Kenneth Booth
BiKBBI CEO reacts to Government review on construction skills

BiKBBI CEO reacts to Government review on construction skills

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has today issued a statement responding to the recently published Government review, Transforming The Construction Workforce, authored by Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast. Farmer, a previous speaker at BiKBBI’s annual conference, has once again highlighted critical issues facing the construction

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New managing director announced at Permarock signalling group growth

New managing director announced at Permarock signalling group growth

LEADING external wall insulation and render system manufacturer and supplier Permarock has undertaken a board restructure to cultivate strategic growth – appointing a new managing director to drive it. The change, which coincides with Permarock’s 40 years of trading milestone, will see operations director Nigel Watson step into the managing director

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Keystone Lintels’ customer focus key to successful 2024

Keystone Lintels’ customer focus key to successful 2024

Keystone Lintels reflects on a standout year in 2024, which was marked by a string of prestigious industry awards. These achievements are testament to its unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and customer service, solidifying its reputation as a leading manufacturer of steel lintels. The year concluded on a high note

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Railpen reveals plans to reimagine Camden Office Building

Railpen reveals plans to reimagine Camden office building

Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension schemes in the UK, has announced plans to redevelop 101 Bayham, its 22,000 sq ft office building in central Camden, London NW1, redefining the future of workspaces. Set for completion in Autumn 2025, the 1930s Art Moderne former factory is being reimagined by

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Stud Brook Business Park gets ready to welcome Sainsbury's and Starbucks as scheme marks another major step forward

Stud Brook Business Park gets ready to welcome Sainsbury’s and Starbucks as scheme marks another major step forward

Clowes Developments’ 20-acre Stud Brook Business Park has taken another important step forward as the units which will be occupied by Sainsbury’s and Starbucks reach practical completion. The developer received planning permission for the Sainsbury’s convenience store and Starbucks ‘drive-thru’ last July – both units are now ready for the

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Performance certification and new colourway option for Marley’s Weatherboard Range

Performance certification and new Colourway option for Marley’s Weatherboard Range

Marley’s popular Weatherboard range has been certified by the leading applied safety science authority, UL Solutions. Following robust independent testing, the fibre cement board solution for external cladding has been certified to meet all relevant standards for performance, quality and safety. The certification provides critical product credibility, meaning specifiers can

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Kenneth Booth

BiKBBI CEO reacts to Government review on construction skills

BiKBBI CEO reacts to Government review on construction skills

The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has today issued a statement responding to the recently published Government review, Transforming The Construction Workforce, authored by Mark Farmer, CEO of Cast. Farmer, a previous speaker at BiKBBI’s annual conference, has once again highlighted critical issues facing the construction industry. The review assesses the effectiveness of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB). It aims to determine if these boards should continue to exist, and if so, in what form and function. Key Findings: Strategic Recommendations: Operational Recommendations: Governance and Accountability: Conclusion: The review concludes that a transformed ITB model is essential to address the critical workforce challenges facing the construction and engineering construction sectors. The proposed changes aim to create a more competent, productive, and resilient workforce capable of meeting future demands. BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters, expressed his continuing concern regarding the findings of the review, particularly the ongoing labour shortage that continues to plague the industry. “Despite numerous efforts and initiatives, our industry has yet to resolve the labour shortage issues that threaten our capacity to support future economic and industry growth,” said Walters. “The ageing workforce and the struggle to accommodate new entrants are significant challenges that require immediate and coordinated action.” Walters went on to say: “There is no shortage of interest from the younger generation to take up a career in KBB installation, despite popular belief. There is a misconception that all youth want to do is become TikTok famous, but I can assure you that this is simply not the case. BiKBBI has engaged thousands of education leavers and there is a pipeline of talent waiting for an opportunity. The issue we have is that our part of the industry is dominated by micro-SME’s and these businesses either lack an appetite to take on an apprentice, or more importantly aren’t supported enough to do so. The Apprenticeship Levy and changes to how this can be spent may just unlock the potential, but the Government must stop nodding and start the process of change”. The review’s recommendations for a radical overhaul of the Industry Training Board model is welcomed by BiKBBI, and the institute is committed to working collaboratively with industry stakeholders to implement these changes. “We must modernise our approach to training and workforce development to ensure we can meet the demands of the future,” Walters added. BiKBBI remains dedicated to improving standards and efficiency within the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom installation sector and will continue to advocate for solutions that address the workforce challenges identified in the review. The full version of Transforming The Construction Workforce, authored by Mark Farmer can be accessed- HERE. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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New managing director announced at Permarock signalling group growth

New managing director announced at Permarock signalling group growth

LEADING external wall insulation and render system manufacturer and supplier Permarock has undertaken a board restructure to cultivate strategic growth – appointing a new managing director to drive it. The change, which coincides with Permarock’s 40 years of trading milestone, will see operations director Nigel Watson step into the managing director role after almost 30 years with the business. Joining in 1996, Nigel has held several key positions within the company, broadening his knowledge of the industry and increasing commercial insight – both of which will be instrumental in realising Permarock’s strategic growth and ambitions moving forward. As part of the new senior structure, Richard Tocher will become sales and technical director, further supporting the external wall insulation provider’s ambitions over the coming four years. These are outlined as continuing to set the standard for excellence, delivering long-term value to its clients and the wider industry while at the same time striving for continuous improvement for its products, services, and its dedicated team of colleagues with upskilling opportunities. Sean Waldrum, who has served as managing director for the past 16 years, will remain a part of Permarock’s senior management team. His more than 36 years of experience at Permarock will play a critical role in working with Nigel, and the board of directors, to continue to steer the forward trajectory of the business. Permarock is part of Sustainable Investments Ltd, which is led by Derek Horrocks. He said: “For more than four decades, Permarock has carved out its place within the external wall insulation and render systems sector through providing the highest levels of quality products and service. “Our strength has come from our long-term reliability in leading the field in technical and design expertise, and the consistent provision of a high-quality offering has led to our continued success. More importantly it has contributed significantly to the core mission of our wider group of businesses – to create healthier buildings and environments for all. “Nigel and Richard, alongside logistics director Kieran Loftus, will be key in realising further growth through their new roles. They have both been with the business for a significant amount of time and understand its values, industry, and our vision inside and out. For several years now, Nigel especially has been working closely with Sean so that when he stepped into the managing director role it would be a smooth transition. With the continuity of Sean’s involvement in the business, the senior team behind him, and the wider business group, I’m looking forward to seeing our strategy for the coming years put into action.” On his new position and responsibilities, Nigel said: “Most of my career has been spent with Permarock and it’s been brilliant to have had the experience of seeing it grow and develop with its people over the past couple of decades. As we move into the future, our ambitions are to grow further still while remaining committed to providing sustainable, controlled and targeted growth in the key market sectors in which we operate, whilst staying true to our values—innovation, expertise, and customer focus.” Richard Tocher said: “This is the start of a really exciting chapter for Permarock as a company, with intentions to continue delivering the technical expertise and quality service we’re well known for. We won’t be resting on our laurels though; the management team will be working closely with the wider team to develop our new aims and ideas for the betterment of the business and industry.” Equally suited for new build and refurbished properties within many commercial and residential markets including housing (social and private), education, healthcare, and commercial, Permarock’s products bring performance and experience together with quality and innovation. Additionally, as part of Sustainable Investments, Permarock along with its sister company’s Sustainable Building Services, Sustainable Energy Services, and Sustainable Smart Technologies, also provides a complete and comprehensive solution to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and help tackle the energy, health, housing, climate and cost-of-living crises. To find out more about Permarock, visit: www.permarock.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Consultation launches on travel improvements to A61 junctions and B6481 Pontefract Road

Consultation launches on travel improvements to A61 junctions and B6481 Pontefract Road

