December 2015 leicestershire builder online

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Local builder wins national award after council nomination

Development plot in Markfield: £250k

A local firm is celebrating winning a prestigious national building award after being nominated by the district council.

Market Harborough-based WINNERS: (l-r) Cllr Phil King, building firm D S Ronald was David Atkinson, Peter Ward, named Best Local Builder or Steve Costall, Dave Ronald, Traditional Crafts Person at the and Cllr Blake Pain LABC (Local Authority Building Control) Building Excellence awards, held on 10 November 2015, at London’s Lancaster Gate Hotel.

D S Ronald beat odds of 12-1 to take the national prize. It is the first time a nomination put forward by Harborough District Council has scooped a national award.

The award commended D S Ronald’s creative approach to projects in the Harborough district and innovative construction, as well as its attention to detail and positive testimonials. The firm had been entered into the national LABC finals having won the same category at a regional level in July 2015.

The national awards ceremony was hosted on the night by comedian and impersonator, Jon Culshaw, best known for his show Dead Ringers.

Dave Ronald, who runs D S Ronald with Peter Ward, said: “This win is a wonderful achievement and recognises the hard work and effort that everyone involved with the firm has put in.”

BENTONS Estate Agents are offering for sale a development plot with planning consent (ref: 15/00745/FUL) for a 4,250 sq.ft. stylish contemporary single storey five-bedroom detached family home.

The plot - at Fir Tree House, Broad Lane, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9TB - is set well back from the lane and features a long private drive. The proposed property will offer a barn style appearance with extensive glass.

Mains water and electricity are available, but there is no gas in the vicinity, and drainage will be to a private system.

The Guide Price is £250,000. Offers are invited in writing. Purchasers should indicate whether they are in a position to proceed, and whether the purchase is dependent upon the sale of any other property or assets.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@bentons.co.uk

Next month’s issue The January issue of Leicestershire Builder will be out around the 7th of the month rather than the 1st.

This is to allow our wonderful printers to have a bit of a break over Christmas.

Advert & Article Deadline is 15th of each month - Magazine out on 1st of each month

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Success for Leicestershire firm in the LABC BRICKS Awards

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Mortgage Advice Bureau comments on the CML’s mortgage lending figures Brian Murphy, Head of Lending at Mortgage Advice Bureau (MAB), comments: “Following a brief slowdown at the end of the summer, mortgage lending has now bounced back to its highest post-recession level.

Local developer Keller Construction has won the LABC Bricks Award for Development of the Year in the 2-10 units category.

The company, based in Ashby de la Zouch, won the award for its Appleby Fields development.The 1.3 acre site situated on Measham road, Appleby Magna, provided the perfect setting for the 8 house development.

The plots ranged in size and specification but also featured natural stone work cladding that has added to the development’s aesthetics. With the property’s all boasting large garden areas and spacious internal designs, the houses are a perfect example of modern day architecture and build quality.

The Bricks event took place at One Embankment in Central London on Thursday 15th October, hosted by TV star Alexander Armstrong. As these awards have developed, LABC Warranty has seen build standards improve, and the organisers are delighted with the quality of contenders nominated in 2015. With over 3,000 eligible sites, it is a great achievement to have been shortlisted to one of the 30 finalists who attended the exclusive award ceremony in London.

PROUD WINNERS: Brothers Andrew and Mark Keller are delighted with their prestigious LABC BRICKS Award Mike Swatton, LABC Warranty Business Development Director and Head Judge commented, “The standard of the nominees across the board has been unprecedented, once again raising the bar for next year.”

Andrew Keller said: ‘Winning this award is a very proud achievement for myself and everyone involved with Keller Construction. It proves that having a great work force and high quality sub-contractors is key to achieving and creating developments such as Appleby Fields.

With the market resurgence in progress and top architectural designs available, I’m hoping this will be the first of many awards in the future.

LABC Warranty works in partnership with Local Authority Building Control (LABC) to provide a comprehensive range of structural warranties.

Working closely with developers and builders of all sizes and experience, LABC Warranty’s unique partnership with LABC provides a streamlined service with information shared between organisations, improving the on-site experience for customers and ensuring the highest quality of build.

Leicestershire Builder Magazine Published By: Builder Magazines PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT Tel: (01530) 244069 Fax: (01530) 249557 Email: info@buildermagazines.co.uk Web: www.buildermagazines.co.uk Over 3,500 copies distributed every month across Leicestershire & Rutland by a combination of: • By Post to SUBSCRIBERS and a rotating free mailing list (2,200 copies) • Through trade counters of local merchants (1,300 copies) SUBSCRIPTIONS: £20 PER YEAR (No VAT) TO SUBSCRIBE: CALL 01530 244069 and leave your details, or subscribe via our Website. We’ll invoice you later.

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Published on 1st of each month. Copy Deadline: 15th of each month

“With an 8% jump in lending between September and October, it is likely that 2015’s total will now exceed its original forecast, indicating 2015 has been a strong year for lenders and borrowers alike.

“This growth in lending has been driven by favourable market conditions. While house prices have continued to rise, they are increasing at a far slower pace compared to 2014. The low base rate means mortgage rates are at affordable levels, and consumers have also been supported by wage growth and low inflation. Borrowers are now able to take advantage of a growing number of highly competitive mortgage products, with the total number increasing 10% between August and September alone.* “Would-be homebuyers have the benefit of increased lender appetite and rock bottom mortgage rates. Although the goalposts have been moved many times as to when a rise in the base rate may or may not occur, one thing is certain – these types of rates won’t be around forever.

Existing mortgage borrowers can also benefit by swapping to a new product, with some lender’s standard variable rates offering poor value.”

Site for 4 superior dwellings in Rocester GRAHAM PENNY AUCTIONS are offering for sale a residential development site with consent for 4 superior dwellings and garages.

The site – adjacent to Millholme, Mill Street, Rocester ST14 5JX – measures 0.72 acres or thereabouts.

It is being offered for sale at the next GRAHAM PENNY DERBY AUCTION on Wednesday 9th December 2015 at the Ipro Stadium in Derby – commencing at 11.30am.

The Guide Price is £420,000+ For more information, contact Graham Penny on 01332 242880 or email: derby@grahampenny.com

The opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Editorial/Production Team.

The inclusion of any group or organisation in this publication does not necessarily imply a recommendation of its aims, methods or policies. Builder Magazines cannot be held responsible for the information disclosed by advertisements, all of which are accepted in good faith.

Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine, but no liability can be accepted for loss or inconvenience caused as a result of error or omission.

Builder Magazines reserves the right to amend, shorten or refuse to publish articles and/or advertisements submitted for publication. All property details contained within this magazine are to be regarded as being for outline guidance only. All potential interested parties are requested to check individual availability of premises for accuracy of details with the relevant selling agents before proceeding further.

For details of our Advertising Rates: visit www.buildermagazines.co.uk

CINEMAGOERS: Have consideration for pirate DVD viewers by using the toilet before the film starts.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

New vision planned for Hinckley and key village centres A VISIONARY new plan that will guide the continuing regeneration of Hinckley town centre is now being drawn up by the Borough Council.

It sets out the council’s renewed vision for the town centre, following the resounding success of its predecessor, the Hinckley Town Centre Renaissance Masterplan.

The masterplan led to a series of multi-million pound town centre re-development schemes, which will culminate next spring with the official opening of both The Crescent - a major £60m shopping and leisure scheme; and Hinckley’s new £15m leisure centre.

The new plan will see the council working with partners to build on this success, with continued focus on key sites that are in need of regeneration in Hinckley town centre, whilst broadening the scope to other town and key village centres at Market Bosworth, Barwell and Earl Shilton.

It will initially concentrate on stimulating investment interest via the production of development and design briefs for key sites, using the council’s Investment Prospectus and using compulsory purchase powers to acquire key sites, if necessary.

Among the key sites that the council wants to promote for regeneration and redevelopment are: • Leisure centre, Trinity Lane, Hinckley • Britannia Centre, Hinckley • Middlefield Lane former depot site, Hinckley • Cultural Quarter – site at Stockwell Head, Hinckley • Public realm improvements in Earl Shilton • Improved car parking for Market Bosworth • Improved access from water park/marina to Market Bosworth centre • Former Top Range Motors site, Stapleton Lane, Barwell Leader of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, Mike Hall said: “The Town Centres Vision document has two important messages. Firstly that the document now includes town centres other than Hinckley that will be targeted for further regeneration. Secondly that we still see further regeneration of Hinckley as important to build on the completed parts of the master-plan development.

“We are keen to work with landowners and developers to bring forward suitable proposals for these key sites, but we will consider the use of CPO powers if necessary, to ensure that sites can be developed for the benefit of the people of Hinckley and Bosworth.”

The council will also be looking to submit a first round Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) bid by summer 2016 and putting forward Hinckley town centre as a future Enterprise Zone.

In addition, the council will aim to establish a link between the new plan and the Leicester and Leicestershire Economic Partnership sector plans.

The regeneration story so far: North Warwickshire & Hinckley College The construction of a new £19m campus in Lower Bond Street, Hinckley.

Atkins Building The £7.5m refurbishment of an historic building to create a creative business centre with 45,000 sq. ft. offices, café, art gallery and conference facilities.

The Crescent The construction of a major £60m shopping/leisure scheme with 100,000 sq. ft.

Sainsbury’s superstore, 25 retail units and a five screen Cineworld cinema.

Leisure Centre The construction of a new £15m leisure centre (in partnership with PFP) that includes: a 25 metre pool, an eight court sports hall and a 130 station gym.

Hinckley Hub The regeneration of a vacant and derelict industrial site to create 4,200 sq. m. of office and shared workspace for public services.

Greenfields Business Park The construction of around 3,700 sq. m. of high quality, ‘BREEAM excellent-rated’ light industrial and hybrid employment space.

In addition, the Hinckley area has seen other major commercial developments taking place, including: • the construction of a multi-million pound new European parcel delivery hub for DPD, comprising 33,500 sq. m. and creating 1,000 new jobs; • the creation of the MIRA Enterprise Zone, with a £300m programmed investment to provide 1.75m sq. ft. of commercial and R & D space and the creation of 2,500 new jobs.

Substantial student residential premises in Leicester

INNES ENGLAND are offering for sale a substantial residential property at 75 Regent Road, Leicester LE1 6YF. The property is constructed in brickwork under a pitched slate roof and internally arranged to provide 1 double and 24 single study bedrooms, together with ancillary kitchen, bathroom and wc facilities.

The property also provides a common room on each floor, a laundry on the first floor, together with basement storage.

The total gross internal floor area is 7,102 sq.feet.

The premises have a planning consent and an authorised use to provide student living accommodation.

The purchase price is £1,050,000, and VAT may be applicable to the price.

For more information, contact Peter Doleman at Innes England on 0116 255 5455 or email: pdoleman@innes-england.com

Attention Builders and Construction Managers: Silicone Wedding Rings UK are here and they are perfect for your busy, hardworking, active lives!

For those who like wearing your metal wedding ring but are afraid to do so at work for fear of losing it on site, damaging it or even de-gloving your finger, fear not! AMRAP silicone rings are the perfect solution.

Made from medical grade silicone, AMRAP rings are extremely durable yet amazingly comfortable and are even offered in a variety of colours, making them suitable for anyone in any situation.

AMRAP offers both a men’s and women’s rings and even offers free first class delivery throughout the UK as standard. Our rings are tested for maximum quality to ensure they will hold up to the strenuous rigors of the building site.

AMRAP offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back and also a 2-year product guarantee so there’s really no risk in picking out your ring right now.

Buy now at www.amrap.co.uk and use code BUILDER for your exclusive discount.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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SCROOGES: Save money at Christmas by returning last year’s cards to the sender with the simple inscription “Same to you”.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

‘ECO’ building plot for sale in Hungarton

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Donate to foodbanks at David Wilson Homes developments in Leicestershire this Christmas

KING WEST Estate Agents are offering for sale a superb ‘Eco’ building plot with full planning permission for an innovative dwelling.

The plot – in Hungarton, Leicestershire LE7 9JY - comprises 1.2 acres, including the access route, on a grassed sloping site leading down to a lake and a watercourse, having formerly been part of the gardens to the adjacent property ‘Willowghyll’. There are mature trees to three of the site boundaries.

Planning consent was granted by Harborough District Council on 18th April 2013 for the erection of an innovative dwelling and garage under reference 11/01805/FUL. The planning permission is subject to a Section 106 Agreement.

The proposed dwelling, which has a floor area of 4,627 sq.feet, will be moulded into the sloping topography of the site, minimising its external appearance. With the exception of the entrance lobby and garaging, the major part of the new buildingwill be below ground level, presenting a single storey mainly glazed south facing wall to provide lighting, ventilation and renewable energy generation.

The Guide Price is £250,000.

For more information, contact King West on 01858 435970 or email: mkt.harborough@kingwest.co.uk

New school name chosen A £4M school set to open its doors to children next September has unveiled its new name. The brand new 210-place primary in Leicester Forest East will be called Fossebrook, it has been announced.

Leicestershire County Council is creating the state-of-the-art school which will take pupils from LFE and Braunstone Town. In September, the government revealed it had chosen local education provider Discovery Schools Academy Trust to run it.

Work to prepare the site started earlier this month and construction will begin over the next few weeks.

Paul Stone, Chief Executive Officer of Discovery Schools Academy Trust, said: “We wanted a name which reflected the location as well as taking into account the views of local people. We created a short-list of names and held an open vote.

“Fossebrook was chosen as the name because there’s a brook running adjacent to the school and the name Fosse recognises the historical connections to Leicester.”

The council is creating the school because pupil forecasts show that extra places will be needed - this is as a result of increased births, more families moving into the area and new housing developments.

The school will be located on the former school site off Holmfield Avenue West – this reduces costs as the council already owns the land.

The school is due to open in September 2016, and will take in just foundation pupils for the first year.

As the season of goodwill approaches leading developer David Wilson Homes is supporting the communities it serves by setting up foodbank collection points at its developments in Leicestershire.

Local residents will be able to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries at various David Wilson Homes developments in the county until Sunday, December 20th 2015.

Food collected during the period will be donated to Trussell Trust foodbanks in Ashby, Coalville, Hinckley and Leicester before being distributed to those in need around Leicestershire over Christmas.

John Reddington, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said: “At David Wilson Homes we’re committed to supporting the communities in and around our developments and so, in the lead up to Christmas we’ll be hosting food collection points at many of our developments in Leicestershire for people to donate food to the Trussell Trust and help feed families in need.

“We believe no-one should go hungry and as Christmas is a time of giving we hope the generosity of people in Leicestershire will mean everyone gets enough to eat and has the Christmas they deserve.”

Foodbank usage has increased dramatically in the UK in recent years, rising from 40,898 people who were given three days’ emergency food and support in 2009-10 to 1,084,604 people in 2014-15 and its estimated that more

David Wilson Homes is welcoming people to donate to the Trussell Trust at its developments. Pictured: Sales Adviser Sheila Williams and Site Manager Craig Ison. than 13 million people are currently living below the poverty line.

Anyone wishing to donate food to the collection can do so at: • Forest Chase in Leicester Forest East • Whetstone Park in Whetstone • Kibworth Meadows in Kibworth • Glenfield Park in Glenfield • The Meadows in Burbage • Vale View in Higham-onthe-Hill • Sapcote Lea in Sapcote • The Millstones in Queniborough • Hastings Park in Ashby • Drakelow Park near Burton on Trent (donated to Ashby foodbank) Food items being donated should be non-perishable such as UHT or powdered milk, tinned vegetables, rice, pasta, tinned soups, porridge, cereals, jam, biscuits, tea/coffee and tinned fish. Other useful items that can help families in need include sanitary products, toiletries and pet food.

For more information on what items to donate visit www. trusselltrust.org.

Information about the opening times of each David Wilson Homes development is available by visiting www.dwh.co.uk or calling 0844 811 5544.

A POST-IT Note stuck beneath the nose is an ideal way to foil lip-readers.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Auction Diary 2015 December 2015 Thursday 3 December 2015 COTTONS - at Aston Villa FC, Villa Park, Birmingham, B6 6HE - 11am start - tel: 0121 247 2233 or email: auctions@cottons.co.uk Wednesday 9th December 2015 GRAHAM PENNY - iPro Stadium, Derby - 11.30am start www.grahampennyauctions.com Wednesday 9 December 2015 SHONKI BROS - at The King Power Stadium, The Gallery, Filbert Way, Leicester LE2 7FL 5pm start - tel: 0116 255 7573 or email: info@shonkibros.com Thursday 10th December 2015 W A BARNES - at The Towers, Botany Avenue, Mansfield, Notts.

NG18 5NG - 3pm start - tel: 01623 554084 or email: sales@wabarnes.co.uk Thursday 20 Decemberr 2015 CPBIGWOOD - at Aston Villa FC, Birmingham - 11am start - tel: 0121 233 5046 - www.cpbigwood. com Tuesday 15th December GRAHAM PENNY - Nottingham Racecourse, Nottingham 11.30am start Thursday 17 December 2015 - SAVILLS - at Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham NG2 4BE - 2.30pm start - tel: 0115 934 8080 - www. savills.co.uk/auctions

RICS UK Residential Market Survey

Supply shortfall pushes prices up further across the East Midlands • • • •

East Mids House prices expected to rise by an average of 2.7% per annum, over the next five years Prices reported to have risen firmly over past three months Shortage of new stock to market continues with new instructions falling for fourth consecutive month Sales expectations remain positive with respondents expecting to see a rise in the coming months

House prices have risen again in the East Midlands in a trend that dates back to June 2013, according to the latest RICS UK Residential Market Survey. In October, 68% more chartered surveyors saw house prices rise rather than fall in the region.

For the third consecutive month, prices are reported to have risen in all parts of the UK. East Anglia has consistently outperformed all other regions in these months and a net balance of 91% of respondents reported prices in the area to have risen in October*. Prices rose in the East Midlands despite demand from potential buyers falling moderately during the month with a net balance of 20% of contributors seeing a decrease in new buyer enquiries.

The tight supply conditions are providing the impetus to this continued price growth with the number of new instructions falling again in October.

The combination of a fall in demand and a shortage of stock on the market are taking their toll on sales activity and a net balance of 11% of respondents reported a decrease in transactions over the month. However, going forward sales expectations for the next three months are positive 33% more respondents expecting to see a rise rather than a fall over this time period.

In the regions lettings market, growth in demand continues to outpace supply and rent expectations remain firm. This has been the trend nationally for some time, with the growth in demand outstripping that of supply consistently since 2009. A net balance of 62% of respondents in the East Midlands expect rents to increase in the coming three months and rents are forecast to rise by 2.7%, on average, over the year to come.

Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist, commented: “It is hard to get away from the issue of supply when it comes to the current state of the housing market. The legacy of the drop in new build following the onset of the global financial crisis is now really hitting home, with both the sales and letting markets continuing to show demand outstripping supply on a month by month basis.

“If the five year projections from members regarding the outlook for both prices and rents is anything to go by, property is set to become even more unaffordable going forward making the Government’s focus of boosting the delivery of new homes absolutely critical.”

Barns and stables for conversion in Brooksby SHOULER & SON are offering for sale a superb complex of barns and stables for conversion to a residential dwelling.

The property – Brooksby Grange Barn, Melton Road, Brooksby, Leics. LE7 4YT – is located in a secluded tranquil setting between Rearsby and Brooksby, overlooking open countryside for many miles.

Full planning permission has been granted (ref: 14/00731/FUL) for the conversion of agricultural buildings into a 4-bedroom dwelling with split-level living accommodation, plus change of use of land to paddock.

The Guide price is £300,000 and there is no chain.

The barn sits on a site of approximately 1.4 acres including the driveway, which also serves Brooksby Grange Farmhouse. There is a further 4.6 acres of paddock which is available ONLY to the purchaser for a further £75,000.

For more information, contact Shouler & Son on 01664 410166 or visit www.shoulers.co.uk

Proposals to redevelop council sites to help first time buyers Council-owned land in the Harborough district could be redeveloped to provide much-needed homes for people hoping to get on the housing ladder.

Harborough District Council is exploring the possibility of redeveloping its former councilhouse garage sites in St Cuthbert’s Road, Great Glen, and Paget Road, Lubenham.

The council is looking at the idea of turning the sites into new homes which will be available at low market value as part of the Government’s ‘Help To Buy’ scheme to assist people finding it difficult to get on to the property ladder.

The proposals have come about as the council looks to get the best use of its assets for the benefit of taxpayers.

Although the council no longer has housing stock, it does retain a number of former councilhouse garages in the district. On 19 October 2015, the council’s Executive agreed a business case to look into proposals to develop these.

Planning permission will be sought regarding each site.

Cllr Phil King, who has responsibility for strategic asset management at Harborough District Council, said: “As funding from national government diminishes, the council needs to maximise the use of its assets for the benefit of the taxpayer and look at other ways to fund services.

The council’s garage sites, left over from the transfer of the council’s housing stock, offer an opportunity to explore the potential for redevelopment, providing capital which can be re-invested for wider community benefits.”

Are you selling building plots or development properties?

Send details to us and we’ll mention them FREE in the next issue. Email particulars to: info@buildermagazines. co.uk and we’ll do the rest!

HORSE whisperers: Speak louder. The animals will hear you more clearly, thus speeding up training times.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

SINGLE MEN: Fool folk into thinking you’ve got a girlfriend by standing outside Topshop with loads of bags.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

New-build medical premises could lead to fewer deaths and patient harms, report reveals Encouraging private investment in healthcare real estate could help the NHS see a dramatic improvement in patient outcomes, and could prevent almost 3,000 deaths and 3,800 falls per year, according to a new report.

Quality Buildings, Quality Care, launched by the British Property Federation (BPF) and researched

by Bolt Partners, shows that if Government encourages private investment into healthcare real estate it could help the NHS make significant savings, lower mortality rates, and lead to a reduction in patient harms and falls.

Key findings include: • Acute Trusts (group of hospitals) with newly-built facilities are more likely to have low mortality rates, with three out of the 19 (16%) Trusts in the UK that are new-builds incurring “significantly below average” deaths, compared to 13 out of 118 Trusts (11%) with older buildings; • There were 121 fewer observed deaths than expected across the 19 Trusts with new building in one year, a 1% reduction in mortality rate. Applied across all NHS Acute Trusts, this 1% reduction in mortality rate would see a reduction in deaths of 2,900 deaths per annum; • Modern facilities are safer for patients with 30% lower fall rates and 10% lower overall patient harm in new hospitals and similar reductions in new care homes; • Applying the fall rate of newbuild Trusts to 209 Trusts with older buildings, there would have been 3,800 fewer falls in one year;

•

Acute Trusts with newlybuilt premises had a higher percentage of staff satisfied with the quality of work and patient care they are able to deliver; • Services provided from all types of new healthcare premises have been three to four times more likely to be rated “Outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission than services provided from older premises.

The BPF is calling for the Government and NHS bodies to recognise the opportunities presented by working more closely and flexibly with the development sector in delivering healthcare real estate. Unlocking the £6bn investment that the BPF estimates is ready to enter the sector will provide extensive patient and staff benefits The organisation would also like to see local authorities make greater provisions for healthcare facilities in their local plans, and to ensure that they are conveniently located to town centres, transport hubs, and existing medical infrastructure to facilitate integrated care.

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “There is a clear correlation between new buildings and the quality of patient care that is provided within them. Healthcare real estate is a vital part of the UK’s infrastructure, and as we face an increasingly ageing population and the NHS becomes more strained, now more than ever we want to make clear to Government the role that the real estate industry can play in ensuring the future health of the NHS.” Graham Roberts, chief executive of Assura Group and chair of the BPF’s Healthcare Committee, added: “The research is a timely reminder that investment in modern infrastructure in support of our health and social infrastructure makes more than just economic sense. It contributes significantly to improved outcomes for patients and for the elderly in particular. Over the next 25 years, the population aged over 75 is estimated to grow bto almost 10 million people. We are a long way from being prepared for that additional demand and yet are already well behind in terms of adequate facilities to deal with the needs of today’s population.”

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Development opportunity in Top Valley SAVILLS are offering for sale The Former Harvester Public House at Old Farm Road/Harvest Close, Top Valley, Nottingham NG5 9BW.

The site extends to approximately 0.556 acres and currently comprises a broadly rectangular parcel of land, and is to be sold for commercial/residential development by Private Treaty.

Offers are invited in writing for a fixed and specified sum, and be marked ‘Strictly Private & Confidential – for the attention of Mr Victor Ktori” and sent to Savills (UK) Ltd, 9 Fletcher Gate, Nottingham NG1 1QQ. Offers should not relate to any other offer and should include: • Details of the proposed scheme, including indicative drawings • Any conditions relating to your offer • Proposed timescales • Solicitor’s details The Guide price is £295,000.

For more information, contact Victor Ktori at Savills on 0115 934 8171.

Don’t forget to send us your NEWS!

Former builder’s merchants for sale in Coventry LOVEITTS Commercial are offering for sale a former builder’s merchants site with residential development potential.

The property – 1 Wykeley Road, Coventry CV2 3DW – has a site area of 0.46 acres approx., and accesses off both Wykeley Road and Wycliffe Road West.

Offers based upon £295,000 are invited and immediate vacant possession is available.

For more information, contact Loveitts Commercial on 024 7622 8111 or visit www.loveitts.co.uk

Cheer loudly at 8.00pm each Saturday to fool the neighbours into thinking you have won the Lottery.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Builders’ Problems SOLVED

Owed monies by a professional Problem: I came to Leicester in 2005 from the Ukraine and started up a building business, which has become very successful.

All of my work is repeat business, referrals or recommendations, which reflects the excellent name the company has. Most of the referrals I receive come via architects. One of these architects, ‘Ron’, is also a part-time property developer. From time-to-time, and depending on market conditions, Ron will seek out a suitable dwelling, refurbish it and then put it straight back on the market. He does this independently from his practice.

Early in 2014, Ron purchased a large house in Oadby and asked me to carry out a complete refurbishment of the property on a cost plus basis. Ron wanted the house refurbished to a very high standard, and spent a fortune fitting out the kitchen and the 2 bathrooms and also on external works. Towards the end of the project, Ron realised that he had over-capitalised and his venture would just about break-even. Under extreme pressure from Ron, I agreed to heavily discount my account, and wrote to him stating my agreement providing I was paid within 7 days, which he replied back saying yes.

However, payment was not forthcoming and I made repeated demands over many months to try and secure payment, without success. Eventually, Ron sent me an email and offered to settle my account at a greater discount than agreed, stating that if I did not accept the revised offer, his practice would seek to claim against my company for its supposed losses on another job I was working where Ron’s practice (which is a LLP) was employed as the Contract Administrator, and I would not see a penny from his job. What can I do? Needless to say, I have no intention to ever work with Ron or his practice again.

Igor, Leicester

Response: Hello Igor. This is a very unsatisfactory situation, particularly as your client is a construction professional and should know better.

From the details you have provided, there is an agreement between your company and ‘Ron’ regarding the level of the final account, the residual amount of which was to be paid to your company within 7 days of your acceptance of the final account. This did not happen and I therefore suggest that the most appropriate route is to serve a statutory demand on Ron for the amount that was agreed.

A statutory demand can be a very powerful tool against a debtor. However, it must only be issued where there is a debt that is both liquidated and undisputed. If the debt is disputed, a statutory demand is not appropriate. Although Ron said that his practice would set-off its losses against the debt if you did not agree to a further reduction, it would appear to me that his practice has no cause of action against your company as the contract is between your company and Ron (as an individual), as opposed to Ron’s practice.

Alternatively, you could accept the revised offer under protest, and once you are in receipt of the monies, pursue Ron for the remaining sum on the basis of economic duress.

