One of the UK’s leading specialist interior fit-out contractors has completed a milestone 16-storey contract at Edwardian Hotels’ new flagship super boutique hotel in London. EE Smith Contracts, which has been carrying out work for Edwardian Hotels Ltd for the last 35 years, opened its factories on the Clarendon Industrial
Data released today in the WhatHouse? New Homes Index reveals the hottest areas across Britain for new home buyer search with South East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands top of the list for August 2021. A sign that, post pandemic, home buyers are weighing up relocation to areas beyond the traditional Greater London commuter zone and considering a wider range of regions
SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities, has appointed Rachel Sudlow as its R&D Lead in a newly created role designed to increase digital innovation across public sector construction. Rachel joins SCAPE following more than 10 years at Balfour Beatty, where she started as a quantity surveyor
Main contractor Laing O’Rourke has awarded the £1.5m furniture and fitout contract for the first phase of the £485m 3Ts redevelopment of Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading hospital fitout specialists. Deanestor will manufacture around 17,000 items of furniture for the project and
Teachers know that many of the most important factors affecting children’s performance are invisible. Tiredness, stress, hunger: these all have a significant impact on pupils’ productivity and their ability to learn. But there’s another significant factor that most educators (and employers, for that matter) rarely consider. This is the most
A lot has happened since January 2021 when the government published the outcome of the Future Homes Standard consultation, and therefore it may not be front of mind. But the details outlined are not a set of abstract requirements that may or may not come into force – changes are
Brett Martin has provided its new StormCrate55 modular crates for an underground attenuation tank designed to control stormwater and address surface water run-off as part of the redevelopment of a business park in Cheshire. Located in Wincham near Northwich, the Blue Group site at the New Cheshire Business Park features
Knottingley-based Caddick Construction has been awarded the prestigious RoSPA Order of Distinction Award for its health and safety performance throughout 2020. Dubbed the toughest health and safety competition in the world, the RoSPA Order of Distinction is only bestowed on companies that achieve a minimum of 15 consecutive Gold Awards
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, and its longstanding client, IM Properties, has welcomed the first learners inside its new ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre. The Centre is located at Mercia Park, Leicestershire and its
Leading housebuilder Harron Homes Yorkshire has submitted a planning application to Barnsley Metropolitan Council for 236 new homes which will transform a disused brownfield site on Bleachcroft Way in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The proposals will not only regenerate the site, which has stood empty for 50 years but it will
One of the UK’s leading specialist interior fit-out contractors has completed a milestone 16-storey contract at Edwardian Hotels’ new flagship super boutique hotel in London. EE Smith Contracts, which has been carrying out work for Edwardian Hotels Ltd for the last 35 years, opened its factories on the Clarendon Industrial Estate in Leicester 24 hours a day during peak capacity to help create London’s largest new luxury hotel, The Londoner. The Londoner, which has been designed in collaboration with Toronto and New York based design studio Yabu Pushelberg, has been branded as the world’s first super boutique hotel and its highly-anticipated opening is due this month. (September) There are 350 guest suites with views over Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square over 16 storeys which also includes six food and beverage outlets. There is also a two-screen cinema, a 1,000 capacity pillarless ballroom and an event space for corporate hire or private parties with a bespoke half honed half polished green marble floor and unique, fabric clad wavey walls. The Londoner features an area called The Retreat which has a swimming pool, private cabanas, a detox juice bar, hair and nail salon, treatment rooms and a gym. There is also The Residence which features three exclusive bars and eateries which are open 24 hours a day for exclusive use to meet every hotel guest’s needs. The hotel is home to £5 million worth of art throughout the building to enhance the boutique style experience within the west end district of London. The work has involved finishes on the project from all over the world such as 350 lava stones from Italian volcanos. Neil Bottrill at EE Smith Contracts said it had been fantastic to work on helping to create The Londoner. He said: “We have continued our 35-year relationship with Edwardian Hotels by collaborating on their super boutique flagship, The Londoner. “When this first-of-its-kind ‘iceberg’ hotel opens, it will be the largest hospitality opening in London post-Covid. “This has been a very collaborative project that we were chosen for due to our in-depth understanding of Edwardians’ expectations, standards and their way of working. “There were 78 finishes schedules across the project whereas we usually have a maximum of three which highlights the scale of this project. “We have shown our innovation and adaptability in the manufacturing of bespoke joinery for each of the 350 suites which was made possible by operating 24/7 from our Leicester HQ. “Covid did interrupt completion but the finished result is absolutely stunning and the opening of The Londoner will definitely give a much-needed boost to the hospitality industry.” Krishma Singh Dear, of Edwardian Hotels London, added: “Edwardian has worked with EE Smith for 35 years on all of our refurbishments. “We therefore know that EE Smith is able to produce a high-quality fit-out that withstands the test of time. “The Londoner was a project that was extremely complicated in terms of its detailing and scale. We believe EE Smith has done a fantastic job and we are all proud of the finished product.”
Data released today in the WhatHouse? New Homes Index reveals the hottest areas across Britain for new home buyer search with South East of England, West Midlands and East Midlands top of the list for August 2021. A sign that, post pandemic, home buyers are weighing up relocation to areas beyond the traditional Greater London commuter zone and considering a wider range of regions in the hunt for greater space and value for money. In August the national average price of new home property coming to market stayed virtually static at £334,801 (£338,339 in July). Top three new home search areas during August: 1. South East of England has demonstrated the most buyer demand during August 2021, achieving 31,293 new home buyer searches. 2. West Midlands maintains second position for the second month in a row, achieving 19,921 new home buyer searches during August 2021. 3. East Midlands has secured a top three search position with 16,760 new home buyer searches during August 2021, representing a 46% increase on July’s figures. During the past six months (March – August 2021) three regions have demonstrated month on month growth in new home search. 1. East Midlands – 46% growth 2. Yorkshire & The Humber – 28% growth 3. South East England – 22% growth Daniel Hill, Managing Director, WhatHouse? comments: “Whilst buyer’s future new home needs remain uncertain – as many employers are yet to confirm if, or when, the daily commute will return – many continue to consider a move unhindered by the need to be close to traditional transport networks, and with the need for ample home working space in mind. This all points to buyer interest in new homes remaining strong across the UK, and WhatHouse? predicts higher than average Autumn search activity driven by continued buyer interest in relocation.” David O’Leary, Policy Director, Home Builders Federation said: “Buyer interest and appetite for new builds remains high with the clear focus of builders very much on finding a way through a number of thorny supply-side challenges. Materials availability continues to cause headaches and planning delays bring uncertainty and additional expense”.
SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities, has appointed Rachel Sudlow as its R&D Lead in a newly created role designed to increase digital innovation across public sector construction. Rachel joins SCAPE following more than 10 years at Balfour Beatty, where she started as a quantity surveyor but was most recently focused on innovation and research, working with bodies such as Innovate UK to drive improved digital standards in the construction industry. The new role will see Rachel work closely with SCAPE’s clients and delivery partners to develop, encourage and apply new technologies and building methods to create more innovative, sustainable buildings. Rachel will also collaborate with various private and public sector partners outside of the construction industry, including funding bodies, research institutions and academia, as it continues to help shape the public sector’s response to the climate emergency. This includes a significant focus on BIM modelling utilised by SCAPE projects across the UK, ensuring that data from partners and clients is collected and used effectively to enhance strategic decision-making, improve efficiency and environmental performance at every stage, from procurement through the full life cycle of the building. Her appointment follows the launches of SCAPE’s latest suite of net-zero-ready construction and consultancy frameworks – SCAPE Construction, SCAPE Scotland Construction, SCAPE Consultancy and SCAPE Scotland Consultancy – which incorporate dedicated tools to help public sector organisations procure projects in a way that meets their sustainability and climate ambitions. SCAPE’s suite of construction and consultancy frameworks is used by more than 1,200 public bodies across the UK. The framework provider currently operates with a buying power of £18bn. Rachel Sudlow, R&D Lead at SCAPE, said: “At a time of significant regeneration across the public estate, it’s critical that the next generation of public sector buildings and infrastructure sets new standards for construction. Innovation will play a critical role and ultimately be supported by continually striving for better outcomes through the application of R&D. “Working with our clients and partners, and the wealth of data their projects produce, we have an outstanding opportunity to stimulate truly impactful innovation and ensure that the UK continues to be seen as a centre of excellence for construction.” Rachel will report directly to Chris Clarke, Director of Performance and Improvement at SCAPE. He said: “There’s little doubt that a combination of ingenuity and resource is needed to help address the complex needs of the public sector, including the climate emergency that has been declared by organisations across the UK and the world. Rachel’s addition to the team signals our commitment to both and will further set our clients’ projects apart in terms of adopting market-leading R&D in addition to best-in-class procurement. Through digital innovation, we can ensure an even greater legacy for the wave of public sector regeneration that is currently driving the UK’s economic recovery.”
