The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has launched today (26 October 2022) a new industry guide on ‘Climate Change Resilience in the Built Environment’, collating effective and practical steps that can be taken on a building, community and city scale in order to adapt and build resilience to the changing
Soben is delighted to announce a new partnership with University Technical College (UTC) Heathrow which will see their people provide a CoTeach programme of learning based on the data centre sector as part of UTC Heathrow’s Digital Futures Programme. Soben’s consultants will be delivering modules on the principles of cost
With an internal commitment to becoming carbon net zero by 2030, leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has become the first company in the UK to invest in brand new Kobelco SK210 Hybrid 15m Long Reach Tracked Excavators. This specialist plant will add to the firms existing sustainable
Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has been selected as the exclusive kitchen worktop supplier for the David Wilson Homes, Penning Ridge housing development in South Yorkshire. The national housebuilder, David Wilson Homes, is part of the Barratt Developments PLC Group and selected Roann Limited to supply 400
Wildlife is returning to a former industrial site in Cheadle which is being transformed into an environmentally-friendly new residential neighbourhood. Ducks and trout are already visiting the new nature corridor at Bellway’s Cecilly Mills development, off Oakamoor Road, which was for many years home to the JCB factory. The Cecilly
Construction sites can be dangerous places, and one area often overlooked is the floor. This is not the only place that is overlooked though, as people often underestimate the importance of vibration management. Anti vibration parts in key machinery, and effective measures to reduce vibration, is in the best interest
An exciting new stage of a ground-breaking solar generation system at Portsmouth International Port has been reached, with 888 solar panels now been switched on. The scheme has been managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team, supported by Portsmouth International Port‘s engineering department. Installation began in February 2022 by specialist
New concrete tile manufacturing facility unlocks significant, additional capacity enabling organic growth, whilst reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions Investment in electric kilns at an existing facility, reduces reliance on natural gas. Wienerberger is pleased to announce a significant investment in the construction of a brand-new concrete roof tile manufacturing
Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse have appointed the McLaren Construction Group as main contractor to deliver the first phase of Konect 62, a major tri-modal logistics and industrial scheme in Yorkshire. The announcement follows the joint venture’s formal completion of the 136-acre site’s acquisition for £54 million. It has also
Following the announcement that Rishi Sunak will take over as Leader of the Conservative Party, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) calls for clarity on planning reforms and adequate resources for the planning system. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI said: “Rishi Sunak has pledged to fix our economy and
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has launched today (26 October 2022) a new industry guide on ‘Climate Change Resilience in the Built Environment’, collating effective and practical steps that can be taken on a building, community and city scale in order to adapt and build resilience to the changing climate. Under the inevitable impacts of climate change, which are affecting at least 85% of the world’s population, bringing acute hazards such as droughts, rising sea levels, heat waves and floods increasing frequency and severity, resilience action is essential to build community capacity to survive and thrive in our built environments. That’s why WorldGBC’s flagship Health and Wellbeing global programme Better Places for People (BPFP) has partnered with the UN High-Level Climate Champions and C40 Cities to deliver this timely resource for enabling adaptation at different urban scales and inspiring decisive action to deliver on the needs of communities around the world. On 10 November 2022, during the Youth & Future Generations Day at the UN Climate Change Conference, COP27, and in line with ‘Resilience’ being the UN High-Level Climate Champions’ focus of the day, the guide will be showcased at a high-level event in the Buildings Pavilion of the Blue Zone. This will continue to elevate awareness on the critical role of the built environment for securing a resilient future. What is the aim of the guide? The ‘Climate Change Resilience in the Built Environment’ guide presents principles of built environment management for changes to weather related climate change impacts such as: storms, high winds, droughts, floods, severe temperature change, and wildfires. These principles are focused on measures of mitigation and damage protection from continual or gradual climate impacts and in some cases, extreme weather events. The impacts of climate change and damage from extreme and gradual weather events will occur at building, community and city scale across all corners of the globe. Therefore, measures to mitigate damage and ensure recoverability must be implemented at a systemic level. To incorporate climate resilience strategies across a series of complex systems, all built environment stakeholders and decision makers will have to engage and take