Woodhead Group has secured a place on two new frameworks and is on its way to deliver a third one, adding to its recent success on the Pagabo framework. The firm won a place on the Westworks Procurement Development and Construction DPS and was reappointed to the Blue Skies Contractor
A building in London’s Tech-City has been redeveloped in order to create 75,000 sq ft of new stand-out office and retail space. The work was delivered on Arnold House by Gilbert-Ash, with mechanical and electrical works completed by Irwin M&E. “Arnold House was a really interesting project to work on,”
Severn Trent’s AMP7 Capital Delivery Framework has announced its first contractors. The water company is investing circa £2 billion in these projects, which will be carried out between 2020 and 2025. The framework has been structured into four defined lots, with Lot 1 representing the capital delivery design and build frameworks
The plans for the design of Bolton’s first purpose-built, multi-generational Build to Rent (BTR) urban village, have been unveiled. Developer Placefirst aims to transform Central Street car park in the town centre into the new £27.5 million development. “Bolton Council has set out an ambitious vision for the town centre
A historic but unusable building in Halifax has undergone a £1 million refurbishment and the work is now complete. In total, 40 local businesses have secured vibrant office space since the beginning of the Croft Myl project in 2015. Current tenants include Andys Man Club, Wright Angle Marketing, Kip Mcgrath,
Construction work is underway on a new £400 million housing scheme in Leeds led by CEG that will see over 1,000 new homes and 400,000 sq ft of offices, retail, leisure and community spaces developed at Kirkstall Forge. Phase one of the scheme will be delivered by Tolent, including the construction
For almost every purchase in life, cheaper is not necessarily better value. Yet, when it comes to homes, buyers often deceive themselves into thinking that, if there are similar sized homes in the same location, then the lowest priced home is better value. This is not true and potentially an
Sika-Trocal, part of the Sika Group, has appointed a new Area Technical Manager, strengthening its Midlands team by doing so. Donna Owen joins the company from Building Innovation where she held the position as Key Account Management for roofing and tapered insulation. Sika-Trocal provides flat roofing membranes that are suitable
Dulux has launched a new partnership as part of its Colour of the Year 2019 initiative. The joint venture with author and broadcaster, Fearne Cotton, is designed to help homeowners embrace colour in their home. The collaboration with the TV personality will also help professional decorators communicate the best use
Reposit, the company changing the way landlords, agents and tenants handle deposits, has announced its latest partnership with property management company Way of Life, providing all customers with an alternative to the tenancy deposit schemes. The InsurTech firm operating in the PropTech space, has also unveiled an extension of its
Woodhead Group has secured a place on two new frameworks and is on its way to deliver a third one, adding to its recent success on the Pagabo framework. The firm won a place on the Westworks Procurement Development and Construction DPS and was reappointed to the Blue Skies Contractor framework. “Securing a place on three public sector frameworks demonstrates that we are trusted partners, we have delivered excellent social value returns and as a company we are passionate about working collaboratively to hand over successful projects. This trio of appointments has got 2019 off to a flying start and we are very pleased to have secured places on each framework,” said Tom Woodhead, director of the Woodhead Group. Available for use by all Westworks and Efficiency East Midlands (EEM), the Westworks Procurement Development and Construction DPS is part of the Collaboration arrangement between several like-minded procurement consortia. Woodhead Group has been part of EEM for seven years. During this time the company has delivered or is on site with more than £50 million of projects and is set to complete its 500th home secured through the framework in 2019. “These frameworks act as a strong trust signal for councils and housing associations that are looking to work with us, and is a real testament to the high standard of work we deliver and our commitment to deliver real social value to local communities,” added Rom Woodhead. Blue Skies Contractor framework is run by the Blue Skies Consortium, which is a collection of housing associations. It aims to deliver primarily affordable housing residential developments for the different associations.
A building in London’s Tech-City has been redeveloped in order to create 75,000 sq ft of new stand-out office and retail space. The work was delivered on Arnold House by Gilbert-Ash, with mechanical and electrical works completed by Irwin M&E. “Arnold House was a really interesting project to work on,” said Matthew Bowden, Irwin M&E Contracts Manager. “Delivered under a Design and Build contract, we used 3D Autocad to design the duct work which was prefabricated off site. This allowed us to implement just-in-time delivery to site, which was important as it is located on a very busy street with restricted access. This in turn meant a quicker turnaround and installation, with no bottlenecks on supplies. It was also preferable from a Health, Safety and Quality perspective as the duct work was prefabricated in a controlled factory environment and meant that a Hot Works permit was not required on site.” Adding to the company’s success in delivering technologically advanced buildings, the project benefited from several sustainable technologies, incorporated by Arnold House. It also attained a BREEAM Very Good certification and a WiredScore Gold Certification. “The project architect BuckleyGrayYeoman, incorporated traditional-style industrial lighting fixtures which acknowledged the building’s industrial past. We procured these high-bay lights from a recycling yard and installed them as impressive feature lighting in the building’s reception,” added Matthew Bowden. Irwin M&E worked with Shoreditch Council, while also employing two apprentices on site, one Mechanical the other Electrical, for the duration of the project. The company has previously worked on the new Innovation Centre for 5G Technology at the University of Surrey.
Severn Trent’s AMP7 Capital Delivery Framework has announced its first contractors. The water company is investing circa £2 billion in these projects, which will be carried out between 2020 and 2025. The framework has been structured into four defined lots, with Lot 1 representing the capital delivery design and build frameworks and Lots 2, 3 and 4 forming three separate capital delivery build only frameworks. Successful contractors in Lot 1 (Design and Build) include: • Amey Utility Services Limited • Costain Limited • J Murphy & Sons • Mott MacDonald Bentley • MWH Treatment • nmcn • VolkerStevin & Atkins Joint Venture. Those successful in Lot 2 (Build only – Civils) comprise: • Barhale & Doosan Enpure • Coffey Construction • CPC Civils • Forkers • GEDA Construction • JN Bentley • Kier Integrated Services • MWH Treatment • nmcn • VolkerStevin. “Getting fast-track status from Ofwat means that we’ve been able to make a really early start on our planning for AMP7. We now have 12 months where we can define the key projects we need to deliver for our customers, which we can do alongside our new construction partners. We are delighted we now have our partners in place for lots 1 and 2, and this is a really exciting time for us as we look at new, more efficient ways to invest for the future to make our services even better,” commented Helen Miles, Capital Delivery and Commercial Director at Severn Trent. Amey, which has worked for Severn Trent for over 20 years delivering clean water mains renewals, sewer maintenance and the installation and refurbishment of pumping stations, is one of the seven delivery partners for Lot 1. The company will be responsible for the design and build of water and wastewater assets above and below ground. “We’re delighted to have secured a place on the capital delivery framework and we look forward to playing an integral part in delivering Severn Trent’s vision for AMP7. Ensuring an excellent customer experience, protecting the local environment and supporting the community in which we work is at the heart of the work we do, and is an ethos we share with Severn Trent,” said Amey chief executive Andy Milner.
The plans for the design of Bolton’s first purpose-built, multi-generational Build to Rent (BTR) urban village, have been unveiled. Developer Placefirst aims to transform Central Street car park in the town centre into the new £27.5 million development. “Bolton Council has set out an ambitious vision for the town centre and we are excited to be working with such a forward-thinking local authority. We have developed our plans for Central Street with the wider town centre framework in mind and are confident our proposals will reflect that ambition. Having cut our teeth delivering complex refurbishment projects in regeneration areas, Bolton represents an important new milestone for Placefirst as our first major town centre new-build BTR community,” commented David Smith-Milne, managing director of Placefirst. The village consists of four blocks that include a mix of circa 200 homes – family town houses, downsized apartments, and a choice of one and two-bedroom apartments. The properties will be joined by up to 15,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, and a range of ground floor commercial units. In addition, an outdoor art gallery is also being considered for the development. The overall scheme, designed with MCAU architects, will complement the historic fabric of Bolton centre through a mix of medium-rise buildings set out to create a network of people-friendly streets, squares and courtyards. This is the latest in a series of announcements as part of Bolton Council’s £1.2 billion masterplan to redevelop the town centre. “This project will show that town centre, urban living isn’t just for young people living in boring apartments. Through good design and excellent placemaking, schemes such as this will appeal to families, downsizers and the elderly, living together in a genuinely multi-generational community,” said David Smith-Milne. “As a build-to-rent developer and landlord, Placefirst put the end-user at the forefront of our designs, ensuring we deliver great homes complimented by attractive amenity spaces that bring communities together. Central Street embraces this thinking through the creation of a new residential neighbourhood characterised by human scale urban design and an engaging public realm strategy,” he added. A planning application will be submitted later this year and, subject to approval, Placefirst aims to start work on site by early 2020 with in-house contractor, Placefirst Construction.
A historic but unusable building in Halifax has undergone a £1 million refurbishment and the work is now complete. In total, 40 local businesses have secured vibrant office space since the beginning of the Croft Myl project in 2015. Current tenants include Andys Man Club, Wright Angle Marketing, Kip Mcgrath, Zenith Wealth Management, Woodhall Mortgages, Snowflake Media and many others. The project was spearheaded by business partners, Vicky and Brian Nolan, and its official end was marked by the official opening on 12 March 2019 of the building’s newly renovated roof-top garden. The roof-top garden and penthouse suite, which has taken 12 months to build, features glass pods and a unique slide, offering tenants an alternative way to reach the penthouses offices below. The Mayor, Marcus Thompson and Mayoress, Nicky Chance-Thompson cut the red ribbon on the building. “What a fantastic way to start the year. We’re absolutely thrilled to have welcomed our valued tenants and other local professionals to the opening of our roof-top garden. We hope this fantastic space will be enjoyed many this summer,” said Vicky Nolan. “Having the mayor and mayoress there to celebrate the opening was brilliant and we were very pleased to give them a little push down the roof-top slide! It’s been a very busy start to the year for us but we will continue to put our occupants and local SMEs at the heart of what we do,” added Vicky.
Construction work is underway on a new £400 million housing scheme in Leeds led by CEG that will see over 1,000 new homes and 400,000 sq ft of offices, retail, leisure and community spaces developed at Kirkstall Forge. Phase one of the scheme will be delivered by Tolent, including the construction of two prototype houses. “This is another great win for the team which really shows the depth of experience and expertise we have as a national construction firm. With such a significant and visionary project that is already winning awards, we’re looking forward to being a part of this legacy for Leeds as well as the innovative prototype housing which is something new for us,” commented Regional director for Tolent, John Currie. The two prototype houses will be completed this summer and, once finished, members of CEG’s design team will move into the three and five-bed homes and test out the living experience. Improvement will be then made, according to their feedback, to finesse the final product. Following that, phase one of the scheme will see the construction of 112 contemporary homes, which were designed by Stirling Prize winner Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. “This innovative way of delivering prototype housing follows the attention to detail we have paid to everything we are delivering at Kirkstall Forge,” added James Shimwell, head of residential development at Kirkstall Forge. “By testing every detail we can ensure we best complement Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios’ inspiring design, which maximises the acres of green space and waterfront opportunity.”
For almost every purchase in life, cheaper is not necessarily better value. Yet, when it comes to homes, buyers often deceive themselves into thinking that, if there are similar sized homes in the same location, then the lowest priced home is better value. This is not true and potentially an expensive mistake. Value is not cheaper. Value is spending wiser and investing in the future. Economists judge value on three criteria: efficiency, effectiveness and economy, whilst investment is about future returns. Taking these in turn: Efficiency: Is your new home the best design for you and your lifestyle? How far is it to work, shops or schools? Is the public transport good enough? Can I get to see my friends and family as easily as I would like? Are the bedrooms big enough for a decent sized wardrobe? Effectiveness: Does the kitchen/living space create a family hub? Where will the children do their homework? Do I have a utility area? Where is the visitor parking? Do I have a useable private garden with patio? Do I have a good-sized balcony or terrace in my apartment? Economy: Are the kitchen appliances up to expectations? Do I have fast broadband? Do I have a well-specified home with quality doors, furniture and fittings? Investment: Am I part of a much larger development where my home has little individuality? Will my new home hold its premium because I am in a good area with few new homes? Is the quality of my home including fittings, sufficiently good to ensure that it will present well when I sell? On many larger developments, you are probably paying for a house type that has been repeated many times and similar to homes on other developments built in the area. And, as every small compromise adds up, the positive advantage of ‘cheaper’ is outweighed by the negative impact of the home’s imperfections. It may not be good value and will certainly not be a wise investment. If you want real value, you have to look beyond price. At Troy Homes, the directors are involved from the outset to ensure the homes are designed with the customer in mind. Invariably their homes are bespoke, to ensure they fit the location and market. Even as the site is built, they may need to make changes to improve the home. They invest all their own personal knowledge and drive for excellence in every home. And this is reflected in the Troy Home you buy – every detail has value with the focus on exceeding customer expectations. When you search for property online, your criteria will be limited to location, price, size, new/old, etc. These are all important, but they are one dimensional. Such a yes/no, black and white search needs a holistic approach – is this the best home for me for now and in the future? What will my home be worth when I sell? Will it be unique and desirable? If you can positively answer these questions you would have bought a value-for-money home. By Richard Werth, CEO of Troy Homes
Sika-Trocal, part of the Sika Group, has appointed a new Area Technical Manager, strengthening its Midlands team by doing so. Donna Owen joins the company from Building Innovation where she held the position as Key Account Management for roofing and tapered insulation. Sika-Trocal provides flat roofing membranes that are suitable for a wide range of applications including new build, refurbishment, solar and green roof specifications. “This is an extremely exciting opportunity for me. Sika-Trocal is a leading light in the roofing industry and renowned as an innovator of high-quality solutions. I hope my experience will prove beneficial and further the company’s superb service offering,” said Donna. She will lean on over 20 years’ construction-based sales and development experience in the new role, working with Area Technical Managers and the applications team. “The chance to work for such a high-profile employer as Sika proved too great to resist. It offers a huge, but very rewarding challenge. I’m looking forward to meeting my new colleagues and taking this next valuable step in my career. I’m particularly excited about being involved with the Bombardier and Rock Roofing projects and hope to hit the ground running,” Donna said. “Forging excellent account relationships and possessing good industry knowledge are traits I like to think have helped me progress in my chosen field. It sounds old-fashioned, but I truly believe success is built on hard work and a willingness to learn,” she added.
Dulux has launched a new partnership as part of its Colour of the Year 2019 initiative. The joint venture with author and broadcaster, Fearne Cotton, is designed to help homeowners embrace colour in their home. The collaboration with the TV personality will also help professional decorators communicate the best use of colour to their customers and encourage homeowners to embrace new, ‘on trend’ shades in their homes. The videos produced with Fearne talk about how to create stylish interiors and will act as a tool for professional painters and decorators to demonstrate how and why the Dulux Colour of the Year, Spiced Honey™️ and the supporting ColourFutures™️ 2019 palettes work so well in the home. “I’m fascinated by the science of colour and the power it has over mood and behaviour. Changing your home – your most personal space – has the power to create positive change in all areas of your life, from creating a space to think to empowering us to act. Spiced Honey™️ is about fostering a sense of positivity with the outside world again. It’s about letting the light in,” commented Fearne. 2019 marks the 16th year of the global ColourFutures™ annual trend forecast from Dulux Trade. An expert panel of colour designers, design specialists, trend forecasters, architects and editors from around the world joined together to capture a universal theme, resulting in a colour that suitably embodies our mood of the moment for the year ahead – leading to Spiced Honey™️ to represent 2019. “Supporting professional decorators is a key priority and we know that their customers are often seeking reassurance before they commit to a new colour in the home,” said Karen Wilkinson, Dulux Trade Marketing Lead. “Fearne Cotton is someone that the homeowner audience can really relate to and we hope that by partnering with her and producing assets for everyone to see and use, we’re making the job that little bit easier for painters and decorators, who pride themselves on giving every customer a brilliant finish.” “It’s not an easy job to convince proud homeowners to trust you to redecorate their most personal spaces, so anything we can do to help our professional decorators to do this is worthwhile. Helping our trades professionals communicate the added benefits of colour in the home will help them build their businesses and stand out from the competition,” Karen added.
Reposit, the company changing the way landlords, agents and tenants handle deposits, has announced its latest partnership with property management company Way of Life, providing all customers with an alternative to the tenancy deposit schemes. The InsurTech firm operating in the PropTech space, has also unveiled an extension of its cover from six to eight weeks, covering all bases from rent arrears to cleaning and damages costs. Founded in 2015, Reposit is the creator of the growing deposit replacement sector in residential lettings, providing customers with an alternative to the standard tenancy deposit. Reposit eases cash flow problems for renters by enabling them to secure a property with just one week’s rent. Way of Life is a property management company currently managing over 550 homes in the UK, with another 300 launching this summer. Its customers enjoy a tailored service from point of enquiry, throughout their stay and until they move on to the next stage of their life. Way of Life customers are given the choice of purchasing a Reposit with just one week’s rent, plus an annual fee of £30 should they stay for more than one year in their home. Way of Life becomes a named beneficiary on the Reposit insurance policy and is protected for up to eight weeks’ rent, for anything a traditional tenancy deposit would have covered. “We want to offer an excellent level of service to our customers. Finding an alternative deposit option was always high on our agenda. After looking at the various deposit replacement offerings, we have chosen to partner up with Reposit to offer a viable option to our customers. It’s ease of integration into our services and the dedication towards compliance under FCA regulation and FSCS protection made the choice easy in the end,” said Way of Life’s Managing Director, Sowgol Zarinchang. Way of Life’s partnership with Reposit comes just before the opening of its new £37 million development in Birmingham, The Lansdowne, which comprises 206 apartments and more than 10,000 sq. ft of shared social spaces including a lounge with big-screen entertainment facilities, a quiet room, a broadband-equipped workspace, a fitness studio and a rentable private party room and kitchen. All customers are invited to choose a Reposit or traditional deposit when signing up. Reposit is also today announcing that it has increased its length of cover to eight weeks, the longest complete cover in the industry. A number unmatched by traditional deposits as government legislation for rent under £50,000 per year is capped at five weeks and six weeks for rent over £50,000. According to recent figures published by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, the average rental deposit in England and Wales is £1,041, whilst in London, it is typically £1,750. Reposit’s market research data of 1,000 tenants, found that 91 percent of tenants have paid a deposit, with 49 percent claiming they borrowed from family, loans or even payday loans. For people moving between properties, they are expected to provide the deposit for the new contract before an old deposit has been released, causing further cash flow problems and added stress.