The total value of construction contract awards in October 2020 was £4.9 billion based on a three-month rolling average. This is a decrease of 9.4% on September and follows three consecutive months of good growth. Annual comparisons show it as 1.1% lower than for October 2019. In the three months
LEADING independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard will play an integral role in the design of four new prisons – to be built in Yorkshire and in the North West and South East of England – following its appointment by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to its New
Goodman has broken ground on 477,370 sq ft of prime distribution and logistics space at Crossways Commercial Park, Dartford. Construction begins on 477,370 sq ft of prime distribution and logistics space M25-adjacent location will provide customers with access to 9.2 million consumers within a one-hour drivetime, with a combined purchasing
Health risks from Coronavirus and occupational disease are big issues for businesses. IOM’s clients are benefiting from 50-years’ experience of keeping workers healthy and businesses compliant. The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) has been at the forefront of scientific research to understand and mitigate a range of occupational and environmental
One of the UK’s leading engineering and construction companies – ENGIE Fabricom – has secured an additional contract as part of a major framework agreement with owners and operators of strategic gas assets across Europe. The new contract will see ENGIE Fabricom manage and coordinate the full implementation and commissioning
Leading construction software company, COINS, have announced a new integration which they hope will speed up the entire reservation and sales process for UK home builders. The new partnership between COINS and Yourkeys will provide UK home builders with a suite of powerful features, designed to increase efficiency in the
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announces that it has leased a 155,000 SQ FT unit, Unit 3, at its G-Park Northampton site, to Whistl on long-term lease. Whistl is the UK’s leading delivery management company and the development at G-Park Northampton will
National-contractor Tolent has handed over a new £12.5m student accommodation scheme on Burley Street in Leeds. Known as Union, the development has created 87 extremely spacious and thoroughly modern studio apartments within easy walking distance of both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, as well as Leeds city
Boris Johnson’s decision to extend green homes grants by another year should be stretched to the next two decades, urges the construction industry. Getting existing buildings more energy-efficient is going to take longer than a year warn builders and surveyors. The Federation of Master Builders, FMB, chief executive Brian Berry
Last week, housebuilder Dandara received permission to build 63 new homes on Clappins Lane in Naphill. Plans for the development include the delivery of 30 affordable homes (48%) the creation of public open space and a footpath connecting the new homes with the existing public Right of Way and wider
The total value of construction contract awards in October 2020 was £4.9 billion based on a three-month rolling average. This is a decrease of 9.4% on September and follows three consecutive months of good growth. Annual comparisons show it as 1.1% lower than for October 2019. In the three months to October 2020, total contract awards were valued at £14.7 billion which is 75.7% higher than for the previous quarter and is also 1.3% higher than for the comparable quarter ending October 2019. There was an increase of 8.7% for contract award numbers this month at 871 compared to September. Annual comparisons show marginal (0.8%) improvement. The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain. The North West was the leading region in October with 19.8% of awards and a total of 120 projects. The second largest region was London with value share of 13.8%, whilst tying for third place was the East of England and Scotland both with 11.1% of awards. Analysis by sector indicates that residential maintained lead status in October accounting for 36.8% of awards. Underpinned by some major civils awards, infrastructure was the second largest region this month with 22.2% of awards and 131 projects. Commenting on the figures, Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI and AMA Research said, “The value of contract awards decreased from £5.4 billion in September to £4.9 billion in October but the number of awards continued to increase month on month. It is encouraging that since coming out of the first UK-wide lockdown, contract awards remain at long-term average levels. While there remain many downside risks, more positive news has emerged over the last month, not least construction sites staying open over the second lockdown plus positive vaccine trials. We therefore have a greater level of confidence that activity will be maintained over the short term.” Download the full report here: http://ubm.io/2FRLrwm
LEADING independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard will play an integral role in the design of four new prisons – to be built in Yorkshire and in the North West and South East of England – following its appointment by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to its New Prisons Programme (NPP). The MoJ and HM Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) aims to deliver a decent, safe and secure estate that supports offender rehabilitation. These four new prisons will be designed with this in mind and provide prison staff the necessary tools to prevent offenders from being drawn into further criminal activity whilst serving their sentence in custody and turn their lives around. Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration – has been appointed as client designer for the project, with procurement and delivery being accelerated through SCAPE, the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority. SCAPE’s direct award and fully performance managed framework will also help drive collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings across the four sites. Tim Irons, director of architecture at Pick Everard said: ‘’We are delighted to have secured this role working in partnership with the MoJ to progress this significant building programme, which is the first MoJ client design appointment of this scale. “Following the successful delivery of common designs at HMP Five Wells and Glen Parva, this next phase of intense construction activity will deliver not only much needed prison places for the MoJ, but importantly environments sensitively designed to bring the best possible outcomes for those passing through them as they reach the end of their sentences. “We are continuously improving our solutions for resettlement focussed facilities to ensure they support both residents and staff to achieve more and are excited to now stretch the sustainability features of our designs to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and ambitious reductions in operational energy demand.’’ Robin Seaton, HMPPS Programme Director for New Prisons added: “We look forward to working with Pick Everard and Perfect Circle as we embark on the design and construction of our newest prison builds. It is essential that we get the design right to deliver Ministers’ and HMPPS’ commitment to modernise and improve prisons, making them more secure and better equipped to rehabilitate prisoners. We are confident that Pick Everard will help us to meet these aims.” The NPP will initially develop the design for four new prisons – the first of which will be located in Full Sutton, Yorkshire, with a further three locations to be confirmed. The Pick Everard team has commenced a baseline design review, which began last month (October). This will be followed by the development of a suite of reference designs, which will be used to deliver the four new prisons together with potential expansions of existing sites. Pick Everard will work closely with the MoJ to develop its existing ‘baseline design’ for prisons and deliver site specific designs for each of the new prisons. There are currently two prisons under construction to a ‘common’ design – one in Wellingborough (named HMP Five Wells) and the other in Glen Parva – which will form the basis for the new reference prison designs. The designs will introduce further opportunities to implement modern methods of construction and adapting current designs to meet ambitious new sustainability targets in support of achieving a net zero carbon estate. David Nisbet, partner at Pick Everard, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with the MoJ so we are very pleased to be able to work with them on this new approach to prisoner accommodation, education and rehabilitation. The NPP marks a really significant reform to the prison system and we are looking forward to working closely with the MoJ on delivering a new approach, which will offer value for money both throughout the design and build, but also in the day-to-day operation of the prisons.” Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, added: “Modernising HMPPS’ prison estate is a matter of national interest, not just in terms of supporting communities with effective rehabilitation, but also in enabling our economic recovery through public sector investment. “Pick Everard’s longstanding partnership with the MoJ has demonstrated both teams are committed to creating positive outcomes for the justice system while delivering facilities that represent value for the taxpayer. These projects embody that same commitment and I look forward to seeing them progress at speed through our consultancy framework.” Perfect Circle – which comprises Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM – leads the SCAPE Consultancy framework, which offers direct access to the most extensive property, construction and infrastructure consultancy services available to the public sector. The fully OJEU-compliant procurement route brings together the strongest collaborative team with value for money, while contributing substantially to local social value. Pick Everard employs more than 500 staff across its 13 offices, providing a range of project, cost and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk.
Goodman has broken ground on 477,370 sq ft of prime distribution and logistics space at Crossways Commercial Park, Dartford. Construction begins on 477,370 sq ft of prime distribution and logistics space M25-adjacent location will provide customers with access to 9.2 million consumers within a one-hour drivetime, with a combined purchasing power of £185 billion The high-specification development will be one of Goodman’s most sustainable UK schemes The park will incorporate three units providing 238,800 sq ft, 137,365 sq ft and 101,205 sq ft, opening up opportunities for retail, e-commerce and third-party logistics customers in the sought-after M25 location. Due to complete in Summer 2021, Crossways Commercial Park forms part of Goodman’s global strategy to meet the increasing demand for strategically located logistics space with easy access to large consumer markets. Customers will benefit from excellent transport links with direct access to Junction 1a of the M25 (Dartford Crossing), providing fast connections to London and the national motorway network, and is within easy reach of the Channel Tunnel, Port of Dover and London Thamesport. The site is in a prime position to enjoy the benefits of the proposed Lower Thames Crossing. Expected to open in 2027, this will open up an additional 90% road capacity, building on Dartford as a key area for logistics and transportation. George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman, said: “Crossways Commercial Park will see us continue to deliver our global strategy of investing in prime sought-after locations in close proximity to wide consumer bases. “In the UK, we are investing primarily in London and the South East, helping retail, e-commerce and third-party logistics customers reach areas with the highest levels of delivery demand. “At Crossways, proximity to ports and fast access to Central London will see our customers benefit from the capital’s status as a global gateway city – where large consumer spending meets with national and international connectivity.” Part of the established Crossways Business Park, the high quality development will join existing industrial, office and leisure space at the 300-acre employment site. “The mix of unit size, excellent connectivity and good local amenities – including public transport links and a landscaped park environment – makes the project an attractive and flexible proposition. Stuart Read, Executive Chairman at Readie Construction Ltd: “We are looking forward to working with Goodman to deliver the three-unit scheme for handover in Summer next year. Our focus is producing premium industrial and logistics sector specifications to benefit both the client and end-user.” Committed to creating sustainable developments, Crossways Commercial Park will include solar-enabled infrastructure, electric car charging points and rainwater harvesting, delivering environmental benefits as well as energy, cost and maintenance savings to Goodman’s customers. Each property will feature a carbon neutral cladding system with enhanced air tightness, designed to meet ‘chill-store’ and ambient product requirements. Agents marketing the scheme include CBRE, Colliers and Savills. For further information and to enquire about Crossways 101, 137 and 239, please visit the website for more details.
Health risks from Coronavirus and occupational disease are big issues for businesses. IOM’s clients are benefiting from 50-years’ experience of keeping workers healthy and businesses compliant. The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) has been at the forefront of scientific research to understand and mitigate a range of occupational and environmental health risks for over 50 years. “IOM understands the risks affecting human health in the workplace and the wider environment,” says Managing Director Nathan Baker. “Through scientific research and workplace protection services, we support companies to understand and mitigate a range of health risks, keeping their workplaces safe, healthy and compliant. “Our work started in coal-dust and asbestos and has evolved to include modern-day risks such as carbon nanotubes, occupational diseases, air pollution and coronavirus.” Key capabilities include air monitoring for hazardous substances (such as dust, silica and chemicals), noise and vibration measurements, face fit testing, design and review of ventilation systems along with final testing, and BREEAM certification. Recent projects with long-term clients such as Network Rail, Graham Construction and HS2 have underlined IOM’s ability to react quickly and effectively to challenges as they arise in different environments, solving problems not just reporting on them. This is only possible because of IOM’s breadth of expertise. “Our service and consultancy work delivers objective, independent assessments of workplaces and benefit-led recommendations, whether derived from desk-based consulting or the review of site-based measurements and analysis. “Our technical teams identify areas of poor practice which may need attention, and provide clear recommendations for improvement. Our methodology, reporting and recommendations are precise, to the point and practical.” Thus, IOM has established a unique and trusted voice that is valued by Industry, Government, Academia and the wider public. More recently, its work has understandably focused on risk associated with coronavirus. This has seen IOM carry out ventilation testing and design work for COVID related healthcare clients, risk assessments for many varieties of companies working during the pandemic, and essential dust monitoring and other hazardous substances for companies continuing to work on critical projects during the pandemic. Nathan is particularly proud of the work IOM carried out for the NHS Louisa Jordan, a temporary emergency critical care hospital created to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. It was an “intense project to build an entire hospital from an exhibition centre in a matter of weeks” and required “great partnership working with other contractors”. Successful collaboration was fundamental. Nathan says he was “so proud that our team’s efforts were a major contributing factor to the hospital opening on time and safely for the patients using it.” 2020 has been challenging for all and IOM, like many other businesses, had to evolve. “We have actually adapted and improved how we work based on our experiences this year. We have adopted virtual first, travel last principals, which has made us much more efficient and more accessible. “We have adapted to the changing needs of clients as they return to work or continue to work under the restrictions in place. We have taken a much more agile approach to meet client needs. We are constantly innovating – whether that be changing how we work or finding new solutions to client issues. The team at IOM are leveraging the last 50 years of solution finding experience and applying it to the modern world. We are making the most of a difficult situation and using the opportunity to adapt to our teams’ needs as they have different working/ life balances.” And as Nathan looks to the future, the focus is ensuring IOM can continue to lead from the front. “We work with a range of companies that are working hard to manage the health risks in their workplaces. We want to help our clients share and highlight how an independently verified workplace protection programme has benefited their organisation.”