I would also recommend that once you have concluded this matter, you consider making a complaint to Ron’s professional body, which if he is an architect would be the Royal Institute of British Architects. © Michael P. Gerard The advice provided is intended to be of a general guide only and should not be viewed as providing a definitive legal analysis.

Michael P. Gerard Author background Michael is a Practising Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Builder, Registered Construction Adjudicator & Accredited Expert in quantum and planning matters. He is Managing Director of Michael Gerard & Co., and a Partner with Cato Solicitors

A guide for developments on ‘small’ contaminated sites A

lthough a lot of developers and land owners do not make any distinction on the size of the site, physical restrictions often reduce the risk management options.

Many of these ‘smaller projects’ are also built by small builders (i.e. those who build fewer than 100 homes a year). According to a recent study by NHBC, they often have ‘serious’ problems with lenders.

Over 200 guidance documents have been produced to help contaminated land professionals to redevelop brownfield sites in the UK. The majority of these are focused on bigger developments/sites and they do not always address the needs of smaller such as: • more limited scope for site investigation due to the size of the site, budget and access constraints etc. These also restricted the choice of remediation methods.

• the client and may be even their professional advisers are likely to be SMEs and less aware of good practice and recent new developments in the subject.

• • • • • •

This project will help construction professionals involved in small developments to understand: the roles of regulators/warranty providers (in simpler way) how to overcome access & limited space restrictions how to plan the development layout in a smarter way manage waste & soil the cost effectiveness and benefits of off-site treatment facilities as well as in-situ and other less disruptive remedial techniques.

CIRIA is currently seeking technical support and funding for this project.

For more information and to get involved in the project, please contact Joanne Kwan, Project Manager at CIRIA by email: joanne.kwan@ciria.org or by telephone: 020 7549 3300.

Avoid jet lag by simply taking an earlier flight, thus arriving fully refreshed and on time.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Your Local Quantity Surveyor Offering Friendly, Professional Advice Free initial consultation All work undertaken from tender stage through to final account Covering all sectors of the industry including residential, social housing, commercial and industrial 35 years experience in the construction industry For more information please visit our website: www.mjsurveyingltd.com Email: mark@mjsurveying.plus.com Telephone Mark on 07969 830986

SAVE electricity by turning off all the lights in your house and walking around wearing a miner’s hat.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Would you ‘Do Your Bit’ for Leicester’s next generation of tradespeople?

Leicester College, has teamed up with kitchen and joinery giant Magnet Trade, in a scheme which has helped over 200 students and seen them donate £10,000 worth of stock.

The ‘Do Your Bit’ partnership between the two organisations aims to provide support to the younger generation of tradespeople coming through the ranks, helping them to establish strong foundations as builders, joiners and kitchen fitters.

This year, the Leicester store has been encouraging its customers to donate doors when making a purchase in store, with 50 doors donated in the last month alone.

These generous donations, combined with a supply of discontinued stock from Magnet Trade to Leicester college, enables young tradespeople to develop and hone their skills.

Martin Plumb, Store Manager of the Leicester branch of Magnet Trade, which is situated on Aylestone Road next door to the college, explained: “We put our heads together on how we could use our surplus stock and came up with the idea to partner up with Leicester College. We fully support local talent and felt this was a great way to demonstrate this”.

Alison Coleman, Marketing Manager at Magnet Trade agreed: “We wanted to give something back to the community and the ‘Do Your Bit’ scheme is a great way of supporting the next generation.

“We are delighted that so many of our existing customers have decided to get involved and hope that the scheme continues with the same success.”

Nick Allen, Carpentry and Joinery Lecturer at Leicester College, said: “We are delighted that Magnet Trade decided to team up with us. It has really helped our students to practice their skills in a more real-to-life environment, helping them develop necessary knowledge for the future.”

If you would like to get involved with the ‘Do Your Bit’ scheme, head down to the Leicester Magnet Trade store on Aylestone Road.

For further information, please visit www.magnettrade.co.uk

Leicester Office

22 De Montfort Street Leicester LE1 7GB

0116 2551811

Blaby Office

33 Leicester Road Blaby LE8 4GR

0116 2643430

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Barrowden cottage requires renovation

RICHARDSON Chartered Surveyors are asking for Best and Final Offers for a three-bed cottage requiring renovation.

The property – at Kings Lane, Barrowden, Rutland – is an 18th century doublefronted Grade II Listed cottage in need of total renovation.

The property is to be marketed at a Guide Price of £300,000, with Best and Final Offers invited in writing by 12 noon on Wednesday 16th December 2015.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Richardsons on 01780 762433 or email: post@richardsonsurveyors.co.uk

New seating to be installed at De Montfort Hall ONE of the city’s oldest concert halls is to get a facelift with around £300,000 worth of new auditorium seating.

The existing seating at De Montfort Hall has been in place since 1994, and has exceeded its 15-year lifespan, becoming worn and damaged over the years.

In all, 1,602 seats are due to be removed during the hall’s annual summer closure next year.

The old seating is considered uneconomical to repair, because the work needed goes beyond mere re-upholstering and would involve extensive repairs to the structures of the seats themselves.

The work will be paid for by De Montfort Hall’s own income generation.

A tender process will now take place to identify a suitable contractor to carry out the work. Bidding companies will also be responsible for removing the existing seating, and are expected to show how they can re-use, re-sell or recycle it.

DMH general manager Antony Flint said: “De Montfort Hall is a very wellused venue, staging around 250 shows every year, so the seating has done very well to last 20 years.

“But it has come to the end of its usable life, and would only cost us an increasing amount over the coming years to try to maintain.”

Coalville Office

39-41 Belvoir Road Coalville LE67 3PD

01530 835041

♦ Land Purchase ♦ Joint Venture Agreements ♦ Planning Agreements ♦ Contract Disputes ♦ Access / Drainage Rights ♦ Options ♦ Plot Sales ♦ Leases For further information and advice, contact either Andrew Eagle at our Leicester Office or Russell Dowling at our Blaby office

AVOID being wheel-clamped by jacking your car up, removing the wheels and locking them safely in the boot until you return.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Property industry welcomes review of one of the ‘biggest bugbears’ of the planning system The British Property Federation (BPF) has welcomed a Government review of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a development tax which is used to fund local infrastructure.

The organisation, which is supportive of CIL in principle, has long advocated a review of the tax as it has become overly-burdensome and inefficient.

The BPF would like to see four key areas for reform to CIL: • Regular review. Whilst it is welcome that Government has undertaken to review CIL this year, this must not be the end of the story. In some cases, the evidence base used for the initial CIL setting is now fully out of date, and not fit for purpose. It is crucial that local authorities are encouraged to regularly review their own charging schedules against market signals and to test them against ‘real life’ projects that reflect market conditions.

• Strategic sites. CIL simply does not work for complex or large-scale strategic sites, and a more site specific and targeted approach to infrastructure funding and other contributions must be taken.

• Clarity between CIL and s106. A fundamental premise of CIL was that it would be used to fund a set of identified infrastructure requirements, whilst s106 obligations should relate only to site-specific mitigations and affordable housing provision. In reality, this has not happened, and there is considerable overlap between the two.

This fundamental issue must be addressed and clarity provided in order for CIL charge setting to be at the right level and to make the process work properly.

• Integration of CIL with local plans.

There is a disconnect between the preparation of local plans and the formulation of CIL charging schedules, which local authorities should prepare in tandem, in conformity with the National Planning Policy Framework. It is critical that emphasis is placed on delivery of infrastructure, rather than just revenue collection.

Melanie Leech, chief executive of the British Property Federation, said: “Many of our members cite CIL as one of the biggest bugbears of the planning system, and there are plenty local authorities who would agree. Whilst some would like to see it abolished altogether, we believe that with the right changes, CIL could be a useful tool for ensuring infrastructure delivery on development sites. The creation of this group is a step in the right direction, but it must not stop here. It is crucial that Government take any recommendations on board, and works with both public and private sectors to ensure that the regime really works in the future.

“CIL was supposed to provide a quicker, fairer and more efficient way of delivering infrastructure to support development and our members have always supported this principle, but we are concerned that in many places it is not working. We look forward to engaging with the review panel to ensure that CIL becomes less of a burden and more beneficial.”

Plot for sale in Thurlby

RICHARDSON Chartered Surveyors are offering for sale a building plot with full planning permission for an attractive detached 3/4 bedroom home at Station Road, Thurlby, Lincolnshire.

This is one of two plots – the owner of the site is currently building plot 2 and will include water and electricity connections in the sale price.

The asking price is £125,000.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Richardsons on 01780 762433 or email: post@richardsonsurveyors.co.uk

RICS launches national photography competition RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) has launched a nationwide infrastructure photography competition to raise public awareness of the importance of infrastructure to our everyday lives and economic growth.

Last year the competition, which launched for the first time in 2014, attracted 300 entries culminating in a VIP exhibition of the most striking and an auction of the top ten which raised more than £1,000 for LandAid*.

The winning image, Double Travel, was taken by Rita Testa in London and consists of an iconic image of the rail tracks at London Bridge that can be seen from inside The Shard taken during a birthday visit for her husband.

Anyone aged 18 and over can enter the competition by submitting original photographs of any man-made physical infrastructure structure. This includes roads, bridges, railways, water supply systems and energy generating facilities such as power stations and wind farms.

The top ten images will be selected by a panel of infrastructure and photography experts, with the overall winner receiving £2,000 worth of specialist photography equipment, and the runner up receiving £1,000 of such high-tech kit.

Chair of the judges, Ann Bentley, Global Chair at Rider Levett Bucknall commented: “We’re excited to be launching this hugely beneficial competition once again. It provides the perfect platform to bring awareness to the most essential infrastructure projects across the UK, which without, would have a negative impact on our fast-past lives and ability to enjoy future growth.”

“We hope the images captured in this competition reflect the achievements of the property and construction sector and inspire others to pursue a career in this exciting and fulfilling area of work.”

RICS President Elect, Amanda Clack, Partner at EY and Head of Infrastructure (Advisory) is also a judge on the panel. She adds: “A lot of our ageing infrastructure needs replacing, with better roads and railways, nuclear power plants and wind farms required to meet the needs of our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals.

“With this in mind, I hope this competition not only raises the importance of such essential construction schemes, but highlights the need for improvements to be made to our infrastructure across the UK. Bringing together infrastructure with photography combines two of my favourite passions in one – I’m really looking forward to judging this competition.”

The deadline to enter is Friday 19 February 2016 and the top ten entries, including the overall winner will be celebrated in a VIP exhibition once again, with the images auctioned in aid of LandAid. For more information (including terms and conditions) or to enter the competition visit: www.rics. org/infrastructurephoto

OLD contact lenses make ideal ‘portholes’ for small model boats.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Create instant designer stubble by sucking a magnet and dipping your chin into a bowl of iron filings.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Sutton in Ashfield pub with consent for 14 dwellings

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Inventor Colin Furze builds an Apocalypse Bunker…in his back garden, in rural Lincolnshire

A British man has completed the build on an apocalypseproof bunker in his back garden... in rural Lincolnshire.

Savills are offering for sale the Former Royal Foresters Public House in Sutton in Ashfield, Notts. NG17 5AE. Planning consent has been granted for 14 semi-detached 3-bed houses (planning ref: V/2014/0565) and the site extends to 0.89 acres.

The Guide Price is £350,000.

For more information, contact Ann Taylor at Savills on 0115 934 8174.

Major improvements due for Humberstone Heights golf course A MAJOR investment package has been announced to revamp and improve a well-used city golf course.

Humberstone Heights Golf Course will benefit from £380,000 worth of improvements to its facilities, which will include a range of repairs to the grounds, better signage and the development of an academy course for family use.

Leicester City Council, which owns the course, pledged to invest in the site as part of a move announced in 2014 to close the other council-owned golf course at Western Park.

Following on from the worldwide success of his Ejector Bed (over 5.5m views on YouTube), British inventor Colin Furze is back with a brand new project. Teaming up with Sky 1 alongside their new series You, Me & The Apocalypse, Colin has turned his back garden into a massive underground bunker.

The video revealing the finished bunker went live on Colin’s YouTube page this afternoon (youtube.com/ColinFurze).

As Colin’s biggest project to date, the bunker: • Took two months to complete • Is 3 metres deep underground • Consists of 6 tonnes of metal • 60 cubic metres of concrete • 15 tonnes of hardcore • 15 tonnes of topsoil The first four episodes of the build have already garnered around 3.3million views on YouTube and episode 5 is expected to be one of Colin’s most popular videos to date, as fans will finally get to see the results of weeks of hard work, digging the pit, constructing the structure and fitting the electricity to create a real-life underground bunker, decked out as both the ultimate man cave and a space capable of withstanding an apocalypse.

For the 6th and final episode in the bunker project, Colin will be joined by a group of fellow YouTube stars to watch the final episode of You, Me & The Apocalypse, mirroring the characters in the show gathering together for the end of mankind. The final video will launch late November and will take advantage of YouTube’s 360 video function giving viewers a full tour of the bunker.

Colin also has a role in the Sky 1 drama, appearing as a market trader selling blueprints for an apocalyptic bunker, blurring the lines between drama and reality.

The improvement work is expected to begin in December, and to be completed in spring 2016.

It will include a new, fully automatic irrigation system to keep the course in good shape during the summer.

Drainage will also be improved by creating trenches, ditches and running pipes into pond areas to prevent the flooding which had previously left some of the course unusable in wet weather.

Footpaths throughout the course will be repaired and improved, and better signage put in place. An additional full-time greenskeeper will also be employed to improve the course.

The existing nine-hole pitch and putt course will be improved and made into an academy course aimed at encouraging families and children to play. The new facilities will also be marketed both to existing members, new members and players from Western Park golf course, which closed at the end of October.

The review of golf courses in 2014 revealed that Western Park golf course needed twice as much money in subsidies as Humberstone Heights, while attracting fewer members and having fewer facilities.

