Plans have been revealed to transform the former Co-operative Group headquarters in Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood into a luxury hotel and restaurant. The Grade II-listed New Century House, a landmark of 1960s modernist architecture, is set to undergo a major conversion to include a 196-room hotel with a rooftop terrace bar
In a landmark investment deal, US-based investment giant Blackstone has committed £10bn to the construction of one of Europe’s largest AI data centres in Blyth, Northumberland. The project is set to provide a significant boost to the UK economy, creating over 4,000 jobs, with 1,200 roles specifically tied to the
A UNIQUE piece of research commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) reveals the huge financial strain temporary accommodation costs are placing on local authorities. Each year, an estimated £74.6 million is spent on renting temporary accommodation across Greater Manchester. The number of people living in temporary accommodation in
A2Dominion has published its Annual Report & Accounts for 2023/24, recording a turnover of £399.6 million (up by 2.7%) and an operating surplus of £48.7 million (up by 12.2%). The housing association recorded an overall deficit of £21.0 million (2023: £12.8 million deficit) for 2023/24, which includes net interest charges
London property developer Avanton has selected HG Construction as the main contractor for a landmark residential scheme on the Old Kent Road, with a contract value of £68 million. The 262-unit development, named ‘THE BeCa’, has a project GDV of £160 million and represents the first major residential project in
Modular construction business Integra Buildings has celebrated a record year as a string of major contracts underpinned impressive growth. Yorkshire-based Integra recorded turnover of £50m in 2023 for the first time in the company’s 27-year history, as newly-released accounts detail its strong financial performance. Income reached £50.4m in the year
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is calling for reform of permitted development rights in its response to the government’s consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework. The pan-industry body is also urging government to channel greater resources into strategic planning and to strengthen support for retrofit first. CIC said it
Independent property company, Hortons, has secured planning consent for the speculative development of 100,000 sq ft of industrial/warehouse accommodation in the West Midlands. Two new build units of 40,000 sq ft and 60,000 sq ft will be constructed on a five acre plot at Wellington Industrial Estate, Coseley, near Jct
Yesterday, senior leaders and professionals from across the construction industry gathered at the 2024 Construction Leaders’ Summit, bringing together some of the most important voices in building safety and sustainability. Hosted by construction data experts, NBS, in collaboration with data analysts Glenigan, at the Royal College of Physicians, London, the
Experts in modular construction are invited to apply for a new framework covering the design, supply, installation and hire of permanent, temporary and refurbished modular buildings for the public sector. The Modular Buildings (MB3) framework has been designed by public sector construction framework provider LHC Procurement Group (LHCPG) to support
Plans have been revealed to transform the former Co-operative Group headquarters in Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood into a luxury hotel and restaurant. The Grade II-listed New Century House, a landmark of 1960s modernist architecture, is set to undergo a major conversion to include a 196-room hotel with a rooftop terrace bar and restaurant, along with conference and leisure facilities in the basement. Located in the heart of the city, the proposed hotel would offer prime access to Manchester’s key retail and business areas. Its central location is just a short walk from the AO Arena, which has a capacity of 23,000, as well as Victoria Station and Shudehill transport interchange, making it ideal for both business and leisure travellers. Originally built for the Co-operative Insurance Society, the 14-storey New Century House later became the headquarters of the Co-operative Group. Now, this iconic building is set to join the dynamic NOMA neighbourhood, home to major businesses like Amazon, Adanola, and BNY Mellon, which recently relocated its 2,000-strong Manchester team to nearby 4 Angel Square. The proposed development will complement the neighbouring New Century Hall, a refurbished music venue and food hall, and the DBS Institute, which offers degree and postgraduate courses in music technology and games design. Dan Hyde, development director at MEPC, the asset manager for the NOMA estate, expressed excitement about the project, stating: “New Century House is a Manchester icon, and we believe the time is right to revitalise it as a hotel. This is the next natural step in the ongoing growth of our vibrant neighbourhood, and it will sit perfectly alongside BNY at 4 Angel Square and the popular New Century Hall.” Jeremy Collins of Jenics, the hotel and leisure consultancy leading the search for a hotel operator, highlighted Manchester’s international appeal, saying: “With its global connectivity, world-class universities, and rich cultural and sporting heritage, Manchester is a magnet for visitors from around the world. New Century House presents an outstanding opportunity to enhance the city’s hospitality landscape.” MEPC and Jenics are currently exploring options to either sell the property or lease it, ensuring flexibility for interested hotel operators. A formal proposal is expected to be submitted to Manchester City Council in the coming months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In a landmark investment deal, US-based investment giant Blackstone has committed £10bn to the construction of one of Europe’s largest AI data centres in Blyth, Northumberland. The project is set to provide a significant boost to the UK economy, creating over 4,000 jobs, with 1,200 roles specifically tied to the construction phase. This ambitious development will occupy the site originally planned for the BritishVolt battery plant, repurposing the space to house a state-of-the-art data centre critical to the burgeoning artificial intelligence sector. The facility will play a key role in managing the vast data sets required for AI operations, reinforcing the UK’s status as a global leader in AI technology and digital infrastructure. Construction is expected to begin next year, alongside a £110m investment by Blackstone into a local fund to support skills training and upgrade transportation infrastructure in Blyth. The initiative aims to create lasting benefits for the local community while enhancing the region’s appeal as a tech and innovation hub. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has heralded the investment as a crucial step in driving economic growth, saying: “The number one mission of my government is to grow our economy so that hardworking British people reap the benefits – and foreign investment is a key part of that plan.” This announcement follows Labour’s recent move to designate data centres as Critical National Infrastructure, demonstrating the government’s commitment to fostering secure environments for large-scale technological developments. By prioritising these projects, the UK seeks to position itself at the forefront of digital innovation and attract further global investment. Jon Gray, President and Chief Operating Officer of Blackstone, highlighted the UK’s investment appeal: “The UK is a top investment market for Blackstone due to its rich combination of talent and innovation, supported by a highly transparent legal system. This £10bn investment reaffirms our commitment to the UK, contributing to critical digital infrastructure and supporting the transition to a digital economy.” This agreement also serves to strengthen the UK-US trading relationship, which is already valued at over £340bn annually. With more global investments on the horizon, Starmer emphasised the importance of securing foreign partnerships: “Britain is back as a major player on the global stage, and we are open for business.” As the UK prepares to host the International Investment Summit next month, the Blackstone deal is a clear indicator of the country’s growing appeal to foreign investors. The new AI data centre will not only contribute to the UK’s digital and economic future but also solidify its position as a global hub for AI and technology innovation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A UNIQUE piece of research commissioned by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) reveals the huge financial strain temporary accommodation costs are placing on local authorities. Each year, an estimated £74.6 million is spent on renting temporary accommodation across Greater Manchester. The number of people living in temporary accommodation in Greater Manchester is now at an all-time high, with 5,649 households living in hostels, Bed and Breakfast and other temporary accommodation. These households include 7,679 children. Over the past four years the number of households in temporary accommodation in Greater Manchester has increased by 71% compared with 26% across England. Today the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and the leaders of the city-region’s ten local authorities confirmed the launch of a new Housing First Unit to tackle the roots of the housing crisis by: Housing First is part of the GMCA’s pioneering approach to delivering public services and tackling the problems that are hampering wellbeing and economic growth. It is based on the philosophy that good health, good education, and good jobs cannot come without a good, permanent home. The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “The £75m our councils are spending on these rents is just the tip of the iceberg. It doesn’t include the cost of finding that housing, let alone the human toll of living in such an insecure situation. “Our reliance on temporary accommodation has left thousands of families in a limbo that is blighting their life chances and damaging their health and wellbeing. Living in a hostel or B&B makes it harder to cook healthy meals, do homework, hold down a job, see friends and family or visit a doctor when you need to. “Our Housing First Unit will work to make sure that everyone in Greater Manchester has a home that is safe, secure and sustainable. Giving everyone a good, safe home would be one of the best investments the country could make and would take pressure off other public services and public finances.” Demand for social housing in Greater Manchester outstrips supply by 260 per cent. In 2022/23, there were 13,551 social lettings in Greater Manchester – half as many as ten years ago. There were 86,595 households vying for these properties, of which 35,177 were in a priority group for social housing The Mayor and Greater Manchester’s ten council leaders also approved a plan to work together to deliver better quality and better value temporary accommodation. The cost and demand for temporary accommodation has spiralled in recent years due to a lack of social and affordable housing and the high cost of private rentals. Local authorities must abide by strict rules around how