Stoford has had its plans approved to extend Worcester Six Business Park on the southern side of the site. Wychavon District Council’s planning committee approved the application today (Thursday, December 9), which means the leading developer will be able to provide up to a further 680,000 sq ft of floorspace
DEALING with the pandemic has brought the relationship between the construction and healthcare industries into sharp focus, sparking new and innovative ways of working – and the future is looking bright. That was the key message from national framework provider Pagabo’s latest ‘Building Blocks’ podcast, hosted by executive chairman Gerard
Gresham House and ilke Homes have cause for celebration, as of 30th November the organisations officially broke ground at their first partnership zero carbon development at Hope Green in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Delivered by ilke Homes and funded by Gresham House, via its evergreen UK limited partnership Gresham House Residential Secure
Construction output fell 1.8% in volume terms in October 2021, this is the largest monthly decline since April 2020 when output fell by 41.7%; new work fell (2.8%) from September to October 2021 while repair and maintenance remained unchanged (0.0%). Like recent months, anecdotal evidence in October 2021 from businesses
To take action against modern slavery, Kier is the first UK contractor to train its Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) to spot the signs of modern slavery and exploitation. With 900 colleagues having become MHFAs at Kier, this new training is being delivered through Jericho, a social enterprise based in
Mobile Mini UK, one of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and secure storage containers, has furthered its reputation for business excellence after being named HR Team of the Year Silver Award winner at the seventh annual HR Brilliance Awards. The HR Brilliance Awards celebrate outstanding contributions that innovatively
Worcestershire-based Victoria PLC, the UK’s largest flooring manufacturer and distributor, has been granted permission for a bespoke 180,121 sq ft unit at Worcester Six Business Park. The planning committee of Wychavon District Council approved plans, submitted by leading developer Stoford, for unit 7, where Victoria PLC will house Alliance Flooring
A public consultation has been launched asking for views on a new gateway residential development planned for Wilford Road, within Nottingham City Centre ‘Southside’. Jensco (Wilford Road) Limited, part of the Jensco Group, is proposing to build a development of purpose-built student accommodation on a cleared and underutilised site on
Heat pumps have been very much in the news recently. Interest in them began to increase when it was announced that from 2025 gas boilers could no longer be installed in new homes. Then more recently gas prices soared, and the government announced that there would be grants available for
GOSPORT based housebuilder Elite NuGEN is celebrating winning three prestigious awards in a matter of days, bringing national recognition to its expertise in building sustainable homes using modern methods of construction. The company, which is based in Gosport, Hampshire, was a winner in two separate categories in the WhatHouse? Awards
Stoford has had its plans approved to extend Worcester Six Business Park on the southern side of the site. Wychavon District Council’s planning committee approved the application today (Thursday, December 9), which means the leading developer will be able to provide up to a further 680,000 sq ft of floorspace on 61.18 acres of land, adjacent to Newtown Road. An extension has always been part of the Worcester Six Business Park plans and it is included in the South Worcestershire Development Plan, which was adopted in 2016 by councils in south Worcestershire. Gerard Ludlow, Director at Stoford, said: “This is an important step forward for the growth of Worcester Six and it comes at a time when we are in a strong position to put forward our long-term plans to add carefully designed units that are in keeping with the location. We are looking forward to making a start so that we can attract even more national and international companies to Worcester, bringing much-needed jobs to the area.” The developer is also fulfilling its commitment to safeguarding and improving the green space at ensuring Worcester Six. It has worked with Worcestershire’s Green Infrastructure (GI) Partnership to create a long-term GI Concept Plan, which will see Stoford putting aside 6.55ha of the site for natural habitats and landscaping, in addition to on-plot landscaping. Plans include the retention of woodland, grassland areas, and species-rich hedgerows. New habitats will be created, including a wildflower meadow, a wildlife tower, and a variety of structures to support insects, invertebrates, birds and bats. Worcester Six Business Park is a few minutes’ drive from junction six of the M5 and home to a number of major national and international companies, including IONOS, Kohler Mira, Spire Healthcare, Cornelius, Kimal, and Materials Solutions.
