More than a third of the homes at a new development taking shape on a former dairy factory site in Hatfield Peverel have now been sold. Buyers have purchased 39 of the 87 properties for private sale at Bellway’s Hatfield Grove, where the first residents moved in last December. Bellway
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has announced the completion of its latest land acquisition in Ellesmere Port from Promenade Estates. The 170-home scheme, which will be delivered in conjunction with the Riverside Group, is MCI Developments’ sixth land acquisition of the year and takes its 2021 acquisitions
Leading commercial property developer Stoford has submitted plans for a new warehouse in Middlewich, Cheshire, for salt manufacturer British Salt. Stoford has been appointed to build the 184,493 sq ft warehouse in Faulkner Drive, to support British Salt’s existing operations and its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, which will be sited
Work on 91 new homes for local people has reached a significant milestone in October with a topping-out ceremony on-site in Walthamstow, East London. Simon Trice, Managing Director at Hill Group, welcomed Councillor Simon Miller, Portfolio Lead Member for Economic Growth and Housing Development for Waltham Forest Council, to take
Vogue (UK), the UK’s largest British designer and manufacturer of premium radiators and heating products is delighted to introduce a new EE005 Remote Control Element, for use across its range of electric and dual fuel towel warmers to make each model in the collection 100% Eco Design compliant. The new
The final homes at a new development in Chellaston are being released for sale, with construction now entering the last stages on site. Bellway is delivering 157 homes at Cuttle Brook, off Infinity Park Way, including three, four and five-bedroom houses for private sale and a mix of affordable homes
Speedy, the UK’s leading provider of tools and equipment hire and B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, have formally extended their partnership which offers tool hire to DIY customers. The partnership builds on an initial trial and will enable customers across the UK to hire the latest high quality
Following a phenomenal response to the company’s latest innovations that were revealed during the Küchenmeile on 18th to 24th September, Rotpunkt, leading carbon neutral manufacturer of quality German kitchen furniture follow-up with Hausmesse 21: a specially curated virtual in-house exhibition. Ensuring all UK customers can explore its latest product offerings
A property maintenance company has announced the success of a recent apprentice recruitment drive which has increased its workforce. Keen to play its part within both the local economies and communities in which it works, Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of one of the UK’s largest social landlords, Platform
Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers for intelligent building design and management, make it easy for you to buy their products with an enhanced search facility on its lifestyle website. Alongside full, in-depth details of Gira products and elegant lifestyle shots so you can see them in situ,
More than a third of the homes at a new development taking shape on a former dairy factory site in Hatfield Peverel have now been sold. Buyers have purchased 39 of the 87 properties for private sale at Bellway’s Hatfield Grove, where the first residents moved in last December. Bellway is building a total of 145 homes at the development, including 58 for affordable rent or shared ownership. Construction work has now been completed on 40 of the homes – just over a quarter of all properties being delivered on the site off Station Road, which was occupied by the Arla Dairy factory until its closure in 2016. “This new development is proving extremely popular with lots of people. The location of Hatfield Grove is particularly attractive to local buyers and it’s clear to see that a solid community is developing. Having Hatfield Peverel railway station right on the doorstep is a huge draw for London commuters. However, the village itself has much to offer, with a primary school, shops, pubs, and eateries all within a short walk of the development. This combination is ideal for those who lead a busy working life and want to go home to relax in a peaceful and welcoming village setting,” said Jenny Walker, Sales Director at Bellway Essex. “Developments situated close to railway stations can often be dominated by apartments aimed predominantly towards commuters. Hatfield Grove features a wide range of housing which has also attracted families and downsizers, helping to create a strong sense of community.” The homes at Hatfield Grove feature a range of detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses, as well as a bungalow and a selection of two-bedroom coach houses. All properties at the development are from the Artisan Collection, Bellway’s flagship range of house types which showcases the best in contemporary home design and flexible living spaces. A selection of two, three and four-bedroom homes are currently available, with prices starting from £340,995.
MCI Developments, part of national homebuilder Keepmoat Homes, has announced the completion of its latest land acquisition in Ellesmere Port from Promenade Estates. The 170-home scheme, which will be delivered in conjunction with the Riverside Group, is MCI Developments’ sixth land acquisition of the year and takes its 2021 acquisitions to 565 plots on new schemes its involved in. Last month it announced a 98-home development in Oldham. The Ellesmere Port scheme on Meadow Lane, which is close to both the railway station and the town centre and a short drive to the M53 and M56 motorways, will rejuvenate a site which has been left derelict for more than ten years. Work to clear the site has already started and the development is expected to be completed within four years. “We are really looking forward to renewing our working relationship with Riverside and delivering this scheme as part of their Strategic Partnership with Homes England. Also, we very much thank Promenade Estates for dealing with us whilst planning permission was being approved,” said Alex Wood, Regional Managing Director at MCI Developments. “This site had an old factory on it which was demolished over a decade ago, so we are delighted to be bringing it back in to active use once again. The scheme, which is in a great location, close to the town centre and with excellent transport links, will provide a mix of one, two, three and four-bed homes, with a range of tenures including, affordable rent, rent-to-buy and shared ownership. “With more than two months of the year still to go, we are experiencing a good year in terms of bringing forward new development schemes with RP partners. This latest deal, which is our biggest of 2021, takes the number of plots on the six new schemes purchased during the year to 565 new homes.” MCI Developments acquired the land from Liverpool-based development company Promenade Estates for an undisclosed sum.
Leading commercial property developer Stoford has submitted plans for a new warehouse in Middlewich, Cheshire, for salt manufacturer British Salt. Stoford has been appointed to build the 184,493 sq ft warehouse in Faulkner Drive, to support British Salt’s existing operations and its new, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant, which will be sited on adjacent land. Stoford won the contract to build the supporting facility, which will comprise a warehouse with associated offices, to a haunch height of 12.5m. It will enable British Salt to store the products manufactured on site, streamlining its packaging and supply chain operations. “British Salt is a new client for Stoford and I’m pleased to have been appointed to deliver its new warehouse, which will support its continued growth. British Salt has been manufacturing from Middlewich for over 50 years and it is great to support its long-term aspirations and investment in the region. We’re looking forward to working with the company over the next few months,” said Edward Peel, Development Manager. Once the planning application has been considered by East Cheshire Borough Council, the developer hopes to start building work in Q2 next year, with a projected completion date of Q1 2023. The new manufacturing facility, which will be the first in the UK to produce pharmaceutical grade salt, has already been approved by planners and building work is due to start later this year. “The proposed new warehouse at our British Salt Middlewich site is a key strategic enabler in the delivery of our exciting growth plans for British Salt. The new warehouse is the latest major investment at Middlewich and follows on from a new gas fired boiler plant commissioned in 2020 and a new pharmaceutical grade salt manufacturing facility,” added Fraser Ramsay, Commercial and Business Development Manager for Estates for British Salt Ltd. British Salt was founded in Middlewich in 1969 and is a leading manufacturer of pure dried vacuum salt products. Now part of TATA Chemicals Europe, it provides more than 400,000 tonnes of salt every year, which is used in a range of sectors, including food production, chemical industries, water treatment, animal feeds, textiles and tanning, de-icing and for flavouring food. It is understood that their salt is used by every single person in the UK, every day.
Work on 91 new homes for local people has reached a significant milestone in October with a topping-out ceremony on-site in Walthamstow, East London. Simon Trice, Managing Director at Hill Group, welcomed Councillor Simon Miller, Portfolio Lead Member for Economic Growth and Housing Development for Waltham Forest Council, to take part in a ceremony to mark the completion of works at the highest point of the new development at Juniper House, in the heart of Walthamstow Town Centre. The new development includes high specification, mixed affordable and private sale homes developed by Hill Group in partnership with Waltham Forest Council. The redevelopment of Juniper House consists of a 52 place pre-school nursery for children of the residents and the local community, with its own play area, a new flexible commercial space and a pocket park. “Having been involved in the regeneration of Juniper House from the start, it feels good to have reached this symbolic topping out point. It is extremely satisfying to be providing a whole range of affordable and family homes for local people as well as a nursery school, commercial space and a pocket park, giving a real boost to the area,” said Cllr Miller, who took part in the ceremony. Juniper House previously housed the Council’s Children and Families Services and was the first of the Council’s older sites to close. However, with a £2.48m grant from the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) Building Council Homes for London Programme, the site has ensured that 50% of the new homes are affordable. “We are delighted with the progress on the regeneration of Juniper House and to be topping out this phase today, which will bring much needed affordable and private family housing to the area. Working with our partners Waltham Forest Council, we will deliver a new sustainable neighbourhood with excellent homes and amenities for the benefit of the local community,” added Simon Trice, Managing Director of Hill Group. Hill is an award-winning housebuilder and one of the leading developers in London and the south east of England, delivering both private for sale and affordable homes. Now in its 21st year, this family-owned and operated company has grown to establish itself as the UK’s second-largest privately-owned housebuilder, with an impressive and diverse portfolio of schemes ranging from landmark mixed-use regeneration schemes and inner-city apartments to homes in rural communities.
Vogue (UK), the UK’s largest British designer and manufacturer of premium radiators and heating products is delighted to introduce a new EE005 Remote Control Element, for use across its range of electric and dual fuel towel warmers to make each model in the collection 100% Eco Design compliant. The new EE005 control element has been designed so homeowners can enjoy the full benefits of remote temperature control while ensuring the utmost energy efficiency is being achieved in their bathroom. Featuring NTC (Negative Temperature Coefficient) technology and a built-in window/door recognition that effortlessly monitors fluctuations in air temperature so that heat output is adjusted according to the environment. For example, if the bathroom is between 18°C to 32°C in room temperature, you can remotely control the surface temperature of your Vogue towel warmer from 30°C to 70°C for optimum functionality. Steve Birch, Sales Director at Vogue (UK), says, “As energy prices rise, so too does market demand for heating solutions that can give the homeowner all the advantages of warmth and style, whilst being kind to the pocket and environment.” “A towel warmer is an essential component in the modern bathroom, cutting down on extra laundry whilst adding luxury and style, so we are very pleased to offer the new EE005 remote control element as an option for all of our electric and dual-fuel towel warmers with elements of 300, 600 and 900 watts. This element can also be retro-fitted to existing electric or dual fuel multi-rail towel warmers meaning everyone can benefit from our 7 day programmable element with remote temperature control whenever they wish” adds Steve. Comfort and convenience are vital in the bathroom so the new EE005 gives homeowners the freedom to set their heating at one fixed temperature regardless of seasonal changes or sudden cold snaps. In fact, it includes automatic frost protection for added peace of mind as well as eco, 2 and 4 boost functions, safety lock features and manual override for the ultimate in flexibility. As market-leaders in heating design and manufacturing, the EE005 has passed industry tests with flying colours, as well as meeting the high quality standards set by Vogue (UK). Supplied with a dedicated push-button remote control device, the EE005 is IPX4-rated so that it is resistant to water splashes from any direction and suitable for bathroom zones 1 & 2.
The final homes at a new development in Chellaston are being released for sale, with construction now entering the last stages on site. Bellway is delivering 157 homes at Cuttle Brook, off Infinity Park Way, including three, four and five-bedroom houses for private sale and a mix of affordable homes available for local people through rent or shared ownership. All the three-bedroom houses have now been sold and there’s a final selection of 20 four and five-bedroom properties now remaining for sale. “Building work at Cuttle Brook is progressing well and is on target to be completed next year. These new homes in Chellaston have been very popular with buyers, especially first-time buyers and growing families, and we have already sold all the three-bedroom properties on site. We now have a final selection of spacious four and five-bedroom homes to release onto the property market, including two showhomes that are available to view by prior appointment,” said Heidi Higgins, Sales Manager of Bellway East Midlands. The showhomes at Cuttle Brook, part of the Chellaston development, are the five-bedroom Cadeby and the four-bedroom Dalby detached designs. The Cadeby has accommodation across three floors with an open-plan kitchen/family area, a separate living room, a dining room, a utility room and a study on the ground floor, an en suite bedroom and three further bedrooms on the first floor, and a master bedroom suite with dressing room on the top floor. Meanwhile, the Dalby features an open-plan kitchen/dining room and utility room, a front-facing living room downstairs, with an en suite master bedroom and three further bedrooms upstairs. “Cuttle Brook is a fantastic development that is surrounded by public green open space, while also being within a short drive of the centre of Derby, which makes it an ideal location for commuters. The release of the final homes is the last chance to purchase a brand-new Bellway home in Chellaston and we are expecting them to be snapped up quickly as buyers continue to search for more space,” added Heidi. Prices for the properties remaining for sale at Cuttle Brook currently start from £319,000.
Speedy, the UK’s leading provider of tools and equipment hire and B&Q, the UK’s leading home improvement retailer, have formally extended their partnership which offers tool hire to DIY customers. The partnership builds on an initial trial and will enable customers across the UK to hire the latest high quality tools and equipment from Speedy stores within B&Q, for their home improvement projects. B&Q is committed to making it easier for customers to improve their homes and make life better. Partnerships are an essential part of this, with shop-in-shop and concession partnership models enabling B&Q to adapt quickly to changing consumer demands in order to get closer to customers and ensure that their needs are met. The Speedy Hire partnership demonstrates the pace, scale and agility that’s central to B&Q’s growth strategy. “Following a successful trial, we are delighted to announce this formal agreement to extend our partnership with B&Q. This new agreement demonstrates the power of the Speedy brand and our market leading customer service proposition. We have seen growing demand from B&Q customers for our products since we opened our first in-store outlet last year, and we’re excited about supporting more DIYers up and down the UK as we continue to grow,” said Russell Down, Chief Executive, Speedy. The Speedy in-store outlets will provide B&Q customers with access to the firm’s national four-hour delivery promise on its 350 most popular products. These range from angle grinders, floor sanders, hammer drills and mixers to tower scaffolds, generators, lighting and dust extraction units, and can be ordered in time to enable DIYers to get on with the job same day. Speedy has seen rising demand for hire from B&Q customers since the start of the trial last summer. Hiring a wide range of tools and equipment enables homeowners to be more confident and ambitious with their DIY, and provides them with a convenient and accessible way of completing improvement projects where buying bigger ticket DIY tools may not be feasible. “We’re delighted to be rolling out tool and equipment hire service concessions to 23 more of our stores with Speedy, following a trial at 16 stores. Our customers are continuing to adapt and change to new ways of living and shopping, and the Speedy concessions are just one way in which we’re making it easier for people to improve their homes. We’re excited by the potential re-use of our space to offer new services in store and the positive response we’re seeing from our customers,” added Chris Bargate, Director of Business Development, B&Q. With sustainability high on the agenda, hiring tools that would be used a handful of times and then stored away potentially destined for landfill will also benefit the environment, reflecting a more circular economy in the re-use of DIY tools and equipment. Speedy’s existing customers will also have access to the new trade counters 7 days a week to order and collect products, adding to its existing 200-strong national Service Centre network. The roll-out follows the successful trial in 16 B&Q stores with a further 23 in-store outlets scheduled to open by January.
Following a phenomenal response to the company’s latest innovations that were revealed during the Küchenmeile on 18th to 24th September, Rotpunkt, leading carbon neutral manufacturer of quality German kitchen furniture follow-up with Hausmesse 21: a specially curated virtual in-house exhibition. Ensuring all UK customers can explore its latest product offerings – in person or remotely – Rotpunkt, now virtually open its doors so visitors can experience online: 2022 Brand & Product Presentation(s) in 3D 360° Virtual Tour: live interactive walk-through of the flagship Rotpunkt Showroom in Germany, made available online Downloads: 2022 Product Innovations | 90 Year Anniversary Book “In line with our 2022 brand promise to ‘stay connected’, we want to make sure our customers have the option to explore all of the new products around their business schedule, not ours. With supply chains facing unprecedented disruption globally, we are determined to safeguard our retailers and ensure plenty of resources for them to stay resilient, accessible and competitive in the marketplace,” explains Matt Phillips, Head of UK Operations at Rotpunkt. “Our virtual tour is designed to be super-easy to navigate and our UK team are available to help customers choose the best individual packages for their retail profiles and customer demographics. A key marker of our sales and support strategy is to offer dealers the ability to present our full range of new products at the point of sale, which is why we are also upgrading our Inspiration Point concept next year, with a range of added-value digital solutions. “We predict in 2022 even more capacity for new kitchens and home improvements, with a focus on custom utility and storage zones, architectural kitchen living spaces and combinations of wood and block colour. With this in mind, we look forward to introducing our new product innovations at Kbb Birmingham 2022 next March, to continue connecting with our growing retail community face-to-face.”
A property maintenance company has announced the success of a recent apprentice recruitment drive which has increased its workforce. Keen to play its part within both the local economies and communities in which it works, Platform Property Care – a subsidiary of one of the UK’s largest social landlords, Platform Housing Group – has recruited five new apprentices to various roles. The new recruits are Declan Coleman, Alex Pugh, Sue Walker, Thomas Ransford and Josh Easton. Nineteen year old Declan Coleman, from Malvern, Worcestershire, has joined Property Care as an apprentice carpenter through the apprentice recruitment campaign; the apprenticeship, which will take two years to complete, is complemented by Declan studying a carpentry and joinery course at Hereford, Ludlow and North Shropshire College. Declan said : “I am really enjoying my apprenticeship so far; I hope to become fully qualified and work my way up the organisation. I always get the help I require and everybody treats each other with respect.” Alex Pugh, aged 18, from Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire has also joined the company on a 4 year electrical apprenticeship; studying Level 3 Electrical Installations, also at Hereford, Ludlow and North Shropshire College, Alex studied Business, Maths and Physical Education A Levels at sixth form. Alex said : “My apprenticeship is such a fantastic opportunity and I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me. I am really enjoying it so far, no two days are the same and there is always a variety of work. Platform made me feel so welcome right from the start.” Interestingly, 380 applicants – out of the 538 recently advertised apprenticeships throughout Platform Property Care – applied for the three electrical apprenticeships, proving how sought after such apprenticeships are. The second electrical apprentice to join the company is Sue Walker from Redditch, also studying at Hereford, Ludlow and North Shropshire College; previously employed in administration, Sue combined her employment with studying NVQ Diplomas, Level 2 and Level 3, in Electrical Installations. Sue – who has previously completed work experience with Platform – said : “I’m looking forward to learning and developing my skills and building my knowledge to become a fully competent electrician. Prior to joining Platform I looked at other apprenticeships and concluded that Platform offered the best apprentice package making me feel that they value both their apprentices and their staff. I look forward to building my career with them.” Thomas Ransford has started a 4 year electrical apprenticeship studying at Birmingham Electrical College. Tom said : “Doing an apprenticeship is the best way to obtain the skills and knowledge of a trade in a controlled environment making it easy to learn and progress in completing the course. I hope to become a worthwhile member of the Platform team; I am a firm believer that what you put in you will get out!” The fifth newest apprentice of the apprentice recruitment campaign is Josh Easton who has joined the social landlord on a carpentry apprenticeship. Since September 2021, 17 new apprentices have joined Platform Property Care; with 30 apprentices in total, this equates to 5% of its total workforce.
Gira, one of the world’s leading full-range suppliers for intelligent building design and management, make it easy for you to buy their products with an enhanced search facility on its lifestyle website. Alongside full, in-depth details of Gira products and elegant lifestyle shots so you can see them in situ, you can also be inspired by the latest trends so you’ll always be on point with your technology as well getting the best advice on key smart home topics like ‘how to create lighting schemes for every mood’ and ‘how to save energy while keeping an ideal temperature’. Most importantly, the website can to put you in touch with the Gira team nationwide, so you can book an appointment at the London showroom www.gira.com/uk-showroom or make contact with a Gira specialist near you so you’re one step closer to having a connected home. “We are very pleased that our flagship Gira by INTALITE showroom is open five days a week from Monday to Friday in Wimbledon, South West London so that more people can get to know Gira. I think that viewing, touching and trying out products is a great way to explore the options available, and we find that homeowners, interior designers and architects alike relish the opportunity to experience the full functionality of the Gira range, in person,” said Jacob Muijnck, Managing Director at Gira. “With the option to choose between a wireless system which operates in a smaller family home or apartment using Bluetooth connections or a wired-in system (known as KNX) which is built-in to the walls of your property, you can quickly reap the benefits of connected living, saving time, money and power. As we move into the winter months, rest assured that Gira has an extensive home security, exterior lighting and temperature control products which will ensure your family feels safe and comfortable as the seasons change.” If you already have some ideas about how you would like to enhance your home and some further advice about Gira products, it’s simple to take the next step with your project by using the easy-to-use Installer Locator, which is a online search facility available via their website. Simply key in your postcode or location and hit search to find details of your nearest Gira approved installers so you can click straight through to their websites, give them a call or get in touch via email. “Interest in smart home products and services for the home is growing year on year, so we are very keen to help you set your project up for success, by connecting you with local specialists who know all about the latest building technology and systems,” says Jacob.
