UK Power Networks and National Grid are collaborating to provide the electrical infrastructure that will power thousands of new homes, business growth, and jobs in Biggleswade. The project is part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s initiative to support planned housing growth of around 3,000 homes to the east of the town.
Civil and structural engineering consultancy, Howard Ward Associates (HWA) has restructured its management team with members stepping up to senior positions, as the company goes from strength to strength with a large pipeline of work and three new hires appointed recently. HWA sees two new buy ins to the senior
The county’s top journalists found themselves making the headlines after the winners of the 2022 Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA) were announced. For the first time in two years, a 110-strong audience of finalists, sponsors and judges met in person for the award ceremony to celebrate the winners across
Tim Burgess and the VOP Group Architects he founded, have joined AJ100 practice TODD Architects, with Tim becoming the new Principal of TODD Architects’ growing London studio. Tim brings over 20 years’ experience, working across private and public sectors, including for the past 12 years leading and managing Cove Burgess
Prologis, one of the UK’s leading developers of logistics property, has successfully preleased all of speculatively built Prologis Park Hams Hall with final unit, DC4, being let to West Midlands-based AMG Logistics on a 15 year lease. The full occupancy of the Park, ahead of practical completion later this summer,
Seddon has been appointed to deliver a 17-year building fit-out requirement at the Sellafield nuclear facility in Cumbria. The Northwest based, family-owned business celebrating 125 years in business will deliver the £175m contract, through a framework agreement, until March 2039. Currently establishing new offices in Cumbria to support this contract,
British Gypsum is reporting an overwhelmingly positive response and burgeoning sales of ThistlePro® FastSet Finish – its new rapid-setting plaster – in the first three months since its launch to the UK market. Introduced in April, ThistlePro FastSet Finish is a high-performance skim finish plaster, ideal for a wide range
The launch of Barratt David Wilson Homes’ new Ryebank Gate development on Drove Lane marks the beginning of a £4 million investment pledge from the housebuilder to the local community in Yapton. The development will contribute 300 homes to the local housing market, with 30% of these being affordable and
A North East real estate advisory firm has unveiled the next phase of growth plans, opening up access to billions of pounds of UK and foreign investment funds provided by national and international institutional investors, sovereign wealth and private equity. The move comes as Middlesbrough-based United Kingdom Development Corporation (UKDC)
Aart Koning has joined CHQ Architects as a Director. With over 30 years’ experience working in the UK for internationally and nationally award-winning practices, Aart will be heading up and growing the design side of CHQ across the Group. Aart has previously worked for Foster + Partners, Rock Townsend and
UK Power Networks and National Grid are collaborating to provide the electrical infrastructure that will power thousands of new homes, business growth, and jobs in Biggleswade. The project is part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s initiative to support planned housing growth of around 3,000 homes to the east of the town. A traditional ‘breaking the ground’ event marked work starting on National Grid’s 400kV substation and UK Power Networks’ new grid substation, that will increase power capacity in Biggleswade and help the community move towards a low carbon economy. UK Power Networks and National Grid looked into various technology solutions to deliver the extra 80 megawatts of power required. This detailed assessment included reinforcing existing infrastructure and providing power from other existing substations. These options were discounted because they either failed to meet the power requirements or presented significant and unnecessary engineering and cost difficulties. The National Grid compound for a 400kV substation will measure approximately 150 metres by 130 metres and have a maximum height of 15 metres to connect to the existing overhead power lines. The UK Power Networks compound (Biggleswade East Grid), will have a footprint of approximately 180 metres by 100 metres and a maximum height of nine metres. UK Power Networks project manager Geraint Hancock said: “The start of construction on site is a significant milestone to achieve and is the culmination of 18 months’ of design, surveys, studies and extensive consultation. We have designed a scheme with National Grid that will make the electricity network for Biggleswade fit for the future. Construction works will take around three years to complete with energisation planned in the winter of 2024.” Mark Beasley project director for National Grid said: “We invest around £1 billion each year in the electricity transmission system, delivering the fastest decarbonising electricity network in the world with world-class reliability. We are delighted to be a part of this project, connecting and increasing power capacity to Biggleswade, supporting investment in the town and enabling a secure supply of electricity to the area for the decades to come.” Councillor Richard Wenham, leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “This new electricity substation will meet the growing energy needs of the local community and provide the essential power to support new homes, business opportunities, and jobs. “As we look to do our bit for the planet, and as more people shift to electric vehicles or clean energy to heat their homes, the new substation will help support the important sustainability agenda.” The Council secured £70million of government funding via Homes England Housing Infrastructure Fund for a number of schemes, including this power project.
Civil and structural engineering consultancy, Howard Ward Associates (HWA) has restructured its management team with members stepping up to senior positions, as the company goes from strength to strength with a large pipeline of work and three new hires appointed recently. HWA sees two new buy ins to the senior management team with associates Andy Bowler who has been with the company for six years, and Dave Taylder who has been with the company just under two years, each stepping up to director level. From its head office in Nottingham, HWA delivers construction engineering consultancy services across the country across sectors including education, healthcare, emergency services and residential. The company is experiencing a period of rapid growth, appointing three new team members in recent months – including senior technician Nadeem Chaudhry, administrator and business development assistant Iqra Saleem, and senior civil engineer Theodora Francis. The expansion of the team comes in response to the growing pipeline of projects that HWA is involved in – with an approximate construction value of £100million. Director Dan Bailey will be also taking on the role of managing director, as the company’s current managing director Giles Ward takes a step back following 26 years at HWA. Dan, who joined HWA in 2013, has more than 25 years’ experience as a civil and structural engineer, working in the public and private sectors on varied projects both regionally and nationally. The firm has recently worked on impressive projects such as the Alfreton Park Community Special School in Derbyshire and the Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service joint headquarters as well as substantial high quality student accommodation schemes in Brighton and Coventry. On the restructure, managing director, Giles Ward said: “During my 26 years with the company I have been delighted to see our client base, portfolio and the range of services we offer continue to grow. We have been involved with a huge array of schemes across the country from pre-acquisition through to project completion – from heritage to healthcare, and the future of the company is positive as we expand our team to manage our strong pipeline of work. “Congratulations to Andy, Dave and Dan on their new positions – It is an exciting period for the team, as we focus on nurturing the relationships that we have with our clients and celebrate the fantastic work that has been achieved to date.” Dan Bailey commented: “I am extremely pleased to be taking on this new role at an exciting time for the company, and to be able to reward Andy Bowler and Dave Taylder for the key parts they have played in the success of the business over recent years. Congratulations to them on stepping up to director level. “I believe that an expanded senior management team gives a solid base for growth and we look forward to further diversifying HWA’s client base and the sectors in which we work.”
The county’s top journalists found themselves making the headlines after the winners of the 2022 Kent Press & Broadcast Awards (KPBA) were announced. For the first time in two years, a 110-strong audience of finalists, sponsors and judges met in person for the award ceremony to celebrate the winners across 16 categories. Panattoni joined other leading businesses and organisations from across Kent in sponsoring the awards and helping make them a success. Now in its eighth year, the not-for-profit award scheme is organised by Kent PR and marketing agency Maxim. KPBA recognises and celebrates local journalism and the media’s commitment to serving local communities. The ceremony returned to The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury on Friday 15 July and was hosted by award-winning journalist Ben Brown. Born and bred in Kent, Ben is a familiar face on the BBC News Channel, the BBC One O’Clock News and weekend news bulletins. Alex Mitchell, Development Associate at Panattoni, presented the Kent Scoop of the Year trophy to ITV News Meridian’s Kevin Harrison on behalf of winner Joe Coshan who was away on assignment. Commenting at the event, Maxim Director Rachel Knight said: “It was so good to be able to celebrate the achievements of Kent’s media in person again. It’s been a difficult couple of years, but we were pleased to be able to keep KPBA going throughout the pandemic. “That wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the KPBA sponsors so we must say a huge thank you to them, and to our independent industry judges who review every single entry.”
Tim Burgess and the VOP Group Architects he founded, have joined AJ100 practice TODD Architects, with Tim becoming the new Principal of TODD Architects’ growing London studio. Tim brings over 20 years’ experience, working across private and public sectors, including for the past 12 years leading and managing Cove Burgess Architects and then VOP in London. Tim is also a member of Southwark Design Review Panel and since 2012 has been a visiting critic at the University of Bath. Peter Minnis, TODD Architects’ London studio director commented: “Tim and the VOP Group joining us is another positive step for the practice, coming shortly after our appointment of Gonzalo Vargas as our new Head of Healthcare. It further strengthens our offer to clients in the city, particularly in the private sector, building on the reputation we have established in recent years in the design and delivery of over 2,500 homes in the capital.”
Prologis, one of the UK’s leading developers of logistics property, has successfully preleased all of speculatively built Prologis Park Hams Hall with final unit, DC4, being let to West Midlands-based AMG Logistics on a 15 year lease. The full occupancy of the Park, ahead of practical completion later this summer, demonstrates the site’s strength and broad appeal particularly to both automotive and logistics sectors. Spanning 85,000 sq ft, DC4, like all Prologis units, has sustainability built into the fabric of the building; Net zero carbon in construction, BREEAM-rated ‘Excellent’ and a projected EPC A rating. This transaction follows on from Britishvolt recently preleasing Hams Hall DC2, a customer leading the way in sustainable, low carbon battery innovation, and Hams Hall DC3 being snapped up by international multi-modal logistics operator, LTS Global Solutions. Located only 10 miles from Birmingham city centre and one mile from M42 Junction 9, Prologis Park Hams Hall is strategically located to offer its customers prime accessibility in and around the Midlands, and further afield. Andrew Griffiths, Managing Director, AMG Logistics“We are delighted to secure DC4 Hams Hall to help facilitate our growth plans and take our business to the next level. Operating from a highly sustainable unit was a key factor for our customers and Prologis Park Hams Hall ticked all the boxes in that regard. It has been great to work with the Prologis team to get the deal over the line.” Tom Price, Director, Capital Deployment and Leasing, Prologis UK “Letting DC4 prior to its completion is testament to appetite within the market for top quality, well-located logistics property in and around the Midlands. Reaching full occupancy is a landmark moment for Hams Hall and we’re all looking forward to welcoming AMG Logistics and our other new customers to the park once the buildings are complete.” Danny Nelson, Head of Industrial, Logistics and Distribution, Winvic Construction Ltd“Our team has been working hard on site to deliver a further three high quality industrial facilities at Hams Hall for our client, Prologis. We are delighted to see the last unit, DC4, has been let and we are looking forward to handing over this sustainable facility to AMG Logistics at the end of the summer.”
Seddon has been appointed to deliver a 17-year building fit-out requirement at the Sellafield nuclear facility in Cumbria. The Northwest based, family-owned business celebrating 125 years in business will deliver the £175m contract, through a framework agreement, until March 2039. Currently establishing new offices in Cumbria to support this contract, Seddon become the fourth supplier organisation appointment made by Programme and Project Partners (PPP). The contractor will work to ensure the transformation of the site for future generations. This long-standing relationship will bring a wealth of employment opportunities to the area as Seddon seeks to bolster its supply chain in Cumbria, supporting the local economy and providing job security for many. John Shannon, Divisional Director of Seddon says: “This an excellent appointment for Seddon as a supply chain partner for the Sellafield Site. We pride ourselves on our expertise and have complete faith in our experience to deliver best-of-kind service over the next 17 years. This opportunity will ensure that we, along with other stakeholders, contribute to both the community and regional economy positively over this period.” The scope of the contract includes construction works including internal walls, ceilings and screeding, painting, joinery and fit-out. Through its involvement with Sellafield, Seddon joins a wider network of delivery partners committed to investing in Cumbria through the creation of new jobs, apprentice roles and the expansion and creation of new facilities in the region. The contractor will work alongside all project stakeholders to ensure Sellafield’s mission is successful as it works to decommission the site and create a clean and safe environment for the future. PPP Head of Supply Chain Peter Hogg added: “We are very pleased to announce our fifth long-term work partnership for PPP. This company has never worked ‘inside the fence’ at Sellafield before and that is why the PPP model is different. It is providing opportunities to organisations that we have not worked with before, which can provide innovative solutions to meet our long-term needs. This collaboration, together with Seddon’s supply chain will ensure enhanced project delivery and increased social impact and economic benefits for our communities.”
British Gypsum is reporting an overwhelmingly positive response and burgeoning sales of ThistlePro® FastSet Finish – its new rapid-setting plaster – in the first three months since its launch to the UK market. Introduced in April, ThistlePro FastSet Finish is a high-performance skim finish plaster, ideal for a wide range of repairs and use on smaller internal walls and ceilings due to its fast-setting attributes. It has proved a major hit with tradespeople across the UK, with dozens of plasterers taking to social media to sing its praises. Comments include: “A brilliant solution to a real problem”; “I’ve definitely found my Friday plaster. A walk-in wardrobe smashed out in no time thanks to FastSet Finish”; and “It sets in half the time of normal plaster. It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s fantastic for the little jobs on the way home so you’re not sat around waiting.” The sentiments were echoed by merchants themselves, with feedback such as: “Branches that have taken stock are (saying) their customers love the product… it’s an easy sell to customers” and reports that stocks of ThistlePro FastSet Finish have sold out within just two hours of arriving in store. While in many instances the product is being used for patching and repairs, merchants have also reported numerous examples of ThistlePro FastSet Finish being employed on other jobs where there is a tight schedule. ThistlePro FastSet Finish typically sets in half the time of standard skim finish plaster, with no compromise on performance. This enables more rapid completion of projects, maximising customer satisfaction and allowing plasterers to move on to their next project sooner too. A complete all-in-one bagged product, it also negates the need for plasterers to use additives or other methods to speed up setting times, a practice which can impact on overall plaster performance and potentially void the product guarantee. Paul Cassidy, Product Portfolio Development Director at British Gypsum, explained: “We’re absolutely delighted with the response from the sector to ThistlePro FastSet Finish since its launch. “So often, speed is of the essence in building projects – other tasks must be completed after plastering, so a product which dries quickly while still delivering optimal performance is vital. “ThistlePro FastSet Finish typically sets in just one hour, while still offering the performance attributes associated with the wider ThistlePro range which has become the ‘go-to’ choice for thousands of plasterers across the UK.” British Gypsum’s ThistlePro range also features ThistlePro PureFinish, ThistlePro DuraFinish and ThistlePro Magnetic, which are designed to provide better indoor air quality, a more durable finish and the option of creating interactive spaces. For more information on British Gypsum’s ThistlePro range, visit british-gypsum.com/specification/our-products/thistle-plasters.
The launch of Barratt David Wilson Homes’ new Ryebank Gate development on Drove Lane marks the beginning of a £4 million investment pledge from the housebuilder to the local community in Yapton. The development will contribute 300 homes to the local housing market, with 30% of these being affordable and consisting of a variety of two and three-bedroom properties. As part of the development’s S106 Agreement, the funds will be distributed across local services as agreed with the local council, including £2 million towards the expansion of the Yapton Church of England Primary School, over £1.5 million towards Phase Two of a new secondary school for Arun and over £300,000 to NHS Yapton healthcare facilities. The housebuilder will also contribute nearly £1 million towards local infrastructure, including provision of the Yapton to Barnham cycle route cycleway. Kimberley Benson, Sales and Marketing Director for Barratt Southern Counites comments, “Ryebank Gate offers our buyers the best of both worlds, being ideal for commuters with easy access to key road links, but still feeling like a village escape away from urban hubs. Our pledge of over £4million will be put towards healthcare, education and transport, supporting both the existing and incoming communities and boosting the local economy. “We are also committed to building smarter and more efficient housing that will be a sustainable investment for our buyers – our homes have the potential to be up to 57% cheaper to run, compared to an updated Victorian equivalent.[1] We are aware that our buyers are also looking at our green credentials, and as a responsible housebuilder we are implementing long-term pledges to support our energy-efficient properties in the market including achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.”[2] Located under four miles from the beach and two miles from the South Downs, Ryebank Gate is ideally positioned to keep the family entertained with outdoor activities. For those looking to escape to more urban hubs, Chichester, Littlehampton and Bognor Regis are also only a few miles away providing plenty of retail therapy and a varied selection of food outlets. A selection of four-bedroom homes are now available, with appointments to view the show homes currently held at Ecclesden Park development, only a twenty-minute drive away, due to the remote nature of the launch. Prices for a four-bedroom detached property at Ryebank Gate start from £624,995. For further details about Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties or the new homes at Ryebank Gate call 0333 3558 499 or visit www.barratthomes.co.uk / www.dwh.co.uk. [1] https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/dev-001107-ryebank-gate—barratt-homes/ [2] https://www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk/media/media-releases/pr-2020/pr-29-06-20
A North East real estate advisory firm has unveiled the next phase of growth plans, opening up access to billions of pounds of UK and foreign investment funds provided by national and international institutional investors, sovereign wealth and private equity. The move comes as Middlesbrough-based United Kingdom Development Corporation (UKDC) gears up to meet strong demand for its services from the modular housing sector. The firm, which is advising clients on the development of new homes manufactured offsite to meet the rising demand for affordable housing, is set to provide advice and funding, working with land owners and developers who have secured planning permission for sites. With more than 300,000 new homes required annually over the next decade to meet current housing demand, offsite modular construction cuts the time taken to deliver residential properties by up to 65%. It also reduces carbon emissions as the government encourages more effective ways to tackle the climate emergency. The delivery of carbon neutral affordable housing is a priority, according to UKDC, which continues to work with investors keen to support quality, carbon neutral housing developments. Ummar Hanif, managing director of UKDC, said they look to expand operations, and added: “We are seeing major technical developments in the quality, scope and scale of UK modular housing coupled with strong demand for new homes. We are delighted to be working closely with Ecotek Homes in a move that will accelerate the delivery of new sustainable and affordable housing projects, both in the North of England and across the wider UK. “This will create hundreds of jobs as developments come on stream and economic prosperity as investment in property pays dividends for local people, communities and supporting services.” The initiative follows UKDC’s link up with developer Ecotek Homes, which is adopting smart technology to construct homes that consume 50% less energy – helping to tackle climate challenges in the process. Stephen Haigh, founder and chief executive at Ecotek Homes, said: “Our relationship with UKDC will support the delivery of new, greener homes each year, providing a welcome boom as we look to tackle the housing shortfall over the next few years. “Off-site manufactured housing is changing the face of construction and creating superb homes that are not only sustainable but affordable, contributing significantly to transforming the way we build houses in this country.” UKDC has already attracted interest from investors following its launch this year and is keen to be involved in projects aimed at levelling up the economy and tackling the climate emergency. This includes instructions to advise and work with local authorities and developers throughout the UK and is keen to continue to grow.
Aart Koning has joined CHQ Architects as a Director. With over 30 years’ experience working in the UK for internationally and nationally award-winning practices, Aart will be heading up and growing the design side of CHQ across the Group. Aart has previously worked for Foster + Partners, Rock Townsend and astudio working across the residential, education, leisure, community and commercial sectors. Over the past 15 years he has played a leading role finding new opportunities, introducing new skills, mentoring staff and managing the practice to ensure a continuous high quality of work combined with an efficient performance. Barry Harper-Smith, Managing Director of CHQ Architects comments, “Aart is a fantastic new addition to our senior team within CHQ and I look forward to working closely with him to continue to build the strength and depth of our design expertise across a range of sectors.” Aart Koning comments, “The increasing demands of the built environment require innovative solutions, achieved through collaboration and sharing intelligence. I am acutely aware that it is key for an architectural practice to remain relevant, and I am delighted to be joining the team at CHQ who have a rich history and are actively working at the forefront of new developments, leading the process of change in the construction industry.” Celebrating its 40th anniversary, CHQ Architects has grown into a substantial practice with a talented team of over 50 architects, interior designers and 3D visualisers operating out of Central London and Baldock, Hertfordshire. CHQ offers clients a wide field of expertise at all RIBA work stages from feasibility to completion and beyond. Its sister company, DMWR Architects is also based in Manchester and London. With a wealth of experience in both designing and delivering prestigious projects, CHQ Architects and DMWR are using intelligent software that supports an outcome-based design approach which is fundamental for an interdisciplinary process that optimises the environmental performance of a development and meets the aims of the recently published new parts O, F and L of the Building Regulations.
