Last week YMCA St Paul’s Group, Thornsett and Neilcott Construction marked a major milestone in the redevelopment of the YMCA Wimbledon – a new state-of-the-art building facing on to The Broadway, Wimbledon. This ceremony marks the topping out of the new YMCA Wimbledon building, an exciting development that, when complete,
THE future transformation of Skegness has moved a crucial step closer today as plans are submitted to deliver a 136-hectare sustainable urban extension creating hundreds of homes, much-needed jobs for the local community – and an exciting new future for the town’s generations to come. The planned Skegness Gateway development
Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils, said: “Borough finances remain in a critical condition. Before today’s statement from the chancellor we estimated a £700 million shortfall next year for councils in the capital, which means a bleak future for many of the local services our communities rely on. “Council
The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee on 3 November, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps of the Local Plan allocation for housing development. Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the
Over 90 projects worth more than £700m delivered across South West Scotland since 2012 hub South West Scotland (hub SWS) has marked its 10-year anniversary as one of Scotland’s leading delivery partners for community-changing infrastructure projects. One of Scotland’s leading public-private partnerships, hub SWS provides high quality and cost-efficient infrastructure
MWJV has published its annual report for year three of Cornwall Council’s BEPS Framework: 2021/2022 A Cornish construction and professional services consultancy has generated an added social and economic value of £34.9 million as a result of its work with Cornwall Council over the past three years. Mace Ward Williams
Contractor G F Tomlinson has completed construction works on the AMP building at Arnold Town Centre in Gedling, Nottinghamshire. The flagship scheme benefited from an opening ceremony, attended by Deputy Leader, Councillor Michael Payne, Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of D2N2, Will Morlidge, tenants from three of the new units
Almost £6 billion has been given out in discounts through the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme since the size of the discount was increased in 2012, new analysis by the Local Government Association reveals. The LGA, which represents more than 350 councils in England and Wales, warns that the scheme
CHESHIRE West and Chester Council, together with its partners, has taken possession of a new transformational £16m public services hub to complete the first phase of redevelopment in Ellesmere Port town centre. The building, named The Portal, was designed by leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. The
Despite Covid, local authorities spent over £100 million more on construction in 2020/21 than in 2015/16 Welwyn Hatfield Council increased its construction funding the most (5,482%) On average, each local authority spent £28 million on construction in 2020/21 – up 3% New research has revealed the UK local authorities that are increasing their construction funding at the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Last week YMCA St Paul’s Group, Thornsett and Neilcott Construction marked a major milestone in the redevelopment of the YMCA Wimbledon – a new state-of-the-art building facing on to The Broadway, Wimbledon. This ceremony marks the topping out of the new YMCA Wimbledon building, an exciting development that, when complete, will also provide 135 new homes and two ground floor commercial units. The project partners were joined for the ceremony by the Mayor of Merton, Councillor Joan Henry, the Deputy Mayor of Merton, Councillor Agatha Akyigyina OBE, the Deputy Leader of Merton Council Councillor Eleanor Stringer, and local ward representative Councillor Paul Kohler. The new YMCA Wimbledon building will provide a modern living space for residents including 121 hostel rooms with en-suite bathrooms and cooking facilities. This represents Phase 1 of the redevelopment of the current YMCA site. Residents and the wider community will be able to access enhanced facilities which include a gym, studio space, a children’s play area and new YMCA café. The new facilities are expected to open for use in Summer 2023. This new setting will enhance the quality of service and support that YMCA St Paul’s Group is able to offer to residents and represents a new chapter in the organisation’s work in Merton, which has been ongoing for almost 150 years. To progress the redevelopment of the site, YMCA St Paul’s Group partnered with specialist developer Thornsett and Neilcott Construction. Richard James, CEO of YMCA St Paul’s Group, said: “It’s brilliant to see the new YMCA Wimbledon building take shape – we’re over the moon to have reached this crucial milestone in the project. Meeting the needs of our residents and local community is vital and so we’re delighted to be another step closer to the opening. “We’re thankful to Neilcott, Thornsett, DLA, Merton Council, the Mayor of London and the local community for making this a reality and for their ongoing dedication and support of the project. Myself and the whole YMCA Wimbledon team are very much looking forward to welcoming our residents and the community into the building when it’s completed in 2023.” Gerard Cunningham, Executive Chairman of Thornsett said: “We are delighted to have reached this important milestone. We have worked closely with YMCA St Paul’s Group, Neilcott, Merton Council and the local community to reach this point. These new