Beard Construction has been named as the chosen contractor by Gloucestershire College for its £5 million sustainable construction centre in Cheltenham. The project, which is set to begin this month, will see the construction of the 14,000 square-foot facility and will feature 10 plumbing bays, 12 electrical bays and 20
Housebuilder The Hill Group has submitted plans for the Amerind Grove site on Raleigh Road in Bristol, which was once the site of the Wills Tobacco Factory, to develop over 100 high-quality, sustainable new homes. Hill will deliver three, four, and five-bedroom family houses, as well as one and two-bedroom
The jaw-dropping scale of the steep-tiered south stand at Everton Stadium is visible for the first time following the installation of terracing. Virtually all of the double-stepped concrete terracing units are now in place in the stand, which will eventually house over 13,000 Evertonians. The next major visual change will
Dorset Council’s Northern Area Planning Committee members have voted strongly to support plans by Dorset-based Wyatt Homes on land northeast of Blandford Forum. This comes after extensive consultation and engagement with the community. The new plans sought full planning consent for 150 new family homes and outline planning permission for
Cadogan has completed a landmark £235 million development located at the heart of London’s King’s Road, as part of its continued community-led placemaking and investment. The Gaumont will comprise a rooftop bar with panoramic views from Big Ben to Battersea, a 600-seat cinema, enhanced Waitrose, flagship retail, creative space, office
GMI Construction has scooped contract with Olympian Homes to build a £50 million student accommodation scheme on the site of a former cinema and Bingo Hall in York. Located to the south east of the city centre, in the Fulford area, the 80,000 sq foot site will feature a four
Beard has started construction work on the state-of-the-art STEM centre for Richmond upon Thames College. The Guildford office of award-winning contractor Beard has begun work on a state-of-the-art STEM centre (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at Richmond upon Thames College. Awarded through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the £10 million project
NI construction firm Farrans has been selected to deliver Phase 1 of the regeneration of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA). LBA has announced an investment of over £100 million, and the construction firm has been appointed to build the terminal extension. Approved by Leeds City Council, the work is set to
Construction work has started on the London Chiswick Travelodge. The 113-room hotel will feature the group’s on-site restaurant and is located next to the Chiswick Roundabout, one of London’s best known road junctions. London Chiswick Travelodge is the company’s fourth hotel currently under construction in London. The other three sites
Charles Church – the sister brand of Persimmon Homes – has secured planning permission for the development of 70 new high quality homes in Lydney. The developer should begin construction on the Bishops Mead site in the new year, investing over £2.1m in local infrastructure, economic development, and public services
Beard Construction has been named as the chosen contractor by Gloucestershire College for its £5 million sustainable construction centre in Cheltenham. The project, which is set to begin this month, will see the construction of the 14,000 square-foot facility and will feature 10 plumbing bays, 12 electrical bays and 20 bays for carpentry, as well as four classrooms. With sustainability at its core, the training provision will be based on nationally set pathways and will embrace low-carbon energy and associated skills. In total, the construction centre will provide hands-on experience, expert training and key green skills to 164 learners every week. The new construction training centre forms part of the college’s vision to prepare the workforce of the future. It aims to help address the increasing demand for skilled construction workers in the region, which is projected to reach 6,400 annually by 2025. The facility also coincides with the shift towards net-zero carbon technologies in construction. Beard is working closely with the college and all partners to keep both staff and students safe and to minimise disruption. The project is being delivered through Beard’s Swindon office, with the contractor working alongside architects Roberts Limbrick, project managers Ridge and Partners LLP, quantity surveyors Ward Williams Associates and structural engineers Simpson Associates. Jamie Harwood, director at Beard, said: “Gloucestershire College has an exciting vision to not only increase routes into the industry, but to ensure new recruits are skilled to meet the challenges and opportunities of sustainability. These principles are key drivers for us at Beard and we are delighted to be working with the college as its chosen contractor. “For more than 130 years, Beard has built an established reputation in the education sector, whether it’s in primary, secondary, SEND provision or further education. We will utilise this expertise to help Gloucestershire College deliver a cutting-edge teaching and learning space for construction.” Matthew Burgess, principal at Gloucestershire College, added: “Our selection of Beard Construction is rooted in its exceptional reputation and demonstrated commitment to sustainable and high-quality builds. We sought a partner who shares our vision of preparing the talent of tomorrow for the evolving construction landscape. Beard’s proven expertise, coupled with its focus on minimising disruption and maximising collaboration, aligns with our objectives and we look forward to working with them over the coming year.” Across its offices in Swindon, Bristol, Oxford and Guildford, Beard has completed a number of projects within the education sector. In addition to extensive work in further education – including for Oxford University and its colleges, Beard has completed projects in primary, secondary and special education. The training centre marks a return to Cheltenham for Beard following the successful completion of The Quadrangle, a £12 million office refurbishment and extension project in the town centre. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Housebuilder The Hill Group has submitted plans for the Amerind Grove site on Raleigh Road in Bristol, which was once the site of the Wills Tobacco Factory, to develop over 100 high-quality, sustainable new homes. Hill will deliver three, four, and five-bedroom family houses, as well as one and two-bedroom apartments and three-bedroom maisonettes, building on its reputation for developing sustainable community-focused residential projects. Approximately one-third (30%) of the homes will be affordable. Hill’s plans will revitalise the 3.5-acre site previously occupied by a care home, significantly increasing housing availability in the popular Southville neighbourhood. Hill has selected a Bristol-based architect to partner with on the design of the homes, drawing on the area’s classic terraced vernacular to create well-appointed, high-quality modern homes. The development will link to the surrounding area by two new tree-lined access roads. Hill has appointed a professional guardian service to provide short-term, affordable accommodation for local people during the planning process. All applicants seeking to be a short-term guardian living at the property will be independently assessed and required to sign a code of conduct. Andy Hill OBE, Group Chief Executive of The Hill Group, commented: “There is an acute housing shortage in Bristol, particularly for family homes. We have worked with the local Southville community to ensure our planning application for the Amerind Grove site will help address local housing needs. It will provide a sustainable development of over 100 high-quality, energy-efficient family homes, including over 30 much-needed affordable homes for local people, and we look forward to working with Bristol City Council to successfully progress this application.” Built with sustainability in mind, the homes at Raleigh Road will feature high levels of insulation and airtightness. The properties will exceed energy regulations through the use of low-carbon technology and energy-efficient design, including air-source heat pumps to provide gas-free heating and hot water. Permeable paving, green roofs, rain gardens, and underground water tanks will also be included within the development to minimise surface water run-off; Hill is committed to environmental conservation and aims to achieve over 20% biodiversity net gain on this development. To encourage sustainable transport and reduce the total number of cars, approximately 185 cycle parking spaces will be provided. The construction phase will also provide local residents with employment and training opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The jaw-dropping scale of the steep-tiered south stand at Everton Stadium is visible for the first time following the installation of terracing. Virtually all of the double-stepped concrete terracing units are now in place in the stand, which will eventually house over 13,000 Evertonians. The next major visual change will see blue seats installed in the upper sections, as part of the ongoing programme which has spread across the north stand – and aims to have them in place across the whole upper tier of the bowl by Christmas. Externally, the south stand is also showing off its new façade following the installation of glazing in the second level concourse. The angled panels, which stretch across the entire face of the stand, have been designed to reflect the water from the adjoining Nelson Dock and help tie the stadium into its maritime surroundings. Meanwhile, the first giant speakers have been positioned into the roof spaces of the north stand. The curved units will hang from all four stands as part of the PA system. This has coincided with the departure from site of the last 600 tonne crawler crane, which was used mainly in the complex construction of the roof. A service tunnel, left open in the east stand to provide vehicular access to the pitch area, can therefore be closed off now in preparation for lower terracing units being installed. Work also continues to finish off the restoration of the historic Hydraulic Tower and Engine House. The buildings, dating back to 1883, have been lovingly renovated using existing and salvaged brickwork, new zinc roofing and the installation of windows sympathetic to the original design. A decorative capstan was this week reinstated at the entrance to the Hydraulic Tower, again as a nod to the building’s huge importance in the dock’s rich maritime history. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dorset Council’s Northern Area Planning Committee members have voted strongly to support plans by Dorset-based Wyatt Homes on land northeast of Blandford Forum. This comes after extensive consultation and engagement with the community. The new plans sought full planning consent for 150 new family homes and outline planning permission for a further 340 on a site adjoining the A354 and A350. The project will also provide new pedestrian and cycle connections and 30% of the homes will be affordable. The housebuilder also plans to plant over 2,000 new trees throughout the site and more than 40 acres of public open space will make up nearly 50% of the development. The new homes will prioritise energy efficiency and use advanced technologies to minimise CO2 emissions. This includes high levels of insulation, top-tier glazing, solar PV panels, wastewater heat recovery and heat pumps. Furthermore, this development will set aside land for a potential future school, allotments, a community hall, shops, and play facilities. It will also establish new cycling and pedestrian pathways and improve bus infrastructure, with upgraded stops and the possibility of extending existing routes. Speaking at the Dorset Council’s Northern Planning Committee, David Wyatt, CEO of Wyatt Homes said, “We are proud of the places we create and committed to building well-designed, high-quality homes using local materials and locally based contractors. “We will do our utmost to make this an exceptional development that not only Wyatt Homes is proud of, but the local community is proud of too.” Tim Hoskinson, Planning Director for Wyatt Homes said, “We are delighted with this strong positive endorsement by the planning committee, these plans are the largest zero carbon ready application that has come before the planning committee, will deliver much needed new homes including vital affordable homes in Dorset. “We would like to thank those who commented on the plans during the extensive public consultation over several years, as well as Dorset councillors, those on the Planning Committee and Council Officers. This is a complex application and the comprehensive level of scrutiny by officers and detailed consideration by members shows the planning system working at its best.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Cadogan has completed a landmark £235 million development located at the heart of London’s King’s Road, as part of its continued community-led placemaking and investment. The Gaumont will comprise a rooftop bar with panoramic views from Big Ben to Battersea, a 600-seat cinema, enhanced Waitrose, flagship retail, creative space, office accommodation and 47 residential apartments, as well as an extraordinary art installation by renowned London-based artist Shezad Dawood. Designed by leading architects PDP Studio, with construction undertaken by UK firm Wates Group, the scheme celebrates the community, heritage and architecture of the area. Located at 196-222 King’s Road, it is named‘The Gaumont in honour of its cinematic and theatrical past as the original 1930’s Gaumont Palace Theatre building*, and as tribute to William Friese-Greene, creator of the first moving image whose studio was based nearby in the 19th century. In recognition of the cultural significance of the Gaumont Palace building, the grandeur of its façade has been sensitively renovated, preserving unique Art Deco details and embellishments. Hugh Seaborn, CEO of Cadogan, said: “The purpose of this project has always been to reinvigorate the King’s Road’s distinct character and contribute to its rich legacy, whilst seeing it enter a new era – from the independent ‘creative cluster’, cinema, major new public art commission to the beautifully restored façade. There are many other plans underway such as finding space for immersive cultural pop-ups, a ‘pub theatre’ and the right new operator to keep institutions like the 151 Club alive. The Gaumont is a major part of a wider revitalisation plan for one of the world’s most famous high streets.” Mark Craig, Regional Director for Wates Construction London said: “We worked closely with Cadogan to implement an innovative solution to support the historic art deco façade of the original Gaumont Theatre building while it was restored by specialists, bringing back to life some of the original features and preserving this iconic London landmark. At the same time, we used modern methods of construction to reduce carbon emissions and improve efficiency. Through all our work, we look to bring benefit to the local community, and we’re pleased to have donated £83,000 in cash and in-kind donations to local charities, as well as investing 1270 hours volunteering and supporting the local community during the project.” Following a community consultation, which highlighted the resounding call for more independent outlets and spaces focused on the arts, music and literature, a cluster of small spaces in The Gaumont will be home to independent creatives to strengthen and encourage King’s Road position at the epicentre of London’s art, fashion, design and music scene. This follows a local consultation by Cadogan in 2015 which led to the creation of Pavilion Road as an artisan food ‘village’ with extensive outdoor seating and full pedestrianisation. A new addition to the building is the commission of a significant new piece of public art. Selected by a local cultural panel including members of the Chelsea Arts Club, V&A and Royal Society of Sculptors, the internationally acclaimed artist Shezad Dawood has been commissioned to create an artwork for the façade of the building. Two panels, each 6m x 2.9m, will occupy the positions of the historic panelling which featured latest film releases. Hand-sculpted from ceramic tiles with beautiful multicoloured glazes, the work pays homage to the heritage and memory of the site for local residents and communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
GMI Construction has scooped contract with Olympian Homes to build a £50 million student accommodation scheme on the site of a former cinema and Bingo Hall in York. Located to the south east of the city centre, in the Fulford area, the 80,000 sq foot site will feature a four storey building comprising of 275 beds and facilities including a gym yoga studio, games room, co-working and group dining areas. In recognition of the location’s history the scheme will feature a cinema. Other facilities will include integrated cycle parking and landscaped courtyards. This is the latest purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development to be delivered by Olympian Homes, which is also active in hotel, Build to Rent, co-living and affordable housing sectors. This project is being delivered in partnership with funder Cain International. GMI has worked closely with Olympian Homes and its professional team throughout the Pre-Construction Services Agreement period to develop a buildable, cost-effective and sustainable design. Construction is due to begin in the coming weeks, following the completion of archaeological works. The site is located within an area of archaeological importance and adjacent to the Centra Core Historic Conservation Area. An open day displaying any finds will be held at the site once the archaeological works are complete. Olympian Homes’ scheme will be named Rialto House, recognising the famous cinema that once stood on the site. Opened in 1913 and demolished in 2003, the cinema played host to many famous performances, including The Beatles who performed there four times in 1963. GMI, which will utilise a predominantly local supply chain on the project, is highly active in the PBSA market, with this new development brining the number of student beds it is building in York to almost 600. This includes 303-beds at a scheme in James Street on behalf of York-based S Harrison Developments, which is currently under construction. Andrew Hurcomb, GMI Construction’s Regional Director for Yorkshire, said: “We are delighted to have secured this contract with Olympian Homes, which is allowing us to continue to contribute to the creation of much needed purpose-built student accommodation in York. Rialto House is a great location, close to the city centre and the university campuses and will support the city in attracting students who want to study in this beautiful and historic city.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard has started construction work on the state-of-the-art STEM centre for Richmond upon Thames College. The Guildford office of award-winning contractor Beard has begun work on a state-of-the-art STEM centre (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) at Richmond upon Thames College. Awarded through the Procure Partnerships Framework, the £10 million project will see the construction of the new three-storey building, combining specialist classrooms and training spaces for science, engineering and construction, forensic sciences, computing and robotics. It will also consist of cutting-edge workshops, laboratories and even a laboratory for crime scene science. Each floor of the steel-frame building will be 1,300 square metres and will be fitted with an external cladding system to complement the existing college campus. To support biodiversity, the STEM centre will feature a wildflower roof and photovoltaic solar panels. Beard, along with architect 3BM and structural engineers HDR, have started work at the college’s brownfield site, following demolition of the existing building. Despite work taking place during term time, the active site is independent from the rest of the campus. Nonetheless, Beard has worked closely with the college to minimise disruption and ensure safety, implementing designated walkways and hoardings, as well as utilising traffic marshals and multiple entrances. The project, which is set to complete in the summer of 2024, is part of a wider whole site redevelopment of the college. The STEM centre marks phase two of works and follows the merger of Harrow, Richmond upon Thames and Uxbridge colleges (HRUC). Tom Jenkinson, director for Guildford, said: “Beard is well known within the education sector for building outstanding spaces for teaching and learning. We are delighted to be chosen by the college to deliver this modern addition to its campus. We have been working closely with the college and all our partners to ensure that the centre truly is state-of-the-art and provides the necessary spaces to meet the bespoke needs of each subject and specialist discipline. “With work now underway, we look forward to showcasing our expertise in the sector and delivering a sophisticated facility that will support today’s STEM learners and future cohorts.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NI construction firm Farrans has been selected to deliver Phase 1 of the regeneration of Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA). LBA has announced an investment of over £100 million, and the construction firm has been appointed to build the terminal extension. Approved by Leeds City Council, the work is set to commence in autumn 2023 and is expected to complete in 2026. The regeneration will see a 9,500 sq. mt., three storey extension to the existing terminal, alongside a significant refurbishment of the current terminal building. Passengers will benefit from the creation of additional aircraft stands, more seating, faster security, new shops and eateries, and a larger baggage reclaim area and immigration hall, as well as improved access for passengers with restricted mobility. By 2030, the regeneration has the potential to create 1,500 new direct jobs at LBA and 4,000 new indirect jobs, as well as contribute a total of £940 million to the local economy*. The regeneration will also help LBA to further decarbonise its operations, as outlined in the airport’s 2030 Net Zero Carbon Roadmap, with the installation of new heating, lighting and machinery, including new baggage belts. It is expected that airlines attracted by the regeneration will accelerate the deployment of their newest, quietest and most efficient aircraft at the airport. Cathal Montague, Regional Director at Farrans Construction, said: “Leeds Bradford Airport has played an integral role in the ambitious growth of the city of Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region, supporting connectivity to some of the world’s best destinations for business and tourism. We are looking forward to bringing the vision for its next stage to life through the extension and modernisation of the terminal. This project will be a major boost to the construction industry with jobs created through apprenticeships, direct labour and supply chain. “We have had a strong connection to Leeds for many years, having delivered a number of important transport and infrastructure projects in the area. Farrans opened a new office in the city centre last year and we are in the final stages of the delivery of a 20-storey student accommodation project on Belgrave Street, Live Oasis St Alban’s Place. We will continue to engage closely with community groups, charities and schools to create local employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities to deliver a positive lasting impact while delivering Leeds Bradford Airport.