A roofing company owner has been given a suspended sentence after a member of the public reported a concern regarding unsafe work at height. Liverpool Crown Court heard how, on 5 March 2021, company owner Phillip McGinn and two workers were replacing roof tiles on a detached dormer bungalow, in
A technically advanced, high-performance, hybrid roofing membrane from global building product manufacturer Sika, provided the watertight finish for a new school which was built using innovative offsite construction techniques. The newly-constructed King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls in Birmingham, which was designed by architect Atkins Global on behalf of
LCR delivered the regeneration of Kings Cross and is currently working to deliver regeneration in Sheffield, one of the 20 beneficiaries of the Levelling Up Fund. Peter says that it’s crucial the Fund is used to realise the untapped potential of brownfield land around railway stations. Peter Hawthorne, CEO, LCR
Akela Ground Engineering (GE), part of the Akela Group, has secured a contract to deliver piling solutions for the extension of ALDI supermarket at Redbrae Road in Falkirk. The project valued at £27k is the second project that Akela GE has secured with the retail giant in quick succession. It
The former Tricorn site in City Centre North has been purchased by Portsmouth City Council, supporting regeneration of the area. Real estate investment and development advisor, Delancey previously owned a long lease for the site but now the council have full land ownership. The site will continue as an NCP
Builders’ merchants represent a key part of the UK construction industry and account for up to 85% of the UK’s built environment, by supplying a wide range of building materials. Builders’ merchants and their suppliers contribute over £40bn to the economy every year. Builders’ merchants who are within the end
Today, the UK’s leading boiler manufacturer has relaunched its Green Heating Heroes, to help installers educate consumers on how they can reduce carbon emissions and energy bills Worcester Bosch has today announced the launch of the second phase of its Green Heating Heroes campaign. First launched in November 2021, the
THOUSANDS of visitors have now visited the £5.4 million extension to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, which now houses an original Spitfire aircraft thanks to specialist project management from national property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. The project comprised the design and construction of a new
The latest research from Warwick Estates, has created a guide to buying a leasehold home in 2022, explaining exactly what a leasehold is while analysing the pros and cons of leasehold ownership. What is a leasehold? A leasehold contract means the purchaser owns everything that sits within the four walls
Prologis, the UK’s leading developer and owner of logistics property, has confirmed three strategic hires to kickstart the New Year, as it seeks to enrich its skill set and further strengthen its platform for growth in a dynamic logistics property market. Caroline Musker is joining Prologis from Lichfields, where she
A roofing company owner has been given a suspended sentence after a member of the public reported a concern regarding unsafe work at height. Liverpool Crown Court heard how, on 5 March 2021, company owner Phillip McGinn and two workers were replacing roof tiles on a detached dormer bungalow, in Lydiate on Merseyside, without any scaffolding or edge protection in place to prevent them from falling a distance liable to cause personal injury. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Phillip McGinn had failed to take suitable and sufficient measures to ensure that work at height was carried out safely. He had failed to provide sufficient work equipment to prevent a fall or to minimise the distance or consequences of a fall. The court also heard that this was not the first time that HSE had encountered poor working practices from Phillip McGinn. The HSE took previous enforcement action and prosecuted Mr McGinn for a similar offence in 2012. Phillip McGinn of Lydiate, Merseyside, was found guilty to breaching Section 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. He received a thirteen-month suspended prison sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £1,000. After the hearing, HSE inspector Anthony Stuart Hadfield said: “Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at height are well known. Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standard”.