The second stage of consultation has launched today to improve two key roads linking Leeds to Wakefield and Pontefract. Run in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the consultation aims to make it safer and more accessible to walk, wheel and cycle, as well as improving bus reliability.  The consultation follows on from a previous public engagement where residents were asked about initial proposals for the schemes. Results from the first round include: For the A61 in Lofthouse, the proposals focus on two key junctions which have known safety concerns, lack of safe crossing points for school students and pedestrians, and cars travelling at speed – the A61 Jumbles Lane junction and the A61 Carlton Lane junction. Improvements to B6481 Pontefract Road, from Thwaite Gate to M1 junction 44, focus on creating a segregated cycle track along the route, linking to existing cycling provision on the A639 Thwaite Gate, allowing residents a safer and more direct route to Leeds City Centre and the ability to access businesses along the industrial estate, which often operates night-time shifts which are not suited to public transport use. If the proposals were to go ahead, a £9.14million funding pot from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, ringfenced to transport schemes, would be invested to carry out the works – £2m for the A61 and £7.14m for Pontefract Road. Proposals for the A61 include:  Proposals for B6481 Pontefract Road include: Following feedback, the council is proposing to deliver these improvements first to meet the funding deadline, subject to the second round of consultation. The remaining proposals which are not currently being taken forward may be revisited in future should funding become available. Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “This scheme will create a safer and more accessible experience for all types of road user on these roads. The proposals help people access Leeds City Centre, local amenities and employment by creating alternative, sustainable ways to travel to essential destinations. By offering safe and easy alternatives to the car, we can help to meet our Leeds Transport Strategy targets and create a prosperous, less congested Leeds, with healthier residents”.  Councillor Peter Carlill, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:  “These proposals will make it easier and safer for everyone to walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport on two busy routes. I’d encourage people to have their say so that we can continue building a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire for all.” Have your say You can have your say before the consultation closes on 11.59pm on 10 March 2025. 1.      Feedback online by visiting the Your Voice webpage. 2.      Attend one of our in-person drop-in events:   Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Ideal Heating Commercial announces 10-year warranty on Evomax 2 boiler

Ideal Heating Commercial announces 10-year warranty on Evomax 2 boiler

Evomax 2, the UK’s number one selling commercial wall-mounted boiler from Ideal Heating Commercial, is now available with a 10-year warranty. As with all Ideal Heating Commercial condensing boilers, Evomax 2 is designed specifically for the UK market, and produced in a state of the art manufacturing plant in Hull which has seen considerable investment over recent years.  “Ideal Heating Commercial is one of the few true British manufacturers left in the heating industry” states Andy Forrest, National Sales Manager – Ideal Heating Commercial “and we consider the 10-year warranty we have introduced on Evomax 2 to reflect both our confidence in this market leading commercial boiler and our commitment to British manufacturing.” The new warranty covers 10-year parts and labour when Evomax 2 is installed on an Ideal Heating pipework header kit with plate heat exchanger, and commissioned by Ideal Heating Commercial.  Commissioning is provided as a free service and not only saves installers time and money, but ensures that the boiler is operating correctly before it is put into service.  An Enhanced Appliance and Primary System Check, which is chargeable at £250 per boiler, is also required under the terms and conditions of the 10-year warranty. The new 10-year warranty does not affect the existing 5-year warranty proposition, which will continue to be available with free commissioning. The Evomax 2 is not only Ideal Heating Commercial’s best selling boiler, but the best selling wall mounted boiler in the UK.  Its popularity is attributed to its reliability and performance, as well as its flexibility, and quick and easy installation. Highly efficient, Evomax 2 has up to 99.6% full load efficiency and up to 110% part load efficiency, can operate at up to 30° Δ T, and boasts a high turndown of 5:1.  NOx <40mg/kWh (Class 6) is achieved for all Evomax 2 natural gas boilers, for low emissions. It is available with outputs from 30-150kW, which can be increased to 900kW using six Evomax 2 boilers in cascade. When using Evomax 2 in cascade, Ideal Heating Commercial has made this process even easier through the provision of low height and standard frame and header kits to suit all plantrooms, along with an online cascade configurator tool to make choosing what you need straightforward.  Building an Evomax 2 cascade system is also fast: a three-boiler cascade can be built in under 90 minutes, as demonstrated in Ideal Heating Commercial’s video idealcommercialboilers.com/news/how-quickly-can-you-build-a-three-boiler-cascade Evomax 2 is available with a range of accessories, including hydraulic separation, all with market-leading availability, all designed and manufactured in the UK. Ideal Heating Commercial delivers commercial heating solutions that are at the forefront of technology and developed in line with the latest market trends and legislation. For more information visit idealcommercialheating.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Keystone Lintels’ customer focus key to successful 2024

Keystone Lintels’ customer focus key to successful 2024

Keystone Lintels reflects on a standout year in 2024, which was marked by a string of prestigious industry awards. These achievements are testament to its unwavering dedication to quality, innovation, and customer service, solidifying its reputation as a leading manufacturer of steel lintels. The year concluded on a high note in November, with Keystone Lintels being presented with the Supplier of the Year Award at the Builders’ Merchant News (BMN) Awards 2024.  The accolade came just a few weeks after the company won in two categories at the National Buying Group (NBG) Awards, taking home both the Supplier of the Year (£1m-£5m) and General Build Supplier of the Year awards. These significant wins followed Keystone’s success at the Builders’ Merchant Journal (BMJ) Awards in September, where it received the Heavyside Supplier of the Year award. Workplace safety also took centre stage in 2024 when Keystone was recognised in July with a Gold Health and Safety Award from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). This prestigious award recognises the company’s efforts to create a safe working environment for both its employees and customers. With nearly 2,000 entries annually from over 50 countries, the RoSPA program is a global benchmark for health and safety standards, influencing the lives of more than seven million employees worldwide. Going the extra mile for customers has always been key part of the Keystone’s ethos and its success in 2024 is very much testament to that.  By focusing on lead generation, providing technical support, ensuring reliable delivery, and offering an extensive product range with consistent stock availability, the company has demonstrated its ability to meet and exceed customer expectations. “We are incredibly proud of this recognition throughout 2024,” said Chris Hemmington-Green, Sales Director at Keystone Lintels. “All of these awards showcase our team’s dedication and our ability to meet the needs of an evolving marketplace.” Keystone Lintels remains focused on providing reliable, high-quality lintel solutions while maintaining strong relationships with merchants and clients. The company continues to innovate and expand its range of bespoke products to meet the evolving needs of the market. Looking to the year ahead, Keystone Lintels is committed to maintaining the high standards that earned this recognition and to its continuing partnerships with customers. The team at Keystone Lintels extends its thanks to its customers, employees, and industry peers who have helped to drive these achievements. For more information and to find out more, visit Keystone Lintels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Main construction phase starts at Ghelamco UK’s £140m (GDV) regeneration project the hilight on the Battersea Waterfront

Main construction phase starts at Ghelamco UK’s £140m (GDV) regeneration project the HiLight on the Battersea Waterfront

Ghelamco UK, the leading European real estate developer, has started the main construction phase of The HiLight, on London’s Battersea Waterfront, a £140 million (GDV) regeneration project with a landmark 24 storey residential tower designed by Squire & Partners. Located off York Road on the site of the former Prices Candle Factory, The Hilight provides 177 mixed tenure apartments including on the ninth floor upwards 113 market sale luxury apartments, including penthouses. The development preserves three of the original Candle factory buildings, blending heritage with modernity. The scheme is complete with 24-hour concierge, leisure, wellness and homeworking amenities, alongside a public green and landscaped riverwalk lined with commercial buildings. The HiLight is the last project masterplanned by the late Michael Squires, the internationally renowned architect and founder of award-winning Squire & Partners. Ghelamco UK collaborated closely with Squire & Partners on the architectural design and with Bowler James Brindley on the interior design and specification and Grant Associates on the landscaping and design of the riverwalk.   The in-house construction division of Ghelamco UK is leading the delivery of the residential tower, with sub-contractor JB Structures currently managing the frame. By operating a self-delivery model Ghelamco UK ensures complete control over both quality and construction programme, allowing for efficient project management and seamless execution. The Ghelamco highly experienced in-house team, with a proven track record in delivering high-rise towers, brings extensive expertise in construction management. This enables Ghelamco to oversee all aspects of the build, ensuring timely and co-ordinated progress. Additionally, the group’s strong relationships across Europe allows Ghelamco to access premium materials and plant, which supports the Battersea project’s accelerated timeline and enhances delivery efficiency. This combination of experience, control, and strategic partnerships will ensure the successful and timely completion of this project.  Work on site started in Q2 2024 with demolition and clearance works. Now the main construction phase will begin with the topping out of the 24 storey tower scheduled for late 2025. Work on the façade is scheduled to begin in Spring 2025 with the internal fit out commencing in early summer 2025. Final build completion and first occupations are schedule for Q2 2026. The construction of the commercial units and riverwalk located adjacent to the main tower is scheduled to start in summer 2025. The HiLight has the benefit of being surrounded by low-rise housing, providing residents with privacy and unobstructed views. The tower is in a unique location on a bend in the River Thames giving the apartments on the upper floors spectacular dual aspect River Thames views and a far reaching panorama of the London skyline. The light filled apartments will offer the very best in elevated London living, and are designed for hybrid and homeworking with most having large bays in the reception room providing a dedicated study/home office space. Other features include generously sized principal rooms, living/dining rooms opening onto outside recessed balconies, good ceiling heights, typically 2.6 metres, full height architectural glazing and a high-quality contemporary specification.  Protection of the environment is increasingly important to customers and environmental sustainability is at the heart of everything Ghelamco UK design and build. The brand has a holistic approach to delivering environmentally and socially “health buildings” and at The HiLight this can be seen in a range of features. These include state-of-the-art electric appliances for heating and cooling, water use efficient toilets and sanitaryware, water recycling for irrigation, construction using low carbon materials, generous window to wall ratios maximising natural light, mechanical fresh air supply to living rooms and bedrooms, air-source heat pumps to all residences and amenities to promote the health and wellbeing of residents. The FITWEL certification ensures that The HiLight promotes a healthy environment for its residents by integrating features that support physical, mental, and social wellbeing. This certification focuses on improving indoor air quality, providing access to natural light, and promoting active lifestyles, all of which contribute to a healthier living environment. Furthermore, the EDGE certification quantifies the energy and water efficiency of the building, demonstrating that The HiLight will use 20% less energy and water compared to conventional buildings. EDGE focuses on resource efficiency, reducing operational costs, and decreasing the building’s carbon footprint, while also ensuring that it meets high standards for sustainability without compromising on comfort. Together, the FITWEL and EDGE certifications underline The HiLight’s commitment to being both environmentally and socially responsible — offering not just a place to live, but a sustainable, healthy community for its residents. Savills and JLL have been appointed as joint sole selling agents. The marketing suite for The HiLight has been created within a Victorian industrial building, originally part of the Prices Candle Factory, located adjacent to the development site. Itfeatures a scale-model of the tower and spaces displaying a kitchen, living/dining area, mock-up balcony, bedroom and bathroom. There are also mock-ups of the club lounge with cocktail bar, WFH office space and meeting room. Marie-Julie Gheysens, Head of UK Development for Ghelamco says: “At Ghelamco we focus on transforming overlooked spaces into vibrant, thriving communities. With The HiLight we are redefining London living, introducing an exclusive new residential address on the Battersea waterfront. Designed with a commitment to sustainability and innovation, this landmark development seamlessly blends modern luxury with environmentally conscious design, setting a new benchmark for riverside living.” David Ronson, Sales and Marketing Director at Ghelamco UK says: “We are delighted that the main construction phase of The HiLight has commenced and this will progress alongside our sales and marketing campaign offering purchasers an opportunity to invest early in the project. The construction and fit out will deliver an exceptionally high-quality specification, delivering a Chelsea quality product, but with the benefit of highly competitive Battersea prices. The project offers the best value premium homes on London’s Southbank.”  Apartments at The HiLight range from 538 sqft up to 1,500 sqft in size with prices starting from £620,000. Savills and JLL are joint sole selling agents contact Tel: +44 (0)20 8183 0120, email: info@thehilight.co.uk and visit: www.thehilight.co.uk Building, Design &

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Railpen reveals plans to reimagine Camden Office Building

