The £11.7 million contract to create a new learning hub for Coventry University has been won by Willmott Dixon, who will renovate the former 72,000 m2 BT building on Mile Lane into the standards required for education in the 21st century. The finished facility will feature teaching rooms, IT suites,
Network Rail-approved supplier Scott Parnell has launched its latest product for the rail industry. The ARCOsizeZERO is an elevated troughing system for the easy installation of lightweight fibre optic cables which will form the backbone of the digital age. The new product is an extension of Scott Parnell’s existing ARCOSYSTEM,
Total Developments Ltd has acquired a 16-acre site with planning consent in place for 265,000 sq ft of mixed-employment development.The vacant site occupies a key location fronting the A63 in the Aire Valley area of Leeds and its development has the potential to provide up to 500 new jobs for
A further 700 new homes are being planned for the 170-acre Skelton Gate site within the Leeds Aire Valley, taking the total number of homes being built to 1,800. Templegate Developments Limited, the joint venture partnership of Evans Property Group and Keyland Developments, has submitted this planning application to Leeds
AS PART of a £250 million regeneration plan, a new 10 storey, 250 room hotel complex is starting to take shape in Leicester – with completion expected in late 2019. Two national hotel operators – Novotel Hotels and Adagio – have already signed up to operate the 252 bed hotels,
Huddersfield-based truck rental specialists Mac’s Truck Rental are celebrating a successful first half of to the year, following their well-publicised site move to a new custom facility on Crosland Road. Mac’s Truck Rental hail their success as a direct result of the improved services they now offer. This provides businesses
Britain’s leading rail freight company, DB Cargo UK, has announced that thanks to a three-year deal with SSE Business Energy, all of its rail sites and offices will be powered by 100% renewable electricity. “Our customers have long understood the environmental benefits of moving their goods via rail rather than
Construction permission was given to Sir Robert McAlpine for the next phase of Manchester’s Citylabs biomedical research campus. Following the successful pre-let on the Citylab 2.0 building from global diagnostics firm QIAGEN, joint venture developers Manchester Science Partnerships and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust received approval for the
London’s canals have seen in the last forty years a great resurgence, but, at the same time, they have also been used for leisure and alternative living more than their originally intended purpose. The ongoing housing crisis has made many property owners view setting up a home in a floating
The £14.2 million expansion project of a primary school in London has been offered to Morgan Sindall. The project will allow Tufnell Park Primary School to double its capacity from 315 pupils to 630 pupils by 2025. “Tufnell Park is a well-established and much-loved part of a growing community in
The £11.7 million contract to create a new learning hub for Coventry University has been won by Willmott Dixon, who will renovate the former 72,000 m2 BT building on Mile Lane into the standards required for education in the 21st century. The finished facility will feature teaching rooms, IT suites, engineering and science labs, a moot court and a cafe, as well as extensive breakout areas for social learning to make teaching more flexible. Overall, the campus will be offering a range of academic qualifications, including honours degree courses, foundation years, access to higher education diplomas, higher national certificates and higher national diplomas. “We are very excited to announce the plans for our new state-of-the-art campus, which reflects the considerable investment, modern technology and innovation, and will enhance our student experience, propelling us forward for years to come,” said a spokesperson from Coventry University. “The new campus is ideally situated adjacent to Coventry University’s Technology Park, which is already host to a variety of Coventry University activity as well as a number of exciting start-up businesses. It is also close to the railway station and includes good parking facilities.” This project is part of a wider £33 million campus transformation by CU Coventry to accommodate up to 3,000 students. The work on site is expected to be completed in early 2019. “We are delighted to be working with Coventry University again to help create another state-of-the-art campus for generations of students to enjoy,” said Peter Owen, Managing Director for Willmott Dixon in Midlands. Willmott Dixon is a privately-owned contracting and interior fit-out group, dedicated to leaving a positive legacy in its communities and environment. In 2018 the company was one of only six other companies to receive a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the promoting opportunity through social mobility category. The team at Willmott Dixon creates value for customers, stakeholders and communities by working in a sustainable and responsible way to shape the built environment and make a positive impact to society’s well-being.
Network Rail-approved supplier Scott Parnell has launched its latest product for the rail industry. The ARCOsizeZERO is an elevated troughing system for the easy installation of lightweight fibre optic cables which will form the backbone of the digital age. The new product is an extension of Scott Parnell’s existing ARCOSYSTEM, but with a clear focus on delivering increased capabilities to the industry’s communications network. ARCOsizeZERO is a flexible system made of corrosion-resistant GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) material. It comes in complete six metre pieces which are simply slid into position without the need for loose nuts and bolts – minimising installation time for on-site engineers and thereby reducing the risk from working trackside. Unlike traditional troughing, which is unnecessarily bulky for this application, the latest product is slim yet durable: offering the ideal solution for installation projects in congested areas or over difficult terrain. Troughs can be placed alongside railway lines or mounted to walls for tunnels and bridges, taking up far less space than normal cable-carrying channels. Established in 2012, Scott Parnell is a groundworks and civil engineering products specialist, and a Network Rail-approved supplier of the respected ARCOSYSTEM range of solutions. The organisation’s focus is on researching and creating innovative solutions for the rail sector. Commenting on the new product launch, founder Steve Parnell said: “As populations expand and passenger volumes increase, the supporting systems will demand better connectivity. Telecommunications capabilities will rely on the development of infrastructure to support a modern IP network for track-to-train communications. The ARCOsizeZERO is aimed at meeting these demands, by offering a flexible solution for the distribution of fibre optic cables. “We are delighted to launch this new product with a focus firmly on the future. The system enjoys the same benefits as our existing troughing products, but with the purpose of creating a fast and efficient communications network for both day-to-day rail operations and passenger connectivity.” ARCOsizeZERO can be utilised in conjunction with ARCOSYSTEM Size 1 and Size 2, ensuring the product line is ‘future-proof’ as additional cable capacity can be added after the original installation.
Total Developments Ltd has acquired a 16-acre site with planning consent in place for 265,000 sq ft of mixed-employment development.The vacant site occupies a key location fronting the A63 in the Aire Valley area of Leeds and its development has the potential to provide up to 500 new jobs for the area. The sale of the site was completed by Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, following a market campaign by industrial property specialists Gent Visick. “We are delighted to announce the sale of this site, which is one of the most strategically linked development opportunities in the region,” said Ryan Unsworth, development manager at Keyland Developments Ltd. “The shortage of industrial accommodation across the wider Yorkshire area is well-known and bringing forward this development will significantly help to manage the lack of available, new industrial space.” The approved scheme will provide 265,000 sq ft of B1, B2, and B8 industrial and commercial space, creating a prosperous new employment hub that can be accessed directly off the A63 East Leeds Link Road Thornes Farm Roundabout. “The level of interest received through our marketing is indicative of the quality of this asset,” said Rupert Visick from Gent Visick.“Total Developments purchased the site on an unconditional basis against stiff competition which is testament to their faith in the location and belief in the strength of the market for mid-sized distribution boxes.” The site is located off Pontefract Lane between the existing Cross Green Industrial Estate and the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone, giving easy access to the M62 motorway, as well as a direct link into central Leeds.
A further 700 new homes are being planned for the 170-acre Skelton Gate site within the Leeds Aire Valley, taking the total number of homes being built to 1,800. Templegate Developments Limited, the joint venture partnership of Evans Property Group and Keyland Developments, has submitted this planning application to Leeds City Council. The project first received permission in November 2017 for the creation of a new mixed-use sustainable community that included up to 1,100 new homes, a primary and secondary school, public open space, a local centre and a convenience store, as well as associated infrastructure. Following Leeds City Council’s Full Council approving the adoption of the Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan (AVLAAP), land at Skelton Gate was allocated for a further 700 dwellings. “The provision of 1,801 dwellings, rather than 1,100 dwellings, on the site would make a real difference to securing the long-term provision of the necessary physical and social infrastructure to support the development of the site,” said the AVLAAP Final Inspector’s Report. For example, the more homes in the area, the more people would live there; therefore the provision of a viable bus link to the city centre becomes far more likely to be sustainable in the long run. Additional people living on the site also means the support of education facilities, including a through-school, and a local centre incorporating a retail element, as well as other types of social and green infrastructure. Moreover, Templegate Developments Limited will be transferring its interests in those parts of Skelton Lake within the site to Leeds City Council, in order for the Council to create a new nature reserve. “The recent allocations under the AAP and this subsequent application for additional homes at Skelton Gate is the culmination of this collaborative working and will further the major investment proposals by Templegate Developments in this significant regeneration scheme,” concluded James Pitt, development director at Evans Property Group.
