Citu and Sheffield City Council have announced a development agreement for the Attercliffe Waterside project. The 23-acre urban regeneration scheme by Citu, which will transform brownfield land either side of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, will be one of the largest zero carbon communities in the UK, featuring more than
The owners of one of the first Build-to-Rent (BTR) properties in Edinburgh is embarking on a major drive to improve energy performance across its flagship development as it looks to enhance its sustainability credentials while reducing energy bills for residents. Kingsford Group has secured a dedicated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
The University of Derby has chosen construction firm Kier to build a new business school in Derby city centre. The new business school is 9317m2 and is planned to include a 233-seat auditorium, a stock market financial trading room, a creativity lab, an extended reality (XR) suite and a range
Wates has started refurbishment works at Ada’s new London Victoria campus, transforming a former secondary school into a National College for Digital Skills. Established in Tottenham in 2016 to address the talent shortage and lack of diversity in the digital industries by creating a diverse pipeline of talent, Ada is
A ribbon-cutting ceremony has marked the opening of a brand-new show home in the historic market town of Holsworthy. The Raglan show home is part of the final phase at Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes’ Market Place development of 19 three and four-bedroom family homes. Paul Furner, Director of Sales and Marketing, performed the ribbon-cutting welcoming homebuyers
Magnox is set to commence a major decommissioning project to clean-up and demolish four ‘blower house’ superstructures that surround Berkeley site’s two reactor buildings. Ross McAllister, Magnox programme delivery director said: “This is one of the largest decommissioning projects that Berkeley site has seen for several years. It was originally
National homebuilder Keepmoat has marked the start on site for its 300 new homes development, Stirling Fields, at Northstowe, Cambridgeshire’s newest town. Following completion of a Building Lease with Homes England, construction is starting at Stirling Fields, with the housing stock consisting of one and two-bedroom apartments, alongside a selection
Macfarlane Place, the affordable housing development at Television Centre, tops out today, with Peabody set to launch the new homes available through Shared Ownership in Autumn 2023. Remaining works are on track for a scheduled final completion in Q1 2024, following commencement of works in March 2023 by Kier, of
Build-To-Rent (BTR) provider Placefirst is set to invest in the delivery of 220 homes in Sunderland. Placefirst has been appointed as Preferred Development Partner by Sunderland City Council to deliver 140 new homes at Farringdon Row, the second residential neighbourhood within the transformative Riverside Sunderland masterplan. The sustainable new community
ilke Homes will deliver up to 449 highly energy-efficient homes in Kent, in partnership with housing association The Riverside Group. Subject to Reserved Matters planning approval from Thanet District Council, ilke Homes plans to deliver a mix of houses and apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms across a mix
Citu and Sheffield City Council have announced a development agreement for the Attercliffe Waterside project. The 23-acre urban regeneration scheme by Citu, which will transform brownfield land either side of the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal, will be one of the largest zero carbon communities in the UK, featuring more than 1,000 homes alongside climate conscious creative workspaces, an arts venue and retail opportunities to bring the neighbourhood to life. Developer Citu has major ambitions for the scheme to set new standards of sustainability for Yorkshire, building on its multi-award-winning treatment of previously vacant or derelict brownfield land which include low-carbon residential neighbourhoods in Kelham Island, and the Climate Innovation District to the south of Leeds city centre. Citu will submit plans for phase one of the scheme in the coming weeks, which will include over 400 new homes and the conversion of existing buildings to form extensive arts, leisure and workspace opportunities. The houses will be built using Citu’s ground-breaking timber-framed housing system, combining bold architecture with flexible designs, exceptional spaces and sustainable, low carbon materials to ensure the highest standards of energy efficiency. The first phase will develop the heart of the district transforming existing buildings into the new neighbourhood’s cultural centre with bars, an independent bakery and art studios. Extensive remediation works will now get underway, with new infrastructure installed before construction work commences on site in 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The owners of one of the first Build-to-Rent (BTR) properties in Edinburgh is embarking on a major drive to improve energy performance across its flagship development as it looks to enhance its sustainability credentials while reducing energy bills for residents. Kingsford Group has secured a dedicated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Improvement Loan from Secure Trust Bank (STB) Real Estate Finance to achieve a minimum EPC rating of C across a number of luxury apartments at its historic Kingsford Residence. The Edwardian building, which was converted into 74 luxury apartments in 2017, boasts a gym, roof garden and co-working business space. Following the sharp rise in energy costs and a desire to protect residents, Kingsford Group commissioned an EPC assessment to establish the measures that would need to be introduced in order to raise energy performance of the building. The EPC Improvement Loan from Secure Trust Bank will fund the installation of secondary glazing in collaboration with Perth-based Glaze & Save, specialists in bespoke magnetic secondary glazing for listed buildings. Once upgraded to an EPC C-rating, further measures will be introduced such as solar panels, community battery and heat pump technology. The partnership between STB and Kingsford Estates dates back to 2018, with STB Head of Origination, Matthew-Blaine Young and Kingsford Group’s CEO, Alex Watts agreeing the 12-month EPC loan off the back of a strong working relationship. A testament to the like-mindedness of the pair, the deal took just two weeks to complete, with the wheels already in motion on retrofitting the upgrades to the property. Alex Watts, CEO of Kingsford Group, said: “The loan we’ve agreed from Secure Trust Bank is essential to our ambitions to transform the energy performance of The Kingsford Residence towards fully renewable net-zero operation. As a landlord you have the ability to make a difference. Fundamentally, our team and clients care about the future of the planet and this means exceeding minimum standards wherever possible. “Matthew at Secure Trust Bank understood my desire to make the right decisions for people and the planet, which is why there was no doubt in my mind that the EPC Improvement Loan was the best option. Not only do we want to continue leading the way in the Scottish BTR market, we want to do it in an environmentally positive way – changing the industry through changing opinions on the value of eco-friendly development.” Secure Trust Bank’s EPC Improvement Loan, which is available to the bank’s existing customers, is designed to help residential landlords remediate their property portfolios with energy-saving solutions. The new product is an extension (top-up) to existing loans, providing fixed sums of £6,500 and £13,000 for EPC D and EPC E-rated assets respectively. Matthew-Blaine Young, Head of Origination at Secure Trust Bank Real Estate Finance, added: “Given anticipated regulatory changes and pressure on residents’ living costs, we want to help landlords prepare and overcome associated challenges. Our commitment to environmental responsibility is why we were one of the first banks to offer an EPC-specific product, and Alex epitomises the kind of property developer we love to work with in every way.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The University of Derby has chosen construction firm Kier to build a new business school in Derby city centre. The new business school is 9317m2 and is planned to include a 233-seat auditorium, a stock market financial trading room, a creativity lab, an extended reality (XR) suite and a range of social collaborative study spaces and quiet contemplation areas. The school will also feature a café on the ground floor. The new building is projected to be the study base for more than 6,000 students by 2030 and will provide a link between local businesses and the wider community. Two levels of the building will be open to the public, allowing students, academics, researchers and University staff to work alongside businesses co-located in the school as well as with the wider business community. This will support and nurture growth, knowledge exchange and idea generation. Andrew Bevan, Interim Director of Estates at the University of Derby, said: “The development of the business school is a catalyst for the regeneration of our city hub site. “I’m delighted that we have entered into a contract with Kier to deliver this landmark building, which is part of the University’s broader vision to expand its reach and reputation across the UK and globally.” Colina Wright, CEO of the Union of Students at the University of Derby, added: “As a Union, we are delighted to be involved in this project and are both passionate and committed to ensuring the student voice is reflected throughout. “We have been impressed with discussions about student involvement and wider conversations about giving back to the community through employment and internship opportunities as well as considerations for sustainability and city regeneration. I am motivated by what this project can do for the city but more importantly for our students, during their time at Derby and beyond. I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the University and its partners as the project develops.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wates has started refurbishment works at Ada’s new London Victoria campus, transforming a former secondary school into a National College for Digital Skills. Established in Tottenham in 2016 to address the talent shortage and lack of diversity in the digital industries by creating a diverse pipeline of talent, Ada is a pioneering college and charity for young people aged 16-24, with 97% of its alumni working in tech or studying advanced degrees. The project, carried out for the Department of Education (DfE), involves upgrading the building with the latest digital technology education facilities. The Wates project will ready for teaching to start at Ada’s new campus for the Autumn 2023 term. Workshops will be converted into IT suites for the college’s core computing qualifications and lecture theatres will replace traditional classrooms. Plans also include a cafe, sports hall, gym and roof terrace with views over