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
GRAHAM has completed the £45m restoration and refurbishment of The Grand Hotel in Birmingham. The privately-owned contractor finalised the project in the Autumn of 2020, following a complex 30-month construction programme, which has since been labelled as a stunning transformation and shortlisted in the 2021 Building Awards, in the ‘Project
Following a detailed assessment by the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE), Mixergy’s smart hot water tank is now featured in the exclusive Appendix Q product database. This allows designers and landlords to factor additional carbon savings into the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), upon which Environmental Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Dwelling Emission rates are based. Mixergy’s smart hot water tank only heats what
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)
GRAHAM has completed the £45m restoration and refurbishment of The Grand Hotel in Birmingham. The privately-owned contractor finalised the project in the Autumn of 2020, following a complex 30-month construction programme, which has since been labelled as a stunning transformation and shortlisted in the 2021 Building Awards, in the ‘Project of the Year category’. Core elements of the scheme included stripping out the property, renovation works, installations and defect rectifications, and the interior fit-out of approximately 15,254m2 of internal floor space. The iconic Grade II listed building, which was originally built in 1879, overlooks the city’s prestigious Colmore Row and, in the past, it welcomed guests including The Prince of Wales and Winston Churchill. In a nod to the building’s rich history, the illustrious heritage has been sensitively retained, including the French Renaissance exterior, while its elaborate internal decoration pays homage to Birmingham’s rich history, but with a modern twist. GRAHAM has constructed 185 opulent rooms, including a variety of grand suites with stunning views across St Phillip’s Cathedral, a garden terrace, a Victorian style Grand Ballroom, and an eye-catching grand staircase. The renovation project also made provision for two bars and a destination restaurant, a hotel gym, and state-of-the-art meeting and event spaces. Commenting on the return of the hotel back to its former glory, Ronan Hughes, GRAHAM Regional Director – Midlands, said: “It is a stunning transformation, and GRAHAM is proud of our meaningful contribution in making it a reality. The attention to detail, finish and quality of work are exceptional, and reflect the ambitious vision behind the restoration of The Grand Hotel. This was a complex project for many reasons, with challenges throughout the programme. But the technical expertise, hard work and dedication of our team ensured that we were able to find intelligent solutions at every stage. We continue to expand our presence in Birmingham, and this exemplar project will be a touchpoint for us across the Midlands region. Undoubtedly, The Grand Hotel will be one of the city’s most in-demand destinations.” Darrel Owens, Development Director for The Grand Hotel, said: “The Grand Hotel was five years in the making, with the added complication of Covid-19 thrown into the mix. The final product is breath-taking. My congratulations and respect go to the people who made this project happen, including all of the team at GRAHAM.” The Grand Hotel’s opening was delayed due to COVID restrictions but it recently opened to visitors on 18th May 2021. The winners of the 2021 Building Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on the 2nd November, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Following a detailed assessment by the Buildings Research Establishment (BRE), Mixergy’s smart hot water tank is now featured in the exclusive Appendix Q product database. This allows designers and landlords to factor additional carbon savings into the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP), upon which Environmental Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Dwelling Emission rates are based. Mixergy’s smart hot water tank only heats what is needed, unlike a conventional cylinder which heats the whole contents. This minimises the primary carbon used to generate a dwelling’s hot water, while maximising the availability of cold water for storing renewably generated energy; from Solar PV, for example. This uniquely stratified method of heating water is now factored into the SAP Appendix Q database, allowing social landlords (under RdSAP) and new developers (under SAP 2012 and SAP 10) to recognise the full benefit of using Mixergy in their projects; whether new build or retrofit. Not only will the user experience be enhanced by the smartest cylinder on the market, but asset managers and developers can also benefit from more energy efficient SAP certified properties. In short, developers or homeowners that choose to install the Mixergy tank will now be able to accurately calculate and report its effect on the energy efficiency of a heating and hot water system – and include that information in the dwelling’s overall EPC rating. For simplistic systems using a standalone Mixergy cylinder, the SAP assessor can now factor a partial state of charge, rather than standing heat losses at 100% of the heated volume. While this offers a modest carbon saving itself, the maximum benefit is achieved when the dwelling uses Mixergy’s solar PV embedded cylinder. This product variant allows maximum local storage of solar PV in the cylinder, offsetting a considerable amount of primary carbon. Depending on factors such as property age, size, and construction – and cylinder heat source (direct or indirect) –installing a Mixergy tank can reduce hot water bills by £160 per year (e.g. 3 bed semi, direct electric with 4kWp solar array), and lower carbon by >135kg/CO2/annum (e.g. 3 bed semi, indirect with 4kWp solar array). David White, Business Development Director, Mixergy, explains: ‘’Official recognition, within the SAP process, of Mixergy’s lower running costs and carbon footprint is a significant step-change. This special listing allows house designers and developers to take full advantage of Mixergy’s adaptive ‘top up’ heating methodology in their calculations. More specifically: for developers, this means they can offer a better hot water product to their customers, while also demonstrating the carbon savings in their properties’ EPCs; while for social landlords the investment in a Mixergy cylinder not only addresses fuel poverty and the low carbon transition, but can now contribute to their RdSAP calculations – clearly demonstrating the financial benefits of Mixergy.’’ The Mixergy tank can be tailored and purchased via a wide range of channels, including national distributors City Plumbing, Midsummer Energy, Bublshop and more. It has already been successfully deployed across the UK by leading developers such as: Cala Homes (Queenswood, Cammo Meadows); Sero Homes (Parc Eirin); and retrofitted by Ocean Housing and East Devon Council. “Inclusion on Appendix Q is a real milestone for Mixergy,” concludes Martin Allman, Chief Commercial Officer. “It will make the Mixergy tank much more appealing to developers and installers, as they will be able to include it in their SAP calculations – potentially improving EPC ratings and helping them meet new government targets. That’s good for us, great for home owners, and even better for the planet.”