Construction begins on two new apartment buildings for Hestia, the residential Platform of Federated Hermes. Launch of phase two highlights positive social impact of the SOYO project within the city of Leeds and the wider region. Event brings together local leaders and stakeholders to reflect on 2.5 years of activity
Over three quarters (77.7%) of Brits would support the UK generating and distributing alternative, low-carbon gas through the existing grid to replace the imports of natural gas from countries such as Qatar and Russia, a survey has found. The research of 2000 UK consumers, conducted on behalf of trade association
NATIONAL contractor Stepnell is bolstering its reputation in the education sector across the South West, as the business works on its sixth school project in Dorset in the operating year. Stepnell’s work across the multi-million-pound school projects, which include renovating buildings dating from the early twentieth to the twenty-first century,
Ibstock plc, a leading manufacturer of clay and concrete building products and solutions, has today launched its new ESG Strategy to 2030. The company, which is widely credited as leading the way in sustainability within the construction products sector, says its new ESG Strategy to 2030 will simplify the way
SCHOOL EXPANSION PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF NEW PUPIL PLACES FOR HILLINGDON HUNDREDS of new primary school places will be the result of an extensive refurbishment and expansion of Nanaksar Primary School in Hillingdon, West London, which has now been completed. Nanaksar Primary School is part of the Guru Nanak Multi-Academy Trust,
Oxford University Development, a £4bn joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General Capital, today announces the winner of the international design competition to find a creative, forward-thinking masterplan team for its world-leading £1billion, 190-hectare mixed-use Innovation District at Begbroke Science Park, just to the north of
Oxford University Development, a £4bn joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General Capital, today announces the winner of the international design competition to find a creative, forward-thinking masterplan team for its world-leading £1billion, 190-hectare mixed-use Innovation District at Begbroke Science Park, just to the north of
Famed for its luxury shopping and extraordinary architecture, the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is home to over 3.3 million people, and the world’s longest driverless single metro line – the Dubai metro. Designed to take up to 13,380 passengers an hour on its green line, and
“As The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) partners, Fortus are particularly strong in the specialist area of Service Charge, and our coming together means we’ll be among the largest Residential Service Charge accountancy teams in the UK. It’s partly their commitment to this specialism that led us to conclude
Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, is planning to develop one of the largest speculative logistics facilities in South Yorkshire. The development, called Panattoni Doncaster 420, will be a 417,570 sq ft facility at GatewayEast, Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Panattoni has acquired the 18.4-acre site, which has outline
Construction begins on two new apartment buildings for Hestia, the residential Platform of Federated Hermes. Launch of phase two highlights positive social impact of the SOYO project within the city of Leeds and the wider region. Event brings together local leaders and stakeholders to reflect on 2.5 years of activity on SOYO, as well as plans for the future. Construction work has started on the latest Hestia apartment scheme in the SOYO district of Leeds, on behalf of Federated Hermes Limited and is scheduled for completion in late 2023. The scheme comprises two adjoining blocks in the new city centre district, with planning permission held for 331 apartments – a mixture of studio, 1,2 and 3 beds – as well as outdoor courtyards, and 12,000 sq. ft retail, restaurant and ground floor amenity space. The blocks will be delivered alongside new public realm including green spaces and a public square, in the fast-evolving cultural quarter of the city. Leeds-based DLG Architects have been tasked with designing the buildings with sustainability credentials that put the scheme on the Net Zero Carbon pathway by, using techniques to reduce embodied and operational carbon. Caddick Group businesses Caddick Developments, Caddick Land and Caddick Construction will work with the project team to take the scheme from blueprint to delivery. Myles Hartley, MD Caddick Developments said: “Projects like SOYO represent a huge investment in Leeds. This development will deliver new homes, commercial spaces and new landscaped areas – all things that will improve the physical built environment. As part the team developing Caddick’s wider ESG approach, I’m also hugely proud that we’ve been able to deliver the ambitious social value targets we set for ourselves, in spite of the challenges of the pandemic” Matt Chillingworth, Senior Investment Manager, Federated Hermes added: “Having established Hestia’s presence in Manchester, Liverpool and London, we are excited to bring the brand to Leeds. We are focused on delivering high quality mid-market, sustainable housing across the UK and in doing so are helping to deliver a meaningful impact on local communities. SOYO Leeds is an ideal location to achieve these goals. SOYO Leeds is using the opportunity to highlight the positive local impact of the development so far, which includes nearly 500 local Leeds residents being brought into employment on the first phase of SOYO – New York Square. The latest phase for Hestia will support a further 2,000 construction jobs, with the creation of 10 new apprenticeships. TT&G acted for Federated Hermes.
Over three quarters (77.7%) of Brits would support the UK generating and distributing alternative, low-carbon gas through the existing grid to replace the imports of natural gas from countries such as Qatar and Russia, a survey has found. The research of 2000 UK consumers, conducted on behalf of trade association the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), has also found almost three quarters (73.8%) of people would support development low carbon gas boilers that could be easily swapped with existing boilers to help deliver the UK’s climate change targets. Almost two thirds (64.3%) of respondents also said they would choose a low carbon boiler if replacing their heating system. Amid increasing cost-of-living concerns, 82% of respondents also believed the government should prioritise affordability in the development of renewable technologies for heating homes in the UK. However only 6.2% of those asked would be willing to pay £8500 for a new heating system, the average additional expense of retrofitting a heat pump. Almost two-thirds would be unwilling or unable to pay this much for a new heating system, leaving hydrogen heating as the only way to decarbonise their homes. Mike Foster, CEO of the EUA explains: “It is clear that Brits back action on climate change however, with the cost-of-living crisis causing concern for pretty much everyone, the Government have got to commit to a more affordable route. The vast majority of UK residents cannot afford the price tag for a heat pump, nor do they want to switch away from some kind of low carbon gas. “The gas grid is gearing up for hydrogen, and boiler manufacturers have already made promises around price for consumers. Now it is up to the Government to pull their finger out and prioritise UK people and their finances by progressing hydrogen as part of the UK’s energy mix.” With Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng alluding to hydrogen playing a role in the Government’s upcoming Energy Strategy, the UK public have made it clear an alternative to natural gas is their choice. 71% of respondents believed the Government should make a clear statement that, in future all gas, supplied to UK homes through the gas grid is low or zero carbon. Mr Foster adds: “Mr Kwarteng and the Prime Minister have a decision to make with this Energy Crisis. Either they continue with an electrification of heat, imposing large bills on the public and pushing more people into fuel poverty. Or they can start prioritising the financial wellbeing of the British public and listen to their demands when they say they want an alternative to natural gas, which can be found in hydrogen.” “We have to make progress to Net Zero but this cannot be at the cost of the British people. We have all seen energy bills rise, hurting people in their pockets. The Government must get this call right or risk making a huge political blunder which will see them out of office at the next election.” For more information, visit www.eua.org.uk
NATIONAL contractor Stepnell is bolstering its reputation in the education sector across the South West, as the business works on its sixth school project in Dorset in the operating year. Stepnell’s work across the multi-million-pound school projects, which include renovating buildings dating from the early twentieth to the twenty-first century, is contributing to the county’s upgrading programme and adding to an ever-growing portfolio of education building expertise. Stepnell began their sixth project, a major renovation at Coombe House, on the outskirts of Shaftesbury in October 2021. Formerly St Mary’s School – a Roman Catholic day and boarding school for girls that was closed in July 2020 due to funding issues – the 165,000 square feet of mixed-use accommodation set within 55 acres was purchased by Dorset Council for £10 million as part of the council’s five-year £145 million capital programme. The project is due to complete in spring 2022. Previously, three projects have been completed on behalf of Gillingham Primary School, Ferndown Upper School and Blandford Upper School, with Coombe House, Woodroffe School, and Corfe Hills School currently underway. Corfe Hills School works are part of the efficiency estate programme and involve extensive remodelling and refurbishment of an existing year block. Provision of all new M&E Services, and IT Services. This also includes the provision of existing services to the remainder of the school at all times whilst implementing all new M&E and IT services. Provision of new classrooms, new windows and doors and associated ventilation. Formation of new IC’S and assistance with the decant of a number of classrooms. All works are taking place in a live school environment with works in close proximity to occupied classrooms. The project at Ferndown comprised of alterations to classrooms through new stud partitions, suspended ceilings and new flooring. At Blandford Upper, new ceilings, toilets and shower cubicles formed part of the refurbishment of the changing rooms. Remedial fire stopping works and fire doors were implemented between compartments to the roof void of block four. Furthermore, fire stopping measures were installed between the stairwells in block H and the adjoining class and storerooms. Rob Speirs, regional managing director of Stepnell, said: “Working within live sites in educational settings poses unique challenges but we are delighted to have been able to safely and efficiently complete works around the opening requirements of the school. The result is an enhanced space for high-quality education via the remodelled year block and existing school areas.” Rob added: “We were thrilled to have secured the redevelopment project for Coombe House, which will be pivotal in increasing the accessibility to high quality SEND institutions in Dorset. “Alongside our completed projects at Ferndown Upper School and Blandford Upper School, each development has shown Stepnell’s capability to form strong collaborations – including with Dorset Council and architects Kendall Kingscott. Our works in the region are helping to enable more resilient communities in a county where parents are desperate for their children to be educated to a high quality and meet their needs closer to home.” To find out more about Stepnell visit: www.stepnell.co.uk or join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
Ibstock plc, a leading manufacturer of clay and concrete building products and solutions, has today launched its new ESG Strategy to 2030. The company, which is widely credited as leading the way in sustainability within the construction products sector, says its new ESG Strategy to 2030 will simplify the way it articulates its goals and ambitions – thus enhancing understanding of the journey ahead with both its colleagues and external stakeholders. The Ibstock ESG Strategy to 2030 is an evolution of the company’s five-year Sustainability Roadmap set back in 2019 – with a number of its original targets achieved ahead of time. Ibstock’s evolved strategy defines a new era of responsible business and manufacturing and serves as an important accelerator in speeding up the pace of positive change. Ibstock’s ESG Strategy to 2030 has been structured in a way that its milestones and ambitions are communicated clearly and simply. Organised under three themes; Address Climate Change; Improve lives; and Manufacture Materials for life, headline ambitions include: 40% reduction in absolute carbon (Scope 1 & 2*) by 2030 Increase female senior leadership representation to 40% as part of a proactive approach to diversity and inclusion 20% of sales turnover revenue to come from new products and solutions that deliver customer value and improved sustainability Fostering engagement & ownership Key to the launch of Ibstock’s ESG Strategy is a desire to drive ownership and engagement of the company’s ESG goals. Using a strong, clear ‘call to action’ of ‘WE WILL’ which sits in front of its ambitions. The company hopes its new strategy will connect with colleagues at all levels of the business. Building on its award-winning People First approach to ESG and sustainability engagement, Ibstock will continue to drive employee engagement and understanding of its goals and ambitions – focusing on how individuals and their actions can contribute to the bigger picture. Ibstock says it new strategy is informed by a materiality assessment which has taken into consideration the views and perspectives of its key stakeholders. In addition, the company is also launching a major customer survey of attitudes to sustainability amongst housebuilders, builders merchants and architects and specifiers. The results of this process will shape a long-term programme of communications aimed at informing and connecting with Ibstock’s external stakeholders. Accelerating the pace of progress “We are very pleased to launch our ESG Strategy to 2030. It takes our business on the next exciting – and energetic – stage in its evolution,” says Joe Hudson, Ibstock plc’s Chief Executive Officer. “Whilst our new strategy sets our longer-term ambition, we are also very proud of the progress we have made on our journey so far to becoming a more sustainable, purpose-led business. Where the past decade has been about incremental improvement and embedding change, the next decade needs to go much further, much faster. “To get where we need to be, we must continue to bring our people with us on this journey to enable us to make progress more swiftly and with greater impact. This is work that requires our passionate people with a desire to make positive change at pace. We are confident we will achieve our goals – but we will need to do this together. We are calling on our colleagues, suppliers, partners and customers to work with us – as we will work with them – to deliver on the challenges and opportunities that we share.” Ibstock plc’s ESG Strategy to 2030 can be accessed at https://www.ibstockplc.co.uk/sustainability
SCHOOL EXPANSION PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF NEW PUPIL PLACES FOR HILLINGDON HUNDREDS of new primary school places will be the result of an extensive refurbishment and expansion of Nanaksar Primary School in Hillingdon, West London, which has now been completed. Nanaksar Primary School is part of the Guru Nanak Multi-Academy Trust, which has an exceptional track record of establishing successful schools. Its founder – Sant Baba Singh Ji – believes that education is a human right for children and has established 19 schools worldwide. Designed by architecture firm CPMG Architects, and delivered by contractor Bowmer + Kirkland, the £14m project includes new, purpose-built facilities to accommodate up to 840 pupils across all primary years. The new school space – built for the Department for Education – provides a warm, friendly and inclusive environment, accompanied by excellent outdoor sporting, social and learning spaces. This includes a dedicated outdoor horticultural area to reflect a key part of the Nanaksar ethos and curriculum, providing an invaluable space for learning about plants and plant care, along with the production of fruit and vegetables as healthy food choices. A generously sized greenhouse is also included along with a series of raised beds for cultivation. Hugh Avison, director at CPMG Architects, said: “It was rewarding to have been able to enhance the external areas to really maximise opportunities for outdoor learning. We made the most of the awkward tapering geometry of the site by creating an orchard, which provides a valuable natural asset to the school campus. In addition, as it matures it will become an important extension to the existing woodland within the Minet Country Park, expanding ecological corridors and benefitting local biodiversity. The planted sedum roof to the main hall spaces provides a further haven for wildlife. “Another important consideration for the school was the provision of a really supportive environment for the pupils. The building design and layout provides clear sight lines, views across the landscape, small group breakout spaces, as well as distributed staff spaces for pastoral support. “Overall, we’re genuinely pleased to have played an important part in providing best start to schooling life that all pupils deserve, and to have helped increase the number of high-quality education places for the local community.” To support with age progression, younger students are prioritised on the ground floor, with direct access from the reception classrooms to outdoor terrace areas, which minimises their need to use stairs. From this, the building organisation establishes physical progression up the building as pupils move up through year groups. The arrangement within the teaching wing of the school has been developed to group together four classrooms associated with each year group, accompanied by a dedicated breakout space. Teaching corridors are also split into year group zones, identified by different interior colours and finishes. Externally, the designs make use of traditional brickwork in an understated and contemporary manner to create a light and welcoming visual appearance, balancing a fresh and independent identity for the school. These two styles of brickwork add warmth and texture, while minimising maintenance requirements to create a building that stands the test of time. Within this, the primary school setting is reflected in more playful elements such as a patterned wall at the main entrance, colourful surfaces and inventive playline markings. Aftab Ahmed, head of business operations and chief operating officer at Nanaksar Primary School, said: “We are so pleased with the new school facilities provided by the team. This work has marked a major investment for the community in Hillingdon for current and future generations. “The new school facilities create a safe, welcoming and friendly environment that meets the needs of our current and future pupils across all communities. The facilities not only deliver a great teaching space but allows the teachers deliver the high quality of education using various resources incorporated within the build. “The work delivered will make sure that everyone thrives in this environment, and that our students get the very best start to their education possible.” The project team consists of landscape architects Ares, planning consultant DPP, structural engineer and highways consultant Curtins, building services engineer CPW, technical advisors MACE and main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland.
Oxford University Development, a £4bn joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General Capital, today announces the winner of the international design competition to find a creative, forward-thinking masterplan team for its world-leading £1billion, 190-hectare mixed-use Innovation District at Begbroke Science Park, just to the north of Oxford. A team led by Hawkins\Brown has been successful amongst an extremely competitive field of 40 submissions. The winner was selected following a rigorous assessment process and review of proposals by the project team, a technical panel and a jury panel supported by specialist advisers. Hawkins\Brown demonstrated design flair through strong leadership, a collaborative approach and cross-sector expertise that resulted in a fresh approach to the new Innovation District. The jury found the winning team had balanced the need for delivery, design, attention to phasing and the evolution of the place. The team offered a very strong response to the design challenge, proposed creative integration of different uses, as well as sensitive consideration of existing communities and those who will come to use the spaces. Hawkins\Brown’s team comprised OKRA (Netherlands), BuroHappold and C:Lab, RCKa, Ooze (Netherlands), and Murray Twohig. The team is a well-balanced blend of established, international, large and small practices who will bring fresh perspectives to the growth of an innovation district of international standing. Anna Strongman, CEO, Oxford University Development, said: “We’re thrilled to have found a stellar team that will work with us to design a masterplan that responds to Oxford’s housing needs and propels the economic attraction of the new centre as an exemplary place to live, work, and foster innovation and enterprise. We look forward to working with the councils and surrounding communities to deliver benefits for local people as well as compete on the global stage” Darryl Chen, Urban Design lead at Hawkins\Brown, said: “This is one of those rare opportunities to set an agenda for a type of place that doesn’t quite yet exist. Begbroke will see new homes and space for science set within a semi-rural location driven by clients with a long-term outlook. We’re super-happy that Oxford University Development have selected our team of spicy talents to work with them. We’re going to give it our all!” The competition was focused on finding the right team to develop a masterplan with Cherwell District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and surrounding local communities. Hawkins Brown will set the bold ambition and design intent for a project that will transform the area around the University’s Begbroke Science Park, to the north of Oxford. The project will also create a community of up to 2,000 quality homes, with new schools, public park and nature reserve. OUD’s aspiration is to create a boundary-pushing scheme that demonstrably achieves a step-change in sustainable design, delivery, and operation. The new district will seek to attract the very best minds, while driving economic growth, improving transport connections, delivering benefits for local people, as well as enhancing the surrounding natural landscape. The site will provide an exemplary new setting for the University’s world-leading science and innovation, which will help address key global challenges facing humanity – from food security and biodiversity to climate change and the urgent need to move to a zero-carbon economy alongside seeking to reduce health inequity. The competition was managed by Colander Associates and Turner & Townsend.
Oxford University Development, a £4bn joint venture between the University of Oxford and Legal & General Capital, today announces the winner of the international design competition to find a creative, forward-thinking masterplan team for its world-leading £1billion, 190-hectare mixed-use Innovation District at Begbroke Science Park, just to the north of Oxford. A team led by Hawkins\Brown has been successful amongst an extremely competitive field of 40 submissions. The winner was selected following a rigorous assessment process and review of proposals by the project team, a technical panel and a jury panel supported by specialist advisers. Hawkins\Brown demonstrated design flair through strong leadership, a collaborative approach and cross-sector expertise that resulted in a fresh approach to the new Innovation District. The jury found the winning team had balanced the need for delivery, design, attention to phasing and the evolution of the place. The team offered a very strong response to the design challenge, proposed creative integration of different uses, as well as sensitive consideration of existing communities and those who will come to use the spaces. Hawkins\Brown’s team comprised OKRA (Netherlands), BuroHappold and C:Lab, RCKa, Ooze (Netherlands), and Murray Twohig. The team is a well-balanced blend of established, international, large and small practices who will bring fresh perspectives to the growth of an innovation district of international standing. Anna Strongman, CEO, Oxford University Development, said: “We’re thrilled to have found a stellar team that will work with us to design a masterplan that responds to Oxford’s housing needs and propels the economic attraction of the new centre as an exemplary place to live, work, and foster innovation and enterprise. We look forward to working with the councils and surrounding communities to deliver benefits for local people as well as compete on the global stage” Darryl Chen, Urban Design lead at Hawkins\Brown, said: “This is one of those rare opportunities to set an agenda for a type of place that doesn’t quite yet exist. Begbroke will see new homes and space for science set within a semi-rural location driven by clients with a long-term outlook. We’re super-happy that Oxford University Development have selected our team of spicy talents to work with them. We’re going to give it our all!” The competition was focused on finding the right team to develop a masterplan with Cherwell District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and surrounding local communities. Hawkins Brown will set the bold ambition and design intent for a project that will transform the area around the University’s Begbroke Science Park, to the north of Oxford. The project will also create a community of up to 2,000 quality homes, with new schools, public park and nature reserve. OUD’s aspiration is to create a boundary-pushing scheme that demonstrably achieves a step-change in sustainable design, delivery, and operation. The new district will seek to attract the very best minds, while driving economic growth, improving transport connections, delivering benefits for local people, as well as enhancing the surrounding natural landscape. The site will provide an exemplary new setting for the University’s world-leading science and innovation, which will help address key global challenges facing humanity – from food security and biodiversity to climate change and the urgent need to move to a zero-carbon economy alongside seeking to reduce health inequity. The competition was managed by Colander Associates and Turner & Townsend.
Famed for its luxury shopping and extraordinary architecture, the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is home to over 3.3 million people, and the world’s longest driverless single metro line – the Dubai metro. Designed to take up to 13,380 passengers an hour on its green line, and 11,675 passengers an hour on its red line at peak time, the Dubai Metro is almost 75 km long and operated by RTA and Serco. Under contract to the Dubai Roads & Transport Authority, the network is run by a team of 2000 staff with 57 trains running at peak times. Dafoos Fire and Security were commissioned to run the fire detection installation project on the entirety of the Dubai Metro. Trusted as a market leader in the Fire Protection Industry in the United Arab Emirates, Dafoos specialises in providing end-to-end design, erection and commissioning and maintenance of both active and passive Fire Protection Systems, and partners with some of the best OEMs in the world, including Hochiki. With tens of thousands of passengers using the network daily and the system itself operating in a hot and sandy environment, any false alarm could potentially cause mass disruption and cost the operator financially, especially during peak service times. The company’s Marketing Director, Vijay Chandran said about the project: “it was especially important as part of the life safety system design process to negate false alarms. Hochiki fire detection devices were chosen as they have a reputation for being the best in the market for their quality and their reliability when it comes to false alarm reduction. Our selection of Hochiki was confidently backed by the operators RTA and Serco” The Hochiki sensors were to be installed inside the metro and tram coaches. This is considered an extremely sensitive area with thousands of people transiting at a time, thus posing a higher chance of triggering false alarms. Any fire alarm trigger was programmed to send a command to the central station, and this would halt the operations within the entire network until the problem is rectified. The Hochiki technical team also worked closely with the Dafoos team to negate the challenge of frequent dust build up in the chambers. It was advised that periodic maintenance of the sensors was moved from every 6 months to every two instead, which is customary practice for commercial buildings in the region. “Hochiki Smoke Sensors have been installed across the entire Dubai Metro and tram coaches; they have been functioning with minimal issues for the last three years. Periodic maintenance has been conducted in conjunction with Hochiki’s technical team recommendation. Our team would not hesitate to recommend Hochikilife safety systems and products to be used in other projects within the transport industry”.
“As The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) partners, Fortus are particularly strong in the specialist area of Service Charge, and our coming together means we’ll be among the largest Residential Service Charge accountancy teams in the UK. It’s partly their commitment to this specialism that led us to conclude they were the right fit.” Director Dave Brown, formerly of Thomas David. With nearly 200 years of legacy service and experience, the Executive team at Thomas David were exploring ways in which they could best continue to support Owner Managed Businesses (OMBs) long into the future. Increased regulation, more complex taxation and the need to advise clients on an ever-widening range of topics, were top of their concerns. They have now merged with Fortus Business Advisors and Accountants to build on their expanded and sophisticated advisory services, and bolster Fortus’ long-term growth plans. Committed to the Hertford area and to accommodate the new, enlarged team, Fortus now add the Hertford-based office to their national footprint. Fortus is becoming fast-recognised as the ‘challenger’ business advisory and accountancy firm with 350 people in their UK-wide team. Carly Liston, Executive Director at Fortus, said: “Our merger with Thomas David represents another positive key milestone in our nationwide expansion strategy. We’re pooling together our complementary strengths as ‘one team many talents’ to support the coordinated growth of our non-compliance related client services, as well as improving our national market recognition. The incredible level of expertise, experience and network the team bring with them to Fortus means we’re able to deepen our bench strength even further. Together we’ll continue to serve our valued, existing client base whilst also providing the much-needed resources to serve larger advisory clients. We very much look forward to developing many new business opportunities together.” Director Dave Brown, formerly of Thomas David, adds: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Fortus team to support businesses achieve their future ambitions. We’ve known this was the right course of action for over 12 months but we wanted to take the time necessary to find a larger, national firm whose culture and client-first service aligned perfectly with ours. “As The Association of Residential Managing Agents (ARMA) partners, Fortus are particularly strong in the specialist area of Service Charge, and our coming together means we’ll be among the largest Residential Service Charge accountancy teams in the UK. It’s partly their commitment to this specialism that led us to conclude they were the right fit. “This is a truly positive move for Thomas David with our entire Hertford team retaining their existing roles as we transition to Fortus. I’m more than confident our collective talent and harmonised cultures will bring tremendous benefits for our clients and team members alike.”
Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, is planning to develop one of the largest speculative logistics facilities in South Yorkshire. The development, called Panattoni Doncaster 420, will be a 417,570 sq ft facility at GatewayEast, Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Panattoni has acquired the 18.4-acre site, which has outline planning consent, from Peel Land and Property. Panattoni Doncaster 420 benefits from superb multi-modal links, located within six minutes of rail facilities at iPort, while the seaports of Immingham and Hull are both approximately 50 miles from the site. It also provides last-mile access to the major conurbations of Yorkshire and Humberside and the major consumer and manufacturing centres of the North East, North West and East Midlands, plus central London, all fall within 4.5 hours by HGV. Panattoni expects to start construction later this year with the intention of delivering the facility in Summer 2023. Panattoni Doncaster 420 is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings. Occupiers will also benefit from a range of standard sustainability features and green build options. The development is part of Panattoni’s commitment to a significant speculative development programme in the UK in 2022 in response to strong demand from occupiers for immediately available space. Dan Burn, Development Director at Panattoni, said: “This well-located site with direct access to local, regional and global markets is a superb addition to our speculative development programme. South Yorkshire is rapidly forging a reputation as one of the UK’s prime distribution locations. Record take up across Yorkshire in 2021 has resulted in the supply of units over 100,000 sq ft dipping to the lowest level ever seen”. Burbage Realty acted for Panattoni.