Leading Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson will spearhead the design and construction of the new £15.4 million state-of-the-art Air and Space Institute (ASI) aerospace project for Newark College, part of the Lincoln College Group, at the former cattle market site in Newark. The ASI provides a unique opportunity for school
Willmott Dixon has been appointed to work with the University of Exeter to complete detailed designs to build a new Multi-Faith Centre at Streatham Campus. Construction is due to start in summer this year. Exeter City Council recently approved plans to develop the Multi-Faith Centre, which will replace the existing
Fradley Park Primary School in Lichfield, Staffordshire, celebrated the official opening of its £4.8m free school with the local community last week (Friday 13 January). The two-storey building, which was constructed by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson and completed in summer 2022, opened to 210 primary and 26 nursery pupils in
Granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has reported record-breaking revenue in 2022, with a 15% increase in sales year-on-year. From January to December 2022, the Wakefield-based business reached an annual sales figure totalling over £8.3 million. “We are so proud to be reporting on another positive year for Roann
Family-run Scottish housebuilder, Muir Homes, has purchased land with planning permission to build high-quality family homes at its first development in Midlothian. The new site is in Pathhead, a popular community close to Dalkeith. The site is allocated for housing in the Midlothian Local Development Plan and extends over 6.9
Colchester-based chartered surveyors Whybrow, which operates under the Beresfords property group umbrella, is on the development team on the Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure Park. Its dedicated team of chartered surveyors is advising its client, Turnstone Estate, with commercial needs throughout the construction of the 200,000 sq. ft. Northern Gateway Leisure
Construction work to develop a new railway station in Butetown and to redevelop Cardiff Bay station as part of the biggest upgrade to public transport in the area for a generation will soon begin. In the summer of 2022, Transport for Wales (TfW) confirmed plans to build a new two-platform
Arloid Automation of London is launching a new partnership programme to enable property professionals and specifiers to access AI technology to reduce their customers’ energy use in the properties they manage in a move towards sustainability, net-zero carbon and savings on utility bills. This is also increasingly important with a
Harlow Council has approved plans to redevelop the town centre’s bus station and Terminus Street area. The proposals, which form part of Harlow Council’s town centre regeneration plans, were approved by the council’s Development Management Committee. The overhaul will be made possible thanks to government support secured by the council
The Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity is one step closer to fulfilling the dreams of children cared for at Rotherham Hospital thanks to a £5,000 donation from Keepmoat. The generous donation is a major boost for the charity’s Christmas fundraising appeal, which this year aimed to fund the redevelopment of the
Leading Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson will spearhead the design and construction of the new £15.4 million state-of-the-art Air and Space Institute (ASI) aerospace project for Newark College, part of the Lincoln College Group, at the former cattle market site in Newark. The ASI provides a unique opportunity for school leavers aged 16-18 to train for pilot, engineer and ground-crew roles in airlines, the military, airports and logistics companies across the UK and abroad. “We are delighted to be appointed as main contractor on the ASI which offers state-of-the-art training for students at a brand-new campus in the heart of Newark. We are extremely pleased to have secured this project under the Pagabo National Framework for Major Construction Works. Through our early contractor involvement and close collaboration with the Client team, we look forward to turning Lincoln College Group’s vision into a reality by providing a world-class training facility for young people throughout the region,” said Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson. The new three-storey building, which is due to complete at the end of 2023, will be only the second of this type of college building to be built in the UK and will provide world class training for the air and space industry, accommodating a full-sized Airbus A318 for hands-on teaching experience, alongside a double height entrance hall, large open space hangar, flight simulator, teaching zones and lecture and seminar areas for students and staff. The scheme will be finished off with a combination of soft and hard landscaping works. “Like the whole of the town, we’re hugely excited about the progress being made on site and we can’t wait to see the building. Young people completing their GCSEs this year can apply for our engineer, pilot, space engineering, groundcrew and military pathways now and they will benefit from these fabulous new facilities during their course, as well as the chance to fly in our ASI aircraft and flight simulators,” commented Lincoln College Group Director of ASI and Strategic Growth, Tom Marsden. From conception, G F Tomlinson used BIM technology software to digitally map the complex build of the aerospace project, which includes numerous articulated angles, using world coordinate systems for the design and construction of the build. This allowed the contractors and Lincoln College Group to work the design and use real time updates to navigate the build through all the fundamental stages through to completion. “It is fantastic to see the vision for the Air and Space Institute coming to life in Newark and I know many local people are looking forward to having this huge asset in our district. Providing skills locally is a key driver for the whole package of projects being funded under Newark’s Town Fund initiative,” said Councillor David Lloyd, Co-Chair of Newark Town Board and Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council. “The ASI will be a huge boost for Newark’s inspiring generations of future pilots, ground crew and engineers to see its new home when it is completed. It will help shape the ambition for Newark’s future, making it a place people want to live, work, study and visit and I look forward to seeing the progress over the forthcoming years,” he concluded. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon has been appointed to work with the University of Exeter to complete detailed designs to build a new Multi-Faith Centre at Streatham Campus. Construction is due to start in summer this year. Exeter City Council recently approved plans to develop the Multi-Faith Centre, which will replace the existing Muslim prayer rooms and multi-faith spaces in the Old Library with a 50 person Muslim prayer space and a multi-faith space. It will also house communal meeting space, a kitchen, a dedicated office for the Multifaith Chaplaincy Team, a Changing Places facility and an external terrace area. “We are really excited to progress our plans for the new Multi-Faith Centre. The University is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion and developing cultural competence working with partners across Exeter and Cornwall, and the wider region,” said Shraddha Chaudhary, Assistant Director for Culture and Inclusion at the University of Exeter. Sustainability and reducing carbon emissions are fundamental to the design of the new Multi-Faith Centre, which aims to achieve the Passivhaus standard. Features include the use of highly efficient porotherm blocks, air source heat pumps and PV panels on the building’s roof. Willmott Dixon has been working with a professional team, that includes Faithful and Gould, Group Emmett Design, SE3Design, Sands, SDS and ARUP. “Having worked with the University of Exeter on a number of projects, we are looking forward to delivering this new and inclusive Multi-Faith Centre and supporting the University’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, culture and heritage of its students and the wider community. This project aligns with our commitment to push the boundaries of sustainable design construction and operation of building,” added Rob Woolcock, Director at Willmott Dixon. The contractor has worked for the University of Exeter before on several projects. It has also several Passivhaus projects under its belt, including the Centre for Medicine at the University of Leicester and the Harris Academy in Sutton. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Fradley Park Primary School in Lichfield, Staffordshire, celebrated the official opening of its £4.8m free school with the local community last week (Friday 13 January). The two-storey building, which was constructed by Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson and completed in summer 2022, opened to 210 primary and 26 nursery pupils in autumn last year – being the first school to be built in the area in over 40 years. “We’re delighted to have marked the official opening of Fradley Park Primary School, working collaboratively alongside Staffordshire County Council and Entrust, which has provided much-needed school places for young children within the local area. The brand-new facilities and state-of-the-art classrooms have created enhanced environments for children to learn and grow, and the ceremony was a great opportunity to see them explore their fantastic new school,” said Kevin Dodds, Construction Director at G F Tomlinson. The opening ceremony was attended by Ben Robinson, High Sheriff and County Councillor Jonathan Price from Staffordshire County Council, Construction Director Kevin Dodds from G F Tomlinson, and CEO of John Taylor Multi-Academy Trust Mike Donoghue. As well as approximately 50 guests, comprising school staff and governors, John Taylor MAT directors and members, and colleagues from the local authority and other partner and community organisations. “I was really pleased to officially open Fradley Park Primary, which is the latest primary school in the county to be built in response to growing demand for school places in the area. It’s been great to see the first classes of children settling in well to their new school, which looks to be a fantastic place for them to start their education journey,” commented Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education Jonathan Price. The occasion was marked with speeches and a presentation of the school’s journey, before the Lichfield school was officially opened by Ben Robinson, High Sheriff of Staffordshire County Council and County Councillor Jonathan Price, Cabinet Member for Education and SEND. The school was delivered through the Staffordshire County Council Framework, and project managed by Entrust, and is now being managed by the John Taylor Multi Academy Trust. This is one of six educational schemes that G F Tomlinson has delivered within Staffordshire alongside Entrust, with the Derby-headquartered firm recently completing the latest scheme – Bramshall Meadows First School in Uttoxeter. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has reported record-breaking revenue in 2022, with a 15% increase in sales year-on-year. From January to December 2022, the Wakefield-based business reached an annual sales figure totalling over £8.3 million. “We are so proud to be reporting on another positive year for Roann Limited. We have experienced extensive growth over recent years and there’s no sign of it slowing down anytime soon. We’re looking forward to another busy year,” said Scott Wharton, Operations Director of Roann Limited. Notable key projects for this period included collaborations with established companies including Crest Nicholson, Barratt Homes, and Taylor Wimpey across the UK. Over the past four years, the business has experienced significant growth and has increased sales by almost 50%, when comparing figures between 2018 and 2022. A representative from Roann Limited has reported that in 2023, the business has forecasted further sales growth. Established in 1990, Roann Limited specialises in manufacturing, supplying, and installing high-quality granite and quartz worktops within the house building, property development and construction sectors. With more than 30 years’ experience, Roann Limited is dedicated to procuring stone worktops that help developers significantly reduce costs on their projects by selling direct to them. Roann Limited’s purpose-built factory in Wakefield houses more than £2 million worth of state-of-the-art stone manufacturing machines and equipment, enabling the business to fabricate more than 15,000 worktops every year. Roann Limited proudly holds accreditations with many of the industry’s leading health and safety schemes, including SSIP certification, and is also ConstructionOnline Gold Approved. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Family-run Scottish housebuilder, Muir Homes, has purchased land with planning permission to build high-quality family homes at its first development in Midlothian. The new site is in Pathhead, a popular community close to Dalkeith. The site is allocated for housing in the Midlothian Local Development Plan and extends over 6.9 acres. The proposals include 34 high quality and energy efficient houses and four flats next to Tynewater Primary School at the southern edge of the village. The majority of homes are for private sale and the flats will provide affordable homes to be managed by Midlothian Council. Muir’s design will blend the much needed new family homes in Pathhead with the existing community. The plans incorporate existing footpaths and include new links from the new homes to the school, local parks and amenities. As well as creating routes to and from the new homes, Muir will also include additional landscaping to the existing tree line to provide a natural and sustainable buffer between the proposed homes and the primary school. “We are pleased to announce the completion of this new site at Pathhead. It is part of Muir Homes commitment to build quality new homes in new communities across Scotland. Muir is proven to be successful in providing superb quality homes where people want to live. Pathhead not only has its own vibrant community, it is a village on the edge of stunning countryside, with easy access to village, town, out-of-town and City shopping experiences nearby. It also has the advantage of being easily commutable to Edinburgh,” said Paul McKay, Managing Director, Muir Homes. “Our family homes are suited to this type of location. Families will be attracted to the range of education options and recreational activities. The homes also allow space for homes offices to support hybrid working. We aim to contribute positively to the development of Pathhead through the new homes we are providing and the enhancements to the existing facilities for the community.” Muir Homes will build larger family homes to accommodate the demand for houses in this area as it provides an attractive environment for children and good quality Primary and Secondary Schools; Pathhead also offers access to amenities at Dalkeith and easy accessibility to Edinburgh. The 9 new affordable homes will allow residents with lower incomes to stay in the area in good quality accommodation. The plans meet the requirements of the national and local design policies. As part of its commitment to the local community, Muir is working closely with the Tynewater Community Council to ensure the new homes are integrated into the existing village. It is also recommending any investment it provides will benefit directly the Pathhead community. Construction will start in March with the new private homes released for sale at Easter. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Colchester-based chartered surveyors Whybrow, which operates under the Beresfords property group umbrella, is on the development team on the Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure Park. Its dedicated team of chartered surveyors is advising its client, Turnstone Estate, with commercial needs throughout the construction of the 200,000 sq. ft. Northern Gateway Leisure Park, having acquired this ten-acre site next to the A12 from the Council. The leisure park, which is due to complete in Autumn 2023, will include a 12-screen cinema for Cine UK, 20-lane bowling alley for Hollywood Bowl, a Puttstars indoor golf centre and Jump Street indoor play park. As well as this it will have a 96-bed Travelodge, drive-thru restaurants for Greggs and Wendy’s, an EV charging station and a high-quality landscaped piazza with parking for 750 cars. “We’re delighted to be assisting on transforming the Northern Gateway into a hub, which is a key part of our commitment to boosting the economy of the Borough. The whole development and Northern Gateway area will also benefit from the construction of a carbon-cutting, District Heat Network at Colchester Northern Gateway to supply heat and hot water to the developments’ homes and businesses. A digital network will also provide ultra-fast broadband to local homes and businesses, as well as encouraging biodiversity through bio retention ponds and the planting of native trees,” said Ewan Dodds, chief executive officer of Whybrow. Terms have now also been agreed to let three of the restaurants, one to Kervan Kitchen and two others to a regional buffet operator (4,000 sq. Ft.) and one to a gelato and meat restaurant (3,200 sq. ft.) with terms out on several others. Practical completion is due in September 2023. “We are pleased that our expert team of chartered surveyors at Whybrow are working on this exciting project, to bring the very best results. Northern Gateway Leisure Park will have a great impact on the local community and beyond, and we look forward to seeing it complete next year,” added Paul Beresford, chief executive officer of Beresfords. Established in 1985, Whybrow has been dedicated to providing property consultancy to local, regional and national companies – particularly those with a presence in the South East and London – for nearly 40 years. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work to develop a new railway station in Butetown and to redevelop Cardiff Bay station as part of the biggest upgrade to public transport in the area for a generation will soon begin. In the summer of 2022, Transport for Wales (TfW) confirmed plans to build a new two-platform station in the north of Butetown. The existing Cardiff Bay station will also be enhanced, as well as getting new signage, customer information screens and other improvements. Cardiff Bay station will remain open for passengers while the work is taking place. Installation of a new track will allow faster and more frequent services using brand new tram-trains, enabling a new timetable to be introduced from 2024. “The Bay Line transformation project is an important part of the South Wales Metro and we’re delighted to be able to begin construction work on the brand-new station in Butetown, as well as important upgrades to Cardiff Bay station. From 2024 we’ll be providing a smoother, greener, modern public transport service which will open up a range of opportunities for people living in Butetown and the wider Cardiff Bay area,” said James Price, TfW Chief Executive Officer. “We’re keen to continue working collaboratively with local residents through workshops and drop-in sessions, where people will be able to get more information and ask questions about the Bay Line transformation,” he added. The plans are to fit with a wider collaborative vision, working alongside Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government. The work will explore potential options for future transport routes between Cardiff Central and Newport Road, via the Cardiff Bay line and Porth Teigr subject to funding being secured. A seven-week consultation was launched on 12 December to collect feedback from the public, the findings of which will inform the project’s outline business case. Members of the public can find out more and take part in the consultation by visiting the Community and Stakeholder Engagement page on the TfW website. Cardiff Bay residents living close to the railway line have been contacted with details of the construction and engineering work taking place in the area which is needed to deliver the Core Valleys Lines (CVL) programme, at the heart of the development of South Wales Metro. The build of a construction compound on Lloyd George Avenue will begin this month, with the works on the track starting from early 2023. TfW will soon be preparing for the installation of a construction compound on the trackside of Lloyd George Avenue to manage its work and provide welfare facilities for workers. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Arloid Automation of London is launching a new partnership programme to enable property professionals and specifiers to access AI technology to reduce their customers’ energy use in the properties they manage in a move towards sustainability, net-zero carbon and savings on utility bills. This is also increasingly important with a lack of certainty as to energy supply provision towards the end of 2023. Property professionals and specifiers are invited to join the partnership programme to offer their customers a reduction in their energy costs, as well as providing energy efficient buildings and an additional income stream. Developers, construction companies, building and facilities managers, utility providers, security companies, energy saving companies are all invited to join the partnership programme. Arloid Automation offers training and marketing resources to industry partners to support them in providing AI solutions to their customers and thus bring significant energy and carbon savings to a wider market. Artificial intelligence – used in conjunction with any building management system – can fine tune the operation of a building’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems with remarkable precision. This results in increased comfort for building occupants coupled with energy savings of up to 22%. “We are looking forward to introducing new partnerships across Europe, Turkey, and the United States. Our established partners in the Middle East are going from strength to strength resulting in additional revenue streams, energy reduction for tenants and sought after buildings with lower ongoing bills,” said Dr. Andrey Seleznev, Chief Commercial Officer at Arloid. It’s becoming increasingly clear that energy use needs to be reduced now to preserve and ensure that supplies are available in the future as well as lowering carbon emissions. The built environment has the most potential as it is responsible for about 40% of global energy use and emits around a third of the greenhouse gases (according to the United Nations Environment Programme). Property professionals and specifiers are invited to be a part of the solution by partnering with Arloid Automation to make this happen: the operation of a building management system with AI technology is now available but it is only possible by working together that the move can be made towards a more sustainable, resilient future. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Harlow Council has approved plans to redevelop the town centre’s bus station and Terminus Street area. The proposals, which form part of Harlow Council’s town centre regeneration plans, were approved by the council’s Development Management Committee. The overhaul will be made possible thanks to government support secured by the council as part of its successful £23.7m Towns Fund bid. The planning permission makes way to develop a new transport hub and interchange for Harlow bus station services, as well as a cycle hub and dramatic improvements to the area’s public realm amenities and landscaping. Works, which are due to start in the coming months, will deliver: • The entire redevelopment of the bus station and Terminus Street • A new single-storey transport hub to the north of the site, with green space and a canopy covered waiting area • A cycle hub to the south with storage space for up to 80 cycles • Flexible events space • A new exit for buses from Terminus Street onto Crown Gate • Transformation of Terminus Street • The removal of the bridge connecting East Walk and Terminus House • A new entry area to Terminus House, with a lift to serve the first and second floors • Works to the existing Terminus House bin store. The development will support both existing public transport routes and proposed sustainable transport corridor routes, which will promote walking and cycling, as part of the development of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town. The inclusion of green areas and an events space will also help to transform the overall character of the area and create a welcoming environment. “This is another major step forward for the regeneration of the town centre following the recent purchases of Occasio House and the Harvey Centre, the £46 million investment from Strawberry Star and the many other plans that are coming into fruition – all in line with our Town Centre Masterplan,” said Councillor Dan Swords, Deputy Leader of the Council. “This transformation of Terminus Street and the entire rebuilding of the bus station area will completely overhaul a run-down part of the town centre into a welcoming gateway into Harlow’s new town centre. The new transport hub will allow for sustainable transport and cycling and will be built to the highest quality, with fantastic landscaping, public realm and build quality. This has all been made possible by the £23.7 million Towns Fund investment from the government which will also transform Broad Walk too – seamlessly connecting the new gateway into the town centre with the high street. “This is truly a historic moment for our town as the regeneration of the town centre motors on with construction work starting shortly. We are delivering on the council’s commitment to entirely rebuild our town centre and to restore pride in our town. We are also continuing our work with all our other regeneration priorities for the town, like building new council homes, repairing existing council homes and restoring pride in the town,” he added. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity is one step closer to fulfilling the dreams of children cared for at Rotherham Hospital thanks to a £5,000 donation from Keepmoat. The generous donation is a major boost for the charity’s Christmas fundraising appeal, which this year aimed to fund the redevelopment of the Children’s Ward outdoor play area. The donation was celebrated at the launch of Keepmoat’s latest housing development at Moorgate Boulevard, off Moorgate Road, Rotherham, where representatives from Keepmoat were joined by the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Tajamal Khan, and Dr Ted to explore its new showhomes which are now open to the public. Alongside the charity donation, Keepmoat is offering an exclusive £1,000 referral bonus*, for The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust staff when they successfully refer friends and family who go on to purchase a new home at the development. “We are so grateful and proud to receive such a significant donation from the team at Keepmoat. Their new showhomes at Moorgate Boulevard are a short walk from Rotherham Hospital so it showcases their commitment to enhancing the environment around them,” said Rachael Dawes, Head of Fundraising. “We have ambitious plans to revamp the rooftop space and hope to make it a special place for children and young people for generations to come. We’re one step closer to making that happen thanks to Keepmoat. I hope they have inspired other businesses, community groups and individuals to support us too.” Last year, colleagues at The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust, schools, community groups and individuals pooled their festive cheer to kick-start fundraising for the play area, raising a magnificent £6,500 by taking part in our Virtual Santa Jog, Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Jumper Day. More than £30,000 is needed to revamp the play area, so every penny raised will count. Our previous young patients, their families and Children’s Ward staff have already told us what their dream play area would look and feel like – now we need your support to make their dreams a reality. “We are absolutely delighted to be supporting another important institution in the community next to our new Moorgate Boulevard development. As homebuilders, we strive to build communities and transform lives, and I’m proud that we are able to support the Rotherham Hospital and Community Charity through our donation. The donation is designed to enable children of all ages who may find themselves at Rotherham Hospital, to enjoy an improved children’s ward play area on its rooftop,” added Antony Rowe, Sales Manager for Keepmoat. “We were honoured that our three fabulous showhomes have been officially opened by the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Tajamal Khan, and the charity’s mascot Dr Ted. Our new 170-home development is located opposite Rotherham Hospital, which is in ideal proximity for commuting staff – and our referral scheme is designed to support NHS employees get their foot onto the property ladder. We look forward to welcoming future visitors to our Moorgate Boulevard showhomes and we’re excited to create a thriving community that is dedicated to improving lives,” Antony concluded. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
