ExCeL London has appointed McLaren Construction to deliver the build phase of its major expansion project, enhancing the venue’s world-class conference, event and exhibition facilities. McLaren Construction will complete the expansion of the venue’s multi-functional exhibition and conference facilities. The programme will extend the existing facilities by up to 25,000m2,
Construction materials supplier Euroform confirms that its ‘Easyboard®’ exterior grade fibre cement board now has BDA Agrément certification. Easyboard®, which makes an ideal exterior sheathing board for steel frame system (SFS) walling, is one of the first boards of its kind to combine the benefits of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
Bellway has broken ground on a new housing development which forms part of a major residential and commercial scheme in Bowburn. The housebuilder has started construction work at Clarence Gate, where it is to deliver 91 homes on an eight-acre parcel of land off Rosalind Franklin Way. Planning permission for
Two of the biggest names in logistics property development, Prologis UK and Tritax, have joined forces to publish a report designed to inspire other businesses in the construction and logistics sectors to take a more proactive approach to delivering social value. The report, entitled ‘Building for social good’ shares the
Innovative ways to replace massive underground equipment without disrupting communities are set to be copied from UK Power Networks’ recent Leicester Square substation upgrade. The firm used a ‘megalift’ self-loading trailer for the first time to reduce each new transformer’s delivery time by four weeks and achieved new heights of
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading ports group, has awarded the design contract for its ambitious Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) to McLaughlin & Harvey. ABP’s vision for LEEF is to provide a facility that is suitable for Operations & Maintenance (O&M) activities and construction support for the offshore
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has begun speculatively developing 1.3 million sq ft of logistics space, which will include the UK’s largest-ever speculative logistics building, in Avonmouth, Bristol. The £280 million development, Panattoni Park Avonmouth, comprises of two units a 406,000 sq ft
Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, Leo Quinn, has taken home the ‘Outstanding Industry Leadership’ award at London Build’s inaugural awards ceremony. The UK’s leading construction show, London Build – which welcomes over 35,000 attendees and more than 500 speakers each year – praised Leo for his significant contribution to the
GMI Construction Group, one of the biggest privately owned construction companies in the UK, has boosted its Midlands presence, having been awarded over £100m in projects across the region. GMI has signed deals on projects including £30m investment at the landmark Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby, a 155,000 sq ft
THE GOVERNMENT OF QATAR is investing millions of pounds in the expansion of the South Hook LNG terminal in Milford Haven, as the UK becomes more dependent on shipments of the liquefied fuel imported from abroad. To accommodate around 25% more liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from around the world,
ExCeL London has appointed McLaren Construction to deliver the build phase of its major expansion project, enhancing the venue’s world-class conference, event and exhibition facilities. McLaren Construction will complete the expansion of the venue’s multi-functional exhibition and conference facilities. The programme will extend the existing facilities by up to 25,000m2, on a development site of 2 hectares, providing a 25% increase to the venues existing 100,000m2 events campus. McLaren will work alongside key project partners who have already delivered the design and enabling works phase of the project, including Gardner & Theobald, Grimshaw Architects, Hoare Lea and Campbell Reith. The works will provide seamless connectivity with the existing venue, creating state-of-the art convention facilities, exhibition halls and conference rooms and improved catering amenities. The expansion works also include stunning outdoor spaces with external terraces, along with an enhanced public realm, creating an attractive dock edge with leisure facilities and landscaping. The scheme will be a Net Zero carbon ready building, utilising 50% recycled steel, targeting BREEAM excellence, with sustainability solutions including PV panels, air source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, and hybrid ventilation, embedding key principles of Climate Change Adaption into the design. The major expansion will further enhance ExCeL London’s position as a global leader in the exhibition and convention centre market, creating a new landmark building at the eastern gateway of the campus, ensuring the venue continues to attract global events and audiences to London and the London Borough of Newham, contributing to the local and capital’s economy. Kevin Taylor Chairman Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction materials supplier Euroform confirms that its ‘Easyboard®’ exterior grade fibre cement board now has BDA Agrément certification. Easyboard®, which makes an ideal exterior sheathing board for steel frame system (SFS) walling, is one of the first boards of its kind to combine the benefits of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) into a light weight ‘score & snap’ building board, making it quick and easy to install. The BDA Agrément certification confirms Easyboard® performance as a building board for non-structural use in indoor and outdoor non-loadbearing applications, such as for use in the planking and lining of walls, for sheathing timber frame or steel frame supporting walls, and for ceilings and roof truss structures. “Easyboard® is a highly durable OPC based board that has the same