TAKE your dustbin to the supermarket with you so that you can see which items you have recently run out of.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Potential Pothole Solution, MEP calls for Concrete rethink

Public house with consent for 10 dwellings Savills are offering for sale the Former Harrier Public House, Christchurch Road, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, NG15 6SA.

This development opportunity has current planning consent for 10 dwellings (planning ref: V/2014/0432) and extends to 0.57 acres.

The Guide Price is £375,000.

For more information, contact Ann Taylor at Savills on 0115 934 8174.

East Midlands Conservative MEP, Emma McClarkin, has this week visited Ketton Cement Works in Rutland, to hear about developments in the industry, following a recent meeting on how concrete roads today present a potential solution to potholes.

After meeting representatives of the concrete industry in Brussels, Miss McClarkin was interested to learn about the advances in concrete road materials that make them no noisier than asphalt roads but far more durable and pothole resistant.

Potholes cost British motorists an estimated £2.8billion each year, with local authorities having to pay out an additional £30 million in compensation claims. However, concrete roads are estimated to have a 40 year life cycle as opposed to the more common asphalt surface, which only lasts 10 years. Whilst concrete is marginally more expensive, it is an option that is rarely considered in public road resurfacing contracts.

First established in 1928, Ketton Cement Works now produces about a tenth of the UK’s Portland Cement, and is one of the most efficient cement works in Europe.

Following Miss McClarkin’s meeting with Stewart Jones (Plant Manager), Iain Walpole (Environmental Manager) and David Weeks (Comms Manager), she was given a guided tour of the site.

Miss McClarkin said: “Ketton Cement Works has been part of the local area for nearly a century now, and the company does a lot of work supporting the community in Stamford.

“It was fascinating to hear from them about the many different uses that cement has, and of particular interest to me were the developments in concrete roads, which could mean roads with fewer potholes.

“Asphalt has long been considered the best option because old concrete roads were loud and punishing on car tyres, but the new types and formulas of concrete that we are seeing suggest this may no longer be the case. Concrete, in the long term, could provide the best value for money for local authorities and should therefore be given due consideration.”

David Weeks said: “Our principal concern is the potential impact on our business of proposals for Phase IV of the EU emissions trading scheme, which could lead to reduced investment in the industry and the threat of imports flooding into the UK market. We hope Emma can influence the debate at European level to ensure cement gets a fair deal.”

The photo shows, from left to right, Iain Walpole (Senior Environment Manager), Emma McClarkin MEP, and Stewart Jones (Plant Manager), at Ketton Solar Farm.

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Ashberry Homes site manager scoops prestigious award An Ashberry Homes site manager has added yet another award to his growing collection for his work at a development in Ibstock.

Andrew Clarke, 52, won a Seal of Excellence at the National House Building Council’s Pride in the Job Awards for his work at Woodhurst, a development off Station Road. Andrew has been site manager there since construction work started in February. He is pictured above with construction director Lee Wilkinson.

A Seal of Excellence is given to the top 130 site managers in the UK, from an initial pool of around 15,000. Andrew, who lives in Blackfordby near Ashby De La Zouch, has worked in the industry for more than 20 years, and now has 14 NHBC awards to his name.

The development is Ashberry’s first in Leicestershire, and the site has proved to be incredibly popular with buyers. Home-hunters have already snapped up almost 30 homes at Woodhurst and Andrew’s work has played a large role in the success of the site.

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Avoid cutting yourself while clumsily slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold them while you chop away.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Tel: 0116 2853 777 Leema Technologies Limited.

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Gold award for Leicestershire business An engineering development consultancy with its head office in Ibstock, Leicestershire has been nationally recognised for its significant support to the Armed Forces community.

M-EC, which currently employs one Army Reservist, has been selected to receive a gold award, the highest in the MOD’s Employer Recognition Scheme, at a ceremony in London in January 2016.

69 employers across the UK were nominated for the 2015 award and, following a very rigorous selection process, only 16 organisations, including M-EC, have been selected for a gold award.

John Wilson, Regional SaBRE (Supporting Britain’s Reserves and Employers) Campaign Director, said: “This award recognises the major contribution M-EC is making to the defence people agenda. The business has always taken the extra step to support its Reservist employees and to raise the profile of the Armed Forces locally. M-EC is the only recipient of the gold award in the East Midlands and the only small business in the UK to receive this award.”

Eddie Mewies, Managing Director, at M-EC, said: “We have actively been supporting the Reserve Forces since 2013 and have found many mutual benefits of employing Reservists, particularly in terms of leadership and organisational skills. To see this support recognised with a gold award is a source of enormous pride as it highlights our commitment to date and inspires us to continue to be creative with our future support.”

M-EC received a Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award in 2014 for showing flexibility towards the training and mobilisation commitments of its Reservist employees and taking a positive stance in establishing a HR policy based around its Reservist employees and their military commitments.

To achieve the new accolade, M-EC has proactively advocated and supported defence, communicating its commitment internally to both employees and to the wider community, as well as signing the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. In September this year, M-EC also worked with 203 Transport Squadron in Loughborough to host a team building activity day for its 40 staff.

With additional offices in Birmingham and Milton Keynes, M-EC provides the full spectrum of engineering development services including civil engineering; transport; flood risk and drainage; sustainability; structures; geotechnics and environmental; geomatics and utilities.

Time waits for no man, time is obviously a woman.

Former sports centre transformed in £5.4m project Nottingham-based CPMG Architects have transformed a university building in Leicester into a landmark venue for graduations, ceremonies and events.

The company designed the £5.4m venue by transforming a former sports centre at De Montfort University. Now complete, The Venue@DMU caters for up to 800 people and offers a flexible space which can be divided into three smaller halls; the building will be used mainly by the university but can be booked for private functions.

CPMG is supporting the university with a wider transformation programme and has designed the university’s iconic Art & Design Centre which is due for completion next year.

The Venue@DMU was officially opened by Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice Chancellor of DMU, last month when it hosted the annual Matriculation ceremony which welcomes freshers to the campus with a spectacular show.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Leicester City Springfield Windows (c/o Agent: Joel Kempsey-Fagg, D5 Architects LLP, 71-77 Coventry Street, Birmingham B5 5NH) – Notification of proposed change of use of first floor from office to 18 flats – at Kimberley House, 47 Vaughan Way, Leicester.

Springfield Windows (c/o Agent: Joel Kempsey-Fagg, D5 Architects LLP, 71-77 Coventry Street, Birmingham B5 5NH) – Notification of proposed change of use of second floor from office to 18 flats – at Kimberley House, 47 Vaughan Way, Leicester.

Springfield Windows (c/o Agent: Joel Kempsey-Fagg, D5 Architects LLP, 71-77 Coventry Street, Birmingham B5 5NH) – Notification of proposed change of use of third floor from office to 18 flats – at Kimberley House, 47 Vaughan Way, Leicester.

Mr Javid Gaffar (c/o Agent: Shyam Sudera, Design Studio Architects Ltd, 1B Salisbury Road, Upper New Walk, Leicester LE1 7QR) – Change of use of ground floor from workshop to 4 self-contained flats; change of use of 1st, 2nd & 3rd floors from 3 flats to 5 self-contained flats; demolition of single storey building at rear and erection of single storey extensions at rear – at 30-32 Brandon Street, Leicester.

Redbric Ltd (c/o Agent:Mr R Odedra, PDP Ltd, PO Box 10425, Leicester LE5 5HJ) – Erection of 3 houses – at land at rear of 306-308 Uppingham Road, Leicester.

Myatt Properties Ltd (c/o Agent: Malcolm Goodall, The Drawing Room (Architects) Ltd, 130 Moat Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2GE) – Erection of 2 houses – at land at rear of 717 Welford Road, Leicester.

Seal Trading Holding Ltd (c/o Agent: Insurance House, 125-129 Vaughan Way, Leicester LE1 4SG) – Notification of change of use from office to 120 flats – at 125-129 Vaughan Way, Leicester LE1 4SG. Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice (c/o Agent: Philip Whitehouse, Hitchman Stone Partnership, 14 Market Place, Warwick, CV34 4SL) – Construction of single storey extensions for day therapy, outpatients, bulk stores, discrete entrance canopy, patient smokers’ room, clinical support facilities, car parking & landscaping – at Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QE.

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Development site in Langley Mill: £400k MARBLE Estate Agents are asking £400,000 for a development site at Station Road, Langley Mill, Nottingham.

The 0.33 acre site has planning permission for 14 apartments, close to thriving retail developments including ASDA, Lidl and McDonalds.

It has road links to the M1, A38 and Heanor, and a rail link approximately a quarter of a mile away.

The site may also be suitable for alternative uses, subject to planning, including care home, hotel, retail or assisted living.

For more information, contact Marble on 01332 811333 or email: ask@marbleproperty.co.uk

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City cuts its carbon footprint LEICESTER is making good progress to cut its carbon footprint by half according to the latest figures published by the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Annual figures for 2013 show that Leicester’s carbon footprint is reducing faster than the national average and that the city is well on track to meet its ambitious carbon reduction targets.

Leicester has another ten years to hit its target of cutting by half the citywide emissions of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) recorded in 1990. This baseline was set at 2,386 kilotons.

The latest figures show that that 1,720kt of CO2e was generated in Leicester in 2013. This represents a 28 per cent reduction from the 1990 baseline, and a 3.7 per cent reduction from the previous year.

Emissions related to household energy use, the industrial and commercial sector and citywide transport were all lower than levels recorded in 2012.

The carbon footprint generated

by Leicester City Council is also getting smaller. The council’s carbon emissions in 2014/15 were at the lowest level since 2008/9, when the baseline was set. Last year, the council generated 51.7kt of CO2e, a reduction of over 15 per cent on the baseline of 61.3kt.

This is mainly as a result of more energy efficient heating in council buildings and schools, and the council’s ongoing programme to replace the city’s old-style sodium street lamps with energy efficient LEDs. The council’s move to new headquarters at City Hall has seen the number of air conditioning units it operates drop from 1410 to around 250. Gas use has also fallen significantly since the move, as the new headquarters are part of the district heating network.

However, emissions related to vehicle travel did show a slight increase overall.

The council aims to further reduce its own carbon footprint to around 30kt by 2025.

Cllr Adam Clarke, Assistant City Mayor for energy and sustainability, said: “We’ve set an ambitious target to cut the city’s carbon footprint by half. The city is making excellent progress, but the challenge of increasing reductions over the next ten years requires a combined and sustained response.”

I accidentally took an extra step when I reached the top of the stairs and now I’m in a marching band.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

£1.4 million now available to boost local businesses

Leicestershire & Rutland Hospice (c/o Agent: Philip Whitehouse, Hitchman Stone Partnership, 14 Market Place, Warwick, CV34 4SL) – Construction of new single storey building as clinical skills development centre, car parking, raingarden & landscaping – at Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9QE. MHD Enterprise (UK) Ltd (c/o Agent: Mrs Varsha Tailor, DT Designs Ltd, 74 Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Change of use from factory to 14 self-contained flats – at 499A Saffron Lane, Leicester.

N & V Limited (c/o Agent: Dennis Dziko, 72-74 Western Road, Leicester LE3 0GE) – Change of use from office to 12 self-contained flats – at 14 West Walk, Leicester.

Harlequin Motors Ltd (c/o Agent: Grahame Kitchin, Junair Spraybooths Ltd, 1 Southgate Industrial Park, Green Lane, Heywood, Manchester OL10 1PN) – Single storey extension at side of factory – at 10-12 & 16 Lunsford Road, Leicester.

A NEW scheme, aimed at boosting the rural economy across Hinckley & Bosworth and North Warwickshire, has officially been launched.

Mansfield semi requiring upgrading: £75k+

Mr Dhirajlal Rayarel (c/o Agent: David Watts, ZMS Solicitors, 11 Bowling Green Street, Leicester LE1 6AS) – Change of use from offices to 3 one-bed flats – at 14A Flax Road, Leicester.

The Governors of St Peter’s C of E Primary School (c/o Agent: Alex Browne, YMD Boon Ltd, York House, Fernie Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7PH) – Single storey extension at side of school – at Belgrave St Peter’s C of E Primary School, Thurcaston Road, Leicester LE4 5PG. Dr Umesh Roy (c/o Agent: Malcolm Goodall, The Drawing Room (Architects) Ltd, 130 Moat Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2GE) – Outline application for Care Home – at 72 Lutterworth Road, Leicester.

Mr Michael Blanksby (c/o: 8 Coltsfoot Close, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7GB) – Two single storey link extensions to care home – at land at rear of 3, 5 & 7 Holmwood Drive, Leicester.

Leicester City Council (c/o Agent: Oliver Roberts, Halsall Lloyd Partnership, 53 Forest Road East, Nottingham NG1 4HW) – Change of use from hostel to 8 flats – at 31-35 Lower Hastings Street, Leicester.

Mr A Patel (c/o Agent: Kurosh Morad, KMC Consultancy, 60 St Annes Drive, Leicester LE2 8HT) – change of use of ground floor from storage to 2 flats – at 28 Fosse Road Central, Leicester LE3 5PR.

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W A BARNES are offering for sale BY AUCTION a traditional gabled and bay-fronted semi-detached house situated within a well regarded residential location, in a mature non-estate setting.

The three-bed property has not been occupied for many years and now requires comprehensive refurbishment, modernisation and upgrading.

The Guide Price is £75,000+.

For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 10th December 2015 at 3pm at The Towers, Botany Avenue, Mansfield, Notts. NG18 5NG. For more information, contact W A Barnes on 01623 554084 or email: sales@wabarnes.co.uk

Distribute Your leaflets inside this magazine We charge just £125 plus VAT to insert and deliver your single-sheet leaflet/card inside the 2,200 mailed-out copies of Leicestershire Builder

Call Mike on 01530 244069 to place your order.

The two councils have secured £1.416 million of European funding through the LEADER Programme (2015-2019).

LEADER is part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

Around 40 local businesses and organisations attended the launch event at Bosworth Hall Hotel to find out more about the funding available. The event was followed by an opportunity for people to discuss potential ideas with the LEADER project team.

The money will be allocated to businesses, groups or organisations that can demonstrate a benefit to the local rural economy. To be successful, applications must contribute to the creation of jobs or the development of businesses in the rural areas.

The Chair of the Local Action Group (LAG), Sharon Earp, is an active member of the Hinckley and Bosworth Tourism Partnership and Leicestershire Tourism Partnership and runs her own award-winning tourism business. Sharon said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded the funding, and are confident that it will make a real difference to the longevity, sustainability and success of the rural economy in this wonderful area”.

The first call for applications for funding, which opened on 16 November 2015, is for projects from farmers, foresters and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The deadline for outline applications in this first round is 4 January 2016.

Further applications to deliver projects relating to rural services, tourism, cultural and heritage activities will be invited from next year.

To discuss a potential project idea or to receive an outline application form, contact the LEADER Programme Team at North Warwickshire Borough Council, on 01827 719356 or email: leaderproject@northwarks.gov. uk. Alternatively visit the Facebook page at: /NWHBLEADER

Autocorrect just changed “I have so much anxiety I can barely breathe” to “I’m fine.”

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

I recently added squats to my workouts by moving the beer into the bottom shelf of the fridge.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

MOLE MOLE GROUNDWORK SERVICES:

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New group finance director for expanding contractor J Tomlinson

Two Derbyshire properties for sale

Contractor J Tomlinson has appointed a new group finance director as part of the company’s expansion plans.

Mel Sowter is the first female director to join the Nottingham-based firm since it was founded in the 1950s.

A results driven, commercially astute and strategic finance director with demonstrable success in business growth, Mel joins J Tomlinson as the company expects to see its turnover increase from £54 million in 2014 to £67 million this year, with a forecast to rise again next year.

The firm, which operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, employs 383 people, and has been named in Deloitte’s Businesses Leading Britain 2014 report, which provides insights APPOINTED: left to right, finance director Mel Sowter into the UK’s 1,000 fastest-growing businesses with and CEO Mark Davis annual revenues between £30 million and £1 billion.

J Tomlinson CEO Mark Davis said: “The team at J Tomlinson is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mel Sowter as our new group finance director, at a time when the company is going through a significant period of growth.

“She has experience of both the construction sector and the service business, bringing a valuable set of skills to the company.”

Mel is responsible for the financial and management accounts of J Tomlinson, as well as the human resources and information technology support services. Her position is a newly created post.

“I am delighted to have joined J Tomlinson, a well-known company with a good reputation in the market place,” she said. “The company’s expansion plans are very exciting and the company values are very people focused. I relish the opportunity to join the team, add value and make a difference.”

Mel has previously worked for organisations including Xylem Water Solutions, a global market leader in water and wastewater transport and treatment for municipal and industrial customers, where she was also the first female to join the board in the UK, housebuilder Westbury Homes, and Leicester Royal Infirmary NHS Trust.

BB&J Commercial are offering for sale a four-bed detached gouse and detached partrenovated farmhouse set in 0.75 acres.

The property - Springfields, farnah Green, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 2UP - comprises a 1960s two-storey detached house of cavity brick construction under a pitched tile clad roof. To the east of this is Holly Cottages which are of stone construction. The farmhouse has been unoccupied for some time and approx. 10 years ago works were commenced to refurbish the accommodation.

The Vendor will consider selling the two properties separately.

Offers in the order of £750,000 for the whole are invited.

For more information, contact Christoper Wright at BB&J on 01332 292825 or email: c.wright@bbandj. co.uk

Ageing gracefully is like the nice way of saying you’re slowly looking worse.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Mr A A Ahmed (c/o Agent: Amir Nankali, AMA UK Consultancy Ltd, 21 Ensign Business Centre, Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry CV4 8JA) – Change of use of first and second floor from storage to 5 self-contained flats, access staircase at rear, and new shop unit on Cambridge Street – at 123 Narborough Road, Leicester LE3 0PB. Mr J Sharda (c/o Agent: Keshiv Sudera, Design Studio Architects Ltd, 1B Salisbury Road, Upper New Walk, Leicester LE1 7QR) – Change of use from house to 2 self-contained flats – at 36 Stuart Street, Leicester.

Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Newriver Property Unit Trust No.4 (c/o Agent: Miss Rachel Jones, Simply Planning Ltd, 25 Manchester Square, London W1U 3PY) – Demolition of public house and erection of 9 dwellings – at The Holywell Inn, 56A London Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1HL. Mr N Foulds (c/o Agent: Robert Powell, 4 Sunnyhill Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 3NB) – Demolition of farm buildings, change of use of land and erection of 4 light industrial business units – at Hill Farm, Markfield Lane, Botcheston, Leics. LE9 9FH. Mrs Sue Carter (c/o Agent: David Barnes, DB Chartered Architect, 14 Pyeharps Road, Burbage, Leics. LE10 2JE) – Erection of 2 dwellings – at 16 Main Street, Stapleton, Leics.

LE9 8JN NP Salt Builders Ltd (c/o Agent: Sam Grant, Big Tree Planning Ltd, Churchill House, 63 Fosse Way, Syston, Leicester LE7 1NF) – Erection of 2 detached dwellings – at Cadeby Hall, Main Street, Cadeby, Nuneaton, Warks. CV13 0AX. Mr A Green (c/o Agent: Hayward Architects Ltd, 19 Station Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1AW) – Erection of 5 new dwellings – at Sherwood, Nutts Lane, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 3EG.

Melton Borough Vale Electrics (c/o Agent: David Millea, HSSP Architects Ltd, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Redevelopment of light industrial site into residential with the creation of 4 new dwellings and improved access works – at 1 Station Lane, Old Dalby, Leics. LE14 3ND.

Work begins to demolish derelict Bramcote Hospital buildings Demolition work has begun on the derelict former Bramcote Hospital.

The hospital, which closed in 2011 after being deemed surplus to requirements, is being knocked down to make way for Bloor Homes’ luxury new Bramcote Manor housing development.

Bloor was granted planning permission to build 28 new homes on the Lutterworth Road site in September.

Contractors have now begun the task of clearing the derelict 1.4 hectare site to allow for construction work to start.

Two of the former hospital buildings have been completely demolished, while the roofing has been removed from several others. One of the hospital buildings, Ashby House, which is located to the south west of the site, is being retained by the NHS. Harry Bramwell, site manager for Bloor Homes at Bramcote Manor, said: “Demolition work is progressing well, with two of the buildings already demolished, and we hope to begin construction work on the new houses after Christmas.

“Once most of the site has been cleared, work will begin on upgrading the access road into the site from Lutterworth Road, and once that is completed we will be able to start construction work on the development at the southern part of the site, where the main hospital building is currently located.

“For many years, Bramcote Hospital provided a vital service to the local community, but since it closed in 2011, the buildings have stood empty and unused.

“We are looking forward to starting construction work on the new development, which will breathe new life into this brownfield site by and delivering a range of high quality family homes in an attractive countryside location which is set back from the main road.”

Bramcote Manor will comprise a range of four and five bedroom detached properties, all with their own garages and off-street parking.

As part of the development, Bloor will contribute £37,999 towards improvements to open space and play facilities in the surrounding area, £70,122 for additional teaching space at Wolvey Primary School, and £200,000 for the provision of affordable housing elsewhere in Nuneaton and Bedworth borough.

The first homes at Bramcote Manor are due to be released in the spring of next year.

For more information, or to register your interest, call 024 7699 1721 or visit www.bloorhomes.com.

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David Cox Contractors Ltd (c/o Agent: Alan J Currall Ltd, 35 Woodland Avenue, Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Northants. NN15 6QW) – Amendments to demolition of existing buildings and erection of 3 dwellings – at Manor Farm, 2 Manor Lane, Somerby, Leics. LE14 2QD. Mrs Glenda Gardner (c/o Agent: Mrs Helen Broadhurst, Vale Planning Consultants, Elder House, 2 Boyers Orchard, Harby, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 4BA) – Construction of 2 dwellings – at 46 Stirling Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0UG. Hazleton Homes (c/o Agent: Stephen Mair, Andrew Granger & Co, Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Outline application for the erection of up to 31 dwellings with associated access, open space and parking – at land at rear of 1-3 Hickling Lane, Long Clawson, Leics.

Ian Sparrow Equipment Ltd (c/o Agent: Simon Robinson, Studio 21 Design Ltd, 2 Church Walk, Sibsey, Boston, Lincs. PE22 0YA) – Proposed residential development on the site of previously demolished petrol station – at Ian Sparrow Equipment Ltd, Grantham Road, Bottesford, NG13 0EE. Axiom Housing Association Ltd (c/o Agent: PDG Architects Ltd, Toll Bar House, Shrewsbury Avenue, Peterborough PE2 7BX) – Erection of a 27-bedroom ‘foyer’ building with staff and communal facilities, associated access road, car parking and landscaping – at Car Park, Thorpe End, Melton Mowbray, Leics.

Mr & Mrs Christie (c/o Agent: Colin Wilkinson, Planit-X, 21 New Road, Burton Lazars, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE14 2UU) – Outline planning application for up to 15 dwellings – at Field Number 4862, Glebe Road, Wymondham, Leics.

Belvoir Estate (c/o Agent: Plan-ItDesign LLP, Unit 27 Roseland Business Park, Long Bennington, Newark, Notts. NG23 5FF) – Conversion of barns to 2 dwellings with parking – at buildings at the rear of 11 Main Street, Branston, Leics.

Mr Ross Whiting (c/o Agent: George Machin, Grace Machin Planning & Property, 5 Malin Hill, Plumptre Square, Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1JK) - Conditions to residential development of 2 dwellings – at Eastcote, 91 Grantham Road, Bottesford, NG13 0EG.

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My boss said he’s going to fire the employee with the worst posture. I’ve got a hunch it might be me.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Charnwood Borough Edren Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: David Thompson, D J Thompson (Design) Ltd, 20 Winster Crescent, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0EP) – Erection of 8 dwellings and associated works – at 1 St Leonards Close, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0RN. Magnum Care Ltd (c/o Agent: James Brindley, HSSP Architects, Pera Innovation Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Erection of 91-bed care home with associated access and parking provision – at Six Elms, 55 Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0HN.

Harborough District William Davis Ltd (c/o Agent: Insight Town Planning Ltd, Harborough Innovation Centre, Leicester Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7WB) – Erection of up to 30,700 sq.metres of commercial buildings comprising uses falling within Classes B1, B2 and B8 – at Airfield Business Park, Leicester Road, Lubenham, Leics.

Mrs Charles Smith (c/o Agent: Rod Kilsby Partnership, 3 High Bank, High Street, Spratton, Northants.

NN6 8HZ) – Demolition of barn and stable block; alterations to vehicular access, erection of 2 detached bungalows, 4 detached dwellings and detached double garage to serve existing bungalow – at Quarry Farm Stables, Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth, Leics. LE17 6HW. Kibworth C of E Primary School (c/o Agent: YMD Boon Ltd, 12 Pride Point Drive, Derby DE24 8BX) – Erection of single storey front extension, erection of new teaching block, formation of additional hard standing and installation of external lighting – at Kibworth C of E Primary School, Hillcrest Avenue, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leics. LE8 0NH. Mr & Mrs M E Broome (c/o Agent: Fowler Architecture & Planning Ltd, 19 High Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5AF) – Demolition of existing agricultural buildings and erection of 7 dwellings with associated landscaping, parking and alterations to private access – at Stone Cottage Farm, Welham Road, Thorpe Langton, Leics.

Mr & Mrs T Newton (c/o Agent: Andrew Granger & Co, Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Erection of 5 detached dwellings and associated village green area – at land off Main Street, Cotesbach, Leics.

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Core Strategy Clears Final Hurdle A blueprint to guide development in Charnwood for years to come has been approved.

Charnwood borough councillors tonight (November 9) agreed to adopt the Charnwood Core Strategy which is the Council’s vision of where new housing, employment land and infrastructure should go.

It marks the end of an 11-year journey and follows extensive consultations and an examination by an independent Planning Inspector.

Councillor Eric Vardy, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “This is a significant moment for us as a council and I am delighted that the Core Strategy has finally been adopted.

“This document not only says where significant new developments should go, it also says to developers where they should not go.

“I know some elements of the strategy are not universally supported, but I hope people will accept that we have taken every step to consider all views before reaching a conclusion.

“I am confident the Core Strategy will help control future growth and preserve the character and beauty of the borough as a whole.”

The strategy has been in development since 2004 and there have been extensive consultations with residents and interested parties. An independent Planning Inspector recently completed his examination of the Core Strategy, concluding that it was sound and could be adopted provided some amendments were made.

The strategy outlines where new homes will be built, identifies employment land, proposes health centres, parks, schools and other amenities which will boost local communities while enabling the Council to protect the borough from unwanted development.

It identifies the main areas of proposed development: • 3,000 homes and 16 ha of employment to the west of Loughborough • 4,500 homes and 13 ha of employment to the north of Hamilton/east of Thurmaston • around 1,500 homes and 15 ha of employment on land to the north of the A46 at Birstall The Core Strategy also sets out how the Council aims to help boost economic recovery in the area with plans for the regeneration of the Watermead corridor within the Thurmaston and Syston area, support for further development of the Loughborough Science and Enterprise Park and a regeneration plan for Shepshed.

Work underway on £1 million rural housing scheme A new £1 million housing scheme is set to provide muchneeded affordable rental homes in a Staffordshire village.

The development by Stafford and Rural Homes (SARH) at Church Lane, Hixon will see the creation of seven new homes, and local civic leaders have joined the housing association’s Chief Executive, Karen Armitage, in taking a look at work already underway at the site.

The development is located on a rural exception site and was given the green light following £140,000 grant funding from the Homes and Community Agency (HCA). The scheme is also being supported by both Stafford Borough Council and Hixon Parish Council, who were actively involved in the planning process.

Cllr Brendan McKeown, Chairman of Hixon Parish Council, commented: “We are proud to be involved in this project.

Over the past couple of years we have worked closely with SARH and other partners to help identify a clear local need for affordable homes in the village.”

Karen and Cllr McKeown were joined

by Cllr Jeremy Pert, Cabinet Member for Communities at Stafford Borough Council, for a visit to Church Lane, where they were shown around the site by representatives from developer Speller Metcalfe.

Following the site visit, Cllr Pert said: “We identified a need, as part of having a balanced mix of housing options, in Hixon for some well-designed low-cost homes for both rent and shared ownership, to meet the needs of the local community.

Consisting of two two-bedroom bungalows, four two-bedroom houses and one three-bedroom house, the scheme is due to be completed by March next year. Five of the new properties will be available to rent whilst two will be set aside for shared ownership.

Rainworth semi requires upgrading W A BARNES are offering for sale BY AUCTION a traditional two-storey semidetached house with a former sales shop.

The three-bed property – 233 Southwell East, Rainworth, Notts NG21 0BN – requires comprehensive refurbishment, modernisation and upgrading, but offers a good opportunity for resale or renting when modernised.

The Guide Price is £40,000+.

For sale BY AUCTION on Thursday 10th December 2015 at 3pm at The Towers, Botany Avenue, Mansfield, Notts. NG18 5NG. For more information, contact W A Barnes on 01623 554084 or email: sales@wabarnes.co.uk

My doctor asked if I drink to excess. I told him I’ll drink to anything.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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A man was arrested for stealing helium balloons. Police held him for a while then let him go.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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FORMER REGISTRY OFFICE NOW PRONOUNCED ‘FOR SALE’ THE ICONIC Grade II listed Newark Municipal Offices, previously used as a registry and county offices, is being offered to market by leading estate agent, Richard Watkinson & Partners.

The 12,500 sq ft building, located at Baldertongate in the centre of the Nottinghamshire market town, started life as a home for Dr Bernard Wilson, Vicar of Newark, in the 18th century. The property has an asking price of £695,000 with the potential for residential or commercial use (subject to planning permission).

The impressive Georgian building is spread across three floors, including a spacious useable attic space and sits in 0.8 of an acre of land with a 28-space car park and large landscaped garden to the rear. The property is owned

by Newark and Sherwood District Council which formally leased it to Nottinghamshire County Council as the Registry Office and office space.

Kirsty Keeton, director at Richard Watkinson & Partners, said: “This is a unique opportunity to purchase a part of the town’s history. It is currently being used as offices, but there is the potential for a residential and or commercial conversion, subject to gaining planning consent, due to the central location in the town and ample car parking facilities on a site of just less than an acre.

“It would also be ideal for a business looking to relocate and maintain a town centre office presence, with ample car parking facilities, this combination is quite rare in the town,” added Kirsty.

“A number of the rooms are particularly impressive, with an abundance of period features, including marble fireplaces, high ceilings and internal panelling throughout plus some rooms have a dual or triple aspect, providing pleasant views over the grounds which have a number of attractive mature trees, or towards the town.

“This iconic property has charm is unique and has an interesting history. It’s an unusual property that has a long and prominent history in the area. In terms of residential use, as it has been used for conducting marriages it means that couples who have been married at the registry office now have the chance to live where they were wed. It’s an incredible opportunity and certainly not one I see every day, and we’re very excited to be marketing the property.”

The building currently has planning consent for office use, but a buyer could potentially seek change of use permission for residential or quasi commercial conversion.

Richard Watkinson & Partners has been operating in the East Midlands for 25 years and has built a strong commercial property base – having recently relocated the Advertiser Media Group to its new home at Fernwood Business Park.

Old Station Close Whitwick Road Coalville Leicestershire LE67 3FH

Nottingham to become HMRC regional centre for East Midlands

HMRC has announced that it is to close 137 offices across the UK and replace them with 13 regional centres.

Nottingham, which already has a large office complex on Castle Meadow Road, has been chosen as the site of the East Midlands regional office.

HMRC has not said how many jobs will be affected by the move, although it expects the majority of staff to be able to move from their current offices to a regional centre, and is phasing the moves over ten years in order to minimise redundancies.

HMRC’s 58,000 employees are currently spread across 170 offices around the country, many of which are a legacy of the 1960s and 1970s, which range in size from around 6,000 people to fewer than ten.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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Message from Jonathan Hammond Mr Rowland Summerlin (c/o Agent: MWS Design, 48A Northampton Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 9HE) – Erection of 5 detached dwellings – at land at Ridge View, Scott Close, Market Harborough, Leics.

The Kibworth School (c/o Agent: YMD Boon Ltd, 12 Pride Point Drive, Derby DE24 8BX) – Erection of part single and part two storey teaching block with associated works – at Kibworth High School, Smeeton Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leics.

Mulberry Property Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: Andrew Granger & Co, Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) – Erection of up to 250 dwellings with associated access, pedestrian links, public open space, car parking, landscaping and drainage – at land at Coventry Road, Lutterworth, Leics.

Mr S & Ms F Croxford (c/o Agent: Signet Planning, Pure Offices, Lake View Drive, Sherwood Park, Nottingham NG15 0DT) – Erection of 8 dwellings, part demolition of boundary wall and the reconstruction of the boundary wall within the site – at land east of Smeeton Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leics.

Mulberry Property Developments (c/o Agent: Pegasus Planning Group, Pegasus House, Querns Business Centre, Whitworth Road, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 1RT) – Erection of up to 15 dwellings including associated access, landscaping and infrastructure – at land adjacent to Perkins Farm, Hall Lane, Ullesthorpe, Leics.

Richborough Estates (c/o Agent: Fisher German LLP, St Helens Court, North Street, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1HS) – Outline application for residential development with associated access, landscaping, open space, country park and drainage infrastructure – at land at Welham Road, Great Bowden, Leics.

Mr D Stewart & Mulberry Developments (c/o Agent: Aitchison Raffety, The Granary, Spring Hill Office Park, Harborough Road, Pitsford, Northants. NN6 9AA) – Erection of 9 detached dwellings including garages, access and associated works – at land rear of 28 Broadgate, Great Easton, Leics.

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It’s time for the Hammond Christmas Quiz!

You may remember last year’s extremely successful quiz – ‘The Television Quiz 2014’ which received over 1400 entries!

Well, I have now created our next Annual Quiz. You will find easy, easy cryptic and easy (ish!) clever clues which, when solved, will give you the answer of a Chart Hit that reached the Number 1 slot.

Simply work out the answers and write them clearly alongside each clue.

Only 74% of the entrants got a 100% score in last year’s Quiz!

There will be a Prize in a one-off draw from all of the entries received – regardless of the score achieved.

As usual, to make it even easier for you, I have listed all the answers for you - Cross them off when you’ve used them – but be careful, there are ‘traps’! It’s as simple as that!

I have allowed ample time for you to complete the quiz. You will find that you pick it up, answer one or two, put it down, leave it a couple of days, pick it up again, change an answer, do two more, then put it down again.

You can show it to family and friends for more help over the Christmas break – however, I must receive your entry by the closing date which is 12 Noon on Saturday 9th January 2016!

The winner will be the entry with the most correct answers. In the event of a tie, all of the entries with the most correct answers will be placed in a hat and winners will be drawn at random. Best of luck!

I hope you enjoy the Quiz and can help us, and the Sponsors of the Prizes, to support Childline.

Jonathan Hammond Hammond Property Services

To download the complete quiz - with answers - visit www. hammondpropertyservices.com/

Site for 2 houses in Arnold HEB are offering for sale BY AUCTION a residential development opportunity at Bagnall Avenue, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 6FP.

The property comprises a cleared site with planning consent (ref: 2015/0636) for 2 semi-detached houses with car parking.

The Guide Price is £30,000£40,000.

The auction takes place on Wednesday 9th December 2015 at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Nuthall Road, Cinderhill, Nottingham NG8 6AZ – starting at 2.30pm.

For more information, contact HEB on 0115 950 6622.

NW Leics. District Mr N Myatt (c/o Agent: Malcolm Goodall, The Drawing Room (Architects) Ltd, 130 Moat Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2GE) – Erection of 2 dwellings – at 95 Swallow Dale, Thringstone, Coalville, Leics. LE67 8LY. Cadeby Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: James Botterill, HSSP Architects Ltd, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Variation of condition 13 of planning permission 11/00382/REM in order to allow for the erection of 11 dwellings with an amended lighting scheme – at 107 Central Road, Hugglescote, Coalville, Leics.

LE67 2FL. Bloor Homes (East Midlands) Limited (c/o: 7 Calico Business Park, Sandy Way, Amington, Tamworth B77 4DS) – Erection of 33 dwellings with associated car parking, driveways and infrastructure – at land at rear of 112 Park Lane, Castle Donington, Derby.

Dr P J Kingsley (c/o Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Outline application for the erection of 3 dwellings and extension and conversion of doctor’s surgery to form a 4th dwelling – at 72 Main Street, Osgathorpe, Leics. LE12 9TA. Breedon Aggregates Ltd (c/o Agent: Nigel Hunt, Leicestershire County Council, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RA) – Proposed two-storey office extension to existing building and alterations to rooflights – at Breedon Quarry, Main Street, Breedon on the Hill, Derby DE73 8AN. Mrs M Mugglestone (c/o Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Erection of 3 dwellings and associated works – at land at Spring Lane, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WU. Mr Peter Haywood (c/o Agent: Stephen George & Partners, 170 London Road, Leicester LE2 1ND) – Erection of industrial unit including ancillary facilities, service yards, car and cycle parking, substations, landscaping and other infrastructure works approved under planning permission 15/00108/FULM without complying with conditions 2,4,20,21 & 22 so as to allow for an amended form of development – at land on corner of Beveridge Lane and Interlink Way, East Bardon, Leics.

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My mate went a bit off the rails when he was younger, which is probably why he’s no longer a train driver.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Ms B White (c/o Agent: Darren Insley, DCI Architecture Ltd, The Rural Design Office, Barns Heath Farm, Snarestone Road, Appleby Magna DE12 7AJ) – Demolition of 2 properties to allow for the erection of 9 dwellings – at land to the rear of 26 Jennys Lane, Ravenstone, Coalville, Leics. LE67 2AP. Lychgate Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: David Granger Design Ltd, The Old Dairy, Mill Street, Packington, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 1WN) – Demolition of existing single storey side extensions and change of use to residential dwelling, and erection of 2 dwellings and associated access, parking and garaging for all three dwellings – at 70 Tamworth Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE65 2PR. Mr Keith Beesley (c/o Agent: Nick Cooper, HSSP Architects Ltd, Pera Business Park, Nottingham Road, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 0PB) – Erection of 5 dwellings with associated garages (Reserved matters) – at land adjoining Ravenstone Road, Heather, Leics.

Mr Mick Smith (c/o Agent: Mrs Val Harding, Harding Planning Services, 15 Riddington Road, Leicester LE3 2JS) – Erection of 2 dwellings – at Michael House, South Lane, Bardon Hill, Coalville, Leics. LE67 1TG.

Rutland County Mr Robert Jeynes (c/o Agent: Giles Crust, Steenkiel Hal, Stone Pit Lane, Skendleby, Spilsby, Lincs. PE23 4QB) - Conversion of agricultural buildings to provide 3 residential dwellings – at rear of 8a Reeves Lane, Wing, Rutland.

Secretary of State for Defence (c/o Agent: Brendan Starkey, WYG, 314 Midsummer Boulevard, Central Milton Keynes, Bucks. MK9 2UB) – Screening request for new build 72 Junior Ranks Single Living Accommodation; New build Senior Non-Commissioned Officer’s Mess; New build Station Heavy Equipment Inspection and Servicing Facility; New build Armoury for all units; New build Ammunition Store for all units; New build Physical & Recreational Training Facility; New Obstacle Course – at HM Forces, Kendrew Barracks, School Road, Cottesmore, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7BL. Mr Matthew Brown (c/o Agent: Tony Ansell, Rutland Planning, 2 Harewood Close, Langham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 7JZ) – Erection of 4 detached dwellings – at 2-4 Main Road, Glaston, Rutland.

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68% PAY RISE NEEDED TO AFFORD A HOME IN THE EAST MIDLANDS Only people earning upwards of £40,000 a year can afford a typical East Midlands mortgage, according a new report by the National Housing Federation.

The average worker earning £24,000 would need a staggering £16,000 pay rise (68%) to get a mortgage for an average home in the region.

Home Truths 2015/16 portrays a gloomy picture for renters, too. Private renters currently fork out around £537 a month in the East Midlands, 27% of their pay packet. In parts of the region the picture is even more extreme, with rents in Rutland and South Northamptonshire now hovering well over the £750 mark.

The report reveals the source of all this misery: 40,000 too few new homes built over the last four years in the region. With house prices across the region now at seven times local salaries, housing associations are building homes at scale to help end the East Midlands housing crisis.

Housing associations are working to end the region’s crisis, providing 145,000 affordable homes in region. Housing associations built 50,000 homes across the country last year, 40% of all new homes in England. Nottingham Community Housing Association has built roughly 250 new homes each year since 1973, while Longhurst Group has plans to develop 2,500 by 2019.

Home Truths 2015/16 reveals the most unaffordable and affordable places to buy a home in the region.

Hawksmead Limited (c/o Agent: Christopher Ball, DLP Planning Ltd, 4 Abbey Court, Fraser Road, Priory Business Park, Bedford MK44 3WH) – Proposed hotel and associated works – at Hotel Hawksmead Site, Hackamore Way, Barleythorpe, Rutland.

Wilds Lodge School (c/o Agent: Ross Thain & Co Ltd, 20 Belton Street, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 2EF) – Extension to school to accommodate an assembly/theatre, administrative offices, staff room and counselling rooms – at Wilds Lodge, Stamford Road, Empingham, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8QQ.

Blaby District Mr Nigel Dutton (c/o Agent: Alan Filby, A & G Architects, 11 Leicester Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 2AE) – Construction of new data centre – at County Hall, Leicester Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8SA EMH Homes (c/o Agent: KPW Architects, 170 Upper New Walk, Leicester LE1 7QA) – Erection of 2 dwellings with associated parking and amenity space – at land at rear of 1 & 3 Bradbury Close, Cosby, Leics.

Kate Warburton, external affairs manager for the National Housing Federation in the East Midlands, said: “This is a housing crisis several generations in the making and one that affects buyers and renters across the region. To spell it out, if you’re on an average salary and want to buy a home, you’ll need to ask your boss for a 68% pay rise!

“There are nowhere near enough homes being built to keep up with demand. Last year 8,000 too few homes were built to keep pace with demand – over the last four years that’s a shortfall of 40,000. Urgent action must be taken.”

“Housing associations are a vital part of the solution to the housing crisis.

They built 50,000 homes last year, 40% of all new homes, and are ambitious about delivering even more.”

Julie Doyle, chief executive at Longhurst Group added, “A good home is the foundation for the rest of your life but over recent years thousands of people across the Midlands have found themselves living in poor quality, unsuitable homes or worse, out on the streets. We are committed to providing affordable, quality homes for all who need them and have built more than 1,280 new homes over the last three years. We know that what’s affordable for one person isn’t necessarily affordable for someone else so we’re now developing a wider range of tenures, such as shared ownership options, to help people struggling to get onto the property ladder.”

Mike Andrews, Chief Executive of Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) describes his organisation’s commitment to building more homes: “For over forty years, NCHA has been committed to providing high quality affordable housing for people in need across the East Midlands. As the release of today’s report shows, property prices and the demand for homes continue to increase, and NCHA will play its part in helping to respond to the housing crisis by expanding our development programme. We have set ourselves the target of building over 1,500 new affordable homes across the region in the next five years; ensuring we carry on delivering what is a very important strategic objective for NCHA – building more homes.”

Jayne Commercial Ltd (c/o Agent: GB A&E Ltd, Ryton Organic Gardens, Wolston Lane, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Rugby, Warks. CV8 3LG) – Erection of 9 dwellings with associated access, parking and amenity space – at land off Grace Road, Sapcote, Leics.

Mr David Graves (c/o Agent: DT Designs Ltd, 74 Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Erection of 11 dwellings – at land at rear of 4044 Sports Road, Glenfield, Leics.

LE3 8AH.

Charnwood Borough Mr Andrew Duncombe (c/o Agent: HSSP Architects Ltd) – Erection of two extensions to industrial unit and change of use of first floor of existing building from industrial to office following demolition of 2 industrial units – at Wreake Valley Craftsmen Ltd, 25 Rearsby Road, Thrussington, Leics. LE7 4UD. Brooksby College (c/o Agent: Melton Borough Council) – Consultation from Melton Borough Council. Amended plans relating to Highways: Mixed use development for residential development (up to 70 dwellings), B1 development (up to 850 sq.m.) and village shop – at Brooksby Agricultural College, Melton Road, Brooksby, Leics.

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After years struggling with my addiction to alcohol gel, I’m finally clean.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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䘀刀䔀䔀 一䔀堀吀 圀伀刀䬀䤀一䜀 䐀䄀夀 䐀䔀䰀䤀嘀䔀刀夀 圀䤀吀䠀 伀刀䐀䔀刀匀 伀嘀䔀刀 ꌀ㔀 ℀

匀吀伀䌀䬀 䌀䰀䔀䄀刀䄀一䌀䔀 一伀圀 伀一℀

倀氀甀猀 甀猀攀 挀漀搀攀 䰀䔀䤀䌀㔀 昀漀爀 愀渀 攀砀琀爀愀 㔀─ 漀昀昀 礀漀甀爀 漀爀搀攀爀℀ 伀昀昀攀爀 攀砀挀氀甀搀攀猀 䴀愀欀椀琀愀Ⰰ 一攀氀愀Ⰰ 䴀椀氀眀愀甀欀攀攀 愀渀搀 倀甀琀稀⸀ 䔀渀搀猀 ㌀ ⼀㄀㄀⼀㈀ ㄀㔀

⸀⸀⸀瀀氀甀猀 昀椀渀搀 洀漀爀攀 最爀攀愀琀 漀昀昀攀爀猀 漀渀氀椀渀攀 愀琀 最礀瀀猀甀洀琀漀漀氀猀⸀挀漀洀℀ 䄀氀氀 瀀爀椀挀攀猀 攀砀挀氀甀搀攀 嘀䄀吀

A driver crashed her 4 x 4 whilst listening to Adele on the radio. She was rolling in the jeep.

36

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

New starter Alice ready for rural land deals at Mather Jamie A new member of staff has been employed by Leicestershire’s leading chartered surveyors, Mather Jamie, to support growing business in its Rural Team.

Alice Jones, 22, has joined the Loughborough-based agent in the role of Assistant Land Agent, as demand for the firm’s services continues to increase.

Alice, who graduated at Harper Adams University in Shropshire, has joined Mather Jamies’ Rural team to assist with valuations and estate management.

“I’m from a farming family,” said Alice, from Idridgehay in Derbyshire, “which has actually given me quite a lot of background in the sort of work I’m doing now, and I studied Rural Enterprise and Land Management at university which has prepared me fully for the role.

“I’m currently getting plenty of experience in estate management and getting out to a lot of sites, meeting clients and making contacts, which I love. It’s a very varied job and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”

Alex Reid, Director, comments: “Alice is an eager and capable addition to Mather Jamie and we are delighted to have her on board as part of our rural team.

“She will assist us with delivering the professional service and outstanding advice we are renowned for, and which our clients should expect, at Mather Jamie.”

Landowners call for tax incentives to build flood defences A call for income tax relief for all forms of flood defence work carried out by individuals and businesses has gone out from the CLA which wants to see tax relief used to incentivise private investment in flood defences.

The CLA has told The Association of Drainage Authorities Annual Conference that landowners had a crucial play in defending rural communities from flooding.

The comments come only days after warnings that severe winter storms are due to hit Britain over the next three months.

CLA Midlands regional director Caroline Bedell (pictured above) echoed the call, saying that the impact of flooding on the rural economy should not be underestimated.

“Across the Midlands we know only too well that winter floods can have a disastrous effect on agricultural land and rural businesses. The financial and human impacts of flooding go far beyond the immediate issue of a flooded field or home.”

“Across the country, farmers and landowners are prepared to take action to protect their land and local communities from the risk of flooding, but there must be an incentive if more are to spend the time and money necessary to go through frustrating planning processes in order to do so.”

“A simplified planning process for flood mitigation benefits the whole community. If this were combined with a new tax relief on capital investments as well as income tax relief for all forms of flood defence work, we would be far better placed to deal with the inevitable extremes of weather.”

I was once bitten by a German Shepherd, but he apologised afterwards and even introduced me to his dog.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Lychgate Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: David Granger Architectural Design Ltd) – Erection of 3 dwellings and associated works following demolition of buildings – at land off Wide Street, Hathern, Leics. LE12 5JQ. Preci-Spark Ltd (c/o Agent: Alan Wigglesworth) – Erection of extension to factory – at Preci-Spark Ltd, Railway Terrace, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1HW. Lychgate Homes Ltd (c/o Agent: David Granger Architectural Design Ltd) – Erection of 2 dwellings, associated access and parking – at land at 5 Anchor Lane, Hathern, Leics. LE12 5HR.

Up to 530 million pounds sterling available for landlords who let tenants decorate •

Only 29 per cent of tenants surveyed have the freedom to decorate their property as they wish

•

43 per cent of tenants would be happy to pay more rent if their landlord allowed them to put a more personal stamp on their property.

•

Brits would be happy to fork out an additional 149.52 pounds sterling a year, on average, according to a new survey of 1,000 tenants by insurance provider Endsleigh.

SF Leicester Ltd (c/o Agent: The Drawing Room (Architects) Ltd) – Erection of 12 dwellings and associated access road (Resubmission) – at land at rear of 83-89 Loughborough Road, Hathern, Leics.

Mr Jake Smith – Erection of 5 dwellings – at 19 The Leys, Hathern, Leics. LE12 5HX. Mr Deepak Rajput (c/o Agent: Astill Planning Consultants Ltd) – Erection of 2 detached dwellings – at land adjacent to 21 Cossington Lane, Rothley, Leics. LE7 7NA. Mr Marco Carrelli (c/o Agent: A+G Architects) – Erection of a two-and-a-half storey building to provide 6 flats with access off William Street (Revised scheme) – at land adjacent to True Lovers Walk, Loughborough, Leics.

Calling local BUILDERS and DEVELOPERS send us your postal address and we’ll add you to our rotating mailing list.

Fantastic!

Email: info@ buildermagazines.co.uk

With two million private landlords, letting out five million homes in the UK that means there’s potentially an extra 530 million pounds sterling* in revenue out there for landlords who explicitly say they are happy for tenants to decorate.

Only 29 per cent of tenants surveyed have the freedom to decorate their property as they wish; but with a quarter (25 per cent) living in a rental property for more than three years, and one in five saying they would be ‘likely’ or ‘very likely’ to avoid inviting relatives round their home if they were embarrassed about the décor, it’s understandable that tenants want to decorate their homes.

The top five things tenants want to do to their rental property, but aren’t permitted to do are: 1.

Paint the walls with colours (19 per cent) 2.

Hang pictures or mirrors with screws (17 per cent) 3.

Hang wallpaper (10 per cent) 4.

Blue-tack pictures to the wall (9 per cent) 5.

Hang a TV on the wall (9 per cent) Just 28 per cent of tenants ask their landlord for permission to decorate but of those that do, 76 per cent of those tenants’ landlords agree to the request, despite it being against the tenancy agreement.

David Hadden, Manager – Landlords and Lettings at Endsleigh commented: “With it being so difficult to get on to the property ladder, people are now renting for longer, so naturally they are going to want to decorate the property they are living in long-term.

“Landlords who allow tenants to personalise their property could be favoured over those who don’t and may be able to command a higher rental price. If tenants feel at home in their property they may also have longer tenancies.”

For tenants unable to decorate their rental property or on a tight budget, Endsleigh has created the ‘Home Fakeovers’ hub. With help from expert design bloggers, it brings together some of the best home inspiration with a temporary touch. Visitors can select a rental restriction such as ‘I can’t put nails in the wall’ or ‘I can’t paint or wallpaper the walls’ and creative work-arounds, hacks and fake-over decorating suggestions are offered. The Home Fakeovers hub can be found here on the Endsleigh website: https:// www.endsleigh.co.uk/home-fakeovers/

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Croft to become location for sixth rural exception site A planning application approved by councillors will see Croft become the location for the sixth rural exception site in the District of Blaby.

The successful application

by Leicestershire-based social housing and care provider emh group, with the support of Blaby District Council’s Housing Strategy team, will see construction of six affordable homes which, once completed, will only be available for people currently living in the village of Croft, or with a strong local connection to the village.

This will be the second rural exception site in Croft. The six homes will be an extension of the seven already in the village which were the first to be built under the Council’s rural exception site programme which began in 2009. All affordable houses built will be prioritised for local people into the future, ensuring future generations can remain in the village.

Tony Greenwood MBE, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development, said: “We are extremely proud to support the sixth rural exception site. It is so important that homes are provided in villages like Croft so that people can remain in their communities.”

Chan Kataria, Chief Executive of emh group, said: “Schemes like this do more than meet local housing needs; they also contribute to the heritage of a village and ensure local people can stay within their community.”

If you enjoy reading Leicestershire Builder Magazine, please pass it on to a friend or colleague after you’ve finished with it. Thanks!

I got my hair highlighted because I thought some strands were more important than others.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Don’t Let Standards Leave You In A Fix …

Russell’s Tech Help Keeps Roofers On Top

As weather conditions become increasingly more erratic, Russell Roof Tiles leads the way, helping the fight against the elements using the latest technology.

Roofing has undergone a massive change with the onset of the new British Standard Code of practice for tiling and slating, BS 5534:2014 now bringing the UK in line with European equivalent, Eurocodes. The standard was designed to increase roofing integrity and safety in our changing British climate, where adverse weather means more is needed to ensure roof tiles and fixtures and fittings stay in place.

So for all new roofing projects mortar bedding alone can no longer be relied upon as a means of fixing. Under the new standards, roof tile fittings such as ridge and hip tiles laid with mortar require additional mechanical fixings with all interlocking tiles requiring a minimum of one fixing, and all perimeter tiles needing two.

Russell Roof Tiles is one of the UK largest manufacturers of roof tiles fittings and accessories used on homes and commercial projects. To support customers Russell Roof Tiles is using the latest technology to make getting hold of fixing specifications quickly, with a new interactive web based fixing spec tool which provides roofers with site specific fixing instructions.

The new facility turns the task into a couple of minutes job ensuring that a specification fully complies with all the latest standards.

Mark Parsons Commercial Technical Manager at Russell Roof Tiles added.

“It’s been well over a year in the making but it was important we created a new tool for customers that is as simple as possible to use even though it is a complicated standard.

“Consisting of a questionnaire that takes just a minute or two to complete, the roofer will promptly receive their answers and instructions in an email or download instantly.” He added.

The bonus of using more dryfix is that it requires less maintenance and repairs compared to traditional mortar fixed roofs. in fact, nearly two thirds of all roofing claims made against the NHBC Buildmark guarantee are related to mortar failure.

Russell Roof Tiles’ dry fix solutions (dry ridge, dry verge, dry valley and dry hip systems) are all fully compliant with the new BS 5534 standards. Check out Russell’s online tool here http://www.russellrooftiles.co.uk/technical/ fixing-spec-online/fixing-spec-online.aspx www.russellrooftiles.com

Commercial development site in New Basford

HEB are offering for sale

BY AUCTION a parcel of commercial development land extending to 0.42 acres.

THE SITE The land is situated within an established an popular industrial estate at Mount Street, New Basford, Nottingham NG7 7HX. The Guide Price is £225,000.

