With an internal commitment to becoming carbon net zero by 2030, leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has become the first company in the UK to invest in brand new Kobelco SK210 Hybrid 15m Long Reach Tracked Excavators. This specialist plant will add to the firms existing sustainable
Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has been selected as the exclusive kitchen worktop supplier for the David Wilson Homes, Penning Ridge housing development in South Yorkshire. The national housebuilder, David Wilson Homes, is part of the Barratt Developments PLC Group and selected Roann Limited to supply 400
Wildlife is returning to a former industrial site in Cheadle which is being transformed into an environmentally-friendly new residential neighbourhood. Ducks and trout are already visiting the new nature corridor at Bellway’s Cecilly Mills development, off Oakamoor Road, which was for many years home to the JCB factory. The Cecilly
An exciting new stage of a ground-breaking solar generation system at Portsmouth International Port has been reached, with 888 solar panels now been switched on. The scheme has been managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team, supported by Portsmouth International Port‘s engineering department. Installation began in February 2022 by specialist
New concrete tile manufacturing facility unlocks significant, additional capacity enabling organic growth, whilst reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions Investment in electric kilns at an existing facility, reduces reliance on natural gas. Wienerberger is pleased to announce a significant investment in the construction of a brand-new concrete roof tile manufacturing
Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse have appointed the McLaren Construction Group as main contractor to deliver the first phase of Konect 62, a major tri-modal logistics and industrial scheme in Yorkshire. The announcement follows the joint venture’s formal completion of the 136-acre site’s acquisition for £54 million. It has also
Offsite manufacturing specialist, McAvoy Group Limited has marked its 50th year in business with a continued return to sustainable profitability, according to its latest set of consolidated group accounts. The Lisburn-based company has reported a rise in turnover to £71.5m for the 13-month period to 31 May 2022, compared to
Work is underway on a new public square next to the #BuiltByGMI apartment block at the £200m Becketwell regeneration project in Derby city centre. GMI Construction were joined by developers St James Securities as well as representatives from Derby City Council, D2N2, and other key stakeholders at a ground-breaking ceremony
A development partner is being sought for a major, first-of-its-kind industrial regeneration scheme on the Greenwich Peninsula. The 3.38-acre site at 75 Bugsby’s Way will be transformed into one of London’s first multi-storey industrial buildings, meeting one of the Mayor Sadiq Khan’s key objectives for industrial intensification set out in the
Investment and development company Cole Waterhouse has completed the acquisition of a key development site in Digbeth, paving the way for the creation of Upper Trinity Street (UTS), a £260 million mixed-use scheme which will deliver 943 new homes and a new public park for the city. Cole Waterhouse has
With an internal commitment to becoming carbon net zero by 2030, leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has become the first company in the UK to invest in brand new Kobelco SK210 Hybrid 15m Long Reach Tracked Excavators. This specialist plant will add to the firms existing sustainable fleet which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the projects it undertakes. The new excavators use innovative hybrid technology alongside lithium-ion batteries to power the swing motor. This, coupled with the newest and cleanest engines, brings a fuel saving quality to the end user of up to 17% in comparison to conventional ICE excavators. Land & Water’s specialist long reach and amphibious marine equipment, which can be hired through its Plant division, has been carefully chosen to ensure it has environmental capabilities, including: Paddle designs on the track of amphibious excavators to reoxygenate the water The ability to use HVO fuel which is up to 90+% carbon neutral Machine features including eco mode and machine idle cut offs reducing emissions Clean engines (Stage five) Onboard telemetry that reports carbon saving and fuel usage Machine control to ensure task accuracy, avoiding over digging and revisiting, therefore reducing the use of the machine Dan Jackson, Strategic Account Manager at Land & Water Plant Hire, said: “We are extremely excited to receive these machines and lead the way when it comes to implementing sustainable solutions. At Land & Water, we strive to offer our clients a range of excellent services that keep cost and environmental protection at the forefront of our minds. “Being the first company in the UK to invest in this new machinery is extremely poignant and we urge our industry to follow and consider ways in which it can meet the current net zero target.” The construction and civil engineering industry makes up almost 40% of the world’s CO2 emissions. Land & Water is committed towards reducing its carbon footprint and becoming Carbon Net Zero by 2030, this is making them one of the industries key pioneers. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has been selected as the exclusive kitchen worktop supplier for the David Wilson Homes, Penning Ridge housing development in South Yorkshire. The national housebuilder, David Wilson Homes, is part of the Barratt Developments PLC Group and selected Roann Limited to supply 400 houses with the Consentino Silestone range as part of a worktop upgrade option for house buyers. Surrounded by stunning countryside, the Penning Ridge housing development will feature both three and four-bedroom luxury homes and is located in a highly-sought after location in the heart of South Yorkshire, in Penistonne. Residents will be able to benefit from a great range of local amenities and easily access major towns and cities with the M1, located just three miles away. Roann Limited has previously worked alongside David Wilson Homes but this project marks the first within the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Sheffield region. Speaking about the project, Scott Wharton, the Sales Director at Roann Limited said: “As a Yorkshire based business, we are excited to be working on a Yorkshire-based project. Penning Ridge is located near the beautiful Penistone countryside and we are delighted that Roann Limited was selected for this project. Residents will be able to upgrade and select from a range of quality Consentino Silestone worktop colours and styles to suit their new kitchen. We have over 30 years of experience in supplying quartz worktops and we thoroughly enjoy transforming kitchen spaces by supplying a selection of kitchen worktops and splashbacks.” More information about Roann Limited can be found on the website https://www.roann.co.uk/.
Wildlife is returning to a former industrial site in Cheadle which is being transformed into an environmentally-friendly new residential neighbourhood. Ducks and trout are already visiting the new nature corridor at Bellway’s Cecilly Mills development, off Oakamoor Road, which was for many years home to the JCB factory. The Cecilly Brook formerly flowed through a closed culvert under a series of concrete bridges on the brownfield site – but has been restored to its natural glory as part of Bellway’s green vision for the development. Bellway is building 120 new homes on the nine-and-a-half-acre site, with work on the first homes beginning in December 2020. The scheme to restore the brook has created an eight-metre ecological buffer zone with new planting and wildlife habitats, as well as bee banks to encourage biodiversity in the area. Lee Aston, Site Manager at Cecilly Mills, said: “We pay due care and attention at all sites that we build on to ensure that we can help to encourage biodiversity wherever we can. In this instance, we’ve incorporated an existing natural feature into a new wildlife corridor. “This site has undergone a significant transformation from an industrial brownfield site into a natural green space that actively promotes biodiversity, providing a pleasant and open backdrop for our residents as well as habitats for wildlife. “The brook has already proven to be very popular with residents and local people alike, who have been seen taking pictures from Oakamoor Road, which provides a perfect vantage point for the brook and the development. “Despite only having started the works in December 2020, we have already seen wildlife returning to the site, including several flocks of ducks and a sizeable number of trout in the stream, which makes the work all that more rewarding. In time, we also hope to see the return of water voles to this area, connecting the two populations found at the Palm Brook and Cecilly Brook Local Nature Reserves to the north and south of the site respectively. “While we have made great strides on the site until now, there is still plenty of work to be done to finish building the final homes on site. The remaining building work will be completed while ensuring that the brook, our staff, and the natural environment are all protected. “We look forward to completing the work here and finishing the transformation of this site into a desirable and environmentally friendly development, helping to meet the demand for high-quality housing in Staffordshire.” Bellway is delivering a mix of two to four-bedroom properties at Cecilly Mills, with prices starting from £199,500. For more information, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands/cecilly-mills, or call the sales team on 01538 331565.
An exciting new stage of a ground-breaking solar generation system at Portsmouth International Port has been reached, with 888 solar panels now been switched on. The scheme has been managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team, supported by Portsmouth International Port‘s engineering department. Installation began in February 2022 by specialist contractors Custom Solar, and incorporates roof-mounted solar panels across a number of buildings, a large battery and solar canopies. The solar panels mounted on rooftops around the port have now been switched on. They are now generating 400kWp of renewable energy that can be used to reduce consumption at the port, or can be exported back to the grid. This is just a third of the total number of solar panels installed at the port over the past year. Once they are all switched on, the power produced by all 2,660 panels will contribute around 35% of the port’s energy needs. This will be a big step forward for Portsmouth International Port’s ambition to reach net-zero by 2030. From L-R: Tony Denney, Custom Solar, Owen Hughes; Portsmouth City Council’s energy services team; Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council and Elly Howe, Portsmouth International Port, stood in front of the equipment that turns solar energy into power the port can use When fully commissioned in January 2023, the 1.2 megawatt peak system will be the council’s largest solar and battery installation to date. The project has broken new ground for the council and in the national context. The port is the first in the UK to have solar canopies, and also recently won the ‘Commercial Solar and/or Storage Project of the Year’ award at Solar & Storage Live 2022 Awards. The system will also include a 1.5 megawatt hour battery, which is enough power to run a typical home for 4 months. It will capture green power that can then be used at the port at another time, such as to power lights at night. When complete, it is estimated that in peak conditions that 98% of the electricity consumed by the port could come from the combined solar and battery installation. Owen Hughes from Portsmouth City Council’s energy services team showing Cllr Kimberly Barrett the technology that turns the power from the sun into usable energy Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council said: “It is the council’s priority to support clean growth. I’m delighted that we’ve met our target to begin generating clean energy at the port by the end of 2022. “I’d like to personally thank the energy services team at the council and the engineers at Portsmouth International Port for all their efforts. It shows that by working across the council, we can achieve our important ambitions. “When fully operational, the scheme will reduce annual emissions by 239 tonnes at this busy site. We’re committed to take positive action to tackle climate change, and this cut in emissions will boost our efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the city to net-zero by 2030”. James Hill, director of housing, neighbourhoods and building services at Portsmouth City Council added: “I am really pleased that our energy services team have been able to support the port with this exciting initiative. The team have gone from strength to strength with a range of services to support residents, businesses and our own local authority services to increase our use of renewable energy. “I would encourage anyone interested in their work to contact utilities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. If you need further guidance in resident energy support, please contact energysaving@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.” This project is all part of an integrated approach at the port, that will eventually allow them to offer shore power for smaller ships, without having to take extra power from the local electricity grid. Councillors from Portsmouth City Council alongside staff from the Energy Services Team, Portsmouth International Port and Custom Solar, who all worked together to make the project a success Jerry Clarke, pilot and senior project manager at Portsmouth International Port added: “The port is owned by the people of Portsmouth, so we have an obligation to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment, whilst reaching the ambitions set out in our 20 year Masterplan. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to help enable this project to happen, and I’d also like to thank Brittany Ferries and their passengers for their patience over the busy summer months whilst the installation took place. “Combined with other sustainability initiatives, it will help us achieve our ambition of reaching net-zero carbon by 2030, and becoming one of the UK’s first zero emission ports by 2050. With government support, we really can make a clean maritime industry a reality”. The work is the latest in a series of solar and battery projects being managed by the council’s in-house energy services team. The team procured Custom Solar after a competitive tender exercise through the council’s recently established PV and Storage framework. Gary Sucharewycz, CEO of Custom Solar, said: “We are delighted to have won the award for Commercial Solar and Storage project of the year. To have been recognised at the main industry awards for such a prestige project that the team have developed from concept, is a great reward for everyone involved. “We have worked with a fantastic client in Portsmouth City Council to have successfully delivered the project through many challenges. We see this as a great case study for how solar and storage can be deployed in major operational environments, with solar car port canopy’s set to play a big role in clients generating their own power and assisting their net zero ambitions to be realised.”
New concrete tile manufacturing facility unlocks significant, additional capacity enabling organic growth, whilst reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions Investment in electric kilns at an existing facility, reduces reliance on natural gas. Wienerberger is pleased to announce a significant investment in the construction of a brand-new concrete roof tile manufacturing facility in Kent, South East England along with the significant energy transformation of its Broomfleet factory near Hull in the North East. These exciting new plans, designed to deliver organic growth from an increasingly efficient cost base, will bring a welcomed increase in production capacity, whilst also pressing ahead with decarbonisation plans as part of its ambitious Sustainability Roadmap. The new, state-of-the-art concrete roof tile production facility will be sited next to its Smeed Dean brick factory, reinforcing Wienerberger’s commitment to UK operations and the South East in particular, where brick manufacture at Smeed Dean dates back to 1875. The business will simultaneously complete the ambitious renovation of two of its Broomfleet factory lines, making it Europe’s first-ever clay roof-tile plant to completely eliminate the use of natural gas and the associated CO2 emissions from the drying and firing process, thus reducing the carbon emissions of these lines by an impressive 75%. This announcement is representative of the company’s confidence in the market and is testament to its commitment to decarbonisation via innovation of products, services, and new methods of production. In 2021, Wienerberger UK & Ireland set out its Sustainability Roadmap ‘Let’s Build Beyond’, which outlined the vital actions the business would take to create enduring value for its stakeholders as it transitioned to a net-zero emission, nature-positive business. Keith Barker, Chief Operating Officer, Wienerberger UK & Ireland commented, “We are aware of and want to tackle the issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity head-on by making sustainability the main driver of our company growth strategy. This investment demonstrates our commitment to expansion in the UK and Ireland market and, is fully aligned with our ambitions for the sustainable growth which will secure the future of our business.” The new concrete tile-making facility will significantly increase the company’s production capacity enabling it to better serve the needs of its customers, with new and existing tile formats, providing additional capacity with lower CO2 emissions per square metre of installed roof. The significant, transformational investment at its Broomfleet clay roof tile manufacturing site near Hull is driven by the desire to reduce resource consumption and CO2 output. Wienerberger has chosen the UK for the first commercial-scale implementation of electric kilns using 100% renewable energy within the clay roof-tile manufacturing sector. This is a key step towards realising its ambitious carbon reduction commitment and demonstrates consistent implementation of the Group’s ESG strategy. Simon Nevitt, Operations Director and Board member at Wienerberger UK & Ireland commented “We recognise the importance of rapidly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and we are achieving this through both product innovation, and manufacturing methods. This particular investment in two of our existing Broomfleet production lines eliminates our use of fossil fuels from the firing and drying processes, reducing the. carbon emissions (Scope 1 tCO2e) from this production line by 75%.” The phased transition process is due to begin later this year. Going forward, customers will benefit from a range of products with reduced embodied carbon content, supporting the construction industry’s transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse have appointed the McLaren Construction Group as main contractor to deliver the first phase of Konect 62, a major tri-modal logistics and industrial scheme in Yorkshire. The announcement follows the joint venture’s formal completion of the 136-acre site’s acquisition for £54 million. It has also newly signed a development debt facility with BentallGreenOak enabling the initial phase to get underway. Phase One will see the speculative development of 1.1 million sq ft of state-of-the-art, energy efficient warehouse space across four units, all built to BREEAM Excellent sustainability standards. This will include ‘Big K’ a 735,000 sq ft unit, one of the largest ever delivered in the North of the UK, as well as three further units of 161,000, 151,000 and 55,000 sq ft, catering to a variety of potential occupiers. Konect 62 holds full planning consent for 1.4 million sq ft of prime logistics accommodation, however plans are under review to enlarge the scheme to c. 1.8 million sq ft, enabling it to better fulfil the strong occupier demand, with a further planning application for the additional area due to be submitted in the new year. David Nuttall, Managing Director of Cole Waterhouse industrial and logistics, commented: “Appointing McClaren to deliver these sustainable and high-quality units so quickly after we acquired the land and completed the construction funding is a major step forward for Konect and a statement of intent from the partners involved. We plan to be on site within four weeks with completion from Q3 2023. The range of units we are developing will appeal to a diverse range of occupiers who will bring high quality jobs and investment to the area and cement Konect as a significant employment destination in anticipation of our future phases in the coming years.” Commenting on the investment, Christophe Kuhbier, Managing Director at Henderson Park, said: “This strategically located site is optimally placed to deliver much needed capacity into the critically undersupplied Yorkshire industrial market, with local vacancy rates of 2.2%. We are confident that the sustainability and technical specifications of the scheme we are developing will appeal to the highest quality logistics operators as well as traditional industrial occupiers, who are increasingly energy conscious. We are excited to get the project underway and deliver what we believe will be an exemplary regeneration of a major brownfield site.” Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “We are delighted to have secured the project which represents a great investment for the Yorkshire region, including plans for one of the largest units ever to be delivered here. The scale and scope of the scheme will bring abundant investment and employment opportunities to the county’s industrial and logistics market, and we are looking forward to continuing relationships with Henderson Park, Cole Waterhouse and their stakeholders.” Jim Blakemore, Global Head of Debt at BentallGreenOak, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse on this project in a key logistics location in the UK. The business plan reflects our debt investment thesis which is to finance best-in-class sponsors who are creating high-quality assets in strong and sustainable locations. This investment builds on 4 million sq ft of logistics assets which BentallGreenOak have lent on in the UK and European logistics markets over the last two years.” The development represents the country’s only inland distribution park ready enabled to offer tri-modal connectivity to the UK and continental Europe via road, water or rail. The site will have a high level of power capacity for energy intensive operations allowing it to appeal to both traditional industrial and logistics occupiers. Located at the crucial axis of the M62 and the A1(M) it is positioned to address local, regional and national markets as well as international markets with a number of sea ports and main UK air freight hubs within 4.5 hours. The project team includes: C4 Projects acting as architect, project manager and cost consultant; planning consultant Barton Wilmore; XOsquare as structural engineer; Novo Integration (M&E); Terra 97 (Geo-environmental) and Axis PED (transport). DTRE and Sixteen Real Estate are acting as joint letting agents for the scheme.
Offsite manufacturing specialist, McAvoy Group Limited has marked its 50th year in business with a continued return to sustainable profitability, according to its latest set of consolidated group accounts. The Lisburn-based company has reported a rise in turnover to £71.5m for the 13-month period to 31 May 2022, compared to £23.8m for the six-month period ending April 2021. Meanwhile, the company generated an EBITDA of £6.2m for the same period, compared to £2.4m for the period ending April 2021. The company strengthened its balance sheet on 31 May 2022 with net debt of 0.8 x EBITDA and equity of £4.9m. McAvoy Group’s continued return to sustainable profitability and underlying business growth has included several key project successes including the world’s first International Baccalaureate special free school for children with autism at Cavendish, a Low Carbon Pathfinder School for the Department for Education at Redhill and the securing of a significant ten-year rental contract at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. During the most recent financial period, McAvoy Group announced a significant multi-million expansion programme that included the launch of a new SmartSpace semi-permanent modular fleet that will ensure McAvoy has one of the newest modular fleets in the UK and Ireland. The investment will more than double the capacity of the company’s semi-permanent fleet for rental and will include the creation of approximately 50 new jobs over the next three years. CEO, Ron Clarke said: “The group is experiencing robust and continued interest in its proposition, supported by favourable structural tailwinds and the Board, with the continued support of our shareholders, has embarked upon a strategic growth plan which includes the creation of a modern and highly flexible rental fleet. Designed and built to enhance energy and fire protection standards, SmartSpace provides our customers with sustainable space solutions which will allow significant scope for future value creation.” He continued: “Whilst recognising that the trading environment will remain challenged by ongoing geopolitical tensions and inflationary cost pressures, we continue to see strong underlying demand for the company’s sustainable building solutions.” McAvoy is one of the UK and Ireland’s market leaders in the precision manufacture and delivery of high-quality permanent and semi-permanent modular buildings. Its adaptable and sustainable space solutions are sought after in sectors including health, education, commercial and infrastructure. Innovation continues to be a central part of the company’s activities with several ongoing R&D projects following its involvement in Seismic I and Seismic II which developed a new componentised, platform-based approach to manufacturing and construction, which can be adopted by multiple manufacturers.
Work is underway on a new public square next to the #BuiltByGMI apartment block at the £200m Becketwell regeneration project in Derby city centre. GMI Construction were joined by developers St James Securities as well as representatives from Derby City Council, D2N2, and other key stakeholders at a ground-breaking ceremony to mark the start of building works on Springwell Square, which will be located on the site of the former Central United Reformed Church. Springwell Square will be the centrepiece of the #BuiltByGMI development, adjacent to the two-bedroom Build to Rent (BTR) apartments, currently being built on the site previously occupied by Debenhams on Victoria Street. The development will be operated by Grainger PLC, the UK’s largest residential landlord, and is scheduled to be completed by Spring 2023. Future planned phases at the site include new grade A offices and commercial space, 3,500-capacity performance venue, a hotel and a multi-storey car park. Delighted to see work begin on the multi-purpose square, GMI Divisional Managing Director Andy Bruce said: “Over £1m is being spent on the square and it will make a massive difference to the area, with its high-quality finish and landscaping making it a real focal point for the development. “In terms of the apartment block itself, the interior is progressing at a great rate of Knots, and it’s a job that we’re going to be extremely proud of when it’s finished. “It has really kick-started the re-development of the Becketwell area of Derby, which has been needed, and is a welcome boost to the East Midlands.” Growing their portfolio of public and private clients in the Midlands, GMI were awarded the contract worth £30m by St James Securities ahead of the demolition work, which started in March 2021. “This is yet another job we’ve secured in the East Midlands on top of those including a Bottling Plant at Dove Valley Foston, which we’re working on for a German Client,” added Bruce. “It’s a really exciting time for GMI in the Midlands.” Anticipated to create more than 2,000 jobs, the regeneration scheme has been given a ringing endorsement by Steve Hassall, Member of Regeneration, Decarbonisation & Strategic & Transport Cllr. He said: “It’s great to see the building itself going up, but it is also great to see the ground-breaking on the public square, which will be open for the public to enjoy. “For a lot of years, this particular area of the city has languished as a bit of a forgotten piece of the city, so it’s a fantastic opportunity for this site to be utilised like it has never been before. “We’ve enjoyed a great partnership with GMI throughout the process, with quality of work and timescales second to none. “It’s a real testament to everyone on site that things are on target.” The most significant development in Derby city centre since the Westfield Centre in 2007, considerable planning has gone into ensuring work is both sustainable and environmentally friendly. Strict noise, dust, vibration monitoring and environmental controls have been put in place to minimise the impact on surrounding businesses and properties. David Williams, Deputy Chair of D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: “It’s one of those really good examples of collaborative working between the City Council, developer and contractor. “Considering this is an enormous development in the middle of quite a tight area, the impact on the city has been minimal. “I haven’t heard of any issues at all, so I think it’s a fantastic achievement.” Explaining how the square will benefit the area, Director of St James Securities Paul Morris said: “We’re delighted to see construction work start on schedule as we move to the next stage of this landmark regeneration scheme for the City of Derby. “Over the past five years, we have been real trailblazers, prepared to take on a site that has been challenged for many years and put together a scheme which will breathe new life into the area. “Springwell Square will open up land to the south and bring it back into use. It will be a place where people can meet and relax in an informal space, and it will improve the vibrancy and attraction of the city centre.”
A development partner is being sought for a major, first-of-its-kind industrial regeneration scheme on the Greenwich Peninsula. The 3.38-acre site at 75 Bugsby’s Way will be transformed into one of London’s first multi-storey industrial buildings, meeting one of the Mayor Sadiq Khan’s key objectives for industrial intensification set out in the London Plan. The Mayor is keen to attract new business to the area and create employment opportunities for the local community through the initiative. The project will be highly sustainable, serving as a benchmark for future industrial development. The successful developer will enter an agreement with Greater London Authority Land and Property (GLAP) to design, develop and build the £107 million scheme and will be granted a 250-year leasehold on the site. This new project forms part of the £8.4bn, 20-year regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula, including the creation of seven new neighbourhoods, 17,500 new homes and 48 acres of public green space. Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, said: “The Mayor and I are committed to the regeneration of Greenwich, and other areas in London with significant potential for growth. “The regeneration of 75 Bugsby’s Way into one of London’s first multi-storey industrial buildings will be a landmark moment, transforming the Greenwich Peninsula into a thriving hub for commerce and business. This is an exciting opportunity, and I look forward to securing a partnership which brings to life our vision for a more prosperous city for all Londoners.”
Investment and development company Cole Waterhouse has completed the acquisition of a key development site in Digbeth, paving the way for the creation of Upper Trinity Street (UTS), a £260 million mixed-use scheme which will deliver 943 new homes and a new public park for the city. Cole Waterhouse has entered into an agreement with debt facility provider Ingenious to acquire the land from multiple private owners, with Auxillium Real Estate acting as the debt broker. The purchase comes after Birmingham City Council granted planning permission in July 2021 for the transformation of the industrial land into a cultural, commercial and residential scheme. It will include the creation of Pump House Park which will sit alongside the canal and the historic lock keepers cottage which will be retained. Last year Cole Waterhouse signed the first tenants at UTS including the world’s first Museum of Youth Culture, Birmingham Music Archive and Digbeth’s legendary Pat Benson Boxing Academy which together will occupy over 15,000 sq ft of space. Designed by Corstorphine & Wright, UTS will deliver a blend of rentable and open market sales homes, some with live-work space and roof gardens, a 133-bedroom hotel, 60,000 sq ft of flexible commercial space, car parking and large new areas of public realm across a network of landscaped yards, squares and hidden spaces. The development of UTS is expected to create 600 jobs during the construction phase, deliver £229.5m GVA to the local economy and will create up to 313 additional jobs once built. Phase one will see the development of a portion of the residential element of the scheme comprising build-to-rent housing. Speaking about the acquisition, Damian Flood, CEO at Cole Waterhouse commented: “With the land now successfully acquired, we look forward to the delivery of this major mixed-use scheme. Over the course of the next few months we will be tendering the construction contract for phase one, and aim to start on site by Q3 next year. We will also be appointing a real estate adviser to support us with marketing the residential offer both locally and internationally. “There has been a huge collaborative effort from the stakeholders including the City Council, the local community of Digbeth, the Canal & River Trust and our project team and I would like to thank everyone for supporting our vision and for their unwavering commitment to the delivery of UTS.” Simon Delahunty, Assistant Director Development Planning & Development at Birmingham City Council added: ““The announcement that Cole Waterhouse and its funding partners have now acquired the land to bring forward Upper Trinity Street is very welcome news for the city of Birmingham. We look forward to seeing their plans emerge and to witness the transformation of this area of Digbeth with investment for new homes, spaces for people to enjoy and places for people to work.” The value is undisclosed.