One of the UK’s leading engineering and construction companies – ENGIE Fabricom – has secured an additional contract as part of a major framework agreement with owners and operators of strategic gas assets across Europe. The new contract will see ENGIE Fabricom manage and coordinate the full implementation and commissioning of two upgraded pairs of Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) systems, which play an integral role in maintaining critical emergency power should there be a failure with the input power source or mains power. The win comes on the back of ENGIE Fabricom delivering the following for its client over the last two years: A resilience study on the UPS’s assessing all critical loads on the site; Provision of detailed documentation outlining the full capability and resilience of the systems, including a series of recommendations to reduce the risk of equipment failure; Delivery of a FEED study and detailed design of the upgrade, including specifications for the new equipment; Additional support in suitable vendor selection of the new equipment. In the next phase of the project ENGIE Fabricom will manage and commission the upgrade of the UPS systems during a shutdown period in 2021. As part of this, the company’s responsibilities include: Shutdown planning and site coordination of the project; Engagement with the site incumbent installation contractors and systems integrators; Taking on the role of ‘Technical Authority’ on behalf of our client in relation to the main equipment supplier. This project is another great example demonstrating the company’s complete end to end capabilities. It has worked closely as a partner alongside its client to take the project from the initial conceptual stage to define the problem and develop a robust solution, which ENGIE Fabricom will now see through to managing the implementation and commissioning stages.
Leading construction software company, COINS, have announced a new integration which they hope will speed up the entire reservation and sales process for UK home builders. The new partnership between COINS and Yourkeys will provide UK home builders with a suite of powerful features, designed to increase efficiency in the sales reservation process, driven through COINS solutions, used by many of the UK’s leading home builders. “The benefit of using Yourkeys with COINS is that it greatly reduces the reservation process and time taken to complete a sale. During the tough times that we are all currently facing, the ability to manage the entire process remotely and more importantly digitally allows a much quicker process, ultimately saving time and money for the home builder and sales teams.” Duane Wingell, COINS It will be much easier for home builders to review sales progress, as real-time customer information will be available within COINS – from digitally signed agreements to sales progress and reservation reports. Yourkeys is integrated into the case management systems of over 1,100 law firms, enabling sales progression updates to be fed into COINS and providing sales teams with the tools to track real-time sales progression. This will also reduce administration for home builders as sales reservation processes such as ID verification and document signing will be automated – reducing delays and making remote working easy. Buyers will also be able to onboard themselves online using their mobile phone or other device. “The COINS and Yourkeys partnership sets a new benchmark in user experience for new-home buyers. A completely digital reservation process with real-time sales progression sets a new standard for customer experience.” Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson, Yourkeys UK home builder’s interested in finding out more about the COINS and Yourkeys integration and launch webinar Homebuilder Insights: Digitising your entire reservation process on Tues 1 December should visit https://www.coins-global.com/blog/new-coins-partnership-promises-to-speed-up-home-builder-sales/bp579/ Or to arrange a custom demo please visit https://www.coins-global.com/yourkeys
GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announces that it has leased a 155,000 SQ FT unit, Unit 3, at its G-Park Northampton site, to Whistl on long-term lease. Whistl is the UK’s leading delivery management company and the development at G-Park Northampton will serve to support Whistl’s continued growth in the ecommerce fulfilment markets. This letting is the second major lease between GLP and Whistl following the construction and lease of a 233,000 SQ FT development at G-Park Bedford in September 2019. G-Park Northampton is situated in a prime location benefiting from its proximity to both the M1 and M6 and is within easy reach of the A45 & A14. This puts 90% of the population of England and Wales within a four-hour HGV drive time. G-Park Northampton is a much sought after location for logistics located within Moulton Park and comprises three units and one build-to-suit logistics warehouse, with sizing ranging from 50,000 to 155,000 SQ FT. Grade ‘A’ rated, the highly specified buildings have achieved BREEAM Very Good rating and are suitable for a range of occupiers including last mile logistics, 3PLs, retail/FMCG and manufacturers. In August this year, GLP announced that it had leased Unit 2 at G-Park Northampton, a 90,000 sq ft unit, to SF Express. SF Express is a global customer of GLP and the lease marked its first UK Distribution Centre outside of China. Moulton Park is one of the most successful industrial estates in Northamptonshire and is already home to a range of regional and national businesses. Occupiers continue to be attracted by the areas’ transport links, access to national markets and skilled workforce. Joe Garwood, Development Director at GLP UK, said: “Having worked closely in partnership with Whistl to deliver their new state-of-the-art, built-to-suit super depot at G-Park Bedford last year, we are delighted to be working together once again as part of Whistl’s ongoing growth.
National-contractor Tolent has handed over a new £12.5m student accommodation scheme on Burley Street in Leeds. Known as Union, the development has created 87 extremely spacious and thoroughly modern studio apartments within easy walking distance of both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, as well as Leeds city centre. Built on behalf of Burley Place Ltd (BPL), the seven storey building used 5,700 tonnes of concrete and over 55,000 bricks to create its structure. John Currie, regional director for Tolent, said: “Union has been a fantastic project to work on and our teams can be really proud of what they have achieved. We’ve completed over 3,000 student accommodation schemes across several major cities including Leeds, York, Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester and this project is another fantastic development to put our name to. “This was our first project with BPL and having received such positive feedback on the quality and collaborative working on site, we hope to work with the team again in the future.” All the apartments benefit from en-suite luxury bathrooms, modern kitchens, entertaining space, double beds, contemporary furniture, flat screen TVs and high-speed fibre optic internet. The development also includes several wheelchair friendly apartments. Hamze Idriss, managing director of Burley Place Ltd, said: “Union will set a new benchmark in terms of the standard of accommodation on offer and the lifestyle students who live here will enjoy. “Every apartment has been specifically designed to combine spacious living areas with their own high quality kitchens and luxury bathrooms. There is also a superb range of facilities within the development, including a gym, gaming areas, and large communal lounges and kitchens where students can relax and socialise. As a result, it’s proving very popular with students who are already reserving apartments to move into from the UK and overseas.” In addition, Co-op has opened a handy convenience store on the ground floor. Tolent has worked across the central region of the UK since 1990, delivering a variety of contracts from industrial, leisure and more recently student accommodation. Projects ongoing in the area include the £34m build-to-rent residential scheme on Sweet Street in Leeds. Working on behalf of property developer Oakapple Group, the development known as Fabrik is part of the Holbeck Urban Village in the south bank area of the city and includes a mix of 216 one, two and three bedroom rental apartments.
Boris Johnson’s decision to extend green homes grants by another year should be stretched to the next two decades, urges the construction industry. Getting existing buildings more energy-efficient is going to take longer than a year warn builders and surveyors. The Federation of Master Builders, FMB, chief executive Brian Berry said: “Our existing homes contribute 20 per cent of all our carbon emissions and consume 35 per cent of our energy. A long term retrofit strategy is needed over the next two decades to make all our existing homes more energy-efficient. “Such a strategy has the potential to create hundreds of thousands of new jobs and save the NHS as much as £2 billion because of the cost of people living in poor housing conditions.” The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, RICS, has said the grants are not enough to help with the costs of home insulation, heat pumps, or solar thermal heating systems. Government vouchers of up to £5,000, and £10,000 for those on benefits, is insufficient, it claims. “Only a small proportion of properties can be renovated within the scope of current incentives made available by the UK government,” said RICS data analyst Jon Querejeta. Existing building stock with poor energy ratings is massive More than half of the UK’s 29 million houses and more than a third of its one million commercial properties were built before 1970 and as a result, have low energy performance ratings. “In our opinion focusing on renovations and retrofitting should be central to the green recovery. The green homes grant scheme is a good start and we recommend that the government should consider using the scheme as a pilot project to roll out more energy renovation measures and incentives,” said Mr Querejeta. RICS would like all properties to be brought up to a minimum energy performance certificate rating of C by 2035. New build housing generally has an energy performance rating of at least B, however, it makes up just one to two per cent of current housing stock. The professional body argues if VAT on repairs and maintenance was cut from 20 to five per cent this would be a motivator for homeowners hiring traders to do energy performance work. Brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said development and refurbishment finance lenders were keen to support builders in embracing the business opportunities green retrofits presented.
Last week, housebuilder Dandara received permission to build 63 new homes on Clappins Lane in Naphill. Plans for the development include the delivery of 30 affordable homes (48%) the creation of public open space and a footpath connecting the new homes with the existing public Right of Way and wider village. The development site was allocated for development in the Wycombe District Local Plan and will help the district meet its housing targets. The housebuilder, which has recently received five stars from the HBF for quality, expects that the groundwork for the new homes will begin in the first quarter of next year and the first residents are likely to move in during the summer. Simon Pendlebury, Sales and Marketing Director for Dandara, commented: “We are pleased to have received outline planning permission for this development of quality new homes which will offer a range of different property types. As the site falls within the Chiltern Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, we have worked hard to ensure that these homes will be built in keeping with the local area, with specific design references to the Chilterns Buildings Design Guide.” Local residents are invited to make suggestions for road names by emailing dandara@building-relations.co.uk . To find out more about the range of new homes coming soon to Naphill, visit www.dandara.com.