Find out how you can use picture frames to encase colorful fabric and bring your living space to life in six simple steps. Whether you’re decorating your new home or renovating your old one, you may find out there’s a huge wall space that’s in dire need of decor. Now,
The North-West office of family run business, Caddick Construction, has been appointed by Redsun to deliver AVIATOR Phase II, which comprises two new build warehouses with integral mezzanine offices. Caddick Construction successfully completed phase one in February last year, delivering a 125,000 sq ft warehouse which was let to Survitec
Proposals worth £750m to further transform Swansea city centre and develop new homes and attractions along the coast and riverfront have taken a major step forward. Swansea Council has now appointed award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash as its preferred development partner for a number of key sites, including the Civic
In an exclusive opinion poll, conducted on behalf of the not-for-profit trade association Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), in the middle of the current energy crisis, the public have blamed the government for the current gas crisis and have demanded the fast-tracking of alternative energy sources to heat their homes.
Due to a number of factors, including the lack of rented accommodation which is available for longer than six months, an excessive rise in house prices due to second home-owners, the conversion of properties to Airbnb’s and people moving into the District since the pandemic: South Hams District Council says
Work will shortly begin on two multi-million-pound affordable housing developments in Glasgow. Housing provider Home Group Scotland appointed Cruden Building West, part of the Cruden Group, to deliver two key housing developments at Kennyhill Square in Dennistoun and in East Balornock (Phase 6). The contracts have a combined value of
CONYGAR STUDENT LIVING SCHEME WILL BE 12-STOREY ‘BEACON’ FOR CITY THE LATEST phase of The Island Quarter development is set to help alleviate Nottingham’s student bed shortage, after plans for the next stage of the site were yesterday (22 September) approved by Nottingham City Council. The approved plans – drawn
c.£1 billion investment will deliver a c.8 million sq ft new logistics hub with new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange in prime midlands logistics corridor Oxford Properties Group (“Oxford”), a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder, and Logistics Capital Partners (“LCP”), a best in class developer and
Rendall & Rittner, a leading property managing agent, is proud to announce it has made the final shortlist for The Employee Engagement Award in The Investors in People Awards 2021. In a record-breaking year for entries, with nearly three hundred organisations involved, Rendall & Rittner is proud of this outstanding
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed that across the UK market there are no less than 29 areas where homebuyers can climb the new-build property ladder for less than the cost of existing homes. Warwick Estates crunched the latest data from the Land Registry which shows that the
Find out how you can use picture frames to encase colorful fabric and bring your living space to life in six simple steps. Whether you’re decorating your new home or renovating your old one, you may find out there’s a huge wall space that’s in dire need of decor. Now, while shopping, have you come across a printed fabric, rich in colors, that you want to buy? Or how about you have gorgeous fabric leftover and don’t know what to do with it? Whether leftover or new, follow these simple steps to encase that beautiful print, preserved neatly in a picture frame, and bring your living space live with vibrating colors. Step 1: Purchase and Iron the Fabric The first step is to purchase that stunning fabric or bring out the leftover ones. The secret to having a picturesque view is to make sure the fabric is not wrinkled. Iron it well before encasing it on the picture frame. If you are purchasing a piece of fabric, make sure it’ll accentuate the interior designs of your living space. A specific color or pattern that complements your rug or couch pillows will give an appealing look to your overall space. Likewise, the wall color will become too prominent, creating a distraction. You can hire professional painters if you’re renovating and choose a color that will enhance the beauty of your fabric wall art. Step 2: Measure Your Wall Space You do not want a picture frame that is small compared to the size of the wall unless you want to mount multiple fabric pieces of art on your wall. You also do not want a frame that is too big and takes up a lot of space. Therefore, it is wise to measure the area, leaving a little space on every side, to make it look more breathable, elegant, and classy. When measuring your wall space, check the surrounding elements and furniture in the room, including shelves, mirrors, and lighting fixtures. Doing so ensures the fabric wall art and picture frame harmonizes with the existing elements, creating a cohesive and visually pleasing arrangement. Additionally, leaving space around the fabric art on every side allows the artwork to breathe and interact with the surrounding area. This negative space acts as a visual buffer, preventing the piece from feeling cramped or crowded against the wall. It also adds a sense of balance and openness to the composition, contributing to your living space’s overall elegant and classy atmosphere. Step 3: Purchase Your Desired Frame Picture frames come in all sizes and shapes. There are mirror frames that can also work for your project. The only difference is the frames contain mirrors instead of pictures. These frames also come in different colors. So depending on the interior of your living space, you can choose a variety of designs and colors for the frame. If you want a modern feel, you can choose black or white frames. Black frames offer a more regal, formal look, whereas white ones are more casual. The design and color of your picture frame also depend on the printed fabric. Select your fabric and frame in a way that corresponds to each other. For a heavily designed fabric, you can opt for a simple frame. Likewise, for a simply designed fabric, you can look for expensive or vintage frames. Just remember, your fabric wall art should accentuate the beauty of the fabric, the frame, and your home. Step 4: Measure and Cut Fabric This is a crucial step! Measure the fabric with a fabric marker and cut it according to the size of the picture frame. How to use fabric markers? Simple! It’s like any other marker but with more precision when it comes to textiles. All you need to do is lay the fabric on flat cardboard or any hard, flat surface and place the back cover of the frame on it. Then, like using a scale, trace and draw straight lines to measure the exact sides. And voila! You can now easily trim the fabric to the perfect size. You can also add your designs to the fabric such as writing your name or a positivity quote you want to wake up to every day! Step 5: Stick ‘em If you’re using a hot glue gun, position the fabric accurately on the back cover of the frame, the wrong side facing up. Make sure the portion of the fabric you want to be featured is in place before sticking. If you find this difficult, you can leave a few inches of the fabric and then glue them the same way you’d wrap a gift. Fold the corners first, glue them and then deal with the sides later. You can trim out extra fabric once you have them neatly folded on the back cover. You can also use a light spray adhesive or double-faced tapes if you do not want the fabric to slide around. Step 6: Assemble Now it’s time to put everything together. After ensuring your fabric is strongly glued in place, clean the glass that comes with the frame and put it back on. Then, position the fabric back cover on the frame and close the tabs to secure it in place. You can leave the glass out for a more regal look however, with the glass, it’ll be easier to clean. Now mount your art project on the wall and see the difference it makes to your overall living space. Some Tips So if you’re looking for an easy and inexpensive DIY project, you can try this framing fabric wall art and show it off to your friends and family. It is a quick and creative way to decorate your living space using minimum materials. And when you’re finished, mount it on your wall and stand back to admire a job well done! Takeaways Framing fabric wall art is a beautiful way to add color, vibrancy, and personal expression to your living space. With these
The North-West office of family run business, Caddick Construction, has been appointed by Redsun to deliver AVIATOR Phase II, which comprises two new build warehouses with integral mezzanine offices. Caddick Construction successfully completed phase one in February last year, delivering a 125,000 sq ft warehouse which was let to Survitec Group on a 20-year lease just after reaching practical completion. It was subsequently acquired by Arrow Capital Partners, who will be funding Phase II of the Development as part of its €3bn Strategic Industrial Real Estate (SIRE) joint venture with Cerberus. This latest phase responds to the significant rise in demand for quality industrial accommodation and will see two warehouses of 200,000 sq ft and 80,000 sq ft delivered, alongside service yard, parking and landscaping, on a 15-acre plot. The Caddick Construction team will start on site next month, with completion expected in summer 2022. The client, Redsun, is behind the AVIATOR project, which will ultimately provide up to 450,000 sq ft of industrial space. The popular site is already home to DHL, Jaguar Land Rover and Vauxhall Motors assembly plant. Nick Wightman, director at Redsun, said: “We worked collaboratively with the Cheshire and Warrington LEP on the first phase and it was a huge success. This second phase will help plug the chronic gap in high quality stock in the region. This thriving location, close to the motorway network, will appeal to both occupiers and investors.” Ian Guildford, contracts manager at Caddick Construction, said: “The first phase of development was a huge success and the team is delighted to be working with Redsun again. It is testament to our vast experience in delivering high quality industrial premises and we looking forward to starting the two warehouses next month.” Located off North Road, the 22-acre site forms part of the Cheshire Science Corridor and benefits from the enhanced capital allowances towards fit out costs offered by its Enterprise Zone status. Just five miles from Junction 12 of the M56, 24 miles from the M6, AVIATOR is also within easy reach of Liverpool Superport and Manchester Airport. The project team includes Fletcher Rae Architects, Muir Associates and Crookes Walker Consulting. B8 Real Estate and M1 Agency are joint letting agents. The Caddick North West team employs more than 70 staff and operates from offices in Warrington and Cumbria. The team has successfully delivered a range of projects including the £154m Angel Gardens’ Scheme in Manchester, a flagship car showroom at TraffordCity, Liverpool Shopping Park and a range of industrial developments including Mere Grange and Central 23 in Merseyside on behalf of Network Space.
Proposals worth £750m to further transform Swansea city centre and develop new homes and attractions along the coast and riverfront have taken a major step forward. Swansea Council has now appointed award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash as its preferred development partner for a number of key sites, including the Civic Centre, Swansea Central north and a plot of land running alongside the River Tawe in the St Thomas area of the city. Early ideas for each site have been proposed, which will now be worked up in more detail before plenty of opportunities for local people to give their feedback and help shape the plans. To be delivered by the private sector, the early proposals include: • The transformation of the 23-acre seafront Civic Centre site into a new city waterfront district for Swansea. A mixed-use destination anchored by the beach is proposed, with new homes and a strong leisure and hospitality focus, generous civic spaces and plenty of greenery. Other proposals include a new walkway to the beach and a mix of permanent and seasonal uses and events to create an all-season visitor destination. • New office buildings, new apartments for residents and shared workspaces on the 5.5-acre Swansea central north site located at the former St David’s Shopping Centre site. Capitalising on the major growth across the UK in demand for craft-based goods, space for small creative businesses to make and sell their products could also feature. • A residential-led regeneration of a 7.5-acre riverfront site in St Thomas, featuring family homes, apartments, new public spaces and a new terraced river walk providing direct access to the river for the first time in over 150 years. The council’s appointment of Urban Splash follows an extensive search for a preferred development partner as part of the Shaping Swansea initiative. The council’s appointment of Urban Splash follows an extensive search for a preferred development partner as part of the Shaping Swansea initiative. Urban Splash will deliver future plans with the support of partners including mixed-use developer Milligan Ltd who will work in joint venture with Urban Splash on the St David’s site, together with Pobl Housing Association, Coastal Housing Association and Swansea Council. Cllr Rob Stewart, Swansea Council Leader, said: “The appointment of Urban Splash is a significant private sector vote of confidence not just in Swansea’s enormous potential, but also in the huge amount of regeneration work led by the council that’s already happening in the city, including our £135m Copr Bay phase one district. This work has acted as a catalyst to attract a company of Urban Splash’s quality and experience, and is part of a £1 billion regeneration story unfolding across Swansea that’s transforming the city into one of the UK’s best places to live, work, study and visit. “The regeneration of these three key sites will help take Swansea to the next level by creating thousands more jobs for local people, hundreds more new homes for local families and a mixed-use, vibrant city centre destination with the footfall it needs to thrive. “Although subject to consultation in future to ensure people’s views are taken on board, the early proposals will help realise these goals, while also giving the stunning Civic Centre site on our world class bay back to Swansea people and visitors to the city. “We look forward to working with Urban Splash on further developing these exciting proposals for the people of Swansea to consider, along with ideas on how best to regenerate other key sites forming part of our Shaping Swansea plans.” Urban Splash have developed over 60 regeneration projects throughout the UK in the last 25 years. These include the Royal William Yard project in Plymouth where the company has transformed a collection of Grade I and Grade II Listed waterfront structures into apartments, workspaces, galleries, bars and restaurants. The company is also undertaking the redevelopment of the Grade II Listed Park Hill in Sheffield into a mixed-use cultural quarter, featuring hundreds of homes and workspaces – many of which are complete and fully occupied. Jonathan Falkingham MBE, Urban Splash co-founder, is an award-winning architect who helped establish the regeneration company in 1993. He said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working alongside Swansea Council and all of the partners involved in this fascinating project. “I’m have a longstanding affiliation with this brilliant city, attending school here in my younger days. I’m pleased to be back in Swansea to help deliver such an exciting new era for the city. We have plans for a world class environment of great architectural quality, that recognises and enhances the existing historic fabric of the local area and its beautiful location. We hope to achieve this through multi-authorship and partnering with brilliant designers to evolve the most appealing and sustainable designs for each area of this new neighbourhood.” Tom Bloxham MBE, Urban Splash Chairman, said: “For almost three decades now, Urban Splash has worked hard to transform the fortunes of towns and cities, breathing new life into places through applying great design ideas, and working with the local community to create beautiful buildings and spaces that are sustainable for all. “We have been really impressed with the ambition and vision of Swansea Council and look forward to working in partnership with this amazing city on the beach using our experience, capital and resources to strengthen their vision and deliver exceptional living, working and leisure spaces to help more people live well by design.” Further proposals in future will also cover opportunities to develop other key sites across Swansea.
In an exclusive opinion poll, conducted on behalf of the not-for-profit trade association Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA), in the middle of the current energy crisis, the public have blamed the government for the current gas crisis and have demanded the fast-tracking of alternative energy sources to heat their homes. The 2,000 respond representative sample of the UK population when asked who was to blame for the current crisis, said the government and energy suppliers shared responsibility, with 26.4% blaming the energy suppliers; 24.9% the government; 12.9% the regulator Ofgem. 40.5% of respondents blamed all three. Overwhelmingly, three out of four people asked (74.4%) agreed that the government should keep the price cap for energy bills in place, placing a limit on bill increases, rather than allowing the market to determine the price for energy. What’s more, two-thirds of those asked (66.1%), confessed to being worried about being able to afford to keep warm this winter and 64.9% believe any increase in household energy bills above £10 a month was unacceptable. Crucially, UK homeowners are now looking for government action on energy to prevent a repeat of the gas crisis. More than nine in ten (95.8%) thought it important for the government to invest in alternative sources of energy such as zero carbon hydrogen and only one in four (24.6%) wanted to see gas central heating removed from homes to be replaced with electric appliances. Commenting on these results, Mike Foster the CEO of Energy and Utilities Alliance said: “These results are shockingly clear. The government cannot be comfortable knowing that two-thirds of people are genuinely worried about being able to keep warm this winter. “But consumers don’t want to pay higher energy bills and are blaming the government and energy suppliers for the problems they now face. Any increases above a tenner a month are seen as unacceptable.” “There is also a very clear message being sent about future energy policy. Consumers expect, actually they are demanding, that the government invests in alternative sources of energy, such as zero carbon hydrogen, to avoid a repeat of what we are going through. When 96 per cent of the public support something, politicians had better listen.” “The current crisis is further proof that we need to decarbonise our gas network, using zero carbon gases such as hydrogen and keep costs down by adopting hydrogen-ready boilers. “What our politicians must avoid at all costs is a ‘dash for electricity’. These results clearly show that there is real concern over electricity prices and the consequences for consumers if we try and convert homes from gas for heating. What’s more, the electricity grid will not be able to withstand the extra demand being placed upon it in winter months.” For more information on renewable heating and to see the EUA’s latest report, Too Close to Home, visit: https://eua.org.uk/too-close-to-home/
Due to a number of factors, including the lack of rented accommodation which is available for longer than six months, an excessive rise in house prices due to second home-owners, the conversion of properties to Airbnb’s and people moving into the District since the pandemic: South Hams District Council says it has no choice but to declare a Housing Crisis. The District does have a five-year supply of land for housing, an adopted Joint Local Plan with Plymouth and West Devon, and an adopted Housing Strategy that they consulted on last year, but local leaders say that due to recent events, there is just not enough properties for local people and those people wanting to work in the District. Cllr Judy Pearce Leader of South Hams District Council Said: “We are all very aware of the problems that have been created this summer, because so many properties have been turned into Airbnb’s. We have every sympathy with people wanting to come and visit the South Hams, but we have to look at the sustainable future of our district and if people can’t afford to live here for work, then the system is going to break down. We can’t have innumerable tourists here if there is nobody here to service the businesses that they are using. “We do have the Joint Local Plan, it is working well, but it has been drawn up on government guidelines, and whilst we are building the right number of houses, we are not building the right kind of homes that are needed in the South Hams. It is becoming more and more evident that the housing policy which is promoted nationally is not working in areas like ours. “That is why, with Cllr Bastone, I brought a motion to the Council. It has a number of actions in it, which are complemented by and are in addition to our plan “Better Lives for All” and our housing strategy. This is a list of actions and I am suggesting that we do not do a lot of talking, but we get on and take action.” At a meeting of their full Council, Cllr Judy Pearce, Leader of South Hams District Council and Deputy Leader Cllr Hilary Bastone, laid out ten actions that they asked the Council to take urgently in order to address the crisis; two further actions were added during the meeting. They are: 1. The District Council will lobby government, through MPs and the Local Government Association, to allow a Council Tax charge on housing plots with planning permission if they have not been built after a specified period of time. This would encourage developers to get on and build their sites without delay. 2. They will also lobby Government to review all holiday accommodation. This would ensure that it is properly regulated, complying with local planning policies and taxes. This could include an extension of the 90-day short let legislation, a proper planning class for short lets and proper licencing for them. This would prevent people finding loopholes in the taxation system and prevent too many local homes being converted to holiday accommodation. 3. The Council should also immediately review all holiday letting in the District to ensure that the owners are paying the correct amount for the removal of waste and recycling. Businesses should not be on the normal domestic recycling and waste collection. 4. South Hams District Council will also ask the Joint Local Plan project team to review the amounts of affordable housing in the Joint Local Plan and see if this can be increased, so that the percentage of “First Homes” on a development is in addition to the existing requirement for 30% affordable housing. 5. The District Council already runs a letting agency to encourage landlords to make properties available for local families in need. There should be further promotion of this and regular landlord forums to encourage more properties to become available. 6. The District Council works closely with registered providers on many housing projects across the District; they will now be working with them to ensure the best use of those properties, such as to encourage tenants to downsize where possible and make larger properties available for larger households. 7. In addition to this, the District Council is proposing to use some of the affordable housing revenue to increase payments made to those tenants downsizing to make the move more attractable and affordable. 8. The Council are committed to using Section 106 affordable housing contributions as soon as possible, to help fund developments anywhere in the District where the terms of the Section 106 agreements will allow. 9. The Council also wants to campaign for changes to the Broad Market Area, to better reflect the costs of rents in the South Hams. 10. The Council would encourage the development of an exemplar site of low carbon modular housing such as ZEDpods, to show that developments like this can be both stylish and great to live in. 11. South Hams District Council also agreed to actively seek opportunities to invest in Council owned social housing with highly sustainable specification. 12. To lobby Government to allow local councils to be able to charge 200% Council Tax on second / holiday homes, as they do in Wales. Cllr Hilary Bastone, South Hams District Council’s Deputy Leader added: “It is so very important for our residents, their families and their future generations that we tackle this problem now and do everything in our power to enable local residents to have a decent home. If people move away because they cannot afford to live here or they cannot find affordable rented properties, then our towns and communities will collapse. “I am pleased that our motion was passed by full Council, but now is the time for us to stop talking and take action.”
Work will shortly begin on two multi-million-pound affordable housing developments in Glasgow. Housing provider Home Group Scotland appointed Cruden Building West, part of the Cruden Group, to deliver two key housing developments at Kennyhill Square in Dennistoun and in East Balornock (Phase 6). The contracts have a combined value of £12.5m. The new £6m Kennyhill Square development will provide much-needed mid-market rental housing in Glasgow’s East End with 36-, one- and two-bedroom apartments built on the site of a former nursing home. The development, which has been designed by Grant Murray Architects, offers energy-efficient, high-quality homes and many of the properties benefit from a terrace with stunning views overlooking Alexandra Park. Cruden Building West was also awarded a £6.5m contract by Home Group to develop the latest phase at East Barlornock – creating 35 highly sought-after affordable homes at the site on Broomton Road. Home Group Scotland and Cruden Building West have been working with Glasgow City Council on this development which has been built over five phases to date, and this marks the beginning of phase six of this £50m regeneration of the East Balornock area. Allan Callaghan, Managing Director of Cruden Building East said: “We are delighted to begin working on this exciting new development at Kennyhill Square in Dennistoun which will bring all important sustainable, affordable homes to the area. We will also begin work on phase six of building the East Balornock development – a significant milestone as we get closer towards delivering this landmark regeneration which will create around 320 new homes in total. As is the case with all our projects, we are committed to giving back to the local area by providing significant community benefits, work placements and apprenticeship opportunities.” Stuart Dixon, Head of Development at Home Group Scotland, said: “Over the past few years Home Group has played an integral part in helping to energise parts of Glasgow through its development programme. The next phase of East Balornock and the development at Kennyhill Square in Dennistoun are a continuation of that programme, with more to follow. Working with Cruden Building West, we know these developments will deliver exactly what we and our customers want.”
CONYGAR STUDENT LIVING SCHEME WILL BE 12-STOREY ‘BEACON’ FOR CITY THE LATEST phase of The Island Quarter development is set to help alleviate Nottingham’s student bed shortage, after plans for the next stage of the site were yesterday (22 September) approved by Nottingham City Council. The approved plans – drawn up by DAY Architectural for The Conygar Investment Company PLC – feature an up-to-12-storey, 702-bed purpose-built student development, featuring blocks dedicated to a range of accommodation types including studios and cluster living. Amenities for the students in this latest phase of The Island Quarter include high-level sky lounges that offer projected views across the city and a pavilion with views onto a private courtyard space that will provide the opportunity for working, socialising, dining and exercising. The approved plans also feature multi-media lounges and co-working spaces, as well as gaming zones and quiet areas for study and relaxation. The new accommodation – which forms part of the developer’s plans for intergenerational living on The Island Quarter, the £1 billion 36-acre redevelopment – is likely to start on site shortly and be available for students from the start of the 2023/24 academic year. With Nottingham facing an expected shortfall of 7,000 student beds in the coming years, the Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) on The Island Quarter will free up family homes currently used by students and help return them to their intended use. Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “We’re delighted that the planning committee has approved the plans for the proposed student accommodation on The Island Quarter. Nottingham is a world-renowned university city, and the student population is growing rapidly to reflect that. Add in the demand from second- and third-year students to remain in PBSA, and it is clear there is a real need for quality student beds in the city. “This element of the scheme really supports our plans for intergenerational living across the site. One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic has been that people of all ages are reassessing their relationship with where they live, and we want to create places and spaces where people can live, work and thrive.” David Jones, director at planning consultant AXIS, said: “This phase will be a real step forward for the development as a whole. The location of this phase – right next to BioCity and close to Sneinton – means that it will act as a beacon, bringing life to the eastern edge of the site and providing a space that will draw people into The Island Quarter.” The Island Quarter masterplan, which received outline planning approval in April 2019, has been designed with a full lifecycle of uses, including hotels and hospitality, office space and community living. Recent changes to the plan were made in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, adding 10,000sqm more green space to the site and rethinking the street plan to create an ‘urban river’. Richard Watson, of Conygar, said: “The PBSA on The Island Quarter site forms an integral part of what we are trying to achieve with the development. In the wake of COVID-19, it has never been more important to encourage healthy, sustainable and resilient living, and this element of the scheme will help in creating a true community around the site. “The reimagined masterplan creates active, liveable and safe spaces that will connect the various elements of the scheme with each other and, more importantly, with the area’s existing vibrant communities.” Tom Exell, director of architecture at DAY Architectural, said: “This will be a unique PBSA offering in a highly competitive market, with a real focus on high quality design and student wellbeing across all aspects. We’re delighted to have achieved planning approval and excited to see the development move onto the next stage.” Work on the vast redevelopment is progressing at pace, with the first phase of the Canal Turn – at the opposite end of the site set to open to the public in early next summer. Once complete, Canal Turn will bring a new three-storey restaurant, bar and meeting and banqueting space to the city’s waterfront, as well as a canalside plaza and outdoor stage for entertainment. Watson added: “The Island Quarter is a massive opportunity for our Nottingham community – the city has an ambitious regeneration strategy and our site will bring 4,500 jobs to support that, as well as millions of pounds of inward investment into the city.” To help accelerate the development’s progress, The Island Quarter has been included in the city council’s Levelling Up Fund bid, which is designed support ‘shovel-ready’ infrastructure projects that will boost local economies. He said: “While we already have investment in place to support the development of the various phases that make up the site, the Levelling Up Fund allows us to accelerate work on-site so that Nottingham can make the most of the economic benefits of The Island Quarter as quickly as possible.” To hear more about the wider plans for the site, visit The Island Quarter YouTube channel for an in-depth look at placemaking and masterplanning with David Leonard of Leonard Design Architects and David West of Studio Egret West: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UEOSgq1eXA To find out more about The Island Quarter, please visit: www.theislandquarter.com/
c.£1 billion investment will deliver a c.8 million sq ft new logistics hub with new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange in prime midlands logistics corridor Oxford Properties Group (“Oxford”), a leading global real estate investor, asset manager and business builder, and Logistics Capital Partners (“LCP”), a best in class developer and asset manager of logistics real estate across Europe, have formed a new co investment joint venture, to acquire a 734-acre site near Birmingham, which they will develop into a major new logistics hub with associated rail freight terminal known as West Midlands Interchange. Oxford and LCP will jointly invest c. £1 billion to bring forward the project over a number of years, with Oxford providing the majority of the capital and working alongside LCP’s highly experienced and professional team as development manager. West Midlands Interchange will be a technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable development which meets modern occupiers’ efficient operational and environmental requirements. Planning consent has already been secured by the vendors, which allows for the delivery of around 8 million sq ft of prime logistics space and provides flexibility around the project timeline and scale of units. Infrastructure works are expected to commence in the first half of next year with the first buildings starting on site in 2022 ready for occupation in 2023. The site can accommodate new warehouses ranging in size from 200,000 square feet to over 1 million square feet, with building heights up to 30 meters. This scale and flexibility will create space for some of the most efficient operations in the country, maximising cubic storage capacity and the possibility for occupiers to deploy the latest technology. West Midlands Interchange is centrally located in the UK, northwest of Birmingham in the key West Midlands logistics corridor and will deliver significant economic benefit to the region through the creation of 8,500 jobs and a further 8,100 indirect jobs. It is also expected to generate around £430 million of local economic activity each year, and, through the supply chain, create over £900 million of economic activity each year nationally. It benefits from excellent transport connectivity to the UK’s major cities, ports and airports, with immediate access to the M6 motorway allowing 88% of the population to be reached within a four-hour drive, well inside the HGV single trip limit. As part of wider infrastructure improvements, Oxford and LCP will build a new link road to connect the A5 and A449, enhancing the resilience of the local road network to improve access to the site and achieve additional public benefit. In addition, the project will create a new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, which will provide intermodal access for occupiers. This gives the site a significant competitive advantage, with rail transport a cheaper and more environmentally sustainable option while also reducing congestion on the roads. The West Coast Main Line is already one of the most important freight routes in the UK, used by 90% of all intermodal trains, and its capacity likely to be transformed by High Speed 2, the next phase of the UK’s high speed rail network linking London with the North, currently due to open between London and Birmingham in 2026. Sustainability sits at the heart of the site’s masterplan, which includes the creation and maintenance of two new country parks of a combined 109 acres that will achieve a net biodiversity gain across the development, 36% of which will comprise green infrastructure. Warehouse roofs will be built to accommodate installation of photovoltaic panels, enabling the generation of renewable energy. In 2020, Oxford announced its intention to deploy £3 billion of capital in the European logistics sector over the next five years in platforms, developments and portfolios of scale. The company made its first direct European investment in 2020, with the acquisition of a 15-acre site in Heathrow alongside LCP. James Boadle, Head of Logistics and Residential, Europe at Oxford Properties, commented, “In recent years we have significantly increased our exposure to the logistics sector globally through several major transactions, including making our first direct investment into European logistics last year with LCP. Logistics remains one of our highest conviction calls globally, benefitting from substantial undersupply of prime new space while the growth of e-commerce and demand for expedited supply chains continues unabated, accelerated by the effects of Covid-19.” “The transaction represents a rare opportunity to gain significant exposure at attractive risk-adjusted returns in an increasingly competitive landscape. We are pleased to be again working alongside LCP’s highly experienced and professional team as we deliver a best-in-class logistics park with occupier demand, technological advancements and environmental, social and governance principles at its core.” Pierre Leocadio, Head of Investment, Europe at Oxford Properties, added, “This transaction presents an exciting opportunity to develop a market leading, prime logistics hub, alongside our trusted partner, LCP. Oxford is renowned for its ability to deliver major large-scale projects, and this aligns with our strategy to deploy capital at scale into the logistics sector. The inclusion of a new rail terminal in the masterplan allows us to create a site that has strong appeal to potential occupiers, while also helping reduce the environmental impact of its supply chain by reducing lorry traffic. The project will also create economic impact to the region through the creation of a significant number of local jobs.” John Pagdin, Head of UK Logistics Capital Partners, commented, “We have been tracking this particular site for some time and are delighted to have secured the park alongside Oxford Properties. West Midlands Interchange is a fantastic opportunity to build out a uniquely positioned development scheme, allowing us to offer occupiers every possible size, scale, configuration and specification of unit with none of the usual planning delays or uncertainties often associated with schemes of this nature. We look forward to progressing first stage preparatory works and welcoming occupiers to this exciting project.” The site was acquired from the shareholders of Four Ashes Ltd, a three way partnership including Kilbride Holdings and Grosvenor Group’s Indirect Investment business (Grosvenor). Peter Frost, Director of
Rendall & Rittner, a leading property managing agent, is proud to announce it has made the final shortlist for The Employee Engagement Award in The Investors in People Awards 2021. In a record-breaking year for entries, with nearly three hundred organisations involved, Rendall & Rittner is proud of this outstanding achievement amongst tough competition. The Investors in People Awards celebrate the very best organisations and individuals from around the world across various organisational, people, wellbeing and leadership categories. Rendall & Rittner is committed to employing the best possible people for every role. Knowing that their employees are pivotal to the company’s success, being shortlisted for The Employee Engagement Award is testament to Rendall & Rittner’s commitment to delivering excellent property management. Catherine Riva, Director at Rendall & Rittner, comments: “Having already achieved a Platinum accolade – the Investors in People (IIP) standard, we are delighted to have been shortlisted for this prestigious award. This reflects the hard work and enthusiasm of everyone in our company from our on-site teams to those at our head office. It is great news that we have had the achievements of our employees recognised by an international awarding body. We are looking forward to The Investors in People Awards in November.” Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, comments: “Now in our 8th year, it always makes me feel immensely proud to see so many fantastic organisations staking their claim to be the best. And every year, the entries do get more and more competitive and the judging even tighter. Reaching the final shortlist is a testament to the amazing commitment these organisations are making to make work better for their people, and they truly deserve this recognition.” The winners of The Employee Engagement Award will be announced at The Investors in People Awards online ceremony on the 23rd November 2021. For more information on Rendall & Rittner visit www.rendallandrittner.co.uk or for the full shortlist and more information about Investors in People visit www.investorsinpeopleawards.com.
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed that across the UK market there are no less than 29 areas where homebuyers can climb the new-build property ladder for less than the cost of existing homes. Warwick Estates crunched the latest data from the Land Registry which shows that the average new-build home currently carries a 33% premium compared to the price paid for existing properties. However, a number of locations are currently home to a more affordable new-build price tag when compared to the rest of the market. The biggest new-build bargains can be found in Surrey Heath, where the average new-build value of £320,476 comes in at -23% more affordable than the rest of the market. St Albans also offers a more affordable foot on the ladder via the new-build sector, with the average new home costing -14% less than the wider average of £546,660. The London borough of Richmond ranks top where the biggest new-build bargains in the capital are concerned. The average new home in the borough is currently commanding £612,536, -14% lower than the average of £710,325 across the rest of the market. Three other pockets of the property market are currently home to a double-digit new-build discount including Oxford (-14%), Canterbury (-12%) and West Devon (-12%). New homes are also 5%+ more affordable in Kensington and Chelsea, Harrow, Brighton (-9%), Brentwood (-8%), Lichfield, Runnymede, Hounslow (-7%), Islington, Haringey, Reading, the New Forest, Windsor and Maidenhead, Hertsmere and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “House prices have boomed across the UK and this has been no different where the new-build market is concerned. In fact, new-build premiums remain some 33% above existing property values and despite delays caused by the introduction of EWS1 requirements, demand remains high. Despite this, there are a notable number of areas that offer a more affordable foot via the new-build route and this presents a great opportunity for homebuyers looking to purchase a new property.” Area New_Build_Average_Price Existing_Average_Price Difference Surrey Heath £320,476 £414,408 -23% St Albans £468,870 £546,660 -14% Richmond upon Thames £612,536 £710,325 -14% Oxford £388,704 £447,504 -13% Canterbury £292,586 £331,340 -12% West Devon £250,906 £283,757 -12% Kensington and Chelsea £1,135,215 £1,251,619 -9% Harrow £453,181 £499,382 -9% Brighton and Hove £358,798 £393,960 -9% Brentwood £414,765 £450,173 -8% Lichfield £263,301 £283,014 -7% Runnymede £404,050 £433,525 -7% Hounslow £412,747 £442,663 -7% Islington £636,260 £672,842 -5% Haringey £537,812 £568,515 -5% Reading £287,354 £302,838 -5% New Forest £344,829 £362,627 -5% Windsor and Maidenhead £480,271 £504,631 -5% Hertsmere £472,165 £495,629 -5% Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole £282,883 £296,918 -5% Hammersmith and Fulham £712,593 £744,347 -4% Ceredigion £209,587 £218,256 -4% Tunbridge Wells £392,012 £404,481 -3% Spelthorne £371,186 £380,344 -2% Enfield £410,573 £419,531 -2% Trafford £316,112 £322,335 -2% Lewisham £429,806 £437,425 -2% Brent £495,807 £504,509 -2% Sevenoaks £465,180 £467,680 -1% United Kingdom £329,801 £247,967 33% Data sourced from the UK House Price Index – New-build vs Existing (May 2021 – latest available)