Mace has been appointed by Norfolk County Council (NCC) as Principal Contractor to deliver improvements on over one hundred properties across the region under the Future Ready (FR) Property Enhancement Initiative. The initiative will focus on modernising the Council’s property portfolio through a comprehensive program to ensure long-term cost savings,
HS2 has launched its sixth Innovation Accelerator programme, as the company behind Britain’s largest infrastructure construction programme seeks new ways to deliver major projects. Working in partnership with the Connected Places Catapult, the HS2 innovation accelerator programme is looking to new and existing tech firms to suggest innovative technologies to
Major refurbishment plans for Chorlton Library in Manchester have been revealed to enhance the existing structure of the building and the fabulous dome hidden for years will be unveiled when it reopens. The library closes its door for two weeks on 24 March and will reopen with a temporary reduced
The West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has established plans for a tram system between Leeds and Bradford to revolutionise the region’s transport network. It is hoped that spades will be in the ground in 2028 when construction of the early stage of the project will begin. Phase one would include
Plans to develop a 60-acre site in East Leeds have moved closer following its confirmed allocation into the Leeds Site Allocation Plan (SAP) for major employment use. The site, known locally as Brown Moor, is adjacent to the hugely successful Thorpe Park Leeds business destination and The Springs retail and
HBD, part of Henry Boot, has secured planning approval for Colloco, a 200,000 sq ft office development, in the St John’s District of Manchester city centre. The developer is seeking a joint venture partner now to deliver the highly sustainable Grade A office scheme. Situated on the corner of New
Solihull Council approved the design for the HS2 green tunnel in Burton Green to cover it with plants and new footpaths to increase biodiversity. The designs respond to community feedback, focusing on bigger and better green spaces around the railway, following public engagement events in October 2019 and March 2022.
McAleer & Rushe has been appointed to develop a landmark mixed-use scheme in the heart of the City of London, and a permanent home for London’s Migration Museum, worth a construction contract value of over £100 million. The 65 Crutched Friars development, due to be completed in Summer 2027, will
South Gloucestershire Council has approved proposals for the revised masterplan for Brabazon, a new neighbourhood for South Gloucestershire and Bristol being built by YTL Developments on the historic former Filton Airfield. As the birthplace of Concorde and supersonic travel, home to over 100 years of aviation history, the former Filton
Esh Construction has completed work on a £3 million project and has handed over 20 new affordable homes at Fir View Gardens in Sheffield. Working on behalf of Great Places Housing Group, the development has been delivered on a vacant piece of land off Osgathorpe Drive, close to the Earl
Mace has been appointed by Norfolk County Council (NCC) as Principal Contractor to deliver improvements on over one hundred properties across the region under the Future Ready (FR) Property Enhancement Initiative. The initiative will focus on modernising the Council’s property portfolio through a comprehensive program to ensure long-term cost savings, longevity, and functionality, supporting an ever-evolving, dynamic and diverse workforce. The FR Initiative aims to improve energy efficiency and thermal integrity, eliminate the use of fossil fuel across multiple assets and prioritise structural integrity as well as address wear and tear issues. Solutions will include ASHP, PV panels and in some cases new facilities being added to meet the demands of an evolving workforce and community. Included in the initiative are community hubs, offices, children’s homes, fire and rescue service facilities, libraries and the museums portfolio. In line with the NCC’s commitment to achieving net zero across all operations by 2030, Mace’s appointment will be fully compliant with the PAS2030 retrofit accreditation, contributing to overall energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Mace has ensured the correct designer appointments within the professional team with an appointment which commences at RIBA stage 2, under an NEC 4 contract to support the rigorous PAS design process. With no two properties alike, each building will bring its challenges, for example, those which are listed and of historical importance. Mace will build upon its reputation of delivering a lasting legacy for the community with a dedicated social value team, providing local employment opportunities, training and apprenticeships, supply chain events and a commitment to bolstering green skills through educational services across Norfolk. Stewart Ward, Managing Director for Mace Fitout and Retrofit, said: “We are honoured to be working with Norfolk County Council once again, harnessing our industry-leading expertise in delivering complex transformational net zero programmes. “The Future Ready Initiative is a step in the right direction for the decarbonisation of public sector estates across the UK. By making these buildings fit for the future, we are ensuring they can be used by local communities for generations to come while creating a blueprint of what can be achieved nationwide.