United Living Group is delighted to announce that Conor Bray has been appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer. Conor has extensive operational experience in various sectors and is currently Managing Director, Property Services at United Living Group. He will take up the new role from 1 May 2021. His promotion
A freestanding luffing jib tower crane has been increased in height to 105 metres by Bennetts Cranes on a luxury residential development in Fulham, London. This is understood to be the tallest freestanding luffing jib crane in operation in the UK currently, meaning it is not tied to the building.
Network Homes has received planning permission for the next stage of a major development at Northwick Park Hospital in Northwest London. Brent Council’s planning committee granted outline permission for the scheme on 29 March, which will see a total of up to 1,600 new homes, as well as the student
To boost the confidence of professionals installing energy efficient heating and hot water products for residential new build developments, Baxi has continued to prioritise training with bespoke virtual learning modules. Throughout the pandemic, Baxi has supported housing providers, developers and their contractors with virtual training opportunities. This approach has allowed
Timber frame construction brings many benefits to the housebuilding industry, including quicker build times, quieter assembly, fewer deliveries to site, cost savings and a reduction in defects. Underpinning these advantages, Norbord’s engineered wood-based panel products are an integral part of many timber frame systems. They are regularly seen as the
An MP and a prominent local councillor have visited a soon-to-be-opened Liverpool builders merchant to learn more about regeneration and job creation in the city. Peter Dowd, Member of Parliament for Bootle, and Councillor Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, were welcomed to Selco Builders Warehouse,
Companies of all sizes can benefit from cloud-based HR software. From improvements in productivity and employee engagement to greater levels of data security, cloud-based HR software could hold the answers to a more efficient business model that attracts and retains the best talent (click the link for more info). Today,
Health and safety in the workplace is ever-changing to encompass more and more risks and hazards as the way we work changes. As a business owner, reducing health and safety risks should be a top priority and making sure all of your staff and premises adhere to the most recent
This article examines the concept of stadium construction, as well as the time and effort that go into building a world-class one. Stadiums are an important facility for most sports. From soccer to athletics, cricket and rugby, stadiums serve as a holistic venue for players and spectators. Stadiums not only
AN EXCITING Liverpool regeneration development has taken a major step forward as the key delivery partner Lovell Partnerships puts the first spade in the ground. Located in Denford Road, Liverpool, 105 homes will be developed by Liverpool City Council in partnership with housing association Riverside and funded by Homes
United Living Group is delighted to announce that Conor Bray has been appointed as Group Chief Operating Officer. Conor has extensive operational experience in various sectors and is currently Managing Director, Property Services at United Living Group. He will take up the new role from 1 May 2021. His promotion follows a series of key appointments at United Living Group as it moves into the next stage of its strategic development and ensures a best in class service for its customers in 2021 and beyond. Neil Armstrong, United Living Group Chief Executive and Chairman, said: “I am delighted that Conor is to become our new Group Chief Operating Officer. He has strong operational leadership and takes over the reins at an exciting time for United Living Group as we continue to innovate and drive forward our ambitious growth strategy. “As well as an understanding of the company’s history, Conor has experience and knowledge of United Living Group’s people, values and ethos, which will be instrumental for us as we go forward as a business”. Conor Bray, Managing Director, Property Services, said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take up the role of Group Chief Operating Officer at United Living Group. Leading a business that is rich with diverse and creative talent and the expertise to consistently deliver better for our clients is incredibly exciting. “It is genuinely inspirational to see the passion, commitment and pride that is shown delivering projects that are transformational for communities, businesses and individuals. The ability to cross share expertise, knowledge and best practice will help to ensure that our business goes from strength to strength, as we undertake the next phase of growth and expansion”.
A freestanding luffing jib tower crane has been increased in height to 105 metres by Bennetts Cranes on a luxury residential development in Fulham, London. This is understood to be the tallest freestanding luffing jib crane in operation in the UK currently, meaning it is not tied to the building. Bennetts, a specialist tower crane company based in Gloucestershire, erected the Raimondi LR 213 tower crane in August 2020 at Chelsea Creek, where a selection of Manhattan, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes is being built by St George, part of Berkeley Group. The height is not extraordinary for a crane, with tower cranes that are tied to buildings going to much greater heights than this. However, the crane is unique at this height because it is freestanding and a luffing jib crane. Typical freestanding luffing jib cranes would be between 30 – 60 metres tall for residential developments, with some occasionally reaching 70 metres or more. There are currently none known to be operating in the UK freestanding at over 100 metres. Between 3 – 4 April, a team from Bennetts Cranes used a 1,000 tonne mobile crane to add mast sections and increase the height of the LR 213 from 55 metres to 105 metres. The crane has base towers that are 4.6 metres square (more than double the typical freestanding crane tower of around 2 metres) to withstand the forces at such a height. Edward Seager, Managing Director of Bennetts Cranes, said: “When you double the height of a tower crane, the forces don’t just double, they square, so one of the ways to counteract that is to use a much wider tower base to spread the forces and make it more stable. This base, which is concreted into the ground, is extremely strong and has been brought in specifically for this job. He added: “We were pleased to increase the height of the crane to its final height of 105 metres over the Easter weekend, with good weather, enabling us to complete it within two days.” There has been a steady trend towards using taller freestanding cranes in recent years, driven by changes in cladding systems. Tying cranes to buildings can obstruct cladding being applied and some developers want to attach them during the build without having crane ties in the way. Mr Seager said: “Freestanding cranes can also provide more flexibility on site, and result in a quicker build time because you don’t need to climb the crane and tie it to the building. There are positives and negatives on both sides, because freestanding cranes are typically more expensive as they need to be reinforced to withstand forces, but the hire time can be reduced with a more efficient build.” The LR 213 is working on site with two further cranes including a LR 273, one of Raimondi’s newest luffing jib cranes with an 18 tonne maximum load capacity, and a 10 tonne capacity hydraulic Raimondi LRH174.
Network Homes has received planning permission for the next stage of a major development at Northwick Park Hospital in Northwest London. Brent Council’s planning committee granted outline permission for the scheme on 29 March, which will see a total of up to 1,600 new homes, as well as the student facilities, commercial space, and a replacement nursery across 19 buildings on the site. 40 per cent of the homes are for affordable tenures including Shared Ownership, London Living Rent, Intermediate Rent and London Affordable Rent. Planning for a new access road and for phase one of development for 654 homes was granted in December. The overall transformation of Northwick park is being delivered through a partnership between Network Homes, London North West Hospitals NHS Trust, Brent Council and the University of Westminster through a One Public Estate (OPE) project. This is an established national programme delivered by the Cabinet Office and the Local Government Association (LGA), which encourages public sector organisations to use their property assets together to create economic growth, deliver new jobs and homes, improve public services and operate more efficiently. The plans will see Northwick Park turned into a landmark destination with new high-quality homes, a modernised university hospital, improved infrastructure, and transport connections, as well as improved public spaces and enhanced facilities for education and employment. David Gooch, Network Homes Executive Director of Development, said “We’re delighted to have received outline planning permission from Brent Council and we are working hard with our Project Partners to get the development at Northwick Park underway starting with the new road. Our Development will bring much needed affordable homes, jobs and improved infrastructure. Network look forward to continuing our partnership with Brent Council, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust and the University of Westminster to develop the area and deliver new high-quality homes.” Bhupinder Singh Chawla, Partner at architects PRP, said: “The overall transformation of the collective sites at Northwick Park demonstrates the success that can be achieved through good and meaningful collaboration between different landholders and a motivated design team. This collective and collaborative approach together with placemaking as the focus of the design proposals has meant a shared and strategic vision for the entire area. The masterplan is made up of different character areas that respond to the varying edges and contexts of the site. A variety of typologies from apartments, maisonettes, key worker homes and mews houses add further diversity. The masterplan also provides educational, sports leisure and commercial facilities and is supported further by a strong approach to the public realm and amenity on the site which all help to create an individual identity for this new place and destination.”
To boost the confidence of professionals installing energy efficient heating and hot water products for residential new build developments, Baxi has continued to prioritise training with bespoke virtual learning modules. Throughout the pandemic, Baxi has supported housing providers, developers and their contractors with virtual training opportunities. This approach has allowed for more valuable training to continue, covering the installation, commissioning and maintenance of the Baxi Assure complete home service range of boilers, hot water cylinders, air source heat pumps, energy saving accessories and controls. The virtual training programme has proven so successful that Baxi will continue to offer it as an option, even when nationwide training centres re-open later in the year following government guidelines. Tom Murray, Specification Director Commercial and Residential at Baxi Heating, said: “With the energy transition to a net-zero future at the forefront of the residential specification market place, being able to train customers on new technologies and products that will aid the industry to meet the carbon challenge is really important. For the residential new-build market, this will mean a greater emphasis on the importance of technologies such as air source heat pumps. However, our training valuably covers the complete range of our products including our gas and electric boilers, hot water cylinders, energy saving accessories including the SHRU, FGHR and heating controls.” As part of the complete home service, advice from qualified Baxi SAP assessors to help boost efficiency and a Baxi Design service is provided for accurate sizing and specification. Projects benefit further from support at every stage from a dedicated team of specification managers, and a Project Hub to manage project product registrations, in addition to technical support and advice from installation to legislation. To find more information about Baxi Assure Bespoke Training services and to register your interest please visit http://www.baxi.co.uk/assuretraining and follow Baxi Assure on social media linkedin/baxiassure
Timber frame construction brings many benefits to the housebuilding industry, including quicker build times, quieter assembly, fewer deliveries to site, cost savings and a reduction in defects. Underpinning these advantages, Norbord’s engineered wood-based panel products are an integral part of many timber frame systems. They are regularly seen as the number one choice for all aspects of home building, be it the structure, flooring or interior. Norbord’s high quality boards are available in a wide range of grades and, with minimal finishing required, speed up construction. The products are incredibly versatile, offer value for money and have good environmental credentials with a low carbon footprint as all are made in the UK. In fact, all Norbord panel products are net carbon negative and so can help the builder achieve sustainability targets. Ideal for structural applications and offering great value, Norbord’s SterlingOSB Zero is stronger and tougher than ply, with no knots, voids or de-lamination. It is the first OSB product to be made in the UK with zero added formaldehyde, so it is a ‘greener’ board that meets all standards with ease. The range comprises panels specifically designed to fulfil the full range of timber frame applications, including structural use in dry or humid load-bearing conditions. When it comes to dry lining applications, SterlingOSB Zero StrongFix is precision engineered with a custom groove for metal C-studs at 600mm centres. The consistent density of OSB means fixtures and fittings of up to 400kg can be attached anywhere on the panel and achieve secure anchorage. Fire protection during the construction phase is a crucial area where Norbord products can help. SterlingOSB Zero Fire Solutions builds on the inherent benefits of the company’s other OSB products. Its development was in response to the Structural Timber Association’s guidelines for reducing fire spread in large timber frame buildings when fire resistant dry lining finishes are not yet in place. For flat roof decking and flooring applications, SterlingOSB Zero Tongue & Groove is the go-to solution. Advanced, high-strength flooring is provided by the CaberFloor system, the most specified moisture-resistant P5 flooring. Versatile, stable, durable and designed to be easy to lay, the CaberFloor range includes CaberShield+ and CaberDek. CaberShield+ offers a permanent waterproof coating on both sides while CaberDek has a strong, waterproof and slip-resistant peelable film that, when removed, leaves a clean, finished floor. They are enhanced by CaberFix, a range of specially developed powerful sealing and fixing systems. When it comes to quality finishing and architectural details, CaberWood MDF is the ideal solution. This versatile range is designed as an economical alternative to hardwood but without the inherent defects of knots or grains. The boards are engineered with consistent density for multiple uses, including mouldings. As with other Norbord ranges, there are products for all applications. Norbord strives to offer the panel products required to meet the exacting needs of timber frame construction. Support on a product and technical basis is provided as and when required through dedicated product support and technical advice teams. Samples of SterlingOSB Zero, and Norbord’s other construction panels, can be ordered on the website, www.norbord.co.uk. Head to the housebuilder page on the website to download a selection of tools including a fully-interactive guide to all Norbord products and a checklist to make sure you have everything you need for your build. For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit www.norbord.co.uk.
An MP and a prominent local councillor have visited a soon-to-be-opened Liverpool builders merchant to learn more about regeneration and job creation in the city. Peter Dowd, Member of Parliament for Bootle, and Councillor Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, were welcomed to Selco Builders Warehouse, based on Mersey Reach Park. The new branch is due to open on Monday, April 12 and will create at least 30 jobs in the local area. The politicians were keen to visit the new Mersey Reach Park, which promises to breathe fresh life into the former home of the Peerless Edible Oils factory on Galgate Drive in Bootle. The site is made up of six industrial units, a filing station and a drive-thru coffee shop, with plans for further units in the pipeline. Selco, one of the country’s leading builders merchants, occupies a 36,000 sq ft unit which will represent its 70th UK branch. Mr Dowd said: “I was pleased to look around the new Selco branch and see how it will operate. “I also managed to have a chat with a number of the staff who have been working in the warehouse since January in preparation for its opening in April. It was great to hear that most of the staff live within a short distance of the new warehouse, which is good for local employment opportunities.” Councillor Atkinson said: “It was a pleasure visiting Mersey Reach Park, especially seeing the end result of many years of planning and hard work with partners and Sefton Council. “Meeting the representatives of Selco and hearing them speak with such passion and determination, gave a real sense of confidence about the recovery journey ahead here in Sefton.” Once complete, the Mersey Reach Logistics Park will create up to 350 jobs and is estimated to have a £5.5m positive impact on the area. The Liverpool opening strengthens Selco’s presence in the north west, with the business already having four branches in Manchester and one in Warrington. Howard Luft, CEO of Selco, said: “It was a privilege to welcome our two guests to what will soon be our 70th branch. “We have been hard at work and we are now very close to cutting the ribbon and welcoming tradespeople to branch to help them with the materials and products they need for their day-to-day jobs. “Mersey Reach as a whole is a fantastic project creating hundreds of jobs and opportunities for people in the local area, which is needed now more than ever.” Mersey Reach Park was recently acquired by Northwood Investors. With hundreds of trade brands always in stock, Selco’s UK branches are firmly focused on helping tradespeople complete their jobs as quickly and effectively as possible. As well as offering trade services, Selco also has a strong digital presence including Click & Deliver, a Click & Collect service and a new website. For more information on Selco visit www.selcobw.com
Companies of all sizes can benefit from cloud-based HR software. From improvements in productivity and employee engagement to greater levels of data security, cloud-based HR software could hold the answers to a more efficient business model that attracts and retains the best talent (click the link for more info). Today, we’re going to look at some of the most compelling reasons to migrate your HR solutions to cloud-based software. Secure Data Storage Businesses that fail to leverage cloud-based HR software often find that sensitive data is stored in a variety of unsecured locations. For example, employee data may be loosely stored in unprotected onsite databases or spread across a variety of management apps. Standard practices could even involve storing and sharing data in emails. HR software from a cloud-based vendor means that you will benefit from storing all of your data in a single secure location. Remote access to all of your business data is an added benefit of switching to a cloud-based HR model. Increased Productivity – PART I (HR Team) HR team members typically spend more time than employers would prefer on low-level tasks such as transferring data from one system to another. Specialist online software offers interconnectivity between systems, meaning that data pertaining to linked areas such as job applicants, training, and payroll can be stored and viewed in a central location. By streamlining and reducing the number of necessary HR tasks, decisions can be made over the cost-effective number of HR staff members required to run the business. Increased Productivity – PART II (Staff) Leveraging a central hub for all of your company’s day to day HR needs means that staff members can access and complete data tasks as needed without taking up HR resources. For example, where staff members can view and update their personal details (address, phone number, etc.) and book annual leave, the role of HR team members is reduced to approving system changes or requests (removing the administration duties). Automated Performance Reports Analysing workflow and average output to ascertain individual staff contributions is a time-consuming task. Data such as hours worked, absenteeism, and the training courses that are undertaken and completed can all be viewed at the click of a mouse. This means that your company can see what has been achieved by teams and individuals within set date ranges. Where departments may be lacking in comparison to other departments, decisions can be made that will help to bring output up to optimum levels across the organisation. GDPR Compliance Cloud-based HR software enables greater compliance with GDPR. Tailored dashboards can be preset to include prompts and reminders over specific areas of GDPR that may otherwise be overlooked if left to HR staff members to fulfil. For example, aspects of GDPR compliance include monitoring data retention periods to anonymise or delete data as appropriate, and allowing employees to access relevant data. Integrated HR software from a cloud-based vendor brings all of the above benefits and much more – moving to an online software model for your HR needs is worth consideration.
Health and safety in the workplace is ever-changing to encompass more and more risks and hazards as the way we work changes. As a business owner, reducing health and safety risks should be a top priority and making sure all of your staff and premises adhere to the most recent guidelines and regulations is a must. During the day to day running of your company, it is vital to keep on top of any health and safety incidents and avoid accidents in your workplace as much as possible. Staff Training Thorough and extensive staff training for every member of your team regularly is the best way to ensure they are aware of the health and safety regulations they need to follow and identify and rectify any hazards they cause or come across during their working day. Engage staff members by mixing up your training and making it as interactive as you can to make sure everyone is clear on what they should and shouldn’t be doing. Risk Assessments Carrying out regular risk assessments is the best way to identify any areas of concern. Watch how your staff work and interact with each other and customers and look for ways to become a danger to others around them. Focus on the building itself, is rubbish strewn on the floor someone could slip on or are spills neglected. How about damaged equipment machinery? How could this pose a threat to users, and what would the outcome be should someone hurt themselves using it. Safety Equipment Make sure everyone is fully trained to do the job they are employed to do. This will help you to reduce the number of accidents or damages that occurred due to improper use. Limit who can use machinery or equipment that needs special training use and ensure all staff have refresher courses to ensure they have the best knowledge and skills in the future. Supply safety equipment such as gloves, goggles, hi-vis vest and jackets and safety footwear along with anything else that will enable your staff to do their job properly. This includes making any office space or till areas as ergonomic as possible to reduce strain and injury. Avoid Being Understaffed Staff sickness leads to a staffing shortage and extra pressure being placed on other staff members. Noticing regular patterns on staff shortages and identifying potential issues can help you avoid putting added pressure on the staff members. Putting too much pressure and increasing workloads and shift times can lead to mistakes and injuries. Work with your team to find a way to reduce this impact on everyone to avoid causing more issues and problems in the future. While it may be fine for a day or two to be short-staffed, ongoing issues can lead to demoralised staff and affect productivity and efficiency, which isn’t good for your business or staff morale. Keeping on top of health and safety in the workplace can be a full-time job and isn’t something that should be covered once to then never be discussed again. The more informed your team is on potential health and safety issues, the better they can make sure these risks are reduced or eliminated.
This article examines the concept of stadium construction, as well as the time and effort that go into building a world-class one. Stadiums are an important facility for most sports. From soccer to athletics, cricket and rugby, stadiums serve as a holistic venue for players and spectators. Stadiums not only host matches but contribute to the success of several track and field events on the world stage such as the Olympics, World Cups and several other athletic meets. In countries where sporting events take center stage, particularly where soccer leagues are developed, you’ll find several stadiums even within one city, with almost every soccer team owning one. Here, we take a break from free betting tips and prediction news, as this article by Kate Richardson takes a deep dive into the world of stadium construction, history, the cost of building one among others. A Brief History Of Stadiums A stadium may be defined as a recreational center built to serve as a venue for outdoor sports. They may also be used for other events including concerts and rallies. The word stadium originated from the Greek Olympia, which was a huge sports festival. Consequently, one of the oldest stadiums in human history is the Greek Stadium at Olympia which hosted games as far back as 776 BC. Generally, stadiums are designed and built to suit peculiar sports events. Thus, a baseball stadium is built differently from a soccer stadium. However, all stadiums have a section for spectators to sit or stand while cheering on their teams or favorite competitors. The spectator sections are usually raised platforms that give the fans a vantage point when viewing the games. These stands are built to contain different audience sizes from 10,000 people upwards. Due to their size and the architectural and financial costs, stadiums are now being adapted to multiple uses. Rather than building a separate stadium for each sport, several sports including soccer, rugby and American football may share a stadium. This is also replicated in soccer leagues, where two or more teams may have the same home ground. How Much Does It Cost To Build A Modern Stadium? Building a stadium is never an easy task. Several factors including plan approvals, location, workmanship, cost of materials and the desired stadium capacity are instrumental in determining the cost of erecting a new stadium. The latter is perhaps the most telling factor, as the bigger the stadium, the more expensive it is to build. Modern technology has also raised the costs of stadium building with the introduction of retractable pitches, covered spectator stands, foldable seats and all sorts. Nowadays, stadium construction costs run into hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the capacity, style and technology involved. The cost of an average soccer stadium is about $20 million. However, that only guarantees a spectator capacity of less than 10,000. With larger stadiums, the budget is significantly higher and varies between runs into hundreds of millions of dollars, with some costing as much as $800 million.
AN EXCITING Liverpool regeneration development has taken a major step forward as the key delivery partner Lovell Partnerships puts the first spade in the ground. Located in Denford Road, Liverpool, 105 homes will be developed by Liverpool City Council in partnership with housing association Riverside and funded by Homes England. The development has been careful designed by Lovell – a leading provider of regeneration housing – over the past two years and included consulting with local residents and taking the project through planning. The project is Liverpool City Council’s first major housing scheme in 30 years and forms part of a wider council plan to build and retrofit thousands of new homes by 2030. Lee Sale, regional managing director at Lovell Partnerships, said: “This is our first scheme with Liverpool City Council, and we worked very closely with the team to get the development design and project requirements spot on, so we’re delighted to start on site. “Our regeneration expertise and local knowledge has enabled us to successfully guide the council through the design process, proposing various house types, and providing guidance using the expertise and experience we’ve gained having worked in Merseyside for the last 20 years. A key part of this included hosting a site visit at our Joseph Williams Place development to assist key stakeholders with the decision-making process and chose suitable house types. “We have been focusing on increasing our footprint within the region through collaborative partnerships and are delighted to be delivering much needed quality homes for the local area. We’re very much looking forward to working closely with the community as part of our social value programme as well as employing and training young people through our apprenticeship scheme to deliver lasting outcomes.” The development offers two, three- and four-bedrooms homes and bungalows with either one or two bedrooms. The homes selected for the development all benefit from larger house types, chosen for their popularity at Lovell’s nearby Merseyside development. The project will also see 74 council homes built comprising 20 homes for social rent and a further 54 homes constructed for affordable rent. Nick Jones, Riverside’s director of development, added: “As a major housing provider in the area we are pleased to be part of this partnership to deliver 31 new homes for affordable rent. This development will provide a mixture of homes that will help meet the city’s current housing needs.” The scheme will be a huge boost for the Liverpool housebuilding economy which, despite these difficult economic times is progressing well. Across the city’s neighbourhoods there are around 40 live housing schemes, providing new homes for roughly 2,000 families and sustaining in the order of 3,000 construction jobs. Building new homes is key to the city’s economic recovery supporting the construction sector and its supply chain of planners, architects and sub-contractors and supporting local labour, skills training, and apprentices. For more information, please visit corporate.lovell.co.uk.