facilities will serve the community well into the future and further the YMCA’s crucial work.” “We look forward to marking the full completion and opening of the new YMCA building next year. We will then start work on the next phase, which will provide much-needed business space and homes for first-time buyers.” Phase 2 of the project will begin once installation and occupation of the new YMCA Building is complete. This will involve the demolition of the former YMCA building and its replacement with new homes and business units. This work is expected to take a further two years to complete. Merton Council’s Planning Committee resolved to grant consent for the redevelopment in December 2020. Since then, the project has progressed to schedule with all work on site due to be complete by early 2026. The work on site has been accompanied by a Construction Working Group that has provided a forum for local residents and businesses to receive updates and bring matters to the development team’s attention. The Working Group will continue to meet during the fit out of the new building and the next phase of works. As part of the community effort, four of the current residents at the YMCA are working with Neilcott on site and are playing a vital role as the scheme progresses Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
THE future transformation of Skegness has moved a crucial step closer today as plans are submitted to deliver a 136-hectare sustainable urban extension creating hundreds of homes, much-needed jobs for the local community – and an exciting new future for the town’s generations to come. The planned Skegness Gateway development to the west of the town will provide more than 20 hectares of combined retail, business and industrial space. It also will provide 1,000 new homes – including specialist housing, hundreds of jobs, much-needed open space and recreational amenities and a college and learning campus with space for business startups. East Lindsey District Council will soon consult on a draft Local Development Order (LDO) allowing the opportunity for the public and other stakeholders to comment on the proposals. The Skegness Gateway, on land principally owned by local family business Croftmarsh, with additional areas owned by the Scarbrough family, is set to breathe new life into an area of the Lincolnshire coast that drastically needs change in order to secure its future, boosting the local economy and providing the education and jobs for local people that will encourage them to stay in the area. Croftmarsh says that the project is vital for the future-proofing of Skegness, helping it to take its rightful place in the East Midlands as a place of opportunity and ambition. The scheme will also boost social value for local people – both existing and new residents. Sue Bowser, of Croftmarsh, said: “We are pleased to support the council in its vision to bring these ambitious plans to reality. This LDO submission is a really significant step. Our family has lived and worked in Skegness for many generations, so it’s a great source of pride that we can support a development that will help secure the town’s future by creating thousands of jobs and homes for both existing local residents and attract a new generation of people to the area. “We are working closely with East Lindsey District Council and other partners to bring forward a scheme that will work alongside the regeneration being enabled by the Towns Fund.” Once complete, the sustainable urban extension will help establish the town as a hub for investment, opportunity and ambition, as well as creating a new sustainable community that blends high-quality new homes with plentiful green space. Sue added: “We know that Skegness is a town that needs economic transformation. The mechanism for that is through urban regeneration and expansion of skills, training and education – all secured by investment and infrastructure and digital connectivity. “Ours is a town in real need. There isn’t enough money in the town to pay for this all year round and the secret to this is to have more people living here. We need to create jobs. We need to build infrastructure and provide the significant benefits that government is seeking in places such as Skegness. “We want to enable the delivery of hundreds of new homes not just for the people who live in the local area – but for those people we want to attract to come and live and work in Skegness. This scheme will transform the area, putting it on the map and making the town famous not just for its beaches, but for its enterprise.” The aspirations for the Skegness Gateway have been showcased to the local public and stakeholders through engagement events and were well received as a catalyst for economic growth and wider regeneration. Matt Warman, MP for Boston and Skegness said: “This local sustainable development includes a state of the art learning campus funded through the Skegness Town Deal, providing new training opportunities for the coast. Importantly, training including digital skills, motor vehicle, construction and engineering, will allow people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to get the jobs they want. “Removing barriers to learning is a key focus for the Towns Fund and I’m delighted that this funding from Government will be helping to deliver these local opportunities.” The Sanderson family – which owns the majority of the land set for development – has lived and worked in the Skegness area for seven generations and has long been passionate about securing the town’s future by providing jobs, skills and opportunities. Neil Sanderson, also of Croftmarsh and Sue’s brother, said: “Skegness Gateway really is close to our hearts and homes, and making sure it becomes the reality that puts our town firmly on the map is our key aim. This is a town that we have grown up in and really understand what a difference the scheme and its benefits will make to local people. “The LDO submission marks a key point in the journey to making these plans a reality for the whole of Skegness and the wider area to benefit from. We look forward to continuing our support to East Lindsey District Council throughout the process – and to making its vision a reality.” To find out more about Skegness Gateway, please visit the website at www.skegnessgateway.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils, said: “Borough finances remain in a critical condition. Before today’s statement from the chancellor we estimated a £700 million shortfall next year for councils in the capital, which means a bleak future for many of the local services our communities rely on. “Council tax is not the answer to the inadequate funding we’re grappling with. Council tax rises during a cost-of-living crisis are extremely difficult for the struggling households we’re determined to support. But even if council tax goes up, it could never plug that £700m funding gap. “Boroughs need proper investment from the government. Just as ministers worked in partnership with councils during the Covid-19 pandemic, we now require similar support in the face of the current economic emergency. We stand ready to work together in finding a sustainable solution that protects local services, helps Londoners through cost-of-living pressures, and secures the economic growth we all want to see.” London Councils’ analysis ahead of the Autumn Statement showed boroughs in the capital face a funding gap of £400m this year (2022-23) and £700m next year (2023-24). Local authorities are highly dependent on central government funding and there are no realistic options for boroughs to raise the £700m through other means. If boroughs were to try generating the £700m from London’s council taxpayers, council tax bills would need to rise by around 18%. There are strict legal limits on local authorities raising council tax. Before the changes announced by the chancellor at the Autumn Statement, London boroughs could only raise council tax by 2.99% and would need to hold a referendum to go above that. London Councils’ calculation of a £700m funding shortfall next year already factors in an anticipated increase in council tax revenue. The cross-party group estimates that the government permitting council tax increases of 5% could still only close the gap by £80m, if boroughs chose the new maximum increase. London Councils wants to see significant reform of local government finance so that boroughs have more resource-raising flexibilities and are less reliant on central government funds and council tax. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The next phase for Kirklees Dewsbury Riverside Development has been approved at Strategic Planning Committee on 3 November, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps of the Local Plan allocation for housing development. Strategic Planning Committee granted planning permission based on full details of the first phase of access road into the site, and outline details for the provision of new community facilities and up to 350 new homes. The application also supports the delivery of high-quality pedestrian and cycle facilities connecting to the new signalised site access junction at the existing Forge Lane / Lees Hall Road junction, as well as the ability to connect to the new Ravensthorpe Railway Station which is part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The next steps include the council working with local people to progress an Inclusive Communities Framework for the area which will feed the community’s future needs into the next stages of developing the site alongside external partners. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “This is an exciting step towards the creation of a vibrant and welcoming new community which has been made possible by collaborative working with local people, the council, Homes England, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail. We are committed to ensuring that the new Riverside development works for new and existing residents, many of whom have had their say about the proposals during the consultation phase, helping us better understand the aspirations and needs of the local community.” The first phase of construction has recently been completed by local company, The Casey Group Ltd with the creation of a new allotment site that will replace the original site of 25 plots with 43 plots. The transition of the existing allotment holders will start in the coming months. The planning application can be viewed on the council’s planning portal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Over 90 projects worth more than £700m delivered across South West Scotland since 2012 hub South West Scotland (hub SWS) has marked its 10-year anniversary as one of Scotland’s leading delivery partners for community-changing infrastructure projects. One of Scotland’s leading public-private partnerships, hub SWS provides high quality and cost-efficient infrastructure projects for the public sector, spanning education, social housing, healthcare, leisure, office and regeneration projects. Since it was formed in 2012, the company, led by Chief Executive Michael Ross since 2021, has delivered an incredible portfolio of 90 projects worth over £717m. More than 20 projects are currently in construction and development, worth over £480m. With a fierce commitment to driving economic development across south west Scotland, hub SW has awarded a total of £365,287,517 worth of work packages to local construction companies across the territory. In addition, since its inception, hub SW has created 680 jobs and over 630 apprentices across south west Scotland. hub SW marked the milestone occasion with an event in Glasgow on Thursday 10 November which was attended by over 200 colleagues and staff from dozens of participant and partner organisations. Welcoming the anniversary, hub SWS Chair, Dr Willie Mackie, said: “We are very proud to have reached this fantastic milestone – celebrating ten years of delivering infrastructure projects which are truly life changing to local communities across south west Scotland. “Michael leads a fantastic team who are all champions for our company and the incredible economic and social benefits it helps deliver. The passion, commitment and expertise of our people underpin each and every project we deliver, from inception to close. “It was fantastic to welcome so many of our colleagues from across the industry to our celebration. Their support is invaluable. We look forward to many more years of delivering projects for south west Scotland.” Championing economic development across its territory has been a crucial part of hub SW’s work over the last decade and to help spread its support, it has created and operates three bespoke training programmes – Build Lanarkshire, Build Ayrshire and Build Dumfries and Galloway. Now in its fifth year, the Build programme offers businesses in the construction sector the opportunity to gain valuable industry advice to help them grow and achieve their market goals. The free programme is delivered over eight weeks and welcomes those specialising across all areas of construction. When you also overlap the skills programme focused on STEM initiatives with local schools and colleges, along with work experience and apprentices and the community investment model, hub SW offers a proven platform for delivering tangible positive outcomes for local communities. Overview of hSW deliverables since 2012: hub South West Scotland (overall): ● 91 projects completed worth £717m ● 680 jobs created ● 633 apprentices created ● 509 work experience placements offered ● 429 local supply chain engagement events Ayrshire ● 35 projects completed worth £398m ● 435 jobs created ● 404 apprentices created ● 281 work experience placements offered ● 246 local supply chain engagement events Lanarkshire ● 21 projects completed worth £157m ● 185 jobs created ● 167 apprentices created ● 176 work experience placements offered ● 127 local supply chain engagement events Dumfries & Galloway ● 6 projects completed worth £87m ● 60 jobs created ● 62 apprentices created ● 52 work experience placements offered ● 56 local supply chain engagement events ENDS. CONTACT DETAILS For more information, please contact: Amy Groden – amy.groden@perceptivecommunicators.co.uk / Tel: 07791 708659 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MWJV has published its annual report for year three of Cornwall Council’s BEPS Framework: 2021/2022 A Cornish construction and professional services consultancy has generated an added social and economic value of £34.9 million as a result of its work with Cornwall Council over the past three years. Mace Ward Williams Joint Venture (MWJV), which is a joint venture between Mace and Ward Williams Associates, has released its annual report. This follows its third 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. In the report the Truro-based firm shared a summary of its work across the programmes to date. The added social and economic value has been achieved through the creation of new jobs, facilitated training and via spend with local and small businesses. Jeremy Dunn, MWJV’s Managing Director said: “In the built environment sector we know that we can have a more profound impact than is often understood, and this overview of our work to date reinforces that. “MWJV is a team of Project and Cost Managers, Architects, Engineers and many others – all working as a local Cornish-based team to create spaces, infrastructure and buildings that improve people’s lives and support the local economy. As well as the calculated economic impact, the long-term legacy that such work with Cornwall Council can create is significant to ensure a capable and vibrant future workforce for the county. “Our achievement of the social value targets which we set up and agreed with Cornwall Council from the standards of the Construction Industry Training Board is a real high point. For instance, we’ve created 95 new jobs across our partner businesses in the region and 15 apprenticeships against a target total of nine, exceeded the target of four construction careers events by 41 and delivered 199 weeks of training against a target of 63.” MWJV works with its wide network of local and national suppliers to bring expert and cost-effective project management, architecture, engineering and surveying support to a range of programmes across Cornwall ranging from transport, schools, town regeneration and housing. Projects the company has been working on include Spaceport Cornwall, Looe Flood Defence, Town Deals for Truro, St Ives, Camborne and Penzance, and the Schools Basic Needs and Backlog Maintenance Programmes. Dunn continued: “We’ve had some great results and are happy to be able to evidence our value and continued improvement. We’ve learned a lot from working on the BEPS Framework and are now looking forward to our fourth year where we hope to continue to exceed our targets. “The annual reports are a great chance to reflect on the work we’ve been doing and are an important step in helping us to continue to refine and improve our processes to ensure we’re delivering the best and most cost-effective work for the people of Cornwall.” The report also explores the financial performance of the company which this year turned over £8.17m with £16,000 in charitable donations. Key performance indicators are shared, with the vast majority meeting and exceeding targets, and customer satisfaction has resulted in a net promoter score of 47. The full annual report is available for download from MWJV’s website: https://www.mwjv.net/our-performance Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor G F Tomlinson has completed construction works on the AMP building at Arnold Town Centre in Gedling, Nottinghamshire. The flagship scheme benefited from an opening ceremony, attended by Deputy Leader, Councillor Michael Payne, Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of D2N2, Will Morlidge, tenants from three of the new units and representatives from G F Tomlinson. “We’re really pleased to have successfully completed The AMP building and play our part in contributing towards Gedling Borough Council’s pledge to decrease its CO2 emissions by 2030. The flagship building is a significant investment for the local region, which will revitalise the town centre and help to boost the local economy. We look forward to seeing residents enjoy the new shops and eateries and welcoming visitors to the community,” said Craig Stopper, Regional Construction Framework Manager at G F Tomlinson. Completed through Gedling Borough Council and procured via the SCAPE Regional Construction framework, the £4 million scheme will be creating spaces that will bring a sustainable legacy within the local community. As proof, the two-storey building will be home to new start-up businesses, including a wine tasting experience outlet, a cat and dog accessory and treats store, a cake shop and delicatessen, as well the Post Office. Funding for the project came from the council’s capital programme budget, which was boosted by a successful bid for the £1.25 million D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s Local Growth Fund to support town centre improvements. Overall, 40 new jobs have also been created, through business employment and construction of the new buildings. At the heart of the building’s design are sustainability and renewable energy, with 51 solar panels, natural ventilation points, high efficiency LED lighting and air source heat pumps having been installed. Rainwater retention tanks have also been installed to reduce flood risks and feed the semi-mature trees that have been planted around the public realm to offset carbon emissions. “We are incredibly pleased that the AMP building is officially complete, and our new tenants will begin moving into this wonderful new building in the heart of Arnold Town Centre,” commented Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke. “I would like to thank everyone involved in helping to get this ambitious project over the line, it has taken a colossal amount of work to get this done by Gedling Borough Council staff, G F Tomlinson and several other partners who all contributed to this project and made it a success. We made a manifesto pledge that we would revitalise the town centre and this will be the jewel in the crown for Arnold,” he concluded. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Almost £6 billion has been given out in discounts through the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme since the size of the discount was increased in 2012, new analysis by the Local Government Association reveals. The LGA, which represents more than 350 councils in England and Wales, warns that the scheme is becoming unsustainable, with councils struggling to rebuild homes as quickly as they are being sold. The size of the discounts available were increased in April 2012, and as a result the average discount has increased by 150 per cent to more than £67,000 in 2020/21. At the same time, this has led to a quadrupling in the number of Right to Buy Sales. Councils are also not able to keep all of the money from RTB sales. This means that they have only been able to replace around a third of homes sold since 2012, impacting on their ability to provide housing for homeless and vulnerable families. While Right to Buy has helped many families get on the housing ladder, the LGA said the scheme faces an uncertain future unless councils are given the flexibility to set discounts locally and retain 100 per cent of sales receipts to fund the replacement of homes sold off under the scheme. Councils also need to be able to combine RTB receipts with government grant funding, such as the Affordable Homes Programme, and transfer funding from sales to ALMOs or housing companies to give them greater flexibility over how new council housing is delivered. Cllr David Renard, housing spokesperson for the LGA, said: “Councils want to urgently address the number of people on waiting lists for a council home and stuck in temporary accommodation. At a time of an escalating cost of living crisis, we urgently need to build more council homes, not have less. “It is becoming impossible for councils to replace homes as quickly as they’re being sold and they are increasingly having to do so with far less money than the property sells for because of discounts being offered. “Every home sold that isn’t replaced risks pushing more families into the private rented sector, driving up housing benefit spending and rents and exacerbating our homelessness crisis. “Right to Buy continues to enable many families to achieve their dream of getting on the housing ladder and owning their own home. However, without reform of the scheme, future generations will not enjoy the same opportunity.”
CHESHIRE West and Chester Council, together with its partners, has taken possession of a new transformational £16m public services hub to complete the first phase of redevelopment in Ellesmere Port town centre. The building, named The Portal, was designed by leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. The three-storey building provides a range of services to the public from several different agencies, as well as providing accommodation that meets the demands of the council’s modern workforce strategy. The new space will be home for 580 staff employed by the council, DWP and other service providers. The scheme also incorporated a new bus facility and extensive public realm works to improve transport links and facilities for the public. Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration – was appointed to provide architecture, interior design and landscape services through SCAPE’s Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework. Andy Robinson, director at Pick Everard, said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council has a fantastic new facility in the heart of Ellesmere Port. We promised to deliver a scheme that places greater emphasis on the use of the space and The Portal’s 4,000 square metres and surrounding external areas truly accomplish this. “Value for money is essential for our public sector clients and this has been achieved to great effect on this project. Through close collaboration and consultancy, we’ve been able to ensure that the completed scheme represents the priorities identified by the council.” The Portal is a single shared hub that facilitates agile working, therefore reducing the demand for space and enabling the council and other agencies to consolidate their presence into a smaller footprint. As a result of this, money is being saved and carbon emissions are being reduced while also providing a much-improved work environment. With the intention to improve access to public services and bring all the disparate arms and services of local government into a single shared hub, The Portal is a regeneration project that serves its practical purpose and acts as the catalyst for regeneration in the town. Importantly, the building is designed to improve the customer experience enable them to access a wider range of services in one location. This includes employment, skills and learning, welfare and benefits support, advice and information, community safety and prevention, health and well-being and housing support. The building contains public art that is on permanent display. Consultation with the local community during the design stage led to creations that represent the purpose of the space, which has been developed in the interest of the local area and not only those who use the on-site facilities. Civic Way was a critical element of the scheme. Road priorities have changed with Civic Way now only accessible to buses and service vehicles, reducing traffic on a previously busy thoroughfare. The area is now a much more pedestrian friendly environment as a result of the careful public realm design its relationship with the new bus facility. The widening of the street to allow for bus lay-bys and new bus stands enabled the opportunity to relocate the old poor quality bus interchange and create space for The Portal. Public realm improvements did not stop with Civic Way. The Port Arcade entrance from Wellington Road has been made more pedestrian friendly, with accessibility and enjoyment of the space receiving attention due to the high footfall. Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The opening of The Portal is an exciting moment for the community as it is providing a versatile building for a range of stakeholders. “The project team has completed a scheme to be proud of following an important consultation process and we can’t wait to share the newly improved space with the people of Ellesmere Port.” The importance of the project to the local workforce and wider community meant that public engagement was maintained throughout. To create learning opportunities, contractor Vinci Construction engaged with The West Cheshire College to make site visits and construction talks a possibility for students. David Nisbet, partner at Pick Everard, said: “We’re pleased to have supported Cheshire West and Chester Council on the development of The Portal, as it adopts the government’s One Public Estate programme. “The Portal marks another project within our portfolio that has achieved BREEAM Very Good certification, proving the growing opportunity for sustainable solutions in towns likes Ellesmere Port that are undergoing regeneration.” For more information on Pick Everard, visit www.pickeverard.co.uk/
Despite Covid, local authorities spent over £100 million more on construction in 2020/21 than in 2015/16 Welwyn Hatfield Council increased its construction funding the most (5,482%) On average, each local authority spent £28 million on construction in 2020/21 – up 3% New research has revealed the UK local authorities that are increasing their construction funding at the fastest rate, with some councils upping their spend by more than 5,000% over five years. IronmongeryDirect issued Freedom of Information requests to each local authority and asked how much they spent on construction projects, including buildings, roads and railways, in the 2015/16 and 2020/21 financial years, to see how investment has changed over time. Despite the impact of the pandemic, almost half (49%) of the local authorities that responded spent more on construction in 2020/21 than they did five years earlier. Funding across the UK rose by over £100 million (3%) from £4.63 billion in 2015/16, to £4.77 billion in 2020/21. In the last financial year, each local authority splashed out an average of £28 million on construction. Twenty-nine councils more than doubled the amount they spent on the industry and the average increase across the country was a remarkable 154%. The average increase stands so high because nine local authorities saw rises of over 1,000%. Welwyn Hatfield council, in the East of England, reported the greatest increase – a staggering 5,482% (£763,863 up to over £42.5 million). Local authorities that have increased construction at the fastest rate over the last five years (2015/16 to 2020/21): Out of all the local authorities, Leeds City Council spent the largest overall amount, with a total of £389.8 million allocated for construction. The authority also recorded nationwide highs for both general construction costs (£272.1 million) and road infrastructure (£117.6 million). Birmingham City Council, meanwhile, spent the largest amount on building construction (£279.8 million), whilst Pembrokeshire Council spent the most on open spaces (£9 million), such as parks, play areas and gardens. Hertfordshire County Council topped the list for bridges, having spent £9.6 million. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “After the difficulties the construction industry has faced over the last two years due to the Covid 19 pandemic, it’s incredibly reassuring to see large scale increases in local funding across the UK. “With the industry continuing to recover from recent setbacks, it’s a positive sign that many local authorities are feeling confident enough to increasing their investment into local infrastructure and construction work.” To explore an interactive map showing the amount of construction funding in your area, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/construction-funding/
