A new development located in Newhaven, East Sussex, on the former Parker Pen factory site, has marked leading social housing provider, Stonewater’s 5000th new home completed since the association’s formation in 2015. Representatives from Stonewater, including Chairman Sheila Collins, CEO Nicholas Harris, as well as members of the development team
The first people have moved into their homes at Brighton and Hove’s newest neighbourhood, Edward Street Quarter (ESQ), located on the former AMEX House site in the city’s Kemptown district. The development, located just a stone’s throw from the seafront and the famous Palace Pier, comprises 168 homes and promises
Award-winning housebuilder Kebbell has revealed the details of three new developments in Berkshire, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire, totalling an estimated investment value of £89 million, spanning first-time buyer one-bedroom homes in Iver to an opulent flagship development in Ascot. £35 million Cholbury Place in Ascot will comprise 18 elegant three-bedroom, 1800
Bouygues UK has celebrated reaching the highest point of the development build at Peckham Flaxyard, a mixed-use, residential-led scheme in the heart of Peckham. The Bouygues UK team, along with Southwark Council, who are delivering the project, marked this milestone on 21st September with a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony. The
Keepmoat Homes has launched its Park View development, the latest in its ambitious plans for a thriving community in the Gedling area. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Gedling, together with the Rosie May Foundation, a charity carrying out incredible work within the community.
Government backing for modular construction would deliver 20,000 low energy use homes across the UK – costing 55% less to heat than the average British ‘bricks and mortar’ family house Planning permission should be fast tracked for modular housing to create homes 50% faster and 4,000 jobs in left behind
Housebuilder Hayfield has started construction on a prime 6.75-acre (2.73Ha) site in the Buckinghamshire village of Little Kimble to deliver 40 future-proofed zero carbon ready homes. Planning permission for the £21m development was secured from Buckinghamshire Council in June. Hayfield Crescent, as the development is called, will include a range
With a national housing shortage and ambitious housebuilding targets for developers and local councils to meet, is now really the time to put the pressure on the industry to explore more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is a very clear yes from Wayne Oakes, a director at the sustainable
Beard Construction has completed a meticulous £6.2m restoration of Cleveland Pools in Bath, the UK’s oldest lido. As well as calling on Beard’s expertise in heritage restoration, the 15-month project to restore the decaying, 207-year-old Georgian site to its former glory had significant logistical challenges – as all plant and
Amid rising energy costs, Rippon Homes, a Midlands-based housebuilder, has urged people to buy new. The house itself can be a potential factor in the rising energy bills, with studies showing that new homes have significantly lower bills on average than their older counterparts. Dedicated to reducing fuel usage in
A new development located in Newhaven, East Sussex, on the former Parker Pen factory site, has marked leading social housing provider, Stonewater’s 5000th new home completed since the association’s formation in 2015. Representatives from Stonewater, including Chairman Sheila Collins, CEO Nicholas Harris, as well as members of the development team that have been involved in the project, welcomed the Mayor of Newhaven, Councillor Paul Boswell to the site opening, which took place recently. The scheme, called Safford Park, incorporates 145 new homes being built on the former Parker Pen factory site and close to the River Ouse, which will provide a range of affordable housing options for residents. Developed by Hill Partnerships, an award-winning house builder that operates across London and the Southeast, the Safford Park scheme is the first collaboration between Stonewater and the construction firm. Each of the homes have been built to EPC B energy rating standards and offer electric vehicle charging points. The development will also incorporate a community garden and allotment space to encourage environmentally friendly living. Stonewater, which is renowned for its inclusion of public art at its developments has paid homage to the history of the site with the artistic display for Safford Park. The entranceway to the development will be home to two oversized fountain pen nibs, while further nods to the Parker Pen history will be seen in pen lid shaped bollards and nib shaped railings that will be installed across the site. Nicholas Harris, CEO at Stonewater said: “We’re hugely proud to have reached our 5000th home achievement and at such a fantastic development at Safford Park, which really showcases the quality of sustainable homes we have built over the last seven years. Achieving this significant milestone is a testament to the team and our partners that have worked with us across every project that Stonewater has delivered to get us to this point.” Jonathan Layzell, Executive Director – Development at Stonewater “The site in Newhaven is incredibly important, not only to the local area where affordable housing is needed, but also to our overall mission to delivering good quality homes to people who need them most. “While we take a moment to celebrate the work that has got us to this point, we also look forward, as a team, to the next milestone, and beyond.” Paul Boswell, Mayor of Newhaven said: “I was delighted to be asked to attend the ceremony to mark the construction of the Stonewater’s 5000th home. The development in Newhaven is an attractive mix of houses and apartments of various sizes. New homes in our town are in high demand and I’m sure it won’t be long before all these quality properties are fully occupied. Harvey Dhami, Deputy Regional Director at The Hill Group comments: “We would like to congratulate Stonewater for achieving this impressive milestone and are delighted that homes at our Safford Park development have contributed to the 5,000 new homes provided. These energy efficient homes will deliver much needed affordable housing for the local community at Newhaven and ensure current and future generations can enjoy living in a high-quality sustainable home.” The development also provided opportunities for engagement with the local community. Strong links were established with students studying construction at Sussex College, who were invited to attend regular site visits and meet staff working on site, while children at the local primary school were involved in a poster competition showcasing what they like about their local area, with the winning posters displayed on site. The Hill Group also employed a number of local students at the site and plumbing apprentice, Kai Sol was presented with a new tool bag as a sign of appreciation for his involvement in the project at the opening event.
The first people have moved into their homes at Brighton and Hove’s newest neighbourhood, Edward Street Quarter (ESQ), located on the former AMEX House site in the city’s Kemptown district. The development, located just a stone’s throw from the seafront and the famous Palace Pier, comprises 168 homes and promises to be a vibrant, eclectic and inclusive part of the local community. As soon as people move in, they’re invited to join the Edward Street app to meet co-residents, find out what’s going on in the building and wider neighbourhood, and access all the latest news, events and exclusive offers. There’s also an opportunity to offer feedback so their experience can be tweaked and improved on an ongoing basis. Steve Eccles, Director at developer Socius, said: “ESQ has been built with community in mind. The residents are welcome to connect digitally, and there are lots of places where they can meet in real life, too, such as the stylish residents’ rooftop terrace, which has stunning views of the sea, as well as the green community spaces.” There are a handful of one, two and three-bedroom apartments available, many with private balcony space. Tom Bryant, Director of Savills, one of the lead real estate agencies working on ESQ, said: “These apartments have so much to offer in this flourishing new neighbourhood, which is minutes from the beach and the Lanes, and within walking distance of the station. With very limited new build stock in Brighton, we anticipate continued high levels of interest in the remaining apartments at this flagship residential development.” James Epps, Director of Oakley Property, Sussex-based land and new homes specialists, jointly marketing ESQ, said: “The development has everything you need for modern work-leisure living. Gyms, retail spaces, restaurants, co-workspaces and public art installations. Plus, you have easy access to Brighton and Hove itself, and all the city’s amazing facilities.” The development also features 125,000 sq ft of flexible office space, making it the largest provision of workspace to be delivered in the city since 1993. It includes 20,000 sq ft designated for food, beverage, retail and leisure. Edward Street Quarter is the £140 million redevelopment of the former AMEX House in Brighton, owned by mixed-use developer Socius, First Base, and Patron Capital. For more information about Edward Street Quarter, please visit edwardstreetquarter.com.
Award-winning housebuilder Kebbell has revealed the details of three new developments in Berkshire, Hampshire and Buckinghamshire, totalling an estimated investment value of £89 million, spanning first-time buyer one-bedroom homes in Iver to an opulent flagship development in Ascot. £35 million Cholbury Place in Ascot will comprise 18 elegant three-bedroom, 1800 to 2900 sq ft opulent apartments combining impressive architecture on a grand scale with contemporary design and a cutting edge level of specification. Beautiful carpentry will be a notable feature of Cholbury Place including handmade Charles Yorke kitchens, extra tall doors and exquisite joinery as well as the grandeur of the high 2.8m (9.2ft) ceiling heights. The development boasts a 13m (43ft) high atrium in the communal halls, a lift and a stunning living wall. The principal bedroom suites include large dressing areas with spacious bespoke wardrobes and luxurious ensuite bathrooms. The apartment sales prices are expected to be in the region of £1.5 to £2.5 million. These homes will be within walking distance of Ascot high street and the racecourse, as well as being an easy drive to Wentworth Golf Club or Heathrow, with excellent train line connections and easy access to the M4, M25, M3 and the A30. The site is completely surrounded by a beautiful canopy of trees including big American Redwoods with a stunning view from all apartments. The homes will benefit from basement parking, a lift and car charging points and will be highly energy efficient. Andrea Fawell, Sales and Marketing Director of Kebbell says: “We expect these beautifully crafted apartments to be attractive to downsizers and empty nesters who may be selling substantial homes in the area but don’t want to compromise on the high quality they are used to. The penthouses, in particular, will be quite extraordinary and we believe offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Construction has started and we are 12-18 months off from having a show apartment but already have huge levels of interest from people wanting a private priority preview. We expect to complete in 2024.” Following the success of Heatherfields in Bordon, New Hampshire development, Alderbrook is set inPetersfield in the South Downs National Parkand will comprise82 contemporary and energy-efficient two, three and four-bedroom houses, including social housing for rent and shared ownership. Set in a wooded environment and next to playing fields, Alderbrook is a five-minute walk to the highly regarded market town centre of Petersfield. Designed for families or individuals who now need that all important home office space with ultra-fast broadband. Work on the £32 million development has started on site with a show home expected to be open in spring 2023 and completion is anticipated to be in 2025. The homes will range from 960 to 1974 sq ft and prices will be in the region of £500,000 to £995,000. Andrea Fawell says: “The anticipated purchaser profile is aspiring families, young professionals and downsizers who want to live near to the buzzing town centre of Petersfield whilst being close to the area’s beautiful national park. We expect potential buyers to come from London and other large urban areas as hybrid working and the desire for space looks set to remain. Kebbell has a legacy of building homes at Herne Farm in Petersfield and we have already had enquiries from existing Kebbell owners in the area who would like their next home on this new Kebbell development!” £22 million Meadow Court in Iver in Buckinghamshire comprises 39 two-bedroom apartments. Set in a courtyard formation, these homes will include basement parking, a lift, communal electric charging points and direct access to the green belt. The stylish 750 to 1250 sq. ft apartments will be on the market for between £450,000 to £650,000. Meadow Court is 1.8 miles from Iver’s train station which is on the Elizabeth Line, walking distance from Iver itself and is also just outside the M25 in South Bucks and close in proximity to the M40, M4 and Heathrow. Meadow Court is near to the Grand Union Canal which benefits from gorgeous pubs, walks and cycleways. Offering residents semi-rural connected living. Andrea Fawell explains why these homes are expected to be snapped up: “We expect Meadow Court to appeal to young professionals and the downsizer or lock-up-and-leave markets who want a UK base. The show home is expected to open late this year/early next year with the first apartments ready to move into in early 2023 and completion of the development is expected to be late 2023. The beauty of this development is the real potential investment opportunity for young buyers, especially those attracted to low energy bills and contemporary features such as slick fitted kitchens and underfloor heating, set in a stunning area of natural beauty.” www.kebbell.co.uk
Bouygues UK has celebrated reaching the highest point of the development build at Peckham Flaxyard, a mixed-use, residential-led scheme in the heart of Peckham. The Bouygues UK team, along with Southwark Council, who are delivering the project, marked this milestone on 21st September with a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony. The event was opened by the joyous sound of the brass band from local primary school, St. James the Great. Once complete in late 2023, the £46.8m scheme will deliver 120 new, affordable homes. This will include 96 council homes for social rent as part of Southwark Council’s commitment to tackling the housing crisis locally by building thousands of new council homes across the borough, and 24 shared ownership homes. The scheme will also include disabled car parking, cycle storage for residents and commercial space on the ground floor together with landscaping of the surrounding areas. The scheme is bordered by the library, leisure centre, high street, a number of primary and secondary schools and existing homes. It involves close collaboration with the local community and key stakeholders. Bouygues UK has already delivered over £3m in social value including: 158 hours volunteering in the local area; over £29,000 donated to local charities; and 21 training and employment sessions given to local unemployed residents. In order to keep carbon emissions on site to a minimum, Bouygues UK has partnered with Gaia to identify, monitor and reduce the power consumption, using AI and motion sensor software. In August this year alone, this has reduced CO2 emissions by 1,497kg. Rob Bradley, CEO of Bouygues UK, said: “I’m so pleased to be here to celebrate the progress we have made on this important scheme which will make such a positive difference to the local area and increase the availability of affordable housing. It’s fantastic to be helping Southwark Council with their goal of building thousands of new council homes across the borough.” Cllr Darren Merrill, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Council Homes and Homelessness, said, “I’m delighted to see the building works progressing so well here on such an important council homes site in the heart of Peckham. This site will provide 120 desperately-needed new homes for local people, all of which will be genuinely affordable. With such enormous demand for housing in Peckham, I know that these new homes will represent hope, stability and security for so many in our community.”
Keepmoat Homes has launched its Park View development, the latest in its ambitious plans for a thriving community in the Gedling area. The ribbon cutting ceremony was attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Gedling, together with the Rosie May Foundation, a charity carrying out incredible work within the community. During the visit, the Mayor and Mayoress were given an in-depth tour of Phase 2 of the development located on Arnold Lane, which once complete, will provide an additional 400 much-needed modern and energy-efficient homes to families and homebuyers in the area. Ideal for first-time buyers, growing families, and those seeking more space and flexibility, Park View is a vibrant and modern community which borders the 240-acre Gedling Country Park. “We’d like to thank our notable guests and partners for helping us celebrate the opening of our sales centre and showhome at Park View, and bear witness to the beginnings of the next phase of our ambitious housing scheme in Gedling. We’re immensely grateful for the Council’s support of this project to deliver much-needed new homes to the area,” commented Shaun Fielding, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat Homes. “Park View is more than a housing development, it’s a community in which our residents can enjoy a relaxing and active lifestyle, whilst aiming to benefit and provide additional support to the wider area. We look forward to welcoming those who are looking to get on the housing ladder and experience for themselves the standout features that Park View has to offer.” As part of Keepmoat Homes’ ongoing commitment to building great places for people to live, work and play, the homebuilder will be engaging with global charity, the Rosie May Foundation, in a partnership that will host various events and fundraisers to help provide care and support for vulnerable groups within the community. “The Rosie May foundation is a Nottingham based international charity supporting women and children in Sri Lanka and Nepal giving them the chance of a better future,” said Nicola Brien, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the Rosie May Foundation. “As a result of our response to the pandemic, our work supporting the local community here in Nottinghamshire has expanded supporting the most vulnerable and socially isolated in our local communities, and following the launch of Park View, we’re thrilled to be partnering with Keepmoat Homes on supporting the community in Gedling and we look forward to witnessing the positive impact that our partnership will have on people a little closer to home,” she concluded. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Government backing for modular construction would deliver 20,000 low energy use homes across the UK – costing 55% less to heat than the average British ‘bricks and mortar’ family house Planning permission should be fast tracked for modular housing to create homes 50% faster and 4,000 jobs in left behind areas of UK – Make UK Modular analysis Modular homes cost 55% less to heat than the average UK home and 32% less than traditional new builds, delivering savings of up to £800 a year for a three-bedroomed family home Modular homes are built 50% faster to make from start to finish than bricks and mortar homes Building with modular can halve emissions when building a home, cutting the amount of CO2 produced as a result of construction by up to 83% Modular manufacturers have already built factories in post-industrial provincial towns or cities, creating over 3,000 jobs, and delivering £700m of investment to low-growth, low employment areas Government should fast track the planning route for modular homes and commit to using modular for 20% of its affordable housing programme to double new jobs overnight Modular home construction is both more efficient and kinder to the environment with substantially less waste, 90% down on materials wastage than traditional builds Modular building heavily reduces the amount of transport access needed for building sites, with 80% fewer vehicle movements to sites and therefore far less local disruption and pollution of the environment Britain’s modular construction companies are moving at speed to deliver widescale change in the housing market unseen in the UK for generations, according to new research published today by Make UK Modular. ‘Greener, Better, Faster: Modular’s Role in Solving the Housing Crisis’, shows that while innovation has left the construction industry largely untouched till now, precision engineered homes, factory-built in areas where employment is required and delivered to regions of the UK where housing is scarce, are set to revolutionise the sector and help solve Britain’s growing housing crisis. Factory engineering means modular homes can be built to consistently high sustainability standards, delivering savings of 55% on energy consumption compared to the average UK home and cost 32% less to heat than a traditional new build. This translates to savings of up to £800 a year for a three bedroomed family home, and energy reduction rises to 60% for single or two person households living in smaller properties. Record spending by modular construction companies in Research and Development accounts for 30% of all R&D in across the whole construction sector. This investment is set to deliver even more energy efficient homes in the coming months at a time households are struggling with an unprecedented cost of living crisis. With housing availability and affordability at an all-time low, traditional construction is struggling to deliver Government targets for 300,000 new homes a year, exacerbated by a chronic and worsening shortage of skilled construction labour. Homes England missed its 2021-22 affordable homes target by 21.5%. However, modular housing has already proven it can build new homes at pace. Modular factories have been set up in those areas of the UK where employment is needed, creating a secure labour pipeline. Employment prospects are attractive with modular manufacturers delivering quality training and upskilling for new staff, enabling much-needed homes to be guaranteed for speedy delivery to regions of the UK where housing is in short supply. Modular manufacturers already produce 3,300 homes a year, one in 60 of all new houses in the UK and by 2025, and with the right support, this could grow to over 20,000 new modular buildings each year. Not only are these modern precision-engineered homes quicker to build than traditional homes, but with no snagging or defects it is possible for a single crane to install a house perfectly in just one day. Despite the pandemic, modular has doubled its delivery of new homes since 2017 with a contracted pipeline of 8,000 homes already in place. Modular manufacturers have chosen to build over 40 factories in post-industrial provincial towns or cities, creating over 3,000 jobs and delivering £700m of investment to low-growth, low employment areas – a figure which could easily double with some simple Government support. To help give the modular sector the push to achieve its full potential, Government should: Dedicate 20% of their programme of affordable housing provision to modular housing which has already shown it can deliver new homes fast Offer fast-track planning, prioritising modular and green homes in land allocation Raise energy efficiency standards for new housing, where modular already meets a higher criteria than traditional building, reduce stamp duty based on energy efficiency and net zero performance and require all for sale and to let homes to provide accurate date on energy bills Collectively, these changes would drive up standards, while offering pipeline security for modular producers and helping the industry to scale up. Steve Cole Director of Make UK Modular, the trade body for modular housing said: “There is a housing success story in this country, and it is modular. This report shows definitively that modular is now a significant player in the UK housing market. Government must capitalise on this as opportunities to transform our broken housing market into the most sophisticated in the world do not come around every day. “Government must accelerate modular delivery, building on the investment made and the jobs created, by removing the remaining barriers holding the industry back.” Read full report here: Greener, Better, Faster: Modular’s Role In Solving The Housing Crisis | Make UK
Housebuilder Hayfield has started construction on a prime 6.75-acre (2.73Ha) site in the Buckinghamshire village of Little Kimble to deliver 40 future-proofed zero carbon ready homes. Planning permission for the £21m development was secured from Buckinghamshire Council in June. Hayfield Crescent, as the development is called, will include a range of one, two, three, four and five-bedroomed homes through a mix of terraced, semi-detached and detached styles, a landscaped area of public open space and a village shop and will be accessed off Risborough Road. Up to 48% of the new homes will be affordable, 19 in total, with tenure split between affordable rent and shared ownership. Andy Morris, Managing Director of Hayfield, WhatHouse? Housebuilder of the Year, said: “Breaking ground is one of the highlights in the lifecycle of a new development, and we are thrilled to be one step closer towards bringing our family homes to Little Kimble. “This will be our third development in Buckinghamshire and we will be building on our reputation for high specification homes by delivering some of the largest houses within our range. “Each of our new homes will feature spacious living, while the zero carbon ready specification far exceeds the Future Homes Standard. We are excited to showcase how sustainable living need not compromise on luxury.” All of the homes at Hayfield Crescent will feature air source heat pumps, energy-efficient underfloor heating, the smartest electric vehicle fast-charging points and ultra-fast broadband. They will include ‘lifetime homes’ construction standards to offer enhanced accessibility and adaptability, ensuring all of them are future-proofed for wheelchair uses. The first homes are expected to be released for sale off plan by the end of October. Hayfield will create a new access road and footpaths to adoptable standards, and the houses themselves will be in-keeping with the rest of the village with features to include brick detailing, traditional porches and brick chimneys. As with all signature Hayfield developments, the density of homes will be much lower than typical new build schemes. Hayfield Crescent is opposite The Chiltern’s AONB, and a quarter of the landscape-led scheme will be covered by tree canopies to reflect this. The extensive new planting and range of additional environmental enhancements will deliver a net biodiversity gain. Little Kimble is conveniently located on the Chiltern Railways Line and Little Kimble Station is within walking distance of the site. Regular services to London Marylebone take less than an hour, with additional services into Aylesbury and High Wycombe.
With a national housing shortage and ambitious housebuilding targets for developers and local councils to meet, is now really the time to put the pressure on the industry to explore more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is a very clear yes from Wayne Oakes, a director at the sustainable engineering consultancy, Dice. He believes a greener modular building approach can increase sustainability, reduce construction time and begin to tackle the huge volumes of waste generated by the construction industry. The UK’s housing crisis is well documented, with ambitious targets set by the government of 300,000 new homes a year. With that comes a secondary problem, that of construction waste. A DEFRA report highlighted that in 2018, construction, demolition and excavation accounted for 62% of the UK’s total waste. So how do developers continue to build at speed, reduce the volume of waste materials and create more sustainable methods of construction? The answer is staring us all in the face – modular homes. Modular homes are designed to be energy efficient and very efficient to manufacture. They’re created off site – where waste can be kept to a minimum – and different elements of a build can all be happening at the same time. Offsite construction enables phases of work to be undertaken concurrently. Onsite substructure and infrastructure work can be taking place whilst the superstructure is being built in a factory. Factory conditions also mean that there are no delays due to inclement weather. And there are environmental benefits to working offsite, helping us to fight the climate crisis. It is more straightforward to manage waste in a factory environment rather than on a construction site. It allows for far more control meaning less contamination, more recycling and less overall waste. Another large contributor to climate change is pollution and energy output. Modular designs see a 40% reduction in HGV movement at construction sites, and manufacturing off site also minimises the time and energy spent on site. This cuts travel and transport, as workers are more likely to be concentrated around a specific factory. Due to these factors, overall pollution is reduced. Recycling is another big focus across every sector. Materials in traditional construction like timber, brick and concrete, are very rarely re-used and it can be hard work to do so. The volumetric and panelised systems found in modular building lend themselves to recycling in a much more practical and efficient way. There are challenges, as there are with every construction project, and they do require a different approach to traditional methods of construction. Modular projects and units do differ from the traditional, standard residential units. They have specific requirements in terms of their sub-structures and external works. This is particularly the case in sites with gradients and water management requirements. On our first modular project, we worked very closely with the manufacturer on specific design standards, in particular with regards to the National Housebuilding Council’s requirements for the substructure. This was a condition of the offsite manufacturing partner, to ensure that each of the plots met the requirements of building control. As engineers, we need to be agile, responsive to site specific needs and challenge design to ensure modular methods of construction get the recognition they deserve. We’ve realised technology’s potential and are driving the change. It’s our duty to think creatively to develop new, more sustainable ways of construction and ultimately living.
Beard Construction has completed a meticulous £6.2m restoration of Cleveland Pools in Bath, the UK’s oldest lido. As well as calling on Beard’s expertise in heritage restoration, the 15-month project to restore the decaying, 207-year-old Georgian site to its former glory had significant logistical challenges – as all plant and materials could only be brought to the site by boat on the adjacent River Avon. Machinery, building materials, equipment and everything else required to carry out the major refurbishment work on the Grade II* listed site was loaded up at the nearby Avon Rugby Club, which was used as a base, and carried up-river by barge. The barge was limited to carrying five tonnes of material per trip and made about six trips a day -navigating around everything from pleasure craft to the canoeists and kayakers who shared the river. The work saw the creation of a new crescent-shaped waterproof concrete main pool within the footprint of the original, listed red-brick pool, which was preserved beneath it. Work began with the draining of the existing pool, followed by the installation of a system of drainage crates to allow natural spring water to continue to flow into the listed pool and around the shell of the new one. The existing children’s pool walls were temporarily held in place while the team excavated out the base to construct the waterproof, below-ground plantroom which is now home to the pool filtration equipment, along with hi-spec water source heat pumps which will be used to heat the pool water. A refreshment kiosk and seating area is now housed above the plantroom. Curving around one length, the original Georgian changing rooms and a central cottage with archway were made structurally safe, restored, stripped of centuries of paint back to their original Bath stone and re-roofed in Welsh slate – some of which was reclaimed from the original roofs. New terrace seating was also added, as well as a new toilet and shower block. Outdoor chrome showers also flank both pools. As well as allowing for access, water from the river will feed the water source heat pumps, providing the Pools with a sustainable heating solution when the pool fully re-opens to the public in spring next year and heating the pool to 28 degrees centigrade. The pool is now ready to welcome its first swimmers. Hundreds entered a competition to be the first to swim and the winning 100 will do so on Saturday, September 10 – from when the pool will be open to the public for a preview, cold-water season. The restoration is the culmination of an extraordinary 18-year community campaign by the Cleveland Pools Trust, supported by thousands of Bathonians. The trust’s tireless campaign has taken the 207-year-old, Grade II* listed site from the lows of its closure in 1984 and a threat of demolition in 2003, to the highs of its stunning, present-day restoration. The overall cost of the project is £9.3m, £6.47m of which came from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project has also had significant support from the DCMS Capital Kickstart Fund, Historic England and Bath and North East Somerset Council. Bath-based architectural practice Donald Insall Associates were lead designers on the project with Hydrock carrying out the structural design. The restoration has been led by project director Anna Baker, a chartered architect who specialises in historic buildings. Anna said: “I am proud to have played a part in a restoration that many didn’t believe was possible. It’s been complex and very challenging. But it’s also been unique, the project of a lifetime. “We are a small project team and could not have done it without the help of our hundreds of volunteers. It’s been a real privilege to work on such a community-driven undertaking. “I’ve especially enjoyed taking this from a community heritage scheme to a project which engages with wellbeing, culture, sustainable energy and the natural environment.” Beard’s project manager Mark Tregelles added: “This has been a rare opportunity to restore a heritage building to its original use. Although logistically challenging, the overriding theme of this project has been collaboration. Working together with Anna, her team, volunteers and local residents has meant that no problem has been insurmountable. “Having access only by river has really tested our initiative, not only getting materials in and out of the project but also in the method of construction, given the limited plant and equipment that we could get to the site. Overall, it has been an honour to breathe new life into an historic landmark which can now be enjoyed for generations to come.” David Barnes, associate director at Donald Insall Associates, said: “We are delighted to have had the opportunity to lead the design team for the restoration of this precious historic outdoor public pool. The restored and updated facilities at Cleveland Pools present a new and exciting chapter for continued enjoyment of this much-loved site that is inescapably part of Bath’s rich bathing heritage”.
Amid rising energy costs, Rippon Homes, a Midlands-based housebuilder, has urged people to buy new. The house itself can be a potential factor in the rising energy bills, with studies showing that new homes have significantly lower bills on average than their older counterparts. Dedicated to reducing fuel usage in its properties, Rippon Homes has partnered with technology company Etopia Group to deliver energy-efficient homes with the aim of Net Zero carbon. In fact, if homeowners opt to install solar panels, the property will be energy positive with a potential EPC rating of 104. Moreover, the housebuilder is implementing the Powered by Etopia (PBE) system at its Marquis Gardens development in Old Dalby, Leicestershire and involves the Etopia Group providing pre-manufactured panels to site that will form a home’s structure. While this particular system is so far being used on one site, Rippon Homes work hard to ensure all their properties are energy efficient, not only saving money for their homeowners, but also reducing their impact on the planet. “We realise the concerns a lot of our customers have right now. Rising energy costs are hitting many people hard. That’s why Rippon Homes is committed to making our homes as energy efficient as possible. Not only are we conscious of our environmental impact, but we also want our customers to live as comfortably as possible. Our energy efficient homes are designed to reduce carbon emissions and our customers’ energy bills. We always go above and beyond at Rippon Homes and we’re proud to say we are constantly adapting to bring our customers the best possible experience,” said Ian Dyke, Managing Director at Rippon Homes. On average, people living in existing homes are paying £1,457 a year for their energy since the 54% energy price increase. As comparison, those living in new homes have seen half as much of an increase and are paying only £713 a year. Even with the energy price cap coming into place in October, those living in an existing home will still see much higher energy bills than those in new homes. This happens because older homes usually feature outdated insulation and technology, preventing them from retaining heat and increasing fuel usage. New homes, such as those built by Rippon Homes, feature double-glazed windows, improved air tightness, high quality insulation, highly efficient boilers, and water saving systems. While older buildings inevitably suffer from wear and tear, the technology and materials in new-builds are up-to-date, making them more energy efficient. On average, it costs £38,000 – £74,000 to renovate a three-bedroom house. A new home requires no renovation and will help the buyer to save on energy bills from day one. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News