Construction has started on an innovative, carbon-neutral development scheme at SEGRO Park Dagenham, part of the East Plus regeneration programme being delivered in partnership with the Greater London Authority. The units at Plot 1, which will range from 1,620 to 6,730 sq ft, are being built speculatively to provide high-quality
The Royal Town Planning Institute and the Town and Country Planning Association have today jointly launched vital new guidance on how the planning system can help communities face the climate crisis. With the climate science clearly warning of the catastrophic impacts of climate change, the new guidance seeks to place
TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR EDUCATION Construction within the education sector is set to face a number of challenges in the next decade as schools look to reach net zero and utilise renewable technology and techniques. Matt Wrate, director at international M&E consultancy CPW, looks at how to
Head of Commercial at Nested, Alice Bullard, commented: “We continue to find ourselves in a dramatically different place compared to just 12 months ago with property prices still showing phenomenal levels of growth, driven by high levels of buyer demand. While mortgage rates remain at such affordable levels we’re unlikely
Travis Perkins plc, which is the largest supplier of building materials and equipment, and a leading partner to the construction industry, has appointed Nick Pinney as the Group’s new Property Director from 1st November 2021. Nick will be replacing Martin Meech, who is retiring from the Group at the end
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has published a new report, with the support of Dar Group and its member firms Integral Group, T.Y. Lin, Perkins&Will and Currie & Brown, to identify opportunities for how an integrated approach to the whole built environment is essential to deliver change commensurate with
Midlands based construction engineering consultancy, Howard Ward Associates (HWA), has been appointed by Ineco Energy to deliver a major solar PV project at 41 sites across Coventry. The scheme is part of a wider decarbonisation strategy in the city which will deliver carbon reductions and renewable energy generation improvements across
The Manufacturers of Equipment for Heat Networks Association, MEHNA welcomes the Heat and Buildings Strategy that recognises the importance of heat networks as the way forward for sectors that will be difficult to decarbonise. Steve McConnell, Director, MEHNA said: “Heat networks are an essential part of the decarbonisation approach. The
For many of us, homeownership is a major life ambition that we work for consistently over a prolonged period of time – and it’s natural that, since this is the case, virtually everyone has some sense of what they would like their “dream home” to look and feel like. The
Bellway is set to deliver 1,134 new homes at four new sites across the south-east of England as the company focuses on the provision of new housing in the Thames Gateway area. Plans are in the pipeline for three new developments in Kent – at Maidstone, Greenhithe and Northfleet –
Construction has started on an innovative, carbon-neutral development scheme at SEGRO Park Dagenham, part of the East Plus regeneration programme being delivered in partnership with the Greater London Authority. The units at Plot 1, which will range from 1,620 to 6,730 sq ft, are being built speculatively to provide high-quality commercial space and bring business and employment opportunities to the east London regions. The scheme provides an alternative and complementary product type to others in the East Plus portfolio but takes inspiration from the success of the Enterprise Quarter at SEGRO Park Rainham – a development that offers leases for modern industrial units to small and start-up customers and is also part of the East Plus regeneration scheme. Once fully developed, the overall SEGRO Park Dagenham scheme will offer 1.2 million sq ft of sustainable, industrial and warehouse space in a variety of unit sizes from 1,620 to 233,000 sq ft. In line with the Responsible SEGRO commitment to champion low carbon growth, each of the 13 units will be designed to achieve BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) ‘Very Good’ and Carbon Neutral status. Sustainability features such as battery storage, electric car charging points, roof mounted photovoltaic panels and LED lighting will also be incorporated. The units will be available in Spring 2022. SEGRO Park Dagenham is a new industrial park that will offer freehold, leasehold, design and build and spec build opportunities to the area. A range of accommodation and unit sizes will be provided, suitable for start-ups, traditional light industrial and urban logistics customers. The development will also support the wider regeneration of Dagenham Dock – providing relocation space for local displaced businesses, supporting housing development programmes and generating business investment and jobs within the borough. As part of the masterplan and wider regeneration, SEGRO will be bringing forward multi-levels to meet GLA’s requirements for intensification of industrial land in the area. Alan Holland, Managing Director, Greater London at SEGRO said: “We work hard to ensure that SEGRO is an integral part of the communities in which we operate, and this is a great example of how we are contributing to long-term vitality in East London by offering a wider range of real estate options for local SMEs. “Once fully let, Plot 1 at SEGRO Park Dagenham will become a self-sustaining collective of businesses, which could generate over 1,000 jobs. “Furthermore, working with our contractors, customers, the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and other stakeholders we will use the development as a catalyst to maximise training and employment opportunities for the local community.” Elsewhere at SEGRO Park Dagenham, the company recently completed a building on Plot 5 of the estate for The Capital Dairy Company. The unit provides a 20,000 sq ft design and build unit for a local occupier which is relocating from Thames Road, Barking. SEGRO Park Dagenham is located in the south of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, within the area currently known as Dagenham dock, which is fast becoming a first-class industrial and distribution location due to growing demand. The site benefits from excellent road connections and close proximity to central London, with easy access to Junction 31 of the M25 in just 11 minutes and the A13 in 3 minutes. The Port of Tilbury and London Gateway Docks are a short distance away, as is Barking Intermodal Terminal which links to the country’s national rail network and HS1 to Europe. The site also offers fast access to London City Airport and Central London via rail from Rainham and the proposed new Beam Park Station will be in proximity to the site.
The Royal Town Planning Institute and the Town and Country Planning Association have today jointly launched vital new guidance on how the planning system can help communities face the climate crisis. With the climate science clearly warning of the catastrophic impacts of climate change, the new guidance seeks to place the Government’s ambitions for net zero, as well as building community resilience to severe weather, at the heart of the planning system. The guide, published in the run-up COP 26, makes clear the vital importance of the planning system in designing places which cut carbon through the promotion of energy efficiency, sustainable transport and renewable energy. Long term planning is also central in designing the measures vital to the survival of places affected by severe weather, from flooding to heat stress. Dr Wei Yang, President of the RTPI, said: ‘Every day we are reminded of the serious and direct impact climate change has on our communities. With the UK government and local authorities making a range of climate commitments in recent years, planning professionals are at the forefront to help achieve these targets. ‘We are concerned that the effects of climate change will disproportionately affect the most vulnerable individuals in the country, and we believe the planning system, utilised properly, can prevent this. Also, many of the actions necessary to tackle the climate crisis are also key in creating healthy, ecologically rich, prosperous, and beautiful places for us and for our future generations. ‘Together with the TCPA we have set out a range of ways in which the planning system can take the lead in preparing for and tackling climate change. The time to confront the climate crisis is now. We urge local authorities ensure this is heart of the vision for the future of our communities and make it their priority.’ Nick Raynsford, President of the TCPA said: ‘History tells us that good planning has been vital to our survival when our country has faced the greatest threats. That lesson is all the more powerful today when the future of our country and our planet face a massive threat from climate change. Every decision we take over the coming months and years will be crucial if we are to turn the tide, and good planning will be critical to this.’ The report can be found here: https://www.tcpa.org.uk/planning-for-climate-change
TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL: SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FOR EDUCATION Construction within the education sector is set to face a number of challenges in the next decade as schools look to reach net zero and utilise renewable technology and techniques. Matt Wrate, director at international M&E consultancy CPW, looks at how to keep schools cool yet sustainable when developing heating solutions. One of the biggest issues we face when designing schools is overheating, due to increased occupancy density and equipment gains. Keeping schools cool, especially with the ever-looming threat of climate change, has been an issue since Tony Blair’s ‘education education education’ promise that pledged to put schools at the top of the agenda. It’s easy to draw parallels to Boris Johnson’s ‘build build build’ but this time the focus is on the property and construction industry with an emphasis on helping both new and existing buildings become carbon neutral. I recently took part in a Stride Treglown Climate Action Relay panel, which looked at the challenges of delivering a carbon net zero school and considered the implementation of modern methods of construction (MMC) in schools, the impact of changing regulations and behavioural changes in reaching net zero. The consensus was that there is no one answer for reaching net zero but rather that we need a wider solution that incorporates a transparent supply chain, renewable technology, MMC and a simple way to measure operational and embodied carbon on projects. In short, we need to work together to reach the government’s 2050 target. This is where clever solutions come in. In 2000, when renewable technology first gained popularity, the cost was astronomical. However, in the decades since then the price of materials has significantly reduced and so has the overall cost. Photovoltaic panels already cover the roofs of schools across the country and a number of passive solutions have been installed to keep spaces cool before resorting to energy-hungry air conditioning. But we need to take the next step. New technology is in the research and development pipeline, so we need to begin weighing up the benefits of implementing sustainable techniques while keeping inside the budget. Even with the best intentions, if the proposed solutions aren’t economically viable, the most financially suitable option will win out every time. I believe closing the ‘performance gap’ is essential if schools are to operate as zero carbon. Engaging the client’s facilities management team, who will actually operate the building, is ideal but not always feasible at design stage. We therefore need to design systems that are simple to use without training to ensure energy is not wasted. However, the biggest difference we can make when designing schools is allowing flexibility. School buildings are used in different ways, at different times, by different groups of people and the design must facilitate this as much as possible without adding significant cost. Technology is also constantly evolving so we must consider the entire lifespan of a school – typically 25 years – and allow space to incorporate different solutions as they become available. Yes, we need to consciously design with sustainability in mind, utilising the most up to date methods and technology, but flexibility is key when reaching for carbon net zero. For further information visit www.cpwp.com or follow @CPWengineering on Twitter.
Head of Commercial at Nested, Alice Bullard, commented: “We continue to find ourselves in a dramatically different place compared to just 12 months ago with property prices still showing phenomenal levels of growth, driven by high levels of buyer demand. While mortgage rates remain at such affordable levels we’re unlikely to see any let-up in this tidal wave of activity that has washed over the market since it reopened. However, it looks increasingly likely that we could see an increase in interest rates as early as the start of next year. So those considering a purchase may want to act sooner rather than later to lock in the very best rates.” Director of Benham and Reeves, Marc von Grundherr, commented: “Yet further proof that the drop in property prices following the initial stamp duty holiday deadline was merely a pause for breath in an otherwise marathon run of positive market momentum. There’s little sign of this letting up and should an increase in interest rates materialise, the likelihood is that it will be fairly palatable for the average homebuyer. Therefore, we don’t expect it to have any notable impact on the nation’s insatiable appetite for homeownership and the market should continue moving forward at pace well into next year.” Managing Director of Barrows and Forrester, James Forrester, commented: “The current state of the market is quite remarkable given what we’ve been through as a nation since the start of last year. Employment and wage growth have remained firm, mortgage affordability is still hovering around record lows and house prices continue to climb ever higher. As a result, buyers continue to mob the market and while an interest rate hike is on the horizon, we expect these factors to continue to stimulate positive house price growth for the remainder of the year. Forget about a shortage of HGV drivers, we need more estate agents to get us through until Christmas.” Founder and CEO of GetAgent.co.uk, Colby Short, commented: “A continued shortage of stock has seen the ball lie increasingly within the court of the home seller, as buyers fight it out to secure their ideal home. As a result, buyers entering the ring can expect some stiff competition that will see them pay close to asking price, if not more, in order to come away victorious. The best plan of attack is to be ready to act at a moment’s notice and if you are a cash buyer, ensure the seller is aware that you sit in a far more favourable position.” Please see info here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-house-price-index-summary-august-2021/uk-house-price-index-summary-august-2021
Travis Perkins plc, which is the largest supplier of building materials and equipment, and a leading partner to the construction industry, has appointed Nick Pinney as the Group’s new Property Director from 1st November 2021. Nick will be replacing Martin Meech, who is retiring from the Group at the end of 2021 in a move that has been planned carefully for some time, and after 16 years of distinguished service. Martin’s retirement brings an end to a period of 35 years where he held the role of Property Director but will be continuing in his Non Executive and advisory roles. Nick first joined the Group as Divisional Property Director in 2014 before being promoted to Property Director for the Group’s Merchant businesses in 2019. As the new Group Property Director Nick will oversee the Group’s £1bn property business with a portfolio of more than 1300 buildings, and be responsible for the continued growth and development of the Group’s estate. He will be reporting to the Group’s CFO, Alan Williams. “I am really pleased to announce the promotion of Nick, who is a fantastic asset to our team and who has grown with us since he joined the business seven years ago. This appointment is a testament to his talent and skills, and also of our commitment to the development of our own colleague pipeline. “Nick has already played a key role in developing the property strategy that supports the ambitious growth we have for our businesses, and he will now be responsible for the long term plan to maintain and improve our estate, to make sure it is fit for the future in terms of driving the digital agenda, and that we lead the way on sustainable construction,” explained Alan Williams. Prior to joining Travis Perkins, Nick worked as a Retail Partner for Strutt & Parker and as an analyst at Morgan Stanley. He is a language graduate from Oxford and has an MA in Property Valuation & Law from Cass Business School at City University. Nick lives in the Banbury area with his wife and four young children, and when time allows, he’s a keen tennis player and enjoys golf.
