A public consultation has been launched on plans for a new housing scheme at Peel L&P’s Trafford Waters development. Trafford Housing Trust, part of L&Q, is bringing forward proposals for 83 apartments on the Trafford side of the Manchester Ship Canal within Trafford City, next to The Trafford and Trafford Leisure Village. “This is a great opportunity for people to see and comment on our plans prior to a planning application later this year,” said Ben Townsend, new business director (NW) at Trafford Housing Trust. The scheme, in Redclyffe Road, intends to bring forward one and two-bedroom homes for shared ownership, subject to approval from Homes England for grant funding. The proposals are part of the wider Trafford Waters development, a scheme that will create 3,000 homes, more than 100,000 sq ft of amenity space and 850,000 sq ft of offices in the area. Moreover, the development is estimated to create more than 5,000 jobs and will include a primary school plus 20 acres of open spaces. Work has started on phase one infrastructure at Trafford Waters to make way for the first 350 new homes which includes THT’s affordable housing development. “Part of our vision to create a new sustainable community at Trafford Waters is to provide homes that suit a range of needs and we are pleased to be working with THT to help deliver much-needed affordable housing at this site,” said James Whittaker, Peel L&P’s Executive Director for Development. “We have started infrastructure works with new roads, pedestrian and cycle routes together with large areas of public realm assisted via a match-funded grant from Homes England to enable the delivery of over 350 homes from the first few phases of housing to be developed.” The public consultation will take place virtually online, and residents are being encouraged to email any questions they have to THT before the plans are finalised and submitted for planning permission later this year. The consultation will run until 6th November. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Keepmoat Homes, one of the UK’s leading home builders, has announced plans for its first site in Wales, following the successful acquisition in Deeside. Situated along the River Dee, the land has been purchased from private landowners for an undisclosed sum and will be transformed into a new housing development. Part of a wider re-development programme in the area, planning approval has already been granted by the Flintshire County Council’s planning committee back in March 2020. The 129-home scheme will comprise of a mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom detached and semi-detached homes available for private sale. In addition to housing, the site will also feature a children’s play area for residents to enjoy. “We are really excited to transform the site, which is in a prominent location by the River Dee, into a new neighbourhood,” said Gareth Roberts, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat. “Securing our first ever site in Wales marks a milestone for the business and furthers our goal to expand into new areas and deliver real value to the people who live there.” “Our vision is to create a place where people want to live and enjoy, and we’re driven to ensure the development is a major benefit to the local community. We’re looking forward to providing high quality housing that integrates well with the local community and are excited about turning our plans into reality,” added Gareth. The Keepmoat development in Wales will generate opportunities in training and employment through the use of sub-contractors, work placements and educational visits to the site, as part of its commitment to create a sustainable community, which will be delivered throughout the lifetime of the project. Beth Harrop, who lives in the area, has recently joined Keepmoat as a Construction Trainee and will be assisting the team to deliver the brand-new homes at Deeside. She spoke of her recent appointment: “I joined Keepmoat straight out of my studies, and I couldn’t feel prouder to have landed such a fulfilling role. Having grown up local to the site, it’s incredibly exciting to be working on such a landmark development which is helping to bring great opportunities to my local community. Whilst every day in my role is different to the last, our passion for building quality homes remains the same.” Work at the development is expected to commence this month and will take three years to complete. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans have been submitted for phase two of Queensgate Square, which will see the transformation of the block on Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham. The block will be turned into prestigious residences, set around a communal garden and square, which will be shared with residents of Queensgate House, representing phase one of Queensgate Square. These new builds – two blocks, one of 15 storeys and another of 12 – will add 159 new luxury apartments to the Birmingham market. Over a third of the accommodation – 55 in number – will be affordable. Both luxury and affordable apartments will blend seamlessly with the only difference being the level of specification when you walk through the door. Construction on phase one is already underway and it will see an eight-storey 1950s office block transformed into 68 boutique apartments – studio, one, two and three-bedroom – apartments. The accommodation will be available for rent (PRS) by mid-2024. Designed by D5 Architects, the London-based developer behind the Queensgate Square scheme – The Riverlow Group – specialises in upmarket transformations. They recently acquired this, their first site in the Midlands, and submitted planning in early October. “Despite all the recent economic turbulence, the investors we speak with regularly, wherever they are in the world, all know that Birmingham remains rich with investment opportunities. Aspirational apartments are always in high demand, especially for rent. We know we get it right because we know we’d love to live in our developments. That level of comfort is important when your neighbour is the Bond Street of Birmingham,” commented Max Reisner, Spokesman for The Riverlow Group. The super-luxe apartments in the Queensgate development will feature high-spec, designer kitchens and bathrooms, all finessed with a natural pallet of mixed timbers, earthy tones and soft whites. The penthouses will have specifically-designed, live-work spaces. “Queensgate’s situation is particularly special. You’re right in the heart of the city centre, only a few minutes’ walk away from the high street, New Street and the under-construction HS2 rail station. The development will be car-free with ample secure bike storage. Why use a car when you have Michelin-starred restaurants on your doorstep and you can reach most places quicker by train?,” said Max Reisner. “At the forefront of our design thinking has been how we’re all going to live more sustainably in the future. So we will have thick walls with high levels of insulation, which will minimise running costs, as will the large windows which will flood living spaces with all the wellbeing and environmental benefits of natural light. All in all, Queensgate Square will be a place where residents will build many happy memories,” Max concluded. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News

Addison Hunt, chartered quantity surveyor and project management experts, has officially commenced work on a new homes and office development in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. The mixed-use site will bring nine properties and two commercial offices to the area, which will be marketed by Newtown Living. Working alongside property development and construction company GS Developments, and architects rg+p, Addison Hunt will be providing project management and quantity surveying services for the project. The development, located in Granite Way, will comprise two and 2.5-storey homes with traditional Georgian-style features, such as warm red multi-brick with a detailed light stone appearance and sash windows. “We’re delighted to have been appointed to work on this project. The development of the site will provide a much more positive outlook and sense of arrival as passers-by travel through Mountsorrel. We look forward to work progressing and bringing a new mixed-use development to the area, which has been designed to fit in with the current surroundings,” said Simon Collin, Director of Addison Hunt. The commercial unit has been designed to form a bridge between existing commercial use and residential development nearby. Similar materials to the properties will be used, but with a contemporary look and feel in order to be recognised as an office building. “It’s great to be working alongside Addison Hunt to deliver another fantastic project in the Leicestershire area,” added Mandeep Singh, director of GS Developments. “After a number of years of planning and design work we’re delighted to finally see the build get underway, which will enhance and bring more people to the site to live and work.” Granite Way continues the relationship between the firms, with recent Leicestershire project completions on warehouse development at Parker Drive and affordable housing scheme at Abbey Meadows which won ‘Residential Regeneration Project of the Year’ award at the Insider Media East Midlands Property Awards. “We’re looking forward to the homes being complete and providing residents with new rental properties, given the current demand for high-quality homes in Leicestershire,” concluded Neeley Turrell, Estates Manager at Newtown Living. Since its inception in 2016 Addison Hunt, which is led by company directors Chris Hunt and Simon Collin, has grown to a team of nine professionals delivering multi-million-pound projects across the Midlands. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News

Housebuilder Crest Nicholson has launched the next phase of apartments at its Brooklands Park development in Stoke Gifford, Bristol. The collection of 23 one and two bedroom homes is ideal for first time buyers and young professionals looking for a semi-rural, well-designed home within commuting distance of Bristol and London. The latest range of apartments at Brooklands Park offer flexible living with open plan kitchen-living-dining areas, providing ample space to for homeowners to work, relax, and entertain in. The homes offer plenty of storage, with the apartments featuring built-in wardrobes to the main bedrooms and additional closet or airing cupboard space. In the two-bedroom properties, the main double bedroom benefits from its own en-suite bathroom, alongside a sizeable guest bathroom. In the face of the cost-of-living crisis, with demand for rental properties outstripping supply and rental prices reaching all-new highs in Bristol, new build properties are an ideal option for those looking to make the most of their money. Not only are new build properties cheaper to run thanks to their energy efficient and low maintenance features but movers can take advantage of the schemes available such as Deposit Unlock. In fact, mortgage repayments in the area are cheaper than rents on similar properties, meaning now is the ideal time to secure your dream new build property at Brooklands Park. “Following the popularity of the apartments during Brooklands Park’s first phase, we’re delighted to be launching the next phase at the development, offering prospective buyers the chance to join this established, thriving community on site. The latest apartments at Brooklands Park will deliver a new offering for those searching for an apartment, with spacious, multifunctional, open-plan layouts designed for those with busy modern lives,” said Clare Brimble, Sales and Marketing Director for Crest Nicholson South West. “With plenty of transport options, the development is also an excellent choice for young professionals who need to commute. Brooklands Park has already proven popular with a range of buyers, from first time buyers and young professionals to those looking to downsize, so I would encourage anyone interested to get in touch with our sales team soon to avoid disappointment.” Spread out across a 65-acre site yet just six miles from the centre of Bristol, the development offers a restful, semi-rural environment with plenty of open green space, including a wildlife corridor to encourage and care for local wildlife. There are plenty of local amenities nearby including retail parks, restaurants, cafes, and supermarkets, as well the Cabot Circus shopping centre and The Mall at Cribbs Causeway for all retail needs. For those looking to enjoy indoor leisure activities, Nuffield Health and DW Fitness gyms and Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre are all close by, whilst local golf, bowling and cricket clubs are available to join for those keen on getting involved in outdoor sports. For residents with children, Bradley Stoke Secondary School and Abbeywood Community School, Baileys Court, Little Stoke and St Michaels primary schools, plus St Michael’s nursery are all also a short drive away. For commuters, the development is just a 12 minute walk to Bristol Parkway railway station, which provides regular services to London Paddington in just over an hour. For those with a car, the M32, M4 and M5 can all be found nearby, linking residents to the wider South West region, while Bristol Airport is just a 40 minute drive away. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News

Consulting civil and structural engineering company Will Rudd has completed the latest project from a series of long-term collaboration with PureMalt Haddington. The project involved the complete refurbishment of the Maltings Building, which laid in a state of near ruin for over 25 years. Will Rudd provided scope of work for much-needed essential repairs and to provide temporary stability, including removing and replacing original concrete flooring, installing new steelwork and a new roof. The project was delivered in partnership with design team Unum Architecture, PMC Commercial Ltd Contractors, M&E consultant Hawthorne Boyle Ltd and surveyors Neilson Partnership. Following years of housing germinating malt, the atmosphere slowly eroded the original building’s floors and structure. This required careful, complex and systematic thinking and action to ensure a robust structural solution which maintained the integrity of the building. Contractor PMCC began refurbishment work on the Maltings Building in December 2019. Phase one, comprising essential repairs, structural work and new flooring, was completed in the summer of 2021. Phase two, internal fit outs, installing the new staircase, lift and finishing touches, concluded in July 2022. “We have enjoyed a fantastic working relationship with Pure Malt Haddington for eight years and delivered over 30 projects, from the installation of elements to aid the company’s business such as new tanks with associated structural supports to highly complex projects like the Maltings Building,” said Stephen Rudd, Technical Director at Will Rudd Glasgow. “This particular project presented some highly complex challenges which required us to work closely with the wider design team to solve. The building itself was not in good condition, having been in a severe state of disrepair for a number of years. This presented an immediate need to ensure we could make the building safe and start a programme of essential repairs. With much of the original walls and flooring unsalvageable due to deterioration over time, we had to work very strategically to ‘design out’ any risk of collapse and maintain temporary stability holistically with the contractor,” he added. The project was also reviewed continuously from a Conservation Engineering perspective and whilst maintaining the structural integrity of the building, the designs were able to include retaining of the existing cast iron internal columns and external walls as well as the majority of the steel support beams above the first-floor level. These elements were able to be treated in-situ with new paintwork to the steel, extensive stonework repairs and repointing to the building’s façade to extend their lifespan in line with the project’s requirements and restore the building to its former glory. It was announced in September that the Maltings Building is shortlisted in the ‘Refurbishment of an Historic Building’ category of the inaugural Institution of Structural Engineers Scottish Structural Awards. Winners will be announced on 27 October. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News

Equans has announced its partnership with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to deliver important decarbonisation measures across the housing market in Maltby. For this project, the council has secured £1.5 million from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), which will serve as a pilot to retrofit other homes in the region. Known as a former mining town with some of the UK’s highest levels of fuel poverty, Maltby would benefit immensely from this project. Unfortunately, the town is currently in top 10% most fuel-poor areas in the UK, and current EPC ratings on the selected properties range from C to G. “We’re delighted to be working with Rotherham Council on this vital energy efficiency and decarbonisation project in Maltby. With energy bills set to continue rising for the foreseeable future, pushing more and more people into fuel poverty, it’s more important than ever that the private and public sectors work together on projects like this,” commented Steve Batty, Head of Sustainability at Equans UK & Ireland. The 141 homes due to benefit from the Equans measures are traditional cavity brick-built, which is typical of the housing stock in Rotherham and can therefore help to shape the future borough-wide net zero carbon specification. As well as fabric improvements, including external wall and loft insulation, triple-glazed windows and energy efficient doors, the scope of work also be combined with a previously-planned re-roofing programme, in order to minimise disruption for residents. “Initiatives like this are a crucial part of the Council’s housing strategy. The efficiencies that will be saved through schemes like this one will make a huge difference to people’s lives. We are now looking at how we can extend this good practice in other parts of the borough,” added Paul Walsh, Assistant Director for Housing at Rotherham Council. Rotherham Council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and has pledged to cut carbon emissions in the borough to net zero by 2040. This scheme in Maltby is expected to save more than 96,000kg of CO2 per year, while also helping residents reduce their energy bills. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News