A Midlands-based property and land company has strengthened its senior team with two promotions. Richard Mees has been promoted to Chief Executive at Rainier Developments Ltd and Josh Sinnett becomes Managing Director. Both have been with the company — which has its headquarters in Henley-in-Arden — since its early days,
All systems go for new 245,000 sq ft logistics facility in Bellshill Knight Property Group has just secured full planning consent from North Lanarkshire Council to develop a brand new £50 million logistics park at Bellshill Industrial Estate, on the site of the former Devro manufacturing facility. The application was
The Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS) is leading the way for the UK’s built environment to drastically reduce onsite emissions to air that are harmful to human health and the planet, such that they will reach net zero by 2040 and contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11 and
Countryside and Home Group have marked reaching the highest point of Phase 3 of South Oxhey Central, their £218m town centre development in Hertfordshire, with a topping out ceremony that was attended on 8th September by the Leader of Three Rivers District Council, Cllr Sarah Nelmes. Delivered in partnership with
Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with Leeds-based ARC Building Solutions in a partnership, part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. They will work together to create and bring to market new building insulation products – starting with the Retrofit Eaves Insulator – invented and patented by lead academic, Dr
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has achieved BOPAS accreditation for its modular living solutions, following its expansion into the residential sector. Established in 1956 and with a long track record in offsite construction, Premier has five factories at its production centre in East Yorkshire. It has
CACI, the consumer and location intelligence specialist, has revealed the top 20 areas best to invest in for build-to-rent (BTR) schemes across the UK. The research highlights developments are proving increasingly popular with residents, as more and more consumers are attracted to BTR schemes because of the ease and convenience
A construction contractor has been fined after multiple health and safety issues were identified during a proactive Covid spot check at a site in Manchester. Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that on 9 July 2020, a HSE inspector performed a proactive Covid-19 spot check at a construction site in the city.
Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, says: “The current energy crisis around gas supply and demand was entirely avoidable but that doesn’t help solve the problem now. In the short term, the tools available to help are limited and expensive but may be necessary to keep fuel
Kingspan’s IKON Innovation Centre in Kingscourt, Ireland, has been recognised for its sustainable design and use of next generation building materials. Completed in 2019, the 1,950 square metre facility was created to act as the global development research, development and test hub for Kingspan products, and also to offer visitors
A Midlands-based property and land company has strengthened its senior team with two promotions. Richard Mees has been promoted to Chief Executive at Rainier Developments Ltd and Josh Sinnett becomes Managing Director. Both have been with the company — which has its headquarters in Henley-in-Arden — since its early days, with Richard previously Managing Director and Josh one of the team of Land Directors. Rainier Developments was established in 2015 by Eric Grove, one of the most successful property entrepreneurs in the country. Eric, Richard and Josh have grown the business to become a market leader in property and land development. There are currently 40 sites in its portfolio, which is managed by an in-house land, planning and development team. Richard Mees said: “Josh has been with Rainier since 2017 and was the first person we hired after I had arrived the year before, so his promotion to Managing Director is recognition of how he has helped the business grow. “He has immense experience in this sector and has a significant role to play in our strengthened senior team and as we look to match and improve on the rapid growth that we’ve seen in recent years.” Josh Sinnett, 32, said: “Rainier is a growing business and one with a strong reputation in the sector, so it’s a really good opportunity for me to step up to the role of Managing Director. “We’ve had a particularly successful 18 months, and I’m really looking forward to getting involved in both the strategic sites and the urban development work that we’re doing in the Midlands and in other parts of the country.” Rainier Developments recently secured funding from West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) to build 37 one- and two-bedroom apartments and commercial space in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter.
All systems go for new 245,000 sq ft logistics facility in Bellshill Knight Property Group has just secured full planning consent from North Lanarkshire Council to develop a brand new £50 million logistics park at Bellshill Industrial Estate, on the site of the former Devro manufacturing facility. The application was approved at last week’s full committee meeting. The 14-acre site will be transformed into Belgrave Logistics Park, a brand new speculative 245,000 sq ft logistics facility, with five high-quality units of 28,940 sq ft, 18,940 sq ft, 33,945 sq ft, 47,940 sq ft and 125,665 sq ft respectively. Each unit will have an EPC rating of A and further green credentials include electric car charging points, solar photovoltaics panels to the roof, all electric heat recovery / air conditioning to offices and water management flow restriction to conserve water. The site was acquired by Knight at the end of January this year, with the planning application submitted in May. James Barrack, Founder and Chairman of Knight Property Group said: “Achieving full planning consent is a significant milestone for this high-quality and well-located development. “Interest from potential occupiers has already been strong and confirms our confidence to develop speculatively in this sector and location. When complete, it will provide much-needed logistics space and has the potential to bring new business and employment opportunities to the area. “The demolition and site clearance works are now complete and we are currently in the midst of detailed discussions with several parties to select a main contractor for the development, which we hope to conclude shortly.” Marc Giles, Planning Partner at Ryden, who advised Knight, added: “The planning process was a real team effort and permission was granted well within the statutory four months determination period. We were delighted by the cooperative and positive approach from the planning officers at North Lanarkshire Council on this application. This development will bring significant economic benefit to the local area.” Belgrave Logistics Park will be situated within the popular Bellshill Industrial Estate with excellent transport links and quick access to the A725 dual carriageway which provides direct access to the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh and also the M74 which is Scotland’s main road link south. Glasgow international airport is only 25 minutes drive west via the M8 motorway and Edinburgh International airport is only 40 minutes drive east. Ryden is the letting agent for Knight Property Group at Belgrave Logistics Park. Further information on can be found at: https://knightpropertygroup.co.uk/development/belgrave-logistics-park/
The Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS) is leading the way for the UK’s built environment to drastically reduce onsite emissions to air that are harmful to human health and the planet, such that they will reach net zero by 2040 and contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11 and 13. The Plant Commitment Charter was developed by the Supply Chain Sustainability School’s Plant Group to encapsulate and communicate this approach. Each organisation signatory pledges to work toward five commitments, including: minimum standards in procurement, engagement, awareness raising & education, measurement & reporting, and innovation. The result: they contribute to a cleaner working environment. Kier and Cheetham Hill Construction are the latest signatories to the Plant Commitment Charter. They join nineteen other organisations publicly dedicated to actively reducing their emissions from the plant and equipment they buy, hire and use. Jade Hunt, Group Environment Manager, Kier, said“Kier have been active for a long time in reducing the impacts of its business, across all sustainability issues. Signing the School’s Plant Commitment Charter is an outward confirmation of our determined intent, and we want our suppliers and subcontractors to match our ambition.” Howard Chamberlain, Managing Director and Owner, Cheetham Hill Construction, said: “CHC has signed the School’s Plant Commitment Charter as a clear statement that we take the impacts of our business seriously, taking action to reduce them where possible, as far as possible.” Signatories to the Charter come from across the value chain and commit to improving air quality and reducing greenhouse emissions and any negative impact caused from their construction plant and equipment (CPE). Direct action on reducing tailpipe emissions can only lead to better local air quality for workers and neighbours, resulting in less impact on the global climate. Chris Matthew, Strategic Manager, Flannery Plant Hire, said: “Flannery signed the Charter in June 2020, the first to do so, because we saw value in making a public declaration of our strategy to reduce emissions across our fleet and the service we provide to our clients. We are glad to see others joining the same declaration.” Lara Young, Group Climate Change Director, Costain, said: “Costain were one of the first signatories of the Plant Commitment Charter in August 2020. As an early adopter of low emission plant and having introduced several Groupwide low emission plant standards since 2017, joining the Charter was an evident next step in our journey to net zero. Tackling one of our greatest whole life cycle emissions sources and providing a clear signal to our clients, supply chain partners and Plant OEMs to know of the importance we place on taking tangible action, reducing emissions from plant and machinery. I am delighted that more organisations are following suit.” Signing the Plant Commitment Charter is free and voluntary. Visit the Supply Chain Sustainability School to find out more.
Countryside and Home Group have marked reaching the highest point of Phase 3 of South Oxhey Central, their £218m town centre development in Hertfordshire, with a topping out ceremony that was attended on 8th September by the Leader of Three Rivers District Council, Cllr Sarah Nelmes. Delivered in partnership with Three Rivers District Council, Phase 3 is delivering 345 new homes, a 18,800 sq ft Lidl supermarket, and 6,500 sq ft of further retail space, as well as enhanced landscaping and landscaped podiums for residents. With construction progressing at pace, the first homes are expected to be ready in autumn 2022 with the new Lidl foodstore following in late 2022. The new homes in Phase 3 are due to be launched for sale at the end of September by Countryside, with one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments going onto the market, as well as two- and three-bedroom duplexes for the first time at the development. With 90% now sold, the last remaining homes in Phase 2 are currently on sale, with one- and two-bedroom apartments available and prices starting from £277,500. Following the completion of Phase 2 of the development earlier this year, all of the new retailers have now opened alongside a new market square, while 174 homes have been handed over to residents – making a total of 314 homes now completed at the development. When fully complete, South Oxhey Central will consist of a total of 659 new homes and in excess of 55,000 sq ft of commercial space, set across two acres of landscaped public spaces. Daniel King, Managing Director, West London and Thames Valley, Countryside, said: “Following the successful completion of Phase 2 earlier this year, we’re delighted with our swift progress on Phase 3, which will complement the existing community and retail scene with a varied mix of homes, additional retail space and Lidl supermarket. The topping out ceremony signifies the contribution to the local area that South Oxhey Central is making, and we can’t wait to welcome the new residents next year.” Joe Cook, Executive Director of Development at Home Group, said: “We’ve worked hard, alongside our partners Countryside and Three Rivers District Council, to create this fantastic new development – and that hard work continues into Phase 3 of the project. South Oxhey Central will make a huge difference to the surrounding community and we’re excited to see things progress over the next year.” Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, added: “The importance that local communities play in all our lives has come into sharp focus over the past 18 months. In this respect, the transformation of South Oxhey Central has already had a hugely positive impact on the community, offering a mixture of housing for social rent, shared and private ownership with new shops, convenient local facilities and a place to meet. I’m thrilled that this latest phase is now nearing completion and want to pass on my thanks and congratulations to everyone involved for making it possible.” To find out more about the new homes available at South Oxhey Central, please speak to our sales team on southoxheycentral@cpplc.com or 020 3944 4166.
Leeds Beckett University has joined forces with Leeds-based ARC Building Solutions in a partnership, part-funded by the Government through Innovate UK. They will work together to create and bring to market new building insulation products – starting with the Retrofit Eaves Insulator – invented and patented by lead academic, Dr Matthew Brooke-Peat. Through the two-year programme, academic experts at Leeds Beckett University’s Leeds Sustainability Institute (LSI) and Leeds Business School will support ARC in setting up a specialised new product development department within the business to invent and bring new products to both the retrofit and new-build housing markets. The pilot project will be the Retrofit Eaves Insulator (REI), invented and patented by Dr Brooke-Peat and co-inventor Professor Christopher Gorse, which will allow homeowners to make their dwellings more energy efficient and cost effective. Dr Brooke-Peat, Architectural Technology Course Director at Leeds Beckett, explained: “A problem area for insulating existing buildings is at the eaves – the junction between the external walls and roof – which can result in high rates of heat loss. We have seen this in research projects in the LSI and have needed to find a solution to this energy efficiency problem for a long time. “A large market opening up currently is the retrofit market – thermally upgrading a building; which could be just the loft or the full house, including the walls. The eaves need to be insulated as part of this process – and, where the roof covering is already fitted, this is a tight space. We needed to invent an insulation product that could resolve the problem and be fitted easily in a confined space with restricted access.” The patent has now been licensed by Leeds Beckett University to ARC – with funding of £161,000 through the Government’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) programme to support the development of the REI and a whole new product development department for ARC. Neil Weeks, Managing Director of ARC, said: “ARC has worked in tandem with Leeds Beckett University for a number of years, using expert knowledge and skills to identify heat loss and carbon reduction in the new build sector. “The refurbishment sector is a vast market and existing homeowners of properties pre-2005 are in a unique position – to be able to reduce their carbon impact whist also reducing monthly heating bills. “ARC is keen to identify key opportunities for products that can positively influence carbon reduction are key to the long-term growth strategy of ARC as a business.” The KTP will begin with the recruitment of a full-time KTP Associate, who will be an experienced graduate. They will work with ARC and the academic team in establishing the processes and infrastructure needed to set up the new in-house product development department. The academic team will be led by principal inventor, Dr Matthew Brooke-Peat, providing the technical expertise relating to the invention and the construction industry; alongside the team at Leeds Business School, led by Paul Rhodes, Lecturer in strategic marketing and new product development – bringing expertise in finance, management and marketing. Dr Brooke-Peat said: “It is exciting to see an idea borne out of research coming to fruition as a marketable product, which will then be in use for a positive effect. It’s about implementing energy efficiency, which reduces carbon emissions – and in existing buildings.” “If we are going to stand a chance of meeting our targets for carbon emissions, we need to be looking at the existing building stock, which will still be around in 2050 when we are aiming to reach our zero-carbon target. This invention will help move us towards that. It is exciting to contribute to something so important that could go into many retrofit roof insulation projects going forward. The scale of its potential is vast.” Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) aim to help businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills within the UK knowledge base.
Premier Modular, one of the UK’s leading offsite specialists, has achieved BOPAS accreditation for its modular living solutions, following its expansion into the residential sector. Established in 1956 and with a long track record in offsite construction, Premier has five factories at its production centre in East Yorkshire. It has capacity to produce 100,000sqm of living space per year, with the opportunity to increase output to meet demand. BOPAS – the Buildoffsite Property Assurance Scheme – is the industry benchmark to give funders, principal mortgage lenders, valuers, and purchasers the confidence that homes built using offsite construction will have a life of at least 60 years. It also demonstrates the integrity of the offsite system, consistent delivery, and long-term performance to specification. Premier specialises in the offsite construction of affordable, sustainable and fast-track apartments, studios and multi-occupancy buildings for social housing, build-to-rent, schemes to address homelessness, hotels, and student accommodation. It works as a partner to local authorities, housing providers, developers, and contractors. Commenting on the new accreditation, Jeff Maxted of BOPAS and a Director of BLP Technical Services (UK), said, “It is fantastic to see Premier’s expansion into the residential sector, building on their vast experience in other areas. BOPAS is an independent, standards-led benchmark for modular housing, providing long-term assurance to lenders and valuers that homes built using non-traditional methods of construction offer longevity and reliability.” Dan Allison, Director of Premier Modular, said, “We are immensely proud to receive this industry accreditation which reinforces our expansion into the residential sector. BOPAS provides our local authority and developer clients as well as funders and mortgage lenders with complete reassurance of best practice and that our modular apartment solutions meet or exceed the required standards.” “We have ambitious plans to bring innovation and sustainability to the UK housing market. We already have a number of residential projects on site and nearing completion and are receiving a high level of enquiries for new schemes. We anticipate the demand for offsite construction will continue to increase to help address the housing crisis and the drive for net zero.” “We offer a range of modular solutions for low to mid-rise apartment developments, and the speed of offsite manufacturing will help to reduce housing waiting lists. We have also successfully demonstrated the structural stability of our building system beyond 15 storeys, giving our customers even greater confidence in our design and construction capabilities.” “The residential sector is facing considerable challenges – from the shortage of skilled labour to the need for increased productivity and improved quality in housebuilding to meet the rising demand for new homes. By moving the construction of new apartment schemes offsite and into a more controllable factory environment, we can produce energy-efficient homes with less impact on the environment, to reduced programmes, and significantly enhanced quality.” Premier has been awarded full BOPAS accreditation for design, manufacturing and construction. A rigorous assessment was carried out by BOPAS, which audited all aspects of Premier’s operations, including quality control systems, health and safety, project management, and interfaces, from design through to offsite manufacture, construction, and handover. BOPAS was established by the industry body Buildoffsite, BLP Insurance, the RICS and Lloyd’s Register. For further information, visit www.premiermodular.co.uk, call 0800 316 0888 or email info@premiermodular.co.uk.
CACI, the consumer and location intelligence specialist, has revealed the top 20 areas best to invest in for build-to-rent (BTR) schemes across the UK. The research highlights developments are proving increasingly popular with residents, as more and more consumers are attracted to BTR schemes because of the ease and convenience they provide. CACI’s data has unearthed significant opportunities outside London, with both Coventry in the West Midlands and Central Bedfordshire in the East of England achieving total ranking scores of 71% each for BTR investment potential. The complete top 20 is: 1 Coventry 11 Cardiff 2 Central Bedfordshire 12 Maidstone 3 Aylesbury Vale 13 Arun 4 South Gloucestershire 14 West Lothian 5 Colchester 15 Barking and Dagenham 6 Milton Keynes 16 Manchester 7 Swale 17 Wealden 8 Sandwell 18 Peterborough 9 Ashford 19 Sheffield 10 Leeds 20 County Durham In London itself, Barking and Dagenham are the highest-ranking boroughs, largely driven by the rental income and quantity of potential customers. The data also reveals there is a geographical pattern in London, with the biggest opportunity for BTR in the capital to the east and north of the city, largely driven by the underlying demographic of the area. More than £1.2 billion was invested into the UK’s BTR market in Q1 2021, the highest first quarter on record*. To reflect the growing popularity of the sector, CACI’s BTR index has reviewed factors including rents, affordability, yields, volume of potential customers and population growth to create the ranking. Commenting on the research, Tolgar Necar, Managing Consultant at CACI said: “It’s clear from our ranking that the UK BTR market has established itself in a wide range of locations. The market is growing rapidly and destinations within the London commuter belt are becoming more appealing than ever for this younger generation looking for convenience and high-end schemes to live in. For more and more of these consumers, it is all about the ability to socialise as opposed to the size of the property, kerb appeal and having a garden are less important, which is reflective of their life-stage.” Managed services and facilities contribute hugely to the attractiveness of the schemes to prospective tenants, allowing developers to stand-out from the competition and achieve premium rental values, creating a win-win for developers seeking higher yields and renters happy to pay for these features. Such premiums tend to gear developments towards higher-earning groups, often falling within CACI’s ‘rising prosperity’ Acorn segments, with aspirational ‘starting out’ groups also attracted by the ease and convenience that these managed schemes provide. CACI’s research has also identified the factors most relevant to such consumers when choosing a BTR location: proximity to friends, proximity to work, transport links, proximity to green space, the quality of local amenities (shops and F&B); and access to high-speed internet. BTR schemes also typically offer high-spec units, with managed amenities and services – the best of which are highly targeted to the needs, wants and lifestyles of specific user groups and audiences. This latest index from CACI follows their latest research revealing the scale of demand for staycations in the UK this summer. * https://www.savills.co.uk/research_articles/229130/312837-0
A construction contractor has been fined after multiple health and safety issues were identified during a proactive Covid spot check at a site in Manchester. Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that on 9 July 2020, a HSE inspector performed a proactive Covid-19 spot check at a construction site in the city. During the inspection, a host of safety issues were identified including working at height, welfare, Covid-19, site security, and electricity. The principal contractor was served with a Prohibition Notice and two Improvement Notices. A return inspection was made on the 17 August 2020, after very little communication from the principal contractor. Little or no improvements had been made regarding the issues and additional enforcement action was required, including a further Prohibition Notice regarding an unsupported excavation. It was subsequently established that the contractor had failed to comply with any of the Improvement Notices HSE had served. Principal contractor Umar Akram Khatab, now resident in Hollingwood Lane, Bradford, pleaded guilty to breaches of Section 21 of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 13(1) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order. He was also ordered to pay £3,000 towards costs and a victim surcharge of £95. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Rebecca Vaudrey said: “HSE prides itself on being a proportionate and evidence-based regulator. Since the beginning of the pandemic HSE has carried out more than 316,000 Covid spot checks, with the priority to urgently make workplaces safe from transmission risks, rather than heavy-handed enforcement. “These checks have demonstrated that the majority of employers want to do the right thing to ensure their workers go home safe and well. “This is the first prosecution to arise from the Spot Check programme. We’ve repeatedly stressed that prosecution is a last resort, but this case clearly illustrates that where there is consistent disregard to Covid or other risks to employees’ health and safety, HSE will use its powers to take action.”
Mike Foster, CEO of the Energy and Utilities Alliance, says: “The current energy crisis around gas supply and demand was entirely avoidable but that doesn’t help solve the problem now. In the short term, the tools available to help are limited and expensive but may be necessary to keep fuel poverty levels in check; to keep the lights on whilst still keeping an eye on our emissions. “In the longer term much more can be done and should be. This crisis should act as a wake-up call to get on with improving the energy efficiency of buildings; of ramping up of zero carbon power generation, that’s nuclear, wind as well as gas with CCS; but most of all seizing the opportunity to massively invest in hydrogen production, so we are no longer dependent of geology for our energy. “Above all, this crisis should put pay to the notion that we should electrify all domestic heating in the UK. We simply cannot load high seasonal heating demand onto a system that cannot cope. It would be reckless and irresponsible to do so.”
Kingspan’s IKON Innovation Centre in Kingscourt, Ireland, has been recognised for its sustainable design and use of next generation building materials. Completed in 2019, the 1,950 square metre facility was created to act as the global development research, development and test hub for Kingspan products, and also to offer visitors a glimpse into the built environment of tomorrow. The building has now been certified LEED Gold, meaning that the design and construction demonstrated exceptionally high standards in terms of sustainability, energy use and innovation. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. Accreditation is achieved by accumulating credits for various aspects of design, construction and operation. Credits are awarded in eight categories, including energy & atmosphere, materials & resources, water efficiency, and innovation. IKON contains state-of-the-art innovation, prototyping and testing labs, and is home to a team dedicated to researching and developing advanced material science with the focus on recyclability, thermal efficiency and reducing the embodied carbon in building products throughout their lifecycle. The building also has a state of the art Digital Twin which was created during the build process and has been expanded to an operating twin that allows for real time data collection which will further the application of the LEED framework. The IKON Innovation Centre is the only office building in Ireland that is certified LEED Gold. Mike Stenson, Kingspan’s Global Head of Innovation, said: “As part of our Planet Passionate programme we’re committed to achieving net-zero carbon manufacturing by 2030 and to developing industry-leading products, solutions and services that set new standards in terms of lower embodied carbon, thermal efficiency and overall product performance. “Being awarded Gold for our IKON Innovation Centre is an important symbol of our commitment to a better built environment. I am very proud of the team who helped us to achieve this recognition, including the many partners, such as the building general contractor CGDM, Niall Smith Architects and Millimetre Design, who worked with us to find solutions at every step of the journey.”