Construction firm Wates has been appointed by This City, a housing development company owned by the Manchester City Council, to develop 128 new low carbon homes in the heart of Ancoats. Building work has started on site and the project aims to address the need for affordable and sustainable housing in the area. This City is bringing long-term brownfield land at Rodney Street back into use, allowing residents to walk, cycle and use nearby public transport to access local services and employment. The 128 new homes will be built with a low carbon footprint, incorporating eco-friendly design elements and energy-efficient technologies. Each of the town houses will include off-street parking with electric vehicle (EV) parking and private gardens to the rear. Seven disabled parking spaces within the development site will also each have an EV charging point. The Mobility Hub is a new concept in urban design, which centralises car parking for multiple new developments, minimising on-site parking (other than disabled parking) and reduces traffic across the local area. Dave Saville, Regional Managing Director for Construction North at Wates, said: “Rodney Street represents a pioneering shift in development approach for Manchester City Council and we’re proud to support them in their ambitions. We’ve worked closely with our project partners and the Council since the scheme’s inception to carefully plan out how we can ensure Rodney Street delivers its sustainability goals, as well as provides lasting benefit to the wider Ancoats community through Social Value initiatives. “We have a long history working with councils across the North and beyond on similar residential schemes and the positive impact that considered, sustainable provision of new affordable homes has on an area cannot be underplayed. I applaud Manchester City Council and This City for bringing this development to life and now we’re underway with construction, I and all our teams, look forward to delivering the next milestone.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

This weekend, award-winning estate agency and property group, Beresfords, is launching Hanningfield Park in Chelmsford, one of the UK’s most innovative sustainable new housing developments, comprising ninety two 2 3,4, 5 and 6-bedroom homes – with prices starting from £435,000. Nestled among the mature landscape surrounding Hanningfield nature reserve, Hanningfield Park boasts an all-electric set-up eliminating carbon emissions and creating long term sustainability solutions giving homeowners the ability to spend as little as *£296 a year on energy bills, a saving of 88% compared to conventional gas households. The all-electric technological advancements include rooftop solar panels, air source heat pumps, EV charging and battery storage, provided by leading brands including Trina Solar, JA Solar and Samsung. To further maximise cost savings, homeowners will also have the option to use the GivEnergy app, which will allow them to easily manage their energy usage from the moment they move in. While sustainability is at the forefront of the development, quality design and luxury living remain high on the agenda. Internally, all of the homes feature bespoke contemporary kitchen and bathroom design with underfloor heating installed across all floors. Externally, plot size at Hanningfield Park is exceptionally apportioned, garden space is bountiful and an additional four acres of green space will soon offer homeowners a place for recreation, mindfulness and community living.  Aaron Breakwell, Director of New Homes at Beresfords, said: “Hanningfield Park is one of the most innovative developments in the country right now and we’re delighted to be involved, working with Randall Watts Construction, to attract like-minded people who care about their impact on the planet and want to immerse themselves in natural surroundings. “The site strikes the perfect balance between city and rural life. While London is only a 35-minute train journey away, forest walks and the nature reserve sit right on your doorstep.” Dan Jones of Randall Watts Construction, said: “This development began life as a beautiful offering of new homes in an enviable location, but we quickly saw an opportunity to create even more than that with a collection of technologically advanced sustainable homes that will positively change the way people live. “Interest from the community has been incredibly positive and we’ve had tremendous support from both the local council and our installation providers, including The Green Shield Group, who have expertly guided us every step of the way in our sustainability endeavours for Hanningfield Park.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Top 10 homebuilder Keepmoat has announced it has become the latest strategic partner of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), with a commitment to build 4,000 additional new homes in the West Midlands. Keepmoat has also committed to aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions when building on brownfield sites and to increase their housebuilding by 50% across the West Midlands. As a strategic partner, Keepmoat will build a range of homes across different tenure types in the West Midlands, creating hundreds of new jobs for local people and generating at least 250 new apprenticeships. At least 70% of the workforce needed to deliver the homes will be employed from within a 30-mile radius, while building supplies and materials will be purchased from West Midlands-based businesses wherever possible.  The memorandum of understanding between Keepmoat and WMCA also supports the Combined Authority’s wider aim of creating a fairer, greener and more prosperous West Midlands.  In March, a ground-breaking Deeper Devolution Deal was secured between WMCA and Central Government, giving WMCA wide-ranging new powers and additional funding in excess of £1.5bn to level up the West Midlands. Charlotte Goode, Divisional Chair for Keepmoat West Midlands & East Midlands, commented: “We are delighted that we have been named as a strategic partner of the WMCA and that our work in the region continues to go from strength to strength. As part of our development work with WMCA, we’re already building a minimum of 1,000 new homes at price points that are accessible to people including first-time buyers. “Building sustainable communities is also a core value at Keepmoat. Working as a strategic partner of WMCA, we are actively pursuing net zero carbon developments, with schemes incorporating climate adaptation measures that respond to the short and long-term impact of climate change. These zero carbon standards go above and beyond the 2025 Future Homes Standards and help contribute to WM2041.” Keepmoat’s £360m Spirit Quarters development has so far delivered 979 new homes, with 275 of these allocated for first-time buyers. Supported by WMCA’s £1 million investment of devolved funding, this scheme continues to transform the former Wood End estate in Coventry, putting regeneration and place-making at the heart of a local community.  The homebuilder’s investment into the West Midlands will support the West Midlands target of delivering 215,000 new homes by 2031. In December last year, WMCA announced that the number of new homes being built in the region had surpassed pre-Covid levels, with 16,730 new additional homes delivered in the 12 months to March 2022 – 203 more than in the year up to March 2020.  The latest Strategic Partner MoU also bolsters the West Midlands’ Plan for Growth – a roadmap to develop eight specific industrial clusters where the region already has a competitive advantage.  Manufacturing of future housing is one of the West Midlands clusters, reflecting the expertise arising from millions of pounds of public investment in brownfield regeneration across the region, which is also home to the National Brownfield Institute in Wolverhampton.  Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands and chair of the West Midlands Combined Authority, said: “The West Midlands has been incredibly successful in recent years at regenerating old brownfield sites to build new, affordable homes – so much so that we are currently on track to meet our ambitious 2031 housing target. “However now is the time to double down on our success – not ease off – and so I am delighted we have been able to sign this deal with Keepmoat that will see even more homes, jobs, and investment come to the region. “Working together with Keepmoat we will breathe life into derelict brownfield sites, helping to protect our precious greenbelt while providing affordable, energy efficient, good quality homes and jobs for local people.” Cllr Ian Courts, WMCA portfolio lead for housing and land and leader of Solihull Council, added: “Keepmoat is the latest Strategic Partner who we have signed an MoU with  – progressive developers and investors who share our vision of a more sustainable West Midlands where people have the opportunity of a decent job and a good quality, affordable home.  “The commitment to use derelict industrial sites for eco-friendly, energy efficient housing is exactly the sort of future-looking approach our region needs. Not only does this help protect our precious greenbelt while creating high quality and sustainable communities, it also boosts the local economy and supports the wellbeing of residents.” WMCA was founded in 2016 and is made up of 17 local councils to deliver an ambitious plan to drive inclusive economic growth across the West Midlands. Keepmoat is a top 10 UK partnership homebuilder with a track record of delivering quality new homes across the UK at prices people can afford. To date, almost 70% of its current developments are on brownfield sites and over 70% of its customers are first-time buyers. In the last survey year, Keepmoat achieved HBF five star builder status, receiving a rating of at least 90% in the National New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Mitsui Fudosan and Stanhope, as development manager, announce that they have confirmed the appointment of Multiplex as the construction manager for two residential blocks of 345 apartments as part of the second phase of the redevelopment of Television Centre. This announcement demonstrates both the success of the first phase of Television Centre and the developers’ continued confidence in White City and the London market. Enabling works and site preparation will commence in Q3 2023 for 345 luxury apartments in two separate plots designed by Stirling prize-winning architectural practices dRMM and AHMM, following the masterplan established by lead architects AHMM. Main construction is due to commence in 2024. The start of these works anticipates the completion of the masterplan and will further open up the site to local residents, visitors and workers by the creation of a second entrance on Wood Lane and pedestrian connection through to Hammersmith Park via interlinking urban streets. These new buildings are designed to be distinctive and have a character of their own, complementing each other and the buildings established across the wider estate. Jonathan Trout, Property & Commercial Director at Stanhope, said: “We are delighted to be working with Multiplex for the development of 345 new homes on this iconic site which we expect to complete by 2026. The start of phase 2 demonstrates the commitment of Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan to the delivery of much needed new housing, including affordable, in Hammersmith & Fulham and our long-term commitment to the area.” Tomoo Nakamura, Chief Executive, Mitsui Fudosan, UK said: “We are delighted to announce our appointment of Multiplex and we look forward to working with them to bring forward the procurement of phase 2. As the sole owners of phase 2 we are also delighted to be able to continue to collaborate with Stanhope as development manager for the delivery of 345 new apartments. We have already completed over half a million square feet of office space as well as more than 430 homes on the Television Centre site. We remain focused on ensuring that this development continues to be delivered to the highest standards while we continue to explore other investment opportunities in London.” Topping out has recently been completed on 142 new affordable homes for Peabody in two new buildings called Macfarlane Place at Television Centre, with delivery expected in early 2024. Designed by Maccreanor Lavington Architects, the new buildings will replace the now demolished former BBC multi-storey car park on Wood Lane, W12, opposite Westfield. 1 Wood Crescent has recently completed and is let to PVH with Calvin Klein, Van Heusen and TOMMY HILFIGER undertaking fit out works. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals