Weston Homes’ proposals to regenerate Anglia Square in central Norwich into a £300 million mixed use urban quarter has received a Resolution to Grant planning permission from Norwich City Council. Planning permission can be issued as soon as a ‘Section 106’ legal agreement between the applicants and the Council is completed. The
Local councillors recommended to approve Burnley’s Town Centre and Canalside Masterplan at the end of the month. The masterplan sets out proposals on how the town centre and canalside areas could look in the future. The key proposals include: A major new leisure development called “Pioneer Place”, which includes the
An ambitious £93.8 million transformation plan is set for Coventry city centre and Coventry Station. Coventry City Council’s planning committee gave its permission for the £11.8 million scheme to improve the Upper Precinct and the £82 million Coventry Station Masterplan. The plans submitted by Shearer Property Group include a framed
A building in the heart of Unity Campus, South Cambridge, is to be transformed into a new £20 million multi-let business space by architect firm NBBJ. The project is the first phase of Howard’s Group investment to create a new campus style business park in the area. The Works is
JP Concrete has installed the final reinforced concrete barrier for the £23.3 million redevelopment of Preston Bus Station. Completed in time-critical phases to allow the station to remain operational, the work used approximately 33 precast barriers designed and manufactured by JP Concrete. Based on invaluable experience gained during a successful
A four year regeneration programme that will prolong Gentoo’s housing stock and ensure residents are living in high-quality, energy efficient and sustainable housing, within a safe environment, will be delivered by Engie’s regeneration business. The work includes re-roofing existing properties and undertaking gable wall repairs at the Racecourse Estate in
A major new £195 million student accommodation scheme for Kingston University in London has announced the regeneration specialist, Engie, as the preferred bidder. As part of the contract, the firm will be responsible for energy management and monitoring across the site, as well as bringing leading edge technology to deliver
JP Concrete has installed the final reinforced concrete barrier for the £23.3 million redevelopment of Preston Bus Station. Completed in time-critical phases to allow the station to remain operational, the work used approximately 33 precast barriers designed and manufactured by JP Concrete. Based on invaluable experience gained during a successful
Leeds Council has signed off a city centre planning agreement on a £350 million mixed-use development on the six acre site in the heart of the South Bank. Work is set to begin next month and it involves demolishing the former warehouse on Water Lane and preparing the site for
Stephen George + Partners, one of the UK’s leading architectural practices, has received planning permission for their £8million Metro Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre in South Shields. This pivotal regeneration project, by Passenger Transport Executive Nexus, is a flagship development, promising to bring skills and new employment into the region.
Weston Homes’ proposals to regenerate Anglia Square in central Norwich into a £300 million mixed use urban quarter has received a Resolution to Grant planning permission from Norwich City Council. Planning permission can be issued as soon as a ‘Section 106’ legal agreement between the applicants and the Council is completed. The new development is one of the biggest urban renewal projects outside of Greater London, covering more than 1.2 million square feet. The redeveloped Anglia Square provides new homes, retail premises, leisure amenities, public artwork and new public realm. It will deliver a series of striking buildings designed around two Covent Garden style landscaped plazas, linked by new high quality landscaped public spaces including pedestrian streets, offering cycle linkages across the site, complete with new trees and planted areas. There would also be extensive communal green squares and central courtyards for residents of the scheme. Furthermore, over 1,200 much needed new homes will be created, including stylish one and two bedroom apartments and penthouses for private sale, alongside circa 120 on-site affordable homes for local households on lower incomes. The proposals for Anglia Square will give Norwich a new northern city centre destination for shopping, leisure and entertainment, with high quality retail floorspace allowing for 40 glass fronted retail units, including an anchor food store. Alongside this there will be a new 200 bed hotel with a range of facilities including a roof level bar and restaurant, offering panoramic views over the city centre, and a new leisure quarter, centred on a new ground floor multi-screen cinema. Surrey Chapel will be provided with a brand new £2.5 million home within the development. Anglia Square is the future of Norwich with striking architecture in the form of high quality buildings with expanses of glazing, varied balcony design, rooftop terraces and feature detailing to the facades. There will be shops, restaurants and leisure at ground level, with homes above, with those on the uppermost floors offering panoramic views over Norwich City Centre. There will be a replacement multi-storey car park providing 600 shopper parking spaces, and the project allows for 75% of the homes to have residential parking. There will also be public “play trail” artwork, helping to create a “Covent Garden” style ambience, allowing both adults and children to enjoy the public open spaces, with details to be agreed with the City Council. The project will open up new views of the Anglican Cathedral and St Augustine’s Church and bring various benefits to Norwich. The new Anglia Square represents a substantial level of private sector investment into Norwich, with the mixture of uses generating new Council Tax revenue, new construction and permanent employment opportunities, and New Homes Bonus payments over four years.
Local councillors recommended to approve Burnley’s Town Centre and Canalside Masterplan at the end of the month. The masterplan sets out proposals on how the town centre and canalside areas could look in the future. The key proposals include: A major new leisure development called “Pioneer Place”, which includes the relocation of Reel cinema to a new multi-screen complex at Curzon Street. The new site will also include new food, beverage and retail units. It would include a new public square and improved pedestrian access. The development would include a 125-space car park. Continued improvement to Charter Walk shopping centre, including new frontages for the shops facing Market Square and the relocation of the market hall access stair. The development of a university campus site, including new student accommodation around Sandygate Square. A longer-term option is to develop the George Street Mill site, which is between the town centre and Sandygate. Largely derelict at present, the area could become a future university campus site, including additional teaching buildings for UCLan, with more student accommodation, or it could be developed for residential use, building on the success of Bridgewalk Apartments. “We’re grateful to everyone who fed back their views during the consultation. The overall response was generally supportive of our vision for the future of Burnley. This masterplan sets out how the town centre and surrounding areas could be developed to establish Burnley as a university town with a thriving and vibrant shopping centre and an historic heart that successfully mixes industrial heritage with future aspirations,” said Asif Raja, Executive Member for Economy and Growth. “The council’s job is to bring together investment from the council, the wider public sector, and business, so we can deliver aspects of the masterplan. This isn’t going to happen overnight, but we make no excuses for putting forward an ambitious and aspirational vision that will deliver a brighter future for Burnley,” he concluded. The plan is projected to bring an estimated £100 million boost and up to 1,000 new jobs to the borough.
An ambitious £93.8 million transformation plan is set for Coventry city centre and Coventry Station. Coventry City Council’s planning committee gave its permission for the £11.8 million scheme to improve the Upper Precinct and the £82 million Coventry Station Masterplan. The plans submitted by Shearer Property Group include a framed courtyard in the Upper Precinct along with planting, landscaping, water features, seating areas and timber terraces. The work also involves the demolition of the existing escalator and footbridges connected to West Orchards Shopping Centre, and the creation of a 75-room student accommodation block in the district. Phase one of the council’s masterplan for Coventry Station is already underway and it aims to construct a new footbridge and canopies, as well as an access tunnel under Warwick Road. The second phase consists of the construction of a multi-storey car park for 633 vehicles, a new station concourse with access to all platforms and Warwick Road, and a new pedestrian route via an access tunnel under Warwick Road to a new bus interchange. This project is being funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority, the CWLEP, the Department for Transport and other borrowings. “It’s been a while since we had this level of investment in our city approved in a single planning committee – but now we have the green light to crack on with these two important city centre projects,” said Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs and Regeneration at Coventry City Council and CWLEP board director. “Our work in the Upper Precinct will help to reinstate it back to something much closer to Donald Gibson’s original plan. We will ensure we retain the very best of the old whilst creating an environment appropriate for the way people want to enjoy their city centre today. The railway station is the fastest growing outside London with passenger numbers increasing year-on-year so we need a station that can cope with increased demand and provide the right kind of Coventry welcome,” he continued. Coventry City Council is working in partnership with Network Rail, Virgin Trains and other rail operators, Transport for West Midlands, Friargate Coventry LLP and other stakeholders to deliver the scheme.
A building in the heart of Unity Campus, South Cambridge, is to be transformed into a new £20 million multi-let business space by architect firm NBBJ. The project is the first phase of Howard’s Group investment to create a new campus style business park in the area. The Works is NBBJ’s scheme that aims to provide 63,000 square feet of flexible, modern business space, incorporating the pre-cast concrete frame of the original building. The scheme is expected to be completed in late 2019. “The goal at The Works is to create an environment where dynamic, growing businesses can thrive. South Cambridge has a huge number of occupiers looking for something a little different to the institutional office stock available, that will help them to both recruit and retain talent and inspire and engage their workforce. With excellent train services, cycle routes into central Cambridge and easy access to the main road network, this is the perfect campus-style office location,” said William Jewson, Howard Group’s Development Director. “The Works is the first stage of our masterplan for Unity Campus. The ultimate aim is to create a new kind of business park, with striking architecture, grade A infrastructure, a pedestrian and cycle friendly circulation space and excellent amenities both internally and externally. We would love to talk to any businesses interested in making the move into something a little more exciting than the more conventional business park,” William added. NBBJ is a different kind of design practice, one that helps its clients drive innovation by creating highly productive, sustainable spaces that free people to live, learn, work and play as they were meant to. Founded in 1943, NBBJ has locations in Boston, Columbus, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Pune, San Francisco, Seattle and Shanghai. Its global network of “renaissance teams” includes more than 700 researchers, strategists, nurses, architects, anthropologists, planners and interior designers who generate ideas that have a profound and lasting impact.
JP Concrete has installed the final reinforced concrete barrier for the £23.3 million redevelopment of Preston Bus Station. Completed in time-critical phases to allow the station to remain operational, the work used approximately 33 precast barriers designed and manufactured by JP Concrete. Based on invaluable experience gained during a successful contract at Leicester Bus Station, JP Concrete has been able to share vital information with Engie, the leading regeneration, energy and facilities management company. Initially, this brought about a weight-saving L-shaped barrier – installed during the first phase – that has reduced tonnage by 30%, saving on materials, transport and installation costs. “We have all been under a huge amount of pressure to get the bus station handed over, especially with the first phase being such a learning curve. JP Concrete have been totally prepared throughout, working very hard to help us meet our important deadlines – proving easy to work with alongside our engineers, Westlake’s Consulting and AHR architects, who finalised the design of the East apron,” said Phil Whelan, Design Manager for Engie. “After that tricky first section, the second and third phases have worked like a dream. This is despite having to work around such a big, fully operational bus station with a total of 80 gates prior to the redevelopment. Closing off sections and keeping others open has been very complicated, but JP Concrete know exactly what they are talking about, especially with design, impact requirements – and how elements of the concrete would form a visible, tactile part of the new structure,” added Phil. Aiming to regenerate the best of the original 1969 design, the refurbishment work included the replacement of the lighting and the existing timber rests, while retaining the original rubber floor. Signs will also be updated to reflect the new uses of the building, but with the original style reinstated. On the Preston Guild Hall side of the bus station, the area currently used for bus stands will be developed into a new public space.
A four year regeneration programme that will prolong Gentoo’s housing stock and ensure residents are living in high-quality, energy efficient and sustainable housing, within a safe environment, will be delivered by Engie’s regeneration business. The work includes re-roofing existing properties and undertaking gable wall repairs at the Racecourse Estate in Houghton le Spring and Town End Farm in Sunderland. As several properties have been identified as shortly needing repointing, brickwork, leadwork, fire breaks and topping up roof space insulation, Gentoo has committed to investing now, in an effort to future proof homes for their tenants. “This is a sensitive but vital project, in which resident welfare is the utmost priority. Gentoo has a very clear and direct vision of ensuring their housing stock is fit for purpose and their tenants are safe and happy. We have demonstrated our extensive abilities in this line of work and have the infrastructure in place to ensure we deliver a seamless and inclusive programme for residents,” said Andrew McIntosh, Regional Managing Director for Engie’s Places & Communities division. All work will be completed with residents in occupation, while Engie will be working openly and closely with the residents throughout the duration of the project to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. Those who are affected by the programme of works will benefit from several consultation meetings and coffee mornings, as well as a dedicated resident liaison officer that will be on hand at all times. “As with all of our projects across the UK, we will also be looking to use a local supply chain and provide employment and training prospects for people in the area, including Gentoo tenants, to ensure we are putting as much as possible back into the local community,” Andrew concluded. As a leader in the energy revolution, Engie offers a comprehensive range of clean mobility solutions that transform the way energy is used. The Group has developed a systems-based approach that combines its skills and expertise in alternative fuels, transport infrastructures, smart transit systems, and upstream design and planning.
A major new £195 million student accommodation scheme for Kingston University in London has announced the regeneration specialist, Engie, as the preferred bidder. As part of the contract, the firm will be responsible for energy management and monitoring across the site, as well as bringing leading edge technology to deliver a sustainable student experience and also optimising levels of energy efficiency within the buildings. Initially, Engie will provide a £55 million redesign and refurbishment of the existing student accommodation, followed by a 50-year facilities management and lifecycle contract worth a further £140 million. Moreover, alongside leading infrastructure investment firm, Equitix, Engie will also take an equity stake in the refurbishment project. Engie will carry out interim FM services during the refurbishment phase. “We are delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder by Kingston University for this first-of-its-kind contract for ENGIE in the UK. This is further proof of the ability of our teams to combine their energy, services and regeneration expertise to propose integrated offers meeting the public sector needs. This project illustrates how ENGIE’s global approach meets its client’s needs in their entirety and complexity. This is enabled by a comprehensive offer and by an integration into local and global ecosystems. The project is aligned with our strategy to assist local authorities and other public sector customers, working alongside them to shape the future use of their estates and public spaces through planning, design and management, to improve the lives of those who use them,” said Judith Hartmann, Engie Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President in charge of the United Kingdom and North America Business Units. As a leader in the energy revolution, Engie offers a comprehensive range of clean mobility solutions that transform the way energy is used. The Group has developed a systems-based approach that combines its skills and expertise in alternative fuels, transport infrastructures, smart transit systems, and upstream design and planning.