DEALING with the pandemic has brought the relationship between the construction and healthcare industries into sharp focus, sparking new and innovative ways of working – and the future is looking bright. That was the key message from national framework provider Pagabo’s latest ‘Building Blocks’ podcast, hosted by executive chairman Gerard Toplass. The construction industry was given a glimpse of how the future could look as a result of the government’s plans for major investment in healthcare over the next decade, thanks to a vastly improved, collaborative and well-integrated supply chain, which evolved during the pandemic. The ways in which the whole industry united and problem-solved on the hoof was nothing short of impressive, adapting rapidly to ever-changing guidance to ensure as much certainty and support for clients as possible. This was a point driven home by podcast guest Stuart McArthur, health sector lead at Sir Robert McAlpine, who was also joined by John Carson, head of capital development and planning at NTW Solutions (a subsidiary of Cumbria, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust), and Stephen Jenkins, director at Turner and Townsend. Throughout the conversation, the group discussed the ramifications of COVID-19, how their various projects were affected, the lessons learned, and how that all feeds into the future – particularly in relation to the benefits of frameworks. The challenges faced The number one priority for any and all businesses – no matter their industry – was the health and safety of staff. This was especially true within healthcare and its associated supply chains to be able to continue to deliver critical work and services. During the initial days of the first lockdown, many construction sites ground to a halt while clarity was provided on what work should continue. But when this clarity was provided from the government, the industry reacted with real agility, flexibility and innovation to find ways to keep schemes going, while introducing the necessary safety measures. Stephen Jenkins recalled the agility seen on construction sites, combining with a centralised and joined-up project management approach leading the way on solving the new problems thrown up each day. This attitude towards evolving practises and procedures in a safe and sensible way is something that was echoed in the pre-construction phase as well and is something that will certainly benefit the wider industry moving to the future. John Carson, whose team was involved in creating the NHS Nightingale Hospital North East also reiterated the personal impact. There had to be a focus on wellbeing and looking after people’s mental health. People have very different tolerance levels, and the pandemic had a detrimental effect on everyone due to the combined uncertainty and personal challenges they were facing. Certainly, one of the biggest changes we have seen in the industry is the impact COVID-19 has had on both designs and costings as clients look to ‘pandemic-proof’ hospitals and other schemes, as well as considering how more remote working of staff can impact capital costs. Knitting together relationships and futureproofing through frameworks The real power of frameworks comes from the long-term relationships that can be built, which are over time continually improved to form some of the strongest working collaborations in the market. This is something particularly pertinent in the healthcare sector, where there are hugely complex clients. With the NHS and its entities there are multi-stakeholder environments that bring together clinical and technical expertise, and there are very rigorous and complex approvals processes to navigate too. Clients and the frameworks that projects are procured through have all evolved over time. All have evolved to put more focus on social value, wanting to demonstrate the wider benefits from schemes – particularly large-scale healthcare projects – in the wider society. They often provide the best value to clients, but it is important to remember that best value is about more than just costs. The benefit of frameworks is the overarching platform, broader objectives and a longer-term timescale they have, which allow behaviours to be built over time and focus to be put on values and outcomes. This bigger picture of best value brings together strands – such as technology and carbon – that have previously been looked at in silos until very recently, when they are inherently connected. The key to unlock all of this is digital and data. For example, the right digital construction techniques and toolkits will enable better and more adoption of modern methods of construction (MMC), along with the parallel assessment of carbon impact. The Construction Playbook – which was first published almost a year ago and has provided the whole industry with direction on a number of core best practice principles – focuses heavily on MMC and digital adoption. These methods will combine with ongoing learnings from the supply chain, such as the real value in repetitive design. For example, once a treatment room or seclusion suite has been designed, the knowledge is there and can be repeated – and through MMC methods like modular construction can be built much more quickly. Together, the construction and healthcare sectors continue to innovate and work together to tackle combined issues – and create a better future for everyone, knitted together by a data-driven approach. You can listen to the most recent episode of Pagabo’s ‘Building Blocks’ podcast on Anchor and YouTube, and for more information please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/.