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work has started on the London Chiswick Travelodge. The 113-room hotel will feature the group’s on-site restaurant and is located next to the Chiswick Roundabout, one of London’s best known road junctions. London Chiswick Travelodge is the company’s fourth hotel currently under construction in London. The other three sites include the group’s 600th Travelodge, a 95-room hotel at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground (in partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club). A 73-room hotel in Bermondsey and a 72-room hotel in Beckenham are also being constructed. With the opening of these four hotels, Travelodge will operate 84 hotels in London, making it one of the Capital’s biggest hotel chains. Travelodge secured forward funding in November 2022 for the development of the hotel. The funding partner, RTP Global Real Estate Investments, purchased the site and committed to fund the development for £19.4m and retain Travelodge as the development manager for the scheme. Barnes Construction, which has a long-standing partnership with Travelodge and recently constructed Travelodge’s London Wimbledon Central hotel in 2022, has been appointed as contractor for the new, six storey Chiswick development. The hotel is expected to be completed in Q1 2025 and will be let to Travelodge on a new 35-year lease, with five -yearly, index-linked rent reviews with caps and collars. London Chiswick Travelodge is being developed to the group’s new, premium look and feel design specification and will be built to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards and with an EPC rating of ‘A’. The new Travelodge hotel design has been created in response to the feedback from the Company’s largest consumer study – which surveyed around 5,000 UK business and leisure travellers to find the psychographics of the modern budget traveller. Steve Bennett, Travelodge, Chief Property & Development Officer, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our London hotel network with the construction of our first hotel in Chiswick. The new Travelodge will be in a fantastic location on Chiswick High Road, 400m from Gunnersbury underground and railway line, 450m from Chiswick Business Park and within easy walking distance of the Gtech Community Stadium, home of Brentford FC; so a great place for business and leisure customers to stay, either visiting the local area, or Central London.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Charles Church – the sister brand of Persimmon Homes – has secured planning permission for the development of 70 new high quality homes in Lydney. The developer should begin construction on the Bishops Mead site in the new year, investing over £2.1m in local infrastructure, economic development, and public services in the process. This is the third phase of Persimmon’s wider development in Lydney, and will see 28 properties transferred to a local housing association partner, representing a significant 40 per cent of all dwellings – ranging from one-bed apartments to four-bed homes – helping to dent the Forest of Dean’s 2,130-strong housing waiting list. Environmental and placemaking features for the site include a parkland setting, public green open spaces, mature planting, bird nesting and bat roosting sites, and prospective wildlife buffer zones. All homes granted permission will be around 30 per cent more energy efficient than existing housing stock. Further community benefits at Bishops Mead include £100,000 for the District Council to spend on the Severn Estuary and new health centre in Lydney and around £500,000 for Gloucestershire County Council to fund primary education, libraries, and the local travel plan. A future pedestrian link is to be delivered across Naas Lane while highways, verges, and footpaths will be offered for adoption to the County Council as the Local Highways Authority when completed. The land was allocated for housing in the District Council’s local plan. Commenting, East Wales Land Director Adam Ryan said: “We’re delighted to have secured a resolution to grant full planning permission for our new phase at Bishops Mead in Lydney, as we continue to provide much needed, high quality homes for local people. “Alongside the delivery of housing at Bishops Mead, we are proud to be investing over £2.1m in the area – including funding for a health centre, primary education, and transport provision – leaving a positive and lasting legacy for the community. “The benefits of the scheme are also present in the employment opportunities created in construction, the council tax bills that will generate revenue for local services, and the environmental enhancements we have ensured across the site. “We look forward to getting on site to start work on our exciting plans for this Charles Church phase which will deliver significant investment in the area and quality new homes for local people. We’d like to thank Forest of Dean Council and key stakeholders for their positive engagement and cooperation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
