Leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has been awarded a place on the framework contract for the Thames Water River CP0033 Restoration and associated works. This groundbreaking project will see the implementation of river restoration and fish passage, improving available habitats and resilience within rivers. Land & Water
Work Starts On 88,888 Sq Ft Evo Warrington 89 Development Evo Industrial has secured planning consent and started preparatory work to develop EVO Warrington 89, a modern, logistics and HQ industrial unit located on Omega Boulevard in Lingley Mere, Warrington. CBRE and Williams Sillitoe have been appointed as joint agents
NyRock® Cavity Slab 032 combines the UK’s lowest lambda rating for stone wool with acoustic and fire performance, plus space saving capabilities ROCKWOOL has launched NyRock® Cavity Slab 032 providing specifiers with a low lambda, non-combustible stone wool slab for full and partial fill masonry cavities that enables a thinner
GMI Construction Group has been appointed by University College Birmingham to develop a state-of-the-art sustainable construction skills centre in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. The project, located in the Jewellery Quarter’s Conservation Area, will see GMI regenerate the iconic James Cond print works building into a skills centre for University College
To face our world’s critical needs for sustainable and qualitative living spaces, global building material manufacturer and pioneer in lightweight construction Etex further pledges to be an agent of change in the sustainable building sector. Next to its intrinsically sustainable portfolio, Etex is doing more by setting clear ambitions for
Inch Cape Offshore Limited, a joint venture between Red Rock Power and ESB, has appointed Vestas as the preferred wind turbine supplier for the 1100MW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland. Both Red Rock Power and ESB are Vestas clients for onshore wind projects, and with this new commitment,
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been given its first contract within National Highways’ new Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF). Routine investigations to the M62 Ouse Bridge, located between Goole and Howden in Yorkshire –
The Supply Chain Sustainability School (the School), a multi-award-winning initiative which represents a common approach to addressing sustainability within supply chains, has today released its Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) Annual Culture Report 2022. The School surveyed over 1,000 of its members across the country, to get their feedback on
Housebuilder Hayfield has started construction on a prime 6.75-acre (2.73Ha) site in the Buckinghamshire village of Little Kimble to deliver 40 future-proofed zero carbon ready homes. Planning permission for the £21m development was secured from Buckinghamshire Council in June. Hayfield Crescent, as the development is called, will include a range
A funding deal has completed between Caddick Group, Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Canmoor, which will see work commence on a new employment hub in Leyland, Preston. Following planning approval earlier in the year, construction is underway targeting delivery of the 544,000 sq. ft. warehouse in July 2023. The scheme
Leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has been awarded a place on the framework contract for the Thames Water River CP0033 Restoration and associated works. This groundbreaking project will see the implementation of river restoration and fish passage, improving available habitats and resilience within rivers. Land & Water will develop small and large scale solutions to improve the waterways, mitigate the impact on the environment and enable Thames Water to meet regulatory requirements as part of the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP). As part of the overhaul and improvement of the waterways, work will include weir removal or modifications, channel bed re-profiling, riverbank re-profiling and replacing banks with softer, natural options. Barriers to fish passage will also be overcome, with pass channels and other solutions such as rock ramps and in-channel gravel (to allow fish to lay their eggs). Having successfully worked on other environmentally sensitive sites, Land & Water is an expert at implementing ‘soft’ nature-based engineering solutions and is experienced in dealing with regulators and local communities. It has previously restored hundreds of miles of waterways throughout the UK for the Canal & River Trust, building solid working relationships with the Environment Agency, Natural England, land owners and local stakeholders. Fiona Moore, Divisional Business Manager, said: “We’re very excited to bring our wealth of experience to developing these projects over the coming years. “The result will be a transformation and improvement of the Thames Waterways, reducing the impact on the environment and meeting its obligations under the Water Framework Directive. “As custodians of the environment, it also ensures that we are safeguarding habitat for the flora and fauna for years to come.” Thames Water is the UK’s largest Water and Wastewater services provider, serving 15 million customers, supplying more than 2.6 billion litres of drinking water on average, per day to 9 million drinking water customers and recycling waste from 15 million people safely back to the environment. A key driver for the river restoration programme is to mitigate the impact from abstractions. However, the complexity of river systems means that reducing abstraction alone may not address all of the pressures in the impacted area, and therefore there needs to be improvements throughout the river environment. The scale of the framework will see the works varying from small local projects which can be delivered manually and with minimal mechanical input, through to larger scale schemes.