workability as a gypsum-based board,” says Euroform’s technical director John Taylor. Whereas traditional cement-based boards require cutting with power tools, creating dust and taking time, Easyboard® is manufactured with a process that combines the cement with a reinforcing matrix that enhances its workability, so that it can be scored and snapped with a traditional utility knife. The edges do not require sealing as would be the case with an external plasterboard installation. Currently being installed as part of a SFS wall at a large commercial/residential project at The Castings, Manchester, subcontractor AM Structure’s dry liner reports, “I couldn’t believe how easy the board was to score and snap, especially for an OPC board. It is such a time saver and better for dust. We should like to use the board on future SFS sheathing installations.” Easyboard®’s BDA Agrément certificate confirms the product’s fire performance as being A1 non-combustible in accordance with BS EN 13501-1. Euroform points out that, in all cases Euroform should be consulted to discuss specifier/project requirements to advise on the suitability of Easyboard® in respect of fire resistance. Other product characteristics independently assessed through the BDA Agrément process include moisture control, strength and durability. Details of water impermeability, water absorption, load resistance, impact resistance and thermal performance are all available. Easyboard® is quicker to install than traditional cement based boards due to its lower density of 900kg/m3 (minimum). A video demonstrating the ease with which Easyboard® can be cut via the ‘score & snap’ method can be seen at: https://www.euroform.co.uk/easyboard/ Euroform has been developing, fabricating and supplying materials for the construction industry since 1995. Euroform specialises in ensuring fire and thermal compliance across its product range. Each product is supported by an experienced and knowledgeable technical team to provide advice and guidance. Based at Warrington, Euroform is part of Performance Technology Group an SIG Trading Ltd group of companies specialising in supporting the construction industry to meet acoustic, fire, thermal and vibration challenges. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bellway has broken ground on a new housing development which forms part of a major residential and commercial scheme in Bowburn. The housebuilder has started construction work at Clarence Gate, where it is to deliver 91 homes on an eight-acre parcel of land off Rosalind Franklin Way. Planning permission for the homes was granted by Durham County Council earlier this year. Clarence Gate will feature a mix of three and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached houses, totalling 91 homes for private sale. Located just off Junction 61 of the A1 (M), the development is part of the wider Integra 61 project, a mixed-used scheme which is set to create 270 new homes, 4,000 jobs and a £2 billion boost to the regional economy over the next decade. Oliver Wray, Sales Manager from Bellway Durham, said: “The ground-breaking at Clarence Gate paves the way for us to deliver 91 new homes at this strategically important site just off the A1(M). Our development represents one third of the residential element of the Integra 61 scheme and will therefore make a significant contribution to meeting the housing needs of the area. “The mix of three and four-bedroom properties that we are building are intended to suit growing families looking for extra space. The location is well-suited to buyers with children as it is close to local schools such as Bowburn Primary School which is only a mile from Clarence Gate. “The easy access to the A1(M) and A177 also makes this a convenient location for people commuting to Newcastle, Darlington and Durham. “We are planning to release the first homes at Clarence Gate onto the market early next year and anticipate handing over the keys to the first completed properties in Spring 2023.” For more information about the development, call 0191 313 0557 or visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/durham/clarence-gate.
Two of the biggest names in logistics property development, Prologis UK and Tritax, have joined forces to publish a report designed to inspire other businesses in the construction and logistics sectors to take a more proactive approach to delivering social value. The report, entitled ‘Building for social good’ shares the experiences of both companies in their efforts to deliver a positive impact to people and communities in the areas where they own and develop logistics properties. Importantly, the report also explains how each has successfully managed their social impact through the use of data, which has enabled accurate and meaningful measurement. This in turn has helped to engender the support needed to prioritise social value delivery in the future. Both Prologis UK and Tritax have used a social value measurement tool, called the National TOMs (Themes, Outcomes, Measures) Framework. . Mapped to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this Framework enables businesses to quantify the social and local economic value of their activities by attributing a monetary value equivalent to them. This in turn enables businesses to measure and manage social value. The National TOMs Framework centres on five themes – jobs, growth, social, environment and innovation – and outcomes include wide-ranging activities such as giving up staff time for community training initiatives, creating jobs and improving the local environment. In addition to providing guidance on its implementation, the report includes several case studies to illustrate how the Framework is being applied by Prologis and Tritax . For example, during the construction of a state-of-the-art Logistics Operations Centre for Jaguar Land Rover in Solihull, West Midlands, Prologis explains how more than £12 million of social and local economic value has been committed by the project partners. Similarly, Tritax explains how a brownfield redevelopment project at Littlebrook, Dartford, is generating more than £13 million in social and local economic value, including the creation of 1,300 jobs. Simon Cox, head of sustainability, Prologis UK, said: “Once you understand the power of social value initiatives to boost jobs, create lasting economic value, attract investment and enhance employer brands, it becomes hard to argue against. Which businesses wouldn’t want to invest in social value creation, in the same way they might consider investing to improve their products or services?” Alan Somerville , ESG Director , Tritax, commented on the company’s project at Littlebrook saying: “Creating social and local economic value is about creating a positive legacy for the future that enhances the world in which we live and work. Our scheme at Littlebrook has enhanced biodiversity in the local area at the same time as creating valuable training and employment opportunities.” A free download of the report is available here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Innovative ways to replace massive underground equipment without disrupting communities are set to be copied from UK Power Networks’ recent Leicester Square substation upgrade. The firm used a ‘megalift’ self-loading trailer for the first time to reduce each new transformer’s delivery time by four weeks and achieved new heights of community engagement by working closely with local business and community groups to offer them unprecedented insights into the project’s progress. This included working with businesses to design interactive hoardings, sharing video updates and hosting underground tours for about 150 visitors. A youth training scheme was also run to help lift 16–19-year-olds and their families out of fuel poverty towards the national Levelling Up agenda. Both ways of working proved so successful in the £15million flagship project that is now drawing to a close, that project managers across the company’s sites in London, East and South East will now use them where possible in future. Similar hoardings are already being designed at a new East Ham project to protect, communicate and educate, and larger investment schemes now use video updates and QR codes to keep communities informed. Engineers from UK Power Networks have worked with Alliance partner Clancy to finish the two-year upgrade this month ahead of schedule and budget. The project replaced three 60-megawatt, 132,000-volt transformers which were originally installed under Leicester Square in 1991. They weigh 100 tons each and are the size of a shipping container, providing enough energy to power an area the size of Brighton. More than 250,000 people visit Leicester Square daily and the company worked with the Heart of London Business Alliance (HOLBA), the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), and Westminster City Council to help ensure business and tourism could continue and flourish. Ros Morgan, chief executive of the Heart of London Business Alliance, said: “UK Power Networks has been working hand in hand with HOLBA to plan the works around business needs from the outset. With the aim of minimising the impact as much as possible for our members, UK Power Networks took advantage of lockdown, advancing the works as much as possible during this period and reducing the work schedule from three to two years. This infrastructure investment is critical to building a brighter future for this great city.” Jason Gunning, project manager at UK Power Networks, said: “Capital projects don’t get much more sensitive than this; replacing three 100-tonne transformers underneath the heart of London’s theatreland needed to not impact theatre goers, numerous businesses, architecture, and some very precious trees. To add to this, a pandemic made our protecting workers in confined spaces difficult. “Extraordinary planning, care, ingenuity, an innovative and seamless approach to on-site work and community collaboration was the recipe for success and we are sharing this so colleagues and the industry can adopt similar methods. “This project was successfully achieved in two years not three, giving Leicester Square increased resilience and energy capacity for decades to come, and serving one of the UK’s most heavily populated and congested areas.” Neil Byrne, contracts manager at The Clancy Group, added: “‘The Leicester Square project showcased excellent engineering, customer engagement and overcame logistical challenges required to replace the major infrastructure in this iconic location.” UK Power Networks delivers electricity to 2.3 million London properties including homes, businesses, schools and hospitals. With more than 10 million people due to be living in London by 2030, the firm is making sure the electricity network is ready for the future. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK’s leading ports group, has awarded the design contract for its ambitious Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility (LEEF) to McLaughlin & Harvey. ABP’s vision for LEEF is to provide a facility that is suitable for Operations & Maintenance (O&M) activities and construction support for the offshore energy industry, helping to transform the town of Lowestoft into East of England’s premier offshore energy hub. As part of the next phase of the project, ABP will invest around £1m in the detailed design of infrastructural upgrades of the site, including the addition of extra capacity to accommodate the next generation of larger offshore support vessels. The design phase is anticipated to last around 6 months with the construction following over the next 12 months and potential for vessels to begin using the facility from 2024. Andrew Harston, ABP Director for Wales and Short Sea Ports, said: “The winning design for LEEF will enable us to deliver this hugely exciting project and create a competitive edge for companies across the Southern North Sea (SNS) energy sector. “Having recently won ‘Best Project’ in the regional Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Awards for Planning Excellence 2022, LEEF has the potential to attract many supply chain companies to Lowestoft, bringing new jobs and prosperity to the area.” LEEF forms part of the Port Gateway project which is 1 of 5 projects that will benefit from Lowestoft’s £24.9M towns deal awarded in 2020 by the Department for Levelling Up Housing and Communities as a result of a successful Investment Plan submitted by East Suffolk Council. Craig Rivett, Councillor at East Suffolk Council, said: “We are proud to be supporting the Port Gateway development through the recently announced Town Deal. It is a vital project that will create a significant number of highly skilled jobs in the town for many years to come, whilst building on Lowestoft as the region’s hub for offshore wind operations and maintenance. “This development, once completed, will in turn provide further future opportunities for the supply chain as Lowestoft remains at the forefront of operational support for the renewable sector.” The Port of Lowestoft has a long history of servicing the offshore energy sector, as a home to O&M bases for Scottish Power Renewables and Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE). It also benefits from its strategic location and close proximity to Orbis Energy and PowerPark, where key offshore energy developers, operators and service providers are located. Seamus Devlin, McLaughlin & Harvey Civil Engineering Director, said, “McLaughlin & Harvey is delighted to have been awarded the design contract for ABP’s Lowestoft Eastern Energy Facility. We bring experience from our ever-expanding expertise in civils and marine works, and look forward to commencing the design of this exciting project in the near future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has begun speculatively developing 1.3 million sq ft of logistics space, which will include the UK’s largest-ever speculative logistics building, in Avonmouth, Bristol. The £280 million development, Panattoni Park Avonmouth, comprises of two units a 406,000 sq ft and 882,000 sq ft. The larger of the two will be the UK’s largest-ever speculatively built warehouse. Both units are being built in one phase and are expected to be completed in September 2023. ISG has been appointed main contractor. The units will be built to a targeted BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’ and benefit from extensive 50m yards, 17m + clear internal heights, generous car and lorry parking, and 8MVA of power. Panattoni Park Avonmouth is strategically positioned for local and national distribution, London and the wider south east markets, Avonmouth Docks, Royal Portbury Docks, Bristol Airport, Avonmouth Rail Freight Terminal and Bristol Parkway train station, given the quick access to both the M4 and M5 motorways. The development is located close to leading logistics occupiers such as Amazon, DHL, The Range, TESCO and Lidl. James Watson, Head of Development Southern England & London, Panattoni UK, said: “We closed the purchase of this site despite the current macro-economic challenges, but have conviction the logistics occupier market will continue to perform. Our continued commitment to the ‘big box’ market is shown with this being the largest speculative development in the UK. We are glad to be on-site with construction, providing much-needed space for such a supply constrained market. Practical Completion of Panattoni Park Avonmouth is September 2023.” Robert Dobrzycki, CEO & Co-owner Panattoni Europe and India, said: “Developing the largest-ever speculative logistics building in the UK is testament to our global strategy of scaling up our developments at the highest level of quality and reflects our continuing confidence in the logistics sector as well as our desire to provide much-needed space for our international client base. Quality and a proven investment model – not just price competitiveness – are becoming our distinguishing factors in the real estate market”. Agents for Panattoni Park Avonmouth are DTRE, Savills, JLL & Colliers. For more information please visit panattoni.co.uk/avonmouth Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, Leo Quinn, has taken home the ‘Outstanding Industry Leadership’ award at London Build’s inaugural awards ceremony. The UK’s leading construction show, London Build – which welcomes over 35,000 attendees and more than 500 speakers each year – praised Leo for his significant contribution to the construction and infrastructure industry. Since Leo took the helm, Balfour Beatty has seen a dramatic transformation with a robust balance sheet supported by a £17.7 billion order book. In addition, the company saw its highest ever employee engagement score this year, which now sits at 79%, and is testament to the Group’s evolved culture. As well as reshaping Balfour Beatty and positioning the company to capitalise on the growing infrastructure market, the award also recognises Leo’s leadership of the sector. Leo represented the industry on the Government’s Build Back Better Council which ran throughout the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on unlocking investment, boosting job creation and levelling up the whole of the UK. During the pandemic, Leo also led the Tier One industry group and was instrumental in navigating Balfour Beatty and its stakeholders through the pandemic, keeping sites open for business as employees and supply chain partners continued to execute contracts safely with secure employment, whilst also ensuring maintained liquidity for the company’s valued supply chain partners. In addition, Leo was commended for founding The 5% Club in 2013, a dynamic movement of employers committed to providing ‘earn and learn’ positions. The movement now boasts over 750 member companies representing more than 1.6 million employees, 70,000 apprentices, 16,000 graduates and 7,500 sponsored students. Today, Balfour