The Renters’ Rights Bill is progressing through Parliament with pace, with the Second Reading of the legislation happening on 9 October, and Propertymark’s recent webinar on the widely anticipated new law helped alert property agents as to why it will prove to be one of the ‘biggest changes to the
At the end of the summer, one of the leading freight forwarding companies in the airport sector opened a new 5,000-sqm site in the ever-expanding Maglód logistics park, which currently boasts almost 100,000 sqm of warehouse space. The long-term lease agreement between HGL Group Hungary and HelloParks will allow the
The M18™ Bluetooth®* Jobsite Speaker delivers full range sound and job site versatility. The 9.5 cm woofer and high frequency tweeter deliver optimised sound for medium sized spaces. AUDIO LINK allows you to play music through multiple compatible Milwaukee® devices (over 200+) creating a larger sound experience. The Speaker provides
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation is pleased to announce that the 2025 BiKBBI Installation Awards programme is now open for entries. The BiKBBI Awards, which recognises the talent, contributions and achievements of businesses and individuals in the KBB installation sector and has seen significant growth, attracting
Connect Plus Services today announces the appointment of Louise Haining as Managing Director with responsibility for leading its M25 operations. A Chartered Engineer, Louise has 30 years’ experience within the construction and infrastructure industry. She joined Connect Plus Services (CPS) in 2017 and has since held several roles across the organisation,
Siemens has appointed Susanne Seitz as CEO of the Buildings Business Unit, which is part of Smart Infrastructure. The unit is a newly formed business unit which brings together all Siemens’ buildings-related businesses into one entity, effective October 1, 2024. With a combined portfolio of products, software and services, the
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has secured approval for its ambitious £200 million expansion, marking a major development in the history of the Wimbledon Championships. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has given the go-ahead for the project, which will see the construction of 39 new tennis courts and
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) Planning Committee last night approved plans for the redevelopment of the Former Royal Mail Sorting Office site, at Maidstone East, for mixed-use development which is predominantly residential. The development will include 180 apartments, 1,863 square metres of commercial and/or community space and around one acre of
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is delighted to announce the winners for the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards 2024. The awards ceremony, which celebrates and honours the outstanding individuals within the sector, took place on 30 September at Birmingham’s Burlington Hotel at the start of UK
Construction is now underway on 189 low-energy affordable homes for local people at Deptford Landings in southeast London. The fully affordable development will include 130 homes for social rent and 59 homes for shared ownership, providing housing opportunities for local people, including those on the council’s waiting list. Residents will
The Renters’ Rights Bill is progressing through Parliament with pace, with the Second Reading of the legislation happening on 9 October, and Propertymark’s recent webinar on the widely anticipated new law helped alert property agents as to why it will prove to be one of the ‘biggest changes to the rental market’ in over three decades. The message from the webinar was clear: change is coming. The professional body advised property agents that they need to understand the changes in good time to help maintain excellent working relationships with landlords. Led by Timothy Douglas, Propertymark’s Head of Policy and Campaigns, Jan Hÿtch, Lettings Help Line Manager, and Valerie Bannister, former ARLA Propertymark President and current ARLA Propertymark Regional Executive, the webinar explored four key themes around the Renters’ Rights Bill: periodic tenancies, student tenancies, new grounds for possession, and advertising and increasing rents. The three key speakers advised property agents to review their fee structure, mitigate any business risks, and ensure that existing tenancy agreements do not collide with the new legislation that will enable tenants to keep pets at their properties, something many of them cannot do currently. However, this will change once new tenancy agreements are produced after the Renters’ Rights Bill becomes law next summer. They also discussed the future of fixed-term tenancies, longer rent arrears, and periodic tenancies becoming simpler once the new law is enacted. The panel advised anyone unsure of what is being proposed by the legislation to potentially attend one of Propertymark’s upcoming training courses or conferences to assist in furthering their understanding as to how the Renters’ Rights Bill might affect them. Tessa Shepperson, Managing Director of Landlord Law Services Ltd, will be leading a virtual training course titled Preparing for the Renters’ Rights