Clowes Developments have assembled a first-class team to deliver quality warehouse and industrial units at Stud Brook Business Park in Castle Donington. Clowes, together with their team have the expertise to develop units to satisfy small to medium sized businesses but also have the ability to deliver projects on a
One of the Midlands largest housing associations in partnership with one of the UK’s top house builders have been crowned winners in a leading awards scheme. Platform Housing Group and Keepmoat have been awarded the Property Deal of the Year category in this year’s East Midlands Property Dinner organised by
With the offshore wind industry rapidly deploying scaled-up turbines – swelling from 2MW versions in 2000 to potential 20MW+ variants by 2030 – new operations and maintenance (O&M) challenges threaten to undermine profitability, efficiency, and safety in the sector. At the same time, an aging fleet of wind farms now
THE NATIONAL Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) has issued a ministerial briefing note to outline its 10 key recommendations that the new Labour government must make to successfully deliver on its manifesto commitments in energy efficiency and retrofit. The recommendations are: Derek Horrocks, chair of the National Home Decarbonisation Group, said: “There
For Everyday.Life (FE.L) presents its award winning design ‘Housing Salinas’ during London Design Week at the Material Matters Fair for the first time since it was presented at SXSW in March 2024. ‘Housing Salinas‘ is one of the winners of Initiative 99, a global architecture competition to design affordable housing
WTW, a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company today announced a partnership between its Affinity Insurance business and Kayna, the award-winning insurance infrastructure platform. The partnership has been developed to enable delivery of innovative WTW insurance solutions to SME clients in the UK and US through Vertical Software-as-a-Service (‘vSaaS’)
Derbion, Derby’s leading shopping and leisure destination, has announced that work will soon commence on creating a striking new gateway to Derby city centre, following final funding approval from Derby City Council. The Eastern Gateway project, a partnership between Derbion and the government’s Future High Streets Fund, will introduce a
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has acquired a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development site in Hackney Wick London, under its growing Living platform. Firethorn purchased the site for an undisclosed sum, with planning permission to develop 204 high-quality student beds, 35% of which will be affordable
By Andrew Leah, General Manager of Duraproducts As World Green Building Week draws to a close, it’s imperative to reflect on the industry’s progress and the challenges that lie ahead. The shift towards sustainable construction is driven by a growing awareness of the urgent need to address climate change and
A landmark agreement has been signed for the first ever affordable housing development of its kind on Portland. Dorchester-based Koori Limited, part of the Redtale Group of companies, has joined forces with Portland Community Land Trust (CLT) and East Boro Housing Trust (EBHT), part of the Aster Group, for this
Clowes Developments have assembled a first-class team to deliver quality warehouse and industrial units at Stud Brook Business Park in Castle Donington. Clowes, together with their team have the expertise to develop units to satisfy small to medium sized businesses but also have the ability to deliver projects on a national scale. A tried and tested professional services team made up of IMA Architects, lead construction contractor, TanRo, Millwards engineers, and employers’ agent, Postins Project Services will deliver the exceptional mixed-use development which will include industrial units ranging in size from 1,500 to 45,000 sq ft Stud Brook Business Park will also provide onsite convenient amenity which will benefit on site workforces and residents alike. Agents, FHP Property Consultants and NG Chartered Surveyors have been appointed to lead on the marketing of the site. A winning combination, indeed. TanRo are committed to achieving a BREEAM score of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’ across units 2-7 at Stud Brook Business Park on behalf of Clowes Developments in line with the group’s environmental, social and governance strategy. Some of the necessary steps to achieve these goals include providing enhanced recycling and waste storage solutions, installation of photovoltaic enhanced roofs with the ability to take full capacity of solar PV panels, electric vehicle charging points and a heavy investment in landscaping across the site. Units 2-7 will be delivered as Net Zero Ready with the capacity for occupiers to be Net Zero in Operation. James Richards, Development Director at Clowes Developments added, “Clowes are committed to delivering a first-rate business park in Castle Donington. The mixed-use development will bring a combination of employment & amenity, units to the area which we anticipate will boost the local economy and benefit the neighbouring residents with appropriate convenience offering.” Parties interested to learn more about the leasehold opportunities are invited to contact the sites agents, FHP Property Consultants and NG Chartered Surveyors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the Midlands largest housing associations in partnership with one of the UK’s top house builders have been crowned winners in a leading awards scheme. Platform Housing Group and Keepmoat have been awarded the Property Deal of the