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Kenneth Booth

Johnson Controls acquires Tempered Networks to bring zero trust cybersecurity to connected buildings worldwide…

Kenneth Booth June 27, 2022

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, today acquired zero trust cybersecurity provider – Tempered Networks, based in Seattle, Washington. Tempered Networks has created ‘Airwall’ technology, an advanced self-defence system for buildings that enables secure network access across diverse groups of endpoint devices, edge

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TATE CONSULTING ENGINEERS BELFAST EXPANSION

Kenneth Booth June 27, 2022

One of the UK’s leading building services engineering practices, Tate Consulting, has expanded into Belfast, initially creating five jobs in the city. The firm now plans to continue growing the team following a string of high-profile contract wins. Yorkshire headquartered Tate Consulting’s recently opened new Belfast office is located close

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BESA celebrates women pioneers and innovators

Kenneth Booth June 27, 2022

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) marked this year’s International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) by celebrating the important role played by women in the past, present and future of building services.  It featured a series of ‘guest blogs’ during the week of the 9th annual INWED that reflected the

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Puma Property Finance funds £65m GDV residential housing development in North West London for JV involving Latimer Developments Limited, Londonewcastle and Cervidae

Kenneth Booth June 27, 2022

141 apartments will be built over the next three years, 40% of which will be affordable housing Loan marks Puma Property Finance’s first deployment from its £300m funding line with Waterfall Asset Management Puma Property Finance (PPF) today announces it has provided funding to finance a £65m GDV, 26-storey residential

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NETWORK SPACE FORWARD SELLS TUNSTALL ARROW PHASE TWO 

Kenneth Booth June 24, 2022

Network Space Developments (NSD) has exchanged contracts to sell  the second phase of its popular Tunstall Arrow scheme in Stoke-on-Trent, to 4th Industrial for an undisclosed sum ahead of its completion. Construction work is progressing well on the 2nd phase of this successful scheme which will provide an additional 111,000

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NETWORK SPACE SECURES PLANNING PERMISSION FOR BROADHEATH NETWORKCENTRE IN ALTRINCHAM

Kenneth Booth June 23, 2022

Network Space has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Cartwright headquarters on Atlantic Street in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Broadheath Networkcentre will include a mixture of high-quality refurbished space alongside new builds, creating a modern, multi-let industrial site designed to attract a variety of businesses. The development will

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Latest Issue
Issue 342 : Jul 2026

Kenneth Booth

Johnson Controls acquires Tempered Networks to bring zero trust cybersecurity to connected buildings worldwide…

Kenneth Booth June 27, 2022

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, today acquired zero trust cybersecurity provider – Tempered Networks, based in Seattle, Washington. Tempered Networks has created ‘Airwall’ technology, an advanced self-defence system for buildings that enables secure network access across diverse groups of endpoint devices, edge gateways, cloud platforms and service technicians. It represents a step-change in operational technology built on secure transmission pipelines to ensure buildings data exchanges and service actions can only take place between people and devices that are continuously authenticated. The acquisition gives Johnson Controls the capability to provide zero trust security within the fabric of its OpenBlue secure communications stack, advancing its vision of enabling fully autonomous buildings that are inherently resilient to cyberattack.  How Airwall Works Tempered Networks Airwall technology uses the Host Identity Protocol and a cloud-based policy orchestration platform to create new overlay networks built on encrypted and authenticated communication. The policy manager (a.k.a. the conductor) enforces configured digital policies that control connections within the cloaked overlay system. The default position for the policy manager is ‘zero trust’, i.e., only allowing connections between continuously authenticated and authorised entities. Once a communicating device authenticates itself correctly, an encrypted tunnel is created through which data flows. The advantages of this cybersecurity technique are as follows: ▪      The creation of an always-on and software-defined security perimeter protecting device-to-device, device-to-cloud and device-to-user interactions. ▪      Airwall achieves this by using Host Identity Protocol to create a cloaked and micro-segmented network which overlays a building’s existing network infrastructure, making the solution also highly cost-effective. ▪      A new level of authentication for connected building systems is created, allowing for greater system automation of functions such as heating and cooling, lighting, security and airflows. “When it comes to buildings, we must create easily implementable cybersecurity defences as we’re often dealing with critical infrastructure, including assets such as data centres and hospitals,” said Vijay Sankaran, vice president and chief technology officer, Johnson Controls. “Tempered Networks Airwall approach is purpose-built for our sector as it’s designed around principles of zero trust, securing device communications as data moves between devices and the cloud – so enabling remote building optimisation in the most trusted way possible.” Technology Integration Tempered Networks Airwall technology is being integrated into Johnson Controls OpenBlue platform which is increasingly recognised as a leading smart building software platform with advanced AI-enabled building management capabilities[1]. OpenBlue provides a flexible computing approach for converging building technologies and making those technologies more insightful, powerful, and optimised through edge AI and through full machine learning in the cloud. The ultimate goal is to make all buildings smarter, healthier and more sustainable.  Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. To learn more about Johnson Controls’ approach to cybersecurity, please visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/cybersolutions. See an explanation video for Tempered Networks Airwall technology below…

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TATE CONSULTING ENGINEERS BELFAST EXPANSION

Kenneth Booth June 27, 2022

One of the UK’s leading building services engineering practices, Tate Consulting, has expanded into Belfast, initially creating five jobs in the city. The firm now plans to continue growing the team following a string of high-profile contract wins. Yorkshire headquartered Tate Consulting’s recently opened new Belfast office is located close to Belfast City Airport in the Belmont Office Park on Belmont Road. Belfast born Jim Lee, who has been a director at Tate Consulting for the past nine years, will continue to split his time between Belfast and Harrogate. Aaron Stevenson and Kevin Gallagher have also joined the team as associate director and mechanical associate respectively, with Aaron overseeing the running of the new Belfast office. Aaron has worked for several well-known engineering firms in Northern Ireland for the past 25 years and Kevin brings more than 10 years’ worth of experience to the role working in both Belfast and London. Tate Consulting provides a full range of commercial engineering solutions from MEP concept design to project handover and post-occupancy evaluation, as well as fire engineering services, sustainability and building performance assessments and master planning. Initial contract wins for the company include Belfast Waterside, a development of 500 homes by MODA Living in collaboration with Osborne + Co and focused on the build to rent market, as well as a 450,000 sq ft logistics facility in Dublin for an international retailer. Tate Consulting’s managing director, Shane Tate, said: “Over the past 20 years we have established a nationwide portfolio of clients in both the public and private sectors and a reputation for always adding significant value to projects. Belfast is currently benefitting from substantial amounts of investment and is now home to some of the UK’s most exciting construction projects, so expanding into the city was a natural move andmakes it a very exciting time for us.” Tate Consulting director, Jim Lee said: “This expansion will give us a valuable foothold and added resource in Belfast as well as facilitating further expansion into the Dublin market. We’re already working on several high-profile projects and part of this success is due to us being able to attract a highly skilled team, who want to work on career defining projects. It’s great to be able to utilise the talent that exists in Northern Ireland. “Both Aaron and Kevin have a wealth of industry experience and are well-known in the local construction industry. With a number of imminent appointments, we’re now looking to build on this further and plan to recruit several more electrical and mechanical engineers this year.”

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BESA celebrates women pioneers and innovators

Kenneth Booth June 27, 2022

The Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) marked this year’s International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) by celebrating the important role played by women in the past, present and future of building services.  It featured a series of ‘guest blogs’ during the week of the 9th annual INWED that reflected the initiative’s 2022 theme of highlighting the inspirational work of women engineers globally to support “lives and livelihoods”.  “The profile provided by INWED is as vital as ever because women remain hugely under-represented in many engineering professions – including ours,” said BESA vice president Claire Curran.  “As the only platform of its kind, it plays an important role in encouraging more young women and girls to take up engineering careers.  “Overall numbers of women coming into engineering are on the up, but progress is still slow. Our work around INWED highlighted the key part played by role models and mentors in the recruitment and retention of women.”  BESA also promoted the importance of women in engineering through its special Women in Building Services Award, which was set up to recognise outstanding women working in the sector – with particular emphasis on their contribution to sustainability and innovation.    Entries The Association called for entries from across the industry so it could celebrate “a truly inspiring person who champions the sector and drives positive change” at its National Awards event on October 20th in London.   That evening will also see the presentation of BESA’s first ever award for Diversity and Inclusion. This has been established to reward those companies who have shown the greatest commitment to recruiting, advancing, and supporting all employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, or disability.  BESA’s guest blogs for INWED were provided by several prominent women in engineering to help promote the range of exciting careers open to women in building services.   Curran provided the first where she encouraged other women to follow in her footsteps. “It is a colourful and varied industry with lots of diverse opportunities; where you can be anything you want to be.”  She said it was important for the industry to present a more positive image: “We are not very good at shouting about the great stuff we do, the cool stuff. As a result, many women have a negative image of the sector – yet my career in engineering has allowed me to travel the world and get involved in some amazing, exciting projects.”  Andi Connelly Horsley, mechanical engineer and technical publications lead at BESA, said women were good at challenging the status quo and bringing a fresh perspective to engineering challenges.  “Why do we engineer things? Why do we do it like that? Is it because we have always done it that way? Why not try this instead?” she wrote. “The client is interested in the outcome so ‘why’ should always be the first question – then you look at the how and the what.”  CIBSE Graduate of the Year Award winner Lucy Sherburn also highlighted the importance of mentors who could help young women feel comfortable and reach their full potential.  “I love the fact that I am constantly learning and discovering new things,” she wrote. “This means I am making a real difference and having an impact on the decarbonisation of heat, which is one of the biggest challenges we face as a country.  “Women have so much to offer to this industry and often they don’t realise that their skills are just what we need,” added Sherburn. “There are amazing opportunities opening up thanks to the net zero agenda and the push to make buildings healthier and more sustainable.”  Alexandra Knight, the founder of Stemamazing – the initiative created to promote greater diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths – provided the BESA blog on the day of INWED itself. She claimed that people working in STEM were “the hidden heroes of humanity” who get very little credit for “keeping society functioning”.  Innovation “As we evolve through the 4th Industrial Revolution and beyond, the need for innovation in STEM will continue to increase at pace. Innovation in STEM is key to solving some of our biggest global challenges – and a key ingredient for innovation is diversity,” she wrote.  The week ended with a retrospective blog about how female pioneers had been responsible for many of the innovations that had paved the way for renewables in buildings.   Jarne Veronica wrote that people might be surprised that women were so influential in this vital industry because they are so under-represented in careers linked to engineering and building services.   “However, this is just more evidence that women have been playing a crucial (and often unsung) role in our sector for decades and, as representation improves, that influence will surely grow.”  For more information about INWED click here and to enter for one of the BESA National Awards click here. www.theBESA.com

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Puma Property Finance funds £65m GDV residential housing development in North West London for JV involving Latimer Developments Limited, Londonewcastle and Cervidae

Kenneth Booth June 27, 2022

141 apartments will be built over the next three years, 40% of which will be affordable housing Loan marks Puma Property Finance’s first deployment from its £300m funding line with Waterfall Asset Management Puma Property Finance (PPF) today announces it has provided funding to finance a £65m GDV, 26-storey residential apartment block in Stonebridge Park, North West London. The development will create 141 apartments over the next three years, of which 56 will be affordable housing. The project is being developed by a joint venture featuring Latimer Developments, the development arm of the UK’s largest provider of social housing, Clarion Housing Group, together with developers Londonewcastle and Cervidae, and aims to address the acute housing shortage in the capital. The development will transform currently derelict office site and is part of the wider regeneration of the Stonebridge Park area.  The apartments are being developed with sustainability credentials front of mind, including a zero-carbon target and enhancing biodiversity through new habitat creation. Kevin Davidson, Managing Director, who led the deal for Puma Property Finance, comments: “We’re delighted to support this development and to be working alongside such prestigious and experienced residential developers and social housing provider parties. Demand for new affordable housing with high sustainability credentials remains high; we hope this development will help not only to address the ongoing shortage of properties, but also to deliver genuine social value as cost of living increases continue to bite while rents across the capital rise. Working with established partners in the industry, it should be an exciting three years as the development takes shape.” “I would like to thank our valued professional partners on the deal, Hollis (Project Monitors), Charles Russell Speechlys (Lawyers) and Savills (Valuation) for all their support in closing this important transaction.” David Barnett, CEO of Londonewcastle comments: “Argenta House is an incredibly exciting project for us in a key regeneration area of Brent. The planning permission that we have secured is unique within the London market and will deliver over 141 private and affordable homes adding to the already dynamic transformation of North West London. We and our JV partners have enjoyed working with Puma to secure the funding for the development and we have been impressed with their pragmatic, can-do attitude.  We look forward to working with them in the future and seeing this project come to life in the built environment.” Richard Cook, Group Development Director of Clarion Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to enter into this exciting joint venture with Londonewcastle and funders Cervidae to deliver a sustainable residential scheme which will kickstart the wider regeneration of the Stonebridge Park area. “We are passionate about providing homes for those who need them most and last year we built nearly 2,000 affordable homes across the country. This scheme will provide vital affordable homes for local people in area of acute housing need.” Alex Hamilton, CFO of Cervidae comments: “Puma’s new funding line offers us the flexibility and deliverability to be confident of a successful financing and a positive relationship throughout the loan. We are pleased to continue our relationship with Puma.” Puma Property Finance offers capital and expertise to experienced property professionals across all sectors and locations. In addition to financing residential and commercial developments, Puma Property Finance has a strong track record funding essential social infrastructure from care homes to retirement living and student accommodation. The alternative lender offers fixed rate loans, providing long-term certainty amid rising interest rates. The development also marks Puma Property Finance’s first loan from its funding line with Waterfall Asset Management – a £300 million facility secured earlier this year. The funding is attractively priced, allowing Puma Property Finance to provide increasingly competitive rates to prospective borrowers.

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National Grid celebrates ‘Boring’ landmark for London Power Tunnels with breakthrough at Eltham

Kenneth Booth June 24, 2022

• National Grid’s Tunnel Boring Machine completes almost 7km journey across South London • 140-tonne machine travelled at depths of up to 50m from Hurst to Eltham • Key moment for £1 billion project to rewire London and prepare it for future electricity demands National Grid team members were celebrating a landmark moment for the London Power Tunnels (LPT) project this week (21st June), as the first of five drives by four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) was completed at Eltham. The 140-tonne TBM, named ‘Christine’ after Christine Townley, the former Executive Director of the Construction Youth Trust, known for her championing of diversity and STEM careers, began its journey at the LPT site in Hurst in July of last year. In total, it has travelled 6.7km underneath London, reaching depths of up to 50m underground in the process. The completion of the drive represents a key moment for the £1 billion project to rewire London and prepare it for future electricity demands as the city continues to grow. LPT will also help provide crucial infrastructure for helping the UK energy sector to reach net-zero targets. Members of the LPT project team gathered at the Eltham site to witness this major milestone and celebrate their achievement. National Grid’s three other TBMs, “Edith”, “Grace”, and “Caroline” continue their tunnelling work deep underground across sites in South London. Speaking at the breakthrough, Gareth Burden, Project Director, London Power Tunnels, National Grid, said: “The completion of Christine’s journey from Hurst to Eltham represents a significant milestone for all of us working on London Power Tunnels today. After close to a year of tunnelling, it is exciting to see the first connection between sites. The team has worked so hard to make this happen, in the face of tough ground conditions.Thanks to HMJV, our engineers, fitters, miners and all else involved. A special thanks also goes to the JGL gangs who put in some hard yards down in the tunnel. It’s great to take a moment to celebrate with them all today and see so many flags and kits proudly on display. LPT is a crucial infrastructure project that will ensure people living in Eltham and Londoners more widely can continue to access safe and reliable electricity supplies. LPT is currently under-budget and on time. The project is part of National Grid’s continued investment across the network – connecting, expanding and maintaining through projects such as Hinkley Connection Project, a £900 million investment to connect low carbon energy to six million homes in the South West. It also has a planned series of investments along the East Coast of England to deliver on the government’s target of 50GW of offshore wind generation by 2030. For more information about the LPT project, please visit National Grid’s project website www.londonpowertunnels.co.uk

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RTPI outlines adaptable, collaborative and global approach to research in new strategy

Kenneth Booth June 24, 2022

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has launched its latest Research Strategy, setting out the Institute’s vision and aspirations for 2022-2024. Planning priorities are constantly shifting. While areas such as climate change and affordable housing remain cornerstones of research focus, issues such as the war in Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic, both of which have occurred since the launch of the RTPI’s 2019-2021 Work Programme, have shown the challenge of predicting the issues of tomorrow. Progress within the field will require researchers to seize on opportunities to learn internationally. The RTPI will therefore become more global in its outlook, to promote international research where possible, and increase its use of external research, particularly research undertaken by RTPI accredited planning schools. In its latest three page strategy, released today, the RTPI is taking an adaptive approach to its usual detailed 39-page Research Programme to ensure it is always prepared for ever-changing global challenges. Aude Bicquelet-Lock Deputy Head of Policy and Research at the RTPI, said: “As a professional membership body, a charity and a learned institute, we’re in a unique position to understand the research needs of planners in the UK, Ireland and globally. As such, we understand that global issues are not always predictable, and well-planned research does not always reflect current issues. “Since the launch of our last research programme, we’ve seen the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, both of which shifted critical contemporary questions around how to build healthy, resilient Cities. “Our new research strategy aims to take a broader approach to research that will allow us to be flexible, and ready to adapt when unpredictable situations happen. We want to advance knowledge across all sectors of planning to ensure that policymakers and practitioners have the information and expertise to deliver the best outcomes.” Janet Askew, former president of the RTPI and current Chair of the Policy, Practice and Research Committee at the RTPI said: “The research agenda is changing all the time. Three years ago, when we published our last Research Programme, we could not have foreseen the extent of new areas of research presented by migration and humanitarian impacts or the climate crisis. “The RTPI must work with planners internationally to show how we are responsive and flexible in our approach to the urgent needs of society. I very much welcome the initiatives and ideas in our new research strategy, and I am confident that we will develop ways of conducting and disseminating research over the next few years.”

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Topping out at Millwrights Place and Coopers Court sees second phase at Finzels Reach hit milestone moment

Kenneth Booth June 24, 2022

Construction at Millwrights Place and Coopers Court, Finzels Reach, Bristol, has reached a major milestone with ‘topping out’ being achieved. The projects form the second Cubex/Grainger Build to Rent scheme in the city, providing high-quality rental homes and much needed affordable new homes for Abri. Councillor Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing, Delivery and Homes at Bristol City Council, laid the final piece of concrete at Millwrights Place alongside representatives from the respective owners of the two schemes, namely housing provider Abri and Build to Rent Landlord Grainger plc. Millwrights Place, developed by Cubex for Grainger plc, who will own and operate the scheme when complete, will provide 231 ‘Build to Rent’ homes created specifically for renters.  All new homes will be professionally managed by Grainger’s dedicated onsite Resident Services team and in addition to offering high quality homes there will be a strong emphasis on shared resident amenity spaces, including roof top terraces, residents’ lounge, gym, co-working space and shared entertainment spaces.  At ground level there will be co-working spaces custom-made for those working independently or running their own business. Grainger, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord and a FTSE-250 listed business has over 100 years’ experience as a residential landlord and is a leader in the UK private rental market, leading the way in the emerging Build to Rent sector and raising the bar in the rental market by providing high quality, mid-market rental homes for young professionals, key workers and families on regular incomes. Coopers Court, developed by Cubex for the social housing provider Abri, will deliver 66 affordable homes consisting of 48 homes for the social rented market and 18 for shared ownership. The energy-efficient building includes a bio-diversity roof amenity space, 94 cycling spaces and only four car parking spaces in line with the city’s drive to help tackle the environmental crisis. Together, Coopers Court and Millwrights Place will help to address the housing crisis in Bristol by providing social housing, an opportunity for first-time buyers to get on the property ladder and high-quality rental accommodation all of which is much needed in the city. Both buildings have been designed to have strong identities and a sense of place, whilst ensuring they integrate well with the surrounding area. Significant investment in improvements to the area around the buildings, including new landscaping, traffic management, pedestrian and cycle routes, will help create a more attractive area and foster a sense of community. As part of a £2.4m investment in improvements around the site, there will be new ‘pocket parks’ with seating and soft landscaping to create relaxing spaces the whole community can enjoy. As well as Coopers Court and Millwrights Place, the second phase of Cubex’s mixed-use Finzels Reach development on the former fire station site, incorporates a landmark, sustainable 116,000 sq. ft office building named Halo, with notable tenants confirmed including international legal firm Osborne Clarke and accountancy firm Deloitte. Councillor Tom Renhard, Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homes, said: “Demand for housing in Bristol far outstrips the number of homes available and it’s vitally important that we deliver a mixture of different types of housing to meet our city’s need. These new developments at Finzels Reach, offering affordable homes for social rent and shared ownership, and managed homes for rent, demonstrate that by working together we can deliver good quality homes for all. “We’ve got Bristol building since 2016, with over 9,000 new homes delivered for Bristolians. These new homes in central Bristol will add another 297 to that total – including 66 new affordable homes.” Peter Walford, managing director at Cubex, said: “We are thrilled to have reached this important milestone on Coopers Court and Millwrights Place, an integral part of Finzels Reach phase two. Thanks to a successful partnership approach with both housing provider Abri and professional landlords Grainger, plus our construction partner Wilmott Dixon, this once-derelict city centre site is fast being transformed into much-needed, high quality affordable accommodation to add to the 440 homes we have already delivered at Finzels Reach.  Neal Stephens, managing director from Wilmott Dixon Wales and West, said: “Together, Millwrights Place and Coopers Court are the fourth project that we have worked on alongside Cubex and as part of this long standing and collaborative partnership we are delighted to have the opportunity to deliver this regenerative development.  Millwrights Place and Coopers Court will provide much needed high-quality housing in Bristol, and we at Wilmott Dixon are proud to be part of the team that has delivered this landmark scheme.” Helen Gordon, Chief Executive at Grainger plc, said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone for our Millwrights Place development – a great addition to our Bristol portfolio and delivering much needed new homes in one of our key target cities. We look forward to seeing the development progress over the coming months in the lead up to our launch – providing high quality homes, a commitment to excellent customer service and establishing a thriving new community for renters in Bristol.” Michelle Hyde, head of land and planning at Abri, commented: “It’s great to be a step closer to providing affordable homes in such a central location in Bristol and to be helping to transform a former derelict site into a place of real value for the community. “On our part, Abri is committed to delivering 12,500 new homes by 2030 and Coopers Court is a great example of how working with our partners we’re collectively helping to tackle the unmet housing need.” Cubex bought the former fire station site in summer 2018 on behalf of Fiera Real Estate Opportunity Fund IV (UK), a programmatic joint venture by FRE UK that is exclusive to clients of CBRE Global Investment Partners (CBRE GIP).  Award-winning Finzels Reach is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the South West. The first phase, which is complete, includes 440 new apartments, 240,000 sq.ft of office space including two Grade A office buildings, a 168-bedroom Premier Inn, plus a host of

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NETWORK SPACE FORWARD SELLS TUNSTALL ARROW PHASE TWO 

Kenneth Booth June 24, 2022

Network Space Developments (NSD) has exchanged contracts to sell  the second phase of its popular Tunstall Arrow scheme in Stoke-on-Trent, to 4th Industrial for an undisclosed sum ahead of its completion. Construction work is progressing well on the 2nd phase of this successful scheme which will provide an additional 111,000 sq. ft of industrial and logistics workspace on a 7.3 acre site. Caddick Construction started on site in November 2021, and are just over halfway through the build, with completion anticipated in Autumn 2022. Phase Two will deliver five high-specification highly sustainable business premises for industrial or logistics uses, ranging from 13,400 sq ft to 31,000 sq ft. Phase One of Tunstall Arrow, which opened in 2018, was sold by Network Space to 4th Industrial in February 2021.  The scheme proved extremely popular being fully let prior to completion to a host of international tenants including – DHL Express, Boels Rental, Q-railing, Pramac Generac and SG Fleet. Other major occupiers in the area include Churchill China and JCB. Acquired by NSD in 2013, the Tunstall Arrow scheme covers 28 acres of a former colliery site adjoining the A527 (James Brindley Way) in Sandyford, Stoke-on-Trent. The scheme is close to the A500 with access to Junction 16 of the M6 only minutes away. Simon Peters, Development Director at NSD, said: “The Tunstall Arrow development has been a huge success story in terms of delivering sustainable employment and inward investment benefits for Stoke on Trent. “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts for the sale of Phase Two to 4th Industrial. This is the third scheme they have acquired from us and follows Tunstall Arrow Phase One and Ashroyd in Barnsley. Demand for well-located urban logistics and industrial space is extremely high and interest in Tunstall is strong. ” B8RE Investment Director Simon Wood added: “Following on from the sale of Phase 1 it has been fantastic to have been involved in the forward sale of Phase 2. Not only has it been really encouraging to see continued strong investor appetite for high quality schemes such as this but also Tunstall emerging as a really strong and recognised industrial location for investors and occupiers alike.  Congratulations to both Network Space Developments and 4th Industrial on another successful deal.” 4th Industrial Managing Director, Derek Heathwood, said: “We are delighted to have agreed another deal with NSD providing real scale at this prime location. The acquisition of Tunstall phase 2 continues our investment theme of purchasing high quality, multi let industrial estates with strong ESG credentials in key target UK sub-markets. There is already significant interest in the units and we look forward to completing this purchase when the development is at practical completion.” Tunstall Arrow is a priority development for Stoke on Trent City Council, being one of the six sites in the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone. The CVEZ has potential to create up to 6,700 jobs and deliver 3.3 million sq ft of commercial space across six sites along the A500 corridor.

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Spencer Group appointed to major construction programme by ports operator ABP

Kenneth Booth June 23, 2022

Leading civil engineering and construction contractor Spencer Group has been appointed by Associated British Ports (ABP) to be part of a major national investment programme. Spencer Group has been appointed to the Industrial Buildings Framework Contract to build large-scale industrial buildings for ABP in four out of five regions across the UK where the port owner operates – South East and North West England, Scotland and Wales. ABP is the UK’s leading ports group and its network of 21 ports supports 119,000 jobs and handles about a quarter of the UK’s seaborne trade, worth £150bn annually. The framework will run for five years, with scope to extend to a further two years. ABP plans to invest a significant value across the four regions with specific projects determined by port requirements in each location. The success for Spencer Group’s industrial division follows an extensive competitive tendering selection process involving both regional and national contractors across the UK. Spencer Group Off Site Construction Director Richard Green-Morgan, who leads the industrial division of the business, said: “We’re delighted to be appointed to this framework. This is a very significant contract for us and a positive continuation of our strong working relationship with ABP. “Being appointed by ABP in each of these regions is further evidence of our excellent reputation as a leading provider of multi-disciplinary engineering and construction projects across the UK. “It will also strengthen our presence and position these locations, undoubtedly creating opportunities to work with new partners and SMEs to jointly support ABP’s ambitious plans for the future. “We’re looking forward to getting started and working with ABP on these important projects.” Spencer Group has undertaken a number of schemes over the past year providing consultancy and construction services to develop and support a variety of capital projects in various ports. Spencer Group Managing Director Gary Thornton said: “Our appointment to the Industrial Buildings Frameworks Contract is very positive news for Spencer Group. “The framework is yet another example of our developing relationship with ABP, which started over 30 years ago. Our ability to provide technical support, design and delivery capabilities to provide new and enhanced existing assets and infrastructure mean we are able to support ABP’s investment decisions and meet their customer demands. “We’re proud of the faith shown in us by ABP and are looking forward to starting work under this new framework to deliver exceptional value to ABP and their customers.” Spencer Group delivers innovative engineering and construction solutions in the transport, infrastructure, materials handling, energy and industrial sectors. To find out more about the company’s work, visit www.thespencergroup.co.uk.

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NETWORK SPACE SECURES PLANNING PERMISSION FOR BROADHEATH NETWORKCENTRE IN ALTRINCHAM

Kenneth Booth June 23, 2022

Network Space has secured planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Cartwright headquarters on Atlantic Street in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Broadheath Networkcentre will include a mixture of high-quality refurbished space alongside new builds, creating a modern, multi-let industrial site designed to attract a variety of businesses. The development will deliver 205,000 sq ft of accommodation across 25 units, with workspace available from 2,100 sq ft to 39,500 sq ft.   A highly sustainable development, Network Space will reuse and recycle existing steel and concrete structures on site, resulting in a significant reduction in embodied carbon in the development. The units are also designed to accommodate photovoltaic panels for renewable energy provision and electric vehicle charging on all units. Simon Eaton, Senior Development Manager at Network Space Developments, said: “With planning permission now secured, we can fully commence our development of this well-located and highly popular site which will appeal to local businesses, trade occupiers and last mile urban logistics firms. “We have already received very strong interest in the scheme from a range of businesses and with demolition already well underway, we hope to have units ready for occupation in early 2023. The scheme aligns perfectly with our strategy to deliver high quality, highly sustainable developments in key urban ‘last mile’ locations.  We look forward to working closely with Trafford Council to deliver a scheme the borough can be truly proud of.” Network Space commenced the demolition in early May and are aiming for practical completion in early 2023.The scheme is set to revitalise the site, creating upwards of 400 new jobs and providing much needed speculative workspace in the region. Once complete, the scheme will have an estimated GDV of £45m. Jonathan Williams at Savills and Will Kenyon at B8 have been appointed as letting agents for Broadheath Networkcentre. The wider professional team includes Walker Sime, project management and quantity surveying, AEW architects and Spawforths is the planning advisor.

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