The Local Government Association is urging MPs to back amendments to the Building Safety Bill – tabled by LGA Vice President Daisy Cooper MP – to protect the future residents of new buildings under 18 metres not covered by the scope of the Bill, The Building Safety Bill will establish
The British Board of Agrément, the UK’s first appointed UK Technical Assessment Body, recently issued the first UK Technical Assessment to Hilti Corporation, a multi-national company that develops, manufactures and markets products for the construc-tion, building maintenance, energy and manufacturing industries. Confirmed recently by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing
A new partnership between Abtec Building Technologies and Acutrace will help organisations across the UK benefit from enhanced energy measurement as the drive to deliver smarter, more efficient buildings intensifies. Acutrace is a cloud-based energy measurement and sustainability platform designed to provide businesses with reliable and accurate energy consumption data.
Development of the site – branded Parallel 113 will see the speculative development of a 113,000 sq ft grade A specification warehouse logistics unit with construction expected to commence in March. St Francis Group has today announced that it has secured grant funding from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership
A new Construction T Level qualification is now open for applications at the UK’s only specialist further education construction college. Leeds College of Building is one of a select number of education providers across England chosen to deliver a T Level programme in Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction from
The capital’s mayor Sadiq Khan is pressing the government to create a new 12-month visa for construction workers so London can meet its goal of 66,000 new homes a year. Mr Khan warned there is a risk affordable homes targets will be missed because building firms can’t find staff in
Britain’s gas grid is set to be ready to start to blending hydrogen around the country from next year, helping provide families with more secure, homegrown energy supplies, new plans published by energy network companies announce today. Energy Networks Association (ENA) has published Britain’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan, setting out
Appointment central to realising its long-term vision for sustainable growth GMI Construction Group PLC has appointed Lee Powell to the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer to realise its vision of long-term sustainable growth. One of the UK’s largest independent construction companies in the North of England and The
Tungsten Properties, one of the UK’s leading mid-box industrial and warehouse developers, has sold its three-unit industrial development at Eastways Industrial Estate, Witham, Essex, which was pre-let to OMG How Cheap Ltd, the online discount stationery superstore, to a private investor for £7.25 million representing a net initial yield of
Skanska, one of the world’s leading project development and construction groups, is launching a new initiative to make its Mental Health First Aiders more visible. All employees from its infrastructure business who have undertaken Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England’s Mental Health First Aid course, will now be able to
The Local Government Association is urging MPs to back amendments to the Building Safety Bill – tabled by LGA Vice President Daisy Cooper MP – to protect the future residents of new buildings under 18 metres not covered by the scope of the Bill, The Building Safety Bill will establish a Building Safety Regulator (BSR) within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to implement a new, more stringent, regulatory regime for higher-risk buildings. These are defined as residential buildings, care homes and hospitals over 18m. However, the Bill leaves residential buildings under 18 meters out of scope. This will create a two-tier system where buildings below 18 metres will face less rigorous safety regulations than buildings over 18 metres. The current scope of Building Safety Bill would not have covered the Cube student residence in Bolton. In December 2019, the flammable cladding at the Cube rendered the only staircase untenable within half an hour and a resident was rescued from the top floor of the building moments before the flat from which she was rescued was destroyed by fire. This suggests that had the fire taken place later in the evening when more residents were asleep, it would probably have resulted in fatalities. In addition, we have already seen serious fires in Barking and Worcester Park, among others, which have demonstrated the very real danger that the failings of modern construction pose to residents in buildings under 18m. Cllr David Renard, housing spokesperson at the Local Government Association, said: “The Building Safety Bill, along with the Fire Safety Act, are important pieces of legislation will strengthen the building safety system in the UK. “The LGA has long-warned about the need for building safety reforms to avoid creating a two-tier building safety system which leaves buildings under 18 metres vulnerable and unprotected. The height of a building does not define the risk to its safety, as has been proven by a number of dangerous and potentially fatal fires in buildings below 18 metres. “We urge MPs to back these amendments to ensure the extension of the Bill’s protection to those buildings under 18m that require it on the basis of risk is hardwired into the legislation.”
The British Board of Agrément, the UK’s first appointed UK Technical Assessment Body, recently issued the first UK Technical Assessment to Hilti Corporation, a multi-national company that develops, manufactures and markets products for the construc-tion, building maintenance, energy and manufacturing industries. Confirmed recently by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), approval was granted to the BBA to roll out the issuing of UK Technical As-sessments; in support of UKCA Marking. While UKTAs are not mandatory, UKTAs will be an important channel for manufactur-ers to achieve the industry expected UKCA Marking. Rickard Bergeryd, Structural Codes & Approvals Manager/ Anchor Expert and Olga Katsanova, PLS Manager BA Fastening & Protection from Hilti Northern Europe said, “Being awarded the first UKTA certification by the BBA makes us very proud and fur-ther strengthening our market leading position providing high quality technical prod-ucts and services to the UK market. This also contributes to a higher level of Safety and accuracy of our products and upholds our commitment to supporting the industry in building a better future.” John Albon, BBA’s Chief Scientific Officer, said, “We are delighted to be able to issue Hilti with their UKTA certificate. This is a big step forward in supporting our clients and the industry in getting ready for the upcoming CE to UKCA transition, enabling the BBA to respond quickly to client demands due to pressures on them to future proof their businesses”.
A new partnership between Abtec Building Technologies and Acutrace will help organisations across the UK benefit from enhanced energy measurement as the drive to deliver smarter, more efficient buildings intensifies. Acutrace is a cloud-based energy measurement and sustainability platform designed to provide businesses with reliable and accurate energy consumption data. It uses a Measure, Visualise, Analyse and Control (MVAC) process to help organisations save energy, and reduce costs and carbon emissions. The platform can interface with any building management system and existing energy meters, with data accessible 24/7 from any web-enabled device. The data gathered can be used within sustainability reporting to achieve international certification and standards such as ISO5000, LEED and the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB). With Abtec acting as Acutrace’s System Integration Partner in the UK, it opens a new market for the Dublin-based software company whilst enhancing Abtec’s existing energy monitoring portfolio with customers able to integrate the platform into their building management projects to create smarter and more efficient buildings. Dave Watkins, Director of Abtec Building Technologies commented: “Making simple changes to how we manage buildings can have a significant impact on energy consumption and carbon emissions. In the face of rising energy costs, we are finding that more than ever, carbon-conscious businesses are seeking out solutions that help them create more efficient buildings. Acutrace’s measurement platform complements our existing building energy management services, and this new partnership allows us to offer customers across the UK a complete approach to monitoring and measuring their energy use so they can save energy and reduce carbon emissions.” Aidan McDonnell, CEO at Acutrace, added: “Abtec has a proven track record in delivering successful energy management projects from start to finish. Their turnkey building management offering combined with the Acutrace energy measurement and sustainability software platform will provide businesses and building owners with complete peace of mind when tackling energy measurement projects. We have already collaborated with Abtec on several projects, including the iconic Leadenhall Building in London. The strength of the relationship we have built ensured that when we sought to appoint a System Integration Partner in the UK, Abtec were the logical choice. By working in partnership with them we can ensure our customers across the UK have access to full project support as they reduce energy consumption and decarbonise their buildings.”