Work Starts On 88,888 Sq Ft Evo Warrington 89 Development Evo Industrial has secured planning consent and started preparatory work to develop EVO Warrington 89, a modern, logistics and HQ industrial unit located on Omega Boulevard in Lingley Mere, Warrington. CBRE and Williams Sillitoe have been appointed as joint agents on the speculatively developed scheme which will be Evo Industrial’s fifth Net Zero Carbon building. Howard Russell Construction has been appointed to construct the unit which will be available in Spring 2023. The building focuses on low running costs and a low carbon footprint and will achieve BREEAM Excellent and Net Zero Carbon when in use, targeting an A+ rating for energy performance. The property will include recycled materials, solar roof panels, comfort cooling, LED lighting, parking for 88 vehicles, EV car charging points and a warehouse flooded with natural light. The fully fitted first floor offices are designed with high-speed fibre broadband and will be ready to occupy with raised access floors making hardware installation easy. The location on Omega Boulevard and just off Junction 8 of the M62 offers easy access to Manchester, Liverpool, and beyond. Other major occupiers within the area include Amazon, Asda, Brakes, Domino’s Pizza, Hermes, Royal Mail, The Hut Group and Travis Perkins. Adam Courtenay, Director at Evo Logistics, said: “It’s a major milestone for us to be developing our fifth Net Zero Carbon building and this is a fantastic site to be bringing that aspiration to life. and we are looking forward to seeing progress between now and the building’s launch in Spring next year.” Paul Cook, Senior Director at CBRE Manchester, said: “We are delighted to be appointed on this scheme for Evo Industrial. A net zero carbon building, EVO Warrington 89 is situated in an excellent position close to the M62 Motorway with access to several cities and airports. With businesses currently seeking properties offering low running costs and a low carbon footprint, we are confident there will be high interest in this scheme.” Mark Sillitoe, Director, Williams Sillitoe commented: “Logistics developments don’t get any better than this. Prime location, best in class building. This will undoubtedly be well received in the market.”
NyRock® Cavity Slab 032 combines the UK’s lowest lambda rating for stone wool with acoustic and fire performance, plus space saving capabilities ROCKWOOL has launched NyRock® Cavity Slab 032 providing specifiers with a low lambda, non-combustible stone wool slab for full and partial fill masonry cavities that enables a thinner wall construction. NyRock Cavity Slab 032 has been developed using NyRock technology, the manufacturer’s patented production process that creates a more efficient fibre structure than traditional stone wool products. With its 0.032 W/mK thermal conductivity value, users can achieve a U-value of 0.18 W/m²K with a thickness of 150mm, depending on construction type, which is 25mm thinner than standard stone wool cavity products within the same wall build up. As with all ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation, NyRock Cavity Slab 032 can withstand temperatures in excess of 1000°C, achieving the highest Euroclass A1 non-combustible reaction to fire classification. It also benefits from a high density semi rigid composition meaning it will not slump in the cavity and retains the same thermal and fire resistance properties more than 55 years after installation according to independent research.[1] NyRock Cavity Slab 032 comes in 455mm widths to suit standard vertical wall tie spaces and achieves a closely knitted joint with adjacent slabs, without the need for taping of the joints. This helps eliminate gaps allowing for continuity of insulation across the cavity. “Energy efficiency is a very real and immediate challenge for the construction sector,” said Paul Barrett, Head of Product Management at ROCKWOOL UK. “Alongside the need to improve the thermal effectiveness of existing buildings against a backdrop of rising energy bills, our eyes must also be on the more onerous requirements of the Future Homes Standard and the UK’s wider 2050 net zero carbon target too. “NyRock Cavity Slab 032 gives specifiers a new level of thermal performance for stone wool alongside spacing saving capabilities, and acoustic and fire performance that are equally critical when providing occupants with comfortable and safe spaces. These performance benefits are also backed by a strong commercial offer including a competitive price point and installation efficiencies such as ease of cutting and fitting on-site.” Having undergone an extensive testing programme, NyRock Cavity Slab 032 is suitable for new build, renovations and extensions and has British Board of Agrément (BBA) certification[2] for full and partial fill applications. All ROCKWOOL stone wool insulation comprising NyRock technology have water repellent properties and can be recycled indefinitely. Stone wool insulation is manufactured from naturally occurring volcanic rock that is abundant in supply as it is continually replenished by the earth’s crust. For more details on NyRock Cavity Slab 032 and the wider NyRock range, visit rockwool.com/uk/nyrock. [1] FIW (German test and research institute), Durability Project Mineral Wool, 2016 [2] BBA Certification 22/6252
GMI Construction Group has been appointed by University College Birmingham to develop a state-of-the-art sustainable construction skills centre in the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham. The project, located in the Jewellery Quarter’s Conservation Area, will see GMI regenerate the iconic James Cond print works building into a skills centre for University College Birmingham’s intake of construction students next year. Offering courses in areas such as modular buildings, retrofit construction, and green technologies, the centre will specialise in teaching skills that support the region’s growth areas, including sustainable construction methods and renewable energy. Current construction students will also have the opportunity to get involved with the build, offering them real-world experience and the chance to help build their own learning facility. GMI will commence building works in October 2022 and the project is expected to be completed ready for September 2023’s intake of students. Gareth Jones, Construction Director at GMI, said: “We’re looking forward to working with University College Birmingham on the regeneration of this historic building in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, unlocking new opportunities for the area through improved access to education. “Improving the sustainability of the construction industry is high on our agenda, so it’s a pleasure to be working on a project that will provide training in this area and equip the future workforce with the skills they need to make a positive change to the industry.” Professor Michael Harkin, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at University College Birmingham, added: “There is a great need for new talent in the sustainable construction field, with hundreds of thousands of new workers expected to be required in the next few years. “We look forward to working with GMI to bring this much-needed skills centre to life, and welcoming new students to the facility next year.” To find out more about GMI, please visit: www.gmiconstructiongroup.co.uk.
To face our world’s critical needs for sustainable and qualitative living spaces, global building material manufacturer and pioneer in lightweight construction Etex further pledges to be an agent of change in the sustainable building sector. Next to its intrinsically sustainable portfolio, Etex is doing more by setting clear ambitions for the next eight years across five priority areas: health, safety and well-being; decarbonisation; circularity; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and customer engagement. Etex’s 2021 Sustainability Report is accessible here. Etex’s answer to the world’s needs for sustainable and qualitative living spaces Climate change and societal challenges demand sustainable stewardship from businesses, governments and the wider public. Etex strives to be an agent of change in the sustainable building sector committed to combating climate change. Driven by six megatrends – resources scarcity, a growing world population, ageing cities, technological evolutions, growing complexity and productivity matters – Etex made key strategic investments in the technologies and areas of expertise that should be crucial for the future. With its effective lightweight construction solutions and innovative building materials such as plasterboards, fiber cement boards or glass mineral wool, Etex embraces the demand for high-quality, energy-efficient and sustainable living and working spaces. Etex’s lightweight construction solutions are 15 to 45% less emission-intensive to produce and offer the potential to reduce raw material and energy use, contributing to long-term circularity through deconstruction, reuse and recycling. Sustainability as key strategic driver As part of the construction industry value chain, Etex depends on raw materials, energy, water and other ecosystem services. By design, the industry has a significant environmental footprint: 26% of greenhouse gas emissions are from the construction value chain. At the same time, social considerations matter along this value chain. As a proactive partner, Etex strives for continuous improvement towards people and the planet. In recent years, Etex laid a solid foundation to become a more sustainable organisation. In 2020 the company became a signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) for sustainable and responsible business practices. As a global citizen, Etex also committed to supporting the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by implementing concrete projects and initiatives. Together with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders the company defined where it has the biggest impacts and where it can secure the biggest sustainability wins. These early efforts have already paid off, with tangible results and recognition. In 2021 Etex published its first-ever Sustainability Report. In its most recent business sustainability assessment as a supplier in 2021, Etex received a silver medal from EcoVadis in recognition of its best-in-class sustainability management. The silver medal places Etex in the top 25% of all companies evaluated by EcoVadis. In 2021, Etex’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risk exposure was rated 18.1 out of 100, indicating that the company has a low risk exposure and is ranked favourably amongst its peers in the top 10% of the construction industry. Road to Sustainability 2030 It is now time to go further, which is why Etex decided to embark on its Road to Sustainability 2030. Etex’s sustainability goals are ambitious, and the company worked hard to translate them into dedicated workflows, clear action plans and targets. They are organised across five priority areas: Health, safety and well-being: the daily goal is to reach zero fatalities, harms or burnouts; Customer engagement: Etex aims to build a sustainable roadmap per product platform by 2025; Diversity, equity and inclusion: by 2025, Etex will cover all teammates by diversity, equity and inclusion policies, procedures and practices. It will also train all teammates on diversity, equity and inclusion as well as close the gender pay gap; Decarbonisation: the goal for 2030 is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (intensity of scopes 1 and 2) by 35% compared to 2018; Circularity: by 2030, Etex will use more than 20% of circular input as raw material (compared to 2018), send zero waste to landfill, use 100% recycled packaging material and reduce plastic packaging with 20% (compared to 2018), offer a take back service of its product portfolio in 80% of its European countries, and dedicate 50% of its innovation resources to sustainability. Celebrating the sustainability successes of 2021 In line with Etex’s overall sustainability efforts and the publication of its first-ever Sustainability Report in 2021, the company also garnered significant successes over the past year. Among some of the achievements, Etex increased the percentage of its worldwide purchased electricity from renewable sources to 82%. Additionally, improvements in feeding production waste back into the production process and other successful activities led to a significant reduction in the amount of total waste generated, avoiding more than 45,000 tonnes. 2021 was also marked by innovation records. Etex’s solutions where a positive contribution to sustainability is the key feature made up 75% of innovation projects. To support the mental health of teammates, in September 2021 Etex sealed a partnership to offer an employee assistance programme accessible 24/7 to all teammates in their local languages. Regarding its overall work environment, Etex is motivated by a 2021 survey results which showed an 86% employee engagement rate across Etex, up 15% on 2018 and 6% above the manufacturing industry norm. Bernard Delvaux, CEO of Etex: “Today Etex has sustainability as a guiding compass of business transformation, with concrete objectives that reflect the company’s ambition. We are on an exciting journey towards improving sustainability in the short and long term. We know there is a long road ahead, which is why we invite all our stakeholders to further support us in becoming a leading benchmark in our industry.”
Inch Cape Offshore Limited, a joint venture between Red Rock Power and ESB, has appointed Vestas as the preferred wind turbine supplier for the 1100MW Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm in Scotland. Both Red Rock Power and ESB are Vestas clients for onshore wind projects, and with this new commitment, these partnerships now continue offshore. The project, located 15 km off the Angus Coast on the East of Scotland, will feature 72 V236-15.0MW turbines. The agreement also includes a 15-year Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contract, which will provide a multi-year solution to service the wind farm when operational. President of Vestas Northern & Central Europe Nils de Baar said: “Offshore wind projects are evolving rapidly, and Vestas is proud to play a leading role in this expansion with our industry leading offshore technology. “We are honoured to have been selected as preferred supplier by Inch Cape Offshore Limited, enabling us to support Scotland and the UK’s net zero ambitions, while increasing the security of energy supply. “Inch Cape is a landmark project, and to be a part of it is a proud achievement for all our employees, who work with great dedication to develop reliable, resilient, and sustainable offshore technology all around the world.” Inch Cape Offshore Limited secured a contract for difference in the UK’s fourth CfD allocation round, which concluded on July 7, 2022. Ir recently announced the Renewables Hub at the Port of Dundee as its intended pre-assembly site and the Port of Montrose as the project’s O&M base. If and when the agreement with Inch Cape becomes a firm order for Vestas, Vestas will disclose the order in a company announcement in accordance with the company’s disclosure policy.
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been given its first contract within National Highways’ new Scheme Delivery Framework (SDF). Routine investigations to the M62 Ouse Bridge, located between Goole and Howden in Yorkshire – or between junctions 36 and 37 of the M62 – identified a partial failure of a joint on the eastbound carriageway. Therefore, Winvic has been appointed as one of the organisations on the SDF undertaking temporary and then permanent repairs on the structure and highway. It was discovered that increased vibration from traffic had started to damage the concrete under lane three and a bridge joint, which allows the carriageway to expand and contract with the weather. A contraflow was immediately put into place, reducing traffic on the eastbound carriage to one lane, to allow temporary works to begin, while a series of overnight road closures during the week commencing 13 June facilitated a second eastbound traffic lane to open on Saturday 18 June minimising disruption to road users. Winvic installed temporary metal bridging plates across parts of the eastbound carriageway, which enabled a further eastbound lane and the eastbound exit slip road at junction 37 to be reopened on Friday 8 July. Winvic has employed its ‘one-team’ approach and is working closely with a number of National Highways project partners; Jacobs is designing the repairs, traffic management is being led by Amey and Winvic, along with specialist Contractor VSL, is heading the joint repair and replacement. Together the companies are currently working on the complex design process required to replace all eight joints across both carriageways towards a solution that reduces the need for full closures in the future as much as possible. Temporary bridging plates have been installed over the damaged bridge joints as a temporary mitigation measure, and a second set will be added this autumn. The two most critically damaged joints on the eastbound carriageway will be replaced by spring 2023 and the project will be fully complete in Autumn 2023. Winvic won its place on the National Highways SDF in September, along with 49 other contractors that will deliver £3.6 billion of road renewal works on England’s motorways and trunk roads over the next six years. Rob Cook, Winvic’s Director of Civils and Infrastructure, commented: “We have been working hard with National Highways and the Yorkshire North East region to mobilise the Scheme Delivery Framework since we were awarded our place on it in September, so we were able to mobilise rapidly on this project on the M62 Ouse Bridge to begin the necessary immediate temporary works. We put multiple interfaces in place with the National Highway team and the other project partners, so we could work as one-team, towards one-goal with safety as the ultimate priority. “The surfacing and bridging plate works have met programme expectations, meaning road users have been able to go back to using multiple carriageways and the programme is in place to install more plates this Autumn; while the priority always must be safety, it’s also crucial that disruptions to people’s journeys is minimised as quickly as possible and negate the need for full road closures as much as possible. Once the permanent solution has been fully designed and fabricated, we will undertake these permanent works, facilitating the long-term safe use of the Ouse Bridge.” Members of the public can keep up to date about the project and any related traffic disruption, by visiting https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/m62-ouse-bridge/. Phil Jepps, National Highways Programme Delivery Manager, added: “The temporary repair work around the bridge joint and the permanent replacement of all eight joints on the Ouse Bridge is a very complex project. To complete this as quickly, safely and effectively as possible, it’s important we work with outstanding partners who share our commitment to working towards the highest possible standards. We would like to thank Winvic and our other partners on the Scheme Delivery Framework for their ongoing support to keep traffic moving safely while completing the vital resurfacing and bridging plate work.” For more information on essential safety work taking place on Ouse Bridge, visit the National Highways dedicated web page for the bridge https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/yorkshire-and-north-east/m62-ouse-bridge/ or follow National Highways Yorkshire on Facebook. Winvic will be attending the Highways UK event at The NEC, Birmingham, on 2 and 3 of November 2022 – find them at exhibition stand number E6 or contact the firm to pre-book a meeting. For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.
The Supply Chain Sustainability School (the School), a multi-award-winning initiative which represents a common approach to addressing sustainability within supply chains, has today released its Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) Annual Culture Report 2022. The School surveyed over 1,000 of its members across the country, to get their feedback on the School’s Fairness, Inclusion & Respect Programme and how the FIR agenda is progressing within the built environment. David O’Neil, Supply Chain Director, Commercial and Procurement at National Highways, said:“At National Highways we recognise that developing a diverse and inclusive supply chain (and workforce) is critical in meeting the needs and expectations of road users and communities. We see the FIR Programme, and our growing partnership with the Supply Chain Sustainability School, as an essential part of developing diverse capability across our sector.” The report also offered insights on how the School has continued to positively impact organisations and supply chains, reinforcing the School’s mission to be the world-class collaboration enabling a sustainable and fair built environment. With over fifty thousand registered users, the School provides free practical learning and support for the UK built environment, through training, networking, e-learning modules and online resources. Specifically, the FIR resources and the FIR Growth Assessment are becoming increasingly popular as FIR sits higher on the agenda for many organisations in the industry. Members of the School anonymously stated that the FIR Programme offered “the confidence to tackle issues head on” , “increased efficiency and productivity” and created a “positive breeding ground for strong culture resulting in a much healthier and beneficial workplace for [our] colleagues.” One School member also highlighted the FIR Programme continues to “increase the level of diversity within the workplace and assist in recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.” Organisations are becoming more conscious of FIR and its benefits to people, profit and enabling a sustainable business model. The School has been identified as a powerful tool to help organisations embed sustainability into their business practices, with 83% of survey respondents confirming that their company leaders are now better equip to understand Fairness, Inclusion and Respect and can better articulate the benefits. Furthermore, 79% of respondents confirmed their behaviours and attitudes towards teammates have improved due to FIR training. The FIR programme has also been identified as key to supporting businesses with retaining talent (68%) and recruiting a more diverse team (72%). Lucie Wright, Head of Strategy (Careers and Pipeline) at CITB, said: “CITB’s evaluation team have produced a thorough report and it is great to see the evidence that FIR training is having a positive impact across construction. Nearly 80% of companies have reported improved behaviours as a result of the knowledge gained from the training, and that, in turn creates a happier working environment which will mean improved staff retention and greater opportunity to attract new talent into the industry. This is particularly important at a time when construction faces a large skills gap. The survey also helps us understand where support is needed and helps CITB improve our offer to industry and to support FIR to become embedded throughout.” The quality of training remains extremely high this year, with an average of 90% of respondents rated the workshops and materials as “excellent” or “good”. There was also a strong impact on individuals, as demonstrated by the 87% of respondents who felt they were empowered to deal with FIR issues more effectively due to engaging with the FIR Programme. 82% of members also felt they had the confidence to challenge poor behaviours in the workplace. Paul Aldridge, Sustainability Director at WJ Group, said: “This report with greater participation than ever, brings hope, demonstrating that we are breaking down the barriers to an inclusive industry but yet, sets us challenges. Listening and measuring the thoughts, concerns, hopes and ambitions of our colleagues helps us understand better where we can and must improve to become truly inclusive. We know the benefits of fairness, inclusion and respect, increased: employee and customer satisfaction; creativity and innovation; attraction of the broadest talent; profitability and business development; community value. FIR helps us nurture our people and achieve great results.” The School is part-funded by CITB and industry Partners, with the direction of the School being led by over 182 Partners – working in collaboration, they share knowledge and free resources to inspire the UK built environment to drive positive change. The Supply Chain Sustainability School provides free practical learning and support in the form of sustainability training, networking, e-learning modules, tailored assessments, action plans and a library of over 3,000 online resources. Sign up for free: https://www.supplychainschool.co.uk/ The full report can be found on the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s website here.