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has published a new report, with the support of Dar Group and its member firms Integral Group, T.Y. Lin, Perkins&Will and Currie & Brown, to identify opportunities for how an integrated approach to the whole built environment is essential to deliver change commensurate with the commitments of the Paris Agreement. The report ‘Beyond Buildings: Why an integrated approach to buildings and infrastructure is essential for climate action and sustainability’argues for systemic and integrated infrastructure solutions to improve sustainability outcomes. Business leaders recognise that the built environment – buildings and infrastructure – must be on a clear path to decarbonise at the latest by 2050 and have made significant progress by 2030. The WorldGBC network calls on the built environment industries for collaboration and alignment in ambition for all asset types, in all places to accelerate the transition of the infrastructure sector. The urban built environment alone is responsible for 75% of annual global GHG emissions, with buildings accounting on its own for 37%. Members of the media are welcome to join our #BuildingToCOP26, hosted by WorldGBC, GlobalABC & UKGBC, on 21 October 2021 at 4pm GMT for the launch and discussion forum of the Beyond Buildings report. Register free here. This new report is a call to action for the built environment industry and policy makers to respond to the climate crisis with both the building and infrastructure sectors acting together. In Beyond Buildings, the WorldGBC presents the interconnection between buildings and infrastructure, and argues that systemic and integrated solutions will unlock improved sustainability outcomes. They will also accelerate the change in trajectory of GHG emissions from the built environment. Through presenting the roles that both the private and public sectors must play in terms of investment, policy and procurement, WorldGBC’s work identifies that a global framework of principles is necessary to accelerate sustainability performance across infrastructure. If we are to succeed in this critical decade, united action across all sub-sectors of the built environment industry is essential as the purpose of much of our built infrastructure is to create and support places for people. WorldGBC calls for collaboration amongst all actors in the development of a framework of principles. These principles should be adapted and verified at a local level in order to align with the 1.5° emissions trajectory and the United Nations´ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and be applicable to all asset types, to be co-created, agreed, and universally pursued. This report sets us on the path of that journey. Nigel Topping, UN High Level Climate Champion for COP26, said: “How our towns, cities and countries continue to grow really matters to the global climate crisis. We have to realise that what worked in the built environment and infrastructure sectors in the past will not work in the future. “The world faces crisis on multiple fronts, which is why we’re putting collaboration in infrastructure and built environment – a sector that contributes 75% of annual global GHG emissions – at the heart of everything we do. “Only by forging new partnerships and all-party agreements can we overcome the challenges facing our planet and society today.” Cristina Gamboa, CEO, World Green Building Council, said: “In the lead up to the Cities, Regions and Built Environment day at COP26, the importance of considering all aspects of the built environment – both the buildings we live in, and the infrastructure that supports them – is critical for taking a holistic and systemic approach to climate action and sustainable development. If we’re to build a better, brighter future, the infrastructure sector needs to de-link its growth from emissions by embracing a systemic approach which delivers sustainable built environments for everyone, everywhere. “The Beyond Buildings report sets out a path forward to support the rapid adoption of best practice sustainability outcomes across the building, construction and infrastructure space. It identifies critical next steps for the deep transformation needed to meet 2030 reduction goals. “Our green building network, its partners, members and other organisations advancing sustainable infrastructure and buildings are ready to accelerate this massive transition and ensure a zero carbon, resilient, healthy and sustainable future.” Richard Palmer, Director of Global Sustainability, Integral Group, said: “The built environment is such an important part of addressing both the causes and impacts of climate change. This report highlights the opportunities between buildings and infrastructure to accelerate climate action at the scale and speed demanded by science.” Ref 1: UN Environment. ‘2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction’ [2021] Find out more at worldgbc.org
