The ground has been broken on the start of a 34 week project to build a new commercial development in Fleckney, Leicestershire. The development is located on Churchill Way and the first phase will provide over 12,000 sqft of high quality office and workshop space which will be occupied by
Leading heating, plumbing and air movement materials supplier TG Lynes has invested in state-of-the-art technology to warn its delivery drivers of potential hazards on the road. TG Lynes, based in Enfield, is in the process of adding Brigade’s Sidescan Predict® system to its entire fleet of HGV vehicles. The intelligent
A stunning new student accommodation scheme on Merrion Street in central Leeds has been sold to Q Investment Partners (QIP), a Singapore headquartered private equity real estate firm that connects residential real estate to capital markets, in a deal worth approximately £15 million. The 88 high specification studio apartments with
Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to deliver a new biomedical research and development facility in central Oxford. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor will redevelop two former retail warehouse assets on Botley Road into c.65,000 sq. ft of world-class laboratory and creative office space. Known as Inventa, the redevelopment
Aggregate Industries inspires customers to make an ECOPact with special event : 40+ senior construction stakeholders come together to learn how the latest in green concrete innovation can contribute to net zero goals As part of its ongoing commitment to leading the construction industry’s pathway to a more sustainable future,
Stoford gets North West’s biggest warehouse scheme underway : Work is progressing on construction of a new 667,000 sq ft UK parts distribution centre at Ellesmere Port. Leading commercial property developer, Stoford is delivering the new state-of-the-art logistics development on a 38.7 acre site at West Road, Hooton Park Airfield.
Plans to create an affordable housing community in Cheddar are officially underway, following a confirmed partnership with Alliance Homes. Looking to bring much-needed homes into the area, partnership housebuilder Keepmoat, along with community based social housing provider, Alliance Homes, will transform the 5.8-acre site into a high-quality sustainable housing community.
Stamp duty savings available : Outdoor space, eco-friendly features and energy efficiency are the top three most desirable attributes in a new home according to a recent study, and Barratt David Wilson Homes’ Kingsbrook development offers all three in abundance.* With the recent stamp duty cuts, first time buyers can
Work on the £30m #BuiltByGMI helicopter logistics hub on behalf of aerospace giant Leonardo Cements continues to move at a pace, with the site’s progress marked by the industrial partners’ next generation workforce cementing their hands into the floor. Team members from GMI, real estate developer Graftongate, Leonardo and its
Following the announcement that Rishi Sunak will take over as Leader of the Conservative Party, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) calls for clarity on planning reforms and adequate resources for the planning system. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI said: “Rishi Sunak has pledged to fix our economy and
The ground has been broken on the start of a 34 week project to build a new commercial development in Fleckney, Leicestershire. The development is located on Churchill Way and the first phase will provide over 12,000 sqft of high quality office and workshop space which will be occupied by a national organisation and benefit the economy by creating significant new employment opportunities for local people. The second phase of the development has detailed planning consent for over 40,000 sq.ft of new commercial space and will provide substantial further employment opportunities for the area. The land was bought to market by Loughborough based specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie. Alex Reid, Director, said: “This site presented an exciting opportunity for a prospective buyer looking to invest in an ideally-situated development land with planning approval for a range of uses. It has been great to play our part in bringing a much needed and exciting new development to the area.” Works are expected to be completed by the end of June 2023 and Wilten Construction, based in Market Harborough, has been appointed by the developer, VentURe Properties Group as the main contractor responsible for the full turnkey delivery of the project which will include design, build and office fit out. Commenting, Matt Moore, Founder of VentURe Properties, said: “VentURe aims to develop commercial space and residential homes across the wider Midlands region. Our Fleckney development represents a significant investment by ourselves and our occupiers and we are delighted to be working with Wilten Construction on the delivery of a development which will benefit the Leicestershire and Harborough District.” Matt Fry, Director at Wilten Construction, said: “This is another fantastic ground-breaking ceremony for us and we had a great day hosting the project team on site. We have worked hard developing the scheme to meet the clients budgetary and programme expectations and to see this project taking shape on site is a proud accomplishment. We look forward to demonstrating our best-in-class service as this project progresses and building on our relationships with everyone involved to create ongoing reciprocal partnerships.” Other advisers and project partners on the development include RJA Consultants who are acting as the employers agent, Corporate Architecture Limited, engineering consultants Jackson Purdue Lever and the approved inspector, Assent Building Control Limited. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading heating, plumbing and air movement materials supplier TG Lynes has invested in state-of-the-art technology to warn its delivery drivers of potential hazards on the road. TG Lynes, based in Enfield, is in the process of adding Brigade’s Sidescan Predict® system to its entire fleet of HGV vehicles. The intelligent side detection system has been developed for rigid vehicles with large blind spots. Six ultrasonic sensors on the side of the vehicle detect objects and vulnerable road users, whether they are stationary or moving. The technology calculates the risk of collision and alerts the driver either visually or audibly, depending on the risk. TG Lynes plans to have the technology installed on a quarter of its distribution fleet by March next year Andrew Ingram, General Manager at TG Lynes, said: “We are constantly looking for new and innovative ways to make life easier and safer for all of our colleagues. “It is crucial that vehicles with complex blind spots utilise technology to help reduce collisions. “Brigade’s Sidescan Predict system is one of the most technically sophisticated products available. It will offer peace of mind to our drivers and false alarms are significantly reduced, meaning they can be confident in the accuracy of the warning.” TG Lynes has used other Brigade safety products for more than 10 years. Used in conjunction with driver training and regular internal safety briefings, TG Lynes has managed to avoid any serious incidents with vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and motorbikes. Andrew added: “Safety is a top priority for us. The protocols and safety equipment we have put in place, in conjunction with internal and external training, have enabled us to reduce near-miss incidents and has eradicated any side-swipe incidents and road traffic collisions.” The Sidescan Predict® system remains switched on when the vehicle’s speed is below 22mph, regardless of the indicator selection, and cannot be deactivated by the driver. Emily Hardy, Marketing Manager of Brigade Electronics UK: “Unlike existing systems, which simply register the presence of a potential obstacle, Sidescan Predict® is constantly gathering data in a vehicle’s vicinity. “This provides additional benefits to operators by significantly reducing false alarms and increasing confidence in the accuracy of warning alerts. We are delighted to add Sidescan Predict® to our range of commercial vehicle safety systems and we are confident that it will make a positive impact to road and worksite safety and preventing fatalities.” As well as the HGVs, TG Lynes’ fleet also includes 3.5 tonne vans and an electric bike. TG Lynes offers a daily delivery service to sites across London, the South East, East Anglia and the Midlands, with the first vehicles on the road for 6am. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A stunning new student accommodation scheme on Merrion Street in central Leeds has been sold to Q Investment Partners (QIP), a Singapore headquartered private equity real estate firm that connects residential real estate to capital markets, in a deal worth approximately £15 million. The 88 high specification studio apartments with associated amenities, are being built at 26-34 Merrion Street. Work will start this month, and the scheme will be ready for occupation in time for the start of the 2024/25 academic year. The part five, part seven and part nine storey building has been designed by Brewster Bye Architects and will be delivered by Urban Developments (York) Ltd for QIP. This latest transaction forms part of a larger student housing fund managed by QIP and backed by a consortium of institutional investors, launched this year to invest in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) projects. The fund currently manages a c.£150 million portfolio that consists of approximately 1,000 student bedrooms in the UK across top-tier student cities – Edinburgh, Nottingham, Sheffield and Greater London. The Merrion Street property is located in the heart of Leeds city centre, within close proximity of both the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University. It will be operated by Homes for Students, a leading student accommodation operator in the UK with 40,000 PBSA beds nationwide in the UK. Peter Young, CEO & Co-founder QIP said: “QIP is pleased to be transacting in another PBSA development asset, further expanding our residential living platform in the UK. It is a particularly interesting time to be buying and finding value in the specialist UK residential housing sector. Without a doubt, the current macro market influences are presenting valued opportunities in PBSA, and we are thrilled to continue to work with one of the leading institutional investors* in transacting this opportunity through one of our funds.” Nick Gould from Urban Developments (York) Ltd, said: “It’s a great site, located right between the city’s universities and key retail areas. Brewster Bye’s design meets all of the needs of modern students, and we are looking forward to delivering this much needed, purpose-built student scheme for QIP.” Mark Henderson, from Brewster Bye Architects, said: “After designing this scheme and securing planning permission for it earlier this year, it’s fantastic to see work starting on site. For a global property fund to invest in the development, at this early stage, speaks volumes about the quality of the scheme and Leeds’s student market as a whole. “All 88 studios will have en-suites and the new building will also include a lounge, gym, study rooms, a cinema room and laundry facilities for residents. Four of the studios are accessible and there are two larger premium studios. The development will also include a staffed reception area and 23 cycle spaces.” The scheme is located on the northern edge of Leeds city centre’s main shopping and leisure quarters. Victoria Gate and Trinity shopping centres, as well as the city’s main university campuses and Leeds General Infirmary, are all less than a 10-minute walk away. Singapore private equity firm swoops for major new student accommodation scheme in Leeds Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon Interiors has been appointed to deliver a new biomedical research and development facility in central Oxford. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor will redevelop two former retail warehouse assets on Botley Road into c.65,000 sq. ft of world-class laboratory and creative office space. Known as Inventa, the redevelopment is being delivered on behalf of a joint venture between property developer, Mission Street, and BentallGreenOak, a global real estate investment management advisor, which acquired the property in 2021. Willmott Dixon Interiors will reuse and extend the existing structure of the two warehouse buildings, adding a new internal floor and a colonnade to the north elevation. The additional floorspace will enable the creation of a new reception area and a combination of sustainable new spaces for market-leading life science companies. They include enhanced common areas and meeting rooms, new collaboration and circulation spaces, breakout areas and café provision, as well as a new cycle centre and shower facilities. The building fabric will also be substantially upgraded, including a new façade, while new mechanical and electrical services will also be installed. Externally a cycle and pedestrian route and a newly landscaped car park will create a revitalised visitor experience, with landscaping at the rear of the building doubling as an area for flood mitigation. Inventa is expected to be complete in summer 2023. Graham Shaw, managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “Inventa will transform a redundant retail space into an exciting and dynamic science hub in one of the world’s leading research and innovation locations. We will be delivering a sustainable building with high quality facilities that will foster collaboration and meet a growing demand from life sciences companies in central Oxford.” The project team includes Owers Warwick Architects (Cambridge), Abakus Consulting, Buro Four Project Services and Hilson Moran Partnership. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Aggregate Industries inspires customers to make an ECOPact with special event : 40+ senior construction stakeholders come together to learn how the latest in green concrete innovation can contribute to net zero goals As part of its ongoing commitment to leading the construction industry’s pathway to a more sustainable future, this month saw Aggregate Industries’ London Concrete team hold an exclusive customer day to showcase its revolutionary green concrete range, ECOPact. Taking place on 12th October at London Concrete’s Battersea plant, the one-off event saw over 40 customers, including construction directors, project managers, quality managers and sustainability stakeholders, come together to learn more about ECOPact and its potential in contributing to sustainability strategy. During the course of the day, attendees received exclusive presentations from senior leaders within the Aggregate Industries business covering its ambitious sustainability strategy and commitment to driving green building innovation, along with dedicated focus on the carbon benefits of switching to a greener concrete. Alongside this, visitors also got a chance to tour London Concrete’s vast manufacturing plant and see first-hand how ECOPact performs in a series of live demonstrations. Colleagues from parent group, Holcim’s Research and Development lab in Lyon also attended and shared the latest key digital tools and innovation in sustainable construction. Following the event’s marked success, Aggregates Industries is planning to roll out similar events in other parts of the country in the coming months, starting with Manchester. “We are delighted that our first ECOPact customer event was such a success, with over 40 major stakeholders from throughout the London region coming along to find out more about ECOPact and the huge impact it can make in delivering on sustainable construction,” said Veronika Elfmarkova, ECOPact Product Manager. “Feedback across the board was fantastic, with many attendees stating it had inspired them as to how the specification choices they make today can support construction’s response to the climate crisis.” Sarah James, Marketing Manager for Readymix Concrete at Aggregate Industries adds: “Amid growing urgency around the climate crisis, construction continues to come under new pressure to advance environmental priorities and build greener. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean key decisionmakers will have a full grasp of the latest green building solutions available and, more importantly, how they benefit their business. “With this in mind, our ECOPact event was purposely designed to provide a tangible demonstration of our sustainable ECOPact concrete range in practice and provide an open forum for any questions or enquiries our customers may have. It was a great day had by all and we are now looking to roll it out further afield in the coming months.” Aggregate Industries’ innovative ECOPact offers a range of green concrete solutions that meets the evolving needs of its customers and clients without compromising on quality. It gives customers a range of options to reduce the CO2 emissions of their concrete supply by between 30% and 70% compared to standard (CEM I) concrete. For further information please visit ECOPact please visit https://www.aggregate.com/ecopact or email ecopact-aiuk@aggregate.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stoford gets North West’s biggest warehouse scheme underway : Work is progressing on construction of a new 667,000 sq ft UK parts distribution centre at Ellesmere Port. Leading commercial property developer, Stoford is delivering the new state-of-the-art logistics development on a 38.7 acre site at West Road, Hooton Park Airfield. The building has been pre-let to Peugeot, a subsidiary of the global automaker Stellantis Group and is the biggest single cross-docked warehouse to be developed in the North West this year. Stoford is targeting the highest level of building sustainability certification for the new development, including BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and an EPC ‘A’ rating. It will be certified as net zero carbon in operation for the base build works. The building will provide office accommodation and features including photovoltaic roof panels, rainwater harvesting, LED lighting and an energy monitoring system. Staff will also benefit from an external wellbeing area, bicycle storage and EV car charging points. Stoford has sympathetically designed the building to preserve the integrity of the existing listed structures on the former airfield, which will see the ground and building floor levels of the new facility recessed into the existing slope. Winvic Construction Ltd has been appointed as contractor to deliver the works. It is anticipated that the building’s steel frame will be in place by the end of 2022, with the development programmed for completion in the second half of 2023. Singapore Exchange listed Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust (FLCT) is forward funding the new development and has acquired the freehold for a total consideration on a completed basis of £101 million. Jamie Craig, UK Director for Parts Distribution at Stellantis, said: “The incredible progress on the site is a credit to Stoford and Winvic. The sheer scale of the development is impressive in every way. I am looking forward to the day when we can move our UK parts distribution centre into the building.” Dan Gallagher, Joint Managing Director of Stoford said: “This is a modern, purpose-built distribution building that will create new jobs and deliver significant economic benefits. Sustainability has been a key factor throughout the design process, with consideration given to minimising embodied carbon and reducing the building’s energy consumption. The development forms part of the expansion of Ellesmere Port and will ensure the longevity of Hooton Park as a significant employment site.” Robert Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of the REIT Manager, said: “The forward funding acquisition presents an excellent opportunity to add a state-of-the-art logistics facility to FLCT’s growing UK logistics and industrial portfolio. With a committed 15-year lease term to Peugeot, a subsidiary of the global automaker Stellantis Group, the property will serve as its national distribution centre upon completion. The property will be developed to high building and sustainability specifications and will meet BREEAM5 ‘Outstanding’ and EPC6 A rating. “The property will mark FLCT’s fourth logistics and industrial investment in the UK and is strategically sited in a well-established logistics and industrial precinct in UK’s North West, which will enable us to deepen FLCT’s presence in the attractive UK logistics real estate space, while supporting our objectives of delivering sustainable long-term value to our unitholders.” Winvic’s Head of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics, Danny Nelson, added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Stoford once again and to add another low carbon industrial facility to our roster of live projects. The relationships already built with the Stellantis team are driving the facility forward and we look forward to exceeding their expectations all the way to delivery in the second half of 2023.” Gemma Davies, Director of Economy and Housing at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This is another significant investment in Ellesmere Port, not only does the new building contribute to the green credentials we are striving for, it continues the historic association Ellesmere Port has with the motor industry and creates a new modern workplace.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to create an affordable housing community in Cheddar are officially underway, following a confirmed partnership with Alliance Homes. Looking to bring much-needed homes into the area, partnership housebuilder Keepmoat, along with community based social housing provider, Alliance Homes, will transform the 5.8-acre site into a high-quality sustainable housing community. Bringing affordable housing to the Somerset area, Steart Farm will offer 29 homes under shared ownership, and 29 as affordable rent. Well positioned to local transport links, the development lies 10 miles south-east of J21 off the M5 motorway and 11 miles south of Bristol Airport via the A371 and A38, and the new community will feature a local play area, wildlife zone and public open space. Charlotte Goode, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat said: “We’re incredibly pleased to be working with Alliance Homes to help bring affordable housing to the village of Cheddar, which offers excellent transport links and open green spaces. “In keeping with our positive environmental practices, the Steart Farm community will be created with sustainability in mind and will be a gas-free development which uses air source heat pumps throughout. “Over the coming months we look forward to working with the local community and welcoming new residents to the area.” Iain Lock, Director of Investment at Alliance Homes said: “We’re really pleased to be involved with Keepmoat on this development. Not only will these 58 homes be a big step on our way to developing 2,000 homes over 10 years, but the environmental credentials of the homes meet our plans to be a green and ethical business. This site will be 100% affordable and that has been made possible thanks to a grant from Homes England.” The Reserved Matters planning application was approved in September 2022, and first completions are expected mid-2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Stamp duty savings available : Outdoor space, eco-friendly features and energy efficiency are the top three most desirable attributes in a new home according to a recent study, and Barratt David Wilson Homes’ Kingsbrook development offers all three in abundance.* With the recent stamp duty cuts, first time buyers can save up to £6,250 on homes worth £500,000 which will apply to homes at the brand new phase launching at the Orchard Green village in Kingsbrook. The new phase will be launching on Saturday 8th October and will include 246 one, two, three and four bedroom homes in total, of which 57 will be affordable. The first release will include three and four bedroom homes with prices starting from £425,000, allowing first time buyers and second steppers alike to take advantage of the new stamp duty cuts. The housebuilder’s award-winning partnership with the RSPB ensures Kingsbrook is a development where wildlife can thrive, with over 60% of the development dedicated to green infrastructure including ecological enhancement in the form of: wildflower meadows, ponds, woodlands, orchards, a 250 acre nature reserve, parks and allotments. Incorporated throughout the development are features such as bird boxes; hedgehog homes and highways, so that wildlife can travel safely between gardens; bee hotels and dead wood features, to provide a home for insects and solitary bees; and composting facilities. As a result of these wildlife-friendly measures, a number of key bird species have increased including the Red-Listed house sparrows which saw a rise in breeding pairs from two to 147, whilst bee numbers have more than doubled. Marc Woolfe, Head of Sales at Barratt David Wilson North Thames, commented: “Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to the next generation of homebuyers, and is something we have always prioritised. We’re very proud of our partnership with the RSPB at Kingsbrook and the important strides it has made to not only protect the existing ecology but enhance it – and it’s something that has proven to be an important factor in our residents choosing to live here. The next generation of homebuyers are definitely more concerned with the impact of their home on the environment, and Kingsbrook is a critical blueprint to demonstrate how building homes and protecting wildlife can go hand in hand.” “For this reason, alongside the drive for energy efficient homes as the energy crisis continues, we expect our new phase at the Orchard