Rotherham Council recently celebrated an important milestone towards achieving its aim to provide more affordable housing to the area. The completion of 12 homes at Harron Homes’ The Paddocks development in Wickersley marked the 500th home built and was celebrated by an event hosted at the development. Harron successfully put forward
Leicester Royal Infirmary’s radiotherapy department is celebrating the opening of a full extension and significant enhancement works which will ensure that more patients can receive new state-of-the-art treatments. The larger building can house the latest equipment, alongside comfortable waiting spaces, and pleasant office spaces for staff. Delivered by Midlands-based contractor,
Wates Group has announced that it has approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has had its target for scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 validated by the SBTi. This puts Wates five years ahead of
A month-long campaign to highlight the value of choosing construction as a profession has culminated in a new recruitment drive by a Northampton-based construction company. To celebrate Careers in Construction month during October, Bhangals Construction Consultants launched the Build A Career at Bhangals campaign, which showcased the variety of roles
Thomas Sinden has been awarded an £18 million contract for the delivery of an ‘all-affordable-home project’ on behalf of not-for-profit housing association, Peabody. Thomas Sinden will transform the site of a former workhouse, infirmary and hospital dating back to 1746 into 62 sustainable and affordable new homes. Peabody generated more
Heimstaden Bostad, the owner of Soho Wharf, has announced the completion of a landmark project, in partnership with development partners, The Galliard Apsley Partnership. Soho Wharf, a leading-edge development in Birmingham, consists of 752 exceptional build-to-rent homes. This includes 650 designed apartments and 102 charming townhouses, all offered at affordable
Morgan Sindall Construction and other partners in the construction industry, has been selected by LocatED and the Department for Education (DfE) to work on a new feasibly study to decarbonise education estates in England. As part of the study, the Morgan Sindall team will undertake a series of feasibility studies
Contractor Stepnell has commenced construction work on a new state-of-the-art forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire. Helping to deliver the tailored school design is construction consultancy Bentley, who are acting as employer’s agent and quantity surveyors for the project. Stepnell is leading the construction works of the two-form entry school which
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
Rotherham Council recently celebrated an important milestone towards achieving its aim to provide more affordable housing to the area. The completion of 12 homes at Harron Homes’ The Paddocks development in Wickersley marked the 500th home built and was celebrated by an event hosted at the development. Harron successfully put forward a bid to provide all 12 of the affordable homes to Rotherham Council. The 12 homes are made up of six rented units and six shared ownership homes which were purchased at a discount rate in line with Rotherham Council planning policy. Harron Homes’ Sales Manager Paul Walters welcomed Rotherham Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Sarah Allen, and Assistant Director of Housing, James Clark to The Paddocks for the official handover of keys. The Council serves the residents of the city and surrounding areas. The affordable housing scheme is the latest in a series of measures to help families in the area find and maintain a home, with a target of acquiring hundreds of more homes by the end of March 2026. Councillor Sarah Allen said, “We are grateful to Harron homes for participating in the scheme and helping us reach this all-important milestone. Rotherham Council works to provide support for all those in our community and we are glad we can offer affordable housing to those who need it most. As a Council we have an important part to play in addressing the challenges faced and achieving better outcomes for the people of Rotherham.” Paul Walters added, “It was an honour to celebrate this important milestone with Councillor Allen and Mr Clark. Our teams dedicate themselves to delivering the highest quality in all areas and we are proud our homes can assist Rotherham Council in its goal of providing families with affordable housing. We look forward to continuing this relationship to support our local communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leicester Royal Infirmary’s radiotherapy department is celebrating the opening of a full extension and significant enhancement works which will ensure that more patients can receive new state-of-the-art treatments. The larger building can house the latest equipment, alongside comfortable waiting spaces, and pleasant office spaces for staff. Delivered by Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, on behalf of the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, works involved a significant extension to the existing Radiotherapy department in Leicester Royal’s Osborne Building to deliver a secure treatment facility as part of the improved health care provision for local people in the region. The £3.5m scheme commenced in the summer of 2022 and completed in August this year, with construction comprising two blocks – a radiotherapy bunker, control room and plant room, and an ancillary accommodation block, both of which connect to the existing Osborne Building via link corridors. The treatment area incorporates high security controls to prevent unauthorised access and provide a safe environment. A specialist force protection engineering consultant was appointed to review the structural design of the room and the building was also reviewed by the Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSA), to ensure compliance. As part of the new building’s green credentials, 32 PV panels were installed on the roof to provide power to the facility, alongside air source heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling through the building, generating fewer carbon emissions. To safely deliver construction works within the fully operational hospital site, a site-specific traffic management plan was implemented to minimise disruption and provide safe access and egress to local residents, hospital visitors and staff. A full-time logistics manager was appointed onsite to assist with the running of the car park, deliveries and to maintain a safe environment. A web-based system was utilised to plan and monitor materials deliveries in order to avoid congestion on the surrounding road networks of the busy hospital site. Social value was incorporated into the project with the site team instigating several initiatives including over 20 hours of litter picking which took place in the surrounding area to improve the environment and help make for a better experience for hospital visitors. A local supply chain was utilised on site which resulted in 77% of local labour being sourced within a 40-mile radius and 94% of all construction waste was recycled locally. As part of G F Tomlinson’s other social value commitments, the contractor provided work experience for a local student studying at a nearby college to provide them with practical experience on site. Six apprentices were also allocated to the site for a combined total of 113 weeks. During their time at the radiotherapy facility, they had the opportunity to monitor the programme and plan works on site, manage quality assurance, supervise health and safety, and assist with the traffic management within the car park, as well as attending colleges and universities on day release programmes. Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “It was an honour to be part of the extension and improvement of the current [..] facilities at Leicester Royal Infirmary, to ensure that patients are getting the very best treatment and care possible. “We have extensive experience working in a live hospital environment and we implemented special measures during construction to ensure that the site always remained safe and accessible to patients and staff, working closely with the hospital team in achieving this. “We are very pleased that the client is happy with the quality of the build and that the enhanced, secure facility is in operation and open to the public.” Dr. Jenny Marsden, Head of Radiotherapy Physics, said: “We are extremely pleased with the new facility which meets the requirements of various external agencies to allow us to perform our work. It provides a lovely environment for patients and staff alike. The team are looking forward to welcoming patients and giving cancer care in a bespoke environment which meets their needs. We are also very keen to develop our service in the future, which is now possible as we have space for clinical development and improvement.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wates Group has announced that it has approved near and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company has had its target for scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 validated by the SBTi. This puts Wates five years ahead of the UK 2050 national Net Zero target. Wates is prioritising direct emissions reduction, however currently, 98% of the company’s greenhouse gas emissions fall under scope 3, with 85% of these from the products and services the company purchases from its supply chain. Reducing these emissions will therefore play a major role in reducing total emissions, and Wates is working closely with its supply chain partners to identify and deliver the necessary carbon reductions. The science-based Net Zero target is in addition to Wates’ existing near-term target which includes: • reducing Wates’ absolute scope 1 and 2 emissions by almost half (46.2%) by the end of 2030 against a 2019 baseline (The target boundary includes land-related emissions and removals from bioenergy feedstocks). • a commitment that 89% of Wates’ suppliers (by emissions) covering purchased goods and services will have science-based targets by the end of 2027. Wates’ ambition is to exceed its near-term target, as part of the Race to Zero campaign, and the company plans to halve its scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions by 2030 against a 2019 baseline. Bekir Andrews, Interim ESG Director at Wates, said: “Having our targets validated by the SBTi is an important step to ensuring their validity and demonstrates our commitment to improve the sustainability of our business. “Our science-based Net Zero target is particularly ambitious given the carbon-intensive industry in which we operate. The UK’s buildings currently account for 25% of the country’s total emissions, making decarbonisation of this sector both more challenging and more critical. “We look forward to engaging with colleagues across our entire value chain to minimise our impact on the environment and establish sustainable business models for years to come. “The validation of a Net Zero target demonstrates Wates’ broader leadership in this space. Earlier this year, Wates announced its Environmental Sustainability Plan which illustrates its’ principal targets and the actions necessary to drive change.