The Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) has awarded £24 million of funding to Energetik to support two major extensions of its community heat network across the London Borough of Enfield. This brings the total support provided by HNIP to just under £39 million, following an initial grant and loan award
Are you a construction business who’s struggling to hire the best talent? In this article, Kelly Friel from industry tools and equipment supplier Zoro shares her tips for attracting more applicants to construction roles — and keeping them on, too. It’s been an interesting few years for the construction industry,
Firethorn Trust has acquired a substantial site at Sherburn-in-Elmet in Leeds, as it continues to grow its national logistics portfolio. The 37-acre logistics site forms part of the wider Sherburn2 scheme, which spans 75-acres and is owned by Yorkshire-based development and investment company, Glentrool Estates Group Ltd. Firethorn has now
The financial viability of property development is taking on an increasingly important role in the planning and plan-making process. While financials have always been key to the success of any development, changes to national planning policy and related practice guidance have shifted the focus and priority. And, according to national
Helensburgh’s state-of-the art leisure centre is on track to open in 2022, despite the construction challenges brought by the global pandemic. One year after construction began, the main building is structurally complete, with the external Lomond stone blockwork and glazing installed, there are new flood defences for the town and
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed which coastal locations offer the most new-build availability for those looking to buy by the seaside. Warwick Estates analysed new-build availability across 45 of the best coastal towns across the nation based on the number of new builds available on the current
An international flooring designer, manufacturer and distributor has announced plans to move part of its UK operations to the Worcester Six Business Park as it looks to grow the business. Worcestershire-based Victoria PLC, the UK’s largest flooring manufacturer and distributor, has specified leading developer Stoford to deliver a bespoke unit
Construction and development company, the Cruden Group, has expanded its green portfolio and commitment to green energy housebuilding by signing a 3-year enhanced green energy supply contract with ScottishPower. This means that the Group will purchase electricity which always comes exclusively from renewable sources, with 100% of green electricity from
Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, is working up plans for a 202,200 sq ft speculative, last-mile logistics development in Crawley. The development, called Panattoni Park Crawley, is located in the established industrial area of Manor Royal Business District on a 10-acre brownfield site on Fleming Way,
As the construction sector finds it feet again, and the costs of materials soar, once again building sites become prime targets for organised criminal gangs. The construction sector is now experiencing a boom period following the suppression of building work during the pandemic. But alongside the pipeline of busy works
The Heat Networks Investment Project (HNIP) has awarded £24 million of funding to Energetik to support two major extensions of its community heat network across the London Borough of Enfield. This brings the total support provided by HNIP to just under £39 million, following an initial grant and loan award of over £14 million for the construction of the Meridian Heat Network in 2020. The additional funding will increase the network’s reach and enable Energetik to supply very low carbon heat to over 50,000 homes, building on its previous forecast of 15,000 connections by 2026 and making this scheme the largest to be awarded HNIP funding to date. The extensions will link together and significantly decarbonise all existing heat networks in the London Borough by connecting them to the upcoming Meridian Water energy centre at Edmonton Eco Park. The energy centre will connect to the North London Waste Authority Recovery Facility once complete in 2026, delivering very low carbon waste heat to customers through a network of underground district heating pipes. The northwards extension will link the Meridian Water Heat Network with the existing Ponders End Heat Network, serving two new housing developments comprised of over 3,300 homes and the civic centre building in Enfield Town. The westwards extension will follow the route towards the Arnos Grove Heat Network, heading north towards the Oakwood Heat Network and connecting two care homes along the way. These extensions are a strategic step forward for Energetik, maximising the long-term decarbonisation potential by allowing more homes and buildings to benefit from heat that would otherwise be wasted. Energy Minister Lord Callanan said: “Changing how we heat homes and workplaces is a vital part of how we will end our contribution to climate change, which is why we’re investing in cutting-edge low-carbon heating technologies to help us meet our bold climate targets. “Thanks to this Energetik project, backed by a further £24 million of government funding, up to 50,000 households across North London are going to feel the direct benefits as we continue making our towns and cities cleaner places to live and work.” Jayne Clare, Managing Director at Energetik said: “This funding decision is extremely positive for Enfield and our Company. The expansion of our low carbon heat networks will provide the required infrastructure to unlock untapped potential and deliver maximum carbon savings across the borough. This an immense step forward towards achieving Enfield’s carbon goals.” Ken Hunnisett, Project Director at Triple Point Heat Networks Investment Management said: “Energetik was one of the very first projects to be awarded through the Heat Networks Investment Project and it is great to be able to support them further with a second award in the scheme’s final year. One of the major benefits of heat networks is their ability to expand and decarbonise over time, and Energetik is a shining example of how this can be done for the benefit of a significant 50,000 homes across North London.
Are you a construction business who’s struggling to hire the best talent? In this article, Kelly Friel from industry tools and equipment supplier Zoro shares her tips for attracting more applicants to construction roles — and keeping them on, too. It’s been an interesting few years for the construction industry, and while we’re certainly recovering from the pandemic quicker than anyone anticipated, the boom has exacerbated pre-existing issues — such as recruitment and employee retention. It’s predicted that the industry will need to recruit an additional 216,800 new workers by 2025 just to meet demand (CITB), but with an ongoing labour shortage and an ageing workforce, you might be wondering how your construction business can pull this off. Below, I’ll suggest some of the ways you can attract, recruit, and retain the best possible talent to your construction business to prepare for the future of construction. Redefine perceptions When the average jobseeker considers jobs in this sector, it’s likely that they think of hard hats, heavy labour, and gruelling building work. While these roles are important and suit a particular type of candidate, it’s crucial that we highlight the varied roles available within the industry to ensure that every position is filled by people with the right skills. From logistics to software engineering to administrative roles, try to demonstrate that construction is a multi-faceted industry with a variety of roles to suit all skill sets. It’s also important to showcase the opportunities for professional development available within the industry. People will want to know that they can progress within a company, whether that’s through traditional vertical promotion or lateral moves. So, particularly when recruiting for entry-level roles, be sure to include information about what your employees can do after two, five, or even ten years working at your company. If you can’t promise they’ll have access to senior roles, you should explain how they can eventually choose to work in different departments elsewhere within the company. Promote diversity In addition to not being aware of the sheer scope of jobs available in construction, many jobseekers may not realise how diverse the sector can be. For example, men still outnumber women in construction roles by a significant amount, and many construction companies believe that is because they are put off applying for traditionally masculine positions, or have never considered roles in construction as being ‘for them’. While attitudes like these are changing, the construction industry needs to be at the forefront of this change to encourage women, other minorities, and non-traditional construction applicants to apply. You can help jobseekers perceive your company as a safe, inclusive space to work at by appointing mentors and role models with diverse industry backgrounds to assist in the recruitment process. Meanwhile, you should also be working on developing non-discriminatory job profiles by using inclusive language, creating comfortable and accessible workspaces with facilities to suit all needs, and offering incentives that employees of all backgrounds can benefit from. Improve company culture Company culture is more important than ever when it comes to attracting and retaining employees. In fact, many workers now believe that enjoying the culture where they work is more important than how much they get paid (Glassdoor). Company culture extends beyond social events — you need to make sure your workforces’ quality of life is being protected, including their work/life balance. A positive work/life balance doesn’t necessarily mean your staff work less hours or do less work either. Flexible working options, such as optional start-times, break formats, and remote working (where applicable), are mutually beneficial and you may even find that productivity increases as a result. Other aspects to focus on include the provision of a clean, tidy workspace to reduce stress and increase efficiency. Tools, equipment, and PPE that is high-quality and fully operational can also make a difference, as well as access to mental health and wellbeing services and valuable educational resources for continued learning and development. All these elements can help your employees to feel valued and invested in your company. Preserve future talent If you aren’t already, you need to make sure your construction company is making efforts to recruit school leavers and graduates. Having a presence in schools and colleges is more than just a great way to find new apprentices and interns — it is also playing a crucial role in preserving the future talent pipeline. It does this by encouraging children and teenagers to have an interest in STEM subjects as early as possible, so they can accrue the necessary skills to do well in construction. You should have a look into what your company can provide to schools outside of recruitment fairs so that your name and what you do is visible to students. For example, you could offer to do talks on your area of expertise, facilitate school trips to your site or places of interest, donate resources, or fund events. Embrace technology So many aspects of modern construction have been supported, improved, and made possible by the implementation of new technology, from robotics and smart tools to project management software. And, a variety of construction roles can be made more appealing to people who don’t have manual labour skills by embracing this tech. For example, automation can help address concerns about heavy lifting among the physically disabled or unfit. What’s more, much of the UK’s talent pool is comprised of IT, software, digital design, and other technology graduates, who can be tempted over to construction companies if they are modernised, digitised, and open to new innovations. As well as supporting construction skillsets, tech in this industry has opened up a new need for people who can use, troubleshoot, and even improve these technologies. The construction industry is booming, but unless you have enough talent to fill your positions, you could miss out on the opportunities this presents. Hopefully, these tips will help you attract and retain talent to your company going forward.
Firethorn Trust has acquired a substantial site at Sherburn-in-Elmet in Leeds, as it continues to grow its national logistics portfolio. The 37-acre logistics site forms part of the wider Sherburn2 scheme, which spans 75-acres and is owned by Yorkshire-based development and investment company, Glentrool Estates Group Ltd. Firethorn has now exchanged contracts with Glentrool, in a deal that will allow the delivery of up to 660,000 sq. ft. of new logistics warehousing across one or multiple buildings, suited to a range of occupiers, from SMEs to larger manufacturing and distribution companies. Situated within an established commercial and industrial location at Junction 42 of the A1(M), the new site lies immediately adjacent to Sherburn Enterprise Park, which is home to several large multi-national occupiers including L&G Modular Homes, Eddie Stobart, Sainsburys and Clipper Logistics. The scheme provides excellent connectivity throughout the UK, with close proximity to Leeds, the M1 and M62, coastal ports of Hull and Grimsby and regional rail and airports. Dan Green, Associate Director at Firethorn Trust, commented: “We are very pleased to have exchanged contracts to acquire this impressive 37-acre site in Sherburn-in-Elmet, which we believe will be a strong addition to our growing UK logistics portfolio. “It provides an excellent opportunity to add new, institutional quality warehousing to our existing pipeline in a strong local market experiencing record levels of demand and take-up, and historically low vacancy rates and supply levels. “As occupiers continue to adapt their supply chain and distribution models to fit the post-Covid economy, demand is expected to remain at these levels in the medium term, whilst the increased drive to e-commerce is further fuelling occupational demand. “This acquisition is another example of our strategic approach to identify sites in strong locations across the UK for development and unlock opportunities to deliver modern, high-quality warehousing solutions, highly-sustainable schemes and economic benefits for the wider region.” Jeremy Nolan, a director of Glentrool says: “We are delighted to have brought this site to an advanced state of readiness, delivering a serviced plot that will enable Firethorn to swiftly develop high quality units for occupiers. “The wider Sherburn2 site has excellent road and rail links and, given the neighbouring Sherburn Enterprise Park is already home to significant multi-nationals, we anticipate Firethorn will enjoy great success in attracting similarly prestigious occupiers.” Firethorn Trust was advised by Lambert Smith Hampton and Stephenson Harwood and Glentrool was represented by Colliers International and Carter Towler.
The financial viability of property development is taking on an increasingly important role in the planning and plan-making process. While financials have always been key to the success of any development, changes to national planning policy and related practice guidance have shifted the focus and priority. And, according to national planning and development consultancy Lichfieldsthese necessitate a change in approach for those seeking to promote the Local Plan process. “Increasingly there is a ‘frontloading’ of viability assessments to the plan-making stage. The impact and shift of emphasis cannot be overstated. Financial viability assessments are now very much in the planning realm,” said Simon Coop, planning director at Lichfields. In a new piece of research undertaken by Lichfields, entitled ‘Fine Margins – Viability assessments in planning and plan-making’ the practice offers a comprehensive overview of the way in which viability assessments are being conducted and for the purpose of area-wide viability studies to inform local plan preparation. Simon Coop added: “Recent evidence we have gathered and analysed, in the residential housing market, suggests that the soundness of local plans is increasingly being fought on a viability battleground. “Viability is a critical but often misunderstood concept, and one that is central to the delivery of housing sites and the successful implementation of local plan strategies.” Drawing upon several years’ worth of evidence from local plan and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) viability studies from across England and Wales, this research into the residential housing sector helps to bring greater clarity to an area of practice in which there are many misunderstandings. Will Christiansen, who carried out much of the research, explained the findings should ideally reduce confusion and create more meaningful debate on this issue between developers, planners and local authorities. Will said: “Changes introduced in 2019 are really starting to impact the sector. There is widespread confusion in planning practice and guidance and this piece of Insight aims to demystify some of this and become a key reference document across the industry. “Having a housing scheme that stacks up from a financial perspective provides a sound basis for a development scheme to come forward. If the value generated by development (GDV) is equal to or greater than the total costs, then the scheme is viable and can go ahead.” Traditionally, he explained, it was usually commercial surveyors who undertook financial viability assessments, and this was often later in the planning and development process. Today, he said, this is now centre stage and at the forefront of planning new housing developments. Planning policy in England and Wales now seeks to ‘front-load’ all consideration of development viability so that is given a much greater emphasis at strategic plan preparation stage. “The assumption that flows from this is that developments that accord with the strategic plan will be viable. However, local plans provide a long-term framework for development, and it is essential that they are sufficiently flexible to account for changing circumstances, such as rising costs and potential changes in the development values over the next 10-15 years,” said Will. Lichfields hopes the research will be useful to those wanting: To gain an overview of the concepts, inputs and outputs that underpin viability assessment in a housing development context; To understand in greater detail the links between viability assessment and planning; and To scrutinise local plan (or CIL) viability evidence (or underpin independent evidence) with reference to a robust national dataset. A copy of the Fine Margins Insight report is available https://lichfields.uk/content/insights/fine-margins Founded in 1962, Lichfields offers a broad range of planning and development consultancy services including development management, consultation, economics, EIA, heritage, neighbourly matters and urban design. Its clients include developers, landowners and operators in the housing, retail, leisure, commercial, waste and recycling and infrastructure sectors; as well as local authorities and government bodies.
Helensburgh’s state-of-the art leisure centre is on track to open in 2022, despite the construction challenges brought by the global pandemic. One year after construction began, the main building is structurally complete, with the external Lomond stone blockwork and glazing installed, there are new flood defences for the town and landscaping is well underway. When it’s complete the council’s £22 million development will provide residents and visitors with new swimming and studio pools, and a gym and café with stunning views of the Clyde. Access for all The Helensburgh Waterfront Development is designed to be fully accessible for all users and includes: Pool pod access facilities to enable wheelchair users and anyone with mobility issues to independently access the pool. A moveable floor in the studio pool, making it easier for all swimming abilities A Changing places toilet with hoist equipment and a changing bench Employment and Next Generation Skills As the local economy starts to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the build continues to support local employment. There are over eighty people working on site and many local contractors working on the project. The project is creating vital training and experience for people starting out with their careers. The Council and its construction contractor Heron Bros Ltd offer a number of work placements and ongoing learning including: Apprentice civil engineers and stonemasons Trainee quantity surveyors Civil engineering graduates Apprentice joiners, plumbers and electricians Councillor Gary Mulvaney. Policy Lead, Financial Services and Major Projects: “This development not only offers a first class facility for residents and visitors, it provides vital skills and training to the next generation, and support for the local economy now when it needs it. With ongoing Covid restrictions, it has taken a huge team effort from the Council, Heron Bros and our internal and external design consultants to get us to this important milestone. It is remarkable to think of the progress to date considering the back office staff behind the Waterfront Development are working remotely to deliver the project. The progress achieved in the face of considerable challenge is a testament to the power of partnership and professionalism. Congratulations to everyone involved.” Cathal Heron, Regional Director for the Main Contractor, Heron Bros: “Heron Bros is extremely pleased with the progress made to date as we mark such a key milestone for the project. The celebration represents a high point not only for the project build, but for the entire project team, who have worked so effectively together in making such impressive progress.” The project is supporting a number of community projects with donations from Heron Bros to local charities and material supplied to help initiatives including the Helensburgh Community Centre. The Council appointed contractors Heron Bros Ltd to start work in August 2020. The project represents investment in Helensburgh of more than £22.3 million. This includes £5million awarded from the UK Government Libor Fund and £100, 000 from SportScotland.
The latest research from Warwick Estates has revealed which coastal locations offer the most new-build availability for those looking to buy by the seaside. Warwick Estates analysed new-build availability across 45 of the best coastal towns across the nation based on the number of new builds available on the current market as a percentage of all properties listed for sale. The research shows that on average, just five per cent of all homes currently listed across coastal locations are new builds. However, Newquay in Cornwall offers the best chance of a new-build by the sea, with one in five homes currently listed for sale coming via the new homes sector. Shoreham-by-Sea in the South East is also home to some of the largest levels of coastal new-build availability, with new homes accounting for 12% of all homes currently on the market. Poole (11%) and Margate (10%) are the only other coastal locations where new-builds account for more than 10% of current for sale stock, while Deal (9%), Exmouth (9%), Scarborough (9%), Herne Bay (8%), Falmouth (8%) and Littlehampton (8%) also make the top 10. In contrast, there are currently no new-build homes listed for sale in Burnam-on-Sea, Stubbington or Fleetwood. COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: “The property market DNA of many coastal locations has long been decided and the lack of available space means you will probably be hard-pressed to find a new-build with sea views. However, as our research shows, some coastal favourites are home to a limited level of new-build stock and so the dream of a new-build by the sea isn’t completely out of the question. While the chances are higher in some areas compared to others, those with their heart set on such a purchase should be able to find a coastal new-build contender in almost every region of the UK market.” Table shows new-build availability in each coastal town based on the number of new-builds for sale as a percentage of all homes listed for sale Location Region Total stock listed for sale New-build stock listed for sale % proportion of NB Newquay South West 373 74 19.8% Shoreham-by-Sea South East 407 47 11.5% Poole South West 2696 290 10.8% Margate South East 719 75 10.4% Deal South East 462 43 9.3% Exmouth South West 524 48 9.2% Scarborough Yorkshire and The Humber 1017 93 9.1% Herne Bay South East 728 61 8.4% Falmouth South West 325 27 8.3% Littlehampton South East 950 78 8.2% Ramsgate South East 588 46 7.8% Great Yarmouth East of England 1,045 81 7.8% Christchurch South West 508 36 7.1% Felixstowe East of England 523 34 6.5% Whitstable South East 625 40 6.4% Folkestone South East 830 49 5.9% Worthing South East 1895 111 5.9% Weymouth South West 762 43 5.6% Weston-Super-Mare South West 1561 88 5.6% Southport North West 1,374 75 5.5% Broadstairs South East 429 23 5.4% Torquay South West 1289 66 5.1% Formby North West 275 14 5.1% Clacton-on-Sea East of England 993 49 4.9% Lowestoft East of England 1,031 49 4.8% Bournemouth South West 3777 159 4.2% Eastbourne South East 1,698 71 4.2% Seaford South East 314 13 4.1% Cleethorpes Yorkshire and The Humber 348 14 4.0% Bridlington Yorkshire and The Humber 483 18 3.7% Bexhill South East 1,027 36 3.5% Bognor Regis South East 1102 37 3.4% Skegness East Midlands 290 9 3.1% Southend-on-Sea East of England 1,134 30 2.6% Paignton South West 812 21 2.6% Redcar North East 423 8 1.9% Clevedon South West 275 5 1.8% Hastings South East 1,571 21 1.3% Blackpool North West 2,106 25 1.2% Morecambe North West 561 5 0.9% Lytham St Anne’s North West 824 5 0.6% Whitley Bay North East 340 1 0.3% Fleetwood North West 313 0 0.0% Stubbington South East 187 0 0.0% Burnham-on-Sea South West 246 0 0.0% Average 39760 2118 5.3% Data sourced from Rightmove (25/08/2021)
An international flooring designer, manufacturer and distributor has announced plans to move part of its UK operations to the Worcester Six Business Park as it looks to grow the business. Worcestershire-based Victoria PLC, the UK’s largest flooring manufacturer and distributor, has specified leading developer Stoford to deliver a bespoke unit at the business park, which will house one of its businesses, Alliance Flooring Distribution. Stoford has this week submitted a planning application to Wychavon District Council for a 180,121 sq ft unit for the company, which has been a major employer in Kidderminster since 1900 and has agreed a 15-year lease for unit 7. The facility is expanding its existing locations and will be operational in Q4 2022. Edward Peel, Development Manager for Stoford, said both Stoford and Victoria PLC are committed to reducing their carbon footprint. To achieve that, the base build of the unit will be net carbon zero in operation and will feature extensive electric vehicle charging points and photovoltaic panels on the roof. Two new ponds are also being created as part of the build, which will help to further improve the green infrastructure on the business park, providing an attractive setting and new wildlife habitats. “Attracting yet another global player to Worcester Six is a real success story,” he said. “The building of unit 7 will enable Victoria PLC to continue its growth plans, which can only be good news for the local economy. We’re looking forward to working closely with it as we develop its plans for a sustainable new base. “Worcester Six is living up to its reputation as a game-changer development. Ambitious businesses are keen to come here and take advantage of the strategic location, the high quality builds and the attractive environment that the business park sits in.” Philippe Hamers, CEO for Victoria PLC, said a new, bespoke building for Alliances UK headquarters will future-proof the business and allow the continued growth of the Victoria PLC brand portfolio and its third party customers. It hopes to create an additional 60 jobs over the next five years. “This move will allow us to further develop and grow our workforce using local skills and we are hoping to develop a work experience and apprenticeship scheme in the next two years to complement this and aid our continued growth,” he said. “The location of Worcester Six is perfect. This gives immediate access to the motorway network. Combine this with how long we have been an employer in this area, the local workforce who have great experience in flooring and the fact that we are able to future-proof our business by building a fit for purpose headquarters in an attractive setting with all of the green credentials we are striving for, offers an exciting future for us.” In the past three years, Worcester Six has welcomed Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal, Kohler Mira and IONOS. Victoria PLC was advised by Brasier Freeth and Stoford by BNP Paribas and Harris Lamb. For details about the scheme and other units that can be provided, contact the agent: Charles D’Auncey at Harris Lamb – charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com or Ben Wiley at BNP Paribas – ben.wiley@realestate.bnpparibas
Construction and development company, the Cruden Group, has expanded its green portfolio and commitment to green energy housebuilding by signing a 3-year enhanced green energy supply contract with ScottishPower. This means that the Group will purchase electricity which always comes exclusively from renewable sources, with 100% of green electricity from wind farms with zero CO2 emissions. In support of Cruden’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, ScottishPower as a Principal Partner for the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), is working closely with the Cruden Group to further develop a range of renewable and other clean, green energy solutions and smart technologies to reduce emissions and drive down homeowner energy bills. The Cruden Group builds around 1,500 new homes each year and together with ScottishPower, they are working on several market leading initiatives to offer more zero carbon alternatives. These include ground and air source heat pumps, installing infrastructure that will enable electric vehicle charging as standard across many developments, rolling out low carbon heating solutions for both apartment developments and family homes, installing photovoltaic solar panels and energy storage solutions and incorporating Passivhaus Standards to create energy efficient homes using innovative carbon neutral methods of construction. The Cruden Group’s commitment to green energy also extends to their management offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Cruden’s head office in Cambuslang benefits from electricity from renewable sources via solar panels covering 90% of the roof of the office building. ScottishPower is the first integrated energy company in the UK to generate 100% green electricity and is delivering almost £10 billion investment in clean energy between 2020-2025 to help unlock Net Zero. Kevin Reid, Chief Executive of the Cruden Group said; “We are pleased to continue our strong and successful 14-year partnership with ScottishPower with this new renewable energy agreement. We strive to continuously improve the environment through innovation and this new green deal will help us further reduce carbon emissions, exceed carbon reduction targets and positively contribute towards the global climate change agenda.” Stuart Angell, New Connections Sales Development Manager at ScottishPower said: “I’m delighted to extend and enhance our relationship with the Cruden Group and for ScottishPower to be associated with a like-minded company that is striving to deliver excellence in the marketplace and prioritises the customer experience”. “As ScottishPower have looked to deliver market leading initiatives, the Cruden Group have helped shape this change with their invaluable feedback and creative ideas. As work towards a carbon neutral future, we will continue to engage with the Cruden Group to understand their challenges and what we can jointly bring to the market to satisfy our goals and customer needs”.
Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, is working up plans for a 202,200 sq ft speculative, last-mile logistics development in Crawley. The development, called Panattoni Park Crawley, is located in the established industrial area of Manor Royal Business District on a 10-acre brownfield site on Fleming Way, which Panattoni has just acquired from Aberdeen Standard Investments. Panattoni is aiming to submit an outline planning application in the fourth quarter of this year, with a view to beginning demolition and construction in the first half of 2022 and completing in the first quarter of 2023. Panattoni will aim to pre-let the space, which could either be one unit of 202,200 sq ft or two units. The development is part of Panattoni’s commitment to a significant speculative development programme in the UK in 2021 in response to strong demand from occupiers for immediately available space. In the south, Panattoni has acquired or progressed nearly 10 million sq ft of developments since the onset of Covid in March 2020. Panattoni Park Crawley is located in an established distribution location adjacent to London Gatwick Airport. It covers an area of 540 acres and is home to more than 600 businesses generating 30,000 jobs. Tony Watkins, Development Director at Panattoni, said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire such a well-located site, as land in the south east for building a logistics facility of this scale is very scarce. This is a great site for accessing London”. Letting agents are JLL and Savills.
As the construction sector finds it feet again, and the costs of materials soar, once again building sites become prime targets for organised criminal gangs. The construction sector is now experiencing a boom period following the suppression of building work during the pandemic. But alongside the pipeline of busy works schedules, there is also a surge in site thefts, further exacerbated by the shortage of materials. The consequence is delayed projects and spiraling costs as some components’ prices soar. The price of copper has soared by 70% in just a year, whilst lithium carbonate, used to accelerate silica based cements and mortars, has all but doubled, rising by 97%. “The construction sector has always been a target for thefts of valuable plant and equipment.” comments Paul Corten, Sales Director for leading temporary security provider, The VPS Group. “But we are increasingly seeing opportunistic thieves replaced by organised criminal gangs, as the price of plant and materials means greater rewards for the risks they take. Surprisingly, the majority of construction sites do not rely on Monitored Tech solutions, even though these systems provide the most efficient form of security and prevention.” In January this year a pan-European crime gang were convicted in a Belgian court over a €1-million series of thefts of cranes, excavators and trailers. The haul, including a €460,000 cement pumping truck, a €108,000 bulk tanker and €50,000 worth of trailers, were stolen, resprayed and sold to unsuspecting customers across the UK and Ireland. A month before that, a gang of metal thieves had been jailed for stealing 92km of cable over several raids in the UK. The Construction Equipment Association (CEA), owners of the CESAR scheme (the plant marking and registration initiative), noted a worrying increase in construction machinery theft in the UK since the introduction of lockdowns caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. One company, the Clancy Group, reported an increase in theft of construction machines from their sites by as much as 50 percent. Mr Corten adds: “Deploying traditional manned security guards can ensure there is a visual deterrent on-site with a quick response to incidents, but there can be substantial costs, especially for 24/7 manned guarding. Plus they are only able to be in one place at one time, which is a problem for larger sites. And they are, after all, human: they may not stay alert for night shifts, or they miss critical areas of the site.” Increasingly, site security managers are turning to monitored technology to provide more sophisticated solutions that enhance, improve or replace guards, without compromising the security of the site, and often for far less cost. Several technologies have been specifically geared to protect construction sites from intruders, and can differentiate between genuine breaches and false alarms, as well as secure and detect utility faults. “The latest CCTV Smart Towers comprise technologies with three key elements. They operate without an external power supply, so there is no extra cabling getting in the way of the workforce. They are highly flexible and can be rapidly moved, adapting to the site project development. And they can be fully loaded, with the latest high-definition camera technology that can see in daylight or at night, with additional sensors all linked wirelessly, throwing a wide ‘security net’ over an entire location.” Concludes Paul Corten. CCTV security systems can be monitored locally or remotely 24 hours a day, with ever more sophisticated software analytics that have helped significantly reduce the chance of false alarms. Accredited companies have SSAIB certification to provide clients with that additional safety of knowing their security provider is operating safely and securely.