Leicestershire Builder September 2023

LEICESTERSHIRE

BUILDER

& ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR BUILDERS

SEPTEMBER 2023

Development site with consent for 10 properties

Barratt Homes provides afternoon tea for Melton Parkinson’s support group

HOWKINS & HARRISON are offering for sale a freehold residential development site in a rural setting with permission under General Permitted Development (Class MA) for Change of Use to 10 residential properties.

The site - at Montilo Lane, Pailton, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 0HD - extends to approximately 1.47 acres of level ground and was previously used as the buildings for the NATS office site, but these buildings have been empty for a number of years.

Permission (ref: R21/0937) has been obtained to change the use of the buildings and land within their curtilage from office use Class E to 10 no. dwellinghouses Class C3 under Class MA. For more information, or to arrange a viewing appointment, contact Howkins & Harrison on 01788 564680.

Service . Support . Expertise

A Parkinson’s support group in Melton Mowbray has enjoyed an afternoon tea provided by housebuilder, Barratt Homes.

Dawn Mellors and Jessica Beasley from Barratt Homes joined the afternoon tea at the Sysonby Knoll Hotel. The Leicestershire homebuilder put on an all-expenses-paid afternoon tea for 35 members of the support network for people with Parkinson’s disease in Melton Mowbray.

Jessica Beasley (Marketing Manager) and Dawn Mellors (PA to the Sales Director) from Barratt Homes joined the group at the Sysonby Knoll Hotel for a cuppa and a chat, as they were able to meet the group’s members and learn about their experiences.

Proposed investment will see 1,500 new affordable homes for Leicester P

ROPOSALS have been set out for spending £150 million over the next four years to create hundreds more affordable homes in Leicester.

The city council has outlined an approach involving more council house building, acquiring vacant properties, and working with partners involved in bringing forward Extra Care and supported living schemes as a way to create much-needed housing. It also looks at potential development sites for inclusion in future local plans.

The work is part of the council’s commitment to deliver 1,500 new council, social and extra care homes by 2027. The report detailing the work goes to the council’s housing scrutiny committee at the end of this month.

Work is already underway on a number of schemes to create desperatelyneeded housing stock, to meet the city’s growing need for decentquality homes.

The first phase of house-building work has already seen sites redeveloped in the Crown Hills, Humberstone, Netherhall, Abbey and Beaumont Leys areas.

More than 270 further newbuild homes are already in the pipeline by 2025/6 at sites including the former Saffron Lane velodrome, Stocking Farm, Lanesborough Road, the former school site at the Newry in Southfields and the site of the former Forest Lodge Education

Centre in New Parks.

Hundreds of existing homes could also be acquired to provide quality affordable homes and social housing between now and 2026/7, using a combination of funding methods, including Right to Buy Receipts, Home England funding and bids for cash from the Government’s Levelling Up programme.

One such scheme is the Zip Building, in Rydal Street, West End, which will transform the former student accommodation block into

58 one-bedroomed flats.

It is hoped that the former bus depot at Abbey Park Road and a site at Loughborough Road will both be redeveloped as housing, while additional Extra Care and supported living homes are due to be developed at sites including former Exchange at Eyres Monsell. Some of the proposed

developments outlined in the report are dependent on the adoption of the latest Local Plan, which sets out the council’s vision and objectives for growth of the city over the coming years. If the proposals were to all be delivered they would enable the creation of around 1,500 muchneeded affordable homes.

My wife complains that I don’t buy her flowers. In all honesty, I didn’t know she sold flowers.

Carter Jonas’ response to Michael Gove’s speech on increasing housebuilding

MICHAEL GOVE is currently outlining some key changes to planning policy:

• The creation of development corporations

• A new ‘super-squad’ of planners and other experts to help unblock major developments, based in Cambridge

• The launch of a ‘Planning Skills Delivery Fund’ to clear backlogs and improve skills in the sector.

• Higher fees levied on developers to help improve planning services.

• New flexibilities to turn shops, takeaways and betting shops into homes and a cut in the administration required to convert barns and repurpose farm buildings.

• A review of PDR to make it easier for the public to extend homes, convert lofts and renovate buildings.

Colin Brown, Head of Planning & Development at Carter Jonas has responded as follows: “There is some encouragement in relation to suggestions of new lines of funding to help local authorities with their significant workload / backlogs.

“Development corporations may well have a place if the Government genuinely wishes to ramp up delivery, for example in Cambridge. Cambridge is however surrounded by a Green Belt so significant questions will remain as to how you capitalise on its ongoing potential without recognising that some green belt development will almost certainly be needed. How you leverage in new infrastructure is a further key question.

“What seems clear however is that national housing targets look set to be abandoned. The reference to urban areas and brownfield sites anticipates the fact that greenfield development in areas of greatest housing need do not really feature.

“While we would support use of brownfield land it is simply incorrect to suggest that the housing crisis can be met in this way. Greenfield and green belt land will both need to be considered.”

Former care home up for sale after falling into administration

SPECIALIST business property adviser, Christie & Co, has been instructed to sell the Grade II listed former residential care home, Egerton Lodge, in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.

Originally built in 1829 for the Earl of Wilton and used as a base for hunting and socialising, Egerton Lodge was turned into a residential care home in 1987, caring for residents across 44 en-suite bedrooms. In June 2023, the home went into administration and business operations were taken over by Leonard Curtis Business Solutions Group.

This sale presents an opportunity for either existing care (C2) use or to redevelop for alternate use, subject to the necessary planning permissions. Egerton Lodge is on the market with an asking price of £1.55 million.

Work starts on the building of the Bowman Academy special school in Shepshed

WORK HAS begun on the building a new special school in Leicestershire.

Bowman Academy will provide support for up to 65 pupils aged five to 16 with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Based at the former site of St Botolph’s Primary School in Shepshed, facilities will include a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and a variety of classrooms, including science and art studios.

It will also feature a music room, a sensory / immersion room and a quiet, calming room, as well as an outdoor dedicated outdoor learning area and a car park and drop-off points.

The sustainably built school is being constructed by contractors Bowmer + Kirkland for the Department for Education and will be run by the Community Inclusive Trust (CIT), which heads up several schools including Foxfields Academy, a specialist SEMH school in Blaby.

Bowman Academy is due to open in September 2024.

There are also plans to build a 90-place school for children with special needs and disabilities in Quorn after the Department for Education approved the county council’s funding via its Special Free School Programme earlier this year.

Colin Brown, Head of Planning & Development at Carter Jonas

I can’t believe how much my glasses weigh. I got on the scales and I weighed 10 stones. I then put on my glasses and it said 18 stones.

RJA Consultants snapped up by Gateley

GATELEY, the professional services group, has acquired Richard Julian and Associates Limited, trading as RJA Consultants, in a deal worth up to £6 million.

The deal includes, subject to certain revenue targets being achieved, an earn out based on the EBITDA achieved in each twelvemonth period expiring 31 March 2024 and 31 March 2025.

Established by founder and Managing Director, Richard Julian, RJA is a chartered surveying practice, providing quantity surveying and project management services across a variety of construction sectors. It specialises in the provision of these services to organisations that deliver affordable housing, a resilient sector which is underpinned by high levels of grants to support delivery of the Government’s housing targets.

Richard Julian and directors Steven Collin, Liza Julian, Hardeep Kooner and Chris Clubb, will continue to work as part of the RJA management team post acquisition.

The company employs approximately 50 staff based in Nottingham and Leicester.

In the financial year ended 31 March 2023, RJA generated revenue of c.£3.9 million, corporatised profit before tax of c.£0.8 million and organic revenue growth of 65% against the prior year.

Rod Waldie, Chief Executive Officer of Gateley, said: “I am delighted to welcome the team from RJA, who are already well known by our colleagues in Gateley Smithers Purslow.

“There are common threads between the two teams and across our Property Platform, bringing opportunities to increase market share, as well as target new markets and workstreams. They have considerable expertise in the construction market and specifically in resilient sectors such as affordable housing and insurance services.

“RJA has a strong track record of growth, excellent relationships with clients, a dedicated and positive culture and an ambitious management team, qualities which closely match Gateley’s business and culture.”

Plot for a 4-bed detached house in Croxton Kerrial

ANDREW Granger & Co are offering for sale a building plot with full planning permission (22/01207/FUL) for a four-bedroomed detached house.

The plot – adjacent to 18 Saltby Road, Croxton Kerrial, Grantham NG32 1QG – is is situated on the very edge of the village.Offers in excess of £230,000 are invited.

Contact Simon Johnson at Andrew Granger & Co on 01509 235534.

Shepshed residential development sold

NATIONAL property business Godwin Developments has completed the sale of its residential development of up to 50 family homes in Shepshed, Leicestershire, to social enterprise Places for People.

The scheme, which benefits from an outline planning permission secured by Godwin last year, is situated at a gateway location along the main arterial route into Shepshed.

When fully built, residents will have easy access to a range of amenities, including primary and secondary schools, shops, recreational facilities, a wide range of other services, and local employment. The site of the residential development also lies just over half a mile from junction 23 of the M1 motorway and is approximately three miles from Loughborough, the principal settlement in the Borough of Charnwood.

Places for People intend to deliver the scheme of two-, three- and four-bedroom properties through thoughtful design and to high energy efficiency standards. The enterprise has a longterm growth programme that aims to deliver over 18,000 homes in the next five years across the UK.

It is expected that the properties will be available sometime in 2024, both as affordable rent as well as with options to purchase through the Government-backed Shared Ownership scheme.

Site for 4 detached dwellings in Coleorton

APB Property Consultants are offering for sale a residential development site at Lower Moor Road, Coleorton, Coalville, Leics. LE67 8FN.

