transformation

Major Transformation Awaiting Slough School

A major transformation project will bring two new buildings to a school in Slough. Wates Construction has commenced work on the site of Langley Grammar for the 63,300 sq ft facilities, which will include space for 200 more students. “We’re pleased to be starting the important task of building these

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Rotherham Interchange Transport Hub Transformed

The Rotherham Interchange transport hub has increased the space for modern and electric vehicles, due to the transformation work carried out by Interserve. The £12 million refurbishment also includes upgrades to the car park, new cladding, surfacing, and the delivery of improved pedestrian routes. “We are delighted to have completed

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Buckingham Group to Deliver Swansea Scheme

Swansea Council has selected Buckingham Group Contracting as the principal contractor to help deliver the £120 million Swansea Central Phase One transformation under a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA). The contract was awarded after a competitive tender process. The transformation will bring a 3,500-capacity digital indoor arena, a coastal park, digital plaza, landmark

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Ascot Hospital Transformed by Kier

The Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot is to receive a £98 million transformation from Kier. The new 11,500 sq m site will specialise in planned, non-emergency procedures, while offering state-of-the-art outpatient and diagnostic facilities for cardiology, radiology, lithotripsy, children’s clinic, physiotherapy and orthodontics. “This latest win is a hugely important milestone for

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Investment for Harrow’s Elliot Hall Regeneration

A £2 million cash investment has boosted work on new designs for a transformation project at Harrow’s historic Elliot Hall. The project will involve redeveloping the run-down buildings surrounding Elliot Hall, which will add extra space for classrooms, affordable studios and an improved outdoor area. The new investment in the

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University of Birmingham Parkland Area Is Renovated

New spaces for students, staff and the local community have been opened at the University of Birmingham after the transformation work carried out at an area of parkland. The Green Heart project, located at the historic Edgbaston campus, was delivered by Willmott Dixon. “It has been fantastic to have been part

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Coventry Transformation Plans Approved

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

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Latest Issue
Issue 325 : Feb 2025

transformation

Major Transformation Awaiting Slough School

A major transformation project will bring two new buildings to a school in Slough. Wates Construction has commenced work on the site of Langley Grammar for the 63,300 sq ft facilities, which will include space for 200 more students. “We’re pleased to be starting the important task of building these long-awaited, new facilities for Langley Grammar School. At Wates, we understand how learning environments have a direct impact upon the development of young people and attainment levels and we bring our appreciation to every stage of the process. We will be drawing on our vast experience as a trusted contractor for the education sector here in Slough to ensure the quality delivery of this new school building,” said Alec Jackman, Business Unit Director, Wates Construction Southern Home Counties. Delivered across three phases, the project includes the construction of a three-storey teaching block and provision of temporary accommodation for the school’s dining facility, library and administration offices. Once the new building is completed, the original one will be demolished. The third phase will then commence with the construction of a two-storey front-of-house building, providing the school with administration offices, dining room, hall, library, a small number of classrooms and a dance studio. The scheme is being delivered on behalf of the DfE as part of the Priority Schools Building Programme (PSBP2) to rebuild or refurbish school buildings across the country. “It is fantastic to see work starting on our new buildings, which have been so long in the planning. The project will deliver first class facilities for our students for many years to come. This is the biggest construction project in the school’s history and will transform the site into an attractive campus environment. We have developed a strong and positive relationship with Wates during the design stage and look forward to that continuing as the new buildings take shape,” added John Constable, Headteacher at Langley Grammar School. The new facilities are expected to be complete by July 2021.

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Rotherham Interchange Transport Hub Transformed

The Rotherham Interchange transport hub has increased the space for modern and electric vehicles, due to the transformation work carried out by Interserve. The £12 million refurbishment also includes upgrades to the car park, new cladding, surfacing, and the delivery of improved pedestrian routes. “We are delighted to have completed the Rotherham Interchange refurbishment project. The new facilities will provide an improved passenger experience for users of the Interchange,” said John Gittins, Divisional Director at Interserve Construction. “As part of this project we are proud to have supported the training and development of 60 students from Rotherham Construction College. We look forward to continuing our relationship with SYPTE and Rotherham Council as it continues to invest in the town’s regeneration programme,” John added. The project was delivered over a 10-month period, during which 10,000 litres of paint were used, and 11,000 floor tiles, 10km of electric cables, 3,800m2 of insulation, 350 sheets of glass and solar panels were installed; all in order to provide the building’s sustainable energy needs. Interserve delivered the project on behalf of the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) “The improved Rotherham Interchange will provide a better, brighter place for public transport users as well as those visiting, living and working in the town. Seventeen million people travelling through the Interchange each year, using 1,299 buses a day, will now benefit from new seating, lighting, information displays, electrics and flooring, CCTV and free public wi-fi,” commented SYPTE Executive Director, Stephen Edwards.  

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Buckingham Group to Deliver Swansea Scheme

Swansea Council has selected Buckingham Group Contracting as the principal contractor to help deliver the £120 million Swansea Central Phase One transformation under a pre-construction services agreement (PCSA). The contract was awarded after a competitive tender process. The transformation will bring a 3,500-capacity digital indoor arena, a coastal park, digital plaza, landmark pedestrian bridge, new car parking and new homes and premises for retail, food and drink. Buckingham Group will undertake pre-construction services including detailed design, costings and essential preparatory work on the expansive city centre site over six months period. “Buckingham Group Contracting have an outstanding record in successfully delivering major high-profile schemes. Having a company of this calibre working in collaboration with us is another statement of intent; this will be a world-class transformational scheme that will be a catalyst to making Swansea a great 21st century city,” said Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council. “Swansea Central Phase One will bring a bright new modern focus to our city; it will mean new opportunities for local people, businesses and major investors. Other regeneration will follow. We have developed a strategy with Buckingham to offer packages of work to sub contractors and trades, many of whom we hop will be local so the benefits of this significant investment will stay within the local economy,” Rob added. The early work will prepare the project and site for the main build phase due to start in late summer this year, with the transformation due to be completed in 2021.

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Ascot Hospital Transformed by Kier

The Heatherwood Hospital in Ascot is to receive a £98 million transformation from Kier. The new 11,500 sq m site will specialise in planned, non-emergency procedures, while offering state-of-the-art outpatient and diagnostic facilities for cardiology, radiology, lithotripsy, children’s clinic, physiotherapy and orthodontics. “This latest win is a hugely important milestone for healthcare delivery in the south of England. It is testament to the drive, energy and passion of the team at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust that this new build hospital will help transform delivery of healthcare to residents of Ascot and the surrounding area,” said Jonathan Payne, managing director for Kier Construction Thames Valley and director at Kier Buildings. Kier was awarded the build contract by Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust through the ProCure21+ framework. “Working collaboratively with the trust over the last three years, we have also delivered a new maternity unit and emergency assessment centre for Wexham Park Hospital. Alongside our local supply chain, we have extensive experience delivering healthcare projects and we look forward to playing a pivotal role in the transformation of Heatherwood Hospital,” added Jonathan. The new hospital is expected to double the services of the existing facility within its first 10 years, offering six operating theatres and 48 inpatient beds, plus 22 day case cubicles. A primary care hub and private patient unit will also be located on site. “We are delighted that we can now deliver our vision for the Heatherwood site. The new hospital will ensure we can offer local patients the best care in the best environment and it is a key part of our strategy to remain an innovative and outstanding trust well into the future. We can’t wait to get started,” commented Frimley Health chief executive Neil Dardis. The transformation work is due to begin on site this month, with completion scheduled for the end of 2021.

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Investment for Harrow’s Elliot Hall Regeneration

A £2 million cash investment has boosted work on new designs for a transformation project at Harrow’s historic Elliot Hall. The project will involve redeveloping the run-down buildings surrounding Elliot Hall, which will add extra space for classrooms, affordable studios and an improved outdoor area. The new investment in the project has been awarded by Harrow Council and the Mayor of London under the Good Growth Fund. “It wasn’t long ago that the Arts Centre faced an uncertain future – but we take great pride in saying those days are long behind us. 230,000 people visited the site last year. We want 300,000 people and more visiting the HAC in future – and this project, will make that possible,” said Cllr Keith Ferry, portfolio holder for Business, Planning and Regeneration. “But this investment doesn’t just mean fun. It means jobs and places for our small cultural industries to grow and thrive, helping them all on their journey to success – this is what the council does best. Economic development and cultural wealth go hand-in-hand at the HAC, and that’s something we can all believe in,” Cllr Ferry continued. The first new learning space will be available on site from Autumn this year, with new artist studios following in 2020. “This is a great example of a project which aims to give Londoners of all backgrounds the opportunity to be actively involved in shaping how their city develops. The Mayor and I are committed to supporting ‘good growth’ by building a city where all Londoners have access to the same opportunities and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project has in the future,” concluded Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe.

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University of Birmingham Parkland Area Is Renovated

New spaces for students, staff and the local community have been opened at the University of Birmingham after the transformation work carried out at an area of parkland. The Green Heart project, located at the historic Edgbaston campus, was delivered by Willmott Dixon. “It has been fantastic to have been part of the team creating this stunning parkland for the University of Birmingham and its local communities to use. University of Birmingham is exceedingly forward-thinking in terms of deliverable and sustainable technology and the implementation of the Pavegen system in particular is a real step forward. I’m excited for the Green Heart Festival later in the year, where we’ll celebrate our joint vision for the space coming to life, with students, staff and communities enjoying the space to its full potential,” said Nick Gibb, director of Willmott Dixon in the Midlands. The renovation works have delivered spaces for performances and events, markets, a café and bar, and dedicated areas for art and sculptures. Willmott Dixon has also installed a Pavegen walkway that generates data and off-grid electricity for USB charging point benches. This way, the Green Heart has comprehensive WiFi coverage and digital information totems. In addition, the project has also restored historic walkways as envisaged in the University’s original design from the early 1900s. “We are proud to play our part in this fantastic development, embracing design and the latest technology to provide a unique environment for the University of Birmingham community,” commented Pavegen CEO and founder, Laurence Kemball-Cook. “The Pavegen walkway provides a versatile platform that converts users’ footfall into off-grid energy to power local applications – we are monitoring it via a cloud-based platform.” The Green Heart was designed by Churchman Landscape Architects, with support from Associated Architects. A weekend-long event will be held in June 2019 to celebrate the official launch of the area.

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Coventry Transformation Plans Approved

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.

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