London. Ada is working to remove the glass ceiling for women and encourage individuals from low-income and ethnic minority backgrounds into the tech industry. Students benefit from a diverse curriculum, opening doors into a variety of careers in fields such as cybersecurity, animation and data analytics. Ada has reached its capacity due to the number of students wanting to enrol and take their first step towards an exciting career in the tech sector. The new Victoria location not only offers more in terms of facilities, it also provides a wider geographical reach for future learners and employer partners. The new building will also allow Ada to double their learner numbers in the coming years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A ribbon-cutting ceremony has marked the opening of a brand-new show home in the historic market town of Holsworthy. The Raglan show home is part of the final phase at Westcountry homebuilder Cavanna Homes’ Market Place development of 19 three and four-bedroom family homes. Paul Furner, Director of Sales and Marketing, performed the ribbon-cutting welcoming homebuyers into the show home. He said: “Cavanna Homes is celebrating 100 years of ‘Building Brilliance’ across the Westcountry, and what better way to start the year than with a brand-new show home opening! “Market Place is a fantastic place to live with all our new homes enjoying stunning rural views across the valley, plus the town centre is within walking distance and a primary and secondary school is close by. “We’ve had a great response to our new homes, and we encourage anyone looking to move to the area to come and step inside our beautiful show home to get a taste of what it’s like to live in this fantastic North Devon town.” The energy-efficient homes are adjacent to Cavanna Homes’ Market Quarter community on the site of Holsworthy’s old cattle market. The design and building materials will complement the town’s traditional architecture. The four-bedroom Raglan, which has been expertly dressed by interior stylists, Abode, showcases Cavanna Homes’ high specification of fixtures and fittings. The show home has an open plan kitchen / dining area with modern, energy-efficient fitted appliances, a convenient utility room, and a master bedroom with an en-suite. There is a range of three and four-bedroom homes available at Market Place, all with a garage and driveway parking. Sales Advisor, Teresa Arden said: “We’re excited to have officially opened the doors to our gorgeous show home at Market Place, which offers our new homeowners a delightful blend of town and country.” Market Place is close to rolling hills and wooded valleys, perfect for walking, cycling and horse riding. Residents also benefit from the town centre being within walking distance where there are shops, tea rooms, a library, post office, leisure centre and weekly farmers’ market. There is also a play area and open green space in the development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Magnox is set to commence a major decommissioning project to clean-up and demolish four ‘blower house’ superstructures that surround Berkeley site’s two reactor buildings. Ross McAllister, Magnox programme delivery director said: “This is one of the largest decommissioning projects that Berkeley site has seen for several years. It was originally planned for the 2070’s so it is fantastic to bring that forward by five decades in our aim to deliver our mission better, faster and even safer. “The blower houses circulated gas through the reactors to transfer heat into 310 tonne boilers to create steam to turn the turbines and generate electricity. The last of the 15 gigantic metal boilers was transported to Sweden for cleaning, smelting and recycling in 2013. “The buildings will be emptied of the residual metallic low-level waste and undergo a full asbestos clean before being demolished. The work is expected to take eight years to complete and will be another major step forwards in sustainably decommissioning Berkeley site with our supply chain partners.” Following extensive procurement exercises, Altrad have been awarded a £30.8m contract for the design, asbestos removal, deplant, demolition and construction works in and around the blower houses and will be supported by other Celadon alliance companies including: • Veolia KDC Decommissioning Services • NSG Environmental • OBR Construction • Mammoet • Cavendish Nuclear Kevin Williamson, Altrad’s General Manager for Magnox, said: “We are delighted to have secured this major decommissioning contract at Berkeley which encompasses the retrieval and cleaning of the primary circuit ductwork and miscellaneous steelwork from the blower houses, prior to their demolition – including the processing of the spring hangers from the lubrication pits, which need to be de-energised and made safe before they can be cleaned.” Nuclear Decommissioning Authority operating company, Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) were awarded a £13.7m contract to manage 2,400 tonnes of metallic waste. Carly Sutton, WMS Consultant and Magnox Relationship Manager, NWS commented: “Through our metallic waste treatment service and working with our supply chain partner Augean we will establish a waste handling compound at Berkeley to provide a safe and secure undercover area where the metallic waste can be processed before it leaves the site for treatment. “Removal of legacy metals from the Berkeley blower houses is significant not only in terms of achieving hazard reduction, but also good for environmental performance – as the high-quality steel removed will be treated, recycled and returned to the metal market for reuse.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
National homebuilder Keepmoat has marked the start on site for its 300 new homes development, Stirling Fields, at Northstowe, Cambridgeshire’s newest town. Following completion of a Building Lease with Homes England, construction is starting at Stirling Fields, with the housing stock consisting of one and two-bedroom apartments, alongside a selection of two, three and four bedroom homes. A full range of tenures are available on the 300 homes, 60 percent of which are affordable homes including Affordable Rent, Discounted Market Sale, and traditional Market Sale, to provide a balanced community. Adam Knight, Regional Managing Director, commented: “Following the exchange of contracts on the project, we’re absolutely delighted that planning permission has been secured and we can begin construction on Stirling Fields. It’s an honour to have the opportunity to contribute to one of England’s newest towns, particularly as it aligns so closely with our values in terms of sustainability, integrating modern methods of construction, and providing affordable homes to the people that really need them.” Keepmoat was selected by Homes England as the development partner to deliver part of the second phase of the new town which is located on former RAF military land. Graham Hyslop, Regional Director for Homes England said: “This is another step forward for Northstowe as more homes are started across Homes England’s land on this flagship development. This current milestone contributes towards building the community of Northstowe which in total will see more than 10,000 homes, eight schools, a new town centre with multiple facilities and open spaces provided. We are looking forward to seeing the community grow further and more people calling Northstowe home.” The sustainable development supports a low carbon community lifestyle and Keepmoat is building the homes using closed panel timber frame construction, while the apartments will be constructed traditionally in a brick and block cavity walling. All housing stock has been designed to the Nationally Described Space Standard using sustainable and modern construction methods. South Cambridgeshire District Council’s Lead Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr John Batchelor, said: “We’re pleased to have been selected as the provider of the affordable homes within this part of Northstowe. We’re looking forwards to finalising the arrangements with Keepmoat Homes, including the purchase of a commercial unit which will provide almost 200 metres of business space below some of the affordable homes. It’s also hugely positive how ourselves, Keepmoat Homes and Homes England have worked in partnership to deliver a unique product in the form of Northstowe discount market homes, which not only provide affordable housing but will also help us as a Council invest in more affordable homes in the future.” Residents of the town will have access to a town centre, sports pavilions, community spaces, and a heritage building to showcase the area’s vast history and archaeological works. Smart metres, solar panels, cycle lanes and electric vehicle charging stations are also available to ensure sustainable living is at the heart of Northstowe. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Macfarlane Place, the affordable housing development at Television Centre, tops out today, with Peabody set to launch the new homes available through Shared Ownership in Autumn 2023. Remaining works are on track for a scheduled final completion in Q1 2024, following commencement of works in March 2023 by Kier, of a collection of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, including wheelchair-adaptable homes, with new public realm and retail space retained by the Joint Venture of Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan UK fronting Wood Lane. The development also benefits from a landscaped communal podium garden and communal terrace. “The development of Macfarlane Place is on track for completion early 2024 to provide Hammersmith & Fulham with much needed affordable housing. We are proud to be working alongside Kier and Peabody to complete these new homes as part of the redevelopment of Television Centre,” said Jonathan Trout, Property and Commercial Director at Stanhope. The development benefits from excellent transport links, an abundance of retail access and world-class education facilities in White City. Situated on the iconic Television Centre site, the development is situated in a rich social and cultural community with an established employment hub. This latest residential development at Television Centre from Stanhope and Mitsui Fudosan UK and designed by architects Maccreanor Lavington will provide 142 new affordable homes, out of a total 950 homes, on the site of the former BBC multi-story car park opposite Westfield. The new buildings will provide 71 London Affordable Rent, 34 London Living Rent and 37 homes for Shared Ownership. “We are looking forward to the launch of Macfarlane Place at Television Centre later this year, a significant addition to the local residential community. The timely delivery of the development is a successful milestone in the regeneration of White City,” added Tomoo Nakamura, Chief Executive at Mitsui Fudosan UK. With energy-efficient heating systems, climate control and excellent insulation, all apartments will be rated as a B or above for energy performance. Photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roofs of both buildings will generate electricity for shared areas and services, while the thoughtful planting of outdoor areas will provide residents with green spaces and encourage wildlife to flourish. “Marking this important project milestone alongside Mitsui, Stanhope and Kier is an exciting moment for us. Macfarlane Place is a fantastic example of our commitment to provide affordable homes, whilst creating diverse, thriving communities in the heart of London. The 142 affordable homes will include our first homes for London Living Rent, alongside homes for Shared Ownership and London Affordable Rent. The excellent design by architects Maccreanor Lavington and the impressive green credentials developed in close collaboration with our partners will create high quality new homes, which will help residents to live lower-carbon lives at this iconic development,” concluded Simon Barry, Regional Managing Director at Peabody. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Build-To-Rent (BTR) provider Placefirst is set to invest in the delivery of 220 homes in Sunderland. Placefirst has been appointed as Preferred Development Partner by Sunderland City Council to deliver 140 new homes at Farringdon Row, the second residential neighbourhood within the transformative Riverside Sunderland masterplan. The sustainable new community will benefit from views across the Wear and the regenerated Riverside Park and support the diversification of the housing offer and repopulation of the city centre. Placefirst will deliver an exemplar BTR neighbourhood of high-quality energy efficient homes specially designed for long term rent. It will also feature a network of communal and public open spaces that will enhance connectivity throughout the new Riverside Sunderland community. The project team will include locally based architects IDP, development consultants Identity Consult and landscape architects Southern Green. A planning application is anticipated later in the year, with development planned to start in spring 2024. “We are excited to be working in partnership with Sunderland City Council on these projects and building on our existing track record of creating high-quality neighbourhoods in this region. The Riverside Sunderland masterplan is one of the most ambitious residential regeneration projects in the UK and Farringdon Row and Nile Villiers will play a big part in setting the standard for BTR developments throughout the North East. We look forward to progressing with the plans and bringing both these schemes to life, bringing much needed quality new rental homes to the area,” said David Mawson, chief executive officer at Placefirst. Placefirst manage every aspect of their neighbourhoods, from the first rental enquiry through to fully maintaining each home with an on-site presence once complete. Residents at Farringdon Row would benefit from skilled, friendly in-house teams, and dedicated resident services managers. Placefirst will also support Sunderland City Council and its partners in the funding and delivery of up to 80 homes at Nile and Villiers in Sunniside, which Placefirst will then own and manage. The scheme forms part of the Council’s City Centre Housing Ecosystem which received support from Round 1 of the Levelling Up Fund. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ilke Homes will deliver up to 449 highly energy-efficient homes in Kent, in partnership with housing association The Riverside Group. Subject to Reserved Matters planning approval from Thanet District Council, ilke Homes plans to deliver a mix of houses and apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms across a mix of tenures – including social rent, shared ownership and build-to-rent. ilke Homes and The Riverside group are collaborating to finalise the proposals and will be submitting for Reserved Matters planning in the next month. Subject to planning, a start on site is anticipated in early in 2024. Being delivered on a 21-acre site owned by The Riverside Group, most of the homes will be manufactured offsite at ilke Homes’ 250,000 sq ft factory in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, where ilke Homes deploys precision-engineering techniques along production lines to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient homes. Selected via a procurement exercise managed by EN Procure Ltd, ilke Homes were chosen because of the company’s ability to deliver value for money, and a quality product whilst unlocking an accelerated delivery programme. ilke Homes will deliver the site under its ‘design and build’ offering, by which it gains planning permission, manufactures the homes and develops the site. This vertically integrated approach will help control build costs and speed up construction programmes. Precision-engineering techniques mean that ilke Homes will be able to deliver the 449 homes in half the time of traditional methods, thanks to most of the construction stage taking place offsite. By manufacturing offsite, the homes delivered will be of the highest quality, as ilke Homes is able to benchmark standards at numerous stages of the build cycle. By harnessing artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital design, the modular housing company is capable of creating homes that are incredibly well insulated, meaning less heat escapes, consequently reducing bills. This will help reduce household bills for tenants, who are the most likely to be affected by the cost-of-living crisis, while minimising operating costs for The Riverside Group. ilke Homes will be submitting a Reserved Matters planning application to Thanet District Council at the end April and subject to planning, anticipate starting work on site in early 2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
