Sovini Construction, part of The Sovini Group, has been appointed to LHC’s £1bn new build housing framework (H2) which will deliver public sector construction projects across England. Following the appointment to the framework, Sovini Construction will have access to a wide range of exciting projects until 2026 as part of
Tellon Capital have appointed Henry Construction Projects Limited as the main contractor for the construction phase on their site at 40 Broadway in the heart of Westminster. The 40 Broadway site originally comprised a mid-1960s office building at 40/48 Broadway with large car park, 1920s “warehouse” style building at 1/11 Carteret Street
National planning consultancy Boyer (part of Leaders Romans Group)has secured a positive resolution to approve planning permission on behalf of Hebburn Riverside Development Ltd for the development of 446 homes, community and commercial space at the former Hawthorne Leslie Shipyard on Ellison Street in Hebburn. This resolution was achieved at
The transformation of a brownfield site in Altrincham is being supported with a £23.25 million loan from Trafford Council. Network Space Developments is set to regenerate the former Cartwright headquarters on Atlantic Street into a mixture of high-quality refurbished space, alongside new builds, creating a modern, multi-let industrial site designed
Prologis UK, a leading logistics property company, has announced it will speculatively develop two new logistics centres at Prologis RFI DIRFT in Northamptonshire – a park recognised as the most successful intermodal road-rail hub in the UK. Designed to best-in-class sustainability standards, both buildings – DC327, with a floorspace of
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) forecasts that it will spend £20.7 billion on new grant funded homes through three rounds of the Affordable Homes Programme between 2015 and 2032.1 However, the Department could be more ambitious in how the Programme supports wider government objectives, such as
The latest research by Unlatch, the new homes sales progression and aftercare platform for developers and housebuilders, has revealed which local authorities have seen the highest level of house building when it comes to residential development as a percentage of total space available. Unlatch analysed each area of England based
Urban Edge Architecture has been granted planning permission by Birmingham City Council for a new industrial distribution warehouse on the Erdington Industrial Estate on behalf of Hermes Fund Managers. The building will potentially be divided into two units of high-end warehouse space, with office space for each at mezzanine level.
Oxford University Property Development (OUPD), the joint venture bringing together the land, vision and opportunities of Oxford University with the investment and development management skills of Legal & General, has announced today (31 August 2022) that Mace has been appointed to deliver the next phase of development at Begbroke Science
FIRETHORN TRUST LAYS THE GROUND FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION WITH CARBON-SAVING AT PETERBOROUGH DEVELOPMENT In line with Firethorn’s commitment to be a market leader in sustainable development, the three-unit scheme will feature innovative products and an advanced specification for occupiers, setting the standard for future logistics. As part of its ongoing
Sovini Construction, part of The Sovini Group, has been appointed to LHC’s £1bn new build housing framework (H2) which will deliver public sector construction projects across England. Following the appointment to the framework, Sovini Construction will have access to a wide range of exciting projects until 2026 as part of the deal. The framework offers a range of traditional housing solutions to the public sector, as well as low, medium, and high-rise construction, care homes, mixed-use sites and sheltered, student and key worker accommodation. In addition, the framework also provides a focus on creating net-zero homes which Sovini Construction proudly back through their own Group’s Net-Zero Carbon Commitment. LHC is a not-for-profit, central purchasing body providing procurement services across England, Scotland and Wales. Dean Fazackerley, Head of Technical Procurement at LHC, said: “The new H2 framework in England will equip providers to meet ongoing housing challenges within the public sector, addressing local housing demand while maintaining momentum in their journey towards the production of zero carbon homes. It’s hugely important that we continue to respond to the housing needs of local populations while at the same time looking to the future, creating healthier environments that embody social, human, and environmental considerations.” LHC frameworks are used by over 700 publicly funded organisations including local authorities, housing associations, registered social landlords, tenant management organisations, education authorities, publicly funded schools, further education authorities, NHS bodies and other publicly funded organisations. Sovini Construction has been successfully appointed their North West new build housing projects up to value of £10m. Steve Parrington, Managing Director of Sovini Construction, said: “The LHC framework provides a flexible and efficient procurement route for local authorities and social housing landlords. We are proud to have secured our place on their North West new build framework. “We look forward to strengthening our relationship with the LHC to deliver vital infrastructure for communities across the North West and working with local supply chain partners to leave lasting legacies in the areas in which we work”. Sovini Construction are delighted to partner with LHC, one of the UK’s leading, not-for-profit procurement consortiums within the built environment. To learn about the positive impact Sovini Construction in creating across the North west visit – https://sovini.co.uk/construction/ or follow them on LinkedIn @Soviniconstruction
Tellon Capital have appointed Henry Construction Projects Limited as the main contractor for the construction phase on their site at 40 Broadway in the heart of Westminster. The 40 Broadway site originally comprised a mid-1960s office building at 40/48 Broadway with large car park, 1920s “warehouse” style building at 1/11 Carteret Street and a further 1980s office building at 13/15 Carteret Street. Tellon secured planning permission in 2018 for a comprehensive redevelopment. The scheme proposes complete redevelopment to create a distinct office building providing approximately 135,000 sqft GIA of new high quality bespoke accommodation in this sought after location. The scheme includes a series of terraces at various levels with views across St James’s Park. Demolition of the existing buildings is now nearing completion and Henry Construction Projects Limited have been appointed for the construction phase to bring the proposed plans to reality from the end of October. Tellon Capital was established in 2014 and via the acquisition of high quality investments patiently unlocks asset potential and has developed a reputation for delivering high level returns through innovative and well executed asset management initiatives. James Burchell, a partner at Tellon said “We are excited about delivering a top quality ESG compliant office building in this prime location and are thrilled to have appointed Henry Construction Projects Limited to be our main contractor for the construction phase at 40 Broadway. Their focus on delivering many services in-house means we can deliver a scheme of the highest standards. We look forward to working with them” Henry is one of the UK’s leading construction firms. Their focus is on using traditional building techniques and modern methods of construction and can now deliver between 50-70% of the trades in-house. Mark Henry, Director of Henry Construction Projects Limited said “We are delighted to have been appointed as main contractor for the construction of new offices at 40 Broadway. We look forward to delivering a high quality scheme in a prime location.”
National planning consultancy Boyer (part of Leaders Romans Group)has secured a positive resolution to approve planning permission on behalf of Hebburn Riverside Development Ltd for the development of 446 homes, community and commercial space at the former Hawthorne Leslie Shipyard on Ellison Street in Hebburn. This resolution was achieved at South Tyneside’s Planning Committee on Monday 5 September. The development will represent a significant regeneration project, transforming the 3.7ha former dockyard into a vibrant new community with homes, flexible community spaces, shop and restaurant. The new community will be set in an attractively landscaped setting on the banks of the River Tyne. A range of community uses, including ‘pop up’ uses, are envisaged for the new pavilion building, which will also host a permanent exhibition depicting the rich history of the site. The design has been influenced by the site’s shipbuilding heritage: the design of the larger scale apartment buildings pays homage to the ships that were once constructed within the shipyard, with design elements providing subtle references to marine construction. The houses will reflect the Victorian style of architecture found elsewhere in Hebburn. In acknowledgement to the site’s important wartime history, it is proposed that the development is named ‘Kelly’s Yard’ in honour of the World War II K-class destroyer, HMS Kelly, which was built and launched at the site in 1938. HMS Kelly was named after the Admiral of the Fleet, Sir John Kelly. Phillip Allin, Director of planning consultancy Boyer said, ‘We are delighted to have achieved this positive outcome which will lead to the transformation of this brownfield site bringing a vacant and inaccessible section of the riverside back into active use, creating a vibrant and sustainable community though an appropriate mix of much-needed homes and community uses. ‘The new scheme will result in the remediation of this former industrial site, making it safe for future generations. It will ensure the protection of local mudflats and saltmarshes which are of importance ecologically, and reduce the pressure on the Green Belt – a significant consideration in the emerging Local Plan.’ Mark Russell and Barry Holmes of LDA Design conceived and masterplanned the vision for the redevelopment, supported by consultants Design Division, Tetra Tech, Wardell Armstrong, Andy Clay Consulting, UES ecology, GIA, Ollio, Purcell, Turner Townsend, Avison Young and RPS. –
The transformation of a brownfield site in Altrincham is being supported with a £23.25 million loan from Trafford Council. Network Space Developments is set to regenerate the former Cartwright headquarters on Atlantic Street into a mixture of high-quality refurbished space, alongside new builds, creating a modern, multi-let industrial site designed to attract a variety of businesses. Known as Broadheath Networkcentre, some 205,000 sq ft of accommodation will be delivered across 25 units, with workspace available from 2,100 sq ft to 39,500 sq ft. The development has the capacity to create upwards of 400 new jobs and provide much needed speculative workspace in the region. Regional sub-contractors will be encouraged to become involved in the scheme, as well as local training and employment opportunities being provided during construction. Once complete, the scheme will have an estimated GDV of £45 million. A highly sustainable development, the scheme will target BREEAM Very Good and EPC A ratings. Existing steel and concrete structures on site will be reused and recycled, resulting in a significant reduction in embodied carbon within the development. Individual units are designed to accommodate photovoltaic panels to support renewable energy provision and electric vehicle charging will be provided across the entire scheme. As well as supporting Network Space Developments to bring forward the scheme, the loan from Trafford’s Investment Programme includes a number of conditions to promote environmental efficiency, on-site renewable power, electrical vehicle charging points, space for SME businesses and the use of local sub-contractors and apprentices. Cllr Liz Patel, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration, said: “The loan fits well with Trafford’s investment strategy and wider council goals, encouraging the creation of high quality employment space in-borough while requiring high environmental standards and social impacts, as well as providing income that can be reinvested in front line services. “The proposed quality of this scheme and the demand for this type of space from a range of businesses that want to move into or stay in Altrincham gives confidence that it will perform exceptionally well. We are pleased that the developer is re-using a number of existing buildings on site to create modern smaller units that will suit SME occupiers.” Dan Adamson, group finance director for Network Space, said: “We recognised the importance of this site to the local area when we acquired it just over a year ago. Since then, we have worked collaboratively with Trafford Council. This will be a best-in-class scheme and, together, we will maximise the positive impact of the project, delivering high quality employment space, jobs opportunities, inward investment and economic growth. “Planning consent is now in place to repurpose the existing buildings, alongside the delivery of new, energy efficient units. We have already received strong enquiries from a wide range of occupiers ranging from local businesses, trade occupiers to last mile urban logistics firms. “With a prospective occupier already in legals for the largest unit, the strength of the local market is very evident.” Network Space commenced the demolition in early May and is aiming for practical completion in spring 2023. The loan will be repaid in phases post completion. Jonathan Williams at Savills and Will Kenyon at B8 have been appointed as letting agents for Broadheath Networkcentre by Network Space. The wider professional team includes Walker Sime, project management and quantity surveying, AEW architects and Spawforths is the planning advisor.