Year category in this year’s East Midlands Property Dinner organised by Insider Media. The awards aim to recognise and champion the very best real estate, construction and design in the East Midlands. The joint entry focussed on the sale of a site of 604 residential dwellings by Boots Properties Limited to Keepmoat and the simultaneous subsale of land for 319 homes to Platform Housing Group for construction by Keepmoat of affordable housing alongside homes for sale. The transaction comprises a significant part of the 286 acre Nottingham Enterprise Zone and Walgreen Boots Alliance campus, which formed part of the health and pharmacy chains operational headquarters where it developed and manufactured ibuprofen painkillers during the 1960s. The deal is a true Nottingham born success story, linking a historical industrial site from Nottingham’s largest employer with the local offices of one of the country’s most successful housebuilders and one of the Midlands largest housing associations. The legal teams were exclusively drawn from Nottingham based law firms, Geldards LLP, acting for Boots; Freeths LLP, acting for Keepmoat and Browne Jacobson LLP, acting for Platform. Boots were represented by well known Nottingham agent Tim Garratt from Black Star Advisory. The large scale regeneration project will see Keepmoat deliver more than 600 high quality, multi tenure new homes over a period of six years, with construction due to complete in 2029. The winners were unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday 5 September at the East Midlands Conference Centre, one of the Midlands prime conference venues in Nottingham. Kate Ellison, Director of Land, Partnerships and Business Development at Platform Housing Group said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award. Due to the insolvency of the previous developer, the transaction had to be completed from a standing start in only a little over eight weeks and required a herculean collaborative effort from all parties involved. With challenging planning, environmental and legal issues to overcome, the transaction was only possible as a result of the passion and drive of the highly skilled and dedicated teams within each of the parties involved to make the scheme a reality.” Boots has occupied the site for almost 100 years and the development supports its’ desire for a positive legacy for the former industrial site, and Keepmoat and Platform’s ongoing commitments to sustainability with high quality, energy efficient homes that have innovative solar electricity tech panels and air source heat pumps installed with a further aspiration for a number of homes to benefit from ‘zero bills.’ Charlotte Goode, Divisional Chair at Keepmoat said: “The whole team at Keepmoat are extremely proud to be part of this transformative project, which not only delivers high quality, energy efficient homes but also preserves the legacy of the site’s historical past. This award is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of both Keepmoat and Platform Housing Group, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact this development will have on the local community and the region.” Gabor Taller, Partner at Browne Jacobson said: “I am so pleased that the Platform and Keepmoat teams are getting the recognition they richly deserve for pulling together this landmark deal for the region. Like Platform, Browne Jacobson is on a mission to drive positive change and is committed to help tackle society’s biggest challenges in a meaningful way; is therefore genuinely rewarding to be involved in this strategic project which will deliver sustainable, quality, affordable homes with a unique design and leave a legacy for the site’s historical past.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With the offshore wind industry rapidly deploying scaled-up turbines – swelling from 2MW versions in 2000 to potential 20MW+ variants by 2030 – new operations and maintenance (O&M) challenges threaten to undermine profitability, efficiency, and safety in the sector. At the same time, an aging fleet of wind farms now require either repowering or intelligently modified O&M strategies, adding significant layers of complexity to their ongoing viability and financial success. These dual challenges are part of the focus of a new white paper released by Shoreline Wind; How Robust O&M Plans Boost the Profitability of Offshore Wind Farms. “The industry is at a crossroads. Larger turbines have increased energy production and reduced costs, but they’ve also introduced new O&M risks. A single failure in these larger turbines can lead to significant downtime and financial loss, an issue already seen in onshore, and now emerging offshore. Combined with aging assets, the need to review and update offshore O&M strategies is more vital than ever,” says Michael Bjerrum, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder at Shoreline Wind. The white paper explores how larger turbines require a more sophisticated approach to O&M as well as managing balance of plant, including maintenance of larger foundations, Offshore Substations and cables. Bigger turbines demand a seamlessly integrated O&M approach, where every component, must be meticulously evaluated and managed to avoid costly disruptions. Additionally, over 8GW of offshore wind farms are now more than a decade old – a figure expected to triple in the next four years. Asset owners need tailored O&M plans to cope with the numerous and nuanced technical issues experienced by older machines. On top of this, owners may have to manage these turbines themselves once the initial OEM service deal expires. Considering these twofold challenges, the paper advocates for early and proactive O&M planning that begins even before a wind farm is fully commissioned. As the scale of offshore projects increase, there is a growing overlap between construction and operations activities, making early O&M planning essential to avoid costly delays and ensure a smooth transition from construction to full operation. The paper simultaneously highlights the importance of adapting O&M to regional nuances and conditions, as new markets open up and the unique challenges presented by older assets become apparent. It offers guidance on how to tailor O&M plans to diverse geographies, accounting for differences in local conditions, climate, and supply chain constraints. In addition to larger turbine and aging asset challenges, Shoreline Wind’s white paper addresses several other critical topics, including: How Robust O&M Plans Boost the Profitability of Offshore Wind Farms is available to download at Shoreline Wind’s website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE NATIONAL Home Decarbonisation Group (NHDG) has issued a ministerial briefing note to outline its 10 key recommendations that the new Labour government must make to successfully deliver on its manifesto commitments in energy efficiency and retrofit. The recommendations are: Derek Horrocks, chair of the National Home Decarbonisation Group, said: “There is an opportunity for the Labour government to bring further scale and ambition to foundations that are already working, while bringing fresh ideas and impetus to parts of the retrofit market that are not. “A great deal of thought has gone into the manifesto and priorities of this new Labour government with commitments to invest an extra £6.6 billion to upgrade 5 million homes for increased energy efficiency and lower bills, alongside the mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower. It is critical that these plans on which the new government has been elected are now put into action. “We hope that the briefing we have issued helps to highlight the number of areas that need to be addressed, but also that the National Home Decarbonisation Group members are ready to work with the new government on achieving high-quality, large-scale retrofit delivery across the UK.” The ministerial briefing includes further explanation on why each of the recommendations have been made and potential ways to adopt them, as well as including references to various different research studies into energy efficiency in the UK. The NHDG was established in 2023 and represents Tier 1 contractors and energy suppliers that specialise in retrofit residential decarbonisation at scale. The group aims to coordinate businesses providing residential decarbonisation at scale across all tenures of UK housing and focuses on three core areas; skills, innovation, and policy. To learn more about NHDG, its aims and its members, please visit the website at: https://www.nhdg.org/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
For Everyday.Life (FE.L) presents its award winning design ‘Housing Salinas’ during London Design Week at the Material Matters Fair for the first time since it was presented at SXSW in March 2024. ‘Housing Salinas‘ is one of the winners of Initiative 99, a global architecture competition to design affordable housing for under $99,000, launched by ICON the pioneering construction technology company based in Austin, Texas. Initiative 99 represents a pivotal moment for the future of housing, combining ICON’s 3D-printing technology with CarbonX, a new mortar based concrete developed in partnership with MIT to reduce the carbon impact of traditional concrete. When paired with ICON’s wall system and robotic construction methods, ICON’s CarbonX formula is the lowest carbon residential building system ready to be used at scale. The ‘Housing Salinas’ project by FE.L is more than architecture, designed in response to community displacement in Puerto Rico as a result of Hurricane Maria, it is the creation of a long-term solution that strives towards a future where residents can live, work, and flourish in an environment that embodies the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility. FE.L has already won in the Open Category of Phase 1 of the competition, and is now entered in Phase 2 to see the final concept built, as well as being featured in ICON’s CODEX, a new digital catalogue of ready-to-print home architecture that will allow builders, developers and home buyers to build with ICON quickly and affordably using world-class architecture. At Material Matters FE.L will showcase its submission which for context, is based on the widespread displacement experienced during Hurricane Maria in 2017, affecting around 135,000 people in Puerto Rico, particularly the economically disadvantages areas of Salinas. It is located on the site of a decommissioned coal power plant, which provides an opportunity to address long-term regenerative solutions to outdated infrastructure and better support local communities. FE.L’s solution is designed to adapt over time as requirements shift and communities change. Integrating with the landscape through texture, colour, and natural rewilding, each unit is positioned to create a variety of courtyard spaces, physically connected through use but independent when needed for privacy. Large windows at high level allow deep penetration of daylight without direct overlooking from adjacent units; creating a light, open, voluminous space far removed from the temporary nature of many post natural disaster housing schemes. Commenting on winning the prize, Colin Macgadie, Co-Founder of FEL said: “For Everyday Life is an emerging design studio and creative consultancy with a mission to “Shape what’s next”. Our ambitions could not be more aligned with Initiative 99 and ICON.” Jorge Mendez-Caceres, Co-Founder at FEL said:“The Housing Salinas project highlights our commitment to creating a vibrant and sustainable solution that could be measured against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The ambition is to provide more than just houses; there is an aspiration to cultivate a harmonious living environment that prioritises social inclusivity, environmental responsibility, and economic prosperity.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WTW, a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company today announced a partnership between its Affinity Insurance business and Kayna, the award-winning insurance infrastructure platform. The partnership has been developed to enable delivery of innovative WTW insurance solutions to SME clients in the UK and US through Vertical Software-as-a-Service (‘vSaaS’) platforms. Vertical SaaS platforms provide types of software solutions which are created for specific industries and the partnership between WTW and Kayna intends to provide full program administration for US and UK-based industry-specific platforms in the construction, legal, salon/spa, fitness and field service sectors, distributing tailored insurance solutions. Specialist WTW teams in the UK and US will lead the product development and broker all insurance offerings as the company affirms its primary focus to delivering next generation distribution for the fast-growing Affinity Insurance sector. The partnership between WTW Affinity and Kayna will enable WTW to distribute property, general liability, workers’ compensation, commercial auto and umbrella liability insurance solutions to industry-specific vSaaS platforms. The partnership aims to drive top-line growth for vSaaS platform providers by leveraging platform data to serve relevant, tailored insurance through a streamlined process direct to the customer base that use such platforms to run their day-to-day business operations. “This is Affinity Insurance 2.0”, said Paul Lubbers, Head of Affinity and Programs US at WTW. “Insurance at your fingertips, forms derived from the actual key data that informs insurance metrics, and a facilitated process that goes beyond the policy purchase to trigger alerts if coverage level needs to be updated to mitigate risk. Both WTW and Kayna are playing to our respective strengths in delivering a world-class solution that is set to play a pivotal role in our consumer and commercial programs across the US.” Anthony Borgman, Head of Affinity GB at WTW concluded, “WTW Affinity have been able to add our unique value and expertise to the delivery of a data-led, end-to-end insurance service to not only deliver value but provide greater confidence to SME’s seeking appropriate levels of protection. I am delighted to see our UK Affinity capabilities expand in this exciting way and to have this opportunity to build on our partnership for the long-term.” Commenting on the partnership, Paul Prendergast, CEO and Kayna co-founder, said, “This is all about driving lots of new types of data-led, automated, simplified insurance business, tapping into huge distribution opportunities and doing all the heavy lifting for vSaaS platforms and their customers. WTW powered by Kayna will be providing trusted full service, tailored insurance solutions direct to SMEs via platforms whose core business is not insurance but whose rich, curated SME data is the critical success factor in ensuring right-sized insurance cover.” Key aspects of the partnership include: ● Kayna technology empowers WTW-brokered products on any vSaaS platform. ● Kayna deploys low-code end-to-end orchestration layer. ● Kayna technology enables WTW insurance distribution and the ability for platform customers to engage with indicative quotes, pre-filled applications, and policy generation. ● vSaaS platform leverages its data via Kayna technology to provide relevant, right-sized policy offers for SME customers. ● Kayna technology allows WTW to provide real-time alerts on coverage exposure based on dynamic business changes across the life-time of the policy. ● vSaaS SME customers can manage their insurance policy portfolios with full access on the WTW platform to: Insurance documentation, certificate of Insurance and general account information – fees paid, renewal dates, claims status. ● vSaaS platform has oversight on activity via a comprehensive admin portal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Derbion, Derby’s leading shopping and leisure destination, has announced that work will soon commence on creating a striking new gateway to Derby city centre, following final funding approval from Derby City Council. The Eastern Gateway project, a partnership between Derbion and the government’s Future High Streets Fund, will introduce a modern façade and urban garden, transforming the area opposite the bus station and Derbion’s eastern entrance. The project aims to revitalise the space, making it a more attractive and welcoming entrance to the city centre. Construction is set to begin this month, with the project scheduled for completion in the first half of 2025. Beth McDonald, Managing Director at Derbion, said: “The Eastern Gateway will provide a fresh, inviting entrance to the city centre, transforming the area into a vibrant urban square. We’re excited to begin the development and to see the positive impact it will have on footfall and visitor experience.” Councillor Nadine Peatfield, leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for city centre regeneration, added: “I’m delighted that this project is moving forward, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of Derby’s city centre. This development will not only enhance the appearance of the area but also create an inclusive space that everyone can enjoy. It’s a key step in better connecting the city and ensuring Derby’s future is bright and full of opportunities.” The Eastern Gateway is part of Derby’s broader city centre regeneration, with £3 million allocated from the £15 million awarded to the council by the government’s Future High Streets Fund. Derbion is contributing an additional £1 million to the scheme. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has acquired a purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development site in Hackney Wick London, under its growing Living platform. Firethorn purchased the site for an undisclosed sum, with planning permission to develop 204 high-quality student beds, 35% of which will be affordable accommodation. It will feature generous amenities, including modern co-working study spaces, common rooms and an outdoor roof terrace. In line with the London Plan, 51% of the accommodation, including the affordable rooms, will be nominated to a London university partner. The remaining beds will be available for direct let to students. The development will also create approximately 1,400 sq. m. of affordable and incubator workspace, working closely with community interest groups to support local businesses and entrepreneurs. With a focus on building quality living spaces with an enhanced specification, this is the second student accommodation scheme to sit within the growing Firethorn Living portfolio, following the acquisition of a 230-bed PBSA site in Leith Walk, Edinburgh earlier this year. Marcus Weeks, Director and Head of Living at Firethorn Trust, commented: “This acquisition reflects our ambition to create modern, sustainable living spaces in prime university locations across the UK. “We are pleased to be playing our part in addressing the significant supply and demand imbalance for high-quality, affordable student housing in London, and look forward to working closely with local stakeholders to deliver a best-in-class development that will make a positive impact on both students and the neighbouring community.” Set on the grounds of the former Broadwood piano factory, the development will preserve and incorporate the site’s historic brick chimney, originally built in 1902. Neighbouring the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Hackney Wick is a 15-minute walk to both University Arts London and UCL East. The area is a vibrant student hotspot, offering a mix of bars and restaurants, with the convenience of Westfield Stratford nearby. Work on site is expected to commence in 2025 and completion targeted for the 2027/28 academic year. For more information, visit www.firethorntrust.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
By Andrew Leah, General Manager of Duraproducts As World Green Building Week draws to a close, it’s imperative to reflect on the industry’s progress and the challenges that lie ahead. The shift towards sustainable construction is driven by a growing awareness of the urgent need to address climate change and reduce our environmental impact. However, sustainable construction is more than just building green infrastructure. It’s about designing, constructing, and operating buildings in a way that minimises their environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle. This requires a holistic approach that considers factors such as materials sourcing, energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste management. One of the key challenges facing the industry is the need to balance sustainability with affordability. While sustainable building materials and technologies can sometimes have higher upfront costs, their long-term benefits, such as reduced energy consumption and lower maintenance expenses, can offset these initial investments and cannot be disputed. Another challenge is the lack of standardised metrics and guidelines for measuring sustainability. This can make it difficult for building owners and developers to compare options and make informed decisions. Developing a common framework for assessing sustainability can help to drive innovation and promote best practices. At Duraproducts, we believe Lifecycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are essential tools for our sustainability journey. Since receiving these certifications in 2023, we’ve been able to expand our business further into Europe, thanks to the standardised assessment of our products’ environmental performance and impacts throughout their lifecycle. It’s also been encouraging to see a growing demand from architects, engineers, and designers for EPDs and LCAs, as they too recognise the importance of measuring and mitigating the whole-life carbon footprint of their projects. To overcome these challenges and accelerate the transition to sustainable construction, the industry must invest in research and development, promote education and training, and collaborate with stakeholders. Find out more about how Duraproducts contributes to a healthier, safer, and more sustainable built environment here: https://www.duraproducts.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A landmark agreement has been signed for the first ever affordable housing development of its kind on Portland. Dorchester-based Koori Limited, part of the Redtale Group of companies, has joined forces with Portland Community Land Trust (CLT) and East Boro Housing Trust (EBHT), part of the Aster Group, for this trailblazing scheme. Nine affordable homes will be built for local people as part of the regeneration of Portland’s former Southwell Primary School site off Sweet Hill Lane. The CLT properties will be available to rent at below market rates to local people with a connection to Portland, giving tenants a chance to live in their community with peace of mind over security of tenure and affordability. The properties will not be available as second homes or as holiday lets. Koori has provided land and is building the development for the CLT scheme – the first on Portland – as part of its circa £15m May Bower Gardens scheme. The first phase of May Bower Gardens is on course for completion in the autumn of this year. CLTs, which are a form of community-led housing, are set up and run by people within their local communities to develop and manage homes as well as other assets. The CLTs act as long-term stewards of the properties, ensuring the homes remain genuinely affordable, not just for now but for every future occupier. Representatives from Koori, EBHT and Portland CLT have now signed a contract for the site. The first residents are expected to move in before Christmas of this year. The homes, a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom properties, will be built by Koori and managed by housing association EBHT on behalf of the CLT, which will own the freehold. Portland CLT board is greatly encouraged to see this project moving forward. They said: “We are aware that demand continues to increase for good-quality, affordable housing on Portland. “The aim is for May Bower Gardens to be the first of a number of CLT projects on the island. We’re very grateful for the support of all partners in the project.” There are currently 500 applicants being processed on the housing register who have a Portland connection or who have expressed Portland as their preferred option. Malcolm Curtis, Chief Executive the Redtale Group, said: “As a local business with its heart in the community, we’re pleased to support this pioneering project to create the first CLT on Portland. “The homes will match the high-quality and environmental sustainability of Koori’s traditionally built properties and where possible we use the best local materials, including Portland Stone quarried on the island, and tried and tested energy-efficient solutions as well as a local workforce. “Putting pen to paper with the Portland CLT is a significant milestone on our journey to deliver these desirable affordable homes for local people and marks another major step forward in the regeneration of this important site in a stunning location on the Jurassic Coast.” Kevin Hodder, Director of Partnership and Engagement at Aster Group who also oversees EBHT’s development programme, said: “EBHT specialises in developing small groups of affordable homes in villages within Dorset for the benefit of local communities. “CLTs are a brilliant way to deliver affordable housing which local communities both want and need. “We’re looking forward to working with Portland CLT and Koori to deliver these properties which will provide long-term security to those who eventually get to call them home. “With energy-efficient design and technologies, customers living in these homes will also benefit from lower energy bills. Coupled alongside the affordable rent, it should help keep overall costs down.” Councillor Gill Taylor, who is Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, said: “The site has been transformed from redundant school buildings on the old primary school site to provide nine affordable rented homes for local residents. “Dorset Council supported this work by providing a Community Housing grant and we worked collaboratively from start to finish with our partners including Middlemarch Community Led Housing, who have supported Portland CLT and EBHT. “This development demonstrates our commitment to community land trusts in Dorset and we hope it will encourage more community led housing to provide the affordable homes we need for local people.” May Bower Gardens will comprise 48 homes in total. The first phase of 14 properties – a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses – on the 1.3 hectare site is due for completion autumn 2024. There are about 25 people working directly on the site, all local trades people including apprentices. The workforce also includes three specialist stone layers, all from Portland, who walk to work carrying on a generational tradition of stone laying on island. Stone used in the development is cut from Albion Stone’s Bowers Quarry, just up the road from May Bower Gardens. The development is due for final completion in 2027. The CLT homes form part of Koori’s affordable housing contribution for the site. The properties are being built using air-tight and thermally efficient construction methods along with low zero carbon (LZC) technologies. They include electric vehicle charging throughout and air source heat pumps. Portland CLT is a community benefit organisation run by an elected board of members from the community to meet the housing needs of local people. It is among several CLTs in Dorset, which work closely with the Dorset Council housing department to progress sites across the county. Koori Limited, as part of the Redtale group of companies, has a long track record of delivering high quality, well-designed and customer-focused developments. Koori’s recent property developments include The Grove, the multi award-winning Lorton Park and Monterey Place, all situated in Weymouth, Dorset. The nine-strong company aims to make a difference in everything it does. Its objective is to ‘do better: better planning, better by design, better build and better customer service’. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