they cover these rental costs and can only recover a fraction of what they spend from central government. In Greater Manchester, councils were only able to recover 42% of the £74.6 million they spent on temporary accommodation, creating an annual net loss of £43million. The GMCA will explore new ways of coordinating, delivering and preventing the need for temporary accommodation. It will also draw lessons from current best practice across the city-region, such as Manchester City Council, which has been able to buck the national trend, reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation and all but eradicating the use of Bed and Breakfasts. Portfolio Lead for Housing First, City Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett, said: “The spiralling cost of temporary accommodation represents an existential threat to local government. Following 14 years of previous Government-driven austerity, we’ve seen councils up and down the country going bankrupt, with temporary accommodation placing an ever-bigger burden on their budgets. “In recent years, the lack of social and council housing has massively increased landlords’ bargaining power, leaving our residents struggling to secure a place to call home. That market pressure has also made it harder for councils to negotiate rates and secure temporary accommodation. Without urgent and radical action, annual financial losses for local authorities will just keep growing, putting further pressure on overstretched budgets, continuing to push councils into bankruptcy. “There is no quick fix for this housing crisis which has been 40 years in the making. The Right to Buy has led to chronic under-supply of social and council housing. We’ve lost 24,000 homes to Right to Buy in the past two decades and not enough new homes are being built to replace them. Rising land values, an inability currently to capture land-value uplift in the National Planning Policy Framework, ongoing land assembly challenges, and skills and experiences shortages are also making it harder to build truly affordable housing. “We welcome the progress the new Government is making, including the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Bill, which will end no fault eviction and recent changes to the Compulsory Purchase Regulations to tackle issues with ‘hope value’ and the implications for the viability of developments. “Through regional collaboration and with the support of central Government, we can work to deliver Greater Manchester’s vision of Housing First and collectively work to mitigate the worst effects of the housing crisis. “By taking a collaborative, co-ordinated and evidence-based approach, we hope to realise economies of scale and deliver temporary accommodation that is better value for money, while reducing the need for temporary accommodation by significantly increasing & accelerating the supply of Truly Affordable Net Zero homes. “A good home is the cornerstone of a healthy, happy life for our residents. By working together, we can improve the standard of temporary accommodation and make sure they are consistent across Greater Manchester.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A2Dominion has published its Annual Report & Accounts for 2023/24, recording a turnover of £399.6 million (up by 2.7%) and an operating surplus of £48.7 million (up by 12.2%). The housing association recorded an overall deficit of £21.0 million (2023: £12.8 million deficit) for 2023/24, which includes net interest charges and a reported downward movement in the valuation of investment property totaling £14.5 million. The result reflects the Group’s decision, outlined in its new Corporate Strategy, to refocus finances on improvements to services and customers’ homes, as well as investing in building safety work. The last year saw a continued increase in investment in maintaining and improving properties to ensure customers’ homes are safe and comply with new regulations (£96.8m – 2023: £86.1m). The Group will also be investing approximately £612 million in customers’ homes over the next five years, in line with its 2030 vision to provide homes people love to live in. The Group’s end-of-year performance has also been impacted by impairments on schemes in development and the costs of aborting potential developments as the Group continues to assess schemes’ feasibility. This reflects the Group’s new approach to property development, which focuses on regeneration and redevelopment of existing homes and neighbourhoods, and moves away from its previous emphasis on private sale homes via its FABRICA by A2Dominion brand. In addition, the 38,000-home housing association decided to write-off the costs of a legacy IT programme and introduce a new approach to improving systems for customers and colleagues to drive service improvements and efficiencies that will be more cost effective in the medium term. The change in direction for the London and South-East association is one of several initiatives that is helping to underpin work to improve its services and outcomes for customers, as well as return to a compliant regulatory grading after its regulatory downgrade in January 2024. The Group continues to review its cost base with several initiatives put in place to reduce costs and improve income generation. Operating costs increased by 8.6% (2023: 17.1%) and continued to be affected by the rise in inflation including higher utilities and insurance costs of £4.8 million, with increases in: the costs of housing management including decants (£9.8m); leasehold (by £6.1m) and service charge (by £4.7m). Repairs costs increased by £7.7 million, driven by higher inflation, increased volumes of repairs and the cost of transitioning to a new joint venture repairs partnership. In commercial activities, the Group’s end-of-year results were impacted by the planned reduction of its sales and development programme. Construction costs and delays also increased with some schemes rolling into 2024/25, leading to impairments on some current schemes (£12.6m). A2Dominion’s balance sheet remains strong, with a Fitch A credit rating, more than £3.5bn of fixed assets and investments, and a reserves position of over £1bn. With significant liquidity and a strong asset base, the Group has been taking the tough calls now to reset the business to ensure it is well prepared to meet the significant challenges faced across the wider housing sector in years to come so that we can do more to support customers and alleviate housing needs. Ian Wardle, Chief Executive Officer of the A2Dominion Group, said: “Over the last year we’ve been open and transparent about the need to improve outcomes for our customers, all while dealing with the pressures of financial and regulatory change to the housing sector as a whole. “Since I arrived at A2Dominion in 2022, the Board has been clear we needed to simplify the organisation and return to the roots and beating heart of a housing association, moving away from being a residential property group. “This means we have had to take some tough calls to reset and pivot the organisation. These difficult decisions are being taken for the right reasons to support service improvement, adjust our development focus and write off some historic costs that we don’t believe will deliver what we need for customers and colleagues. “Our strategic priorities outlined in this report look set to help achieve value for money, working first and foremost with – and listening to – customers, as well as other stakeholders to prioritise investment in our core services and communities. “Although the Group’s profitability continued to come under pressure from economic constraints, we’ve already taken action to reduce costs and improve income generation. But there is still work to do. “Our underlying financial strength and potential is strong, and we will return to profitability as part of the improvements we are making.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London property developer Avanton has selected HG Construction as the main contractor for a landmark residential scheme on the Old Kent Road, with a contract value of £68 million. The 262-unit development, named ‘THE BeCa’, has a project GDV of £160 million and represents the first major residential project in the regeneration of the Old Kent Road area. Located on the site of the former Carpetright warehouse at 651 Old Kent Road, construction is set to begin immediately. Designed by renowned architects Farrells, the development will feature two towers reaching 10 and 19 storeys high. As the initial phase of Avanton’s 5-acre Ruby Triangle masterplan, ‘THE BeCa’ will include 40% affordable housing, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering a mix of housing options in this vibrant and evolving neighbourhood. ‘THE BeCa’ will comprise 170 New York-styled one and two-bedroom apartments for private sale with residents benefitting from a wide range of high-quality amenities including a concierge, fitness suite, flexible co-working spaces, games room, cycle storage and three communal roof terraces. The development will offer over 10,000 ft of retail space, with Sainsbury’s Local already signed up to occupy on completion of the development. HG Construction, a specialist in high-quality residential, commercial, hotel, and student accommodation projects across the UK, is currently engaged in multiple projects within the Southwark area. The contractor will leverage its extensive internal delivery capabilities on the project, handling piling, concrete frames, bathroom pods, and mechanical and electrical services—ensuring high standards of quality and programme efficiency for Avanton. Chris Cobham, Development Director at Avanton, commented: “’THE BeCa’ is not only a significant step forward in our Ruby Triangle masterplan, but it also demonstrates our commitment to Southwark’s masterplan on the Old Kent Road. By delivering high-quality homes, including 40% affordable housing, alongside vibrant amenities and BREEAM Excellent rated retail spaces, we are creating a truly sustainable community that will benefit the local area for years to come.” Adam Quinn, CEO, HG Construction commented: “It is a pleasure to be partnering with Avanton to help them deliver on their exciting new vision for the Ruby Triangle. We have been involved in a number of schemes in the Old Kent Road area over the past few years and it is wonderful to see the regeneration progress at pace with major new schemes completing and more on the way. This new high quality mixed-use residential development will significantly boost the housing offering in the area and provide an excellent amenity and retail offering for residents. We are committed to working collaboratively with Avanton, our suppliers and the local community and look forward to developing solid new relationships and positive community links as the scheme progresses.” The development is expected to complete in winter 2026 and a sales suite will be opened by Avanton in London Bridge in October this year. ‘THE BeCa’ apartment prices start at £440,000 and currently 20% have been pre-sold. For more information visit the thebeca.co.uk or call +44 (0) 20 7052 5111. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Modular construction business Integra Buildings has celebrated a record year as a string of major contracts underpinned impressive growth. Yorkshire-based Integra recorded turnover of £50m in 2023 for the first time in the company’s 27-year history, as newly-released accounts detail its strong financial performance. Income reached £50.4m in the year ending December 31, 2023, up 18 per cent on the previous 12 months, with pre-tax profits of £6.6m, up from £2.8m in 2022. Key to the success were a series of showpiece projects, including the delivery of a £6m new facility for a world-class sports organisation, as well as contracts won with blue chip clients including Network Rail and Transport for London. Integra’s impressive financial performance comes as it continues to deliver major investments at its headquarters site in Paull, near Hull, including an expanded head office and wide-reaching sustainability initiatives. With a healthy order book and future pipeline of work, Integra has set its sights on exceeding £60m turnover in 2025 and is investing in its team to lay the foundations for continuing growth. Integra CEO Gary Parker said: “Hitting £50m turnover for the first time reflects a hugely successful period for Integra, delivering impactful projects for clients spanning both the public and private sectors. “As we have grown organically, we have evolved from a modular manufacturer to a full-service modular construction company which is delivering turnkey projects spanning design, consultation, planning, manufacture, delivery and installation. “Throughout our history, we’ve remained focused on delivering buildings of outstanding quality. Our reputation for excellence and consistently exceeding expectations is driving ever-growing numbers of enquiries from clients looking for modular solutions to their projects.” As well as smaller scale contracts, a total of 15 projects worth at least £1m each were successfully delivered during 2023. Integra’s single biggest project during the year was a development for one of the world’s best-known sports organisations. The modular construction business also delivered an award-winning Wellbeing Hub for NHS staff at Southampton General Hospital. The project was made possible following the auction of famous street artist Banksy’s “Game Changer” piece and provided a modern, attractive space for colleagues to relax and unwind from the pressures of work. Other important contracts included a staff accommodation and maintenance building at Transport for London’s Neasden Depot and a new training centre for Network Rail at its Innovation & Development Centre in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire. Integra continues to work with leading organisations including National Highways and the Ministry of Defence with a healthy order book and pipeline of high-quality contracts. Chris Turner, Managing Director at Integra, said: “Our strong performance is in line with a structured growth plan which was put in place to ensure we remain at the forefront of a fast-growing modular construction industry. “It means, as a business, we are well placed for the next chapter of our story, as we continually look to evolve the services we offer to our clients. “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of our team who have played a massive part in what was the most successful year in Integra’s history.” Integra is also midway through a £2m investment programme at its East Yorkshire site, including a self-built expansion to Integra’s modular head office. Over the past six years, Integra’s workforce has grown from a team of 80 to around 180, and the new space will cater for the company’s expanding office-based team. Investment has also been made to create additional storage space at the site, to accommodate growing numbers of units ready to be transported to sites. Sustainability forms a crucial part of the investment programme, with Integra having embarked on an ambitious pathway to become a carbon neutral business by 2038. More than £1m has been invested in projects including a comprehensive rooftop solar installation, the introduction of electric forklift trucks and welding equipment, a waste compactor which reduces trips to landfill, and replacing company vehicles with electric models. Integra now has more than 1,000 solar panels installed on its main office and production factories, with capacity to generate around 380,000 kWh of clean electricity every year. Integra continues to invest significantly in learning, development and training for its existing team, as well as expanding and recruiting in project management and commercial roles. The company provides a high-quality healthcare benefit package, with a clear focus on wellbeing. With an eye on the future, and nurturing a skilled workforce, Integra has a successful apprenticeship programme, working with local schools and colleges to provide opportunities for young people pursuing a career in the construction industry. Integra has also formed a new pre-construction team, with a focus on offering a broader, complete service to clients. It means the company is involved in projects from an earlier design and planning stage, taking the client right through to completion and handover of the building. With a commitment to excellence across all of its operations, Integra has retained its three ISO accreditations for Quality Management, Environment and Health and Safety. The business is also working towards ISO 19650, an international standard which helps companies securely manage information over the whole lifecycle of a built asset using building information modelling. As the modular industry continues to grow and evolve, Integra has invested in a number of research and development projects, focused on new product development, including an innovative modular custodial cell which meets the required Government standards. Integra believes the modular cell could hold the key to tackling the prison overcrowding crisis which has made the headlines in recent months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is calling for reform of permitted development rights in its response to the government’s consultation on the National Planning Policy Framework. The pan-industry body is also urging government to channel greater resources into strategic planning and to strengthen support for retrofit first. CIC said it is “is hugely supportive of government’s ambition to accelerate housebuilding and that it backed many reforms.” But it added: “Without extra funding for affordable housing in the budget this ambition could not be realised as many schemes will remain unviable.” Professor Tony Crook CBE, Chair of CIC’s Housing Panel, said: “We support what the government is doing, including much of the detail in the NPPF, such as reintroduction of local mandatory housing targets. However, the NPPF will not be able to deliver on its own, and there is a real risk that without addressing other changes needed, government will fall well short of its housebuilding ambitions.” In its response to the consultation, CIC has highlighted concerns about the government’s proposals, including: Mina Hasman, chair of CIC’s Climate Change Committee said: “The newly planned homes are expected to face some of the most severe and long-lasting impacts of climate change making it imperative that they are designed to be both resilient and low carbon. It is therefore, critical that our planning policies support homes built to an ambitious Future Homes Standard and drive the successful adoption of Blue-Green Infrastructure including SuDS. The policy of encouraging the reuse of existing resources within the NPPF should be strengthened to better incentivise retrofitting, improve design solutions, and dramatically reduce waste and carbon emissions in line with government’s stated commitment to a more circular economy.” CIC also highlighted the skills shortage across many professionals and trades, which it said needed urgent addressing for house building targets to be met. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Independent property company, Hortons, has secured planning consent for the speculative development of 100,000 sq ft of industrial/warehouse accommodation in the West Midlands. Two new build units of 40,000 sq ft and 60,000 sq ft will be constructed on a five acre plot at Wellington Industrial Estate, Coseley, near Jct 2 of the M5 motorway. Known as Evolution 40 and 60, the new developments will target EPC A and contain 10m eaves height, a secure yard and parking. The units will have access to secure cycle parking and electric vehicle charging provision, and will be serviced by a new two-way estate road. Remediation works will take place on site before construction of the two new buildings. Hortons has also begun the redevelopment of Wellington House, a former office building on the same estate, which will create a further eight, double height small industrial units. The new units are expected to be available for occupation from Q1 2025. In addition, Hortons has invested in the refurbishment of almost 50% of the existing industrial accommodation at Wellington Industrial Estate, improving the amenity and environmental performance of units. James Slater of Hortons said: “We are very pleased to have gained planning consent for this new development scheme at Wellington Industrial Estate. Evolution 40 and 60 will deliver high quality industrial/warehouse and manufacturing space, within a secure business environment, and we expect to receive considerable interest from the market. “Our strategy of investing in the upgrade of existing buildings has been an important factor in attracting new occupiers to the estate, while our redevelopment of Wellington House will also serve local demand for high quality small business units.” Wellington Industrial Estate is a multi-let estate located off the A4123 Birmingham New Road, within five miles of Wolverhampton city centre. For more information please contact retained agents, Bulleys Chartered Surveyors and Harris Lamb. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Yesterday, senior leaders and professionals from across the construction industry gathered at the 2024 Construction Leaders’ Summit, bringing together some of the most important voices in building safety and sustainability. Hosted by construction data experts, NBS, in collaboration with data analysts Glenigan, at the Royal College of Physicians, London, the event kicked off with a deep dive into the issue of safety in construction and the role construction product testing has to play. Speaking at the event, Paul Morrell OBE, former Chief Construction Adviser to the UK Government, said: “There can be no question about the objective: we need buildings that are designed, constructed, and operated to be safe, incorporating products manufactured and marketed with the same end in mind.” He stressed that the industry must not wait around for Government direction, saying “This change involves the entire supply chain, creating a chain of connected duties. The industry needs to decide what competence looks like in accordance with guidance and standards, and we must all take reasonable steps to ensure that these are upheld.” Talks throughout the day also focused on sustainable construction and in particular, the sustainable practices that are moving the needle on delivering net-zero emission targets and how the role of digital adoption will continue to be a key driver in delivering higher standards of safety and efficiency across the board. The event included other insightful talks. Chris