Prologis UK, a leading logistics property company, has announced it will speculatively develop two new logistics centres at Prologis RFI DIRFT in Northamptonshire – a park recognised as the most successful intermodal road-rail hub in the UK. Designed to best-in-class sustainability standards, both buildings – DC327, with a floorspace of 327,044 sq. ft. and DC628, with a floorspace of 627,707 sq. ft. – will be net zero in construction. They are also targeting a BREEAM “Excellent” accreditation, an achievement less than 1 percent of new non-domestic buildings in the UK manage to achieve. In operation, both units will achieve an EPC A rating, including solar PV array installation which can flex to meet customers’ energy needs. Due to complete in summer 2023, the construction of these new logistics centres follows the development of a third rail terminal, linking to the existing DIRFT infrastructure and the West Coast Mainline railway. The site enjoys close proximity to the M1 and M6 motorways and to the A14 and A5 trunk roads. “This building is the exciting next step in our speculative development programme,” said Sally Duggleby, Vice President of Capital Deployment and Leasing, Prologis UK. “Our customers rely on us to provide modern, high-quality facilities in prime locations, and we work hard to anticipate their requirements.” The popularity of rail freight as part of a balanced, sustainable and resilient supply chain has grown over the past decade and today, over 6,500 trains – the equivalent of 200,000 freight containers – pass through the park each year. DIRFT is already home to household brands, such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco, and Prologis UK has recently built a new landmark facility for Royal Mail site, which serves as the company’s largest parcel hub in the UK.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) forecasts that it will spend £20.7 billion on new grant funded homes through three rounds of the Affordable Homes Programme between 2015 and 2032.1 However, the Department could be more ambitious in how the Programme supports wider government objectives, such as how it contributes to the government’s net-zero commitments, according to the National Audit Office (NAO). DLUHC intervenes in the housing market to try to ensure there is sufficient supply of affordable housing. The Affordable Homes Programme (the Programme)2 provides grant funding to housing providers in England to support the costs of delivering affordable homes. There are two main iterations of the Programme that are running concurrently, the 2016 programme and the 2021 programme. The NAO found that the Affordable Homes Programme’s targets have a focus on the number of new homes built. The 2021 programme has clear targets about the tenure (e.g. for rent or for sale) of housing it wants housing providers to provide, but there are few targets based on wider factors such as the quality or size of homes or environmental standards. DLUHC has not fully defined the wider outcomes it wants from the Programme, such as reductions in fuel poverty and the creation of mixed communities or set out what success would look like. There is a forecast shortfall of 32,000 in the number of homes to be delivered compared with published targets for the 2016 and 2021 programmes, as at May 2022. Under the 2016 programme, DLUHC forecasts it will achieve 96% of its target for housing starts, but some of these homes will not be built until 2032. DLUHC’s forecast is that Homes England and the Greater London Authority (GLA) will collectively achieve 241,000 starts, against a target of 250,000 starts, by March 2023 (this target includes some homes not directly funded through the Programme).3 Under the 2021 programme, DLUHC expects 157,000 new homes will complete by the time the programme has ended in 2028-29 compared with its target of ‘up to 180,000 should economic conditions allow’.4 It does not expect to meet sub-targets for supported homes (homes with support, supervision, or care provided alongside) and is at high risk of not meeting a sub-target for rural homes. There is also a risk that fewer homes are completed than currently forecast because of building cost inflation, a shortage of materials and labour and other challenges. The NAO found that DLUHC had inadequate oversight of the GLA in the 2015 and 2016 programmes. DLUHC receives performance reports from the GLA, but these contained insufficient information on GLA’s management of the Programme, for example lacking information on spending. In October 2021, DLUHC found that between April 2015 and October 2021, it had given the GLA £1.8 billion of funding which the GLA had committed but not yet used to pay housing providers. DLUHC accepts these payments were a basic error of programme management. DLUHC has started to make improvements to its governance and oversight of the Programme, including in data and performance reporting. There is a lack of strong incentives for housing providers to deliver affordable homes in areas of high housing need or in the most unaffordable areas. The Programme is not delivering a high proportion of affordable homes in areas that the Department assesses have high general housing need. In addition, housing providers are delivering fewer homes in more unaffordable areas, measured by the difference between local house prices and wages. The Programme could bring greater value to other parts of government. When designing the 2021 programme, DLUHC considered how it could generate cross-government benefits in relation to housing benefit spend, the number of people in temporary accommodation and adult social care. However, it did not include savings in temporary accommodation or adult social care costs from providing supported housing in its economic modelling. Potential savings in these areas are not factored into the way DLUHC allocates the Programme’s funding and the kind of homes delivered. If DLUHC used the Programme to deliver more affordable homes in London, this would lead to significantly higher savings on future housing benefit costs (including the housing element of universal credit). DLUHC and Homes England did not include any specific targets relating to reducing emissions under the 2021 programme. Before the end of 2022, the NAO recommends that the DLUHC should develop plans to mitigate the risk that the objectives for delivering affordable homes may not be achieved, and continue to improve its oversight of the Programme. For the next iteration of the Programme, DLUHC should consider what information it needs to improve its understanding of housing need in local areas, and review how the programme sets and monitors the Programme’s targets and sub targets and be clear how the Programme is contributing, when feasible, to wider government objectives, such as net zero and savings for other departments and local government. Gareth Davies, the head of the NAO, said: “Since 2015, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities has made improvements to the running of the Affordable Homes Programme, but there are still areas it needs to address. “It should reassess targets to ensure the Programme is delivering affordable homes in areas that need them the most. It should also use the Programme to bring about greater value to other parts of government, and advance wider efforts around net zero.”
The latest research by Unlatch, the new homes sales progression and aftercare platform for developers and housebuilders, has revealed which local authorities have seen the highest level of house building when it comes to residential development as a percentage of total space available. Unlatch analysed each area of England based on the total land area in hectares and what percentage of this land area has been attributed to developed use for residential properties. The research shows that the nation’s grand total land area is estimated to cover almost 13.3m hectares. Just 152,380 hectares of this land is also estimated to have been utilised for developed residential use, equating to just 1.1% of total land area. In the majority of regions this land usage for residential development remains fairly consistent with the national average, with the South West home to the lowest level at 0.7%. Outside of London, the North West and South East are home to the highest levels at 1.4%, but in the capital itself, this climbs to 10.1%. No surprise then, that the capital’s boroughs account for the most built up property markets in the nation. In Kensington and Chelsea, 22.3% of the borough’s total land area has been utilised for residential development. Islington isn’t far behind, where a fifth of the borough has been developed for residential homes, with Lambeth (18.2%), Hackney (17.6%) and Hammersmith and Fulham (17.4%) also ranking amongst the highest. Outside of London, Luton is the most developed local authority with respect to residential properties, accounting for 10.1% of total land area, followed by Leicester (10%), Blackpool (9.8%), Watford (9.8%) and Worthing (9.6%). The least developed area? Eden, where land developed for residential use sits at just 268 hectares, 0.1% of the area’s total land area. At 0.2%, Ryedale, Richmondshire, Craven, West Devon and Northumberland are also some of the least developed areas where residential property is concerned. Lee Martin, Head of UK for Unlatch says: “There seems to be a common misconception amongst the public that the nation is bursting at the seams when it comes to the number of homes already built and that we simply have no available land left to address the current housing crisis. This simply isn’t the case and, in fact, land utilised for residential development currently accounts for just over one per cent of the nation’s total land area. Of course, in major urban areas, this percentage is far higher, particularly in London, where the demand for housing is greater due to a larger population. However, in some areas, residential development accounts for a tiny fraction of total land available and it’s ironically in these areas where current homeowners are often most passionately against the construction of new homes.” Data tables Data tables and sources can be viewed online, here.