Bill on 31 October to discuss how the Renters’ Rights Bill will affect landlords and agents. Nathan Emerson, CEO at Propertymark, said: “The Renters Rights’ Bill represents one of the biggest evolutions of law for the rental sector in many decades and we hope that our webinar powered letting agents with robust information to help them navigate upcoming changes. “It is vital we see strong stakeholder engagement from across the industry to help shape the new legislation and ensure it is balanced, workable and and fit for the future. We will continue to ensure there is healthy engagement with the UK Government to strike a functional and fair balance between tenants, agents and landlords.” To attend one of Propertymark’s upcoming regional conferences in your area, use this link: Conferences | Propertymark. In order to attend one of the professional body’s training courses, click this link: Estate and letting agent training courses | Propertymark. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
At the end of the summer, one of the leading freight forwarding companies in the airport sector opened a new 5,000-sqm site in the ever-expanding Maglód logistics park, which currently boasts almost 100,000 sqm of warehouse space. The long-term lease agreement between HGL Group Hungary and HelloParks will allow the company to expand further within HelloParks Maglód megapark in the future. Located near Ferenc Liszt International Airport, the development has won several prestigious awards and has recently become increasingly popular with leading companies in the air cargo industry. For example, Aeroplex Central Europe Ltd, the region’s largest independent aviation maintenance company, previously leased nearly 8,000 sqm of warehouse and office space on the same site. With this year’s transactions, 90 per cent of the two completed halls in the megapark have already been let. HelloParks Maglód Megapark boasts two national firsts: MG1, which houses HGL Group, was the first industrial property in Hungary to achieve BREEAM New Construction Excellent, while MG3, completed in the second phase, was also the first to achieve an Outstanding rating. The facilities support tenants’ day-to-day operations with sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions. Among the efficiency features are roof-mounted solar panels — which allow the offices to operate with zero primary energy consumption — and HelloParks’ dedicated mobile app. Even the rain that falls on the roof is harnessed and collected in a separate storage tank for irrigation. The common areas will be lit by smart-ready lights, and electric car chargers will be available in the warehouse car park. In addition to state-of-the-art technology, the developer, which will also manage the facilities, offers its partners flexible and customised design solutions that comply with all current regulations and favourable conditions for their further development. The HGL Group, which will soon move into hall MG1, focuses on transporting and handling high-value and sensitive goods that require special care, high speed and increased security. With its exceptional parameters, the site is also perfectly suited to these specialised activities. The company also provides European transport coordination for the major players in the Hungarian film industry and the arrival and customs clearance of a significant proportion of e-commerce goods entering the European Union via Hungary. “Moving to a new, sustainable facility is an important milestone for us and represents a significant stage in developing our ever-growing operations and high-quality services. Throughout the negotiations, we were convinced that HelloParks megapark would provide an excellent solution for our e-commerce business and our customers. The state-of-the-art facility will already house our new roller-bed transport and storage system developed for handling ULD air pallets,” said Csaba Németh, Managing Director of HGL Group Hungary, commenting on the deal. “We are proud to have gained the confidence of the HGL Group and are particularly pleased to be able to support their planned growth. This agreement is a further success of our firmly established development and leasing concept. Our presence in the vicinity of the airport is of paramount importance. With this cooperation, we have once again moved forward in an exciting and crucial market segment,” said AndrásBodahelyi, Senior Business Development Manager of HelloParks. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The M18™ Bluetooth®* Jobsite Speaker delivers full range sound and job site versatility. The 9.5 cm woofer and high frequency tweeter deliver optimised sound for medium sized spaces. AUDIO LINK allows you to play music through multiple compatible Milwaukee® devices (over 200+) creating a larger sound experience. The Speaker provides up to 18 hours of run time at 100% volume on the M18 B5 battery. The built-in equaliser settings allows the user to customise the bass and treble to their preferred sound. The body of the speaker features utility cart, nail hook and pass through hanging capabilities, integrated within the handle design. This provides job site versatility. The speaker has a durable design and can withstand the most demanding jobsite