Development of the site – branded Parallel 113 will see the speculative development of a 113,000 sq ft grade A specification warehouse logistics unit with construction expected to commence in March. St Francis Group has today announced that it has secured grant funding from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver a new, speculative 113,000 sq ft warehouse/logistics scheme at a site in Walsall. The site at Darlaston Road, branded as Parallel 113, sits within the Black Country Enterprise Zone and will create a high-quality warehouse/logistics unit, with construction set to commence in March. The development will remediate a brownfield site of just over 2.5 hectares close to Junction 10 of the M6 which is currently undergoing a £78 million enhancement by Highways England to increase capacity and reduce congestion. The development had already been given the green light by Walsall Council’s Planning Committee in autumn 2020 and is being developed speculatively. When occupied the scheme will provide up to 200 new jobs. The new Darlaston train station, which also received the go ahead in 2020, is set to open on the Walsall-Wolverhampton line by 2023. Speaking about the award of the funding St Francis Group Development Director Gareth Williams said: “We are very happy to be able to announce today the award of this multi-million-pound funding which moves construction of the Parallel 113 scheme a stage closer. There is a chronic shortage of mid-box sized logistics accommodation currently right across the west midlands conurbation and this development will go some way to addressing that. The building will be constructed to a Grade A standard and specification and ideally suited to a range of flexible occupier requirements. We are already fielding a strong level of interest and look forward to further announcements in due course.” Speaking about the development, Deputy Leader of Walsall Council, Cllr Adrian Andrew said: “This decision allows us to move forward with a scheme that will provide valuable jobs and a welcome boost to the local economy. The council and its partners have invested a great deal of effort to get to this stage and I look forward to work beginning on site in the near future This is another piece in the jigsaw of building back better in our Borough. Walsall is open for business and a great place to invest.’ *** To download a high resolution CGI of the proposed development click https://momentus.box.com/s/5g6h6oo8meon23s53i0hwkiau6meadej *** For further information visit : www.parallel113.co.uk
A new Construction T Level qualification is now open for applications at the UK’s only specialist further education construction college. Leeds College of Building is one of a select number of education providers across England chosen to deliver a T Level programme in Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction from September 2022. At the heart of the course, a 45-day industry placement opens opportunities for the brightest talent entering the market. T Levels are a new, two-year qualification for 16- to 19-year-olds. Designed with employers, each T Level is equivalent to three A levels and has been developed to meet industry needs and prepare students for work. To gain approved provider status, the College applied to the Department for Education demonstrating a positive commitment from local employers and detailing the specialist equipment and expertise offered. This application was backed by the College’s Good Ofsted rating in 2019. Leeds College of Building is one of only a handful of providers in Yorkshire to offer the Design, Surveying & Planning for Construction T Level, and the only specialist further education construction college to offer this in the UK. The T Level will use industry-standard equipment at both its North Street and South Bank Campuses, delivered by expert staff from the construction industry. According to the Department for Education, T Levels give students the skills to progress and help rebuild the economy following the Coronavirus pandemic. Typical employment on completion might include technician roles in architecture, building services, civil engineering, surveying or town planning. Nikki Davis, Vice Principal at Leeds College of Building, said: “Leeds College of Building is the UK’s only general Further Education college specialising in Construction and the Built Environment. As such, we are perfectly placed to work with our established network of regional and national employers to enhance T Level opportunities for students. “T Level students at Leeds College of Building will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and specialist teaching expertise. Students also benefit from established progression opportunities within higher and degree-level apprenticeships at the College and employment opportunities through our construction partners. “Leeds College of Building is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. This new qualification will help us to better serve the region’s young people and workforce, opening up even more opportunities into high paying, skilled jobs.” Caddick Construction Limited is one of the employers offering Leeds College of Building T Level students work placements. Debbie Watson, Social Value Manager (Yorkshire) at Caddick Construction Ltd., said: “The new T Levels are a great alternative to entry-level qualifications as they help students gain valuable ‘on the job’ experience whilst undertaking their qualification, which will give them a great advantage going forward in their career. It will also help employers gain an early insight into the latest talent pool, helping with recruitment and social value benefits. It also helps us to develop the knowledge, attitude, and skills of the students entering the built environment. “Whilst working with us, students will spend time in each department at both our offices and on our sites to understand the workings of the main contractor. Students will also spend time with our consultants, such as the Architect, to understand how projects get to site, as well as spending time with subcontractors on our projects learning more about life on site.” Time is split between 80% classroom learning and 20% industry placement lasting approximately seven weeks. All students will develop a general understanding of construction, including accurate and appropriate measurements, construction methods and building regulations, digital engineering techniques, design principles and processes, mathematical problem solving, and sustainability and environmental impact. In addition to the core content, students at Leeds College of Building will specialise in surveying and design for construction and the built environment. They will also study laser scanning – a land surveying method that can accurately measure and collect data from buildings and landscapes. For more course information and entry requirements, visit www.lcb.ac.uk or email admissions@lcb.ac.uk. Alternatively, if you are a business owner who could support students through T Level work placements, please email epearson@lcb.ac.uk and find out more about the business benefits and financial incentives available.
The capital’s mayor Sadiq Khan is pressing the government to create a new 12-month visa for construction workers so London can meet its goal of 66,000 new homes a year. Mr Khan warned there is a risk affordable homes targets will be missed because building firms can’t find staff in the wake of Brexit and the pandemic. “Tackling London’s housing crisis has always been one of my top priorities. We’ve worked tirelessly over the last five years to get London building again, and the construction sector forms a key part of London’s Covid recovery plan,” said Mr Khan. He is calling for a regional shortage occupation list to allow London and other cities to attract and retain staff in sectors with acute labour shortages. Labour shortages are holding up projects The Federation of Master Builders, FMB, trade survey for the third quarter of 2021 found nearly two-thirds of local builders had paused jobs due to lack of labour. The trade body added nearly half were struggling to recruit in key skills such as bricklaying and carpentry. FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “Short-term solutions like emergency visas will be a real shot in the arm for an industry under pressure.” Affordable housing provider MTVT, Metropolitan Thames Valley Trust, chief executive Geeta Nanda said: “The shortage of qualified construction workers is causing delays and is putting pressure on the costs of building much needed new homes.” Finance brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development finance lenders had noticed smaller builders often had to extend loan repayment deadlines due to setbacks caused by labour shortfalls. The number of EU construction workers in London fell by 54 per cent between April 2017 to April 2020 according to Office of National Statistics figures. The UK-born workforce is expected to dwindle over the next five years as an estimated ten to 20 per cent reach retirement age. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Richard Burge said: “This is a long-term challenge – we need to bring more young people into opportunities in construction.” In September the government launched a service where large companies could transfer 25 per cent of their annual apprenticeship levy pot to smaller businesses to offer apprenticeships.
Britain’s gas grid is set to be ready to start to blending hydrogen around the country from next year, helping provide families with more secure, homegrown energy supplies, new plans published by energy network companies announce today. Energy Networks Association (ENA) has published Britain’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan, setting out how all five of Britain’s gas grid companies will meet the Government’s target for Britain’s network of gas pipes to be ready to deliver 20% hydrogen to homes and businesses acround the country from 2023, as a replacement for up to a fifth of the natural gas currently used. It will also mean that Britain’s fleet of gas-fired power plants will be able to use blended hydrogen to generate cleaner electricity. The companies are also calling for the UK Government to double its domestic 2030 hydrogen production target from 5GW to 10GW, to ensure that as much hydrogen as possible is produced from sources here in the UK, to better protect homes and businesses from international gas market changes. Blending 20% hydrogen into the gas grid will reduce carbon emissions by the equivalent of 2.5 million cars a year, without any changes needed to be made to people’s cookers, boilers or heating systems, ENA says. Britain’s Hydrogen Blending Delivery Plan sets out: A new ‘Target 2023’ timeline that all five of Britain’s gas network companies will follow, to ensure homes are able to benefit from hydrogen as a replacement for up to a fifth of the natural gas currently used, from the winter of 2023/4 onwards. Two options that the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy should choose from for the energy infrastructure changes that need to be made to allow hydrogen blending to happen from 2023 – a Strategic Approach and a Free Market Approach. The legal changes that must be made by Government and regulatory bodies across five key ‘Market Pillars’ to ensure gas network companies can start blending hydrogen into the gas grid from 2023. The Plan builds on the progress made by gas network companies through the HyDeploy project, which has demonstrated that blending hydrogen with natural gas is feasible and safe. The project began blending hydrogen into the public gas network in Winlaton, Gateshead, in summer 2021. David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, says: “Whether it be heating our homes, powering our businesses or generating cleaner electricity, hydrogen will help drive up our energy security, while driving down our carbon emissions – and Britain’s gas grid companies are ready to get on with the job of delivering that. “This plan sets out the changes needed to deliver cleaner, more secure energy supplies for all. What’s key is that the Government does its bit too by lifting its target for homegrown hydrogen production this decade. Doing that today will help gas grid companies deliver for tomorrow.”
Appointment central to realising its long-term vision for sustainable growth GMI Construction Group PLC has appointed Lee Powell to the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer to realise its vision of long-term sustainable growth. One of the UK’s largest independent construction companies in the North of England and The Midlands, it is preparing to expand into other regions and sectors and the new CEO will implement a strategy of achieving constant and controlled growth while maintaining its debt free status. The company, which has offices in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and Teesside, is forecasting an annual turnover in excess of £350m for 2022 and has already secured £300m worth of opportunities. Lee, previously the company’s Divisional Managing Director for Yorkshire, has already overseen exceptional growth in Yorkshire, together with its recent expansion into the North East region – establishing an office in Stockton-on-Tees, with a dedicated team of local professionals headed by a newly appointed Operations Director. GMI Construction Group, which provides specialist design and build capabilities spanning multiple sectors, is currently involved in a range of high-profile projects, including: £200M development to create a train manufacturing plant, infrastructure and rail supply chain village for Siemens Mobility in Goole, East Yorkshire £30M office building at Thorpe Park, Leeds 437,000 sq. ft fulfilment centre for an online fashion retailer at Fradley Park in Lichfield, Staffordshire A new-build residential block comprising 259 apartments over 11 storeys, forming part of the £200M Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby £30M extension to a helicopter manufacturing facility It already counts major companies and significant brands such as Tritax Symmetry, St Modwen, Scarborough Group, Graftongate, St James Securities, The Alumno Group, Opus North, HBD, Peel Land & Property, Muse, Legal & General, and Evans Property Group among its clients. David Shann, Chief Executive of GMI’s parent company Highgrove Group PLC, said: “Lee’s appointment to this newly-created CEO role underlines our commitment to strengthen and grow our presence in the regions where we already operate, as well as looking towards developing new opportunities. “As CEO, we believe Lee has the experience, energy and ability to take GMI to the next level. Equally at home on site or in the boardroom, he has already proven to be a major driver within the business and is responsible for helping create our enviable reputation for delivering quality developments on time and within budget.” Lee Powell, CEO of GMI Construction Group, said: “I’m enormously proud to become CEO of GMI Construction Group, a role which is focused on growing our presence in our operating regions and facilitating growth of the business in a controlled and sustainable manner. “As the UK continues to level up across all of its key regions, I want to ensure GMI is right at the heart of that growth and powering forward with our expert team of industry leading professionals who continue to deliver excellence on project after project. “I am however consciously aware that GMI needs to implement that growth byretaining those values that has delivered success to this company and our clients. These include using local suppliers and sub-contractors whenever possible, as well as creating educational opportunities, to bring maximum economic benefit to the communities we are operating in.”
Tungsten Properties, one of the UK’s leading mid-box industrial and warehouse developers, has sold its three-unit industrial development at Eastways Industrial Estate, Witham, Essex, which was pre-let to OMG How Cheap Ltd, the online discount stationery superstore, to a private investor for £7.25 million representing a net initial yield of 4.75%. The three high specification logistics units total 45,000 sq ft and were completed in December 2021 with OMG How Cheap set to officially move into its new space in Q1 2022. The development was funded by Tungsten’s balance sheet, alongside its £50 million revolving credit facility with Fortwell Capital. Justin McVeigh, associate development director at Tungsten Properties said: “The sale of our Witham development is credit to Tungsten’s project team who built it during challenging conditions, ready for the simultaneous sale to the private investor and completion of OMG How Cheap’s lease. It is great news for the tenant which will have a more efficient building in terms of both energy and operations while generating more jobs for the local area. We wish both OMG, and the new purchaser, every success.” Savills acted on behalf of Tungsten Properties; Atlas Real Estate acted on behalf of the private investor. Glencar Construction was the contractor.