Midlands based construction engineering consultancy, Howard Ward Associates (HWA), has been appointed by Ineco Energy to deliver a major solar PV project at 41 sites across Coventry. The scheme is part of a wider decarbonisation strategy in the city which will deliver carbon reductions and renewable energy generation improvements across a number of council-owned sites; such as sports facilities, schools, office buildings, cemeteries and country park visitor centres. Civil and structural engineer HWA has specialist expertise in the solar PV sector and has advised on major schemes across the UK. For Ineco, the practice has been appointed to provide surveys and assessments, to determine the structural capacity for the installation of solar panels and inverters. The ambitious programme will generate 1,840 MWh of energy, with the potential to save Coventry City Council up to £276,000 annually. Over the lifetime of the projects, it will save the carbon equivalent of planting 9,766 trees. The first phase of works – which was funded by the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) – saw the completion of six Coventry schools, ahead of the new 21/22 academic year. Giles Ward, director at HWA, said: “We are really pleased to be working on a number of solar PV installations across Coventry alongside Ineco Energy. The scheme is contributing to the city’s decarbonisation strategy, helping to deliver carbon reductions and renewable energy systems on a significant scale.” “This is a diverse industry in which we have gained extensive knowledge and experience in since the field was in its infancy. It is great to see that solar PV installations have developed significantly, and their demand and accessibility continue to grow as local authorities, businesses and organisations across the UK seek energy-efficient solutions.” Works have also begun on the Coventry Central Library, a Council office building and Windmill Road Cemetery in the city, due to be completed this month. Angus Rose, director of Ineco Energy said: “We’re extremely proud to be helping Coventry City Council to reduce its carbon footprint with the installation of solar PV across the region. There has never been a more important time to reduce the carbon footprint of our communities and secure a greener future for generations to come. “This part of the project, funded by PSDS, only scratches the surface of the ambitious project with Coventry City Council. The ongoing decarbonisation plans funded by ERDF will allow the Council to make buildings more energy efficient and help the region reach its net zero target.” Phase 2 will see solar PV being installed across 32 further Coventry City Council public buildings and is funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Ineco Energy specialises in the development, installation, and ongoing management of renewable and energy-efficient solutions for local authorities, schools and businesses within England and Wales.
The Manufacturers of Equipment for Heat Networks Association, MEHNA welcomes the Heat and Buildings Strategy that recognises the importance of heat networks as the way forward for sectors that will be difficult to decarbonise. Steve McConnell, Director, MEHNA said: “Heat networks are an essential part of the decarbonisation approach. The technology is already available, and the carbon savings are being made. The £338 million funding for the Heat Network Transformation Programme is money well spent.” “Currently there are over 14,000 heat networks in the UK, providing heating and hot water to around 480,000 consumers. This is proven technology that will assist the UK to make carbon reductions, and enable consumers to protect their heating and hot water comfort levels, safe in the knowledge that it is being done in the most efficient way possible.” “MEHNA and its members will continue to support government as the UK transitions to net Zero.”
For many of us, homeownership is a major life ambition that we work for consistently over a prolonged period of time – and it’s natural that, since this is the case, virtually everyone has some sense of what they would like their “dream home” to look and feel like. The way things often play out, however, is that we end up having to significantly adjust our expectations to match the pre-existing properties available on the market, not only with regards to the homes we end up living in, but also with regards to the buildings we might want to use for commercial purposes. Ultimately, one of the key ways of getting around many of these potential limitations is to have your property built from scratch – and this is what many people do in fact opt to do. Here are a few of the benefits of having a property built from scratch. A new build, and the benefits that come with that While old buildings very often have their own kind of charm, and are attractive in a range of different ways, there are also various particular benefits that exist only – or at least primarily – with regards to new builds. If you are very drawn to modern architectural trends and home design styles, such as those which emphasise a lot of natural illumination and clean lines, having a properly built from scratch is the best way of guaranteeing that you’ll be able to have those exact aesthetic preferences represented in the way your home ultimately ends up. In addition to this, there are also various other ways in which having a new build could be very beneficial. With the explosive rise in the popularity of “Smart Tech,” and digital tools and systems in general, more people are drawn to the idea of having a “Smart Home,” which is well integrated with features that can be controlled via a mobile app. Often, these features can be difficult and costly to install in an older home, but if your home is being built from scratch, you’ll have a great degree of scope for modifying it so that it has the latest “smart features.” A property that is specifically tailored to your particular and unique requirements Not all homes or properties are the same, or serve the same purpose, and every individual is likely to have their own particular preferences and requirements for the type of property they want. If you run a suitable business, for example, having a plot of land where you can easily erect a Steel Building might be invaluable for helping your entrepreneurial venture to thrive. Likewise, you may have a particular hobby or pastime that you would like your home to facilitate, but which could be difficult to implement in an existing structure. Having a building constructed from scratch gives you a great range of different options for ensuring that the space is as personalised as you want it to be, and can properly support and enhance your existing lifestyle, pastimes, and even profession. When you consider just how popular various home ornaments are, and just how big market is for home remodelling and redesign, you can clearly see that most people do want their homes to be well personalised, and to feel like something more than generic living spaces from a catalogue. While there are certainly also things that you can do to enhance the ways in which your home feels truly and uniquely “yours,” and the extent to which it helps to facilitate your preferred pastimes, it’s difficult to argue that any other approach offers quite as much scope and variety as having a home constructed from the ground up, according to particular specifications, and with your own oversight. Greater awareness of just how your property is being built, and what is being put into it Increasingly, there is a growing sense of homeowner awareness about some of the ways in which particular material used in home construction can be hazardous or detrimental – and yet many homes which have been built in the past still contain potentially volatile and harmful materials. It’s still very common, for example, for existing homes to contain have asbestos in their construction – and even though it shouldn’t be harmful unless it is damaged or disturbed, this still creates one significant potential risk factor that you have to be mindful of, and another dimension in which your home might be hazardous to those working on it. In addition to the fact that certain materials that were commonly used in the past might be directly harmful to human health, construction norms have changed over time in other ways, and the kind of homes that were considered fashionable and cozy several decades ago will not necessarily reflect the architectural standards of the current day, or your own preferences. When you have a home, or other property, built from the ground up, you will tend to have a significantly greater level of awareness of just how that property is being built, and what is being put into it. When you’re having your own property built from scratch, you will also be in a much better position to mindfully vet the specific construction team that you want working on the build, and to get a sense for how skilful and trustworthy they are. In recent years, there have been several high-profile tragedies and controversies in different parts of the world, concerning buildings which were built without following proper protocol, back in the day. The satisfaction of being the first one to inhabit the property Let’s face it: although many people like the idea of living in a home that already has its own history and story, many other people also like the idea of being the first inhabitants of a property, and leaving their own mark on it. If you like the idea of starting a new chapter in your life with your own home, and making sure that it really
Bellway is set to deliver 1,134 new homes at four new sites across the south-east of England as the company focuses on the provision of new housing in the Thames Gateway area. Plans are in the pipeline for three new developments in Kent – at Maidstone, Greenhithe and Northfleet – and a further site in Essex, at Fobbing. Bellway Thames Gateway already has planning permission for 532 homes at Harbour Village at Ebbsfleet Garden City in Northfleet, 258 properties at Crossways Quarter in Greenhithe and 168 homes at Maple Creek in Fobbing, while detailed plans are pending consideration for 176 homes for the Bellway at Rosewood development in Langley, Maidstone. Tom Sherriff, Managing Director of Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “We as a company are fully committed to this extensive building schedule which represents a huge commitment by Bellway to the south-east of England. “The need for new housing in this part of the country is widely documented and we are in the process of trying to meet some of that demand. “These developments are four key sites that will help us build on our already extensive portfolio in the Thames Gateway region. These sites will see us create more brand-new communities and provide neighbourhoods where people want to live and put down roots. “The developments differ in size but between them they offer a comprehensive mix of housing, from one-bedroom apartments to five-bedroom houses, which will appeal to a wide range of purchasers from first-time buyers to growing families and down-sizers. “We are set to deliver 966 new homes in Kent and 168 new properties in Essex and are proud to be part of the growing success of both of these counties.” The developer has started construction work on a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments at the Crossways Quarter site – a five-acre site off St Mary’s Road and Crossways Boulevard in Greenhithe. Groundworks have also begun at Harbour Village on the south bank of the Thames as part of the Ebbsfleet Garden City regeneration zone. The Bellway development will include a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments and two to four-bedroom houses on the former Northfleet cement works. The housebuilder is preparing to start work at Maple Creek, which will comprise a mix of two, three, and four-bedroom houses, and one and two-bedroom apartments on a 24-acre site off High Road in Fobbing. Meanwhile, detailed plans have been submitted for the Bellway at Rosewood development in Langley, Maidstone, after outline planning permission was granted by Maidstone Borough Council. The plans are for a range of one to five-bedroom homes, including houses and apartments, with a third of the 10-acre site to be provided as public open space. For more information about homes currently being built by Bellway Thames Gateway, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway.