The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed how the new-build market has been helping to satisfy heightened demand for larger homes during the pandemic. Warwick Estates analysed new build property sales records from the Land Registry since the start of the pandemic at the end of January last year
NATIONAL contractor The Input Group has started work on site at St Edmunds Catholic Academy with an extensive multi-million-pound expansion of three school buildings. Located in Compton Park Road, adjacent to the Wolves Academy and training ground in Wolverhampton, The Input Group was appointed by the academy to carry out
Premier Forecourts and Construction, a specialist in forecourts and diverse construction projects, has appointed a new finance director as the company experiences a period of substantial growth after pivoting its business towards the electric vehicle charging market. Rebecca Cook has been promoted to director after serving as a finance controller
Construction managers, investors, and job site contractors have a lot on their plate. Between organizing workers and keeping projects on track, job site security is a totally separate headache, but it’s still incredibly important. Managed video surveillance is one of the best ways to secure your job site against unwanted
Block Out the Sun While sunlight can add picturesque natural lighting to certain areas of your home, it also stands to increase indoors temps, especially during the summer months. Needless to say, the hotter your home gets, the harder your air conditioning has to work – and the harder your
Documentation is one of the staples in virtually all organizations, regardless of what they do. Every day, companies in the manufacturing industry have to deal with processing extensive number of documents, ensuring proper documentation workflows and handle obligations stemming from tax and other legal regulations. This requires the implementation of
The latest research by Birmingham and Newcastle-based property developer, StripeHomes, has revealed that new-build house prices boomed by as much as 20% across parts of England during the first half of this year, but transaction levels have ground to a halt as EWS1 requirements continue to prove problematic. StripeHomes analysed
Leeds-based building consultancy, C80 Solutions, is urging property owners and businesses to begin preparing for the arrival of stricter energy performance laws in the coming years. The government’s Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill was introduced earlier this month and will be debated by MPs this autumn, paving the way
A new division of independent housebuilder Dandara has been launched to create new homes in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Dandara Eastern, based at Braintree in Essex, already has four consented sites in the pipeline, with work expected to begin in the spring at its flagship Towerlands Park development of
Hörmann UK have announced the launch of a new, thermally efficient telescopic dock leveller the HTL2 ISO which provides up to 55% improved thermal insulation when compared to a standard dock leveller in both closed and loading positions. Used in conjunction with their new slimline recess profiled sectional door it
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed how the new-build market has been helping to satisfy heightened demand for larger homes during the pandemic. Warwick Estates analysed new build property sales records from the Land Registry since the start of the pandemic at the end of January last year based on the type of property purchased by new-build homebuyers. The results show that some 61,054 new homes have been purchased since the start of the pandemic and while flats remain popular, it’s detached homes that account for the largest level of market activity. 21,129 detached new builds have been bought across England since 31st January last year, accounting for 35% of all sales, the highest proportion of all property types. However, despite the growing EWS1 crisis, flats remained the second most popular choice with 19,225 sales accounting for 31% of market activity. Semi-detached homes were the third most popular, accounting for 23% of all sales, with terraced new build homes accounting for just 11% of market activity. This detached new-build property preference was prevalent across all regions of England but one. In London, new build flats continue to dominate the market accounting for a huge 93% of all new-build sales since the start of the pandemic. Detached homes (1%), Semi-detached (2%) and terraced houses (4%) accounted for just 7% of market activity between them in total. COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “There’s no denying that our lengthy stint under lockdown restrictions has spurred greater demand for larger homes and this is no different within the new build sector. In fact, detached homes have been the driving force within the new-build market in all but one region since the start of the pandemic and this change in homebuyer preference is something housebuilders will need to consider going forward. That’s not to say that flats are no longer popular and they account for the second-largest level of transactions. Of course, they will always be more prevalent in an area such as London where not only is space limited, but buyers prefer the lifestyle offering that comes with living in a managed development of flats.” Table shows total new build transactions since the start of the pandemic (31st January 2020) and the number and percentage of transactions attributed to each property type Location All New Build Transactions Detached Homes Detached as a % of all Semi-Detached Homes Semi-Detached as a % of all Tarraced Homes Terraced as a % of all Flats Flats as a % of all EAST MIDLANDS 5881 3059 52% 1787 30% 750 13% 285 5% EAST OF ENGLAND 7260 3068 42% 1658 23% 832 11% 1702 23% LONDON 9099 88 1% 151 2% 367 4% 8493 93% NORTH EAST 2952 1609 55% 740 25% 331 11% 272 9% NORTH WEST 7863 2905 37% 2053 26% 799 10% 2106 27% SOUTH EAST 10394 3488 34% 2734 26% 1355 13% 2817 27% SOUTH WEST 5854 2279 39% 1559 27% 952 16% 1064 18% WEST MIDLANDS 6033 2486 41% 1508 25% 740 12% 1299 22% YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER 5718 2147 38% 1606 28% 778 14% 1187 21% ENGLAND 61,054 21,129 35% 13,796 23% 6,904 11% 19,225 31% Data sourced from the Land Registry Price Paid Records 31st Jan to June 2021 (latest available) excluding property types listed as ‘other’ and including new build transactions only
NATIONAL contractor The Input Group has started work on site at St Edmunds Catholic Academy with an extensive multi-million-pound expansion of three school buildings. Located in Compton Park Road, adjacent to the Wolves Academy and training ground in Wolverhampton, The Input Group was appointed by the academy to carry out vast double and single storey extension and refurbishment works to existing structures across the campus. This includes doubling the size of the dining area with a single storey extension and refurbishment, alteration works to the sports hall, creating a two-storey additional classroom space, the refurbishment and reconfiguration of existing areas to form supplementary science labs, a staff room, and lecture theatre as well as all associated external works. Chris Monk, managing director at The Input Group, said: “We really enjoy working on education projects and supporting the learning environment of the next generation, so this is a really exciting, flagship scheme for The Input Group team and we’re very pleased to have commenced works on site. “The project spans the entire campus, with extensive expansion works giving the school much needed additional space, especially when it comes to teaching areas – which is certainly required post Covid.” Project manager, Paul Greaves added: “Logistically, the site will present some challenges as it shares an access road with neighbouring homes and the training ground. However, since we started on site last week everyone has been incredibly friendly and accommodating, which has created a really nice working environment. We’re therefore looking forward to cracking on with construction and reaching the next milestone.” The Input Group has also designed and provided all the safety signage for the site to ensure there is clear wayfinding for the campus and surrounding area, especially when the students arrive back at school in September. The design team, alongside The Input Group, includes architecture firm CBP Architects, principal designer GNA Surveyors, M&E consultant I.E.B.S, and structural engineers Moran Structural Consultants. The works are due to be completed by March 2022. To find out more about The Input Group, please visit www.inputgroup.co.uk or contact marketing@inputgroup.co.uk.
Premier Forecourts and Construction, a specialist in forecourts and diverse construction projects, has appointed a new finance director as the company experiences a period of substantial growth after pivoting its business towards the electric vehicle charging market. Rebecca Cook has been promoted to director after serving as a finance controller with the company for over two years. Cook has a total of 27 years’ experience in finance and accounts, having previously held finance roles within well known organisations, including Bevan & Buckland and South Wales Police. Cook’s career has also included teaching AAT and ACCA accountancy qualifications, as well as A Level business and Finance/Business to degree level, at several educational institutions in the South Wales region: Neath College, Coleg Sir Gar and Swansea Metropolitan University. Cook’s own academic achievements include BTEC National and BTEC Higher Diplomas in Business and Finance, AAT Qualification, CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountant – ACMA, CGMA) and also a teaching PGCE/PCE. The new role will see her taking overall responsibility and accountability for finance, procurement and commercial activities with the Swansea-based construction company. Rebecca Cook, newly appointed finance director at Premier Forecourts and Construction, said: “My career goal was to become a finance director, and it’s very exciting to take on the role at a time of growth and positive change with Premier Forecourts and Construction. The company is now at the forefront of launching electric vehicle charging points for clients like MFG, BP and Shell, and we very much see this as the future of the business. “I feel very honoured to be recognised by the board of directors and given this opportunity. Premier is a very hard-working company which upholds its values, especially that of putting people first. I’m thankful for all the support I’ve had from the board, my fellow managers and the office staff. I plan on learning more about the different processes that happen on site and start working on preparing commercial and financial strategies that align to the overall aim of the company.” Steve Evans, Premier Forecourts and Construction managing director, said: “We are delighted to be able to promote Rebecca to the role of finance director during this exciting period for the business. Rebecca’s hard work and dedication over the two years she has been with us, coupled with her impressive working background and vast experience in finance, means she has become a highly-valued member of the team. Her passion for accounts and confidence in making decisions has meant she was the ideal choice to lead the finance department.”
Construction managers, investors, and job site contractors have a lot on their plate. Between organizing workers and keeping projects on track, job site security is a totally separate headache, but it’s still incredibly important. Managed video surveillance is one of the best ways to secure your job site against unwanted loss or damages, and yet, not a lot of people even know that live video monitoring services are a thing. Today, we’re going to define managed video surveillance and look at how it helps you protect your assets and mitigate risk on the job site. If you’re interested in how live video monitoring services stack up against other security assets, we talk more about that here. What is Managed Surveillance? Managed Surveillance is a more advanced version of live video monitoring. For standard surveillance systems, you rely on something like CCTV and recorded footage, or a small on premises security detail watching a limited number of feeds from around your construction site. With managed surveillance, you can expand the network of cameras, employ more advanced technology, and rely on a centralized team of trained security personnel keeping watch over your assets on a 24/7 basis. Usually, this is accomplished by hiring in a third-party security company that specifically offers managed video surveillance services. This helps you mitigate the cost of expensive surveillance tech, while also giving you access to a fully trained, contract based surveillance security team. Why Managed Surveillance Over Other Surveillance Setups? There are two main reasons to invest in managed surveillance: Compared to the equivalent level of security, training, and equipment in-house, it’s significantly more cost effective It’s one of the most effective security measures available in terms of broad coverage security You can essentially sidestep the expense associated with setting up your own security system and personnel with all the associated training, salaries, cost of equipment and so on. This makes managed surveillance one of the most cost effective forms of security available based on resource commitment alone. Managed surveillance is also particularly effective because it combines several elements from other security solutions in a more successful capacity. Think of managed surveillance as CCTV on steroids, with a whole trained security team watching the feed around the clock, ready to respond to threats, alert on site personnel, or contact authorities as soon as any kind of suspicious activity is detected. Utilize Managed Surveillance in Construction Site Security Now, let’s dig into what makes managed surveillance such a successful security solution. In most cases, it’s still best to use a variety of security measures to better defend your property against risk or accidental damages, but we’ll look at how surveillance works to enhance every aspect of security. Better cameras and surveillance equipment Compared to CCTV or localized live feeds, most managed surveillance services incorporate newer technologies that do more than simply provide and record a video feed. In some cases, a surveillance team might employ thermal imaging technology to counteract bad lighting or inclement weather, and many services are moving towards solar-hybrid camera power backups to provide consistent uptime. In both cases, this helps site managers be more aware of what’s going on at their job site, even when nobody is there in the middle of the night. The increased surveillance capacity also helps mitigate on the job risks, catching accidents and preventing additional damage by immediately alerting someone when accidents do happen. More strategic application of surveillance tools One of the major benefits for managed surveillance service is the training and security expertise of the team providing the service. In order to provide the best surveillance, a security team needs to develop a solid understanding of your job site. That means highlighting vulnerable or high value areas, recommending additional security measures as needed, and setting up the surveillance system to maximize coverage. This process of strategic security planning can make surveillance even more effective, by predicting where incidents are more likely to occur, and setting up cameras and potentially supplementary security measures to prevent or discourage those incidents. Always on, always staffed monitoring component Finally, the real major difference that sets monitored surveillance apart is the fact that it’s an always-on, 24/7 process staffed by professional and experienced security personnel. For example, there may be a centralized hub where personnel are constantly monitoring live feeds for your property. This security team is trained to recognize and respond to threats appropriately, and some services may even offer forensic video evidence collection and review to further protect your assets. As a single package, this always-on human element combined with improved camera and surveillance tech is what makes managed video surveillance such an effective security measure. Of course mixing in additional measures, like on-site guards or physical barriers can only improve the safety of your property. Why is Managed Surveillance Perfect for Construction Job Site Security While managed surveillance is a great asset for any kind of property or security application, it’s particularly well suited for construction sites and industrial areas because it affords a high level of coverage alongside flexible use cases. Construction sites suffer from a number of specific issues that can make security a difficult task: Limited access to power supplies Huge square footage that needs to be secured A variety of high value areas that need protection Complicated schedules and interaction by workers Limited Access to Power Many construction sites aren’t fully outfitted with access to a power supply, which can make other forms of security difficult. For example, alarms, lighting, and CCTV all need a reliable power source, otherwise they’re essentially just plastic stapled to the wall. Managed surveillance, and more specifically, the investment in solar powered cameras and tech means that you don’t have to worry about power issues. Your property will be safe and secure, even if the power goes down. Huge Square Footage A lot of construction sites are big. That means you’re stretched thin relying on security guards, physical barriers, or motion triggered alarms. With surveillance cameras, it’s much
Block Out the Sun While sunlight can add picturesque natural lighting to certain areas of your home, it also stands to increase indoors temps, especially during the summer months. Needless to say, the hotter your home gets, the harder your air conditioning has to work – and the harder your AC has to work, the more you can expect to pay in utility costs. With this in mind, you should take active measures to keep indoor sunlight to a minimum. Fortunately, there are a number of easy – and cost-effective – ways to go about this. For starters, you can outfit your windows with thermal curtains. Also known as “blackout curtains,” these curtains are composed of much thicker materials than standard window dressings. This ensures that they’re well-equipped to block out sunlight and seal in cool air. As an added bonus, thermal curtains can also prove convenient during the frosty winter months, when they can help seal in warm air and keep cool air at bay. In other words, thermal curtains are far from a seasonal investment. If you’re not keen on the idea of replacing your current window dressings, look into purchasing blackout screens. Per the name, these screens are designed to block out sunlight. Additionally, most blackout screens can be effortlessly applied to windows and are affordable on even the tightest budget. However, while they tend to be slightly less expensive than thermal curtains, blackout screens are unlikely to last nearly as long. Although some screens may last as long as several years, most of them aren’t designed to last forever – particularly the stick-on variety. Speaking of which, if this is the type of screen you purchase, just know that once you’ve removed it from its respective window, you probably won’t be able to reapply it. Install High-Quality Ceiling Fans Good ceiling fans can be a tremendous boon to your summertime cooling efforts. Not only can they work in tandem with your central air conditioning system, they can also function as useful cooling aids in their own right. To truly get the most out of your ceiling fans, make sure to install at least one fan in every area of your home, as this will help ensure even distribution of cool air. You can also enable your fans to produce a downward-flowing cool breeze by setting their blades to rotate counterclockwise. When searching for the right ceiling fans, just remember that not all fans are equally obliging. To ensure that you don’t wind up with the wrong fans, limit your options to fans that have received positive consumer reviews, feature a variety of user-friendly settings and can be installed and adjusted with ease. Take Advantage of Nighttime Temps If the temperatures in your neck of the woods tend to get much cooler overnight, you should consider using this to your advantage. Once the sun goes down and the temp starts to drop, switch off your AC, open some windows and allow your ceiling fans to distribute the cool air throughout your home. In addition to giving your air conditioning a break, this will enable you to enjoy your evenings in comfort without having to worry about how much such comfort stands to cost you. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love summer. Optimal travel conditions, ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and family gatherings are just a few of the great things the season has to offer. However, by the sake token, you’d be equally hard-pressed to find someone who relished the exorbitant home cooling costs that summertime brings. So, if running your air conditioning 24/7 is no longer financially tenable, put the previously discussed pointers to good use.
Documentation is one of the staples in virtually all organizations, regardless of what they do. Every day, companies in the manufacturing industry have to deal with processing extensive number of documents, ensuring proper documentation workflows and handle obligations stemming from tax and other legal regulations. This requires the implementation of modern concepts and IT solutions, which can make document management workflows easier and more efficient in any manufacturing company. Electronic document workflow in a manufacturing company Companies that are conscious and aware of what they want to achieve choose electronic document management workflows. Why? Because at the cornerstone of this concept lies digitalization – conversion of all or some of company documentation into a digital form. Electronic documents are stored, accessed and processed in a digital archive accessible via a document management system – another tool in the document management toolkit. Together, they enable companies to streamline, optimize and automate all tasks concerning company documentation, which brings numerous important benefits. Thanks to the electronic document management workflow and automation of processes related to document management and handling, manufacturing companies can save time and money, while their employees can focus on value-added activities, which support the organizations and their growth. What is more, electronic document management workflows also eliminate the risk of human error, which can lead to significant financial losses and irreparable damage to reputation. All of this is made possible by the fact that the system holds the users’ hands, so to speak, by reminding about due payments. What is more, all files are available to users on the so-called need-to-know basis – only the authorized users can see the documents they need. All this increases the quality, speed and accuracy of business decisions, which all have a positive impact on the company and its growth, which results in achieving a competitive advantage. Managing documents with dedicated IT software Electronic document management workflow would have remained only a concept if it were not for the development of modern technologies, in particular innovative IT solutions. Document management systems (or DMS for short) are key in the area of working with business documentation. These solutions support users in the efficient, secure and effective management of digital documentation and records, facilitating handling related tasks and processes. Modern DMS-class systems are usually advanced and highly-functional platforms. But if you need to find a system which enables companies to tackle even the most demanding and complex business scenarios characteristic for organizations in the manufacturing sector, you should take a closer look at innovative low-code platforms, which use cutting-edge technologies – workflow engine, no-to-low-code application development, Machine Learning (ML), Artificial Intelligence (AI), OCR, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and many others, including bespoke solutions. Using them in a capacity of a document management system makes it possible to streamline the organization’s document workflow processes. As a result, companies in the manufacturing sector can gain better and more comprehensive control over all processes related to document management.
The latest research by Birmingham and Newcastle-based property developer, StripeHomes, has revealed that new-build house prices boomed by as much as 20% across parts of England during the first half of this year, but transaction levels have ground to a halt as EWS1 requirements continue to prove problematic. StripeHomes analysed the Land Registry sold price records for new-build homes sold during the first six months of this year (latest available data). The regions driving the new-build house price boom The research shows that on average across England, new-build homes sold for £314,000 between January and June – 5.6% higher than the same period last year. The West Midlands has enjoyed the largest rate of growth, with new-build homes selling for 20% more, hitting an average of £299,998. The North East also saw a considerable increase in the price paid for new-build properties during the first six months of the year, with the average price climbing by 17.1%. The South West (14.1%) is the only other region to see a double-digit increase, while the South East and East of England (6.2%) also saw a jump. However, Yorkshire and the Humber saw the average price paid for new-build homes plummet by -18.6% during the first half of this year when compared to the first six months of 2020. The North West also saw a decline of -6%, with the East Midlands seeing prices fall by -1%. Transaction volumes However, while new-build house prices are climbing, transaction levels remained muted. During the first half of this year, just 2,605 new-build transactions were completed, -92% less than the first six months of 2020 when 32,453 new-build homes were sold. The North East has seen new-build transactions fall by -95.4%, closely followed by the North West (-94.6%) and the East of England (-93.8%). London is the only region to see a decline in transactions lower than 90%. That said, the number of new-build homes sold in the capital during the first half of 2021 was still some -87% lower than 2020. Managing Director of StripeHomes, James Forrester, commented: “Much like the wider market, the new-build sector has enjoyed a strong uplift in property values and it’s great to see both the West Midlands and North East driving this growth as the best performing regions in England. However, transaction levels have all but ground to a half and this is predominantly due to the requirement of an EWS1 inspection. This requirement has seen many sales drag on four months on end, with inspectors unable to facilitate such a huge level of inspections and banks refusing to provide mortgages until they do. Despite the government’s attempts to address the issue by removing the EWS1 requirement on buildings below 18 metres, we now find ourselves in an industry stalemate. The banks refuse to adhere to these changes until ‘official advice’ is amended. But the RICS, in true archaic fashion, refuses to do so until they’ve ‘undergone a consultative process’ to ascertain if this would be in public interest. Ironically, while they drag their heels, thousands of new-build homebuyers remain in limbo and it doesn’t look as though a solution is on the horizon anytime soon.” Location Average NB House Price (Jan to Jun 2020) Average NB House Price (Jan to Jun 2021) Change (%) Change (£) ENGLAND £298,191 £314,883 5.6% £16,691 WEST MIDLANDS £250,000 £299,998 20.0% £49,998 NORTH EAST £204,950 £239,950 17.1% £35,000 SOUTH WEST £295,995 £337,748 14.1% £41,753 SOUTH EAST £365,748 £400,000 9.4% £34,253 EAST OF ENGLAND £325,000 £345,000 6.2% £20,000 LONDON £547,500 £572,800 4.6% £25,300 EAST MIDLANDS £254,950 £252,498 -1.0% -£2,453 NORTH WEST £224,580 £211,000 -6.0% -£13,580 YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER £215,000 £174,950 -18.6% -£40,050 Data sourced from the Land Registry Price Paid Records – Jan to Jun 2020 vs Jan to Jun 2021 (latest available data), excluding properties listed as ‘other’. Location NB transactions 2020 NB transactions 2021 Change (%) Change (n) ENGLAND 32,453 2,605 -92.0% -29,848 LONDON 4,823 619 -87.2% -4,204 SOUTH WEST 2,849 262 -90.8% -2,587 SOUTH EAST 5,362 491 -90.8% -4,871 YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER 2,671 219 -91.8% -2,452 WEST MIDLANDS 3,232 234 -92.8% -2,998 EAST MIDLANDS 3,007 194 -93.5% -2,813 EAST OF ENGLAND 3,962 247 -93.8% -3,715 NORTH WEST 4,869 261 -94.6% -4,608 NORTH EAST 1,678 78 -95.4% -1,600 Data sourced from the Land Registry Price Paid Records – Jan to Jun 2020 vs Jan to Jun 2021 (latest available data), excluding properties listed as ‘other’.
Leeds-based building consultancy, C80 Solutions, is urging property owners and businesses to begin preparing for the arrival of stricter energy performance laws in the coming years. The government’s Minimum Energy Performance of Buildings Bill was introduced earlier this month and will be debated by MPs this autumn, paving the way for legislation which will require all private rented sector homes to be Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C by 2028. The government has also outlined targets which will have major implications for owner occupiers, mortgage lenders and commercial lettings. With thousands of properties likely to need significant energy performance upgrades, C80 Solutions believes that many landlords and building owners would benefit from an early assessment of their expected requirements to ensure they manage the necessary investments and meet the new standards in time. Harry Hinchliffe, Energy Consultant and BREEAM Assessor at C80 Solutions, said: “The bill is a key driver in the commitments set out in the government’s Energy White Paper and subsequent policy statements. It will have a widespread impact on the UK’s property sector, affecting a large percentage of people and businesses with a property investment. Its objectives include non-domestic commercial lettings to achieve EPC band B by 2030 and homes to be EPC band C by 2035 where practicable, cost effective and affordable. It will also affect financial services as mortgage lenders will be required to ensure an EPC band C average for their portfolios by 2030.” Dan Chadwick, Energy & Sustainability Consultant at C80 Solutions, said: “Recent studies have suggested that around 2.9m homes will need to improve to meet the proposed changes, with an estimated average cost of £9,872 per home and a total cost of £29 billion across the sector. Although the legislation needs to follow the usual process of parliamentary scrutiny, the bill is seen as an essential step in achieving carbon net zero – there is a clear direction of travel towards a much higher standard of energy efficiency and it’s unlikely to meet much resistance from MPs, especially in the context of the latest alarming reports about the climate emergency. An increase in minimum EPC from E to C is a substantial rise. With that in mind, many individuals and organisations would be wise to start the process of examining their properties and estates. For some, early planning could be vital in phasing the work and the costs required to achieve 100% compliance.” C80 Solutions provides expertise encompassing all aspects of Building Regulations and environmental performance, including energy, air tightness, sound testing, environmental noise and thermal modelling. Its services support construction across both the commercial and domestic sectors.
A new division of independent housebuilder Dandara has been launched to create new homes in Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. Dandara Eastern, based at Braintree in Essex, already has four consented sites in the pipeline, with work expected to begin in the spring at its flagship Towerlands Park development of more than 500 new homes at Bocking in Braintree. Dandara was established in 1988, but for the last two years has achieved a period of unprecedented growth – despite the pandemic – and is expanding to become a national player in the housebuilding market. As part of the company’s strategic plan for continued long-term growth, the new Eastern division will deliver around 500 homes a year in a prime commuter belt housing market. John Stanton will lead the new division following his recent promotion to Regional Director. John joined the business in September 2020 as Operations Director for Dandara Northern Home Counties based in Milton Keynes. Formerly Commercial Director at Bovis Homes, Stanton was tasked with managing Dandara’s team building and rapid growth in that region, while maintaining its reputation for building excellent homes and providing top-quality customer service. With experience working for both Bovis and Linden Homes in the east of England, and earlier experience with Crest Nicholson in Essex, he is ideally placed to bring the same growth and success to Eastern. Managing Director, Trevor Dempsey, said: “Dandara Eastern is getting off to a flying start, with four new sites including the major redevelopment of the former Towerlands equestrian and events complex at Bocking on the outskirts of Braintree, along with two sites at Elsenham in north Essex and another located at Buntingford in Hertfordshire. We have a fantastic land supply pipeline and are extremely confident that John and the new Eastern team will achieve the company’s plan to deliver around 500 new homes in the region each year within five years.” Towerlands Park will be one of Dandara’s largest projects, with 575 two, three, four and five-bedroom homes, plus schools, shops and community facilities, built on the site of a former events venue, golf course and equestrian centre. The local area is highly desirable for both commuters and families. Braintree Station is just over two miles away, with services to Liverpool Street in around an hour, while shoppers can enjoy both the traditional high street stores and the designer outlet at Braintree Village with its wide range of famous names. The development will have its own nursery school, and a primary school is also planned. All homes will have gardens and garages or off-road parking, plus a high specification and finish throughout. Meanwhile, at Elsenham in north Essex, near Bishops Stortford, Dandara Eastern will have two new smaller developments available next year – Millers View and The Bower, both of which will feature a range of two, three and four-bedroom homes and are within a 15-minute walk from the station with services to Liverpool Street in less than an hour. Schools and local shops at the centre of this pretty village are also a short stroll away. For more information visit www.dandara.com
Hörmann UK have announced the launch of a new, thermally efficient telescopic dock leveller the HTL2 ISO which provides up to 55% improved thermal insulation when compared to a standard dock leveller in both closed and loading positions. Used in conjunction with their new slimline recess profiled sectional door it offers operators of temperature-controlled facilities the most energy efficient dock leveller and door combination on the market. Pre-assembled with a 50mm insulation panel fitted below the platform, the HTL2 ISO also offers a unique, patent pending insulated panel under the moving lip. The lip features a 390mm overlap length which ensures easy bridging of the gap between the leveller and lorry, offering flexible loading options whilst maintaining ambient temperatures. All grooves, gap seals and vertical edges are optimally sealed to ensure that no heat transference is possible at these points. The HTL2 ISO is available in standard sizes up to 3000mm in length and has a standard rated load of 60 kN. The Hörmann new slimline recess profiled sectional door is equipped with a suspended bottom section making it suitable for loading bays with door operation in front of the dock leveller. When in the closed position the bottom seal of the door rests on the insulated panel of the dock leveller, ensuring consistent thermal insulation. Optimum sealing is achieved with the door being raised and lowered via a guide channel and a central sealing unit. Phil Thorpe, Industrial Division Manager at Hörmann UK comments, “The introduction of the HTL2 ISO dock leveller, along with the new slimline recess profiled sectional door means we now can offer developers and operators a market beating combination of Hörmann quality and reliability, together with excellent thermal insulation properties. Once again, Hörmann have responded to changing operational needs and developed products that are unique to the market, we can proudly say ‘only from Hörmann’.” To view information of Hörmann loading technology visit Loading Technology from Hörmann UK (hormann.co.uk) or call 01530 516868 to be added to our mailing list.