responsibility. Leadership from local and national government is essential to activate meaningful adaptation and resilience solutions. WorldGBC encourages the broad range of built environment stakeholders set out in the guide to engage with their role, to exert their influence and implement change. Under the inevitable impacts of climate change, resilience action is essential if we are to build the community capacity to survive and thrive within our built environments. We need to listen and learn from the voices of those communities most impacted by climate impacts – to respond adequately in the delivery of resiliency solutions. WorldGBC is grateful for the support from the BPFP Steering Committee and Sponsors, including Buro Happold, Multiplex, Saint-Gobain, and Shaw Contract. The full guide can be downloaded here. Cristina Gamboa, CEO, WorldGBC: “In response to the ongoing impacts of our changing climate, the UN High-Level Climate Champion, C40 cities, and WorldGBC are proud to share this practical guide for Climate Change Resilience in the Built Environment in the lead up to COP27. This principle-based resource will support the much-needed transition towards people-centric infrastructure solutions considering different urban scales. It’s time to scale low carbon, highly resilient and equitable built environment solutions for everyone, everywhere. And it’s time for impactful policy responses from local and regional leaders, to enable this much needed transformation. Join us and take ambitious climate action today!” Nigel Topping, UN High-Level Climate Action Champion for UK COP26, andDr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN’s High-Level Climate Action Champion for Egypt COP27: “The built environment sector has the opportunity to lead the resilience agenda, placing adaptation on par with mitigation through how we design, manage and occupy buildings and infrastructure for the worlds’ people. Regardless of where you live or where you do business, we all need to build resilience to climate change.” Sachin Bhoite, Director of Climate Resilience, Climate Solutions and Networks, C40 Cities: “The dangerous consequences of climate change are already posing an existential threat worldwide. This is felt acutely in our largest cities. Cities are important in this regard, not only because it is where a majority of people live, but also where the most impactful solutions could be implemented. Applying adaptation solutions to our cities will ensure that the built environment continues to protect, provide for and connect urban citizens, despite a changing climate.” Pascal Eveillard, Director, Sustainable Business Development, Saint-Gobain: “It is fundamental to consider now the resilience and adaptation of our built environment to climate change. Buildings are and will be increasingly exposed to higher climate stresses and more frequent climate shocks and extreme weather conditions, disrupting our lives and damaging our natural environment. This guide provides key insights to develop efficient strategies at all levels to better protect humans and nature.” María Fernández Cachafeiro, Head of Sustainability, Multiplex: “The impacts of climate change are a present-day reality felt by everyone, globally. We need to put people first to deliver strategies and solutions for a resilient and adaptable built environment.” Kellie Ballew, Vice President of Global Sustainability, Shaw Contract: “The resilience of our built environment – the spaces where we live, work, learn, heal, and come together – is more important than ever and requires a focus on people AND the planet.” Viviana Valdivieso, CEO, Colombia Green Building Council (CCCS): “We are committed to promoting a built environment that positively impacts all life on our planet. Therefore, sustainable and resilient practices should not be an option, they are the way to achieve fundamental human right level design!” Jorge Chapa, Head of Market Transformation, Green Building Council Australia (GBCA): “In Australia, many of the communities who fought bushfires in 2019 are today inundated with floods. The climate is changing, here and now. It’s time for the built environment to respond.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Soben is delighted to announce a new partnership with University Technical College (UTC) Heathrow which will see their people provide a CoTeach programme of learning based on the data centre sector as part of UTC Heathrow’s Digital Futures Programme. Soben’s consultants will be delivering modules on the principles of cost management, the importance of planning, and whole-life costing. Award-winning global construction consultancy Soben joins an elite group of data centre organisations including Ark Data Centres, Amazon Web Services (AWS), CBRE Data Centres, CNet Training CyrusOne, LMG, Virtus Data Centres, and Yondr Group. Developed in collaboration with leading industry companies, the Digital Futures Programme allows students to gain the essential knowledge and skills needed to thrive in technical careers within the data centre sector. This sector is currently experiencing substantial growth, which is only set to continue but is facing an ongoing skills shortage. This programme is helping to future-proof the industry by inspiring a new generation to join it and enjoy a rewarding career. The annual Digital Futures Programme intake is limited to 100 students at age 14, and 150 students studying the Level 3 engineering curriculum. Younger students will compete in industry-led Challenge Days, develop employability skills, and receive masterclasses to bring subjects to life, alongside studying for their GCSEs. Meanwhile, older students will complete team projects within the curriculum and benefit from building impactful relationships with industry professionals. Students will leave UTC Heathrow with a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma/Extended Diplomas in Engineering (NQF). Scott Smyth, Soben’s founder and Group CEO, commented: “I am thrilled that Soben is a partner of the fantastic Digital Futures Programme and is a testament to the role we play in the global data centre sector. “The skills gap is not getting any smaller or easier for the digital infrastructure industry to manage and we need to work collaboratively to find innovative solutions to quickly address these issues. “The students at UTC Heathrow need clear direction and support to inspire a new pipeline of young and skilled talent to help them secure a career within a sector that offers huge opportunities and rewards. I am very happy we can play a part in that.” Candace Rose Kumi, Employer Engagement Lead at UTC Heathrow, said: “After an incredible first year of the Digital Futures Programme, I am excited that Soben has joined our programme. “With this additional partnership, UTC Heathrow will be able to deliver more CoTeach programmes which will help our students build the skills needed for the fast-growing data centre sector.” Soben’s Managing Director of Consultancy EMEA, Derek McFarlane, commented: “Last year’s launch of the Digital Futures Programme gives students a distinct advantage to develop a career in the data centre sector and clearly shows that the UTC education model has real value. “For Soben to be involved with the Digital Futures Programme, alongside the blue-chip companies that are already onboard, is a huge milestone for us and perfectly illustrates the exciting growth journey we are currently on.”
With an internal commitment to becoming carbon net zero by 2030, leading wet civil engineering firm Land & Water has become the first company in the UK to invest in brand new Kobelco SK210 Hybrid 15m Long Reach Tracked Excavators. This specialist plant will add to the firms existing sustainable fleet which aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the projects it undertakes. The new excavators use innovative hybrid technology alongside lithium-ion batteries to power the swing motor. This, coupled with the newest and cleanest engines, brings a fuel saving quality to the end user of up to 17% in comparison to conventional ICE excavators. Land & Water’s specialist long reach and amphibious marine equipment, which can be hired through its Plant division, has been carefully chosen to ensure it has environmental capabilities, including: Paddle designs on the track of amphibious excavators to reoxygenate the water The ability to use HVO fuel which is up to 90+% carbon neutral Machine features including eco mode and machine idle cut offs reducing emissions Clean engines (Stage five) Onboard telemetry that reports carbon saving and fuel usage Machine control to ensure task accuracy, avoiding over digging and revisiting, therefore reducing the use of the machine Dan Jackson, Strategic Account Manager at Land & Water Plant Hire, said: “We are extremely excited to receive these machines and lead the way when it comes to implementing sustainable solutions. At Land & Water, we strive to offer our clients a range of excellent services that keep cost and environmental protection at the forefront of our minds. “Being the first company in the UK to invest in this new machinery is extremely poignant and we urge our industry to follow and consider ways in which it can meet the current net zero target.” The construction and civil engineering industry makes up almost 40% of the world’s CO2 emissions. Land & Water is committed towards reducing its carbon footprint and becoming Carbon Net Zero by 2030, this is making them one of the industries key pioneers. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wakefield-based granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has been selected as the exclusive kitchen worktop supplier for the David Wilson Homes, Penning Ridge housing development in South Yorkshire. The national housebuilder, David Wilson Homes, is part of the Barratt Developments PLC Group and selected Roann Limited to supply 400 houses with the Consentino Silestone range as part of a worktop upgrade option for house buyers. Surrounded by stunning countryside, the Penning Ridge housing development will feature both three and four-bedroom luxury homes and is located in a highly-sought after location in the heart of South Yorkshire, in Penistonne. Residents will be able to benefit from a great range of local amenities and easily access major towns and cities with the M1, located just three miles away. Roann Limited has previously worked alongside David Wilson Homes but this project marks the first within the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes Sheffield region. Speaking about the project, Scott Wharton, the Sales Director at Roann Limited said: “As a Yorkshire based business, we are excited to be working on a Yorkshire-based project. Penning Ridge is located near the beautiful Penistone countryside and we are delighted that Roann Limited was selected for this project. Residents will be able to upgrade and select from a range of quality Consentino Silestone worktop colours and styles to suit their new kitchen. We have over 30 years of experience in supplying quartz worktops and we thoroughly enjoy transforming kitchen spaces by supplying a selection of kitchen worktops and splashbacks.” More information about Roann Limited can be found on the website https://www.roann.co.uk/.
Wildlife is returning to a former industrial site in Cheadle which is being transformed into an environmentally-friendly new residential neighbourhood. Ducks and trout are already visiting the new nature corridor at Bellway’s Cecilly Mills development, off Oakamoor Road, which was for many years home to the JCB factory. The Cecilly Brook formerly flowed through a closed culvert under a series of concrete bridges on the brownfield site – but has been restored to its natural glory as part of Bellway’s green vision for the development. Bellway is building 120 new homes on the nine-and-a-half-acre site, with work on the first homes beginning in December 2020. The scheme to restore the brook has created an eight-metre ecological buffer zone with new planting and wildlife habitats, as well as bee banks to encourage biodiversity in the area. Lee Aston, Site Manager at Cecilly Mills, said: “We pay due care and attention at all sites that we build on to ensure that we can help to encourage biodiversity wherever we can. In this instance, we’ve incorporated an existing natural feature into a new wildlife corridor. “This site has undergone a significant transformation from an industrial brownfield site into a natural green space that actively promotes biodiversity, providing a pleasant and open backdrop for our residents as well as habitats for wildlife. “The brook has already proven to be very popular with residents and local people alike, who have been seen taking pictures from Oakamoor Road, which provides a perfect vantage point for the brook and the development. “Despite only having started the works in December 2020, we have already seen wildlife returning to the site, including several flocks of ducks and a sizeable number of trout in the stream, which makes the work all that more rewarding. In time, we also hope to see the return of water voles to this area, connecting the two populations found at the Palm Brook and Cecilly Brook Local Nature Reserves to the north and south of the site respectively. “While we have made great strides on the site until now, there is still plenty of work to be done to finish building the final homes on site. The remaining building work will be completed while ensuring that the brook, our staff, and the natural environment are all protected. “We look forward to completing the work here and finishing the transformation of this site into a desirable and environmentally friendly development, helping to meet the demand for high-quality housing in Staffordshire.” Bellway is delivering a mix of two to four-bedroom properties at Cecilly Mills, with prices starting from £199,500. For more information, visit https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/west-midlands/cecilly-mills, or call the sales team on 01538 331565.
Construction sites can be dangerous places, and one area often overlooked is the floor. This is not the only place that is overlooked though, as people often underestimate the importance of vibration management. Anti vibration parts in key machinery, and effective measures to reduce vibration, is in the best interest of site productivity and staff well-being. Follow this link for expert advice on industry leading anti vibration products. Fortunately, improving floor safety on construction sites just got easier, thanks to a new range of specially designed floor matting now available from First Mats. The range includes various PVC and Rubber type matting for walkways, workstations, stairs and cable protection. Unlike many other work environments, walkways are a particular area of concern for site safety managers. A construction site’s busy and hectic nature means there’s a significant risk of accidents between pedestrians and vehicles, while wet and uneven floors are also a slip hazard. That’s why walkway matting is at the forefront of the new range, with two high-visibility options gaining popularity. The most recent addition is a Spaghetti mat made from tightly woven PVC fibres that form a soft but durable matting. The open spaces between the fibres allow water to drain through, ensuring the mat provides a grippy surface in all weather. Traditional rubber mats are also available for workstations alongside PVC Duckboard, which is resistant to corrosion, oils and most chemicals. For the ultimate surface grip, GRP stair treads and nosing are also included in the new range, which features a coarse, sandpaper-like texture that provides traction underfoot, even in frosty weather. The tread and nosing products can be ordered in various colour and size options, ensuring they’re a good fit for any premises. Tacky mats with a sticky surface can be fitted in doorways for hygiene-sensitive areas to pick up dust and other fine particles from shoes. The mats are highly effective, and layers of numbered sheets can be peeled away whenever the surface becomes too dirty, revealing a fresh new tacky layer underneath. For more information or to see the Construction Site Matting range, visit the First Mats website. https://www.firstmats.co.uk Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An exciting new stage of a ground-breaking solar generation system at Portsmouth International Port has been reached, with 888 solar panels now been switched on. The scheme has been managed by Portsmouth City Council’s in-house energy services team, supported by Portsmouth International Port‘s engineering department. Installation began in February 2022 by specialist contractors Custom Solar, and incorporates roof-mounted solar panels across a number of buildings, a large battery and solar canopies. The solar panels mounted on rooftops around the port have now been switched on. They are now generating 400kWp of renewable energy that can be used to reduce consumption at the port, or can be exported back to the grid. This is just a third of the total number of solar panels installed at the port over the past year. Once they are all switched on, the power produced by all 2,660 panels will contribute around 35% of the port’s energy needs. This will be a big step forward for Portsmouth International Port’s ambition to reach net-zero by 2030. From L-R: Tony Denney, Custom Solar, Owen Hughes; Portsmouth City Council’s energy services team; Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council and Elly Howe, Portsmouth International Port, stood in front of the equipment that turns solar energy into power the port can use When fully commissioned in January 2023, the 1.2 megawatt peak system will be the council’s largest solar and battery installation to date. The project has broken new ground for the council and in the national context. The port is the first in the UK to have solar canopies, and also recently won the ‘Commercial Solar and/or Storage Project of the Year’ award at Solar & Storage Live 2022 Awards. The system will also include a 1.5 megawatt hour battery, which is enough power to run a typical home for 4 months. It will capture green power that can then be used at the port at another time, such as to power lights at night. When complete, it is estimated that in peak conditions that 98% of the electricity consumed by the port could come from the combined solar and battery installation. Owen Hughes from Portsmouth City Council’s energy services team showing Cllr Kimberly Barrett the technology that turns the power from the sun into usable energy Cllr Kimberly Barrett, Cabinet member for Climate Change and Environment at Portsmouth City Council said: “It is the council’s priority to support clean growth. I’m delighted that we’ve met our target to begin generating clean energy at the port by the end of 2022. “I’d like to personally thank the energy services team at the council and the engineers at Portsmouth International Port for all their efforts. It shows that by working across the council, we can achieve our important ambitions. “When fully operational, the scheme will reduce annual emissions by 239 tonnes at this busy site. We’re committed to take positive action to tackle climate change, and this cut in emissions will boost our efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the city to net-zero by 2030”. James Hill, director of housing, neighbourhoods and building services at Portsmouth City Council added: “I am really pleased that our energy services team have been able to support the port with this exciting initiative. The team have gone from strength to strength with a range of services to support residents, businesses and our own local authority services to increase our use of renewable energy. “I would encourage anyone interested in their work to contact utilities@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. If you need further guidance in resident energy support, please contact energysaving@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.” This project is all part of an integrated approach at the port, that will eventually allow them to offer shore power for smaller ships, without having to take extra power from the local electricity grid. Councillors from Portsmouth City Council alongside staff from the Energy Services Team, Portsmouth International Port and Custom Solar, who all worked together to make the project a success Jerry Clarke, pilot and senior project manager at Portsmouth International Port added: “The port is owned by the people of Portsmouth, so we have an obligation to reduce the impact of our operations on the environment, whilst reaching the ambitions set out in our 20 year Masterplan. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to help enable this project to happen, and I’d also like to thank Brittany Ferries and their passengers for their patience over the busy summer months whilst the installation took place. “Combined with other sustainability initiatives, it will help us achieve our ambition of reaching net-zero carbon by 2030, and becoming one of the UK’s first zero emission ports by 2050. With government support, we really can make a clean maritime industry a reality”. The work is the latest in a series of solar and battery projects being managed by the council’s in-house energy services team. The team procured Custom Solar after a competitive tender exercise through the council’s recently established PV and Storage framework. Gary Sucharewycz, CEO of Custom Solar, said: “We are delighted to have won the award for Commercial Solar and Storage project of the year. To have been recognised at the main industry awards for such a prestige project that the team have developed from concept, is a great reward for everyone involved. “We have worked with a fantastic client in Portsmouth City Council to have successfully delivered the project through many challenges. We see this as a great case study for how solar and storage can be deployed in major operational environments, with solar car port canopy’s set to play a big role in clients generating their own power and assisting their net zero ambitions to be realised.”