A technically advanced, high-performance, hybrid roofing membrane from global building product manufacturer Sika, provided the watertight finish for a new school which was built using innovative offsite construction techniques. The newly-constructed King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls in Birmingham, which was designed by architect Atkins Global on behalf of client Acivico Group, replaces Turves Green Girls’ School. The original establishment was in a poor state of repair and following consultations with the local authority, it was agreed constructing a new school building represented a cost-effective alternative to refurbishment. The new school includes contemporary classrooms, a dance studio, sports hall and a purpose-built library. The building’s airy feel is created by its wide corridors and stairways which are filled with natural light. This will help to inspire a calm and pleasant environment for staff and students. To meet performance and programme goals for the building’s construction, a hybrid design was devised by offsite construction and modular specialists, Innovaré. Such innovation was recognised at the annual Offsite Awards, with Innovaré – in a joint submission with Sika – winning the ‘Best Use of Hybrid Technology’ category for its successful Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) delivery of the King Edward VI Northfield School construction project.Innovaré’s hybrid system included integrated BBA-Certified i-SIP panels, hollow core concrete plank floors, and a lightweight timber cassette roofing system. This hybrid method of construction, which meant most of the new school structure was manufactured offsite, offered a radically quicker speed of build, reducing preliminary and overall costs. It also ensured the building’s performance and programme goals were met. As a global building product manufacturer with a wide range of products and technical expertise to offer, Sika is ideally placed to support offsite construction projects. Its Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Division is specifically tasked to work with offsite manufacturing and assembly companies to consider how Sika products could be used as part of the building process in this fast-growing sector. Sika’s 4mm elastomeric and plastomeric bituminous hybrid membrane, SikaBit Pro 940®, provided the watertight finish for the new building’s energy-efficient roofing system, which integrates timber cassettes with i-joists.SikaBit Pro 940® combines the advantages of APAO and SBS-modified bitumen, allowing two different compounds to work together. The upper layer comprises APA-modified bitumen, offering excellent heat resistance and durability. The under layer is SBS-modified bitumen, providing increased elongation, improving flexibility and excellent resistance to thermo-oxidative aging which will last longer than traditional membranes and reduce ongoing maintenance. SikaBit® has been developed to comply with the NFRC’s Safe2Torch Guidance to help specifiers prioritise safety at the design stage of roofing projects. The specification of SikaBit Pro 940® as part of the school’s energy-efficient roofing system contributed to the building’s fabric achieving required levels of thermal, airtightness, acoustic and maintenance performance. In terms of the roof’s construction, Innovaré manufactured large-format structural timber roof cassettes, ensuring that the structural members and deck went into place quickly. RLW Roofing, one of Sika’s Certified Roofing Contractors, were responsible for the design and installation of the roofing system. In addition, RLW Roofing completed façade works, using Sika Parex Historic Mortar KL. “We are proud that in collaboration with RLW Roofing, our products and expertise were used to successful effect in the delivery of this wonderful school, RLW’s skill and expertise were instrumental in delivering a technically robust solution” Simon Griffiths Head of Sales, Offsite Construction at Sika, said. “The hybrid method of construction implemented by Innovaré for this project aligns perfectly with Sika’s promotion of sustainable development within the construction industry.” Now fully opened, the King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls will begin its purpose to serve as a catalyst to transform opportunities, build aspiration and further develop academic success for its 750 students. It’s a huge ambition that Sika is delighted to help fulfil.
LCR delivered the regeneration of Kings Cross and is currently working to deliver regeneration in Sheffield, one of the 20 beneficiaries of the Levelling Up Fund. Peter says that it’s crucial the Fund is used to realise the untapped potential of brownfield land around railway stations. Peter Hawthorne, CEO, LCR said: “The recognition of the vast untapped potential of the under-used land surrounding our railway stations is exciting, because this is so crucial to unlocking the regeneration of place that is a cornerstone of this Levelling Up strategy. “We’ve seen this potential realised at Kings Cross, as Michael Gove has mentioned before. And will soon see it in cities like Sheffield, where the Levelling Up Fund’s investment into maximising the potential of reduced rail travel times to London will help to bring forward the Sheffield Midland and Sheaf Valley Regeneration Framework, which we have worked on alongside our partners in the city and the wider region. “While funding is one part of the puzzle and no doubt the focus of much of the feedback on today’s announcement, the other critical element is collaboration between devolved authorities, councils, transport executives, government agencies and landowners. This strategy provides the framework and impetus for this to take place.”
Akela Ground Engineering (GE), part of the Akela Group, has secured a contract to deliver piling solutions for the extension of ALDI supermarket at Redbrae Road in Falkirk. The project valued at £27k is the second project that Akela GE has secured with the retail giant in quick succession. It follows the successful completion of a large-scale refurbishment and extension of ALDI supermarket at Craig O’Loch Road in Forfar – worth approximately £70k. The project will incorporate a number of sustainability features including using displacement piling which eliminates the need to dispose of soil offsite. Work is scheduled to begin on site this month and will be complete by March. Mark Markey, Akela Group Managing Director, said: “This contract win closely follows our successful delivery of ALDI’s refurbishment in Forfar and is a shining example of the innovative solutions that we are using to deliver high quality and sustainable projects for our clients. “We are pleased to be working with ALDI again as we continue to grow our ground engineering and construction portfolio in the retail sector across Scotland.”
The former Tricorn site in City Centre North has been purchased by Portsmouth City Council, supporting regeneration of the area. Real estate investment and development advisor, Delancey previously owned a long lease for the site but now the council have full land ownership. The site will continue as an NCP managed car park until required for development. This is the second major land purchase in the city centre that the council has completed within twelve months; the first being the former Sainsbury’s site on Commercial Road in March 2021. Cllr Vernon-Jackson, Leader of Portsmouth City Council said, “Listening to people’s views on the city centre through the Local Plan, the Imagine 2040 City Vision, and other council-led engagement, we have been working to a strategy that will protect its future. We know more needs to be done to improve the high street in the core area and we also know that there are opportunities to make significant improvements in City Centre North and City Centre South. I’m delighted to say that we are going to make those improvements and this significant land purchase is more evidence of that.” Since the demolition of the Tricorn Centre in 2004, there has been much discussion and debate over what should replace it. However, full ownership of this site further enables the council to deliver its long-term regeneration plans for City Centre North, as announced in November of last year. The creation of a large, public park is at the heart of those plans, alongside the development of around 2000 new homes. Cllr Vernon-Jackson continued, “We will be delivering a major regeneration scheme in this part of the city centre that considers a wide range of factors, from our current housing targets and current road infrastructure to the need for more sustainable travel, and more green space. We are currently working through the planning process and aim to submit a planning application before this summer. People have already told us what they need and want to see in the city centre through the Local Plan surveys but there will be an opportunity to comment on this specific regeneration project in more detail at a public consultation planned for the summer.” Anyone who has a property interest in this area should contact: CityCentre@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Builders’ merchants represent a key part of the UK construction industry and account for up to 85% of the UK’s built environment, by supplying a wide range of building materials. Builders’ merchants and their suppliers contribute over £40bn to the economy every year. Builders’ merchants who are within the end use sector have fared differently to other product sector areas over the last 5 years. Some experienced a sharper downturn in demand during the pandemic and subsequent lockdown rules that were imposed, however many received a much quicker rebound in sales once the lockdown measures were eased. Many are still noting that this was due to many consumers having money saved during the pandemic and wanting to improve upon their living standards whilst spending so much time in their homes. The main product sectors that saw a downturn during lockdown measures were kitchens, bathrooms, roofing and insulation products, HVAC equipment, plumbing and drainage products. These all experienced a double-digit decrease in market value during 2020. However, the downturn in sales was less evident for building materials such as timber and glazing, cement and plaster and bricks and blocks. The number of overall outlets within the builders’ merchants’ sectors continues to shrink further. Online outlets should start to account for a greater share. For builders’ merchants, physical outlets will still remain a part of the central strategy, as consumers will still require items immediately or will want to physically see and touch items prior to purchase. There will likely be more emphasis placed onto the online channels, such as apps, which will offer a better experience for trade customers, where they will be able to manage their own business account with the merchant. In 2020, builders’ merchants accounted for 8.5% of UK construction output, up slightly from 8.2% the previous year. This was down to the reopening of builders’ merchants when many other stores were still closed during the height of the pandemic. Builders’ merchants were able to bolster the demand for construction projects as they resumed, even when they faced many struggles such as product shortages, notably timber and structural steel. The pandemic caused the builders’ merchants market value to decrease by 11% in 2020. We are forecasting a steady recovery of 2-3% annual growth up to 2025. During this period, we are expecting to see more companies consolidate their networks. Some will be moving from small branches which may have been underperforming at late, to a focus on larger outlets, in the hopes that they will be better suited to the modern consumer’s needs. The report comes from Builders Merchants Market Report – UK 2021-2025
Today, the UK’s leading boiler manufacturer has relaunched its Green Heating Heroes, to help installers educate consumers on how they can reduce carbon emissions and energy bills Worcester Bosch has today announced the launch of the second phase of its Green Heating Heroes campaign. First launched in November 2021, the campaign aims to encourage homeowners across the UK to live a greener and more sustainable lifestyle, while giving installers the tools they need to help communicate this message to their customers. With talk around the impending energy price hike increasing further, Worcester Bosch hope that installers will use the campaign’s tools and resources to confidently speak to their customers on the benefits of upgrading heating systems to efficient ones. For example, according to the Energy Savings Trust, up to £365 can be saved on energy bills per year if a G-rated boiler is switched to an A-rated one. The digital campaign will go live from 1st February until March 1st 2022 and will feature across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and via Google Display. Martyn Bridges, Technical Communications and Product Manager at Worcester Bosch, comments: “Our industry is going through a monumental change, which is already beginning to show with talk around the energy crisis. In addition, we are awaiting the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which will be introduced on 1st April, where homeowners can apply for a £5,000 upgrade to replace a boiler with an air source heat pump. “With 3 million inefficient boilers currently installed in UK homes, and with various future-proofed technologies available to replace them, we believe there is a huge opportunity to educate homeowners on the benefits of upgrading their heating system. This is why we have launched the second phase of the Green Heating Heroes campaign – to help spread this message far and wide and inspire people to make a change.” To find out more about the Green Heating Heroes campaign, please visit worcester-bosch.co.uk/professional/green-heating-heroes.
THOUSANDS of visitors have now visited the £5.4 million extension to the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, which now houses an original Spitfire aircraft thanks to specialist project management from national property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. The project comprised the design and construction of a new 3,800 square foot, double height exhibition space with mezzanine and the alteration and refurbishment of the existing café space within the art gallery and museum, alongside extensive external landscaping. Utilising a steel frame and rainscreen cladding, the new exhibition space has been designed with specialist structural glazing to allow the main attraction, the city’s iconic RW388 Spitfire Aircraft, to be exhibited. The area also houses a flight simulator, model Hurricane aircraft and other exhibitions. Seeking an expedited project process to ensure scheduled delivery, Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration – was appointed as Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s multi-disciplinary construction consultant through SCAPE’s Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework. Matt Jones, associate project manager at Pick Everard, said: “Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s aspiration for a statement project that provides meeting and social space for the general public captured our imagination and we worked collaboratively with the wider project team to develop and deliver a scheme that achieves this. In the process we overcame several challenges presented by the sloping brownfield site, in addition to the adapted structure and services of the existing building that the new exhibition space needed to be adjoined to. “Since this scheme created an extension to an existing museum, the project demanded early engagement and smart collaboration with a variety of stakeholders. This included the city council’s cabinet members, planning officers, and museum curator, along with the special interest group responsible for restoring the Spitfire and the logistics company responsible for moving the refurbished plane into the completed exhibition space. “The project began on site as the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic took hold. This meant that stakeholders collaboratively supported the implementation of safe work systems to safeguard the construction team and ensure the works could be completed in accordance with national covid-19 legislation. The project team overcame international supply chain challenges and the scheme was successfully delivered within the agreed budget and programme parameters.” Stoke-on-Trent, known as the Potteries, is internationally renowned for its ceramics. The area has a history of coal mining, so specialist geotechnical design input was critical. In conjunction with the Coal Authority, an approach was agreed to backfill existing mine workings beneath the proposed building, which allowed construction to proceed. Matt Hall, national director for project management at Pick Everard said: “We are delighted to have delivered such a historically significant development, which creates a lasting legacy for the city of Stoke-on-Trent. Our expertise, combined with that from tourism and leisure architect Glancy Nicholls, has created a spectacular display space for the iconic Spitfire – a centrepiece the city can be proud of.” The project is a key development in support of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s strategy to improve attractions in the centre of the city and the overall visitor experience. The new spaces, constructed by Morgan Sindall Construction, allow the exhibition space to be enjoyed by people both inside and outside of the Potteries Art Gallery and Museum. Cllr Daniel Jellyman, cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration and heritage, said: “We are really happy with the outcome of this project. Not only have we managed to pay homage to one of Stoke-on-Trent’s true icons – Reginald J. Mitchell, the designer of the Spitfire plane – but we have also improved the aesthetics and accessibility for those walking to and around the site, through our new pedestrian links. “Along with the socio-economic benefits that will come from this project, the site will add tangible value and energise the community, providing them with a new landmark the city can be proud of.” Pick Everard employs more than 600 staff across its 13 offices, providing a range of project, cost, and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk. TO VIEW THE OPERATION SPITFIRE FILM, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