Green village to be very popular – we’ve already had many local first time buyers enquiring about how much they can save following stamp duty cuts. We want to encourage anyone interested to register their interest online, or come down and speak to one of our fantastic sales advisors who can advise on the many schemes we have to support our customers – like Deposit Unlock and Part Exchange.” All homes at Kingsbrook are built with sustainability in mind and energy efficiency at the forefront of the design, achieving an EPC A or B rating – allowing homeowners to save up to £1,410 thanks to the range of the highest efficiency technology incorporated throughout, including: A-rated condensing boilers; low heat-loss hot water cylinders which ensure water stays hotter for longer; and water savings features and fittings helping to save up to 25 litres of water a day per person. The new phase of homes at the Orchard Green village in Kingsbrook will be launching on Saturday 8th October with prices starting from £425,000. To find out more about Barratt David Wilson North Thames or the new homes at Kingsbrook please visit www.barratthomes.co.uk / www.dwh.co.uk or call 0333 355 8500 / 0333 355 8501 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work on the £30m #BuiltByGMI helicopter logistics hub on behalf of aerospace giant Leonardo Cements continues to move at a pace, with the site’s progress marked by the industrial partners’ next generation workforce cementing their hands into the floor. Team members from GMI, real estate developer Graftongate, Leonardo and its logistics partner Kuehne+Nagel all came together at the state-of-the-art facility in Yeovil as work moves to the next stage of construction before practical completion of the entire hub. Charlea Boucher, Project Officer at Leonardo Helicopters UK, cemented her hands into the ground of the 210,000 sq ft single-site logistics hub to symbolise the project’s nod to the future. “It has been amazing to see the rise of the single-site logistics hub during the final year of my business graduate placement at Leonardo in Yeovil,” said Charlea, who is a fourth-generation employee at Leonardo, now working on the AW149 New Medium Helicopter campaign programme. “My great-grandparents worked on-site a few generations ago in engineering, so it’s great that this investment in the site is future proofing Yeovil for years to come as I embark on the next stage of my career here at Leonardo.” Highlighting the construction’s commitment to future generations, is the development’s focus towards sustainability through a number of eco initiatives. Rainwater harvesting tanks for brown water services, full LED lighting throughout the facility and a heat recovery system in the main warehouse have all been included in the build. Additionally, there will be a bank of electrical vehicle charging points for employees and a new fleet of electrical vehicles. “The project has had its challenges, but we are where we are now thanks to the teamwork and collaboration between all parties involved,” said GMI Senior Project Manager Glenn Reeves. “Given where we are situated at the end of Leonardo’s campus, we had to take a number of things into account in relation to the surrounding area, and it was a big demolition job from the outset. “The first third of the operation involved clearing the site of the old buildings and addressing known areas of ground contamination that were highlighted during extensive pre-construction surveys. “We have maintained close communication with Leonardo on a daily basis as well as the local community and local businesses – keeping them updated with the progress that we are making.” Enthused by the number of apprentices working on the scheme, Glenn added: “We’ve been very fortunate to have had half a dozen apprentices on-site and it’s an area of the industry which Leonardo Cements and ourselves are particularly passionate about. “It’s good to see and we’re really keen to continue pushing this through the various trades.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the announcement that Rishi Sunak will take over as Leader of the Conservative Party, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) calls for clarity on planning reforms and adequate resources for the planning system. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI said: “Rishi Sunak has pledged to fix our economy and deliver on promises made in the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto. But he will need an effective and robust planning system to achieve these goals. “Our members have shown resilience, and consistent dedication to their profession, but they are concerned that continued uncertainty will delay plans and projects their communities need. “I have today written to the new Leader of the Conservative Party urging him to provide certainty on planning reforms, adequate funding for planning, and to give local communities a say on what happens in their area. We are actively working to engage government throughout this period of transition, to demonstrate that an effective and robust planning system can be an enabler of economic growth, delivering the affordable homes, public services and critical infrastructure that this country needs.”