In a new report out today the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has identified Green Growth Boards (GGBs) as a vital approach that can be used to level up and create better communities. GGBs aim to promote cross-boundary working between local authorities and other relevant organisations to deliver better access
Study Inn Group, the high-quality luxury student accommodation owner, developer, and operator is set to deliver a 270-bed purpose-built Study Inn in Nottingham, its second property in the city. Triumph House is conveniently located adjacent to the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee campus. The £35million brand-new scheme will offer a mixture
Lendlease has raised £250 million through its debut pound sterling green bond – testament to ongoing investor demand for sustainable real estate development projects. The 12-year fixed rate bond pays a coupon of 3.5 per cent and will help the company continue to bring its $114 billion global pipeline of
Berry Systems has launched a comprehensive new website showing the extensive range of services they offer to architects, specifiers, and contractors across a wide variety of sectors. Specialists in the design, supply and installation of physical safety and security systems for car parks, industry and logistics, the new website details
A stalled multi-million pound development of 45 apartments has been revived after RECOM Solutions was appointed as the main contractor to complete the project. The six-storey SONA scheme, opposite the O2 Apollo in Ardwick, Manchester, is being delivered as a build-to-rent development comprising one, two and three-bedroomed apartments with extensive
Work is under way on 70 new affordable homes in North Yorkshire thanks to a partnership between Karbon Homes and Countryside. The c.£12million development will see the construction of modern, energy efficient homes on a site in the village of Thorpe Willoughby, just outside Selby. Each home will be built
Stephen Davies has been promoted to Operations Director for Wales at Bouygues UK. Stephen joined Bouygues UK as Technical Director in 2018 having previously enjoyed over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry working in the UK, Canada and the UAE in various technical, operational and leadership roles. During his
Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, and Legal & General’s Industrial Property Investment Fund (IPIF) have begun speculatively developing three targeted net zero carbon logistics facilities, totalling 213,350 sq ft, at V Park, Basingstoke. V Park is located at Viables Industrial Park between junctions 6 and 7
First units to be available from Q4 2022 Citrus Durham has announced that it is working up detailed plans to speculatively develop a four-unit industrial scheme totalling 337,225 sq ft at its £300m mixed-use Integra 61 development at J61 of the A1(M). The masterplan for the 20-acre plot incorporates four
Simon Rowland, Partner and Head of Construction and Engineering and Michelle Essen, Managing Associate, at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, take a look at the events of 2021 and the potential challenges and opportunities that the sector could be presented with in 2022. There is no doubt that 2021 has
In a new report out today the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has identified Green Growth Boards (GGBs) as a vital approach that can be used to level up and create better communities. GGBs aim to promote cross-boundary working between local authorities and other relevant organisations to deliver better access to public transport and jobs, more affordable housing and access to green space. The RTPI initially proposed the roll-out of GGBs in its response to the ‘Planning for the Future’ white paper and today’s report builds on the concept by analysing existing examples of cross-boundary strategic planning in places such as Liverpool, Leicester and Oxford. Interviews were also conducted with members who are working on the projects in these areas. Richard Blyth, Head of Policy at the RTPI, said: “Communities up and down the country have long been concerned about ensuring that transport and social infrastructure is provided alongside – or preferably before – housing development. “Added to this, we now know following Covid-19 that aspects like the quality of high streets, parks and open space on the urban fringe are key elements of how people feel about places. “Our proposal for Green Growth Boards serves to ensure that all the key strategies for a place are brought into a single democratic and professional oversight. “These structures can give local people a greater say over how their community is developed, which can in turn help the government level up the country.” The RTPI found that GGBs can be established and promote an interlinked and cooperative approach to planning to tackle infrastructure, housing shortages and climate change. The research identified three key themes which contribute to a successful GGB: Communicate – Stakeholders should be brought together to communicate their challenges, opportunities and resulting strategies in order to establish an interconnected understanding of a region. For instance, as part of the Leicester Strategic Growth Plan ten organisations came together to agree on a set of four core issues: delivering new housing, supporting the economy, identifying essential infrastructure and protecting the environment and built heritage. Collaborate – Stakeholders should identify and capitalise upon crossovers in their projects, existing strategies and visions and drive cooperation in these areas. The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority agreed on a statutory Spatial Development Strategy (SDS) which set out a strategic planning framework which guides Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans across six authorities. Innovate – The GGBs should represent their unique region and have the capacity to adapt and evolve as necessary to meet their challenges and opportunities. The Oxfordshire Joint Statutory Spatial Plan, which combines six authorities, will ensure that the needs of the county are aligned and that new housing and infrastructure is joined up as the Oxford-Cambridge Arc develops.
Study Inn Group, the high-quality luxury student accommodation owner, developer, and operator is set to deliver a 270-bed purpose-built Study Inn in Nottingham, its second property in the city. Triumph House is conveniently located adjacent to the University of Nottingham’s Jubilee campus. The £35million brand-new scheme will offer a mixture of luxurious studios and en-suite serviced apartment rooms. Construction of the 5-storey ground up new build is in progress with opening scheduled for the next academic year. Facilities will follow the same enhanced and unparalleled specification as Study Inn’s 2nd generation of properties, including 24×7 onsite management, room cleaning and linen services, superfast Wi-Fi, and state-of-the-art communal facilities such as study space, wellness spa, sauna, steam room, hot beds, gym, yoga studio, games room, lounge, big screen cinema room, bicycle parking, and include private landscaped gardens. Commenting on the new development, Jack Jefferson, acquisitions director at Study Inn Group, said: Having opened 288 rooms in Talbot St, adjacent to Nottingham Trent University in 2020, this new development offers the opportunity to open a similar number of rooms adjacent to the University of Nottingham and so we are very pleased with the acquisition and the potential to continue to work with both universities in these excellent locations. This will be the seventh property in our second portfolio of luxury Study Inns. We had the ability and resources to close the acquisition quickly and have appetite for further acquisitions in good locations in UK cities.” Following the opening of Walnut Gardens in Exeter in September 2021, Study Inn is now in construction phase in Leicester, Leeds and Nottingham, which will see the Group’s 2nd Portfolio grow to circa 1,800 rooms. All Study Inn’s operating properties across Bristol, Loughborough, Nottingham, and Exeter are trading at 100% occupancy with strong rental growth and waiting lists.
Lendlease has raised £250 million through its debut pound sterling green bond – testament to ongoing investor demand for sustainable real estate development projects. The 12-year fixed rate bond pays a coupon of 3.5 per cent and will help the company continue to bring its $114 billion global pipeline of development projects to fruition. The issuance follows $800 million raised across two successful AUD green bonds in FY21 and reinforces Lendlease’s position as one of Australia’s largest non-bank ASX listed issuers of green, social and sustainability (GSS) bonds. In the past year, Lendlease also completed approximately $1.5 billion of sustainability linked loans denominated in AUD, USD and EUR. More than 50 per cent of Lendlease financing facilities are now linked to green, social and sustainability criteria to ensure the best outcomes against these three areas. Bond proceeds will be used to support the delivery of green buildings and earmarked to $1.8 billion of eligible assets, including across eight major urbanisation projects, such as the UK’s International Quarter London where the landmark Pavilion building has been constructed using sustainable glue laminated timber; and the Milano Innovation District in Italy, where 95 per cent of construction waste is being diverted from landfill. The delivery of these buildings will drive a range of market leading initiatives, with benefits ranging from the lowering of carbon emissions, to reducing the environmental impact of materials and the delivery of health and wellbeing benefits. This third green bond issue follows Lendlease’s launch of Mission Zero in May to promote its industry-leading sustainability targets: The environmental target sets a global benchmark for the real estate industry by becoming a 1.5ºC aligned company and targeting Net Zero Carbon for scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025, and Absolute Zero Carbon for scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, encompassing all operations and including the supply chain by 2040. The social target signposts Lendlease’s aspiration for delivering positive social benefits to communities through the creation of $250 million of measured social value over five years to 2025, via the shared value partnerships supported by the Lendlease Foundation, going above and beyond Lendlease’s project obligations. Quote attributable to Simon Dixon, Chief Financial Officer: “We believe that creating places where communities thrive goes hand in glove with delivering positive environmental and social outcomes while also creating value for our securityholders. “Despite continuing market volatility in the context of emerging COVID-19 variants the bond attracted solid interest from investors seeking to support sustainable opportunities.”
Berry Systems has launched a comprehensive new website showing the extensive range of services they offer to architects, specifiers, and contractors across a wide variety of sectors. Specialists in the design, supply and installation of physical safety and security systems for car parks, industry and logistics, the new website details Berry’s scope of expertise in providing turnkey project solutions. “Through our Design Advisory Service, we are able to play a key role in projects, particularly when it comes to ECI,” says Andre Van Heerden, Managing Director at Berry Systems. “The new site features the many ways we can assist architects and planners in every aspect of design, planning and installation. “Whether it’s vehicle restraint systems, cladding and facades, perimeter security, industrial solutions or complete car park construction, the site gives details on all product options, finishes, colours, sustainability attributes and accreditations. “As well as highlighting full project support and our design service, along with surveying, testing, maintenance and inspection services, there’s also a range of product data sheets, case studies, and the latest news and blogs. “And for anybody looking for career opportunities, our vacancies section features several current roles as we look to expand the Berry team.” Andre concluded: “It was important that the new site not only contained all the information on the many services and solutions that we provide, but that it was presented in an attractive format that would be easy to navigate – and we’re confident that visitors will find exactly that.” View the new website at www.berrysystems.co.uk.
A stalled multi-million pound development of 45 apartments has been revived after RECOM Solutions was appointed as the main contractor to complete the project. The six-storey SONA scheme, opposite the O2 Apollo in Ardwick, Manchester, is being delivered as a build-to-rent development comprising one, two and three-bedroomed apartments with extensive communal spaces for residents. It is aimed at key workers and young professionals. RECOM has been appointed by CERT Property, which acquired the partially-completed scheme in October 2020 from a consortium of private investors. Building work had stalled after the previous contractor suffered financial difficulties. RECOM, which is based in Trafford Park, Greater Manchester, has experience of taking over distressed building projects and successfully completing them on time and within budget. Director Jason McKnight said: “We are delighted to be working with CERT on this project. We have been undertaking a lot of due diligence on the original build and are collaboratively working with the design team to progress the project to completion. “It is located at a prime site near the O2 Apollo and Manchester Royal Infirmary, and will be a fantastic asset for Ardwick. “The project has been stalled for some time now and we are thrilled to be involved to bring it to completion.” Stephen Oster, head of acquisitions and development at CERT, said: “With our previous contractor entering administration earlier this year, we took the opportunity to review and enhance the design of the project while working to appoint a first-class contractor in RECOM. “The entire project team is working tirelessly to ensure SONA is delivered to its full potential, and we’re delighted to see this development firmly back on track. RECOM is initially undertaking external structural works and enabling works at the site, and is procuring works packages for other aspects of the development. The project is due for completion by the end of 2022. ENDS Notes to editors The attached CGIs show how the SONA scheme will look once completed. RECOM Solutions, which was founded in 2015 by directors Jason McKnight and Joseph Dillon, undertakes construction project management and main contracting work across a range of sectors, including healthcare, education, retail and leisure, commercial and residential. It also provides consultancy services to assist in the delivery of high-quality projects. These services include design, risk, quality, health and safety and sustainability alongside passive fire. Clients include Barry’s Bootcamp, Pot Kettle Black, Urban Village Bars, KAMPUS, The Derwent Group, Fletcher Bond, the University of Manchester and the NHS. For more information on the company, visit www.recomsolutions.co.uk.
Work is under way on 70 new affordable homes in North Yorkshire thanks to a partnership between Karbon Homes and Countryside. The c.£12million development will see the construction of modern, energy efficient homes on a site in the village of Thorpe Willoughby, just outside Selby. Each home will be built using timber frame construction – a high quality, environmentally friendly, modern method of house building – and powered by air source heat pumps, a technology three times more efficient than gas boilers. Phil Lacey, Development Manager for Karbon Homes, said: “We’re excited to be bringing these innovative new homes to the local area. We know there is demand locally for affordable housing and through this scheme we’re providing high standard, energy efficient homes that are both fit for the future and accessible to all.” The 22 two-bedroom and 48 three-bedroom homes, which are set to be completed in Summer 2023, will be available for affordable rent, Shared Ownership and Rent to Buy. The development is the first time Karbon Homes has partnered with Countryside as the housing association expands its presence in Yorkshire. Chris Penn, Managing Director, Yorkshire Countryside, commented: “Since launching in Yorkshire in 2019, we have continually fulfilled a commitment to bring a diverse range of high-quality new homes to Yorkshire and the North East. We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Karbon Homes to deliver high-quality, sustainable new homes that will serve the needs of the local community in Thorpe Willoughby.” The development marks the start of Karbon’s strategic partnership with Homes England, the government’s housing delivery agency, which will provide £131.5 million in funding to deliver 2,200 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire over the next few years.
Stephen Davies has been promoted to Operations Director for Wales at Bouygues UK. Stephen joined Bouygues UK as Technical Director in 2018 having previously enjoyed over 30 years’ experience in the construction industry working in the UK, Canada and the UAE in various technical, operational and leadership roles. During his varied career he has delivered major and multi-disciplined projects including GCHQ headquarters in Cheltenham, Southmead General Hospital in Bristol, Dubai Festival City and the first phase of the Battersea Power Station residential development in London. Most recently, Stephen has supported the Bouygues UK project team in delivering Cardiff Innovation Centre for Cardiff University and helped secure Bouygues UK’s flagship project in Swansea – 71/72 The Kingsway. A Cardiff native, Stephen now lives in Ogmore by Sea with his young family and is particularly keen on promoting sustainability and best practice within the construction industry. He has played a key role in developing Bouygues UK’s climate change policy, which has ambitious targets for the company to be operationally net zero by 2030, both internally and on site. Stephen said of his promotion: “I am thrilled to be promoted to Operations Director for Wales and look forward to working with our wonderful teams to promote business improvement and deliver fully-integrated solutions that serve to underpin the success of our projects and promote our reputation within Wales. I originally joined Bouygues UK because of its great reputation and ambition to improve and deliver quality projects for its clients. “Bouygues UK is very highly regarded in Wales, particularly for its education projects, such as Cardiff Innovation Campus and Pencoedtre High School. I’m looking forward to building on this even further.” Rob Bradley, CEO of Bouygues UK, said of Steve’s appointment: “Stephen is a much-valued member of the Bouygues UK team, and this promotion is testament to his brilliant work and leadership. He has a wealth of experience in the construction industry. I look forward to working even closer with him in his new role to further ensure Bouygues UK’s continued success.”
Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, and Legal & General’s Industrial Property Investment Fund (IPIF) have begun speculatively developing three targeted net zero carbon logistics facilities, totalling 213,350 sq ft, at V Park, Basingstoke. V Park is located at Viables Industrial Park between junctions 6 and 7 of the M3, well positioned to take advantage of regional axis routes including the M25, A34, M27 and M4, serving the London, Southampton and south east markets. It is part of Panattoni’s commitment to a significant speculative development programme in the UK in response to strong demand from occupiers for immediately available space. V Park is expected to be completed in Q3 2022. Buckingham Group Contracting has been appointed main contractor on site and demolition has already commenced. The three facilities of 39,500 sq ft, 77,550 sq ft and 96,300 sq ft will benefit from a market-leading specification, harnessing net zero carbon technology to reduce energy consumption and operating costs. They will be built to a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’ with many sustainable features. They will also benefit from 50m, self-contained yards, electric vehicle charging points, 12.5m clear internal height,15% roof lights and up to 2.5MVa of power is available. Alex Mitchell, Development Associate at Panattoni, said: “V Park is a superb opportunity for all occupiers looking to service the London, Southampton and south east markets. It will be a net zero carbon development, which not only reflects our commitment to sustainable development but also provides superior energy performance for occupiers”. The agents for the scheme are CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield. For more information, please click here
First units to be available from Q4 2022 Citrus Durham has announced that it is working up detailed plans to speculatively develop a four-unit industrial scheme totalling 337,225 sq ft at its £300m mixed-use Integra 61 development at J61 of the A1(M). The masterplan for the 20-acre plot incorporates four high quality units of 42,000 sq ft, 63,000 sq ft, 84,000 sq ft and 148,225 sq ft to satisfy huge regional demand. The new development will occupy the most prominent site at the centre of the 205-acre Integra 61 scheme, which has outline consent for over 3 million sq ft of employment space with the potential to create some 4,000 jobs and is already home to Amazon’s 2m sq ft Fulfilment Centre. Detailed plans will be submitted to Durham County Council in January 2022 and the team is already talking to contractors about a start on site in April 2022 which would lead to the first buildings being available by December 2022. Integra 61 is the largest logistics and manufacturing opportunity in a generation in the North East and offers occupiers design and build packages for units up to 500,000 sq ft as well as small units within Evolution@Integra 61 where 23 flexible business units totalling 52,142 sq ft in sizes from 1,205 sq ft up to 6,480 sq ft will be available to purchase or lease. The plans for the new development continue Citrus Durham’s objective to create an inclusive development that provides high quality accommodation for occupiers of all sizes. David Cullingford, Project Lead for Integra 61 and Citrus Durham, said; “This further multi-million pound investment in the project demonstrates our continuing commitment to the region and our objective of creating the premier business location in County Durham. The shortages of grade A space are well documented, especially following the first half of the year where take-up increased by 56% on the year-on-year figures in the North East. These much-needed new units will help businesses to grow and generate further jobs for local people. We look forward to getting construction underway early in the new year.” Robert Rae, Principal and Managing Director at Avison and Young, said; “Integra 61 has the capacity to satisfy occupier requirements of all sizes and requirements and as such is a huge asset to the North East at a time when supply levels are so critically low. These new four units are sized to align with the huge demand that we are witnessing and will give occupiers the opportunity to be part of a superb mixed-use development in one of the most strategic locations in the North East.” Located at J61 of the A1(M), Integra 61 is just 4 miles away from the City of Durham and will also include circa 300 new homes, 70-bed hotel, family pub/restaurant, nursery, drive-thrus and a number of trade counter/roadside units all adding to the diverse offering.
Simon Rowland, Partner and Head of Construction and Engineering and Michelle Essen, Managing Associate, at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, take a look at the events of 2021 and the potential challenges and opportunities that the sector could be presented with in 2022. There is no doubt that 2021 has been a tough year for the construction industry. Global disruption from the pandemic, Brexit and environmental disasters have left their mark on the sector. In the latest ONS figures, construction outputs fell for the third month in a row. Figures for July and August slumped back to their lowest point since February, hitting 58.7 on the UK index – a sharp reduction from the 24 years high of 66.3 in June. With the sector at an apparent impasse and sustainability increasingly high on the global agenda, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) look more and more likely to be a key part in addressing the struggles faced by the construction industry. In the face of such a dramatic drop in productivity, industry heavyweights are putting their stakes on MMC. For example, volume housebuilder Barratt has reported that 25 per cent of the 12,243 homes built by the end of its most recent financial year used MMC. As 2021 draws to a close, it’s time to consider new construction solutions for a new world. Brexit and supply chain issues In January 2020, we saw the UK finally leave the European Union almost four years after the Brexit referendum. While the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement has protected trades from any further tariffs, additional red tape and border checks have inevitably slowed down the movement of construction supplies. Given that 80 per cent of timber used in the UK is imported, wildfires and insect damage in supplier countries such as Canada and Sweden have also had a detrimental impact on stock. The shortage of materials has resulted in a price hike that cannot be underestimated. The Timber Price Index hit 92.13 in May 21 Trade Federation (TTF) reported that timber prices surged by 50 per cent between January and May 2021. Add to that, the October 2021 data from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showed that structural steel costs were 72.6 per cent higher than the year previous, and in November we saw steel prices increase for the seventh time in 2021. With these and other shortages across the board, it’s a perfect storm for disruption in an industry built on tight margins. While MMC is not the silver bullet to addressing the materials crisis and certainly not a short-term solution for everyone, MMC’s added benefits of less waste and less weather damage could clearly help the industry. Housing crisis The UK housing crisis is reaching fever pitch, with house prices rising faster than every other economic metric. The government itself has said that “a significant proportion of homes must be built using modern methods of construction (MMC) if we are to meet the target to deliver 300,000 homes annually”. Areas such as the South East of England in particular are in desperate need of housing, but lack the local skilled workforces required to carry out onsite construction. MMC presents an opportunity to tackle the housing crisis in key areas of the country, while at the same time supporting local communities in different areas of the country through investment in MMC manufacturing sites, thus aiding the “levelling up” agenda. Skills shortage In June 2021, the ONS reported that the number of EU workers seeking jobs in the UK has dropped by 17 per cent. But unlike the supply issues, the UK’s skills shortage began long before the UK’s departure from the EU. In 2018, the ONS reported that construction had fallen out of the list of top 10 jobs for people aged 22-29. MMC has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs for UK workers – it is estimated that if 75,000 modular homes are constructed per year it could create 50,000 new jobs. The challenge, however, lies in attracting new talent to the industry and keeping workers engaged. The solution to this may be to appeal to a younger, increasingly environmentally conscious workforce, who wants to make a positive contribution to society in a sustainable industry. MMC offers a route to greener buildings, and this could make the sector more attractive to younger workers. Move to sustainability 2021 has been the year of sustainability. As we strive for a green recovery, electric vehicles, plant-based industries, renewable energy technologies and more have been at the forefront of both government and industry objectives for the future. Momentum has grown throughout the year, gathering pace in the lead up to COP26. This represents a major global shift towards reducing CO2 emissions to protect the planet. As we embark on a decade of climate action, MMC has an opportunity to fill a gap in the housing market for homes that contribute to Net Zero targets. MMC enables geographical fluidity which then contributes to a reduction of on-site pollution levels and material waste. It bolsters the argument for focusing on a method of building with a lower environmental impact. Looking ahead to 2022 Michelle Essen, Managing Associate, PDL, Construction and Engineering, Womble Bond Dickinson What can we expect for the construction industry in 2022? 2022 for the construction industry is likely to bring the continued development of many of the themes mentioned above. MMC will remain high on the agenda, with continued investment and learnings by the industry. There will be further discussions around how to incentivise increased use of MMC, part of which will be driven also by the need to standardise MMC so it is more easily and more widely adoptable. Materials and labour and skills shortages are here to stay for the immediate future. It will take time for the dust to settle on materials shortages, for the industry to work out how to increase efficiencies and reduce waste, and to find new or alternative supply chains