New concrete tile manufacturing facility unlocks significant, additional capacity enabling organic growth, whilst reducing resource consumption and CO2 emissions Investment in electric kilns at an existing facility, reduces reliance on natural gas. Wienerberger is pleased to announce a significant investment in the construction of a brand-new concrete roof tile manufacturing facility in Kent, South East England along with the significant energy transformation of its Broomfleet factory near Hull in the North East. These exciting new plans, designed to deliver organic growth from an increasingly efficient cost base, will bring a welcomed increase in production capacity, whilst also pressing ahead with decarbonisation plans as part of its ambitious Sustainability Roadmap. The new, state-of-the-art concrete roof tile production facility will be sited next to its Smeed Dean brick factory, reinforcing Wienerberger’s commitment to UK operations and the South East in particular, where brick manufacture at Smeed Dean dates back to 1875. The business will simultaneously complete the ambitious renovation of two of its Broomfleet factory lines, making it Europe’s first-ever clay roof-tile plant to completely eliminate the use of natural gas and the associated CO2 emissions from the drying and firing process, thus reducing the carbon emissions of these lines by an impressive 75%. This announcement is representative of the company’s confidence in the market and is testament to its commitment to decarbonisation via innovation of products, services, and new methods of production. In 2021, Wienerberger UK & Ireland set out its Sustainability Roadmap ‘Let’s Build Beyond’, which outlined the vital actions the business would take to create enduring value for its stakeholders as it transitioned to a net-zero emission, nature-positive business. Keith Barker, Chief Operating Officer, Wienerberger UK & Ireland commented, “We are aware of and want to tackle the issues of climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity head-on by making sustainability the main driver of our company growth strategy. This investment demonstrates our commitment to expansion in the UK and Ireland market and, is fully aligned with our ambitions for the sustainable growth which will secure the future of our business.” The new concrete tile-making facility will significantly increase the company’s production capacity enabling it to better serve the needs of its customers, with new and existing tile formats, providing additional capacity with lower CO2 emissions per square metre of installed roof. The significant, transformational investment at its Broomfleet clay roof tile manufacturing site near Hull is driven by the desire to reduce resource consumption and CO2 output. Wienerberger has chosen the UK for the first commercial-scale implementation of electric kilns using 100% renewable energy within the clay roof-tile manufacturing sector. This is a key step towards realising its ambitious carbon reduction commitment and demonstrates consistent implementation of the Group’s ESG strategy. Simon Nevitt, Operations Director and Board member at Wienerberger UK & Ireland commented “We recognise the importance of rapidly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and we are achieving this through both product innovation, and manufacturing methods. This particular investment in two of our existing Broomfleet production lines eliminates our use of fossil fuels from the firing and drying processes, reducing the. carbon emissions (Scope 1 tCO2e) from this production line by 75%.” The phased transition process is due to begin later this year. Going forward, customers will benefit from a range of products with reduced embodied carbon content, supporting the construction industry’s transition to a net-zero carbon economy.
Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse have appointed the McLaren Construction Group as main contractor to deliver the first phase of Konect 62, a major tri-modal logistics and industrial scheme in Yorkshire. The announcement follows the joint venture’s formal completion of the 136-acre site’s acquisition for £54 million. It has also newly signed a development debt facility with BentallGreenOak enabling the initial phase to get underway. Phase One will see the speculative development of 1.1 million sq ft of state-of-the-art, energy efficient warehouse space across four units, all built to BREEAM Excellent sustainability standards. This will include ‘Big K’ a 735,000 sq ft unit, one of the largest ever delivered in the North of the UK, as well as three further units of 161,000, 151,000 and 55,000 sq ft, catering to a variety of potential occupiers. Konect 62 holds full planning consent for 1.4 million sq ft of prime logistics accommodation, however plans are under review to enlarge the scheme to c. 1.8 million sq ft, enabling it to better fulfil the strong occupier demand, with a further planning application for the additional area due to be submitted in the new year. David Nuttall, Managing Director of Cole Waterhouse industrial and logistics, commented: “Appointing McClaren to deliver these sustainable and high-quality units so quickly after we acquired the land and completed the construction funding is a major step forward for Konect and a statement of intent from the partners involved. We plan to be on site within four weeks with completion from Q3 2023. The range of units we are developing will appeal to a diverse range of occupiers who will bring high quality jobs and investment to the area and cement Konect as a significant employment destination in anticipation of our future phases in the coming years.” Commenting on the investment, Christophe Kuhbier, Managing Director at Henderson Park, said: “This strategically located site is optimally placed to deliver much needed capacity into the critically undersupplied Yorkshire industrial market, with local vacancy rates of 2.2%. We are confident that the sustainability and technical specifications of the scheme we are developing will appeal to the highest quality logistics operators as well as traditional industrial occupiers, who are increasingly energy conscious. We are excited to get the project underway and deliver what we believe will be an exemplary regeneration of a major brownfield site.” Gary Cramp, Managing Director of McLaren Construction (Midlands and North), said: “We are delighted to have secured the project which represents a great investment for the Yorkshire region, including plans for one of the largest units ever to be delivered here. The scale and scope of the scheme will bring abundant investment and employment opportunities to the county’s industrial and logistics market, and we are looking forward to continuing relationships with Henderson Park, Cole Waterhouse and their stakeholders.” Jim Blakemore, Global Head of Debt at BentallGreenOak, said: “We are delighted to be supporting Henderson Park and Cole Waterhouse on this project in a key logistics location in the UK. The business plan reflects our debt investment thesis which is to finance best-in-class sponsors who are creating high-quality assets in strong and sustainable locations. This investment builds on 4 million sq ft of logistics assets which BentallGreenOak have lent on in the UK and European logistics markets over the last two years.” The development represents the country’s only inland distribution park ready enabled to offer tri-modal connectivity to the UK and continental Europe via road, water or rail. The site will have a high level of power capacity for energy intensive operations allowing it to appeal to both traditional industrial and logistics occupiers. Located at the crucial axis of the M62 and the A1(M) it is positioned to address local, regional and national markets as well as international markets with a number of sea ports and main UK air freight hubs within 4.5 hours. The project team includes: C4 Projects acting as architect, project manager and cost consultant; planning consultant Barton Wilmore; XOsquare as structural engineer; Novo Integration (M&E); Terra 97 (Geo-environmental) and Axis PED (transport). DTRE and Sixteen Real Estate are acting as joint letting agents for the scheme.
Following the announcement that Rishi Sunak will take over as Leader of the Conservative Party, the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) calls for clarity on planning reforms and adequate resources for the planning system. Victoria Hills, Chief Executive of the RTPI said: “Rishi Sunak has pledged to fix our economy and deliver on promises made in the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto. But he will need an effective and robust planning system to achieve these goals. “Our members have shown resilience, and consistent dedication to their profession, but they are concerned that continued uncertainty will delay plans and projects their communities need. “I have today written to the new Leader of the Conservative Party urging him to provide certainty on planning reforms, adequate funding for planning, and to give local communities a say on what happens in their area. We are actively working to engage government throughout this period of transition, to demonstrate that an effective and robust planning system can be an enabler of economic growth, delivering the affordable homes, public services and critical infrastructure that this country needs.”