The latest research from Warwick Estates, has created a guide to buying a leasehold home in 2022, explaining exactly what a leasehold is while analysing the pros and cons of leasehold ownership. What is a leasehold? A leasehold contract means the purchaser owns everything that sits within the four walls of the home, but does not own the land surrounding the home, the ground below it nor the sky above it. When buying a flat, for example, it’s almost guaranteed that the purchase will be a leasehold agreement because a building owner or landlord continues to own the other flats in the block. Furthermore, a leasehold, unlike a freehold, is not permanent, there is a limited timeline of ownership, otherwise known as the term of the lease. This lease is often hundreds of years long, but once it expires, ownership of the lease transfers back to the freeholder. For context, in 2021, leasehold purchases accounted for just 18.9% of all property transactions in England & Wales, with freeholds making up the remaining 81.1%. What are the advantages of a leasehold? With absolute ownership out of the question, why would anyone want a buy leasehold instead of a freehold? First, a leasehold property is often cheaper than a freehold because of the lack of outright ownership it provides. and the leaseholder is often not responsible for paying for the general upkeep of communal areas in the buildings such as corridors and stairways. But leaseholds are rarely purchased for their advantages over freehold, more because leaseholds are essential when buying a flat in a tall building of flats and have, as such, become increasingly popular as we see urban areas developing vertically rather than horizontally. What are the disadvantages of buying a leasehold property? The truth is that leaseholds are often a necessity rather than a choice and there are significant downsides of leasehold ownership. First, a lease is only held for a limited amount of time – ownership will, one day, expire. Second, a leaseholder is often expected to pay significant fees to the freeholder/landlord in order to contribute to the upkeep of communal space, for example, and for essential repairs to the building. A leasehold also tends to limit the amount of changes the owner can make to their home and permission is often required from the freeholder. If not, a leasehold can be stripped. This lack of freedom can also extend to things like pet ownership, or running a business from home, or sub-letting to third-party. Finally, when a leasehold starts running out, it can be very difficult to find a buyer for the property so the opportunity to benefit from capital gain is small. And, since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2007, the external cladding scandal has added a further level of complexity for flat owners to break free of their leasehold contracts. What happens at the end of a leasehold property? It is often the case that the end of a leasehold is not something any owner needs to worry about. Often, a leasehold will be for 999 years in order to make it a more attractive agreement for buyers. Many vendors will suggest that a 999-year leasehold is ‘as good as a freehold’, but such sentiment tends to ignore all of the potential downsides listed above. If, however, the lease does expire, the ownership of the property reverts back to the freeholder and it is theirs to do what they want with. But, one can ask for an extension to the leasehold. In fact, once a person has owned a leasehold home for two years, they will often have the right to extend the lease by 90 years.
Prologis, the UK’s leading developer and owner of logistics property, has confirmed three strategic hires to kickstart the New Year, as it seeks to enrich its skill set and further strengthen its platform for growth in a dynamic logistics property market. Caroline Musker is joining Prologis from Lichfields, where she gained more than 17 years’ experience from a number of roles, including her latest position as senior director. She has been involved in a number of Prologis’ projects during this time. As a Director at Prologis, she will be taking the newly-created role of Head of Planning, helping to get projects off to a good start and exploring ways to add value for the customer and the business. She will also be helping to assess potential acquisition and investment opportunities. Gillian Scarth joins Prologis as a director in the Capital Deployment and Leasing team, after 15 years’ experience as a senior development manager at Kier Property. Gill has an impressive professional network and extensive experience of managing diverse customer portfolios offering a mix of uses in multiple sectors. She will primarily be focused on driving growth and supporting the delivery of new and existing projects in London and the South East. Simon Perks is joining the Capital Deployment and Leasing team at Prologis UK as a director, with a specific brief to look for opportunities to further strengthen the company’s asset portfolio in London and the South East. In his former role as senior development manager at The Crown Estate, he gained considerable experience in developing and adding value to a unique land and property portfolio, which includes 10 million sq. ft. of assets in areas of central London. Paul Weston, Prologis UK regional head, added: “We are delighted to be making these strategic hires at the start of the year to help drive our growth. There has been a significant increase in demand for logistics property during the pandemic and finding land and property to develop, in the right locations is a key focus. By enriching our skill set and hiring talented people, we aim to boost our competitiveness and unlock more opportunities in the year ahead.”