Planning consent (ref: 18/01237/REM) has been granted – and implemented - for the erection of 4 detached dwellings.

Price on application – contact Will Shattock at APB on 0116 254 0382 or email: wjs@ apbleicester.co.uk

The Gateley RJA Directors

Boost in workload for builders, says FMB

THERE HAS been a continued upward trend in the repair, maintenance, and improvement (RMI) building work in Q2 of this year, but house building lags behind, with more FMB members reporting lower workloads and enquiries than those reporting more, according to the latest State of Trade Survey from the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, said: “While there are plenty of positives to take from this quarter’s State of Trade Survey, there are still worrying signs for house builders. Workloads are up, driven by a strong repair, maintenance and improvement sector and encouragingly we’re also seeing pressure on obtaining skilled labour easing.”

Berry continued: “House building has been hit badly, despite a slight increase on last quarter more members are reporting less work than they are more, and enquiries continue to look bleak. The fall in house building is worrying because housing supply is a key component of a growing the economy and

unlocking a mobile workforce. The Government needs to step up its efforts if its own ambition to build 300,000 each year is to be met because the figure is expected to be less than half than that this year. ”

Berry concluded: “The survey also points towards other areas of concern, with just under half of FMB members saying they expect profits to be lower than expected and around one in five saying they are restricting hiring new staff. With inflation dipping marginally, we’ll need to see over the coming months if this has any positive effects on bottom lines.”

The latest survey for Q2 2023 found:

MARKET CONDITIONS

• Increase in total workload and enquires is primarily driven by a continued strong rebound in the repair, maintenance and improvement sector.

• Overall, 40% of members reported an increase in workload, with only 18% reporting a reduction compared to last quarter.

• House building workloads and enquiries continue to struggle with more members reporting a decrease than increase.

SKILLS

• Overall, difficulty in recruitment is easing, however;

• 38% of members are struggling to hire carpenters with 29% struggling to hire bricklayers.

• A quarter of members can’t get hold of general labourers.

• Over half of all members reports that jobs are delayed because they are struggling to hire skilled workers.

IMPACT OF CHANGES IN PRICES AND COSTS

• 79% of members report that material costs increased in Q2 2023 with 72% expecting this to continue into the next quarter.

• The impact of increased outgoings has led to 69% of members increasing the prices they charge, with just under half reporting that the business is on track to make a loss.

• 19% report that they are restricting hiring new staff as a consequence of increased outgoings.

• The FMB State of Trade Survey, which is released quarterly, is the longest running survey of its kind to track the experience of small to medium-sized (SME) construction firms in the UK.

Asset Manager Pru Singh appointed at Wells McFarlane

THE COSTAR NUMBER 1 ranked team at commercial property consultancy, Wells McFarlane has expanded with the appointment of a new Residential and Commercial Asset Manager.

Pru Singh joins the Lutterworth-based firm, which earlier this year was confirmed as the best commercial agent in Leicester and the East Midlands for office and investment deals. Pru will support Wells McFarlane’s Director and Co-Founder, Andrew McFarlane Holt with property and site inspections; tenant, landlord, contractor and other stakeholder liaison; lease renewals; marketing and general property management.

Pru’s appointment follows a sustained period of growth for Wells McFarlane. Not only has the firm topped the league in five CoStar tables for 2023, but it has also increased its property management work, recently reporting it has taken over the management of a further three business parks across Leicestershire.

AR Local Demolition Specialists

Local centre approved for New Lubbesthorpe

THE FIRST retail centre with a convenience store, café and other shops is coming to the District’s awardwinning community at New Lubbesthorpe. Senior living specialist developer Charterpoint, in a joint venture with landowner, The Drummond Trust, received planning permission for the new local centre along with a 66-bed care home.

Blaby District Council planning committee members approved the detailed design of the scheme recently.

It will feature a two-storey local centre housing a Sainsbury’s Local store, three additional retail units and a café/bistro on the ground floor. The first floor will be occupied by Forest House Medical Centre. The scheme also includes a 66-bedroom luxury care home to be built over two and three storeys, which will be delivered by Charterpoint.

The local centre and care home - designed by Franklin Ellis Architects - will complete the Tay Road feature square which also includes New Lubbesthorpe Primary School. Construction is expected to start later this year.

New Lubbesthorpe will eventually feature more than 4,000 new homes and is being developed in phases over two decades. Ground was broken in 2015 and the first families took residence in 2017. To date some 927 homes are occupied, there is one primary school, a community hub, children’s play areas, a multi-use games area, areas of public open space and linked pedestrian and cycleways.

Martin Ward, development agent for the Drummond Trust, said: “The Drummond Trust welcomes the granting of planning permission, the culmination of many years work by the Trust and our development partners Charterpoint, which will enable delivery of much-needed facilities for this growing and vibrant community.”

All the expertise from our award-winning team, providing a local service for projects of any scale, from house demolition through to site clearance, and outbuilding asbestos removal. We can help you locally.

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CGI Impression Of The New Local Centre At New Lubbesthorpe

Pru Singh

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Mountsorrel development site

APB Property Consultants are offering for sale a development site at 202 Loughborough Road, Mountsorrel, Leics. LE12 7AX.

is your sole responsibility to check all elements of the advertising carefully prior t publication. Failure to respond within 48 hours of the date show may result in the advert being printed as shown below for whic we accept no liability.

Planning consent (refs: P/18/1747/2 & P/18/1032/2) have been granted and implemented for 4 detached dwellings.

Loughborough University vision gives HGV drivers a better view of the road

RESEARCH by Loughborough University has led to the creation of a new European standard for HGV design which could help prevent hundreds of people from being killed or seriously injured each year.

Please sign and fax back your advert

to us on 01332 897621 or email

Price on application – contact Will Shattock at APB on 0116 254 0382 or email: wjs@apbleicester.co.uk

Adopted by over 29 countries, including every EU member state and Japan, the legislation means all new HGV designs have to meet the Direct Vision Standard from 2026, and all HGVs from 2029.

order with Sportwise Marketing, this is a proof

your advert, it nsibility to check all elements of the

Site for 10 properties in Somercotes

This will require significant changes to existing HGV designs that improve the ability of drivers to see cyclists and pedestrians directly, instead of relying on the use of six mirrors. It represents 13 years’ work by the University’s Design Ergonomics Research Group into HGV driver vision and will vastly improve the safety of cyclists and pedestrians.

prior to re to respond within 48 hours of the date shown he advert being printed as shown below for which iability.

HALL & BENSON are offering for sale a parcel of land with outline planning consent (ref: AVA/2019/0987) for 6 detached and 4 semidetached properties.

The first project looking at HGV driver vision by Loughborough, funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), was in 2010 and involved innovative techniques for modelling HGV blind spots. This led to further work, including a project in 2015 when Transport for London (TfL) commissioned a team from the University’s School of Design and Creative Arts, led by Dr Steve Summerskill with Professor Russell Marshall, Dr Abby Paterson and Anthony Eland, to explore the blind spot size found in 19 HGVs using their own CAD system, SAMMIE CAD.

Following this, research was carried out to define and test a Direct Vision Standard (DVS) for HGVs wanting to travel into and around London. Introduced in 2021, the standard defines minimum direct vision requirements, which if not met, result in six extra safety features being fitted to HGVs.

se sign and fax back your advert

s on 01332 897621 or

The land – at Parkside, Somercotes, Near Alfreton, Derbyshire – is available at an asking price of £700,000.

Contact Hall & Benson on 01773 521771.

Property in need of modernisation on a one acre plot

CARLTON ESTATES are offering for sale a detached property requiring modernisation, on a plot of approximately one acre.

The property – 1 Thurlaston Lane, Croft, Leicester LE9 3HD – is available at an asking price of £695,000.

Contact Carlton Estates on 0116 284 9636.

Dr Summerskill said: “For years we have been focussed on highlighting just how poor current HGV driver vision is and the risk it poses to vulnerable road users. Thanks to organisations such as TfL we were able to drive change in London, which has ultimately led to a new European standard.

“It is no exaggeration to say this change will save the lives of hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians. This series of projects highlights how UK academics have influenced policy around the world.”

One of the early adopters of the new DVS is Volta Trucks of Sweden. The company, which creates zero-tailpipe emission transport, has worked closely with Loughborough University to ensure its all-electric Volta Zero medium-

duty truck provides the best-inclass safety features for drivers, pedestrians, and other road users.

Ian Collins, Chief Product Officer at Volta Trucks, said: “With the design of the Volta Zero we had the chance to start from a blank sheet of paper. We wanted to produce an electric vehicle, but we also wanted to address the safety issues that we see every day when HGVs are operating in built-up environments.

“In electrifying the vehicle, we were able to use a much more compact power source and free up space at the front of the vehicle. This has enabled us to bring the driver right down into the eye line of vulnerable road users.”

We offer the following services:

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What our clients say:

“I contacted Veer Capital as I needed a bridging loan, having just bought a property through auction.

“I found the process quick and efficient. I will definitely be using Veer Capital again for any property finance.”

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New report shines light on East Midlands’ fastest growing firms

GRANT THORNTON UK LLP has unveiled the 2023 East Midlands 200 report, which identifies and champions the region’s 200 fastest-growing private limited companies, showcasing the region’s entrepreneurial spirit.

This is the eighth edition of the report and the first since the pandemic. It features the highest ever level of new entrants but is also populated by familiar names who continue to bring economic stability to the region.

Covering the period from just before the Covid-19 pandemic until September 2022 the report reflects how companies achieved overall growth within this timeframe while navigating some of the challenges created by the pandemic.

Bobby’s Foods – registered in Loughborough – was the fastest growing business in the region, followed by fellow Leicestershire firms Specialist Car Holdings and C.J Upton Holdings (Upton Steel), meaning the county secured the accolade of being home to the region’s three fastest growing firms.

Overall, Nottinghamshire based firms dominate the list with 67 firms, with the county demonstrating its strength in industrials.

Leicestershire had 49 companies on the list and its companies experienced the highest growth in profitability (59.8%) combined with the lowest growth in headcount (2.2%), reflecting the area’s strength in productivity.

Elsewhere, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire experienced the highest growth in headcount with 13.9% and 12.5% respectively.

The report revealed the region’s continued strengths in the industrials and retail and leisure sectors, with 67 and 57 companies featuring respectively

Owl Partnerships acquires land for 100 affordable homes in Leicester

OWL PARTNERSHIPS, a leading partner for affordable housing in the Midlands, has announced its largest affordable housing project, a 100 homes scheme in Leicester.

The partnership, working with social housing provider Nottingham Community Housing Association, has acquired a 5.3 hectare former warehouse site, situated off Loughborough Road, north of Leicester. The site has reserved matters planning permission for the construction of 100 affordable homes.

This significant milestone marks Owl Partnerships’ largest affordable scheme to date, reflecting their commitment to meeting the housing needs of communities across the region.

The development plans include the construction of 100 affordable dwellings, comprising 25 one-bedroom, 44 two-bedroom, 19 three-bedroom and 12 four-bedroom homes. In addition, the project will encompass the creation of an associated new highway and landscaping.

Owl Partnerships has partnered with the Nottingham Community Housing Association to ensure that all 100 homes will be allocated as affordable properties. This collaboration is part of Owl Partnerships’ dedication to fostering inclusive communities and providing high-quality, sustainable affordable housing options for individuals and families in the Midlands.

Owl Partnerships Group Managing Director Dave Bradley said: “This acquisition represents an exciting milestone for Owl Partnerships as we continue to help to grow the number of affordable homes. It is our biggest affordable housing development and we look forward to working with Nottingham Community Housing Association to bring much needed housing to the Midlands.”

Michael Gove is right to give Homes England planning powers

“HOMES ENGLAND ARE AN UNDERVALUED AND UNDERUSED ASSET TO FIX THE HOUSING CRISIS, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND BUILD BETTER PLACES.”

IN THIS opinion piece, Rico Wojtulewicz, Head of Housing and Planning Policy for the NFB and HBA, looks at why Michael Gove’s recent announcement to give Homes England planning powers is a shrewd move. Homes England, the non-departmental public body responsible for funding new affordable housing in England, has always had the potential for placemaking, but no government has given them the necessary powers. However, in his housing speech on 24 July 2023, Michael Gove became the first secretary of state to accept that Homes England’s role should be expanded, as he intimated that he would give them masterplanning and planning approval powers to deliver the Cambridge vision.

Since 2015, the House Builders Association (HBA), the housing arm of the National Federation of Builders (NFB), has been advocating for Homes England, (formerly the Homes and Communities Agency or HCA), to be granted these planning powers because localism has had a somewhat complex relationship with spatial planning, too often resulting in a scaledback housing and employment ambition. It is reassuring to see that our recommendations and reasoning have finally been noted.

Mr. Gove has clearly recognised this in Cambridge and considers central intervention as the best chance to enable the cities ‘science superpower’ credentials. A ‘call for evidence’ on Homes England’s effectiveness, purpose, and collaborative qualities has also been released, which closes on September 15, 2023.

Additionally, the ‘Investment Zones Policy Prospectus’, has identified five key employment sectors to be delivered in eight potential devolved regions. All these developments are beginning to feel like spatial planning through the backdoor.

Alongside the proposed National Development Management Policies (NDMP) in the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill (LURB), there appears to be several mechanisms that can deliver a model more closely aligned with the European planning outcomes that Mr Gove reveres.

This should excite the broader planning community, Mayors, employers and county councils, because since regions have required localism buy in from numerous local authorities, it has been impossible to recreate and sustain the successes of the automotive industry in the West Midlands, textiles in Greater Manchester, engineering, shipbuilding and steel in Yorkshire and the North East, or ceramics in Stoke-on-Trent.

With the South East being a hub for renewable innovation, the South West growing its reputation for battery innovation, free ports unlocking coastal communities, and other regions modernising their outlook, it is time for the Cambridge model to be considered as a starting point for economic growth and placemaking opportunities for all.

Evidently, there will be bumps in the road, already seen by the watering down of the Ox-Cam Arc – a transport, housing and placemaking project between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge. However, this should not deter a push for desperately needed planning reforms.

As an example, in our LURB National Planning Policy Framework consultation response, the HBA proposed Sectoral Development Management Plans (SDMP) and Devolved Development Management Plans (DDMP). The NFB believes this will ensure greater flexibility to enable strategic agglomeration of growth opportunities.

There is, of course, one elephant in the room – land use. However, with Homes England’s ability to purchase and arrange land, we hope that the Government will expand their remit either to regions where growth is opposed by the party politics of localism, where new towns or developing ambitions need a strategic push, or in areas where housing affordability and under-supply is hindering growth.

Multi-million-pound programme of building projects to move forward at LEICESTER COLLEGE this summer

LOOKING FOR TOOLS? Try Bricklayer’s World and Plasterer’s World!

BEFORE the internet existed, many Leicestershire builders bought their tools from two small independent shops in the city: Oldhams and Ingrams.

My bricklaying dad loved his tools, and whenever he was rained off, he and my brother would pay a visit to one or other of these shops for a browse.

The shops have long gone, but there is a similar shop trading very successfully in Leicester - Trade Tools on Saffron Lane.

LEICESTER COLLEGE

is undertaking several new building projects to refurbish and create new facilities across its three campuses in Leicester, set for completion this summer and later in 2023.

The combined multi-million-pound projects have been funded by Leicester College and the Department for Education, The Savoy Educational Trust, and the Office for Students (OfS). The projects include:

• A new Higher Education Hub is being created at Abbey Park Campus with funding from the OfS. This will be for degree level students to use as a dual social/study space and create a greater sense of a higher education undergraduate culture. Two classrooms will be merged, refurbished, and fitted with conferencing and meeting technologies

• The art workspace for Supported Learning at Abbey Park Campus will be refurbished and updated

• The College has secured £1.6 million from the Department for Education to refurbish the Construction Block at the Freemen’s Park Campus. The project includes the relocation and redevelopment of the current electrical workshops into a two-storey workshop that will create an identifiable electrical skill teaching centre within the construction trades centre. The planned completion date is September 2024

• The Careers Hub at the Abbey Park Campus has recently been revamped, making it an even more welcoming space for adult learners and students aged over 19, improving this valuable resource for those seeking advice on future career paths

• The Engineering and Technology Centre at the Abbey Park Campus is undergoing a complete internal

redesign to make way for new and updated facilities. Costing more than £3 million, the Department for Education has provided more than £1 million for the project with its T level Capital Grant. Work is due to be completed by autumn 2023

• Funded by the Office for Students, a new 400+sq metre aeronautical/advanced engineering training facility will be built at the Abbey Park Campus to enable the delivery of Level 4 and 5 higher education technical and apprenticeship programmes

• Supported by funding from the Savoy Educational Trust, two training kitchens used by students across 14 hospitality and catering programmes will be redesigned and refurbished at the College’s Freemen’s Park Campus

• A teaching area at the Abbey Park Campus is being re-purposed to create two training hospital wards that will enhance the learning experience for students on its Health and Science T level course

• A range of HE curriculum equipment is being upgraded across multiple campuses including new computers, smart displays, drone technology and VR, also funded by OfS

• At least four rooms will be upgraded to further enhance delivery and the student experience for our L4+ cohorts including a new healthcare consultation space, a computer suite and lecture rooms

Principal and CEO of Leicester College, Verity Hancock said: “The summer holidays provide an ideal opportunity to drive forwards with our ambitious infrastructure programme with some works completing during this time and some new work starting that will be completed in 2023/24. This will rebuild, refurbish and create new, state of the art facilities for our existing and new student cohorts at the College.”

Run by Marshall and his wife Beatrice, the business was one of the first advertisers in the original Leicestershire Builder magazine - almost 25 years ago.

This hard working couple - with the help of their four childrenhave developed their business from very small beginnings to a thriving enterprise.

In addition to extending their shop and adjacent home over the past few years, Marshall has developed three websites for the tool sales business.

In addition to the original Trade Tools website (www. tradetoolsofleicester. co.uk), a further two specialist websites have been set up: www.bricklayersworld.co.uk and www.plasterersworld. co.uk.

The two new websites are proving very popular with tradesmen across the Midlands and further afield.

It’s heartwarming to see a truly family-based local business maintaining the traditions of good service and keen pricing. Pay a visit soon - don’t wait until you’re rained off!

Mike Wilkinson

Builders’ Problems SOLVED

Architects have terminated their contract with us

QMy wife and I are in the early stages of renovating a private property we purchased, of which once completed, we plan to move into as our home. No work has started on site yet, but we have employed a firm of architects who had been progressing the design.

A few weeks ago, we complained to the architects regarding their design and plans. The complaint related to a general failure to follow our brief and budget constraints. Instead of apologising and saying that they would revisit the design and ensure that it was to our brief and within the budget, they sent a letter which claimed that we were being difficult and had subsequently decided to terminate the agreement with us. The letter gave 21 days-notice to bring to an end the contract and referred to clause 12 of the agreement. This has shocked us. All we want is the design work done to our brief. The clause quoted by the architects I consider is unfair, but the architects state that they do not need a reason to terminate under that clause and have refused to reconsider their position. Additionally, we still haven’t received all documents / plans paid for, and the architects are not responding to our attempts to discuss this. What are our options?

entered into away from the premises of the business), and the terms and conditions must not be unfair.

Clause 12 is [of course] the termination clause and there are 3 sub-clauses to this clause. The sub-clause that the architects are relying upon, no doubt, is clause 12.1 where it states, in full, that: “Either the Client or the Consultant may terminate this agreement by giving twenty-one days written notice of termination of the agreement. No reason needs to be given for terminating the agreement.”.

Since you are acting as consumers, your contract will covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and under that Act, amongst other things, your attention must be drawn to your right to cancel the contract within 14 days of the contract being entered into (if the contract was

I see from the copy of the contract that you sent to me, the terms and conditions do clearly advise of your right to cancel (although you want the opposite of this), whilst the termination clause per se does not appear to be unfair.

A clause can be said to be unfair if it causes a significant imbalance in the parties’ rights and obligations under the contract, to the detriment of the consumer.

Transparency is also fundamental to unfairness and the Act requires that a written term in a consumer contract is expressed in plain and intelligible language and is legible.

I doubt therefore, that you would be successful in mounting a challenge to the termination.

Clause 12.3 of the contract states that you (as the client under the contract), must pay the architects’ fees for the services provided up to the date of termination. You should therefore request a final statement

Alumasc to acquire ARP Group

ALUMASC, the Kettering-based sustainable building products, systems and solutions group, has agreed to acquire Leicester-based ARP Group, a manufacturer and distributor of specialist metal rainwater and architectural aluminium goods.

The deal, worth up to £10m, comprises an initial £8.5m, with additional consideration, capped at £1.5m, payable subject to ARP’s performance over the two years ending November 2024.

ARP marks the first acquisition by Alumasc since 2018 and demonstrates the group’s strategy to supplement organic growth through earnings accretive acquisitions.

ARP was established in 1987, and operates from four facilities totalling over 47,000 square feet, with a team of over 70 experienced staff. ARP’s consolidated unaudited results for the year ended February 2023 showed revenue of £10.8m and adjusted EBITDA of £1.3m. Consolidated net assets were £4.5m.

from the architects and before you pay any monies outstanding, you should make clear to the architects that you expect them to issue all of the work they have said they have done in a format that will allow the replacement architect to finish the work. You will also need to inform the architects that you will be making use of their intellectual property (and seek written confirmation), otherwise the

Author background

Michael is a Solicitor, Chartered Builder & Registered Construction Adjudicator, and is a director at Michael Gerard Law Limited, a solicitors practice regulated by the SRA.

work that they have done would be worthless and thus no monies are due.

© Michael Gerard 2023

The advice provided is intended to be of a general guide only and should not be viewed as providing a definitive legal analysis

AYOU ALSO sent a copy of the terms and conditions you have with the architect, and I was able to read the clause that you have referred to.

Michael Gerard

DEVELOPMENT SITE FOR SALE

Homes needed in all communities not just cities, says FMB

THE GOVERNMENT’S 10 point plan for housing is a much-needed boost to help build more homes but new homes are needed in every village, town, and city and not just selected urban areas, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in response to Michael Gove’s speech.

DEVELOPMENT SITE WITH PLANNING FOR 10 PROPERTIES

Montilo Lane, Pailton, Rugby, Warwickshire CV23 0HD

A freehold residential development site in a rural setting at with permission under General Permitted Development (Class MA) for Change of Use to 10 residential properties (approximately 1,062 sq m / 11,435 sq ft GIA)

Site area extending to approximately 1 47 acres

Permission has been obtained to change the use of the buildings and land within their curtilage from office use Class E to 10 no dwellinghouses Class C3 under Class MA

Based on the approved drawings there is approximately 1,062 sq.m of gross internal development area (11,435 sq ft)

ENQUIRIES Peter Osborne | Howkins & Harrison 7-11 Albert Street Rugby Warwickshire CV21 2RX rugrural@howkinsandharrison co uk | 01788 564680

Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB said “A plan for more housing is very welcome and hopefully it will go some way to get housing numbers back on track. It’s positive to see a focus on brownfield sites which are the mainstay of SME house builders, but the planning system also needs to be fixed to ensure that these developments become a reality. Too many SME house builders are stuck in planning purgatory which stops the delivery of housing and employment opportunities in their communities.”

Berry concluded “The recommitment to ‘building beautiful’ is positive. The FMB has consistently highlighted that it is the small, local house builders that are best placed to truly deliver on this ambition. They build quality, local homes that reflect their communities’ needs which is why the Government’s focus on urban areas needs to be balanced with the need to address housing shortages in our rural communities.”

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My wife thinks I’m financially irresponsible. Wait till she finds out I’ve won the Nigerian lottery.

Mather Jamie appoint new agency surveyor

LOUGHBOROUGH based, specialist land development and property consultancy

Mather Jamie has appointed Fraser Hearfield as an Assistant Agency Surveyor.

Fraser, who lives in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, holds a Real Estate BSc (Hons) from Sheffield Hallam University and joins the firm from the valuations team at a large Nottingham based agency.

In his new role, Fraser will be part of the Mather Jamie Commercial team working on transactional agency instructions across the industrial, office, retail and investment markets throughout Leicestershire. He will also assist with other professional work, such as lease renewal and rent reviews as well as valuations for a range of purposes including loan security, acquisitions, disposals and development appraisals. Commenting, Fraser said, “I am really excited to be joining one of the most reputable property advisors in the Midlands. The Director team is very hands on and I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge and gaining experience in a different marketplace.”

Fraser has been playing rugby for over 15 years and previously captained his local club Ashby RFC. More recently he has started playing golf and has taken up road cycling. In June 2023 he completed The National 3 Peaks Challenge to help raise money for charities LOROS and MIND.

Commercial work gains momentum, helping to offset another sharp fall in house building

Key findings

• Total construction output returns to growth in July

• New orders constrained by rising borrowing costs

• Fastest upturn in supplier performance since March 2009 July data signalled a renewed expansion of overall construction output, following the marginal decline seen during the previous month.

This was led by the strongest rise in commercial building since February and another solid contribution to growth from civil engineering activity. Meanwhile, latest data signalled another sharp reduction in residential construction activity.

Survey respondents widely noted that higher interest rates and the uncertain UK economic outlook had constrained order books in July. Softer demand and fewer supply bottlenecks in turn led to the fastest improvement in vendors’ delivery times since March 2009.

The headline S&P Global / CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) – a seasonally adjusted index tracking changes in total industry activity –posted 51.7 in July, up from 48.9 in June and the highest level for five months. However, the latest reading signalled only a moderate rise in overall construction output.

Robust increases in commercial building (index at 54.4) and civil engineering (53.9) were offset by a steep fall in house building (43.0). Lower volumes of residential work have now been recorded for eight consecutive months, although the rate of decline eased to its least marked since April.

Construction companies noted that rising borrowing costs had led to fewer sales enquiries and slower decision-making among clients in July. The latest survey pointed to only a marginal rise in total new work and the rate of growth was slower than seen on average in the first half of 2023. Some firms cited solid demand for refurbishment projects and greater opportunities for infrastructure work.

Staff hiring was a relatively bright spot in July, with the pace of job creation accelerating to its strongest since October 2022.

Higher levels of employment have now been recorded in each of the past six months. Some firms noted that improved candidate availability was a factor encouraging them to boost their workforce numbers, while others typically cited longterm business expansion plans.

July data indicated weaker demand for construction inputs. Purchasing activity has now decreased in each of the past two months, which reflected destocking efforts alongside subdued order books. A combination of lower demand and rising material availability contributed to a sharp improvement in supplier performance. Latest data illustrated that lead times shortened to the greatest extent for nearly fourteenand-a-half years.

Some survey respondents suggested that increased competition among suppliers had helped to support more favourable price negotiations. However, there were also reports that elevated general inflation and higher wage costs continued to push up purchasing prices. Measured overall, average cost burdens increased moderately in July and at a much softer pace than seen on average in the first half of 2023. Finally, business activity expectations for the year ahead remained positive overall in July and picked up slightly since the previous survey period. Reports from construction companies nonetheless indicated that pressure on customer budgets from higher interest rates remained a key factor holding back output growth projections for the next 12 months.

Comment

Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “July data indicated that some parts of the UK construction sector gained momentum, notably commercial building and civil engineering activity. This led to a renewed rise in total construction output which, although modest, was the fastest for five months. Survey respondents commented on increased infrastructure work, office refurbishments, and resilient demand for a range of commercial projects.

“Meanwhile, another steep reduction in house building acted as a severe constraint on construction growth. Around 35% of the survey panel reported a decline in residential work during July, while only 18% signalled a rise. Lower volumes of housing activity have been recorded in each month since December 2022, with construction companies widely reporting subdued sales due to rising interest rates and worries about the economic outlook.

“Supply conditions improved considerably in July, as a combination of weaker demand and replenished stocks meant that delivery times shortened to the greatest extent since 2009. As a result, input prices inflation was much lower than seen on average in the first half of the year, but there were still many reports from construction firms that higher wages costs had put upward pressure on business expenses.”

Dr John Glen, Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), said: “Although the sector showed a slight uplift in activity in July, there is a question mark over the sustainability of this growth and the challenges that lie beneath the floorboards.

“Decisions about buying a new home are being delayed by many consumers. Another fall in residential building levels and for the eighth month in a row, it’s obvious that UK interest rate rises and cost of living pressures have dealt a hammer blow to the housing sector. The commercial and civil engineering sectors remained the only engines of growth last month.

“For those that secured additional work, the best improvement in delivery times for raw materials since March 2009 will be music to their ears as supply chain disruptions improved and shortages lessened. Likewise the right skilled candidates found the best positions as job creation rose to the highest for nine months so there were some bright spots in the data.

“In spite of more uncertainty and thinner margins, builderskept their confidence up and focussed on resilience in their operations as optimism about the next 12 months remained fairly steady.

Construction Estimator to the building trade

www.fordestimatingservices.co.uk

Call Martin on 07860 695 806

Or Email: martin@fordestimatingservices.co.uk

Development opportunity in Bunny

BENTONS are offering for sale a residential development opportunity with full planning permission (ref: 20/01345/ FUL) for four architectdesigned luxury residences.

The property – Grange Farm House, Moor Lane, Bunny, Nottinghamshire NG11 6QY –extends to 0.93 acres.

Guide price: £850,000.

Contact Bentons on 01664 563892 or email: sales@bentons. co.uk

Oakham pub with development potential

APB Property Consultants are offering for sale a former public house at 42 Northgate, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6QS.

The property has the benefit of planning consent (ref: 2019/0034/ FUL) for change of use to a dwelling. It also has planning permission (ref: 2022/1088/FUL) for erection of a further two dwellings.

Asking price: £425,000 for the freehold. Contact Reg Pollock at APB on 0116 254 0382 or email: rp@apbleicester.co.uk

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The Indian restaurant I work for is so secretive I had to sign a legal agreement that I wouldn’t share the flatbread recipe.

Just their standard naan disclosure agreement.

Alfreton development site for sale

INNES ENGLAND

are offering for sale a development site comprising 16 & 17 Church Street, Alfreton, Derbyshire DE55 8UT (plus land to the rear).

The opportunity presents itself for the refurbishment of Nos 16 & 17 as individual homes or apartments, subject to planning.

Planning was secured on 18th June 2015 (ref: AVA/2013/0925) for the outbuildings adjacent to No 16 and land to the rear for residential development of 5 new dwellings, including 3 from building conversion and 2 new builds. Works on site were commenced prior to expiration of the planning consent and signed off by the council.

Offers are invited in the region of £875,000.

Contact Nick Hosking at Innes England on 07855 423458 or email: nhosking@innes-england.com

Edwinstowe site for four dwellings

SAVILLS are asking £1.2 million for a development site measuring just under an acre at Lidgett House, Rufford Road, Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Notts.

Outline planning permission (ref: 22/02417/OUT) was granted in March 2023 by Newark & Sherwood District Council for up to 4 dwellings.

Contact Savills on 0115 934 8020.

Burbage site for 8 dwellings

BROWN & CO are offering for sale a site for the erection of 8 dwellings with associated access and landscaping at Land at The Coppice, Burbage.

Planning, on appeal,was allowed by the Planning Inspectorate appeal ref: APP/K2420/W/ZZ/3297466 - (Decision dated 27th September 2022). The original application ref: 21/00550/FUL The date of refusal being 27th October 2021 by Notice from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. The property is being offered for sale by private treaty.

A unique opportunity to purchase an exclusive development site in a prime residential area of the Hinckley suburb of Burbage.

PRICE ON APPLICATION - contact Richard Newey at Brown & Co on 0116 281 4937 or visit www.brown-co.com.

Site for 3 dwellings in Glenfield

APB Property Consultants are offering for sale a residential development site at 106 Sports Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8AJ.

Planning consent (ref: 20/0748/ FUL) has been granted for the erection of 3 detached dwellings. The vendor is in the process of demolishing existing buildings, which will implement the planning permission.

Price on application – contact Will Shattock at APB on 0116 254 0382 or email: wjs@apbleicester.co.uk

Former Ibstock Methodist Church for sale by auction

SDL Property Auctions are offering for sale BY AUCTION the former Ibstock Methodist Church at Melbourne Road, Ibstock, Leics. LE67 6JS.

The property comprises a chapel with schoolrooms, assembly hall and ancillary space (totalling 3,811 sq.feet) and occupies a site of 0.14 of an acre.

For sale by auction on Thursday 28th September 2023 – 10.00am start. Guide Price: £160,000 plus fees.

Visit www.sdlauctions.co.uk for more information.

Residential development opportunity in Market Harborough

FISHER GERMAN are offering for sale a prime residential development opportunity with full planning permission (ref: 20/00770/FUL) for 21 dwellings.

The property – 39 & 40 High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7NX – has been occupied as offices by Fisher German for many years.

Contact Alex Morrison at Fisher German on 07425 509070 or email: alex.morrison@fishergerman.co.uk

Mulberry Homes appoints new Finance Director

LUXURY HOUSEBUILDER Mulberry Homes has welcomed a new Finance Director, John Burke, to help implement its growth plans across the wider midlands and southern counties.

John, aged 37, joins Mulberry Homes with a wealth of experience in the construction sector, after being inspired to join the industry by his father who worked as a subcontractor. Upon leaving school, John worked with his father full-time on numerous building projects at Aston University, before landing his first role in finance.

John then studied to become a Chartered Management Accountant and spent eight years at Veolia Environmental Services in various finance roles. In 2014 John moved to Taylor Wimpey, and in 2019 was appointed as Finance Director for its North Midlands region before moving to Mulberry Homes.

John, who is originally from Birmingham, said: “I was looking to join a well-established SME in the residential sector and Mulberry Homes fit that mould perfectly.

“I joined the company to be part of a high performing and successful team, and after a record year in 2022/23, I’m now working with the team to build on this in a sustainable way.”

As Finance Director, John chairs weekly sales and build meetings, works with the Land team on new land opportunities, measures and reports on Mulberry Homes’ performance, and proposes the annual budget to the board of Directors, as well as much more.

John added: “The thing I enjoy most about being a Finance Director is that you really do get a view of everything that is going on in the business. One day my focus could be on appraising new land opportunities, and another it could be dealing with raising development funds. I try to get around the sites as often as I can, as doing so is helpful when I am making decisions like approving new sales releases.

“It’s important to me to be able to look back and be proud of the hard work and effort we all put in on a day-to-day basis. My goals at Mulberry Homes are to build on the success we’ve had so far and to ensure that all areas of the business are working in an efficient way.”

New HOMES CONSULTANCY launched

ONE OF THE Midlands’ well-known property professionals, Stephen Rush has announced the launch of his new homes and residential property consultancy, Lion Sales & Marketing. Based in Market Harborough and operating predominantly across the Midlands but available nationwide, Lion Sales & Marketing will work alongside housebuilders, developers, land agents and other property professionals to boost brand awareness, sales performance, marketing strategy and customer service skills. Core services include mystery shopping, market research, sales and land pricing reports, and campaign strategy and management.

A complete professional with almost three decades of property experience, Stephen has held director-level roles at medium and large HBF 5 star rated housebuilders including CALA Homes, Walton Homes and William Davis Homes. He has delivered award-winning marketing campaigns, company re-brands and successful award entries, as well as leading sales and customer service teams to achieve and exceed targets.

In addition to its core sales and marketing services, Lion is also offering project management, change management, interim cover for director/ senior management, and awards & PR support. Connect with Lion Sales & Marketing via LinkedIn or Instagram.

Norman and Underwood closes

AS

REPORTED IN THE LEICESTER MERCURY,

nearly 50 staff at an historic Leicester roofing and glazing firm with royal links have been made redundant. Norman and Underwood fell into administration in July, with attempts to find a buyer failing to save the company.

The Scudamore Road-based firm had been operating since 1825 and boasted an illustrious past that included relaying the lead on the roof of Westminster Abbey ahead of Queen’s Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. However, financial struggles saw the company fall into administration.

Joint administrators Joanne Hammond, Gareth Prince and Kris Wigfield from Begbies Traynor had been looking to find a buyer, but efforts to save the firm from folding fell through. In a statement, the administrators confirmed 49 staff had now lost their jobs.

Ibstock to close Lancashire brick factory as sales slump

IBSTOCK is shutting down its Ravenhead factory in Lancashire as demand for its products drops.

The move was confirmed in the firm’s interim results for the six months to June 30th 2023 which showed turnover down to £223m from £259m last time as pre-tax profit fell to £30m from £51m. Ibstock said the Ravenhead site is a higher-cost wire-cut brick factory producing 40m units a year.

Ibstock has booked the cost of closing the Ravenhead site at £10.7m including £1.5m in redundancy payments.

Source: Construction Enquirer

Stephen Rush

BSP Consulting appointed on NHS Shared Business Services Framework Agreement

EAST MIDLANDS-based civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting has been named as a supplier on an NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) Framework Agreement.

BSP won a place on the Healthcare Planning, Construction Consultancy and Ancillary Services (HPCCAS) Framework Agreement to provide civil and structural engineering services.

The appointment opens up a pipeline of opportunities for the company, which has its headquarters in Nottingham and offices in Derby and Leicester.

BSP managing director Carl Hilton said: “This is great news for BSP Consulting. Over many years we have completed numerous projects, including new build hospitals and health centres and the re-modelling on many existing hospital sites to help to improve facilities and patient care.

“Being awarded a place on this NHS SBS Framework Agreement highlights our expertise in this field and gives us the opportunity to increase our work with hospitals and other healthcare operators in the future.”

BSP was previously on an NHS SBS Framework Agreement as a sub-consultant but has now been awarded a position in the company’s own right. The framework agreement runs for four years.

“We are currently on more than 20 framework agreements, which is providing a wealth of opportunities for the business – helping to cement our position as one of the largest independent civil and structural engineering companies in the East Midlands,” added Carl Hilton.

Transformation of Ashby’s Royal Hotel with housing scheme to go ahead

AS REPORTED IN THE LEICESTER MERCURY, the transformation of Ashby’s crumbling Royal Hotel will go ahead despite fears the developer does not have the money for the project. The Oakland Hotels Ltd scheme has caused much concern for residents and councillors alike, but was equally called the “least bad option” for the historic site.

The Grade II-listed building in Ashby’s Station Road has fallen into disrepair since closing in 2018, with the proposed townhouse scheme from Oakland Hotels Ltd seen as the best solution to restoring the 18th Century building.

The project will see 17 townhouses erected either side of the Royal Hotel, with part of the homes built on the Bath Grounds and into Hastings Garden too. Funds from the sales of those homes will go towards the full restoration of the historic building, while a 63-space car park for the hotel will also be provided.

Section 106 agreements put in place as part of the deal will mean that the project will be split into three phases, with the first seven homes built and sold before work on the next three is undertaken. The final seven townhouses cannot be built or sold until funds from the sales of the previous 10 goes into fully restoring the hotel according to North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC).

Plans for 343-home village extension near Hinckley resubmitted with new roundabout

AS REPORTED IN THE LEICESTER MERCURY, plans for almost 350 homes in a Leicestershire village that were refused earlier this year have been resubmitted by the developer.

Jelson Homes wants to build the 343 homes on land either side of Aston Flamville Road in Burbage, but planning officers refused permission in March after highways experts said the scheme could be dangerous.

Now the developer has again submitted the plans to Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council but has added a roundabout and will pay a contribution towards traffic lights on the Burbage Road/Sapcote Road/Hinckley Road junction.

The townhouses would be built in the shadow of the historic Royal Hotel (Image: BHB Architects)

New Loughborough HQ for SCOPE

SCOPE CONSTRUCTION is expanding its operation across the East Midlands after experiencing huge growth since starting life four years ago.

The company, which has increased turnover from almost £700,000 in its first full year 2020 to a projected £8m in 2023, will spearhead the next stage of its growth strategy from a new headquarters in Loughborough.

The business – which provides construction services to the high-end residential, commercial and development markets – has a vision to increase revenue to £20m by 2026.

More than 30 business leaders and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire attended the official opening of the company’s new office in the Heritage Building, Loughborough, which will accommodate its team of 35 people, as of August 2023, with space for future expansion.

Allocated residential development opportunity in Kidderminster

CARTER JONAS

are offering for sale the Former Jewson Timber Yard, Park Lane, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY11 6TG.

The property comprises two sites: one of 2.5 acres and another of 0.7 of an acre (3.2 acres in total).

The subject site is part of a larger site allocated for residential development in Policy SA.K5 (Timber Yard Park Lane) of the Local Plan. Offers are invited on an unconditional basis.

Contact Caroline Penn-Smith at Carter Jonas on 07342 067831 or email: caroline.penn-smith@carterjonas.co.uk

Site suitable for 7 dwellings: £375k

LOVEITTS Estate Agents are offering for sale an L-shaped parcel of graded potential development land, extending to 0.857 of an acre, at Devoran Close, Coventry CV7 9NP.

A positive Pre-App for 7 new dwellings has been obtained, but no planning is currently in place.

The asking price is £375,000.

Contact Loveitts on 024 7622 8111 (Option 2) for details, or visit www. loveitts.co.uk

Recent Planning Applications

Leicester City

DTD Development Ltd (c/o Agent: Mrs Varsha Tailor, DT Designs Ltd, 74a Wyvern Avenue, Leicester LE4 7HH) – Single storey rear extension for ground floor shop, change of use of offices to flats at first and second floor, loft conversion with dormers and alterations – at 32 Melton Road, Leicester LE4 5EA.

Mr Humzah Thadha (c/o Agent: USL Architects, 7 Progress Business Centre, Whittle Parkway, Burnham SL1 6DQ) – Change of use from factory to storage and distribution; single storey extension to rear of site comprising 3 general industrial units; installation of cladding and replacement roller shutters to existing building – at 9 Vulcan Road, Leicester LE5 3EF.

Trafalgar Global Limited (c/o Agent: Lance Wiggins, Lion Planning, 14 Woodhouse Road, Quorn, Loughborough, Leics.

LE12 8ED0 – Construction of 317 residential apartments and 43 dwellings with associated vehicular access, public open space, landscaping and parking – at BUSM Business Park, 100 Ross Walk, Leicester LE4 5HU.

Patolt Properties Ltd (c/o Agent: Miss Charlotte Mills, Hybrid Planning & Development, 23 Vyner Street, London E2 9DG) – Change of use of ground, first and second floors from Class E (Commercial Business & Service) to Class C3 (Dwellinghouses) to provide 4 studio flats and 1 two-bedroom flat, together with associated works – at 19 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GE.

Mr Minhaz Usman Patel (c/o Agent: Mr Muhammad Imtiaz, Architecture365 Ltd, 20 Lynmouth Road, Leicester LE5 1NA) –Change of use from house to 2 self-contained flats, and change of use from residential annexe to self-contained dwelling – at 203 Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 5FN.

Marzh Holdings (c/o Agent: Mr Muhammad Imtiaz, Architecture365 Ltd, 20 Lynmouth Road, Leicester LE5 1NA) – Change of use from dwellinghouse to 3 self-contained flats plus construction of dormer extension at front, two storey rear extension and alterations – at 42 Freeman Road North, Leicester LE5 4NA.

Meesha Graphics (c/o Agent: Staniforth Architects Ltd, The

Warehouse, 1a Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – Demolition of buildings at 122-132 Belgrave Gate and 1 garden Street and the construction of a mixed-use development consisting of a five storey apartment building (and associated communal, amenity and ancillary space) with ground floor retail accommodation and separate commercial unit to the rear – at 122-132 Belgrave Gate, 1 Garden Street and land to the rear, Leicester.

Leicester City Council (c/o Agent: Nick Tosh, Leicester City Council, City Hall, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 9BG) – Change of use of hospital accommodation to 35 residential properties and change of use from communal open space to private gardens – at 15-63 (odd), 1828 (even) and 48-54 (even) Hospital Close, Leicester LE5 4WP.

M I & Sons Ltd (c/o Agent: Mr Rashid, 46 Heybridge Road, Leicester LE5 0AP) – Change of use from house to 2 flats – at 12 Granby Avenue, Leicester LE5 3RA.

Mr Thandi (c/o Agent: Mr M Imtiaz, Architecture365 Ltd, 20 Lynmouth Road, Leicester LE5 1NA) – Change of use of first and second floor factory and part of ground floor office to 5 self contained flats plus construction of three dormer extensions with balconies to front; change of use of existing auto repair shop to retail shop – at 2 Atkinson Street, Leicester LE5 3QA.

James Construction (c/o Agent:Andrew Vallis, 4 Wayside Drive, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4NU) –Erection of 2 three-bedroom single storey dwellings on vacant land – at L-A, 31 Gilmorton Avenue, Leicester.

Leicester City Council (c/o Agent: Peter Gillian, SLC Property, 4 Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2JB) – Application for full planning permission and Listed building consent for proposed demolition of 48 London Road, Leicester – at 48A The Parcel Yard, London Road, Leicester LE2 0QB.

Hylyfe Leicester Limited (c/o Agent: Mr Evans, Staniforth Architects Ltd, The Warehouse, 1A Stamford Street, Leicester LE1 6NL) – Demolition of former factory buildings, change of use of factory building to residential, and sixstorey residential block to form 73

units (Amended plans) – at Global House, 61 Great central Street, Leicester LE1 4JT.

Charnwood Borough

Leicester City Council – Leicester City Council consultation –Proposed Residential Development – at land to the north of A46 and to the south of Thurcaston, Leicester.

Falcon UK MLI Property Trust (c/o Agent:Quod)Request for screening Opinion to redevelop and refurbish the Falcon Works Undustrial estate – at Falcon Works Industrial Estate, Nottingham Road, Loughborough, Leics. LE11 1HL.

Taylor Wimpey UK Limited (c/o Agent: Pegasus Planning group) – Outline application for up to 195 dwellings – at land north of Barkby Road, Syston, Leics.

Bellway Homes East Midlands (c/o Agent: Marrons) – Erection of 166 dwellings with associated access, landscaping, open space, drainage infrastructure and associated works – at Land to the rear of Derry’s Garden Centre, Cossington, Leics.

Jelson Limited – Outline planning application for proposed residential development of up to 56 dwellings including provision of public open spce and associated infrastructure – at land off Melton Road, Rearsby, Leics. LE7 4YR.

Ms Tracy Newman (c/o Agent: TMDP LLP) – Restoration and conversion of existing barns to 3 dwellings – at The Bull Park, Little Church Lane, Sileby, Leics. LE12 7NE.

Rutland County

Phil Brock (c/o: 3 Sovereign Square, Sovereign Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 4ER) – EIA Screening Request for a range of works including new offices and stores, site armoury, perimeter fencing, kennel block, gym, vet clinic, explosive search area, dog training area, exercise lanes and an education centre – at Sergeants Mess, Kendrew Barracks, School Road, Cottesmore, Rutland LE15 7BL.

David Gray (c/o: 1 Phoenix Place, Phoenix Centre, Nottingham NG8 6BA) – Reserved matters application relating to Outline

Planning Approval 2019/0524/OUT for 163 dwellings with internal road layout, car parking, drainage and landscaping – at land north of Leicester Road, Uppingham, Rutland.

Secretary of State for Defence (c/o Agent: Miss Lauren Hawksworth, Montagu Evans, 70 St Mary Axe, London EC3a 8BE) – Demolition and site clearance and redevelopment of the site for residential use and 168 sqm of Use Class E floorspace, open spaces, access, landscaping, infrastructure and associated works – at Officers Mess, 16 Regiment Royal Artillery, St George’s Barracks, Welland Road, Edith Weston, Rutland LE15 8RL.

Burley Appliances Ltd (c/o Agent: Brian Mullin, Marrons Planning, Two Colton Square, Leicester LE1 1QH) – Outline application for 61 dwellings – at 1 Lands End Way, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6RB.

North West Leics.

Mr Leigh Morris (c/o Agent: Mr Joe Mitson, GHM Planning Ltd, 87 Park Road, Chilwell, Nottingham NG9 4DE) – Conversion of former chapel into 9 residential flats and associated development – at Kegworth Wesleyan Methodist Church, High Street, Kegworth.

Dr Tariq Gauhar (c/o Agent: John Jowitt, PJ Planning, Cradley enterprise centre, Box N0. 15, Maypole Fields, Cradley B63 2QB) – Demolition of existing nursery, and erection of building comprising children’s nursery and 5 residential apartments, together with associated parking, landscaping, bin & cycle store – at 8 Forest Road, Coalville, Leics. LE67 3SH.

Craig Farrell (c/o Agent: Shueb Ahmed, Ionic Design, 12 Waterloo Gardens, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 9RD) – Existing building to be re-built and converted into 4 apartments – at 2 Central Road, Hugglescote, Coalville, Leics. LE67 2FD.

David Bamford (c/o Agent: Nigel Dutton, 49 Falcon Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7FY) Erection of extensions to existing village hall – at Village Hall, Hall Gate, Diseworth.

Specht (c/o Agent: Andrew Large Surveyors Ltd, The Estate Office, Staunton Harold Hall, Melbourne Road, Ashby de la

Zouch, Leics. LE65 1RT) – Erection of 3 self-build detached dwellings – at 67 Loughborough Road, Coleorton, Coalville, Leics. LE67 8HJ.

Mr Matthew Doar (c/o Agent: Tommy Minchin, MNCN Architecture Ltd, 8 Bristol Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire DE7 5HD) – Change of use and conversion of building to create 3 residential units – at 2A Borough Street, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2LA.

Mr Paul Snape (c/o Agent: Steve Roffey, SLR Architectural, 7 Pingle Farm Road, Newhall, Swadlincote, Derby DE11 0QZ) – Erection of extensions to an existing public house – at The Mushroom Hall, Main Street, Albert Village, Swadlincote, Derby DE11 8EN.

HCM Property Developments Ltd (c/o Agent: David Granger Architectural Design Ltd, The Old Cottage Hospital, Leicester Road, Ashby de la Zouch, Leics. LE665 1DB) - Demolition of existing building and erection of 2 dwellings with access and parking – at 61 Church Lane, Ravenstone, Coalville, Leics. LE67 2AF.

Oadby & Wigston

Mr Andrew Wilson (c/o Agent: Emma Hyett, Surveyors To Education, The Old Barn, Unit 10, Narborough Wood Park, Desford Road, Enderby, Leicester LE19 4XT) – New Sports halll with changing facilities and 4 new classrooms –at Manor High School, Copse Close, Oadby, Lleicester LE2 4FU.

Mr Satnam Ram (c/o Agent: Dennis Dziko, Volta Designs, 7175 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ) – Change of use of existing dwelling and workshop to 5 residential units plus demolition of detached workshop and erection of detached single storey building to accommodate a further 2 units (total 7 units) –at 5-7 Moat Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2GD.

Mr Dalvinder Singh (c/o Agent: Mr Muhammad Imtiaz, Architecture365 Limited, 20 Lynmouth Road, Leicester LE5 1NA) – Conversion, alterations and extension to existing first floor offices to create second floor providing 3 residential units at first and second floor; alterations to and change of use of part of existing ground floor shop to create one residential unit - at 5759 Leicester Road, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1NR.

Blaby District

Mr Matthew Small (c/o Agent: Mr Chris Webster, Stephen George & Partners, Waterfront House, 2a

Smmith Way, Enderby, Leicester LE18 1SX) – Erection of industrial/ warehouse building with ancillary offices, together with new access, and associated parking, servicing,, landscaping and retaining walls (Revised scheme) – at Unit B, Optimus Way, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8JR.

Mr D Richardson (c/o: Unit F, The Knoll, Leicester Road, Earl Shilton, Leics. LE9 7TJ) –Proposed 4 residential dwellings with associated vehicular access, parking, amenity space and other works – at Barwell Constitutional Club, 20 Chapel Street, Barwell, Leics. LE9 8DD.

Mr & Mrs Cassidy (c/o Agent: Mt Iain Garnell, Perfect Planning Architectural Services Ltd, Unit 6, The Yard, New Street, Lutterworth, Leics. LE17 4PJ) – Proposed new apartment to include 4 selfcontained flats with associated amenity space and parking – at 10 The Hollow, Earl Shilton, Leics. LE9 7NA.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Richard West, Cerda Planning Ltd, The Old Vicarage, Market Street, Castle Donington, Derby DE74 2JB)

– Approval of reserved matters of outline permission 21/01147/OUT for residential development for up to 61 dwellings and shop – at land off Wood Lane, Higham on the Hill, Leics.

Mr Farhad Tailor (c/o Agent: Mr Joe Mitson, GHM Planning Ltd, 87 Park Road, Chilwell, Nottingham NG9 4DE) – Alterations to building to convert the building into 2 flats – at 160 High Street, Earl Shilton, Leics. LE9 7LQ.

Brooker (c/o Agent: Stephen Mair, Mair Land & Planning, 49 Leaders Way, Lutterworth, Leics. LE17 4YS)

– Partial demolition and conversion of existing building to form a new dwelling and construction of 3 new dwellings – at Little India, 7 Main Street, Peckleton, Leics. LE9 7RE.

Mr Martin (c/o Agent: Mr Chris Green, Andrew Granger & Co, 52 Poenix House, High Street, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7AF) –Outline planning application for the erection of up to 2 detached dwellings – at 29 Sapcote Road, Burbage, Leics. LE10 2AS.

Mr Arif Shiraz (c/o Agent: Paul Humphries Architects, No.4, 49A Salterton Road, Exmouth EX8 2EF)

– Proposed change of use from hotel to residential care home, extension and alterations – at 32 Wood Street, Earl Shilton, Leics. LE9 7ND.

Mr Matthew Gilliver (c/o Agent: Mr J Imber, JMI Planning, 62 Carter

Street, Uttoxeter, Staffs. ST14 8EU) - Outline planning application for up to 9 dwellings and associated garages – at Greenacres, Ashby Road, Stapleton, Leicester LE9 8JE.

ALDI Stores Ltd (c/o Agent: Mrs Gemma Moore, Avison Young (UK) Ltd, 3 Brindleyplace, Birmingham

B1 2JB) – Extension to existing Aldi Foodstore, car park and associated work – at Aldi, Watling Street, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 3ED.

Harborough District

Mr Wayne Butler (c/o Agent: Mr Alex brooks-Ball, Shaftesbury Design Practice Ltd, 7 Shaftesbury Avenue, Sawley, NG10 3FG) –Conversion of telephone exchange to dwelling – at land at Former Telephone Exchange Building, Dunton Road, Leire, Leics.

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Paul Thurlby, GWH Architects, Unit 4B, Fir Tree Lane, Groby, Leicester LE6 0FH) – Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 4 dwellings with new access (Revised scheme) – at 26 New Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leics. LE8 0LE.

Bowbridge Homes (c/o Agent: Andrew Moger, Tetlow King Planning, Unit 2, Eclipse Office Park, High Street, Staple Hill, Bristol) – Outline application for 2 serviced plots for self-build and custom housebuilding – at land off Stablefields Drive, North Kilworth, Leics.

Clowes Developments UK Ltd (c/o Agent: Ben Hall, IMA Architects, 6 Rose Way, Blaby Business Park, Lutterworth Road, Blaby, Leicester LE8 4BY) – Erection of 10 commercial/industrial buildings – at land to south and west of Priory Business Park, Wistow Road, Kibworth Harcourt, Leics.

Mr Jonathan Salter (c/o Agent: Mr Lee Ward, Hayward Architects, Ground Floor, 19 Station Road, Hinckley, Leics. LE10 1AW) –Extension of an extension to clubhouse, installation of a golf driving range, pitching area and putting green – at Ullesthorpe Court, Frolesworth Road, Ullesthorpe, Leics. LE17 5BZ.

Mrs Clare Robertson-Smith (c/o Agent: Mr Greg Roberts, Plan4site Ltd, 6 Kenton Avenue, Little Hill, Wigston, Leicester LE18 2JW) –Erection of a single storey side and rear extension to existing village hall to provide additional storage and bar area, addition of insulation and roof lights to side elevation – at Ullesthorpe Village Hall, Main Street, Ullesthorpe, Leics. LE17 5DH.

D W Hicks Building Company (c/o Agent: Daniel Rush, Corporate Architecture Ltd, Venari House, 1 Trimbush Way, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7XY) – Erection of 4 dwellings and conversion and extension of existing barn to form dwelling – at land at The New Coach House, Main Street, Tugby, Leics.

Melton Borough

Wolf (c/o Agent: Andrew Jones, Tetlow King Planning, Unit 2, Eclipse Office park, Staple Hill, bristol BS16 5EL) – Outline application for the development of up to 16 plots for self-build and custom housebuiling –at land at Water Lane, Frisby on the Wreake, Leics.

Mr Antony Haslam (c/o Agent: Richard Willows, Plan-It Design Ltd, Richmond House, main Road, Long bennington, Newark, Notts. NG23 5DJ) – Prior approval of proposed change of use of an agricultural building to 3 larger dwellinghouses – at Barn to the rear of Overfields, Belvoir Road, Redmile.

Rushcliffe Borough

Property Services (c/o Agent: Rushcliffe Borough Council, Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Notts. NG2 6AY) –Construction of new single storey detached community centre, bin store, parking, access with gates and external works – at Edwalton Community Centre,Land south west of Cornelia Grove, Edwalton, Notts.

Churchill Retirement Living (c/o Agent: Miss Lauren Bishop, Planning Issues, Churchill House, Parkside, Ringwood BH24 3SG) – Erection of 3 dwellings including detached garages, access, car parking, boundary fencing and landscaping – at land rear of Manor Lodge, Manor Park, Ruddington, Notts. NG11 6DU.

Mr Tom Betts (c/o Agent: Jon Pope, GPS Planning & Design Ltd, The Studio, 36 Moore Road, Mapperley, Nottingham NG3 6EF) – Erection of 2 dwellings with associated access – at land south west of 98 Melton Lane, Sutton Bonington, Notts.

Mr Richard Walsh (c/o Agent: George Machin, GraceMachin Planning & Property, 2 Hollowstone, The Lace Market, Nottingham NG1 1JH) – Outline planning application for the erection of 4 detached dwellings – at 254 Melton Road, Edwalton, Notts. NG12 4AG.

CBT Wellbeing (c/o Agent: Ben Holmes, Oxalis Planning Ltd, Toll Bar House, Landmere Lane, Edwalton, Notts. NG12 4DG) – Construction

I had a vasectomy so I won’t have kids. But when I got home, they were still there.

Recent Planning Applications

of a two-storey therapy clinic with associated access and parking –at 170 Radcliffe Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 5HF.

Mr David Prince (c/o Agent: Lance Wiggins, Lion Planning, 14 Woodhouse Road, Quorn, Loughborough, Leics. Le12 8ED) – Use of land as an extension to existing oil depot including additional vehicle parking, site for single storey utilities building, new vehicular access, sliding entrance gates and palisade fencing to front, side and rear – at land east of Prince Petroleum Ltd, Station Road, Upper Broughton, Notts. LE14 3BH.

East Northants.

Trustees of the Germain Educational Foundation

(c/o Agent: Gary Duthie, 13 Aldwincle Road, Lowick, Kettering, Northants. NN14 3BL) – Proposed development of 2 semi-detached three-bed houses with access and parking – at land adjacent to School House, Main Street, Lowick, Northants. NN14 3BH.

Paul Gibbons (c/o Agent: Mr Sachin Parmar, Marrons Planning, Shakespeare Martineau, No. 1 Colmore Square, Birmingham

B4 6AA) – Construction of 2 dwellinghouses – at land adjacent to Orchard Way, Easton on the Hill, Northants. PE9 3LU.

Goliath Property Limited (c/o Agent: Corporate Architecture Ltd, Venari House, 1 Trimbush Way, Rockingham Road, Market Harborough, Leics. LE16 7XY) –Change of use from commercial use to form 2 detached dwellings

– at 4A Alfred Street, Rushden, Northants. NN10 9YS.

DMR Jolley Ltd (c/o Agent: Toby Pateman Architect Ltd, 7 The Knoll, Grendon, Northampton NN7 1JG)

– Erection of 4 detached dwellings

– at 22 Hayden Road, Rushden, Northants. NN10 0HX.

Corby Borough

Unnamed Applicant (c/o Agent: Alastair Thornton, Simply Planning Limited, Third Floor Suite, Front Office, Victoria House, 114116 Colmore Row, Birmingham

B3 3BD) – Change of use from Warehousing/Distribution use to flexible employment uses plus external alterations and general refurbishment – at Peavey Electronics UK Ltd, Great Folds Road, Corby, Northants. NN18 9ET.

South Derbyshire

The de Ferrers Trust (c/o Agent: Mr Geoff Stockle, The de Ferrers Academy Trust, The de Ferrers Academy, St Mary’s Drive, Burton upon Trent, Staffs. DE13 0LL)

– Installation of modular block consisting of 4 classrooms and central corridor; provision to add additional floor of 4 classrooms with 2 staircases at a later date –at Granville Academy, Burton Road, Woodville, Derbyshire DE11 7JR.

D Prince (Agricultural) Ltd (c/o Agent: John Steedman, Steedman Planning, Wayside Cottage, Ingleby Road, Stanton-by-Bridge, Derby DE73 7HU) – Erection of a new farm, comprising stock buildings, secure storage buildings, an agricultural dwelling and improvements to Crowfoot Lane – at land on the west side of Crowfoot Lane, Sapperton.

Mr Damien Wallace (c/o Agent: Mr Angel Gonzalez, AM2 Architects, Suite 2, 48 Millgate, Navigation Business Centre, Newark, Notts. NG24 4TS) – Erection of 2 new bungalows – at 18 The Crest, Linton, Swadlincote, Derby. DE12 6QD.

The Tara Buddhist Centre (c/o Agent: Mr Matthew Montague, Matthew Montague Architects, The Cheese Factory, Longford Lane, Longford, Derby DE6 3DT) –Construction of new Meditation Hall and change of use of the existing hard surface court to car parking –at Ashe Hall, Ash Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire DE65 6HT.

Rugby Borough

Juniper Developments Limited

(c/o Agent: Ryan Gettings, HB Architects, The Old Telephone Exchange, Albert Street, Rugby, Warks. CV21 2SA) - Construction of 8 flats including parking and amenity space - at 150B Railway Terrace, Rugby, Warks. CV21 3HN.

My girlfriend’s always trying to put me down. One of the disadvantages of going out with a vet.

Not that many people know that Yoda had a last name. It was Layheehoo.

At the Olympics, I saw a man carrying a long stickand I asked ‘Are you a pole vaulter?’ He said ‘No I am German but how did you know my name was Walter?’

As I was getting into bed, she said ‘You’re drunk!’ I said ‘How do you know?’ She said ‘Because you live next door.’

Boyer’s Loughborough office undergoes a sustainable refurbishment

NATIONAL planning consultancy Boyer (part of Leaders Romans Group) has reopened its Midlands office, based at Cedar Business Park, Normanton on Soar, Loughborough following a re-fit with sustainability at its heart.

Boyer’s Loughborough sustainable office features solar panels, a biomass boiler and EV chargers.

It has sustainable carpets and hard flooring made from 65% recycled material and low volatile organic compounds paint. Waste to landfill is minimised through an organised recycling and compostable waste system.

Acknowledging the importance of the circular economy, Boyer will be re-using much of its original furniture and fittings. At the point at which these items are replaced, the same sustainable principles will be followed.

David Hutchinson, Director and head of Boyer’s Midlands office said, ‘We are delighted to be the first of Boyer’s six offices to have undertaken a sustainable re-fit. As planning consultants, we understand the impact brought about by climate change and our work is focussed on delivering sustainability through the built environment. So its entirely apt that we used this opportunity for a re-fit to put our strongly-held principles into practice in our own building.

‘The expansion of this office has resulted in the creation of the first regional hub accommodating our Land, Planning and New Homes services in a single office. This will enable collaboration between these linked services to better serve our clients and to help secure further growth across the region’.

This, Boyer’s first sustainable refurbishment is one of many within Leaders Romans Group (LRG), which is refitting many of its branches across its estate agency brands to focus on energy efficiency and recycling. Already this year, LRG has overseen the refurbishment of Portico in Fulham and Leaders in Aylesbury and Lewes, and there are many more in the pipeline.

Danilo cinema finally sold after sitting empty for two decades

A FORMER cinema building in Hinckley has been sold for a six figure sum after standing empty for around 20 years.

According to property documents uncovered by the Hinckley Free Press, the former cinema has been sold for £350,000 on Friday, April 21, this year.

The property, known legally as the MGM Cinema, has been officially sold to Wigston Estates Limited based in Quinton Rise, Oadby.

Previously the picture house was owned by Warrington-based firm APV Leisure Limited, who bought the building back in 1995.

David Hutchinson

Seven-acre land plot in Worcestershire appearing at next Bond Wolfe auction

A PRIME PLOT of land on the edge of the highly desirable Worcestershire village of Hagley is likely to prove one of the star lots at Bond Wolfe’s next livestreamed auction in September.

Next to existing residential areas, the seven-acre parcel will attract considerable interest from developers across the country with an eye for potential sites.

The 7.4 acre plot on the corner of Pedmore Hall Lane and Hagley Road, between Hagley and the Pedmore area of Stourbridge, will go under the hammer on 14 September with a guide price* of just £69,000+.

Gurpreet Bassi, chief executive of Bond Wolfe, said: “This relatively rectangular parcel of land may be suitable for a variety of uses, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents.

“Hagley is a much sought-after address in the West Midlands and this site offers spectacular views of historic Wychbury Hill and the surrounding Client Hills.”

Hagley is close to excellent road connections with convenient access to the M5 corridor north to Birmingham and south to Worcester and Bristol. As well as a wide range of local amenities in the village, there are further facilities in nearby Merry Hill and Stourbridge, as well as Birmingham city centre.

Within the area there are excellent choices of both state and private schools, with the site benefitting from being in the catchment area for the sought-after Hagley Primary and Haybridge High Schools.

Bromsgrove Senior School is within easy reach and the prestigious King Edward VI College is also located in Stourbridge, plus there are further private and state schools in Worcestershire and the surrounding counties.

Mr Bassi added: “Mains services are understood to be available in the vicinity of the site, but prospective buyers should make their enquiries as to the suitability of services for their particular requirements.

“All interested parties should also make their own independent enquiries to the local planning authority – Dudley Council.

“The land is being sold freehold with vacant possession upon completion, and we ask potential bidders to note that a member of Bond Wolfe has a vested interest in the land.”

The plot of land on Hagley Road is just one of scores of lots that are appearing in Bond Wolfe’s next auction, which will start at 9am on Thursday 14 September.

If you have a property you are considering selling, visit https://www bondwolfe.com/free-property-appraisal/ email auctions@bondwolfe.com or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510 for advice or to arrange a free no obligation valuation.

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