environments. It can charge up personal devices with USB-C 3.0 A device charging. Power the radio with any M18™ battery. The M18™ Bluetooth® speaker delivers balanced sound that is built for the job site. MILWAUKEE® is committed to improving productivity by providing performance driven and trade focused solutions so users can perform an entire day’s work on one battery system. The new M18™ Jobsite Speaker is fully compatible with the entire M18™ line, now offering more than 290 power tool solutions. *The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., and any use of such marks by (TTI corporate name) is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. Specifications M18™ Jobsite Speaker (M18 SPEJSG2-0) Kit Includes: (1) M18™ Jobsite Speaker To find out more about the M18™ Bluetooth® Jobsite Speaker, see video footage of it in action or find your nearest store, please visit https://uk.milwaukeetool.uk/. Visit Milwaukee Tool UK’s Instagram and LinkedIn for further information. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation is pleased to announce that the 2025 BiKBBI Installation Awards programme is now open for entries. The BiKBBI Awards, which recognises the talent, contributions and achievements of businesses and individuals in the KBB installation sector and has seen significant growth, attracting more than 300 entries since it launched in October 2021. The BiKBBI Awards are free to enter, and businesses and individuals can nominate themselves, their business, a colleague, business associate or a company that they work with via a dedicated online platform. Entries can be submitted from Tuesday 1 October 2024 and more information on the entry criteria, the submission process and key dates can be found at www.entertoday.co.uk. The 2025 categories are: BiKBBI CEO Damian Walters commented “Following the launch of the BiKBBI Awards back in 2021, the continued year-on-year growth we see, in both entry numbers and support, demonstrates just how important the recognition and reward of installation is, not just to installers themselves, but to the wider KBB industry who rely on this vital workforce. Each year, as well as being delighted by the number of entries we receive, we also get to see and hear about the talented and hardworking businesses and individuals that make up our sector – from installers and apprentices to installation businesses and installation managers. The great thing about the BiKBBI Awards is that it provides a platform for all areas of the sector to get involved and celebrate the achievements of their installation communities.” The BiKBBI Awards 2025 winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner ceremony at London’s prestigious QEII Centre, Westminster, on Tuesday 4 February 2025, in conjunction with event partner, InstallerSHOW, and in support of BiKBBI’s chosen charity partner, Band of Builders. Walters continued “These awards are only possible thanks to our awards sponsors and those that support the programme by entering either themselves or someone else. It was great to see so many businesses come together in recognition of KBB installation at the 2024 Awards, and to be joined on stage by many worthy winners on the night. We hope to exceed the number of entries this year and to honour even more examples of excellence in our sector.” More information on the BiKBBI Awards 2025 can be found at www.entertoday.co.uk . For information on remaining sponsorship opportunities, please email comms@bikbbi.org.uk or call 01375 219 199, option 6. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Connect Plus Services today announces the appointment of Louise Haining as Managing Director with responsibility for leading its M25 operations. A Chartered Engineer, Louise has 30 years’ experience within the construction and infrastructure industry. She joined Connect Plus Services (CPS) in 2017 and has since held several roles across the organisation, including Asset and Project Delivery Director, where she was responsible for the adoption of digital asset management and driving further innovation across the business. Most recently, Louise has held the role of Interim Managing Director at CPS focusing on further digital transformation, predictable delivery and long term maintenance decision making across the business. Louise was instrumental in introducing the digital twin of the M25 in 2020 – a ground-breaking technology which produces highly accurate geo-referenced 2D and 3D outputs, providing over 23 billion data points in the process. The digital mapping of 120 miles of road provides Connect Plus Services with more detailed information to aid planning and decision-making, ultimately reducing the need for physical surveys to be carried out in a live highways environment; therefore improving safety too. Prior to joining Connect Plus Services she enjoyed a successful career at Costain, the Environment Agency and National Highways, working on schemes including The Hungerford Bridge in London and the Folkestone to Cliff Edge Coastal Protection Scheme in Kent. Today’s announcement is testament to Connect Plus Services commitment to attracting, training, and retaining its employees to harness the creativity and innovation of a diverse range of people. Louise Haining, Managing Director of Connect Plus Services, said: “I am delighted to take the helm as Managing Director of Connect Plus Services, leading an incredibly talented team on the M25 – one the UK’s busiest motorways. “My focus will remain on data as a strategic imperative to prioritise decision making so that we keep the M25 safe and fit for purpose, whilst also continuing to identify ways of reducing delays and improving journey time reliability for the travelling public.” Phil Clifton, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Highways business said: “Louise has worked with us for many years and has demonstrated time and again, the leadership qualities she possesses. “I look forward to seeing her flourish in her new role as Managing Director and seeing her wealth of knowledge and expertise drive our asset management capability to deliver value through more predictable and safer journeys.” Connect Plus Services brings together the collective expertise from Balfour Beatty, AtkinsRéalis and Egis, with responsibility for operating and maintaining the 250-mile M25 motorway network, including routine maintenance, winter maintenance, and managing the whole-life requirement of the network including five tunnels and 2,500 structures such as bridges, culverts, and overhead gantries. Connect Plus Services operates and maintains the network on behalf of Connect Plus – a consortium including Edge Orbital Holdings Ltd, Balfour Beatty and Egis Investments Partners – which has a 30-year contract with National Highways through a private finance initiative. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Siemens has appointed Susanne Seitz as CEO of the Buildings Business Unit, which is part of Smart Infrastructure. The unit is a newly formed business unit which brings together all Siemens’ buildings-related businesses into one entity, effective October 1, 2024. With a combined portfolio of products, software and services, the Buildings Business Unit is a technology partner for digital transformation, focused on reliable and cost-efficient building operations, decarbonization and energy efficiency, as well as successful business operations for customers across wide-ranging industries. “Making existing and new buildings more sustainable has never been more urgent. After all, buildings generate more than 40 percent of annual global CO2 emissions and we have a responsibility to drive their decarbonization,” said Matthias Rebellius, managing board member and CEO of Smart Infrastructure. “Smarter buildings bring value to their owners, users, operators and to the world around them. I am confident in the newly-formed leadership team. Together with the combined expertise of almost 30,000 people globally, we can take our leadership position in the buildings market to the next level and pave the way to smart buildings of the future.” The Buildings Business Unit works with customers and with an expanding ecosystem of partners across more than 60 countries and in key industries, including healthcare, data centers, higher education, commercial real estate, pharmaceutical and life science, and food and beverage. The business unit’s portfolio includes products for building control, fire safety and security, automation and operation, data-driven services, decarbonization programs and software, including Building X, Siemens’ scalable digital building platform to digitalize, manage and optimize building operations. “I am excited to have the opportunity to grow this dynamic business. With innovative technology we can accelerate the transformation of buildings to make them smarter, self-adaptive and more autonomous, harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence, IT/OT convergence and digital services. This supports our customers in reducing their emissions and costs while improving user experience in buildings,” said Seitz. Based in Zug, Switzerland, Seitz previously served as the Head of Sales and Marketing at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, leading the transformation towards digital sales and marketing globally. Prior to that, she was Executive Vice President EMEA at Landis+ Gyr and Member of the Group Executive Management. For some 16 years preceding this, Seitz held different positions at Siemens, including Head of Strategy and M&A, Head of Security, Vice President for the global buildings systems and solutions business. She is a Swiss native and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Technology from ETH Zurich and an Executive MBA from the University of St. Gallen. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has secured approval for its ambitious £200 million expansion, marking a major development in the history of the Wimbledon Championships. The Greater London Authority (GLA) has given the go-ahead for the project, which will see the construction of 39 new tennis courts and a state-of-the-art 8,000-seat show court on the former site of Wimbledon Park Golf Club. The decision, signed off by Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor for Planning, highlights the project’s potential to enhance local infrastructure and boost the economy. The expansion will nearly triple the size of Wimbledon’s existing grounds, offering much-needed space for the world-famous tournament to grow. One of the key components of the plan is the addition of a new venue for Wimbledon’s qualifying matches, which are currently held off-site in Roehampton. The new courts will allow up to 10,000 spectators to attend the qualifying rounds, centralising the event and elevating the overall spectator experience. A standout feature of the development is the creation of a 23-acre public park, designed to echo historical landscape aesthetics. This new green space will be open year-round, except during the Championships, and will include a boardwalk and enhanced waterways, providing the local community with a much-needed recreational area. However, the expansion has stirred significant controversy. Campaign groups, including Save Wimbledon Park, have raised concerns about the impact on protected land, arguing that the development risks turning the area into a “huge industrial tennis complex”. Local politicians and residents have also voiced opposition, urging the AELTC to explore alternative solutions that preserve more of the open space. Despite the pushback, the GLA believes the benefits outweigh the concerns, with promises of economic growth, improved facilities, and enhanced public amenities. The AELTC is now moving forward with the next phase of planning and construction, although potential legal challenges from opponents may cause delays. As construction progresses, the iconic Wimbledon Championships look set to expand, securing its future as a premier global sporting event while also promising new public benefits for the local community. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) Planning Committee last night approved plans for the redevelopment of the Former Royal Mail Sorting Office site, at Maidstone East, for mixed-use development which is predominantly residential. The development will include 180 apartments, 1,863 square metres of commercial and/or community space and around one acre of open green space town centre park which will be owned and managed by the Council. Cllr Stuart Jeffery, Leader of MBC said: “This redevelopment will form part of the Council’s ambitious housebuilding programme. These are very exciting times for the Council, and the town itself. We believe the project will be transformational to that area of Maidstone, bringing genuinely excellent new homes to the town centre. I am also pleased to see a large new open green space included in the design, it will play an important role in the wellbeing of the new residents and businesses.” MBC has been working on the makeup of the site for the past few years, the demolition of the various buildings is almost complete making way for the new development. Cllr Simon Wales, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness at MBC added: “MBC will be acting as lead developer on the site and has already secured £2.1m of Brownfield Land Release Fund monies from the Department for Local Government Homes & Communities, which has helped fund some of the remedial works to prepare it for redevelopment. “Now that the planning permission is in place, the Council can approach Homes England as to the availability of Social Housing Grant monies to help fund much needed affordable housing on the site. We are also discussing the inclusion of a health facility with the local NHS” Simon continued: “The next steps are to procure a contractor for the works, and to refine and finalise the tenure mix for the project, with a view to the build getting under way in around twelve months.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is delighted to announce the winners for the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction Awards 2024. The awards ceremony, which celebrates and honours the outstanding individuals within the sector, took place on 30 September at Birmingham’s Burlington Hotel at the start of UK Construction Week. The Awards Ceremony was hosted by National Federation of Builders, and showcased the influential women that work in construction, making female and non-binary role models more visible and accessible to inspire others, and demonstrating that the sector is open to everyone. The category winners were: The Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction were also unveiled at the awards with the UK’s Most Influential Overall accolade awarded to Katherine Evans from Bold as Brass. Danny Clarke, Engagement Director, England at CITB, said: “Congratulations to our award winners and to all of those who were shortlisted for the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Construction. We are delighted to recognise the incredible women and allies who are driving real change in the construction industry. “The award ceremony and Top 100 shortlist celebrate the women that work at every level within the sector and their phenomenal achievements, while inspiring others and encouraging the next generation to pursue careers in this field. We are proud to showcase those who are leading in our industry and hope to see more even more applicants next year.” Richard Beresford, Chief Executive Officer at National Federation of Builders (NFB), said: “It was a privilege to attend the Top 100 Most Influential Awards event and celebrate the outstanding women and allies that have gone above and beyond this year. It is testament to the positive changes taking place in the industry and we must build on its success and continue to empower and support our women in construction.