JP Concrete has installed the final reinforced concrete barrier for the £23.3 million redevelopment of Preston Bus Station. Completed in time-critical phases to allow the station to remain operational, the work used approximately 33 precast barriers designed and manufactured by JP Concrete. Based on invaluable experience gained during a successful contract at Leicester Bus Station, JP Concrete has been able to share vital information with Engie, the leading regeneration, energy and facilities management company. Initially, this brought about a weight-saving L-shaped barrier – installed during the first phase – that has reduced tonnage by 30%, saving on materials, transport and installation costs. “We have all been under a huge amount of pressure to get the bus station handed over, especially with the first phase being such a learning curve. JP Concrete have been totally prepared throughout, working very hard to help us meet our important deadlines – proving easy to work with alongside our engineers, Westlake’s Consulting and AHR architects, who finalised the design of the East apron,” said Phil Whelan, Design Manager for Engie. “After that tricky first section, the second and third phases have worked like a dream. This is despite having to work around such a big, fully operational bus station with a total of 80 gates prior to the redevelopment. Closing off sections and keeping others open has been very complicated, but JP Concrete know exactly what they are talking about, especially with design, impact requirements – and how elements of the concrete would form a visible, tactile part of the new structure,” added Phil. Aiming to regenerate the best of the original 1969 design, the refurbishment work included the replacement of the lighting and the existing timber rests, while retaining the original rubber floor. Signs will also be updated to reflect the new uses of the building, but with the original style reinstated. On the Preston Guild Hall side of the bus station, the area currently used for bus stands will be developed into a new public space.
Leeds Council has signed off a city centre planning agreement on a £350 million mixed-use development on the six acre site in the heart of the South Bank. Work is set to begin next month and it involves demolishing the former warehouse on Water Lane and preparing the site for development. A programme of archaeological excavation will uncover whatever remains on the site. CEG has already invested £300,000 into securing the Grade II listed bridge which formed a historic route for the Marshall empire and will once again form a physical link over Holbeck, connecting Water Lane and Marshall Street to the new development at Globe Road. “Our proposals for South Bank bring together the birthplace of the industrial revolution in Leeds; the home of Marshall’s first two Mills, as well as the Marshalls’ last, and greatest creation, Temple Works. This is an exceptional opportunity to breathe life back into these, creating locally and nationally important iconic landmark buildings and innovative public spaces. This is not just about building on a historic legacy; it is about creating a new one,” said Jon Kenny, strategic development director at CEG. CEG’s South Bank development has received detailed planning permission for two office development with ground floor retail and leisure, totalling up to 26,100 sq m and outline planning permission for mixed-use development of up to 103,900 sq m of offices, retail, leisure, hotel, health, education and community uses, parking and up to 750 new homes, along with new public spaces and landscaping. “Many years of hard work are being realised as we launch to market an exceptional opportunity for the highest quality office developments just minutes from Leeds City Station. This, along with the retail, leisure, hotel, residential and community uses, benefitting from innovative outdoor spaces and the waterfront, will bring a strategic development of a critical mass and international standard, putting South Bank Leeds on the map as a place to live, work and enjoy,” explained David Hodgson, head of strategic development north for CEG. Overall, the wider South Bank regeneration area covers 253 hectares south of the River Aire in Leeds and it is set to double the size of Leeds City Centre, providing more than 35,000 jobs and 8,000 homes – making it one of the largest City Centre regeneration initiatives in Europe.
Stephen George + Partners, one of the UK’s leading architectural practices, has received planning permission for their £8million Metro Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre in South Shields. This pivotal regeneration project, by Passenger Transport Executive Nexus, is a flagship development, promising to bring skills and new employment into the region. Working with contractor Galliford Try Infrastructure, SGP developed a 33,500 sq ft single building option to accommodate a training centre and light maintenance facility, meeting the client’s budget whilst maintaining the facilities’ operational requirements. Architecturally the single building allows the development to be unified, with the training centre wrapping around the light maintenance area. Vertically stacking the accommodation allowed reception and break-out spaces to overlook the main entrance and kept classroom, meeting and engineering activities clearly split between floors. “This is a key milestone, enabling the team to now focus on the construction stage of the Metro Skills and Renewals Centre”, explains Alistair Branch, Director at Stephen George + Partners. “SGP is pleased that with this decision and their continued support, Nexus and Galliford Try will realise the delivery of a facility that will maintain the future of the Metro fleet and train the drivers and engineers of tomorrow.“ The Metro Maintenance and Renewals Skills Centre will provide training for more than 1,000 people working on the Metro, including contractors involved in the £350m modernisation of the urban rail system used by 40 million passengers a year. The Centre will contain classrooms, meeting rooms, offices, staff room, canteen and changing facilities, an enclosed light maintenance area including train inspection pits, a platform and mock station. An external training track facility will be built to the west of the building. Construction work is planned to commence late spring.