AS PART of a £250 million regeneration plan, a new 10 storey, 250 room hotel complex is starting to take shape in Leicester – with completion expected in late 2019. Two national hotel operators – Novotel Hotels and Adagio – have already signed up to operate the 252 bed hotels, which are being delivered by Charles Street Buildings Group (CSB), with national property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard delivering mechanical and electrical engineering (M&E), structural engineering and quantity surveying (QS) services for the project. Graeme Milligan, national director at Pick Everard said: “Pick Everard has been delivering projects in Leicester for more than 150 years, so this is a project we’re particularly invested in. “We’re working to quite a tight, complex site so the plans – as well as the delivery itself – has had its challenges. We managed to negotiate this by an organised road closure, with a significant level of traffic management in place and the installation of tower cranes. “It has been important to consider how the development would fit into the local area so we’ve been working closely with the architects – Leach Rhodes Walker and Stephen George Partnership – to make sure that the look and feel of the city remains but is suitably enhanced and the public realm is improved upon. “Energy efficiency has been considered as being of paramount importance for new hotels. The lifecycle of the buildings has been taken into account, with future maintenance and running costs factoring into the designs to ensure that it makes as little environmental impact as possible – while remaining aesthetically pleasing. “From an M&E perspective, the designs included thermal modelling, which benefitted from the concrete mass of the building. Daylight analysis was also used throughout which influenced the final façade treatment. “We also had to factor in the acoustic elements of the individual rooms and conference facilities, which all have stringent planned noise and straight noise levels to ensure that the guests’ experience is the best it can be. The ground floors of each building really do have the ‘wow factor’, creating a strong first impression upon guests and feature creative uses of lighting and architectural features. “As a multi-disciplinary practice, with considerable experience in the hotel and leisure sectors, we’ve saved time and money through efficiencies gained by integrated working practices that are very specialist and not widely used in the industry. “We’re incredibly proud to be involved with this project and look forward to seeing the new hotels in use next year, bringing more tourism and business into the city.”
Huddersfield-based truck rental specialists Mac’s Truck Rental are celebrating a successful first half of to the year, following their well-publicised site move to a new custom facility on Crosland Road. Mac’s Truck Rental hail their success as a direct result of the improved services they now offer. This provides businesses across the UK with access to trucks built specific to their needs, with mounted cranes, custom bodies and more. In fact, the business has seen an increased number of local clients, with the local construction industry thriving in recent months. Industrial and commercial property projects are on the rise, and this is where the contract hire Mac’s Trucks offer can provide a significant benefit to businesses, explains Selena McDade-Smith, Head of Rental: “Mac’s Trucks has always been known for the quality of their service, and the huge capability of our team. When we originally established Mac’s Truck Rental, that was a key consideration in deciding on the contact hire option we provide for truck financing. This means that when businesses lease a truck from us, they still get access to our incredible service all as part of their truck hire – which includes servicing, maintenance, and breakdown assistance, because of the customer-focused contract hire option we provide.” The truck hire-specialist’s approach has been recognised as part of the BVRLA, the British Vehicle Renting and Leasing Association, the leading trade body for vehicle rental. After consistent year on year growth, Mac’s Truck Rental is now launching a standalone website, offering businesses more information on the trucks they can hire, as well as the custom-build facilities available from their new HQ. [URL: https://macstruckrental.co.uk] Mac’s Truck Rental continue to invest in their fleet and premises, providing another positive story for local industry.
Britain’s leading rail freight company, DB Cargo UK, has announced that thanks to a three-year deal with SSE Business Energy, all of its rail sites and offices will be powered by 100% renewable electricity. “Our customers have long understood the environmental benefits of moving their goods via rail rather than road; however our customers are increasingly more environmentally aware, with ‘green issues’ becoming prominent on their daily agendas. This initiative not only demonstrates DB Cargo’s understanding of our customers’ requirements but also supports DB Cargo’s vision for global sustainability,” said Roger Neary, Head of Sales at DB Cargo UK. As part of the agreement, SSE Business Energy will supply all sites belonging to DB Cargo UK and will allow the rail freight company to report zero carbon emission electricity, preventing an estimated 5,000 tonnes of CO2e from entering the atmosphere each year. This volume of saved carbon is the equivalent to powering almost 4,000 homes with green electricity or taking approximately 17 million miles driven by an average car off the road. “This is a massive step forward to improving our impact on the environment. We are committed to work with our suppliers to support our DB2020+ Group global strategy to become an Eco-Pioneer by 2020,” said Andrea Jones, Head of Procurement at DB Cargo UK. In order to identify and evaluate supplier options and arrange the deal, DB Cargo UK worked with Schneider Electric, as well as DB Schenker UK and Arriva UK Group. The rail freight company ultimately selected SSE Business Energy based on price and additional services. “As technologies advance and prices fall, renewables make good business sense, but with an array of options, finding the right source and supplier and negotiating favourable terms, can be daunting. Through a rigorous selection process, DB Cargo made a milestone investment that serves its customers, communities and long-term operational needs,” explained Andy Dewis, Vice President of Energy & Sustainability Service at Schneider Electric.
Construction permission was given to Sir Robert McAlpine for the next phase of Manchester’s Citylabs biomedical research campus. Following the successful pre-let on the Citylab 2.0 building from global diagnostics firm QIAGEN, joint venture developers Manchester Science Partnerships and Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust received approval for the next phase. “We are proud to be part of the partnership that has led to this hugely important deal for our great city, and a thrilled that our long-standing customer QIAGEN has chosen our Citylabs 2.0 for their new home as they make this significant expansion,” said Tom Renn, Managing Director of Manchester Science Partnerships. Subject to the completion of further design work and funding being secured, the partners intend to move forward with Citylabs 3.0 as soon as possible. Together, the projects will involve an investment of approximately £60 million in the heart of Manchester’s Innovation District. Citylabs 2.0 and 3.0 will be located on the corner of Oxford Road and Hathersage Road, opposite Whitworth Park, with the £30 million Citylabs 2.0 comprising 89.500 sq ft of lab and office space.The first £25 million phase of the scheme was completed by Lendlease in 2014. “With our joint venture partner, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we are excited to progress our £60 million, 220,000 sq ft Citylabs campus extension which will enable the creation of a world-leading precision medicine campus in Manchester,” added Tom Renn. Manchester Science Partnerships (MSP) is the UK’s leading provider of specialist environments and growth support to science and technology companies on their journey to business success. With campus facilities across Manchester and Cheshire, they offer incubation, laboratory, office and meeting space for businesses at all the different stages of their lifecycle, from start-up to global corporate. As a partnership business comprising key education, research and clinical organisations across the Manchester city region, MSP’s wider network connects it into initiatives across the whole of the UK, providing unrivalled access to funding, markets, talent supply and professional services.
London’s canals have seen in the last forty years a great resurgence, but, at the same time, they have also been used for leisure and alternative living more than their originally intended purpose. The ongoing housing crisis has made many property owners view setting up a home in a floating boat a viable option. Ex-industrial areas are continuously being developed and barges are being overlooked as a viable way to transport away construction waste and bring in materials. Two examples of this situation are two large canal-side development projects that could easily incorporate the waterways into their efforts – Enfield Meridian Water Development and Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation. As HGVs are causing a vastly disproportionate amount of cyclist road deaths, getting freight off the roads would be safer, would reduce traffic and their environmental impact, with water transport only using around a quarter of the energy of an equivalent road journey. A brief glimmer of hope was seen when Stratford was identified as the site for the 2012 Olympics. The area around the proposed park is riddled with canals and backwaters, perfect for heavy freight. Despite promising noises and the building of a new lock at Three Mills, which opened up a route to processing plants along the Thames Estuary, this option was not engaged with in any meaningful way. The long hoped-for revival of waterways freight never happened and with the privatisation of the canals, it seems even further away. Moreover, the Canal and River Trust (CRT), the charity that now managed England and Wales’s canals, does little to encourage waterborne freight. A concerted EU effort has seen a great resurgence in freight borne on inland waterways in mainland Europe, but unfortunately nothing comparable is happening on this side of the Channel. However, this is not due to a lack of options, as the UK has the infrastructure in place already. It is just a matter of using it.
The £14.2 million expansion project of a primary school in London has been offered to Morgan Sindall. The project will allow Tufnell Park Primary School to double its capacity from 315 pupils to 630 pupils by 2025. “Tufnell Park is a well-established and much-loved part of a growing community in Islington and we’re delighted to be working together with Islington Council on our third school in the last two years. The new building will enable teachers and staff to continue to deliver an outstanding teaching experience for pupils, ensuring that every child is given the best start to their educational journey,” said Richard Dobson, Area Director at Morgan Sindall’s London office. “Our project team is extremely experienced and adept at delivering high-quality education projects, often working in logistically challenging urban environments across London, and on live sites. We will bring this knowledge to bear on this development, doing our utmost to minimise disruption, engage both school users and the local community and manage the project to a high standard to ensure the journey to completion is a positive one for all stakeholders,” he added. The new building will feature bright and spacious interior with light wells reaching up three floors in the main corridor, as well as double-height foyer with a glass-fronted library designed to give an impressive, inspirational feel to the entrance space. Designed to create a new ‘heart’ at the centre of the school building, the library is located near the main entrance to encourage visitors and the wider community to celebrate learning.The new multi-use games area (MUGA) and halls will be available to both the school and local residents for community use outside of the school day. “Tufnell Park primary school is hugely popular with local families and rightfully so,” said Cllr Joe Caluori. “With strong demand for school places here, we wanted to make sure the expanded school would create a high-quality, pleasant and airy learning environment that helps to get the best out of pupils and teachers – and with facilities and spaces that are fit for the future, too. I am already looking forward to taking a tour of the finished building.” The new building is expected to be completed by the spring of 2020.
