The first stones have been laid on Everton Way, as the biggest personalisation project at a UK stadium gets underway. The meticulous six-month programme to install around 36,000 individually engraved granite stones in a unique paved walkway at Everton Stadium commenced this week. And, following an extension by popular demand,
The government’s ambitious target of delivering 1.5 million new homes this Parliament is a positive step, but significant challenges remain, warns Principle Estate Management. With offices in Birmingham, London, and the North West, Principle manages 20,000 residential units across 400 developments nationwide. The firm believes that while policy changes are
Story Homes is pleased to announce the submission of a full planning application for a new residential development in the village of Swarthmoor. The planning application for 155 new high quality homes has been submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council, and will make an important contribution towards local housing delivery,
LEADING fit out and refurbishment main contractor Pexhurst has announced its target to achieve net zero across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030. The announcement follows a period of extensive research, data analysis and planning, with the target awaiting validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – an
The development of new Crick supported lab space at 20 Triton Street on British Land’s Regent’s Place campus represents a bold step in transforming London’s Knowledge Quarter into a global leader in life sciences. Gensler partners with British Land and the Francis Crick Institute, a flagship for discovery research in
Commenting the Chancellor’s new willingness to ‘fight for growth’, Daniel Austin – CEO of property investment firm ASK Partners, said: “The Chancellor has promised a review of government guidance on building major projects to support investments outside of the wealthy and productive south-east of England. With a political shifting of
With a large million-pound investment Selkent, a leading UK supplier of construction fixings and tools, increases its customer fulfilment capacity with the opening of a brand-new warehouse in Sittingbourne, UK. Officially opened by local MP Kevin McKenna, the facility currently has 34 employees with an additional eight roles being recruited for
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Government’s plans to deliver new homes and national infrastructure. The Chancellor of the Exchequer made the announcement in a speech today in Oxfordshire. Muyiwa Oki, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “The Government’s focus on delivering
Façade specialist Alsecco has appointed a new technical design and support specialist to further enhance its support for both offsite and traditional construction projects. Nick Barrett brings extensive experience of offsite construction to the role having previously worked at TopHat Modular. With a background in construction design and offsite manufacturing,
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) which owns and operates East Midlands Airport (EMA) is pleased to announce Prologis, the leading logistics property owner, developer and investor, as its partner to take forward the development of a new industrial logistics and advanced manufacturing park near EMA. The new park is a designated
The first stones have been laid on Everton Way, as the biggest personalisation project at a UK stadium gets underway. The meticulous six-month programme to install around 36,000 individually engraved granite stones in a unique paved walkway at Everton Stadium commenced this week. And, following an extension by popular demand, supporters still have an opportunity to cement their own place in history by purchasing a stone that celebrates Evertonians’ births, marriages, anniversaries and loved ones. Kevin O’Brien, Director of Intaglio Creative Ltd, who are managing the engraving and stone installations, declared: “It’s a momentous day! “This is the culmination of years and years of planning and the hard work is really starting now. “We’re down here on site and I don’t think you can underestimate the size and scale of this installation. “When you stand at the bottom of Everton Way and look up towards the river, this is on a different scale. “I’ve been involved in a lot of these up and down the country over the past 10 or so years, but here we are talking about 1,400 square metres and 36,000 individual stones, so it is without doubt the biggest personalisation project in the UK.” The mapping of Everton Way, which sits immediately outside the South Stand, will allow Intaglio to eventually inform each stone owner where their message is located in the overall scheme. The inclusion of larger granite stones representing Everton Giants, laid in and among the supporters’ own personalised stones, will also help with this wayfinding. Kevin explained: “There’s such a variety of different sizes that precision is absolutely fundamental to making sure that Everton Way looks as good as possible. “Supporters will be contacted directly once the overall scheme is installed, telling them exactly where in this installation their stone is going to be. “That email will come with a simple map that will guide them to the location that their stone is in, and that will happen later in the summer when we’ve finished the whole installation and mapping.” A recent further extension to the scheme, due to a growing waiting list of worldwide fans, means Everton Way will now stretch the entire length of the exterior of the spectacular, single-tier, South Stand and be increased from 28,000 stones to 36,000. And there is still an opportunity to purchase a personalised granite stone, with a limited number available in a range of sizes and designs. These can be ordered by clicking HERE. Kevin added: “We are nearly there in terms of getting everything ready, with just a few of the Everton Giants to finish, which will be the showpiece pieces within Everton Way. “Once complete it will be amazing and, as an Evertonian, I can’t wait to see it finished.” In addition to having a stone at Everton Stadium – and ahead of installation – supporters also have the chance to purchase a replica stone. Presented in an Everton-branded display box, these replica stones offer an additional memento, along with the option of a personalised A4 presentation certificate of authentication. Book your Everton Way stone HERE: https://evertonway.com/#/book/select-products Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The government’s ambitious target of delivering 1.5 million new homes this Parliament is a positive step, but significant challenges remain, warns Principle Estate Management. With offices in Birmingham, London, and the North West, Principle manages 20,000 residential units across 400 developments nationwide. The firm believes that while policy changes are helping to remove some barriers, structural issues within planning, infrastructure, and construction must be addressed to ensure successful delivery. Bob Simonds, Business Development Director at Principle, highlighted concerns around planning backlogs, stating:“Developers are encouraged by commitments to speed up planning approvals, but local authorities lack the capacity to process the rising number of applications efficiently, leading to delays.” Beyond planning, infrastructure limitations pose another major hurdle. Upgrades to electricity, gas, water, and sewerage systems will be essential to support new developments. Simonds noted that the growing demand for electric vehicle charging, for example, will place additional strain on the National Grid, which is already struggling to meet demand. The construction sector itself must also scale up to meet the challenge. Simonds emphasised the need for workforce development, adding:“Developers need skilled professionals at every level, from bricklayers to electricians, to ensure projects progress at the required pace.” Ultimately, Principle argues that only through better coordination between local authorities, developers, and infrastructure providers can the housing sector rise to the challenge of delivering the homes the country needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Story Homes is pleased to announce the submission of a full planning application for a new residential development in the village of Swarthmoor. The planning application for 155 new high quality homes has been submitted to Westmorland & Furness Council, and will make an important contribution towards local housing delivery, including the provision of 54 new affordable homes for eligible local people. The scheme will deliver a range of well-designed, two to six-bedroom properties to complement the existing area. From first-time buyers to downsizers or those looking for a ‘forever’ family home, this new development will deliver much-needed new homes for residents at different life stages. Adam McNally, Senior Land & Planning Manager for Story Homes, said: “We are delighted to have submitted plans for a new residential development in Swarthmoor. Our plans demonstrate our commitment to this site and how we have overcome key long standing planning constraints. The scheme has been carefully designed around flexibility and modern living, reflecting the aesthetics of the local area and featuring the distinctive and appealing street scenes that define Story Homes. “This is a key site for Story Homes as we continue to focus on growth throughout the South Lakes area, building on the success of our recent schemes in Kendal and Ulverston. These projects have been well-received by customers, reflecting the strong demand for our high quality homes in the area. We look forward to receiving the Council’s views on our proposals.” This scheme will generate over £1 million in Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)* as well as delivering infrastructure and highways improvements, as well as a travel plan. New green areas of public open space, including an equipped area of play, will be delivered on-site which will be accessible to the local community, benefitting new and existing residents. This development will bring substantial benefits to the local economy, both during and after construction. During the construction phase, it will create direct and indirect employment opportunities through subcontractors and supply chains. Once the new homes are occupied, the increased demand for local services will provide an ongoing boost to the community. It is anticipated that a decision on these plans will be received by Westmorland & Furness Council by summer 2025. For more information, please visit www.storyhomes.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
LEADING fit out and refurbishment main contractor Pexhurst has announced its target to achieve net zero across Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030. The announcement follows a period of extensive research, data analysis and planning, with the target awaiting validation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) – an external verification process of near-term targets to ensure they are in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined by the Paris Agreement 2015. Having established its 2023 financial year as the baseline for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, the contractor has been able to plan for, set and now announce an ambitious absolute net zero target for these emissions. Between now and 2030, Pexurst has an intermediate target to achieve a 40% reduction in emissions by 2027. This journey has been captured in its new Carbon Reduction Plan, to be published soon, detailing its plan for a sustainable future by addressing each component of its footprint, the solutions to decarbonise them and timings for when changes will occur. Stuart Byles, director at Pexhurst, said: “As a responsible contractor, announcing a net zero target for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions is a very important moment in our own efforts to tackle climate change. There were many sources of inspiration during this process, such as our progressive commitment to sustainability and the equally ambitious net zero targets set by our clients – without forgetting how the changes will reduce our environmental impact amid a climate emergency. “The announcement of our net zero target follows a significant period of hard work to ensure we are ambitious but also realistic. The Pexhurst Junior Board deserves recognition for its role in this process, but also our sustainability coordinator Luca Sidoli – who has brought new ideas to the table along with the enthusiasm needed to ensure everyone at Pexhurst understands and embraces change. The journey we are embarking on will involve everyone within the business, which makes me proud to have such a strong cohort of passionate and vocal sustainability advocates.” By 2030, Pexhurst aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90% in relation to the 2023 baseline year, followed by the carbon removal of the remaining 10%. Some of the measures Pexhurst aim to introduce to achieve its target include transitioning to electric-powered plant and fleet vehicles, as well as substituting diesel with hydrogenated vegetable oil and implementing renewable energy tariffs wherever possible. Luca Sidoli, sustainability coordinator at Pexhurst, said: “Sustainability is a huge and complex challenge that we all face, which means that education must be ongoing. Part of our net zero target strategy includes continued training on carbon impact and emissions, starting as early as the Pexhurst onboarding process, as well as supporting our staff on the operational changes required to make reductions in our emissions. “As we move forward, we will be doing everything we can to make sustainability an accessible topic – to continue inspiring, motivating and proving that urgent change is achievable. Beyond the Pexhurst team, we will be ensuring that our supply chain and clients are able to engage with us on the topic of net zero so that we are also contributing to their ambitions.” Pexhurst also understands the significance and size of its Scope 3 emissions. Therefore, it is currently undergoing a screening process with the aim of generating a complete dataset of its material categories, which will allow the contractor to begin developing a reduction plan for these emissions. To learn more about Pexhurst’s baseline year emissions and what the business has already achieved during its sustainability journey, read its Sustainability Statement for the 2023/24 reporting period: www.pexhurst.co.uk/pexhurst-sustainability-statement-2023-24 To learn more about Pexhurst, visit www.pexhurst.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The development of new Crick supported lab space at 20 Triton Street on British Land’s Regent’s Place campus represents a bold step in transforming London’s Knowledge Quarter into a global leader in life sciences. Gensler partners with British Land and the Francis Crick Institute, a flagship for discovery research in biomedicine, on new labs at 20 Triton Street in Regent’s Place, Euston. The space aims to support the shared mission to strengthen London’s Knowledge Quarter as a world-leading life sciences and biotech destination. Spanning 33,000 sq. ft the design concept developed by Gensler focuses on creating best-in-class, adaptable spaces for future tenants, utilising the Crick’s expertise in the design and operation of world-class laboratory facilities within the heart of the Knowledge Quarter. This collaboration mirrors the rapid evolution of King’s Cross, which has become a thriving science district with a high concentration of life sciences companies, research centres, and academic institutions. Nathan Morgan, Project Director at Gensler, said: “This collaboration at 20 Triton Street represents a bold step in transforming London’s Knowledge Quarter into a global leader in life sciences. Through our partnership with British Land, we have designed flexible, cutting-edge spaces that drive innovation and scientific discovery, supporting the shared mission to accelerate the process of scientific discovery, deliver benefits to society and reinforce London’s position as a world-class destination for biotech.” Gensler’s design features a central community hub to foster interaction and collaboration, providing dynamic spaces for both individual scientific discovery and collaboration. The space includes CL-2 wet lab suites, flexible office spaces, meeting rooms, and shared amenities such as an outdoor terrace, ideal for driving creativity and cross-disciplinary exchange. The range and type of modular spaces provided underscores the flexible, hybrid nature of today’s research and development environments, where cross-functional teams from academia, industry, and start-ups work closely together to tackle global health challenges. Stephen Mayhew, Chief Business Officer at the Francis Crick Institute, said: “By bringing the expertise in technology and infrastructure of the world- renowned Francis Crick Institute, we are opening the door to the next generation of global life science businesses – helping them to go faster and further than ever before.” The Francis Crick Institute supported lab space at 20 Triton Street is designed to feel like a Crick space. The resulting aesthetic features intentional injections of bold colour balanced with a neutral base palette along with branding and environmental graphic design. The space also incorporates elements of biophilia, with a focus on sustainability using high-recycled content materials such as perforated timber and acoustic walls, creating a natural, calming atmosphere. Simon Hepher, Head of Regent’s Place Asset Management, commented: “The completion of this pioneering, highly flexible lab space at Regent’s Place marks an exciting next chapter for lab space within the Knowledge Quarter. Collaborating with The Francis Crick Institute and Gensler has been a fantastic experience, showcasing the incredible outcomes that can be achieved when experts unite. I am eager to see the innovative companies, groundbreaking research, and scientific advancements that will emerge from this space.” This speculative development approach by British Land caters to the dynamic nature of scientific research and aligns with the Crick’s goals, providing highly serviced and state- of-the-art laboratories and office facilities to companies sharing its scientific mission in biomedicine. This emerging idea of a collaborative network reflects a broader shift towards creating a cohesive and interconnected community within the Knowledge Quarter. Gensler’s development of the Francis Crick Institute supported lab space at 20 Triton Street builds on an earlier collaboration with British Land to design shared tenant facilities within the building, including end-of-trip facilities, lobbies, and amenity spaces. The project team at 20 Triton Street includes Gensler, Bulb, Studio Sutton and ARUP. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Commenting the Chancellor’s new willingness to ‘fight for growth’, Daniel Austin – CEO of property investment firm ASK Partners, said: “The Chancellor has promised a review of government guidance on building major projects to support investments outside of the wealthy and productive south-east of England. With a political shifting of gears globally spearheaded by the US, the UK Government has said it is prioritising delivering growth at any cost, with major infrastructure projects having a key role to play. While the growth-focused approach is welcomed, pursuing large-scale infrastructure projects at any cost risks an excess of borrowing, leading to stubborn inflation and sticky interest rates. These factors will leave the industry questioning the financial viability and delivery of these projects. “Further, a critical issue remains overlooked: cripplingly high construction costs severely limit the number of projects that can be completed. If construction projects continue to stall due to steep costs and an imbalance between delivery expenses and expected sales, land will increasingly lose its appeal for builders and investors, further exacerbating the project delivery crisis. “The rise in construction costs is as damaging to project delivery as fluctuating market sentiment and rising interest rates. To address this, the government must consider the broader impact of rising costs on the entire market. A holistic approach is needed and one that ensures financial viability across small, medium, and large-scale developments. One solution would be targeted financial support for the building sector, which could help make construction manageable again. By tackling this issue head-on, the UK can reinvigorate its construction sector and work towards a sustainable boost to robust economic growth via the country’s promising infrastructure potential.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With a large million-pound investment Selkent, a leading UK supplier of construction fixings and tools, increases its customer fulfilment capacity with the opening of a brand-new warehouse in Sittingbourne, UK. Officially opened by local MP Kevin McKenna, the facility currently has 34 employees with an additional eight roles being recruited for within the local area. As part of the company’s wider growth plans, the new warehouse is accompanied by an office move to Orpington, offering easier commute to its employees and better links between the office and its new Kent-based warehouse. The new warehouse will form a central base for its upgraded delivery fleet operations, using entirely electric vehicles that utilise a new fleet management system, the Podfather. Integrated with the company’s back-office systems, the fleet management software helps to improve the efficiency of dispatch, ensure cost effective and resource efficient delivery management, and support the move towards paperless working. With improved efficiencies the warehouse will enhance the company’s on-site delivery service, helping customers overcome challenges, such as rising costs and supply chain issues, and meet project demands. Founder of Selkent, Julian Bushnell, said: “The new warehouse facility is key to our plans for company growth, enhanced customer fulfilment, and ever-improving sustainable operations. With a focus on delivering construction supplies to projects across the country, the new warehouse in Sittingbourne will act as a hub for our operations and we hope that our facility will provide increased business and careers in the local community for years to come.” Local Sittingbourne MP, Kevin McKenna, said: “The investment into the local economy and resulting employment opportunities is hugely beneficial for Sittingbourne. With ambitious plans to grow the team at the new warehouse, Selkent is leading by example to help improve sustainable operations within the construction industry as well as support their local community through increased business opportunities and employment.” To find out more about Selkent and its latest news, visit https://www.selkent.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has responded to the Government’s plans to deliver new homes and national infrastructure. The Chancellor of the Exchequer made the announcement in a speech today in Oxfordshire. Muyiwa Oki, President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, said: “The Government’s focus on delivering new homes and national infrastructure is great news – these are essential drivers for economic growth and moves to unlock land near transport hubs can be transformative. We need vibrant, well-connected neighbourhoods with everything from accessible transport to green space and bustling local centres. But quality matters when creating new developments. Architecture plays a crucial role in ensuring that new places are sustainable, liveable and fit for the future. We remain ready to work with government to meet this challenge head on. We look forward to seeing more detail in the forthcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Façade specialist Alsecco has appointed a new technical design and support specialist to further enhance its support for both offsite and traditional construction projects. Nick Barrett brings extensive experience of offsite construction to the role having previously worked at TopHat Modular. With a background in construction design and offsite manufacturing, he brings an in-depth understanding of innovation and efficiency to offsite construction. Alsecco, a leading manufacturer of external wall insulation and brick slip systems, has appointed Nick to work within its technical team to develop new façade offerings and provide bespoke support for developing projects. Nick will take a key role in overseeing and delivering CPD events to support technical understanding of external wall insulation and façade systems for architects, design managers and contractors. Ben Robinson, Technical Manager at Alsecco, said: “Nick brings not only a wealth of knowledge around all construction aspects to the business, but a forward-looking view on integrated technologies for construction products and a high degree of problem-solving skills. “Nick will assist in developing new façade offerings within the range and offer enhanced bespoke support for clients’ projects. “Having the right technical support for facades projects is essential to accurate specification and installation and we are delighted to have someone with Nick’s skillset on board that will both complement and expand our commitment to developing systems that directly meet the design, vision and needs of developers and architects.” Alsecco is a leading manufacturer of external wall insulation systems, specialising in render, brick and ceramic finishes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) which owns and operates East Midlands Airport (EMA) is pleased to announce Prologis, the leading logistics property owner, developer and investor, as its partner to take forward the development of a new industrial logistics and advanced manufacturing park near EMA. The new park is a designated East Midlands Freeport tax site which will stimulate economic growth, investment and employment in the region, helping to unlock $1.3bn (£1bn) of investment in and around the airport. It will contribute to a corridor of innovation around MAG’s airports across the North, Midlands and South East England in key growth-driving sectors including life sciences and advanced manufacturing. The development site, south of the airport, will offer operators the option of various tax and customs relief and simplified import / export procedures. A Sustainable Development Supporting Growth A planning application for the new park has been submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council, which, if approved, will bring up to 2,000 new jobs, £132m of economic growth per year (GVA) to the East Midlands, whilst contributing £9m of additional business rates. As part of the partnership, Prologis will also deliver a dedicated centre for logistics job training and education in Leicestershire. The centre will host the Prologis Warehousing and Logistics Training programme – providing local people with the skills and experiences needed to begin and progress their career in logistics. The new park will incorporate industry-leading standards of sustainability in its design, construction, and management. During construction, embodied carbon will be measured, reduced and mitigated aligned with the UKGBC net-zero carbon framework. In operation, the buildings at the park will have a net-zero regulated energy use in line with an EPC A+ rating. Unrivalled Connectivity & Air Cargo Operations EMA’s strategic central location, excellent motorway connectivity and unmatched operational capabilities position it as the UK’s number one airport for express freight. The airport is advancing plans to scale its cargo operations to meet rising demands, with Prologis research forecasting double-digit growth in air cargo volumes by 2025[1] and EMA’s predicted to grow by 54% to 2043[2]. EMA has already demonstrated how airports are catalysts of growth, with its unrivalled cargo operation attracting complementary investment across the East Midlands Freeport area and clusters of advanced manufacturers nearby. It connects key businesses in the region in the aeronautical, automotive, retail, pharmaceutical and logistics sectors to the world’s major cities. MAG is looking to work in partnership with Prologis to establish its three major airports as economic anchors within a growing corridor of innovation across the North, Midlands and South East England. This will stimulate key economic sectors identified in the Government’s Industrial Strategy such as life sciences and advanced manufacturing. Prologis has developed logistic parks at some of the world’s largest international airports including London, Amsterdam and New York. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “Economic growth is the number mission of our Plan for Change to raise living standards in every part of the country. “This investment in East Midlands Freeport is a clear demonstration of the UK’s strength as a hub for innovation, will create thousands of new jobs driving growth in the region and strengthen the UK’s position as a leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics. Together we are kick starting our economy, driving growth and getting more money in people’s pockets.” EMA’s Managing Director Steve Griffiths said: “I’m delighted to announce Prologis as our global development partner and excited by the prospect of unlocking significant investments in East Midlands Freeport for the region. This is an exciting step forward for growth in and around the airport, as our unrivalled cargo operation continues to act as a catalyst for investment in our region and we look at ways to build on its success.” Paul Weston, Regional Head, Prologis UK said: “Our partnership with MAG aims to realise the full potential of this strategic hub for international logistics. “Our shared vision is to leverage the Freeport status and central location of EMA to create a high-impact gateway that drives economic growth, innovation and employment opportunities across the Midlands. By bringing our expertise in logistics developments to the table, we are confident that our partnership will unlock significant benefits for both the local community and the broader UK economy.” Tom Newman-Taylor, CEO of East Midlands Freeport said: “We welcome this announcement and Prologis’ commitment to East Midlands Freeport and this unique opportunity to drive transformative growth in the region. This is a positive first step in realising the full potential of the Freeport’s tax sites which, when fully developed, will be transformative for the East Midlands economy. Working collaboratively with all our partners we can realise our ambition of creating 20,000 jobs and unlocking billions of public and private investment into the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals