MWJV has published its annual report for year three of Cornwall Council’s BEPS Framework: 2021/2022 A Cornish construction and professional services consultancy has generated an added social and economic value of £34.9 million as a result of its work with Cornwall Council over the past three years. Mace Ward Williams
PLATFORM_ Glasgow will deliver much-needed homes for the city The project team behind the flagship PLATFORM_ Glasgow build-to-rent (BTR) development celebrated a significant project milestone at this week’s topping out ceremony. Contractor, GRAHAM, is delivering the impressive scheme on behalf of PLATFORM_, an investor, developer, and operator of build-to-rent communities
Views are being sought on a scheme that will transform the station gateway and enable more people to travel sustainably by train. blocwork – a partnership between Network Rail and bloc Group – is hosting a public consultation ahead of the submission of a planning application on its proposals to
The next stage of funding for Kirklees Cultural Heart has been approved at a cabinet meeting today, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps in the regeneration scheme’s programme. Cabinet agreed to release £10.5 million of funds to enable the next stage of works on
Finance House offers residential consent and BTR potential A prime residential development site in the west end of Edinburgh has been brought to market by Lismore Real Estate Advisors and Scarlett Land and Development, on behalf of Square and Crescent. Located on Orchard Brae, between the west end and Stockbridge,
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has helped to unveil a historic canal in the centre of Cardiff which has been covered over for more than 70 years, as part of a £6m regeneration project in the city. Atkins was appointed by Cardiff Council to design the Canal Quarter
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
ONE OF the country’s most ambitious residential developments is under construction, with ground broken on Riverside Sunderland’s first housing scheme. Sunderland City Council’s Vaux housing development – the first of 1,000 homes that will eventually stand across the Riverside Sunderland site – is underway, with North East based Tolent building
Councillor Jane Meagher has officially broken ground at Scotland’s largest net zero housing development in Granton. The start of construction works at the £72m ‘Western Villages’ project represents a significant milestone for the City of Edinburgh Council in the delivery of the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront regeneration project. Over the next ten years,
A formal planning application has now been submitted to West Lothian Council to create a major new park on the site of the historic Winchburgh Brickworks. Daisy Park, which is part of the approved masterplan for Winchburgh, sits adjacent to the Union Canal and the new marina in the heart
MWJV has published its annual report for year three of Cornwall Council’s BEPS Framework: 2021/2022 A Cornish construction and professional services consultancy has generated an added social and economic value of £34.9 million as a result of its work with Cornwall Council over the past three years. Mace Ward Williams Joint Venture (MWJV), which is a joint venture between Mace and Ward Williams Associates, has released its annual report. This follows its third year of work with Cornwall Council on the £650 million construction and infrastructure capital programme of investment within the Built Environment Professional Services (BEPS) Framework. In the report the Truro-based firm shared a summary of its work across the programmes to date. The added social and economic value has been achieved through the creation of new jobs, facilitated training and via spend with local and small businesses. Jeremy Dunn, MWJV’s Managing Director said: “In the built environment sector we know that we can have a more profound impact than is often understood, and this overview of our work to date reinforces that. “MWJV is a team of Project and Cost Managers, Architects, Engineers and many others – all working as a local Cornish-based team to create spaces, infrastructure and buildings that improve people’s lives and support the local economy. As well as the calculated economic impact, the long-term legacy that such work with Cornwall Council can create is significant to ensure a capable and vibrant future workforce for the county. “Our achievement of the social value targets which we set up and agreed with Cornwall Council from the standards of the Construction Industry Training Board is a real high point. For instance, we’ve created 95 new jobs across our partner businesses in the region and 15 apprenticeships against a target total of nine, exceeded the target of four construction careers events by 41 and delivered 199 weeks of training against a target of 63.” MWJV works with its wide network of local and national suppliers to bring expert and cost-effective project management, architecture, engineering and surveying support to a range of programmes across Cornwall ranging from transport, schools, town regeneration and housing. Projects the company has been working on include Spaceport Cornwall, Looe Flood Defence, Town Deals for Truro, St Ives, Camborne and Penzance, and the Schools Basic Needs and Backlog Maintenance Programmes. Dunn continued: “We’ve had some great results and are happy to be able to evidence our value and continued improvement. We’ve learned a lot from working on the BEPS Framework and are now looking forward to our fourth year where we hope to continue to exceed our targets. “The annual reports are a great chance to reflect on the work we’ve been doing and are an important step in helping us to continue to refine and improve our processes to ensure we’re delivering the best and most cost-effective work for the people of Cornwall.” The report also explores the financial performance of the company which this year turned over £8.17m with £16,000 in charitable donations. Key performance indicators are shared, with the vast majority meeting and exceeding targets, and customer satisfaction has resulted in a net promoter score of 47. The full annual report is available for download from MWJV’s website: https://www.mwjv.net/our-performance Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
PLATFORM_ Glasgow will deliver much-needed homes for the city The project team behind the flagship PLATFORM_ Glasgow build-to-rent (BTR) development celebrated a significant project milestone at this week’s topping out ceremony. Contractor, GRAHAM, is delivering the impressive scheme on behalf of PLATFORM_, an investor, developer, and operator of build-to-rent communities across the UK. The development will be one of the city’s tallest buildings at 20 storeys high (circa 60m). With a stellar project team including firms Thomas & Adamson, Axiom Project Services Limited and Keppie Design, the topping out ceremony involved guests climbing to the 20th floor of the building to enjoy unrivalled views across the city and signing the core of the structure. A welcome addition to the city centre skyline, PLATFORM_ Glasgow will create 498 much-needed homes for the Glasgow community, strategically located between the International Financial Services District and Finnieston. The development will help to revitalise the iconic waterfront, creating a vibrant new neighbourhood set across four blocks, ranging from six to 20 storeys in height with a mix of studios, one, two and three-bedroom apartments available. As the housing crisis and demand for homes continues to creatBTRe a perfect storm for renters across the city, PLATFORM_’s development will deliver a significant boost to availability of high quality housing stock. Creating a destination for people to live and socialise alike, PLATFORM_ Glasgow will feature a range of amenities including a state-of-the-art gym, landscaped courtyard, two roof terraces, cinema room and remote working facilities, all considered in monthly rental rates. Residents will also enjoy a private games room, bar area, guest lounges and group dining rooms, all exclusive to PLATFORM_ Glasgow, which is set to be one of the most desirable BTR options in the city as the new rental model increases in popularity with young professionals, families and downsizers. The scheme will achieve the Silver Active Energy standard with plans submitted for sustainable energy generation by rooftop photovoltaics and the use of air source heat pumps in place of traditional heating systems. These initiatives will enable 100% of apartments to achieve an EPC B rating. GRAHAM and PLATFORM_ are targeting completion of the development in October 2023 with apartments available for new residents to view from Q3 next ydevelopmentear. Matt Willcock, Development Director at PLATFORM_, said: “We’re really proud to see PLATFORM_ Glasgow achieve another milestone and it was great to get everyone involved together to mark it. “The Clyde Waterfront has been earmarked as an area for urban regeneration by Glasgow City Council and we are helping to accelerate this by delivering a ready-made neighbourhood that will deliver much-needed homes and have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of residents.” Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director for GRAHAM Building North, said: “As demand continues to outstrip the supply of new homes available for rent across the city, it is fantastic to see PLATFORM_ Glasgow quickly taking shape. “GRAHAM is proud to be collaborating with PLATFORM_ and their team to deliver this iconic development. The unique offering will not only boost housing supply, but also create a thriving community along the River Clyde.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Views are being sought on a scheme that will transform the station gateway and enable more people to travel sustainably by train. blocwork – a partnership between Network Rail and bloc Group – is hosting a public consultation ahead of the submission of a planning application on its proposals to regenerate an area surrounding Northampton Train Station. The plans will see a new multi-storey car park constructed to allow for an increase in passengers using the station. Once complete, a further two sites will then be developed in a second phase which will provide a hotel and new homes. These will be developed on the area of land where the existing surface and deck car park currently sit. A covered walkway is also planned for pedestrians travelling between the station and the car park. The site currently consists of two areas of open surface car-parking, alongside an adjoining single deck car park. The current parking provision fails to meet demand resulting in many people choosing instead to commute to London and other areas by car rather than by train, despite the town enjoying good rail links that offer far more environmentally sustainable journeys and the opportunity for commuters to avoid road traffic congestion. The current use of the whole area for parking means the area lacks vibrancy and can feel unwelcoming. The new proposals will change this and deliver a new gateway into Northampton. The new homes and hotel are intended to bring more people to the station area, helping to stimulate the local economy and facilities around the station, while making the area feel more welcoming by day and night. The new car park, to be built ahead of the hotel and apartments in a first phase, will increase the total amount of parking available, improving the capacity for people to travel by train, while also providing a new modern parking facility. By constructing the new car park first, parking provision for the station can be maintained throughout the delivery period of the project. As part of the regeneration of the site, new public realm improvements, such as new planting and paving, are planned to improve the access to the station and passenger access to the wider project. Commenting on the proposals, Chris Byrne from Network Rail said: “It’s really exciting to be able to share these plans with local people so they can shape how we transform the area around Northampton station and make it fit for the future. We know that there have long been calls for better parking at the station and with the railway at the centre of this redevelopment we believe it will encourage more people to make long distance journeys by using the greenest form of public transport and encourage passengers to make more sustainable travel choices.” The consultation will run from Monday 10 October to Friday 28 October 2022. A consultation website is available to view the plans and provide feedback at www.northamptonstationgateway.co.uk and an email address is also available for people to comment or ask questions (info@northamptonstationgateway.co.uk). The team will be on hand to answer questions about the plans between 3pm and 7pm on the concourse level at Northampton Station on Monday 17 October. The consultation displays will then remain in situ until Sunday 23 October. We want to hear local people’s views on our plans for the Northampton Station Gateway. You can leave feedback by: Filling in our feedback form on our website www.northamptonstationgateway.co.uk Ringing us and telling us your thoughts 0808 175 3293 Emailing us info@northamptonstationgateway.co.uk
The next stage of funding for Kirklees Cultural Heart has been approved at a cabinet meeting today, paving the way for Kirklees Council to carry out the next steps in the regeneration scheme’s programme. Cabinet agreed to release £10.5 million of funds to enable the next stage of works on the £210 million project to commence. This work will initially include the finalisation of the design – in line with the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) design framework – and the submission of the relevant planning applications, which are expected to be submitted to the Local Planning Authority in the Autumn. The funding will also cover securing possession of key buildings and units across the Cultural Heart site, various site surveys, partial building strip outs and asbestos asbestos removal. To support their decision, cabinet were presented with the latest business case for the project. This outlined how the Cultural Heart will deliver many long-term, strategic, economic and community benefits for Kirklees, including increasing the number of visitors; safeguarding heritage assets; creating new jobs; enhancing the town centre’s green credentials; and, acting as a catalyst for further private-sector investment – particularly in the retail, leisure and accommodation sectors. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “I think we, as a cabinet, have made the right decision for Kirklees in approving this next stage in the Cultural Heart programme. This is a significant step closer to delivering the transformational masterplan and I am excited to move towards the submission of a planning application in the coming weeks. “This comes on the back of several weeks of healthy public consultation and engagement, which is helping us finalise the plans. We are extremely confident in the Cultural Heart investment and can’t wait to deliver an amazing new landmark for the people of Kirklees. “This administration will not sit idly by and watch our once great towns slowly decline. We will invest across Kirklees to create thriving vibrant communities. The Cultural Heart will create an exciting and vibrant new chapter for Huddersfield which builds on its great history.” The Cultural Heart is the centrepiece of the wider Huddersfield Blueprint – Kirklees Council’s ambitious ten-year vision to create a thriving, modern-day town centre for Huddersfield. Plans for the Cultural Heart would see the refurbishment of the historic Queensgate Market and Huddersfield Library buildings to house a vibrant food hall and a dedicated museum space respectively. These new offers will sit alongside a new community-focused library, modern art gallery, multi-purpose live entertainment venue and a 350-space car park – all of which will be connected by a series of world-class public spaces and green parks. Two phases of public consultation on the Cultural Heart proposals, which began back in May, finished last week. In total, around 8,000 people engaged online and nearly 600 people attended the various in-person exhibition spaces and events to learn about the plans. All comments that were submitted as part of the consultation have been considered and are helping to shape the final plans.
Finance House offers residential consent and BTR potential A prime residential development site in the west end of Edinburgh has been brought to market by Lismore Real Estate Advisors and Scarlett Land and Development, on behalf of Square and Crescent. Located on Orchard Brae, between the west end and Stockbridge, Finance House is immediately west of Edinburgh city centre, via the main arterial route of Queensferry Road. The Finance House development site extends to 2 acres and benefits from minded to grant planning consent for 151 apartments, over a total area of circa 135,000 sq ft. It also offers build to rent (BTR) potential for 172 apartments, subject to planning consent. The main building was constructed in 1968 for Lloyds Bowmaker over eight storeys, with a substantial five-storey extension added in 1978. The 1960’s building, which is almost entirely of concrete frame construction will be retained and converted in 86 apartments, whilst the 1970’s building will be demolished and replaced with a new build block, containing 65 residential apartments, ranging in height from three to five storeys. The development will also feature 3,000 sq ft of office/coworking space on the ground floor, and 23,000 sq.ft of private and communal external amenity spaces. With vehicle access from Learmonth Gardens, the site will have 32 car parking spaces plus 380 bike spaces. With sustainability credentials firmly in mind, the development is designed to be net zero ready – all-electric energy, with a predicted EPC rating of ‘B’ and an aggregated reduction in CO2 emissions of 40.6% lower than a baseline compliant development. The re-use of existing concrete frame will capture embodied carbon. The design standards ensure the development will achieve net zero in regard to operational carbon when the grid reaches net zero. It includes air source heat pumps via common centralised plant to provide heating and domestic hot water throughout. The standards will also meet the requirement of the new build heat standard coming into force in Scotland in 2024. Colin Finlayson, Director of Lismore Real Estate Advisors said: “Few UK cities can match the performance of Edinburgh’s private residential market, which has a proven history of growth and resilience, due to a combination of constrained supply and strong demand. “This development opportunity has so much to offer and is ideally placed in Edinburgh’s high desirable west end. It will be a real draw and we anticipate strong interest from potential developers, as well as institutional investors seeking exposure to the Edinburgh residential market.” Will Scarlett, Founder and Director of Scarlett Land and Development adds: “Large scale prime residential sites with planning consent rarely come to the market in Edinburgh. Not only does Finance House benefit from minded to grant planning for 151 apartments, it is also net zero ready – all electric (Air Source Heat Pumps) and uses no fossil fuels. “The opportunity also exists at Finance House for a BTR scheme of 172 units within the same massing in a city that boasts some or the strongest fundamentals in the UK, yet lags other regional cities in terms of supply due to multiple constraints.” Lismore Real Estate Advisors and Scarlett Land and Development are selling agents for Finance House and the architect is Morgan Architects. Further information on can be found HERE https://lismore-re.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/24229_FINANCE_HOUSE_FINAL.pdf
Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has helped to unveil a historic canal in the centre of Cardiff which has been covered over for more than 70 years, as part of a £6m regeneration project in the city. Atkins was appointed by Cardiff Council to design the Canal Quarter development, alongside Faithful+Gould, also a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, which is providing project management and commercial support. The development scheme involves the daylighting of 70 metres of the Dock Feeder Canal on Churchill Way, Cardiff. The dock feeder was originally constructed in the late 19th Century to provide a constant supply of water to the Bute docks – allowing for large container ships to dock in Cardiff, regardless of the tide, leading to Cardiff becoming a world leading exporter of iron ore and coal. It was paved over between 1948 and 1950, and after being hidden to generations of shoppers and city residents, will now form the centrepiece of a new sustainable urban district in the city centre. Alongside opening up the canal, the scheme involves the construction of two pedestrian footbridges, a cantilevered stage and rain gardens to manage surface water drainage among other structures. The project also includes the upgrade of the surrounding highways network with the creation of cycleways, EV taxi charging points, refurbishment of existing highways and new bus links. Atkins has provided the design for the scheme with a multidisciplinary approach including the design of structures, drainage, landscape, lighting and electrical as well as highways, with the surrounding road network. Hamish Watkins, project manager for Faithful+Gould, said: “This is a really important development for Cardiff as it forms a key part of the regeneration of the area. Already, prior to completion we have seen the redevelopment of near-by buildings to boost hospitality and business to This part of the city. “It will also provide an area for residents and tourists alike to visit, work in and enjoy, which means it’s providing commercial value as well as social value for the community it serves. Ben Ferguson, Senior Landscape Architect for Atkins and lead designer on the project, said: “It’s great to be able to reflect the industrial heritage of the area by re-opening the dock feeder. During the late 19th and the early 20th century this waterway was at the centre of a tree-lined boulevard and to re-establish that aesthetic, and to reveal the waterway once again within a forward looking and sustainable design will be incredibly exciting.” Additional work on the scheme will include multiple packages of work such as street lighting, CCTV, new traffic signals and additional service diversions. Cllr Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Transport at Cardiff Council, said: “The opening of the dock feeder canal and the new transport scheme will not only mark the beginning of a new district centre for the city and act as a catalyst for new investment, but it will play an essential role in managing traffic flow and surface water drainage in the city centre. “A series of rain gardens will be built, with specific soil and planting to treat the surface water to remove pollutants before the water flows into the canal. This will ensure that 3,700 m2 of water will be diverted away from the sewage system each year, reducing the cost and energy of treating this water through the sewage pumping station at Cardiff Bay.” This project, which started in February, is part of a wider masterplan to develop a new district in the city, interlinking Bridge Street, David Street. Charles Street, Tredegar Street, Guildford Crescent, and Barrack Lane to develop a high-density, mixed-use development, attracting homes, hotels, hospitality, high quality offices, leisure and retail units.
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.”
ONE OF the country’s most ambitious residential developments is under construction, with ground broken on Riverside Sunderland’s first housing scheme. Sunderland City Council’s Vaux housing development – the first of 1,000 homes that will eventually stand across the Riverside Sunderland site – is underway, with North East based Tolent building 132 ultra-modern homes. Vaux is the first of four new residential communities being delivered by the council at Riverside Sunderland that will eventually provide city centre housing for up to 2,500 residents. Tolent will build the stunning houses – comprising apartments, townhouses, and maisonettes – using modern methods of construction, renewable energy systems and smart technology to reduce the carbon footprint of the development, producing high quality, energy efficient properties in the heart of the city. Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s brilliant to see work get started on these new homes, which will help us to build a larger residential community in the city centre, in turn, driving more footfall and spend in the area by day and night. “These homes will be truly trailblazing too – made sustainably and able to support people to reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs. It is a real statement development in lots of ways and one we’re proud to be leading. “And as we move forward with the Housing Innovation and Construction Skills Academy (HICSA) in partnership with Sunderland College and MOBIE (Ministry of Building, Innovation and Education), we’ll begin to create a new housing ecosystem, that will see the city’s next generation of residents building the homes of the future that will deliver on our advanced manufacturing and low carbon aspirations.” HICSA is backed by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and will create a state of the art learning space at Sheepfolds where students will be trained up in modern methods of construction that will enable them to build many of the future phases of homes on Riverside Sunderland, as well as elsewhere in the city. All homes at Riverside Sunderland will provide a future living offer that will attract new and existing Sunderland residents to live in the vibrant city centre, with the properties sitting alongside the orchards and allotments of Kingsley Gardens and nearby Riverside Park, which is continuing on its journey towards becoming an accessible, attractive and ecologically diverse parkland. The Vaux neighbourhood will be the site of the Expo Sunderland in 2024, showcasing the homes of the future and the aspirational lifestyle that Sunderland will provide. Included in the scheme will be a cluster of award-winning dwellings, that were selected as the best in the national Homes of 2030 Design Competition – which explored how homes will look and function in the future. The Homes of 2030 competition, which was launched in March 2020, and managed by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), to encourage the design of environmentally-friendly homes that support people in leading independent, fulfilling lives as society ages. +Home designed by igloo Regeneration with Useful Projects, Expedition Engineers and Mawson Kerr and Connector Housing designed by Openstudio with Hoare Lea, LDA Design and Gardiner & Theobald were the joint winners of the competition, and it is their designs that will stand proudly on the site, shining a spotlight on future living and showcasing the ambitious plans the council has to make Sunderland a world-class place to live, work and play. Peter Connolly, chief executive of igloo Regeneration, said: “Working closely with the council, we have created a scheme that will be transformational for Sunderland, so getting to this point when we will start to see the first homes come out of the ground is a huge milestone for everyone involved. Not only because of the quality of the housing being delivered but also because of the positive impact that these homes will have on people’s lives. “We are very proud to have have brought together a team of local professionals who are working together effortlessly to set a real precedent for how new homes should be constructed and delivered across our UK cities in the future.” The first tranche of homes will be completed by Tolent towards the end of 2023. 111 of the homes will be built to 2025 Future Homes Standard and 21 to PASSIVHAUS standard, delivering high levels of energy efficiency. Hyperfast fibre will connect each home ensuring they’re fit for modern living and homes will also come with bike storage and a ‘city growing space’ to encourage people to grow their own herbs, fruit and vegetables. Paul Webster, chief executive officer of Tolent, said: “As a truly local contractor, we are proud to be involved in this landmark project and continue our legacy in the City of Sunderland. The delivery of these ultra-modern and sustainable homes pushes the boundaries of conventional housing projects and demonstrates the skill and vision of the entire project team. I look forward to seeing the historic site develop over the coming months as the buildings become established which will contribute to the changing skyline of the city centre.” Tolent has committed to delivering significant social value during construction, working with local people and supporting the local supply chain, as well as voluntary and community organisations across Sunderland. In all, over £17m of social value activity – including supporting local jobs for a range of people including apprenticeships and placements, a commitment to spend in the local area through the growth of regional supply chains and a variety of schemes to engage with local community groups – will be delivered during the construction phase of the project. Louise Dodds, Client Relationship Manager at Procurement Hub, said: “Procurement Hub is delighted to be the Procurement partner of choice to deliver a solution for Sunderland City Council on such a forward thinking scheme, and to be part of such a high-profile project which is being delivered by Tolent and will be showcased at the Housing Expo in 2023. We are excited to see the progress on site now that ground has been broken and works are commencing.”
Councillor Jane Meagher has officially broken ground at Scotland’s largest net zero housing development in Granton. The start of construction works at the £72m ‘Western Villages’ project represents a significant milestone for the City of Edinburgh Council in the delivery of the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront regeneration project. Over the next ten years, 3,500 mixed-tenure homes and associated infrastructure will create a new, sustainable coastal community. Cllr Meagher was joined by representatives for the project – including the Council’s own development and regeneration team, contractor CCG (Scotland) and architect Cooper Cromar – at the site located on West Shore Road adjacent to Forthquarter Park. The 444-home masterplan will consist of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, including wheelchair-accessible ground-floor dwellings, available in a mix of social rent (195) mid-market rent (193) and private sale tenures (56) that will each benefit from stunning parkland and sea views. To achieve net zero carbon, all homes will be constructed using advanced construction methods to improve thermal performance (and reduce heat loss). Delivered by an on-site energy centre containing air-source heat pumps and renewable technologies such as solar PV panels, this low carbon heat system and zero emissions strategy is being supported by £4.1m of funding from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme. Complemented by carbon offsetting measures, this pioneering approach to reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions has been developed by CCG in partnership with energy and sustainability consultancy, Carbon Futures. Sustainability credentials will be further enhanced by a reduction in car usage, provision of Electric Vehicle charging, and increased emphasis on active travel to lower the development’s carbon footprint over the longer term. Set for completion in 2024, the homes for rent will be managed by the Council whilst the private homes will be led by CCG Homes, the private housing arm of the CCG Group. Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “We are so proud to lead the country’s biggest net zero housing development and to break ground today. “With an ambitious target to become a net zero city by 2030, this first phase of Granton Waterfront will act as a blueprint for future sustainable development and help Scotland transition towards a greener economy. This housing is going to provide hundreds of affordable homes, right at the centre of what will be Edinburgh’s newest neighbourhood – offering a fantastically lively, active, and sustainable waterfront lifestyle for everyone who moves in. “People moving in will benefit from a real 20-minute neighbourhood, with great progress being made in our £1.3 billon wider regeneration project including a growing cultural and arts cluster in the area, after we announced works to refurbish the former Granton Station building into a creative workspace, as well as a new creative and community hub at 20 West Shore Road by Edinburgh Palette. It’s also great to see the iconic Granton Gasholder is being brought back to life – now illuminated in solidarity with Ukraine it is set to be fully restored and opened as a public amenity space. “The operators of the Pitt Street market have also announced their plans to take up a new residence here, with more than half of all stalls to be led by start-ups and entrepreneurs, and we’re only going to see more and more new services, businesses and creative endeavours choose Granton. This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the city and for how we build new homes and new neighbourhoods and I look forward to seeing it all take shape.” CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “CCG’s contribution to the regeneration of Granton is significant with over 500 homes set to be under construction by the middle of this year. Western Villages, alongside a further 75 homes with the Council at Waterfront Avenue (known as Granton D1, the first pilot project of the Edinburgh Homes Demonstrator initiative), will play a major role in the creation of this new coastal community and also help shape our understanding and capabilities of net zero housing delivery in Edinburgh and across Scotland. “We are very proud to be pioneering applied research and development into net zero housebuilding to support our economy’s green ambitions whilst also ensuring that high-quality, highly energy efficient homes remain accessible to our communities.”
A formal planning application has now been submitted to West Lothian Council to create a major new park on the site of the historic Winchburgh Brickworks. Daisy Park, which is part of the approved masterplan for Winchburgh, sits adjacent to the Union Canal and the new marina in the heart of the Winchburgh community. The designs for Daisy Park have been heavily influenced by the local community. They respect and reflect the historic brickworks as well as retaining major areas of biodiversity. The park will also include a wild learning garden and viewing points across to the Forth bridges. Daisy Park will become a central meeting place for and provide connections across the whole of the community by footpaths and cycle paths. Connecting directly onto the Union Canal, it can be easily used as a stop-off for those cycling the wider canal network. John Hamilton, Chief Executive, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, commented: “This isn’t just another new park for the community. Its design has been significantly influenced by the community too. The plans have been subject to extensive consultation and the proposals that are going in for approval reflect the feedback that we had from many Winchburgh residents. Some of the locals still remember the brickworks when it was operational and we know many of them are looking forward to seeing the old industrial site take on a new lease of life.” The planning application can be viewed by searching for ‘daisy’ on the West Lothian Council planning portal. The extensive public consultation report detailing the full engagement and feedback activities are part of the submission. As part of the plans, Winchburgh will welcome adventure waterpark operators, Wild Shore, to the site. Wild Shore – which already operates in Dundee, Delamere (Cheshire), Liverpool and New Brighton – is set to develop a new facility within the park and create a major water-based visitor attraction. The people behind Wild Shore also operate Foxlake Adventures in East Lothian. The park will become home to award-winning water adventure activities including cable wakeboarding, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming and for the first time in Scotland – their unique floating ropes course over water – Aqua Chimp. The facilities will also include changing rooms and a café. Callum Mark, Director, Wild Shore, said: “‘We are delighted that the planning application has been submitted. The community consultation has been an invaluable exercise in gaining a unique insight into the village’s history, exciting future and the strong community driving expansion and change. We have been blown away by the support the project has received and can’t wait to start working with local schools, youth groups, voluntary organisations and the wider community to create a truly special facility for Winchburgh and beyond.” Wild Shore Winchburgh will manage the quarry water under a 30-year agreement with Winchburgh Developments. It will be easily accessible within one hour for more than half of the Scottish population, especially with new junction connecting local roads with the M9 expected to be completed early next year. Spanning 352 hectares, Winchburgh is one of the largest placemaking projects currently underway in the UK delivering at least 3,800 homes, improved transport links, employment opportunities, schools and outdoor spaces. Any enquiries should be directed to Penny Lochhead, Community, Sports and Greenspace Manager on 07802 500991 or penny@winchburghdevelopments.com. Callum Mark, Director, Wild Shore Winchburgh, 07507 331535 callum@wildshore.co.uk Planning application: https://planning.westlothian.gov.uk/publicaccess/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=RFEYCYRJH4I00 The full design boards from the consultation can be seen at www.winchburghgreenspaces.co.uk The artist impressions are courtesy of Optimised Environments Ltd (OPEN).
