Network Space has secured two significant deals at its speculative multimillion-pound Woodhouse Link warehouse development, near Sheffield, prior to completion. The first unit, which provides 48,900 sq ft has been snapped up by global company, nVent, which acquired Eldon Holding AB and will move its main UK operations site from
LEADING architecture practice GT3 Architects has seen its focus on team development recognised with a prestigious national award. The firm – which has studios in Nottingham and Newcastle – has received the ‘People Development’ award at Constructing Excellence’s national ceremony, beating nominees from across the UK. The award recognises organisations
PLP will commence construction of Phase 1 at PLP Milton Keynes in April, having been granted detailed planning consent. The first phase at PLP MK will total 1.05 million sq ft and comprise of 10 units ranging in sizes up to 308,516 sq ft. The target delivery for the first
Akela Construction Ltd, part of the Akela Group, has secured its latest in a series of contracts as part of the creation of a new neighbourhood and community in Penicuik. This new contract for Avant Homes will deliver a further 78 new homes at Mauricewood Road and follows the successful
Local architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is launching a free interactive toolkit to introduce primary school children to the importance of building sustainably. Focusing on building materials and how much carbon is released during their manufacture, the engaging and interactive Better Buildings website is free to use
Concrete Expo (3-4 May Excel.London) makes its debut in London this year with a comprehensive range of more than 100 concrete-related brands and product categories. It’ll be the first major dedicated trade show for the concrete supply chain for more than two years. This year there’ll be a selection of
NATIONAL framework provider Pagabo has announced the winners of its annual celebration of industry excellence ahead of the Pagabo Awards 2022. Being hosted at Pagabo’s headquarters in Hull city centre, the second iteration of the awards ceremony will take place in-person with many of the firm’s ecosystem partners in attendance.
Work has been completed on a refurbishment project to create flexible new office and meeting space for housing and homelessness services in north London. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors has transformed the second floor of Edmonton Green Library in Enfield, to deliver contemporary and accessible office
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, along with repeat client St Modwen Logistics, has celebrated the start of the first phase of a significant project in Derby with a ground-breaking ceremony. St Modwen Park Derby,
Development Will Deliver First New Homes at 170 Acre Site Templegate Developments Limited, the joint venture partnership of Evans Property Group and Keyland Developments, has agreed terms of sale with Avant Homes and Evans Homes for the acquisition of strategic housing land at the 170 acre Skelton Gate site in
Network Space has secured two significant deals at its speculative multimillion-pound Woodhouse Link warehouse development, near Sheffield, prior to completion. The first unit, which provides 48,900 sq ft has been snapped up by global company, nVent, which acquired Eldon Holding AB and will move its main UK operations site from Hellaby to Woodhouse Link. An online retail giant has also agreed a deal for unit 4, where work is set to complete in February on the 23,200 sq ft warehouse with integral office. As a result, only one unit now remains at Woodhouse Link following last year’s letting of unit 3 to BLE Smoke and Fire Curtains Ltd. It is expected that all of the units will be let pre-completion as the remaining unit 2, which offers 13,200 sq ft of warehouse space, is already under offer. Local construction company, Harris CM, is currently on-site delivering 116,505 sq ft of prime industrial space across the four high specification units. All of the units will be ready for occupation in spring 2022 when Woodhouse Link will be capable of fostering some 200 new jobs. Simon Peters, Development Director at Network Space, explains: “Securing a further two significant deals at Woodhouse Link prior to its completion is testament to the quality of space and the great location close to the M1, Sheffield and Rotherham. This, combined with the 24/7 access and wide range of permitted uses has led to strong enquiry levels and the final unit is already under offer.” Woodhouse Link lies close to junctions 31 and 33 of the M1, to the east of Sheffield and on the south side of Rotherham, within the Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation District and close to the Advanced Manufacturing Park at Waverley. The development has planning permission for 24/7 operation and is suitable for manufacturing or distribution uses. The detached and self-contained units all provide secure storage yards and parking, 8 to 10 metre high eaves, integral offices and are designed to a high sustainability standard, including EV charging points, and to a BREEAM Very Good rating. Avison Young and CPP are responsible for marketing the site. Colliers advised nVent on the acquisition of the property. Rob Oliver, principal from Avison Young said: “We were delighted to agree and complete lettings on Units 1 and 4 prior to practical completion, and to attract to the scheme both a leading online retailer, and the relocation of a well-known local occupier. “We had received strong interest in both units from other occupiers, as we did for Unit 2, prior to agreeing terms on it with the chosen party. We look forward to seeing construction complete shortly, and the estate fully occupied and functioning in the next few months.” Ed Norris, Director at CCP said: “The latest deals announced at Woodhouse confirm the quality of the location and building on offer. It is fantastic to conclude these deals prior to practical completion of the units and gives confidence to the region.” The Woodhouse Link project team includes DLA Architecture, Spawforths planners, Tetra Tech and CJR Midlands M&E engineers, Walker Sime QS and project management and Gateley legal.
LEADING architecture practice GT3 Architects has seen its focus on team development recognised with a prestigious national award. The firm – which has studios in Nottingham and Newcastle – has received the ‘People Development’ award at Constructing Excellence’s national ceremony, beating nominees from across the UK. The award recognises organisations that value their workforce and ensure they maximise their team’s contribution to the business, something which GT3 Architects has nurtured through its ‘People Architecture’ approach. Alongside a new operations and flexible working policy introduced to mitigate the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, the practice appointed a designated ‘people champion’ to lead its focus on personal and professional development. Liz Clarke, associate director and ‘people champion’ at GT3 Architects, said: “For a practice with a fundamental goal to place people – not buildings – at the heart of our projects, processes and practice-life, Covid-19 offered us an unparalleled opportunity to prove ‘People Architecture’ to be more than just a strapline.” The success of this approach was borne out in a staff survey, which showed that 97% of its staff base believed they are supported by their colleagues and team leaders, with 89% feeling that their work during lockdown directly contributed to practice success. Liz added: “We believe that our success stems from our commitment to placing people’s wellbeing at the heart of every business decision, and our quick and sensitive reactions to feedback and changing circumstances. “Throughout all the lockdowns, Simon, Mark, and our leadership team continued to prioritise a collaborative and transparent environment, communicating not just within our own practice, but proactively seeking peer reviews and external mentorship opportunities with our contemporaries.” Alongside staff-centric changes made during the pandemic, the workplace consultancy team at GT3 offered consultation sessions to local businesses struggling to adapt to a Covid-19 working environment, and the practice also launched its first Virtual Work Experience offering for students aged 14 – 18, subsequently supported by both the RIBA and Speakers for Schools. The award period also saw the firm secure new projects and R&D work – including the UK’s first wet and dry Passivhaus leisure facility in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey – and grow its staff base by 10%. Simon Dunstan, director at GT3 Architects, said: “In a year when countless milestones, projects, and career choices were put on-hold, we made a conscious effort to continually put our people first, as well as contribute to the wider industry and support our local communities. “We are a rapidly growing practice, and we recognise that there is still plenty of work to do. We are exceptionally proud of our team, and will continue to align practice strategy and – hopefully – our continued successes with the individual development and wellbeing of our people. This award win is a real testament to our approach and we’re delighted to have been awarded to top spot.” For further information visit www.gt3architects.com or join the conversation over on Twitter @_GT3Architects.
PLP will commence construction of Phase 1 at PLP Milton Keynes in April, having been granted detailed planning consent. The first phase at PLP MK will total 1.05 million sq ft and comprise of 10 units ranging in sizes up to 308,516 sq ft. The target delivery for the first units will be in Q1 2023. The reserved matters approval launches construction of the first phase of the 135-acre site, which will be delivered within PLP’s Carbon Net Zero Commitment. PLP MK is wholly focused on providing customers with a best in a class working environment, market leading flexibility and uncompromised design. Adhering to the UK Green Building Councils Net Zero Buildings Framework. PLP’s carbon net zero (CNZ) framework combines CNZ construction with CNZ ready design, to enable future occupiers to achieve CNZ operation by utilising built-in renewable energy features and procuring appropriate renewable energy supplies. Phase 2 at PLP MK will follow Phase 1 and is available to deliver Design and Build units up to 1.15 million sq ft on 43.5 acres. PLP Milton Keynes, was acquired in 2021 by PLP’s flagship investment vehicle, the PLP UK Logistics Venture (UKLV), which is owned by majority investor Ivanhoé Cambridge alongside Peel L&P, Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) and PLP senior management. Edward Jackson at PLP, said: “Milton Keynes is a premier logistics location and will provide best in class space to our customers serving London, the South East, Midlands and beyond. We intend to speculatively develop the consented 10 buildings immediately to meet the extremely high levels of demand from local and national businesses. PLP MK is going to be a best in class working environment, raising the bar and setting a new standard for our customers and our ESG targets. We look forward to working with Winvic Construction Ltd on the Infrastructure and welcoming businesses to PLP MK.” Richard Saul at Ivanhoé Cambridge: This achievement marks a major milestone in the Business Plan for Milton Keynes. The site and its design will mean that we are delivering, alongside our partners, the very best in class park and buildings meeting the demands of our customers. Incorporating PLP’s Net Zero commitment alongside Ivanhoé Cambridge’s recently announced ESG commitments means we are delivering a logistics park for the future.” Burbage Realty, Savills and Kirby Diamond have been appointed as marketing agents for the scheme.
Akela Construction Ltd, part of the Akela Group, has secured its latest in a series of contracts as part of the creation of a new neighbourhood and community in Penicuik. This new contract for Avant Homes will deliver a further 78 new homes at Mauricewood Road and follows the successful delivery of phase one of Avant’s Carnethy Heights Development. The Company is currently providing civil engineering services to three major housebuilders – Cala Homes, Avant Homes and Bellway Homes – worth a combined contract value of £28 million, resulting in approximately 500 new homes being built in the area. Nearly a decade and half after plans were initially submitted to Midlothian Council, works commenced onsite in 2018. One of the challenges overcome by the Akela Construction team was to maintain the existing Talla Aqueduct which has been operating since 1905. Critically, the Talla Aqueduct provides the Glencorse Water Treatment Works with raw water and the treatment plant is the primary source of water for the Greater Edinburgh area. The first phases of both Cala and Avant sites are due to complete at the end of 2022, however subsequent phases will be ongoing until 2026. The development will provide 57 affordable homes with provision for electric vehicle charging facilities for future tenants. Other environmentally friendly features on this site include solar panels, air source heat pumps and value engineering methods to reduce surplus soil to landfill. Mark Markey, Akela Group Managing Director, said: “Akela Construction Ltd has a significant role to play in the delivery of the Mauricewood Road development that will provide over 500 new homes to the north Penicuik area, including much needed affordable housing. We are delighted to continue our strong working relationships with Avant Homes, Bellway Homes and CALA Homes to drive the creation of this new neighbourhood and community. “This latest contract win, to deliver an additional 78 new homes as part of the Penicuik masterplan, is a testament to the successful delivery of house building projects we have already delivered for house building clients. This builds on our ambitious plans to continue to grow this area of our business, both in Scotland and in the north of England from our Leeds base.”
Local architectural practice, Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) is launching a free interactive toolkit to introduce primary school children to the importance of building sustainably. Focusing on building materials and how much carbon is released during their manufacture, the engaging and interactive Better Buildings website is free to use and aims to get children at Key Stage 2 thinking about sustainability and designing low carbon buildings. Project lead Simon Matthews, a member of the Social Responsibility group at SGP takes up the story: “We decided to create a set of learning aids that teachers can use with children of about 10 or 11 years old, to help them discover more about building materials and their impact on the environment, in a fun and accessible way. Buildings have a significant impact on the environment – 11% of global carbon emissions come from the construction of buildings and the materials used. The Better Buildings programme aligns perfectly with our company values – it is imperative for us to raise awareness and put our knowledge out there for everyone to share.” Steve Malkin, founder of sustainability champions Planet Mark, adds: “”As an engineer, I would have loved a lesson in imagining and designing buildings that are great for the planet and for people. I have seen first-hand the wonderful ideas school children can bring to creating better buildings and, this exciting classroom resource gives them the ideas to fuel their imagination.” The Better Buildings resource is web based and includes investigating traditional and alternative materials used around the world, followed by a module for children to design their own low carbon building. Throughout the site, children are encouraged to explore the subjects through activities and open discussions, discovering fascinating facts and using an interactive carbon indicator to assess each material. Cartoon avatars of SGP staff help to explain common terms used throughout Simon continues: “Sustainability is everyone’s issue and everyone needs to contribute what they can. We developed the Better Building website specifically for primary school children because they are the architects of the future – and a generation that will need to face the problems we have left. We know the interest in sustainability and climate change is there from our existing schools’ sustainability campaign, SGP + You, so the earlier we can engage the better. “SGP’s Better Buildings website celebrates the positives and what people can do, reaffirming the message that people do have the ability to make changes that will have a positive impact. We hope that this resource will help teachers explain sustainability in building materials to older primary school children and ignite their enthusiasm for the subject.” The website, an open-source asset, is now available, free to all teachers. Link to the website: https://betterbuildings.stephengeorge.co.uk/
Concrete Expo (3-4 May Excel.London) makes its debut in London this year with a comprehensive range of more than 100 concrete-related brands and product categories. It’ll be the first major dedicated trade show for the concrete supply chain for more than two years. This year there’ll be a selection of concrete batching plant suppliers, admixtures, additives and chemicals, concrete pumps, concrete mixers, volumetric mixers, formwork, lifting and handling concrete, precast equipment and accessories, tools, testing services – in fact just about everything needed to produce, deliver and install the most widely used building material to construction sites.
NATIONAL framework provider Pagabo has announced the winners of its annual celebration of industry excellence ahead of the Pagabo Awards 2022. Being hosted at Pagabo’s headquarters in Hull city centre, the second iteration of the awards ceremony will take place in-person with many of the firm’s ecosystem partners in attendance. With twelve winners set to celebrate on the night, companies that will take home silverware include VINCI, Willmott Dixon and Faithful + Gould for their contributions to major UK development projects, as well as local projects importantly supporting local people, economies and environments. Jason Stapley, managing director at Pagabo, said: “The whole premise of the Pagabo Awards is to celebrate and recognise the projects being procured through our frameworks and carried out by our ecosystem. “There is such a wealth of amazing work being carried out across the UK through our range of frameworks it makes for a very difficult judging process. Thankfully our team of experts have an eagle eye for spotting businesses going above and beyond ordinary expectations.” While some of the projects are categorised by financial value, such as ‘Best Project Delivered Under £5m’, the awards also recognise the wider responsibility of UK industry through awards including ‘Mental Health Ambassador Award’ and ‘Best Project Delivering Social Value’. A number of projects for each of the ten categories were nominated by internal teams at Pagabo, with the overall winners being selected by the experienced senior management team. Jason continued: “It’s going to be fantastic celebrating the industry success stories that we have helped play a role in making happen through our procurement support – and to be able to do so in person. Ultimately, we help connect the most suitable businesses to each public sector project and this is testament to the internal standards that we are seeing challenged and consequently bettered in all areas of the private sector.” The full list of award winners includes: Mental Health Ambassador Award – Rob Hall, Morgan Sindall Construction Best DPS Small Works Project Under £1m – ME Construction, The Tabernacle Community Centre Best Project Delivered Under £5m – Lindum, The National Centre for Craft & Design Best Project Delivered Between £5m and £15m – R G Carter, Swallowtail Place Best Project Delivered Above £15m – VINCI, Festival Gardens Best Consultancy Project – Edge, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Best Framework Collaboration Project – Faithful + Gould, Sir Robert McAlpine and Manchester City Council, Co-op Academy Belle Vue Best Goods Project – Jigsaw24, Windsor Academy Trust Best Project Delivering Sustainability Outcomes – Willmott Dixon, Oaklands College Phase 2 Best Project Delivering Social Value – Overbury, Marches Centre of Excellence in Health and Social Care
Work has been completed on a refurbishment project to create flexible new office and meeting space for housing and homelessness services in north London. The fit-out and refurbishment specialist contractor, Willmott Dixon Interiors has transformed the second floor of Edmonton Green Library in Enfield, to deliver contemporary and accessible office accommodation. Part of Enfield Council’s Build the Change programme, the new facilities will serve as a hub for the borough-wide Housing services. Willmott Dixon Interiors has carried out substantial alterations to the interior and exterior of the building at second floor level, to create a large, open plan office area with flexible meeting spaces. New partitions have been installed with glazed screens, as well as a new kitchen area, toilets and showers, and raised access flooring. The workspace benefits from an MEP installation throughout, with a new mechanical plant on the roof and new air handling, condenser and air conditioning units. Externally, new large windows have been added to the east elevation, which also incorporates new steel wind posts and beams to create the increased structural openings and now greatly improves natural daylight penetration into the floor plate. Construction of the building has been characterised by strong sustainability credentials, with 98% of project waste directed from landfill and harvested rainwater used to limit dust on site. Graham Shaw, managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “The way we work is continually evolving and we are placing new demands on our offices. Employers need modern and dynamic workspaces that can attract and retain talent, and enable their teams to work flexibly and efficiently. At the heart of the Council’s vision for Build the Change is also the wellbeing of their staff and residents; it’s investment in Edmonton Green Library has created a modern light-filled space that brings vital services closer to the people who need them most and will serve the local community for many years to come.” As part of the delivery of the project, Willmott Dixon Interiors and Enfield Council developed a strategy to maximise investment in local suppliers, with 74% of total project spend made within 10 miles of the site. Willmott Dixon Interiors also delivered a 71% social return on investment through deployment of a social value plan. Activities included a careers event with local sixth form students and a virtual site tour designed to give an insight into the construction industry to an audience of 300 secondary school students. The refurbishment was procured through SCAPE, one of the UK’s leading public sector procurement authorities. It was delivered by a project team including architect, TP Bennett; quantity surveyor, Stace LLP; and Pick Everard as project manager and services engineer.
Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of multi-sector construction and civil engineering projects, along with repeat client St Modwen Logistics, has celebrated the start of the first phase of a significant project in Derby with a ground-breaking ceremony. St Modwen Park Derby, which is located off the A52 and close to junction 25 of the M1, will initially see Winvic complete four modern industrial units at the new 67-acre business park in less than 10-months. Winvic will deliver over 224,000m3 of cut and fill works on the site adjacent to the River Derwent to enable the development plots, build 800m of new road infrastructure and create more than 20 acres of natural landscaped area in order to improve the working environment for those working within and living close to the Park. Works will be undertaken using two new Volvo EC300EL hybrid excavators – the first of their kind in the UK – which are powered by Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel. In line with Winvic’s, Collins Earthworks’ and St. Modwen’s carbon reduction goals, the plant reduces net CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent and delivers a 17 per cent increase in fuel efficiency, all while maintaining the performance of a diesel equivalent machines. Units D39, D54, D79 and D131 will be completed in phases between July and October 2022. Project delivery includes the design and construction of the four buildings – which all comprise office space – mechanical and electrical installations, creation of service yards, drainage and service works, significant landscaping and associated roadworks. Each facility will achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and an ‘A’ EPC rating. Unit D39 – 35,467 sq ft warehouse, with a 10m haunch height and 4,123 sq ft office accommodation Unit D54 – 49,577 sq ft warehouse, with a 10m haunch height and 5,680 sq ft office accommodation Unit D79 – 72,107 sq ft warehouse, with a 12.5m haunch height and 6,886 sq ft office accommodation Unit D131 – 121,987 sq ft warehouse, with a 15m haunch height and 8,962 sq ft office accommodation Winvic Project Manager, Adam Broadhurst, commented: “Having partnered with St Modwen Logistics on a number of occasions, we already have a great relationship with the company and we work very well together as one team, focusing on the end result. This, four-warehouse project in Derby will be delivered in quite a short space of time, but the rapid build illustrates Winvic’s ambition, our team’s experience in the infrastructure and industrial sectors and our exacting programme management skills. I’d like to thank the St Modwen team for having confidence in our ability to transform 70-acres of brownfield land into a high-profile business park within just 10-months.” Richard Carter, Senior Director, Construction, at St Modwen Logistics added: “Our partnership with Winvic strengthens as they continue to deliver St. Modwen Parks to our Swan Standard – a set of industry-leading sustainable development guidelines, with a focus on responsible building practices that meet the needs of our customers and their employees. The Park will deliver BREEAM Excellent standard, demonstrating significant investment and innovation in sustainability above current regulation and practice, as well as a number of health, wellbeing and biodiversity enhancements to improve the environment for those working at the Park and those living close by.” Previous projects that Winvic has constructed for the client include five industrial units at St Modwen Park Tamworth and the first phases of St Modwen Park Gloucester and St Modwen Park Chippenham. For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit Twitter @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn.
Development Will Deliver First New Homes at 170 Acre Site Templegate Developments Limited, the joint venture partnership of Evans Property Group and Keyland Developments, has agreed terms of sale with Avant Homes and Evans Homes for the acquisition of strategic housing land at the 170 acre Skelton Gate site in the Leeds Aire Valley. Both Avant Homes and Evans Homes are each purchasing half of phase one of the development which incorporates a total 27 acres and will enable the delivery of a combined 400 homes. The development has planning consent in place to build 1,800 new homes on the former open cast colliery site, which sits to the east of Junction 45 of the M1. As well as new homes, the Skelton Gate will also provide a primary and secondary school, public open space, a local centre and a convenience store as well as associated infrastructure. Peter Garrett, Managing Director of Keyland Developments, said; “The sale of phase one of what is one of the most significant regeneration schemes to be seen in the Leeds City Region, is a huge milestone in the transformation of Skelton Gate into a new sustainable community.” Richard Bean, Portfolio Director at Evans Property Group, said; “We are pleased to have concluded this transaction to enable the provision of much needed new homes and assist Leeds City Council in meeting its housing targets.” Subject to planning approval by Leeds City Council, Avant Homes look to launch its first homes for sale by the end of summer 2022. Avant Homes Yorkshire managing director, Chris Coley, said: “We have ambitious growth plans for development across the region so we’re very pleased to be moving forward with this acquisition. “With its fantastic location that will cater to a wide range of buyers, and its proximity to the Aire Valley Enterprise Zone, this will become an exciting flagship development for our growing portfolio.” John Carter, Director at Evans Homes, said: “Evans Homes is delighted to be involved in the Skelton Gate development. Following on from the successful launch of our scheme at Tockwith near York, the development at Skelton Gate presents an exciting opportunity to be involved in the creation of a vibrant new community on the edge of Leeds. “The first phase of over 213 homes will commence in mid 2022 and we look forward to welcoming our first homeowners early in 2023.”