Wirral Council has approved plans to build The Maritime Knowledge Hub at Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters. The Hub will be a high-level industrial and maritime facility, supporting the region’s £5 billion maritime ecosystem where research and innovation will focus on making the most of the incredible opportunities that decarbonisation of
A consultation has launched over plans to develop a sustainable housing scheme and new public parkland at land west of Elton Reservoir in Bury. Residents of Radcliffe and Bury are being asked for their feedback on Peel L&P’s proposals which include new open spaces and parkland with leisure and nature
Caddick Construction has completed United Healthcare Developments healthcare centre in Carlisle. Building work at Carlisle Healthcare South Hub began in 2021 and has seen the creation of a BREEAM Outstanding development, with a large proportion of the building’s power supplied by renewable energy through rooftop photovoltaic panels. Determined to address
A care home and a Co-op will soon be coming to a new development in Lichfield after a leading property consultancy negotiated two separate land sales. Roman Heights in Streethay will see a care village complex with 78 apartments and 60 bungalows with associated parking and communal facilities, and a
Humber-based firm Hobson & Porter has been selected by RWE to complete the construction of its new operations & maintenance facility known as the Grimsby Hub. The multi-million pound contract includes an extension to the existing Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm operations base located at Grimsby’s Royal Dock, and includes
Hockley Croft, Harron Homes’ development of stunning four and five-bedroom houses in Boroughbridge, has proven popular with buyers, with less than a quarter of the homes left to buy. Among the home styles remaining is the Lumsdale, a stylish and spacious four-bedroom property which offers versatile living over three floors.
In an industry that has traditionally been predominantly dominated by men, Cannock-based housebuilder Jessup Partnerships is looking to encourage talented women into the workforce and has produced a video to mark International Women’s Day to help inspire other women to consider a career in construction. Site Manager, Kirsty Lynch, originally
Renewable developers Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables have unveiled the first completed kittiwake nesting structures to support consented offshore wind farms. Global kittiwake population has been estimated to have fallen by around 40% since the 1970s, so the kittiwake hotels are vital to protect the species. The nests will be able
Plans have been submitted for the second phase to restore Oldham’s Old Library. Digital modelling from the architect shows a modern interior that opens the building back up to the public, makes use of the space and preserves many of its original features. “This building has been special to many
Wates has secured planning for a second phase of land in Windsor to deliver an additional 320 new homes. Its Developments business has secured local planning approval for the new homes and a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school on a second phase of land west of Windsor. The sustainable development,
Wirral Council has approved plans to build The Maritime Knowledge Hub at Peel L&P’s Wirral Waters. The Hub will be a high-level industrial and maritime facility, supporting the region’s £5 billion maritime ecosystem where research and innovation will focus on making the most of the incredible opportunities that decarbonisation of the global $3trillion maritime sector brings. The Hub will also include business accelerator space and conference facilities for both the marine sector and the local business community. Designed by architects Ellis Williams Architects, the Maritime Knowledge Hub will be an architectural landmark and is set to be one of the most important parts of the entire Wirral Waters regeneration project, which will drive economic growth and job creation to the Liverpool City Region and beyond. Set within the existing 19th century Hydraulic Tower building and Engine House, originally designed by Jesse Hartley’s son, John Bernard Hartley, as a copy of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the Maritime Knowledge Hub project will breathe new life into the building. The architects and design team worked to maximise the sustainability of the project whilst retaining as much of the building’s original character as possible, complementing the iconic tower with the creation of a new 4 storey extension to accommodate some of the country’s most famous and innovative maritime organisations. The facility will be industry led and will drive research and innovation by bringing education, businesses and Government together within the maritime sector. Support for the sector is critical to the economy – with a direct turnover of £55billion, and an overall economic impact of £116bn to the UK, the UK’s maritime sector contributes more than rail and aviation combined. The world leading research and innovation within the Maritime Knowledge Hub will have a particular focus on the decarbonisation of the maritime industry as well as technology transfer from other industries. It will also bring education, employers and businesses together to drive innovation and research within the marine and maritime sectors. Wirral Council granted planning permission yesterday after the application was submitted in May 2022. Project partners include Peel L&P, Mersey Maritime, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Wirral Council, alongside a number of industry partners. It is expected that the project will be on site in 2023. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A consultation has launched over plans to develop a sustainable housing scheme and new public parkland at land west of Elton Reservoir in Bury. Residents of Radcliffe and Bury are being asked for their feedback on Peel L&P’s proposals which include new open spaces and parkland with leisure and nature uses, health facilities, new primary schools and improved access to Radcliffe to support the ongoing regeneration of the local area. New transport improvements and more sustainable travel options would ease congestion around Bury and Radcliffe town centres including a new link road connecting Bury in the north with Radcliffe in the south. This will provide a new north-south travel corridor including a high-quality bus route and safer facilities for cyclists and pedestrians. There could also be a new Metrolink station and travel hub at Warth Fold. The project represents an investment worth half a billion pounds to the area and brings further economic benefits to both towns creating 240 full time jobs each year during construction and over 100 additional jobs for residents. The proposals would also see over £75 million spent in local shops and leisure facilities by new residents and a council tax revenue for Bury Council of £9m to help improve local services further. The land west of Elton Reservoir is included in the emerging Places for Everyone (PfE) plan, which sets out how each borough can meet the local need for new homes, jobs and sustainable growth. PfE has earmarked the site for up to 3,500 new homes which would include affordable housing options and homes to buy or rent for families, first-time buyers and downsizers as well as retirement and extra care living. Homes would be highly energy efficient and sustainably designed, to lower running costs for residents. The plans have been formed around the Elton and Withins reservoirs, which will be retained and enhanced, and seek to complement the current natural landscape. Over two-thirds of the site will remain as green space and parkland and the planned new neighbourhood would be well-connected to nature, with green space that will be made more accessible to all and extend beyond the current rights of way to help improve people’s health and wellbeing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has completed United Healthcare Developments healthcare centre in Carlisle. Building work at Carlisle Healthcare South Hub began in 2021 and has seen the creation of a BREEAM Outstanding development, with a large proportion of the building’s power supplied by renewable energy through rooftop photovoltaic panels. Determined to address the energy intensive needs of primary care facilities, family-run business, United Healthcare Developments, brought forward designs for a more sustainable healthcare facility. “For the unique design of this building to work, and to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, it was a necessity for all elements of the building construction to be done to the highest quality. It has been a pleasure working with Caddick Construction. As a team we have worked effectively, and I’m delighted that this flagship building is living up to all expectations,” said David Brown, Managing Director at United Healthcare Developments. The building’s energy performance is rated -3 / A+ making it carbon net zero. The building envelope has been uniquely designed to the highest levels of efficiency, negating the need for a traditional heating system and avoiding any reliance on fossil fuels. Each habitable room has a constant turnover of fresh air, creating an exceptionally comfortable working environment for the building users. “I’m really proud of what United Healthcare Developments and the team has achieved at Carlisle Healthcare Centre. This is a flagship scheme, drawing on the raft of experience we have in the healthcare sector. The resulting building is a highly innovative and sustainable development that will prove hugely valuable for patients and healthcare employees across Cumbria,” added Ian Threadgold, Managing Director of Caddick Construction in the North West. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A care home and a Co-op will soon be coming to a new development in Lichfield after a leading property consultancy negotiated two separate land sales. Roman Heights in Streethay will see a care village complex with 78 apartments and 60 bungalows with associated parking and communal facilities, and a Co-op convenience store alongside a new café and four retail units, undergo construction after two deals were agreed by Fisher German. Fisher German, acting on behalf of Miller Homes, sold the care village site to Keon Homes Ltd, and the Co-op site to LSP Developments. Both sites have full planning permission for the projects and construction works have started. “We received strong interest for both sites having targeted specialist developers in both sectors. The schemes complement the existing housing and will be excellent additions to Lichfield. The care village and new shops will help make Roman Heights feel more like a true community, and we wish Keon Homes and LSP Developments all the best with the delivery of the projects,” said Rob Champion, Partner at Fisher German. The developments will add to the 750 new homes and primary school at Roman Heights, which first received outline planning permission in late 2014. “Building communities is at the heart of what we do at Miller Homes and we are delighted to bring these important facilities to our residents living in Streethay. With our residential homes now sold out and our customers enjoying their new homes, we hope that the new retail facilities and care complex will become a focal point of the development servicing the needs of the community for years to come,” concluded Alastair Parsons, Area Sales Director at Miller Homes West Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Humber-based firm Hobson & Porter has been selected by RWE to complete the construction of its new operations & maintenance facility known as the Grimsby Hub. The multi-million pound contract includes an extension to the existing Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm operations base located at Grimsby’s Royal Dock, and includes the creation of a new Centralised Control Room (CCR) to oversee the operation of the vast majority of RWE’s UK Offshore portfolio, helping to cement Grimsby’s role as a leading location for the UK’s offshore wind sector. “We are thrilled to have Hobson & Porter onboard to complete the extensive construction works required to extend the existing Triton Knoll facilities. It is great to have been able to award the contract to a local firm which brings a wealth of experience to the project. We can’t wait for construction to finish and provide even more locally based, skilled jobs for the region,” said Guy Middleton, RWE General Manager for the Grimsby Hub. RWE announced the creation of the Grimsby Hub back in 2021, marking a major strategic commitment to the UK’s east coast. As well as Triton Knoll, RWE’s 1.4 gigawatt (GW) Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, currently under construction, will also locate its operations and maintenance activities to the new hub in the future. In total, RWE expects the new facility will accommodate around 140 RWE employees, with potentially around 70 new local jobs created, plus indirect jobs required in support. The Grimsby Hub will also enable the company to strengthen its relationship with the region’s businesses and local communities, by committing to a longer-term presence in the area. The location of the Grimsby Hub was chosen because of its proximity to existing and future projects and its deep-water quayside, which is suited to the use of Service Operations Vessels (SOVs). Construction is due to commence shortly and will take around one year to complete. Once construction has finished, the new facility will include a joint control room offering 24/7 monitoring of multiple sites, new shared office space, and separate warehouse facilities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Hockley Croft, Harron Homes’ development of stunning four and five-bedroom houses in Boroughbridge, has proven popular with buyers, with less than a quarter of the homes left to buy. Among the home styles remaining is the Lumsdale, a stylish and spacious four-bedroom property which offers versatile living over three floors. The Lumsdale offers plenty of family space with bedrooms spread across two floors. Three of the bedrooms are found on the first floor, along with the family bathroom which benefits from both a bath and shower, as well as one of the bedrooms being equipped with a private en-suite ideal for guests. The main bedroom, with the luxury of its own private en-suite, spans the entire second floor and comes with Hammonds wardrobes, its own dressing area, and has room for seating, a real luxury retreat away from busy life. The arrangement of bedrooms on the first floor provides families with plenty of options of how to use the rooms whether to be used as guest rooms or to fit individual needs. The added living space could be transformed into an office for comfortable home working or a space to use as a crafts room for creativity to flourish. Another function for more social gatherings could be using the space as a games room or extra living room. On the ground floor at the front of the house is the spacious living room, ideal for entertaining. The modern fitted kitchen and dining area makes the most of its position at the rear, with French doors that open out onto the garden ideal for those family gatherings. There is also a downstairs cloakroom accessed from the hallway, and a detached single garage on a block paved driveway which can be used for extra storage. Hockley Croft is set in a friendly, historic market town, home to independent shops and Georgian buildings. The river Ure is nearby for tranquil morning walks along its banks. Alternatively, there are hiking trails in the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors, both less than 30 miles away. With the A1 on Boroughbridge’s doorstep the town is ideal for commuters. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In an industry that has traditionally been predominantly dominated by men, Cannock-based housebuilder Jessup Partnerships is looking to encourage talented women into the workforce and has produced a video to mark International Women’s Day to help inspire other women to consider a career in construction. Site Manager, Kirsty Lynch, originally from Edinburgh was one of those featured in the video alongside her colleague Michelle Howe, a Health and Safety Advisor. Kirsty, 50, worked at Jessup five years ago and recently returned as Site Manager at the housebuilder’s Lower Valley Road development in Dudley. Kirsty previously worked in Health and Social Care for over 20 years, however, decided to take the plunge into the construction industry in her 40s. “After a long and successful career in Health and Social Care, I decided I needed a new challenge so, I retrained, and gained the necessary qualifications for site management. I applied for around 500 jobs to get myself onto site- having no trade background and being female, I did not feel like I was taken seriously. After a while, I eventually obtained a role, but I had to travel around 600 miles a week for work. This position was for a Trainee Assistant Site Manager which led to me being promoted to Assistant Site Manager within two years,” said Kirsty. “I’ve had to work incredibly hard to prove myself. Being a woman brings a different dynamic to a construction site. For the most part, all the sub-contractors, the supply chain and the community, embrace and support my role, however a minority have to be challenged with education and training. Equality and diversity are the starting points ensuring we have equal rights such as pay, career progression and a voice. “This journey has not always been easy, near impossible at times, with archaic and outdated attitudes. Like all good career paths if you want something you have to work at it. Having a supportive employer makes a massive difference, one who supports and embraces the diversity we bring to the role. Changing the rhetoric, change the perspective.” The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that in Q4 of 2022, 2,171,000 people in the UK worked in construction1. Out of those people, just 321,000, 14.7 per cent, were women2. With a number of female employees already in a range of roles across the company, the developer is keen to break the stereotype around women working in construction. Michelle Howe, who joined Jessup Partnerships in 2022 as Health and Safety Advisor, previously worked for a large precast concrete manufacturer as a Health and Safety Co-ordinator. Michelle, who works on sites across the West Midlands said: “Since joining Jessup, I have felt well-supported in my career progression and have received the relevant training to enable my transition from manufacturing to construction. “I feel well supported by my manager and the site teams that I work with on a daily basis, and my opinions are listened to and valued. I have never felt anything other than welcomed and accepted by the site personnel. If I could give any advice to women thinking about starting a career in construction, I would tell them that they absolutely should pursue it. I think that working in construction is far more inclusive than it was five years ago, and there are now a lot more women actually working on site.” International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the achievements of women, promoting equality and raising awareness about discrimination. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Renewable developers Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables have unveiled the first completed kittiwake nesting structures to support consented offshore wind farms. Global kittiwake population has been estimated to have fallen by around 40% since the 1970s, so the kittiwake hotels are vital to protect the species. The nests will be able to accommodate around 430 pairs of kittiwakes and will help preserve the species for years to come. A research programme was undertaken and an advisory group – which included representatives from Natural England, RSPB, East Suffolk Council and the Marine Management Organisation – was convened to improve success. Based on the expert advice, the nesting structure has been designed in a way that replicates the best conditions for nesting and factors in conditions such as aspect, the amount of sunshine and shelter, and the size of the nesting shelves within. Measures have also been taken to protect the nesting kittiwakes from predators – such as predator-proof fencing at the bottom to protect against mammals like foxes and an overhanging roof to protect against aerial predators. While kittiwakes are known to be tolerant of human activity, the artificial nests are sited well away from the town and active port at the outer harbour to minimise interaction with human activity and property. The construction of the nesting structure would not have been possible without invaluable support from Associated British Ports, Port of Lowestoft, on whose land the ‘hotel’ is built and J.Murphy & Sons who carried out the construction. The environment is important to both Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables and this development will help to compensate for the potential impacts on breeding black-legged kittiwakes in North Yorkshire by ensuring they have a safe nesting area. Separate to the nesting requirement, Vattenfall is also looking to support and work closely with the Lowestoft Kittiwake Partnership and has made a £50,000 a year funding commitment for five years. This will help the Partnership to engage with and provide advice and support for local business and residents living alongside nesting kittiwakes, as well as money for cleaning up after kittiwakes, installing safe preventative measures to protect buildings, and creating alternative nesting sites where kittiwakes won’t come into conflict with people in Lowestoft. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been submitted for the second phase to restore Oldham’s Old Library. Digital modelling from the architect shows a modern interior that opens the building back up to the public, makes use of the space and preserves many of its original features. “This building has been special to many hundreds and possibly thousands of Oldhamers and it is yet another exciting milestone in its restoration to see the architects’ drawings as part of the planning submission. The visuals show a building that retains features of a hugely important part of our history along with providing a modern, useful and sustainable place for everyone in the town to make good use of,” said Council Leader Cllr Amanda Chadderton. “This restoration goes way beyond the fondness many of us have for the Old Library and it’s a vital part of our Oldham Town Centre regeneration – we’re creating a town centre for the future where people will want to live, work, visit and socialise. The way in which the project has been done is key too – local young people have increased access to training and employment, around 80 per cent of the spend on the project has been with local businesses, and volunteering and other initiatives have been a feature.” The grade II listed building will be home to meetings rooms, a gallery, and a theatre, as well the Council chamber – all while sensitively incorporating many of the building’s historic features and being equipped with state-of-the-art technology and energy efficient systems. “We are delighted to be working on this fabulous restoration project for Oldham Council. We recognise the importance of the Old Library building to the local community and understand that it has a special place in the hearts of many local residents,” commented Dominic Williams, Director at Ellis Williams Architects. “With that in mind, the newly refurbished building will celebrate Oldham’s cultural heritage whilst providing a range of exciting new community facilities including theatre workshops, meeting rooms, gallery and democratic function spaces arranged around the original Victorian atrium space with historic displays. “As well as celebrating the building’s Victorian past, the scheme also looks positively to the future with new digital infrastructure and low energy systems providing long-term sustainability for this important community asset.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wates has secured planning for a second phase of land in Windsor to deliver an additional 320 new homes. Its Developments business has secured local planning approval for the new homes and a Special Educational Needs (SEN) school on a second phase of land west of Windsor. The sustainable development, which was previously green belt land, will provide a much-needed boost to family housing availability in the area. Our team received an approved Stakeholder Masterplan from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) in 2021 as part of the adopted Borough Local Plan, following a lengthy process of detailed site assessments and public engagement. In combination with phase one, the whole allocation will include the SEN school and 455 homes, including 180 (40%) affordable homes, as well as a community centre, public open space, allotments, orchards, play spaces and an outdoor gym. It will also deliver significant highway improvements for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, boosting existing services and facilities in the local area. “It is great news for Windsor that the RBWM have locally approved the Southern portion of the site AL21, unlocking a total of 455 much-needed new family homes. We are grateful for the positive engagement from so many key stakeholders during the development of plans for the site, including from members of the local community and officers at the council. It’s meant we’ve been able to bring forward a fantastic scheme that will provide many wider community benefits and help contribute towards the Borough’s local housing need. This planning decision will give even more people the opportunity to live in their own home and will be a really great place to live,” commented Jordan Van Laun, Associate Land and Planning Director, Wates Developments. Sustainability has been at the core of our proposals, and all new homes will be equipped with electric vehicle charging points and rain gardens to harvest rainwater. We have focused on delivering housing solutions that benefit both homeowners and the environment, aiming to achieve significant biodiversity net gain by enhancing the existing habitats and veteran trees along with extensive habitat creation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
