Chancerygate has been granted planning permission to build 110,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics and industrial space in Chadderton, near Oldham. Called Broadway Central, the speculative development will comprise eight units across two terraces ranging from 7,600 sq ft to 18,200 sq ft and one stand-alone unit of
CEG welcomed the leader of Leeds City Council and other stakeholders in the city to its flagship Globe Point development today (3/3/22) for a topping out ceremony. BAM Construction commenced the development in May 2021 on behalf of CEG and is set for full completion this summer. Simon Sutcliffe, Construction
Work on a new £20million community hub in Chryston has begun, with a turf-cutting event to mark the start of construction taking place on Monday 28 February. North Lanarkshire Council is working in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire on the project that will deliver a 21st-century learning environment along with state-of-the-art
All 51 homes at Living Space’s flagship Malvern Oaks development in Herefordshire are now completed and occupied. The six-acre scheme features 32 homes delivered to housing provider Stonewater for affordable rent and shared ownership, together with 19 open market properties. Located off Pixiefields in the traditional village of Cradley, the
Local and government leaders, including North Northamptonshire MP, Philip Hollobone, today [4th March] formally launched construction works at Ball Corporation’s new can-making factory at the SEGRO Park Kettering Gateway. With accelerating demand for infinitely recyclable aluminium drinks cans growing fast in the UK and around the world, Ball is investing
With the number of new construction schemes started across Birmingham City Centre almost doubling in 2021[1], the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are sending inspectors out to sites to ensure firms are complying with health and safety regulations, it announced today (Thursday 3 March). As the city prepares to host
J Tomlinson’s compassionate approach has been recognised on a national level after the company was announced Social Responsibility Company of the year at the recent National Energy Efficiency Awards. The coveted accolade, which marks the company’s fourth national award to date, was presented at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday
NATIONAL contractor Stepnell has completed works on behalf of Brio Retirement Living to design and build the £29m Beechwood Park – a 106 dwelling luxury retirement living community in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. The completed Beechwood Park retirement home boasts a range of one, two, and three bedroomed bungalows and apartments, each
Polar NE installs Kawneer product portfolio at Cornwall’s first children’s mental health unit Sowenna CAMHS is Cornwall’s first Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services unit. The £5 million purpose-built project demanded products that could provide a high level of thermal performance, whilst also enhancing the building’s levels of natural light
A VILLAGE on the outskirts of Lancaster is set to significantly benefit from a new housing development currently under construction. Homebuilder Russell Armer Homes has started building work on 65 two to four bedroom homes, as well as one bedroom apartments, at its Bowland Fold development in the village of
Chancerygate has been granted planning permission to build 110,000 sq ft of Grade A urban logistics and industrial space in Chadderton, near Oldham. Called Broadway Central, the speculative development will comprise eight units across two terraces ranging from 7,600 sq ft to 18,200 sq ft and one stand-alone unit of 27,000 sq ft. Units are available freehold or leasehold and the scheme will have a gross development value of around £20m. Chancerygate acquired the 6.58-acre site last July for £3.8m from FO Developments which is a consortium comprising Oldham Council, Grasscroft Property and Seddon Developments. Construction is scheduled to commence in May with practical completion expected early next year. The consortium delivered the wider Broadway Green development which is a 121-acre mixed-use scheme on former agricultural land. Once complete, it will provide up to 700,000 sq ft of employment space. In addition, 500 new homes and 25 acres of public open space in a linear park. Chancerygate development manager, Andy Farrer, said: “We’re very pleased to have obtained planning to deliver Broadway Central just nine months after our acquisition. This is a testament to the hard work of our team and the positive and pragmatic attitude of Oldham Council. “Broadway Central is in an excellent location where there is very little supply of new, high-specification industrial units. Therefore, this development is best placed to help satisfy the strong demand for Grade A urban logistics and industrial space that there is for businesses operating both locally and throughout the North West region.” Agents for Broadway Green are Davies Harrison and Avison Young. You can learn more about Chancerygate’s live developments here. < Back to News
CEG welcomed the leader of Leeds City Council and other stakeholders in the city to its flagship Globe Point development today (3/3/22) for a topping out ceremony. BAM Construction commenced the development in May 2021 on behalf of CEG and is set for full completion this summer. Simon Sutcliffe, Construction Director for BAM, said: “BAM’s buildings are winning sustainability awards across the UK. Our knowledge and understanding, which spans both buildings and the design and construction process, is being transferred to Globe Point. This flagship city centre building is a BREEAM Excellent development and it is really taking shape.” Providing next generation workspace for over 400 people, the 37,800 sq ft seven-storey building on Globe Road is striking, with its flat iron design providing spectacular views across the city from the roof terrace gardens. Responding to occupiers’ expectations and the new ways of working, Globe Point will deliver some of the highest quality workspace in Leeds, along with ground floor break-out space and café kitchen. Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “This is a really exciting milestone, not only for the Globe Point development, but also for the regeneration of Leeds’s Temple district and the wider South Bank area. “High-quality projects like Globe Point are a sign of the strength of the Leeds economy as we continue our recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and redouble our efforts to deliver jobs and opportunities for all. It promises to be a worthy and very impressive addition to our city’s skyline.” Globe Point will be the first new build office to complete in Leeds City Centre this year and is the first of CEG’s developments to complete within the Temple district of the city. CEG is currently managing the transformation of Drapers Yard, on Marshall Street, for Labcorp’s life science centre of excellence. The new headquarter facility will boast a new façade, roof top amenity space with a green, sedum roof and new landscaping and planting. CEG, alongside Leeds City Council and other stakeholders, is bringing forward further development across the Temple district, with the potential to provide some 4 million sq ft of high quality accommodation with Temple Works at its heart as a cultural centrepiece. Nick Lee, director at CEG, said: “Globe Point will deliver much needed new workspace within Leeds City Centre. The quality of the building and the approach to people and sustainability led design will set the tone for future developments within Temple. We are really excited about the buzz in Temple and the number of people living and working in the area continues to grow, supporting the fantastic bars, restaurants and other amenities, including our events space partnership with Chow Down.” Fox Lloyd Jones and Knight Frank are marketing the building on behalf of CEG. Nick Salkeld from Fox Lloyd Jones said: “We are beyond excited to have this ground-breaking scheme ready to show occupiers and the delivery work to date has already surpassed our expectations as to what a new generation workspace looks and feels like. Throughout the design process we really majored on the detail around the flexibility and quality of the space, making the most of its unique dual aspect with amazing natural light around the entire floorplate. The finished product will raise the bar as to what constitutes the best new office space in the city in a highly sustainable building and at the heart of an area steeped in history and character.” Eamon Fox, partner and head of office agency at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, said: “We are on course to deliver next generation workspace, combining great design, strong ESG credentials and new technology. With great interest from existing Leeds businesses, as well as inward investing firms, its clear Globe Point will provide space that will appeal to staff and help to attract skills and talent in today’s competitive environment, as well as meeting a businesses’ sustainability targets.” Award-winning Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios is the architect for Globe Point. Amanda Whittington, Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios said: “Alongside the wider masterplan, FCBStudios has designed two office buildings at the Temple site to provide 22,727m² of new Grade A office space. “On the historical east of the site, Globe Point office is an expressive flat iron building that marks the approach from key routes to the city centre. Brickwork panels form a dynamic façade with a contrasting aluminium profiled crown. “Designed to BREEAM excellent, the internal workspaces allow plenty of natural daylight to provide healthy flexible workspaces and cater for an ever changing office environment. Rooftop terraces on the top floors offer amenity space with commanding views. A co-working/café space on the ground floor has been developed with interior designers Ekho Studio to provide an exciting new destination for the area.”
Work on a new £20million community hub in Chryston has begun, with a turf-cutting event to mark the start of construction taking place on Monday 28 February. North Lanarkshire Council is working in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire on the project that will deliver a 21st-century learning environment along with state-of-the-art health and wellbeing facilities. The new community hub is being delivered by hub South West, the development partner of North Lanarkshire Council with construction partner Robertson Construction and will replace the existing Chryston Primary School as well as provide a new Community Health Clinic. Councillor Frank McNally, Convener of Education and Families, broke ground on the site by cutting the first turf. He said: “Today’s event is another clear example of the council’s vision for its local communities to provide first class learning environments for pupils and teaching staff and deliver excellent facilities for the wider community to benefit from. “The new facility will provide the children and residents of Chryston and surrounding areas with superb facilities. “Our integrated town hubs and the smaller community hubs are modernising the entire school estate and offer multiple services from the council and our partners. “We’re delivering significant investment across North Lanarkshire that will benefit people of all ages now and for generations to come.” Plans for the hub include high-quality outdoor and indoor sports facilities; an extensive landscaped playground for the school; healthcare gardens for clinic patients and staff; and community greenspaces and paths designed to enhance connections across the site and encourage active travel. The new learning facility will see up to 509 pupils learn in naturally lit, flexible spaces and be flexible to accommodate a wide range of learning requirements. One of the exciting features developed by Ryder is the landscape design which creates seamless transitions between indoor and outdoor environments with all class bases benefiting from direct access to the playground. And pupils will be able to take part in daily mile walks with a route which is indicated with footprints around the site. Outdoor play equipment also includes bug hotels, allotment beds, and a fire pit surrounded by log seating, all provide different teaching and learning opportunities for the school. Plans for the clinic include the provision of seven treatment/clinical rooms and a group room to support the delivery of local health services in state of the art health and wellbeing facilities including garden areas. The new community health clinic will provide a larger, more modern facility than the existing Muirhead Clinic, which only allows a small range of community health services to be provided locally due to its size and lack of any dedicated car parking. It will continue to operate its existing services while the new clinic is built. Maggs Thomson, Head of Health, Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “This is a major milestone towards delivering a new state-of-the-art health clinic for Chryston and the surrounding area. “It will be a purpose-built clinic providing clinical services close to where people live and ensure local people no longer need to travel to Glasgow for certain services. “Through detailed engagement with local service users and stakeholders we will develop a modern facility meeting the needs of people in the area. “This partnership working also means services will continue to run at the existing health clinic during construction, and then transfer to the new facility once completed, meaning there should be minimal disruption for patients and service users.” Michael Ross, Chief Executive, hub South West, said: “It is fantastic to celebrate the start of this exciting project and continue our close working relationship with North Lanarkshire Council in delivering its programme of works. “Our unique partnering approach and focus on the benefits to both the local community and local economy, coupled with our focus on quality and continuous improvement, will ensure this facility is enjoyed for generations to come.” Andy McLinden, Robertson Construction Central West, said: “Our experience in the education and healthcare sectors will allow us to deliver a state-of-the-art facility that not only supports the Council’s vision but that the whole community can be proud of. “Chryston Community Hub is the first project we will deliver on behalf of hub South West since securing Tier 1 status last year and we look forward to engaging with the people of Chryston as the build progresses.” Children and young people, staff, parents and the local community all played a significant role in developing the design for the campus. We worked closely with them to ensure the design reflected our aspirations while taking into account the local community’s requirements and the area’s natural heritage and architecture. The new facility is expected to be operational by August 2023.
All 51 homes at Living Space’s flagship Malvern Oaks development in Herefordshire are now completed and occupied. The six-acre scheme features 32 homes delivered to housing provider Stonewater for affordable rent and shared ownership, together with 19 open market properties. Located off Pixiefields in the traditional village of Cradley, the £12m scheme benefits from enviable views of the Malvern Hills. Supported by Homes England funding, the development comprises two, three and four-bedroom high-quality family homes and bungalows. The focal point for the expansive scheme is a large area of Public Open Space with a fully equipped children’s play area. To complement the open space, Stonewater and Living Space commissioned a local artist to create hand-carved wooden pixie stools to feature as public artworks. The development opened to the public in Autumn 2020 and all of the homes for sale were matched with buyers well ahead of the build schedule. Paul Breen, Managing Director of Living Space said: “Malvern Oaks is a shining example of how well mixed-tenure development can work. The proportion of the 51 homes which were purpose-designed for affordable rent, shared ownership and private sale is very equal. There has been very little new development in this traditional rural area of Herefordshire and so demand for each type of housing has been extremely high. From the outset, we worked alongside Stonewater to ensure this partnership scheme raised the bar in terms of quality – both for the newly built homes themselves and the landscaping and communal open space. “We have really enjoyed seeing the new residents move into their homes and are delighted to be able to mark the completion of this flagship development. We are now looking forward to several new partnership projects with Stonewater, which will have a strong eco focus.” Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West and South) at Stonewater said: “We’re pleased that we were able to work in partnership with Living Space and to provide over and beyond the number of affordable homes required at this flagship development. “We’re committed to giving everyone the opportunity to live in a home that they are proud of and we recognise that this is especially challenging in rural areas where wages are low, but property prices – in villages such as Cradley – are high. Whilst Covid-19 created some delays for this project, it’s great to hand over these high-quality affordable homes in this scenic part of Herefordshire to the people who need them most.”
Local and government leaders, including North Northamptonshire MP, Philip Hollobone, today [4th March] formally launched construction works at Ball Corporation’s new can-making factory at the SEGRO Park Kettering Gateway. With accelerating demand for infinitely recyclable aluminium drinks cans growing fast in the UK and around the world, Ball is investing in the new cutting-edge facility to meet the needs of its customers. This new facility will be the largest ever beverage packaging plant in the UK. Set for completion in January 2023, the site will occupy 56,000 sqm, with space to expand production later. In its first year, the plant will be producing over one billion fully recyclable cans and generate 200 local jobs. The multinational can-maker is working with key public services including Job Centre Plus to together level-up employment in the area. A pre-employment programme will develop talent from all local communities for exciting roles at the new plant during 2022 and beyond. A celebration to mark the construction of the plant was attended today by the local MP, local councillors, and community groups. The growth in demand for aluminium cans comes as consumers seek alternatives to single-use plastic, with a recent poll showing almost 80 per cent of people are taking steps to reduce single-use plastic and two-thirds want to do more.[1] Aluminium cans are currently the world’s most widely recycled beverage packaging, with a UK recycling rate of 82 per cent and a European average of 76 per cent. Ball, which has had its climate change plan approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative, is constructing the Kettering plant according to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ Sustainability and Environmental Standards. Other features include a rainwater harvesting system and innovative technology to mitigate machinery exhaust emissions. These innovative technologies will make the Kettering plant the most advanced facility of its type, demanding 20 per cent less energy and 70 per cent less water than traditional can-making processes. The manufacturing industry has long been a major source of employment for Kettering and the surrounding area, with the Ball facility joining a contemporary local industrial community which includes Mercedes-AMG, Siemens and Weetabix. Carey Causey, President, Ball Beverage Packaging Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEA) said : “As environmental awareness increases, consumers are insisting on more sustainable drinks packaging. This new facility, in one of the UK’s best-known manufacturing locations, will help us to support our customers’ growth, creating fully recyclable cans which can play a role in a truly circular economy and support the local community.” Local MP Philip Hollobone said: “I’m delighted to see this project go ahead. With its rich heritage, the production skills in Kettering are outstanding and it’s great to see a leading international company like Ball join the ranks of our existing manufacturers. Councillor David Brackenbury, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “One of our key priorities is helping to create the conditions to boost the economy in North Northamptonshire and I’m delighted to welcome Ball Corporation to our area as it brings a significant amount of foreign direct investment as well as a facility that is focussed on being as sustainable as possible. This development also brings with it significant employment opportunities to the local area in the sustainable manufacturing sector, which is a welcome addition to the North Northants economy. I look forward to seeing the production lines rolling!” The Kettering facility will be Ball’s third can-making site in the UK, joining established plants in Milton Keynes and Wakefield and taking the new total in the EMEA region to 26. [1] https://www.packagingnews.co.uk/news/environment/single-use/poll-finds-support-refillables-frustration-supermarkets-not-addressing-plastic-pollution-16-06-2021
With the number of new construction schemes started across Birmingham City Centre almost doubling in 2021[1], the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are sending inspectors out to sites to ensure firms are complying with health and safety regulations, it announced today (Thursday 3 March). As the city prepares to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games in just 140 days’ time, the HSE has noted increased development across the city potentially raising risks for both workers and the public. Sarah Hill, one of the HSE inspectors leading the campaign, commented: “With a high volume of construction sites in the busy city centre, there is inevitably more potential for incidents which can result in life-changing injuries or worse and working environments which can pose respiratory risks and are hazardous to workers’ health and well-being. This week, HSE colleagues and I will be visiting sites across the city to check that employers are managing risk and keeping workers and the public safe. The fatal injury rate in the construction sector is around four times the all-industry rate, while over 3,500 builders die each year from cancers related to their work, so this is reminder to employers that there is no room for complacency or non-compliance.” During a visit, inspectors look to see how companies keep their workers, and anyone affected by the work they do, healthy and safe. In the event that an employer is breaking the law, an inspector may deploy a range of measures such as issuing an improvement notice which allows a minimum of 21 days for the issue to put right or, in the case of the most serious breaches, prosecution. Sarah Hill added: “The majority of work-related illness, injuries and fatalities are wholly avoidable if those responsible for the welfare of their workers follow health and safety guidance and regulation. Construction is a high risk industry, but those that work in it are as entitled as everyone else to go home safe and well at the end of the day.” Health and safety statistics for the construction industry across the UK: 39 fatal injuries to workers in 2020/21 74,000 workers suffering work-related ill health (average over 2018/19-2020/21) 61,000 non-fatal injuries (averaged over 2018/19-2020/21) Four fatalities amongst members of the public.[2]
J Tomlinson’s compassionate approach has been recognised on a national level after the company was announced Social Responsibility Company of the year at the recent National Energy Efficiency Awards. The coveted accolade, which marks the company’s fourth national award to date, was presented at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday 18 February, with over 650 professionals working in the energy efficiency sector in attendance. Nine companies were shortlisted for the title, with J Tomlinson announced as the winner following a comprehensive judging process in which all nominees were assessed on the impact they have had within their local communities. The building, maintenance, energy and refurbishment specialist, was commended for its targeted and far-reaching approach to social responsibility, spanning key areas such as employment, emotional and physical wellbeing, skills-building, decarbonisation, boosting local economies, and promoting affordable warmth. Some of the comments from the judging panel included: “[J Tomlinson], through its application process, demonstrated a commitment to deliver a level of responsibility across the business, its customers and environments that it operates. This would appear to be a company that has pride in its position, a considered delivery of social responsibility and measured interactions that support all around the business.” “A very impressive broad range of support and dedication to education and local employment, charity donations and volunteering whilst also demonstrating care for their own staff and sub-contractors.” The company also took home third place in the National Renewable Heat Installer and Multi-Measure Project of the Year categories – the latter in recognition of the highly sustainable refurbishment and restoration of Ilkeston’s Toll Bar House building, which is not only forecast to reduce carbon emissions by 13 tonnes per annum, but also to create over 90 jobs in the local area. Mark Davis, chief executive at J Tomlinson, commented: “On behalf of the entire team at J Tomlinson, we are extremely proud to have been recognised for our commitment to enhancing the lives of the individuals and communities we work with every single day. “I have always been a very firm believer in the power of excellent partnerships, and I am all-too-aware that the impact we have collectively had would not have been nearly as significant or far-reaching if it was not for the strong relationships we have with our clients – all of which are built upon striving to achieve and exceed shared goals. For this reason, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all our clients and our people for playing such a vital role in transforming lives in line with our One Team ethos. This award is for you.” J Tomlinson has experienced a consistent string of success at previous regional and national energy efficiency awards ceremonies, including winning Renewable Heating Project of the Year following a ground source heat pump project that is saving residents 40% on their heating bills and providing client Bromford with over £570k worth of RHI and ECO funding.
NATIONAL contractor Stepnell has completed works on behalf of Brio Retirement Living to design and build the £29m Beechwood Park – a 106 dwelling luxury retirement living community in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. The completed Beechwood Park retirement home boasts a range of one, two, and three bedroomed bungalows and apartments, each cladded in Cotswold Stone, and set against a quintessential countryside backdrop within one of UK’s most desirable market towns. Sustainable living solutions have been incorporated into the design and build, to include district heating, combined heat and power generation, and full home automation. As a result, this project has been awarded the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘‘Very Good’’ standard rating and BRE HQM (Home Quality Mark) Level 3. Designed with a wide range of community facilities and communal areas, the retirement home is home to beautiful landscaped gardens, and includes an exercise trail, raised bed gardens and Brio’s brasserie and bar Slate & Grain. Furthermore, there is a purpose-built social space for recreational activities, club fitness suite, spa and lounge. A shuttle bus is also available for shopping trips and excursions. Colin Chiles, operations director at Stepnell, said: “We are delighted to open the doors to Beechwood Park, a to provide a first-class retirement living experience in the heart of the Cotswolds. “Together with Brio, we have prioritised the environmental performance of the residential community throughout every phase of planning and delivery, which has been recognised as part of the BREEAM accreditation process to achieve “Very Good” standard. This has been achieved as result of a strong collaborative effort.” To achieve the BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard, the team demonstrated ‘best practice’ – the performance rating reserved for the top 10% of new UK non-domestic buildings. Colin continued: “This development follows a series of retirement village projects in the region, including the recently delivered £5.25m Edwardstow Court in the centre of Stow. Stepnell has quickly become recognised as a national contractor of choice for retirement developments, which has organically grown through a series of successful partnerships.” The residential units are now available with a range of buy, part-own, rent and part-rent options. Stepnell’s completion adds to a growing portfolio of care projects, which will soon include the £6.5m The Gables Care Home on Bennett Drive in Birmingham and a £4.3m refurbishment project at the Town Thorns Care Home in Rugby, with work currently underway at both sites. To find out more about Stepnell’s healthcare and retirement living expertise, visit: www.stepnell.co.uk. Join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
Polar NE installs Kawneer product portfolio at Cornwall’s first children’s mental health unit Sowenna CAMHS is Cornwall’s first Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services unit. The £5 million purpose-built project demanded products that could provide a high level of thermal performance, whilst also enhancing the building’s levels of natural light and help achieve a BREEAM Excellent building status. Along with ensuring excellent levels of daylight and access to external spaces and ventilation, the project’s challenges were increased by requiring multiple product solutions that could be harmonised and achieve the same levels of performance and aesthetics. The project requirements enabled Kawneer to utilise multiple products from their portfolio, which perfectly suited the specifications and helped the project achieve the required levels of thermal performance and successfully achieve its BREEAM Excellent status. The project included three types of Kawneer aluminium windows specifically designed and engineered for the mental health sector – Wansbeck Secure windows, Wear Secure windows and Humber Secure windows all feature on the project in multiple areas. The Humber Secure windows were developed in partnership with Humber NHS Foundation Trust as a low to medium secure window with an external sliding sash operated by a reduced ligature rotating handle. The Wansbeck Secure windows are designed for low-secure facilities and feature an internal sliding sash and the Wear Secure windows are an adaptation of the Wansbeck but with a secure mesh to guard the restricted open area. Alongside the bespoke window designs, Kawneer’s AA®100 zone-drained curtain wall system helped to create a dynamic and active façade that promotes high-levels of natural light to illuminate the main entrance, whilst AA®541 top-hung casement windows have been used in the café area and offices spaces, and AA®3720 folding/sliding doors feature in the courtyard areas. The new Sowenna CAMHS project was designed by international design practice Ryder Architecture and constructed by main contractor Tilbury Douglas on the site of the former Bodmin Community Hospital. The facility provides inpatient mental health and psychiatric intensive care for children and young people aged between 13 and 18 years. Victor Muniz, architectural director at Ryder, said the team responded to the design brief from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust with a smart and functional design. He commented: “We have used Polar windows in several projects already and their products meet all current standards in terms of anti-ligature specification, robustness, good design and competitive costing.” He added: “We were looking for lots of natural light inside the building so the glazed elements played a very important role on this project. We were also aiming for BREEAM Excellent which was finally achieved. “The secure windows and curtain walling have a similar aesthetic to the standard components and help to ensure the safety and security of the external envelope for service users, staff and visitors. Our understanding is the trust is quite happy with the building.”
A VILLAGE on the outskirts of Lancaster is set to significantly benefit from a new housing development currently under construction. Homebuilder Russell Armer Homes has started building work on 65 two to four bedroom homes, as well as one bedroom apartments, at its Bowland Fold development in the village of Halton, near Lancaster. As part of the development, 13 affordable homes will be created for people with links to the local area and a significant sum of money will be granted to Lancaster City Council and ring fenced for the local community through the Government’s New Homes Bonus Scheme. In addition, 1.67 hectares of public open green space – which accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the overall development area – will be created and will include a children’s play area. And there will be significant tree planting and a biodiversity scheme implemented. Improvements will be made to the existing watercourse running through the site to provide one central, biodiverse ‘blue-green’ corridor to help manage and hold back surface water from existing homes. Nicky Gordon, the Managing Director of Russell Armer Homes, said: “As with every development, we closely consider what benefits we can provide to the local community and we are very passionate about improving the lives of local people. “We listened to what residents would like as part of the Bowland Fold development, and we’re proud to be providing so many key amenities and facilities to boost the local area. “The development comes at an exciting time for Russell Armer Homes and its sister company Genesis Homes as we start construction on more than 300 homes over three sites, and we’re looking forward to creating a great community in the county of Lancashire with this latest development.” The Bowland Fold development, located just off High Road, offers a broad mix of high quality homes which will suit a wide range of residential requirements but predominantly families through the provision of three and four bedroom houses. A total of two one-bed flats and 12 two bedroom homes will also be constructed to cater for all needs. The proposed play area is aimed at children under the age of 12 and constitutes part of the development’s green space. In addition to the Bowland Fold development at Halton, Russell Armer Homes is currently building 157 homes as part of its Meadow Rigg development at Burneside Road, in Kendal, Cumbria.
