Mark Burley, Regional Social Value and Partnerships Manager at top 10 homebuilder Keepmoat, has been recognised for his work to help build a brighter future for prisoners at HMP Hull with the High Sheriff Award. The High Sheriff Award, officially presented by the High Sheriff for the East Riding of
Construction works are now underway at Taylor’s Bellfoundry in Loughborough to protect and enhance the Grade II* Listed Bellfoundry buildings and onsite museum, the last of their kind in Britain. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Loughborough Town Deal alongside many others, the project is being led by
Over £1bn of investment opportunities in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland will be showcased by a collaborative inward investment team at national investor forum UKREiiF. Representatives from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) and Team Lincolnshire – a public and private sector group of Lincolnshire ambassadors –
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
Leading commercial property consultant Whybrow has unveiled a new brand identity, as part of its ambitious growth plans, to further enhance and better reflect its position within the industry. The refreshed branding features a new logo and updated colour scheme, as well as a website refresh for the Colchester-based firm,
Plans have been submitted for the second phase of Manor Road Quarter in the London Borough of Newham. The proposals were put forward by the English Cities Fund (ECF) to create a community in Canning Town. ECF is a joint venture between nationwide placemaker, Muse, Homes England, and Legal &
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
Mark Burley, Regional Social Value and Partnerships Manager at top 10 homebuilder Keepmoat, has been recognised for his work to help build a brighter future for prisoners at HMP Hull with the High Sheriff Award. The High Sheriff Award, officially presented by the High Sheriff for the East Riding of Yorkshire, Jacky Bowes, was bestowed after community champion Mark set up a scheme to support prisoners at HMP Hull, offering them opportunities to engage in activities which benefit communities, enhance their employability and work skills, and in turn have a positive impact on their self esteem. The scheme, coordinated by Keepmoat, in partnership with Hull City Council and Hull Citywide Consortium, aims to reduce site waste by providing old pallets to be upcycled into planters so prisoners can grow food for the local community. Mark was the driving force behind the scheme, the first of its kind in the area, and his innovative approach was noted by the High Sheriff. On receipt of the award, Mark said: “It’s an honour that my community work has been recognised with such a prestigious accolade. Supporting local communities and people’s employability skills is a key part of my role at Keepmoat and with the Citywide Partnership. “The project is life changing for prisoners and aims to boost their confidence and employability when they’re looking to re-enter the jobs market, especially in the construction industry. It also provides them with a sense of achievement when they see local people receiving the planters they make.” Following involvement from the prisoners, the planters are donated to EMS, a local charity in Hull that works with residents, community groups and local businesses to alleviate food and fuel poverty. The charity sets up community vegetable gardens that aim to promote a healthy lifestyle, allowing residents and families without a garden or allotment to grow their own produce. Thomas Leech, Industries Manager at HMP Hull, added: “At HMP Hull, we’re committed to providing prisoners with meaningful employment opportunities whilst in custody, along with relevant skills and training that they will be able to use on release. “Prisoners are learning new skills and working hard to produce planters from items that would have essentially gone to landfill. These planters are then given to people in the local community that have earned them through community credits doing things such as litter picking in the local area. The fact that prisoners are giving something back to the community creates a sense of pride and a real sense of purpose.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction works are now underway at Taylor’s Bellfoundry in Loughborough to protect and enhance the Grade II* Listed Bellfoundry buildings and onsite museum, the last of their kind in Britain. Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Loughborough Town Deal alongside many others, the project is being led by the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust working in partnership with the ancient bellfounding firm of John Taylor and Company. The Trust was set up in 2016 to begin the work of restoring the bellfoundry’s buildings and redeveloping the site’s museum to protect the ancient craft of bellmaking for generations to come. Taylor’s Bellfoundry – which was built in 1859 just a stone’s throw from Loughborough town centre – has cast more than 25,000 bells located in more than 100 countries. Bells from the foundry hang in famous landmarks including London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, the Washington National Cathedral in the US capital, Australia’s National Carillon in Canberra, and South Africa’s Cape Town City Hall. In spring 2022 contractors were invited to tender to deliver the programme of works, with specialist heritage conservation firm Messenger BCR winning out. The Messenger team will work alongside internationally renowned architects Caroe, who drew up comprehensive plans to restore the Victorian site. Other specialist practices involved include exhibition designers Redman Design and museum retail experts cre8. Phase one of the programme of works is now underway. This includes the stripping out of the existing museum, removing internal walls – which were added to the bellfoundry in the 80s – and replacing the leaking roof. A new lift is currently under construction as are new disabled and baby changing toilets. Major repairs to the roof over the bellfoundry’s main covered yard are also underway. The museum will be improved and enhanced by increasing its footprint to incorporate a multi-function activity room in the old Victorian laboratory and by reimagining the museum displays to provide an interactive and inclusive experience. There will be two primary spaces for visitors to explore within the museum. Firstly, a ground floor timeline detailing the history of both the bellfoundry and the art of bellfounding. Secondly, the Patternmaker’s Gallery, which will display a series of objects that have been recovered from existing foundry spaces, located in the original patternmaking workshop. Throughout the museum visitors will have the opportunity to touch and handle objects, making it an immersive and authentic experience for families, schools, bell enthusiasts and history lovers. Phase two of the project, which will start in 2024, will see the reconfiguration and improvement of the company archive room, offices, and board room, the last of which will be available to hire as a meeting space for outside organisations and community groups. Further ongoing and exciting developments include the restoration of the original historic entrance to the site, used by generations of the Taylor family, and the relandscaping of the Carillon Courtyard for visitors to explore and enjoy the grounds upon arrival. Bellfoundry museum director Dr Chrissie Van Mierlo said: “We are thrilled to see work getting underway. This project has been years in the making and will help preserve and protect our historic buildings for generations to come. “Our vision has always been to create a place where people of all ages can visit and learn about the craftmanship and art of bell making, as well as the history of the Loughborough site. Thanks to generous funders, and National Lottery players, we can now address the most urgent repair and conservation works to bring our vision to life. “Not only will the project allow us to welcome more visitors into the site, but it will also create additional volunteering opportunities for local residents. Our volunteers are the life and soul of the bellfoundry and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them.” Robyn Llewellyn, director for England, Midlands and East at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “We are delighted to support The Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust in saving the last, purpose-built bellfoundry in Britain. The funding, which has been made possible thanks to National Lottery players, will secure the future of this industry, unique skills, and rich history in a way that everyone can enjoy and be proud of.” Loughborough Town Deal comprises a number of organisations and people who have come together to deliver over £40 million of investment for the Leicestershire town. The Town Deal secured £16.9 million from the Government’s Towns Fund to boost skills and support the visitor economy and town centre of Loughborough. It is backing 11 projects, including the bellfoundry which it awarded £835,000. John Taylor’s Bellfoundry, also known as Taylor’s Bellfoundry or simply Taylor’s, is the last major bellfoundry in the UK and Commonwealth. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Over £1bn of investment opportunities in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland will be showcased by a collaborative inward investment team at national investor forum UKREiiF. Representatives from Lincolnshire County Council (LCC), Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) and Team Lincolnshire – a public and private sector group of Lincolnshire ambassadors – are attending the event in Leeds next week (16 to 18 May). In its second year, UKREiiF is set to attract more than 6,000 delegates from the property industry, with more than 250 UK local authorities in attendance over the three-day event. The Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland inward investment team has ambitious plans for the region and will be sharing investment prospects across its 10-strong sector proposition, including advanced engineering and manufacturing, visitor economy, defence, health and life sciences, digital tech, commercial and residential development, and a particular focus on agri-food, low carbon energy and logistics. Investment opportunities across the region include the South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone, Humber Freeport, hotel sites ready for development, land earmarked for housing, multiple business centres and commercial space and more. Councillor Colin Davie, Executive Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economy at Lincolnshire Council, said: “We saw great value from our attendance at UKREiiF last year and with the event set to be even bigger this year, we need to seize the opportunity to champion our region on a national stage once again. “We are focussed on targeting investors, developers and organisations that can help drive forward our key sectors and our work at the event will contribute towards growing our Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland economy and to create new jobs. “Greater Lincolnshire is such a vibrant place to call home. The lifestyle you can create here with our rich heritage, abundant culture, diverse jobs market and open green spaces and coast, make it a wonderful place to live” The lifestyle in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland will also play a key part in the team’s promotion of the region as a place to live, learn, work and invest. Andy Gutherson, Executive Director of Place at Lincolnshire County Council adds: “UKREiiF is a fantastic platform for LCC, GLLEP, Team Lincolnshire and our local district councils to speak directly to investors about the unique opportunities we have to offer. Conversations had and connections made at these events are incredibly valuable and make a positive and far-reaching impact on our local economy. “Collaboratively, and as part of Midlands Engine, we will be flying the flag for the region as the place to live, learn, work and invest in and with a busy diary of meets, I’m looking forward to what the team and I can cultivate for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland.” Lincolnshire excels in food processing and agri-tech and was chosen as one of the Government’s manufacturing zones. This followed growth deal grants of £18 million, including £5.1 million for South Lincolnshire Food Enterprise Zone and £2.4 million for University of Lincoln’s Centre of Excellence in Agri-food and Technology at Holbeach. Ruth Carver, Chief Executive at Greater Lincolnshire LEP said ““This is a good time for Greater Lincolnshire with growing interest in our place and our game changing sectors. Since last year we have made great strides in areas such as town deals, infrastructure development, humber freeport and our business parks. “With many transformational projects taking place, now is a key time to reposition Greater Lincolnshire firmly on the national and global map as an even better place for people to live and work. UK REIF provides a provides a platform for us to tell our story to a global audience once again and we look forward to meeting new connections and investors.”
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
Leading commercial property consultant Whybrow has unveiled a new brand identity, as part of its ambitious growth plans, to further enhance and better reflect its position within the industry. The refreshed branding features a new logo and updated colour scheme, as well as a website refresh for the Colchester-based firm, which better aligns with its core values, innovation and forward-thinking approach. The launch forms part of the company’s wider strategy plans to strengthen its position in the industry, expand its services and presence across key sectors such as commercial, industrial and retail. Since its acquisition last year, which now sees Whybrow operating under the Beresfords property group umbrella, the company has undergone significant growth having expanded its client base, receiving numerous new potential instructions from within the branch network and via the group’s senior director team. The firm also recently expanded its branches, with the addition of Brentwood, Hornchurch and Chelmsford, and plans to expand its clients and network further as it grows its commercial business within the areas. Whybrow has also built up an impressive project portfolio, having been appointed on the Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure Park development at the end of 2022. Its dedicated team will be advising its client Turnstone Estate with the commercial need throughout the construction of the 200,000 sq. ft site. Ewan Dodds, chief executive officer of Whybrow, said: “Our new brand identity has been designed to reflect our evolution as a company and will better represent who we are, helping to differentiate ourselves within the industry. “We love being part of a larger group, with all the support it brings. We could not have been welcomed into the group fold with more open arms, we truly feel we’re a part of the Beresfords ‘family’. “We are developing stronger and stronger relationships, both professionally and socially, with the team and being introduced to a far greater network of Berefords’ established clients and professional contacts. We’re excited to see what the future brings for Whybrow, as we look to further establish ourselves and develop our relationships as time goes on.” Established in 1985, Whybrow has been dedicated to providing property consultancy to local, regional and national companies – particularly those with a presence in the South East and London – for nearly 40 years. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans have been submitted for the second phase of Manor Road Quarter in the London Borough of Newham. The proposals were put forward by the English Cities Fund (ECF) to create a community in Canning Town. ECF is a joint venture between nationwide placemaker, Muse, Homes England, and Legal & General, one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and major global investor. The next stage of the landmark project will create 290 homes across four new buildings, along with new leisure and amenity space. Should the second phase receive consent in June, ECF will be working towards a start on site in 2024. Work on the first part of Manor Road Quarter started in September 2021 and has just passed the half-way point of the build. It features a landmark 32-storey tower and 335 new homes, alongside ground-floor retail units and beautifully-curated public spaces for the community to enjoy. Subject to planning approval, the second and third phases will see Manor Road Quarter bring forward a further 449 homes, making for a total of 804 new homes in Canning Town, of which 50% will be affordable. The completed neighbourhood will also include a new 2.5-acre park, providing a stunning space to dwell and spend time in for both residents and the wider community. The green space will also help promote active travel through new walking and cycle routes – creating a vibrant, inclusive, and connected community space. Duncan Cumberland, residential director at ECF, said: “We’ve been investing in Canning Town for a long time and feel Manor Road Quarter, which follows on from the new homes we created next door at Rathbone Market, is a key catalyst in revitalising the area. Aside from the new places we are creating, phase one has already delivered so many valuable benefits in terms of jobs, apprenticeships, training opportunities for the community, along with bringing investment into the local economy. We hope to continue that through phase two and beyond.” The design for phase two of Manor Road Quarter consists of a quartet of new buildings, designated D, E, F and G. Block D is the lowest of the buildings at 8-storey and is located on the western side of the scheme. It has ground floor commercial space and 55 residential homes on the upper floors. Block E is a standalone 12-storey building located to the northern end of the site and comprises 90 homes, also with commercial space on the ground floor. Blocks F and G are located on the eastern side of the site and include ground floor commercial, a residents’ lounge and amenity, storage and cycle parking and upper floors designated as residential, creating 145 homes in total. In each building, a proportion of the new homes will have three bedrooms. Manor Road Quarter will feature large cycle storage, in line with Greater London Authority guidelines. Given its very close proximity to London Underground, DLR and bus routes, only 24 car parking bays will be provided to encourage the use of sustainable and more active modes of transport. External features such as green areas, a skate park and an outdoor gym will also help improve the health and wellbeing levels of those living and working in the area. The new neighbourhood at Manor Road is being delivered by ECF in partnership with the Greater London Authority’s Homes for Londoners’ team, London Borough of Newham and Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing Association (MTVH), one of the UK’s largest housing associations. The 177 affordable homes built in phase one will be owned, managed and administered by MTVH. Manor Road Quarter follows on from ECF’s successful completion of the Rathbone Market in Canning Town. This scheme saw the creation of a £160 million mixed-use development that features 652 homes, 32,000 sq. ft of retail space, a library, Neighbourhood Centre, and two new public spaces including the permanent home of the newly revitalised Rathbone Market. Manor Road Quarter has been designed by EPR Architects, with Gardiner and Theobald as the quantity surveyor, Gleeds operating as the client project manager, and Longboard Consulting as the planning consultant. 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