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 has launched its sixth Innovation Accelerator programme, as the company behind Britain’s largest infrastructure construction programme seeks new ways to deliver major projects. Working in partnership with the Connected Places Catapult, the HS2 innovation accelerator programme is looking to new and existing tech firms to suggest innovative technologies to speed up design, automate construction handover and strengthen the role of the circular economy during site decommissioning at a project’s end. Construction of HS2, which will link London and Birmingham, is now well underway. Once complete, it will almost halve journey times between Britain’s two largest cities and free up space for more local trains on the most crowded parts of the existing West Coast mainline. The civil engineering programme is now at peak construction and over the coming years, the project will start to transition into a working railway. The first phase of the line between West London and the West Midlands is due to open between 2029 and 2033. HS2 Ltd senior innovation manager Jon Kelly said: “HS2 is at peak construction in 2024 and there’s still a vast amount to do on what remains Britain’s largest investment in transport infrastructure. It therefore offers a huge opportunity to develop and or hone technologies to help deliver Britain’s new high-speed railway. “HS2’s innovation accelerator is a metaphorical laboratory and test bench to develop new tech solutions to drive improved productivity and efficiencies for the high-speed rail programme and future projects – both large and small.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Major refurbishment plans for Chorlton Library in Manchester have been revealed to enhance the existing structure of the building and the fabulous dome hidden for years will be unveiled when it reopens. The library closes its door for two weeks on 24 March and will reopen with a temporary reduced library offer from the library extension at the back of the library from 8 April. Additional work will include improvements to the exterior stonework and windows as well as the renewal of electrical and mechanical systems, to ensure the building contributes to lower carbon emissions to help the council meet its target of becoming zero carbon by 2038. The refurbishment will also create additional meeting rooms within the existing structure and when the building reopens in 2025 the library will benefit from Open + technology which will allow the library to be open and accessible for more hours every day. Services in the reduced library offer from April 8 will include free internet and Wi-Fi, a small selection of stock, and a reservation pick-up point. These reservations can be made for free on the Manchester libraries catalogue. Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said: “Chorlton Library is one of the last of our libraries to benefit as part of our Library renewal programme. It is a unique building, a great asset to the city and one of our oldest libraries. It is a much-loved library and continues to be at the heart of the Chorlton community as it has been for the last 100 years. This work will bring it right up to date and ensure it continues to be better equipped to serve the local community and fit for purpose for the next 100 years and more as well as meeting our sustainability plans and carbon neutral targets. “As one of the busiest libraries in the city, I know it will be missed but I can assure you that the revamp will be worth the wait.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has established plans for a tram system between Leeds and Bradford to revolutionise the region’s transport network. It is hoped that spades will be in the ground in 2028 when construction of the early stage of the project will begin. Phase one would include two lines serving Leeds and Bradford, The Leeds Line and the Bradford Line. The Leeds Line would take people between St James’ Hospital, through Leeds city centre, Elland Road and the White Rose Shopping Centre. The Bradford Line would run from Leeds city centre to Bradford city centre – also linking Bradford Forster Square station with the new Bradford rail station. This line supports Bradford’s plans to regenerate the city’s southern gateway, which includes the new Bradford rail station. The Combined Authority would also work with Kirklees Council to look into how to include a Dewsbury Line in future. Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “This is a key milestone in our plan to create a better-connected region that works for all. By setting out our plans to submit to the government, we are taking a major step forward towards the biggest infrastructure project West Yorkshire has seen since the development of the motorways six decades ago. “This will be transformational for the North, helping our communities to thrive and our economy to flourish – benefitting generations to come with greater opportunity and prosperity. “We know that mass transit systems have successfully helped to regenerate areas right across the country by boosting connectivity, opportunity and prosperity – and we will work tirelessly to make sure that happens here in West Yorkshire.” The Combined Authority will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that future phases of a mass transit network reach Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale, ensuring no part of West Yorkshire is left behind. The submission of the Combined Authority’s “strategic outline case” document to the Department for Transport is set to be approved by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on March 14. The document will then be sent by the Mayor to the government for approval to continue with the development of the scheme. The project will be subject to a full business case and approval process. The Combined Authority will ask the public to have their say in the summer on the possible routes, with the two “phase one” Leeds and Bradford lines expected to be joined later by potential further schemes covering the rest of the region. It will also work on a £1 million Mass Transit development fund to be set aside to support the Dewsbury Line Development Project, which will look into how to get Mass Transit to connect Kirklees with Leeds. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to develop a 60-acre site in East Leeds have moved closer following its confirmed allocation into the Leeds Site Allocation Plan (SAP) for major employment use. The site, known locally as Brown Moor, is adjacent to the hugely successful Thorpe Park Leeds business destination and The Springs retail and leisure centre. Bounded by the M1 motorway and TransPennine railway line, the site already benefits from connectivity to key infrastructure such as the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR) and established bus routes through Thorpe Park Leeds. Last year, leading property regeneration and placemaking experts, Scarborough Group International (SGI) tabled proposals to develop the site for a major new employment park, submitting an outline planning application for up to 55,417 sq m (596,500sq ft) of purpose-built accommodation. ‘Integral’, as the proposed development has been named, aims to deliver a range of high-quality buildings suitable for companies of different sizes within the advanced manufacturing, logistics and industrial sectors, with the potential to support around 1,700 new jobs. In a welcome departure from traditional industrial estates, the scheme will retain the vast majority of the established woodland and hedgerows across the site, while adding to these with new green spaces and landscaping corridors to seamlessly connect into the existing amenities and public rights of way within the adjacent Thorpe Park Leeds, The Springs, and local conurbations to the East and West of the site. Adam Varley, Development Director at SGI, said: “We are delighted that Brown Moor has been allocated with the Local Plan following recommendations from the Planning Inspectorate. We see that site as a key strategic site to allow the expansion of Thorpe Park Leeds and our development proposals support the continued growth of the park and future diversifying the mix of employment opportunities generating major economic benefits for the region. “The logistics sector is one of the fastest growing areas of employment in the UK and our plans and proposals for the scheme will deliver against a tight supply of prime space within West Yorkshire designed to cater for sustainable business practice and to attract exceptional talent.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HBD, part of Henry Boot, has secured planning approval for Colloco, a 200,000 sq ft office development, in the St John’s District of Manchester city centre. The developer is seeking a joint venture partner now to deliver the highly sustainable Grade A office scheme. Situated on the corner of New Quay Street and Gartside Street and formerly the LTE Group’s Manchester College, Colloco will comprise 16 storeys of high-quality flexible accommodation. It will include communal spaces at ground floor level with a concierge reception, a roof pavilion with breakout and events space, and access to a landscaped garden terrace with views across the city. Each suite will also have a private external terrace. Designed by EPR Architects, with Asteer Planning acting as planning consultants, Colloco has been designed with sustainability at its core; the scheme will be built to Net Zero Carbon in construction and operation and is targeting EPC A and BREEAM Excellent ratings. It will also comply with British Council for Offices standards and include a host of amenities aligned with the WELL building standards. Sitting between St John’s and Spinningfields the area around Colloco is a vibrant hub for businesses in the media, technology, and creative sectors. In 2023, the district saw the opening of the new Aviva Studios, establishing its status as the epicentre of cultural and creative activity in the region. Securing planning and seeking a joint venture partner for Colloco comes a week after HBD and Greater Manchester Pension Fund topped out at Island, a 100,000 sq ft net zero carbon, smart-enabled Grade A office scheme on John Dalton Street in Manchester. Adam Brady, Executive Director at HBD commented: “Colloco represents a new era in workspace design. The building looks to attract dynamic, forward-thinking organisations, which see collaboration and the health and wellbeing of their employees as fundamental to the success of their business.” “We are pleased with the planning approval which recognises the value that a scheme such as Colloco will bring to the city. It will be one of the most sustainable new office buildings in the regional market at a time when high-profile businesses are looking to occupy space which will support their Net Zero Carbon commitments.” The project team includes Arcadis EPR Architects; Asteer Planning, Curtins, Hoare Lea and Ramboll. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Solihull Council approved the design for the HS2 green tunnel in Burton Green to cover it with plants and new footpaths to increase biodiversity. The designs respond to community feedback, focusing on bigger and better green spaces around the railway, following public engagement events in October 2019 and March 2022. The plans for the southern end of the structure have already been approved by Warwickshire District Council, where the railway will travel in a 400-metre green tunnel. The railway will be hidden, and the roof will be covered with landscape planting and new footpaths to sensitively integrate the railway into the surrounding landscape and enhance local biodiversity. Solihull Council’s approval of the northern section of the structure, where the railway exits the tunnel north portal in a 1.4-kilometre cutting with retained walls, completes the planning approvals for this stretch of HS2. A key feature for this area is the realignment of the Kenilworth Greenway, which provides a link from Balsall Common to Kenilworth via Burton Green for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders. The new Greenway will cross under Cromwell Lane and then cross the roof of the green tunnel and run alongside the railway cutting, with noise barriers further minimising impacts on the local community. Large-scale planting of native trees and shrubs will provide biodiverse habitats for wildlife, shield the Greenway visibly from the new railway, and re-establish vegetated connections to Black Waste Wood and Little Poors Wood, both areas of ancient woodland. Alan Payne, HS2’s Senior Project Manager said: “We’re delighted to receive Schedule 17 planning consent for the northern section of the green tunnel from Solihull Council. We’re committed to maximising green space around the new high-speed railway and have worked with residents and authorities to ensure our tunnel design conserves, enhances and transforms the landscape in this area. “The design for the permanent realignment for the Kenilworth Greenway and the landscape infrastructure created over the green tunnel is central to how we deliver this, linking the local community and railway with the wider landscape.” The green tunnel in Burton Green was designed by the Mott MacDonald SYSTRA Design Joint Venture working for HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), who are constructing 90km of HS2 between Long Itchington in Warwickshire to the centre of Birmingham and on to Staffordshire. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McAleer & Rushe has been appointed to develop a landmark mixed-use scheme in the heart of the City of London, and a permanent home for London’s Migration Museum, worth a construction contract value of over £100 million. The 65 Crutched Friars development, due to be completed in Summer 2027, will include new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), to provide over 700 student homes in a 21-storey building. The student units will be complemented by green spaces open to the public, such as a new pocket park and public roof terrace, for the local community. Located on the eastern edge of the City of London, the scheme has been designed to be sustainable in both construction and operation, targeting a BREEAM Outstanding rating as well as utilising offsite manufacturing, including prefabricated bathroom pods, a precast and unitised façade and both blue and green biodiverse roofs. While demolition works have commenced, the major transformation of the former office block is due to begin in Spring 2024 with the accommodation ready for the 2027/28 student intake. Enhancing student living in London, Crutched Friars will help to meet the growing need for student accommodation within the City with an abundance of social and study spaces, including private dining rooms, gym and wellness zones, a TV lounge and entertainment spaces. The development also secures the future of London’s Migration Museum with a purpose-built, three-floor 30,000 sq ft space, free-to-enter thanks to a 60-year lease granted by the Ahluwalia family, with no rent or service charge payable, alongside a new pocket park. Mark Diamond, Senior Director, McAleer & Rushe said: “We’re thrilled to be delivering this prominent mixed-use scheme in the City of London as Construction Partner with Dominus. Our decade-long collaboration, involving several successful projects throughout the UK, is rooted in shared values and a commitment to delivering positive social value impact and community outreach. Crutched Friars is a prime example of our early engagement approach in action and with our experienced teams behind us, we are looking forward to working on this landmark visionary scheme with all stakeholders involved.” Designed by Danish architectural studio 3XN, the student residences will feature a mix of Premium Studios, Studios, Twodios, Threedios and affordable Cluster bedrooms and contain generous communal spaces, private study areas, a gym, laundry facilities and external rooftop terraces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
South Gloucestershire Council has approved proposals for the revised masterplan for Brabazon, a new neighbourhood for South Gloucestershire and Bristol being built by YTL Developments on the historic former Filton Airfield. As the birthplace of Concorde and supersonic travel, home to over 100 years of aviation history, the former Filton Airfield is known worldwide for a community that changed the world. Under the plans, Brabazon will become a new urban destination that lives up to that legacy. The new place aims to provide every generation with the space, connectivity and opportunity to continue to shape the future of South Gloucestershire and North Bristol. It will provide new homes, and new jobs and renew the fabric of the community, driving local prosperity for the next century. Once YTL Developments, South Gloucestershire Council and National Highways have signed the Section 106 Agreement, Brabazon is forecast to create over £5 billion of added economic value for the local area. The approved plans should see Brabazon grow to over 6,000 new homes of every type and tenure and for every generation, from rental apartments to flats for first-time buyers, open-market houses and properties for retirement living. There will be up to 2,000 beds for student accommodation, while high-quality affordable homes will make up 26.5 per cent of properties, equating to over 1,700 architect-designed houses and apartments. The plans are based on a flexible framework so that development is phased alongside improved transport links. Three review stages are built into the approval to ensure that the number of homes built at Brabazon can only increase in line with the additional transport connections and community facilities needed to support those homes. The plans – developed by a consortium of world-renowned architects and planners – also include up to 3 million sq ft of commercial space: enough to support 30,000 jobs. The local area is already home to Airbus, Rolls-Royce and GKN. The top 25 employers alone have over 45,000 staff working within a few miles of Brabazon, many in high-skilled engineering, aerospace and technology roles. Yet recently this world-leading commercial cluster has lacked the space to grow. With three new schools and plans for a higher education or research campus alongside creative office spaces, laboratories and advanced manufacturing facilities, Brabazon will meet this need. It will act as a centre of learning and a launchpad for every type of business, from leading global firms to local start-ups shaping the latest technologies. Brabazon will also be a hub for culture, creativity and entertainment. You’ll be able to wander around independent stores, discover new cafes and restaurants or relax in over 86 acres of public space, from leafy squares to Brabazon Park: the largest new public park in the southwest for 50 years. At its heart will be the supersonic new YTL Arena Bristol, with a capacity of over 17,000. Finally, Brabazon will be connected to Bristol city centre and beyond over £100m is already being invested in the local transport network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Esh Construction has completed work on a £3 million project and has handed over 20 new affordable homes at Fir View Gardens in Sheffield. Working on behalf of Great Places Housing Group, the development has been delivered on a vacant piece of land off Osgathorpe Drive, close to the Earl Marshal Recreation Ground. The two and three-bedroom homes have been built by Esh Construction for affordable rent and include associated parking and landscaping in Sheffield. A fabric-first approach was used in both design and construction, with maximising energy efficiency being a top priority. Esh Construction’s Operations Director, Simon Woodward, said: “Fir View was the first contract we were awarded through the Innovation Chain North framework, and it’s proved a real success for Esh in delivering energy efficient homes while providing added benefit to the community through school engagement, volunteering and community funding.” A comprehensive social value plan has been delivered which has seen 133 weeks of employment delivered for residents within 10 miles of the site and 108 weeks of employment provided for previously unemployed people in the area. A further 250 learner hours were delivered in partnership with local schools and colleges while four full-time apprentices were hired, contributing to more than 230 apprentice training weeks during the project. Fir View Gardens is one of the developments that Great Places Housing Group is delivering in South Yorkshire as part of the housing association’s commitment to build additional affordable homes in the area. Other projects include 50 homes at Riverdale Park in Doncaster and 51 apartments at London Road close to Sheffield city centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
