Construction is a big industry, and there are lots of people who think that a job here might be right for them. It’s true, it very may well be, but at the same time, it might not be and it’s up to you to decide. Nobody else can do it
Every week, 1.5 million people join the global urban population. With limited resources and a changing climate, how can we build a healthy and sustainable urban future? Here Nick Cowley, managing director of aluminium building product supplier, Endurawood, shares insight into creating cities that can effectively support a growing number
Housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel have stepped up their efforts to help customers rise to new lockdown challenges. As well as visiting showhomes, the family-owned company are now offering homebuyers the option of sampling the delights of new homes from the comfort of their own living rooms – via virtual guided
Alba Developments is seeking potential buyers for the first phase of its £100 million Westfield development near Linlithgow, West Lothian. Savills & Scarlett Land and Development have been jointly appointed to market the scheme which could be made up of a total of 659 homes. Alba Developments, which is owned
Did you know almost 100,000 people filed their tax returns on 6 April 2020, which is the first day of the tax year? With the 31 January deadline fast approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shares some little-known facts about Self Assessment tax returns. The April ‘early birds’ are not
Participants guaranteed training and an interview for jobs at sites across London Leading construction training specialist The Skills Centre, has partnered with major building contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien to attract 1,000 people to new jobs on various construction projects around the Greater London area. A free, three-week, industry-led construction training
Building contractor Pave Aways is opening a second office in Wales to support the growth of its work in Mid Wales. The firm is adding a new base in Newtown to its Welsh headquarters in Wrexham to underpin its increasing presence in the region. Its office at Ladywell House, which
G F Tomlinson has been successfully selected as an approved partner for the NHS Shared Business Services PS-Works: Public Sector Construction Works Framework, which launched on 17 December 2020. The framework will provide a compliant procurement route to market for all NHS and wider public sector construction works requirements across
Isio, one of the country’s leading independent pensions advisory firms, has signed a lease for 9,183 sq ft of offices at Royal London’s 3 Hardman Square office building in Spinningfields, Manchester. CBRE and Colliers International represented Royal London and Cushman & Wakefield acted for Isio. Isio was formed following the
Berkeley is aiming to build one of the most biodiverse developments in the UK by transforming an industrial site into a 3,750-home development with over 13 acres of new green space Located in the London Borough of Ealing, it has fantastic transport connections and will benefit from the arrival of
Construction is a big industry, and there are lots of people who think that a job here might be right for them. It’s true, it very may well be, but at the same time, it might not be and it’s up to you to decide. Nobody else can do it for you, because nobody else knows the answers in the same way that you do. If you would like to find out more about how you can tell if a job in construction is going to be right for you, keep reading down below. It’s Secure One of the best things about the construction industry is that it is secure. We are never going to run out of things to build, which means we are always going to need people working in this sector. If you want to know that your line of work is relatively secure most of the time, then this is a good place to be. Keep in mind that just because the industry is secure, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your job is, that will all depend on the company that you work for and how good you are at your job. It Could Make You Feel Good One of the best things about working in construction is that you get to see what you have done immediately. You don’t want to wait for results, they are going to be right in front of you. It’s for that reason that construction actually has one of the highest job satisfaction ratings. Sometimes when you’re working in a different job, it can feel as though you are trying so hard and putting in so much effort, but you’re not seeing any difference or any change in what you are doing. This isn’t going to be the case with construction. Being able to see what you have done in a day will make you feel good. You will know that you’ve achieved something for the day, and this is important for a lot of people. It’s Fun Finally, if you are someone who likes to use their hands and get down and dirty, then construction is a lot of fun. If you are good with your hands, and like to keep them busy throughout the day, then construction is going to be a bonus for you. A lot of people don’t like sitting down at a desk all day and just typing or answering phones, and if this sounds like you, then you might find construction more fun. Working with your hands just gives you a whole new level of feeling behind your career as opposed to being stuck indoors all day. We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see how you can tell if a job in construction is going to be right for you. Really, you won’t know until you begin working with a company, but you will get a good idea by thinking about these things. We wish you the very best of luck with your career, and hopefully you’re going to choose construction as your future.
Every week, 1.5 million people join the global urban population. With limited resources and a changing climate, how can we build a healthy and sustainable urban future? Here Nick Cowley, managing director of aluminium building product supplier, Endurawood, shares insight into creating cities that can effectively support a growing number of residents. The number of people across the globe that live in urban environments is expected to reach 68 per cent by 2050. It’s vital that these residents move into modern urban areas that promote environmental sustainability and resident wellbeing. Governing bodies must work with civil engineers to upgrade towns and cities now in order to effectively prepare for the influx of urban residents. Sustainable buildings According to the World Green Building Council, the construction and operation of buildings currently accounts for 39 per cent of global carbon emissions. A growing urban population isn’t the only change expected for 2050. In line with legislation passed by parliament in 2019, the UK’s net emissions of greenhouse gases must reduce by 100 per cent relative to 1990 levels by the same year. If we’re to continue to build while working to reach net zero targets, it’s vital that urban buildings are made to be more environmentally friendly. A number of sustainable features can be incorporated into new buildings, or retrofitted onto existing ones. Installing solar panels onto building roofs will incorporate more renewable energy into the building’s overall supply. As well as lowering reliance on fossil fuels, this can save the owner six to ten pence per kilowatt hour (kWh) in energy bills. Additionally, roofs can be adapted to form green roofs, which involves growing a layer of vegetation on top of the building. Green roofs remove carbon dioxide from the surrounding air and add an extra layer of insulation. They have also been shown to increase the efficiency of solar panels by keeping the area cool through evapotranspiration. Another beneficial feature that can be added to the exterior of buildings is cladding. Exterior cladding adds another insulating layer over walls that traps heat in and keeps cold out. Cladding also improves the durability of the building by forming a weatherproof coating that protects walls from damage. Spruced up streets What’s more, cladding serves as architectural enhancement, which can be used to create modernised city centres. This is especially important, as city dwellers are 39 per cent more likely to develop mood problems such as depression, and living in run down urban environments could play a contributing role. It’s important that urban areas are aesthetically pleasing and kept clean to benefit the wellbeing of residents. Naturally, a higher number of people living in an area means more waste is created. This waste must be correctly managed to promote good health and sustainability practices. More disposal areas must be implemented across the city to reduce littering and provide frequent opportunities for recycling. Large areas of commercial waste should be separated from the streets and concealed from view. Endurawood is an aluminium building product that looks like wood, and can be used to build enclosures that create an aesthetic cover for areas of waste. The material can also be used for external cladding to create a sleek and unique look to buildings with added insulation. Aluminium is highly durable as it’s weatherproof, insect proof and non-warping. When end of use does come, Endurawood is 100 per cent recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly building material. Endurawood comes in a range of finishes from solid grey, red and green to woodgrain colours of driftwood and western red cedar, providing a versatile and attractive appearance that can revamp urban areas. The world is becoming more urbanised, and we should adapt city planning to accommodate a growing number of residents. By adding environmentally friendly features to buildings and renovating streets to promote positive living, urban areas can become valuable metropolises, successfully housing future generations.
Housebuilder Mactaggart & Mickel have stepped up their efforts to help customers rise to new lockdown challenges. As well as visiting showhomes, the family-owned company are now offering homebuyers the option of sampling the delights of new homes from the comfort of their own living rooms – via virtual guided viewings. They are being rolled out in Scotland and England as an alternative to carefully planned Covid-safe visits to Mactaggart & Mickel’s new homes and are aimed at customers who are unable to travel or just want to avoid long journeys to new areas. The hi-tech initiative has been unveiled to pave the way for people who are unable to make in-person visits to Mactaggart & Mickel showhomes to press ahead with plans for the future amid a series of new lockdown rules intended to curb the spread of Covid-19. Mactaggart & Mickel, who are headquartered in Glasgow and have offices in Cheltenham and London, remains open for business in line with heightened government Coronavirus-related restrictions. The company’s sales consultants are still welcoming customers on Covid-secure appointments at their sites with Government guidance granting freedom of movement to people buying new homes. But now, in a bid to support all its potential new homebuyers, through its new virtual viewing platform, Mactaggart & Mickel are making it easier than ever for customers to wander around new homes at their developments in Scotland and England. Joanne Casey, Director of Mactaggart & Mickel, said: “Our colleagues’ and customers’ health and wellbeing has always been our top priority, and never more so than now. “We are working closely with customers, partners and businesses to provide the best, safest standards during the coronavirus pandemic, in line with new Government guidance. “We want to support customers who want to keep moving ahead with their lives and are keen to move into new homes which is why we’re so pleased to see the virtual guided viewings prove to be popular in Scotland and England. “We pride ourselves at meeting changing customer requirements by harnessing new technology. That’s why our guided virtual yours will have a genuine personal touch – which is more welcome than ever amid these current lockdown restrictions.” The virtual guided viewings keep Mactaggart & Mickel at the forefront of innovation as the family-owned company introduced virtual tours a decade ago to help customers look round prospective new homes from the comfort of their own living rooms. The innovation reflects the emphasis that Mactaggart & Mickel place on exceptional quality and service with the company having been awarded a 5-Star Rating for customer satisfaction by the Home Builders Federation for eight consecutive years. The new virtual viewing platform has paved the way for homebuyers to enjoy an accompanied walk-through their new properties with easy-to-use software combined with family-friendly gadgets such as tablets, laptops and PCs. It means customers can enjoy guided tour of new homes, led by members of the Mactaggart & Mickel sales team who are available to navigate every room in the property while answering questions along the way. Joanne added: “We’re proud of our prestigious HBF 5 Star Rating for customer satisfaction – which we’ve been awarded eight consecutive years in a row. “It embodies our reputation for high levels of customer service and dedication to making the home-buying process a happy and stress-free journey. “We have taken steps to ensure customers can still visit sales offices and make appointments to view showhomes in a safe environment if they wish to do so. “But we’re keen to explore ways to help our customers begin the next chapter in their lives from the comfort of their own homes or workplace if that’s the most suitable option.” The virtual guided tours are the latest measure taken by Mactaggart & Mickel to combat coronavirus by and followed a series of special protocols to more traditional personal visits. Its sites range from Broom Grove in East Renfrewshire to St Jude’s Meadow, near the famed Cotswolds town of Burford, and from Kelso Gardens in South Ayrshire to Childrey Park, near Wantage in Oxfordshire. Safety measures introduced in July included appointment-only visits, an enhanced cleaning regime to a high level of hygiene, two-metre social distancing protocols, protective screening in marketing suites and sanitising stations.
Alba Developments is seeking potential buyers for the first phase of its £100 million Westfield development near Linlithgow, West Lothian. Savills & Scarlett Land and Development have been jointly appointed to market the scheme which could be made up of a total of 659 homes. Alba Developments, which is owned by the Alba Group, took ownership of the 80-acre site in 2018 and is seeking a joint venture partner or a land sale. The site, located in the small village of Westfield and which once contained the Westfield Paper Mill, was granted full planning consent in 2010 for 550 houses and acquired by Alba Developments in 2019. The first phase, Phase A, to the west of the site compromises 217 homes across 5 phases and has recently been redesigned and approved by West Lothian Council to meet current market demand. This is on the back of the new approved access consented in April 2020. Alba Developments has also submitted plans for proposed changes to the layout for Phase B which would increase the development to a total of 659 units. The planned extension of Westfield has been proposed for around 20 years and has been allocated in the Local Plan and subsequent Local Development Plan for most of that time. Shane Ticklepenny, managing director of Alba Group said: “These homes have been promised to the local community for a number of years now and Alba Developments will finally bring the site to life. These homes will bring an economic boost and new amenities, attracting families to the area and leading to upgrades to the local school and bus links to improve the connectivity with neighbouring towns.” Will Scarlett of Scarlett Land and Development said: “Westfield presents a significant place-making opportunity of scale. Located within the catchment of Linlithgow Academy, and surrounded by fabulous amenity (913 acre Beecraigs Country Park) we firmly believe that homes at Westfield will have strong appeal to families.” Savills Ben Brough said: “West Lothian has one of the fastest growing populations in Scotland, its popularity being driven by some successful large-scale developments and its easy commutability to the city of Edinburgh. The site at Westfield will create a new expansion to the existing village with attractive, quality family homes and beautiful open space along the river. It will also benefit from excellent schooling within Linlithgow.”
Did you know almost 100,000 people filed their tax returns on 6 April 2020, which is the first day of the tax year? With the 31 January deadline fast approaching, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shares some little-known facts about Self Assessment tax returns. The April ‘early birds’ are not the only ones to make HMRC’s list of Self Assessment facts; it is also 20 years since the tax authority introduced online tax returns. In 2001, 38,000 online tax returns were filed and this year, HMRC estimates around 11 million online tax returns – quite the increase and in line with the digitisation of the tax system. HMRC’s seven Self Assessment facts are: 96,519 people filed their tax return on 6 April 2020 (first day of the tax year) It’s the 20th anniversary of Self Assessment internet filing, the service began on 3 July 2000 – with 38,000 individuals successfully sending their digital tax return by 31 January 2001 In January 2011, 3.4 million taxpayers completed a Self Assessment tax return online. This has increased to an estimated 5 million in January 2021 This year’s deadline (31 January 2021) is on a Sunday. The last time the deadline was on a Sunday was in 2016 Last year, the busiest filing day was 31 January with 702,171 returns completed The peak hour for filing last year was between 16:00 to 16:59 on 31 January when 56,969 customers filed HMRC has increased the self-serve Time to Pay threshold to £30,000 to help Self Assessment customers spread the cost of their tax bill Karl Khan, HMRC’s Interim Director General for Customer Services, said: “It’s 20 years since Self Assessment online was introduced and it’s how the vast majority of customers complete their tax return these days. Fewer and fewer people are doing it on paper each year. “There’s still time for customers to complete their tax return before the deadline, and help and support is available on GOV.UK.” HMRC expects more than 12.1 million people to complete a Self Assessment tax return. Figures released earlier this month revealed that 55% of customers have already filed their returns, with more than 6.2 million choosing to submit online (93% of all returns filed). Once customers have completed their tax return, and know how much tax is owed, they can set up their own payment plan to help spread the cost of their tax liabilities. They can use the self-serve Time to Pay facility to set up monthly direct debits online. This year, in light of the additional pressures caused by COVID-19, HMRC has increased the self-serve Time to Pay threshold to £30,000 to help Self Assessment customers spread the cost of their tax bill. Interest will be applied to any outstanding balance from 1 February 2021. To see if they’re eligible, customers can visit GOV.UK to find out more about the service. Be aware of copycat HMRC websites and phishing scams. Customers should always type in the full online address www.gov.uk/hmrc to get the correct link for their Self Assessment tax return online securely and free of charge. They also need to be alert if someone calls, emails or texts claiming to be from HMRC, saying that they can claim financial help, are due a tax refund or owe tax – it might be a scam. Check GOV.UK for information on how to recognise genuine HMRC contact.
Participants guaranteed training and an interview for jobs at sites across London Leading construction training specialist The Skills Centre, has partnered with major building contractor O’Halloran & O’Brien to attract 1,000 people to new jobs on various construction projects around the Greater London area. A free, three-week, industry-led construction training programme will be offered when lockdown ends to all that apply, together with a guaranteed job interview for work on a number of major London building projects. All the project sites are still open and have strict Covid-safe protocols in place to ensure working on site is not just productive but also protects all workers. Jon Howlin, Chief Executive of The Skills Centre, said that in a year that has rocked the construction industry, as well as the economy as a whole, it is great to launch this scheme to help those who may have been made redundant or who are looking for work in construction: “It has been great to partner with the O’Halloran & O’Brien on this project, and we encourage those who have been dealt a bad hand in the past few months to consider this chance for a new career. “The pandemic has decimated many industries such as hospitality, aerospace and manufacturing, to name but a few. What we are offering here is an amazing chance for people of all ages and from all walks of life to get free, top-notch training with our experienced construction experts though our site-ready programme. Not only that, but candidates are also guaranteed a job interview at the end of it. Some of the jobs may even turn into full apprenticeships.” All those who complete and pass the three-week course will get a Green Labourers CSCS card, Level 1 Award in Health & Safety in a Construction Environment, and Construction health and safety certificates (including manual handling). Following the training, they will be guaranteed a job interview for one of the thousand jobs on offer – including shuttering-carpenters, steel-fixers, pipe-layers, ground-workers and strikers throughout the Greater London area. Martyn Price MBE, Workforce Development Director from O’Halloran & O’Brien Ltd and Chairman of the Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force, said: “The industry really needs investment in new people joining the sector and so we are incredibly excited to see this programme begin. Our commitment to training is the bedrock of our business and builds on our strong foundations to deliver a safe, competent and qualified workforce for the future, and we look forward to strengthening the construction workplace with well-trained new recruits through this fantastic joint initiative with The Skills Centre.” The initiative is supported by the Construction Skills Fund, which was established in October 2018 to train a site-ready workforce to meet the needs of the construction industry. The £20 million Construction Skills Fund (CSF) comprises £17 million from the Department for Education (DfE) and £3 million from Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). In its first year of operation the CSF helped create 26 new on-site training hubs across England, of which 14 of the hubs have been approved to continue operating to June 2021. CITB’s Strategy and Policy Director Steve Radley said: “The creation of 1,000 new construction jobs in London would be a fantastic achievement as the country continues to deal with the pandemic, and every one of those 1,000 jobs will mark a turning point in that new recruit’s life. Construction urgently needs skilled new workers to build the houses, hospitals and infrastructure Britain needs to rebuild its economy, so congratulations to The Skills Centre and O’Halloran & O’Brien in providing this brilliant initiative.” The training take place in six different centres across London and the South east, in Brixton, Barnet, Bermondsey, Earls Court, Elephant and Castle and Gravesend. Anyone interested in applying should go to https://theskillscentre.co.uk/welcome-to-a-new-start-in-construction
Building contractor Pave Aways is opening a second office in Wales to support the growth of its work in Mid Wales. The firm is adding a new base in Newtown to its Welsh headquarters in Wrexham to underpin its increasing presence in the region. Its office at Ladywell House, which will open when the country’s latest lockdown ends, will be led by construction director Jamie Evans and used by its Mid Wales based team. Pave Aways completed the £2.1m conversion of the former office building into a hub for small business for the Heart of Wales Property Service last year. The firm is currently working on contracts valued at more than £26m with a third of that, including new homes for Powys County Council in Newtown and Sarn, taking place in Wales. Pave Aways, which has a Shropshire base near Oswestry, recently handed over the council’s first Passivhaus school in Welshpool in 2020 and has also been appointed to the Welsh Procurement Alliance’s Dynamic Purchasing System for Housing Construction. Managing Director Steven Owen said: “We already have a strong presence in Mid Wales and have worked on some key schemes in the region but this will allow us to provide a specific focus for our clients in the county. “We believe in having a positive impact on the area where we work and the addition of our new office will have a beneficial effect on the local economy. It will enable us to enhance the community support and education and training opportunities we can offer.” He added: “It’s a very exciting development for us and a great way to start 2021, especially after such a challenging year generally for construction. This is a positive step forward and signals our commitment to our clients in Mid Wales.”
G F Tomlinson has been successfully selected as an approved partner for the NHS Shared Business Services PS-Works: Public Sector Construction Works Framework, which launched on 17 December 2020. The framework will provide a compliant procurement route to market for all NHS and wider public sector construction works requirements across the UK, and G F Tomlinson has been appointed to deliver projects up to the value of £5million across the East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire regions. Bidding for the framework, which lines up trusted construction partners for the next seven years, started in February 2020, with 82 UK contractors vying for limited places of up to 10 for each regional lot. 41 contractors in total have been selected to work on projects up to the value of £5million across the UK including G F Tomlinson, and projects to be delivered will include healthcare, education, housing, social care, leisure, libraries, blue light, transport, recycling and waste, industrial and commercial facilities, as well as mixed use regeneration projects. As part of the complex bidding process, G F Tomlinson was required to prove innovation and sustainability in its delivery, as well as consistency of engagement with stakeholders. Following its successful appointment to the framework, the contractor must embrace and commit to eight core framework objectives when delivering projects, which include: value for money, collaboration, approved organisation satisfaction, quality, sustainable procurement, social value, modern methods of construction and an integrated supply chain. Additionally, contractors must provide the NHS and wider public sector authorities with pre-approved supply chains with suitable levels of training, experience and compliance for master planning, integrated design and construction works. Providing social value to local communities is a key framework driver, which includes the use of local supply chains to focus on SME impacts and sustainable local outputs, whilst being actively managed to ensure efficiencies and innovation are being delivered. G F Tomlinson has a strong focus on social value, and its policy and processes focus on four key investment areas including: 1. Employment, training and skills 2. Sustainable procurement 3. Environmental protection and enhancement and 4. Community support. In the last three years, the contractor has generated £22.5million of social value, investing £1million in terms of corporate time, expertise and funding to local community projects and charities. 59% of local labour is sourced within a 20-mile radius of recent projects and 89% within 40 miles of sites. The contractor also diverts 97% of all waste from its projects away from landfill. Chris Flint, director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are very pleased to have been appointed to this major NHS Public Sector Construction Works Framework, which is streamlining the procurement route to market of all NHS and wider public sector construction work requirements across the country. We look forward to delivering significant healthcare and public sector projects for the next seven years. “G F Tomlinson has already delivered in excess of £640million projects through public sector frameworks to date and as a hardworking and tenacious team, we fully embrace the opportunities this provides in extending our reach across the UK, leaving a positive legacy in the regions in which we operate. “With our experienced management team, commitment to high-quality project delivery, collaborative working, together with the provision of social, economic, environmental and sustainable benefits for local communities, we are ideally positioned to deliver projects up to the value of £5million, as part of this NHS Framework.”
Isio, one of the country’s leading independent pensions advisory firms, has signed a lease for 9,183 sq ft of offices at Royal London’s 3 Hardman Square office building in Spinningfields, Manchester. CBRE and Colliers International represented Royal London and Cushman & Wakefield acted for Isio. Isio was formed following the sale of KPMG UK’s Pension Practice to a private equity firm in March 2020 and the firm has around 500 staff working from eight regional offices. At 3 Hardman Square, Isio will occupy part of the fourth floor. Royal London has undertaken a comprehensive investment programme at 3 Hardman Square to upgrade the ground floor reception area with the addition of a two-tiered business lounge, providing occupants of the building with informal meeting space and coffee making facilities. In addition, an impressive shower and cycle hub has been provided in the basement, which incorporates cycle racks, a drying room, lockers and shower facilities. Isio will join existing tenants the General Medical Council (GMC) and In-Touch Networks who occupy the 8th and 3rd floors respectively at 3 Hardman Square. Neil Mort, Senior Director at CBRE Manchester, commented; “Royal London’s investment into 3 Hardman Square has attracted yet another high-profile organisation to the refurbished building. To have concluded this deal during lockdown is a great result and we are confident that this will be an excellent base for Isio’s Manchester team.”
Berkeley is aiming to build one of the most biodiverse developments in the UK by transforming an industrial site into a 3,750-home development with over 13 acres of new green space Located in the London Borough of Ealing, it has fantastic transport connections and will benefit from the arrival of Crossrail to Southall Station Parkside is the first of four neighbourhoods to launch for sales, starting from £297,500 for a studio, with Help to Buy available Berkeley West Thames has officially launched its first homes for sale at The Green Quarter, a significant new development in west London aiming to be one of the most biodiverse in the UK. The 3,750-home scheme combines modern city life and outdoor living, with nearly 50 per cent of the 88-acre site comprising open green space and close to two-thirds of the homes overlooking water or green areas. Located in the London Borough of Ealing between Southall and Hayes, The Green Quarter benefits from excellent connectivity with the arrival of Crossrail at Southall Station, which is opposite the development, providing direct services to Bond Street in 17 minutes, Canary Wharf in 31 minutes and Heathrow in just 8 minutes. The Green Quarter has nature at its heart. Once complete, it will provide access to more green space than St James’s Park and Green Park combined. This includes over 13 acres of parkland across two new parks – Central Gardens, part of which will be open to the local community in the coming months, and an 8-acre wetlands being delivered in partnership with biodiversity experts London Wildlife Trust. Berkeley is also creating a series of footbridges to open up the neighbouring 90-acre Minet Country Park, enabling easy access for the whole community, while 1.2km of towpath along the Grand Union Canal has been reinstated to create a more attractive and enjoyable pedestrian and cycle route. A new town square will welcome people to The Green Quarter and lead directly to a new commercial neighbourhood, which will provide a mix of day-to-day amenities for the whole community to enjoy. As part of the development a brand-new primary school will be built, adding to the area’s strong educational facilities, which includes OFSTED Outstanding rated primary and secondary schools, such as Beaconsfield High School and Dormer Wells High School. World-renowned universities, including Royal Holloway University and Brunel University, are also within close proximity. So far, over 300 homes have been delivered at The Green Quarter, all of which are affordable, and have been offered to existing Ealing residents under either affordable rent or shared ownership. Ashley Kensington, Managing Director at Berkeley West Thames, said: “The Green Quarter is a scheme that is remarkable by nature, a place that encourages healthy living while providing easy access to central London and beyond. It is one of the most ambitious regeneration schemes Berkeley has undertaken, transforming a redundant industrial site into potentially the most biodiverse development in the UK. “The sales launch is a significant milestone and we’re excited to showcase a product which we’re extremely proud of. With two new parks, a wetlands and new access to the neighbouring 90-acre Minet Country Park, The Green Quarter is perfect for those wanting local green space – at a time when this has never been more important to buyers.” First new homes available in Parkside The first homes available for sale are in the Parkside neighbourhood. Looking out over the new park, Central Gardens, Parkside offers stunning views across landscaped grounds, trickling waterways and areas for recreational activity. Surrounded by the first of up to 2,500 trees to be planted at the development, Parkside smoothly combines modern life with the natural world. Each building benefits from podium gardens with residents also set to have access to a swimming pool, gym, co-working space, screening room, concierge and cycle store and hire. Parkside includes suites, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, all of which have been designed for practical living, with smart heating systems and expansive French windows that open out onto a private balcony. Residents will be given the chance to personalise their home with options for carpets, timber floors and overall style palettes (subject to stage of construction). Homes at Parkside can be purchased in Arber, Edwin, Sibley and Watson house, named after local historical figures who inspired the design of the buildings. The new homes will be available to move into from February 2021. Prices and contact details The Green Quarter will include studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Prices start from £297,500 for a studio, £370,000 for a one-bed, £487,500 for a two-bed and £642,000 for a three-bedroom apartment. The new Help to Buy is available on selected properties. While social distancing restrictions remain in place, visits to the new Sales & Marketing Suite and Show apartments are available by appointment only. We continue to offer phone calls, video calls and where possible, virtual tours of our homes. Appointments are available daily from 10 am to 6 pm (10 am to 8 pm Thursday); call 020 4502 3995 or head to The Green Quarter website to book an appointment. The Sales & Marketing Suite is located on Randolph Road, UB1 1BL, a short walk from Southall station.