Launching on 22 July, TwelveTrees Park is a new, cosmopolitan neighbourhood for London Located minutes between Stratford and Canary Wharf with five rail and tube lines on the doorstep, as well as London City Airport and Crossrail within 10 minutes, this is one of the best-connected developments in London It will provide over
A PROGRAMME of works for health facilities, owned by NHS Property Services, throughout the Midlands valued at around £5m has been awarded to leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. NHS Property Services’ portfolio is one of the largest in the UK, comprising more than 3,000 properties with
Too many buildings are unsafe, and too many residents feel trapped in their homes says chief executive Mike Robinson The chief executive of the British Safety Council has today written to the Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher, to ask the government to act to remove unsafe cladding from tower blocks. Three
Doosan has launched the new DX800LC-7 Stage V compliant 80 tonne crawler excavator, the largest excavator model ever manufactured by the company. Coinciding with the launch, Doosan has announced the sale of the first DX800LC-7 in Europe to a customer in Finland. Driven by the most powerful engine in the
The weeks of lockdown have accelerated the creation of liveable streets and green spaces, according to speakers at the latest e-Roadshow on Realising Resilience presented by Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation. “It was interesting to see the changes that have already taken place in London and to learn about how
There are many reasons for a property owner to decide whether they want to repair their damaged, leaking roof or opt for a full roof replacement. In some instances it is not even up to the property owner, for example when insurance is involved. If you roof is damaged or
Denbighshire County Council and its partners are discussing plans to turn Rhyl’s Queen’s Buildings into a pivotal piece in the ongoing regeneration of the town. The talks revolved around the transformation of the site into a vibrant mix of retail, food and beverage, contemporary market, office and residential space while
A complex restoration project in Surrey will be cost managed by Gleeds, the international property and construction consultancy. The project includes the revamp of Clandon Park, a historic building in West Clandon that was ravaged by fire in April 2015. An intensive salvage phase has been carried out since the incident,
Teeside University has welcomed its latest flagship building, which has been completed as part of a new UK centre of excellence for biosciences set to open later this year. The new National Horizons Centre, the University’s research, teaching and training facility, was delivered by Wates Construction over a year-long build programme.
A historic but unusable building in Halifax has undergone a £1 million refurbishment and the work is now complete. In total, 40 local businesses have secured vibrant office space since the beginning of the Croft Myl project in 2015. Current tenants include Andys Man Club, Wright Angle Marketing, Kip Mcgrath,
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Launching on 22 July, TwelveTrees Park is a new, cosmopolitan neighbourhood for London Located minutes between Stratford and Canary Wharf with five rail and tube lines on the doorstep, as well as London City Airport and Crossrail within 10 minutes, this is one of the best-connected developments in London It will provide over 3,800 homes and includes plans for shops, restaurants and a new 4.5 acre WiFi-enabled park Over half the 26.2 acre site is dedicated to green spaces, creating a lush and tranquil setting just minutes from the City This mixed-use development will be a blueprint for modern living. It has been designed with connectivity at its heart, whether to nature, to London or to the community The neighbourhood will provide a new home for the acclaimed East London Science School, as well as a number of maker-space studios to help creativity flourish The area boasts a rich history. Formerly owned by 19th Century industrialist, Harper Twelvetrees, the site was once home to the Imperial Works soap factory. Twelvetrees was a prominent anti-slavery campaigner and built homes on the site for some of his lowest paid workers. Its reinvention will deliver homes for people at every stage of life and create a new place for people to live, work, learn and socialise Studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses are available, with homes at Evergreen Point the first to be offered to customers Prices start from £385,000 for a studio Berkeley is launching TwelveTrees Park, a dynamic new place for London on 22 July, which will see West Ham become an integral part of the wider transformation of Stratford. The 3,838-home mixed-use regeneration scheme in East London is Berkeley’s furthest foray east, north of the river. Set to become the benchmark for future living in London with health and wellbeing at the heart of its design, TwelveTrees Park will add to East London’s diverse and vibrant cultural scene. The development is an exciting prospect for people looking for city living combined with expansive green space on their doorstep, and trendsetters who want to be part of the city’s next big destination. With house price growth in Newham expected to be among the highest in London, and the wider Lower Lea Valley experiencing a renaissance, TwelveTrees Park is a solid long-term investment for buyers looking for value in the capital. Offering a stylish mix of studios, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, as well as apartments purpose-built for rent and homes available under shared ownership, TwelveTrees Park offers something for everyone. With views of London’s cityscape and designed with modern lifestyles in mind, Berkeley’s new development epitomises urban living. It enables people to live connected: to London and beyond with fantastic transport links; to nature with over 50% of the site dedicated to green space; to neighbours through a strong community focus; and connected digitally with a fully WiFi-enabled park. Evergreen Point is the first building to launch at TwelveTrees Park and comprises studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. A collection of penthouses are also in the final stages of development. Sat in the heart of the development and offering panoramic views across London, the building is located at the entrance to the park, close to the community hub and to West Ham station, giving residents access to the city. Apartments at TwelveTrees Park have been designed with practical, everyday living in mind. Residents can benefit from ample in-built storage, and have access to a gym, business lounge and 24-hour concierge service. There will also be a car park with electric charging points and bicycle storage. TwelveTrees Park is a blueprint for healthier, balanced living in the city – over half the scheme is green space, encouraging active, outdoor lifestyles and providing places to relax, reflect and restore. The on-site community gardens offer residents flexible space for activities, from gardening to education to group meetings and parties. The 4.5 acre linear park will be at the heart of the development and a focal point for people to meet and socialise, with restaurants and cafés spilling out into the park as part of a new shopping and leisure quarter at the development. Reflecting twenty-first century living, the central park will be fully WiFi-enabled meaning those who work or study from home will have the flexibility to be outdoors and surrounded by nature, while maker-space studios support London’s budding creatives in the pursuit of their passions. TwelveTrees Park will breathe new life into this once industrial part of London, transforming derelict brownfield land into a thriving new community that reflects the history and distinctive character of the local area. By opening up the site, creating two new foot bridges and updating the existing road bridge, including direct access to West Ham station, Berkeley is delivering an important new piece of the jigsaw to help connect the vibrant tapestry of East London. Positioned between Stratford, the Olympic Park and Canary Wharf, TwelveTrees Park benefits from five rail and tube lines on its doorstep, meaning easy access to the city centre and its landmark shopping, tourist and business destinations, including Canary Wharf in only seven minutes. With quick links to Crossrail, and London City Airport just 10 minutes away, residents can easily explore the capital and connect to destinations worldwide. TwelveTrees Park isn’t just a place to live: it’s a community that will educate and inspire future generations. A new, 1,000-pupil state-of-the-art home for the East London Science School will include a specially designed science garden with an outdoor lab and physics garden, a sports hall and a lecture theatre. The science school will be a focal point for the entire community with the facilities used after school hours for activities and events, such as hosting talks on current trending topics and holding fitness classes. Justin Tibaldi, divisional managing director at Berkeley Homes (Capital), commented: “We’re very excited to unveil our vision for TwelveTrees Park – a vibrant new neighbourhood that will be a gamechanger for West Ham and the wider regeneration of the lower Lea Valley. This will be
A PROGRAMME of works for health facilities, owned by NHS Property Services, throughout the Midlands valued at around £5m has been awarded to leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard. NHS Property Services’ portfolio is one of the largest in the UK, comprising more than 3,000 properties with 7,000 tenants across England. At a total value of more than £3bn, this represents about 10% of the total NHS estate. The work will cover the delivery of backlog maintenance projects for 38 health centres to implement remedial works to the site infrastructure, internal and external building fabric, and mechanical and electrical systems, with work commencing this month. Pick Everard’s team will be providing programme management, project management, quantity surveying and principal designer services (health and safety). The works will overhaul building systems, ensuring they meet current building guidance. The team will work in collaboration with the external consultants undertaking architectural and services design to deliver the projects. David Harris, partner at Pick Everard said: “We’re really pleased to have been awarded this commission, allowing us to continue and expand the extensive services we have been providing in support of the NHS and its services across the UK for many years. It’s of course a point in time when providing the NHS with as much support as possible has never been so important, so it’s great to be progressing these projects, allowing us to help support our health service in the Midlands with critical work. “The government has promised a number of programmes and funding packages for the health service throughout this year, including 40 new hospitals announced as part of ‘Project Speed’ at the end of June. However, it’s of clear importance that we must look after and improve the existing health service infrastructure, ensuring it continues to be fit for purpose, in order for healthcare professionals to provide the best possible care to patients in the region.” Paul Jones, principal construction manager at NHS Property Services, said: “We’re pleased to have skilled and experienced partners on board to support the programme of works across the Midlands. The clear objective in sight is to deliver better patient care and these works are central to that.” Imran Ishaq, associate director for building surveying at Pick Everard, who is leading on this project, said: “There is no doubt that Covid-19 will impact how we deliver this work and it is imperative safety guidance is followed by observing social distancing and health and safety protocols. We will be working within live, occupied environments, so will be using phased construction strategies to keep disruption at an absolute minimum and allow tenant businesses to continue with their services as work is in progress. “A big focus for all we do at Pick Everard is delivering works that make a real social and economic difference to the community. For this programme of works we will be deploying local labour and working closely with SMEs across the region on the provision of these improved community care facilities.” The work is being delivered under the NHS Shared Business Services framework, a vehicle that provides business support services to the NHS and public sector. Pick Everard employs more than 550 staff across its 13 UK offices, providing a range of project, cost and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk.
Too many buildings are unsafe, and too many residents feel trapped in their homes says chief executive Mike Robinson The chief executive of the British Safety Council has today written to the Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher, to ask the government to act to remove unsafe cladding from tower blocks. Three years on from the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower it is estimated that 60,000 are living in homes with Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding similar to that which caused the fire and led to the deaths of 72 people in June 2017. Yesterday in the House of Commons, in a debate on Flammable Cladding Removal in the House of Commons, MPs lined up to demand action from the housing minister. The debate was secured by Labour MP Rushanara Ali. According to government figures, 155 of the 455 high-rise buildings identified as covered in ACM have had cladding removed, leaving 300 with dangerous cladding still in place. In his response the minister said that the government’s building safety programme will ensure that high-rise buildings are safe and that unsafe ACM must be removed from all high-rise residential buildings, at no cost to leaseholders. The minister conceded that “even with public funding available, the pace has been much too slow.” The government has promised that it will shortly publish the draft Building Safety Bill, described by Mr Pincher as “a once-in-a-generation change to the building safety regime.” Speaking from his home today Mike Robinson, the chief executive of the British Safety Council said: “I have today written to the housing minister to ask for an update on action to remove cladding from high-rise residential buildings. The statistics on the building safety programme are shocking. There are still 300 high-rise residential and publicly-owned buildings with the same flammable cladding which caused the fire at Grenfell Tower. I agree with his recent comments in parliament that the pace of progress has been far too slow.” He went on to say: “I am afraid that politely asking building owners to “do the right thing”, to remove cladding and not to pass the costs onto their leaseholders has not worked. Attempts to empower local authorities to enforce replacement of cladding have also failed – not least because years of underfunding of councils and the HSE mean that even if the will is there to step in, the resources simply are not there. We all want the same outcome – let’s get on with it!” About the British Safety Council The British Safety Council believes that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work. Since its foundation in 1957, the British Safety Council has campaigned tirelessly to protect workers from accidents, hazards and unsafe conditions, and played a decisive role in the political process that has led to the adoption of landmark safety legislation in the UK. Its members in more than 60 countries are committed to protecting and improving the wellbeing of workers, believing that a healthy and safe work environment is also good for business. As part of its charitable work, the British Safety Council leads health and safety networking forums for all sectors, facilitates and promotes best practice in Britain and overseas. It also offers a range of services and products, including training, qualifications, publications, audits and awards. The British Safety Council works closely with organisations, charities and individuals who share its vision of ensuring that every worker goes home at the end of the day as healthy as they were when they went to work. We would be grateful if you could use British Safety Council in full rather than abbreviating to BSC when quoting our organisation. British Safety Council’s networks: Website: www.britsafe.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/britsafe Facebook: www.facebook.com/britishsafetycouncil YouTube: www.youtube.com/britishsafetycouncil LinkedIn group: www.linkedin.com/company/british-safety-council Safety Management: https://sm.britsafe.org
Doosan has launched the new DX800LC-7 Stage V compliant 80 tonne crawler excavator, the largest excavator model ever manufactured by the company. Coinciding with the launch, Doosan has announced the sale of the first DX800LC-7 in Europe to a customer in Finland. Driven by the most powerful engine in the 80 tonne class, the DX800LC-7 also has the highest hydraulic flow for this size of machine, providing best-in-class performance, with higher productivity, lower fuel consumption and smoother controls. Like all Doosan excavators, much attention has been given to operator comfort and safety. The DX800LC-7 has a new, very spacious operator cab, equipped with ergonomic controls and instrumentation. Special care has been taken to ensure noise is kept to a minimum through enhanced sealing of the engine compartment and extensive use of sound-dampening materials. All components and assemblies are designed, built and tested to ensure durability. Multi-stage filters and features such as track guards and cylinder guards for the boom and arm, the auto grease system and greased and sealed track links are designed to provide superior reliability and a long service life. The DX800LC-7 is easy to maintain, further reducing downtime to a minimum. Highest Power Stage V Engine in its Class The DX800LC-7 excavator is powered by the new stage V version of the well-proven Perkins 2506J diesel engine, providing a high power output of 403 kW (548 HP), more than any other machine in this class. The engine meets Stage V emission regulations by utilising exhaust gas recirculation, selective catalyst reduction, diesel oxidation catalyst and diesel particulate filter (DPF) after-treatment technologies. The DPF automatically regenerates every 25 hours and the excavator continues to work unaffected during this regeneration phase. The operator can check the status of the DPF via the display on the gauge panel in the cab. Highest Hydraulic Flow in 80 t Class The high output of the engine is combined with a Virtual Bleed Off (VBO) hydraulic system (D-ECOPOWER+), providing a best-in-class hydraulic flow of 1008 l/min and a high system pressure of 343 bar, together contributing to the best performance in the 80 tonne market. Doosan’s D-ECOPOWER+ technology utilises an electronic pressure-controlled pump within a closed centre hydraulic system to optimise productivity and fuel consumption, depending on the mode selected. A closed centred main control valve minimises pressure loss, while the electric pressure-controlled pump manages and optimises engine power more effectively. Software is utilised to electronically reproduce the full benefits of an open centre hydraulic system with very little energy loss. The hydraulic system and engine output are fully optimised and synchronised, further reducing losses within the system. Improved feedback to the operator through the joystick results in improved machine control and less operator fatigue. The acceleration and deceleration of the excavator workgroup functions are smoother, allowing operators to perform repetitive swinging and digging motions with less jerking movements. Choice of Boom and Swing Modes To provide optimized operations when working with the DX800LC-7 excavator, the operator can switch between two modes – Boom or Swing – giving priority to boom or swing movements, respectively, so they can best match how they are using the machine to the application they are working on. Faster working speeds are ensured by the 2-spool Boom Down Regeneration system in the DX800LC-7, which also reduces fuel consumption. The 2-spool hydraulic system for the bucket cylinder also increases hydraulic flow and the working speed of the bucket, again reducing fuel consumption. The DX800LC-7 also has a boom/arm cylinder lock valve (anti-hose burst valve) as standard for increased safety, preventing accidents caused by hydraulic hose rupture on site. Increased Comfort and Controllability Already excelling in spaciousness and ergonomics, the new cab in the DX800LC-7 is designed to significantly enhance operator comfort and ease of operation. The cab has a new high quality seat and offers more features as standard than other machines on the market, ensuring super controllability and high precision in all applications. Key new features in the cab include: • New 8-inch touch-enabled colour LCD gauge panel, providing more information via a 30% larger screen • Stereo system integrated in the gauge panel (with Bluetooth streaming function) • Keyless start system • Enhanced interior cab design including Improved air conditioning/defrost performance Seat Heating (2-step) 360o Cameras (AVM, All-around View Monitoring) • Full LED lights pack • Side protection and Catwalks • Air compressor and air gun for cab cleaning (option) A full camera array is standard, comprising a front camera, two side cameras and a rear camera. The camera display is separated from the gauge panel and provides full visibility around the excavator and allows the operator to see a top-down view of the area outside the machine. This is combined with an AVM (around view monitoring) system as standard. LED working lamps are also standard on the DX800LC-7, providing up to 75% better illumination of the workspace around the excavator, ensuring improved productivity in dusk and night time work and to help prevent accidents on site. The new DX800LC-7 is factory-installed with Doosan’s state-of-the-art DoosanCONNECT wireless fleet monitoring system. The DoosanCONNECT system offers a web-based fleet management solution which is very useful for monitoring the performance and security of machines and promoting preventative maintenance. Convenient Maintenance The cooling system in the DX800LC-7 offers a larger cooling capacity with a reduced fan speed and power requirement for the cooling fan. A reversible cooling fan is installed as standard, which can be used in the reverse direction to blow away dust in the radiator and oil cooler, saving time and effort in maintenance work and ensuring that the DX800LC-7 is ideal for working in tough applications. Complementing the class-leading performance, the DX800LC-7 is also designed for maximum uptime on site with proven, high quality, durable components such as Bosch Rexroth MCV and Main Pump systems, a Doosan Mottrol swing device and a very robust Berco undercarriage. The DX800LC-7 features a new heavy duty front end with a total of five different front combinations possible
The weeks of lockdown have accelerated the creation of liveable streets and green spaces, according to speakers at the latest e-Roadshow on Realising Resilience presented by Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation. “It was interesting to see the changes that have already taken place in London and to learn about how upcoming policy changes – as well as the pandemic – will push things even further,” said Sean Robinson, Specification Director, who hosted the event, Shaping City Policy to Support Biodiversity and Green Urbanisation. The first phase of the Ladderswood Estate regeneration in Enfield provided a practical example of green urbanisation in action, as described by Nicholas Wright, National Specification Manager – City & Landscapes. This complex scheme, which took just nine months from design to delivery, required check dams and flow controls to accommodate multiple areas, with the end result providing play spaces, grass, pathways and planting for the 517 households. Ecologist Dr Julia Baker, of Balfour Beatty, shone a spotlight on the future policy of biodiversity net gain. Changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the Environment Bill, expected in late 2020, are likely to demand a 10% improvement in biodiversity but Julia urged developers to aim higher. “Better is different from best,” she said. “We must ask ourselves, at a project level and at a policy level, whether we have achieved the best outcome?” Careful design could, Julia argued, not only enhance biodiversity but be targeted to add social value such as improving areas of social deprivation. “Green Bounceback” is how Luke Hilson, Design Director at Barton Wilmore, described a post-Covid future where the urban streetscape has been reclaimed from traffic. Homeworking, active travel, and outdoor dining have already affected change, he said, with the creation of ‘parklets’ in our city streets: “One of the most visible things we have seen in the last few weeks and months, across London and the UK, is that we are taking space that was previously highway space and reclaiming it for people.” “The pandemic is leading us to accelerate what we had already planned to do,” said Peter Massini, Principal Policy Officer for Greater London Authority. Climate change had already made urban greening a priority, he noted, a thread which runs through the new London Plan, The Mayor’s Transport Strategy and the London Environment Strategy. “We need to blur the space between parks, green spaces and developments,” he said, pointing to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park development in East London as a practical example. This high-density housing development incorporates green roofs and SuDS that ends in a reed bed system before draining into the River Lea, providing both greater biodiversity and amenity. Peter also spoke of the need to rethink the role of parks in London’s transport system, for instance using sections around their perimeters for rental bike storage, as long as they were well designed. “We must make green space a functional part of the infrastructure of our cities,” he said. “Some people think of it as the urban realm intruding into parks, but I like to think of it as the parks intruding into the urban realm.” The next event of the series is on August 11th and concentrates on Ireland and covers Changing Legislation and Growing Ambition – Planning for Green Infrastructure and SuDS in Northern Ireland. The series concludes on August 18th, with a rescheduled Scotland event which considers the challenge of Delivering for the Climate Emergency in Scotland’s Green Network. All of the guest speaker presentations for the London e-Roadshow event can be viewed at https://www.polypipe.com/news For information on the full programme and details of how to register visit: – https://www.polypipe.com/roadshow-2020 Pic caption: Adapting streetscapes and parks to promote active travel will be at the heart of the post-Covid ‘Green Bounceback’.
There are many reasons for a property owner to decide whether they want to repair their damaged, leaking roof or opt for a full roof replacement. In some instances it is not even up to the property owner, for example when insurance is involved. If you roof is damaged or leaking, you may be considering repairing the damaged area or investing money in a complete roofing system replacement. This article will cover some of the top things to consider when making this decision. Architectural Asphalt Roofing Shingles vs. Old Three-Tab Shingle Roofs The two main types of asphalt shingle roofs are, 1) old 3-tab shingles and, 2) architectural asphalt shingles. Many roofers prefer to only install architectural asphalt shingles. Hanover PA roofing contractor JWE owner Jeff W. Erb says that he never recommends 3-tab shingles, and only feels comfortable installing architectural asphalt shingle roofing. “I have been working on roofs for over 20 years and I’ve seen thousands of failed roofing systems. In my experience, the old 3-tab roofs are inferior to the newer architectural asphalt shingles in terms of durability and leak protection. Architectural asphalt shingles are more desirable not only because of their aesthetic appearance and the high-definition look they provide, but because of the lifetime warranty provided by roofing product manufacturers. It’ll be the last roof you ever need for your home”. Lifetime Warranty for Architectural Asphalt Shingle Roofs Erb is referring to the ‘out-of-the-wrapper’ warranty provided by shingle manufacturers like GAF, IKO and CertainTeed on their roofing products. Furthermore, roofing installers like JWE who are factory-certified by these manufacturers are able to register their customers new roofs for extended, full-coverage, “lifetime” warranties that exceed 30, 40 and even 50 years (depending on the manufacturer). These extended warranties are only available for architectural asphalt shingle roofing system installations, so if you have a 3-tab roof that is due for a replacement it is well worth the money to invest in an architectural asphalt shingle roof. When it comes to quick roof repairs, most roofers do not guarantee that their work will stop the leak for an extended period of time. In order to warranty their work, roofers want to know that their installation is done properly, and this just isn’t possible without removing the existing roof. Roofers therefore prefer to address the roofing system in its entirety, which we will discuss in the following section. Roofing System Anatomy: Components are Difficult to Repair, but a Roof Replacement Addresses the Entire System A building’s roof is more than just a layer of shingles or sheet metal. A roof is a system of barriers that work together to protect from water, leaks, wind, storms, hail, energy loss, and more – the shingles are simply the outermost visible layer of the roofing system. If that outer layer of shingles has failed to the point of water leaking into the home, it is likely that there is damage to inner barriers like underlayment, roof deck plywood, flashing (like chimney- and step-flashing), vent-pipe boot leaks, and more. It is rarely the case that the source of the leak can be easily identified in a way that makes a simple repair possible without having to remove large sections of the roof. In most cases a full roof replacement is the most effective way to thoroughly repair the leak. During a full roof replacement all the components of the roofing system are replaced, and the roofer is therefore confident that their installation will last for decades to come. NOTE: Metal roofing is becoming increasingly popular, and if your asphalt shingle roof is due for a replacement you may want to be one of the many homeowners who are considering updating to metal roofing like standing seam, metal shingles or corrugated steel. They are far more durable, last much longer, and are unlikely to leak or suffer storm damage. Some types are not much more expensive than asphalt shingle roofs. Learn more about metal roofing services costs, benefits, etc. Dealing with Insurance Claims for Roof Damage Caused by Storms and other Covered Perils Roofs are the most common part of a house that are paid for by insurance companies. Most roofing contractors have the majority of their work paid for by homeowners insurance, and they are all painfully aware of the fact that these insurers have a profit motive to pay out as little as possible. This usually results in approval for bare-minimum repairs rather than full replacements. Ultimately this causes more hassle for the homeowner, who will inevitably have to shell out money for future repairs or a full roof replacement sooner than they would have otherwise had to. It is possible for savvy homeowners to get the most out of their insurance provider for their roof damage repair claim if they hire the right roofing contractor, many of whom are partnered with public insurance adjusters who are experts at getting claims approved. They are usually hired on a contingency contract that holds the homeowner accountable for no more than their deductible. Hiring a professional loss adjuster like this is a win-win for owners dealing with home damage because the contractor’s goal is to get the full extent of work approved and paid for. CONCLUSION: Most Professional Roofers Recommend a Full Roof Replacement The fact that most roofers usually recommend replacing a leaking or damaged roof is not a dishonest ploy to upsell property owners. As we explained above, it is hard for a professional roofing contractor to guarantee a small repair because it’s almost always impossible to determine the source and cause of the leak. Furthermore, roofing manufacturers do not warranty their products unless the installation of three or more roofing system components accompanies their shingles, so anything short of a replacement is missing the opportunity for a lifetime warranty. The good news is that a roof replacement is often the last roof a homeowner will need to get. The lifetime warranty on architectural asphalt shingle roofs is transferable to the next
Denbighshire County Council and its partners are discussing plans to turn Rhyl’s Queen’s Buildings into a pivotal piece in the ongoing regeneration of the town. The talks revolved around the transformation of the site into a vibrant mix of retail, food and beverage, contemporary market, office and residential space while improving accessibility from the waterfront and promenade into the town centre. In addition, plans could also include an open courtyard and public space in the £30 million plus development, which includes the former Savoy Hotel and Queen’s Market buildings. Currently, work is progressing on the initial designs, costings and viability of the project, which forms part of the long term vision for Rhyl Town Centre exhibited in the former Granite Outdoors shop at the beginning of April, before a planning application is submitted later this year. “We see the Queen’s Buildings as key in the regeneration of Rhyl. This site will be pivotal in linking the regeneration on the waterfront to the town centre and providing a fantastic offer in its own right. This project can transform the town centre,” said Graham Boase, the Council’s Corporate Director for the Economy and Public Realm. “After 12 months of working with businesses, residents and visitors to Rhyl the feedback was that the town centre needed a vibrant market space to draw people into the town centre and increase footfall. This will help support and grow businesses and our vision sees local, independent traders as central to this, creating jobs and opportunities locally. Parts of the buildings are in very poor condition and whilst we will try and retain as much of the original architecture as possible, there will inevitably be areas that will need to be demolished,” Graham added. The project is being funded by Denbighshire County Council, the Welsh Government and the European Regional Development Fund. The site will remain open in the coming months with current occupiers continuing to trade. The Council recently opened the £15 million SC2 attraction and other investment includes the 1891 restaurant and remodelling of the Pavilion Theatre, while private sector investment encouraged by the Council has seen the opening of two new hotels. The Council and the previous owners have found no remaining sections of the former Little Venice attraction despite extensive work being carried out on the building over a number of years. As the project develops there will be further excavation work taking place on the site. A pre-planning consultation will be launched later this summer offering residents and businesses the chance to have their say on the more detailed plans as part of the ongoing project consultation.
A complex restoration project in Surrey will be cost managed by Gleeds, the international property and construction consultancy. The project includes the revamp of Clandon Park, a historic building in West Clandon that was ravaged by fire in April 2015. An intensive salvage phase has been carried out since the incident, which involved making the building safe as well as windproof and watertight before archaeologists could begin meticulously sifting through the debris to recover and catalogue surviving collection and architectural elements. Since the fire, detailed specialist surveys and investigations, including the undertaking of laser survey work and the completion of a conservation plan. The National Trust selected Gleeds’ heritage cost management team to support the project, joining the Trust-assembled consultant team in undertaking a comprehensive feasibility study before construction begins and providing strategic advice throughout. “This is one of the most significant conservation projects ever undertaken and I am delighted that Gleeds will be playing such a critical role in its delivery. We have worked with the organisation on a host of other historic schemes, including Knole, Ickworth House and Wimpole Hall and are committed to bringing historically significant sites such as these to life for the public to enjoy,” said Martin Hall, Director at Gleeds. Architectural practice Allies and Morrison was appointed to lead a design team which includes landscape architect, Robert Myers Associates, conservation architect, Purcell, structural engineer, Price & Myers and mechanical and electrical engineer, Max Fordham. They will support the National Trust with developing the concept for the remade Clandon Park, which will combine restored historic interiors, modern gallery and learning spaces, and beautiful new gardens to create a unique place for cultural and creative programming.
Teeside University has welcomed its latest flagship building, which has been completed as part of a new UK centre of excellence for biosciences set to open later this year. The new National Horizons Centre, the University’s research, teaching and training facility, was delivered by Wates Construction over a year-long build programme. The £22.3 million building will sit at the heart of a cluster of excellence on Darlington’s Central Park alongside the National Biologics Manufacturing Centre and the University’s Centre for Professional and Executive Development. At peak construction periods, Wates’ team stood at 125 site operatives with extensive opportunities for training and employment for local people also created. On-site training has also included the contractor’s industry leading Building Futures course, which is designed to introduce local jobseekers to careers in construction. The course at the National Horizons Centre led to long-term employment for 50% of candidates with Wates and its supply chain. “The new National Horizons Centre is one of the biggest investments we have made so far. Our rich history of innovation, research and development is set to continue thanks to this state-of-the-art facility in Darlington. Just a year ago, I was stood in an empty field and we were breaking ground on this world-class biosciences research facility – and now we’re seeing the results. I’m also delighted to see that local businesses and local apprentices have benefited from the construction phase,” said Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen. “The new economy will be built on biologics and digital – key sectors we need to support. This massive £17.5million commitment of ours is testament to the importance we have placed on securing jobs for the future,” he added. A programme of fit-out works are now scheduled to take place ahead of the reveal of the new campus later this year.
A historic but unusable building in Halifax has undergone a £1 million refurbishment and the work is now complete. In total, 40 local businesses have secured vibrant office space since the beginning of the Croft Myl project in 2015. Current tenants include Andys Man Club, Wright Angle Marketing, Kip Mcgrath, Zenith Wealth Management, Woodhall Mortgages, Snowflake Media and many others. The project was spearheaded by business partners, Vicky and Brian Nolan, and its official end was marked by the official opening on 12 March 2019 of the building’s newly renovated roof-top garden. The roof-top garden and penthouse suite, which has taken 12 months to build, features glass pods and a unique slide, offering tenants an alternative way to reach the penthouses offices below. The Mayor, Marcus Thompson and Mayoress, Nicky Chance-Thompson cut the red ribbon on the building. “What a fantastic way to start the year. We’re absolutely thrilled to have welcomed our valued tenants and other local professionals to the opening of our roof-top garden. We hope this fantastic space will be enjoyed many this summer,” said Vicky Nolan. “Having the mayor and mayoress there to celebrate the opening was brilliant and we were very pleased to give them a little push down the roof-top slide! It’s been a very busy start to the year for us but we will continue to put our occupants and local SMEs at the heart of what we do,” added Vicky.