Hines MBE, owner of A Grain of Sand & former Director of Sustainability for The Eden Project, gave an informative speech on the collaborative mindset needed to deliver a step change in sustainable and regenerative development. He said: “Large-scale infrastructure projects are drivers of change, by example and by practice. Construction has a key role to play in the race toward Net Zero, through leadership, expertise, innovation and collaboration. We need to work together, using every tool we have available.” With a focus on the entire construction supply chain, the afternoon session also examined how safety and sustainability considerations have impacted building product manufacturers as well as designers, particularly in the way building information is used and managed by the industry. The day ended with a discussion on digital and AI in construction alongside some of the leading voices in applied construction technology, including Fyma CEO Karen Burns and BDP-Pattern Associate Director Nick Tyrer. Dr Stephen Hamil, Innovation Director at NBS, concluded the event by saying: “The Hackitt Review, Building Safety Act and its secondary legislation have laid out clear duties for designers, contractors, and those who own and operate buildings. Now, the industry is figuring out how to organise itself to live up to these duties. “It’s a complicated but essential task, and that’s why the summit is a great opportunity for professionals across the sector to share best practice and receive take-away advice that they can implement in their day-to-day decisions.” If you missed out on this year’s event, sign up to access presentations and content from the day and watch the on-demand webinar here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Experts in modular construction are invited to apply for a new framework covering the design, supply, installation and hire of permanent, temporary and refurbished modular buildings for the public sector. The Modular Buildings (MB3) framework has been designed by public sector construction framework provider LHC Procurement Group (LHCPG) to support public sector clients with modular building solutions that emphasise offsite construction and its environmental benefits. As the successor to the MB2 framework, which expires in May 2025, it will be available to use for a wide range of public sector buildings across England, Wales and Scotland through LHCPG’s five regional business units. This includes education facilities, healthcare settings, emergency services, offices, community buildings, and mixed-use developments. Suppliers on the MB3 framework will provide a full turnkey solution, managing all services required for a project from initial design through to final handover. By increasing the focus on offsite construction, MB3 aims to reduce environmental impact, streamline project timelines, and offer cost-effective alternatives to traditional construction methods. Almost £76 million of public sector work has been procured via the MB2 framework to date, and even greater interest is anticipated in MB3 – particularly from sectors facing time-sensitive construction needs. Shona Snow, LHCPG’s director of product innovation, said: “Our MB3 framework will continue to address the demand we are seeing for offsite construction, which not only delivers projects more efficiently but also brings significant environmental benefits. “It will make it easier for public sector clients to procure modular buildings that meet their specific needs across various sectors. “Given the increasing pressure on the public sector to address urgent building requirements, particularly in light of the ongoing RAAC crisis and changes to building safety regulations, we expect strong demand for this framework.” MB3 is set to run until May 2029 to provide long-term opportunities for both suppliers and public sector clients in education, blue light services, healthcare, offices, and leisure facilities. Owing to its flexibility and broad scope, it is designed to support a wide range of public sector projects, delivering high-quality, sustainable modular buildings. As with all LHCPG frameworks, there are social value objectives for MB3 which align with the nature of the framework and partner priorities. Clive Feeney, LHCPG group managing director, said: “Our unique value lies not just in our technical solutions and support, but also in our social value outcomes. “As the only true national framework provider structured and governed around community needs and social value outcomes, we focus on generating positive, lasting impacts on communities. “All companies appointed to MB3 will be supported to deliver and report the social value impact of each project delivered through it.” Places on the framework, which will be split across four workstreams, are available to those specialising in modular construction suitable for public sector applications. Bids will be evaluated on a 70% quality and 30% price basis to ensure both value and expertise are prioritised. Shona added: “As always, we are keen to encourage applications from SMEs and actively try to remove barriers for them through our procurement processes. “We are proud of the fact that four out of five of the 1,266 suppliers appointed to our frameworks in the last ten years have been SMEs.” Throughout the tender submission period applicants can ask questions, and a full tender response pack, templates and guidance information will be available. Suppliers can view and submit their bids to be part of this framework via LHCPG’s Intend portal by 12 noon on 31 October 2024: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/lhc/aspx/ProjectManage/36 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
