Fusion21 has launched its national Energy Efficiency Framework, worth up to £250 million over four years. Specifically designed to meet the needs of the public sector, the framework offers external and internal wall insulation, the design, maintenance and installation of domestic and non-domestic solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage and solar
Manchester City Council has approved planning permission for a £79 million regeneration project. CEG submitted the planning application which is set to transform the gateway site between the High Street and Northern Quarter, and replace a predominantly vacant 1970s building, with a distinctly Mancunian building, drawing on Debenhams and Sunlight
Skanska has completed building work to extend Bristol Cathedral Choir School. The extension has created over 200 new places for pupils at the school. Work on the planning and pre-construction phase of the project began in 2017. The first phase, completed in two months, converted an existing listed building from
GRAHAM Construction has celebrated the completion of a housing development on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront with a “topping out” ceremony. Representatives from Invesco Real Estate, Panacea Property Development, GRAHAM and the design team attended the event on Wednesday 16th October, to mark the key project milestone, and the final construction of
Croydon Council have commenced a pilot scheme with Kensa Contracting to install a low-carbon fifth generation ground source heat pump system for its residents that will cut the cost to residents and the environment. The ground source heat pumps at the council-owned 10-storey block in New Addington will cut carbon emissions, help
Interserve has been chosen by Oldham Council to develop a £13 million centre for culture, arts, history and entertainment. The OMA centre will integrate the town’s existing Victorian Grade 2-listed former library and its current arts centre, and will substantially enhance the town’s cultural offering. OMA will showcase the story
Stanton Bonna worked with Kier to develop an offsite linear drainage system on M6 J13 to J15, Stafford with Aqua-SlotTM Drain. Key Benefits: · Rapid Installation · Reduced waste · Minimal people interface · Not weather dependent Through the early stages of the Highways England M6 J13-15 scheme, Kier Highways engineering and efficiencies teams
Plans for a new supermarket and hotel at Perry Court in Faversham, Kent, have been approved. Swale Borough Council voted in favour of the plans, which will see an Aldi supermarket and Premier Inn open on the site. Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) is leading the scheme with support from Pegasus
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) have launched a new consultation on proposals for energy performance targets for the offices sector. The consultation includes a proposal paper detailing suggested energy performance targets for commercial offices, alongside a survey where respondents can provide feedback on the proposals. The paper proposes the
A new dual carriageway on the A14 is set to open this December, a full year ahead of schedule. The 12-mile bypass which is part of a wider 21-mile, £1.5 billion scheme in Cambridgeshire and the largest upgrade of its kind in the UK, will save drivers up to 20
Fusion21 has launched its national Energy Efficiency Framework, worth up to £250 million over four years. Specifically designed to meet the needs of the public sector, the framework offers external and internal wall insulation, the design, maintenance and installation of domestic and non-domestic solar photovoltaic systems, battery storage and solar carparks, plus cladding replacement, electric vehicle charging points and LED lighting. Split into seven lots, the framework provides regional coverage and will facilitate local delivery. It has been structured to enable suppliers – including SMEs and specialist contractors, to bid for works suited to their capability, experience and expertise. Peter Francis, Director of Operation at Fusion21 said: “In response to market and member feedback, we’ve developed this flexible procurement solution to help Fusion21 members achieve energy efficiency outcomes – including reduced carbon emissions and increased cost savings. “These benefits contribute to supporting the government’s decarbonisation agenda and will also positively impact upon the carbon footprint of organisations, the wider environment and residents living in domestic properties. “Offering flexible call-off options, organisations calling off this compliant framework will gain access to support from technical procurement experts, social value delivery tailored to organisational priorities and a rigorously accessed and experienced supply chain. “We welcome applications from interested organisations that meet the criteria set out in the tender documentation now available on the mytenders web portal – www.mytenders.co.uk – under Notice ID OCT158433.” The submission deadline is Wednesday 27th November 2019 at 12 noon.
Manchester City Council has approved planning permission for a £79 million regeneration project. CEG submitted the planning application which is set to transform the gateway site between the High Street and Northern Quarter, and replace a predominantly vacant 1970s building, with a distinctly Mancunian building, drawing on Debenhams and Sunlight House for inspiration. David Hodgson, Head of Strategic Development at CEG, said: “This is an extremely challenging regeneration project on a constrained brownfield site. The resolution has provided the opportunity to transform this rundown building with a bold, confident and distinctly Mancunian building. We are pleased that the committee has acknowledged this and allows CEG to move forward. “CEG has managed investment into Manchester for many years, including the extensive renovation of the historic 196 Deansgate and is transforming Jackson House, now known as M33, in Sale and Altrincham Business Park. We look forward to continuing to work with the City Council to bring forward an exciting new development at High Street. The planning committee process is just the first step in the journey to deliver much-needed regeneration of this key site.” The planning application was prepared by Deloitte on behalf of CEG. Eve Grant, Director at Deloitte Real Estate, said: “With approval of the 20-36 High Street scheme, the city can look towards the delivery of a new landmark building that will create a more coherent link between Manchester’s iconic Northern Quarter and Retail core. Not only will this development positively transform the current look and feel of High Street, but it is set actively revitalise the local townscape whilst contributing to Manchester’s wider environmental, social and economic objectives.” Designed by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, the architecture uses light ivory-white glazed ceramic tiles providing a far greater light reflectance onto the street scape than the existing dark brick. The ground floor and a double height mezzanine would offer a vibrant space for independent cafés, restaurants and shops, providing around 65 jobs with 360-homes above. The scheme also reopens the Stationer’s Court to become a tranquil public green space connecting the High Street and the Northern Quarter.
Skanska has completed building work to extend Bristol Cathedral Choir School. The extension has created over 200 new places for pupils at the school. Work on the planning and pre-construction phase of the project began in 2017. The first phase, completed in two months, converted an existing listed building from a primary school to offices and a music practice room. Work also involved the reconfiguration of three rooms into two blocks to provide improved teaching facilities. Work on phase two, completed over four months, converted an existing area into teaching space by relocating existing textiles, art and design and technology teaching rooms. They also relocated and increased the size of a cycle store. This phase was completed by demolishing an existing garage to construct a food kiosk. During the final phase, the team demolished an existing structure to construct a new building including a girls’ changing room, science laboratory, two general teaching rooms and a communal room. During this phase the team stopped work for 14 weeks to allow archaeology investigations to take place. To ensure the project was delivered on time for the new academic year, they worked closely with Bristol Cathedral’s archaeologist. Nathan Bowerman, Project Manager, explained: “This has been a complex project from the very beginning and we’re really proud of the end result. We worked successfully in a complex stakeholder landscape, including Historic England, because the school is located close to the Cathedral’s grounds. It was vital to the team that we delivered this project on time, to create extra spaces for pupils to attend this popular school. “The project was delivered over three phases and all of the team worked seamlessly with each other to ensure that disruption was kept to a minimum and safety was at the forefront of everything we did.”
GRAHAM Construction has celebrated the completion of a housing development on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront with a “topping out” ceremony. Representatives from Invesco Real Estate, Panacea Property Development, GRAHAM and the design team attended the event on Wednesday 16th October, to mark the key project milestone, and the final construction of the concrete frame. Scheduled for completion in late 2020, 21 Strand Street will set a new benchmark for rental living in the city. Discussing the progress of the project, Peter Reavey, Construction Director at GRAHAM, said: “The topping out ceremony is a significant milestone for the project, and we are delighted with the progress and the quality of work completed so far. We have been involved with the Project from pre-construction stage, and we have developed a very close working relationship with Panacea Property Development, Invesco Real Estate and their key partners in order to complete the design development and the construction methodology that has helped us reach this key milestone. Once completed, 21 Strand Street will be a stand-out residential development, and it will undoubtedly complement this iconic part of Liverpool city centre.” Designed by Leach Rhodes Walker Architects, 21 Strand Street is being constructed around a concrete frame structure, complete with off-site bathroom pods, and a system façade designed to withstand inclement riverside weather conditions. The multi-storey development is based around two towers and will feature 383 apartments, with a mixture of one, two and three bed apartments, offering stunning views across the River Mersey, Albert Dock and the city centre. Prospective residents will also benefit from a range of rooftop facilities such as a garden space with flexible and fixed seating, booth seating areas with fire pits and fire tables, an outdoor covered kitchen, and a multi-use central space suitable for events or exercise. This area will be enclosed by 2m high glass balustrading to provide weather protection. Commenting on the next phase of the project, Neil Patten, Managing Director of Patten Properties and Panacea Property Development, said: “It is great to see 21 Strand Street taking shape. GRAHAM is doing an exceptional job of construction and the wider team are working well together to deliver this exciting development. We designed the development to set a new standard for residential accommodation in Liverpool, and we are looking forward to the final delivery of the scheme in October 2020. I’ve no doubt that these apartments will be some of the most sought after in the city.” John German, Managing Director – Residential Investments at Invesco Real estate commented: “We are delighted that the Panacea and GRAHAM teams have reached this key stage in the delivery of 21 The Strand. With topping out having been achieved we are now able to fully appreciate the location of this investment, which enjoys the views of many of Liverpool’s iconic landmarks. We look forward to receiving the completed building in 2020 when we will be able to offer a market leading rental product for the City of Liverpool.”
Croydon Council have commenced a pilot scheme with Kensa Contracting to install a low-carbon fifth generation ground source heat pump system for its residents that will cut the cost to residents and the environment. The ground source heat pumps at the council-owned 10-storey block in New Addington will cut carbon emissions, help improve air quality, and save up to £300 per home per year on more than 40 households’ heating bills. The project comes after Croydon Council declared a climate emergency this summer, and aims to contribute towards a local target of cutting the borough’s carbon emissions by 34% by 2025. Kensa Contracting will be undertaking the ground source heat pump installations, following on from an award-winning tower block retrofit scheme in Enfield, featured in the Mayor’s London Climate Action Week. The 44 flats are the first in Croydon to have ground source heat pumps retrofitted, replacing the existing electric storage heaters. An individual Kensa Shoebox ground source heat pump will be installed in each flat, connected to an ambient shared ground loop array. The ambient nature of the heating distribution system will prevent overheating of communal areas, whilst the individual heat pump in each flat will provide the tenant with independent control and the freedom to switch fuel suppliers for the cheapest energy tariff. As well as saving each home between £260 and £300 a year off their bills, the ground source heat pumps will cost less for the council to maintain than storage heaters. The replacement of the tower block’s electric storage heaters with Kensa’s ground source heat pump system cuts lifetime carbon emissions by the equivalent of a 242,317-mile car journey; or driving around the world ten times! The average night storage heater produces approximately 2,001kg of carbon dioxide per year, compared to the new ground source heat pump system that produces around 645kg per year. Kensa expect to complete the works by spring 2020, timed to coincide with an 18-month, £3.2 million refurbishment to the block including new insulation, a replacement roof and windows, landscaping and new parking. The £700,000 heating system will be funded through the council’s ring-fenced housing budget and via energy credits from energy regulator Ofgem. Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and Gateway services, said: “Many Croydon tenants find paying their winter fuel bills a struggle, so this pilot scheme and wider refurbishment will make a real difference by ensuring their homes are warmer, more energy-efficient and cheaper to run.” Councillor Stuart King, cabinet lead for environment and transport, said: “Making Croydon more sustainable is a key council priority, and by both cutting carbon emissions and residents’ heating bills this project underlines our commitment to improving the environment.”
Interserve has been chosen by Oldham Council to develop a £13 million centre for culture, arts, history and entertainment. The OMA centre will integrate the town’s existing Victorian Grade 2-listed former library and its current arts centre, and will substantially enhance the town’s cultural offering. OMA will showcase the story of Oldham’s past from its time as the cotton spinning capital of the world to the present day, with gallery spaces, archives and public research rooms. The venue will house the borough’s fulsome collection of objects and artworks and will increase public access to heritage assets. Councillor Sean Fielding, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Economy and Enterprise, said: “This is another great step in the regeneration of our town centre and our plans to make Oldham a cultural destination. “Interserve has a strong track record in delivering similar projects to a high standard and were responsible for restoring the Corn Exchange in Manchester. I am confident that it will produce a great building which reflects our proud history and heritage, but also adds the modern touches needed to reflect the needs of society today.” Phil Shaw, Divisional Director at Interserve Construction, said: “Our team has significant experience of working on historic buildings like Oldham’s Victorian library and we will be bringing our expertise and capabilities to the project by adding a contemporary and modern addition to the building while respecting its architectural heritage.”
Stanton Bonna worked with Kier to develop an offsite linear drainage system on M6 J13 to J15, Stafford with Aqua-SlotTM Drain. Key Benefits: · Rapid Installation · Reduced waste · Minimal people interface · Not weather dependent Through the early stages of the Highways England M6 J13-15 scheme, Kier Highways engineering and efficiencies teams considered several different options for offsite manufacture, one of the projects developed was the use of a Precast Concrete Aqua-SlotTM Drain. Challenge Early on it became apparent that the largest risk to the use of this innovative product would be the production programme with the scheme needing over 31km, exceeding current manufacturing capacity. This required both Area team, Client and Design team input early in the discussion, allowing a production programme that aligned to the scheme’s needs. Benefits · Traditional slip-forming of slot can be problematic, particularly in a live highway environment where concrete delivery is key to success but is often delayed by weather conditions, network congestion and crucially site logistics. · By using precast, the units can be laid out in advance and laying can commence as soon as a sufficient formation bed is prepared. Laying can continue in most weather conditions. · Rapid installation achieving outputs in excess of 200m per day per three-person gang · Factory made units are high quality to tight tolerances and CE marked · Sump unit and incorporated ironwork means that once the unit is laid there is virtually no other follow up work required · Reduced waste as this method removes the need for any wet casting or cutting out to form outlets · Reduced workforce around the operation minimising People Plant Interface · Ability to change work fronts with minimal impact if blockers are identified or there are unforeseen issues, this provides greater flexibility · No need for saw cuts as the product naturally features joints minimising HAVS issues “In the first weeks of laying, outputs were better than expected and we are very pleased with the product. Any reduction in trades and numbers in what is a very constrained environment has to be seen as a positive,” commented Richard French (Project Director M6 13-15). The Figures · 14km of Aqua-SlotTM in Central Reservation · 17km of Aqua-SlotTM in the verges · 55 linear metres per lorry load · 200m installed per day · 1.4t unit weight, 2.5m long units · Rodding access point every 25m · Bedded on Type 1 and regulating sand layer · Design support from Kier Highways engineering · Socket and spigot with gasket to ensure correct jointing and alignment · EN1433 compliant, D400 & CE Marked
Plans for a new supermarket and hotel at Perry Court in Faversham, Kent, have been approved. Swale Borough Council voted in favour of the plans, which will see an Aldi supermarket and Premier Inn open on the site. Henry Davidson Developments (HDD) is leading the scheme with support from Pegasus Group. Scott Davidson, managing director of HDD, said: “We are delighted that councillors have approved this well-planned scheme that will bring significant economic benefits to the local area. “The proposed 84 bed Premier Inn is set to generate around 29 new jobs, with a target for 50% to be taken by those not in employment, education or training aged between 16 and 24. The new Aldi store will employ 50 full time equivalent employees, as well as supporting the expansion of facilities at the new Sheppey Distribution Centre which ultimately will provide 400 jobs and will broaden the retail offer in Faversham. “Thanks to the support and dedication of the team at Pegasus Group we now look forward to progressing this development at the soonest possible opportunity.” Steve Lewis-Roberts, a Senior Director at Pegasus Group, added: “We are extremely pleased that HDD’s vision for this development, that will bring much needed services to the new community and the existing town, has won the support of Swale Borough Council. “During the consultation process significant design changes were made to ensure a bespoke development that is right for Perry Court, and this was reflected by the fact that were no objections from statutory consultees and that the application had the support of the local Faversham Town Council. “It has been a rewarding project to be part of with all parties working hard to steer it towards today’s positive conclusion.”
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) have launched a new consultation on proposals for energy performance targets for the offices sector. The consultation includes a proposal paper detailing suggested energy performance targets for commercial offices, alongside a survey where respondents can provide feedback on the proposals. The paper proposes the introduction of ‘Paris Proof’ energy targets that commercial offices should meet if they seek to be a net zero carbon in operation. It also sets out three levels of ambition for the targets, reflecting different data sets, for respondents to consider. The targets developed will form part of the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework, launched earlier this year, which sets out high-level definitions for net zero carbon. The Framework acts as guidance for buildings aiming to achieve net zero and is being developed in consultation with industry to include further detail and stretching requirements. The proposals announced today have been developed by UKGBC in collaboration with Verco, Better Buildings Partnership, the British Property Federation and others. UKGBC is seeking feedback from across the commercial offices sector. Interested parties can join a webinar on Wednesday 23 October where UKGBC’s policy experts will be on hand to answer any questions arising from the consultation. The deadline for responses is Friday 8 November 2019. Richard Twinn, senior policy advisor at UKGBC said: “The proposals launched today are intended to challenge the industry to go further in driving down energy use in the offices sector. We are keen to hear feedback on the proposals from across the industry so we can build consensus around the action that is needed. “Interest in net zero has exploded in the past year and UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Building Framework has helped to spark a lively debate in the industry about the role to be played by the built environment. With the urgency of climate action becoming ever greater, UKGBC is using the Framework to push the construction and property industry to be more ambitious in tackling emissions.” This consultation is being run as part of UKGBC’s Advancing Net Zero Programme. This programme has been made possible thanks to support from: Lead Partner the Redevco Foundation and Programme Partners BAM Construct UK, Berkeley Group, Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, Hoare Lea and JLL.
A new dual carriageway on the A14 is set to open this December, a full year ahead of schedule. The 12-mile bypass which is part of a wider 21-mile, £1.5 billion scheme in Cambridgeshire and the largest upgrade of its kind in the UK, will save drivers up to 20 minutes per journey, benefiting people living and working across the entire region. The A14 Integrated Delivery Team, a joint venture between Balfour Beatty, Costain and Skanska, and design consultants Atkins and CH2M, is delivering the project. To mark the early opening announcement, the A14 was visited by the Roads Minister, Baroness Vere. Speaking on the project, Baroness Vere, said: “This Government is committed to delivering an infrastructure revolution and it’s fantastic that a key section of this vital route will be delivered a year ahead of schedule, helping people travelling in the East of England get to their destination quickly and safely. “The A14 upgrade will not only improve the experience for local drivers but will also boost access between the region’s ports and the West Midlands – a key logistics hub. “I look forward to seeing the benefits in action in December and to seeing similar infrastructure schemes developing around the country as we improve links and spread growth opportunities.” On completion, the road will open as an A road, instead of a motorway as originally planned. This will take advantage of wider lanes when joining the neighbouring M11 and A1(M). Julian Lamb, deputy project director for the Integrated Delivery Team, said: “We can put the continued success of the project down to our deep understanding of the scheme and our expertise in delivering complex road projects. This has allowed us to move the project along efficiently and effectively resulting in opening the bypass ahead of schedule and being recognised within the industry as a leader in innovation, productivity and collaboration.” The full project remains on track to open to traffic by the end of 2020.