Housebuilder Hayfield has started construction on a prime 6.75-acre (2.73Ha) site in the Buckinghamshire village of Little Kimble to deliver 40 future-proofed zero carbon ready homes. Planning permission for the £21m development was secured from Buckinghamshire Council in June. Hayfield Crescent, as the development is called, will include a range of one, two, three, four and five-bedroomed homes through a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached styles, a landscaped area of public open space and a village shop and will be accessed off Risborough Road. Up to 48% of the new homes will be affordable, 19 in total, with tenure split between affordable rent and shared ownership. Andy Morris, Managing Director of Hayfield, WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year, said: “Breaking ground is one of the highlights in the lifecycle of a new development, and we are thrilled to be one step closer towards bringing our family homes to Little Kimble. “This will be our third development in Buckinghamshire and we will be building on our reputation for high specification homes by delivering some of the largest houses within our range. “Each of our new homes will feature spacious living, while the zero carbon ready specification far exceeds the Future Homes Standard. We are excited to showcase how sustainable living need not compromise on luxury.” All of the homes at Hayfield Crescent will feature air source heat pumps, energy-efficient underfloor heating, the smartest electric vehicle fast-charging points and ultra-fast broadband. They will include ‘lifetime homes’ construction standards to offer enhanced accessibility and adaptability, ensuring all of them are future-proofed for wheelchair uses. The first homes are expected to be released for sale off plan by the end of October. Hayfield will create a new access road and footpaths to adoptable standards, and the houses themselves will be in-keeping with the rest of the village with features to include brick detailing, traditional porches and brick chimneys. As with all signature Hayfield developments, the density of homes will be much lower than typical new build schemes. Hayfield Crescent is opposite The Chiltern’s AONB, and a quarter of the landscape-led scheme will be covered by tree canopies to reflect this. The extensive new planting and range of additional environmental enhancements will deliver a net biodiversity gain. Little Kimble is conveniently located on the Chiltern Railways Line and Little Kimble Station is within walking distance of the site. Regular services to London Marylebone take less than an hour, with additional services into Aylesbury and High Wycombe.
A funding deal has completed between Caddick Group, Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Canmoor, which will see work commence on a new employment hub in Leyland, Preston. Following planning approval earlier in the year, construction is underway targeting delivery of the 544,000 sq. ft. warehouse in July 2023. The scheme represents a considerable investment in the region and will be the biggest speculative development of its type in the North West this year, addressing the acute demand for quality logistics and warehousing space. Situated with direct links to M6, M65 and M61 motorway networks the development offers excellent connectivity to the whole of the North West region. The Connect 6, Preston is expected to bring over 1,000 jobs to the area once complete, and around 600 jobs during construction, which will be carried out by Caddick Group business, Caddick Construction North West. The building will reach practical completion in July 2023. Steve Widdowson, Head of Caddick Developments in the North West, said: “Connect 6, Preston is an incredibly exciting scheme and we’re delighted to have investors of the calibre of Goldman Sachs and Canmoor coming on board to take this development forward. The deal means we can push ahead with developing out the site and help introduce much-needed capacity into the Industrial and Logistics market in the North West. Caddick’s vertically integrated offer has once again demonstrated the value of being able to act fast in addressing supply-shortages in quality locations.” Farbod Nia, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, said: “This investment aligns with our wider strategy to deliver best in class logistics space in well-connected, high-quality locations, specified to meet the requirements of modern occupiers and the highest sustainability standards. The building will help address the supply and demand imbalance in the North West market by providing occupiers with greatly needed space. We look forward to working with our partners Canmoor and Caddick Group on this exciting development” Tom White, Director at Canmoor, said: “This development addresses an acute need for this type of development in the North West of England. Moreover, the scheme is set to lead the way from an environmental point of view, being BREEAM Excellent rated, whilst enjoying unparalleled links to local infrastructure.” For more information on Connect 6, Preston visit www.canmoor-connect6.com Caddick Group is a vertically integrated business which sources land, designs and funds projects, as well as having the ability to build using its own contracting arm, Caddick Construction. The Group has a pipeline of 16+ million sq ft of industrial & logistics space. Caddick Group were represented by JLL on this scheme.