Loughborough-based Adey Steel Group has announced plans to grow its presence as a specialist steel fabricator in the rail and energy sectors and has targeted the housebuilding sector to continue its construction growth. The changes will see Adey Steel Group, which have been established for 90 years, increase its focus
BAL – market-leaders in full tiling solutions – are launching two new uncoupling mat solutions for problem floors. Following the launch of the revolutionary and award-winning BAL Rapid-Mat in 2014, the Flexbone range offers two very different solutions to the UK market with the launch of Flexbone 2Easy and Flexbone
Tate Consulting partnered with amber energy and MODA to provide an innovative energy and utility management solution for the fast-growing Build to Rent market. The COMM:UNITY scheme designed by amber energy will provide residents at MODA’s Angel Gardens 466 apartments in Manchester with the unique ability to pay one fee
A JLL annual central London offices seminar has highlighted the strength of the capital’s office market amid political and economic uncertainty, underlining its continued pull to both investors and occupiers. Central London has seen sustained levels of both leasing and investment activity so far in 2018 and corporate property consultant
Why the autumn is the best time of year to install artificial grass; it offers the best of all worlds in terms of weather, softness of ground for digging and more. The best season to fit your new grass is neither too hot or too cold Having decided to have
Ibstock Brick is celebrating the success of architects and brick contractors at this year’s Brick Awards. The annual awards ceremony, organised by the Brick Development Association (BDA), saw three outstanding projects using products from the Ibstock Brick range named as winners, with a further two projects receiving commendations from the
Will you ‘love it or list it’ was the question asked by Kirstie and Phil in a recent TV home makeover series, a spin-off of the long running Location Location Location. When you’re not sure whether to stay put and renovate the family home, or add value before putting it
Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has signed its largest Planning Promotional Agreement (PPA) to date. The agreement relates to a proposed major urban extension which aims to deliver some 2000 homes, employment, community facilities, the Featherstone bypass and open space
Britain may not face quite the same seasonal drop in temperatures as other countries however our winter weather conditions can still pose serious health and safety risks to those working on construction sites. Michael Knibbs, Managing Director, SafeSite Facilities outlines the top five hazards on construction sites in winter and
Hospitality specialist architects, Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) is celebrating a quartet of hotel planning approvals achieved in October 2018. DMA’s ability to deliver creative and intelligent solutions for developers and operators has seen successful planning consent granted for London developments Hyatt Place Hotel in Whitechapel and Creed Court Hilton Hotel
Loughborough-based Adey Steel Group has announced plans to grow its presence as a specialist steel fabricator in the rail and energy sectors and has targeted the housebuilding sector to continue its construction growth. The changes will see Adey Steel Group, which have been established for 90 years, increase its focus on working with rail, energy and specialist clients, while taking a more selective approach to work in the broader construction industry. Managing Director, Andrew Adey, commented, “It is in these niche rail, energy and specialist sectors that we have enjoyed the most success in recent years, so we are looking to maximise our opportunities there and exercise caution in other, more volatile sectors.” Over the past five years, Adey Steel has developed key specialisms that have enabled them to establish a strong position as an expert supply chain partner to key national infrastructure projects, such as Sellafield, Hinkley Point, the Midland Mainline and Crossrail. Andrew Adey added, “We see growth opportunities presenting themselves in rail ahead of the CP6 and HS2 projects, combined with heavy investment in the nuclear and energy sectors, so we are structuring our business to ensure we are well positioned to support those initiative and deliver on our growth plans.” In addition, Adey SteelShop Ltd, a sister company in the Adey Steel Group, is increasing its activity in the UK housebuilding sector, supplying structural steel and architectural metalwork to many of the most prominent regional and national housebuilders. Adey is targeting the sector to service its unique requirements and to meet the very specific challenges involved with dealing with the UK’s growing housing shortage.