Urban Edge Architecture has been granted planning permission by Birmingham City Council for a new industrial distribution warehouse on the Erdington Industrial Estate on behalf of Hermes Fund Managers. The building will potentially be divided into two units of high-end warehouse space, with office space for each at mezzanine level. The scheme will include service yards, car parking and a landscape buffer to reduce the visual impact on surrounding residential areas. Dave Frost, Senior Associate Director at Urban Edge, comments: “This has always been a popular estate due to its central location and convenient access to the M6 and this new facility will help meet the need for high-quality commercial warehouse space in the Midlands, as well as providing employment opportunities for local people during construction and in use. “The scheme utilises a brownfield site to add a contemporary industrial/distribution unit to complement the existing industrial park and adds value to an existing asset for our client Hermes Fund Managers. The building has been designed to reflect the scale of the adjacent industrial and distribution buildings, whilst the attractive façade that wraps around all three of the public elevations adds great visual interest and proves not all industrial schemes need be plain boxes. The design provides sufficient internal height to match current distribution demands and enough flexibility to adapt to changing market demand and occupier requirements.” Urban Edge’s design maximises the site with a single 95,000sq ft building, split into two independent units of 40,000sq ft and 55,000sq ft with, respectively, 2,000sq ft and 2,750sq ft of office space at mezzanine level. Two sets of parking and service yards, including both level access and sunken loading docks, are separated by fencing. The entrances to the two office areas are situated on opposite sides of the building, with clear lines of sight from the two entrances to ease navigation. This division will also improve safety by keeping pedestrian pathways separate from HGV movements. The entrances and offices are marked by double-height glazing to maximise natural light, and a dark grey, projecting border of cladding. The main entrance doors will have a light blue frame which highlights the access points. The main body of the warehouse will use contrasting dark, mid and light grey cladding, with a splash of light blue and a horizontal emphasis to break down the elevations. Although the site is within an established industrial park, the layout offered a few challenges, including a 15m sewer easement located north-east of the site boundary which led to the building being relocated to avoid conflicts. A sub-station on the site also required Urban Edge to rearrange the loading docks’ location for lorry access. Explains Dave Frost: “Our extensive experience in opening up opportunities for asset creation on sometimes challenging sites has allowed us to develop a quality and deliverable design that can meet all the client’s key requirements. Getting the infrastructure right and making it easy to navigate around the scheme is also a key component of our design and a vital ingredient for both tenants, their customers and the long-term viability of a scheme.” The design of the scheme also proposes a number of interventions and initiatives to improve energy performance, reduce air pollution and improve local air quality. Available roof space has been fitted with PV technology, whilst car-share spaces are to be included on the site to encourage sharing journeys and 12 EV charging bays for electric vehicles. Sheltered cycle parks are also to be proposed to encourage people to cycle to work. Urban Edge’s design includes a new landscape buffer along the western and northern boundaries which will screen the site and enhance the privacy of the nearby residential houses, as well as reducing any noise pollution. The landscape buffer will be a mix of trees and shrubs and will incorporate SUDS and swales for site drainage.
Oxford University Property Development (OUPD), the joint venture bringing together the land, vision and opportunities of Oxford University with the investment and development management skills of Legal & General, has announced today (31 August 2022) that Mace has been appointed to deliver the next phase of development at Begbroke Science Park (BSP). This contract is the first in a package of work representing a £100m investment in expanding the Science Park by the JV and will create a further c 135,000 sq ft of space in total. One building will become a new home for the University’s academics and the other will become a new commercial hub for companies looking to grow and build links with academia. Practical completion of the buildings, designed by nbbj architects, is targeted for early 2024. The two buildings are lab enabled, designed by nbbj architects, to perform to high sustainability standards including BREEAM Excellent and WELL Gold Enabled. The development includes a new cycleway link between Begbroke Science Park and Kidlington as well as a public art piece by the Turner Prize winning practice Assemble. The buildings are an expansion of the current facilities within the boundaries of the existing Begbroke Science Park at Begbroke Hill. OUPD is also working on plans, in consultation with the local community and Cherwell District Council, to bring forward wider development outside the existing boundaries of the Science Park to deliver homes, additional research and development facilities and commercial space. The building was developed by Oxford University Development (OUD), the delivery arm of OUPD, in conjunction with Oxford University and Bruntwood SciTech. The contract has been placed by Legal & General who will oversee delivery. Anna Strongman, CEO of OUD said today: “Begbroke has been a home of innovation for Oxford University for over 20 years, supporting spin-out and scale up businesses, attracting and retaining talent, and generating economic and social benefits. Our partnership will deliver the further space needed to build on that success. These two new buildings will provide further much needed academic and commercial spaces by 2024.” Mike Coplowe, Senior Development Manager, Legal & General “We are extremely proud of our partnership with the University of Oxford, and today marks an exciting milestone in Begbroke Science Parks journey. The first phase of the scheme will bring forward new research facilities, as well as providing space to incubate spin-out companies. Future phases will also seek to develop 2,000 new homes, with a mix of affordable tenures and subsidised key worker accommodation. These new facilities will help retain talent in the city, whilst driving essential inward investment and providing opportunities for world-leading innovation, as well as much needed housing for key workers.” Professor Patrick Grant, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), from Oxford University, said: “For many years Begbroke has provided a unique environment for the University’s scientists to work alongside colleagues in the private sector. Amongst many innovations, we have created new technologies and products for green and sustainable energy and for precision medicine. The new buildings will accelerate our activity and collaborations, providing flexible facilities for research groups, spinouts and innovative companies of all kinds. They represent the first phase of an ambitious plan to deliver an innovation district at Begbroke, and we are excited to see the work commence.” Terry Spraggett, Managing Director, Construction (PREACH) at Mace said: “Begbroke Science Park is one of the most ambitious science and education projects Mace has ever been appointed to deliver. Working closely with the University of Oxford and L&G, we’ll use our track record and experience in creating the UK’s latest science testing facilities in electronics, satellites, and medical research, to bring new research spaces for this prestigious academic institution. By assembling a multi-disciplinary team, we are delivering the buildings in the science park to the highest sustainability and quality standards.” For more information go to www.oud.co.uk or contact Robert Gordon Clark on 07973 148238 or robert@playgc.co.uk
FIRETHORN TRUST LAYS THE GROUND FOR SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION WITH CARBON-SAVING AT PETERBOROUGH DEVELOPMENT In line with Firethorn’s commitment to be a market leader in sustainable development, the three-unit scheme will feature innovative products and an advanced specification for occupiers, setting the standard for future logistics. As part of its ongoing investment in research and development, Firethorn identified the short- and long-term advantages of PrimX as an alternative to traditional concrete flooring, becoming the first developer to bring the product to the UK logistics space. Delivering environmental benefits – including a 30% reduction in construction time and a 70% decrease in CO2 emissions – the jointless system is designed to save money, enhance safety and increase high-load resistance over time. Paul Martin, Development Director at Firethorn Trust, said: “We are always striving to innovate and do things differently, working with best-in-class teams to deliver pioneering solutions that will set the standard for occupiers and sustainability. We’re proud to be the very first UK logistics developer to use PrimX flooring, knowing that it will provide substantial environmental benefits, both now and in the future. “The time and investment that we spend exploring these products is what we believe sets Firethorn schemes apart, and is central to our unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability and improving tenant experiences. Bringing industry-leading products and build methods to the market means that we stay ahead of the curve and can create future-proofed logistics solutions that meet our own ambitious ESG targets, as well as the evolving needs of our occupiers.” An ultra-high performance concrete, PrimX features a shrinkage control system that makes it possible to cast indoor slabs of unlimited size and geometry. Featuring steel fibre reinforcement, the slab’s design is up to 60% thinner than traditional alternatives, whilst providing a higher load-bearing capability. Paul Martin continued: “This is the first of many innovations that will take the industry forward, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of sustainable development. We are implementing actions to reduce our environmental impact at every level of the business, and at every stage of our projects, and our Peterborough South scheme is a prime example of the Firethorn standard.” The first PrimX pour has now taken place at Peterborough South, which is being delivered by Glencar Construction, with completion due in Q4 2022. The development will be net-zero carbon in construction, with a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification. Its infrastructure will feature more than 40,000 sq. ft. of photovoltaic arrays and 48 electric vehicle charging points. Future occupiers can also benefit from a clear internal height of 15m, up to 52.5m yard depth and an impressive 3MVA of power. The scheme is located just six minutes from Junction 17 of the A1(M) and adjacent to Fletton Parkway, allowing quick and easy access to the motorway network and local labour force. All enquiries for Peterborough South should be directed to the scheme’s letting agents, Savills and Lambert Smith Hampton.
