2021 Planet Passionate report published today Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduced 4.3% versus 2020 29% reduction in carbon intensity achieved Insulation systems sold in 2021 will save an estimated 193 million tonnes of carbon in their lifetime Kingspan Group, the global leader in advanced insulation and building solutions,
Aim to be one of the largest BTR providers in the commuter belt by 2027 Star Living will first launch at sites in Harlow, Luton and Gravesend Strawberry Star Group aim to have an income generating portfolio with a target of £1 billion GDV by 2027 Specialist property developer and operator Strawberry Star Group continues to
National housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has officially started work on site at Westwood Park, Glenrothes, which kicks off the eight-year building programme to deliver 420 much needed residential homes to the area. The range of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses have been designed to cater for a range of needs and
Once complete the North East Lands neighbourhood will provide over 2,000 homes in addition to the 4,780 already complete across Wembley Park. Planning permission has been secured for the first phase of this district, which will provide 769 new homes, 201 of which will be affordable within a range of
All 51 homes at Living Space’s flagship Malvern Oaks development in Herefordshire are now completed and occupied. The six-acre scheme features 32 homes delivered to housing provider Stonewater for affordable rent and shared ownership, together with 19 open market properties. Located off Pixiefields in the traditional village of Cradley, the
Scotland’s largest net zero housing development will see 444 new homes built after Councillors in Edinburgh agreed a new £71 million contract. Part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s major £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton Waterfront, the Western Villages project will be taken forward by CCG (Scotland) Ltd following a
The City of Edinburgh Council-led regeneration of Meadowbank has reached another major milestone this week as Councillors agreed to appoint a development partner for the next stage of the project at the Finance and Resources Committee today (3 March 2022). Following a competitive procurement process the £1.045million contract will be awarded
NATIONAL contractor Stepnell has completed works on behalf of Brio Retirement Living to design and build the £29m Beechwood Park – a 106 dwelling luxury retirement living community in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. The completed Beechwood Park retirement home boasts a range of one, two, and three bedroomed bungalows and apartments, each
Latest phase adds to 1,450 homes already created at flagship development Approval now means work could begin by Autumn 22 St. Modwen, a leading developer of new communities and high-quality homes, has reached the latest milestone at its flagship Longbridge development after Birmingham City Council granted planning permission for a
Barhale has been awarded a design and build contract to enable completion of Barking Riverside train station – the new London Overground station that will service over 10,000 new homes planned in East London. Barking Riverside Limited (BRL) has appointed civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale to install a new
2021 Planet Passionate report published today Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions reduced 4.3% versus 2020 29% reduction in carbon intensity achieved Insulation systems sold in 2021 will save an estimated 193 million tonnes of carbon in their lifetime Kingspan Group, the global leader in advanced insulation and building solutions, has released its second annual report for its 10-year sustainability programme, Planet Passionate. Highlights include a 4.3% reduction (1) in scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions and a 29% reduction in carbon intensity (2) year-on-year, against a background of 42% total revenue growth for the period. For the second year running, the Group has made absolute reductions towards its 2030 net zero carbon manufacturing goal. This is underpinned by a verified SBTi (3) target to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 90% by 2030, from a 2020 base year. Achieving this will require the decarbonisation of Kingspan’s energy sources and processes across its existing 198 manufacturing sites (up from 166 in 2020), while supporting newly acquired businesses to decarbonise as quickly as possible. To accelerate the Group’s decarbonisation strategy, the report has announced the introduction of an internal carbon charge of €70 per tonne of CO2e, which will be implemented throughout the business in 2023. The 2021 Planet Passionate report illustrates the positive progress made to date against the majority of the programme’s 12 measurable targets in carbon, energy, water, and circularity. Notable achievements include: Energy: An increase in the direct use of renewable energy from 19.5% to 26.1%, and an increase in the percentage of wholly-owned facilities with solar PV from 21.7% to 28.4%. The Group also achieved a 15% reduction in energy intensity (4) year-on-year. Carbon: An increase in the percentage of zero emissions company funded cars from 11% to 29%. Circularity: A reduction in company waste to landfill of 13%, as well as 843 million PET bottles recycled into our processes. Water: The Group announced its second ocean cleanup project: a partnership with cleantech startup SeabinTM, to deploy their unique technology first in Sydney Harbour followed by LA later in 2022. This follows a three-year partnership with the ECOALF Foundation which works with a network of 2,000 artisan fishermen to remove around 150 tonnes of marine debris each year from the Mediterranean. In addition, Kingspan’s science-based targets were updated in 2021 and are now in line with a 1.5°C future. Limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C means that the world must achieve a 45% reduction in global CO2 emissions versus 2010 levels by 2030 (5). While Kingspan did not make progress in 2021 against its target to halve the product CO2e intensity from its primary supply partners by 2030, the report highlights ongoing collaboration with suppliers to this end. Moreover, during the year Kingspan invested in H2 Green Steel, a company pioneering new production methods for lower-impact steel manufacturing using green hydrogen. Use of lower-emissions steel could help Kingspan reduce the embodied carbon of its insulated panel products by up to 45%. The report also presents the impact of Kingspan products sold during 2021. The built environment is responsible for roughly 39% of global carbon emissions (6), and high-performance insulation is one of the most important ways to increase energy-efficiency in buildings. The insulation systems Kingspan sold during 2021 are projected to save 193 million tCO2e (7) during their lifetime. That’s equivalent to the emissions from 42 million passenger vehicles in a year (8). In addition, Kingspan announced a new initiative called Planet Passionate Communities, a programme that will support people and communities around the world. The report unveils the programme’s flagship project: a five-year partnership with GOAL, the international humanitarian response agency, to support them in their transformative work in areas of most need. Gene Murtagh, CEO of Kingspan Group, said: “The climate crisis, the pandemic, and now recent global events all serve to concentrate the mind on the need to build a more resilient and equitable world while ensuring energy security. Planet Passionate is our contribution to a future that uses resources efficiently, protects the natural world and delivers high-performance, energy-efficient products and solutions to our customers and global communities.” Bianca Wong, Head of Sustainability of Kingspan Group, said: “Delivering a programme of this scale against a background of rapid business growth takes huge effort and determination and I would like to thank and commend the incredible efforts of our people across the world to achieve positive progress against the majority of our targets for the second year in a row.”
Aim to be one of the largest BTR providers in the commuter belt by 2027 Star Living will first launch at sites in Harlow, Luton and Gravesend Strawberry Star Group aim to have an income generating portfolio with a target of £1 billion GDV by 2027 Specialist property developer and operator Strawberry Star Group continues to expand its housing vision with the launch of a dedicated Built-to-Rent (BTR) arm, Star Living. Star Living is positioned in the market to provide a modern and convenient rental product within the commuter belt against a background of chronic supply issues, whilst serving investors as a resilient asset class poised for growth. Star Living will launch at its Harlow development in Essex, with phase one as a dedicated BTR block of 163 residential units with a GDV of £45m, due to start construction this year. Planning permission has also been granted for a Star Living site in Gravesend, Kent, with a first phase planned of around 100 BTR units with a GDV of £30m. An existing BTS site of Strawberry Star, Lu2on in Bedfordshire, will soon launch phase two with 564 units under BTR with an estimated GDV of £160m. Strawberry Star Group aim to have a portfolio within London commuter towns with a target of £1 billion GDV by 2027. Chairman of Strawberry Star, Santhosh Gowda, said, “Our vision for Strawberry Star’s Star Living arm is to be the leading income generating, diversified and scalable BTR investment platform through our unique, cost-efficient, build and operational expertise. We aim to be one of the largest BTR providers in the commuter belt by 2027. Star Living brings together our existing skillsets as an end-to-end provider combined with a panel of leading contractors and consultants for significant placemaking schemes that benefit each local community.” Santhosh continued, “With a strong pipeline of new Star Living sites due to launch in the next 12 months, we are one of the few developers responding in volume to the current supply crisis. We are focusing on commuter growth towns with a high proportion of young professionals and a low supply of rental properties, aiming to help redress the balance which is causing an upwards pressure on rental values. More choice and better supply will be a huge advantage to those now spending increasing time at home with flexible working here to stay, as BTR products are in a much better position to meet future needs and live-work trends.” Adding a dedicated BTR offering on top of development, residential sales, lettings, asset management and acquisitions, Star Living positions the business as a unique end-to-end provider for an integrated solution, providing one customer journey for both investor and tenant. Handling everything from letting the property to community engagement, Star Living’s purpose-built model is a one-stop-shop designed to secure peace of mind on both sides. The business has already tested out market appetite at their flagship Lu2on scheme in Bedfordshire, having recently completed on its first phase of 401 units, with one of the three finished blocks dedicated to BTL rental homes only. 65% of the 135 rental units havealready rented within the last 3 months of completion.Luton represents a key growing commuter hub for Strawberry Star, indicative of the future sites Star Living will target. Santhosh said, “Our Lu2on scheme has proven exceptionally popular with tenants, carving out a brand-new rental market for this product type. It’s the perfect location for commuting young professionals, with infrastructure improvements like the new DART train enhancing its appeal. Our proven track record of success here will support our transition into full BTR with a model based on both performance and customer satisfaction.” For tenants, the first Star Living site in Harlow will provide a single customer journey from reservations to end of tenancy, including digital concierge, maintenance, parcel storage, flexible co-working and multi-purpose room, shared roof terrace, ancillary services such as laundry, dry cleaning, and housekeeping, with pets allowed and flexible contracts on offer. Studios as well as one and two-bedroom apartments are expected to be available to rent with Wi-Fi and furniture included. Star Living Harlow is due to complete in 2024 and will eventually provide over 163 new homes. Other Star Living sites aim to fill a gap in the market by virtue of its chosen location. By choosing areas close to transport hubs that have very few new-build rentals on offer, Strawberry Star aim to be the first to market, providing invaluable new homes for growing commuter hubs. Nearly all BTR schemes under Star Living will be located in towns and cities identified as having increased housing targets, underlining the important role these homes have in meeting the UK’s national housing targets. A combination of robust demand for housing from the local population, new household formations, fewer private landlords and low levels of housing completions, has led to a structurally low level of rental vacancy. Recent analysis from Capital Economics concluded that the UK would need 230,000 new rental homes a year if the current trajectory of tenant demand continues. BTR could serve a vital role in boosting supply, remaining the fastest-growing part of the rental sector since 2016. Santhosh concluded, “2022 is without a doubt the year of BTR, providing an obvious solution to this highly pressurised market. Last year saw a near 80% increase of capital invested into the sector compared to 2020, so it’s not unreasonable to suggest investment could triple as we edge towards 2023, having shown incredibly strong resilience during an unpredictable year for the UK economy.” For more information visit www.strawberrystar.com.
National housebuilder, Keepmoat Homes, has officially started work on site at Westwood Park, Glenrothes, which kicks off the eight-year building programme to deliver 420 much needed residential homes to the area. The range of two-, three- and four-bedroom houses have been designed to cater for a range of needs and lifestyles, along with access links for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles within the development and to the wider area. The site will feature useable amenity space and children’s play areas, delivering a safe, pleasant and user-friendly public realm, encouraging active lifestyles and a community feel. Councillor Altany Craik, Convener – Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning & Transportation Committee, attended Keepmoat Homes’ ground-breaking ceremony. He said: “Today officially marks the beginning of Keepmoat Homes’ significant house building programme in Glenrothes; a milestone to initiate the start of works on a development of 420 residential homes, of which 42 homes will be affordable housing and serviced land for business use. “This is a tremendous step forward in the redevelopment of this vacant site to the south of Glenrothes, which was sold to Keepmoat Homes as part of a joint venture between Fife Council and Scottish Enterprise, together with adjoining landowner Land Team Scotland (Glenrothes) Limited. “I welcome the development of new homes; the vision to create a new thriving community and the benefits that it will bring; as well as the support to local businesses from the proposed land for business use retained by the joint venture partners. This will provide opportunities for businesses to locate in Glenrothes and invest and create jobs in the local economy.” Derek Wilson, Regional Managing Director of Keepmoat Homes said: “We are thrilled to have started work on the site at Westwood Park and we are looking forward to bringing a thriving new community to the area. We have designed the development to respond to the local surroundings, while also holding a strong character and sense of place.”“We will seek to employ local labour as we see this as an opportunity support local businesses, as well as delivering much-needed new homes. We build family homes that are energy efficient and are designed to provide a breadth of house styles that will suit a wide range of prospective homeowners, from first-time buyers to those looking to up-or-downsize and we are confident that the development will help many achieve their dream of owning a new home.”
Once complete the North East Lands neighbourhood will provide over 2,000 homes in addition to the 4,780 already complete across Wembley Park. Planning permission has been secured for the first phase of this district, which will provide 769 new homes, 201 of which will be affordable within a range of tenures including Shared Ownership, Affordable Rent and Discount Market Rent. Union Park, Wembley’s first new park in 150 years, will be a major part of this new development, providing seven acres of new green space for the community 3.5 of which are already complete. The construction contract for the first two plots will be the largest ever awarded in Quintain’s 30-year history – approximately £220 million. Quintain has recently announced it has broken ground on the next major phase of the 85-acre neighbourhood being created at Wembley Park. Named North East Lands, this 12-acre site will deliver over 2,000 new homes with 769 to be built in its first phase. The first two developments at North East Lands comprise of two buildings with blocks ranging from 10 to 27 storeys, centred around communal gardens, a public park and each block includes a roof terrace. North East Lands will provide almost a quarter of the 8,500 homes within Quintain’s Wembley Park overall masterplan and has been designed with high levels of sustainability in both construction and operation, in line with Quintain’s sustainability priorities. The majority of the new Haworth Tompkins’ designed homes in this first phase will be for rent and managed by the award-winning Quintain Living team that already operates over 3,250 homes across Wembley Park within nine diverse Build-to-Rent communities. North East Lands will feature furnished apartments with best-in-class interior design and the lifestyle amenities that Quintain Living is famous for. The buildings will be designed and operated to recognised industry sustainability standards such as the WELL Building Standard. James Saunders, Chief Executive of Quintain said: “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, it is fantastic to start work on this new significant phase of Wembley Park, a neighbourhood that we are extraordinarily proud to say is one of the most exciting new districts in London. Over the last 20 years, Quintain has built Wembley Park from the ground up and North East Lands will not only add to our flourishing Build-to-Rent portfolio, it will also bring a new seven-acre park and a home for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who are relocating to this area. Union Park will open up new green space for all the residents of Brent and we are very proud to be able to deliver what will be the first new park in the area for 150 years.” All the buildings in North Eastern Lands have been designed around the new seven-acre Union Park, with local retail in mind, including new space for a community hall, corner shop and café on the park creating a relaxed place to live, work and visit. The first three acres are complete and open for the community to enjoy. Demolition and enabling works started in January 2022 and are being undertaken by John Sisk & Son, they mark the closure of the last of the surface carparks that historically surrounded the National Stadium. These historic car parks have been replaced by state-of-the -art car and coach facilities, delivered in 2020 and 2021. In addition, the development will embrace Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) helping to dramatically reduce vehicle and labour movements as well as improving the on site environment. To deliver North Eastern Lands, Quintain are in advanced discussions with John Sisk & Son over the largest construction contract ever to be awarded at Wembley Park at approximately £220m. Sisk have been a key delivery partner for Quintain for 17 years working on residential developments, the Hilton hotel and the refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed, OVO Arena Wembley.
All 51 homes at Living Space’s flagship Malvern Oaks development in Herefordshire are now completed and occupied. The six-acre scheme features 32 homes delivered to housing provider Stonewater for affordable rent and shared ownership, together with 19 open market properties. Located off Pixiefields in the traditional village of Cradley, the £12m scheme benefits from enviable views of the Malvern Hills. Supported by Homes England funding, the development comprises two, three and four-bedroom high-quality family homes and bungalows. The focal point for the expansive scheme is a large area of Public Open Space with a fully equipped children’s play area. To complement the open space, Stonewater and Living Space commissioned a local artist to create hand-carved wooden pixie stools to feature as public artworks. The development opened to the public in Autumn 2020 and all of the homes for sale were matched with buyers well ahead of the build schedule. Paul Breen, Managing Director of Living Space said: “Malvern Oaks is a shining example of how well mixed-tenure development can work. The proportion of the 51 homes which were purpose-designed for affordable rent, shared ownership and private sale is very equal. There has been very little new development in this traditional rural area of Herefordshire and so demand for each type of housing has been extremely high. From the outset, we worked alongside Stonewater to ensure this partnership scheme raised the bar in terms of quality – both for the newly built homes themselves and the landscaping and communal open space. “We have really enjoyed seeing the new residents move into their homes and are delighted to be able to mark the completion of this flagship development. We are now looking forward to several new partnership projects with Stonewater, which will have a strong eco focus.” Matt Crucefix, Director of Development (West and South) at Stonewater said: “We’re pleased that we were able to work in partnership with Living Space and to provide over and beyond the number of affordable homes required at this flagship development. “We’re committed to giving everyone the opportunity to live in a home that they are proud of and we recognise that this is especially challenging in rural areas where wages are low, but property prices – in villages such as Cradley – are high. Whilst Covid-19 created some delays for this project, it’s great to hand over these high-quality affordable homes in this scenic part of Herefordshire to the people who need them most.”
Scotland’s largest net zero housing development will see 444 new homes built after Councillors in Edinburgh agreed a new £71 million contract. Part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s major £1.3 billion regeneration of Granton Waterfront, the Western Villages project will be taken forward by CCG (Scotland) Ltd following a competitive tender process. On track to begin construction in mid-2022, Western Villages will offer a mix of one, two- and three-bedroom flats with wheelchair accessible homes and a range of tenure options including social, mid-market rent and homes for sale. The masterplan for the area will take account of the sea views and the nearby parkland, and will focus on active travel, electric car charging points, car club spaces and public transport links. The decision was taken by the Finance and Resources Committee on Thursday (3 March). The City of Edinburgh Council Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “Particularly on the back of COP26 and our own 2030 Climate Strategy, approving this contract gives us certainty that that we’ll be able to deliver this major aspect of the Council’s £1.3 billion Granton Waterfront regeneration. Housing will be integral in meeting our net zero ambitions by 2030 and Western Villages will be a gold-standard for other new development across the city. “The wider regeneration project will also create one of Europe’s largest coastal city parks, providing opportunities for residents and visitors to reconnect with the city’s waterfront by offering more areas for leisure and outdoor experiences, civic spaces and sustainable housing.” Convener for the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee, Councillor Kate Campbell, said: “The decision by Finance and Resources Committee is great news and will help us deliver this development, which will help us accelerate the delivery of affordable homes. Granton’s regeneration is a key part of our commitment to build 20,000 social and affordable homes by 2027. “The steps we’re taking now to make homes more sustainable will make homes easier and cheaper to heat, which helps us to tackle climate change. But it’s also crucial for tenants, reducing fuel bills at a time where the cost of living crisis is pushing too many people in poverty.” Partnering with CCG (Scotland) and architect Cooper Cromar in the creation of the new housing, the Council is also adopting CCG’s new Net Zero Home housebuilding standard for this build which will support its ambition of achieving net zero by 2030. This standard brings improved insulation, low carbon heating and renewable technology that will help the Council make big strides in building sustainable housing for its residents. Over the next 15 years, 3,500 net-zero carbon homes, a low energy heat network, a primary school, health centre, commercial and cultural spaces, sustainable transport provision and a new coastal park are all planned to be delivered in Granton Waterfront alongside progress underway in growing a cultural and arts cluster.
The City of Edinburgh Council-led regeneration of Meadowbank has reached another major milestone this week as Councillors agreed to appoint a development partner for the next stage of the project at the Finance and Resources Committee today (3 March 2022). Following a competitive procurement process the £1.045million contract will be awarded to the Edinburgh Meadowbank Group, to be referred to as EDMB, a consortium comprising of John Graham Holdings, Panacea Property Development and Miller Homes. They will progress design and pre-construction works by early 2023 ahead of the start of construction work on site. The ambition for the development of Meadowbank is to create one of the Capital’s greenest neighbourhoods by incorporating low-car, low-carbon infrastructure with energy efficient homes. The regeneration will deliver around 600 new mixed tenure homes for sale and rent, at least 35% of which will be affordable with a number being fully wheelchair adapted. Positioned on the site adjacent to the new Meadowbank Sports Centre off London Road, it will also include space for a range of commercial and community uses on the ground floor including the proposed location for a GP Surgery. High quality pubic realm and landscaping, focusing on the industrial and sporting heritage will provide new active travel routes through to Restalrig, while protecting and enhancing the existing trees and environment. During the pre-development period, work will be carried out to prepare for construction, including developing detailed designs and agreeing a net zero carbon energy solution for the site, contributing to the Council’s ambitious target to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. The Meadowbank masterplan for the site was approved in October 2020 following an extensive programme of community consultation. Regular engagement on proposals for the site has continued with the Meadowbank Sounding Board – a group consisting of local representatives, councillors, and council officers – which continues to review progress and ensure the site continues to best meet the community’s and council’s priorities. A wide range of community benefits and fair work proposals will also be delivered. These will include seven new apprenticeship positions and fourteen new job opportunities; site visits for local schools over the course of the development; employability support events; community enhancement projects, including donations of up to £100,000 to community groups; and all employees and sub-contractors will be paid the Real Living Wage. Councillor Rob Munn, Finance and Resource Convener, said: Strong and extensive scrutiny has gone into this procurement process to get us to this point. We’ve discussed this at committee today and agree that we have a pre-development partner in place that shares our vision while also offering us best value. We now want to deliver more affordable housing and space for retail businesses, while we hope to provide a much-needed GP surgery provision to benefit everyone within the local community. It’s great that these homes are located a short distance from the city centre and will be both cost effective to heat alongside some that will be wheelchair accessible. With the Meadowbank masterplan also having been awarded a ‘Building with Nature’ accreditation we know that development will be setting standards for sustainable design, implementation and maintenance of high-quality green features so I look forward to seeing the results of this stage of the development and what EDMB can bring to that. Councillor Joan Griffiths, Vice Convener, said: Seeing another stage of our masterplan getting closer to becoming a reality is very exciting, especially as it will provide so many homes for the city, contributing to our ambition to deliver 20,000 affordable homes by 2027. This development and wider neighbourhood, shaped by the local community, will bring a great regenerative feel to this area of the city. While, through the community benefits programme we have agreed as part of this contract, we also hope to bring new jobs and training opportunities for local people, offer opportunities for local school leavers and children to be part of the vision for Meadowbank. www.edinburgh.gov.uk/meadowbank
NATIONAL contractor Stepnell has completed works on behalf of Brio Retirement Living to design and build the £29m Beechwood Park – a 106 dwelling luxury retirement living community in Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. The completed Beechwood Park retirement home boasts a range of one, two, and three bedroomed bungalows and apartments, each cladded in Cotswold Stone, and set against a quintessential countryside backdrop within one of UK’s most desirable market towns. Sustainable living solutions have been incorporated into the design and build, to include district heating, combined heat and power generation, and full home automation. As a result, this project has been awarded the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘‘Very Good’’ standard rating and BRE HQM (Home Quality Mark) Level 3. Designed with a wide range of community facilities and communal areas, the retirement home is home to beautiful landscaped gardens, and includes an exercise trail, raised bed gardens and Brio’s brasserie and bar Slate & Grain. Furthermore, there is a purpose-built social space for recreational activities, club fitness suite, spa and lounge. A shuttle bus is also available for shopping trips and excursions. Colin Chiles, operations director at Stepnell, said: “We are delighted to open the doors to Beechwood Park, a to provide a first-class retirement living experience in the heart of the Cotswolds. “Together with Brio, we have prioritised the environmental performance of the residential community throughout every phase of planning and delivery, which has been recognised as part of the BREEAM accreditation process to achieve “Very Good” standard. This has been achieved as result of a strong collaborative effort.” To achieve the BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard, the team demonstrated ‘best practice’ – the performance rating reserved for the top 10% of new UK non-domestic buildings. Colin continued: “This development follows a series of retirement village projects in the region, including the recently delivered £5.25m Edwardstow Court in the centre of Stow. Stepnell has quickly become recognised as a national contractor of choice for retirement developments, which has organically grown through a series of successful partnerships.” The residential units are now available with a range of buy, part-own, rent and part-rent options. Stepnell’s completion adds to a growing portfolio of care projects, which will soon include the £6.5m The Gables Care Home on Bennett Drive in Birmingham and a £4.3m refurbishment project at the Town Thorns Care Home in Rugby, with work currently underway at both sites. To find out more about Stepnell’s healthcare and retirement living expertise, visit: www.stepnell.co.uk. Join the conversation at @Stepnellltd.
Latest phase adds to 1,450 homes already created at flagship development Approval now means work could begin by Autumn 22 St. Modwen, a leading developer of new communities and high-quality homes, has reached the latest milestone at its flagship Longbridge development after Birmingham City Council granted planning permission for a new neighbourhood of 350 new homes. This latest phase builds on the 1,450 homes and 3,000 full-time jobs already delivered by St. Modwen, which has already boosted the local community and economy. St. Modwen has worked in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority which has contributed £6 million of grant funding to support the redevelopment of the West Longbridge area. Work is already underway on the infrastructure throughout the 75-acre site and represents a significant part of the overall £1 billion regeneration project that is being undertaken. The new homes will be built by St. Modwen Homes and construction is expected to begin by Autumn 2022. The planning success builds on the momentum from late 2021 when planning permission was granted to build a new state of the art veterinary hospital which will create up to 150 skilled new jobs at West Longbridge Business Park. It represents a major milestone in the development of the park as it becomes a leading centre for science and technology, medicine, advanced manufacturing and R&D. The importance of Longbridge was highlighted by former Minister for Housing, Chris Pincher, when he visited the site in November of last year. The UK Government has made the regeneration of brownfield sites such as Longbridge a top priority as part of a national target to build a million new homes. On completion of the regeneration works, St. Modwen will have created over 3,000 new homes, 2 million sq ft of commercial floorspace and up to 10,000 jobs at Longbridge. Rob Flavell, Senior Director for St. Modwen, said: “Housing has always been an integral part of our plans here at Longbridge. More businesses are coming to Longbridge and employees require good quality, local housing. I’m delighted that the next phase of this regeneration can progress and the whole team here at St. Modwen are looking forward to more significant developments at Longbridge throughout 2022.” West Longbridge will also feature 27 acres of attractive, green space connected to the nearby Austin Park, including a mile of the River Rea which will open to the public for the first time, increasing biodiversity and promoting health and wellbeing throughout the area. Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Securing planning permission for this latest development of housing represents yet another important step for the regeneration of Longbridge. For those of us familiar with the troubled history of this site it really is brilliant to see the rejuvenation of Longbridge coming along, and I am delighted the WMCA has been able to play its part in making that happen. “This scheme is the latest in a long line that we have helped fund, bringing derelict brownfield land back into use to create much-needed new homes and new jobs for local people. Not only that, but our brownfield-first approach to redevelopment across the West Midlands also helps protect our precious and irreplaceable greenbelt land.” For more information about the ongoing regeneration of Longbridge town centre, visit: https://www.longbridgebirmingham.co.uk
Barhale has been awarded a design and build contract to enable completion of Barking Riverside train station – the new London Overground station that will service over 10,000 new homes planned in East London. Barking Riverside Limited (BRL) has appointed civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale to install a new foul water pumping station at the terminus which is currently being built as part of the £260M extension of the Gospel Oak to Barking Overground Line. BRL is the joint venture between L&Q and the Mayor of London spearheading Barking Riverside, the mixed-use development that will regenerate the 443 acre brownfield site of the former Barking Power Station. Barhale will enter a three month design phase with design partner Nicholas O’Dwyer before the main construction work commences in May 2022. The programme will also include laying a linking length of foul sewer to a new rising main and the drainage within the pump station to connect the incoming sewer to the inlet chamber and to a new emergency storage. A key consideration is overcoming the challenging ground conditions, predominantly tidal alluvium, presented by the location alongside the River Thames. Barhale’s Daniel Meadowcroft, regional manager, explained that the team had been able to bring its experience of similar scenarios to bear in its recommendations. “Our approach will see the originally-specified, shallower-laid, large diameter pipes replaced by a storage tank,” he said. “Given that we are literally working on the banks of the Thames, it will provide a firmer foundation and minimise the risk of settlement. “It’s a great example of how we are able to draw upon our extensive expertise in overcoming engineering challenges to find an optimum solution. “Barking Riverside is a hugely important project to help build the transport infrastructure for a new community in East London. We are very excited to be playing a part.” Barking Riverside station is scheduled to open later this year.
