City Lifting takes delivery of the UK’s first Liebherr 195 HC-LH crane
City Lifting has become the first company in the UK to take delivery of the Liebherr 195 HC-LH luffing jib crane, marking a significant milestone for both businesses. Ahead of the crane’s first project, a housing development in Essex, Liebherr worked closely with City Lifting’s technicians during the initial erection process at the company’s Leighton Buzzard yard, providing specialist support and familiarisation training. The agreement for the new crane was first announced last year and later celebrated at Bauma in April, where representatives from City Lifting and Liebherr marked the occasion together. Headquartered in Purfleet, Essex, City Lifting is widely recognised for delivering complex lifting solutions across London, supporting projects ranging from restricted inner-city developments to work on some of the capital’s best-known landmarks. The Liebherr 195 HC-LH has been designed to suit constrained urban construction environments, making it well suited to City Lifting’s specialist operations. The crane can operate with a minimum working radius of just three metres and achieve an out-of-service position of less than 10 metres, while also offering flexible configuration options for tight sites. Advanced features include a hydraulic luffing system capable of delivering fast and precise movements in under 90 seconds, helping improve efficiency and site safety. The crane also benefits from Load-Plus technology, which can temporarily increase lifting capacity by up to 25%, alongside Liebherr’s Tower Crane OS operating system for enhanced control and operational monitoring. Designed with busy city-centre logistics in mind, the crane can be transported using just four vehicles, helping reduce disruption during delivery. Assembly has also been streamlined, with individual components weighing no more than eight tonnes, allowing smaller assist cranes to be used on site. Before entering service, City Lifting’s technical team completed a week-long training and familiarisation programme delivered by Liebherr, covering the crane’s systems and operational processes in detail. Trevor Jepson, Managing Director of City Lifting, said several practical design features influenced the decision to invest in the crane. He highlighted the position of the hoist winch within the first jib section, which reduces transport requirements and saves time, as well as the larger drum size that reduces rope layering on taller buildings. He also noted the crane’s accessible maintenance design, allowing safer access to the brake and gearbox from the fixed working platform regardless of jib position. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Costain chosen for Dover Harbour Board Framework
Utilities infrastructure upgrades will build resilience into UK international trade and drive economic prosperity. Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been selected by Dover Harbour Board to deliver critical upgrades as part of its Project Contractors Framework. The Project Contractors Framework will commission civils, building, and utility works to support a range of capital improvement projects across the Port of Dover. The works will help Dover Harbour Board deliver it’s 2050 Masterplan, enhancing the UK’s port capacity for international trade and travel while driving prosperity through economic development that creates new jobs and develops skills. The total value of the Project Contractors Framework is up to £235m, split into four lots. Costain has been selected for Lot 1, Utilities, and its responsibilities will involve refurbishing and replacing a variety of essential utilities distribution systems serving the Port of Dover, with a focus on enhancing asset value and embedding decarbonisation. The Framework will run for six years. Costain will draw on its extensive cross-sector experience delivering complex engineering and infrastructure services in highly regulated environments in the transportation, water, energy and defence sectors. Jonathan Willcock, Managing Director, Transportation at Costain, commented: “This award is testament to our strategy of being positioned in growing markets where significant long-term investment is being made to meet critical national needs. “We’re excited to play a key role in maintaining Dover’s status as a leading global maritime hub. Upgrading the port’s utilities infrastructure will help build resilience in the UK’s capabilities in international trade while at the same time create prosperity at a local and national level.” Chris Hughes, Business Transformation Director at the Port of Dover, said:“Costain’s appointment to the Project Contractors Framework reflects its technical expertise and track record in delivering complex infrastructure projects. The port is investing in critical upgrades to our utilities infrastructure that will strengthen resilience for UK international trade and support economic growth. We look forward to collaborating closely with Costain to ensure these projects are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Liverpool’s £1.2bn Kings Waterfront District Moves Closer as Public Consultation Opens
Fresh plans have been revealed for Kings, a major £1.2bn waterfront development in Liverpool that could deliver one of the UK’s tallest buildings outside London. The eight-acre scheme, brought forward by Beetham Group and Davos Property, is described by the developers as the regeneration of a “forgotten corner” of Liverpool’s waterfront. A public consultation has now opened ahead of the submission of a hybrid planning application later this year. Kings would be the city’s largest development project since Liverpool ONE and is set to include 10 buildings across a new mixed-use district. Consent has already been secured for the first building, a 28-storey residential tower. The wider masterplan includes six residential buildings, providing around 2,750 homes in total. At the heart of the proposals is a 70-storey tower designed by SimpsonHaugh Architects, which would include a hotel on its lower floors and more than 500 branded residences above. If delivered, it would become Liverpool’s tallest building. Across the district, the plans include around 400 hotel rooms, 150,000 sq ft of office space close to the river, and 160,000 sq ft for retail, leisure, food and beverage operators. The scheme will also include a new arts venue, shared workspace for start-ups and technology businesses, and public realm designed to improve connections across the waterfront. The development is being planned across three zones. Residential uses would be focused towards the northern end of the site, linking with Waterloo Dock and Pall Mall. Offices would sit towards the southern end, creating a connection between Liverpool’s business district and the Princes Dock office quarter, while leisure uses would be positioned in the centre of the scheme. The hybrid planning application will seek detailed consent for the site layout, services and some buildings, with outline consent requested for the remaining plots. Hugh Frost, chairman of Beetham Group, said Kings represents a statement of confidence in Liverpool, its leadership and its economy. He said the consultation would allow the public to help shape a scheme that could deliver a significant step-change for the city. Chris Bolland, managing partner at Brock Carmichael, the masterplan architect for Kings, said the proposals had been carefully developed around heritage, permeability, layout, massing and scale. He added that feedback from people across Liverpool and Wirral would be an important part of refining the final plans. The joint venture is now seeking investment partners for the project, including build-to-rent funding, a branded residences partner, a hotel operator and support for the office element. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Northumberland’s Mega Industrial Park Set to Power Jobs and Investment
A major new industrial park in Northumberland has been given the go-ahead, paving the way for more than 1m sq ft of employment space and a significant boost to the region’s economy. Northumberland planners have unanimously approved outline proposals from Arlington Real Estate for the 126-acre West Hartford Park scheme in Cramlington. The development is being brought forward in partnership with Homes England and is expected to become one of the region’s most important strategic employment sites. The decision comes as confidence begins to return to the UK logistics and industrial development market. Demand is being driven by growth sectors including offshore wind, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence infrastructure, clean technology and modern logistics. West Hartford Park is the largest remaining strategic employment allocation in Northumberland. Once developed, it is expected to support more than 2,000 jobs and attract over £150m of investment. The plans include a wide range of flexible industrial, manufacturing and logistics buildings, with units from 40,000 sq ft up to 532,000 sq ft. The scheme will also feature office space, innovation facilities and supporting retail amenities for occupiers and workers. Its location is a key part of the project’s appeal. The site is close to the deep-sea Port of Blyth and will be promoted as a “near port” destination for businesses involved in offshore wind, clean technology, advanced manufacturing and logistics. Arlington said the development has already generated strong interest from potential occupiers. The company pointed to the site’s significant power capacity, modern infrastructure and lack of highways restrictions as important advantages for businesses looking to invest in the area. Environmental measures also form part of the plans. Around 40 acres of the site will be used for ecological mitigation, green space and landscaping, helping to balance development with environmental improvements. Dean Cook, managing director at Arlington, said the scheme’s scale, flexibility and infrastructure made it exceptionally well placed to support a wide range of industries, including advanced manufacturing, logistics, clean energy and technology. The approval marks an important step forward for Northumberland’s industrial ambitions and could help position the county as a key location for the next wave of clean energy and manufacturing investment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Unlock Confidence in Leasehold Management: Free Online Training for RMC and RTM Directors
The Property Institute has launched a practical online training course designed to help current and aspiring directors of Residents’ Management Companies and Right to Manage companies better understand their responsibilities in residential leasehold management. Managing a leasehold building can involve a wide range of legal, financial, operational and safety duties. For many RMC and RTM directors, these responsibilities can feel complex, particularly when decisions affect fellow residents, service charges, contractors, compliance and the long-term running of a building. The Introduction to Leasehold Management for RMC/RTM Directors course has been created to provide a clear and accessible starting point. It offers practical guidance for those who want to build their knowledge, understand their role and manage leasehold buildings with greater confidence. The course has been developed by The Property Institute with input from a range of sector stakeholders, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Leasehold Advisory Service, the Building Safety Regulator, the Health and Safety Executive, and the Federation of Private Residents’ Associations. This industry input has helped shape a course that is relevant, practical and aligned with current expectations across the residential property management sector. TPI is responsible for the final content and delivery of the course. The Health and Safety Executive said it provided support to TPI in producing the guidance, which is aimed at improvements within the building management industry. HSE also endorsed the guidance, saying it follows a sensible and proportionate approach to managing health and safety. The Building Safety Regulator was also involved in producing the course and has endorsed it for following a sensible and proportionate approach to managing safety. The online course is made up of six introductory modules covering leasehold property management, the legal framework, service charges and ground rent, wider block management areas, the role and duties of an RMC or RTM director, and health and safety. Each module is introduced by AI Tutors, helping to create an engaging and interactive learning experience. Participants complete a short quiz at the end of each module, and those who pass all six modules will receive a Certificate of Completion. The course is available free of charge to both TPI members and non-members Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
SMD appointed to LCP general works framework
Cambridgeshire-based Spacemaker Developments (SMD) has been appointed to the London Construction Programme (LCP) General Works Framework. The £3bn framework which is procured by the London Borough of Haringey on behalf of LCP, puts SMD in the lineup for public sector projects throughout London and the Home Counties. SMD has been appointed for projects in three categories: New build construction projects up to £7.5m, new build projects valued between £6m-£15m and refurbishment and retro fit projects up to £7.5m. Moomith Ullah, operations director at SMD said: “We’re proud that SMD has secured a place on the LCP General Works Framework. The appointment reflects the strength of our team, our track record in delivering high-quality projects, and our continued commitment to supporting long-term infrastructure and built environment improvements. “We look forward to working alongside LCP and fellow framework partners to deliver safe, sustainable and value-driven projects across the programme. “Thank you to LCP for putting their trust in SMD and to everyone involved in making this happen.” Frameworks provide many benefits for both contractors and their clients, streamlining the procurement process, with contractors already being pre-approved for works. Agreements such as this also promote transparency and good communication making the whole construction process easier. To be appointed to the framework SMD proved its technical capability, financial stability and compliance in quality, safety and legal standards and was able to demonstrate the ability to consistently deliver value to public sector clients over several years. SMD is already an approved supplier on several other frameworks including LHC’s (London and South -East Procurement) Modern Methods of Construction of New Homes Framework, the Procurement for Housing Residential Construction Framework and the Southeast Consortium Construction and Development Dynamic Purchasing System, all proving SMD’s status as a solution-focused, proactive, collaborative and secure construction partner. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals