The scheme, which is being developed by St James Securities, will feature 259 apartments over 11 storeys in a mix of one and two bed units. GMI Construction, a leading main contractor to a growing portfolio of public and private clients throughout the UK, has today announced that it has
Research from Build to Rent specialists, Ascend Properties, has revealed which areas of the English rental market have performed the strongest since the 2008/09 recession where the growth in average rental income is concerned. Ascend analysed rental market values during the last property market crash and found that the average
Construction firms spent £1.36 billion on research and development in the first part of 2018/19 – more than in the whole of 2017/18 The average construction R&D claim is now worth over £70,000 London and South-East England are home to the most innovative construction companies UK construction companies are increasing
Work is underway on a landmark housing project that will provide much needed homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in the heart of a popular Shropshire market town. Planning permission for nine new homes on the site of the former Beehive pub in Shifnal was granted in March and
Winning the bid for a demolition project might’ve been a lot of work. But deciding on the best type of payload for the job is another process that you need to get right. An excavator is a staple in any demolition job. They’re invaluable pieces of machinery, and they come
McDonald’s is to recruit 20,000 more people and open 50 new restaurants in the UK and Ireland, it has announced. The fast food chain will look to employ additional staff and set up new franchises across the country over the next 12 months. It comes in anticipation of increased crew
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation has submitted a planning application to redevelop an area of land into a new neighbourhood. The EDC is seeking to turn the land, in Grove Road in Northfleet, into a quality new neighbourhood of up to 320 new homes with commercial and community space. The proposed development
British Land, Berkeley, and Multiplex team up to clean up Hyde Park and the Grand Union Canal Marble Arch London BID assembled volunteers from some of London’s biggest businesses to celebrate the Great British Spring Clean. As part of its ongoing commitment to the local community, Marble Arch London BID,
The upsize will fund strategic expansion and transform the fund into a diversified Pan-European vehicle GLP announced today a strategic expansion in size and scope of GLP Continental Europe Development Partners I (“GLP CDP I”). GLP and its partners Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPP Investments”) through its wholly owned
Caddick Construction has recently completed the construction of a new £5m Porsche centre, complete with workshops, MOT testing facility and offices, just off Junction 35 of the M6. Appointed by Porsche franchise holders Parker & Parker Limited, work has been completed on schedule on the state-of-the-art Porsche Centre South Lakes
The scheme, which is being developed by St James Securities, will feature 259 apartments over 11 storeys in a mix of one and two bed units. GMI Construction, a leading main contractor to a growing portfolio of public and private clients throughout the UK, has today announced that it has been awarded a contract worth £30M by St James Securities to construct a 259-unit build to rent (BTR) apartment block within the major Becketwell mixed-use regeneration project in Derby city centre. The development, which will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom units over 11 storeys, has been sold to Grainger plc, the UK’s largest listed residential landlord. Construction began during May, with the building expected to be completed by March 2023. In addition to working on the construction of the apartment block, GMI will also undertake works on the new public square that will serve as the focal point for the regeneration of Becketwell. Commenting on the project, GMI Group Managing Director Andy Bruce said: “We are thrilled that the St James Securities team has once again put its trust in GMI to deliver this high-profile apartment block within the Becketwell development. We have worked together several times before at sites across the UK and GMI’s relationship with SJS serves as a long-term partnership stretching back several years. We are looking forward to working with the full project team and seeing this development come out of the ground and at the heart of the regeneration of Becketwell. Also talking about the project, Oliver Quarmby, Managing Director of St James Securities said: “We are delighted to be continuing our long-standing relationship with GMI Construction on what is a hugely significant regeneration project for the City of Derby. “GMI has a track record of working on award-winning projects for an extensive portfolio of developers, public sector clients and blue-chip companies across a broad range of sectors and we are delighted to have them on-board. “Construction is progressing well, and we anticipate handing the keys over to Grainger at the start of 2023.”
Research from Build to Rent specialists, Ascend Properties, has revealed which areas of the English rental market have performed the strongest since the 2008/09 recession where the growth in average rental income is concerned. Ascend analysed rental market values during the last property market crash and found that the average rent in England fell from £699 per month in 2008 to £678 in 2009. However, since the end of the recession, rental market values have climbed by 20% to £814 per month during 2020, despite the problems posed to the sector as a result of the pandemic. However, this rental market revival has been far stronger in some regions and none more so than the London market. The average rent across the capital sat at £977 per month in the wake of the last economic downturn. However, today, the average rental income in London has climbed by 68% to £1,638. The South East has seen the second-largest increase in monthly rental values, climbing 39% since 2009, with the West Midlands (25%) and East Midlands (23%) also seeing above-average growth. But even in the North East where this rate of growth is at its lowest, the average rental property is still commanding 10% per month more (£607) when compared to 2009. Yorkshire (11%), the South West (17%), the North West (17%) and East of England (19%) have also seen a considerable increase. Managing Director of Ascend Properties, Ged McPartlin, commented: “It’s fair to say that pandemic uncertainty may have caused hesitation for some when looking to invest within the rental market, particularly in areas such as London where demand has dropped due to the enforced trend of working from home. However, while Covid uncertainty has created a tricky landscape in some respects, we remain a world away from the financial crisis of 2008 and many remain reliant on the rental sector in order to live. It also remains clear, that much like the wider housing market, any periods of instability are relatively short-lived and we’ve seen strong and consistent growth across the board as a result. For the professional investor who may be worried about a potential bump in the road, the build-to-rent space could be the best route to help mitigate any concerns. Not only does the sector provide a higher rental premium to begin with, but the lifestyle offering it provides attracts those with a longer-term view to renting. As a result, residents often rent for far longer terms than the traditional 12 months, providing a more stable stream of income and fewer void periods.” Location Average rent – 2008 Average rent – 2009 Average rent – 2020 Nominal change since pre market crash 2008-09 London £969 £977 £1,638 68% South East £826 £775 £1,078 39% West Midlands region £621 £624 £780 25% East Midlands £589 £556 £685 23% East of England £717 £692 £821 19% North West £581 £564 £662 17% South West £704 £696 £811 17% Yorkshire and the Humber £603 £613 £682 11% North East £560 £552 £607 10% England £699 £678 £814 20%
Construction firms spent £1.36 billion on research and development in the first part of 2018/19 – more than in the whole of 2017/18 The average construction R&D claim is now worth over £70,000 London and South-East England are home to the most innovative construction companies UK construction companies are increasing their investment in innovation, with research and development (R&D) expenditure rising by £70 million, according to new figures released by HMRC[1]. Analysis by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has revealed that in the first part of 2018/19, construction firms spent £1.36 billion on qualifying projects. Even though many claims have yet to be submitted for that financial year, this is already 5.4% more than the whole of 2017/18 (£1.29 billion). Using the government’s R&D Tax Credit Scheme, companies can claim back up to 33p for every pound spent on R&D activity. This includes any project that aims to advance the industry by researching or developing a new process, product or service, or improving an existing one[2]. For such work completed during 2018/19, construction companies have already claimed £235 million of Corporation Tax relief. More companies in the sector are starting to take advantage of the scheme, as the latest data shows overall number of claims is also on the rise. So far, construction businesses have made 3,340 claims for R&D funding, which is a year-on-year increase of 1.8% (60). The industry now represents 5.7% of all R&D claims in the UK. The majority of the construction-related R&D projects are classed as ‘specialised construction activities’. These account for two-thirds (66%) of the sector’s claims, way ahead of ‘construction of buildings’ in second place (21%). However, the most valuable construction R&D claims are those labelled as ‘civil engineering’. Across the whole industry, the average R&D claim in 2018/19 was worth £70,359 – almost 5% higher (£3,286) than the year before (£67,073) – but the figure is far greater for civil engineering projects. The typical amount of tax relief awarded to such work is £129,412. The totals also vary significantly across the UK. The most innovative area is London, with more claims made in the capital than any other part of the nation (455). But it is Northern Ireland where construction represents the greatest percentage of a region’s total R&D claims. More than one in ten (11%) of the country’s qualifying projects fall within the industry (180/1,605). Despite only making the fourth highest number of claims, construction firms in the North-West of England are investing the most money in innovation. Its businesses have already registered £145 million of R&D spend for 2018/19 – more than any other area. The regions which have made the most and least claims for construction R&D funding for 2018/19, so far, are: 1) London – 455 claims (£55m) 2) South East – 425 (£85m) 3) East of England – 400 (£5m) 4) North West – 375 (£145m) 5) West Midlands – 295 (£10m) 6) Yorkshire and the Humber – 255 (£85m) 7) South West – 250 (£10m) 8) East Midlands – 215 (£10m) 9) Northern Ireland – 180 (<£5m) 10) North East – 165 (£40m) 11) Scotland – 165 (£10m) 12) Wales – 155 (<£5m) Dominick Sandford, Director and Head of Merchandising & Marketing at IronmongeryDirect, said: “It’s encouraging to see that so many UK construction companies are taking advantage of the R&D Tax Credit scheme. Our businesses are world-leaders for innovation and the HMRC initiative is designed to reward them for their pioneering work. “The tax relief can provide a welcome boost for construction firms and any money saved can even be reinvested to finance further research.” For expert advice about R&D tax relief, including whether your company is eligible, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/industry-innovation
Work is underway on a landmark housing project that will provide much needed homes for affordable rent and shared ownership in the heart of a popular Shropshire market town. Planning permission for nine new homes on the site of the former Beehive pub in Shifnal was granted in March and the builder TC Homes, working in partnership with Housing Plus Group, has started on site. Kerry Bolister, Director of Development at Housing Plus Group explained: “Since it was closed in 2017, the pub and its car park have become something of an eyesore, attracting anti-social behaviour and many in the town will welcome the start of work to transform the site. “The scheme has also won the backing of councillors for providing homes in an area with very high demand for affordable accommodation.” TC Homes, which has worked with Housing Plus Group on previous projects and brought this development opportunity to the attention of the housing association, is the construction partner on the project that will see nine, three bedroomed houses built (six houses for affordable rent and three for shared ownership). Built as three terraces, they’re expected to be completed by May 2022 and Tim Charnley, TC Homes Director, commented: “We are excited to get started on our new project with the Housing Plus Group. The build will consist of nine affordable houses for the local community and will utilise a space that has sat dormant for some time. “With the country having such a large housing shortfall, we hope our contribution to the construction of affordable homes will benefit the surrounding community and provide opportunities to local sub-contractors and suppliers. “We appreciate that any kind of construction can cause some inconvenience to those directly affected but we hope with working in partnership with residents, schools and the wider community we can achieve another fantastic development.” The development is part of wider plans by Housing Plus Group to start 2,000 new homes across Shropshire and Staffordshire for rent, shared ownership and outright sale by 2023 as the organisation strives to make a positive difference to the homes, lives and communities it serves.
Winning the bid for a demolition project might’ve been a lot of work. But deciding on the best type of payload for the job is another process that you need to get right. An excavator is a staple in any demolition job. They’re invaluable pieces of machinery, and they come in different kinds for different projects. Here, we’ll explore how you can best identify the type of excavator to use for a project. 1. Performance The primary role of any construction equipment is to get the job done. And as an expert, you want to succeed in this project because it could mean more successful bids for your company’s future. Looking into the best excavator for the job means checking how much power it has to see the job through. Its hydraulic system must push for efficiency and allow the operator to be more productive. The right excavator will also be versatile, and can be utilized for various types of jobs. If your operator is working at an area with hindrances like walls and other dig sites, you’d want an excavator with a zero-tail or zero house swing. These excavators are safer to maneuver and are less likely to cause an impact. With the zero-tail feature, it’s less likely to hit the front and the sides of the excavator while moving. It’s for demolishing structures that are surrounded by obstacles. 2. Budget If you’re in the construction and demolition business, you will need to have enough money to acquire an excavator fit for the demolition job. But you need to know that there are other factors to consider when it comes to your budget. For instance, do you need a brand-new excavator or a used one? While it may be tempting to buy new one, it may be more practical to buy a used or reconditioned SmartCast Equipment. They are refurbished to do the same job without being too expensive. Money will cover maintenance and storage, targeted costs per hour, and operating costs. You also have the option to own or rent one. An excavator dry hire company will be able to provide one if you choose to lease. Larger excavators are considerably more expensive. You need the right class of excavator if you need it for a demolition job. Whether a small or larger building or structure, an excavator with longer arms will do the job with minimal damages to the surrounding area. 3. Demolition Size Excavators come in various sizes depending on the job. You don’t need a larger one that can take up space when you’re demolishing a small two-story building. High-level demolitions may need high-reach excavators with a large boom arm for buildings that are three stories and more. They are also for demolishing structures made of steel and concrete. The demolition size will also tell you two things: how long it will take and how much it will cost you. Typically, it can take up to eight days to demolish a building depending on the size. If you own an excavator for the job, you will have no renting expense to pay. But cost efficiency will depend on how much fuel and power it will need for the job. At times, the excavator type that you need will also depend on the area. If you need precision aiming and if the use of a wrecking ball is uncalled for, long-reach excavators are the best for the job. The size of the structure will also tell you if the excavator needs specific attachments to make the job easier. 4. Terrain Or Environment Matching the type of excavator you need to the environment you’ll work on will help you decide which one can quickly get around the site. Excavators move around with either tire wheels or tracks. Excavators with tracks are ideal for wide-open spaces. Other than demolition, they’re also suitable for construction and agriculture. The tracks are either made of rubber or steel. Wheeled excavators are versatile and have a wide array of uses. Apart from demolition and construction, it’s also used for mining, landscaping, and pipeline installations. They’re fuel-efficient and easier to operate. If you have both types of excavators, you will need to train operators on the proper driving of and the policies in handling them. They will also need to get the proper licensing. 5. Excavator Size There are three available sizes of excavators for demolition jobs: small, medium, and large excavators. Learning about these primary sizes will help you choose which one to use on a particular scale of the job at hand. Small classes are also called compact excavators and are created for smaller or hard-to-reach areas. They usually don’t need a lot of power to operate. Medium excavators are mainly for construction and landscaping as they have a standard tail for medium construction projects. The largest classes are often categorized for demolition projects. They have the most extended arms to reach great heights of buildings. They are also heavier and harder to navigate. 6. Attachments Does the structure have a pavement surrounding it? It will also help you decide what kind of attachment to use to dig through or destroy concrete material. The building will have pavements surrounding them, and a demolition excavator will need a hammer attachment to crush slabs of concrete. They are also helpful against rocks. In Conclusion The mentioned factors will help you decide which excavator to use. When you match its size and power to the demolition job, it will help you accomplish the project faster and save on operation costs. There are various types of excavators for different demolition jobs. It’s worth having them get as many jobs as you want.
McDonald’s is to recruit 20,000 more people and open 50 new restaurants in the UK and Ireland, it has announced. The fast food chain will look to employ additional staff and set up new franchises across the country over the next 12 months. It comes in anticipation of increased crew capacity as part of changing Government coronavirus guidelines. The firm said the additions are not to replace the jobs lost throughout the pandemic, and are instead to prepare for the additional restaurants. Paul Pomroy, CEO, of McDonald’s UK & Ireland said: “It’s fantastic to be able to offer an additional 20,000 people an opportunity to work with us. “Our 1,400 restaurants are run by 200 local franchisees which means we have a personal stake in every one of our communities. “It’s a big responsibility, and the moves we’ve announced today reflect our commitment to continue to innovate and invest in the local communities and economies we serve.”
Ebbsfleet Development Corporation has submitted a planning application to redevelop an area of land into a new neighbourhood. The EDC is seeking to turn the land, in Grove Road in Northfleet, into a quality new neighbourhood of up to 320 new homes with commercial and community space. The proposed development would provide affordable homes, homes for older people, new public spaces as well as a waterfront park with community facilities and shops and cafes. There will be improved pedestrian access and a public plaza as well as public transport links, with the area benefiting from Fastrack bus services. The area is part of the Northfleet Embankment West site and lies within 400 metres of Northfleet Railway Station providing easy access to central London. Ian Piper, Chief Executive of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, said: “We undertook a public consultation last year and those who took part came out in support of our proposals. “We want to turn this area into a new residential neighbourhood, and create a fantastic open space around the historic Harbour that is accessible to everyone. The setting beside the Thames can be transformed into a great waterside destination with high quality and affordable homes.” The planning application is expected to go before a planning committee around September or later.
British Land, Berkeley, and Multiplex team up to clean up Hyde Park and the Grand Union Canal Marble Arch London BID assembled volunteers from some of London’s biggest businesses to celebrate the Great British Spring Clean. As part of its ongoing commitment to the local community, Marble Arch London BID, brought its members together to participate in two in-person events. Working together the 22 volunteers helped to clear cow parsley from Hyde Park’s meadows and remove plastic waste and debris from the Grand Union Canal. Volunteers from businesses including British Land, Berkeley, Hunter Boots and GIC ventured out on GoBoats, canoes and paddleboards to clean up the canal. Meanwhile, employees from Multiplex, Hunter Boots and British Land worked with The Royal Parks in Hyde Park to pull up cow parsley, enabling other flower species to grow which help bees, butterflies, and other insects to thrive. The Great British Spring Clean 2021 which saw volunteers across the UK make 1.15 million miles of British outdoor spaces cleaner and greener, was also a great opportunity for colleagues to reunite after over a year of home working. The event marked the start of Marble Arch London BID’s in-person community events after many months of virtual volunteering throughout the pandemic. Through its Community Programme, the BID matches volunteers with charities and schools to undertake practical challenges such as decorating or gardening, as well as skill sharing. Kay Buxton, Chief Executive, Marble Arch London BID, comments: “We are a champion for business and community and our goal is to unite the two to create a welcoming and hospitable environment for those who live, work and visit our district. The Great British Spring Clean is a regular fixture in our calendar and we would like to thank all the volunteers for getting their boots on to support an event which is crucial to maintaining our beautiful outdoor spaces. These green spaces have become a vital escape for many Londoners who have found themselves feeling isolated at home during the pandemic, and it was fantastic to see so many colleagues from across our member businesses reunite for the first time at this event. As restrictions ease, we look forward to hosting more in-person community events which will bring our members together to support the local area.” During the pandemic, the BID’s community programme also helped businesses to channel donations of surplus food, furniture, IT and office equipment, clothes, and homeware to local charities and food banks.
The upsize will fund strategic expansion and transform the fund into a diversified Pan-European vehicle GLP announced today a strategic expansion in size and scope of GLP Continental Europe Development Partners I (“GLP CDP I”). GLP and its partners Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPP Investments”) through its wholly owned subsidiary, CPP Investment Board Europe S.à r.l., and QuadReal Property Group (“QuadReal”) have agreed to expand the investment capacity of GLP CDP I, targeting €4 billion of assets under management (“AUM”) (~US$4.9 billion) upon stabilization. Through this expansion, CPP Investments has committed €900 million of equity, representing a 45% share and QuadReal has committed €800 million of equity, representing a 40% share, with the remaining 15% held by GLP. Ralf Wessel, Managing Director, Fund Management, GLP, said, “This upsize is testament to how well GLP CDP I has performed since its inception. Our investment pipeline is considerably ahead of schedule and we are seeing strong demand for our developments, reflecting attractive fundamentals for logistics development across all major hubs in Europe. We look forward to continuing our partnership with CPP Investments and QuadReal to expand GLP CDP I into a truly Pan-European development vehicle.” GLP CDP I was established in 2018 to develop modern logistics assets in Continental Europe including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. The upsize will be used to transform GLP CDP I into a Pan-European development vehicle by strategically expanding in the United Kingdom (“UK”) and Central and Eastern Europe (“CEE”) markets via the acquisition of landbank and select high-quality logistics development opportunities. Andrea Orlandi, Managing Director, Head of Real Estate Investments – Europe, CPP Investments, said, “GLP CDP I is a key part of our development-led growth strategy in the logistics sector globally. Given the success of the venture to date, we are pleased to be continuing and expanding our partnership with GLP and QuadReal. We have a strong conviction in the logistics and warehousing sector and the ability of GLP to execute on our strategy, enabling us to deliver long-term sustainable returns for our contributors and beneficiaries in Canada.” Jay Kwan, Managing Director, Head of Europe, QuadReal, said, “Expanding our venture with GLP and CPP Investments was a natural evolution of our partnership given its success to date, continued favourable market conditions and strong relationships created with tenants. We’re pleased to be investing alongside two partners with whom we have a lockstep relationship.” Since entering the European market in 2017, GLP has more than tripled its AUM. Following the upsize of GLP CDP I, GLP now manages more than €12 billion (~US$13 billion) of AUM across Europe’s strongest logistics markets.
Caddick Construction has recently completed the construction of a new £5m Porsche centre, complete with workshops, MOT testing facility and offices, just off Junction 35 of the M6. Appointed by Porsche franchise holders Parker & Parker Limited, work has been completed on schedule on the state-of-the-art Porsche Centre South Lakes site, Electric Drive, Carnforth, the new home for Porsche Centre Kendal. The address name was chosen specifically to mirror Porsche’s public commitment to building all electric cars. The new showroom and facilities covering 1,618²m in total and will have the capacity to display the full range of the luxury car brand including the newly launched all electric Taycan. The centre also includes a luxurious handover lounge, meeting rooms and employee facilities as well as ample parking and attractive, landscaped, outdoor space. The multi-million-pound project signals the long-term commitment and strengthening position of the German luxury sports car brand in the North West which is still seeing high levels of demand and interest as the UK moves slowly out of lockdown measures. Caddick Construction North West Managing Director Ian Threadgold said: “This has been an exciting and very rewarding contract to be involved with. Porsche is one of the most desirable and respected brands in the world and we are delighted to be able to deliver an exceptional dealership and showroom in a such a stunning location.” Ian Parker, Director of Porsche Centre South Lakes, added: “All the team are delighted with the Centre which looks amazing, both the interior fit out and external facade. Anticipation has been growing over recent months and it is living up to all our expectations. We are now working hard towards our official opening in July so we can really showcase the fitting new home of Porsche for Cumbria and North Lancashire.” Architect and Principal Designer for the project is Axis 3 Design Limited with structural engineering provided by Cumbrian-based R G Parkins & Partners Limited.