Commenting on the Government’s announcement of an expansion of permitted development rights, Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair of the Local Government Association said; “There is no doubt that we need more homes as well as to reinvigorate our high streets and town centres. However, premises such as offices, barns, and shops
COMMITTING its future to regional improvement, leading independent multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard has been appointed to a new framework deal with Leicester City Council. Operating on an initial two-year term, with options to extend for a further two, the framework will see Pick Everard flex its broad range of consultancy services, working closely with the council’s
MWJV has published its annual report for year four of Cornwall Council’s BEPS Framework: 2022/2023A Cornish construction and professional services consultancy has generated an added social and economic value of £59.5 million as a result of its work with Cornwall Council over the past four years. Mace Ward Williams Joint
A new research-led report has revealed where public funding is urgently needed to kick-start town centre regeneration and support the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda by stimulating investment in the most neglected areas of the country. National law firm Shakespeare Martineau and planning and design consultancy Marrons have analysed data from
The first phase of a regeneration programme in the London borough of Kingston-upon-Thames is getting underway with inspection support and structural warranty cover from LABC Warranty. A joint venture between Kingston Council and Countryside Partnerships will see the Cambridge Road Estate area revitalised with 2,170 new homes in total, across
GRAHAM, the construction and civil engineering specialist firm, has announced its completion of the new £16m Marsh Barton Railway Station in Exeter for Devon County Council, with the station to open to the public on Tuesday, July 4. The project, which was delivered in collaboration with Network Rail and train
Landscape architecture practice Influence Landscape Planning and Design is celebrating the completion of North Walsham Market Place – its second High Street Heritage Action Zone project. As part of North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone, the completed works have been delivered to improve the balance between pedestrians and vehicles
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects has commenced its first project under the Lincolnshire County Council highways framework contract; the General Works’ Lot contract is to deliver new infrastructure assets as well as infrastructure improvements
A new skills academy has given future students a taste of what it would be like to be part of landmark regeneration projects such as Meridian Water. Delivered through a partnership by Enfield Council, Capital City College Group and Countryside Partnerships, the Enfield Construction Skills Academy officially opened on 14
Nottingham City Council has announced that Nottingham Castle will reopen on 26 June, following redevelopment work. The redevelopment includes a new visitor centre and cafe at the castle’s entrance. It will also include a new adventure playground in the moat in addition to modernised internal galleries and exhibition spaces. The
Commenting on the Government’s announcement of an expansion of permitted development rights, Cllr Shaun Davies, Chair of the Local Government Association said; “There is no doubt that we need more homes as well as to reinvigorate our high streets and town centres. However, premises such as offices, barns, and shops are not always suitable for housing. “Further expanding permitted development rights risks creating poor quality residential environments that negatively impact people’s health and wellbeing, as well as a lack of affordable housing or suitable infrastructure. “It is disappointing that the Government have ignored their own commissioned research that concluded that homes converted through a planning application process deliver higher quality homes than those converted via permitted development rights. The proposals are also at odds with their ambitions to give local communities greater control over developments where they live. “Building the homes the country needs should be delivered through a locally-led planning system, and in the right places supported by the right infrastructure. Only this ensures a mix of high-quality, affordable housing that meets the needs of local communities, while also giving those communities the opportunity to shape and define the area they live in.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
COMMITTING its future to regional improvement, leading independent multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard has been appointed to a new framework deal with Leicester City Council. Operating on an initial two-year term, with options to extend for a further two, the framework will see Pick Everard flex its broad range of consultancy services, working closely with the council’s Estates and Building Services (EBS) department to drive city-wide improvement programmes. Pick Everard will lead ‘Lot A’ on the Project Construction Professional Services Framework, providing multi-disciplinary consultancy across the entirety of the council’s estate, including schools and education, transport, art galleries and museums, leased premises, public and office buildings, and housing. Matt Hall, national director at Pick Everard, said: “This appointment marks a significant period for our business and Leicester City Council, which like all local authorities across the country is working hard to deliver and maintain a building stock fit for current and future sustainability standards. “As sole multi-disciplinary supplier, our aim is to deliver real value to the city, building on our previous work across a broad and varied estate, that will deliver the best possible outcomes, with high quality assets that will positively impact this generation and the next.” Pick Everard will cover a range of projects under the framework agreement, including new builds, extensions, refurbishments and housing builds. In total, it will provide more than 30 multi-disciplinary services, tying into a council-led vision to provide Leicester with a high quality, efficient, effective, and sustainable built environment. Alastair Hamilton, partner at Pick Everard, said: “Our philosophy at Pick Everard is to deliver better together, and with this major appointment, we look to the next phase of enhancing the city we have so rightly called home since 1866. “It is an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy through a programme of works that combines industry leading expertise under one central collaborative relationship. “We’re proud to continue our ongoing work with Leicester City Council and to partner them in this onward journey.” Matt Wallace, director of estates and building services at Leicester City Council, said: “Having undertaken a robust procurement exercise to provide essential construction professional services and support to the council, we are delighted to be working with a successful, Leicester-based company like Pick Everard, that has such a strong and proven track record in local development. “Having access to its supply chain, along with their shared passion for improving the quality of life for people living and working in Leicester, will be invaluable to us as we deliver the council’s vision to sustainably develop the city and support Leicester’s economic growth and future prosperity.” Pick Everard is a major contributor to city-wide improvement programmes, having delivered project management on the £14.5m Leicester Royal Infirmary relocation of East Midland’s Congenital Heart Centre in 2021. For more information on Pick Everard and the services it provides, visit https://www.pickeverard.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MWJV has published its annual report for year four of Cornwall Council’s BEPS Framework: 2022/2023A Cornish construction and professional services consultancy has generated an added social and economic value of £59.5 million as a result of its work with Cornwall Council over the past four years. Mace Ward Williams Joint Venture (MWJV), which is a joint venture between Mace and Ward Williams Associates (WWA), has released its annual report following its fourth year of work with Cornwall Council on the £650 million construction and infrastructure capital programme of investment within the Built Environment Professional Services (BEPS) Framework. Andy Snapes, Board Member at MWJV and Senior Partner at WWA, said: “We are proud to outline the social value impact of MWJV for this year in line with our ongoing commitment to share and engage on this critical area of business within our built environment and construction sector. “The work of MWJV in partnership with our delivery partners is deeply rooted in how we aim to shape positive impact in our communities and to develop a vibrant future-focused workforce in Cornwall, putting into practice the UK Government vision of the Construction Playbook through innovation, collaboration and delivery, sitting alongside positive social outcomes. “The recognition for this impact nationally has been significant over the last year and saw two of our businesses recognised with the illustrious Queen’s Award for Enterprise status within the Sustainable Development category. “MWJV has been focused on delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals in our work at the local level, directly supporting seven of them as shown in the report, and our team includes three verified B Corporations; companies whose objectives are to truly use ‘business as a force for good’.” As well as the added social and economic value it has achieved to date, the 2023 version of the annual report shares a summary of the company’s work and achievements over the past twelve months. Some of the most impressive results achieved by MWJV are its involvement in creating 202 new jobs, delivering 193 career events, facilitating 3,367 hours of work experience, and providing training and development for 150 people, surpassing its original goal by 215%. The joint venture has now spent £27.6 million on local businesses, with £20.3 million of this being spent with SMEs across the region. Andy continued: “From the headline figures of over £59 million of value to the local economy through new jobs, training and upskilling, community and educational volunteering and local spend, through to the very individual impact we are able to create for young people entering the workforce through structured training programmes such as T Levels and apprenticeships, it is clear that economic growth through construction and positive impact is possible through innovative local partnerships such as MWJV. “We celebrate this impact in our 2023 Social Value Report and look forward to its ongoing evolution and growth.” MWJV works with its wide network of local and national suppliers to bring expert and cost-effective project management, architecture, design, engineering, and surveying support to a range of programmes across Cornwall in sectors including transport, education, infrastructure, town regeneration and housing. Local suppliers include teams across architecture, engineering and wider specialisms based in Cornwall and across the South West. Chris Owen from Truro-based MBA Consulting said of working with MWJV on the Cornwall Council BEPS Framework: “All our staff live and work in Cornwall. The framework has given us additional stability in the face of COVID and the subsequent financial turmoil. It has enabled us to employ new staff over the lifetime of the framework, all of whom also live in the area. “It provides additional satisfaction to all of us at MBA to work on projects that benefit the community around us; a sentiment that has been relayed repeatedly to me in the office throughout the past twelve months. “The working relationships within the MWJV have been exemplary. In particular, the discussions with our fellow engineers have been enjoyable and beneficial.” Projects across the region that MWJV has worked on over the past year include Spaceport Cornwall, Schools Backlog Maintenance, Local Town Deals, and Looe Flood Defence. MWJV has also continued its support of a range of charities which aim to make a difference to local life and the environment, including Children’s Hospice South West, Surfers Against Sewage, and Macmillan Cancer Support. The full annual report is available for download here: https://www.mwjv.net/s/MWJV-Social-Value-Report_V12.pdf Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new research-led report has revealed where public funding is urgently needed to kick-start town centre regeneration and support the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda by stimulating investment in the most neglected areas of the country. National law firm Shakespeare Martineau and planning and design consultancy Marrons have analysed data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Government’s Geospatial Data Commission in order to pinpoint towns where public funding is most needed, and those that are primed for private sector investment. As part of the group’s More Than Stores report, which proposes policy solutions to arrest the decline of town centres across the UK, the Regeneration Index ranks 360 of the UK’s largest market towns* in England and Wales based on housing affordability, job creation potential, population growth and accessibility. The research confirms that there is a clear North/South divide, with towns in the South East of England more resilient and successful in attracting public and private sector investment than those in the North. Their relative success is largely due to a more diversified townscape, supported by stable population growth and local job creation. Regeneration Index – the ‘bottom 50’ Only two towns in the South East are ranked among the ‘bottom 50’ (of the Regeneration Index), which means that they urgently need Government support or other public sector investment to kick-start regeneration activity. By contrast, 37 towns in the ‘bottom 50’ are located in in the North of England – including Derby, Spennymoor (Durham), Barnsley (Yorkshire), Selby (Yorkshire), South Shields (Tyne & Wear) and Grimsby. The remaining 21 are located across the rest of England and Wales. While the ‘bottom 50’ towns have been ranked ‘worst’ in terms of their regeneration readiness, it is hoped that identifying their plight will help to inform future public funding decisions at a local and national level. Regeneration Index – the’ top 50’ Just six towns in the North of England – which is defined as the Midlands and beyond – and four in Wales, are in the ‘top 50’ (of the Regeneration Index), which means they are considered to be among those best placed to grow organically, without requiring urgent Government-backed intervention. The remainder are located primarily in the South of England. The ‘top 50’ towns have been ranked best in terms of their regeneration readiness, which means they are best placed to secure inward investment and grow organically, without the need for urgent Government intervention. The rankings have been published as the Government faces continued criticism over the allocation methodology behind its £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund, with critics claiming its broad reach is not targeted enough to help areas most in need of regeneration. The application process is also said to be onerous and bureaucratic, costing local authorities significant time and money when applying for funds. Analysis from the Labour Party has revealed that London will receive a higher allocation of funding (from the Levelling Up Fund) than Yorkshire and the North East, the latter of which will receive almost half of the amount given to local authorities in the South East. Further research by the Institute for Public Policy Research has found that investment in deprived areas of the North of England is amongst the lowest of the world’s most advanced economies. ‘Bottom 50’ Ranked: towns where public investment is most required, according to the analysis Town Region Derby Midlands Caerphilly Wales Spennymoor North East Barnsley Yorkshire Bridgend Wales Selby Yorkshire South Shields North East Grimsby Midlands Halifax Yorkshire Workington North West ‘Top 50’ Ranked: towns best placed to grow organically, without requiring urgent Government-backed intervention, according to the analysis Town Region Wakefield Yorkshire Tewkesbury South West Cheshunt East of England Paignton South West Chard SouthWest Baldock East of England Boscombe South West Chesham South East Bridgewater South West Aldershot South East Alex Smith, managing director of infrastructure and specialist markets at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Our Regeneration Index takes a magnifying glass to town-level investment and sets out to explain why some market towns urgently need Government intervention, whereas others are showing that they can support themselves. Previous studies have looked at this problem regionally or have placed a significant emphasis on cities. They have also assumed that funding is limitless. Both of these approaches overlook local disparities that only a granular, town-centre analysis can reveal. “From the 360 market towns we have analysed, we’ve ranked the 50 most in need of public funding to kickstart regeneration. We’ve also ranked the 50 that are most ‘resilient’, where private sector investment is already evident and more likely to be forthcoming in the future, “This isn’t determined geographically, but on a range of demographic and social factors, not least employment density, population growth and housing affordability in sustainable communities close to or within town centres.” In a call to central government and local authorities, the report from Shakespeare Martineau and Marrons puts forward a series of policy recommendations to encourage town-centre regeneration. The NHS, planning, housing, and retail are all key areas of focus. The report recommends the introduction of micro-scale ‘health hubs’ to provide treatment for minor complaints and health conditions on the high street – an activity which could also help to alleviate pressure on NHS services. Other recommendations include the creation of Town Centre Priority Zones and Regeneration Panels within local authorities, and a centralised National Brownfield Map. The latter should be supported by a ‘Prove it or Lose it’ policy, where brownfield land is put up for auction if planning consent is not secured within two years of it being advertised. The report comes after another year of decline for high streets across the UK, where more than 50 shops closed each day in 2022, according to the Centre for Retail Research. The total number of retail closures last year was 17,000, 50% higher than in 2021, and the highest in five years. Closures from independent retailers made up 65% of the total. Brian Mullin, head of Marrons, said: “The evidence suggests that our high streets are
The first phase of a regeneration programme in the London borough of Kingston-upon-Thames is getting underway with inspection support and structural warranty cover from LABC Warranty. A joint venture between Kingston Council and Countryside Partnerships will see the Cambridge Road Estate area revitalised with 2,170 new homes in total, across a mix of home types and tenures, including 941 affordable homes and a minimum of 114 additional council homes. Block E on the site of a former community centre will benefit from LABC Warranty’s support. This £55m development within Phase 1 of the regeneration masterplan will create 206 new homes across six core buildings, including a 12-storey structure. The development consists of 134 private homes, 64 homes for social rent and eight for shared ownership, with all buildings joined by a shared green podium space accessible to all residents. LABC Warranty’s London Sales Director Julian Roper said: “In Kingston as in many other London boroughs, a tremendous amount of work is underway to provide new homes and spaces better designed for modern living, as well as more affordable homes so urgently needed. “It is very rewarding to be part of this work and I am delighted LABC Warranty will support Countryside Partnerships and Kingston Council in the construction of this part of the Cambridge Road Estate regeneration project.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GRAHAM, the construction and civil engineering specialist firm, has announced its completion of the new £16m Marsh Barton Railway Station in Exeter for Devon County Council, with the station to open to the public on Tuesday, July 4. The project, which was delivered in collaboration with Network Rail and train operating company Great Western Railway (GWR), delivered a new two-platform station which will provide services for more than 7,000 people employed at Marsh Barton, while also supporting development plans for around 2,500 new homes across the estate. The new Marsh Barton station is located near the ‘Energy from Waste’ plant on the eastern edge of Marsh Barton industrial estate. The scheme involved the construction of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge that will supplement the new station, providing step-free access and improving active travel links between Alphington, Marsh Barton, and the Riverside Valley Park. GRAHAM utilised its vast civil engineering expertise to deliver the bridge in addition to the station, overcoming various planning and design challenges along the way. Andrew Henry, Contracts Director at GRAHAM, said: “We are extremely proud to have delivered this fantastic new station in collaboration with Devon County Council, Network Rail, and GWR. The new Marsh Barton station will reduce road congestion and offer more sustainable travel choices for passengers in the region. With thousands of people using the route for both work and leisure travel, the station will provide a boost to the local economy and reduce the region’s carbon emissions, providing lasting impact to the communities it serves. Andrew added: “This project presented several logistical challenges, but our innovative approach and strong working relationships enabled us to overcome them successfully. We are grateful to our project team and supply chain for their hard work and dedication to delivering this important new station and footbridge.” Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Environment and Transport, said: “It’s excellent news that the station has passed all of the necessary checks and that it can now open to passengers on Tuesday 4 July. The station will be a huge asset to this part of Exeter, providing convenient access to Marsh Barton trading estate as well as connecting with active links to access other areas of the city.” GWR Business Development Director, Tom Pierpoint, said: “New stations such as this are vital in bringing the railway closer to people as we become mindful of the need to live and travel more sustainably. Marsh Barton will help to ease congestion on some of Exeter’s busiest roads and offer a more environmentally friendly option for those who normally drive into the area.” Bogdan Lupu, Network Rail’s industry programme director for the South West, said:“We are delighted to welcome this brand-new fully accessible station in Marsh Barton onto the rail network. It will unlock better connections to jobs, events, and opportunities for people in Exeter and across the South West.” Marsh Barton station will be served by hourly Great Western Railway services between Paignton and Exmouth, with additional half-hourly services at peak times. The project has been funded by the Department for Transport’s New Stations Fund, Devon County Council, Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, Exeter City Council, Teignbridge District Council, Network Rail and GWR. For more information about the project, please visit GRAHAM’s website at https://www.graham.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Landscape architecture practice Influence Landscape Planning and Design is celebrating the completion of North Walsham Market Place – its second High Street Heritage Action Zone project. As part of North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone, the completed works have been delivered to improve the balance between pedestrians and vehicles in the North Norfolk town and enable it to embrace its heritage and community. Nottinghamshire-based Influence were the public realm lead consultant, project manager and designer of the scheme, which was funded by North Norfolk District Council, Historic England and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. The three funding organisations made a collective investment of £2.6m in the placemaking scheme, out of the overall North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone budget of £3.8m. Having previously worked on the urban planning and design of Kettering High Street Heritage Action Zone in 2022, North Walsham is the second High Street Heritage Action Zone Influence have worked on. In North Walsham, the objective of the works was to regenerate the Market Place, situated within the town’s Conservation Area, to rejuvenate the High Street and increase pedestrian footfall and dwell time. In addition, a wider investment in the North Norfolk town has delivered a new travel hub, new toilet facilities, new benches, the planting of trees and plants and remedial works to some buildings. Norfolk County Council managed the placemaking works of the project and Tarmac, a sustainable building materials and construction solutions business, carried out the majority of the construction works. The completion of the North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone was marked last week with an event involving representatives from construction partners, Historic England, North Norfolk District Council and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. The event involved a tour of the revamped Market Place and other nearby improvements and included speeches from Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director for Historic England, North Norfolk District Council Chief Executive Steve Blatch and Chris Starkie CEO of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, followed by a performance from The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and North Walsham High School. Chartered practice Influence provides expertise in project management, environmental planning, feasibility and concept development, master planning and urban design, landscape design, visual impact assessment, expert witness and arboriculture. Shona Hatton, associate director at Influence, said: “High Street Heritage Action Zones are such a key part of the future for our towns – especially post the pandemic – and are often driven by a strong local community interest. Revitalising and regenerating our high streets whilst reinstating the heritage roots is critical to their success, now and in the future. “North Walsham is a vibrant market town but has been waiting for a long time to bring forward a high street public realm project. The Influence team and I were honoured to have been selected to work on this important project, and are pleased to have supported North Norfolk District Council’s in-house team in its delivery. The opening celebration on 11 May demonstrated how public realm improvements can kick start wider renewal of Conservation Areas and The Shambles terraced gardens are an excellent example of how revealing heritage can transform disregarded spaces into places with unique character. “Our previous experience in the delivery of High Street Heritage Action Zones gave us specialist knowledge and understanding of the challenges and huge opportunities in our high streets – we have used that experience to great effect to reimagine the physical and social environment of North Walsham- to enable it to be a prosperous town where people want to live, work and relax.” Tony Calladine, East England Regional Director, Historic England, said: “It’s wonderful to see this remarkable transformation in the town, from the visually welcoming area of Church Approach to the huge undertaking of the Market Place renovations. Partnership working with North Norfolk District Council and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership has led to some remarkable outcomes, and this work continues with exciting projects to revitalise The Cedars and the former Barclays Bank. North Walsham’s historic character shines through and offers an attractive experience for residents and visitors alike.” Chris Starkie, CEO, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “North Walsham, like other town centres in our region, serves a substantial hinterland, and making it more pedestrian-friendly and accessible will improve trading conditions and strengthen its economic viability. It is crucial that our town and city centres receive the financial support need in order to thrive, especially after the disruption of recent years, and I’m delighted to see first-hand the enhancements delivered by this project.” Other members of the North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone project team include Gleeds as quantity surveyor, HETA as master planners and consultation, Rees Bolter Architects as heritage consultants and BSP Consulting on highways. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects has commenced its first project under the Lincolnshire County Council highways framework contract; the General Works’ Lot contract is to deliver new infrastructure assets as well as infrastructure improvements across the county over 4 years. The works to Marsh Lane roundabout on the A16 and works to improve active travel links in Boston near Wyberton Low Road are the first set of Lincolnshire ‘Levelling Up’ road improvements to be carried out. The Marsh Lane roundabout improvements and Boston Active Travel are expected to cost a total of £5.7 million. Winvic commenced construction on 16 May and the scheme is expected to be complete within six months. The major improvements to Marsh Lane roundabout will reduce congestion on the A16, improve safety and future-proof the roundabout for future A16 upgrades down the line. 3,070 m2 of carriageway on the approaches to the existing roundabout on the A16 will be widened to two lanes, as will the roundabout. The alignment of the roundabout will be moved to facilitate its widening from 21.5m diameter to 27m. 410m of new drainage will be installed as part of the roundabout upgrade. Mass traffic signals infrastructure works will be undertaken to the crossroad junction with 4,025m2 of carriageway treatment works. The works also include the creation of a three-quarter mile active travel route in Boston, addressing the conflict between cycle users and HGVs on Marsh Lane through the Riverside Industrial Estate. The pavements will be widened and a new cycle lane will be installed. The two-lane carriageway will be reduced to one with traffic management on the A16 for up to 10 weeks. Later in the project, temporary traffic signals and a series of night-time road closures will be used. Rob Cook, Director of Civils and Infrastructure at Winvic, said: “We have been extremely busy behind the scenes since we were awarded the highways framework contract by Lincolnshire County Council last year, ensuring we were fully prepared in advance of being awarded our first scheme. Nearby communities, businesses and road users will be our priority, as well as keeping people safe. Our continued one-team working with the Council will help to ensure the programme is delivered swiftly and safely with as little disruption as possible.” Cllr Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said “As with any major road improvement project, some disruption on local roads is inevitable when work is underway. However, we’ll be making all efforts to keep traffic moving and maintain access to all businesses. Once construction starts, the main point-of-contact for residents and businesses for any traffic management updates, access issues or queries will be the project’s dedicated Public Liaison Officer, Sophie Ward-Owen. She will be available by email at Sophie.Ward-owen@owen-partners.co.uk.” Both projects will be funded by a portion of the £20m in ‘Levelling Up’ funding awarded to the county council in October 2021. The remaining funding will be used across four projects, including improvements to Spalding’s A16/A151 Springfield Roundabout and A16/B1180 Greencell Roundabout. The ‘General Works’ Lot was awarded to Winvic by Lincolnshire County Council in April 2022. Works to be undertaken by Winvic on A and B class roads in Lincolnshire are likely to include the construction of roundabouts, major highways widening or dualling, bridge construction and service diversions and installation as well as the installation of drainage and street lighting. For more information about this and other major highways projects, visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/majorprojects. For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new skills academy has given future students a taste of what it would be like to be part of landmark regeneration projects such as Meridian Water. Delivered through a partnership by Enfield Council, Capital City College Group and Countryside Partnerships, the Enfield Construction Skills Academy officially opened on 14 June with workshops to demonstrate the wide range of courses on offer. The academy aims to train around 500 people per year enabling local people to develop skills to access good quality work. There are several positions available for people at the academy to gain employment in the construction of Meridian Water, Enfield Council’s landmark regeneration project in the east of the borough. Enfield Council is committed to empowering people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in Enfield by providing education and training. The academy will offer courses and apprenticeships in core construction skills with a focus on sustainable development based on the needs of the industry. Learners will benefit from a range of facilities including dedicated indoor and outdoor workspaces to give them hands-on skills training using various construction methods and equipment. The Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan said: “Meridian Water is about benefiting the local Edmonton community. By investing in Enfield through programmes such as the Enfield Construction Skills Academy the Council can help to deliver positive outcomes that will enable people to gain the qualifications they need for a successful career in the industry. This investment will ensure people have ongoing and sustainable employment which in turn will support the local economy.” “We are thrilled to see the first learners arriving at the academy this summer and hope they continue onto careers across the development of the Meridian Water site.” Kate Ives, Strategic Growth Director, London at Countryside Partnerships, commented: “The need for the construction industry to recruit and retain talent in the sector has never been greater, so we are immensely proud to open the Enfield Construction Skills Academy alongside our partners Enfield Council and Capital City College Group. Providing the workforce of the future with the skills and training opportunities to help deliver the crucial Meridian Water regeneration programme and more, the academy is set to leave a considerable legacy across the borough and beyond.” Kurt Hintz, Executive Principal of Capital City College Group, said: “At CCCG, we are committed to working with employers to reduce the huge shortfall of skilled construction workers in the UK. The academy will provide excellent construction training to industry standards to boost employment in Enfield and support the local and wider economy.” “The academy will further enhance CONEL’s excellent reputation for training people for great construction careers. Our experienced teachers have a huge wealth of skills and knowledge from across the industry from bricklaying and plumbing to carpentry and electrical, to give students and apprentices the best possible training. Many of our programmes will place an emphasis on sustainable development in line with our Mayor’s Academy Green Hub” “We look forward to building our relationship with Enfield Council and Countryside Partnerships and the new academy becoming a centre of excellence for construction training in London.” Enfield Construction Skills Academy is the latest addition to the ever-growing Meridian Water development which will deliver 10,000 homes and 6,000 jobs. The academy is run by the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) which is part of CCCG. To learn more about the development, visit the Meridian Water website where you can also find information on the Enfield Construction Skills Academy. To explore the range of courses available visit CCCG’s website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Nottingham City Council has announced that Nottingham Castle will reopen on 26 June, following redevelopment work. The redevelopment includes a new visitor centre and cafe at the castle’s entrance. It will also include a new adventure playground in the moat in addition to modernised internal galleries and exhibition spaces. The City Council was handed back the site following the liquidation of Nottingham Castle Trust last November. A decision was taken by the Council’s Executive Board on 21 March 2023 to work towards reopening the whole site in June managed directly by Nottingham City Council as part of its Museums and Galleries service. Commenting on the reopening Cllr Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce that Nottingham Castle will open again on Monday 26th June. Nottingham without its castle is like Robin Hood without his merry men, so it’s going to be fantastic to have it back at the heart of our city’s life. “We’ve already seen with the Coronation events and the sold-out Eurovision event that people are eager to return to the site – and we’re very keen to welcome them back. With the final chance for a grounds only sneak preview with the new ‘Medieval Legends’ open day, visitors of all ages can discover the grounds of the Castle during the bank holiday at the end of May ahead of the full reopening of the site. “We hope this announcement will come as welcome news, as we have endeavoured to listen to what visitors didn’t like about the Trust’s admission arrangements, and I believe the simpler pricing and exceptional value we are announcing will help to encourage visitors, near and far, to come back again and again.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
