Morgan Sindall Construction and other partners in the construction industry, has been selected by LocatED and the Department for Education (DfE) to work on a new feasibly study to decarbonise education estates in England. As part of the study, the Morgan Sindall team will undertake a series of feasibility studies
Plans to develop over 20 high-quality, energy-efficient council homes on a derelict site on Perry Road in Staple Tye, Harlow, have been given the go-ahead. The proposals were submitted by The Harlow Regeneration Partnership (HRP), an equal partnership between Harlow Council and award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group. The plans form
Contractor Stepnell has commenced construction work on a new state-of-the-art forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire. Helping to deliver the tailored school design is construction consultancy Bentley, who are acting as employer’s agent and quantity surveyors for the project. Stepnell is leading the construction works of the two-form entry school which
Beard Construction has been named as the chosen contractor by Gloucestershire College for its £5 million sustainable construction centre in Cheltenham. The project, which is set to begin this month, will see the construction of the 14,000 square-foot facility and will feature 10 plumbing bays, 12 electrical bays and 20
Housebuilder The Hill Group has submitted plans for the Amerind Grove site on Raleigh Road in Bristol, which was once the site of the Wills Tobacco Factory, to develop over 100 high-quality, sustainable new homes. Hill will deliver three, four, and five-bedroom family houses, as well as one and two-bedroom
The Civic Mayor of Doncaster, Councillor Duncan Anderson, recently attended the official ground-breaking ceremony for De Maulay Manor, Harron Homes’ newest development in New Rossington, Doncaster. De Maulay Manor will offer 105 high-specification homes on a 12-acre site, with two showhomes anticipated by March 2024, and the first residents expected
Cavanna Homes is investing in training the next generation of homebuilders in the construction industry, teaching vital skills to on-site and office staff as part of the homebuilder’s commitment to nurturing talent. Under the leadership of People & Culture Manager, Sophie Aylott, who joined Cavanna Homes earlier this year, the
The jaw-dropping scale of the steep-tiered south stand at Everton Stadium is visible for the first time following the installation of terracing. Virtually all of the double-stepped concrete terracing units are now in place in the stand, which will eventually house over 13,000 Evertonians. The next major visual change will
Local housebuilder Harron Homes has donated 30 pairs of high-quality wellies to the children of Staveley Primary Junior School in Staveley, Chesterfield, close to Harron Homes’ Thorpe Meadows development. Staveley Junior School is part of the Outdoor Play And Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme, which aims to encourage creative outdoor play
Dorset Council’s Northern Area Planning Committee members have voted strongly to support plans by Dorset-based Wyatt Homes on land northeast of Blandford Forum. This comes after extensive consultation and engagement with the community. The new plans sought full planning consent for 150 new family homes and outline planning permission for
Morgan Sindall Construction and other partners in the construction industry, has been selected by LocatED and the Department for Education (DfE) to work on a new feasibly study to decarbonise education estates in England. As part of the study, the Morgan Sindall team will undertake a series of feasibility studies which have been chosen based on criteria including potential carbon savings, capital/ROI and operational impact. Using our approach to intelligent solutions and inhouse whole life carbon tools such as CarboniCa, the team will utilise their experience to propose decarbonisation solutions for the chosen schools. LocatED announced the start of a feasibility study for its Net Zero Accelerator programme on 9 November – a scheme that aims to facilitate the rapid rollout of decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate. Delivery partners have been selected to take part in a feasibility study that will work with 50 schools from across England to explore the commercial viability of a range of decarbonisation interventions. The concept of the Net Zero Accelerator is to create a ‘one stop shop’ to fund and deliver decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate through a new national service. This will provide responsible bodies, such as local authorities and multi-academy trusts, with a low burden service to address building condition and energy efficiency to help improve their estate including the delivery of decarbonisation interventions. Furthermore, the programme will aim to reduce risk to responsible bodies as well as the time and resources they put into decarbonisation. This will be achieved by requiring no upfront payment; through sharing the risk of delivery with external market partners; and arranging the intervention work and funding for them. Commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to create and run the programme, LocatED launched the Net Zero Accelerator in August this year with a market engagement session attracting over 270 participants. With Net Zero a key aim of the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy for the education system, the programme aims to help deliver this. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to develop over 20 high-quality, energy-efficient council homes on a derelict site on Perry Road in Staple Tye, Harlow, have been given the go-ahead. The proposals were submitted by The Harlow Regeneration Partnership (HRP), an equal partnership between Harlow Council and award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group. The plans form part of the council’s priorities to rebuild the town and improve housing stock in the surrounding area. The HRP received unanimous approval from Harlow’s Development Management Committee for the redevelopment of the former Lister House site, which becomes the first to be delivered by the partnership. Councillor Michael Hardware, Harlow Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for economic development, said: “Not only will this development deliver much-needed homes for Harlow residents, but it will also contribute to the regeneration and renewal of Staple Tye. The former Lister House site has been sitting derelict for far too long and now I am pleased to say we can get on with the job of rebuilding this area of Staple Tye. “These high-quality apartments will be some of the most energy-efficient homes in Harlow and they will all be delivered by the Harlow Regeneration Partnership, which was only recently launched to accelerate the rebuild of our town. We look forward to working with The Hill Group on this development.” Tom Hill, Managing Director at The Hill Group, said: “We are delighted to receive planning approval for our first site in partnership with Harlow Council, contributing to the regeneration of the town’s housing. This first exciting development is just the beginning for the Harlow Regeneration Partnership, and we look forward, not only to starting on site at Perry Road but to delivering many more high-quality, genuinely affordable, sustainable homes for Harlow’s communities in the future.” The development will include four one-bedroom apartments and 20 two-bedroom apartments, with commercial space on the ground floor. Each home will have access to electrical vehicle charging points, and the plans include an allocation of 24 car parking spaces and 32 cycle spaces, with a further four car parking spaces and 10 cycle spaces for commercial use. The gas-free development will feature photovoltaic panels installed on the roof, and heating and hot water will be provided via air-source heat pumps, helping residents keep their electricity bills low. Biodiversity at the Perry Road site will be carefully managed through the planting of new trees, and there will be attractively landscaped areas situated around the development. Hill will take possession of the Perry Road site in November 2023, with work due to begin in Spring 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Stepnell has commenced construction work on a new state-of-the-art forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire. Helping to deliver the tailored school design is construction consultancy Bentley, who are acting as employer’s agent and quantity surveyors for the project. Stepnell is leading the construction works of the two-form entry school which was designed by Lungfish Architects and led by land regeneration company, Harworth Group. The primary school in Swinfen Vale is due to open in September 2024 for the new school year and is the county’s first forest school, a model which endeavors to nurture creativity in line with play and activity to promote education. Lauren Allsop, senior project manager at Bentley spoke on construction starting on site, said: “The groundbreaking ceremony that recently took place was a significant step forward in what is an incredibly exciting project for us at Bentley. This project acts as a change of trajectory for education in the region and we’re proud to be able to use our expertise to see it come to life.” The construction of the school will consist of a series of pavilions, designed to offer a range of flexible teaching spaces including shared and outside areas. These classroom spaces have been designed to ensure optimal lighting and ventilation throughout. Tom Sewell, Regional Director at Stepnell, said: “The creative and sustainable design of the project aligns well with our complete construction offering at Stepnell. We’re proud of our ability to continuously create quality developments in the education sector and this project will be no exception. “As we continue to grow our strong regional reputation in the East Midlands, we’re excited to be working with Bentley Project Management and partners on what is an incredible project to expand the school offerings for the people of Coalville and the surrounding region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard Construction has been named as the chosen contractor by Gloucestershire College for its £5 million sustainable construction centre in Cheltenham. The project, which is set to begin this month, will see the construction of the 14,000 square-foot facility and will feature 10 plumbing bays, 12 electrical bays and 20 bays for carpentry, as well as four classrooms. With sustainability at its core, the training provision will be based on nationally set pathways and will embrace low-carbon energy and associated skills. In total, the construction centre will provide hands-on experience, expert training and key green skills to 164 learners every week. The new construction training centre forms part of the college’s vision to prepare the workforce of the future. It aims to help address the increasing demand for skilled construction workers in the region, which is projected to reach 6,400 annually by 2025. The facility also coincides with the shift towards net-zero carbon technologies in construction. Beard is working closely with the college and all partners to keep both staff and students safe and to minimise disruption. The project is being delivered through Beard’s Swindon office, with the contractor working alongside architects Roberts Limbrick, project managers Ridge and Partners LLP, quantity surveyors Ward Williams Associates and structural engineers Simpson Associates. Jamie Harwood, director at Beard, said: “Gloucestershire College has an exciting vision to not only increase routes into the industry, but to ensure new recruits are skilled to meet the challenges and opportunities of sustainability. These principles are key drivers for us at Beard and we are delighted to be working with the college as its chosen contractor. “For more than 130 years, Beard has built an established reputation in the education sector, whether it’s in primary, secondary, SEND provision or further education. We will utilise this expertise to help Gloucestershire College deliver a cutting-edge teaching and learning space for construction.” Matthew Burgess, principal at Gloucestershire College, added: “Our selection of Beard Construction is rooted in its exceptional reputation and demonstrated commitment to sustainable and high-quality builds. We sought a partner who shares our vision of preparing the talent of tomorrow for the evolving construction landscape. Beard’s proven expertise, coupled with its focus on minimising disruption and maximising collaboration, aligns with our objectives and we look forward to working with them over the coming year.” Across its offices in Swindon, Bristol, Oxford and Guildford, Beard has completed a number of projects within the education sector. In addition to extensive work in further education – including for Oxford University and its colleges, Beard has completed projects in primary, secondary and special education. The training centre marks a return to Cheltenham for Beard following the successful completion of The Quadrangle, a £12 million office refurbishment and extension project in the town centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder The Hill Group has submitted plans for the Amerind Grove site on Raleigh Road in Bristol, which was once the site of the Wills Tobacco Factory, to develop over 100 high-quality, sustainable new homes. Hill will deliver three, four, and five-bedroom family houses, as well as one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom maisonettes, building on its reputation for developing sustainable community-focused residential projects. Approximately one-third (30%) of the homes will be affordable. Hill’s plans will revitalise the 3.5-acre site previously occupied by a care home, significantly increasing housing availability in the popular Southville neighbourhood. Hill has selected a Bristol-based architect to partner with on the design of the homes, drawing on the area’s classic terraced vernacular to create well-appointed, high-quality modern homes. The development will link to the surrounding area by two new tree-lined access roads. Hill has appointed a professional guardian service to provide short-term, affordable accommodation for local people during the planning process. All applicants seeking to be a short-term guardian living at the property will be independently assessed and required to sign a code of conduct. Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, commented: “There is an acute housing shortage in Bristol, particularly for family homes. We have worked with the local Southville community to ensure our planning application for the Amerind Grove site will help address local housing needs. It will provide a sustainable development of over 100 high-quality, energy-efficient family homes, including over 30 much-needed affordable homes for local people, and we look forward to working with Bristol City Council to successfully progress this application.” Built with sustainability in mind, the homes at Raleigh Road will feature high levels of insulation and airtightness. The properties will exceed energy regulations through the use of low-carbon technology and energy-efficient design, including air-source heat pumps to provide gas-free heating and hot water. Permeable paving, green roofs, rain gardens, and underground water tanks will also be included within the development to minimise surface water run-off; Hill is committed to environmental conservation and aims to achieve over 20% biodiversity net gain on this development. To encourage sustainable transport and reduce the total number of cars, approximately 185 cycle parking spaces will be provided. The construction phase will also provide local residents with employment and training opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Civic Mayor of Doncaster, Councillor Duncan Anderson, recently attended the official ground-breaking ceremony for De Maulay Manor, Harron Homes’ newest development in New Rossington, Doncaster. De Maulay Manor will offer 105 high-specification homes on a 12-acre site, with two showhomes anticipated by March 2024, and the first residents expected to have moved in shortly afterwards. Catering to first-time buyers, downsizers, families and couples alike, De Maulay Manor is designed to appeal to everyone. A mix of three, four and five-bedroom homes will make up the development, which will be delivered under new regulations that include enhanced insulation and the installation of air source heat pumps, saving residents money on energy bills while boosting sustainability. In addition, street trees, cycle paths and footpaths will be provided to add a spot of greenery, and bird and bat boxes will help local wildlife flourish in the new environment. These green surroundings will complement the semi-rural setting of the development, which is positioned in close proximity to several scenic country trails and walks. In line with Harron Homes’ fusion of rural and city life, the development will also offer excellent commuter access to the nearby city of Doncaster. Natalie Griffiths, Sales and Marketing Director for Harron Homes North Midlands, said: “We were pleased Councillor Anderson could join us for this significant milestone as we start to lay the foundations for this exciting new development. Investing in local communities is something very important to us at Harron Homes; we look forward to seeing this Doncaster site completed and having our very first residents move in.” Councillor Anderson added, “It was fantastic to visit the site in progress and get a glimpse of the potential of this development. I’m excited to see De Maulay Manor become a brand new addition to the community of New Rossington.” A variety of buying schemes will be available for buyers to take advantage of, including Part Exchange and Home Buyers Schemes which expedite and simplify the moving process for a smooth and stress-free move. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cavanna Homes is investing in training the next generation of homebuilders in the construction industry, teaching vital skills to on-site and office staff as part of the homebuilder’s commitment to nurturing talent. Under the leadership of People & Culture Manager, Sophie Aylott, who joined Cavanna Homes earlier this year, the firm is recruiting new apprentices to join its latest qualifiers. Richard Penhaligon started his IT apprenticeship in 2022 and has now qualified and is working as an IT Assistant at the homebuilder’s Torquay head office. Katie Moore and Matt Churchill are due to complete their apprenticeships in HR and Quantity Surveying later this year and both have been offered full-time positions to continue building their careers with Cavanna Homes. Sophie said: “Encouraging the next generation to consider a career in construction and nurturing talent is vital to ensuring we have the skills and people in place to ensure we can continue building high-quality, new homes into our next century. “As a regional recruiter, we’re proud to offer and support alternative routes into homebuilding to create equal opportunities for all our staff and encourage young adults to explore the opportunities available to them.” Rebecca Carruthers, who joined Cavanna Homes as a Site Operative before being promoted to Trainee Assistant Site Manager, has now completed her NHBC Level 4 Management course. She is now working at the firm’s Equinox III development in Exeter as an Assistant Site Manager. Rebecca is now using her experience to encourage other women to consider construction as a career. She said: “From the building site to the boardroom – there are so many different and exciting roles available to women within the construction and homebuilding industry. I want to help highlight these to change the common misconception that working in construction is only about being on-site. “There are so many training schemes and entry-level roles available now, so women should feel empowered and confident to apply and try their hand at a new skill. That’s exactly what I did and I haven’t looked back since.” This year’s apprentices will gain first-hand work experience and mentoring from Cavanna Homes’ skilled teams while also attending college to gain an NVQ. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The jaw-dropping scale of the steep-tiered south stand at Everton Stadium is visible for the first time following the installation of terracing. Virtually all of the double-stepped concrete terracing units are now in place in the stand, which will eventually house over 13,000 Evertonians. The next major visual change will see blue seats installed in the upper sections, as part of the ongoing programme which has spread across the north stand – and aims to have them in place across the whole upper tier of the bowl by Christmas. Externally, the south stand is also showing off its new façade following the installation of glazing in the second level concourse. The angled panels, which stretch across the entire face of the stand, have been designed to reflect the water from the adjoining Nelson Dock and help tie the stadium into its maritime surroundings. Meanwhile, the first giant speakers have been positioned into the roof spaces of the north stand. The curved units will hang from all four stands as part of the PA system. This has coincided with the departure from site of the last 600 tonne crawler crane, which was used mainly in the complex construction of the roof. A service tunnel, left open in the east stand to provide vehicular access to the pitch area, can therefore be closed off now in preparation for lower terracing units being installed. Work also continues to finish off the restoration of the historic Hydraulic Tower and Engine House. The buildings, dating back to 1883, have been lovingly renovated using existing and salvaged brickwork, new zinc roofing and the installation of windows sympathetic to the original design. A decorative capstan was this week reinstated at the entrance to the Hydraulic Tower, again as a nod to the building’s huge importance in the dock’s rich maritime history. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Local housebuilder Harron Homes has donated 30 pairs of high-quality wellies to the children of Staveley Primary Junior School in Staveley, Chesterfield, close to Harron Homes’ Thorpe Meadows development. Staveley Junior School is part of the Outdoor Play And Learning (OPAL) Primary Programme, which aims to encourage creative outdoor play in schools, leading to increased focus in the classroom and the ability for children to regulate their behaviours. In fact, schools applying OPAL’s play-focused approach have seen a reduction of recorded behavioural incidents by around 80%. Staveley Junior School is a school of 146 children serving the community of Staveley, which aims to provide an excellent education while providing pupils with life experiences they might not be able to access at home, including opportunities to play, be creative, and learn outdoors. In light of this, Staveley Primary School is on a mission to develop its outdoor space while implementing the Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL) scheme over the next 18 months. A core part of this project is ensuring the pupils have suitable outdoor attire for rainy days and during the colder seasons. Harron Homes’ generous donation of wellies constitutes a significant contribution toward this need, equipping the children with comfortable, durable wellies for fun and educational outdoor activities. Sue Parkes, Headteacher at Staveley Junior School, said, “The children are delighted with the wellies. They’ve already started learning outdoors, but this will allow them to continue to do so through-out the upcoming winter months so that they can get the benefits of outdoor learning throughout the year. “Many of our families would not be able to equip their children with outdoor attire of their own – particularly at this time of rising costs across the board. Harron Homes’ donation of these high-quality wellies is therefore a huge help, and we would like to extend our gratitude towards everyone at the company.” Natalie Griffiths, Sales and Marketing Director for Harron Homes North Midlands, said: “Harron Homes is a housebuilder with community at its heart. We are dedicated to the communities where we build and make it a priority to support schools local to our developments. Last year we donated hi-vis jackets to the pupils of Inkersall Primary Academy in Chesterfield to help them during Walk to School Month, and it’s great to be able to help out another school this year. “All children deserve the opportunity to learn in a creative and dynamic way, and we’re excited to see how Staveley Primary School develops its outdoor play offering for these bright young minds.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dorset Council’s Northern Area Planning Committee members have voted strongly to support plans by Dorset-based Wyatt Homes on land northeast of Blandford Forum. This comes after extensive consultation and engagement with the community. The new plans sought full planning consent for 150 new family homes and outline planning permission for a further 340 on a site adjoining the A354 and A350. The project will also provide new pedestrian and cycle connections and 30% of the homes will be affordable. The housebuilder also plans to plant over 2,000 new trees throughout the site and more than 40 acres of public open space will make up nearly 50% of the development. The new homes will prioritise energy efficiency and use advanced technologies to minimise CO2 emissions. This includes high levels of insulation, top-tier glazing, solar PV panels, wastewater heat recovery and heat pumps. Furthermore, this development will set aside land for a potential future school, allotments, a community hall, shops, and play facilities. It will also establish new cycling and pedestrian pathways and improve bus infrastructure, with upgraded stops and the possibility of extending existing routes. Speaking at the Dorset Council’s Northern Planning Committee, David Wyatt, CEO of Wyatt Homes said, “We are proud of the places we create and committed to building well-designed, high-quality homes using local materials and locally based contractors. “We will do our utmost to make this an exceptional development that not only Wyatt Homes is proud of, but the local community is proud of too.” Tim Hoskinson, Planning Director for Wyatt Homes said, “We are delighted with this strong positive endorsement by the planning committee, these plans are the largest zero carbon ready application that has come before the planning committee, will deliver much needed new homes including vital affordable homes in Dorset. “We would like to thank those who commented on the plans during the extensive public consultation over several years, as well as Dorset councillors, those on the Planning Committee and Council Officers. This is a complex application and the comprehensive level of scrutiny by officers and detailed consideration by members shows the planning system working at its best.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