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction is now underway on 189 low-energy affordable homes for local people at Deptford Landings in southeast London. The fully affordable development will include 130 homes for social rent and 59 homes for shared ownership, providing housing opportunities for local people, including those on the council’s waiting list. Residents will enjoy high-quality living spaces across three eight-storey buildings, complete with private balconies, a central landscaped courtyard, and large roof terraces on two of the blocks. The development, led by Peabody with Higgins Partnerships, will not only help to address the urgent need for affordable housing but also be built to Passivhaus standards. The energy needed to heat and cool Passivhaus buildings can be 90 percent lower than that of other buildings, and more than 75 percent lower than typical new buildings. This will provide energy-efficient homes for residents, with drastically reduced energy bills, improved comfort, and enhanced air quality. The project is part of the ongoing regeneration of the former industrial site at Deptford Landings, led by Lendlease. The plan includes 1,500 new homes, 382 student beds, commercial spaces, and public areas, creating a lively community for living, working, and leisure. The first phase of the project was completed in 2020. On Wednesday 18 September, representatives from Peabody, Higgins and their partners gathered to officially mark the start of construction of this latest phase, following the completion of initial preparation works on site. Simon Barry, Managing Director, Development at Peabody, said: “This project represents a significant investment of more than £75 million, including grant funding from the Greater London Authority, at a time when building affordable homes in London is increasingly difficult. These new homes will not only be fully affordable but also built to Passivhaus standards, benefiting both residents and the environment. We’re excited to see this development come to life and we very much look forward to welcoming new residents.” Dominic Higgins, Chief Operating Officer at Higgins Group, said: “This ground-breaking marks a significant milestone in the delivery of 189 much needed Passivhaus homes. Our commitment goes beyond building new homes. We are focused to making a lasting, positive impact within the local community by offering apprenticeships, work placements and nurturing future talent through our work with local schools, ensuring the development contributes to the area’s long-term growth and success.” Tom Copley, the Deputy Mayor of Housing and Residential Development, said: “I’m delighted by the progress at Deptford Landings, using funding from the Mayor of London to bring 189 genuinely affordable and low-energy homes to the local area. We are proud to have delivered millions of pounds in City Hall funding to help drive this regeneration, as part of plans which will ultimately deliver 1,500 new, high-quality homes as well as new student accommodation, offices and public spaces, in line with our mission to build a better and fairer London for everyone.” Colin Murphy, Lendlease Project Lead at Deptford Landings, said: “This affordable housing development is a cornerstone of the Deptford Landings masterplan, and in partnership with Peabody, will provide affordable, sustainable housing for the local Deptford community. The delivery of 189 high-quality, energy-efficient homes makes a significant contribution to this vision and the development’s long-term plan to create a vibrant community hub for living, working, and leisure.” Laura Stephenson, Director at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), the architects who designed the development, said: “We are very pleased that work has started on site at Deptford Landings, which is AHMM’s first residential Passivhaus project. Working with Peabody and Higgins Partnerships, we look forward to delivering much needed high quality affordable homes for Lewisham and for London.” Andrew Leiper, MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) Engineering Director and Managing Partner at Max Fordham LLP, said: “Over the last decade at Max Fordham we have delivered many exemplar Passivhaus projects in the UK, including several pioneering schemes. Working with our long-term clients, Peabody, on their first major Passivhaus project makes us very proud. It’s great to be part of their move into the ultra-low energy standard for homes.” Jeremy Spill, Partner at RLB, added: “Being involved in a sustainable project that adds social value to its community is always a privilege and pleasure, but it was particularly great for the RLB team to be involved in the new Deptford Landing project with Peabody, as employer’s agent, principal designer, and cost managers. Delivering nearly 200 affordable, low energy homes in southeast London to Passivhaus certification, will not only help reduce running costs for the residents but also support our industry’s drive for net zero.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
