Network Space Developments (NSD) has been appointed as Development Manager by St Helens Borough Council for a prime edge of town centre, five-acre site. Located adjacent to the recently completed £54m Glass Futures initiative, the site was recently purchased by the Council with assistance from the Liverpool City Region Combined
The first residents have received their keys for new council homes at the transformational Meridian Water project in Edmonton, delivered by Enfield Council and developers Countryside Partnerships. Enfield Council tenants in Edmonton were the first people to be offered housing in the high-quality homes at the development. Enfield Council and
SUNDERLAND’S distinctive new car park has won a national award in recognition of its excellence. Sunderland City Council’s new Riverside Sunderland Multi Storey Car Park, which provides 657 new spaces at Farringdon Row, was named Best New Car Park Award at the British Parking Awards, an independent competition created and
The ongoing revival of Sheffield’s historic Leah’s Yard on Cambridge Street celebrated an important construction milestone this week, with the building’s new extension reaching its highest point. Leah’s Yard is seen as the jewel in the crown of Heart of the City – the transformative city centre development programme led
Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront is to be the subject of an ambitious new masterplan to ensure its continued growth as a global destination and major economic engine. A report to Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet next Tuesday (September 19th) is seeking approval to launch the search for a team of planning and
The Wates Group is set to expand its presence in London with the appointment of its Living Space business to deliver Brent Council’s Major Works programme across its social housing portfolio. The £35m Major Works contract will commence in July this year and will run for 80 weeks with works
Southwark Council has selected Higgins Partnerships as its development partner for the two phase, £176 million estate regeneration of Ledbury Estate in Peckham. Four existing blocks, which were identified as ‘having serious structural and fire safety issues’ by the council, will be replaced with a new development of 340 mixed
Work has begun to review Mansfield’s Local Plan, the key strategy document that acts as a blueprint for development in the future. The current Local Plan, which was adopted by Mansfield District Council in 2020, sets out guidelines for how the district will grow and change until 2033. Now, people
Barnet Council has signed an agreement with developer Redrow to acquire 249 new-build homes for affordable rent to the borough’s residents. In June, the council’s Cabinet Members voted unanimously to make the purchase, which forms one-quarter of the council’s commitment to deliver 1,000 new affordable homes by 2026. Most of
Urban Group (York) Ltd has won a £15 million contract from the City of York Council to provide home repair & upgrades, including energy retrofitting improvements, across its social housing portfolio. Following a competitive tender process, Urban’s Maintenance & Energy team was appointed to cover around 3,500 of the Council’s
Network Space Developments (NSD) has been appointed as Development Manager by St Helens Borough Council for a prime edge of town centre, five-acre site. Located adjacent to the recently completed £54m Glass Futures initiative, the site was recently purchased by the Council with assistance from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Strategic Investment Fund, for an undisclosed sum. Forming part of Glass Futures’ 15-month construction programme, the land is now serviced and development-ready with access roads constructed and remediation works completed. The appointment marks the second development management role that NSD has secured from a North West local authority this year, following its appointment by Stockport Council to lead the design and delivery of Cheadle Eco Business Park at Bird Hall Lane. The proposed environmentally exemplar, industrial employment scheme is central to the Cheadle Town Investment Plan, which will unlock the town’s economic potential and drive clean growth and secured £4.4million of Towns Fund support. Councillor Richard McCauley, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, said: “Based locally in Newton-le-Willows, Network Space has an excellent track record on overseeing successful developments in our borough – from the top-class, award-winning Mere Grange to Glass Futures, a state-of-the-art, globally significant project which will once again put St Helens at the forefront of glass innovation. “I’m delighted that we will be working with them once again on this exciting new project on our journey to drive forward inclusive growth – providing contracts for local suppliers as part of our commitment to social value, as well as creating job and training opportunities for local residents, all while ensuring our borough maintains its position as a global centre of excellence.” Catherine Chilvers, Development Director at Network Space Developments, said: “We are delighted to once again be working alongside St Helens Borough Council to support their ambition to advance a new phase of development at this strategically important site for the Borough and build upon the success and momentum of the recently completed Glass Futures facility.’’ “Two development management appointments by ambitious local authorities this year demonstrates our long-standing expertise in delivering property led regeneration projects on behalf of a public private partnership. NSD has shown itself to be a trusted partner, with the commercial expertise to guide and accelerate delivery to facilitate new jobs and investment opportunities, and this latest role gives us a further opportunity to do just that.” NSD has already created and modernised almost 10 million sq. ft of multi-unit industrial workspace across the north of England, attracting a variety of global and UK-based businesses. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The first residents have received their keys for new council homes at the transformational Meridian Water project in Edmonton, delivered by Enfield Council and developers Countryside Partnerships. Enfield Council tenants in Edmonton were the first people to be offered housing in the high-quality homes at the development. Enfield Council and Countryside Partnerships have delivered a range of family-sized homes, including accessible homes for disabled tenants as well as some one-bedroom residences. The homes, Brambling House and Greatcrest House are named after native birds that can be found in the area. The 20 completed homes are part of the 50 per cent affordable housing offer being built in the first phase of Meridian One. Three hundred homes will be delivered in this phase by the end of 2024. Residents met with The Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, Deputy Mayor of London for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley and Countryside London Divisional Chair, Mike Woolliscroft.The Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan, who met the first Council tenants at Meridian Water on 4 September, said: “This is a momentous occasion for the Meridian Water project and our plan to build decent, affordable homes in Enfield. Alongside new homes, Meridian Water will invest in Edmonton residents with new leisure facilities, training and job opportunities. “Seeing the first residents receive their keys for their new homes is a testament to the ambitions and hard work of the people of Edmonton, and this is only the start.” The Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the first tenants to these new, high-quality council homes at Meridian Water. This impressive development, which is set to deliver three hundred homes by the end of next year, will ensure that more Londoners can benefit from the record-levels of council homes we’re building in the capital. There is also enormous potential for regeneration and community development in Enfield through the new facilities, jobs and training on offer – helping to build a better, fairer, more prosperous London for all.” Mike Woolliscroft, London Divisional Chair, Countryside Partnerships, commented: “As one of London’s most significant regeneration projects, we are proud to have delivered the first council homes for local residents at Meridian Water, in partnership with Enfield Council. “Our ambition has been to transform a challenging brownfield site into a vibrant and sustainable new community where the design encourages residents to have healthy, active lifestyles, and where we can deliver socio-economic value for Enfield residents. Meridian One is setting the benchmark for future phases of the £6bn Meridian Water project, and we’re looking forward to welcoming many more residents over the coming years as the community grows.” This year, Meridian Water has already completed a Community Garden, Enfield Construction Skills Academy, and has been successful in securing £195 million in infrastructure costs for the next phase of the £6 billion regeneration project. Visit the Meridian Water website to find out more. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SUNDERLAND’S distinctive new car park has won a national award in recognition of its excellence. Sunderland City Council’s new Riverside Sunderland Multi Storey Car Park, which provides 657 new spaces at Farringdon Row, was named Best New Car Park Award at the British Parking Awards, an independent competition created and presented by Parking Review magazine to recognise the leading examples of car park management, enforcement, design and teamwork. The MSCP – which was designed by the architectural firms Ryder Architecture and Tonkin Liu, and constructed by Sir Robert McAlpine – beat off strong bids from provision across the country and was recognised alongside facilities in Chester and Stevenage to scoop the urban car park title, the latest in a string of awards for Riverside Sunderland developments. Councillor Kevin Johnston, dynamic city cabinet member, said: “This is yet another award for Riverside Sunderland, which we know is world-class development that is transforming the cityscape with developments that will create jobs and opportunities for our residents. “We are proud to be leading on developments that are of a standard and quality that leads to national recognition. It is what the city and our communities demand of us and deserve.” The new facility opened earlier this summer and is split over 11 levels. It features a striking design that is illuminated on an evening, with two living walls constructed with over 50,000 plants some of which are native to Britain and were carefully selected for their ability to thrive in the local climate. The walls are located on the north and south sides of the car park, the impressive structure spans a staggering 200,000 sq ft and will provide a stunning new gateway to Riverside Sunderland. The quality of the design fits with the ambition of Sunderland City Council to deliver exceptional buildings that raise the bar of the built environment. The car park is one of a number of new buildings emerging at Riverside Sunderland and is part of a plan to boost the number of people living and working in the heart of the city. The ambition is to double the resident population of the city centre from 2,500 to 5,000 and increase employment by 50% to 18,000. For the latest developments from Riverside Sunderland, visit www.riversidesunderland.