BarhaleEnpure JV delivers Yorkshire Water’s Dewsbury WwTW upgrade
BarhaleEnpure JV has completed an ?18m phosphorus removal programme at Dewsbury Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTW) in West Yorkshire to help improve water quality in the River Calder. Delivered in partnership with Yorkshire Water, the scheme has achieved a 90% reduction in phosphorus levels in the final effluent at the WwTW, exceeding Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) targets for England. Fourteen existing primary settlement tanks (PSTs) have been replaced with three new larger tanks and two new primary sludge pumping stations. Prior to construction an existing beck was diverted to accommodate the new tanks’ footprint. The project took advantage of off-site manufacturing to precast the concrete wall sections before they were assembled on site to form the new 45m diameter, 8.5m deep (deepest at the central desludge cone) settlement tanks. BarhaleEnpure JV constructed a new chemical dosing plant and installed a UMON4 device to upgrade monitoring to MCERTS (monitoring certification scheme) standards. This confirms that the works is treating permitted flow to full treatment (2,350 litres per second) when the storm overflow is operating. The team also completed process improvements and created a 2.5ha biodiversity and rewilding area. The WwTW, which serves a catchment of 200,000 people, remained fully operational throughout the construction process. Phosphorus is a normal component of domestic sewage, entering the sewer system from products such as shampoos and detergents. It can also enter rivers through agricultural run-off and natural soil erosion, which can be difficult to control. Small amounts of phosphorus are harmless and are essential to many ecosystems, but higher concentrations can become damaging to aquatic life. BarhaleEnpure JV Contracts Manager Brian Harrold said the joint venture moved into the design and construct phase in the third quarter of 2023 following extensive early contractor involvement. “This has been a relatively long-term project to deliver essential water infrastructure for a large part of West Yorkshire,” he said. “We worked closely with Yorkshire Water throughout and successfully completed and commissioned all the new works on schedule and under budget. “The improvements are already delivering a measurable impact, including better water quality in the River Calder, a healthier and more enjoyable environment for people and wildlife and improved opportunities for recreation.” Philip Lister, Yorkshire Water’s environmental permit compliance lead, said: “Yorkshire Water is committed to looking at innovative ways to improve the operation of our sites to meet our phosphorus removal targets. This particular project adopted a number of measures designed to reduce the carbon impact and speed up the duration of the improvement works. “We have committed over ?350m to reduce the levels of phosphorus going into watercourses at 85 of our wastewater treatment sites across the region in the next five years, continuing the work we began in 2020 – 2025.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lovell Partnerships exchanges contracts for 199-home development at new £800m Fairham neighbourhood in Nottingham
Leading partnership housing specialist Lovell Partnerships has exchanged contracts on a 13-acre parcel of land at Fairham in Nottingham, where it plans to deliver 199 new homes. The major new residential development sits within the emerging new community, Fairham, which is being facilitated by Homes England and Clowes Developments. Situated five miles from Nottingham City Centre in the Borough of Rushcliffe, Fairham is a 606-acre, £800m neighbourhood that will ultimately deliver around 3,000 new homes, alongside new infrastructure including employment space, a new school and community facilities. Subject to planning, the scheme will comprise 99 properties for open market sale and 100 affordable homes, contributing to the continued growth of one of the region’s most significant new communities. Lovell Partnerships’ regional managing director, Beth Bundonis, said: “Exchanging contracts at Fairham Phase Four is an important milestone for Lovell Partnerships and reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality new homes as part of well-planned, sustainable communities. “Fairham is a landmark development for Nottingham, and we look forward to submitting our plans for this next phase in partnership with Clowes, Homes England and the wider project team.” Once complete Fairham will be the East Midlands’ most significant mixed-use development. With world-class connectivity, future forward homes, new amenities and a wealth of employment and business opportunities it is set to become the region’s prime commercial and residential destination. Homes England head of disposals, Mark Laidow, commented: “The exchange of contracts with Lovell Partnerships marks another important step forward in the delivery of Fairham. This latest phase will help maintain momentum across the site, bringing forward much-needed new homes alongside the infrastructure and amenities that will support our long-term vision. “This is a prime example of how we are working collaboratively with partners like Lovell to achieve our mission to build vibrant, new communities that people can be proud of.” Planning for the development is expected to be submitted in spring 2026. To find out more about Lovell Partnerships visit the website. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cost, speed and AI set to shape the building trade, says new Häfele research
Almost a fifth of kitchen fitters, electricians, and small residential builders say AI will be among the top three trends shaping their roles over the next two years, according to research from Häfele UK. Over a quarter of respondents (26%) said rising material and tool costs will have the biggest impact on their industry in the next one to two years, closely followed by labour shortages (21%) and client expectations around speed of delivery (20%). However, AI ranked fourth among the likely trends to influence the building industry in the near future, with 19% selecting it as one of their top three. Häfele UK undertook research with 500 kitchen fitters, electricians and small residential builders to understand the pressures and opportunities facing the building trades in the coming years. The findings point to a sector expecting continued strain from rising costs and labour shortages, while also preparing for growing customer demands and the influence of artificial intelligence (AI). As well as exploring the trends most likely to impact the sector, the research also examined how the challenges will affect different trades specifically, recognising that experiences will be affected by the types of work, customer demands, and the skills their businesses rely on. For kitchen installers, customer expectations around speed ranked highly (26%), with the profession feeling particular pressure to turn jobs around more quickly. For electricians, however, the standout issues were the declining number of skilled tradespeople (25%) and the impact of increased workload, with 34% saying their biggest challenge will be managing burnout. Carpenters and joiners reported different experiences. While cost pressure remains a concern (36%), it is closely followed by rising client expectations around speed (35%), with just one percentage point separating the two. Conversely, builders reported a broader set of pressures. While increasing costs ranked as the trend most likely to impact their sector (30%), finding consistent work (32%) and customer financial pressure (30%) ranked highest in the top three challenges, by some margin. Commenting on the results, Rachel Tuckey, Chief Product and Marketing Officer for Häfele UK, said: “These findings show that trades are under pressure from multiple angles. While challenges with tool and material costs are long-standing and ever-present for tradespeople, customer expectations around speed of service and technologies like AI are also quickly shaping the building landscape. “Now, more than ever, tradespeople need services, products, tools and support that help them save time and improve efficiency. That’s why we’ve developed our new Trade Hub, bringing together more than 25,000 products into one place, from fixings and consumables to tools, lighting, storage and fittings. It gives trades a single dependable route to the essentials they need, alongside next-day delivery, product guarantees and simple returns. “And for trades feeling the squeeze on time and labour, we also offer a broad range of services.” Through the Trade Hub, users can access Häfele’s Service+ options, all designed to make installation faster, easier, and more profitable. Services include pre-assembled and custom wooden drawers, cut-to-size lighting and plinth panels, and custom sanding belts. Häfele UK has also launched a new Lighting Configurator to help customers save vital time with their room and furniture lighting designs. Rachel continued: “By bringing these services and systems together, Häfele is helping trades respond to the current and emerging pressures on their roles. Whether the need is to save time, reduce preparation work, simplify sourcing, or offer customers more personalised designs, faster, the tools are there to support a smoother, more predictable way of working in the years ahead.” For more information, visit www.hafele.co.uk/trade-hub Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Vistry Group and Jigsaw Homes Group celebrate new partnership at flagship development in Linby, Nottinghamshire
Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, has announced an exciting collaboration with Jigsaw Homes Group to deliver 43 much-needed affordable homes at its flagship Linby Meadows development in Nottinghamshire. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the ambitious 763-home development in Linby, north of Hucknall. The project, supported by Nottinghamshire Country Council, will offer a vibrant mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes, maisonettes, and apartments. Andy Reynolds, Managing Director for Vistry South East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jigsaw as a partner at our Linby Meadows development. Together, we’re building more than just homes, we’re creating a thriving new community where families can flourish. After listening to local residents and shaping the scheme to meet their needs, we’re now on site, building a new community of high-quality, mixed-tenure properties for people in the area to call home.” Garnet Fazackerley, Operations Director of Development at Jigsaw Homes Group, added: “As a significant housing development providing new homes via a Section 106 agreement, this scheme demonstrates how planning policy can meaningfully deliver both quality new homes for sale and much‑needed affordable housing. This project is a strong example of how partnerships can translate policy into real, positive impact for local communities. There is a real and growing need for quality, affordable homes in this area, and we’re proud to join forces with Vistry to provide properties that offer comfort, security and opportunity for local people. Our partnership is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about supporting communities and creating green, welcoming spaces for everyone.” The land acquisition from the Council in March 2025 has unlocked a £6 million investment in local services, including substantial funding for education, highways, public transport, and healthcare. The scheme will also introduce new parks, sports facilities, wildlife corridors, and safe pedestrian and cycle routes, as well as a brand-new primary school. Vistry looks forward to welcoming the first residents to Linby Meadows later this year as the vision for a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community comes to life. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Clowes Developments Secure Strong Early Offers at Viking Trade Park, Congleton
Clowes Developments has announced strong early interest at Viking Trade Park, Congleton, with four of the six units now under offer, just weeks after achieving practical completion on the speculatively built, prominent roadside trade park. Viking Trade Park comprises two modern industrial buildings, Viking F3 and Viking G3, each providing 12,220 sq ft of high-quality commercial space. Designed with flexibility at the forefront, both buildings can be subdivided into three terraced units of approximately 4,000 sq ft, making the scheme ideally suited to a wide range of trade counter and industrial occupiers. One occupier has secured the entirety of Unit G, while another has taken Unit F1, leaving just two units remaining. The final space can be let either as two individual 4,000 sq ft units (F2 and F3) or combined to provide a single 8,000 sq ft opportunity. The development occupies a prominent roadside location on Viking Way, adjacent to the recently opened MKM Building Supplies branch, offering excellent visibility and convenient access. Marc Freeman, Development Director at Clowes Developments, commented: “We are delighted to confirm that already two thirds of the trade park is under offer. This level of demand reflects both the strength of the location, quality and flexibility of the accommodation we’ve delivered.” Andrew Groves and Mark Sillitoe, joint agents at Viking Park, Congleton, added: “Demand for Viking Trade Park has been very strong from the outset. The combination of a prominent location, high quality development and flexible unit sizes has appealed to a wide range of trade occupiers, and we anticipate the remaining units will be let quickly.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Altrad RMD Kwikform supports construction of complex new angled-span pedestrian bridge in Salford
Temporary works specialist, Altrad RMD Kwikform (Altrad RMDK), provided a comprehensive temporary works solution for Salford Rise, a new 220-metre pedestrian link delivered by Kilmartin Ltd in partnership with Wright Civil Engineering Ltd. As part of Salford’s wider regeneration programme, the bridge improves connectivity across the area. Project overview Salford Rise comprises a central span formed from precast U-beams supported on three reinforced concrete piers reaching up to 7.5 meters high. The bridge’s 27-degree skew and varying deck profile required careful temporary works planning to ensure accurate positioning of pre-cast units, safe access for installation and ongoing structural stability during construction. Altrad RMDK was tasked with designing and supplying all the temporary works systems for both the primary U-beams and the precast edge string courses. Close coordination with the contractor, Kilmartin Ltd, was essential to align the temporary works with the construction sequence and programme. The challenge The bridges angled alignment introduced a risk of lateral movement during installation, particularly before the stitch pours achieved continuity between beams. The variable deck heights required the temporary support to adapt along the length of the bridge, providing consistent working platforms and maintaining precise tolerances for both alignment and level. Additional challenges included supporting heavy precast units at varying heights while maintaining overall stability, providing safe and efficient access for lifting and installation operations, and ensuring that the temporary works could accommodate programme constraints without compromising construction safety or increasing project risk. The solution Altrad RMDK engineered a two-phase temporary works solution that combined high load capacity with adaptability for the bridge’s complex geometry. Megashor towers were used in the first phase to support the precast U-beams; their modular design, adjustable head arrangements, and high load capacity allowed them to accommodate the varying deck heights and skewed alignment. To address the 27-degree skew of the bridge, rubber pads were installed between the beam supports, to prevent any slippage under load pressure and to ensure the precast units remained secure during the installation and subsequent stitch pours. Once the stitch pours had fully cured, the second phase involved Megashor being stripped out and replaced with Rapidshor to support the precast string courses along the edge of the bridge. Rapidshor’s modular design enabled the upper sections to remain consistent while the lower sections were extended to match the required height variations. This configuration simplified assembly and improved efficiency whilst maintaining precise alignment along the full length of the bridge. Throughout the project, Altrad RMDK maintained close communication with Kilmartin Ltd and Wright Civil Engineering Ltd’s engineers and site teams. Regular design reviews planned site inspections and open communication ensured that the temporary works were installed safely and in line with the construction programme. Early engagement and the existing relationship ensured that the teams had clear understanding of processes and quality expectations, and this mutual trust helped to streamline operations and maintain efficiency. Dermot Donelon, Senior Sales Representative at Altrad RMD Kwikform said: “The 27-degree incline and changing bridge level made this an engineering challenge, but the modular design of our equipment allowed us to adapt quickly and aid the construction of this new transport link.” Liam Kilmartin, Managing Director at Kilmartin Ltd, said: “Having worked with Altrad RMDK before, we already had a lot of trust there. We know what their kit can do and put trust into the engineering excellence of the team. The collaboration between our teams made this project successful as open communication allowed for a smoother and more efficient delivery of the project.” For more on Altrad RMD Kwikform, please visit www.rmdkwikform.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals