Mace Dragados joint venture has appointed Barhale to a major supplier contract at London’s HS2 Euston station. The award will see civils and infrastructure specialist Barhale undertake an extensive schedule of utilities infrastructure works at the site of the new high speed rail terminus. The programme will include the installation
HM Government recently announced their support for electric-vehicle battery pioneer Britishvolt. An in principle offer of funding has been made through the Automotive Transformation Fund which has enabled a long-term partnership with Tritax and abrdn that will deliver £1.7bn in private funding. This historic investment will help propel the UK’s
The construction of new logistics parks has “turned green”, is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. According to GLP, one of the leading investors and developers of industrial, logistics and distribution parks, this is a key trend that will drive the world of logistics in the coming years. “There is a significant
A leading contractor and developer in the East of England is once again inviting applications to its construction apprenticeship for the 18th time in its history. Anderson has been at the forefront of training and developing construction talent for almost 35 years and will relaunch its Groundwork Apprenticeship Scheme for
One of the major announcements in 2019 was that electric car pioneer Tesla was to build its next Gigafactory in Berlin, Germany. Playing an unheralded, yet vital part in the productive, efficient and safe construction of the factory was an array of National Pile Cropper’s solutions. The Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg
Circa 8,500 Jobs Pipelined For 2.26M Sq Ft Phase One Wilton Developments has unveiled plans for the first 2.26m sq ft phase of its Doncaster North industrial and logistics scheme, which includes the region’s largest stand-alone new build industrial unit currently in the planning system. Phase 1 at Doncaster North
National housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has officially started work on site at Westwood Park, Glenrothes, which kicks off the eight-year building programme to deliver 420 much needed residential homes to the area. The range of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses have been designed to cater for a range of needs and
The final phase of construction has started at SEGRO Park Kettering which will see the creation of almost 875,000 sq ft of space across three buildings. A 102,500 sq ft speculatively built facility will become the last available unit on the development and will be available to occupy from September
Once complete the North East Lands neighbourhood will provide over 2,000 homes in addition to the 4,780 already complete across Wembley Park. Planning permission has been secured for the first phase of this district, which will provide 769 new homes, 201 of which will be affordable within a range of
ENABLING infrastructure clients to deliver improved outcomes by collaboratively working faster, greener, safer and smarter, Constructing Excellence Midlands has launched its Infrastructure Forum, enhancing the visibility and perspective of infrastructure activities in the region. The forum aims to assemble businesses from client organisations and supply chains in the Midlands, modernising
Mace Dragados joint venture has appointed Barhale to a major supplier contract at London’s HS2 Euston station. The award will see civils and infrastructure specialist Barhale undertake an extensive schedule of utilities infrastructure works at the site of the new high speed rail terminus. The programme will include the installation of 580 metres of 1.5m diameter combined sewer and 425 metres of 1-metre water main to move the path of two of the existing utilities in the area. The programme will also entail the installation of 380 metres of 355mm distribution water main and the diversion of more than seven further water mains plus gas mains and various multi-utilities along the route. Barhale contracts manager Mike Faherty welcomed the appointment and is looking forward to Barhale expanding its role in the HS2 programme. “The HS2 Euston Station terminus is a gateway to one of the most significant transport schemes to be undertaken in the UK for decades,” he said. “We are proud to be a part of the team at Euston that will take forward this landmark project. “The appointment reflects not just our experience and reputation for delivering on major capital projects but also the close working relationship we have fostered with the capital’s utility businesses – Thames Water in particular. “We are looking forward to working with Mace Dragados to achieve another important milestone in the HS2 programme.” Paul Leighton, Deputy Delivery Director for Mace Dragados, said: “As we build our team at Euston, having established industry names like Barhale among the ranks is going to bring invaluable experience and expertise. I’m excited to see that in action when Barhale starts its works on the ground.” These utility works are expected to start in 2022 and run through until 2024, taking place in a phased manner to minimise disruption to the local area.
HM Government recently announced their support for electric-vehicle battery pioneer Britishvolt. An in principle offer of funding has been made through the Automotive Transformation Fund which has enabled a long-term partnership with Tritax and abrdn that will deliver £1.7bn in private funding. This historic investment will help propel the UK’s successful energy transition on the road to zero. Britishvolt is delighted to announce that its transformational plans for the company’s first full-scale Gigaplant are powering ahead, levelling up the Northeast and creating [c]3,000 high-value jobs. In addition to those directly employed on the Northumberland site, the project will also deliver a further [c]5,000+ indirect roles in the wider UK supply chain. The Gigaplant will build enough cells each year for over 300,000 electric vehicle battery packs, equivalent to [c]25% of current UK vehicle manufacture, securing Global Britain’s position on the sustainable battery production map. It very strongly supports the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution, and to his ambition to level up the UK. Sales for electric vehicles continue to strengthen and domestic batteries are a vital ingredient in meeting this demand. British consumers bought more electric cars in 2021 than the previous five years combined, and the trajectory is set to only accelerate. EV battery pioneer, Britishvolt, the UK’s foremost investor in battery cell technologies and associated R&D to develop homegrown intellectual property, is powering ahead with its historic plans for its first full-scale electric-vehicle Gigaplant in Northumberland and is delighted that the project is receiving support from the Government through its Automotive Transformation Fund, delivered by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. At the same time BV announce that Tritax and abrdn are becoming its partner to fund the build of the project, shell and core, as well as to develop the associated supplier park. Tritax is the leading investor in UK and European logistics real estate and is joining BV in partnership with abrdn’s global real assets and investment capabilities. The ATF is a funding programme with the aim of creating a sustainable, zero emission automotive supply chain in the UK. The fund is an important mechanism to deliver the UK Government’s 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution and its recent Transport Decarbonisation Plan. Over the next few weeks BV will make a series of follow up announcements including customer MoUs and R&D collaborations, relationships with blue chip UK automotive sports car brands and technology releases. Peter Rolton, Britishvolt Executive Chairman: “This announcement is a major step in putting the UK at the forefront of the global energy transition, unlocking huge private sector investment that will develop the technology and skills required for Britain to play its part in the next industrial revolution. The news is the first step in creating a commercialised battery ecosystem, that perfectly aligns with the existing R&D ecosystem. Britishvolt will be the anchor for attracting further sections of the supply chain, be it refining or recycling, to co-locate on the Britishvolt site. This not only shortens supply chains but also allows for partners to access the abundance of renewable energy on site to truly power low carbon, sustainable battery production. It will also allow us to catapult our unique tailormade business proposition on a global scale, with sites already selected for development in other countries. I’m especially proud that this is such a major boost for Northumberland – the county of my birth – bringing around 3,000 direct highly-skilled jobs and another 5,000+ indirect wider supply chain roles into the region. This is a truly historic day and marks the start of a truly exciting move towards a low carbon future. One with Britishvolt batteries at the very centre of that strategy.” According to APC research, based on its unique relationships with vehicle manufacturers, by 2030 the UK will need over 90GWh per annum of batteries for cars and light commercials alone and represents over 11% of the total demand across Europe. Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said: “Britishvolt’s plan to build a new Gigafactory in Northumberland is a strong testament to the skilled workers of the North East and the UK’s place at the helm of the global green industrial revolution. “Backed by government and private sector investment, this new battery factory will boost the production of electric vehicles in the UK, whilst levelling up opportunity and bringing thousands of new highly-skilled jobs to communities in our industrial heartlands.” The project will create [c]+3,000 direct high-skilled jobs and another 5,000+ indirect roles in the wider UK supply chain to build enough cells each year for over 300,000 electric vehicle battery packs. Kwasi Kwarteng, Business Secretary, said: “Today’s news is a major boost for Britain and a resounding vote of confidence in the North East economy. “Britishvolt’s planned Gigafactory will not only enable the UK to fully capture the benefits of a booming electric vehicle market, but will bring thousands of highly-skilled, well-paid jobs to the North East. “In this global race between countries to secure vital battery production, this Government is proud to make the investment necessary to ensure UK’s retains its place as one of the best locations in the world for auto manufacturing.” It also underscores the Government’s ambitions for the UK to be a world leader in the battery industry, having already established a unique and impressive ecosystem including WMG, University of Warwick, the Advanced Propulsion Centre, The Faraday Institution and UK Battery Industrialistion Centre. James Dunlop, CEO, Tritax Group, said: “Tritax and abrdn are delighted to have been chosen to partner with Britishvolt to fund and deliver this at Blyth. The £3.8bn scheme will create a sustainable and green powered ecosystem for UK battery and EV manufacturing. Blyth is mission critical infrastructure of national importance. The development will help realise the UK Government’s commitment to deliver British made batteries for the automotive sector in a world leading energy cluster in the Northeast. We have a strong track record of identifying operators and projects at the epicentre of structural change and as such are proud to
The construction of new logistics parks has “turned green”, is energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. According to GLP, one of the leading investors and developers of industrial, logistics and distribution parks, this is a key trend that will drive the world of logistics in the coming years. “There is a significant demand for modern, high-quality industrial and logistics facilities that offer more than just warehouse space. Companies are willing to pay for higher standards because they have a lot to gain. It also pays to integrate the development sensitively into the surrounding environment, offering more green space and also investing in the surrounding infrastructure. This helps build relationships with the municipalities and communities affected by the development,” says Jan Palek, GLP’s director for the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The emphasis on quality and the introduction of new technologies in the construction of logistics parks has meant a huge shift in the industry in recent years: companies using logistics developments are among the fastest growing, especially in ecommerce , distribution, but also light industrial production. For their further development and expansion, they need quality premises that can accommodate logistics or production facilities and also provide a friendly environment for employees. The demand for “smart” buildings is driven by new client requirements. They demand flexible spaces that adapt to their needs. “They want to monitor traffic and be able to control the costs associated with it. At the same time, they expect the developer to look to the future and offer innovative solutions. That’s why we are designing buildings with the possibility of installing photovoltaic panels and making technological and construction preparations for charging stations for electric vehicles. They may not be used immediately, but they will be available when it makes economic sense,” explains Filip Krzywoň, Technical Manager at GLP Czech Republic and Slovakia. GLP is building three current projects in Chrášt’any near Prague, Holubice near Brno and Ostrava-Hrušov according to these standards. Although some of them are just starting to be built, their capacity is already almost leased. Smart technologies reduce operating costs and make business easier Applying a sustainability and ESG approach to business is now also very important for investors. They consider not only how much to invest and what their return will be, but also what impact the investment will have on the surrounding environment. All of this increases the certainty of a long-term return on investment and is therefore becoming an integral part of new logistics projects. Investing in smart technology is one of the many ways we can meet our ESG commitments. “We are helping to create efficiencies by saving energy resources, time and money. The integration of various types of technologies including data analytics, robotics, automated clearance systems, digital loading docks, smart sorting, telematics, fleet management systems, and Internet of Things (IoT) are all designed to increase efficiency,” Jan Palek summarises. A practical example is technology for intelligent measurement and data collection, for example monitoring the frequency of loading gate openings. It increases gate clearance rates by 95% and loading dock utilisation by up to 50%. It also pays to improve working conditions for employees. “We are improving the quality of the environment in our buildings. We are installing technologies to improve air quality, acoustic comfort and also building rest areas. We avoid toxic or harmful materials and prefer environmentally friendly ones,” explains Jan Palek, GLP’s director. A related trend is the design of new buildings using an electronic building model using the BIM (Building Information Modeling) method. “The virtual building model contains information about all components. Maintenance can then be carried out quickly and easily. We offer a digital helpdesk linked to the BIM database, so that if, for example, a fault is reported in the air conditioning system, we immediately know where the problem is and have all the relevant documentation and information needed to solve it immediately,” explains Filip Krzywoň. Energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction The trend towards sustainability is also supported by rising energy prices, which increase the demand for energy-efficient buildings with quality insulation and traffic management technologies. These make it possible to control energy, water, HVAC and lighting use. They also allow rainwater to be used for watering or flushing toilets. “Conventional warehouses will gradually lose popularity because their operating costs will be high,” adds Jan Palek. Sustainability is also reflected in energy management. “Our vision is that we will supply the renewable solar electricity we generate to the clients we lease our premises to. It has to be economically interesting for them, of course. Therefore, the specific installations will be decided only after the projects are completed and based on the current conditions,” adds Jan Palek. A responsible approach concerns not only the development of industrial real estate, including logistics parks, but also their immediate surroundings: the local environment and communities. “We build the complexes in such a way that they blend in with the surrounding environment. We pay attention to park landscaping that serves to relax employees and visitors. Our aim is for all our new buildings to be BREEAM Very Good or equivalent in terms of sustainability,” says Jan Palek. The broader concept of accountability also includes close cooperation with neighbouring communities, especially local governments or associations. This includes investment in the infrastructure of the municipalities. “We typically invest, for example, in increasing the capacity of water supply lines, upgrading wastewater treatment plants, building bio-corridors, contributing to the construction of schools, parks and other projects that would be difficult for municipalities to implement on their own,” concludes Jan Palek, GLP’s director.
A leading contractor and developer in the East of England is once again inviting applications to its construction apprenticeship for the 18th time in its history. Anderson has been at the forefront of training and developing construction talent for almost 35 years and will relaunch its Groundwork Apprenticeship Scheme for 2022 seeking 10 new recruits aged 16 and over for a two-year Level 2 Diploma in Construction Operations. News of the continuation of the scheme comes after the success of last year’s intake, which the firm said was crucial to help bring new blood into the industry. It came at a time when apprenticeship schemes were on the decline nationally due to the pandemic and the construction industry was facing a stark skills gap. Six out of 10 employers stopped all new apprenticeships when the coronavirus pandemic hit and Anderson has been determined to ensure the shortfall in new talent is filled as quickly as possible. Steve Hammond, Training Manager at Anderson, said: “The construction industry continues to face a skills gap, so it remains vitally important to highlight the benefits of a construction-based career to young people and for Anderson to continue its long-standing record of recruiting talented new apprentices. “It was a delight to be able to welcome a brand-new intake last year as the industry continued to be impacted by the pandemic and we are very much looking forward to receiving fresh applications for the 2022 cohort. “A career with Anderson is a fantastic opportunity to undertake practical and theory-based training, leading to a secure role with job satisfaction and the opportunity for career progression through the company.” Apprentices are given hands-on training on sites across the East and South of England, learning from professionals with decades of experience in the industry as well as recently qualified apprentices who understand the demands of the two-year course and can help mentor the new recruits. Riley Giles was the youngest of the apprentices that joined Anderson at the end of September, and he is now working with Anderson on the Hopkins Homes site at River Reach, Mistley. He said: “I love every minute of it. The lads on site have been great. “I was worried about getting up early every day but actually I can’t wait to get started – I even get up early on weekends now so I don’t waste the day.” Riley has ambitions to work his way up within the company to become a Site Manager. “I like the idea of progressing with Anderson – it’s a really great company,” he said. “But I have to admit I also I have my sights set on wearing one of those red hats one day!” The Anderson apprentice selection course starts in August 2022 for four weeks, with the successful candidates being accepted on to the full apprenticeship in September. The apprenticeship consists of practical and theory-based training sessions learning a variety of groundwork subjects. The closing date for application is May 15 and CVs should be sent to apprentices@andersongroup.co.uk
One of the major announcements in 2019 was that electric car pioneer Tesla was to build its next Gigafactory in Berlin, Germany. Playing an unheralded, yet vital part in the productive, efficient and safe construction of the factory was an array of National Pile Cropper’s solutions. The Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg (also known as Gigafactory Berlin, Gigafactory 4 or Gigafactory Europe) is a state of the art European manufacturing plant for Tesla, Inc. which has been constructed in Grünheide, Germany. The campus is located some35 kilometres south east of central Berlin on the Berlin–Wrocław railway, which forms the north border of the site between Erkner station and Fangschleuse railway station and the A10 autobahn, which forms the west border. The facility and its Berlin location were announced by Tesla CEO Elon Musk in November 2019 at the Das Goldene Lenkrad award show. The factory is planned to produce batteries, battery packs and powertrains for use in Tesla vehicles and also assemble the Tesla Model Y. Construction began early in 2020, with site preparation and foundation work immediately commencing including the essential foundation and site clearing work. The initial work saw the placing of the first four construction cranes and the arrival of trainloads of building materials including pillars, beams and literally thousands of concrete piles of all shapes and sizes. Tesla was keen that the work would be undertaken quickly, efficiently and environmentally friendly as equipment and systems would allow. Prefabricated concrete construction Prefabricated construction was used to produce concrete walls, beams and piles, being chosen as an efficient method for building structures. Large portions of the Gigafactory structure were assembled at a manufacturing site and then transported to the construction job site and installed where required. Reinforced concrete beams and walls that became a part of some of the main structures of the facility were installed into the ground. In order to crop the thousands of concrete piles as efficiently, productively and safely as possible, and with Tesla’s avowed aim to have the factory completed as soon as possible, the main contractor, Arikon, turned to midlands based UK manufacturer and supplier of state of the art pile cropping solutions, National Pile Cropper. Its pile cropping solutions are mounted on a 360O excavator via quick release fittings, which when lowered onto the pile or beams, the hydraulic system operates the jaw(s) which allows the pile cropper to cut a de-bonded pile and cause the concrete to break away leaving a horizontal finish as a result. In doing this, the chisels penetrate in a precise direction up to the rebar to make the fracture. On bonded piles, the chisels will penetrate further, and due to the shape of the chisels and the reaction forces of the rebar, the concrete will break in pieces and can easily be lifted off the pile enabling recycling of the cut away concrete. Different types and sizes The piles that required cropping in Berlin came in a variety of sizes, diameters and construction techniques, all designed and developed to have the factory completed and functional as quickly as possible. The all-encompassing National Pile Cropper range aided the construction, proving to be invaluable on the Tesla development and many other projects. Amongst the solutions provided included National Pile Croppers largest Quad cropper, ‘Quadzilla’. This beast of a machine can handle the largest of piles and beams, delivering high rates of productivity and efficiency – just as Tesla required. The current Quad range (including ‘Quadzilla’) is not the end of the NPC’s investment in pile cropping solutions however. “Although our range covers virtually all applications and requirements, we continuously invest in R&D to develop and refine our solutions,” explains company director Paul Emberton. “We work with our customers to find out what they want and how we can help make them more productive and profitable. To this end, this year will see the launch of new solutions that are currently undergoing field testing and refinement.” The National Pile Croppers that worked on the Tesla Gigafactory in Berlin proved their worth and have contributed to the efficiency of the project. “We are proud to work with a company of Arikon’s standing on behalf of global trendsetter Tesla, to help them with this strategically vital project. The pile croppers we have supplied have helped ensure that the cropping part of the project was done to deadline, as efficiently, safely and productively as possible. We look forward to working with Arikon again on other projects as the need arises,” concludes National Pile Cropper’s Paul Emberton.
Circa 8,500 Jobs Pipelined For 2.26M Sq Ft Phase One Wilton Developments has unveiled plans for the first 2.26m sq ft phase of its Doncaster North industrial and logistics scheme, which includes the region’s largest stand-alone new build industrial unit currently in the planning system. Phase 1 at Doncaster North could facilitate some 8,500 new jobs for the region. In January, Wilton Developments received Outline Planning consent from Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to transform 180 acres adjacent to Junction 6 of the M18 at Thorne, Doncaster into a 3.52 million sq ft logistics and industrial scheme. A Reserved Matters planning application for the delivery of the first 2.26m sq ft phase of development has now been submitted and this will incorporate a 1m sq ft stand-alone distribution building, the only unit of its scale in the region to progress to that planning stage. The remaining 1m sq ft in Phase 1 will primarily be made up of units ranging from 100,000 to 375,000 sq ft and the first phase can facilitate up to 8,500 jobs for the region including on-site jobs, construction roles and wider regional jobs following completion. A start on-site is scheduled for later this year with the first buildings due to be delivered in 2023. Wilton Developments has appointed agents CBRE and Knight Frank to market the scheme, now named Doncaster North. Jason Stowe, Managing Director of Wilton Developments, comments: “We are progressing plans for this major employment site and subject to successful consent, Doncaster North will be the only scheme to bring forwards a 1m sq ft stand-alone unit in the region. A key feature of the site is that whilst sitting beside Junction 6 of the M18 and having that visibility, it is only a 5-minute drive to Junction 35 of the M62 which makes it appealing to a host of occupiers seeking both east west as well as north south connectivity. We are looking forward to continuing our investment into South Yorkshire and delivering much needed industrial accommodation and jobs to the region.”
National housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has officially started work on site at Westwood Park, Glenrothes, which kicks off the eight-year building programme to deliver 420 much needed residential homes to the area. The range of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses have been designed to cater for a range of needs and lifestyles, along with access links for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles within the development and to the wider area. The site will feature useable amenity space and children’s play areas, delivering a safe, pleasant and user-friendly public realm, encouraging active lifestyles and a community feel. Councillor Altany Craik, Convener – Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning & Transportation Committee, attended Keepmoat Homes’ ground-breaking ceremony. He said: “Today officially marks the beginning of Keepmoat Homes’ significant house building programme in Glenrothes; a milestone to initiate the start of works on a development of 420 residential homes, of which 42 homes will be affordable housing and serviced land for business use. “This is a tremendous step forward in the redevelopment of this vacant site to the south of Glenrothes, which was sold to Keepmoat Homes as part of a joint venture between Fife Council and Scottish Enterprise, together with adjoining landowner Land Team Scotland (Glenrothes) Limited. “I welcome the development of new homes; the vision to create a new thriving community and the benefits that it will bring; as well as the support to local businesses from the proposed land for business use retained by the joint venture partners. This will provide opportunities for businesses to locate in Glenrothes and invest and create jobs in the local economy.” Derek Wilson, Regional Managing Director of Keepmoat Homes said: “We are thrilled to have started work on the site at Westwood Park and we are looking forward to bringing a thriving new community to the area. We have designed the development to respond to the local surroundings, while also holding a strong character and sense of place.”“We will seek to employ local labour as we see this as an opportunity support local businesses, as well as delivering much-needed new homes. We build family homes that are energy efficient and are designed to provide a breadth of house styles that will suit a wide range of prospective homeowners, from first-time buyers to those looking to up-or-downsize and we are confident that the development will help many achieve their dream of owning a new home.”
The final phase of construction has started at SEGRO Park Kettering which will see the creation of almost 875,000 sq ft of space across three buildings. A 102,500 sq ft speculatively built facility will become the last available unit on the development and will be available to occupy from September 2022. It will combine warehousing, offices and a secure yard, as well as incorporating a range of sustainability features including rainwater harvesting, solar thermal heating, intelligent low energy lighting and EV charging points. A separate 150,000 sq ft warehouse will be constructed which has been pre-let to Bunzl, the FTSE-100 specialist international distribution and services group. It will be Bunzl’s second facility at SEGRO Park Kettering and will complement its existing 230,000 sq ft unit. SEGRO will deliver these units in parallel with a 622,000 sq ft freehold facility for leading beverage packaging manufacturer Ball Corporation, which will become its third aluminium can manufacturing facility in the UK and the largest ever constructed in Europe. Andrew Pilsworth, Managing Director, National Logistics at SEGRO, said: “SEGRO Park Kettering provides high quality industrial and warehouse facilities to meet a mix of customer requirements, supported by the right infrastructure and with excellent connectivity. “Occupier demand in the East Midlands remains very strong and we look to delivering these three buildings at pace in the coming months, bringing further employment opportunities into the region.” Helen Cockerham, Retail and Healthcare Managing Director at Bunzl, said: “We are pleased to be working with SEGRO again on this development and look forward to seeing our additional warehouse capacity becoming operational later this year.” SEGRO is working closely with lead contractor Winvic to engage local schools and businesses with training and employment opportunities, which will have a particular focus on encouraging women into careers in construction. This aligns with the company’s commitment to invest in its local communities and environments as part of its Responsible SEGRO framework. Planning consent was secured at SEGRO Park Kettering to deliver a total of 1.2 million sq ft of industrial and warehouse space. The site, located at Junction 10 of the A14, is adjacent to Latimer Business Park, home to a range of market leading brands including Morrisons, DS Smith and Alpro, and Hanwood Park – the 5,500-house urban extension to the east of Kettering. Its proximity to major transport arteries means customers will be able to reach over 90% of the UK population within four hours.
Once complete the North East Lands neighbourhood will provide over 2,000 homes in addition to the 4,780 already complete across Wembley Park. Planning permission has been secured for the first phase of this district, which will provide 769 new homes, 201 of which will be affordable within a range of tenures including Shared Ownership, Affordable Rent and Discount Market Rent. Union Park, Wembley’s first new park in 150 years, will be a major part of this new development, providing seven acres of new green space for the community 3.5 of which are already complete. The construction contract for the first two plots will be the largest ever awarded in Quintain’s 30-year history – approximately £220 million. Quintain has recently announced it has broken ground on the next major phase of the 85-acre neighbourhood being created at Wembley Park. Named North East Lands, this 12-acre site will deliver over 2,000 new homes with 769 to be built in its first phase. The first two developments at North East Lands comprise of two buildings with blocks ranging from 10 to 27 storeys, centred around communal gardens, a public park and each block includes a roof terrace. North East Lands will provide almost a quarter of the 8,500 homes within Quintain’s Wembley Park overall masterplan and has been designed with high levels of sustainability in both construction and operation, in line with Quintain’s sustainability priorities. The majority of the new Haworth Tompkins’ designed homes in this first phase will be for rent and managed by the award-winning Quintain Living team that already operates over 3,250 homes across Wembley Park within nine diverse Build-to-Rent communities. North East Lands will feature furnished apartments with best-in-class interior design and the lifestyle amenities that Quintain Living is famous for. The buildings will be designed and operated to recognised industry sustainability standards such as the WELL Building Standard. James Saunders, Chief Executive of Quintain said: “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, it is fantastic to start work on this new significant phase of Wembley Park, a neighbourhood that we are extraordinarily proud to say is one of the most exciting new districts in London. Over the last 20 years, Quintain has built Wembley Park from the ground up and North East Lands will not only add to our flourishing Build-to-Rent portfolio, it will also bring a new seven-acre park and a home for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who are relocating to this area. Union Park will open up new green space for all the residents of Brent and we are very proud to be able to deliver what will be the first new park in the area for 150 years.” All the buildings in North Eastern Lands have been designed around the new seven-acre Union Park, with local retail in mind, including new space for a community hall, corner shop and café on the park creating a relaxed place to live, work and visit. The first three acres are complete and open for the community to enjoy. Demolition and enabling works started in January 2022 and are being undertaken by John Sisk & Son, they mark the closure of the last of the surface carparks that historically surrounded the National Stadium. These historic car parks have been replaced by state-of-the -art car and coach facilities, delivered in 2020 and 2021. In addition, the development will embrace Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) helping to dramatically reduce vehicle and labour movements as well as improving the on site environment. To deliver North Eastern Lands, Quintain are in advanced discussions with John Sisk & Son over the largest construction contract ever to be awarded at Wembley Park at approximately £220m. Sisk have been a key delivery partner for Quintain for 17 years working on residential developments, the Hilton hotel and the refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed, OVO Arena Wembley.
ENABLING infrastructure clients to deliver improved outcomes by collaboratively working faster, greener, safer and smarter, Constructing Excellence Midlands has launched its Infrastructure Forum, enhancing the visibility and perspective of infrastructure activities in the region. The forum aims to assemble businesses from client organisations and supply chains in the Midlands, modernising the methods of industry collaboration and utilising digital tools for knowledge sharing to drive efficiency and improved outcomes. Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of Constructing Excellence Midlands, who has created the Infrastructure Forum, said: “The forum will present a fantastic opportunity for the Midlands infrastructure community to coordinate responses to key industry challenges and collaborate on projects and programmes, ensuring continued infrastructure advancement that is pre-emptive of the demands and opportunities for the region. “Infrastructure requires a collective planning approach where visibility of the opportunity to collaborate is essential, whether that’s rail, aviation, utilities, roads or power. An infrastructure forum will provide an opportunity to work smarter with collaborative efficacy and prove how we can provide ‘more for less’, while improving safety and sustainability outcomes.” Mark Lyddon, Midlands regional infrastructure lead at Turner & Townsend, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the conception of the Constructing Excellence Midlands Infrastructure Forum. The Midlands boasts leading global pioneering minds in infrastructure development, working on world class projects and programmes. This forum will enable clients and the entire supply chains to utilise the power of their combined expertise and experience. “Consultation and collaboration through this platform will help us drive improvement in our industry and deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. With the current volume of infrastructure construction activity and projects planned to take place in the Midlands region, we must create an improved way of working across clients and programmes.” Alec Gillham, business engagement manager for DIGI-RAIL at the University of Birmingham, said: “DIGI-RAIL is thrilled to have been asked to participate in the newly-established Constructing Excellence Infrastructure Forum. Currently working with some of the UK’s most innovative and technologically advanced rail businesses, we are keen to explore the opportunities that the forum will present for collaboration around the themes of connected transportation and infrastructure. “As we transition towards the creation of the public body Great British Railways (GBR), we are experiencing levels of investment and technology adoption in UK railways not seen for a generation. It is our firm belief the forum will provide a valuable platform to engage with stakeholders working within advanced transportation and infrastructure sectors to reimagine the UK passenger travel experience for the future.” If you or your organisation would like to be involved or to find out more, please contact Constructing Excellence Midlands at info@cemidlands.org.