Skanska, one of the world’s leading project development and construction groups, is launching a new initiative to make its Mental Health First Aiders more visible. All employees from its infrastructure business who have undertaken Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England’s Mental Health First Aid course, will now be able to display a Mental Health First Aider sticker on their construction hard hat. Skanska has been working with MHFA England since 2016, when it began a campaign to place greater focus on mental health and wellbeing. It wanted to remove the stigma attached to mental ill health. In February of that year, it became one of the first construction companies to sign the ‘Time to Change’ pledge, after Skanska UK’s President and CEO, Gregor Craig, had been inspired to act by his personal experiences of mental ill health. The launch of this simple signposting initiative is a further indication of Skanska’s commitment to putting its people at the heart of the business. Through its sector leading mental health and wellbeing strategy, led by Tricia O’Neill, UK Head of Health Risk Management, Skanska is creating a working culture where its 3,300 UK employees feel valued, able to contribute and reach their potential. The project has been rolled out across Skanska’s M42 Junction 6 Improvement Scheme.– a £255 million project to improve junction 6 of the M42. The scheme, delivered on behalf of National Highways, provides a comprehensive upgrade of the junction near Birmingham Airport, allowing better movement of traffic on and off the A45. Out of the hundred or so people currently working on the project, eight are Mental Health First Aiders. From today they will proudly display their qualification sticker on their safety helmets. This means that everyone on site, no matter their role, will know who they can talk to, should they need support. Speaking about Skanska’s wellbeing and mental health strategy and the wider challenges faced by people in the construction sector, Tricia O’Neill said, “As a contractor, you are starting new jobs all the time and having to drop into new places and sites without a network. It’s difficult to build communities. You will often spend long periods away from your family, friends, and your GP. If you’re only there for a few months, people may not get to know you, meaning recognising if someone is struggling and offering the right support and signposting becomes more difficult.” Acknowledging the need for training to be part of the Skanska approach, focus groups were organised to discuss introducing mental health training. Tricia was pleased with the enthusiasm, saying, “60 people turned up, so it immediately felt like we were beginning to talk about the right things. We booked some half day courses with MHFA England, and by May 2016 we had developed our mental health network and had a real groundswell of positive opinion.” Through MHFA England training, Skanska began to empower a network of mental health ambassadors. They gained the skills and knowledge to spot the signs of mental ill health, including stress and anxiety, and offer support and guidance to a range of wellbeing initiatives offered by Skanska. These include the employee assistance programme run by UK provider Health Assured, which offers around-the-clock support and counselling. Since 2016, more than 55% of employees at Skanska have been trained in the MHFA England Mental Health Aware course or as Mental Health First Aiders. It has been a KPI for all line managers and executive staff to attend MHFA England training. “My vision is to have mental health literacy across our network and cover all sites at Skanska ensuring resources are available to everyone no matter where they work,” reflected Tricia. Ken Reid, Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manager, who is a trained Mental Health First Aider and works on the M42 highways improvement scheme said, “Having our Mental Health First Aiders visible on site is helping to normalise conversations around mental ill health and remove the stigma surrounding it. The sticker easily identifies those who are trained and can provide support. People know who to speak to quickly, and if necessary, discreetly, so that they can get the help they need.” Ken goes on to talk about the benefits of becoming a Mental Health First Aider, “The last couple of years have been tough. We have noticed that more people than ever are coming forward to say they feel lonely and isolated. The training from Mental Health First Aid England has given me greater awareness of others’ emotional wellbeing. My fellow Mental Health First Aiders and I listen and offer guidance on where to get the right support. It can be as simple as offering to have a cuppa and a chat with a colleague – as the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved.” Skanska UK Highways Director, Glennan Blackmore said, “The idea of stickers, identifying Mental Health First Aiders is such a simple one but the impact for those on site could be potentially life changing. My hope is that this initiative will be adopted across the industry, helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental ill health.” Simon Blake, Chief Executive of MHFA England said: “It is wonderful to see Skanska’s ongoing commitment to the mental health of its people. It’s ambition to train its staff in mental health awareness is impressive. The training will only create change if people know where to turn if they need support and feel safe and confident doing so. This initiative helps that. I love the simplicity of it and hope that it will be rolled out more widely across the sector.” National Highways Programme Leader Anita Prashar, said, “At National Highways we want everyone to get Home Safe and Well. This is a great initiative and we’re delighted to support it. The mental health of our colleagues is incredibly important.” Find out more about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England training at www.mhfaengland.org