Galliford Try’s Highways business has been selected to design and to build the new multimillion pound Carlisle Southern Link Road (CSLR). The new road will connect junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West, providing additional crossings of the River Caldew and River Petteril, and includes the
Glencar has been appointed by Harwell Campus, the world-renowned science and innovation campus, to build a new £150 million Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC) at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. The MITC development will encompass a research, development and manufacturing facility, providing the UK public with access to cutting-edge
Caddick Construction has scooped a £23 million contract to deliver Lancaster’s first extra care facility on behalf of Progress Housing Group. Groundwork has now begun on site with completion due in May 2025. Building on Caddick’s existing healthcare portfolio, this development will boost the provision of specialist residential care for
Countryside Partnerships has secured planning approval for the first phase of Haddon Cross, a new development forming part of the Great Haddon sustainable urban extension to the southwest of Peterborough. The first phase will deliver 157 new homes, of which 78 will be for sale on the open market under
Award-winning architects and interior designers, Marchini Curran Associates, has delivered architectural and interior design services for the landmark Grange Park development in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Working on behalf of Wesleyan, Grange Park business park – formerly the Zurich building in Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham – is undergoing a transformative refurbishment to upgrade
Leeds-based developer, KMRE Group, has revealed its new show apartment, gym and co-working space at The Yacht Club, a luxury waterside development located on the banks of the River Trent. The show apartment offers a first look at the idyllic riverside lifestyle of The Yacht Club development, situated to the
DSM, the global purpose-led science-based company active in health, nutrition and bioscience and BakerHicks, the multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery company, have signed a contract to begin the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) phase of an innovative new production facility in Dalry, Scotland. The new facility will be
City Plumbing, the UK’s leading plumbing and heating merchant, has partnered with technology firm, Vericon Systems, to bring a series of new tools to the market, helping private and social landlords remotely monitor and manage heating systems using real-time data. Vericon uses a universally compatible piece of telematics hardware, called
Carmarthen Hwb, a wellbeing and cultural centre housed in the former Debenhams store in the centre of Carmarthen, has been given the go ahead. A Notice of Commencement was issued on 13th March 2023 and works at the former department store on St Catherine’s Walk will start. Bouygues UK is the
The construction industry provides jobs to millions of people around the planet. This is to say that millions of people may or may not put groceries on the table depending on whether or not the necessary materials for the project at hand are made available on time. In turn, the
Galliford Try’s Highways business has been selected to design and to build the new multimillion pound Carlisle Southern Link Road (CSLR). The new road will connect junction 42 of the M6 with the A595 at Newby West, providing additional crossings of the River Caldew and River Petteril, and includes the construction of four roundabouts, five cycle bridges and four road bridges along an 8km stretch. The new road is vital for the economic growth of Carlisle and will provide supporting infrastructure for the new community at Cuthbert’s Garden Village, bringing significant benefits to the city and the wider county. Commenting on Galliford Try’s appointment to the project, David Lowery, Managing for Galliford Try’s Highways business, said: “We are delighted with this appointment to deliver the new CSLR which strategically aligns to our Sustainable Growth Strategy and builds on our portfolio of high-quality major infrastructure work. “The project will deliver a lasting social impact for the Cumbria community and we look forward to applying our capabilities in innovation, modern methods of construction and, importantly, carbon reduction, working with closely selected local supply chain partners on this much anticipated scheme.” Welcoming the award of contract to Galliford Try, Councillor Keith Little, Cumbria County Council’s outgoing Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “I’m delighted that we have reached this significant milestone in the Carlisle Southern Link Road project. “What once felt like a pipe dream to build this new strategic road, now really feels like it is happening and gathering pace with the appointment of Galliford Try. The benefits the road will bring in connecting East and West Cumbria and unlocking both housing for the new garden village and stimulating economic growth and investment cannot be underestimated.” Work on site is expected to begin in June 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glencar has been appointed by Harwell Campus, the world-renowned science and innovation campus, to build a new £150 million Moderna Innovation and Technology Centre (MITC) at the Harwell Campus in Oxfordshire. The MITC development will encompass a research, development and manufacturing facility, providing the UK public with access to cutting-edge mRNA vaccines for a wide range of respiratory diseases, pending regulatory assessment and license. The new facility will also include a clinical biomarker laboratory – a prefabricated modular laboratory constructed in Northumberland, which will then be installed on the campus. Construction will begin this year, with the facility expected to become operational in 2025, subject to planning and regulatory approvals. The investment will create hundreds of jobs across Oxfordshire and the UK. It will cement Harwell Campus as a national health tech hub for the pioneering research and development of mRNA and other nucleic acid therapeutics. Commenting on the project, Eddie McGillycuddy, CEO, said: “Having successfully delivered The Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) and established a life science office within the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, we are absolutely delighted to now be delivering this pioneering research and development facility.” “Life science and pharmaceutical projects are complex, controlled environments that require significant design and engineering ability to ensure they are delivered correctly,” McGillycuddy explained. “We have expanded our specialist team within this space to push forward and make these facilities a cornerstone of our continued growth in the coming years. We very much look forward to working with the team at Moderna and Merit to develop this important new facility and further expand the thriving health tech cluster at Harwell.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has scooped a £23 million contract to deliver Lancaster’s first extra care facility on behalf of Progress Housing Group. Groundwork has now begun on site with completion due in May 2025. Building on Caddick’s existing healthcare portfolio, this development will boost the provision of specialist residential care for those aged 55 and over in Lancaster, providing a safe and comfortable space for those requiring varying levels of care. The project will see the construction of a 92-unit extra care scheme incorporating one and two-bedroom apartments, with three of the one-bedroom apartments designed to be wheelchair friendly. Two existing buildings will also be converted into 16 one and two-bedroom general needs flats. Additional features such as assisted bathing, spa bathing, hairdressing facility, a games room, roof terraces and a laundry room will also be incorporated. External work will include alterations and remodelling of the existing and stone boundary wall, landscaping, a car park with EV charging points, restoration of all historial sandstone buildings and the installation of external lighting. Ian Threadgold, Managing Director of Caddick Construction for the North West commented: “Extra care facilities such as these are a vital necessity in any community and we’re pleased to be bringing this much needed development to life, on behalf of Progress Housing Group. Caddick’s extensive expertise in the healthcare sector is what has led our specialist team to this development and we’re thrilled to form an integral part of this project.” Rebecca Field, Head of Development at Progress Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with Caddick Construction on our first Extra Care scheme facility and the first in Lancaster. “The scheme will provide homes for people aged 55 and over, with on-site, tailored care and support packages available to help residents live independently. It is hoped that the scheme will be completed by Summer 2025.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Countryside Partnerships has secured planning approval for the first phase of Haddon Cross, a new development forming part of the Great Haddon sustainable urban extension to the southwest of Peterborough. The first phase will deliver 157 new homes, of which 78 will be for sale on the open market under the Countryside Homes brand, and the remaining 79 will be affordable homes that will be owned and managed by Platform Housing Group following a recently signed agreement. 25 affordable homes were required under the planning agreement, with the additional 54 being provided over and above this requirement. Alongside future phases, the scheme will deliver a total of up to 1,499 homes and will include 7.5 hectares of amenity open space, 8.4 hectares of accessible natural green space, three play facilities for children and young people, a 4.5-hectare playing field, a 1-hectare allotment and new water features. This is Countryside’s second scheme within the wider Great Haddon masterplan. It is currently selling homes at Fletton Folly, a development of 347 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses. The wider Great Haddon site has outline planning permission for up to 5,350 new homes, a district centre and two neighbourhood centres comprising retail, community and health, leisure, residential and commercial uses. The planning consent also includes provision for education facilities, sport and recreational facilities, strategic open space, landscaping, associated infrastructure and servicing. Infrastructure works are already underway on the site and construction work on the new homes will start in the coming weeks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning architects and interior designers, Marchini Curran Associates, has delivered architectural and interior design services for the landmark Grange Park development in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Working on behalf of Wesleyan, Grange Park business park – formerly the Zurich building in Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham – is undergoing a transformative refurbishment to upgrade the existing office building with a focus on sustainable retrofit design to modernise the facilities. Set in 14 acres of parkland with over 100 mature trees and access to a further 11 acres of amenity space, Grange Park features three buildings: The Manor, a Grade II listed Gothic Revival house built in 1865 for Cheltenham solicitor Frederick Thomas Griffiths, The Coach House (the Manor’s carriage garage and stables) and The Grange, a 1990s purpose-built office headquarters offering approximately 185,000 sq. ft