To ensure the safe and efficient handling of materials, the UK’s leading manufacturer of offsite, panelised ‘room in roof’ systems Smartroof has invested in four Combilift at its Derbyshire production facility With the previous 12 months being the busiest in the company’s history, there has been a marked increase in
National homebuilder Keepmoat Homes has announced the completion of its latest acquisition in Bridlington. The land, which was previously used for the Strawberry Fields car boot sale, has been purchased from private landowners for an undisclosed sum and will be transformed into a new housing development. The site has been
Torridge District Council has approved Devonshire Homes’ planning application for 225 new homes off Manteo Way in East-the-Water, Bideford for The Grange development. Devonshire Homes worked collaboratively with Torridge District Council officers throughout the nine-month application process, culminating in a recommendation for approval which was supported by the Planning Committee
The doors of two beautiful homes at Stoughton Park are now open to the public – with their quality interior designs already proving a massive hit. Early purchasers at Bellway’s new Stoughton Park development in Oadby were given an exclusive first look inside the properties at a VIP event earlier
Construction work has started on the first phase of a new housing development in Clipstone, Mansfield, by developer Sherwood Oak Homes. The Oaks is a high-quality residential scheme which will bring 313 thoughtfully designed properties to the market in 2022. On Clipstone Road East, the first phase of the development
Leading residential developer Bellway has received planning consent for 413 high quality new build homes at two sites in Halewood, Merseyside. Part of the approved East Halewood masterplan, the housebuilder will bring forward two new residential developments featuring a mix of 310 private and 103 affordable homes. Located on Baileys
Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, has appointed Neil Syder to managing director to lead the glass manufacturer as it adapts to an age of decarbonisation and targets new opportunities. Neil brings over 30 years’ experience within the company to the post. Most recently as head of
A new housing community has been officially completed in Seaham by Bellway who has finished its latest development of 75 new properties at Byron Heights – after almost three years of construction work. All homes at the Seaham community are now occupied with the residents moving into a range of
British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture, Daval, shares its expertise by giving its five best power questions to ask your kitchen designer in order to empower you and your home. “As the kitchen living space is such a key part of today’s home and family lifestyle, it is
A new green energy report, published by the not-for-profit body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), finds customers are typically facing a five-fold cost increase to install a heat pump, compared to a hydrogen-ready boiler. Households can currently expect to pay up to £15,000 for transition to a heat pump depending
To ensure the safe and efficient handling of materials, the UK’s leading manufacturer of offsite, panelised ‘room in roof’ systems Smartroof has invested in four Combilift at its Derbyshire production facility With the previous 12 months being the busiest in the company’s history, there has been a marked increase in the volume of materials that need to be offloaded and moved around both inside and outside the factory. To increase production efficiencies and to meet the growth in demand for ‘room in roof’ systems, Smartroof has acquired four new multidirectional forklifts from Combilift for its Swadlincote facility. Handling specialist Forkway provided Smartroof with two Combilift C8000E and two Combilift CBE 3000 models which were supplied with Smartroof’s corporate livery. Commenting on the additions, Lukasz Semen, Production Director at Smartroof said: “Space utilisation and speed were crucial factors and the Combilifts have been integral to keeping up with fast paced operations and gaining more workspace inside.” The largest electric model available, the C8000E has enabled the safe handling of 10-12m long x 2.7m deep bundles of roof panels. Fitted with a 5.5m mast, a 6m wide hydraulic spreader beam with 2.5m long forks, the Combilift can reach across the truck bed to lift a complete load in one single procedure. With the previous trucks this necessitated multiple lifts and what used to take 40 minutes is now complete in 15 minutes. The CBE 3000s have a 3t capacity and will enable the Smartroof operatives to offload lighter products and components, as well as transport materials to the assembly lines. Compact and manoeuvrable, they can move between machinery without hindering the production facility. “We are in the process of changing the layout of the production area to accommodate the larger models, and without their multidirectional ability we’d have at least 20% less capacity overall. We weren’t expecting them to be quite as big as they are, but when we see them at work we realise why. They do exactly what we need and we’re very happy with the outcome,” added Lukasz. The investment in these handling solutions will ensure a high level of operational flexibility at the Smartroof facility and will ensure the company will be able to meet the housing sector’s growing demand for offsite ‘room in roof’ solutions.
National homebuilder Keepmoat Homes has announced the completion of its latest acquisition in Bridlington. The land, which was previously used for the Strawberry Fields car boot sale, has been purchased from private landowners for an undisclosed sum and will be transformed into a new housing development. The site has been earmarked for re-development for several years, and planning approval has already been granted by the East Riding Council’s planning committee in August 2021. The 470-home scheme developed by Keepmoat Homes in Bridlington will comprise of a mix of one, two, three and four bedroom detached and semi-detached homes, along with two bedroom bungalows. In addition to housing, the site will also feature substantial attractive green open spaces for recreational use, as well as a fully equipped play area and two new sports pitches. The woodland area nearby will also be retained along with the ecology green corridor along Bessingby Beck. The development, named Salkeld Meadows, will generate opportunities in training and employment through the use of sub-contractors, work placements and educational visits to the site, as part of their commitment to create a sustainable community, which will be delivered throughout the lifetime of the project. “We are really excited to transform the site, which is in a prominent location by the sea, into a new neighbourhood. I am very familiar with the area as I spent many childhood summers with my grandparents just across the road from the site, and I know it will be a desirable place to live, said Daniel Crew,” Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes. “Our vision is to create a place where people want to live and enjoy, and we’re driven to ensure the development is a major benefit to the local community. The layout of the development has been consciously designed with the health and wellbeing of the residents in mind, with the homes being positioned alongside public spaces and designed to be inclusive and meet the changing needs of people of different ages and abilities. The layout also provides a generous amount of public open space, as well as new sports facilities, play areas and amenity areas. “We’re looking forward to providing high quality housing that integrates well with the local community, and are excited about turning our plans into reality.” Work at the development is expected to begin in January 2022 and will take 10 years to complete. Ward Hadaway acted on behalf of Keepmoat Homes on the land acquisition.
Torridge District Council has approved Devonshire Homes’ planning application for 225 new homes off Manteo Way in East-the-Water, Bideford for The Grange development. Devonshire Homes worked collaboratively with Torridge District Council officers throughout the nine-month application process, culminating in a recommendation for approval which was supported by the Planning Committee on 5th November 2021. The development, named The Grange, will offer a mix of one, two, three, four and five bedroom homes and include 45 affordable homes. Construction at The Grange will begin early next year with the show homes expected to be open in December 2022. The Grange will be a return to North Devon for the privately owned housebuilder, following its previous success in Barnstaple, Landkey, Pilton and Chulmleigh. In addition to delivering private and affordable homes where there is an acute need, Devonshire Homes will make a number of significant financial contributions under the S106 which include: £816k towards primary education, £75k towards Bideford skatepark and £48k towards Special Educational Needs (SEN). “We look forward to returning to North Devon, bringing much-needed new build homes to the local community. The Grange will offer an excellent mix of high-quality new homes that are close to open green space, well placed for local amenities and served by good transport links. We will begin construction in 2022 and anticipate the first homes being released for sale later in the year. Prospective homeowners can visit the Devonshire Homes website now to register their interest, ensuring they will be the first to know when these homes are ready to reserve,” commented Angus Cook, Managing Director at Devonshire Homes. Angus continued: “This is an exciting end to the year for Devonshire Homes which has celebrated a strong performance over the last 12 months with a turnover of more than £39 million. Post pandemic, property is in high demand, particularly in the South West, so we’re pleased that The Grange will bring new, affordable homes to people who need them. With one to five bedroom homes available, there will be homes to suit all kinds of buyers who are at different stages on the property ladder. “We received great feedback from our customers who bought homes at our Landkey site, Mazzard View, which was build complete in 2019, so we look forward to expanding our portfolio in North Devon and would welcome hearing of further opportunities to purchase land and deliver more new homes. Devonshire Homes is aspiring towards growth, supported by joint venture partners such as The Housing Growth Partnership, as well as our revolving credit facility with Lloyds.” The Grange will be located in East-the-Water, a residential suburb of Bideford which is close to the A39, Atlantic Highway and A361, ensuring excellent commuter links to North Devon and further afield. Devonshire Homes is a multi award-winning West Country house builder specialising in creating high-quality homes across the South West since 1992. Current developments include: Tarka View, Crediton; Longston Cross, Bovey Tracey; Applegate Park, Kingsbridge and Gwallon Keas, St. Austell.
The doors of two beautiful homes at Stoughton Park are now open to the public – with their quality interior designs already proving a massive hit. Early purchasers at Bellway’s new Stoughton Park development in Oadby were given an exclusive first look inside the properties at a VIP event earlier last month (October). Now the wider public has been given the chance to visit and explore the two fully furnished showhomes. Located off Gartree Road at the northern edge of the town, Stoughton Park will eventually comprise 221 homes featuring a mix of two, three, four and five-bedroom houses. “Those invited to the VIP event were purchasers who have bought their new properties off plan. We always like to show our gratitude to customers and as a way of saying thank you for trusting our reputation for building exemplary homes we wanted to give them the chance to see the first completed houses at Stoughton Park before anyone else,” said Kenny Lattimore, Sales Manager for Bellway East Midlands. The two showhomes available to view are the three-bedroom Lacemaker and four-bedroom Weaver house types. Both are from the Artisan Collection, Bellway’s flagship range of house designs which combine modern construction techniques with traditional craftsmanship and attention to detail. The two properties have been expertly dressed by professional interior designers to give visitors a glimpse of the kind of lifestyle that buyers could experience at Stoughton Park. “If people are going to purchase a home that they have never laid eyes on then they want the reassurance that it’s going to be of the very highest quality. Showhomes allow us to demonstrate our exquisite designs and enable people to see the standard of our building work at first hand, giving them the confidence that the house they move into will be of the same high quality,” Kenny added. “Stoughton Park is situated in an extremely desirable location which offers an attractive semi-rural setting with easy access to Oadby and Leicester city centre. That has been reflected by the high level of interest we have already received from buyers, and we fully expect that to increase even further now that people can see some completed properties at the development for themselves.” Construction work is continuing at Stoughton Park and the first residents are expected to move into their new homes early next year.
Construction work has started on the first phase of a new housing development in Clipstone, Mansfield, by developer Sherwood Oak Homes. The Oaks is a high-quality residential scheme which will bring 313 thoughtfully designed properties to the market in 2022. On Clipstone Road East, the first phase of the development will consist of 30 new homes; 10 three-bedroom and 19 four-bedroom properties and a single five-bedroom home. Local award-winning contractor Henry Boot Construction has been chosen to deliver the project and selling agent Pygott & Crone to market the properties. The homes have been designed with space at the fore with sizable plots and more space between than the standard. The properties themselves will benefit from high ceilings and include high-spec additions such as bi-fold doors out to the gardens. The development has been designed to encourage and attract wildlife and for its residents to enjoy the outdoors. Across the site, there will be a number of green spaces and children’s playgrounds for families to enjoy, and bird and bat boxes will be installed. In keeping with the Oak tree playing a major part in neighbouring Sherwood Forest and the name of the development, Oak trees are being planted throughout the site. The s106 agreement for the development outlines plans to make improvements to local Rights of Way to encourage walking and cycling as well as investments in Spa Ponds and Vicars Water – two nature reserves local to The Oaks. “We’re very pleased to be able to start construction on this new community of high-quality homes in such a fantastic area. The development is ideally located in a well-connected part of Nottinghamshire where residents will be able to enjoy the space and countryside around them whilst being just a short distance away from both Mansfield and Nottingham,” said Peter Roope, Development Director at Sherwood Oak Homes. “To deliver the very best new homes, we are working with impressive local businesses Henry Boot Construction – who will bring their wealth of knowledge of the surrounding area to the project – and Pygott and Crone estate agents. What’s important to myself and the team at Sherwood Oak Homes is to create homes that provide the space and quality that homeowners demand and deserve and to create peaceful new communities with access to nature. It’s very exciting to be moving forward with The Oaks.” The first phase of homes is due to go on sale in early 2022 with Pygott & Crone.
Leading residential developer Bellway has received planning consent for 413 high quality new build homes at two sites in Halewood, Merseyside. Part of the approved East Halewood masterplan, the housebuilder will bring forward two new residential developments featuring a mix of 310 private and 103 affordable homes. Located on Baileys Lane, opposite Halewood Leisure Centre, Halewood Oaks is the larger of the two sites that Bellway has plans for and will comprise a total of 315 two, three and four bedroom homes set around areas of attractively landscaped public open green space. Named after the late Rev Canon F B Plummer, of the nearby St Nicholas Church, who tragically lost three of his seven sons in WWI, Plummers Meadow is on Greensbridge Lane. A smaller development, it will comprise 98 two, three, four and five bedroom homes also set around open green space. Both Halewood Oaks and Plummers Meadow will feature a range of house types from Bellway’s beautiful new Artisan collection. Combining meticulous craftsmanship with architectural flair and luxurious touches, the Artisan collection has been expertly designed both inside and out to ensure a stunning street scene and future-proof forever home with a flexible and inviting interior that suits the demanding lifestyles of today’s discerning homebuyers. The two developments are the first in Halewood for the North West division of the national housebuilding group that has its regional office at Hunts Cross in Liverpool. “We are delighted to secure planning consent for two beautiful new developments, our first in Halewood. Plans for both are superb and we are looking forward to getting started on site later this year. Once complete, the developments will form part of an exciting new residential area in Halewood offering an excellent mix of high quality new build homes that are close to open green space, well placed for local amenities and served by good transport links,” said Bellway North West sales director, Jenny Bell. Within its development plan, Bellway will make a number of significant financial contributions to the locality, improving education, infrastructure and access to open space for residents in the immediate local area. More than £4 million will be contributed including £1.83 million towards highway improvements, £1.45 million towards the provision of primary school places within Halewood, £360,000 towards the improvement of facilities at Halewood Leisure Centre (located opposite Halewood Oaks) and £320,000 towards the management, maintenance and enhancement of Finch Woods (located next to Halewood Oaks).
Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group, has appointed Neil Syder to managing director to lead the glass manufacturer as it adapts to an age of decarbonisation and targets new opportunities. Neil brings over 30 years’ experience within the company to the post. Most recently as head of operations, Neil has brought a new standard of efficiency and customer focus to the St Helens manufacturing operations. He was the second Syder to hold the position of head of operations at the glass giant, moving temporarily to Sweden as a child as his father established the company’s Halmstad plant. Neil began at the company working in R&D in the 1980s, building extensive experience over four decades in specialist glass coatings, running production lines, and operational planning. Neil takes over from Matt Buckley, who takes retirement after serving as managing director for more than a decade and having spent 30 years with the business. The change takes effect from the end of December 2021. “It’s an exciting time to take this new post, with the glass industry set to play a transformative role in an age of decarbonisation. We’ve undertaken the world’s first trials in powering a glass furnace with hydrogen at our base in St Helens to help improve our carbon impact within supply chains, while simultaneously delivering the materials that will enable better energy performance in the built environment,” said Neil Syder, incoming managing director at Pilkington UK. “What’s more, Pilkington UK has a fantastic team with a wealth of expertise, operational efficiency, and range of advanced production capabilities to grow as an even more dynamic supplier. Agility will be crucial as we target more collaborative growth opportunities with our customers, while seeing off current headwinds facing the wider manufacturing sector.” Pilkington UK recently became the first glass manufacturer to trial the use of hydrogen in a glass furnace. In 2022 Pilkington UK will also mark the 70th anniversary of the float glass process – the method of manufacturing glass pioneered by Sir Alastair Pilkington in St Helens, Merseyside, and used to this day around the word. In 2006, Pilkington was acquired by leading glass supplier The NSG Group, which today has principle operations around the world and sales in more than 100 countries.
A new housing community has been officially completed in Seaham by Bellway who has finished its latest development of 75 new properties at Byron Heights – after almost three years of construction work. All homes at the Seaham community are now occupied with the residents moving into a range of two, three and four-bedroom properties. “Byron Heights has been an extremely popular development with housebuyers. Despite multiple lockdowns forcing our sales office to close on several occasions since the first bricks were laid in 2019, sales have remained consistent throughout, and the final homes were sold a month in advance of completion. Situated just two miles from Seaham town centre and with good transport links to Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham, the new development is in a great location for both young professionals and growing families,” said Hayley Teasdale, Sales Manager for Bellway Durham. “As well as providing a wide range of homes for housebuyers, Byron Heights includes six affordable homes which were made available for rent or shared ownership, enabling local families unable to access the housing market to find a suitable home in a beautiful new community. “Although Byron Heights is now sold out, there is still an opportunity for people to purchase a new Bellway home at our nearby Wellfield Rise development in Wingate, which offers a quiet rural setting with easy access to Durham, Middlesbrough and the coast.” A selection of three and four-bedroom homes are currently available to buy at Wellfield Rise, with prices starting at £189,995.
British designer and manufacturer of quality fitted furniture, Daval, shares its expertise by giving its five best power questions to ask your kitchen designer in order to empower you and your home. “As the kitchen living space is such a key part of today’s home and family lifestyle, it is crucial for consumers to have confidence in their design team and understand every aspect of the process. By facilitating open and transparent conversations between designers and clients, the KBB industry as a whole can provide exemplary service and help homeowners to find the right kitchen to suit their property as well as their daily routine,” said Managing Director, at Daval, Simon Bodsworth. 1: How sustainable is this kitchen? As the UK adjusts to life after Brexit and looks to support British manufacturing as well adopting more sustainable strategies when building, it is increasingly important to ask about sustainability when it comes to kitchen manufacture. Ask your designer about the provenance and longevity of materials and factory processes so you can build up a picture of how many ‘design miles’ your kitchen will need to travel and how eco-conscious the manufacturer is. It is also important to ask about various kitchen elements can be recycled when they reach the end of their lifespan so you can make an informed decision as a responsible homeowner. A reputable manufacturer will be keen to mention its awards and credentials for ethical product sourcing and processes so it pays to do your research online as well as in the showroom to be sure that you are buying from a brand which inspires your trust. 2: How hygienic is this kitchen? With health and hygiene is a new cornerstone of family kitchen design, especially as the ‘worried well’ are taking a keen interest in optimising wellness. This is increasingly important in an open plan kitchen which is ‘the nerve centre of the home’ and experiences more foot traffic. With this in mind, look out for anti-bacterial adding extra protection to kitchen surfaces. These coatings are more resistant to the growth of bacteria and help minimise the risk of cross-contamination when prepping food. Anti-bacterial coating brings another level of protection to kitchen surfaces, especially if members of your household suffer from allergies, have low immunity or there are pets in the house. Stainless steel drawers, presentation-style glass panels and anti-fingerprint surface treatments also serve as a barrier and will protect you and your family against harmful substances so your kitchen furniture remains durable and non-toxic to your health and home environment. 3: Can this furniture be tailored to my needs? Custom-made kitchens that enhance both work and social life continue to grow in popularity, and this is inspiring open-plan spaces that are family-friendly and encompass kitchen, dining and living areas in one. With this in mind, ask your designer about flexible features such as banquette seating, integral breakfast bars and extra power points which should be considered at an early stage of planning to ensure the ‘fundamentals’ are planned-in so that you can conveniently charge your laptop, smart phone or other electronic device in a dedicated area of the kitchen: great when working from home or enjoying some down time with friends and family. 4: Will this kitchen complement my house and lifestyle? The days of ‘off-the-peg’ kitchens are long gone as we all embrace our own personal style and individualism at home. If you are looking to create a particular look that you wish to carry through into the kitchen then flag it to your kitchen designer so that he or she can explore made-to-measure, made-to-order furniture which will fit your space perfectly. Always be honest about your practical needs too, especially if you are looking for a designated utility room or want to accommodate a pet bed. Do not edit yourself when it comes to talking about your favourite colours and textures in the kitchen as your designer needs to know what you like and how your prefer to use your space. Make sure that you can refer to a manufacturer’s website and social media for design inspiration so you can have a better idea of the how it will look in real life in different colours and finishes. 5: What are the storage possibilities? As the kitchen living dynamic has expanded to include home office and home entertainment elements, you need to be sure that everything from recycling bins to bar ware and paperwork can be stored safely when not in use. Careful thought needs to be applied to the layout of the kitchen as for instance, a larder will inevitably store food, groceries and other provisions and so it needs to always remain close to hand and be protected against adverse conditions like direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. In fact, you are best served positioning any larder storage next to the fridge as it will ensure the pantry goods are right next to the fresh foods for optimum convenience. It also pays to enquire about high volume food storage so that you have peace of mind knowing your essentials can always be housed. For example, small mezzanine racks provide additional storage space in cupboards with pull-out rack systems and combination shelving is a way to create one complete area, which caters to multiple needs.
A new green energy report, published by the not-for-profit body Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), finds customers are typically facing a five-fold cost increase to install a heat pump, compared to a hydrogen-ready boiler. Households can currently expect to pay up to £15,000 for transition to a heat pump depending on the property type, compared to less than £3,000 for a hydrogen-ready boiler. In addition to the higher cost of the heat pump itself, the disparity is largely due to the additional energy efficiency measures needed to enable a heat pump to operate efficiently, plus the need to fit a hot water cylinder and new radiators. Some homes also require new internal pipework. In its recent Heat and Buildings Strategy, the UK Government set an ambitious cost reduction target for heat pumps to reach cost parity with gas boilers by the end of the decade, with 25-50% of the reduction achieved by 2025. To support the initial upfront costs, the Government is offering consumers £5,000 grants for the installation of heat pumps, yet the allocated funding is only enough to support 30,000 heat pump installations per annum for three years – this equates to just 5% of the annual installation target of 600k heat pumps per year by 2028. For the first time this report gives clarity for customers considering the switch to greener energy and is the first in a series which will track the progress towards the Government’s cost reduction target. Introducing the green energy report, Mike Foster, CEO of Energy and Utilities Alliance said: “We need to decarbonise homes if we are to meet our Net Zero ambitions but consumers simply do not have the cash to pay for the high upfront costs of many low carbon heating options. The recent Heat and Building Strategy is right to demand massive reductions in the cost of heat pumps, which according to this report can cost consumers up to seven times that of a simple boiler switch. “Many heating industry experts are sceptical that the scale of the cost reduction can be achieved, with the claim that heat pump costs will be at parity with gas boilers by April next year, as simply implausible. “Regardless of what happens in the heat pump market, it is increasingly clear that they are not a like-for-like replacement of a gas boiler. Consumers will face considerable disruption, cost and the need for behavioural change to retrofit their homes with a heat pump. “It is recognised that the majority of UK homes are simply not suitable for heat pumps. When an existing boiler needs replacing, installing a hydrogen-ready version, at no extra cost, means that a householder can switch over to clean burning hydrogen when it’s available in the network.” There is no silver bullet to tackle the challenging target of achieving Net Zero by 2050 and every energy solution will be needed to play its part. The report highlights that the costs of transitioning to cleaner energy can vary vastly in different homes, dependent on the fabric of the building and whether there are any energy efficiency measures in place. It is therefore vital that customers understand the options available to them so they can make the best decision. This will help to ensure an affordable and fair energy transition for everyone. Mike Foster concludes: “We urge the government to expedite a decision to mandate hydrogen ready boilers so that when a boiler reaches the end of its natural life it can replaced which one which is future proof. The UK’s leading boiler manufacturers have made a promise that the hydrogen-ready boilers can be produced at the equivalent cost of today’s natural gas equivalents and with the products already developed they are ready to start manufacturing.”