Gresham House and ilke Homes have cause for celebration, as of 30th November the organisations officially broke ground at their first partnership zero carbon development at Hope Green in Stanford-le-Hope, Essex. Delivered by ilke Homes and funded by Gresham House, via its evergreen UK limited partnership Gresham House Residential Secure Income LP (GH ReSI LP), the development at Hope Green is set to become one of the first and largest operational net zero carbon residential developments to be delivered in the country. Sales launch off plan in January 2022 and will be marketed by the sales and marketing team at SO Resi exclusively for shared ownership. Due to additional investment by Gresham House more than two-thirds of the properties at Hope Green will include innovative technology meaning the houses will generate enough energy to become operationally carbon neutral. Crucially, the boilers will be replaced with air source heat pumps, which require just a third of the energy of conventional heating systems. In addition, photovoltaic (PV) panels will be installed which will generate electricity to support the functionality of the home. Gresham House have worked with ilke Homes to build in other sustainable measures including highly insulated homes, efficient LED lighting, and water fittings. Alistair Wardell, Investment Director within Gresham House’s Housing team comments: “It is vital that corporations consider the long-term sustainability implications for delivering residential housing. This is particularly the case for the affordable housing sector, where more acute financial constraints generally preclude investment into greener living and technology. We are proud to be working in partnership with ilke Homes to deliver Hope Green, as the first of several pioneering residential developments in the pipeline for the partnership, which is seeking to break the mould while working towards a greener future. With most houses being upgraded to operational zero carbon, our investment at Hope Green is helping to create a genuinely affordable development for future homeowners alleviating fuel poverty issues whilst protecting the environment. “Gresham House’s aim to invest in better placemaking through sustainable innovation is supported by the ilke Homes’ fully modular construction method. The homes are built in a factory setting, which allows for greater build efficiencies with significantly less waste and reduced carbon emissions during the construction process. The speed of delivery to site, provides enhanced returns from the development and means the model can deliver much-needed housing at a rate closer to market demand.” Kush Rawal, Director of Residential Investment at SO Resi, adds: “It is crucial that companies take sustainability seriously, but often greener living comes at a cost and is unattainable for the affordable housing sector. We are proud to be working in partnership with Gresham House’s Housing team and ilke Homes to deliver a truly unique development as we work towards a greener future. With the majority of houses being zero carbon, SO Resi Hope Green is helping to create a genuinely sustainable development for future homeowners at an affordable cost.” Matthew Suggitt, Development Director (South East) at ilke Homes, comments: “This is the first land-led, package deal site that ilke Homes are delivering in the South-East market and we are proud to be delivering it as one of the first and largest operational net zero carbon developments in the UK. Sustainability is paramount to ilke Homes and to the collaborative partnership flourishing between ilke Homes and GH ReSI LP. These new affordable homes are testament to that ethos and our ambition to deliver net zero development at significant scale. Production of the modules will commence at our factory facility early in 2022 with first installs on site in spring 2022.” Hope Green will deliver a total of 153 new homes, comprising 138 two, three and four-bedroom houses and 15 two-bedroom apartments. The development will see the first completions in the spring 2022. All homes at the development will be exclusively sold under shared ownership, supporting the government’s key drive for more affordable home ownership. Once complete, Hope Green will include a significant amount of green open space replete with play areas, nature trails, attractive water features, a number of biodiversity areas to encourage local wildlife, and a network of footpaths and cycleways providing commutable connectivity into the town.
Construction output fell 1.8% in volume terms in October 2021, this is the largest monthly decline since April 2020 when output fell by 41.7%; new work fell (2.8%) from September to October 2021 while repair and maintenance remained unchanged (0.0%). Like recent months, anecdotal evidence in October 2021 from businesses continues to suggest that product shortages caused by supply chain issues leading to subsequent price rises in raw materials such as steel, concrete, timber and glass, were an important reason for the decline. At the sector level, the main contributors to the decline in monthly output in October 2021 were infrastructure and private new housing, which decreased 7.1% and 4.4% respectively; these decreases were partially offset by increases in private industrial and public other new work of 8.8% and 7.0% respectively. In line with the monthly fall, construction output fell by 1.2% in the three months to October 2021; this was because of a 1.5% fall in repair and maintenance (mainly because of a 3.5% fall in non-housing repair and maintenance) and a fall of 1.0% in new work (with new housing (both public and private), public other new work, and private commercial new work all falling). Allan Callaghan, Managing Director of Cruden Building, part of the Cruden Group said: “While the latest construction output figures have declined this month, we are beginning to see some green shoots of recovery in the sector. This is largely due to many significant construction projects nearing completion so it’s important that the industry maintains this momentum with a strong pipeline of new building projects to help with the ongoing recovery into next year. At Cruden, we have secured a healthy construction pipeline for 2022, particularly as we are included in a number of important procurement frameworks coupled with a robust housing market across central Scotland. “Logistical difficulties, arising from material and labour shortages, remain prevalent throughout the sector. That’s why we are putting our continued focus and investment in our apprentices and the lifelong development of employees through our Cruden Academy in order to help mitigate against the impact of these industry challenges.”
To take action against modern slavery, Kier is the first UK contractor to train its Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) to spot the signs of modern slavery and exploitation. With 900 colleagues having become MHFAs at Kier, this new training is being delivered through Jericho, a social enterprise based in the Midlands, which is an organisation that creates positive change in society including supporting victims of modern slavery. Kier is also introducing a Level 1 qualification that has been created with the GLAA (Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority) and Skills and Education Group. This will teach people about basic employment rights provided by UK law, how to identify exploitation, how they should go about reporting it and will make them aware of signs to look out for to help them avoid being taken advantage of. The course will be delivered remotely by Boston College and Sheffield College. David Foster, Group legal and compliance director at Kier, said: “Modern slavery and any exploitation on site is unacceptable and, working alongside the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), we’re working to eradicate it and prevent it across our operations. “Our Mental Health First Aiders are a fantastic community who support our colleagues and, through this new addition to their training, they will be better able to spot any signs of modern slavery trafficking or exploitation on site. “As well as helping those that are already victims of modern slavery, we wanted to find a way to prevent people from becoming unsuspecting victims of modern slavery. Through the qualification we hope to do this and will be targeting potential attendees through our early careers team, who will predominantly engage with those joining through an apprenticeship or the Kickstart scheme.” GLAA Head of Prevention and Partnerships Frank Hanson said: “We know only too well that construction is a high-risk sector for modern slavery so we were delighted to support Kier in providing them with the resources to train their mental health first aiders in spotting the signs of exploitation. “This is something that could easily be replicated across the labour market and we would encourage other employers to follow Kier’s lead. They would be using existing products and by engaging with the right partners, helping to make the workplace safer for everyone, including for workers within their supply chains.” With the GLAA and Jericho, we have created this video (https://youtu.be/jXNRBtud0NA), which explains the initiative and also in it you will also hear from Valdis, a victim of modern slavery.
Mobile Mini UK, one of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and secure storage containers, has furthered its reputation for business excellence after being named HR Team of the Year Silver Award winner at the seventh annual HR Brilliance Awards. The HR Brilliance Awards celebrate outstanding contributions that innovatively design and superbly execute Human Resources and strategies that improve overall business performance. Previous winners include the likes of Canon, O2, Virgin Media, Astra Zeneca, Odeon, Zurich and BMW. This year, the judging panel included senior representatives from companies such as Deloitte, Co-op and LinkedIn. At a glittering awards bash in London, Mobile Mini overcame strong competition from ten other leading businesses from various sectors and industries to be named the Silver Award winner in the HR Team of the Year category. Mobile Mini is headquartered in Stockton-on-Tees and has 16 regional sites across the UK. Typical customers range from builders and construction professionals to facilities management personnel in sectors as diverse as retail, education, entertainment, medical, sports and events. The Mobile Mini HR team aims to improve the industry through its advanced Employee Benefits Scheme (EBS) including a new Health Care Cash Plan but added to this with further schemes last year encouraging smoking cessation, additional exercise promotion and the implementation of flexible annual leave buying/selling models, which provides opportunities for staff to take extra time off when needed. Mobile Mini is proud to partner with the Lighthouse Construction Charity, which offers guidance on wellbeing issues and financial and emotional support to the individuals and their families within the construction community. All company employees completed an award-winning, IOSH-approved Mental Health Awareness module, which featured building resilience and developing a personal wellbeing toolkit. 7% of all Mobile Mini employees are now MHFA qualified. On receiving this accolade from the HR Brilliance Awards, Helen Johnson, HR Manager said, “Mobile Mini is thrilled to have been recognised for the ongoing commitment of our people to improving and developing successful HR methods and approaches. Fulfilling employee benefits, providing employees with the means to source any form of wellbeing or mental health support and playing a vital role in developing, reinforcing and shaping culture are just some of the ways the six-person HR team at Mobile Mini supports operations and overriding business goals. Our number one golden rule is that people are our most valuable asset and we wanted to help employees build resilience and mental strength so that they are better equipped to cope with challenges in work and in life. Being named HR Team of the Year Silver winner shows that we are living up to these key values. We remain fully committed to ensuring that our future HR strategies are just as efficient and effective.” Earlier this year, three Mobile Mini branches were awarded Merits from the British Safety Council and the UK SHEQ team were named ‘Safety Team of the Year Highly Commended Winner’ at the International Safety Awards. The business installed a new digital reporting system, Assure by SHE Software, to improve risk assessment, incident and health & safety reporting; as well as upgrading its FORS Gold accredited fleet of Trucks with a revolutionary new crane-shut off feature. Mobile Mini is proud to have rolled out life-saving defibrillator equipment to all of its UK branches this year for the protection of customers, clients and over 370 members of staff.
Worcestershire-based Victoria PLC, the UK’s largest flooring manufacturer and distributor, has been granted permission for a bespoke 180,121 sq ft unit at Worcester Six Business Park. The planning committee of Wychavon District Council approved plans, submitted by leading developer Stoford, for unit 7, where Victoria PLC will house Alliance Flooring Distribution, one of its businesses. Both Stoford and Victoria PLC have committed to a more environmentally friendly approach to the development, with the base build of the unit being net carbon zero in operation. It will also have photovoltaic panels on the roof and there will be extensive electric vehicle charging points. Stoford will also create two new ponds to further improve the green infrastructure on the business park. Edward Peel, Development Manager at Stoford, said it had secured £28.3 million forward funding for the scheme from Frasers Logistics and Commercial Trust (FLCT), a Singapore-based REIT (real estate investment trust). Frasers’ acquisition through a forward funding agreement for the facility builds on its strategy to grow its core logistics and industrial portfolio in existing markets. Stoford aims to start building work in the new year, with an expected completion date of Q4 2022. “We’re pleased to have been given the go-ahead for another major business to join the raft of global names that have already made their home at Worcester Six,” said Edward. “This is a thriving business park that is playing a significant role in helping to boost the local economy, thanks to the jobs the businesses are creating, and Victoria PLC will be no exception as it forges ahead with its growth plans. “We’re looking forward to getting started on delivering the scheme for this historic, local company.” Victoria PLC, a major employer in Kidderminster since 1900, has agreed a 15-year lease for bespoke unit. Philippe Hamers, CEO for Victoria PLC, said: “It’s great news that planning approval has been granted. It means we are one step closer to enjoying an exciting new chapter that will enable us to both future-proof and grow our distribution business. We’re looking forward working with Stoford as our bespoke, environmentally friendly unit is built at Worcester Six.” In the past three years, Worcester Six has welcomed a number of national and global names to the business park, including Zwick Roell, Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal, Kohler Mira and IONOS. Victoria PLC was advised by Brasier Freeth and Stoford by BNP Paribas and Harris Lamb. For details about the scheme and other units that can be provided, contact the agent: Charles D’Auncey at Harris Lamb – charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com or Ben Wiley at BNP Paribas – ben.wiley@realestate.bnpparibas
A public consultation has been launched asking for views on a new gateway residential development planned for Wilford Road, within Nottingham City Centre ‘Southside’. Jensco (Wilford Road) Limited, part of the Jensco Group, is proposing to build a development of purpose-built student accommodation on a cleared and underutilised site on the corner of Wilford Road and Traffic Street. The development of the site will further contribute towards the regeneration of the Southside, connecting the City Centre with the Meadows. The development, designed by Nottingham based architects CPMG, would provide a mix of studio apartments and clustered bedrooms around a shared kitchen and lounge, for up to 356 students. Designed as two blocks, both using brick palettes, the style is indicative of Nottingham’s industrial past, contributing towards reinstating Traffic Street’s historic frontage whilst providing a landmark to the Southside regeneration area. Both Traffic Street and Wilford Road will benefit from attractive frontages and a vastly improved, upgraded public realm. A public arrival plaza will link to a community café, creating a vibrant and safe space, as well as connectivity between a central courtyard fronting Traffic Street. The development will vary in height from six storeys up to twenty storeys. The elegant, taller elements will be set back from the Traffic Street and Wilford Road frontages, helping the buildings to blend with their surroundings. Sustainability is at the core of the scheme, contributing towards Nottingham’s aspiration to become carbon neutral by 2028, through a careful choice of materials and the inclusion of modern highly sustainable features. The development is designed to enhance and support wildlife and ecology, helping to improve CO2 balance with the planting of wildlife-friendly native species and the re-introduction of nature to the built environment. This will include bird boxes, as well as planting beds for on-site food growing. The location has a fascinating, varied history. It was once an area used for growing crocuses to harvest saffron, with which the developer hopes to re-establish this connection by planting a number of native crocus species. The unattractive and overgrown brownfield site has remained vacant for over fourteen years. Several new developments along Traffic Street, including the soon to be completed Ten Traffic Street also by Jensco, are a sign of Nottingham’s growing pace of regeneration, providing jobs and high-quality student accommodation. The ‘Southern Gateway’ is quickly becoming an established area within the City Centre that benefits from excellent transport links — with the train station, tram and City Link bus service all easily accessible on foot. Walking and cycle routes are also a key benefit. Three Wilford Road is a stone’s throw from the newly proposed University of Nottingham Campus at Castle Meadow and will help to address the evidential need by Nottingham City Council to provide more high-quality student accommodation in the right locations, which in turn helps to redress the balance of houses in multiple occupation (HMO’s) being occupied by students. Nigel Bobroff, Director at Jensco Group, commented: “Jensco Group is passionate about creating great places to live in Nottingham and has a strong track record for bringing forward attractive, sustainable developments on strategic sites in the East Midlands, including our latest development at Ten Traffic Street, to be completed during 2022.” “Three Wilford Road will be a high-quality and sensitively designed, car-free, purpose-built student housing development in the heart of Nottingham Southside, with 24-hour a day on-site management, vastly improved public realm and fantastic transport links to both universities.” “Nottingham is seeing continued growth at both universities and with 64,000 students, there remains about 30,000 students unable to access purpose-built accommodation, with close to 20,000 students living in houses that could provide homes for local families”. “As with our Traffic Street development, Jensco will continue to work with local firms, the local supply chain and local labour to deliver the development, bringing significant economic benefits to Nottingham both during and after construction”. The public consultation is online. More details of the scheme and images can be viewed at: http://www.planningconsultationonline.co.uk/three-wilford-road
Heat pumps have been very much in the news recently. Interest in them began to increase when it was announced that from 2025 gas boilers could no longer be installed in new homes. Then more recently gas prices soared, and the government announced that there would be grants available for homeowners to purchase heat pumps. So, what is the deal with heat pumps? Heat pumps are by no means new. I was first introduced to heat pumps 30 years ago while visiting a community of sustainable housing. As a carbon reduction engineer, I have been recommending heat pumps for a very long time. This is because they can offer a low carbon solution to providing warmth, and with appropriate consideration can offer a versatile solution. Many places have already fitted heat pumps – they can be found in homes and on libraries, they are heating schools and even the most forward thinking of factory buildings. Yet to many there is still mystery surrounding them. There can be a misconception that heat pumps can only be fitted where there is enough land space to dig down into and fit a ground source heat pump, or to new builds. But there are three main types of heat pump – air to air, water source and geothermal or ground heat pumps, giving a range of application. Air source heat pumps are suitable for a wider range of buildings. They can be fitted to any building, either new build or existing. Air pump ones, for example, are suitable even for older buildings with no garden and examples of these can be found on Victorian terraces in London. Air pumps can have disadvantages though. One concern is noise, especially given the domestic setting, as the pump is fitted on the outside of the house, and so near neighbouring homes. Imagine one fitted in your street. Then imagine every house in the row having one. And if they are not well maintained they are noisier. In addition, homes they are fitted to will need more insulation, and ideally under floor heating. Heat pumps are also more expensive – relative to a new gas boiler they cost about £4,000 more. This disadvantage might be addressed by the recently announced government grants offering £5,000 to buy a heat pump. But the funding available will not meet the full cost of buying and installing a heat pump. It is likely that homeowners will need to find around £2,500 to install a funded heat pump. The funding pot will amount to around 90,000 grants – so the remaining hundreds of thousands of homes will not be able to benefit. As non-domestic heating incentives closed a while back the funding would be for homes only, not businesses, though there is the possibility it could be used for owners’ accommodation, or a home that is yet to be converted into a BnB. Even so, with rising costs for gas, and a need for solutions to carbon emission, and so the climate crisis, they may work out cheaper than the alternative of leaving global warming unchecked. Dr Torill Bigg, Chief Carbon Reduction Engineer, Tunley Engineering www.tunley-engineering.com
GOSPORT based housebuilder Elite NuGEN is celebrating winning three prestigious awards in a matter of days, bringing national recognition to its expertise in building sustainable homes using modern methods of construction. The company, which is based in Gosport, Hampshire, was a winner in two separate categories in the WhatHouse? Awards – receiving a Gold in the Best Sustainable Development category, as well as a Silver in the Best Small Housebuilder section. The announcement follows on from the company’s success in the British Homes Awards a week previously, where it was awarded the top prize in the Sustainable Development of the Year category. The award wins recognise the innovation and overall calibre of Elite NuGEN’s project at Priddy’s Hard in Gosport – an impressive zero-carbon development of 39 eco-friendly homes on the disused military brownfield site. The new homes have impressive eco-credentials, with modern methods of construction, careful choice of materials to create properties with lower embedded carbon, and the latest renewable energy and home technology systems, combining to create homes with a 75% lower energy usage than a standard home – and a very welcome 75% saving on energy bills. Popularity of the award-winning homes has been high with 50% of the new properties sold off-plan. The award-winning homes were built on the site of a former Naval Fortress that was built in the 1750s and played a vital role making munitions until it was decommissioned in the 1980s. Despite its numerous historically important buildings and structures, the area had become overgrown and dilapidated, as previous plans by another developer had failed to meet with approval. After three years of negotiations with the Environment Agency, Natural England, Historic England, planning officers and ecology groups, Elite NuGEN’s scheme for an initial 39 new homes, plus the refurbishment of Grade II listed buildings to form a new military museum, brewery and gastro pub, was approved. The plan forms part of a £30m regeneration scheme between Elite and Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust that will provide good-quality housing, enable historic buildings to be revived and re-used, bring new jobs and visitors into the locality and boost the economy across Gosport and the wider area. Judges’ comments in the British Homes Awards included: “Architecturally this scheme looks great! I like the mix of building styles and love the black water front houses nestled between the old brickwork.” “The design shows a sensitivity to the needs of the local community and wildlife. The clever combination of MMC and PMV has reduced impact all round to produce a great result.” “Bravo! This is what all developments should be doing. Clearly planning for a better future.” “A very good submission which responded sensitively to its context and promotes the benefits of MMC in achieving sustainable developments.” The comment from the judging panel on the WhatHouse? Awards praised Priddy’s Hard as “A blueprint for green living strikes gold” and noted: “It is rare to find a housing development that oozes such environmental conscience and eco-authenticity.” The judges praised the company for its commitment to using modern methods of construction, including setting up its own timber factory next to the development for convenient off-site construction, as well as for using renewable energy, incorporating flood management and carefully relocating wildlife; summing up the project as “a flagship development across the water from HMS Victory”. Director David Craddock, who was praised by judges at WhatHouse? for “embracing sustainable technology and modern methods of construction long before they became fashionable”, is delighted with his double win in the awards; “We are so proud to have been recognised amongst the very best of the UK’s housebuilding industry,” he said. Of the Sustainable Development of the Year at the British Homes Awards, he added: “This award means even more this year coming at the end of COP26 where the whole world has been looking at the impacts of climate change and this shows how we, in our small way, are trying to address and overcome them.” The company will shortly be launching a new phase of homes at Priddy’s Hard, including two, three and four-bedroom houses at Cordite Way and at Canary Yard. For more information visit www.elitenugen.com.