The Board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has fully approved plans for a number of new health facilities, worth some £50 million. The business cases approved include £11 million for Stobhill Mental Health Wards and £19 million for Clydebank Health and Care Centre. The next and final stage of
JP Concrete has installed the final reinforced concrete barrier for the £23.3 million redevelopment of Preston Bus Station. Completed in time-critical phases to allow the station to remain operational, the work used approximately 33 precast barriers designed and manufactured by JP Concrete. Based on invaluable experience gained during a successful
Derby-based Davlyn Construction has secured a £6 million contract as the main build contractor for Repton School in South Derbyshire. Davlyn will be transforming the sports facilities at the historic school. Phase One has already been completed and a new strength and conditioning gym, together with a 1250 m2 state-of-the-art
A £4 million Highways England contract to upgrade the M271 Redbridge roundabout near Southampton Docks has been secured by Interserve, the international support services and construction group. “We are delighted to have secured another Highways England contract after our recent success on the A63 Princes Quay in Hull. Our works
HLM, a leading design and architecture practice with studios in Glasgow, has contributed to academic life in Glasgow through its involvement with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Glasgow. HLM’s Marketing Executive, Amy Ogilvy, who is based in the Glasgow studio, has become a DYW Ambassador on behalf of the practice.
Gap Homes, a concept design of factory constructed, contemporary and cost-effective eco-homes, has been launched by the architects from international firm BDP’s Bristol studio. BDP is sponsoring the Bristol Housing Festival, which opens this week on the 19th of October with the launch exhibition that will showcase creative and innovative
The state-of-the-art £3.6 million leisure development in Grantham, Lincoln, held its ground-breaking ceremony. Once completed, the 20,000 sq ft site will house a five-screen, 650 seat cinema, operated by Savoy Cinemas, as well as two retail units. The development forms part of the wider regeneration of Grantham town centre and
Balfour Beatty Living Places has won a £103 million highways maintenance contract from Telford and Wrekin Council. The contract is initially for seven years, with the option to extend it for a further seven years. “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract by Telford and Wrekin Council; it
Increased order books for UK contractors haven’t defeated Brexit uncertainty, with high input costs fuelling fears of a subdued and cooling market for the next 12 months, according to the latest quarterly analysis from leading professional services company, Turner & Townsend. The consultancy’s UK market intelligence report finds that order
Squire & Partners, the architects behind Landmark Manchester (Landmark), a 180,000 sq ft office development, have revealed the key features being implemented in the Grade A, BREEAM Excellent building to ensure that it tops occupiers’ tick lists ahead of its Summer 2019 launch. Currently under construction in Manchester’s central business district
The Board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has fully approved plans for a number of new health facilities, worth some £50 million. The business cases approved include £11 million for Stobhill Mental Health Wards and £19 million for Clydebank Health and Care Centre. The next and final stage of the process of developing each facility involves the submission of a full business case to the Scottish Government Capital Investment Group for consideration in November. “I am delighted the full business case has been approved. This is another major milestone for plans to build modern, state-of-the-art facilities for our Mental Health in-patients at Stobhill,” said David Williams, chief officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), about the Stobhill development. “The HSCP’s commitment to providing high standards of effective care in appropriate settings is clearly demonstrated by NHSGGC’s decision today. This will see our patients staying in modern wards that are at the very forefront of modern Mental Health in-patient accommodation,” added David. Speaking about the Clydebank Health and Care Centre, Beth Culshaw, chief officer, West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), said: “I am delighted that the full business case has been approved. This is another major milestone for plans to rebuild a modern, state-of-the-art health and care centre for the people of Clydebank. The HSCP’s commitment to tackling health inequalities in areas of high deprivation and promoting social regeneration is clearly demonstrated by NHSGGC’s decision today.” “The national transformation of primary care means that this project is not about a simple replacement of an existing facility. It is about taking the opportunity to create a centre where the people of Clydebank can expect to be supported by a wide range of professionals, closer to their home, and enabled to live healthier, more independent lives,” Beth concluded.
JP Concrete has installed the final reinforced concrete barrier for the £23.3 million redevelopment of Preston Bus Station. Completed in time-critical phases to allow the station to remain operational, the work used approximately 33 precast barriers designed and manufactured by JP Concrete. Based on invaluable experience gained during a successful contract at Leicester Bus Station, JP Concrete has been able to share vital information with Engie, the leading regeneration, energy and facilities management company. Initially, this brought about a weight-saving L-shaped barrier – installed during the first phase – that has reduced tonnage by 30%, saving on materials, transport and installation costs. “We have all been under a huge amount of pressure to get the bus station handed over, especially with the first phase being such a learning curve. JP Concrete have been totally prepared throughout, working very hard to help us meet our important deadlines – proving easy to work with alongside our engineers, Westlake’s Consulting and AHR architects, who finalised the design of the East apron,” said Phil Whelan, Design Manager for Engie. “After that tricky first section, the second and third phases have worked like a dream. This is despite having to work around such a big, fully operational bus station with a total of 80 gates prior to the redevelopment. Closing off sections and keeping others open has been very complicated, but JP Concrete know exactly what they are talking about, especially with design, impact requirements – and how elements of the concrete would form a visible, tactile part of the new structure,” added Phil. Aiming to regenerate the best of the original 1969 design, the refurbishment work included the replacement of the lighting and the existing timber rests, while retaining the original rubber floor. Signs will also be updated to reflect the new uses of the building, but with the original style reinstated. On the Preston Guild Hall side of the bus station, the area currently used for bus stands will be developed into a new public space.
Derby-based Davlyn Construction has secured a £6 million contract as the main build contractor for Repton School in South Derbyshire. Davlyn will be transforming the sports facilities at the historic school. Phase One has already been completed and a new strength and conditioning gym, together with a 1250 m2 state-of-the-art sports hall, designed by Matthew Montague Architects, is in place. The new facility will be used for indoor hockey, netball, basketball and football along with new squash courts, changing rooms, seating and sports storage area. The contract, worth £3 million, also included the demolition of the old 1960s squash courts. The second phase, which is also worth £3 million, is now being delivered by Davlyn. This will see the existing Tanyard Building extended and refurbished to create a new entrance, changing rooms, briefing room, link corridor, social area, viewing gallery and the creation of a bigger car park. “Firstly, we’re delighted to have been appointed as the main build contractor on such a prestigious job at Repton School. We’re really pleased to have delivered phase one of the project to a high standard and on time and it’s fantastic to see the school and its students benefiting from it,” said David Gaskin, Director at Davlyn Construction. “Now we are very much focused on phase two and delivering that to an equally high standard. We have the constraints of working on a live site and within a conservation area but that is something we are very experienced in. We have worked with Repton School for over 14 years and have established a very good working relationship with them. We are proud to be part of their plans to deliver even better facilities for their students and staff. Education is a very important sector for us as a company so we are particularly pleased to have been awarded this contract,” David added. Repton School, established in 1557, is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils and has around 650 students.
A £4 million Highways England contract to upgrade the M271 Redbridge roundabout near Southampton Docks has been secured by Interserve, the international support services and construction group. “We are delighted to have secured another Highways England contract after our recent success on the A63 Princes Quay in Hull. Our works on the Redbridge roundabout will benefit residents, businesses and ease congestion around Southampton docks,” said Wayne Howell, Sector Director for Highways. The scheme will see Interserve create a new free-flow, left-turn lane from the M271 to the Port of Southampton. The infrastructure division will also complete road-widening works to create four lanes on the roundabout to increase its overall capacity. Other associated works will include an additional toucan crossing which enables pedestrians and cyclists to cross together, replacing a footbridge and refurbishing an existing subway to the north of the junction. A major problem in this area of Southampton is congestion, with the M271 southbound to the A33 exhibiting average speeds of below 40 mph during peak hours which also impacts road safety. This scheme aims to reduce traffic delays on this important route into Southampton and create more reliable journey times for local, regional and port transport. Interserve is one of the world’s foremost support services and construction companies. Their core values are at the heart of everything they do. As leaders in innovative and sustainable outcomes for their clients and a great place to work for, Interserve offers advice, design, construction, equipment, facilities management and frontline public services. Headquartered in the UK and FTSE listed, Interserve has gross revenues of £3.7 billion and a workforce of circa 75,000 people worldwide.
HLM, a leading design and architecture practice with studios in Glasgow, has contributed to academic life in Glasgow through its involvement with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Glasgow. HLM’s Marketing Executive, Amy Ogilvy, who is based in the Glasgow studio, has become a DYW Ambassador on behalf of the practice. Through DYW, HLM has partnered with Glasgow Gaelic School and has now the opportunity to execute a programme for students in the forthcoming academic year. Within this, HLM will offer work experience in its Glasgow studio, competitive projects for graphic design students and get involved with career fairs at the school. “I am thrilled to be an Ambassador for DYW and am delighted to be partnered with Glasgow Gaelic School. Having the chance to inspire young students and inform them of the endless possibilities available after school is a fantastic opportunity, both for myself personally and for HLM. The scheme genuinely inspires the next generation and opens their eyes to the possibilities after school. I would like to thank HLM for their support in this partnership, as it is a privilege to have the opportunity to make a difference,” said Amy. HLM recognises the importance of helping students thrive in the workplace and equip them with the best knowledge to move forward into their next career move. The programme aims to prepare young people for the rapidly changing world of work and open their eyes to the many opportunities out there for them. “At the Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, equipping our students with the core skills, knowledge and confidence to excel in life after they leave our classrooms is at the heart of everything we do. We are excited to be partnered with HLM as part of the DYW programme and to be working closely with Amy. It is incredibly important for our students to gain valuable career insight and being able to gain this first hand from HLM is a fantastic opportunity. We are looking forward to all that the partnership brings. Dà chànan, Dà Chultar, Iomadh Cothrom (Two languages, two cultures, many opportunities),” commented Donalda McComb, Head Teacher at Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu (Glasgow Gaelic School).
Gap Homes, a concept design of factory constructed, contemporary and cost-effective eco-homes, has been launched by the architects from international firm BDP’s Bristol studio. BDP is sponsoring the Bristol Housing Festival, which opens this week on the 19th of October with the launch exhibition that will showcase creative and innovative housing solutions. The new Gap Home prototype, designed specifically for small plots of land in towns and cities will also be present. “We are in dire need of new homes for a new generation. BDP’s eco Gap Homes will be quickly constructed, cost effective, sustainable and, most important of all, stylish, comfortable and practical to live in,” said Nick Fairham, architect director in BDO’s Bristol studio. “Disused garage plots on existing housing estates are an ideal location for these homes. Many of them have fallen into disrepair, becoming a magnet for everything from fly tipping to anti-social behaviour. Putting new, attractive and carefully designed houses in their place will not only help deliver much-need new homes, it will also bring new energy and life into these areas, revitalising neighbourhoods and helping to build stronger, more resilient communities,” he added. The eco-homes will be made in hi-tech factory conditions and assembled on site up to 40% faster than traditional construction, helping people move into their new homes sooner. Using smart design to make the best possible use of space, the homes incorporate maximum light and height and sophisticated design and storage solutions to give a sense of space, along with low energy services for modern living. With sustainability at the heart of Gap Home, the factory conditions used for the homes’ construction minimises on-site waste by up to 75% and uses materials that mean the final building has minimal energy requirements for heating, low energy lighting and renewable energy provision through solar panels on the roof, making them low carbon and low in running costs. In addition, due to the standardised elements and factory production, the homes can be produced at volume, keeping prices down whilst helping to meet high demand. A palette of materials and designs will be available allowing people to customise their own homes, including internal finishes, kitchens and bathrooms. The size of garage plots and other small urban spaces means the homes will have a compact footprint. Whilst meeting national space standards they will be an affordable option for first time buyers and those looking to downsize in later life.
The state-of-the-art £3.6 million leisure development in Grantham, Lincoln, held its ground-breaking ceremony. Once completed, the 20,000 sq ft site will house a five-screen, 650 seat cinema, operated by Savoy Cinemas, as well as two retail units. The development forms part of the wider regeneration of Grantham town centre and will include the provision of improved public realm. “We are delighted to be working on this scheme; the project is an important part of the wider regeneration of Grantham, which is currently seeing significant investment to revitalise the town through a range of different schemes,” said Javeed Virk, director at Pick Everard, which acts as the quantity surveyor and NEC contract supervisor of the scheme. “We are very pleased to be involved in delivering this scheme that will bring brand new retail and leisure facilities to the town centre. Pick Everard is involved in delivering quantity surveying and overseeing the running of NEC contracts, ensuring that all parties work together to deliver the project on time and on budget. This is something we have a great deal of expertise and experience in, and we look forward to taking this exciting project to completion,” Javeed added. The project has been procured via the Scape Regional Construction framework, with construction company G F Tomlinson delivering the build. “It’s exciting to see our partners delivering such a state-of-the-art project in the midst of the regeneration plans in Grantham. Scape’s commitment to delivering social value through our Regional Construction framework will ensure the local economy feels the benefits throughout the project’s lifetime and beyond,” commented Victoria Brambini, managing director of Scape Procure. “By engaging the local supply chain, the scheme will create important local employment and training opportunities, and once complete the whole community will benefit from the improved public realm. I look forward to seeing the project progress over the coming months,” she continued. Work on the public realm and building shell are due to be completed by Christmas 2018 to allow interior fit-out work to take place. It is expected that the development will open to the public next Easter.
Balfour Beatty Living Places has won a £103 million highways maintenance contract from Telford and Wrekin Council. The contract is initially for seven years, with the option to extend it for a further seven years. “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract by Telford and Wrekin Council; it builds on our trusted expertise in highways services. We look forward to working closely with the Council and the local community to deliver tangible improvements across the Borough,” said Steve Helliwell, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty Living Places. Working together with the Council, Balfour Beatty will be maintaining the Borough’s 626 miles of highways and 743 miles of footpaths, providing drainage cleansing services, winter fritting and reactive highways maintenance as required. Moreover, Balfour Beatty Living Places will work closely with the council to help deliver its £20 million capital investment programme of planned highways and transport projects to improve roads, paths and highways structures. This will be delivered over the first two years of the contract. Approximately 48 full-time employees will be hired during the works, including four apprentices and graduates. “This is a key contract for the Council at a time when we are investing very heavily in improving roads and footpaths across the Borough through our £45 million Pride in Our Community programme. The savings from the contract will have no effect on the major capital investment that we are making between now and April 2021 targeting roads in particular,” added Councilor Hilda Robert, Cabinet Member for Transport, Roads and Broadband. With work due to commence in April 2019, this partnership is expected to bring an estimated saving of approximately £200,000 a year for the Council through an enhanced management of services.
Increased order books for UK contractors haven’t defeated Brexit uncertainty, with high input costs fuelling fears of a subdued and cooling market for the next 12 months, according to the latest quarterly analysis from leading professional services company, Turner & Townsend. The consultancy’s UK market intelligence report finds that order books have increased by 23.4% in the current financial year (2018-19) while contractors indicate that order books for the next financial year (2019-20) are now 17.5% fuller than they were in Q1. However, contractors report that input costs remain stubbornly high and the company’s price data reveals that contractors expect the cost of a representative basket of construction materials to rise by 5.3% in the coming year. The report, which takes the temperature of the industry’s front line, found that in Q2 more than half of the UK contractors surveyed felt the market will continue to cool over the next 12 months. “While there have been some high-profile examples of financial sector giants swapping the City for the Liffey, for now the exodus remains more threat than reality. Clearly it is incorrect to suggest that the interplay between the two cities is a zero-sum game, and that Dublin’s market is heating up in direct inverse proportion to London’s cooling,” said Paul Connolly, UK Managing Director of cost management at Turner & Townsend. Outside of the UK but less than 300 miles from London, Dublin’s construction market is in the midst of a full-scale boom, with bullish sentiment and strong client demand driving up tender prices at well over double the rate seen in the UK capital. Surveyed contractors forecast that tender prices in Dublin will rise by an average of 6.3% in 2018, while those in London forecast a modest 2.5% increase. “However, a surge in relocation interest has undoubtedly turbo-charged Dublin’s construction market, and it now risks overheating with the city facing the prospect of acute skills shortages and rapid price inflation. While Brexit itself is likely to impact on both sides of the Irish Sea, for now the uncertainty over the nature of the UK departure from the EU is taking a far greater toll in London than in Dublin,” added Paul. The gulf in construction fortunes between the two cities is most stark in terms of market sentiment. Nearly two thirds (63.6%) of contractors in Dublin report that their market is improving and getting warmer compared to just 21.1% of respondents in London. 26.8 percent of contractors expect to see the London market cool. “In challenging markets like London, clients must face down multiple, fast-moving threats with equally agile procurement and project management strategies. The most obvious issue to be confronted is supply chain strain. Clients must remain vigilant and in practical terms, this means re-running credit checks and challenging suppliers on their ability to continue delivering, while also seeking to understand and allay their concerns,” concluded Paul.
Squire & Partners, the architects behind Landmark Manchester (Landmark), a 180,000 sq ft office development, have revealed the key features being implemented in the Grade A, BREEAM Excellent building to ensure that it tops occupiers’ tick lists ahead of its Summer 2019 launch. Currently under construction in Manchester’s central business district at St Peter’s Square, Landmark aims to deliver a world-class professional environment to its occupiers. Barings Real Estate along with development manager Castlebrooke Investments, enlisted award-winning architects Squire & Partners to bring the pivotal scheme to life. Meeting the BREEAM Excellent, Grade A, EPC ‘A’ target rating criteria was a natural start and the Platinum WiredScore accreditation and spectrum of connectivity management features that have followed on will ensure that all potential occupiers can move in and start work immediately with ease. “The overall design and finishes at Landmark are about so much more than just meeting set criteria. The double height reception, with approximately 90 ft glazed frontage onto Oxford Street, was influenced by the previous art deco cinema which sat on the site. The double height interior is treated as a contemporary interpretation of the cinema lobbies of the period, emphasising a sense of theatre and drama upon arrival. The whole building is being constructed with an offset core to enable virtually column-free office space across approximately 14,000 sq ft floor plates, unlike any other in the city centre. The offset core will deliver maximum flexibility for occupiers the majority of which will benefit from uninterrupted views towards the south of the city,” explained Murray Levinson, Partner at Squire and Partners. Barings’ Landmark team includes Castlebrooke Investments as development manager, award-winning architects Squire & Partners, acclaimed lead contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, Gardiner and Theobald as project manager and leasing agents CBRE and Colliers International. The Barings Real Estate team offers a broad range of investment opportunities globally across the public and private debt and equity markets. The team invests across all major property sectors with a focus on global relative value and trend-backed preferred strategies.