Main contractor Laing O’Rourke has awarded the £1.5m furniture and fitout contract for the first phase of the £485m 3Ts redevelopment of Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to Deanestor, one of the UK’s leading hospital fitout specialists. Deanestor will manufacture around 17,000 items of furniture for the project and will be fitting out 2,000 rooms across the new, purpose-designed 11-storey building. Deanestor has a long-standing relationship with Laing O’Rourke and architects BDP, and this latest contract follows their successful completion of fitout projects at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre Liverpool, The Grange University Hospital in Wales, Dumfries and Galloway Hospital in Scotland, and furniture provided for a number of Nightingale hospitals in the Covid-19 pandemic. Commenting on this latest project, Will Tonkinson, Managing Director of Deanestor, said, “We are delighted to be working once again with Laing O’Rourke and BDP, and on our 18th project for Laing O’Rourke. 3Ts is a major redevelopment project, which will modernise Royal Sussex County Hospital and provide state-of-the-art accommodation to improve the patient experience and support the Trust’s roles as a district general hospital, a specialist tertiary centre, a teaching hub, and a major trauma centre.” Stage one of the redevelopment, which is being fitted out by Deanestor, will house inpatient wards on the upper floors. The majority of patients will have single ensuite rooms with sea views. The lower floors accommodate outpatients and diagnostics services in spacious, modern surroundings. Public-facing services are located on the first and sixth floors and include main reception, waiting areas, retail units, café, and welfare and wellbeing facilities. The bespoke joinery package awarded to Deanestor includes a stunning 6m diameter main hospital reception desk for welcoming patients and visitors, and using natural walnut hardwood and veneers. 35 nurse stations and staff bases with solid surface finishes and wood grain fascias will be manufactured and installed across the building, together with 40 touchdown bases providing staff with convenient additional workspaces in the clinical areas. Deanestor is manufacturing hospital furniture for all consulting rooms, patient bedrooms, and utilities, including base and wall storage units with white Formica door fronts, adjustable shelving units – some with HTM71 tray inserts, and solid grade laminate worktops to patient bedrooms. The Deanestor team will be fitting over 10,000 individual products procured by the Trust such as rack storage systems, dispensers, clocks, noticeboards, benching, and white goods. Stainless steel furniture will also be provided for the catering areas on each floor as part of this contract, which is due for completion in Summer 2022. Originally established in 1948 to manufacture hospital furniture and fittings for the newly established NHS, Deanestor has the resources and expertise to manage 5,000-room hospital projects. It offers bespoke design services to meet specific project requirements and is responsible for installation to provide a seamless approach and a single point of contact for contractors, NHS trusts and other construction clients. For further information, visit www.deanestor.co.uk/healthcare, call 01623 420041 or email enquiries@deanestor.com
Teachers know that many of the most important factors affecting children’s performance are invisible. Tiredness, stress, hunger: these all have a significant impact on pupils’ productivity and their ability to learn. But there’s another significant factor that most educators (and employers, for that matter) rarely consider. This is the most invisible element of all: the air that we breathe. But since the beginning of the pandemic, air quality in schools has been under the microscope. Yet as important as it is to reduce infections through better ventilation, this crisis presents a golden opportunity to improve concentration and performance, not just for school pupils but for every worker. Breathing new life into classrooms The annual “back to school” in September is always a stressful time for teachers, children and parents, but this year will be like no other. Everyone knows that packing children into classrooms significantly increases the risk of Covid transmission, which is why school and government leaders are quite rightly prioritising ventilation. Clean air technology has a stunning effect on reducing transmission. One school was able to capture 99.97% of airborne pathogens by implementing our air disinfection, filtration, isolation and monitoring technology. But this is an opportunity to do much more than prevent children catching Covid, as crucial as that is. The link between air quality and long-term health complications has been known for many years. The reduction in air pollution has been one of the great public health successes of the last century. What’s far less appreciated is the effect that poor air quality has on students’ productivity and concentration. Recent research has found that creating and maintaining a standard for air quality can improve productivity by 11%, and can even have a measurable effect on pupils’ strategic thinking and exam scores. In fact, one study found that spending a few hundred pounds on air filtration systems has been shown to raise test scores by the same amount as cutting class sizes by a third. By improving air quality, we can literally breathe new life into classrooms, with huge advantages for pupils and, longer term, for the growth of the UK economy. Schools can teach business a lesson It’s not just children who benefit from breathing purer air; adults experience similar performance and productivity gains from improvements to air quality. There are certainly many industries that can take a lesson from schools and hospitals on improving air quality. Research among building decision-makers into what they are doing to ensure the health of occupants found that while healthcare organisations are, unsurprisingly, leading the way in implementing clean air technology, less than half of commercial real estate respondents have done so. This presents a major opportunity for the building and construction industry. The UK’s successful vaccination programme and general levels of Covid fatigue means that stressing the virus threat will only go so far. By moving the conversation on and stressing the measurable, bottom-line benefits to businesses, we can deliver a much more compelling message. Instead of fixing a problem, the industry will be positioning itself as partners in businesses’ future success. Setting new standards In truth, the building and construction sector needs a powerful message because existing regulations fall far short of what’s needed to improve workers’ wellbeing and productivity. Currently, the HSE Approved Code of Practice states fresh air should not fall below five to eight litres of air per second per occupant, while CIBSE’s guidance suggests that buildings should have a ventilation rate of ten litres. This is far too low: testing shows that even at the rate of 12 litres per person/second, CO2 levels can still remain high, leading to drowsiness and poor concentration. It’s also too low to remove particulate matter, which contributes to long-term health complications, while exacerbating allergies that can reduce productivity even further. Ideally, the minimum standard for ventilation should be doubled to 20 litres per second per person, and that really should be an absolute minimum. But these numbers are not absolute: ventilation requirements change according to how many people are in the building at any one time. This is another area where the construction industry can play an important educational role by setting improved standards based on occupancy and air quality metrics, rather than measuring ventilation alone. This has the additional benefit of ensuring that businesses are not over-ventilating their offices, which can be detrimental to their energy efficiency and heating costs. We constantly hear that the coronavirus crisis is an opportunity to “build back better”. On air quality we have a chance to make a measurable difference to millions of people’s health, happiness, and productivity. Let’s seize this opportunity to make workplaces fit for the future by tackling what’s been so easy to ignore for so long: the air on which all life depends.
A lot has happened since January 2021 when the government published the outcome of the Future Homes Standard consultation, and therefore it may not be front of mind. But the details outlined are not a set of abstract requirements that may or may not come into force – changes are imminent and now is the time to consider what is coming down the track. Trevor Richards, Operations Director of VOLUMETRIC™, a specialist in volumetric modular housing solutions, outlines the challenges involved and makes a case for expedient action. The Future Homes Standard outlines changes to Building Regulations Part L (conservation of fuel and power) and F (ventilation) that will ultimately come into effect in 2025 to ensure that all new homes in England are futureproofed with low-carbon heating systems and high levels of energy efficiency. These standards should ensure that all new homes will produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than houses delivered under current regulations. As an interim step, announcements surrounding changes to Part L are expected later this year, which will come into force next year to ensure new homes built from 2022 will produce 31% less carbon emissions. Full technical specification for the Future Homes Standard will be consulted on in 2023, with the necessary legislation introduced ahead of implementation in 2025. So, change is happening and happening at pace. Here at VOLUMETRIC™ we adopt a partnership approach and have worked in close collaboration with Foundation200, a charity established by housing developer Hill Group to gift 200 interim homes for rough sleepers to homeless charities and local authorities to mark the company’s 20th anniversary. The team behind Foundation200 required specialist support to design and manufacture a bespoke solution – MODULHAUS™ was the outcome of much research and an extensive testing regime. Right from the initial concept stages, the decision was reached to develop a modular solution that would exceed the Future Homes Standard to relieve the burden on local authorities of ongoing expenses associated with traditional temporary accommodation. As ever, the devil is in the detailing and there is a lot more to achieving the Future Homes Standard than we initially considered. Not willing to compromise on our client’s expected performance for the intended application, our team modelled and re-modelled our designs, with countless materials and technologies assessed and evaluated to ensure we achieved our optimum position. Achieving the right balance was challenging. Sometimes the benefits of one solution counter-act the benefits of another, making you feel like it was one step forward, and one back. Whether it is insulating our lightweight structure to ensure the best envelope was attained, whilst arresting any potential overheating that the relative lack of thermal mass in the same lightweight structure brings or understanding which renewable technologies to use given the variability of potential site locations and restrictions. It was essential that we invested time up front to resolve these issues. The embodied carbon assessment for MODULHAUS™ has been undertaken based on RICS and British Standard guidance and includes information from relevant Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and publicly available carbon data. At all stages of the MODULHAUS™ system development these criteria have been assessed for the forecast 60-year whole-life embodied carbon, along with system energy use and full SAP calculations. This analysis has also considered ‘cradle to factory gate’ raw material extraction, transport and processing into product, ‘construction’ processes and in-use raw material extraction maintenance. We are currently also assessing the potential for carbon offsetting or balancing to achieve our zero- carbon target by the beginning of 2022. The futureproof energy strategy for MODULHAUS™ is designed to exceed the Future Homes Standard with Environment B and A rating and emissions as low as 229.5KG CO2/year. Modules are factory fitted with sustainable technologies, low energy lighting and white goods together with controlled flow shower mixers and dual flush cisterns to minimise energy and water consumption. Renewable energy technology is built into every module including Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), and Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems. Combined with a highly airtight and well insulated structure, U-values as low as 0.09W/m²K are achieved. In addition, the airtightness achieved in using a volumetric modular approach enhances in-use energy efficiency and reduces carbon emissions for the lifetime of the building. Results of 3m³/hr/m² air loss at a 50 Pa are being routinely achieved during factory testing as part of our QA procedures. This has been a massive learning curve and reaching the Future Homes Standard is simply not just a case of adding more insulation. It is far more complex than that. So, although 2025 may seem a way off, after experiencing the challenges involved first-hand, it is better to take time now and get your design and testing protocols right, than taking a risk and failing to meet the complexities involved. A RAPID & AFFORDABLE SOLUTION TO THE HOMELESS CRISIS To meet the needs of local authorities battling to find a cost-effective solution to address rough sleeping, the MODULHAUS™ single person interim housing solution has been developed and launched after a rigorous 18-month Research and Development Programme. A finalist in the Offsite Awards in the Best Building Performance – Modulhaus™ will be on show at Offsite Expo on the 21 – 22 September at Coventry Building Society Arena. Offsite Expo delegates will have the opportunity to meet the design, engineering and manufacturing team on stand B7 and see the Modulhaus™ two-storey feature build. Reducing ongoing energy costs to circa £5 per week, this solution provides greater dignity and independence to the most vulnerable members of society whilst also relieving the burden on local authorities of ongoing expenses associated with traditional temporary accommodation. MODULHAUSTM DESIGN FEATURES BOPAS accredited structure with 60-year design life LABC Assured Building Control approval Fully non-combustible, fire tested to exceed Building Regulations Robust and thermally efficient Galvanised steel external walls and double lined internal walls Renewable energy technology via a shared energy centre External air source heat pump Mechanical ventilation and heat recovery Stackable to two storeys with a range
Brett Martin has provided its new StormCrate55 modular crates for an underground attenuation tank designed to control stormwater and address surface water run-off as part of the redevelopment of a business park in Cheshire. Located in Wincham near Northwich, the Blue Group site at the New Cheshire Business Park features offices, a workshop and space for up to 20 waste handling machines. In order to manage surface water on the site during periods of heavy rainfall, Engineering Services, working on behalf of Blue Group, collaborated with Brett Martin on a design which incorporated the StormCrate55 system – an engineered Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS), to create a 325m ³ storage tank below a parking area. Due to space limitations and drainage layouts on site, Engineering Services found the dimensions of the StormCrate55 perfect for this project. With each crate capable of storing up to 237.5 litres of water, Brett Martin’s technical experts were able to offer technical guidance for the design of an attenuation tank and underground storm drainage pipe layout to suit both the site landscaping and tank storage requirements and allow stormwater to be managed on an area where staff cars and light goods vehicles are to be parked. With Brett Martin offering a complete package, the attenuation tank was installed in a short timescale by contractor Catalogue Engineering. As each crate weighs only 15.5kg they were easy to lift by hand and simple to connect together using connectors and shear pins in a brick bond pattern and at three layers deep in parts. Commenting on the specification, Terence McGeary of Engineering Services said:” The site in Wincham had some specific constraints in terms of space, topography and pipe placement. Despite these challenges, we were delighted with the technical support and the complete package provided by Brett Martin leading to the specification of the StormCrate55 system for this project.” As with the application at the Blue Group site, one option is to surround the StormCrate55 system with an impermeable geomembrane to create a sealed underground attenuation tank. The outlet from this tank is then controlled to facilitate a slow release of the stored water back into the drainage system. StormCrate55 can also be wrapped in a permeable geotextile material to create an infiltration system which allows stored water to slowly seep into the surrounding ground and back into the water table over a period of time. Available for delivery to site with a fast two-to-three day lead time, StormCrate55 is seen as one way to manage rainfall on a site, reducing the risk of surface water flooding and avoiding the problems associated with an overloaded sewer system. Ideal for a range of applications including landscaped areas, pedestrianised spaces and playgrounds, Brett Martin’s StormCrate55 will ensure this business park will have a proven stormwater and drainage solution, ensuring flood protection for the long term. To find out more about StormCrate55 or Brett Martin’s expansive range of rainwater systems visit: www.brettmartin.com
Knottingley-based Caddick Construction has been awarded the prestigious RoSPA Order of Distinction Award for its health and safety performance throughout 2020. Dubbed the toughest health and safety competition in the world, the RoSPA Order of Distinction is only bestowed on companies that achieve a minimum of 15 consecutive Gold Awards in a single year – Caddick Construction achieved 18, easily surpassing the high benchmark. Caddick’s award was presented to the Caddick team in a virtual ceremony by RoSPA’s President Baroness Jolly, and Chief Executive, Errol Taylor. Caddick Construction Managing Director, Adrian Dobson, said: “We are all delighted to receive this award after what was probably one of the toughest years to be working in construction. It is testament to our team that Caddick was not only able to maintain its health & safety standards but to build on them – this award is recognition for every colleague who went above and beyond during 2020.” Caddick worked on several high-profile schemes during that period including the award-winning £35m Hudson Quarter in York, the £300m SOYO regeneration project in Leeds and Panattoni’s Wakefeld515 logistics scheme.
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, and its longstanding client, IM Properties, has welcomed the first learners inside its new ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre. The Centre is located at Mercia Park, Leicestershire and its opening celebrates the two companies’ joint intention to make a difference to local people’s lives through social value initiatives, which includes a focus on bringing forward training and employment opportunities. The Mercia Park ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre comprises an onsite construction training facility with practical outdoor space, which is not only available for Winvic and its breadth of subcontractors to use, but also colleges, universities and specialist training providers in the construction industry are being invited to make use of the facilities. All seven participants on the inaugural traffic management training course impressed, so much so that they were offered employment with various traffic management contractors at the end of the course. Developer IM Properties has provided the land at its Mercia Park site while Winvic has funded the on-site Training Centre as part of their social value commitments, ensuring the development has a positive impact on surrounding communities. The first vocational course to launch the Training Centre was facilitated by traffic management training specialist Vocation Training Ltd with support to deliver technical qualifications from Up To Speed Training and Assessment, and practical assessments from TSM, who is one of Winvic’s traffic management subcontractors. The participants were trained over a four-week period and one of the job roles offered – a Trainee Operative position accepted by Anthony Land – is with TSM at Mercia Park. The construction training facility comprises classroom, kitchen and bathroom facilities in addition to a significant, flexible outside space where a wide range of practical training can be undertaken. The area is securely fenced and dedicated parking spaces means the Centre can be used safely and independently of the construction works. Nevertheless, due to it being adjacent to the site, access can be granted to enhance training course learnings. The outdoor space enables contractors and training providers to set up practical training scenarios as opposed to relying on models and videos to teach – from traffic management to health and safety, from groundworks to steelworks – while the classroom environment can accommodate approximately 10 people for theoretical training. Danny Nelson, Winvic’s Director for Industrial, Distribution & Logistics, commented: “As part of our social value commitment for Mercia Park we are delighted to be able to work in partnership with IM Properties and our supply chain to bring benefits the local community by facilitating training and skills development for local people through our bespoke, on-site facility. It’s a real celebration that we have been able to welcome the first learners to Mercia Park, but what makes the launch of the ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre even more special is that all seven trainees have been given traffic management jobs, illustrating that the outcomes can be quantifiable and local people can benefit from the construction work happening nearby to their homes. “We’re currently speaking to local and regional education and training providers about making use of the Centre and we have a number of our subcontractors lined up, excited to have a significant and flexible space at their disposal to deliver practical and theoretical training. Construction and vocational training go hand-in-hand – as we know through the apprenticeship and Year In Industry placements we offer – and we believe this Centre is a glimpse into the future how the industry will gain the skilled people it needs.” Kerry Amory, IM Properties’ social value manager, said: “We’re really pleased to see the training centre finally in action after a long wait during the pandemic for onsite training to return. We know the difference a bespoke facility will make, having witnessed the positive results on our other Leicestershire scheme, Hinckley Park. We’ve drawn on our experience from Hinckley to enhance the employment and skills opportunities at Mercia, which is crucial to us as a business and industry and integral to the delivery of Mercia Park. “Our values are shared not only by our supply chain but Winvic Construction’s too, with TSM, its Traffic Safety Management company, hiring the trainee operative now on site. We are currently in discussions with local FE colleges and third-party training providers to encourage them to use the new facility and have two further courses booked later in September. We would urge anyone interested in booking the facility to get in touch.” Helen Madden, at Vocation Training, said: “The Mercia Park ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre that Winvic has created is a much needed, flexible space that is perfect for a wide range of hands-on and classroom based training courses. It’s an amazing facility and the best that we’ve ever had access to in relation to outdoor space, as its size allows for real-life working conditions to be assembled and practical scenarios carried out, and also because candidates get to experience the feel of a live construction site environment. It was clear that this hugely benefitted the traffic management training participants over the course of the training and it’s great news that all seven of them gained employment.” Richard Turbill, Operations Director at TSM, added: “We have been working as one of Winvic’s subcontractor partners for seven years and we feel honoured to have been part of the launch of the Mercia Park ‘Future of Construction’ Training Centre. Delivering the training was straightforward and efficient because the outdoor area is so spacious, and all the participants were able to get hands-on and therefore learn more quickly. All proved themselves to be worthy of job offers and Anthony who is now on site with TSM as a Trainee Operative at Mercia Park has shown great promise and is enjoying his new job.” Winvic delivered vast civils and infrastructure works to facilitate the 238-acre employment park and is now constructing 2.94 million sq ft global parts
Leading housebuilder Harron Homes Yorkshire has submitted a planning application to Barnsley Metropolitan Council for 236 new homes which will transform a disused brownfield site on Bleachcroft Way in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. The proposals will not only regenerate the site, which has stood empty for 50 years but it will also bring significant enhancements to the existing ecological features of the site including Dob Sike. The development will deliver a mix of two-, three- and four-bedroom homes all with electric car charging points and will feature green open spaces with picnic benches, a Trim Trail, a play area, footpaths, wildlife habitats, a woodland and 12.5 hectares of wildflower areas. The Dob Sike waterway is a historic area of high ecological value which is home to ancient trees, water voles and other wildlife. It will be restored and maintained by Harron and incorporated into the new development. The development will also feature an area of Birch Oak woodland that in previous plans for the site was lost. Tony Lee, Managing Director of Harron Homes Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have submitted a planning application for this new development. We are hopeful that our plans will rejuvenate this derelict site while maintaining the rich variety of wildlife which calls this site home, and bring much needed homes to the Barnsley area.” For further information about Harron Homes, please website the website, www.harronhomes.com/.