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The ongoing revival of Sheffield’s historic Leah’s Yard on Cambridge Street celebrated an important construction milestone this week, with the building’s new extension reaching its highest point. Leah’s Yard is seen as the jewel in the crown of Heart of the City – the transformative city centre development programme led by Sheffield City Council and their Strategic Development Partner, Queensberry. The former collection of small industrial workshops is currently being transformed into a new social hub for creative independent businesses. This Grade II* listed building was recently removed from Historic England’s ‘Building at Risk’ register following preliminary structural and roof work, which has brought the building back into usable condition. Work on adding a complementary and sympathetic extension to the building, designed to vastly improve public accessibility and create extra commercial space, began earlier this year and the steel structure has now hit its peak. To celebrate this latest milestone for Leah’s Yard, Sheffield City Council welcomed key representatives from Queensberry, RF Joinery, Turner & Townsend and Lathams, alongside Tom Wolfenden and James O’Hara – the future venue operators – for a tour of the site, along with an official topping-out ceremony. Councillor Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “We are delighted to see Leah’s Yard reach this milestone. The redevelopment of this cherished heritage ensures that the building will remain a key focal point in our city centre for decades to come. This new hub for independent retailers and creative workshops will deliver a modern, fresh and vibrant destination – one that really reflects what Sheffield is all about.” Andrew Davison, Project Director at Queensberry, added: “Leah’s Yard is progressing well and on track to open early next year. The plans for this space are completely unique and, alongside the neighbouring Cambridge Street Collective food hall and live entertainment venue in Bethel Chapel, we expect it to become the social and cultural heartbeat of the city centre.” Once completed in Spring 2024, the venue will be run by Tom Wolfenden, who manages the Cooper Buildings on Arundel Street, and James O’Hara, who runs acclaimed bars such as Public and Picture House Social. The duo plan to breathe new life into the site by transforming it into an experience-led destination for local independent retailers and businesses, creative workshops and social events. A bustling central public courtyard will be surrounded by small boutique shops, while the first and second floors will host around 20 independent working studios. Tom Wolfenden said: “It’s been a long journey to get to this point, but we’re delighted to finally see the end in sight and can’t wait to open next summer. On the upper floors we’re already starting tours of the offices and studios to build our tenant community.” James O’Hara continued: “We’re also speaking to independent retailers and starting to map out the exciting tenant mix within the courtyard. We can’t say much at the moment but get ready for some big news over the coming months.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront is to be the subject of an ambitious new masterplan to ensure its continued growth as a global destination and major economic engine. A report to Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet next Tuesday (September 19th) is seeking approval to launch the search for a team of planning and placemaking specialists, to prepare a strategy and masterplan that will guide the waterfront’s development for the next 10-15 years. Liverpool’s waterfront has undergone huge changes in recent decades with the multi-billion pound development of Liverpool ONE as well as major upgrades to the Royal Albert Dock, Pier Head and Kings Dock, including the creation of an award-winning arena and conference centre, cruise liner terminal and the new Museum of Liverpool. The city’s attractions now draw in millions of new visitors to the city every year and has enabled it to host major international events from European Capital of Culture in 2008 to Eurovision in May this year. More major regeneration projects are to come to fruition along the Mersey shoreline in the coming years, most notably a potential significant housing scheme at Festival Gardens to the south of the city and Everton FC’s new football stadium at Bramley Moore Dock, to the north. Liverpool City Council is also close to finalising the design and delivery strategy for Kings Dock’s further development and National Museums Liverpool and Tate Liverpool are currently leading on regeneration projects at their Royal Albert Dock buildings, including the historic Canning Dock. If approved the Council will issue a tender for the appointment of “an exceptional team with outstanding expertise at an international level” later this year. A key task will be the strategy and masterplan be informed by significant and meaningful engagement with key stakeholders such as Liverpool BID Company and the Canal and River Trust and major land owners such as Grosvenor and Peel Land and Property. Whilst Liverpool’s waterfront is a thriving destination in the city there are challenges around inequality and deprivation in adjoining neighbourhoods, and there are disparities between the demographics of the wards along and adjoining the waterfront. In addition, there are key challenges and opportunities around maximising investment opportunities, connectivity and linkages – north/ south and west/east, public realm and quality of place, conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment, as well as climate change and the city’s ambition to deliver net zero by 2030. The waterfront strategy and masterplan will have seven defining aims, that: In respect of public art, a ‘City Centre and Waterfront Public Art Strategy’ will be scoped out and will be closely aligned with the preparation of the waterfront strategy. Major family-friendly events such as the upcoming River of Light arts festival are seen as a key element in providing an all-year round cultural offer. It is intended that the final waterfront masterplan will be taken forward for adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This SPD would be informed by Liverpool’s Local Plan, which was adopted in 2022, and will complement surrounding masterplans that are being used to guide the development of neighbouring areas such as the city’s Commercial District and Baltic Quarter. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Wates Group is set to expand its presence in London with the appointment of its Living Space business to deliver Brent Council’s Major Works programme across its social housing portfolio. The £35m Major Works contract will commence in July this year and will run for 80 weeks with works including new windows, lift refurbishments, and the installation of new kitchens and bathrooms. Wates will also undertake work to support Brent Council’s fire safety and compliance, including the installation of new sprinkler systems alongside full mechanical and electrical upgrades. External wall insulation will also be installed, forming part of Brent Council’s investment to increase the energy efficiency of its homes as part of its wider social housing retrofit strategy. The new Major Works contract builds on Wates’ existing work on behalf of the council, which includes the refurbishment of four high rise blocks to install external wall insulation, heating and lift refurbishments. Work for Brent Council also includes a range of retrofit installations to increase home efficiency following Wates’ successful retrofit pilot, which reached completion at the end of 2021. The project saw the Wates Retrofit team install energy efficiency measures in void properties, taking them from an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E to B, exceeding the Government’s 2030 target for social housing. James Gregg, Managing Director of the Wates’ southern planned maintenance division, commented: “Having worked with Brent Council over the past eight years, we understand their needs and what they want to achieve for their residents. This places us as an ideal repairs and maintenance partner and will enable a smooth and efficient mobilisation in the coming weeks and months. “There are many strands to social housing repairs and maintenance, all of which are important, not least fire safety compliance and energy efficiency retrofit. Delivering these aspects concurrently, as we will be for Brent Council, is a very effective way of ensuring that all repairs and maintenance needs are prioritised and delivered with real value for money.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Southwark Council has selected Higgins Partnerships as its development partner for the two phase, £176 million estate regeneration of Ledbury Estate in Peckham. Four existing blocks, which were identified as ‘having serious structural and fire safety issues’ by the council, will be replaced with a new development of 340 mixed tenure homes set within six blocks ranging from five to 22 storeys in height. There will also be the reprovision of a community centre and a multi-use games area along with wider estate improvement works. Extensive consultation has taken place with Ledbury Estate residents who voted in favour of demolishing the four blocks and providing modern high quality new homes designed by Karausevic Carson Architects. 224 of these homes will replace the existing homes which will comprise 206 socially rented homes and 18 leaseholds properties. Cllr Helen Dennis, Southwark Council’s Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said, “We’re very pleased to welcome Higgins to the Ledbury Estate project. Their appointment marks the next milestone in our journey to providing high-quality new homes on the estate in line with our residents’ wishes. We look forward to seeing these new homes and amenities become reality as the transformation of the Ledbury Estate gets underway.” Located on the site of the former Bromyard House, Phase one will feature 80 new homes within two blocks. All the affordable rent properties will be completed prior to the occupation of the market sale homes to allow for the decant of residents from the second phase and to give those currently living ‘off site’ a right to return. Phase two will see the demolition of Peterchurch, Sarnsfield and Skenfrith Houses and associated underground garages to create 260 new homes, two commercial units and the new community centre and MUGA. Declan Higgins, Chief Executive Officer for Higgins Group comments, “On the back of our successful partnership with Southwark Council at our Ecole development we are delighted to be appointed as development partner to redevelop Ledbury Estate. “This scheme has undergone extensive consultation with the community who have been at the forefront of the design process; we now look forward to starting work to deliver these much needed new homes for the area. “Throughout the development we will also provide training and employment opportunities and support the up skilling of local people with at least 25% of our labour resources coming from the Southwark area. We will also work with community groups and social enterprises to allow us to design targeted community led social value initiatives which create impact and leave a lasting legacy.” The new homes will be built in accordance with the council’s New Homes Design Standards providing high quality, energy efficient and sustainable homes. The wider neighbourhood will also benefit from landscaping and new public realm with a large, multi-purpose garden courtyard featuring community growing and play area along with a series of tree-lined paths that extend out to create new pedestrian and cycle friendly connections between the Old Kent Road, Pencraig Way and Bird in Bush Park to the south-west. For further information about Higgins Partnerships please visit www.higginspartnerships.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has begun to review Mansfield’s Local Plan, the key strategy document that acts as a blueprint for development in the future. The current Local Plan, which was adopted by Mansfield District Council in 2020, sets out guidelines for how the district will grow and change until 2033. Now, people have a chance to identify issues that the council should consider in evolving the Local Plan to cover the next 15 years and beyond. It is running an eight-week public consultation from 25 August to 20 October as a first stage in its review of the Local Plan during which it will consider “Issues and Opportunities”. Cllr Stuart Richardson, Portfolio Holder for Growth and Regeneration, said: “The council is committed to making sure that it has an up to date and relevant Local Plan that sets out a robust framework for how the district will grow and change, and remains consistent with the latest national guidelines and local circumstances. “The passage of time brings new priorities so, for instance, since the last Local Plan was adopted, we now have the implications of the COVID pandemic to consider and how that has impacted on shopping habits. “There have also been changes to the population