The auction takes place on Wednesday 9th December 2015 at the Double Tree Hilton Hotel, Nuthall Road, Cinderhill, Nottingham NG8 6AZ – starting at 2.30pm.

For more information, contact HEB on 0115 950 6622.

Small Grant Scheme improves the face of library The Ashby Castle Women’s Institute has received £150 from the Small Grant Scheme. The money is being used to renovate Ashby Woman’s Instituteand maintain the frontage of the Ashby de la Zouch library, which has undergone a fantastic transformation.

They were granted a licence to plant y Leicestershire County Council who owns the land that the library is built on. They are now the proud owners of a green space complete with flower beds.

The grant scheme, provided by North West Leicestershire District Council, aims to help build on and improve local projects and will grant up to £500 for any individual cause.

The Ashby’s Woman Institute, based at the Congregational Church in Ashby, only needed £150 but the results are incredible.

The group will fund-raise every year to sustain the grass verge, which has greatly improved the appearance of the library and is enjoyed by local people.

Councillor Alison Smith MBE, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Community Services at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “This is the kind of project the Small Grant Scheme was created for, to help small projects run by the community for the community. So we are proud to have supported the Woman’s Institute in their project to improving the appearance of Ashby Library.”

Find out more about the grant scheme. Completed applications should be emailed to: grants@nwleicestershire.gov.uk

Now that food has replaced sex in my life, I can’t even get into my own pants.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

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The Grim Reaper came for me but I fought him off with my hoover. I was Dyson with death.

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Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Design Studio Architects launches partnership with Vista A Leicester-based architect company is joining forces with a local sight loss charity to share their expertise in architecture and explore design opportunities to improve the quality of life for people with sight loss.

Design Studio Architects has chosen Vista as its Charity of the Year. As well as taking part in fundraising activities, the architects will offer their design services and will look to work on a number of projects with the charity.

Paul Bott, Chief Executive at Vista, said: “We welcome this new partnership with Design Studio Architects, and we’re already looking forward to what we can achieve together. Vista is an innovative and forward thinking charity, and we’re always striving to design services that ultimately meet the needs of people with sight loss in creative ways.

“We’re currently embarking on renovation projects to upgrade areas of our older people’s care homes, and we’re also establishing a portfolio of new charity shops across market towns in Leicestershire and Rutland, both of which would be great projects for Design Studio Architects to get involved in.”

To celebrate the partnership Vista hosted a launch event, which involved Visual Impairment Awareness Training for the architect team, and a workshop to generate fundraising ideas.

Keshiv Sudera, Managing Director at Design Studio Architects, said: “We fully appreciate the importance the built environment can have on an individual with sight loss. As an architect firm we feel it is imperative we focus on this as good, thoughtful design can have an immensely positive effect.

“We’re looking forward to working with Vista on some innovative developments, and getting the chance to design architecturally inclusive environments, which improve the quality of life for people with sight loss.”

Design Studio Architects is a RIBA Chartered practice specialising in both residential and commercial planning and design. In addition to offering their expertise, the firm will donate a small percentage on all accepted quotes for domestic projects to Vista.

To find out more about the company visit www.designstudioarchitects.co.uk, email info@ designstudioarchitects.co.uk or call 0116 251 0606.

For more information about fundraising opportunities with Vista email fundraising@vistablind.org.uk or call 0116 249 8801.

Nottingham

Former Swimming Centre for sale INNES ENGLAND are offering for sale the former Beechdale Swimming Centre at Western Boulevard, Beechdale Road, Nottingham NG8 3LL. The property is being offered for sale due to relocation and provides an interesting development opportunity.

The 3.3 acre site was formerly a public swimming centre and benefits from extensive frontage to Nottingham Ring Road (A6514) Western Boulevard of 127 metres and Beechdale Road of 104 metres.

Situated on a prominent corner location, the site is predominantly surrounded by the residential suburbs of Bilborough, Wollaton, Radford and Aspley.

The emerging Local Plan Part 2 (preferred Option) identifies this site as a proposal development site alocation, suitable for a convenience retail store (A1) with access provided from Beechdale Road. The ‘Publication’ version of the Local Plan Part 2 is under development and it is considered that the site is also suitable for mixed use development comprising both retail and residential.Offers are invited on a conditional or unconditional basis by 12 noon on Thursday 10th December 2015.

For more information, contact Matthew Hannah at Innes England on 0115 924 3243 or mobile:07831 319801 or email: mhannah@ innes-england.com

Thousands of bricks donated to Leicester College by Forterra Building products firm Forterra has donated 10,000 bricks to Leicester College for budding student bricklayers to use on construction courses.

The bricks and blocks donated by Forterra, formerly known as Hanson Building Products, one of the largest providers of building products in the country, will be used by the students to build practice walls, foundations and other features as part of their NVQ courses.

The recent rise in homebuilding around the country has led to an increase in demand for trained bricklayers and Leicester College currently has 90 student bricklayers on its courses, many of whom are apprentice bricklayers with local homebuilders.

Keith Binns, Brickwork Programme Lead at Leicester College, said: “I am absolutely delighted Bricklaying students at Leicester College’s at the donation of 10,000 bricks from Forterra.

Freemans Common campus, in front of With an increase in the amount of learners, being in a position to provide good quality materials Forterra’s donation of 10,000 bricks for their lessons on a regular basis can be a major challenge - having a company like Forterra work with us will make such a difference.“ “I cannot thank Forterra enough for their generosity and for showing such a commitment to the development of the next generation of bricklayers which are so desperately needed by industry.”

Stephen Harrison, UK Managing Director of Forterra, said; “When we heard about Leicester College’s need for bricks we thought it was a worthwhile cause that we could contribute to. We hope our quality products help their students learn the skills needed to become the next generation of homebuilders.”

Fortera is a leading multinational manufacturer of a diverse range of concrete and clay building products. The company employs approximately 1,600 people in the UK across 18 manufacturing facilities, including brickworks in Desford and Measham in Leicestershire.

I couldn’t find the oxo cubes anywhere in our local shop today. They must have been out of stock.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

41

Christmas films

If you can find the titles of 12 seasonal films we love to watch over Christmas in the Wordsearch grid on the right, you could win yourself a £20 Meal Voucher to spend at Frankie & Benny’s New York Italian Restaurant.

All you have to do to go into the draw is find - and mark a line through - the names of 12 Christmas Films. These can run vertically, horizontally or diagonally (and backwards!).

Send your marked entry forms to: CHRISTMAS FILMS, Leicestershire Builder, PO Box 8, Markfield, Leics. LE67 9ZT to arrive by Friday 18th December 2015. Please remember to fill in your name and address. The senders of the first correct entry drawn out of the hat will win the Frankie & Benny’s Voucher. Good luck!

Here are the 12 Christmas Films you have to find:

DIE HARD • ELF • IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE • HOME ALONE SCROOGED • BAD SANTA • LOVE ACTUALLY • GREMLINS JINGLE ALL THE WAY • BATMAN RETURNS THE POLAR EXPRESS • WHITE CHRISTMAS Name: ..............................................................................................................

Last Month’s Wordsearch Winner was: BOB FISHER of Woodville Road, Leicester Congratulations! Your Frankie & Benny’s Voucher will be with you soon.

Address: ............................................................................................................. .............................................................................Postcode: .............................

Residential development land in Castle Gresley FISHER GERMAN are offering for sale an attractive development opportunity surrounded by mature woodland with outline planning permission for the erection of 7 dwellings.

The site – The Woodlands, Cadley Hill Road, Castle Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire DE11 9EQ – extends to approximately 1.33 acres and currently comprises one residential dwelling, which is proposed to be demolished to enable redevelopment of the site.

The Guide Price is £550,000.

For more information, or to arrange a viewing, contact Luke Brafield at Fisher German on 01530 567472 or email: luke.brafield@fishergerman.co.uk

Melton Borough Council shortlisted for National Property award for excellence Melton Borough Council is one of three public sector organisations to have been shortlisted for this year’s prestigious ACES Award for Excellence 2015.

ACES is the Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and Property Managers in the public sector and it comprises of the professional heads of property and asset management services in local authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Following a visit to Parkside from The Government Property Unit it was suggested that the Council should consider making an application for the ACES Award based around the work it has done with its partners in Strategic Asset management and collaborative working at Parkside.

The application was based around how the Council set about realising its vision of improved local service delivery through closer collaboration with other public services, third sector and private sector organisations after the devastating Fire at its former offices in May 2008. The Council worked closely with the County Council and other public sector organisations to develop a culture of transparency, sharing and respect that has helped to make the Partnerships and joint working between agencies successful .

I couldn’t find the TV channel changer, so I asked the kids if they’d seen it. They said she left me yesterday.

42

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

Petrol Stations

HKS Holdings Ltd acquires Brobot Group Independent petrol station owner and operators, HKS Holdings Ltd, have completed the acquisition of Leicestershire based Brobot Group Ltd.

Forticrete provides the perfect finish for David Wilson Homes The entire external envelope of David Wilson Homes’ Garnett Wharfe, a collection of two, three, four and five bedroom homes situated along the southern side of the River Wharfe in Otley, has been constructed from a combination of high performance cast stone, decorative walling, and highly durable roof tiles and slates from Forticrete.

Garnett Wharfe is surrounded by beautiful countryside and sits just a stone’s throw from the cobbled streets of market town, Otley. As a result, David Wilson Homes was required to specify high quality materials capable of satisfying local planning authorities’ desire for new homes to look attractive, blend with the surrounding area and help shape desirable communities where people want to live.

As the buildings in the surrounding area of the development feature natural stone with stone slate roofs, David Wilson Homes specified Forticrete’s Hardrow Slates in Dusk and Dark Grey to provide both a cost effective and aesthetically pleasing solution. While Forticrete’s popular Anstone walling stone in Old Heather Black was also specified. David Wilson Homes also specified Forticrete Cast Stone detailing components including corbels, decorative heads and cills in a ‘Buff ’ finish to provide decorative finishing touches to the homes’ entrance, roof edges and windows.

Andrew Croft, Senior Technical Coordinator at David Wilson Homes, commented: “Designed to set the standard for river side living, Garnett Wharfe provides luxury homes in a truly unique setting. Therefore, it was essential that we specified materials that not only reflected exactly that, but also provide local planning authorities with peace of mind that they ensure the development sits seamlessly within the local environment.

“Forticrete’s ticked all the boxes - we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

For more information on Forticrete’s range of products, visit www.

Forticrete.co.uk.

Forticrete is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of concrete construction products including roof tiles, concrete decorative facing blocks, walling stone and cast stone dressings.

Founded in the late 1920’s, Forticrete employs around 250 people across 7 manufacturing plants, offices and depots. Forticrete is part of Ibstock Building Products, the UK’s biggest manufacturer of clay and concrete heavyside building products.

This, after the recent purchase of seven Shell sites, means the group has acquired 30 filling stations in three months, taking the total number of sites to just under 60.

Following the addition of 23 sites from Brobot to the family-owned HKS group, the company now stretches from Yorkshire to Surrey.

This and other recent acquisitions have enabled HKS to strengthen their position nationwide including increasing presence in the North as well as London and the M25 region.

With the conclusion of recent deals HKS expects annualised turnover to reach £250m, representing growth of over 150%.

Brobot was founded by John Bootle in 1978 with a single site at Thorpe Road, Melton Mowbray and expanded through acquisitions over the years. John Bootle died tragically early in 1996, following which Brobot continued its successful growth under the chairmanship of his wife, Pat Bootle and her dedicated executive directors, Bridget Smith and Eddie Bright.

The deal was supported by Geln McLeod and Jason Mowe at HSBC, overseen by Antony Walsh’s legal team at Eversheds and with advice from Nick Taylor and Ian Borley at KPMG on behalf of HKS Holdings Ltd. Brobot Group was led by Patric Phelan with David Browne and Ben Rookes of Cooper Parry providing lead advisory, along with Martin Smith and Stephen McElhone of Spearing Waite providing legal advice.

Shane Thakrar, Chief Executive at HKS Holdings Ltd says of the recent agreement, “On behalf of the entire company and the Thakrar family, we’re delighted at the addition of the new locations to the HKS group, which will help us to increase our offering to customers across the country.

We’re delighted to have the continued support from HSBC, along with the great work KPMG and Eversheds have completed on our behalf during this transaction.

We’d also like to extend our thanks to the Bootle family, Eddie Bright and Bridget Smith from Brobot for trusting us with the acquisition and taking these sites forward in the future.

We look forward to welcoming the new members of our team on board to work alongside our existing committed team of individuals, who provide the strength behind our growth strategy.”

The new deal comes off the back of an already successful year for HKS who recently signed deals with SPAR to brand the majority of their forecourt retail units, as well as Subway and Costa to offer additional choice to consumers passing through their station doors.

In addition, HKS recently took the award for Business of the Year at the Midlands Asian Business Awards as well as taking a number of accolades at the recent Forecourt Trader Awards 2015.

HKS Holdings Ltd’s business plan is driven by rapid expansion, with the company actively seeking to purchase existing sites and land for development. The group will also continue development of its existing portfolio, enhancing its convenience retailing offer and pursuing partnering options with food-to-go brands. The company has funds committed and support from HSBC to continue their expansion and development strategy.

Nick Taylor, director at KPMG, commented: “This deal demonstrates the success of independent operators within the petrol station sector and is an important acquisition within the East Midlands, given it brings together two successful regional businesses. This acquisition also provides yet further evidence of banks supporting businesses within the East Midlands to meet their strategic growth plans.”

The new sites will be taken over by HKS Holdings Ltd with immediate effect; development to the filling stations will begin as soon as possible.

For more information on HKS Holdings Ltd, please visit: www. hksretail.co.uk

My doctor told me that I’d be lucky to reach 50. That’s the last time I give him a lift in my Robin Reliant.

Leicestershire BUILDER Magazine • DECEMBER 2015 • Tel: 01530 244069

My friends tell me that cooking is easy, but it’s not easier than not cooking.

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