PLANS for an ambitious £300m onshore wind farm have been unveiled by Banks Renewables in a scoping report submitted to South Lanarkshire Council. At 300MW generating capacity, the wind farm would be the UK’s third largest by electricity generated. 300MW is enough to meet the electricity needs of a city
The winners of the FIDIC Contracts Awards 2020 have been unveiled at a virtual awards ceremony which took place as part of the online FIDIC annual International Contract Users’ Conference on 1 December 2020. The awards, now in their second year, recognise excellence in the use of FIDIC contract forms
Lee Marley Brickwork Limited (LMB) is the largest integrated brickwork, stonework and scaffolding sub-contractor in the UK. They are delighted to have won Subcontractor/Services Provider of the Year at this year’s Housebuilder Awards 2020. The Housebuilder Awards recognise innovation and excellence in the industry and are brought to you by Housebuilder magazine, the
How Finning can help the paving industry perform safe and clean operations In May 2020, the Government announced a £2 billion-pound investment package to establish cycling and walking lanes on the streets of our busy towns and cities, much like you would see in Amsterdam. This initiative opens many opportunities
Thrive Homes was highly commended in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category as part of the Housebuilder Awards 2020. Held by Housebuilder magazine, the Home Builders Federation and in partnership with the National House Building Council, the Housebuilder Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in the development
From business and manufacturing industries to the new wave in home improvement, the growth in markets that are exploring interior decoration is at an all-time high. Interior design is a multi-faced sector that seeks to elevate an interior environment to the specifications of the clients. Trends in home decor are
Awards ranks Britain 100 private companies with the fastest growing sales over the last three years with Glencar the first main UK contractor to receive the accolade representing a real first for the industry. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors has
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is calling on construction companies to encourage eligible EU workers to apply for ‘settled status’ to ensure they can continue to work legally in the UK once the Brexit transition period is complete. The British government has indicated that anyone settled in the
New images have been released of Cole Waterhouse’s plans for a £260m mixed-use scheme at Upper Trinity Street (UTS) in Digbeth. The development will see the existing industrial land transformed into a cultural, commercial and residential scheme with 943 new homes, some with live-work space and roof gardens, a 133-bedroom
Countryside, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, and Places for People, the largest UK affordable homes led placemaker, today announces a national framework agreement to accelerate live and future projects through the delivery of mixed-tenure developments. Under the agreement, Countryside and Places for People will work together to combine expertise in
PLANS for an ambitious £300m onshore wind farm have been unveiled by Banks Renewables in a scoping report submitted to South Lanarkshire Council. At 300MW generating capacity, the wind farm would be the UK’s third largest by electricity generated. 300MW is enough to meet the electricity needs of a city the equivalent size of Dundee. This wind farm, at Bodinglee, will consist of up to 60 of the latest, most efficient turbines available. The proposed wind farm, at Bodinglee, will be situated in South Lanarkshire, either side of the M74 between Douglas and Abington – not far from Banks’ wind farms at Kype and Middle Muir. The site is situated on farmland owned by the Douglas and Angus Estates. Bodinglee is the latest, and largest, project from the Hamilton-based employer and has the potential to deliver £80m worth of contracts to local firms, directly support around 500 jobs and displace over 150,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. This is the equivalent of taking over 58,000 petrol cars off the road. Banks is keen to reproduce its successful Connect2Renewables South Lanarkshire initiative which is currently creating employment opportunities for those living close to its Kype and Middle Muir wind farms. Banks are starting this process by letting people know as early as possible – with the publication of a scoping report – with a view to hosting initial consultations in the first half of 2021. Gordon Thomson, head of projects with Banks Renewables, said: “This is a big project and will make a significant contribution to Scotland reaching #netzero by 2045. Onshore wind is a proven technology and the lowest cost renewable energy, helping keep consumers’ bills low.” “As part of development with care approach we strongly believe that the local communities that host our projects should benefit the most from them. We want the local community involved right from the beginning and so have launched an online consultation so that we can hear their views from now on.” “The size of this project means that there could be investment through a community fund of up to £45m over the life of the project, and we want to work with local people to ensure we deliver a long-lasting positive legacy for those living in the area.” Over the next few years Banks will be commissioning surveys of the local area as they look to design the layout of the wind farm. Banks will use their experience and knowledge of the onshore wind sector industry to deliver a wind farm that is sympathetic to the local landscape and as efficient as possible. To join in the online consultation and to find out more about the project, please visit: https://www.banksgroup.co.uk/projects/renewables/bodinglee-wind-farm/
The winners of the FIDIC Contracts Awards 2020 have been unveiled at a virtual awards ceremony which took place as part of the online FIDIC annual International Contract Users’ Conference on 1 December 2020. The awards, now in their second year, recognise excellence in the use of FIDIC contract forms for project delivery and showcase examples of good practice through collaboration from across the world. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was more challenging than usual to attract entries for the awards but despite this, winners were announced across three categories. The Project of the Year Award was won by the British Normandy Memorial for a special project to build a worthy British national memorial to the men and women who died on D-Day and during the subsequent Normandy campaign in the Summer of 1944. The memorial stands on rising ground in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, overlooking Gold Beach and although a British Memorial, it commemorates combatants from 38 different countries worldwide, who fought and died during the campaign. Over 3700 tonnes of stone were used during construction. The main Memorial Court features eight-metre-high stone walls, hand-carved with quotes from the King, Churchill, de Gaulle and others. The engineer on the project was Michael Coombs of Alan Baxter Ltd and the contractor was Eiffage. The structure and flexibility of the FIDIC Red Book Contract was perfect for this project especially as the team needed to work in France under British law, because of the terms and conditions imposed by the British government. A Highly Recommended citation was also awarded in this category to the Çerkezköy-Kapıkule Section of Halkalı-Kapıkule Railway project in Turkey. International law firm White & Case won the Legal or Professional Services of the Year Award in recognition of their highly regarded work which includes the development and expansion of FIDIC contract forms on a global scale. The firm is widely seen as a leading adviser globally on all aspects of project procurement and delivery under the FIDIC contracts, regularly advising employers and contractors on the negotiation of FIDIC contracts, the administration of their terms and the avoidance and resolution of claims and disputes arising. A Highly Recommended citation was also awarded in this category to HKA Global Limited Ellis Baker, global head of construction at White & Case is an authority on the FIDIC forms, with the legal directory Chambers UK 2021 stating that Baker “is the leading lawyer for the FIDIC suite of contracts”. Ellis is also the lead author of FIDIC Contracts: Law and Practice, which was recently cited with approval by the Supreme Court of England and Wales which described it as a “leading text on the widely used standard forms of international construction contract issued by FIDIC”. The winner of this year’s Trainer of the Year Award was Taner Dedezade, who has been providing FIDIC training worldwide for the last decade. He has delivered training in Europe, USA, Africa and the Middle East, mainly delivering FIDIC training for contracts, claims and dispute adjudication boards. Dedezade has been repeatedly invited back to deliver further trainings for previous clients and has spoken at public seminars as well as many in-house training events for large multinational contractors and government departments. A Highly Recommended citation was also awarded in this category to Husni Madi. Commenting on the awards, FIDIC chief executive Dr Nelson Ogunshakin said: “This second year of our FIDIC Contracts Awards was a great success in raising the profile of FIDIC contracts and those who use them. I am sure that this exciting initiative will further unite the global contract user community and will be an annual feature for years to come.” The full shortlist for the 2020 FIDIC Contracts Awards was as follows: – Project of the Year Award British Normandy Memorial (France) International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (France) Çerkezköy-Kapıkule Section of Halkalı-Kapıkule Railway (Turkey) New Houses of Parliament (Jamaica) Tawfik Qeran (Yemen) Toktogul Hydro Power Refurbishment Project (Kyrgyzstan) Legal or Professional Services of the Year Award Artyushenko & Partners boutique law firm (Kazakhstan) Coz Jofré & Blavi (Chile) Damian James Delay and Quantum Experts (South Africa) Denis Rizaov (Republic of North Macedonia) DWF LLP (Qatar) HKA Global Limited (United Arab Emirates) thinkproject UK (France) White & Case (France) Trainer of the Year Award Hiromi Hoshi (Japan) Husni Madi (Jordan) Kevin Spence (South Africa) Taner Dedezade (United Kingdom)
Lee Marley Brickwork Limited (LMB) is the largest integrated brickwork, stonework and scaffolding sub-contractor in the UK. They are delighted to have won Subcontractor/Services Provider of the Year at this year’s Housebuilder Awards 2020. The Housebuilder Awards recognise innovation and excellence in the industry and are brought to you by Housebuilder magazine, the Home Builders Federation (HBF) and in partnership with NHBC. LMB Director Dan Clarkson comments: “We are delighted to have won this category, this was a real team effort and we are extremely proud of everyone involved. The core driver of our business is to build good working relationships with clients and working with them to deliver projects on time and under budget.” James O’Connell, Project Director, Ballymore says: “Lee Marley have worked on five consecutive phases at our Embassy Gardens development providing a joint brick work and scaffolding packages totalling £21m. The company has become an integral part of the team, imparting valuable knowledge on the procurement of masonry support and off-site fabricated elements. The combined brickwork and scaffolding team works cohesively to meet demanding deadlines and their high level of managerial skill and quality enables us to focus our efforts else- where. As a business Ballymore would whole heartedly recommend Lee Marley for both brickwork and scaffolding projects and will continue to use them in the future.” At Embassy Gardens for Ballymore LMB started brickwork at multiple levels on the façade to shave 5 weeks from the programme too make up for a delay caused in another package. Mark Kay, Project Director, Lend Lease comments: “Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd worked on the MP3 H4 and H5 projects at Elephant Park, the construction of over 830 residential units. The work they undertook was carried out to a high level of quality, has received several positive compliments from a number of third parties, and is of a demonstrably high standard of workmanship. Furthermore, the works were undertaken in strict adherence to the programme and with several innovative approaches presented to offer programme betterment. All aspects of the works were carried out safely and with diligence, and they fully embraced our safety culture, along with all of our safety campaigns and processes. Their site team worked well with our management staff, and with the other trade contractors, and we hope to continue our good working relationship on future projects. I would endorse the use of this contractor on other schemes and look forward to working with them again in the near future” At Elephant and Castle LMB were able to save Lend Lease £634,000 in direct material costs by advising on design of stone, masonry support, and off-site manufactured brick clad units. A list of all the winners and highly commended companies can be found at https://www.house-builder.co.uk/events/housebuilder-awards-2020/ For more information about Lee Marley Brickwork Ltd, please visit: www.leemarley.com
How Finning can help the paving industry perform safe and clean operations In May 2020, the Government announced a £2 billion-pound investment package to establish cycling and walking lanes on the streets of our busy towns and cities, much like you would see in Amsterdam. This initiative opens many opportunities for the paving industry who may be struggling at the hands of the pandemic. Here Jonathan Davies, industry manager of paving at Finning UK and Ireland, exclusive distributor of Cat® products, explores how better-equipped machines can help maximise productivity, while maintaining safe and sustainable operations. Local authorities typically employ pavers to alter road layouts to encourage commuters to walk or cycle to work, to reduce urban traffic and to streamline motorway journeys. As well as the investments in cycle and pedestrian lanes, the Government has announced grants of up to £27 billion to upgrade the UK’s busiest roads by 2025. With the potential to create 64,000 construction jobs, the paving industry will look to new technology to advance its concrete paving systems. Paving systems have already evolved to accommodate more sustainable practice. Micro-surfacing now involves laying high quality aggregates combined with polymer-modified asphalt emulsion to repair roads. Although this improved recipe reduces the amount of hazardous fumes released into the atmosphere, it does not eliminate them altogether. Technology is in place to reduce environmental impact further. It is optimistic to say that encouraging cycling and walking in cities will counteract the environmental impact of the paving sector. Companies must equip themselves with sustainable machinery to carry out clean operations. The latest asphalt pavers have an advanced eco-mode setting that modifies engine speed based on load conditions. This cuts fuel burn by five per cent and maximises the performance of the machine. With ten per cent of global carbon emissions stemming from the construction industry, the environmental impact of the paving sector is one area that represents a significant opportunity for improvement. In fact, it is estimated that one standard asphalt paver produces 170.3 kilograms of CO2 per full tank of diesel. To tackle this head-on, electric Cat® vehicles — notably tractors in the agricultural sector — are being trialled to see whether performance can match the ecological benefits. To this end, the paving industry may soon be benefiting from electric vehicle operations, rather than diesel-fuelled engines. Much of the Cat Stage V range is used by paving companies because the equipment reduces emissions by 25 per cent, while maintaining productivity. A fleet of CatPM620s were used on a paving project in northern England in 2018 and were praised for their consistency in approach. The manoeuvrability and precision in extraction and planing gave way to productive operations, and all work was completed quickly and efficiently. A big consideration for the paving sector is finding adaptable, low-intervention solutions that will be completed quickly to avoid unnecessary disruption to the public. Ultimately this is achieved by having a good product support infrastructure from suppliers — one that will extend the life of their machinery and reduce resource input. There is also the option of buying used machines. Used pavers, planers and compactors are serviced and maintained so that the benefits of the ecological Caterpillar technology can be experienced by the next user. Purchasing used equipment, therefore, should not be a concern for the paving sector. Certified and warrantied machines allow for repairs to be done efficiently so that paving may continue at no time cost to the construction workers. Cat cutter bits from a used cold planar, still last 80 per cent longer than conventional carbide cutter bits to provide greater production, at 15 per cent decreased fuel consumption. Although using a cold planer would still have some negative environmental considerations, reducing your impact to the minimum should be a priority. Pavement milling requires a substantial amount of control and precision to leave behind a clean milled surface for pedestrians and cyclists. This is achieved through reliable rotor drive systems that optimise engine speed to peak torque function all through the cutting process. When cutting gets difficult, a reliable rotor drive system gives consistency across a project as well as maximised performance capabilities. Considering current health pressures, government investment will hopefully increase the fitness of the population following coronavirus. Cyclists and walkers should feel safer travelling in designated lanes, and reduced congestion will make built-up areas more accessible for the emergency services. What’s more, by encouraging energy-efficient travel, we can help reduce the country’s carbon emissions.
Thrive Homes was highly commended in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category as part of the Housebuilder Awards 2020. Held by Housebuilder magazine, the Home Builders Federation and in partnership with the National House Building Council, the Housebuilder Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in the development industry. Commenting on the achievement, Jack Burnham, Thrive’s Development Director said: “We are thrilled to have been highly commended in the Sustainable Housebuilder of the Year category. Thrive has worked hard to become an industry leader in sustainability, and we will continue to innovate and build on our green commitments to ensure we are creating quality homes and communities that residents are proud of.” As part of its commitment to creating quality homes where people enjoy living, Thrive Homes continues to develop ambitious plans to put sustainability at its core, with progressive strategies such as tree planting, carbon offsetting and all-electric developments being brought forward. In 2019 Thrive was the first UK Housebuilder or Housing Association to be awarded The Planet Mark certification and in 2019/20 worked with a certified carbon offsetting provider to become carbon neutral. Thrive also committed to a tree planting programme alongside its development plans with hundreds of trees planted in 2020. The developer and professional landlord will continue to lead the sector by increasing its green initiative year on year to ensure its carbon footprint is as low as possible. Thrive Homes was also a finalist in the Small Housebuilder of the Year category. The Housebuilder Awards 2020 winners were announced on 3 December.
From business and manufacturing industries to the new wave in home improvement, the growth in markets that are exploring interior decoration is at an all-time high. Interior design is a multi-faced sector that seeks to elevate an interior environment to the specifications of the clients. Trends in home decor are constantly changing and 2020 is no different. Whether it’s for residential or commercial use, the changes in design call for experts to be more innovative, personal and dynamic than ever before. Home decor is the most effective way of expressing the lifestyle that a consumer believes in. Europe plays a paramount role in the global design and decor industry which include various items such as furniture, home textiles, lighting fixtures,artifacts, floor coverings just to name a few. The furniture sector has undergone significant changes with more focus on quality and design. This has made the industry grow exponentially, evident not only in terms of production but also in the market and international trade values. The market is projected to continue growing due to increased expenditure for furniture goods among the millennials in 2020. Below are some opportunities that lie ahead of the furniture industry; ACCESS TO NEW MARKETS The European furniture market is without a doubt recognised worldwide for its high-quality products and spectacular designs. This has created an opportunity for this sector to further seize other market niches, in particular the luxurious high-end markets. An interior designer looking to instal a modern and functional kitchen can simply source for these merchandise from a variety of European furniture brands. FURTHER RESEARCH Technology has allowed the furniture industry to attract expertise from the younger generations who have helped rejuvenate this sector while keeping it highly competitive. Development in the real estate sector is expected to supplement the growth of the home decor market. Consumer preferences have fueled the demand for fancy products to decorate homes. Additionally, the consumer is more aware of the impact of his or her choice on the environment. Homes are inclined to adopt Biophilic designs to feel more connected with nature. Others opt for more eco-friendly products that are sustainably sourced and put less stress on the environment. INVESTMENT The Europe furniture industry continues to increase investment to enhance creativity, innovation and skills which result in the production of new products to suit the ever-changing population and lifestyles. The growth of the home decor industry has paved the way to premium products that provide superb experience to the users. Growing this preference for finer things after a certain time boosts the availability of different products. Technology has greatly revolutionized the furniture industry making it easier for any type of furniture to be available in all corners of the globe. Key furniture brands have come up with interesting trends to offer their products such as affordable DIY furniture that has greatly influenced sales. This sector, however, has been hit severally with challenges and crisis that are briefly highlighted below; CLIMATE CHANGES Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing modern society. Global warming due to the depletion of the ozone layer is a serious environmental concern. The consequences of this warming trend are dire. Furniture companies are increasingly focussing on the environmental impact of their operations and have adopted eco-friendly manufacturing and design principles to preserve the earth for future generations. INNOVATION The 21st century called for heavy reliance on technology that consequently caused an increase in global trade and digitalisation. The penetration of e-commerce and smart devices such as mobile phones and computers has provided for easy distribution and payment options of products. This has tremendously progressed the market growth with different home decor products. Manufacturers are integrating the latest technologies to assist consumers to choose the best home decor products for their homes. For example, consumers now have easy access to Apps that allow them to enter the dimensions of their rooms and have add ons to their space and have a feel of how it would be before purchase. The challenge when it comes to technology is the infringement of intellectual property rights exposed to companies. Moreover, boosting research requires finance that is often a huge challenge to medium and small furniture businesses. COMPETITION The home decor market is quite fragmented due to the presence of multiple manufacturers both regional and internationally. Globalization has opened up more markets for consumers which have made it easier for accessibility of a variety of products from different corners of the world. The Europe furniture sector has witnessed significant growth over the years and is expected to grow at a steady pace even after 2020 although it’s often in constant competition with other countries across the globe that offer low production costs. China, for instance, is rapidly growing and is reported to be now the largest exporter of furniture to the European region.
Awards ranks Britain 100 private companies with the fastest growing sales over the last three years with Glencar the first main UK contractor to receive the accolade representing a real first for the industry. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors has today announced that it has been awarded the top spot in the annual Sunday Times Virgin Atlantic FAST TRACK 100 league table, which ranks Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing sales and is published today. Glencar has grown sales by an impressive 441% a year over three years to an annualised £96.5m in the year to September, a record for the table over the entirety of its 24-year history. Speaking about the award Glencar Managing Director Eddie McGillycuddy said: “To be recognised among Britain’s top performing private companies is a fantastic accolade and we are delighted to have topped the table for 2020 amongst some good company. We are operating in a sector that is growing rapidly but it’s our customer-centric delivery model which has really given us a competitive advantage and allowed us to keep building on our success. I’d like to express my sincere thanks to the entire team at Glencar and the role they have all played in enabling us to reaching this incredible milestone” The Fast Track 100 is sponsored by Virgin Atlantic, BDO, DHL Express and N+1 Singer, and is compiled by Fast Track, the Oxford-based research and networking events firm and published in The Sunday Times each December, with an awards event the following September, and alumni dinners during the year. Companies were ranked by the compound annual growth rate in their sales over their latest three financial years. Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Group, which has supported Fast Track 100 for all 24 years, said: “While we are living in extremely uncertain and challenging times, there is one thing I am certain of: entrepreneurs are the dreamers, the doers, and the innovators that have the power to have a positive impact on society. There are so many inspiring examples of this on the Fast Track 100 league table showing this is just as true, if not more so, in 2020 as it ever has been.” The full article can be viewed here https://glencar.com/glencar-debuts-at-number-one-in-fast-track-100/
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is calling on construction companies to encourage eligible EU workers to apply for ‘settled status’ to ensure they can continue to work legally in the UK once the Brexit transition period is complete. The British government has indicated that anyone settled in the UK for more than five years as of exit day (31, January, 2020) – will likely to be able to gain ‘settled status’ which will grant them the same rights as British citizens. Those who do not meet the five year criteria may still be able to gain pre-settled status which will allow them a grant of limited leave to remain for five years. Eligible EU nationals have until 30 June 2021 to submit an application – after which if they haven’t done so and they continue to work in the UK they will be doing so illegally. However there are concerns that language barriers and a lack of awareness of the requirement may prevent some workers from completing the application potentially driving them into the illegitimate labour market. Employers can help by spreading awareness of the need to apply for ‘settled status’ and offering assistance where required – such as access to computers to complete the application. It is free to apply and a step-by-step application guide is available in 26 European languages. The application can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status Employers may also wish to consider whether as an employer they are eligible to become a sponsor which could help them to recruit from the EU in the future. https://migrate-uk.com/sponsor-licence-applications-uk-2021/
New images have been released of Cole Waterhouse’s plans for a £260m mixed-use scheme at Upper Trinity Street (UTS) in Digbeth. The development will see the existing industrial land transformed into a cultural, commercial and residential scheme with 943 new homes, some with live-work space and roof gardens, a 133-bedroom hotel, 60,000 sq ft of flexible commercial space, car parking and large areas of public realm including a new public park and a network of landscaped yards, squares and hidden spaces. Over the summer the team has been working closely with Birmingham City Council and other stakeholders following a far-reaching public consultation programme and the submission of a full planning application which was made in April. Updated plans have now been submitted which include design enhancements to some residential blocks to create a more distinctive character which is influenced by the current and past industrial uses of the site. Additional landscaping and the inclusion of a new ‘parklet’ have been included to create more outdoor space. The scheme’s ground floor, live-work units will have street facades of large opening glazed doors recessed behind sliding perforated metal shutters and entry doors which will offer glimpses into the work spaces beyond. In addition, the artwork to the hotel will now be a permanent installation as opposed to a continually changing design. The team is continuing to explore options to work with a public artist on the final art design for the hotel and public art will also be featured throughout the 2.07 hectare site. The re-development of the historic site, which borders Adderley Street and the proposed Skypark on Duddeston Viaduct, will retain the lock keepers cottage, pump house and canal and the development team is working closely with the Canal and Rivers Trust to enhance and protect the site’s unique Victorian engineering history. Cole Waterhouse’s vision for UTS is a response to the High Speed 2 (HS2) and emerging Digbeth Masterplans which form part of the wider evolution of Digbeth and will complement other development proposals in the area. Commenting on the updated design Damian Flood, chief executive of Cole Waterhouse said: “We listened carefully to the feedback from the consultation programme and have subsequently made some enhancements to the scheme design which we wanted to show with these new images. “We have been in close contact with the existing businesses in the area to accommodate their requirements in the new scheme and their feedback and support has been overwhelmingly positive.” He continued: “With close proximity to Birmingham city centre and planned improvements to transport infrastructure, including the new West Midlands Metro line and HS2 Curzon Street station, Upper Trinity Street will create a great community for hundreds to live and work and we are committed to protecting the area’s unique ‘Digbethness’ which is further reflected in our design amends.”
Countryside, the UK’s leading mixed-tenure developer, and Places for People, the largest UK affordable homes led placemaker, today announces a national framework agreement to accelerate live and future projects through the delivery of mixed-tenure developments. Under the agreement, Countryside and Places for People will work together to combine expertise in creating high quality homes and places that give opportunities for communities to thrive. It is envisaged that up to 10,000 mixed tenure homes will be developed through the framework over a ten-year period across the UK. Countryside continues to see attractive opportunities for growth to deliver a mix of private for sale, PRS and affordable homes and this framework agreement will allow the homebuilder to develop large sites more quickly. Operating nationwide, Places for People’s strategy to deliver more homes and more choice has seen the company work with a number of partners including Homes England, and develop new delivery models. Working with Countryside and utilising the strengths of both parties will help to continue to boost its capacity and aid Places for People’s strategic aim of increasing the delivery of affordable housing and mixed-tenure communities. Iain McPherson, Group Chief Executive, Countryside, said: “We are delighted to have formed a strategic relationship with Places for People, to deliver much-needed mixed-tenure housing. Our business has a proven track record and, together with our clear strategy for growth, we look forward to continuing to work with our partners as we focus on the delivery of high quality and sustainable mixed-tenure communities.” David Cowans, Group Chief Executive, Places for People, said: “For our future housing market to be successful, we need to provide more housing choice, improve quality and increase efficiency. Working with Countryside, a business that shares our commitment to creating well designed, sustainable communities, will help us deliver quality homes that provide choice and meet people’s needs and aspirations.”