of high-quality office space. Works started in December 2021, and Marchini Curran Associates are the lead architects and interior designers for the CAT A refurbishment of the existing Grange premises – architecturally a well-considered building in need of modernisation. Phase One of the Cat A refurbishment is due for completion in June. The design approach focuses on upgrading the existing buildings and creation of collaborative shared spaces to encourage interaction between businesses. The refurbished facilities will align with market expectations, celebrating the best of the existing building and its surrounding environment. Key elements include opening up the existing atrium volume, refurbishment of retained key features, considerate integration of accent lighting to model the interior spaces and the use of natural materials referencing the green space of the parkland and rural surroundings. Flexible office suites surround the ‘Street’ (the central atrium) which has been re-imagined as an interior boulevard with shared bench furniture sitting under the canopies of newly planted trees and greenery. Upgrades to space heating and heat recovery ventilation ensure that The Grange is now more energy efficient and benefiting from the addition of roof mounted photovoltaics contributing to the generation of renewable energy. The target for the office suites is to achieve an EPC rating of B, post refurbishment. The approach of retaining and refurbishing existing building elements helps to hugely reduce reliance on landfill and supports the spirit of improving the built environment whilst reducing impacts on the natural world. EV charging points will also be available on site, and a bus service runs every fifteen minutes, helping to further reduce travel emissions. “Fundamentally, our design approach was simply to reinvigorate the existing office building and to celebrate the best of its substantial natural surroundings,” said Antony Phillips, design director at Marchini Curran Associates. “Collaborative and open spaces integrated with the environment, free flowing interiors, and sustainable elements all formed part of our wider design vision and once complete, Grange Park will provide a high-quality business destination in the South West, attracting clients looking for an inspirational, integrated base to adapt and grow from.” Grange Park is situated in a prime location close to the M5, just three miles from Cheltenham town centre and approximately four miles from GCHQ. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leeds-based developer, KMRE Group, has revealed its new show apartment, gym and co-working space at The Yacht Club, a luxury waterside development located on the banks of the River Trent. The show apartment offers a first look at the idyllic riverside lifestyle of The Yacht Club development, situated to the south of Trent Lane, in close proximity to The Hook nature reserve, Central Avenue and Nottingham City Centre – which can be reached in just a 25-minute walk. The energy-efficient apartment comes complete with two bedrooms, including an ensuite bathroom and main bathroom, an open integrated kitchen and living space, as well as a south-facing private balcony with breath-taking riverside views. The development – which is now 70% sold – boasts an on-site gym, with panoramic windows looking out onto the river and nature reserve, providing convenient state-of-the-art exercise facilities without the need to commute. A dedicated co-working space is also available to residents who want to work alongside the calming riverside, which is an ideal spot for those in hybrid or remote working roles who are looking for a change of scenery during the working week. A concierge service will be on hand to ensure that the buildings are maintained, and security is monitored, for convenience and peace of mind. To celebrate the completion of the new show apartment, co-working space and gym, KMRE hosted a ‘First look’ launch event to showcase the new spaces to prospective buyers, with exclusive viewings and consultations with agents Pygott & Crone and FHP Living. The development will also benefit from a pedestrian footpath which stretches along the riverside, creating a safer and more convenient public access to the river’s network of paths and cycle ways, and in front of the development a decked communal seating area will be situated for residents to enjoy, as well as access to water sports such as paddle boarding. Over the next five years, council plans will see the surrounding areas regenerated and brought to life including a long-awaited pedestrian footbridge which will connect Lady Bay with Trent Basin. This will be the first bridge to be built on the River Trent in more than 60 years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
DSM, the global purpose-led science-based company active in health, nutrition and bioscience and BakerHicks, the multi-disciplinary design, engineering and project delivery company, have signed a contract to begin the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) phase of an innovative new production facility in Dalry, Scotland. The new facility will be the first large-scale production plant for Bovaer®. Bovaer® is DSM’s innovative feed additive to reduce intestinal methane emissions from cattle by approximately 30% in dairy cows and 45% on average for beef cattle. With this innovation, farmers can significantly reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and thereby make a positive contribution in the fight against climate change. DSM first collaborated with BakerHicks on the initial concept stage, which began in 2021. They were appointed Principal Designer in 2021, responsible for developing and coordinating the concept and basic design. BakerHicks will now take the project through the detailed engineering, procurement and construction phases, up to handover and commissioning, which is expected to take place in 2025. They have provided multi-disciplinary design and engineering services throughout, including process and mechanical; piping; electrical, control and instrumentation; architecture; civil and structural; building services; HSE; project and construction management; and procurement. The BakerHicks team, a collaboration of local expertise from their UK offices and specialist process knowledge from their Swiss operations, have worked closely with DSM throughout. This included producing a fully integrated, intelligent model to accommodate the complex process technology into the Building Information Management (BIM) model. DSM broke ground in November 2022, and construction on site has since commenced. BakerHicks are currently finalising the detailed design for the project, supporting the procurement phase and will soon appoint construction contractors and equipment vendors, with an emphasis on local specialists and suppliers to further ensure sustainable working practices. The development of the Bovaer® plant at DSM’s Dalry site has been supported by the Scottish Government through Scottish Enterprise, the national agency supporting economic development and innovation, and former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, attended the site’s groundbreaking ceremony on 30th November 2022. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
City Plumbing, the UK’s leading plumbing and heating merchant, has partnered with technology firm, Vericon Systems, to bring a series of new tools to the market, helping private and social landlords remotely monitor and manage heating systems using real-time data. Vericon uses a universally compatible piece of telematics hardware, called the Boiler Control Module (BCM), that can be connected to each boiler in the housing portfolio. From here, data is centrally collated in real-time to continually monitor the health of the heating system. As well as allowing customers to monitor system efficiency, the technology notifies housing providers of the fault code when detected, allowing the right engineer with the right part to be sent to complete the repair. “By working with Vericon we’re able to help social housing providers and local authorities take a more proactive approach to the mitigation and prevention of mould and damp at a time when such a solution is critically needed,” said Dave Griggs, Managing Director of Spares at City Plumbing. “As a specialist in plumbing and heating supplies and an advocate for new technologies, City Plumbing is actively developing and supplying solutions that give its social housing customers the tools they need to improve their homes. This latest collaboration with Vericon is just one in a series of digital tools and partnerships designed to enhance diagnostics and servicing.” Through real time monitoring, housing providers are in complete control, being first to know about potential issues with heating systems before the residents may even be aware of them. To measure temperature and humidity and alert housing providers of potential mould and damp issues within a property, Vericon has also developed the MultiDot. By gaining valuable insights from this aggregated data, landlords can conduct preventative maintenance, take early action, and advise residents on how best to avoid humid conditions that can lead to mould. “Using the latest in technical innovations and smart devices, social landlords and housing associations can more effectively maintain heating health in their properties, ensuring a healthier environment for their residents and preventing costly maintenance issues by identifying problems before they become severe,” added Jorden Guest, Marketing Manager for Vericon Systems. The partnership between Vericon and City Plumbing comes at a time when the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) is calling for housing providers to respond swiftly to the sector-wide damp and mould issue. Following the inquest into the tragic death of two-year old Awaab Ishak, the RSH published a report revealing between 40-80,000 social homes in England have serious category-two damp and mould hazards. With Vericon’s monitored and connected technologies, providers can tackle boiler faults quickly and efficiently and identify homes at a high risk of mould. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Carmarthen Hwb, a wellbeing and cultural centre housed in the former Debenhams store in the centre of Carmarthen, has been given the go ahead. A Notice of Commencement was issued on 13th March 2023 and works at the former department store on St Catherine’s Walk will start. Bouygues UK is the preferred bidder for the project, which is a collaboration between Carmarthenshire County Council, Hywel Dda University Health Board and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD). Funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, the Hwb will be a public space which will promote preventative health care and wellbeing. It will house council teams that can help residents with employment support and lifelong learning opportunities, will house a gym, as well as be home to some of the county’s museum collections in a state-of-the-art culture, leisure and exhibition space. The project has been funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. It will also be a base for Carmarthen town’s tourist information centre, council customer services as well as access to further and higher education for local people, delivered by the UWTSD Group, which includes Coleg Sir Gâr and Hywel Dda University Health Board. “It is great that this next stage of the planning process has been granted and we can start work on this redevelopment, which will bring nearly 8,000 square metres of commercial space in the town centre back to life,” said John Boughton, Managing Director of Wales for Bouygues UK. “Refurbishing rather than rebuilding this former department store ties in with Bouygues UK’s commitment to climate and the environment. We have ambitious plans to decarbonise, reduce water and energy use, as well as decrease waste generated on site by 40% by 2030. This is a unique development that brings together health, education and public services under one roof – serving the local community at an easily accessible base, and will be an amazing resource for all who use it,” John added. Housed in the former Debenhams department store in St Catherine’s Walk, it is expected that once open to the public it will increase footfall for the town centre and drive further economic resilience for local traders and retailers. When the store closed in May 2021 the knock-on effect on trade in the town centre was significant. It is hoped that the new centre, the first of its kind in Carmarthenshire, will encourage more people from the region into Carmarthen town centre to take advantage of all of the public and leisure services that will be available under one roof. Bouygues UK has already been working closely with sub-contractors from the area on its other project at Pentre Awel in Llanelli, and will continue to do so at the Carmarthenshire Hwb project – with a further commitment to upskill all those working in its supply chain on the importance of embedding sustainability into their work. This is excellent news, as the Carmarthen HWB will provide a range of public services under one roof. Working in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board and University of Wales Trinity Saint David, we intend to bring this prime commercial space back into use to help boost the local economy and transform the town centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The construction industry provides jobs to millions of people around the planet. This is to say that millions of people may or may not put groceries on the table depending on whether or not the necessary materials for the project at hand are made available on time. In turn, the availability of construction materials depends on the availability of intermediate chemicals such as resins, adhesives, polymers, admixtures, and additives used in manufacturing them. This piece seeks to shed some light on five different types of intermediate chemicals used in construction, starting with where you can find them. Where to Buy Intermediate Chemicals, e.g. Melamine In an age where construction and real estate are some of the fastest-growing industries, one of many things holds true. You can find a wide range of intermediate chemicals to suit your construction needs at your local home improvement store or a reliable chemical plant online. And if your guess is as good as anyone’s, this includes the popular melamine. It is used in the production of some of the most commonly used resins among construction businesses, thanks to its notable stability against wear and tear, robust strength, and cost-effectiveness. These resins are often a precursor in the production of decorative laminates, adhesives, molding compounds, flame retardants, and concrete additives, among others! Other Common Intermediate Chemicals in Construction Intermediate chemicals are essential components used to manufacture building materials used in construction projects. They provide strength and flexibility to ensure end products like paints, adhesives, concrete mixes, and mortar have increased durability against wear and tear over time. Besides melamine, some of these crucial chemicals include formaldehyde, acrylics, phenolics, and isocyanates; all of which are valuable ingredients worth learning about for any growing construction business. Formaldehyde is one of the most popular intermediate chemicals used in construction. It’s a reliable bonding agent that provides superior adhesion properties and thermal stability, while also offering protection from weather damage and oxidation. Also, it can be used to increase resistance to impact and fire damage on surfaces like walls, floors, or roofs being built with concrete mixes or plasterboard sheets. Acrylics are another set of essential intermediate chemicals that add durability and water resistance to construction projects. They have the ability to bridge small gaps in masonry, making them ideal for intermediate chemicals, such as sealing around windows and doors or even creating sealant joints along a building’s exterior walls. In addition, they can be added as integral components of concrete mixes to improve strength and reduce cracking due to weather conditions or subsidence. Phenolics are perhaps the most versatile intermediate chemicals used in construction. They can be used to create strong and durable surfaces, waterproof paint jobs, and fireproof sealants. Additionally, they provide anti-corrosion properties which makes them ideal for use on metal structures such as bridges or industrial buildings that need superior protection from corrosion. Phenolic compounds also provide excellent self-healing abilities when applied over any type of defect in a substrate material like steel or concrete. Isocyanates are versatile, intermediate chemicals used in constructions that provide excellent adhesion properties and waterproofing capabilities. They can be used to seal joints along external walls, stabilize brickwork, or grout elements between tiles. Furthermore, isocyanates offer the final layer of protection against moisture ingress, which makes them ideal for semi-porous surfaces such as plasterboard or plywood sheets. They help prevent any further damage from dampness and water infiltration over time in manufactured board products. In conclusion, intermediate chemicals such as resins, adhesives, polymers, admixtures, and additives are essential components of the construction industry. These provide – amongst others – durability, robustness, and waterproofing capabilities to building materials, which makes them an invaluable part of today’s society.