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A month-long campaign to highlight the value of choosing construction as a profession has culminated in a new recruitment drive by a Northampton-based construction company. To celebrate Careers in Construction month during October, Bhangals Construction Consultants launched the Build A Career at Bhangals campaign, which showcased the variety of roles available in the sector and at the company itself. As part of the campaign, four Bhangals employees told their stories, which were covered in local and national press, via videos and on social media. Now the company is embarking on a recruitment drive to offer others the opportunity to progress a career in the construction industry. The job vacancies will see the company expand its workforce from 25 to 40 – a headcount growth of 60% by the end of next year. Available roles include Junior Estimator, Intermediate Estimator, Senior Estimator and Client Service positions. Operations Manager Katie Newman is one of the individuals who shared her story as part of the Build A Career at Bhangals campaign, said: “The campaign shone a spotlight on some of the opportunities available in the construction industry and gave a flavour of what you can expect working in this sector. “We hope this will now inspire more people to apply for the roles that we currently have available at Bhangals and encourage those who haven’t previously considered construction as an option to wider their horizons and maybe take that leap in to something new.” Managing Director Parm Bhangal added: “We are proud of the business we have built and have real ambitions to grow even more as we move into 2024. It is an exciting time to join Bhangals Construction Consultants and enter or continue a career in construction with us. We look forward to receiving the applications and growing our team further.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Thomas Sinden has been awarded an £18 million contract for the delivery of an ‘all-affordable-home project’ on behalf of not-for-profit housing association, Peabody. Thomas Sinden will transform the site of a former workhouse, infirmary and hospital dating back to 1746 into 62 sustainable and affordable new homes. Peabody generated more than £8m for the NHS by purchasing the former St Olave’s Hospital in Rotherhithe in 2018. A traditional groundbreaking event to mark the start of construction saw Southwark Councillor Kath Whittam and the community join with Peabody and Thomas Sinden to celebrate this historic area being brought back to life. The development will bring 14 homes for social rent and 48 for shared ownership, with one-, two- and three-bedroom homes for families close to the greenery of Southwark Park. All the flats will have either a balcony or terrace, and the duplexes will have their own gardens. One of the blocks will have a communal roof terrace, and there will be new outdoor areas and play spaces for residents to enjoy. The project will generate additional social value and community benefits, with Thomas Sinden offering job, training, and apprenticeship opportunities for local people. It will include eleven construction jobs for residents who are currently unemployed. Local charity Bermondsey Community Kitchen (BCK) joined the event, providing refreshments and accepting a £1,000 donation from Thomas Sinden’s Managing Director to support volunteers’ work locally. BCK is a non-profit training facility, run by volunteers, that provides Level 1 and 2 City and Guilds Professional Cookery qualifications for long-term unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds. Angela Wood, Deputy Executive Director of Development at Peabody, said: “The positive impact of new affordable homes cannot be underestimated. Peabody already works closely with many communities in Southwark, and we’re pleased to have started delivering more new homes for people locally. “St Olave’s will give those on Southwark’s housing waiting list the opportunity of living in a new affordable rented home, while providing budding homeowners the chance to get on the property ladder in Zone 2 through shared ownership. Building an entirely affordable scheme is challenging in the current climate and it was fantastic to mark this major milestone with our partners and the council. We look forward to welcoming residents in 2025.” Councillor Kath Whittam at Southwark Council said: “As a ward councillor I am very glad to see the site go ahead, and it is particularly nice when the scheme is 100 percent affordable. I’d like to thank Peabody and Thomas Sinden for putting such a strong scheme together, which will give our residents the chance of a fabulous new home.” Matt Ayers, Head of Construction at Thomas Sinden, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Peabody on this historic site to create a clean, safe and sustainable development that will make a difference in the community for generations to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Heimstaden Bostad, the owner of Soho Wharf, has announced the completion of a landmark project, in partnership with development partners, The Galliard Apsley Partnership. Soho Wharf, a leading-edge development in Birmingham, consists of 752 exceptional build-to-rent homes. This includes 650 designed apartments and 102 charming townhouses, all offered at affordable rental rates including 64 homes, offered at a 20% discount to market rent, emphasising affordability alongside quality. The project encompasses 10,000 sq ft of prime commercial space and provides ample parking with 300 parking spaces. The architectural ingenuity extends to the ample green spaces, constituting nearly 40% of the site area. These green areas include vibrant public realms, private communal spaces for residents, and exclusive gardens for townhouse residents. This achievement is marked by an outstanding milestone, with close to 90% of the available units leased within a six-month span, from March to September 2023. The swift uptake stands as a testament to the project’s undeniable appeal, showcasing Soho Wharf as a pioneering residential development that is redefining both the architectural and community landscape of Birmingham. Amit Kumar, Head of Operations – UK at Heimstaden, expressed: “We are tremendously proud to mark the completion of Soho Wharf, a true testament to thoughtful design and community integration. In just six months, seeing 90% of the units become homes for residents speaks volumes about its allure. Our ambition was always to create a lively, cohesive neighbourhood in Birmingham where sustainability meets convenience. The rapid uptake reaffirms our commitment to offering Friendly Homes that not only fit seamlessly into the city’s fabric but also address the modern resident’s desire for connectedness, comfort, and a sustainable way of living.” Gerard Nock, Chairman at The Galliard Apsley Partnership said: “The completion of Soho Wharf stands as proof of our unwavering commitment to reimagining urban spaces. Through innovative design and collaborative partnerships, we have created not just homes but thriving communities, and we’re excited to see Soho Wharf transform Birmingham’s urban landscape for the better.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Morgan Sindall Construction and other partners in the construction industry, has been selected by LocatED and the Department for Education (DfE) to work on a new feasibly study to decarbonise education estates in England. As part of the study, the Morgan Sindall team will undertake a series of feasibility studies which have been chosen based on criteria including potential carbon savings, capital/ROI and operational impact. Using our approach to intelligent solutions and inhouse whole life carbon tools such as CarboniCa, the team will utilise their experience to propose decarbonisation solutions for the chosen schools. LocatED announced the start of a feasibility study for its Net Zero Accelerator programme on 9 November – a scheme that aims to facilitate the rapid rollout of decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate. Delivery partners have been selected to take part in a feasibility study that will work with 50 schools from across England to explore the commercial viability of a range of decarbonisation interventions. The concept of the Net Zero Accelerator is to create a ‘one stop shop’ to fund and deliver decarbonisation initiatives across the education estate through a new national service. This will provide responsible bodies, such as local authorities and multi-academy trusts, with a low burden service to address building condition and energy efficiency to help improve their estate including the delivery of decarbonisation interventions. Furthermore, the programme will aim to reduce risk to responsible bodies as well as the time and resources they put into decarbonisation. This will be achieved by requiring no upfront payment; through sharing the risk of delivery with external market partners; and arranging the intervention work and funding for them. Commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to create and run the programme, LocatED launched the Net Zero Accelerator in August this year with a market engagement session attracting over 270 participants. With Net Zero a key aim of the DfE’s Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy for the education system, the programme aims to help deliver this. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Stepnell has commenced construction work on a new state-of-the-art forest school in Coalville, Leicestershire. Helping to deliver the tailored school design is construction consultancy Bentley, who are acting as employer’s agent and quantity surveyors for the project. Stepnell is leading the construction works of the two-form entry school which was designed by Lungfish Architects and led by land regeneration company, Harworth Group. The primary school in Swinfen Vale is due to open in September 2024 for the new school year and is the county’s first forest school, a model which endeavors to nurture creativity in line with play and activity to promote education. Lauren Allsop, senior project manager at Bentley spoke on construction starting on site, said: “The groundbreaking ceremony that recently took place was a significant step forward in what is an incredibly exciting project for us at Bentley. This project acts as a change of trajectory for education in the region and we’re proud to be able to use our expertise to see it come to life.” The construction of the school will consist of a series of pavilions, designed to offer a range of flexible teaching spaces including shared and outside areas. These classroom spaces have been designed to ensure optimal lighting and ventilation throughout. Tom Sewell, Regional Director at Stepnell, said: “The creative and sustainable design of the project aligns well with our complete construction offering at Stepnell. We’re proud of our ability to continuously create quality developments in the education sector and this project will be no exception. “As we continue to grow our strong regional reputation in the East Midlands, we’re excited to be working with Bentley Project Management and partners on what is an incredible project to expand the school offerings for the people of Coalville and the surrounding region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