Railpen reveals plans to reimagine Camden office building

Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension schemes in the UK, has announced plans to redevelop 101 Bayham, its 22,000 sq ft office building in central Camden, London NW1, redefining the future of workspaces. Set for completion in Autumn 2025, the 1930s Art Moderne former factory is being reimagined by renowned architects, Henley Halebrown and Studio Ghazal, to create a contemporary headquarters building to suit companies in a wide range of sectors, including tech, media and creative businesses, education, financial services and healthcare.  101 Bayham is in Camden’s creative heart, just minutes from Camden Town Tube station, with corporate neighbours including BOSS, French Connection, Dr Martens, MTV, ASOS, Havas and Universal. With a meticulous approach to restoration and design, this workspace blends heritage with cutting-edge innovation and sets a new benchmark for excellence in Central Camden. The interior of the building has been thoughtfully planned, featuring an open staircase, 4.5m floor-to-ceiling heights in the reception, a co-working space, diverse seating in a refreshment area with scenic views, and office space arranged over four further floors. The top floor has been completely redesigned to include a 1,200 sq ft roof terrace, providing breathtaking views of Hampstead Heath through the city towards the West End, with extensive planting creating a harmonious blend of urban energy and nature. Reflecting its sustainability ethos, Railpen is targeting BREEAM Outstanding and an EPC A rating, with air source heat pumps providing heating and cooling, PV panels on the roof, openable windows, planting, and reduced embodied carbon through the restoration of an existing building. In addition, the lower ground floor features a 2,500 sq ft cycle suite, including space for 30 bikes and high-quality end-of-journey facilities. Maria Averkina, Asset and Development Manager at Railpen, commented: “With 101 Bayham, Railpen is completely reimagining a character building to create a modern, efficient workspace which maximises natural light and promotes productivity while meeting the highest sustainability and wellbeing standards. Combined with its location at the heart of Camden, it will appeal to both growing and established companies seeking a headquarters building with real presence.” 101 Bayham is the latest initiative by Railpen in the office market. Earlier this month, it announced the signing of Waystone as the final letting at 125 Wood Street, its recently refurbished 65,000 sq ft office near St Paul’s Cathedral.  Railpen has also recently secured consent to redevelop Eastpoint Business Park in Oxford to create a 200,000 sq ft life sciences campus, as well as started development of Mill Yard, with Botanic Place in Cambridge to follow in the coming months. Edward Charles & Partners and JLL are the joint leasing agents for 101 Bayham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Stud Brook Business Park gets ready to welcome Sainsbury's and Starbucks as scheme marks another major step forward

Stud Brook Business Park gets ready to welcome Sainsbury’s and Starbucks as scheme marks another major step forward

Clowes Developments’ 20-acre Stud Brook Business Park has taken another important step forward as the units which will be occupied by Sainsbury’s and Starbucks reach practical completion. The developer received planning permission for the Sainsbury’s convenience store and Starbucks ‘drive-thru’ last July – both units are now ready for the well-known brands to move in and begin their fit-out programme as construction contractor Roe Developments delivers the buildings on time and according to schedule. James Richards, Development Director at Clowes Developments, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Sainsbury’s and Starbucks units reaching practical completion – both will complement the industrial and warehouse offering at Stud Brook Business Park and will be a real convenience boost for the neighbouring residents – as well as bringing new jobs to the area.” Stud Brook Business Park, a high-quality scheme at Castle Donington will include units ranging from 8,500 to 30,000sq ft when completed. The warehouse and industrial units will be delivered by a team including IMA Architects, lead contractor TanRo, Millwards engineers and Postins Project Services. The delivery team are aiming for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating and an EPC rating of ‘A’ for units 2-7, in line with Clowes Developments’ sustainability goals. Features include recycling solutions, solar-ready roofs, electric vehicle charging points and landscaping. Additionally, units 2-7 will be delivered as ‘Net Zero in Occupation’, which will enable future occupiers to operate at Net Zero emissions. Stud Brook Business Park will cater for small and medium-sized businesses while also accommodating larger national operators with recognised household names to be announced in due course. Marketing for the development is being led by FHP Property Consultants and NG Chartered Surveyors. Tim Gilbertson at FHP Property Consultants, said: “We know how onsite facilities improve the attraction of industrial estates substantially providing effectively breakout areas and opportunities to ‘get away from the desk’ or have impromptu meetings for business owners and staff alike, so for FHP to have secured both Starbucks and Sainsbury’s for this scheme is great news all round and will, I have no doubt, help us to find the last couple of occupiers for the few units remaining.” Richard Sutton, Managing Director at NG Chartered Surveyors, added: “It’s brilliant news that these first two units are set to be occupied by such big-hitters. This will only help drive even more quality occupiers to Stud Brook Business Park – and the level of demand we’ve seen for this high-end development has already been incredibly high.” Clowes and their agents are currently marketing a handful of speculatively developed units that sit within the first phase of the development which will be ready for occupation by the Spring. Additionally, they are now starting to take enquiries from trade counter operators. Plot 1 sits at the front of the site, benefitting from a prominent roadside presence and onsite parking, these units ranging in size from 3,229 – 4,606sq ft will wrap around the new Starbucks Drive-Thru facility, this part of the business park has been designed to enhance amenities for locals, occupiers and visitors. Remaining opportunities are available on a leasehold basis. Interested parties are invited to contact agents directly via richards@ng-cs.com and tim@fhp.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Keepmoat invests more than £50 million to deliver 227 new homes in Wiltshire

Keepmoat invests more than £50 million to deliver 227 new homes in Wiltshire

Top 10 UK housebuilder, Keepmoat is investing more than £50 million in Warminster following exchange of contracts on a 24 acre plot of land situated south of Victoria Road.  Work is due to start in late 2025 at the development – now named Cley Hill View – to deliver 227 high-quality new homes, of which at least 30 per cent will be affordable homes. As part of the significant £50 million commitment to the Wiltshire area, Keepmoat will also create new green spaces, and play areas alongside pedestrian, road and cycle routes to and from surrounding communities. Expected to be completed in 2028, the development will offer a variety of much-needed multi-tenure one, two, three, and four-bedroomed homes, catering to first-time buyers, working professionals, and families. Ben Leather, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat West Midlands, said: “Keepmoat is excited to announce contracts have successfully been exchanged on Cley Hill View. Acquisition of this land highlights Keepmoat’s commitment to providing quality homes in the South West of England and aligns with our ambitious growth plans in the region.  “With Wiltshire experiencing a population increase of 8.4 percent from 2011 to 2021, the demand for housing has grown significantly. We’re pleased to be contributing towards addressing the region’s housing shortage. “Keepmoat’s Cley Hill View development will not only provide new homes, it will also create a thriving new community. In addition, we will be creating strong employment, apprentice and training opportunities for local contractors and labourers.”  All of the homes at Cley Hill View will be delivered in line with the Future Homes Standard, including renewable energy systems such as air source heat pumps, solar panels and EV charging points to help residents save on energy bills.  Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 70 per cent of its current developments are on brownfield sites and more than 70 per cent of its customers are first time buyers. Keepmoat achieved HBF five star builder status, receiving a rating of at least 90 per cent in the National New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey. For more information, please visit www.keepmoat.com.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Performance certification and new colourway option for Marley’s Weatherboard Range

Performance certification and new Colourway option for Marley’s Weatherboard Range

Marley’s popular Weatherboard range has been certified by the leading applied safety science authority, UL Solutions. Following robust independent testing, the fibre cement board solution for external cladding has been certified to meet all relevant standards for performance, quality and safety. The certification provides critical product credibility, meaning specifiers can select Marley’s Weatherboard solution with confidence, knowing its performance and safety credentials have been thoroughly examined. Assessment criteria To achieve UL certification, the performance of Marley’s façade and cladding system was tested in accordance with the Centre for Window and Cladding Technology (CWCT) sequence B – Standard for Systemised Building Envelopes (2005). This satisfies several key performance areas: The Weatherboard fibre cement cladding system delivers a textured woodgrain finish and is ideal for refreshing existing properties or adding significant visual appeal to new developments. With a high coverage rate, it offers a cost-effective solution, along with ease of installation and low maintenance requirements. New colour option Coinciding with its UL Solutions certification, Marley has also expanded the colourway options for its Weatherboard range. The launch of a new blue-grey colour option complements the existing choices of white, light grey, slate grey and black, to further extend specification choice. With blue-grey particularly popular in the Southwest areas of the UK, especially in coastal areas, the new colourway adds another layer of aesthetic appeal for projects in this region. Marley also offers full colour-matched trims and accessories for its Weatherboard range, to ensure all projects offer an aesthetically striking and premium finish. Kevin O’Neill, National Sales Manager, Weatherboard for Marley, comments: “Rigorously tested, our Weatherboard system is UL Certified, meaning the fibre cement solution offers high levels of performance in water resistance, wind durability and safety compliance. It’s the perfect solution for specifiers looking to integrate reliable and compliant cladding solutions into their projects. “This, combined with the addition of the new blue-grey colourway, means specifiers have increased choice and confidence when choosing Marley’s Weatherboard for their external cladding projects.” For more information, visit Marley’s website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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