BAL – market-leaders in full tiling solutions – are launching two new uncoupling mat solutions for problem floors. Following the launch of the revolutionary and award-winning BAL Rapid-Mat in 2014, the Flexbone range offers two very different solutions to the UK market with the launch of Flexbone 2Easy and Flexbone VAried. Unique to the UK, and bound to excite fixers, contractors and distributors alike, BAL Flexbone 2Easy is a floating mat system – where NO adhesive is needed underneath the mat system i.e. the mat is truly uncoupled. David Wilson, UK Head of Technical at BAL said: “Because no adhesive is required, preparation of the substrate is reduced to a quick sweep of the floor. No removal or residue, no removal of laitance and no priming of the surface is needed. This means that contaminated and stained floors, wooden floors, cracked screeds and mixed substrates can be tiled immediately. “It can also be used direct onto difficult substrates such as bitumen, fresh sand:cement screeds or new anhydrite screeds that are not fully cured (up to 1.5% CM residual moisture). Lengthy waiting times on new screeds can be avoided with no more projects on hold while new screeds are dry enough to be tiled directly, or fixed with a traditional bonded system. “Fast track installation in possible as any residual moisture in the substrate is distributed evenly through a system of channels and can also ventilate via the covering joints through perforations in the mat.” As well as time savings from the lack of preparation, materials costs are also significantly reduced with no need for primers, plus a massive adhesive saving of 2kg/m², when compared to laying bonded cavity mat systems. Time trials indicate the removal of subfloor preparation for installations provides a circa 50% time saving. Because BAL Flexbone 2Easy is laid loose as a floating system, it is perfect for heritage projects where it is necessary to protect historic, sensitive substrates, plus areas where the ability to change the floor regularly is a requirement – e.g. rental properties. BAL Flexbone VAried is a bonded mat system, with the same installation process as other fixed cavity mat systems in the market. Unique to BAL Flexbone is the patented GripLock Technology and unique bone structure. The patented design has been independently tested to provide the highest shear strength (providing more accommodation of higher levels of lateral movement) and the highest tensile strength (to stops tiles ‘popping-off’ or cracking under pressure). These highly flexible and deformable properties ensure all tile installations are protected from lateral movement and pressures, while a special fleece provides for vapour pressure compensation. “As well as providing long-term benefits in terms of strength and flexibility, the unique bone structure also makes for significantly faster installations as the design ensures the trowelling-out of adhesive on the surface layer is fast and easy,” added David Wilson. “Fixer trials have shown that the unique bone-shaped cavities are much easier and faster to fill with adhesive than the conventional square or round cavities. “Less adhesive is required on the mat surface, and trials indicate adhesive can be spread on the mat surface circa. 30% faster.” BAL Flexbone VAried can be used anywhere – for a varied number of installation environments! BAL Flexbone VAried provides a waterproof layer, meaning no tanking is needed in wet areas such as bathrooms, showers and wetrooms when BAL Flexbone VAried is installed. The bonded mat is perfect for high load-bearing and commercial areas such as shopping malls, airports, car showrooms, office building and hospitals, as well as light or medium traffic areas. Both mats are available in 20m rolls or easy to install 2x1m sheets (ideal for small bathrooms) or wetrooms – and are suitable for use with all tile types, including natural stone. As with all BAL products, BAL Flexbone uncoupling mats come with the manufacturer’s unique 25-year guarantee – unlike other cavity mats available. When used with BAL adhesives, grouts, and sealants, this provides a fully guaranteed tiling system. To find out more about BAL’s new uncoupling solutions visit www.bal-adhesives.com
Tate Consulting partnered with amber energy and MODA to provide an innovative energy and utility management solution for the fast-growing Build to Rent market. The COMM:UNITY scheme designed by amber energy will provide residents at MODA’s Angel Gardens 466 apartments in Manchester with the unique ability to pay one fee for all utility bills. This unique approach to the BTR market provides several benefits, mainly a cost saving for residents, with just a single bill for electricity gas and water with no need to switch tariffs each year, or having to provide regular manual meter readings. Solar panels specified by Tate Consulting were also fitted to the roof of the apartment building alongside a combined heat and power unit, both of which provide electricity that can be used within the building, further reducing energy costs. Daniel Clegg, Managing Director of COMM:UNITY, said: “What we’re doing is unique. There are lots of advantages to this scheme which means one bill for all utilities so people aren’t dealing with lots of different energy providers. “People get their utilities at a better price because we look after the building as a whole and can pass on cost efficiencies and provide a bespoke ‘concierge’ level of customer service. 60% of households in the UK are on standard variable tariffs which cost about £200-£300 more a year. We also save money because we don’t have to pay for marketing or switching fees to people like Compare the Market.” To deliver the quality and cost advantages outlined above, Tate Consulting developed a bespoke Private Wire Electrical Distribution Network (BNO) to maximise the efficient delivery of the utility services at the lowest cost to customers. Jim Lee, Director at Tate Consulting based in Leeds and London said: “These private networks are designed to allow the infrastructures to adapt to changing trends and be sustainable for the BNO and management team throughout the life of the building. Tate Consulting worked with MODA from early concept into design development, partnering with amber energy to enable their COMM:UNITY scheme to be rolled out across MODA’s portfolio, including 515 New York Square apartments, which is part of MODA’s SoYo development in Leeds, and Lexington Liverpool a 34-storey tower with 304 apartments. Daniel Clegg said: “We have worked very closely with Tate Consulting on the Angel Gardens development and MODA portfolio as early as possible because, in the past, if we encountered any difficulties it’s often because it’s too late and difficult to change the design. “Working with Tate Consulting has been fantastic because they understood our needs from the start and MODA’s vision of how the properties will work when they’re live, so this avoided any such difficulties.” Further Information: Tate Consulting provides strategic, flexible, experienced and innovative approach in delivering engineering and management consultancy services for its clients globally. https://www.tateconsulting.eu Twitter: @Tate_Consulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tate-consulting/ The advantages and disadvantages of different electrical supply systems were investigated by Tate Consulting. This included (a) conventional metering with a district network operator (DNO), where the metering is centrally located, and the utility company supplies and installs the electrical infrastructure to the apartments; (b) an independent network operator (IDNO) who installs, owns and maintains the electrical infrastructure and (c) a building network operator (BNO) who installs and maintains the electrical infrastructure on behalf of the building owner. With the first two, the apartment users have their own individual meters whilst for the latter, the building owner meters and bills the individual tenants. The metering strategy uses “bulk” metered utility supplies for Electricity, Water and Gas, with MID compliant sub-meters being provided to the apartments for billing. Apartment and landlord meters connect to amber energy’s system data loggers via Mbus connections and amber energy monitor the MODA building portfolio to drive energy efficiency and sustainability across the portfolio to save money for residents and landlords. About amber energy® amber energy® is an energy management consultancy founded by Nick Proctor in 2009 to provide an honest alternative to the energy brokers on the market. Now in its 10th year of trading, amber is multi-award winning, including: Cardiff’s Fastest Growing Company; Energy Buying Team of the Year and Energy Firm of the Year. amber energy’s highly experienced industry experts provide a complete suite of in-house services to handle all requirements of the utility industry, including: Procurement, trading and risk Energy Bureau Energy Efficiency and Engineering New utility connections Water management Energy engagement projects Find out more at www.amberenergy.net
A JLL annual central London offices seminar has highlighted the strength of the capital’s office market amid political and economic uncertainty, underlining its continued pull to both investors and occupiers. Central London has seen sustained levels of both leasing and investment activity so far in 2018 and corporate property consultant JLL anticipates that the final numbers will match, if not exceed those recorded in 2017. £12.2 billion of central London offices have been traded in the first three quarters of 2018 following a strong Q3 performance where £4.3 billion of transactions were recorded. These latest year-to-date figures are only 6 per cent down on the corresponding period for 2017, a year that saw record investment volumes of £17.7 billion. Currently, £4 billion of assets are identified as under offer and another £4 billion of stock on the market and although this suggests that activity towards the end of the year will remain strong, it also highlights the lack of investment opportunities compared with the same period of 2017 when £16 billion was available. Take-up of offices across central London reached 8.3 million square feet at the end of Q3 2018, with 3.1 million sq ft leased in the West End and 4.5m sq ft in the City. Active demand remains well above the 10-year average, with over 9 million sq ft of enquiries currently searching for space – with demand spread across the occupier spectrum. Looking towards the transition at Brexit, and especially in the event of ‘no deal’, the leasing market could become relatively subdued as occupiers reconsider embarking on any new commitments in the short term. This will be relatively mild, however, as most demand is driven by unavoidable lease events rather than expansion, says JLL. Julian Sandbach, head of Central London Capital Markets at JLL, said: “At the beginning of the year it seemed unlikely that investment volumes would reach similar levels to the bumper numbers we saw in 2017, and now it looks possible that they could even be surpassed. Despite the degree of uncertainty around the outcome of Brexit, London continues to attract significant levels of overseas capital who continue to target prime assets. “As the record levels of foreign capital demonstrate the majority of international investors feel that whilst London is subject to some short-term uncertainty, the long-term prospects for London as a global gateway city with a secure investment platform, underpinned by the long-term commitments of occupiers, remain unchanged.”
Why the autumn is the best time of year to install artificial grass; it offers the best of all worlds in terms of weather, softness of ground for digging and more. The best season to fit your new grass is neither too hot or too cold Having decided to have an artificial grass surface, the next decision is when should it be installed? There are pros and cons as to what time of year is preferable with all four seasons making a case for themselves, but autumn may well be the best of all. Autumnal benefits for installing artificial grass Soft ground – while the summer months could prove difficult for installation due to hard ground if it’s been hot and dry, the winter by contrast could be too wet and the surface could quickly become a quagmire when digging up the existing grass or top layer starts. The autumn could be ideal in that the ground should have a degree of moisture but hopefully not too much if excessive rain hasn’t fallen. It could be argued spring might also offer a good trade off between dry and hard ground, but the possible disadvantage compared to autumn is the growth of plants, shrubs and trees. Carrying out a major task such as artificial grass installation could damage them in their early growth phases; in the autumn growth more or less stops, plants have been cut back, and things go ‘quieter’ in the garden. Remember to order your artificial grass in good time; preferably a reasonable interval before the dates you wish to install it or have it installed professionally. Weather – the autumn can often be the best weather of all for working outdoors; winter is naturally likely to be cold while summer can be a bit too hot to be undertaking intensive work in the garden. The spring may also be a pleasant season to be working outdoors, but autumn may just edge it. In any event, the spring can be an ‘outdoors’ time of year so perhaps better to be out enjoying the garden than working on a major installation project. Timing – if you install your new surface on the autumn, then you’re all ready to enjoy it when the milder weather and longer days start the following spring. Settling – artificial grass requires a certain length of time to settle, and the less it’s in use during this period the better. It’s certainly possible to use artificial grass as soon as it’s installed, but some ‘settling time’ will pay dividends in the long run. If you install the grass in the autumn, by then gardens are generally used less often as the weather turns colder, so the surface has the rest of the autumn and the whole of winter to settle before seeing more use once spring arrives. Autumn colours – it’s not all about waiting to see the benefits by installing your new grass in the autumn; you’ll benefit at least from an aesthetics point of view by having your new, lush green surface laid as the attractive golds and deep reds of autumn colours take hold in the garden. Planning ahead Artificial grass is one of a number of ways to create a low maintenance garden and more people are turning to it as the production techniques have improved considerably in recent years. It pays to contact your grass installers if you’re not going to do it yourself in plenty of time so they can schedule an autumn installation slot with you.
Ibstock Brick is celebrating the success of architects and brick contractors at this year’s Brick Awards. The annual awards ceremony, organised by the Brick Development Association (BDA), saw three outstanding projects using products from the Ibstock Brick range named as winners, with a further two projects receiving commendations from the expert judging panel. Ibstock Brick also proudly sponsored three awards; Individual Housing Development, Architect’s Choice and Supreme winner. The Architect’s Choice Award was voted for by the public from a selection of shortlisted projects in other categories. It was awarded to the BPTW Architects designed project at Creek Road in the heart of Greenwich. The project utilised the Funton Old Chelsea Yellow brick to mirror the existing bricks whilst adding a contemporary twist. Marlborough Primary School (Architect: Dixon Jones) was the winner in the Education category whilst Royal Albert Wharf was the winner in the Large Housing Development category with Blackfriars Circus also picking up a commendation in this category, with both projects being designed by Maccreanor Lavington. Scala Yard (Architect: DLA Design Group) received a commendation in the Small Housing development category. Anglian Brickwork Ltd, who were the winners of the Specialist Brickwork Contractor award, used Ibstock Bricks in one of their winning projects at the David Attenborough Building (Architect: Nicholas Hare). Darren Bowkett, Operations Director of Ibstock Brick, commented: “Each year the standard of entries for the Brick Awards improves. As the market leading brick manufacturer we are delighted to be associated with the celebration of brick as a modern building material. We would like to congratulate everybody involved with the award-winning projects for their success in showcasing how brick can be used within creative and contemporary architecture. Ibstock Brick is committed to providing products which offer design flexibility for the most innovative building facades.”
Will you ‘love it or list it’ was the question asked by Kirstie and Phil in a recent TV home makeover series, a spin-off of the long running Location Location Location. When you’re not sure whether to stay put and renovate the family home, or add value before putting it on the market, here are 5 building projects that can make all the difference. Going up An additional bedroom will add up to around 15% to the value of your property. If your roof space is suitable, and most are, why not convert your attic to an ensuite bathroom? The majority of loft conversion designs don’t even need planning permission as they fall within ‘permitted development’. If you’re not sure whether your loft can be converted, your first port of call should be a loft conversion expert to get professional advice. Experienced building companies will also be able to recommend the best type of design for your home, from straightforward Velux loft conversions to adding dormer windows for extra floor space or raising the ridge height. “If your property has insufficient standing room in the existing loft space, a loft extension that includes a ‘roof lift’ may be able to provide the extra head height. Literally ‘raising the roof’ will require planning permission as the existing roof is removed to enable ridgeline and pitch adjustments to be made. This type of loft conversion is recommended for detached houses and where maximising property values is the main objective.” ASpec Surrey Loft Conversion specialists. Also check with your local planning authority to see whether your plans exceed permitted development rights; the rules can be complex. Digging down If your loft is unsuitable or has already been converted, how about going down into the ground? Basement conversions have gained in popularity in recent years and are a particularly desirable option for terraced houses with limited development space. Transforming an existing cellar into habitable space can add up to a third to the property value as long as the build cost per square foot is less than the land value. This type of project may in fact be on of the least complex improvements you can make, and planning permission shouldn’t be required unless it’s a listed building. Properties that don’t have a cellar are at a disadvantage in terms of the complexity of the build and the costs involved. But if you are happy to deal with excavation, structural engineering and waterproofing experts, to mention just a few contractors, you can add valuable square footage to the building. Down the side Ask any estate agent and they will tell you that it’s kitchens that sell houses. Terraced and semi-detached houses have the opportunity to extend the kitchen into the adjacent narrow alley side return and make the property worth up to 15% more in the process. A clever single storey extension should be filled with light – via a skylight from above if necessary – and generously proportioned so that the kitchen can properly fulfil its function as the heart of the home. Here are a few fantastic examples of how this could work in your house. Why not tap into the current trend for open plan kitchen/diners and open up the space to include a breakfast area or dining table? Into the garage Assuming you have an integral garage as well as a private drive for parking your car and you don’t mind your car being kept outside, it might make sense to convert the garage space into an additional reception area, home study or guest bedroom. As long as the structure is sound and the build complies with building regulation specifications, a successful garage conversion can yield a 15% uplift in property value. What’s more, in many cases this type of conversion falls under permitted development rights, meaning you probably don’t need to obtain planning permission. Check with your local planning department just to be sure. Bringing the outside in Are you making the most of your garden? Properties with outdoor space should ensure they maximise this amenity. Installing a conservatory is a great solution that will help you bring the outside in and getting a greater sense of connection with Mother Nature. What’s more, it can increase your property value by 10%. Choose a fully glazed conservatory with elements that meet building regulations and are energy efficient too. The material of the frame – timber, aluminium, UPVC – will directly affect thermal performance and you can even get self-cleaning and solar controlled glazing options that are worth considering.
Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has signed its largest Planning Promotional Agreement (PPA) to date. The agreement relates to a proposed major urban extension which aims to deliver some 2000 homes, employment, community facilities, the Featherstone bypass and open space on a 300 acre site in Wakefield. A masterplan has been developed for the transformational project which incorporates a new strategic highway to relieve congestion in the area, market facing employment with good transport links to the nearby motorways, approximately 2,000 new homes addressing the housing deficit of the district, community facilities including a new primary school, a new retail offer to complement the existing town centre and accessible green space with a link to the proposed nine lakes. The development of the site represents a significant opportunity to enable housing-led regeneration to create a critical mass of population to reinforce the facilitate the delivery of the bypass, whilst improving the setting of the existing settlement itself. The development will also act as a catalyst for enhancing local services, encourage further expenditure within the local economy and attract future inward investment into the area. Having developed the masterplan, the landowners have now entered into an agreement with Keyland Developments who will take on the promotion of the scheme through Wakefield Council’s forthcoming Local Plan Review. The agreement represents Keyland’s sixth West Yorkshire PPA, with previous agreements in Leeds, Calderdale and Kirklees. The PPA’s involve Keyland working with independent landowners, corporates or regulated bodies to overcome obstacles to development on strategic sites to facilitate regeneration by securing planning consent for future use. Peter Garrett, Managing Director of Keyland Developments Ltd, said; “Keyland’s PPA agreements enable landowners within the region to derive the maximum potential from their sites with no financial risk, whilst unlocking much-needed land to assist the local authorities in meeting their long-term housing needs. The project, which aims to deliver multiple and far-reaching social, economic and transport benefits is ideally suited to our expertise of facilitating the future regeneration of strategic land. It will be a major transformational project and we are delighted to lead the dedicated team to bring the vision to life.” Keyland will now continue to positively engage with the Council and other stakeholders to maximise the regenerative potential of this strategically located site. The project team includes Spawforths as planning consultant, Carter Jonas for residential development advice and i-Transport for highways advice.
Britain may not face quite the same seasonal drop in temperatures as other countries however our winter weather conditions can still pose serious health and safety risks to those working on construction sites. Michael Knibbs, Managing Director, SafeSite Facilities outlines the top five hazards on construction sites in winter and advises how to ensure your site and workforce is safe and productive during the colder months. Put the ground work in Keep driving surfaces, parking area and walkways free of pot holes. When the ground is frozen it is much harder to maintain these areas. Keeping them well looked after before the big freeze arrives will make removing snow and ice an easier job. Any areas that can be repaired, or holes filled, should be clearly marked out and cordoned off, using safety barriers, so they are visible, even in the snow. As part of your overall site safety plan, ensure that you have adequate stores of sand, salt and grit. Even if temperatures don’t drop below freezing, rain can make surfaces and equipment, such as ramps and scaffolding, slippery and dangerous. If you choose to use de-icer, make sure site environmental requirements are met. De-icers that are salt based can change the pH and conductivity of ground water. Consider ordering in specialist ground protection mats that have an anti-slip surface for optimal vehicle grip and pedestrian safety. Vehicle and equipment checks Fluids, such as engine and hydraulic oils, should be rated for the temperatures in your area. Replace them if necessary and put antifreeze oil in pneumatic tools and air hoses. Check that heaters inside vehicle cabs are regularly serviced and working as they should be. Ice or snow should be routinely cleared from windscreens, walkways and steps. Don’t let ice cause your safety plan to slip up Slips and falls can happen at any time of the year on construction sites but winter weather increase the risk due to ice and wet, slippery surfaces. When temperatures drop, ice may form and accumulate on scaffolding, ladders, walkways, and stairs. If these areas are not treated correctly or built from weather resistant materials, the consequences could be fatal. If there are areas where safety cannot be guaranteed then restrict access using clear signage, safety barriers or fencing. Wrap up against the elements Personal protection equipment can be bulky and restrictive so it’s important to balance protection against the cold with productivity. Choosing the wrong kind of protection can even cause additional hazards such as fogging (if you’re using safety eyewear); reduced hearing (if there is layering around workers’ heads and ears); snow glare and diminished traction over difficult ground. Waterproofing is essential for gloves, footwear and outwear. These items should also be breathable for comfort and to let perspiration out. Get ready to spring back into action If there has been heavy snow and rainfall bear in mind that at the end of winter additional equipment, such as pumps and hoses, may be needed to remove excess water from site. Review your site plan and ensure that water run-off areas are adequate and whether ditching systems will be able to handle the volume of water that may accumulate based on the amount of snow.
Hospitality specialist architects, Dexter Moren Associates (DMA) is celebrating a quartet of hotel planning approvals achieved in October 2018. DMA’s ability to deliver creative and intelligent solutions for developers and operators has seen successful planning consent granted for London developments Hyatt Place Hotel in Whitechapel and Creed Court Hilton Hotel near St Paul’s Cathedral, as well as new hotels in Bath City Centre and at Bicester Heritage. Commenting on these planning successes, DMA said: “We’re delighted to see these four signature projects granted planning permission and further build on our strong track record of creating deliverable hotel projects that meet both client aspirations and planning requirements. Each project is different and presents unique challenges, but working closely with clients and local authorities we have been able to develop design solutions that have been supported at committee level and will result in positive contributions to their respective locations.” Hyatt Place Hotel, Whitechapel DMA was appointed by Resolution Property to reconfigure a previously DMA consented 217-key aparthotel scheme as a 280-key Hyatt Place hotel in Whitechapel, London E1. DMA proposed some clever internal changes to ensure the design of the hotel meets the expectations and requirements of Hyatt Place whilst respecting the external treatment established during the original planning stages. In particular, guestroom levels have been reviewed to satisfy the Hyatt brand and a roof bar added that overlooks Whitechapel Road with a south-facing terrace on the ninth floor. Creed Court, St Paul’s Dominvs Group appointed DMA to review this consented boutique brand 4/5 star hotel scheme near St Paul’s Cathedral. Using its extensive expertise in hotel design, in particular space planning in a prime location and a good understanding of the client’s aspirations, DMA has reconfigured the internal layout of the scheme to meet the expectations of a luxury boutique offer. The redesign increases the number of rooms from 132 to 152 keys and reconfigures the ground level to provide a bar and restaurant that optimises active frontage and facilities for both guests and the local community. Located in a conservation area, the building has been designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent, incorporating a height amendment to facilitate green roofs across the scheme. City Centre Hotel, Bath A second project with Dominvs Group is the newbuild 198 room “lifestyle hotel” on the site of a former Bath College building in the historic core of the City. The design, while respecting the World Heritage Site and character of the Conservation Area, was developed under the guidance of the local planning authority to produce an entirely contemporary scheme responding to the individual nature of its location fronting three streets. The hotel will also create a new destination, with restaurant, bar and gym facilities at ground-floor level open to guests and public alike. Bicester Heritage DMA’s design for a newbuild 252 room hotel and 92 room aparthotel for Bicester Heritage, centre of classic automobiles and aeroplanes, received unanimous approval from Cherwell District Council. Inspired by the rich former RAF base site heritage the new five storey building offers a modern interpretation of the form of adjoining listed hangers with a signature entrance atrium designed around the display of classic cars. Augmenting the extensive amenities of this centre of engineering & automotive excellence, the hotel includes a restaurant, conferencing and leisure facilities with pool.