and housing requirements along with new legislation and guidance introduced by the government. “This consultation gives the community and other interested stakeholders a chance to shape what issues the Local Plan should consider. I would encourage anyone with an interest in Mansfield’s future to get involved.” The Local Plan sets out a range of policies on matters including housing and employment needs, climate change, flooding, the historic environment and design quality, and town centres and shopping. It also deals with considerations such as the amount of new development there should be and where it should go. Future stages of the Local Plan will identify which sites should be allocated for different types of development. Responses from this new consultation will be used to inform the next stage of the Local Plan which will contain options for which sites could be earmarked for new development. The draft document can be viewed and downloaded online at the council’s planning consultation portal at https://mansfield-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/. People can take part in the consultation by answering questions at the end of each section using the online or paper questionnaires. Printed copies of the Local Plan Issues and Opportunities paper can be viewed at Mansfield Civic Centre or at libraries within the district. A printed copy can also be provided, in exceptional circumstances, where someone is unable to access the document online. These should be returned in person or by mail. To find out more about council planning policy, visit the council website at www.mansfield.gov.uk/planning-policy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barnet Council has signed an agreement with developer Redrow to acquire 249 new-build homes for affordable rent to the borough’s residents. In June, the council’s Cabinet Members voted unanimously to make the purchase, which forms one-quarter of the council’s commitment to deliver 1,000 new affordable homes by 2026. Most of the new homes will be made available for rent starting in October 2023 with the remainder following in January 2024. The properties are part of the latest phase of the Colindale Gardens development and will offer 42 three-bed family homes and 40 that are wheelchair adaptable. The stock will also include studios, one and two-bedroom properties. Barnet Council will acquire the 249 homes through its Housing Revenue Account. The properties and communal areas will be managed by Barnet Homes, adding to its social housing portfolio of 13,000 properties across the borough. Cllr Ross Houston, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes & Regeneration, welcomed the announcement: “As a council, we care for our people and that means providing high quality, affordable housing. We have seized this unique opportunity to take a big step forward in our commitment to deliver 1,000 council homes by 2026. “It represents really good value for money and will make considerable savings on temporary accommodation costs the moment new tenants are able to move in this year. “Delivering the right homes to meet diverse needs now and for future generations, that people can afford and are in the right places, is a key priority and challenge for the council. We are London’s second largest borough by population but have the sixth lowest stock of social housing. Many of our residents are deeply affected by the acute housing shortage and sky-high rents, so providing more genuinely affordable housing will help those at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis.” Paul Muldowney, Managing Director of Redrow London Division, commented: “At Redrow, our commitment to the local community and creating great places to live serves as the driving force behind our collaboration with Barnet Council. We believe that everyone should have access to secure, comfortable, and affordable housing, with this partnership marking a step towards making this vision into a tangible reality. “We’re proud that Colindale Gardens offers high specification apartments surrounded by open green space yet close to excellent amenities and travel links to enjoy the best of the city. In providing 249 new homes for affordable rent, we look forward to seeing our homes become vibrant spaces which seek to provide not just housing, but the foundation for a thriving community.” In March, the council announced sweeping new plans to improve housing in Barnet including enhancing social housing tenants’ security by moving from fixed-term to lifetime tenancies, and committed to investing £2.2m per annum for the next 10 years to tackle damp and mould in the council’s housing stock. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Urban Group (York) Ltd has won a £15 million contract from the City of York Council to provide home repair & upgrades, including energy retrofitting improvements, across its social housing portfolio. Following a competitive tender process, Urban’s Maintenance & Energy team was appointed to cover around 3,500 of the Council’s social housing properties across the city. The five-year contract covers home improvements and repairs, extensive damp works as well as an energy retrofitting programme to make the homes greener and more energy efficient for the residents. Dunnington-based, Urban Group Commercial Director Andrew Green commented: “We are delighted to be working with City of York Council on this important programme of works that will upgrade thousands of homes, making them warmer and more energy efficient, which is obviously very good news for the tenants. “We were able to demonstrate a proven track record in the social housing sector across the North and, with our headquarters also based in York, our team has an excellent understanding and knowledge of the city which means we can hit the ground running.” He added: “We’ll be looking to recruit on the back of this contract win to grow the team, as well as take on some keen apprentices who can learn and progress with Urban over the coming years. This is a great opportunity for anyone who has enthusiasm and wants to learn on the job, whilst gaining industry-recognised qualifications.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