Beatty has over 6% of its UK workforce comprising apprentices, graduates and trainees. In recognition of his contribution to business, Leo was appointed as a Visiting Professor at the College of Business and Social Science at Aston University in Birmingham in 2021. Leo Quinn, Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, said: “Having started my career as a graduate at Balfour Beatty over 40 years ago on the New Haw Viaduct in Surrey, and now as Group Chief Executive, my career is an example of the prosperous, lifelong opportunities that our industry can generate. “But I would not be here today without the incredible people I work alongside every day, those who make up our company and our supply chain – those who work tirelessly every day to shape our skylines, connect communities and grow the great leaders of tomorrow.”Selena Moseley, London Build Event Director, said: “It’s our absolute pleasure to hand this award to Leo for his outstanding support in developing opportunities for young people across the industry and for driving the incredible transformation of the UK’s leading infrastructure group” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction Group, one of the biggest privately owned construction companies in the UK, has boosted its Midlands presence, having been awarded over £100m in projects across the region. GMI has signed deals on projects including £30m investment at the landmark Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby, a 155,000 sq ft logistics warehouse for St. Modwen Logistics in Birmingham and a retail park in Tamworth boasting brands such as Lidl and B&M. In Derby, work has commenced on the Becketwell development – the most significant development in Derby city centre since 2007 – which will see the completion of a GMI-built Build to Rent apartment block in 2023. GMI will also complete a bottling plant for a German client at Dove Valley, Foston, by December 2022. As part of its investment in the West Midlands, GMI has commenced build on various sites in Birmingham, including the development of a 102-unit residential project in the Jewellery Quarter, the regeneration of the former James Cond building for University College Birmingham and the development of a new student accommodation in Selly Oak. It has also recently completed a logistics warehouse for fashion retailer, ASOS, in Lichfield. Andy Bruce, Divisional Managing Director at GMI, said: “The Midlands is a big area with even bigger potential and, as we continue to invest in the region, it’s expected to become our largest UK division. “As we further grow our pipeline of work in the Midlands, we will be collaborating with likeminded, forward-thinking organisations that align with our key purposes of sustainability and supporting the next generation of workers. “It’s an exciting time for the Midlands and we’re committed to supporting the region to grow and thrive in the future, mirroring the ambitions of the Midlands Engine to create positive change.” To find out more about GMI, please visit: www.gmiconstructiongroup.co.uk.
THE GOVERNMENT OF QATAR is investing millions of pounds in the expansion of the South Hook LNG terminal in Milford Haven, as the UK becomes more dependent on shipments of the liquefied fuel imported from abroad. To accommodate around 25% more liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from around the world, Qatar is upgrading to meet demand. ExxonMobil is also making a significant investments to help increase the capacity of the South Hook. Prices for fuel have skyrocketed as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, prompting the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe to scramble for a deal securement with the world’s biggest LNG exporter, Qatar. After the Cop27 climate change summit in Egypt, UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to make a significant supply announcement with the United States, the Telegraph revealed. The two major players in the global LNG industry are Qatar and the US. The development of the $10 billion new Golden Pass terminal in the US, which is scheduled to open in 2024 and is anticipated to export to the UK, is being carried out in tandem with the investment in South Hook LNG by state-owned QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil. In recent years, the UK has relied more and more on LNG, despite previously vilifying gas producers and pushing for an urgent end to fossil fuel production. Approximately 17% of the UK’s gas demand was met internally in 2021, with its significance expected to increase as output from the ageing North Sea declines. In the midst of an LNG market boom, Qatar and relevant partners completed the South Hook terminal in 2009. The terminal is one of three UK LNG facilities, with the other two in Kent and Wales, respectively. The processing capacity of the station is 15.6 million tonnes of gas per year, or, according to the proprietors, nearly 20% of the UK’s annual gas demand. One of the largest in Europe, the terminal is already. Analysts believe that Qatar’s plan to extend South Hook’s capacity to over 20 million tonnes of gas annually might cost hundreds of millions of pounds. Midway through 2025 is the anticipated completion date. The US and Qatar are both already major LNG suppliers to the UK. 51 of the 175 shipments made to the UK between January and September originated from Qatar and 81 from the US, S&P Global Platts data detailed. This year, the UK has received significantly more international cargoes than usual because it serves as a “gas bridge” to Europe, which is rushing to replace Russian supplies but does not yet have sufficient import infrastructure, the UK Government said. A spokesperson for South Hook LNG in Milford Haven has confirmed there are plans to expand the facility by July 2025. “Our shareholders have taken a positive final investment decision to increase the Terminal’s re-delivery capacity to 812.5GWh/d.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals