and Wallis Fields in Maidstone.